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flutteringphalanges · 11 months

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Protostar

Adam Warlock x Star Lord!Sister Reader

Prompt: You’re pregnant. The very thought of it is so surreal. And more importantly, it’s Adam’s. Now not only do you have to break the news to the man you love, uncertain of how he will react, but then there are the rest of the Guardians too. And more importantly, your brother, Peter.

Word Count: 3,878

A/N: Hello! I am back again with another Adam Warlock x Reader baby themed one shot! I will add a link to this one to the post that has all of my one shots to this series so far. Requests are open! I’m currently working on one at the moment! Any thoughts of any kind, my comments and mailbox are open! I hope you enjoy! -Jen

Protostar

Pregnant. A word that had seemed so foreign to you up until now. An aspect you hadn’t even begun to fathom would happen to you. And yet here you were, sitting far off from the hustle and bustle of Knowhere’s square trying to clear your mind. Trying to think through haze and churning from your own stomach as you processed it all. Wondering how you would announce it to Adam. So lost in your head you didn’t even notice when Kraglin took a seat beside you.

“Y/N? Are you okay?”

Kraglin had been like an older brother to both you and Peter. Though, your relationship was a little better at the time because, growing up, he felt as if he needed to compete with the boy from Terra for Yondu’s approval. That had changed though. Now the three of you were equally close. You looked over to him, not too sure what to say. In all honesty, he was the last person you’d imagined to break the news to first.

“I don’t know.” You responded softly with a shrug. “I haven’t decided, I guess.”

“What’s wrong?” Kraglin asked, his tone slightly concerned. “Did something happen? Is it Adam?” He paused, his expression more serious than you’re used to. “Did he do something?”

He did, but technically so did you. You exhaled, wondering why you didn’t stay cooped up in the confinement of your room. That way you could’ve at least hid from it all a little longer. Pretend that everything was as it should be. You wished Adam was here, he had a way of making you feel better. Then again, maybe it was better that he wasn’t.

“Y/N?” Kraglin’s voice snapped you back into reality. You turned and looked at him as he placed a hand on your knee. “Uh, you want me to get Pete?”

“NO!” The word came out much sharper than you meant it to causing Kraglin to visibly flinch. “Sorry, I mean, no…that’s okay.”

The last thing you needed was your brother. Peter was overprotective, he had always been. Even though you two were adults, he was still annoying when it came to you and relationships. When you and Adam first got together, he made it clear to you that he wasn’t exactly supportive of it all. Sure, the guy had saved him from literally turning into a human icicle in space, but he was still wary from the Rocket fiasco. That was something that you knew would take a long time to repair. At this point you were lucky he was tolerating it all and not getting on your case. If he knew you were expecting…well, you didn’t know how he’d take the news.

“Can I trust you, Kraglin?” You asked, knowing full well there was no turning back after saying something like that. “Swear on Yondu you won’t say anything? Especially to Peter?”

Kraglin looked at you with such uncertainty it was almost comical. Almost. “Yeah…” He replied with hesitation. “Cross a Ravanger’s heart.”

You nodded, looking at the ground. “I’m pregnant.”

“...Oh.” He said after a moment, shifting awkwardly where he sat. “...Is it Adam’s?” You threw him a dark look that caused him to hold up his hands defensively. “I’m sorry! It’s just well…congratulations? I mean, this is good, right?”

You let out a loud groan and covered your face. “I don’t know!” The words came out muffled from behind your hands. “You’re the only one who knows.”

“I’m honored! Thanks!”

“Only because you showed up here.” You didn’t mean to sound so harsh. Kraglin didn’t deserve it. “I’m sorry, Kraglin, I’m…I’m not trying to take this out on you. Maybe it’s the stupid hormones, I don’t know. I found out today and I’m not processing it well, I guess.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?” He offered, and you felt his hand rest on your shoulder. “I don’t know nothing about having babies, but if there is something you like, maybe a glass of water, or a blanket? Wait, that may be for shock…”

For the first time that day, you actually smiled. Sometimes you couldn’t help but wonder what Kraglin might’ve become if he hadn’t ever joined the Ravangers. You leaned forward and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Just your support is nice.” You told him, inhaling deeply. “Thanks.”

“Well sure, we may be Guardians now, but we'll always be Ravangers at heart.” Kraglin grinned at you when you pulled back. “And Ravangers take care of our own. Well, except when we don’t, but you know what I mean. We’re family. All of us here. I guess what I’m tryin’ to get at is we’ve got your back. Adam’s a great guy, I mean, he did almost wreck all of Knowhere--”

“Kraglin.”

“Yeah, yeah, what’s in the past, is in the past. He turned out to be a great guy, right? Saved Pete, helped fix up a mess, managed to even join the Guardians. That’s somethin’, right?” He took a deep breath. “I don’t need to be able to read minds or do that emotion thingy that Mantis does to know Adam loves you. Like a whole lot.”

“I know he does.” Your smile was soft. “It’s more than mutual.”

“So it’s gonna be alright, okay? When have I ever lied to you?” Kraglin asked with a grin.

You gave him a look. There were not enough fingers on each hand for you to count the number of times both he and your brother had pulled some stunt on you. All relatively harmless, but you had learned not to be so gullible since.

“I need to go find Adam.” You told him, dusting off what little dirt had gotten on your pants. “He’s probably worried. Last thing I need for him is to go hunt Peter down. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to approach that one.”

“No matter what, Pete’ll come around. He always does.” Kraglin tried to assure you. “He got used to you and Adam. This is just another thing added on.” A big thing.

It was becoming apparent that, for the time being, you needed to focus on one thing--telling Adam. The rest you could try to get yourself to stop worrying about until later. You pulled Kraglin one last time for a quick squeeze.

“Thank you, Kraglin. For everything.”

“That’s what family’s for.” He said with a smile. “Even if we ain’t exactly a normal bunch.”

XXX

The nausea you felt the moment you stepped over the threshold and into your room was not from the baby. Part of you wanted nothing more than to just turn back and find a new spot to hide in, somewhere where no one could find you. But Blurp, Adam’s beloved furry F’saki, immediately bounded over and pounced excitedly at your legs.

“Hey, buddy.” You said, giving the animal a half smile as you reached down to scratch it behind one of its ears. “It’s good to see you too.”

“Y/N!”

Adam came bounding in with a mixed look of concern and relief at your arrival. You straightened up as he walked over to you, his hands immediately reaching and cupping your face as he studied you carefully. You felt as if you were a piece of fruit being checked for bruises by a potential customer.

“Are you alright? I was worried. You weren’t here when I returned and I kept waiting, but you didn’t leave a note--and I know that you can take care of yourself, as you’ve said before--”

“Adam.” You said, cutting him off. “I’m fine.”

He beamed at your response and looked down at Blurp. “See, I told you everything was fine. No need to get anyone else involved or form a search party.” The creature gurgled and nudged your leg.

“But, Adam, we do need to talk…” His expression changed to one of confusion as you took a step back. “It’s important.”

“Oh?” He responded, following you as you took a seat on the edge of your bed. “What do you want to talk about? Should I be worried?” And his laugh was nervous--making your own anxiety that much worse.

“I don’t know.” Probably not the best answer to give him. “I mean…I don’t know how you will feel about this.”

Gods, if you could have any power in all the universes, invisibility would’ve been great. You couldn’t even bring yourself to look at Adam as you feel his hand take yours. Tears started to well up in your eyes and suddenly you found yourself flooded with emotions. Damn hormones.

“Y/N, my love, what’s the matter? Don’t cry! Tell me what I must do!” Adam was cupping your face once more, searching your eyes for answers. “Have I done something wrong? If I have, please tell me and I will make amends. Please, say something, you’re scaring me.”

You shook your head and hiccuped. “You didn’t…you didn’t do anything wrong. I’m…” The deep breath you took was shaky, and you could only hope you didn’t look as gross as you sounded. “Adam, I’m pregnant.”

The silence that blanketed the room made you want to crawl over into a corner and die. This was it. Adam was going to get up and leave you and everything would fall apart. The Guardians would banish you from the team. From your family. Knowhere was exile you. You would have no one and nothing and Thanos might as well have snapped you for good.

“I’m going to be a father?”

The words snapped you back into reality. Through tears, you looked and saw Adam gazing at you with such glee and adoration it sort of caught you by surprise. You sniffed, wiping your face with your sleeve--nevermind how unattractive it must’ve looked, and nodded.

“Yeah.” You answered him softly. “You’re going to be a dad.”

He was quiet for a moment. “I never had a father.”

The corners of your mouth twitched into a small smile at his statement. “...I don’t remember my mom.”

“...Do you think I could be a good father?” Adam asked slowly, his gaze burning into yours. He sounded hopeful.

“Yeah.” You said with a smile. “I know you’d be a wonderful dad. There is not a doubt in my mind that says otherwise.” There was hesitation in your voice as you asked the next question. “Do you think I’d be a good mom?”

Adam chuckled warmly. “You already are to good, old Blurp right here.” Blurp trotted over and jumped into your lap, licking excitedly at your face. “See? Even he approves, and he is very particular too.”

“I can see that.” You laughed, carefully moving the dog onto the mattress. Sighing, you gazed into Adam’s eyes, getting lost in their golden pools. “Are you happy then? Are you…okay with this?”

Adam said nothing as he leaned forward and kissed you. You allowed your arms to wind around his neck as one of his arms hooked around your waist and pulled you close. Nothing sounded better than staying in that moment for all eternity. The warmth and gentleness of it all. You almost had to fight the urge to pull him back in when he stopped.

“I have never been more certain of something in my entire life.” Adam said with so much pride your heart swelled. “And I will love this child as I do you, Y/N. You are--well, now it is two of you I suppose, the most important things in my eternal life. I will do better than my best to be the very best! I swear it.”

You chuckled, sniffing as you beamed back at him. “That was quite the speech.”

“Was it what you wanted?” Adam inquired, wiping away at a stray tear that’d begun to slide down your cheek. “Are you okay? Perhaps I should’ve asked that first.”

Even though it would be months until you felt anything, you rested your hand on your stomach. You began to imagine the sensation, what little movements, kicks, flutters your baby would give you. Your baby. Adam’s baby. Gods, it sounded so surreal and yet, so right.

“Yeah.” You inhaled, your gaze deep as it met Adam’s. “I’ve never felt happier.”

XXX

“We need to tell them.”

Adam’s voice was soft as his hand gently rubbed your back from where he knelt beside you on the floor. Your head hung over the toilet as you tried to fight back the wave of nausea that stirred in your stomach. Morning sickness, more like ‘all day sickness’. It had been a week since you had broken the news to Adam--and technically Kraglin--about the baby. From the get go, he had wanted to tell the others but you had sworn him to secrecy. You still were avoiding sharing the unexpected pregnancy announcement with your brother. But now, with how violently ill your body had decided to start becoming, you weren’t really left with any options.

“Maybe we can just wait until they’re born.” You mumbled weakly, the bitter taste of bile coating the inside of your mouth. “Spring it on them then.”

“I don’t think that would be the best idea--or even possible.” Adam responded, frowning softly when you waved away at the glass of water he tried to coax in your hand. “They’re starting to worry about how sick you’ve been. And you already told Kraglin.”

“That wasn’t in my original plans.” You answered somewhat defensively. “Besides, there’s a big difference between him and Peter knowing. The others I’m not as worried about. I’m his little sister, but he forgets I’m not so little anymore. Like a lot.” Your stomach gurgled and you heaved a big sigh. “I can take care of my damn self.”

“I know.” And the palm of his hand began to knead between your shoulder blades. “But the sooner we get it over with, the better you will feel about it. And you aren’t alone in this. I’m right with you. We’ll tell them together and it will go over well, I promise.”

XXX

The last time you saw a look like the one Peter was giving you now was when you accidentally dropped his Walkman as a kid and it fell between the grates of Yondu’s ship. How he managed to get it back out before it slipped to its eternal demise, you were unsure--or cared. But this look was not about any sort of music box. Oh no, this was something much greater.

“...You’re pregnant?” Peter asked slowly, eyes flashing from you to Adam. “As in having a baby? Together?”

“Yes, I am.” Before anyone could speak up, you quickly added. “And we’re happy too. Really happy.” Adam’s arm found its way around your waist offering a sense of comfort that you needed. “And since we’re family, we were hoping that maybe you all would feel the same way.”

The silence was killing you. The way they were all watching, Peter especially, you almost wanted to curl up into a ball and beg Adam to fly you back to your room. Try again on another day. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around, followed by a squeal.

“I am VERY happy for you!” Mantis gushed, beaming at you. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Adam nervously watching, probably concerned with how tight she was hugging you. “Oh this is such good news!”

Drax broke into one of his deep fits of laughter. “Quill! That means your sister had sex!” Of all the anti-social things he could’ve said, he had to go with that one. How wonderfully mortifying. “But I am also happy for you!”

One of Groot’s branches reached out and touched your stomach. “I am Groot.” Or, as you had grown to understand. “I like babies.”

Nebula gave you a rare smile from where she stood beside Rocket. She had come so far since you first met her those many years back. Gone from enemy to a true member of the Guardians. The late Gamora, your Gamora, would’ve been proud to see what she had become.

“Congratulations,” Nebula said with a nod.

“I agree with the others!” The canine yipped, her tail wildly wagging when she trotted over to you. “I will protect the baby like a good dog!” She licked your hand leaving you secretly grateful she didn’t try to jump up. “This is good news!”

Rocket, who had been at Peter’s side, made his way over. “Yeah, yeah, what they all said.” He said with a half smile, arms folded. “Guess we better get one of those sign things to hang on the ship that says Baby On Board or something.”

“So no one else sees a problem with this?!”

Peter’s voice popped you out of that blissful bubble you had found yourself in. Everyone was looking at him now, the good mood immediately snuffed out. Your stomach began to churn, only this time, it wasn’t from the pregnancy symptoms.

“We just got our team back together and everything was fine! Now you had to go along and get pregnant!” He jabbed a finger in your direction. “I dunno, did you not consider how this might impact the rest of us?!”

Where the hell was this coming from? “You know, just a ‘Wow, congratulations, Y/N’ would have easily sufficed!” You were fuming. Of course you knew he would be a dick when you needed him most. “This was a surprise to us! I’m sorry I didn’t take you into consideration!”

“You know you can’t come on any missions, right, Y/N?” His eyes then landed on Adam, his new target. “You know she is basically out of commission. She’s a risk! Now we’re down a teammate!”

“Peter, leave him alone!” You snapped, moving protectively in front of Adam. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Oh, really, he didn’t now?” Shit, you led him right into that. “Did you forget that whole thing when Goldilocks over there busted through our home and almost killed Rocket, not to mention trying to take the rest of us out with him?!”

“Everyone deserves a second chance, Pete.” Rocket cut in with a frown. “You’ve said it yourself before, and it’s clear that Adam has. I’ve forgiven him, why haven’t you?”

You weren’t sure if Rocket’s words struck a chord with Peter or not. In reality, you really could’ve cared less at that point. Tears of frustration and sadness had already begun to well up in your eyes, you didn’t want to give him the courtesy of seeing.

“Thanks, everyone.” You said, stare fixed on the ground. “Your support means a lot.”

Adam’s hand caught your wrist as you started walking away from the group. “Y/N?”

“I’m fine.” You told him, pulling your hand out of his grasp. “I just need some space. I’ll meet you back in the room. I love you.” And you made sure that you said the last part loud enough for Peter to hear.

XXX

You had practically built yourself a nest out of pillows and blankets on the top of your bed. Adam’s pillow was stained with your tears because you had chosen it to be the one you cried into. He smelled nice. Honestly, your fight with Peter could’ve gone a hell of a lot worse. You could think of several things you might’ve spat out at him that would’ve hit him hard and good. There was enough that you didn’t need to add onto.

Suddenly, you heard a knock on your bedroom door--which was odd considering Adam always chose to waltz in without first announcing himself. Whatever, it had been a weird day as it was. Who were you to dictate how your partner came and went?

“Adam, the door isn’t locked. Just come in.”

But the person who opened the door wasn’t Adam. Peter. You watched quietly as your brother made his way over to your bed, taking a seat on the edge of the mattress. After the fallout, why exactly had he decided to show up? Was he going to give you another earful?

“Before mom died, she made me promise that I would always protect you. Even before that, I felt like I always needed to because it was just the three of us. Well, four if you wanted to include grandpa, but three.”

You chose not to respond, deciding to see where he was going with this.

“You may be grown, Y/N, but you will always be my little sister.” Peter said, his voice no longer harsh as it had been. “But that isn’t an excuse to lash out when you get into a relationship or, well, get pregnant. You’re tough. Quills have to be. And if you love Adam and this is what you want, you have my full support.” From his spot, he smiled at you. “Besides, I think I’d make a pretty damn good uncle.”

Finally, you looked up to meet his gaze. “That was a dick move you pulled back there.”

Peter sighed. “I know, I’m really sorry about that.”

“And you owe Adam an apology for trying to make him feel like shit.” He watched you, probably trying to figure out your next words. Inhaling, you continued on. “But I forgive you. I know you mean well, but I can take care of myself. Adam is a really great guy and he has changed. I really want you two to get along, especially with this baby coming. I need my big brother. I need you.”

“Y/N, you couldn’t get rid of me even if you tried.” He replied, lightly throwing one of your pillows in your direction. You dodged it with a smile. “Call it a talent.”

You snorted, shaking your head as you beamed the pillow straight back. “You’re such a dork.” The imense amount of relief you felt now was so welcoming. “This baby will be lucky to have you as an uncle. I wish Yondu was here.” Though, you weren’t quite sure how your adoptive father of sorts would feel about a baby. “...I wish mom was too.”

Peter moved and pulled you into a hug--one that you didn’t realize you needed so badly. “Me too.” He admitted with a sigh. “She’d be so excited. She was the best mom, and I know she’d make an even better grandma. And I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll be just as great at it as she was.”

You gave Peter a watery smile, only this time your tears were happy. “You think so?”

He chuckled. “When have I ever lied to you?” And you couldn’t help but think back to Kraglin at that.

You rested your hand on your stomach, something you had a gut feeling would become more natural as time went on. Your mind wandered to the little life inside of you. What would they look like? Adam? You? Growing something inside of you that was the product of your shared love. Even though you had only known about this baby for such a short amount of time, they were already so adored. A smile crossed your face at it all. The new chapter in your life, his life, everyone’s that had only just begun.

#Adam Warlock #Adam Warlock x Reader #Reader x Adam Warlock #gotg vol 3 #Adam Warlock Imagine #Guardians of the Galaxy #Aydith Warlock

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cryptidclaw · 1 year

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Cryptidclaw's WC Prefixes List!

Yall said you were interested in seeing it so here it is!

This is a collection of mostly Flora, Fauna, Rocks, and other such things that can be found in Britain since that’s where the books take place!

I also have other Prefixes that have to do with pelt colors and patterns as well!

Here’s a link to the doc if you dont want to expand a 650 word list on your Tumblr feed lol! the doc is also in my drive linked in my pined post!

below is the actual list! If there are any names you think I should add plz tell me!

EDIT: I will update the doc with new names as I come up with them or have them suggested to me, but I wont update the list on this post! Plz visit my doc for a more updated version!

Animals

Mammal

Badger

Bat

Bear

Beaver

Bison

Boar

Buck

Calf

Cow

Deer

Elk

Fawn

Ferret

Fox

Goat

Hare

Horse

Lamb

Lynx

Marten

Mole

Mouse

Otter

Rabbit

Rat

Seal

Sheep

Shrew

Squirrel

Stoat

Vole

Weasel

Wolf

Wolverine

Amphibians

Frog

Newt

Toad

Reptiles

Scale

Adder

Lizard

Snake

Turtle

Shell

Birds

Bird

Down

Feather

Albatross

Bittern

Buzzard

Chaffinch

Chick

Chicken

Coot

Cormorant

Corvid

Crane

Crow

Curlew

Dove

Duck

Dunlin

Eagle

Egret

Falcon

Finch

Gannet

Goose

Grouse

Gull

Hawk

Hen

Heron

Ibis

Jackdaw

Jay

Kestrel

Kite

Lark

Magpie

Mallard

Merlin

Mockingbird

Murrelet

Nightingale

Osprey

Owl

Partridge

Pelican

Peregrine

Petrel

Pheasant

Pigeon

Plover

Puffin

Quail

Raven

Robin

Rook

Rooster

Ruff

Shrike

Snipe

Sparrow

Starling

Stork

Swallow

Swan

Swift

Tern

Thrasher

Thrush

Vulture

Warbler

Whimbrel

Wren

Freshwater Fish

Fish

Bass

Bream

Carp

Dace

Eel

Lamprey

Loach

Minnow

Perch

Pike

Rudd

Salmon

Sterlet

Tench

Trout

Roach

Saltwater fish and other Sea creatures (would cats be able to find some of these? Probably not, I don't care tho)

Alge

Barnacle

Bass (Saltwater version)

Bream (Saltwater version)

Brill

Clam

Cod

Crab

Dolphin

Eel (Saltwater version)

Flounder

Garfish

Halibut

Kelp

Lobster

Mackerel

Mollusk

Orca

Prawn

Ray

Seal

Shark

Shrimp

Starfish

Sting

Urchin

Whale

Insects and Arachnids

Honey

Insect

Web

Ant

Bee

Beetle

Bug

Butterfly

Caterpillar

Cricket

Damselfly

Dragonfly

Fly

Grasshopper

Grub

Hornet

Maggot

Moth

Spider

Wasp

Worm

Trees

Acorn

Bark

Branch

Forest

Hollow

Log

Root

Stump

Timber

Tree

Twig

Wood

Alder

Apple

Ash

Aspen

Beech

Birch

Cedar

Cherry

Chestnut

Cypress

Elm

Fir

Hawthorn

Hazel

Hemlock

Linden

Maple

Oak

Pear

Poplar

Rowan

Redwood

Spruce

Willow

Yew

Flowers, Shrubs and Other plants

Berry

Blossom

Briar

Field

Flower

Leaf

Meadow

Needle

Petal

Shrub

Stem

Thicket

Thorn

Vine

Anemone

Apricot

Barley

Bellflower

Bluebell

Borage

Bracken

Bramble

Briar

Burnet

Buttercup

Campion

Chamomile

Chanterelle

Chicory

Clover

Cornflower

Daffodil

Daisy

Dandelion

Dogwood

Fallow

Fennel

Fern

Flax

Foxglove

Furze

Garlic

Ginger

Gorse

Grass

Hay

Heather

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hop

Hyacinth

Iris

Ivy

Juniper

Lavender

Lichen

Lilac

Lilly

Mallow

Marigold

Mint

Mistletoe

Moss

Mushroom

Nettle

Nightshade

Oat

Olive

Orchid

Parsley

Periwinkle

Pine

Poppy

Primrose

Privet

Raspberry

Reed

Reedmace

Rose

Rush

Rye

Saffron

Sage

Sedge

Seed

Snowdrop

Spindle

Strawberry

Tangerine

Tansy

Teasel

Thistle

Thrift

Thyme

Violet

Weed

Wheat

Woodruff

Yarrow

Rocks and earth

Agate

Amber

Amethyst

Arch

Basalt

Bounder

Cave

Chalk

Coal

Copper

Dirt

Dust

Flint

Garnet

Gold

Granite

Hill

Iron

Jagged

Jet

Mountain

Mud

Peak

Pebble

Pinnacle

Pit

Quartz

Ridge

Rock

Rubble

Ruby

Rust(y)

Sand

Sapphire

Sediment

Silt

Silver

Slate

Soil

Spire

Stone

Trench

Zircon

Water Formations

Bay

Cove

Creek

Delta

Lake

Marsh

Ocean

Pool

Puddle

River

Sea

Water

Weather and such

Autumn

Avalanche

Balmy

Blaze

Blizzard

Breeze

Burnt

Chill

Cinder

Cloud

Cold

Dew

Drift

Drizzle

Drought

Dry

Ember

Fall

Fire

Flame

Flood

Fog

Freeze

Frost

Frozen

Gale

Gust

Hail

Ice

Icicle

Lightening

Mist

Muggy

Rain

Scorch

Singe

Sky

Sleet

Sloe

Smoke

Snow

Snowflake

Soot

Sorrel

Spark

Spring

Steam

Storm

Summer

Sun

Thunder

Water

Wave

Wet

Wind

Winter

Celestial??

Comet

Dawn

Dusk

Evening

Midnight

Moon

Morning

Night

Noon

Twilight

Cat Features, Traits, and Misc.

Azure

Beige

Big

Black

Blonde

Blotch(ed)

Blue

Bounce

Bright

Brindle

Broken

Bronze

Brown

Bumble

Burgundy

Call

Carmine

Claw

Cobalt

Cream

Crimson

Cry

Curl(y)

Dapple

Dark

Dot(ted)

Dusky

Ebony

Echo

Fallen

Fleck(ed)

Fluffy

Freckle

Ginger

Golden

Gray

Green

Heavy

Kink

Knot(ted)

Light

Little

Lost

Loud

Marbled

Mew

Milk

Mottle

Mumble

Ochre

Odd

One

Orange

Pale

Patch(ed)

Pounce

Prickle

Ragged

Red

Ripple

Rough

Rugged

Russet

Scarlet

Shade

Shaggy

Sharp

Shimmer

Shining

Small

Smudge

Soft

Song

Speckle

Spike

Splash

Spot(ted)

Streak

Stripe(d)

Strong

Stump(y)

Sweet

Tall

Talon

Tangle

Tatter(ed)

Tawny

Tiny

Tough

Tumble

Twist

Violet

Whisker

Whisper

White

Wild

Wooly

Yellow

#cryptidclaw's warriors au #?#Im tempted to use these in the au #some characters deserve some more fun names hehe #rise of change #warrior cats #warrior cats design #warriors #warriors names #warriors naming #warriors prefixes

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blueraineshadows · 4 months

Text

Brothers Part 14

Garreth Weasley 🔺️ F!MC 🔺️Oscar Weasley

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

Chapter Master List (Ao3 link can be found here)

NSFW 🔞 🔥 Christmas, angst, plenty of fluff, sex, virginity loss

Chapter 14 - The First of Many

Weak sunlight did little to ease the biting chill as students milled around the platform of the train station in Hogsmeade, their excited chatter about the Christmas holidays filling the air along with the puffs of their misted breaths. Huge icicles hung like dragon’s teeth from the gutters of the old stone building, glistening in the morning sunlight. The Hogwarts Express was waiting patiently, carriage doors opening and closing as those going home to their families began to board.

MC’s gloved hand was firmly wrapped in Garreth’s as he lingered at her side, his freckled cheeks pink with the cold and his eyes gazing longingly at her, prolonging the moment that he would have to let her go.

“I wish you were coming on the train with us,” he said. “Or, maybe I should have stayed and travelled with you.”

“I will see you in two days,” she chuckled, adjusting his woolly hat over his ears. “It’s only right that you travel with your brothers. Sebastian and I will be there for Christmas Eve, I promise.”

She threw a glance over her shoulder at Sebastian, who was waiting just behind her, his shoulders hunched against the cold, and the bottom half of his face hidden under his Slytherin scarf. He rolled his eyes and shook his head, the top of his cheek curving with a hidden smirk as Garreth made his goodbyes. He had offered to come along so that she would have company on the trip back to the castle, with an idea of calling in to the village for a Butterbeer on route.

“Come on, lover boy, just bloody snog her and get on the train. It’s freezing out here,” Sebastian grumbled.

Looking back at Garreth, MC grinned, prising her hand from his to hold his face with her gloved hands. “I will miss you, too,” she said fondly. “But I am looking forward to seeing you for Christmas.”

Garreth beamed and held her close, their cold noses touching, uncaring who saw them on the platform. Oscar knew, and whilst they were still being discreet, it was becoming harder and harder to hide how she felt about Garreth.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Garreth was tugged firmly on the arm, both of them looking down to see the freckled face of his youngest brother, Hector. A frown creased his brow, and his lips pouted in a sulky grimace.

“Quit snogging you two,” Hector grumbled, pulling on Garreth’s sleeve. “We need to get on the train. Oscar is already on board, and if you don’t hurry up, he said he was going to put an itching hex on your pants.”

MC smothered her chuckle at the indignant look on Garreth’s face and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “Go on, Garreth,” she urged. “Go and find a seat.”

Garreth gave Hector a look that suggested sibling war was about to erupt on the train before he grabbed MC in for a much longer, firmer kiss. Hector’s groan of disgust was followed by pretend retching sounds that prompted laughter from Sebastian behind her. With Hector tugging at Garreth, Sebastian now took hold of MC’s arm, and so she was parted from Garreth, their lips separating with a loud smack.

“Bloody hell, you two,” Sebastian said, chuckling. “Young love and all that. Go on, Weasley! Safe trip home. Don’t worry, I’ll look after MC.”

“More like she will be looking after you,” Garreth quipped, his hand lingering with hers until they were too far out of reach, their gloved finger tips reluctantly grazing as Garreth was pulled across the icy platform.

MC nodded, her smile a mixture of the happiness that came from having people to care about at Christmas, and the disappointment at being parted from the one who had been a constant source of warmth and comfort these last few weeks. As she waved to Garreth and Hector climbing up into their carriage, Sebastian held her arm and waved too. She was grateful to have him there as she felt the sting of tears behind her eyes.

“You’re not going all sappy and sentimental on me, are you?” Sebastian grinned.

MC huffed a laugh and held his arm even tighter, leaning her head on his shoulder with a little sniff as the station officer checked all the doors and blew his whistle. “Of course not.”

Sebastian leant his head on top of hers, their bodies shivering against the cold as the train began to puff, huge billows of steam rising into the cold sky as it began to chug away from the station.

“What is it with you and Weasleys, hmm?” He asked softly, his brown eyes twinkling as he looked down at her.

“It’s the freckles,” she said, smiling.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he turned his gaze to the disappearing train, waving at Garreth, who was still hanging out of a window arm swinging wildly. “The freckles… But, I have freckles…”

MC laughed at his confused look and urged him to follow, their arms still linked as they made their way from the platform, their boots slipping on the icy pathway towards Hogsmeade.

“Come on, freckles. You can buy me a Butterbeer,” she said, already missing Garreth. “We can pick up a copy of The Daily Prophet, too. I wonder if the puzzle of the day is Christmas related.”

“Even if it is, I’m still going to win,” Sebastian said, his smirk firmly in place.

“As cocky as ever,” MC said, rolling her eyes. “Care to put a wager on that?”

“Since when have I ever backed down from a challenge?”

Laughing, her spirits lifting a little, they walked the path towards Hogsmeade through the glittering drifts of snow.

….*....

The steady rock and rhythm of the train carriage was lulling Oscar into sleep, his eyes drifting as he gazed out of the window, watching the scenery roll by. The steep landscape of the Highlands was making way into the softer rolling hills of northern England, the snow still covering most of the land.

A glance to the side revealed Isaac to be fast asleep, his head rocking with the movement of the carriage where it was leant against the window frame. Opposite Oscar sat Jamie, the Gryffindor Seeker, his blonde hair falling over his forehead as he sat lost in thought.

As Oscar’s eyes drifted to Garreth, he tried not to think about the sight of him saying his goodbyes to MC and Sebastian on the platform, the very public kiss Garreth had shared with MC still causing a sting in his chest. Sending Hector after Garreth had been a subtle way to halt the display of affection, and whilst he did feel a little bad about it, it wasn’t completely about making them stop for his benefit. The train was about to leave after all.

Oscar’s teeth worried at his bottom lip as he watched Garreth, curled on his seat, his gaze almost dreamy and far away as he watched the scenery roll past, his journal clutched against his chest. Once, not so long ago, Oscar would have assumed it was potions and mayhem that was being conjured up behind those green eyes. Now, it wasn’t so hard to imagine that it was MC that caused that soft smile to linger on his brother’s mouth.

Garreth looked happy. How could he begrudge him that?

Christmas Eve was going to be a test of how well he could manage the lingering jealousy and disappointment. Having MC in their family home and watching them all welcome her as Garreth’s girl instead of his. Although, the more he thought about it, the harder it became to imagine MC being there on his arm. It was a sad thing to realise that she had been right to end things between them, and he wondered if he would ever find a girl who could trust him enough to stay.

Shifting a little in his seat, he felt the press of the little box that Trixie had slipped to him after breakfast in the Great Hall that morning. His fingers moved to the outside of his pocket to feel the package he had yet to unwrap, wondering what kind of gift she had given him. He had felt guilty, having not bought her anything in return. He had not expected the gesture. He would wait until he was in the privacy of his own room before opening it, not wanting to do so in front of the others. Especially Isaac, who had dallied with Trixie himself.

Things had softened somewhat between himself and the Slytherin girl since their shared drink in the Three Broomsticks on the night of Garreth’s birthday party. That couldn’t be a bad thing. However, Oscar knew better than to let her get any closer. It was a fool’s game. Not only was she dangerous and cunning, but she was going to be fixed up in a pureblood marriage before long if the rumours in the Wizarding community were to be believed. A Weasley was not good enough for the McNair’s at any rate. If the rumours proved true, then Trixie would be marrying a Black after graduation. Oscar pitied the man tied to that little minx for the rest of his life.

Oscar wasn’t ready for marriage, arranged or otherwise. He had his Quidditch career on track, his future settled for the next few years. He didn’t really have much to complain about.

“Are you looking forward to Christmas, brother?” He asked, stirring Garreth from his thoughts.

Garreth’s smile widened, and he nodded. “I can’t wait to see Mum,” he said wistfully.

Oscar smiled. “She will be making a huge fuss over MC when she arrives, I hope you’ve warned her about the Weasley welcome she is going to receive.”

Garreth blushed, shifting awkwardly, his fingers tightening around the soft leather journal in his hands. His eyes dipped sheepishly downwards, and Oscar felt a twinge of regret that Garreth seemed to be trying to hide his true feelings.

“I hope Mum doesn’t go too overboard and embarrass her,” Garreth said.

Oscar leaned forward, balancing his elbows on his knees. “Does she know you’re courting?”

Garreth’s blush deepened even further and shook his head.

“It’s okay, you know,” Oscar said softly. He reached out to pat Garreth on the knee. “I’m happy that you’re happy, brother. Just… just look after MC. She’s a good one.”

The look in Garreth’s eyes said it all. The softness and fire that lingered there at the mere mention of her name was enough to tell Oscar that Garreth was in deep.

“I’d do anything for her, Os. Anything at all.”

….*....

Hogwarts felt huge and empty with most of the students at their homes for the holidays. MC wandered the long corridors and many staircases in a thoughtful mood, her mind turning over the last few months of her second year at this school. Her fears about attending this magical place of learning had melted away despite the darkness she had found here. The terrors she had faced didn’t seem as awful when you had others to help hold you up against them. MC realised she had much to be thankful for as she passed by the festive decorations on her way to meet Sebastian.

This time last year, she had only just begun to know her favourite Slytherin, and things had been so terribly dark and dangerous. She couldn’t fathom the world without him in it, now, without any of her friends. Sebastian and Ominis, Poppy, Leander, Amit, and Garreth. Most of all, Garreth.

Her promise to herself on the train ride here this year about not letting boys distract her seemed silly now. First Oscar, and now, she was truly swept off her feet over a boy. Garreth was woven through her so deeply that she felt his absence fiercely after just one day apart. For the first time in her life, she was going to be spending Christmas with a family, a large and warm family, with her boyfriend at her side.

It was almost overwhelming how much her life had changed over the course of a year, and whilst it was scary, she knew she shouldn’t be afraid to embrace it. The nerves fluttered, though. She couldn't help it.

The lights of the library were low, the stacks shadowed and quiet as she walked past them to the favourite table that she usually shared with her friends. Sebastian sat under the glow of a lamp, his head bent over parchment on the table top, a copy of today’s Daily Prophet open beside him. He looked up as she approached and wiped his cheeks, her heart lurching to see the glisten of tears on them.

“Seb…” She hurried to his side, hands reaching to hold his arm. “Seb, what is it?”

He shook his head, using his sleeve to dry his cheeks. “It’s nothing, really. I'm fine.”

“This is me you're talking to, Sebastian Sallow, and you do not shed a tear over nothing,” MC said firmly. She pulled a chair closer to him and sat down, taking his hand in hers. His skin felt cold, and she rubbed the back of his hand for warmth and comfort. “It's just us here. Tell me what's got you so sad, and I will do my best to help. I know you would do the same for me.”

He leant his elbow on the table, his hand pushing into his fluffy hair as his face clouded with reluctance. She waited patiently, her hands still warming his cool fingers in her lap.

“I was just thinking about us going to the Weasley's for Christmas and remembering a time when I would have had a family of my own to be with. I… I'm worried I am going to be imposing.”

His voice was barely a whisper, emotion making it crack as his eyes shone. MC knew what loneliness was. She spent most of her life drowning in it, and her chest tightened with a familiar ache that almost stole her breath. It was heartbreaking to see it on the face of someone she cared deeply for, and her first instinct was to scramble onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around him, she held him against her, squeezing him tightly as though trying to impress upon him that he was not without someone this Christmas.

“Have you not heard from Anne?”

“No, nothing,” he mumbled, shaking his head. “No word from my sister, no other family to visit with, and I can't even keep a girlfriend either. Not that I could blame anyone. What girl wants this much darkness in their life?”

“Did you not speak with Poppy before she left for her grandmother's?” MC bit her lip. The mood was still a bit sensitive between Poppy and Sebastian, mostly with Sebastian. She had noted the way he had stiffened at the mention of her name.

Again, he shook his head. “What would be the point? She doesn't want anything from me, and I don't blame her, MC. I'm better off alone, anyway.”

“You are not alone, Seb,” she whispered into his hair, giving his back a rub. “You're my family now, and I am here for you.”

She felt his shuddering breath, and then his arms held her back, his face buried against her shoulder.

“You will have Garreth and his legion of relatives to fuss over you on Christmas Eve,” he croaked. “Maybe I shouldn't come. I really would be intruding. A Slytherin in a house of Gryffindors.”

She sat back to look at him. “Oh, you are not backing out now. You have to come,” she said, nodding her head. “I'm positively terrified, and I need you there as backup. I'm going to be so out of my depth, and I am convinced they will take one look at me and see me for the troublemaker I am. I will be an imposter masquerading as a suitable girl to court their son.”

A shiver ran down her spine at the thought of Garreth’s family finding out that she was the reason he could see Thestrals now. Her murdering hands had bestowed that dark gift upon him. Who would want that for their son?

The shadows swooped in, bringing with them the dark memories, and her chest tightened further. Her fingers curled into the back of Sebastian's jumper in a tight grip.

Lost in thought, she startled at the feel of a firm, cold hand on her chin. Her eyes met with serious brown ones, Sebastian's lashes stuck together with unshed tears, but his gaze was fiery intent.

“Don't you dare start thinking you are not good enough for him, MC,” Sebastian said firmly. “I have never seen you look as happy as you are with Garreth. He is good for you, and he adores you. I know he does. And his family will love you just as much as he does. You have nothing to worry about.”

Her heart stuttered and then thumped madly as she stared at Sebastian, her lips parting. “He said that? He… he loves me?”

“He doesn’t have to say it,” Sebastian said, shaking his head. “It's obvious. Plus, he never stops talking about you. I'd put good money on a guess that his journal is full up with you as well. Every page, I'd say. I see it in the way he looks at you, and I know that he would do anything for you, even have secret duelling lessons in case he ever needs to fight for you.”

She gasped, eyes wide, her head trying to piece this information together. “What?”

Sebastian nodded, his lips curving upwards. “It's true, although he will probably hex my arse for telling you about it,” he grinned. “We have been meeting up to train together, and he is doing well. It must be my excellent teaching skills.”

His tears gone now, and his self-satisfied smirk brought a familiar twinkle to his eyes. MC shook her head a little, stunned that he had been teaching Garreth how to duel and in secret, too. It reminded her of when she had first got to know Sebastian and the time and patience he had spent on teaching her all manner of spells.

“I can't believe Garreth is learning how to duel with you,” she said, still shaking her head. She bit her lip and eyed Sebastian. “And he is good, you say?”

Sebastian nodded. “I would trust him with you, MC. I know he would have your back if it came down to it, and that makes him more than alright in my book.”

“Why would you do all of this for him, for me?”

He reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear, his gaze turning serious again. “Because you are like family to me, too, MC. I love you, and I would do anything for you, and if that means I train your clumsy, soft hearted boyfriend, how to blow shit up safely. Then, that's what I will do.”

“Clumsy and soft hearted? That does sound like Garreth,” she said fondly. Her quiet laughter brought a chuckle from his lips, too, and she held his hand.

“I know I am no substitute for Anne, and I would never try to be, but I am here for you,” she said, meeting his gaze. “We both have shadows on our backs, but we will be okay, I promise.”

He nodded, squeezing her hand, his expression thoughtful for a moment, and then he grinned.

“Does this mean I am still going to be thrown into a pit of Weasley chaos on Christmas Eve?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling back at him. “If I am going to be smothered with joy and affection, then so are you.”

After another tight hug, she slipped from his lap and picked up the copy of the Daily Prophet from the table. The puzzle of the day was a mind bender, and she held it up to him, her smile teasing.

“Still not completed this, Sallow? Oh dear, you're not slipping, are you?”

Tears definitely gone now, his habitual smirk back on his freckled face, Sebastian took the newspaper from her and patted the chair next to him.

“Sit down, my little menace,” he chuckled. “Seeing as it's Christmas, we can do this one together.”

….*....

Home was an old farmhouse set in the English countryside, surrounded by their family fields and the woods. There was always something very special about returning home for Garreth. It was seeing the smoke rising from the chimney and knowing that cosy rooms awaited, it was seeing his old treehouse in the garden that his dad and older brother Nigellus had helped to build.

There were untold memories of playing in the garden, catching frogs in the stream, hard days of helping with the harvest, and big family meals around his mother's kitchen table. As fun as school could be with the freedom of being able to express their magical abilities, Garreth loved coming home.

Dragging his trunk down the stone pathway towards the back door, delicious smells wafting from the steamed up kitchen windows, Garreth’s heart swelled as a very familiar figure appeared in the doorway.

“Welcome home, my boys!”

His mother was a most welcome sight with her arms out ready and her smile wide, clothed in her usual dress and apron.

“Mum!” He exclaimed excitedly.

Ignoring his brothers and dropping his trunk onto the path, he hurried straight into her waiting arms for the hug he had been longing for. Her squeeze nearly took his breath away as he crushed her against him. She seemed shorter somehow but still soft and warm as she laughed in delight. A thud at his back signalled the arrival of Hector, his skinny arms wrapped around them both as his mum ruffled his mop of ginger hair.

Oscar came up behind their mum, wrapping his strong arms around them all to complete the welcome home hug, his eyes meeting Garreth’s in a warm smile as he kissed their mum on the cheek.

“Merry Christmas, Mum,” Oscar said. “It's good to be home.”

Garreth smiled back, wrapped up in the family huddle still. He couldn't have said it better himself. Instead, he craned his neck over Oscar’s shoulder towards the kitchen, the tempting smells making his stomach grumble. It had been a long journey home.

“What are you cooking, Mum? I'm starving!”

….*....

The sun was setting on Christmas Eve, the icy blue sky bleeding into golds and pinks on the horizon, the sparse clouds thin and smokey grey behind the naked trees that surrounded the Weasley farm. The ground was snow free this far south, but the air was sharp and cold, the promise of a frost lingering in the lengthening shadows.

MC held on to Sebastian's arm as they walked the gravel path towards the front door of the old stone farmhouse. The roof was tiled with great chimneys at each end. The windows lit cosily from within were like something out of a story book with little flower boxes beneath them. The garden was well tended, a home that was loved and cared for.

That familiar tightness of nerves clenched in her chest, and she paused in her step, looking over the Weasley home as she bit her lip. She had never known a home like this, only ever a visitor, like her visit to Poppy’s home last summer, and now she was here about to face a real family set up. It was the stuff of dreams compared to the cold structure and formality of the children's home and the shared dormitories of Hogwarts. That feeling of being an imposter swept through her, and like Sebastian had the other day, she had the panicked thought that maybe she shouldn't be here.

Sebastian paused with her, watching her face, and he gave her arm a squeeze.

“You've got this, MC. I am right here with you.”

With a quick nod in his direction, she fought down her demons, and they arrived at the front door. Sebastian used the large metal knocker, the tap loud in the quietness of the garden, despite the sound of laughter and music that came from the inside of the house.

The door swung open, bathing the doorstep in warm light. A man with curling red hair and green eyes greeted them, his smile cheerful through his thick, red beard. He held a mug of what looked suspiciously like potent beer.

“Well, hello there,” he said, eyeing them both. When his gaze fell on MC, his brows drew together slightly. “Goodness me, you're the young lass that was pictured in the Daily Prophet with my Oscar. Are you here to see him?”

She would have welcomed a huge hole opening up beneath her feet about now, the ground swallowing her up until her fiercely blushing face was hidden. Mortified, she glanced at Sebastian, her lips parting as she struggled to find the words to reply. This man was clearly Garreth and Oscar’s father. That blasted photo of her and Oscar kissing that had been printed for all to see was clearly never going to disappear.

“Good evening,” Sebastian said smoothly. “I'm Sebastian, and this is MC. We are here at the invitation of Garreth, actually.”

“Oh, right, well then. Good evening, and Happy Christmas, young friends,” he said, looking between them both. “So, you are not the girl from the photo?”

“I am…” MC cringed, her fingers gripping tightly to Sebastian's coat sleeve. “The Daily Prophet should not have printed that photograph. It bears no merit on Oscar's skill on the pitch, which is what they should have been reporting on. I am sorry you had to see it, sir.”

Mr Weasley's eyebrows lifted, and he gave a little shrug. “Well, of course. No need to be apologising to me, my dear. I was a youngster once myself,” he gave them a wink and stepped back. “Come on out of the cold, then. I shall warn you, though, there are sprigs of mistletoe hidden around the house. But if there is to be any of that snogging business, I promise there will be no photographs of it.”

Sebastian was smirking, but MC felt the heat burning her cheeks as she stepped into the hallway, Mr Weasley's mischievous grin, so like Garreth’s that it made her breath catch. Garreth had definitely gained his handsome charm from his father.

A woman in a green dress appeared from a doorway, her red hair pinned back and her rosy cheeks rounded as she beamed a smile their way. MC stared at her, struck immediately by the twinkling blue eyes that were just like Oscar’s. She bustled towards them, her hands held out towards MC.

“Oh, hello, hello! Happy Christmas, and welcome,” She greeted, taking MC’s hand and squeezing it gently. Her eyes took in MC’s face, and she gave a hqppy, little sigh. “You must be MC. How lovely you are, my dear. I can see why my Garreth is so very fond of you.”

“It's lovely to meet you, Mrs Weasley,” MC said, her voice sounding rather breathless as she fought back her nerves, her blush deepening at the praise. “Happy Christmas!”

Mrs Weasley was so warm and welcoming, turning her attention to Sebastian next and exclaiming over how handsome he was. He even got a pinch on the cheek that had MC biting back a chuckle as Garreth hurried into the hallway, his face immediately brightening as she met his gaze.

Mr Weasley watched on as Garreth leapt forward and scooped MC up into a huge, bone crushing hug. “You're here!” He exclaimed, squeezing her tight before pressing a cheeky kiss to her cheek. “The best kind of Christmas gift.”

“Hold your horses, lad,” Mr Weasley said, his brow furrowing in confusion. “This is the young lady you were telling us about? This is your lass?”

Garreth glanced up at his father. “Yes…I hope you haven't been teasing her, Dad.”

“As if I would,” Mr Weasley said, holding up both hands with his little smile that was so very Garreth. He shook his head, his smile turning baffled. “I can't keep up with you youngsters and your courting.”

MC bit her lip, her hand seeking out Garreth’s so they could link fingers. Grabbing Sebastian with his other hand, Garreth led them through into a large but cosy living room that was filled with people chatting and drinking. By the fireplace stood a huge Christmas tree decorated with enchanted candles and pretty ribbons. Professor Weasley stood beside it, a glass of wine in her hand as she chatted with a tall man. She gave them both a nod and a smile in greeting.

The majority of the guests were red-haired, and MC shared a look with Sebastian as he chuckled. “Bloody hell, that’s a lot of Weasleys.”

Garreth grinned. “And this isn't all of us. Not everyone could make it. The Prewetts are here, though. Come on, there's Lee.��

In the spirit of Christmas, MC found herself swept up into a fierce hug by Leander, and he held out his hand for Sebastian to shake. Soon, the four of them were huddled in their own little corner, chatting away, drinks pressed into their hands as plates of mince pies and other tasty treats were passed around.

Tucked snugly against Garreth’s side, his arm wrapped around her, MC began to feel some of the nervous tension slip from her shoulders. Even Sebastian and Leander were getting along, laughing loudly, their cheeks turning pink from the little Firewhiskey top ups that they were slipping into their drinks.

Children were weaving around the adults, giggling and playing, some of them playing Wizard's Tag in the garden where Oscar was keeping an eye on them. When Oscar came indoors with a little red-haired girl trailing him, their cheeks flushed with the cold, MC watched as they warmed their hands at the fireplace.

Oscar was wearing a dark green, knitted jumper, his hair neatly swept to the side, and he looked as handsome as ever. Clearly, the little girl adored Oscar. She stuck at his side, her little hand seeking his as she leant against him.

Garreth noticed the direction of her gaze and spoke into her ear. “That's my little sister, Millie. Oscar is her favourite, and she misses him when he is away at school. She starts Hogwarts next year, actually. She can't wait.”

“She starts as Oscar leaves,” MC said, still watching as Oscar adjusted the little hair clip that kept wild red hair from tumbling across Millie's freckled forehead. “That's a shame. I can see how close they are.”

“Are you okay being here with Oscar?” Garreth asked softly. She turned to meet his gaze. His hand gripped subtly tighter at her waist. “It's not too awkward for you, is it?”

“No, I'm alright,” she said, smiling and daring to lean closer and press a very quick kiss to his nose. “Although, I think your dad was a bit confused. He recognised me from the photograph in the paper.”

Garreth groaned. “I forgot about that. Sorry.”

“Not to worry, it isn’t your fault. Your Mum seemed to know about me, though,” she said, reaching to adjust his little red dickie bow. He looked so smart in his white shirt and red plaid waistcoat, her eyes dipping to gaze longingly at his mouth. She craved a proper kiss from him. “She seems lovely.”

“I may have had a little chat with her and told her about you,” Garreth admitted, his smile bashful.

“A little chat?” Hector’s head appeared from behind the settee they were sitting on, his cheeky face twisting into an artful eye roll. “You don't shut up about her. Honestly, you talk about her as much as you snog her at school, and that's a whole lot!”

“Hector! Right, that is it!” Garreth twisted around, his hand splayed against Hector’s red hair as he tried to shove his head back down behind the settee. Hector squeaked and tried to slap his hand away, wriggling away with an infectious chuckle that brought laughter to MC’s lips as the brothers squabbled.

“What’s going on here?” Oscar asked, coming closer.

“Hector being a pesky dugbog again, I'd say,” Millie grinned.

“You're a dugbog,” Hector threw back, in between grappling with Garreth, who had now launched himself over the back of the settee and was wrestling Hector to the floor. “In fact, you're worse! You're a big, stinky dugbog poop!”

Millie scowled and hurried to swing her little booted foot towards Hector’s leg, his squawk of pain her reward as she folded her arms with a satisfied smirk.

MC watched the sibling scrap with her hand to her mouth, a mixture of amusement and curiosity playing out over her face as Sebastian and Leander turned to see what was going on. She glanced up at Oscar, who met her gaze. It was the closest she had been to him in a while, and she couldn't help the blush that swept across her cheeks.

“Are they always like this?”

Oscar’s smile brought a twinkle to his eyes as he nodded. “I'm afraid so.”

“What in Merlin's name is going on here?” Mrs Weasley demanded, her hand whipping out her wand in the blink of an eye.

Garreth and Hector were both levitated off their feet, their feet and hands still kicking and swiping as they let out groans of frustration. Millie giggled with delight and clapped her hands, poking out her tongue at Hector.

“We have guests!” Mrs Weasley scolded, hands on her hips. “You stop this nonsense right now!”

Both boys stopped their scrapping and gave their mother sheepish smiles. “Sorry Mum,” they said in unison.

Mrs Weasley nodded once and then turned a smile towards Garreth. “And Garreth, sweetie, don't forget to let MC meet Grandma Weasley. She is eager to meet your lovely young lady.”

Oscar’s smile slipped, and he flicked his gaze MC’s way before taking hold of Millie and directing her away from her floating siblings. “Come on, Mills, the show is over. Let's see what food is left.”

Mrs Weasley brought the boys back down to their feet, Hector grumbling under his breath about favouritism, and Garreth still looked a little bit sheepish as he tugged his shirt and waistcoat to straighten them. Sebastian gave him a little nudge with his elbow, the pair of them exchanging a cheeky, smirking look.

Reaching for his hand, MC slipped her fingers through Garreth’s and let him lead her away through the living room towards a doorway that opened into a large kitchen. Oscar and Millie were picking over platters of food that were set on the long table, Oscar catching her gaze as they passed them.

Guilt pulled at MC, making her conscious of her hand that was grasped in Garreth’s, at her being called his young lady right in front of poor Oscar. How could she not feel for him? In his shoes, she would be crushed. Her lips twitched into an attempt at an apologetic smile, but it didn't feel enough, especially when he didn't return it and looked down.

“Where are we going?” She asked, dodging a pair of red-haired children that looked suspiciously like twins as they headed towards a very big inglenook fireplace.

“To meet Grandma Weasley, of course,” Garreth said, pausing beside a worn winged-back chair. In the chair sat a small woman, aged and hunched, her blue eyes still bright and keen as she lifted a gnarled hand out towards them.

“Is that you, Garreth, dear?” Her voice was thin and tired, her words spoken between rasping breaths. MC tried to remember seeing anyone who looked this old and came up with nothing.

Garreth hunkered down, gently taking hold of the trembling curled fingers.

“Yes, it's me, Grandma,” he said clearly. He gestured for MC to crouch down beside him, and she did so. Slowly, he placed MC’s hand with his so that they were both holding his grandmother's hand. “I have brought someone very special to meet you, Grandma. This is MC.”

“Hello,” MC said nervously, her hand resting gently over the old woman's cool skin.

“Ah, yes, your sweetheart,” she said, her lips lifting into a smile as her eyes wandered over MC’s face. “I can not see as well as I once did, but I am sure you are as lovely as young Garreth described you. Now, let me get a proper look. I just need to hold your hands. Do you mind, my dear?”

MC exchanged a look with Garreth as Grandma Weasley took hold of her hand in both of hers. Garreth gave her a reassuring nod, his hand sliding to the small of her back where he circled his fingers in a soothing touch.

“Of course, go ahead,” MC said.

Grandma Weasley closed her eyes and gently felt over MC’s hands, her fingertips cool and soft. MC watched, eyes wide and lips slightly parted.

“Grandma has a magic touch,” Garreth whispered. “She can read people through their hands. Caught me out a few times when I was younger, unfortunately. Not much gets past her.”

“I can hear you, Garreth, my sweet,” Grandma Weasley said, her eyes still closed. She smirked and leaned in a little closer towards MC. “He is a mischievous little scamp, but his heart beats with a rare purity.”

MC smiled. When you looked into those green eyes, that purity was there. She had seen it. She felt it whenever Garreth held her close. It was one of the reasons she was drawn to him in the first place. If this lady could feel that from merely touching a person's hands, then MC wondered what she was going to say about her.

Nerves fluttered like lacewing flies in her belly as those gnarled, old hands felt over her palms, her fingertips following the lines that traced her skin there. Muttering came from her lips, her eyelids flickering as she read MC’s hands with her magical skill.

“Don't be afraid, child,” she said gently, her hands cupping MC’s like a tiny bird. She nodded, her eyes opening to reveal orbs of twinkling pale blue that held a depth of knowledge. “You are a very strong and brave girl, MC. I can feel deep shadows and sadness within you, but you carry it in a heart that is loyal and true, a selfless and generous young woman.”

MC felt her throat tighten, the backs of her eyes burning as they remained locked with Grandma Weasley. How did she see all of that? Did she know what those shadows were? Had she seen the murder and bloodshed? Did she see the lies told to protect Sebastian?

Did she know the risk she had brought to Garreth?

Grandma Weasley turned her gaze towards Garreth and patted his arm. “Be a treasure and make your old Grandma a cup of tea, Garreth lad,” she said.

Garreth opened his mouth to perhaps protest, but one look at his grandmother's face made him think otherwise. “Of course, one cup of tea is coming right up!”

MC watched Garreth get up and fetch the kettle for the large range stove, her nerves fluttering madly as she looked back up at the lined face, wondering again just how old this lady was, when Grandma Weasley gave her a secretive smile.

“Now, us girls can have a proper chat. There is a deep and powerful magic within you, child,” Grandma Weasley continued. Her eyes narrowed. “You have the blood of the ancient flowing in your veins. I have heard about you, and I am honoured to be able to feel the pulse of that magic with my own hands.”

Her gentle fingers moved to press against the pulse point at MC’s wrist, a pulse that was racing under this close scrutiny.

“You…you can feel it?”

Grandma Weasley nodded. “I can. I am impressed, child. You carry such power, and yet you try to conceal it. You don't want it to control you or let it be all that people see of you. Whilst you seek acceptance and belonging, you don't want to use your gift to get it. Such wisdom for one so young.”

“I had a good mentor,” MC said, her voice wavering slightly.

Grandma Weasley nodded, and she smiled. “Eleazar was a wonderful man, and his wife was a rare gem. They are both great losses to our world. I am glad you found your way to him.”

“You knew Professor Fig?” MC felt her heart quicken further, tightness grasping her chest and throat.

“I did. We would write from time to time, and he told me a little about his ward. You. He thought highly of you, dear. You should know that…” Grandma Weasley paused, her head tilting, and she stroked the back of MC’s hand. “The panic flutters. Does it happen often?”

MC gasped and almost pulled her hands out from Grandma Weasley's grip. It was unnerving to be read so easily. “You can feel them, too?”

Grandma frowned slightly and put a hand to her own chest. “I can. I am sorry, dear. I do not mean to upset you. I can feel your troubled heart, and it is a shame for one so young. But, I can feel the love you bear also. You have people who help carry these burdens. Garreth… He helps you with these flutters, doesn't he?”

MC nodded. Whilst stunned, she felt no malice from this curious old lady, and the truth fell easily from her lips. “Yes, he does.”

Grandma Weasley thought for a moment and then nodded, her smile knowing and satisfied.

“Then you had best keep him close, child,” she said, patting their joined hands before sitting back in her chair. Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “You've got a rare one there, my dear. You have nothing to fear when it comes to Garreth. That boy is loyal to a fault. Your heart will be safe with him, and while you may argue that I am biased, I can confidently promise you that.”

MC felt that tightness in her throat increase, emotion making it difficult to swallow as she fought the urge to cry. It was raw honesty that made her speak the deepest fear in her heart to this woman.

“And what of his heart, ma'am,” she said quietly. “Is that safe in my hands?”

Her wrinkled brow furrowed into deep lines, and she stared with curious eyes. “You doubt yourself that much, child?”

“I could not bear it if I were to hurt him,” she admitted. “I don't want to fail him.”

“You love him,” Grandma Weasley said, nodding as if she already knew it for fact. She took hold of MC’s hand again, her grip firm. “That's all you need to do, child. Love him, share your heart with him, and the reward will be everything you seek. We all have shadows to carry. It's just the human way. Don't let them block out the light. You're strong. You will be just fine. Trust me, my dear.”

Garreth appeared with a small tray containing a little teapot and a fine China tea cup on a saucer. “Just how you like it, Grandma,” he said, placing the tray on the side table beside her. “Would you like me to pour it for you?”

“If you would, sweetheart. My hands aren't what they used to be,” she said, giving MC a wink. “Thank you for bringing your lady to me. It was a pleasure to meet you, dear.”

Heart hammering, MC stood, her chest still tight and her hands tingling where the old woman had touched her. Touched her and saw into her soul.

“It was lovely to meet you, too,” she said, her voice strained.

Garreth was leaning down to kiss his Grandma's cheek, speaking to her with that lovely, warm voice she adored. Grandma Weasley said something back to him, speaking words into his ear that made his face flush crimson.

Unsure how she felt about the whole thing, MC excused herself for a moment and turned from them, heading for a door that led out into a little paved garden with neatly kept potting beds full of herbs. She kept walking, just needing a moment to herself.

Pressing her hand to her chest and fighting the tears that threatened to fall, she couldn't help but feel like she had just passed some kind of test. Through touching her hands and reading her soul, that wise old woman had given her blessing.

With the darkness that shrouded her, MC was struggling to fathom how that was even possible. Despite Sebastian's firm words about her being good enough for Garreth and the eerie accuracy that an old woman had spoken of her secret heart, she still couldn't fight the fear that she wasn’t.

….*....

Oscar had tried to keep his eyes averted from MC, but it was hard. Drawn to her, he had no choice but to watch as she was introduced to his family. She looked so lovely, her smile lighting her face, her eyes so soft whenever she looked at Garreth.

Seeing her being presented to Grandma Weasley had him almost holding his breath, his curiosity burning fiercely as she held MC’s hand and gave her reading. The warmth on Grandma Weasley's face, the way she smiled at MC. Whatever she had seen had pleased her.

Grandma Weasley was never wrong, and she had seen enough to put her blessing on MC.

When MC had made her excuses and left the kitchen, Oscar’s feet were moving before he could even begin to think of a reason not to follow. With Garreth distracted by Grandma Weasley, Oscar took the chance to have this moment alone with MC.

The night sky was littered with stars, his breath visible in the chilly air as he crossed the herb garden towards the stone arch that led further into the garden beyond. There, on a stone bench, sat MC with her arms wrapped around herself, her gaze lifted to the night sky.

“Are you alright?”

Her head whipped around towards him, and she tried to steady her breathing, shifting on the bench as he came to a stop beside it.

“I… I just needed some fresh air,” she said. “It was a bit warm in the kitchen.”

He nodded. “Grandma Weasley is something else, isn't she? I can imagine how overwhelming it might be to take on board what she says. We are all used to it.”

She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “It felt a bit strange, I must admit.”

He gestured towards the empty spot on the bench beside her. “May I?”

She nodded. “Of course.”

Oscar took a seat, careful not to touch her as he did so. He looked up at the sky and rubbed his hands together against the chill.

“Would you like me to cast a warming charm? I'm rather handy with those, as I am sure you remember.”

She glanced at him, a slight smile on her lips as she nodded.

It reminded him of the night he took her out to the gardens above the Hufflepuff common room to look at the stars. It had been cold that night, too, but they had found warmth with each other. It had been their first kiss.

Slipping his wand out, he cast the charm and heard her little sigh. Twisting his wand in his fingers to keep his hands busy, he risked another look her way.

“You make him happy, you know,” he said. She lifted her gaze to meet his. “I should have let you two find each other sooner rather than trying to keep you for myself. For that, I am sorry.”

Her hand reached out to touch his forearm, and she shook her head. “Please, don't apologise. It took both of us to be together like we were, and don’t ever regret it, because I don't. I could never regret you, Oscar.”

He looked down at her hand, his chest squeezing at her words as his gaze returned to her face. He placed his hand over hers.

“I don't regret you either,” he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. “I wish things could have been different, I won't deny it, but I can see that you made the right choice. You are meant to be with Garreth, and I just want you both to be happy, because… because I love you both.”

As she stared at him, their hands touching, the stars silently watching on, he knew he would always love her in a way. She was the first girl who had made him pause and think about what he wanted. But, he had to let go now.

“Look after him, MC. He is my little brother, and he is one of a kind. You won't find anyone else that comes close.”

“You're more like him than you know,” she said, squeezing his arm before letting go. “There are not many who would be this generous. I wouldn't blame you if you hated me.”

“I could never hate you, MC.”

She nodded and stood, taking a deep breath as she smoothed her hands down the front of her blouse. “Thank you. I should really head back inside.”

Oscar stood with her, not ready to see her leave just yet. He caught her sleeve and held her there, looking down at her and savouring how she looked under the winter moonlight one more time. It occurred to him that one day, she would probably become his sister, a true part of this family, and it didn't hurt the way he thought it would.

It meant she would always be a part of his life, and maybe that was enough.

“You will meet someone one day, Oscar, and she will make you forget what it was ever like to breathe without her,” she said. “I want that for you.”

He smiled and pulled her closer, bending to press a soft kiss to her forehead. Her delicate scent pulled at memories, but she belonged to his brother now.

“Go on, Garreth is waiting for you,” he said softly. “Happy Christmas, MC.”

“Happy Christmas, Oscar.”

He stood and watched her go, slipping his hands into his pockets as the effects of the warming charm began to fade.

….*....

Garreth carefully poured the tea into one of his mother's finest tea cups. He placed the cup and saucer gently into his grandmother's hands, and she smiled up at him.

“You've always been a good boy, Garreth,” she said fondly. “I am happy that you have found someone who sees you for what you are. You deserve it.”

“Does that mean you like MC?”

Grandma Weasley chuckled, her tea cup rattling ominously in her saucer. “If you're seeking my blessing, my boy, then you have it. You just come and see me when the time is right, and the ring is yours to give.”

He felt his cheeks flame with heat, and he put his hands to his mouth, almost trembling at the idea of presenting a ring to MC.

“There is plenty of time for all that, Grandma,” he said shakily. “I think you're getting ahead of yourself there.”

“When you know, you know,” she winked. She lifted her cup to her lips and paused, her eyes full of Weasley mischief. “By all means, take some time to court her and have some fun, Garreth. But don't dilly dally. Once you've both finished your schooling, you come and see me. I'm far too long in the tooth already at 127, and I want to see that girl as a Weasley before I'm gone.”

He almost gulped as he watched her sip her tea, swallowing it down with a contented sigh.

“Lovely,” she said. “Now, off you go. Go enjoy the evening with the other young folks. I'm quite happy here in my chair with my tea.”

He pressed another kiss to her wizened cheek that had her grinning into her cup as he made his way out of the kitchen in search of MC.

He searched out the living room, but there didn't seem to be any sign of her, only Leander and Sebastian, who were in the middle of a competitive game of Wizard's Chess.

“Where's MC?” Sebastian asked, looking around for her.

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” he said, glancing around again.

Leander leant back in his chair with a smirk. “Maybe she's with Oscar. He hasn't been around for a while either.”

Sebastian's hands clenched into fists, and his eyes narrowed as he glared at Leander. Garreth immediately put a staying hand on his shoulder and shook his head at Leander.

“What?” Leander said, holding his hands out. “I was only joking.”

“It's not funny,” Garreth said.

“No, it's not,” Sebastian said quietly. “But if it's true, I'm not afraid to throw a few hexes his way if he has got his hands on her.”

“There will be no need for throwing hexes at anyone, mate,” Garreth said, patting Sebastian's shoulder. “Oscar is alright. We had a chat. It's all good.”

“If you say so,” Sebastian said, slowly unclenching his fists. “Still, go and find MC. You should be with her.”

“Why don't you take her out and show her your old treehouse?” Leander suggested with a wink. “We will cover for you, won't we Sallow?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes with a groan as Garreth’s mouth lifted into a mischievous smirk. Sebastian held his hand up before he could say anything.

“Don't! I don't need to hear it,” he said, shaking his head. “Just go and find her, and yes, we will cover for you.”

“Nice one, lads,” Garreth said, slapping them both on the shoulder. “Catch you later.”

….*....

With her back pressed against the old stone of the farmhouse wall, MC took a moment to catch her breath before returning to the kitchen. The nerves and uncertainty had almost engulfed her completely, and then Oscar had placed that tender kiss on her forehead, sending her back to Garreth with such warmth in his gaze that it had nearly brought forth the tears she had been withholding.

The emotional roller coaster this evening should have had her running, panic searing through her blood, but she wasn't. She was still here, and more than anything, she craved the comfort of twinkling green eyes and warm arms wrapped around her.

Grandma Weasley had held her hands for mere minutes and plucked the truth from her heart with a smile. MC loved Garreth. She loved him so much it filled her up, threatening to burst from her skin like a blaze of magic.

The sting of tears threatening now were happy ones, and she almost chuckled to herself as she rubbed at her cheeks and turned to open the door to the kitchen. It opened before she had the chance to touch the handle, and Garreth was there before her.

“There you are! What are you doing out here in the cold?” He said, reaching for her.

“I needed some fresh air and a moment to gather my thoughts,” she said quickly, throwing herself into his waiting arms and burying her face into the softness of his shirt.

“Hey, are you okay?” He asked, his hand cupping the back of her head.

She nodded, taking a deep breath and inhaling his familiar and comforting scent. “I am now.”

She felt his hands soothing her, soft kisses landing on her head, and she closed her eyes.

“Come with me, I want to show you something,” he said.

Taking his hand, she let him lead her back out into the garden, taking a turn that led them down a trail, away from where she had left Oscar through some bushes and trees. Twigs snapped beneath their feet and their breaths misted in the cold air, but she ignored the shivers and held on tight to the warmth of Garreth’s hand.

They came to a clearing in the trees, the sounds of the house far behind them here as Garreth paused under a huge oak that supported a rather impressive tree house. He turned to her, his face just visible in the darkness. He held up his wand and cast Lumos.

Blinking against the sudden light, MC followed the light as he aimed it towards the wooden structure, a ladder visible beneath it.

“Welcome to my humble abode,” he said proudly.

She smirked. “What a charming home you have, Mr Weasley. Do you bring all the girls here to impress them?”

He pulled her in close, his lips barely a whisper from hers. “Only the really pretty ones.”

Unable to resist what was put so temptingly before her, MC pressed her lips to his, savouring the softness with a lingering kiss that left them both breathless. Her heart thumped at the immediate flare of fire that flickered within her.

“Such a charmer,” she whispered. “Come on, then. Give me the grand tour.”

Still holding his wand, he assisted her up the ladder before following her up into the cosy little cabin. Garreth lit a lamp, filling the space with a warm glow that revealed a glimpse into a younger Garreth.

There were faded pictures tacked to the walls, Quidditch and posters of popular toys, paper filled with little drawings of animals and boats, magical items, and plants. Old toys were on shelves and in a box, along with some books and a tray filled with coloured pencils.

“Wow, this is all yours?” She asked, trailing her fingers over a little desktop, smiling at the tiny stool tucked underneath. There was even a potion kit and cauldron on the bench, stubs of burned down candles left in little metal holders, making the place look used and loved.

“My dad built this with Nigellus for me and Oscar, but it was me that spent the most time here,” Garreth said, moving towards a small chest and lifting the lid. “This was my little hideaway where I would come and play, daydream about all the fun things I wanted to do once my magic came in.”

MC turned to look at him, trying to imagine him as a small boy with wild curls and chubby cheeks. She realised it wasn't that hard to picture, and her heart was filled with a sudden aching longing. A need to be a part of something that created the warmth and love his memories inspired.

“That sounds like the perfect childhood,” she said softly, watching as he pulled blankets and cushions from the small chest. He held them up to her, his smile irresistible.

“Would you like to make a little nest with me? This is one of my favourite places, and I just want to share it with you for a bit.”

“I would love to.”

They arranged the cushions and blankets on the floor of the cabin, Garreth casting a warming charm that could rival Oscar’s, and soon they were cuddled up together. The outside world could have been a million miles away for all she cared. Laying there in his arms and staring into beautiful green eyes, this was all that mattered.

“I love you, Garreth Weasley,” she whispered.

He stared at her, sucking in a gasp of breath as he tried to process what she had said. His lips trembled slightly, and his eyes shone with gathering tears as his hands gripped her tighter.

“Really?”

She smiled, cupping his face with her hand and pressing her nose to his. “I really do. I love you. I've never felt like this before, but it can't be anything else. You mean so much to me, and when we are together, I feel more complete than I ever have in my whole life.”

The sound he made was half sob, half laughter, his mouth seeking hers in a firm kiss that pressed her back into the pillows.

“I love you more than anything,” he said earnestly, holding her close, his forehead resting against hers. “I could burst with it, and when we kissed for the first time, I thought I had to be dreaming because my dreams have always been about you, night and day.”

“You don't have to dream about it anymore, Garreth,” she said, her own eyes beginning to fill with tears. “I am yours to kiss whenever you want to, my heart is yours, and I have been assured that you will take good care of it for me.”

He huffed a laugh, his fingers caressing her cheek, his thumb achingly close to her mouth.

“Grandma Weasley, I'm guessing.”

She nodded, sliding her fingers into the softness of his hair, playing with the tumble of curls at the back of his neck.

“She is a little bit terrifying, your grandmother, but she knew I love you,” she said, letting her vulnerability show as she gazed into his eyes. She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, her heart in her mouth as it pounded with heightened anticipation, shifting her hips so that they pressed closer against his.

“Kiss me, Garreth, and this time, I don't want you to stop. Please tell me you have some potion I could take, and then you can make me yours.”

“Are you sure?” His words followed a soft intake of breath, his eyes questioning and his face serious. “I do have some potions. Are you sure you want to do this here? I want it to be perfect for the first time. It's what you deserve.”

She nodded, her chest blooming with warmth at how utterly adorable he could be.

“Didn't you say that this is one of your favourite places? What could be more perfect? I have nowhere like this to show you. My life has been a series of lonely rooms, and I want to do this with you in a place that means something. I feel close to you here. This is perfect.”

“Your life will never have lonely rooms ever again,” he said firmly. “Not if I have anything to do with it.”

Their kisses had always inspired the fire in her to bloom, her body responding to him with passion and desire, but there was an intensity to these kisses that just felt deeper. There was a hunger that clawed through her, urging her hands to pull his clothing free from his body, exposing warm, freckled skin that her hands craved to touch.

Her soft sighs were met with his groans of approval as he palmed her bare breasts, his lips tasting the skin of her neck. The tease of his kiss tortured a nipple, her back arching off the blanket as he tugged the last of her clothing free.

“Are you absolutely sure about this?” He asked, his hand poised near the junction of her thigh. “Only on your word, MC.”

She nodded, swallowing nervously as she glanced down between their bodies, his arousal alluring and slightly intimidating as she imagined it pressing into her.

“I'm ready.”

She moaned, her teeth catching at her lower lip as he stroked his fingers against her core, sliding one inside with ease. His teasing brought more soft moans to her lips, the heat building as he added a second finger.

“I don't want to hurt you,” he said softly, his eyes conveying his own nerves.

“It's alright,” she said, stroking his face. “I know it might sting at first, but that's normal, don't worry.”

“We can stop any time, just tell me, and I will stop.”

“Garreth, look at me,” she said, holding his gaze. “I trust you. I want you to be the one to do this. This is what I want, but only if you want it too.”

His eyes darkened even more as he glanced down at where his hand was pleasuring her. His fingers began to move again with aching slowness. “Oh, I want this,” he said. “You have no idea how much…”

His words cut off with a moan as her hand slid over his arousal, stroking him. She licked her lips, anticipation tingling through her limbs and burning her tongue as words naughtier than she had ever said before left her mouth.

“I want you to fuck me,” she said, breathless with the abandonment and piercing heat she felt at uttering such filthy words to him.

His cheeks flushed with colour, his stunned green eyes stared as his pupils flared, his arousal twitching under her grip as her name left his mouth in a shocked gasp.

He looked downwards, mouth parted as he shifted his hips closer, the tip of his cock brushing up against where his fingers were buried inside of her. She rolled her hips with a soft moan and he closed his eyes.

“Fuck, MC. You're a naughty girl.”

Her answering smile was everything naughty and playful, her entire body a blistering vessel of need and love, desperate to feel him as close as possible. It was powerful and all consuming and a little overwhelming, but in the best way.

She had read about the desire you could feel for another, the want and burn of letting another take your body in the most intimate way, but had thought herself possibly broken because she had shied away from it. But, with him, with Garreth, it was different.

She wanted to be a ‘naughty girl’ for him.

Sliding his fingers free, he lined himself up against her entrance, her thighs instinctively parting wider as she felt that first gentle nudge. Their eyes met, his final search for her consent that she gave with a simple nod of her head, and he pushed forward gently.

She panted softly, the head pressing inwards with a subtle stretch. As much as she wanted this, her body tensed at the intrusion, and Garreth paused, biting his lower lip.

“More,” she gasped, her hands coaxing him with soft touches. “It's alright.”

He pushed again, and they both felt the resistance, but she urged him on, gripping his hip and wincing slightly at the feeling of pressure. He was bigger than she thought, her breaths coming even faster as he pushed until she felt the giving way with a sharp sting.

A wince crossed her face as she gasped, Garreth immediately stilled and held her close, pressing kisses to her face as he stroked her hair. “I'm sorry,” he whispered.

“No, it's alright,” she soothed. “I'm okay. We did it!”

She smiled at him, kissing him back and staring into his eyes as she gave a gentle, testing roll of her hips. As she did so, he slid deeper, filling her even more, and the stretch made her breath catch. His fingers gripped, a soft groan sounding in his throat.

“MC, you are just… Gods that feels so good,” he moaned, moving his own hips just enough to make him withdraw slightly before he sank even deeper.

They moaned in unison, the utterly full feeling of him being buried within her was unlike anything else. Looking down at where their bodies were joined, MC blinked back a few tears and then kissed him, so filled by him in more ways than one.

The kiss deepened, any nerves completely melting away as she caressed his skin, fingers dragging down his back as he slowly began to move. With each careful thrust, the stretch lessened, and a delicious slow burn began to build. There was no rhythm to it, the pair of them just adjusting to this new, intense feeling that had her moaning into his mouth.

“Tell me this feels just as good for you,” he said, his gasping breaths hot against her throat.

“Yes,” she whispered, her hands just needing to touch, gripping at him as she craved more. “Faster, Garreth.”

He obliged, adjusting his arms to brace each side of her as he snapped his hips against hers, seeking out a rhythm that had her back arching upwards. She could see the pleasure on his face, his soft groans filling her with as much fire as the feel of him as they moved together. He had found his stride and where, before it had been exploratory and gentle, now it was urgent and exquisite.

He turned his head, closing his eyes, and his movement became loose, his gasps more desperate. She had seen him reach release before, could tell he was close, and she took his face in her hands and turned him back towards her.

“I don’t want it to end…MC,” he panted. “I’m so close…”

“This is only the first time,” she said softly between kisses. “The first of many. It doesn’t end here.”

He buried his face into her neck with a soft whimper, his hips rolling and grinding against her, his breath hot and desperate as he clutched at her hip. Burying deeply, he groaned, and she gasped. She could feel it. Deep within her, he was throbbing, the hot pulse of his orgasm filling her with his seed.

Breathing hard, their bodies were crushed together in a tight embrace, her fingers toying with the curls at the back of his neck, now damp with sweat as they calmed from the heat of their intimacy.

“The first of many, hmm?” He asked, nuzzling her neck with little kisses as they curled up under a blanket. “When can we do this again?”

Chuckling, she traced a finger along his jaw, seeking out his mouth for more kisses. “I get the feeling you are going to be sneaking me into your dormitory more often, Weasley.”

“Oh, I’m going to go one better and convince my aunt to swap you into Gryffindor,” he grinned. “Then, you will always be close.”

Giggling, she linked her fingers with his, bringing his hand to her lips so she could kiss his fingertips, his beautiful hands that were capable of creating such beauty and mayhem.

“I don’t need to be in the same house for that,” she said, meeting his gaze. She placed his hand against her chest, right above where her heart fluttered for him. “It sounds so very sentimental and unbelievably soppy, but you are in here.”

“And, I love you.”

His smile was gorgeous, impossible not to return as he gently took hold of her jaw to kiss her. “I love you.”

To be continued...

#hogwarts legacy fanfic #garreth weasley x mc #garreth weasley #oscar weasley #blueraineshadows

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deepperplexity · 5 months

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« R I C K M A S 2 0 2 3 »

Want to be tagged? 💚 You can tag yourself HERE! Or tell me and I’ll gladly tag you! 😍

[LINK TREE for all my places]

☕ Caffeinate me so I can keep on writing! ☕

DO NOT REPOST MY WORK!

« R I C K M A S 2 0 2 3»

🎄 RICKMAS 2023 on AO3 - All the fics in one work on AO3

🎄 Nov:2023 - PROMPTLIST

🎄 Dec:2023 - 1. Chimney Soot - Colonel Brandon x Fem!Reader, [A1] - You manage to find work at Delaford and meet the Colonel yet your past makes you run away out of fear after causing an incident...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 2. Restless Waiting - Severus Snape x Fem!OC, [B1] - Belinna decorates Severus' personal space without permission, but nothing goes as planned when he collapses upon his arrival...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 3. Snowballing - Severus Snape x Fem!OC, [B2] - Continuation: Severus confesses the Dark Lord saw Belinna in his thoughts, and feelings run amok as confessions slip out...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 4. Sharing - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader, [C1] - You learn the hard, frightful way that not all love Christmas and your thought of a good deed may not be as selfless as you thought...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 5. Grave Of Snow - Colonel Brandon x Fem!Reader [A2] - Continuation: You find yourself scrambling through heavy snow to get away, hounds howl behind you and you make a dire mistake...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 6. Out Of Care - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C2] - Continuation: You wish for your husband to return and decide to clean away Christmas for his sake while hoping for forgiveness...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 7. Stormy Reunion - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B3] - Continuation: Belinna finds herself in a rustic cottage, four days have passed since he left here there with little to no answers...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 8. Rosemary For Holly - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B4] - Continuation: Severus gives Belinna some worrisome answers, and she offers a different perspective while hope and fear blend...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 9. Missing Star - Colonel Brandon x Fem!Reader [A3] - Continuation: You find yourself deeply in love with the Colonel, and doubts about yourself are loud, yet he makes everything right...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 10. Snow Prints - Colonel Brandon x Fem!OC [One Shot] - What if you were the one to first catch the Colonel's eye while being a mere live-in servant and tender to the Dashwoods?

🎄 Dec:2023 - 11. Imperfect Holiday - Hans Gruber x Fem!OC [D1] - RICKMAS2022 continuation: Anna-Louise is on the train with Hans, leaving her home behind with a strange she's fallen hard for...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 12. Giver Of Gifts - Hans Gruber x Fem!OC [D2] - Continuation: Anna-Louise finds out who Hans really is, now she has to decide if she should leg it or follow her heart...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 13. Shimmering Icicles - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C3] - Continuation: You see something most intimate that you shouldn't have, now you must figure out your feelings and your husband's...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 14. A Light In The Night - Colonel Brandon x Fem!Reader [A4] - Final part: Your life is flipped upside down, and as you try to find your place you remain certain it's with Brandon you belong forever...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 15. Cards And Coals - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C4] - Continuation: Things take a darker turn and you end up more confused than ever when your husband's past lingers in words...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 16. Keep Warm - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B5] - Continuation: A funny little elf appears and you are offered gifts that turn out to take you far away only not in the manner you wish...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 17. Bells Of Christmas - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C5] - Continuation: Things take a depraved turn...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 18. Blankets And Snuggles - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C6] - Continuation: After all is said and done you find you know yourself far better and your husband does listen to you, care for you deeply...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 19. Hope - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B6] - Continuation: When all seems most dire and lost, Belinna clings to hope with all her might...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 20. Returning Home - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B7] - Continuation: Life turns most dark and dire as the Battle of Hogwarts ensues while Belinna feels a pain unlike any other...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 21. Star Of Wishes - Severus Snape x Fem!OC [B8] - Continuation: Perhaps wishing on a star isn't all it's cracked up to be, perhaps simply communicating is a better way?

🎄 Dec:2023 - 22. Lights And Strings - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [C7] - Continuation: You end up getting your HEA even if it's nothing like how you had imagined it to be, then again, neither are you...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 23. Under The Tree - Judge Turpin x Wife!OC And Daughter And Son [One Shot] - Turpin finds himself in a loving family, having a happy home with eh love of his life and two wonderful children...

🎄 Dec:2023 - 24. Christmas Party - Judge Turpin x Wife!Reader [One Shot] - You reminisce about the first Christmas Party you attended with your husband, the evening everything changed completely...

Want to be tagged? 💚 You can tag yourself HERE! Or tell me and I’ll gladly tag you! 😍

[LINK TREE for all my places]

☕ Caffeinate me so I can keep on writing! ☕

All donations go towards my writing! 🥰 Thank you in advance for all the support of every kind!

DO NOT REPOST MY WORK!

#rickmas2023 #rickmas #christmas fic #alan rickman #rickmaniac #alan rickman fics #severus snape #colonel brandon #judge turpin #hans gruber #deepperplexity #deepperplexity writing

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prismatic-glow · 5 months

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new to genshin and confused? here's what EVERY character does! || p1 - cryo

intro is kinda long srry, if you don't want to read it all tldr this is part 1 of 7, will link previous installments in every new post.

hello! This is part 1 of a new series (idk what else to call it) i'm doing where I summarize every character's kit. It seems like a lot of people on here are new or casual/story focused players who might not be interested in reading every character's abilities.

So if you aren't too into combat and want to see what every character does to decide who you want, this post is for you!

Today i'll be looking at Cryo characters. If you want to see my posts for other elements if they are out yet, i'll be adding links to all other elements in each new installment. I'll also make a post w links to all other elements once i'm done w all 7

note: i will not be talking in depth about how strong a character is unless it is very important. mainly because the best way to have fun (for most) is by playing characters you like and also bc tier lists are often controversial and pretty much all characters if built well are viable

ALSO when i list their roles they aren't ranked in order or implying that if you need x role you should play that character. I'm just putting what I most commonly see them played in

ok enough talking, let's get into it!

╰┈➤ 4 stars

Chongyun (Support/DPS)

❥ Skill: Creates a field that gives your sword/polearm/claymore characters a Cryo infusion ❥ Burst: Deals 3 hits of Cryo damage ❥ Roles: Cryo infuser, DPS, Burst DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Kaeya (DPS/Off-field DMG)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage ❥ Burst: Creates a spinning circle of icicles that deal Cryo damage when they hit enemies ❥ Roles: Off-field damage, Physical DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Diona (Support)

❥ Skil: Deals Cryo damage and create a Cryo shield ❥ Burst: Creates a field that deals Cryo damage and heals your active character ❥ Roles: Cryo Shielder, Elemental Mastery buffer (at C6), Cryo application for large melt damage showcases (mainly at C6) ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Shielding/Healing scales off of: HP

Rosaria (Support/DPS/Off-field DMG)

❥ Skill: Flashes/jumps to an enemy and deals Cryo damage ❥ Burst: Creates a field that deals periodic Cryo damage. During its duration, she gives your characters a crit rate buff (from her passive) ❥ Roles: Support for Physical damage teams (at C6), Off-field Cryo damage, Crit rate buffer, Physical DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Buff scale off of: Crit rate

Layla (Support)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and creates a Cryo shield that periodically deals Cryo damage ❥ Burst: Summons a sphere that periodically deals Cryo damage to enemies ❥ Roles: Cryo shielder ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack (skill) and HP (burst) ❥ Shield scales off of: HP

Mika (Support)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and grants your party members an attack speed buff and a Physical damage buff (DMG buff is from passive) ❥ Burst: Heals all of your party members, then grant them an effect that heals them when they use normal attacks ❥ Roles: Attack speed buffer, Support for Physical damage teams, Healer for Furina teams ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Healing scales off of: HP

Freminet (DPS)

❥ Skill: Enters a state that enhances his normal attacks and causes them to change the effect of his skill. His skill's effect can be changed to deal Cryo damage, Cryo+ Physical damage, or Physical damage ❥ Burst: Resets the cooldown of his skill and enters a state that buffs his normal attacks and reduces the skill's cooldown ❥ Roles: Shatter DPS, Physical DPS, Cryo DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Charlotte (Support)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and marks up to 5 enemies. When marked, enemies will take periodic Cryo damage ❥ Burst: Deals Cryo damage, heals all party members, and creates a field that heals your active character and deals Cryo damage. ❥ Roles: Healer, Healer for Furina teams, Off-field Cryo damage/application ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Healing scales off of: Attack

╰┈➤ 5 stars

Qiqi (Support)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and creates a summon that periodically heals your active character and deals Cryo damage. Qiqi's normal attacks heal your characters during its duration ❥ Burst: Deals Cryo damage and marks enemies with a talisman that heals your characters when they cause the marked enemy to take damage ❥ Roles: Healer ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Healing scales off of: Attack

Ganyu (DPS)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and summons a flower that will taunt enemies. Once it is destroyed or its duration expires, it will deal Cryo DMG ❥ Burst: Summons a field that deals continuous Cryo damage. Characters within its AoE will gain a Cryo damage buff (from her passive) ❥ Charged Attack: At charge level 2, her charged attack will become a frostflake arrow that deals a larger amount of Cryo damage. Once it hits an opponent, the arrow will bloom and deal additional Cryo damage ❥ Roles: DPS, Off-field Cryo application ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Eula (DPS)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and grants her a Grimheart stack that increases her DEF and resistance to interruption. Holding her skill consumes all stacks and decreases Cryo+Physical resistance of the enemy it hits. ❥ Burst: Deals Cryo damage and summons a sword that gains stacks with her normal attacks/skills/burst. The sword will explode after its duration and deal Physical damage based on the number of stacks it has ❥ Roles: Physical DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Ayaka (DPS)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage ❥ Burst: Summons a snowstorm that deals continuous Cryo damage during its duration and a larger hit of Cryo damage at the end ❥ Alternate Sprint: Turns her into frozen fog. She can move over water in this state. When she reappears, she will apply Cryo to any opponents hit and will gain a Cryo infusion on her normal/charged/plunging attacks ❥ Roles: Freeze DPS, Cryo DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

Shenhe (Support)

❥ Skill: Deals Cryo damage and grants your characters a flat damage bonus to their Cryo attacks. Tapping/Holding it will also grant your characters a Skill+Burst/Normal+Charged+Plunging Attack bonus ❥ Burst: Creates a field that deals periodic Cryo damage and decreases the Cryo+Physical resistance of enemies inside of it. Characters inside of it gain a Cryo damage bonus (from her passive) ❥ Roles: Cryo buffer, Physical support ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack ❥ Buff scales off of: Attack

Wriothesley (DPS)

❥ Skill: Enters a state that buffs his normal attacks and causes them to consume his HP when they hit opponents. Both of these effects only take place if he is above 50% HP. ❥ Burst: Deals multiple hits of Cryo damage ❥ Passive: When under 60% HP, Wriothesley's charged attack is enhanced. The enhanced charged attack deals increased damage and heals him ❥ Roles: Cryo DPS ❥ Damage scales off of: Attack

And, that's all! I hope this post is useful!! It took like 1hr 30min so hopefully it helps somebody lol.

For tips and advice, check out my other posts! For clarifications or more detailed explanations, comment on this post or send in an ask!

#genshin impact #genshin ask blog #genshin help #genshin guide #genshin impact advice #genshin #genshin advice #genshin newbie #new to genshin #genshin cryo #ayaka #ganyu #wriothesley #shenhe #eula lawrence #kaeya alberich #˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ new players

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pocketramblr · 9 months

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AU where Stain and Dabi a terrifying and successful villains. If you wanr to give them a twist it’s on you.

1- Stain, on hearing the nomu start to wreak havoc on Hosu, decides not to bother toying with a hero student, annoying as that one might be. Stain is terrifying because he's efficient. He cuts Native's throat, tells Tenya he should have focused on the hostage, and leaves. His shtick works because he sticks with it. He's the Hero Killer. Not a child killer, not a villain killer. So he won't let his return attack on the LoV be spotted by any public, but he'll be sure to make it clear he's not with the league. He vanishes before Tenya or Izuku can find him.

2- had Touya joined a different chat room one link above what he clicked, he would have ended up pulled in with Dr. Ujiko. Instead, he fell down the MLA pipeline. And when he runs away, he doesn't end up in a hospital. He ends up a favorite of ReDestro.

3- Dabi stays there a while, with support equipment to get his fire even stronger without hurting him. ReDestro delights in his enthusiasm and dramatics. Dabi thinks ReDestro is an idiot, but he tolerates it because it's all for his grand revenge plan. Until, eventually, there's only so strong Dabi can get. There's weaknesses in his quirk. Geten shows promise too. So Dabi acts, but this one has learned his lesson from the failed attempt to kill his first replacement in Shoto. Instead, he frames his cousin for killing ReDestro- after all, they can't find fingerprints on a half melted icicle, and they wouldn't look anyway when Geten seems obvious there. Dabi inherits a lot of money and Detnerat equipment, then leaves. He didn't care for the MLA's goals, after all.

4- not caught, Stain continues his thing. He kills three heroes in each city. He just does it faster now, because every time Shigaraki figures out where he is, nomu or LoV members tend to go there too. Between Stain, the LoV, and a mysterious villain who keeps setting massive fires, heroes are on high alert and full patrol. It gets worse after Kamino. Rather than canon where the HPSC gets higher standards at the exam, now they're desperate for numbers. Stain follows All Might, who asks if he's going to be killed for failing at kamino. Stain scoffs, since he beat AfO then, and says no- as long as All Might is continuing in doing all he can. Which means making his students better. Which means taking care of himself, not giving in to Nighteye's prophecy. All Might asks how he knows about that, and Stain leaves without explaining, but it's clear to All Might that Stain can get too close to UA, which means the students are in danger of his high expectations as well. He brings this up, and they decide to disallow internships instead... Until the HPSC forces them to reverse that. Still, Nedzu warns Nighteye that Stain might be heading his way, and that he won't have Mirio or Izuku as interns until that's taken care of.

5- since the HPSC let more pass the exam this year instead of less, everyone in 1A got their licence. Shoto takes an internship with Rocklock. Dabi attacks the agency, and Shoto barely manages to keep an ice wall around them to save their lives. Dabi tells Shoto good luck and vanishes, and Rocklock sends him back to UA since he kinda has to focus on rebuilding his agency. Shoto, who's figured Dabi has something against Endeavor and will follow him if he goes to another agency, asks Izuku if he wants to join him at his father's for their internships, unaware this will end up bringing both Dabi and Stain down on the team. But hey, they're the number one hero agency in the country now. Surely they can handle two villains, even if they're that bad... Right?

#pocket talks to people #anon #ask game

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crack-art-n-stuff · 7 months

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yanderes in the empire??

Cornelia Agelastus.

Empress of the Crenovara Empire. Described as easily one of the greatest rulers in the empire’s history. Kind and generous towards the common folk. Fair and negotiable towards the nobility. Firm and strong towards her enemies. Not that the empire had many, at the moment.

She truly brought an era of peace for the people and you never needed to travel far to hear someone sing her praises for her rule. One thing, though……

Information on the royal family never seemed to leave the palace, outside of formal addresses. The empress’ concubines, and their children rarely ever made public appearances outside of birthdays, and even those were incredibly exclusive. It did put the common folk off a bit, some wondering about this iron barrier that seemed to separate them. But life was good in the empire, so it was best not to bite the hand that feeds them, no?

An agonized scream rang through the halls, alarming the new maid that walked with her senior. The young girl flinched and looked over her shoulder as she remained in place, as if she’d see the source right behind her. To hear such things in the late night naturally would be concerning and unsettling. However, the older maid paid no mind, her steady paced step not faltering for a second.

After noticing the older woman continuing down the hall, the young woman hurried to catch up to her. “Mrs. Tillman, didn’t you hear that? Should we not check to see if anyone needed help? Someone could be hurt!”

The maid kept her gaze forward, one hand holding a candle to light their way, but she quickly linked her arm with the younger and picked up her pace. Softly speaking, she warned, “We’re in the 3rd concubine’s palace. I suggest you ignore any strange noises from this place.”

“What? Wait-”

“Please don’t ask questions right now. I’ll answer when we get out of here.”

The rest of their scurry was in unsettling and confusing silence.

Meanwhile, the owner of the screams was rything on the ground, clutching the front of their shirt. Right over their lungs.Once in a while, their screams form words. Pleas for their suffering to stop. Begging for a chance to redeem themselves and have another chance at life. Sadly, their executioner had no such mercy. Simply cold disdain and disappointment, ever present in his crimson eyes.

Eventually, the screams became chokes, that became gasps, which became silence.

The only light that filtered into the room was the moonlight that came from through the wide, floor-to-ceiling windows. They casted a near perfect spotlight on the elegant, statuestc figure and fresh corpse.

“Remove this.” The cold voice finally spoke. Every word felt like icicles that formed in the deep winter.

The guard standing by at the door, made quick work of the body, calmly carrying it out. Leaving the figure alone.

Turning around and approaching the closed window, the man gazed at the clear moon. His power. His gift. ‘The Breath of Life’. The reason he was chosen as the 3rd of the empress’ harem. Using a special paint, any brush stroke he made could spring life anywhere. Such power was a clear benefit for the Empire. But that wasn’t An Shao’s motive. His reason for anything was the same as always.

His beloved empress, Cornelia.

Her grace, intellect, and beauty stole his breath away. She was why he was willing to leave his own country behind just to be at her side. If she never returned his feelings, he didn’t mind all that much. As long as he could be the closet beside her. And truthfully, he was. While they were not officially married and he was not named the empress’ husband, he had quite the knack for leading people. He also knew how and when to get his own hands dirty, so Cornelia’s would remain clean. Of course, not to her knowledge as far as Shao was concerned. He was aware she wasn’t stupid or blind. But she had never said anything about it to him.

They even had three children together. The 4th, 5th, and 6th princesses. Triplets. Shao adored them and wanted to believe Cornelia did, too. Somewhere in her heart.

But he knew better. No matter what, he wasn’t the apple of her eye. Unlike the 5th concubine.

Some country bumpkin the empress met while passing through the countryside traveling to another kingdom.

Shao always hated him. His filthy brown eyes that reminded him of the mud that covered his rain boots. His disgusting short hair that constantly looked like a nest made by rats. Imperfect scars on his face from his worthless peasant life.

He could never compare to Shao, his crimson eyes that always burned with life and shone like jewels, his long silky hair that flew in a nice breeze, or his smooth skin accented here and there by small beauty marks.

Shao was leagues ahead of that waste.

So, why wouldn’t she look at him like that?

Cornelia would smile sweetly and give that garbage such a loving gaze. She’d hold their child close, peppering their head and cheeks like little kisses. She’d happily greet him with a warm embrace.

That useless waste of space received love, attention, and affection that RIGHTFULLY belonged to Shao.

Some days that information felt like a stake through his heart and nearly drove him mad with anger.

But he never faulted Cornelia. He could never.

It was that filthy peasant’s fault. He must have schemed something. He had to. Otherwise, how would he have stolen Cornelia from Shao?

Shao was determined to get rid of him and his annoying rugrats. Yet he was met with failure. Hence the merciless punishment towards his former servant.

All he had to do was get rid of those brats and secure one of Shao’s daughters as the heir to the throne. That would practically secure his place as Cornelia’s official husband and only love. That idiot just had to poison them. How could he fail?!

His face started to redden from anger, so he gently placed his forehead on the chilled window. Feeling it spread to his face, he took some deep breaths and closed his eyes.

He had to remain calm to achieve his tasks. He had to get rid of the trash to live happily with his empress.

This time, he wouldn’t be failed.

#yandere oc #yandere male #yandere #male yandere #male oc #ocs #oc x oc #manhwa #manhwa practice #practice #sims 4

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smallartiststuff · 10 months

Text

Birthday pudding - a Drabble

Minor spoiler for Totk

Characters: Link and Rauru (mentioned: Sonia and Zelda)

Summary: Its a few days after Link woke up at the Sky islands and he just remembered its his birthday! But there isn‘t much to celebrate, is there? Well Rauru try’s to cheer him up anyway.

AN: Just a fluffy little scene idea that popped into my head when I was listening to some theories about Links age. Enjoy! (Can also be found on Ao3)

The sun was shining warm onto the floating rocks and Rauru found the hero sitting by the edge letting his feet dangle over the sea of clouds and giving himself a break, enjoying the soft breeze. He seemed relaxed but also lonely in a way that made the Zonais heart feel heavy.

--------

It was a peaceful day on the sky islands.

Careful to not disturb him the king manifested next to him and watched with him a few birds circling in the sky. He wanted to give him company without forcing him into talking. He had noticed over the past couple of the days that Link preferred to be silent and to just observe what was happening around him. Today, however, he surprised Rauru.

„Did you know it's my birthday today?“ The hero said suddenly and turned his head to the ghost next to him watching his face for a reaction.

The king looked surprised but then smiled. „I did not know but congratulations, my friend.“ He replied gently.

Link chuckled bitterly, shaking softly his head and looked back to the clouds which seemed to go on endlessly under his feet.

„I think at least it is. It would have been a week from the day me and Zelda decided to investigate the castle. She had promised to take me to Gerudo town and go get some cocktails since I can finally drink them now, you know? She wanted to get all our friends so we could celebrate together.“ He sniffled and fought against the tears that made his throat feel tight. „Guess that's not going to happen, instead Im on to save the kingdom… again.“

Rauru swallowed and tried to find something appropriate to say but he couldn’t. It all wasn’t fair. The young man didn’t deserve to carry all the kingdom's hope on his shoulders alone. In his age he should be building himself a home, maybe start a family or learn a profession but not fight demons. Demons he had failed to kill.

Just when the king wanted to say something to comfort Link at the very least, the hero got onto his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes.

„What am I doing… I shouldn’t waste anymore time.“ He mumbled more to himself than the ghost and grabbed his self made axe and bag, starting to walk in the direction of one of the shrines he still had to solve.

Rauru just watched him go and wondered if the hero had misread his silence which only made him feel more guilty. Then titled his head thinking.

Maybe he could do something nice for him. Just something small to cheer him up. He deserved that after everything. The king couldn’t exactly touch things anymore but what else were the constructs for than helping you with things you couldn’t do?

— — —

Link sighed when he stepped into the shrine and finally out of the snow. His toes felt like icicles and his mouth still burned from the chili he had eaten earlier to get up here. Grumbling, he rubbed his cheek and searched for something in his bag that could help but he had nothing. Somehow the day just kept getting worse.

First his unwanted swim in the lake, then that he couldn't hold back complaining to Rauru – the zonai probably was disappointed in him after seeing him nearly crying – and now this stupid snow. And apart from all of this, it was his birthday.

„Link?“

Raurus' voice demanded his attention and the hero dropped his bag just like his thoughts, stretching his hand out with all the motivation he could muster which really wasn’t a lot today.

The king smiled down at him gently and let the last of his abilities awake in the hero’s new arm.

„After this shrine, would you mind meeting me by the cooking construct?“ He said once it had manifested and Link had put his focus on him.

„Another Quest?“ The hero asked tiredly but tried to mask it under interest which sadly didn’t sound fully genuine. To his luck the zonai shook his head.

„No, I would not expect you to do more than you have done already today.“ Rauru said with the gentleness of a king that truly cared for his people and companions. „I want to show you something.“

Link nodded only, trying to not get his hopes up after what had happened earlier and then passed the zonai to face the shrine and its puzzles.

Afterwards his head felt a little dizzy and his stomach seemed upset from moving through stone so he gave himself a moment to sit down by Raurus and his queen's statue before stepping back out into the snow.

Getting down from the mountain was a lot easier than up and the hero managed to get quickly to the ruins where the zonai waited for him. A sweet smell was hanging in the air around it and the hero frowned, sniffing. What had the king been doing? This at least didn't smell like he would be in trouble the moment he entered.

Silently he stepped inside and found Rauru floating behind the cooking construct looking judging at what it was doing. A bowl was placed next to them on a broken piece of the wall and a plate with something that maybe could have been cake but Link wasn’t sure. It looked odd to say the least.

The king smiled when he noticed him.

„Link, perfect that you are here! I- well we made you something.“ He said happily and the construct took for him the bowl and filled it with the sweet smelling thing in its pot, handing it to Link.

A little confused, the hero took it and looked at it. It smelled good, looked normal and had fruits in it so whatever it was it wouldn’t kill him or make it impossible to rest tonight… He hoped at least. Sometimes the things you found in the wild could trick you with pretty looks.

Rauru noticed his expression and chuckled. „It's a birthday pudding! I know,.cake is what you usually would make but that- it didn’t really work out without an oven." He cleared his throat embarrassed and stepped in front of the plate on the wall like his see-through body could hide it.

Link couldn’t help but snort and giggled softly at the imagine. Then he took out his spoon, which he had carved out of some wood a few days ago, and sat down on a rock to try the King's ‘birthday pudding‘.

It tasted surprisingly amazing. Soft, fluffy and sweet. It made him sigh appreciatively and he immediately ate as much as he could at once until the bowl was empty.

Rauru smiled amused and moved over to him sitting down next to the young man. He was glad he liked his recipe even though it had been highly improvised with what he could get on the sky islands.

„You can take as much as you like.“ He said when Link had finished and the hero didn’t have to be told that twice. There really wasn't much to eat on the sky islands after all and especially nothing that tasted so well.

„Thank you.“ Link said when he sat back down but avoided the others' eyes. „I wasn’t sure you cared after I whined so much about it earlier.“

„Oh, no no.“ Rauru immediately shook his head which caused a light jingle sound. „I felt bad for you and wasn’t sure what to say, if I'm honest. I'm sorry you can’t have the birthday you deserve.“

The hero sniffled quietly and looked down at his pudding but then he shook his head like he wanted to get rid of something and rubbed his eyes. He wouldn't start crying again. He could do better than this.

„It's alright.“ He said and then grinned at Rauru confidently. „I will have a big party once I beat that demon king once and for all.“

The king laughed and nodded. „That’s the spirit.“ He mused and decided to stay next to the hero for the rest of the day even if it would drain him greatly. The young man shouldn't have to be alone on his birthday.

Once he was full and content, Link laid down in the grass and watched the stars and Rauru laid down next to him. They didn’t talk much but it felt like they didn’t need to. The hero felt more comfortable this way. They even spotted a shooting star and all Link could wish for was that this would soon be over and he and Zelda would drink a cocktail in Gerudo town.

#hurt/comfort #totk rauru #totk link #the legend of zelda #tears of the kingdom #fanfic #Drabble

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class1akids · 2 years

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BNHA 353 - Thoughts

I got my wish for official Phophor colours, so this chapter is already great in my book. This title page is just so sharp. Love the cursed prince vibes, the head of icicles, the colors, the energy, even Shouto’s fierce expression.

Even if the chapter title is a bit puzzling - here are my thoughts.

The end of the fight is just absolutely devastating (Shouto’s face is just perfect)

- and it was a great contrast to how the hype rolled over the different battlefields. Last chapter, Shouto found reassurance from his friends as his mental safe place / now his win gives everyone a new push.

- Loved the Shouto & All Might Kamino parallels and All Might’s tearful “Todoroki kid” (now if only they had a post-war scene)

- It was great to see where everyone else was - nice to see Kiri & Mina & Mt Lady near Gigantomachia and the mysterious escort job. I also teared up at Kirishima’s “our very own Todoroki”.

- Satou, Sero and Ojirou over at the stadium. I think Sero is fine...

- Bakugou’s big proud smile, like he knew Shouto could do this was a really nice little TDBK crumb. (Though surprised at lack of Momo and Aizawa reactions)

- New Tartarus escapees on the scene. I guess Kunieda will be Aoyama’s fight, and I’m guessing Hagakure will be there to combo with him. But where/who is Gashly?

- Finally, Central Hospital is a battle I care about a lot, because I’ve wanted Shoji’s backstory since forever and Kurogiri/Shirakumo are there, and he can be a huge asset to either side, depending who gets to him.

- And back to the battlefield - Shouto’s tearful face, the Iida hug - it just pulls on my heartstrings so perfectly. That HUG!!!

- I went back and forth from regeneration to I-officially-have-no-clue what’s going on with Touya. My main theory (wish) that it’s something positive that’s been set off/ released because of this encounter, but AFO will fuck with Endeavor’s head, because that’s what AFO does. Nevertheless, I feel like Touya should get a narrative reward for refusing AFO twice - his quirk is a link to his family, his identity, his origin and I think keeping that intact means that Touya is not letting fully go of who he is.

In any case - the lack of a true resolution, no “Shouto rising” - it means more Shouto - Touya content to come and for me, that’s already good enough.

More on Chapter 353

Chapter recaps

#bnha 353 #bnha manga spoilers #it was a set-up chapter #so who knows where to next #class1a reads bnha #dabi vs shouto #dabi #todoroki shouto

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snappedsky · 8 months

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Borderlands: Skies the Ultimate Treasure Hunter

Skies explores the Dustbound Archives, looking for the history of the planet and a book for Mancubus.

*Links to previous and next chapters in reblog*

Guns, Love, and Tentacles Part 7

Skies walks through the Dustbound Archives back to the front desk. As she arrives, she can hear loud, boisterous voices on the balcony overhead. She ignores them and approaches the librarian.

“Hey, Harriet,” she says quietly, “I need a book called The Nibblenomicon.”

“You need a library card,” Harriet replies, “but I can hardly hear you over this blasted Bonded book club! No one is taking anything out until I can hear myself think!”

“Easy fix,” Skies remarks and heads up the stairs onto the balcony. Three cult members are sitting in easy chairs, talking loudly about some kind of elder god story book. Without a moment of hesitation or even a blink, Skies walks up to the nearest one and jabs her fist blade into his neck.

The other two jump to their feet, readying their guns. Skies twirls her pistol of its holster and shoots one through the head. The other begins firing at her. She dives behind one of the chairs to dodge then aims around it and shoots him a couple times in the chest.

“Easy peasy,” Skies comments. She stops as she notices something has tumbled out of the cloak of one of the dead cultists and picks up a library card. “Lucky me.”

She returns back to the front desk and presents the card to Harriet. “I have obtained a library card. Don’t ask me how.”

Harriet sighs with relief. “Now that a sensible volume has been restored, I can tell you that The Nibblenomicon is located in the Forbidden Stacks. Though I should warn you, everyone who’s ever checked that book out has met a terrible fate...late fees!”

“I will admit, it is true what the young lady said,” Mancubus says from Skies’ ECHO communicator. “Terrible fates have befallen all who gaze upon The Nibblenomicon’s accursed pages. Which are all of them.”

“Right. Well, I just won’t look at the pages then. One more thing,” she adds before leaving. “I also need to learn the history of the planet. Any idea where I can start?”

“Holography tapes can be found around the archives,” Harriet replies. “You can use them on the holoprojector.”

“Much appreciated,” Skies nods and heads back into the archives. “Okay. I guess I’ll find the Nibblenomicon first then hunt for those tapes.”

She follows the signs to the entrance of the Forbidden Stacks, which is blocked off by a gate. She scans the library card on a console next to the gate and it opens up.

As she enters the Forbidden Stacks, Skies is met with an icy floor and a half dozen bodies frozen in place with a mound of icicles up a short flight of stairs.

“What the hell happened here?” she questions.

“Hm, one of these poor souls must have botched the frozen daiquiri recipe,” Mancubus replies, “a fickle drink, that. Well, one of them must have the book. You’ll just have to pry it from their cold, fragile hands.”

“Okey doke,” Skies shrugs and quickly smashes all of the bodies with one punch from her robot hand. One of them has a book, but it’s not the right one. “The Grand Grammoire...?”

“Ah, the definitive work on infernal grammar. Useful for pedantic diabolists,” Mancubus comments.

“No other books, but it looks like this guy tried to grab some kind of valve.”

“For the central heating system, no doubt. A good idea. Put the valve in its proper place and dispel the frost. Maybe then, the location of the tome will become clear.”

Skies wanders around until she finds the boiler room, but the door is locked. She briefly considers smashing her way in but decides instead to crawl through a nearby vent. When she gets into the room, she sticks the valve onto its pipe and turns it, heating up the room.

Skies lets herself out through the door as the frost and ice melts away. She goes back to the middle of the room which is now free of the mound of ice to reveal a pedestal. On it sits a strange book that appears to be made of flesh with two eyes and a mouth on the cover.

“Is this it...?” Skies questions and starts to reach for it.

“Finally!” an irritating voice cries out from the mouth of the book. “I’ve been freezing my deckled edges off over here! Get me outta here before I get all moldy!”

“Oh, great, a demanding book,” Skies grunts as she picks up The Nibblenomicon.

“Finally!” Mancubus purrs with excitement. “The unhallowed mysteries of The Nibblenomicon will soon be revealed. The Vegan Turducken. The Eggplant Harmesan. The Elder Dip. Take it. And whatever you do, do not read it yourself.”

“Ahh, don’t listen to that old stick in the mud!” the book argues, wiggling in Skies’ hand. “You can read me. Come on, open me up! Just check the table of contents real quick.”

“Eh, I’m not much of a chef,” Skies shrugs and slips the book into the coat. “Alright, Mancubus. I’ll get the book to you as soon as I’m done here.”

“Very well,” he replies, “just be sure to check it out with the librarian.”

Skies leaves the Forbidden Stacks and goes back into the large, main room- the Holography Chamber. In the middle of the room is the holoprojector and over top of that, multiple smaller projectors are portraying the planet, Xylourgos. But also scattered around the floor are multiple dead bodies of the Bonded.

“The Vault Hunters must’ve been through here already,” Skies muses, “I wonder what they’ve learned.”

Skies types at the holoprojector and turns on a projection of a man and woman. The woman she immediately recognizes as Eleanor, but without the creepy cloak and tentacles.

“Research log, day one. My name is Eleanor Olmstead. My beloved and I have arrived on the rim-world of Xylourgos. We have finally found the beast of legend after years of chasing its name across the stars! ‘Gythian’.”

“Supposedly it means ‘Eater of Hearts’,” the man continues. Skies recognizes him as the statue man in Cursehaven’s square. “But the original language is dead and lost to time.”

“A charming introduction as ever, Vincent my love,” Eleanor continues. “Gythian’s physiology can only be described as otherworldly. Though its body is dead, its heart still beats. This requires further study. Who knows what xenobiological revelations it has for us.”

“This is the start of a whole new life for us, my darling!”

With that, the projection fades away.

“Eleanor and Vincent Olmstead,” Skies muses, “they were researchers studying the monster. I need more tapes.”

As she wanders through the library, she finds more scattered bodies of the Bonded- more of the Vault Hunters’ handiwork. She fulls both proud of them as her friend, and bitter that they’re stealing all the kills. If she didn’t get hurt before, she could’ve explored all this with them. Instead they felt the need to bench her, and she has to explore on her own.

This big...quiet library...silent as the dead she’s surrounded by...all on her own...

“Listen, just between you and me,” the Nibblenomicon says from her coat. “Page six hundred sixty-six, there is a recipe for fettuccine and Demogorgonzola. It is to DIE for- literally!”

Okay, maybe she’s not on her own.

She ignores the book and peruses the shelves, searching for holotapes. “If I were the Olmsteads, and I didn’t want anyone finding out about my past, I’d hide it somewhere nobody would think to look...like a hidden room.”

She stops as she spots on the shelf an ornamental skull with a gem eye. “Please be a hidden room, please be a hidden room.”

She grabs the skull and it pulls it like a lever and the shelf sinks into the wall and opens like a door, revealing a hidden room. “Yay!”

Inside she finds another holotape and painted on the walls in yellow paint, ‘The heart still beats, the heart still bleeds’ dozens of times. She takes the holotape back to the projector and plugs it in.

“Research log, day thirty-seven,” Eleanor’s projection says excitedly. “My beloved has made a fascinating discovery! Go on, tell them, dear!” “I am thrilled to report,” says Vincent,” the mountain above Gythian’s resting place is home to a treasure trove of ancient ruins that seem to be from some sort of precursor alien civilization. There are technological marvels inside that mankind has only seen in dreams.”

“This could change everything!” Eleanor cheers.

“Even more fascinating,” Vincent adds, “my initial studies hint at a link between Gythian’s eternal life and the technology itself. This will require further experimentation.”

“Do be careful, my beloved,” Eleanor warns, “there are some lines we should not cross. It is called the Eater of Hearts, after all.”

Vincent laughs away her concern. “Darling, really, you worry too much.” Skies shakes her head as the projection fades away. “Ohhh, Vincent. Nothing good happens to anyone who hunts for eternal life. And I already know nothing good happened to you. Or at least...I think I do...”

She goes deeper into the library until she comes to a door that seems to be blocked from the other side. “Oh, you can’t keep me out that easily.”

After a quick look around, she spots a ventilation shaft. She shoots off the cover, clambers inside, and crawls through until she finds another cover leading into the next room. After shooting it off and jumping out the opening, she finds herself in the Central Database, surrounded by computers. She doesn’t get very far however before Bonded suddenly appear.

“Guess the Vault Hunters never came here,” she grins and readies her shotgun. “Good.”

She shoots at the bonded, easily dodging their attacks. With each body that hits the floor, she feels better and better as her stress whittles away.

When almost all of the cultists are dead, a big one approaches. He fires a large, green ball of energy at her. She rolls out of the way and fires at him with her shotgun. The force makes him stumble backwards but doesn’t kill him immediately.

“Oh, so you’re a beefy bitch,” Skies comments as she holsters her shotgun and grabs her pistol.

The cultist fires more blasts at her. She races around him, dodging his attacks as she shoots at him. The pistol bullets seem to do little damage but she is far more agile than he is so he can’t even hit her.

She runs around to his back and before he can turn to face her, she extends her forearm blade and slices the back of his knees. He cries out in pain as he starts to collapse but before he hits the ground, Skies kicks the back of his head and knocks his face through a nearby set of computers. He spasms with electrical shocks before falling dead.

“Now, what do you got for me?” Skies quickly checks his cloak and finds another holotape. “Hehe, nice try.”

She quickly hurries back to the projector and plugs it in.

“Research log, day one hundred and sixty-two,” Eleanor says, “I am worried about Vincent. He is obsessed with Gythian’s heart. I can hardly understand the things he’s been saying lately. He believes the heart holds the key to eternal life, but we still barely understand the mutagenic and metaphysical properties of Gythian’s power. I don’t know what to do.”

With that, the projection fades away and Skies groans with frustration. “Is that it? But what happened to Vincent? What about the rings? I’ve been all over this library and there’s no more tapes!”

“Ooh, you sound stressed,” The Nibblenomicon says, feigning concern. “I’ve got a lovely recipe for an herbal tea that’ll clear all the anxiety from your soul...and clear your soul entirely!”

“Quiet, you,” Skies snaps and sighs, rubbing her face. “Well, maybe the Vault Hunters found something else. I guess I’ll go back to the Lodge.”

She heads through the archives and stops at the front desk. “Hey, Harriet. I got the book. You wanna check it out or something?”

“Oh, you’ve found the book,” the librarian replies, “well, go on, give it here.”

She hands her the Nibblenomicon and Harriet picks it up and examines it. “Now, I’ll just open it to stamp the date here on this perfectly innocuous endpage and- what’s this? Some kind of...recipe? I can’t...stop reading it...”

Harriet begins to glow bright green as she reads the book. It suddenly floats out of her hands and twirls around before morphing with her and turning her into a squid-like monster.

“Oh, come on,” Skies groans with annoyance.

She dives backwards as the monster lunges for her and fires at it with her shotgun. It spews acid at her and she narrowly dodges and continues firing. It’s fast but weak and Skies soon blasts it to mush and the book falls to the floor.

“Troublesome thing,” she comments as she grabs it.

“Yeah, pick me up!” the book exclaims, “but NO STAMPS, got it?! You come near me with a stamp, and I’ll make sure you live to regret it for a long, long time.”

“Whatever,” Skies grunts as she slips it back into her coat and leaves for the Lodge.

#borderlands #borderlands 3 #borderlands fanfiction #borderlands au #guns love and tentacles #myocs #myart

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tartrazeen · 1 year

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🎅🏿 Nellis Fluff - The Kisses 🎅🏿

Word Count: approx. 4,100

🎅🏿 For the 2022 Nellis Secret Santa event! 🎅🏿

Your recipient for this event is:

@ogouji

Here's what they suggested for their gift!:

▫️ Would love to see them boys kissin or to read their first time confessions to each other 💖

Summary: one-shot - established relationship - fluff - 100% what Vulpixxxxxxx asked for, assuming you've consulted a lawyer

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/44957146

He’d had it all figured out.

Perfect.

Just like the house they’d found for the night.

It’d been one of those grey, old-timey kind’f mansions – y’know, with tall, square roofs and spiky, little iron fences runnin’ ‘long the gutters – that could’ve looked like somethin’ they’d put in as a haunted house, but tonight was so covered in snow that it got to lookin’ more like that big house from the Addams Family – the first one, the one where they’d stood on the balcony or somethin’ like that an' tipped a whole pot of boilin’ acid onto some carolers below. The image in his brain made the whole damn thing feel like a festive, black’n’white, icicle-covered fairytale. The others went with it ‘cause there’d been more iron decoratively barrin' up the windows, and ‘cause a place this old had had to have some way of heatin’ it from the ‘before times’. In this case, that was less about the zombies and more about a time ‘fore electricity ever made it to American soil.

They were right – it had a fireplace. Ellis got it lit ‘fore the other three could even kick the snow off their boots.

It didn’t take much longer to settle in for the rest’f the night. A wood stove had ‘em fed, thick curtains kept ‘em hid, and the candlesticks everywhere else gave ‘em cozy pops of yellow light to carry around. Ellis damn near felt like Ebenezer Scrooge – he loved that movie, man – and was only missin’ the slippers’n’Scooge’s nightdress. He had his own hat, of course, but now with this fancy house, he’d finally started to wonder if he should change it just to fit the mood.

Perfect.

Curled up, snug as a bug.

They’d been together in front’f that fire, sittin’ on a round, faded rug, backs against an orange couch that was otherwise goin’ ignored.

Ro’d planted herself in a readin’ room to give the two of them the den. Coach’d gone upstairs, aimin’ to sleep off that day’s journey. Nick'd kept up his own tradition of rootin’ through other people’s closets and findin' the ugliest sweater to fit since “apparently the damn zombies hate silk.” The man outdid himself this time, comin’ back from one of the rooms wearing a piss-yellow sweater adorned by five, ironed-on, scraggly reindeer. He seemed to love it as much – if not more – than that bajillion-dollar suit from Day One, but the wine Ellis’d filled ‘im with might’ve been leadin’ the charge on that contest.

The wine – Ellis was savin’ that for this sort'f night. The Chargers didn’t make it easy but he’d learned more than a few new moves.

It sparkled.

‘Overpriced to hell and back’ – that was Nick’s favourite drink. Didn’t matter if it tasted good, and Nick had a funnier time when it was terrible, but Ellis had gone out of his way to hunt down somethin’ that tasted nice and had been locked behind a case at the ‘fancy’ part of the store. Not gettin’ any safe time to imbibe on the go meant this stuff had started to hit real fast (another reason they were on the ground ‘stead of on the couch), and the lack of practice meant they’d only made it ‘bout a third of the way through before Ellis’d moved onto the next stage.

That, he’d been plannin’ the most.

That, he’d been playin’ in his mind for a week.

That, he’d read and re-read and memorized and recited ‘til he was sure he knew every damn word. He couldn’t risk forgettin' what to do if a moment like this came up.

And it had!

So Ellis'd done his best.

It was just – that… well.

He cleared his throat.

“That, um –” Way too quiet. Ellis shifted in his place and gave it another go. “… You still hurt, darlin’?”

Nick didn’t ‘answer’ so much as he swivelled his head and gave Ellis a long and pointed stare, and even though that wasn’t specifically promisin’ murder, it did probably have it in its Top Ten. Ellis took it as a ‘yes’ and hid back under the bill of his thankfully un-Scrooge-like hat. Eventually, Nick swivelled to murder-starin’ at the fire again instead, so…

At least not all the fire’d gone out, right? Ha. Ha…

Nick did not appreciate Ellis pipin’ up to actually point that out.

“Here,” Ro cut in, returnin' with a sandwich bag in her hand. “This should help with the swelling. Glad we’ve got the season on our side for once.”

“Thanks, Ro,” Ellis said, trying and failing to look up at her while not lookin’ over at Nick’s now Top Five maybe-murder-glare. She handed him the snow. Ellis passed the bag over to Nick, who snatched it away so quick that the speed alone could’ve melted it. “He says thanks too-”

“Don’t tell her what I said, I didn’t say that, I didn’t say you could talk for me –”

“I’m finishing my book,” Rochelle sharply interrupted again, “and then I’m going to bed. Both of those mean you need to keep the ‘romance’ down –” She wagged a finger at Ellis there. “– and you…”

Nick, with the bag of snow mushed up against his face, was quickly narrowin’ his glare down to a Top Two. Ro shrugged at that and carried on with what she meant to say ‘fore she'd trailed off, which – it turned out – was to take Nick’s side.

“I mean…” She winced as she said it, but Ellis wasn’t gonna blame her. He admitted he’d screwed up ‘fore she’d even run in at Nick’s hollerin’. “You did bite him.”

“Yeah,” Nick snapped, “he did.”

“But Coach is already asleep, and not all of us dodged our Chargers, so keep it down anyway,” Ro continued, finally gettin’ her chance to wag a finger at Nick now. “We need our rest. And – come on, that’s not even the worst thing to happen to you this week. You’re wearing it. It’s like you’re visually biting all of us with that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Nick spat out around the snow-bag halfway in his mouth. “When you put it in terms of biting, I can understand why that’d be awful. Do you know how I’d know?” He didn’t let her answer – “‘Cause this one actually bit me with actual goddamn teeth –”

They heard Nick’s name gettin’ called from upstairs.

Nick shut up and furiously chewed on his snow.

“I warned you,” Ro sang, revelling in Nick’s Top One officially-going-with-murder-glare. On that happy note, she stretched. “Like I said, I’m going to finish my book. Good night, boys.”

Her leavin’ did not bode well for Ellis, ‘cause now Coach’s sleep was ridin’ on him bein’ able to say the right thing: nothing. He tucked his legs up closer to his chest and waited, lettin’ five whole minutes slide by until the dyin' crackle of fire couldn’t keep the silence away anymore.

“I’ll…” God, it felt good to make noise. ‘Cept now Ellis had to prove he had somethin’ to say, ‘less he wanted Nick to get double-pissed at him. “… I’ll – just… fix that…”

Nick grunted.

Safe enough.

Ellis’d crawled over to throw in more wood right when Nick decided he'd wanted to talk after all.

“So can I ask –” And instantly, Ellis whirled around on his knees, almost knocking an on-fire log to the floor. “Nice. Anyway, why in hell did you bite me?”

Ah.

Yeah.

This was – uh…

Well, he’d had a few backup plans for if this hadn’t worked out, but all’f ‘em had been sorta on that ‘too foolproof to screw up’ side. Not that he didn’t have an answer planned, but…

Nick wasn’t gonna like it.

The man was waitin’ for something though, sat like he was with both knees up, an arm rested on one (‘rested’ – the man was coiled tighter than a snake), and the other startin’ to drip from the water leaking down his hand.

Probably – um… wasn’t the right time to notice Nick’s legs were spread maybe a little wider than they had to be but… notice, Ellis did. And with the wine and the food and he couldn’t really out-talk a man known for talking…

“I dunno,” Ellis said, immediately givin’ up. “Guess I thought it’d be sexy.”

“Sexy?!”

And from the reading room came a garbled, choking, glob of sound that took fifteen entire seconds for Ellis to puzzle out. When he did, he tried to give a friendly call of, “Uh – Ro? Could you maybe please –”

“Get out of here, Rochelle,” Nick roared.

Ro was just as bad as Nick was, startin’ to howl with laughter now as she went upstairs. It kept going ‘til it finally got into a bedroom and the door shut, where she’d clearly gone to yuk it up in private.

“Poor Coach,” Ellis mumbled. “Hasn’t even had an hour of quiet yet.”

“Yeah – poor Coach,” Nick shot back. “Who in the hell told you that was sexy?”

“The –” Aww. “Uh… the magazine?” Alright, yes, that was about the worst answer he could’ve gave, and the way Nick’s back straightened and eyebrows lifted gave off a strong suggestion that Ellis had nothin’ to lose now by tryin’ to talk his way out of this hole. “‘Cause – uh… back in that store from the other day? Where you were sayin’ I was takin’ too long? That’s just – there was a rack of magazines in the corner, and – uh... I took a look ‘cause – well, the internet’s gone –”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Those were not good ‘wait’s. Nick was leanin’ in, and that bag of snow was sloshin’ as he moved. “I’ve been telling you for months to read up on any shit you’re not comfortable with, and the first time you decided to listen, you beelined it for a porn mag saying, 'Bite your man in the face, he'll love it'?”

“That ain’t even what I did,” Ellis protested. Nick purposely didn’t interrupt that time, which meant Ellis was stuck lookin’ like he had more to say when… no, well, that sorta summed up his best shot. He ended up finishin’ with a lame, “I told you I was sorry,” and turnin’ back to keep pokin’ at the fire.

‘Metaphors,’ he guessed.

He could feel the risin' smirk from Nick burnin’ a hole into his neck, and he could sure as shit hear it in the man’s voice when Nick said, “So was I right? It actually said ‘bite me in the face’?”

Oh, of course bein’ right would perk Nick up.

“I bit your lip. Quit makin’ it sound like I chewin’ off your jaw.” Of course Ellis gettin’ touchy ‘bout it would be a damn delight for Nick, too. Blood was really in the water, huh? “It didn’t say ‘bite’, it…” And then Ellis was embarrassed as hell ‘cause now he had to speak this word out loud. “… said ‘nibble’.”

… He looked back over his shoulder to see what Nick’s reaction to that’d been. Unfortunately, it was about the worst one possible: Nick’s head cocked at an angle in a pure split of ‘Ellis, I’m gonna leave you to the first Hunter we find’ and ‘This is the most fun I’ve had in a week’.

“And that,” Nick said, horrifically curious, “was a ‘nibble’ to you?”

“Shut up'n'finish your snow,” Ellis muttered. So much for a perfect night. Nick was having fun again but Ellis was done. “And no. I was tryin’ to be gentle at the start, but you didn’t notice so I – just…” Forget it. “If you’re out’f snow, I’ll get you more. It’s everywhere outside.”

“Hang on, sugarteeth,” Nick said, sounding like he’d jump up too if Ellis tried gettin’ away that easily. As it was, since Ellis was still sittin’ down, so was Nick, and with the snow-bag fully turned to water, the man was free to lean back, relax and enjoy. “If you’re talking about your pre-war-crime stuff, then sure, I noticed the little ‘nibbles’ you were doing. I liked your little nibbles. What you’re calling ‘Nick didn’t notice’ is what most people call ‘Nick’s having a good time but isn't stopping to hand out gold stars because the fact you were allowed to continue with that should’ve been its own reward’.” … Oh. “Yeah. ‘Oh’.”

Nick must’ve read that response off Ellis’ face. Not the other part bubblin’ up, though, and that was ‘cause Ellis deliberately looked down and started pickin’ at his shoes where he was sittin’ on the floor. Those were just some short boots Nick’d pulled off a shelf for ‘im when it started getting’ cold – and good timing, ‘cause his feet were about as cold as they were gonna get right now.

He pushed through anyway.

Kinda.

“… did say ‘bite’,” he mumbled.

“What was that,” Nick cooed, viciously leanin’ right back in.

“It said‘bite’,” Ellis snapped. “Wasn’t just nibbles, ‘cause those were only on the way to bitin’ you, but it was supposed to be – like, a sexy bite. They had a whole thing ‘bout settin’ the mood and such – and I had considered the mood to be set.” He paused. “My bad. It wasn't.”

Should’ve stuck with the damn nibbles, since apparently those were doin’ some magic.

“So it said ‘bite’.” Nick’d gone from ‘coo’ to ‘crow’ at a record pace. “That’s interesting. You just said it didn’t say that.”

“Can you not get like this for once?” It was killing every urge Ellis had to try this shit again. “Yes, Nick, you were right, you win, just skip the part where I was tryin’ my best.”

Ellis was decidin’ on if he should be stomping off upstairs when Nick, who’d given him thirty seconds to think about it, broke the silence himself that time.

“You take it?”

“What?”

That man looked impossibly evil at gettin’ to ask his question again.

“Did you,” Nick repeated, somehow looming over everything without ever even standing up, “take the magazine?”

Ellis narrowed his eyes.

“Why?”

“I want to see it,” Nick said, keepin’ it real simple. But simple was also bad. It meant there was no use lyin’ at this point, ‘cause Nick'd already figured out the answer. Gettin’ hugely comfortable about that, the man lazed so far against the couch that he might as well’ve gotten off the ground and sat on the damn thing properly – but he didn’t, all for the drama of provin’ a point about how he could. “Giddy-up, Seabiscuit. Bring it to me.”

Not perfect.

Ellis closed his eyes and let a tired breath huff out’f his nose.

“Okay,” he said, givin’ up immediately again, and a lot less happy to do it than he’d been before.

His mood dropped harder when he made it to the first step of the stairs, and instead of journeying up to get anything, a whack of paper hit ‘im on the head from on high.

Ellis looked up.

He looked down.

The magazine was on the floor.

The magazine that’d been in his bag, in the room him’n’Nick were takin’, meaning somebody else had gone ahead an’ helped themselves to searchin’ it – and ‘cause of that, had definitely seen the other shit Ellis’d kept in the same pocket.

The joy he felt at knowin’ it wasn’t Nick who’d found his stuff was takin’ a real backseat right then.

“I would prefer not havin’ to talk about this,” Ellis said, knowing he sounded weak.

“Go to bed, Rochelle,” Nick shouted.

“Boy, if you wake me up again –”

Coach didn’t even need to finish that. A much less hostile, “Sorry, Coach,” floated in over from the den.

And then Coach was back to starin’ down at Ellis. Why was everybody loomin’ today – goddamn.

“I’ll keep quiet,” Coach began, doin’ the worst thing by lookin’ amused– “if you do.”

“Deal,” Ellis said.

With a mutual nod, Coach returned to his room, Ro guffawed from inside’f hers, and Ellis picked up the magazine that Nick was gonna lose his mind over at bein’ exactly the type that he had guessed.

It had articles. That was why Ellis’d taken it.

In any case, Nick’d been busying himself with pokin’ the fireplace back to life, so there was one moment between Ellis startin’ to hand the magazine over, but before Nick lit up in a very ‘fuckin’ knew it’ sort’f way, where Ellis could’ve chucked the damn thing in, let it burn and skipped the headache. At the very least, he should’ve ripped the pages out and burned the rest. Too bad he didn’t have either of those thoughts ‘til after the windows had closed and the magazine was already in Nick’s hands.

Him and his stupid, yellow sweater.

Him also drinkin’ his wine, though, and his lip – even curled into a smug, little smirk – did seem much better.

So with one hand filled by a glass and the other filled by pages of... well. Nick wasn’t even lookin’ at ‘im, ‘cause he was happily flippin’ through what the thing was sayin’ and takin’ a sip just when it seemed like he was gonna bust a gut laughin’ at it all.

Ellis stood awkwardly watchin’, ‘cause…

Nick was havin’ fun.

That’d been the point of this in the first place.

… He fuckin’ forgot he’d wrote himself some notes on those pages too, goddammit, goddamn, shit, shit.

“Done,” Nick announced, keepin’ a notable limit to his volume. He tossed the magazine to the side and patted a spot on the rug beside him. For Ellis. And he obviously had to finish that off with a gulp of the rest of his glass at whatever he was readin’ on Ellis’ face now. “Sit.”

Ellis frowned.

“You gonna bite me back?”

“Yes,” Nick said, puttin’ down his glass too. “It’s only fair. And now that I’ve read those highly annotated instructions, I’m pretty sure I know what to do.”

Ellis eventually sat at where he’d been summoned, but he might as well’ve gone beside a Jockey with how many teeth were in Nick’s grin. The man was serious – he wanted some type of revenge, and if he wasn’t usin’ anything written on the magazine as torment, being ‘even’ was how this was gonna go down.

He sighed. He couldn’t help that.

This was supposed to’ve been a nice night for ‘em. A break. Cozy. Snow outside, warm inside, big house, candlelight and a fire, drinks and food and privacy…

“I was tryin’,” he said, ‘fore they just got on with this. “I know you ain’t much for ‘it’s the thought that counts,’ but I did what I could. Damn Chargers smashed up the bottles I kept finding for ya. One time it was a Tank an’ I just threw the wrong thing. But I was tryin’ to make it nice. So I’m sorry. I screwed up.”

“Jesus, Ellis,” Nick replied, soundin’ like the wine that had survived was sinking in. “What are you, on death row? Relax.”

“If you’re gonna bite me –”

“Not like you bit me,” Nick snapped. “Even though – yeah, you’d totally deserve it, ‘cause I read what you read, including your fun citations, and nowhere in there was it written, ‘Pair his blood with a nice Merlot’.”

“I’m sorry,” he almost begged. “I wanted –”

“To make it sexy – right, whatever,” Nick said, abruptly looking around the room and spying the wine. “We gonna finish this?” And then he chugged from the bottle anyway, which means he wasn’t gonna share it anymore. Sharin’ was ‘gross’. “That’s mine now.”

“It was for you to start with,” Ellis muttered.

“D’aww.” But finally, Nick stopped spoutin’ his bullshit. He leaned his head back to rest it on the couch cushions behind him instead, and then rolled over to look at Ellis from out and under his half-lidded eyes. It seemed as if he’d taken his own advice about relaxin’ ‘cause that’d all been after he had stretched every like a cat, and after the expression on his face had gained a lazier mix of ‘I’m having fun’ and ‘I’m still leaving you for a Hunter later.’ And that was fair. The far side of Nick's lip wasn’t swollen anymore, but Ellis could plainly see the sign of his handiwork. “You closing your eyes or what?”

Not perfect.

“I can’t even look at you?”

“No, you can’t,” Nick said, matter-of-factly and nearly stern. “I didn’t get to see it coming, so you don’t. Consider that your lesson on consent.”

That was bullshit. And so was Nick’s extra-smug smile at that reaction. The silver lining of shuttin’ his eyes meant no more of that.

He shut them.

Nick made ‘im wait. Ellis could hear the wine slosh around as the bottle was finished up. After that, he was down to having to listen to the crackle of the fire. He could hear his own breathing too, along with his heartbeat the longer this took.

It was only gonna be the one bite, probably.

Probably.

He waited.

He tasted Nick before he could feel ‘im. Nick always liked comin’ in light, like he wanted a sense of how Ellis would be, but the wine and its spice wasn’t waitin’ on any of his usual checks. Ellis wasn’t lettin’ it wait either, ‘cause the heat of Nick's skin after bein’ so warmed by the fire let him melt against that mouth like snow, and the gentle scent of pine along Nick’s jaw carried him in to chase after the rest. He’d barely had to ask before his tongue was allowed to celebrate, but ask, his tongue did, and although Nick welcomed his question, opening up to draw him inside, Ellis felt a shift as the man’s attention first went to his teeth catching Ellis’ lip.

Gentle. And light. Enough to notice and then move past into having Ellis in the rest of the way. And they moved like that every time Ellis had to lift away to breathe or swallow, or just when he took Nick by the back of the head to turn them where they needed to be: Nick would let him leave for that half of a second, then catch his lip when he pushed to come back. Twice. Three times sometimes. That gentle pressure while he was trapped grew, and Nick would tilt to pull him in knowin’ damn well he was stuck, nippin’ like Ellis was takin’ too long. Then Nick would let him go and kiss at ‘im like the mystery solved, only to leave him waitin’ again the next time Ellis made any sort of change.

The thought of a bite had changed in his mind. Nick was too gentle on purpose, in his way on purpose, outright obstructin’ his path and releasin’ him like it hadn’t even happened. Ellis kept thinkin’ about it – well, tried, ‘cause the second his tongue met Nick’s, his mind emptied out to fill up on the heat – and how that bite was gonna be a reveal – an admission – that yes, Nick was fuckin’ with ‘im on purpose, but then Ellis was gonna get his full access back.

And then –

“How did that feel?”

Nick’s eyes, too dark from the light of the fire to see the green that’d be gleamin’ in them, were loomin’ over Ellis as Nick straddled his legs – along with the ghost of a smile, too faint to tell what Nick was thinkin’.

Ellis had to think.

He had to focus real hard to think, but he did it in the end and stupidly said out loud, “Did you bite me?”

“No,” Nick said.

Oh.

Ellis thought again.

“Weren’t you gonna?”

“Yes,” Nick said. Then that fuckin’ grin – “Oh, not now. You’re expecting it. See, I didn’t know it was coming, so you don’t get to know. That’s how this works.”

… The man actually patted Ellis on the shoulder, smug as a fuckin’ bug.

“So –” And Nick went right back to kissin’ him like Ellis wasn’t tryin’ to ask another damn question. “Wait – so –” Obligingly, Nick paused his kiss and even opened his eyes when Ellis sat up, waiting while Ellis propped himself up on his elbows. But he kept his damn lips pressed to Ellis’ mouth so they just had to – like… talk around that while this man was starin’ into his soul. “You’re gonna hang this over me every time? Like, every time? For how long?”

“I dunno,” Nick said directly into Ellis’ lips. “Until it’s funnier to finally bite you, I guess.”

“And if you don’t ever get that chance? If I just decide ‘screw it’ and never kiss you again?”

Nick cackled at a Coach-approved level and pushed Ellis back down to the floor.

Fair enough, he guessed.

The night was as perfect as it got for them.

In some part of his mind, one Ellis could get to a lot faster when Nick wasn’t on top of him, he felt a thrill at realizin’ how ‘perfect for them’ still meant it was perfect after all.

Nick got ‘im in the shower ‘bout a week later. There, Ellis knew it was sexy –

#nellis #l4d2 #l4d2 nick #l4d2 ellis #secret santa #my stuff #good job tartra

8 notes · View notes

thegeminisage · 10 months

Text

sneaking in a bit of zelda!! i wanted to explore the coliseum (overworld version) today but im not sure if my armor can stand up to the gleeok in there lol

last night btw i finally turned in the last of my korok seeds - my inventory is completely expanded, and i have collected a total of 664 seeds. 236 to go.........

im thinking about switching back to the old bike. the new one makes sharper turns but i have a harder time controlling it, especially if im carrying something. the old one lists to the side a little bit but i barely notice anymore as ive learned to compensate...

i wish you could sell sleepover ticket. i almost never use the stables and when i do i wanna pay for them so i can get points. i usually have tons of rupees so they dnt really save me money i desperately need...after early game theyre completely useless. i'll never use all the ones i have saved up at this point

farosh was going one way a second ago and is now going the other way?? girl whats up

evil korok seed. you have to dive into a ring of lilies but the place you have to dive from is a place that link sort of automatically jumps over when you try to step there. smh

ok. im at the coliseum. without a doubt i am gonna get my ass kicked bc my lightning armor sucks ass. i have a potion i can drink and wear normal armor for the first bit of the fight but after it runs out i have to wear shit armor and cross my fingers :/

it could have been a lynel. they could have put a lynel here. it would've been fine.

on the other hand, i guess i'm lucky it's not hands.

ok. best gear. potion ready. here i go

ok, first 3/4 down REALLY easily. still plenty of time left on my potion, but the armor is superior bc the shocks still make me flinch without it. unfortunately this mf is now in the air and idk how to get up after it. ascend??

there has to be a better way, this is so much ascending, what do i do for thunder gleeoks not in the coliseum??

KEESE! WING! ARROWS!

i got all the way to the top and still couldn't get to it, so i improvised lol. i saw that wind gusts started but by then it was too late!! im so pleased

truly incredible. i beat it in under 3 minutes without electric armor! i can't believe the one on hylia bridge killed me so many times. i really have leveled up

maybe i should fight the ice gleeok in hebra...thats the last stable quest i need...

armor sitch is gonna be worse for this though. even with cold resistance, some of my defense is gonna be taken up by my having to wear these fucking snow boots (or i have to be slow during the fight...)

man i hate cold regions in these games. this is making me nervous

AAAAA it saw me so soon!!!!

omg lol it's blowing snowballs at me

DEFFOOO not doing as much dmg to this guy as the lightning one...i had zora weapons for that, so they all got powered up when wet, but i cant use ice attack food here bc im using my food to PROTECT myself from the cold

also, bc im in snow boots, i dont get the atk up bonus from the oot link armor :| fuck it, im barely moving, ill take them off next time it drops

up it goes...now what

i found shelter to protect me from the big attack but idk how to get up there 😭 wheres the WIND

OH MY GOD WAIT...OH MY GOD

oh thats so FUCKING cool

recall and ride the icicles up!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! i think i love fighting gleeoks now?!

now to find that damn horse

found it. got kicked in the face before i could mount, bc riju was in my fucking way. disabling sages 😔

got it! i thought this horse was supposed to be a yiga or something? am i riding a couple of yigas in furry suits?

awwww my bestie is sad to be retiring from the news business :(

i guess it is a real horse lol. maybe i got fake spoiled with some wack fanart

I HATE NAMING HORSES...it's so much pressure 😭

googled some named and went with aurum (something made of gold). thanks internet

time to go get my last paycheck!!!

FROG ARMOR COMPLETE!

awww my bestie's not here...do we not get to see him anymore after this...? what a bummer

ok, i have to quit for now!! maybe next time ill kill more gleeoks lol

#personal #loz blogging #totk lb #totk spoilers

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holly-fixation · 2 years

Text

Damaged Doll: Chapter 3

Summary: Angeal and Zack discover a man in all black trapped under boulders in the mountains near Icicle Village. They notice things are extremely wrong about this man, but one thing demands their attention: mako blue eyes with slit pupils. Sephiroth will want to see this. And meeting him only raises more questions than answers. But what happens when this blonde is face to face with the silver general himself?

Based on this prompt by @im-totally-not-an-alien

Please Enjoy!

Chapter 3: A Link

A short pause filled the room, snake like eyes bearing into each other, one with utter obsession, the other with incurable curiosity.

Sephiroth’s throat hitched, despite all of his planning, all of his preparation. It was his mother, the woman he was punished for asking about. The connection he never had but desperately needed, no matter how many times he was told he was better, different, and had no need for such pointless connections. He could finally learn about his mother. He took one last breath to clear it before asking, “How do you know my mother’s name?” He hoped this would be the least complicated question, or at least the least complicated answer he’d receive tonight. “How do you know my mother is Jenova?”

“It’s the name you know, therefore the name she took,” He answered simply, like that explained anything, “Your hair and the shape of your eyes are the same as hers.”

He knew he should be smarter than this, much more cautious of the abnormal answer, but a childish longing held his rational mind hostage as he answered mindlessly, “She looked like me?”

He nodded.

“What was she like…?” His voice was small, and he received an almost caring, empathetic look from the blonde.

“Powerful. Intelligent. A tactician. A savior to so many.” He paused as he hunted for an answer. “…She was caring. Kind. Beautiful.” A wistful expression claimed the patient’s slitted eyes, which, peculiarly, expanded like a cat’s in the dark. “You’re so much like her, My prince.”

The general forced down the bubble of warmth from the comparison calmly, attempting to focus on his goal. “How did you know her?”

“Your mother created me.” He answered truthfully, but that wasn’t possible. His age seemed about the same as Sephiroth’s.

“‘Created’?”

Cloud lifted his head in confusion for a moment before nodding. “Yes. She created me from the stone and glass in the north.”

Sephiroth only raised a brow, but Cloud did not continue.

Instead, he returned to a different topic, a bit of explanation before he planned to continue his answer evident in his voice. “When your mother came to this planet, she-”

“Stop,” He ordered in bewilderment, shaking his head and hands softly in wait, gaining instant silence. He always showed more emotion when it came to his mother. “‘This Planet’?”

The blonde looked down, folding his hands neatly in his lap before raising his eyes hesitantly. “Forgive me, My prince, I must ask...” it was the first time his voice faltered in front of Sephiroth, matching his currently fractured state. “What do you know of your mother…?”

Sephiroth’s heart dropped at the question, his confusion replaced with the ever gaping hole in his chest. The color vanished from his face. “Her name was Jenova. And she died giving birth to me.” He did not meet the gaze of the patient as he finished, refusing to see the reaction to the statement he told no one before, “That’s all I know.” He closed his eyes to center himself, and he heard the patient breathe deeply in thought, analysis, interrogation, determination.

“Yet you’ve come so far…” Was that surprise, the smallest hint, in the raspy voice? Then it was back to steel, the solid tone he only used to Him. “...Your mother would be proud.”

Sephiroth’s chest warmed again, and with a nearly sad expression on his face, he didn’t fight it.

“Please, let me explain, My prince.”

He sighed softly and nodded, his signal to continue.

The blonde completely understood. “Your mother was not from this planet.” Sephiroth nearly jerked in question, and though he did not ask, the blonde knew exactly what he wanted to know. “The humans would call her an alien, but she is so much more than an extraterrestrial.” His change in tense was noticed, but the general swallowed to soothe his inquiring mind, despite the cautiousness slowly stirring within. “She was a godsend. Multiple planets would call out to her when their beings were in danger due to the lifeforms they could not control. And after aiding them, she ruled them as queen. This planet, the Lifestream itself, cried. And she answered.”

Sephiroth opened and closed his mouth once, like a guppy, too many questions colliding that only one stuttered to escape. “H-How?”

“A meteor. I believe…the crater should still be there.”

“The Northern Crater?”

Cloud nodded. “Yes.”

The silver general shook his head, denying this explanation. This was nonsense, a terrible waste of time. You're insane. Completely insane or delusional. After the state he was found in, the general wasn’t surprised, just disappointed. Perhaps it was brain damage from the boulders. Perhaps it was the unspecified length of solitude. Perhaps he was never well, and that’s how he ended up in that cave in the first place.

“My prince, please wait,” The blonde begged when Sephiroth took a step toward the door, and the general gave him a tired look. “Please, I speak the truth, but it…” He trailed off, then closed his eyes and breathed. “It may not seem possible today. This world has changed so much. But your mother remains the same. Please, what other questions do you have about her?”

Is he using my own mother to justify this asinine story? Is he trying to control me just because our eyes are the same? The slightest counter shone out of the inhuman eyes.

Cloud’s eyes widened in defeat, before he closed the lids and bowed his head, dread settling in his features as the fire dwindled. “I have bothered you. I’ll stop…”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” Sephiroth stated suddenly, even surprising himself with the burst of his thoughts before turning to the blonde with a cold expression. One last chance. “Tell me something I don’t know.” That’s even remotely possible, the silent half of his sentence was caught as well.

Cloud took a pained breath, then paused, analyzing his mind and the room for what he could believably explain. “...Do you truly believe your mother is dead…?”

His heart dropped, the hook ripping through his walls and reeling him in completely.

“How many times were you told…?”

“Once.” His eyes winced closed, the memory excruciating as it overwhelmed every cell in his body, dragging him down to the depths of the suppressed and fragile mind. Back to a little boy, stronger than any machine or monster they threw at him, special and different and above all else, though he never believed it. He was barely strong enough, barely as strong as they wanted, finally making his… finally making someone proud of him.

He’d be leaving for Wutai in a week, his life no longer dictated by every word out of Hojo’s cruel mouth. He’d be the first SOLDIER, out of the lab, in the field, in the real world.

Maybe he’d finally feel rain.

But Hojo, for the first time in his life, offered him a gift, any gift within reason, the only shred of joy the scientist ever offered. The opportunity.

“Make your decision while I'm feeling sentimental, boy.”

Though he fidgeted in his spot as he thought, the minute of silence that passed did not change his question. He prepared for the argument, the yelling he couldn’t capture in his throat when Hojo inevitably went back on the deal after hearing what he wanted. Clothes, weapons, equipment, he wanted none of those things, nothing material. He took a breath before forcing his eyes to the scientist.

“...Okay. I’ve made my choice.”

He felt the gaze burn through the black glasses as the scientist crossed his arms, an annoyed gesture to tell him to continue.

One more breath. One last attempt at steeling himself. “I want to know about my parents.” He felt the white hot burn from the white reflection in the back glasses in his heart. “Both of them. That’s the only thing I want.”

Hojo nearly stood and tensed in response, analyzing him, calculating his mind. The glare and pause nearly stung his skin, but he refused to back down. “You’re better than this. You know you’re better than this.”

“It’s not an attachment-”

“Then what is it, boy?” The scientist spat. “Is it curiosity? Is that the lie you’re about to tell me? That you don’t care about the answer? You ‘just’ want to know?”

Like glass, cracking at the force of the words. “I won’t ask again… Please… Just once...” He nearly whined, his voice as small as a field mouse. “That’s all I want…”

He couldn’t read the expression on the professor’s face. He didn’t know what to prepare for. The silence felt like an eternity. And when the professor moved a hand slowly, he actively forced his eyes to remain on his target.

“You get one gift,” the scientist seethed while holding up an index finger. “So choose. Which parent do you ‘care’,” the professor nearly gagged at the thought, “about more?”

He froze at the challenge, his anxious movement vanished into ice, a shocked look on his face, his mouth agape and his eyes accusatory. He had to pick between his mother or his father? When he’d never know either? How would he know if he made the right decision? Hojo’s mind was made up. He knew there was no room for argument. Why would Hojo do this to him?

“Which one, Sephiroth?”

Glass.

“Make a choice.”

Glass.

“Pick already.”

Clear as a window.

“My mother!” He spat out so quickly the scientist flinched and tilted a head ever so slightly in confusion. “My mother. I choose my mother...” His strength failed him and his eyes fell to the ground, guilt pumping through his veins. Why did Hojo make him choose? Why…? He kept his eyes down until Hojo spoke again, his mouth dry as a bone.

“Her name was Jenova.”

Sephiroth’s blue eyes widened as he repeated the name for the first time. “Jenova...”

“Yes.” The scientist spat. “And she died. Giving birth to you.”

He didn’t see a shred of lie or truth beyond the black glasses. He tried to breathe, he tried to speak, but he was spellbound by the guilt in his heart and the scientist dangling the organ over a floor of swords, always ready to drop. It made sense, why he never saw her, why he didn’t have a single memory of her. It hurt. Gods it hurt, his chest tightening, but he had to keep trying, anything he could get. He swallowed hard, his hand twitching in shock. “What was she like…?”

The scientist scoffed. “No.”

Why? Why not?

“No, I gave you your gift. That’s all.”

“But-!”

“Don’t pull this on me,” Hojo growled. “I answered your question, now go.”

He instinctually stepped toward the man. “Please, Hojo!”

“Step back, Sephiroth.”

But he couldn’t stop his mindless pleading and eyes from watering when he moved One. Step. Closer. “Please!”

The last memory forced upon him was the crack against his cheek, that sent him stumbling back despite all his strength.

When Sephiroth finally returned to reality, finally outside the prison of his memories, he found himself standing at the center of the same room, but with the blonde’s arms wrapped around him and pulled tightly to him. A hug. He glanced at the clock for confirmation. Only a few seconds had passed. Maybe five, or ten? Did he...dissociate? This has never happened before.

“Who did this to you, My prince?” was all he spoke, embers growing to a small flame. He was shorter, the soldier realized, the first time he stood for anyone, his head politely pulled away from the opening of skin in the leather jacket, the palms of his yellow hair softly brushing the soldier’s chin.

Sephiroth was at a loss for words.

“You do not need to explain anything. Please answer when you’re ready. Who did this to you?” Cloud tightened his grip, his posture a rock, a ground to focus his prince.

The silver general, the silver soldier, the first SOLDIER, the little boy cowering away from the experiments, the tiny kid crying from each failure, each break, each cut, each bruise, every emotion in his very being screamed over the whisper of logic trying to break through. His arms moved impulsively, like a desperate child, starved for attention and affection, and gripped the shoulders of the injured blonde across the smaller body.

Cloud did not ask again, but patted the space on the back between the large pauldrons, petting the space of leather soothingly.

Then he found himself removing one hand and pulling the blonde to his chest, with no resistance. It felt…nice, to have someone so close to him, the vaguest memory of a stuffed chocobo dashing through his mind, the fluff of the fur delicate and comforting. The similar color almost coaxed him into leaning his face into the dandelion of hair, perhaps even breathing in a scent of something other than this solitary lab. So many memories…why now? He searched his thoughts for an answer, the silence only aiding his tracking mind.

…his mother. It tied to her, didn’t it? Whether the blonde was telling the truth he sought all his life, or a story fabricated by a tortured and damaged mind, he didn't know. He did not believe the tale, of course, but he felt a connection. A deep connection.

“...Hojo did this…” His deep voice boomed softly, and the blonde only nodded in confirmation. The only noise in the room was their tensioned breaths and the occasional beep of the medical machines. Maybe a minute of peace passed through them.

But then they felt something, and Sephiroth let go and took a step back as they both glared at the observation window. The speaker in the ceiling clicked on.

“Apologies.” That was absolutely a new hire, stuck on the absolute worst shift for specimen monitorization: zero-hundred to zero-seven-hundred hours. “Visiting hours are 9AM to 12AM, and the patient should not be standing. Please help the patient return to the bed, then leave the room. Thank you.” Another click notified the shut off of the microphone and speaker.

The blonde’s head was bowed again. “Forgive me.”

His silver brows knotted in confusion as his gaze returned to the blonde. “For what?” Only now did he realize the blonde was balanced on one foot, the damaged leg dangling in the air.

“I disobeyed your order to stay in bed.”

Sephiroth shook his head. “Don’t apologize. Here,” He stepped toward the blonde with his hands out, “Let me help.”

Cloud shook his head and held his arms out to stop him. “My prince, I can’t let you- nh-” He was already lifted and back in the bed before he could finish, grabbing his sides to soothe the pain from movement and failing at concealing his low, pained grunt.

“Are your ribs okay?” The soldier asked, scanning the other set of eyes for the truth.

The blonde nodded quickly. “Yes. Thank you, My prince.”

Sephiroth cringed at another use of the faux title. “Please don’t call me that.” He moved to the exit.

Cloud tilted his head, and spoke as the door slid open. “What would you like to be called?”

“My name,” Sephiroth spoke softly, too tired, too confused as to what just happened to continue, why it happened, and left the patient alone in the hospital-like room.

* * *

Hojo. Will. Die. For the pain he caused My prince. But he had to be careful. He was strong enough to kill the scientist if he got close, but he wasn’t strong enough to get away with it. It angered him greatly, his hands itching to break holes in the wall. Whatever his prince had to endure as a child still haunted his prince now. But he had to control these impulses. He would not make the same mistake again. His prince deserved the perfection he failed to give his queen. Now he needed to weld the connection they both shared. He already looked back fondly on the moment in the middle of the night, finally treated as what he was. He was a weapon for her use. But he was also a tool for comfort. A toy for a child, a stuffed animal to hold for safety. Cloud almost smiled at the memory as he stared at the walls. But he was still being watched. Again.

When the scientist, no… when Hojo finally entered, Cloud was informed he should not attempt anything with his leg for at least a month. But the longer he’s weakend, the longer that bastard lives.

However, the scientist raised a hand and made a gesture toward the room through the one way glass. Almost immediately, the door opened to a young girl with red hair in mostly black clothing, a rougher fabric than what he was given. She adjusted a white bag in her hands, and nodded to the professor upon entry.

“She’s a part of the Turks,” Hojo explained. “An elite program, a type of special forces here. They investigate, interrogate, exterminate, basically whatever we see fit,” He spoke with power behind the ‘T’, then gestured to the woman. “This is Cissnei. She’ll be teaching you everything you need to know.”

Cloud carefully moved his eyes to the scientist. “What specifically…?”

“Well, what you’ve missed the past two thousand years,” he stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “We can’t expect you to assimilate into our society easily, but perhaps you can find someplace with more knowledge. In return for my research, of course.”

His predatory eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second before he returned to calm and collected. “Very well...”

He scribbled something before clipping the pen to the board. “Glad you agree. Now excuse me.” Then he left, without another glance to either of them, though Cloud watched his location, even through the mirrored window.

The red haired girl approached him while he wasn't looking, and she only met his eyes when she was an inch away from the bed, gently placing the bag in his lap. “These are the clothes you were found in. We highly recommend excluding your pants to let your leg heal.”

Cloud was already opening the back like a child with a gift, pulling out his coat first and analyzing the sown scratches.

“We had them cleaned and repaired. We hope you’re satisfied.” She took the open seat as he continued to scan, frowning as he ran his thumb along the new patches.

Then he looked up to her and moved the clothes to his side. “Thank you...”

She nodded in response. “They said your throat will take another day or two to fully heal. After that it shouldn’t hurt so much to talk.”

He nodded in appreciation. Then he noticed her gloves. Both black, but only one covered her whole hand. She was a part of some kind of special force, right? The Turks? “What kind of weapon requires those gloves…?”

Cissnei had to look down at them to notice what he was talking about. She didn't think about them anymore. “Oh, these?” she held them up for a better view. “They’re the most effective for using a large shuriken.”

He tilted his head, so she elaborated.

“A type of throwing star.” She scanned him as well. “Do you know what that is?”

He shook his head.

“Well,” she almost laughed, “Then let’s start your lessons there.”

Cloud appreciated her aid, kindly smiling as she explained whatever she knew about their world, with him asking questions as she went on. But he hated where this aid came from. He needed to learn about this changed world, yes, and she seemed kind enough. Yet she is tied to her job. Perhaps learning her loyalty to this special program would aid him in his coming cover-up. He needed an opportunity, and he still needed it while he looked innocent. No more mistakes. No more failures. Everything must be perfectly clean. Not a drop of blood will tie back to him.

Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: New baby Sephiroth content will not change this story. I already finished that section before the announcement. Though I am EXTREMELY excited to see the little Babyroth! (Check tags for more notes)

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