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tundrainafrica · 3 years

Text

Title: Lovebug (13/14)

Summary:

“It might be a bug.”

“A bug?”

“Sometimes the developers of this application make mistakes. This is our first time meeting I’m sure so…Isn’t it a bit weird that we just met for the first time and it rings like this? And for two strangers to coincidentally ring each other’s alarms?“

Levi is the developer of the Love Alarm App and Hange is married to Zeke.

Link to cross-postings: AO3

Other Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Notes: Feedback is very much appreciated :D

With attire alone, Levi was already a fish out of water.

As the seconds ticked though, his self consciousness only grew.

It wasn’t just an issue of clothing. Too many things had been against him the whole way to the dinner room. The white and silver of the windows of the private dinner room in the hotel reflected the setting sun, the marble floors, the glass bridge, the carpeted floors.

The scenery was only half the battle though. The men and women strode in and out of the dinner room with attire much grander than is. There were leather bags, the jewelry and constantly hovering in the air were the business vernacular that fell into one ear and out the order.

There were too many conversations on mergers, acquisitions, business climates, market prices he could never be part of. And his own direct companions weren’t making it any better.

As Levi soon understood, it wasn’t their job to make him feel comfortable anyway.

“Yelena,” he repeated, a memory exercise for himself. The whole journey from the convention center on the first floor to one of the rooms in the mid floor of the hotel was silent and long. In the sea of business pleasantries though, it seemed ironic that the blonde had never even made conversation beyond her own name.

Even as she sat next to him on the dinner table, she didn’t speak, not even bothering to respond to her own name. She was too close though, only a few inches away that Levi swore she had heard it.

“That’s your name right?” Levi added. He couldn’t think of much else to say. After blurting her name mindlessly, with Porco and Pieck seated just in front of him, looking at him expectantly, he knew he had to continue with something.

“I introduced myself back in the lobby already,” Yelena finally responded.

“You did,” Levi said.

“Is there anything you want to ask?” Yelena asked, no hint of benevolence in her tone.

Levi had been rolling on the bed, in and out of sleep the whole day. He didn’t trust himself to say anything else. He didn’t trust himself to think.

Yelene had a knowing look on her face, as if she knew something he didn’t. And she seemed to be enjoying it. Since a while ago, she hadn’t at all been subtle with the fact that somehow, by just their first meeting, Levi had managed to rub her the wrong way. It wasn’t too radical of an idea, that she may enjoy his pain.

Levi’s mind was suddenly racing, reminding him why he had even considered going in the first place. Is there anything you wanna ask? Those words echoed for a while longer. The longer he sat there silently, the more restless he became. He avoided her gaze, looking behind her, then behind Porco and Pieck, taking in his surroundings again. He was observing mannerisms, branded bags, branded ties, branded purses and Zeke in the middle of all of it, going from one table to the other.

Eventually, after the discomfort settled, Levi realized he was torturing himself for a reason.

Hange wasn’t there. And he shouldn’t have needed that long look to notice it. But you’ve given up already? Right?

“You’re not going to eat?” Pieck was a lot more friendly. There was a huge difference between being polite and being friendly and Levi suspected, he was only seeing politeness as friendliness given the stark contrast of Yelena’s overall approach towards him

In the air, tension hung so thick. Levi didn’t notice a piece of bread and a bowl of soup had been served in front of him. “I will.” He immediately went for the spoon in front of him.

“That’s the spoon for the main course,” Yelena said.

“What?” By the second, Levi was starting to realize how disconnected he actually was. Around the soup, there were spoons, forks and knives in multiple sizes. In a panic, Levi had looked around to see it was the same for everyone else.

Yet, everyone else knew how to navigate such a complex design.

“The small one is the soup spoon.” Pieck was helpful at least. “No, that’s the tea spoon,” she added as she looked pointedly at the smallest one Levi had taken hold of.

Levi was familiar enough with tea to be familiar with the size of the teaspoon. At that point though, who cared what spoon he ate with? He wasn’t there to dine.

By some pride or just utter frustration at the whole situation, the spoon debacle was never solved and Levi never touched his soup that night. He closed himself off from everything else, keeping his world closed to anything but the entrance, Zeke, the crowds, and the one familiar face he wanted to see.

But Hange never showed up.

“She’s not coming. If that’s what you’re thinking.” Yelena could have been reading his mind.

“Who’s not coming?” Levi asked. He widened his eyes in mock surprise but he kept his voice toneless. In his mind, that seemed like a good balance to display both calm and disconnect.

Yelena never answered the question. Maybe she knew silence was the right answer, that is, if her attention had been to keep his insides boiling in frustration, his mind racing.

The grin on her face only proved it. Maybe that was her intention.

It only got worse though as the night dragged on and Levi noticed his own restlessness around the salad course that he could barely even look at.

He could barely coordinate his hands. His legs were trembling.

Those few moments he focused on evening out his breathing, he was able to grip the spoon, then the steak knife as the main course came in.

As if to add salt to whatever wound she had, Yelena commented abruptly. “It’s not everyday people like you will be able to get steak like this.”

The steak could have just been soft. Or Levi was recovering. One of those, he couldn’t be too sure. But it was a good steak. He could tell that much. It melted in his mouth and he had spent an inordinate amount of time contemplating how it was physically possible for steak to melt in his mouth.

Then suddenly the delectable steak rotted mid chew. “You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” It was as if Yelena was on a mission to be a total buzzkill. Maybe she was being paid by Zeke to do just that.

And she was doing a wonderful job. Levi almost choked on that last piece, his fork fell to his lap. In a bout of embarrassment, he stood up. “Toilet.”

Five minutes and an empty bladder later, whatever peace and calm he had managed to muster alone in the toilet completely dissipated. It seemed like that dinner was also on a mission to make him as miserable as possible even in a supposedly pleasant environment.

“Where’s my steak?” Levi put too much energy into keeping his tone as subdued as possible.

“Oh, you weren’t done?” Pieck asked, seeming genuinely curious.

He had only gotten two bites. Of course, he wouldn’t be done. He was close to raising his hand up to call the waiter until he was reminded, he didn’t even pay for the dinner. Did he even have the right to complain?

At that point, Levi was just a little ticked, his grumbling stomach at having missed three courses over his own discomfort and tense state was already catching up to him. “What made you think I was done?”

“You put your spoon and fork together, like this,” Pieck said. “That means you’re done with the course.” She organized her plate the same way Levi did, for just a second.

Maybe Levi had been too self conscious. In an attempt to seem more posh than he actually was, Levi had channeled his own fastidiousness into putting the utensils together before he left for the toilet.

“I would think someone who works in corporate would know this. This is standard fine dining,” Yelena said nonchalantly.

Fine dining for Levi meant a dinner at a cafe, or a sit down restaurant. The whole world that existed for the sake of fine dining, the course meals, the secret language he didn’t seem to understand felt completely unnecessary. And the longer they sat there as if deliberately keeping him in the dark while he starved, Levi only became more and more impatient.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t have known any better at first,” Levi said.

“I’ve been handling Zeke’s properties overseas for years so I’ve had my fair share of fine dining experience.” She then turned to Pieck and Porco who both nodded. “Even before that, my parents have taught me this. Have yours?”

Levi’s earliest memories of fine dining had been sit down restaurants, diners, nothing too fancy. He shook his head. “Well, I didn’t come here with the intention of dining. You put me on that list yourself, without even waiting for a reply.” He regretted it, as soon as he let it out. His grumbling stomach had him almost out of control.

Yelena raised one eyebrow. “Oh? Then why did you still come, Mr. Ackerman? The free food?”

Levi froze.

“The free food you barely even touched?” Yelena pressed.

And Levi stiffened up, much harder than he would have thought was ‘completely frozen.’

“You have some business to settle with Mr. Jaeger I’m guessing?”

“It’s none of your business.” Levi managed to say.

“I’ve been working for the Jaegers for years. I manage their overseas properties, a few apartments and houses here and there,” she said proudly.

“And?” Levi challenged. “Does that make you entitled to whatever other business Zeke has?”

That question was a response enough. Enough to get Yelena crack, her expression shifted from incredulous, to abrasive to subdued. One eyebrow raised, mouth twitching slightly. “I had to clean up the mess you two left behind.”

Mess? Levi had an inkling of an answer.

A clatter of metal on a plate. “Yelena! Not here,” Pieck said.

“Then we should talk outside then.” Yelena was half way to standing up, before she stopped herself.

Levi found himself following her gaze. The one view that had her frozen in her tracks had been Zeke and before Levi even knew it himself, he was just as surprised as Yelena.

“Should we retire early?” Zeke asked.

“Sir, you haven’t eaten yet,” Yelena argued.

Zeke shook his head. “I hold these dinners to find potential business partners, not to eat.” He turned to Pieck. “I think Pieck can take over from here. I’ll leave you to answer any questions about Jaeger healthcare holdings.”

Pieck nodded. “Yes sir, I’ll take over.”

“No hurry, everyone’s still busy with their meals…” Zeke looked pointedly at his surroundings at the other people. HIs staff table had been conveniently placed by the corner, and it didn’t seem at all like their conversation had been heard by everyone else.

Pieck and Porco were noticeably eating faster, seeming deep in thought. Back into business mode maybe, the caustic exchange of a while ago completely forgotten. Or at least they looked like they were attempting to forget it.

Not burdened with that same responsibility, Yelena didn’t seem to put up any facade. Her own antagonizing attitude towards Levi didn’t falter. Yet somehow, Zeke’s presence had kept her mum, subdued her to just venomous glares.

They exited the dinner hall and made their way out of the hallway, opening up to the open hotel lobby. “We can talk in my private suite,” Zeke said. “I don’t like having a lot of my conversations in public.”

Levi didn’t respond. The glances Yelena snuck him only made it harder to come up with anything more than a few mumbles which he was sure would only make him look pathetic in front of Zeke.

“Did you pay for the flight yourself?” Zeke asked.

Levi nodded. Where’s Hange? That thought tore into his mind so abruptly, Levi found himself having to clamp his mouth shut, much tighter than normal. He couldn’t trust himself to speak. God knows, he might end up asking just that cursed question.

“You’re quiet,” Zeke commented as they entered the elevator. “Did you enjoy dinner?”

Levi nodded and mumbled some hint of a yes.

Zeke raised his eyebrows. “Really what was your favorite course?”

The steak obviously. Even those words got caught somewhere in his throat, admitting to Zeke that he enjoyed the food seemed almost like flaunting himself naked.

Luckily—or unluckily, Zeke didn’t prod, instead going for another speech which made Levi regret keeping silent. “I hold dinners every night for PR, get the right potential partners to the same room, for my healthcare holdings, my supermarket holdings, my…” Zeke rattled on.

To Levi, it felt the blonde had just been jacking himself off instead of actually making conversation. Still, that gave Levi time to think.

Thinking turned out to be a bad thing.

Even before they arrived at the penthouse floor, Levi had to admit, the hotel was posh. The scent of new wood hung in the air, the marble finishings, the lamp made out of metals Levi suspected weren’t easy to acquire. And when they stepped from the elevator wing to the matted floor of the penthouse, whatever plush they used underneath greeted him in some strange manner.

Strangely, Levi felt guilty for dirtying something which he was completely aware was supposed to be dirtied anyway dealing with foot traffic everyday. Then the more they walked, the more self conscious he became of the way he was walking.

Zeke and Yelena both walked ahead with confident strides and Zeke never stopped talking. When Levi found himself listening, he noticed, Zeke's tirades only made the grand hall seem grander, a completely different world to Levi, something he wasn’t supposed to be in.

Was he a visitor. Hell, maybe not even a visitor. A slave? A serf?

“The convention is to attract potential resellers. We’re planning on reselling our research, our products, our technology, to this region...”

They walked towards the end of the hall, stopping in front of some fancy door only accentuated by the plush carpets and the decorative lamps.

“... And this city will be our hub…” It looked like Zeke had been too distracted by his own grand plans to even bother to open the door. It was fortunate then that Yelena had the key and that she knew her way into the presidential suite.

They settled on the sofa in the living rooms, the first room past the foyer.

“We’ll set up office space... Maybe a building...”

It was around then that Levi noticed he hadn’t been offered a seat but he didn’t mind it too much. The multiple sitting rooms, the wide window to one side that gave a good view of the infinity pool on the balcony, and beyond that, a view of the city.

Did Hange get to swim? Levi looked out for a while longer and he couldn’t look away. The longer he looked, the easier it became to imagine her leaning over the infinity pool in her purple bathing suit.

“It will cost a few million dollars…”

Just like in the country club.

“Levi, you want to go for a swim?”

Levi coughed, an instinctive movement. “Sorry… Excuse me, what?”

Zeke looked very unimpressed. It was obviously a joke. “For gods sake, sit down. It’s distracting just watching you stand awkwardly.”

“So why did you invite me here?” Levi asked. If not to listen to you ramble. He added silently to himself.

“I think I have a right to answer first,” Zeke said. He nodded to Yelena. The latter walked away and back to the kitchen. “Why are you here? Don’t tell me you’re here for the convention?”

“What if I am?”

Zeke spared a small grin. He leaned back on the sofa and looked to the side, as if sharing an inside joke with himself. “And do you have plans of investing?”

Millions of dollars. Those three words echoed in Levi’s head. He didn’t have that money and he most likely never would.

Zeke didn’t give him time to speak. “Figures,” he muttered. “So why did you come here?” He asked in a clearer voice.

“You invited m---”

“I wouldn’t have invited you if you weren’t here already,” Zeke said.

Yelena chose that moment to come in between them, a wine bottle on one hand, two wine glasses on the other. Her movements were too casual, the fine dining positions of a while ago seemed almost like a facade.

Zeke gave a nod in thanks. “Sit where you’re comfortable.”

Yelena didn’t hesitate. She settled on one of the sofa chairs, a comfortable distance between them. She mirrored Zeke’s own expression, a mix between mocking and expectant.

It only became harder to speak. When Levi was weighing between speaking up and staying mum, he found, as painful as it was to continue speaking, the outcome seemed more desirable.

At least in his head.

“What’s wrong? Can’t tell me why you visited my convention?” Zeke took a sip of the wine. “Unless it’s something… controversial? Embarrassing? Offensive?.”

Levi felt his skin crawl. Not completely in control of his body, he almost feared his facade cracking and not noticing it. He cleared his throat. “I was going to speak.” He paused, using that moment, to meet Zeke’s eyes. “It’s about Hange.”

“What about my Hange?” Zeke had put too much emphasis in those last two words, it seemed almost out of place. In one sleek movement, he straightened up on his seat and tightened his grip on his wine glass

It was as if Levi was walking on Zeke’s territory, completely unwelcome. And Levi was starting to notice that. He shook his head and softened his voice, a subtle peace offering. “I had plans for the emotion alarm, I wanted to discuss them with Hange, get her opinion---”

“Erwin hasn’t told you yet?” Zeke put down his wine glass. “We’re terminating the contract.

It was like a ton of bricks fell on him. His stomach followed suit. Levi went for his wine glass and took a long sip which quickly turned into a gulp then he let out a cough. Water would have done a much better job to clear the tickle in the throat, the pang in his chest and the hollowness in his chest that followed. But he wasn’t going to ask for water in Zeke’s territory yet.

A ninety five percent chance of termination. Erwin had said back in their meeting.

“So it’s final?” Levi asked. The crushing disappointment had been enough proof that Levi had been vouching on that five percent.

Zeke nodded once. “Hange won’t be bothering you anymore. We’ll find another developer for her to work with.”

“I was working on some plans. They’re suggestions I was hoping she’d consider. If I---”

“Levi, can you send it over through email? Do you have to talk to her?”

Levi felt the blood rush to his face. He bent his head down almost immediately, focused on his shaking hands that were only gripping his knees tighter. He dug his nails into his knees, as if that would be enough to stop the shaking. “No, I don’t need to.” It could have come out as an exhale or an actual response.

“Well, that makes things easier. You know, she doesn't want to see you.” Zeke’s voice was painfully casual.

Levi looked up again, regretting it almost immediately. Zeke had a look of triumph on his face. It had only served to piss Levi all the more that Zeke had tried to hide it behind a nonchalant face. Seeing the small smile that decorated his lips, Levi dug his nails deeper into his knees. “Then why?”

“Why what?” Zeke pressed. “Why doesn't she want to see you?” His voice was getting colder and colder with each word. They twisted into an almost malevolent sneer.

“Why invite me here?” Levi asked, his voice clipped. Grappling with both Zeke’s attitude and the revelation on Hange’s feeling, Levi was finding it harder to speak.

“So you came because you were invited then?” Zeke took another sip. “And how were you invited?”

Does he expose Hange? And maybe Levi had taken too long vacillating.

Zeke had ended up answering the question himself. “An email? A support ticket with a flyer? Spam mail?” He took another sip. “You and your company have your very techy love alarm. And I have my own version too, my very old fashioned love alarm.” He gestured in front of him, right at Levi. “And it’s ringing in front of me right now.”

It took a few more seconds for Levi to understand it.

Zeke was either impatient. Or probably he thought Levi was a total idiot. He bent forward, leaned his elbows on his knees and dropped his wine glass on the wooden table with a loud clack.“Tell me, why would you go all the way here, over a fake email?” he asked. “Her name really was enough for you to book a plane ticket and fly across the ocean?”

Levi didn’t respond.

And it looked like Zeke didn’t need an answer anyway. He waved one hand in front of him and rolled his eyes. “I’m sure you’ve been in the corporate world long enough to know, there are meetings that could have been emails yet you still chose to take a plane and come here.”

“Do you want me to write an email?” Levi asked.

Zeke shrugged. We don’t need your input. This project...it’s mine and Hange’s.”

Yours and Hange’s? He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise, as if that slow and subtle movement had been enough to quell the fire in his chest. “What makes you say that?”

“It’s our project. It’s my gift to Hange.”

What does that make me? Levi didn’t say it out loud. He didn’t even want that instinctive jaw drop, the twitch in his mouth that followed to expose what the hell he was thinking.

“You’re merely someone paid to do the work.” Zeke continued, as if he had heard Levi's silent question.

Levi didn’t even feel it. He wasn’t even completely aware it happened until Zeke’s eyes widened for a split second in surprise, then narrowed again, shifting instead to one could have been pure fury.

But Levi didn’t care. Even when looking down had revealed, he spilled wine all over the lush carpet. The wine glass had hit the table, scattering pieces of broken glass on the table and over the floor.

It would be a bitch to clean up. Levi didn’t care about that either, it wasn’t his mess. It wasn’t his fucking presidential suite.

Zeke just had more practice in the diplomacy department. “Why do you feel it necessary to stand up and cause such a ruckus?”

The calmness had Levi’s blood boiling more violently inside him. He could only be grateful that the breaking the wine glass had released some of that pent up energy.

Zeke was only making it harder and harder to stay still. “I’m only stating facts. The money I put into it makes it mine. The fact that you’re being paid to do it. The fact that you even signed an employment contract relinquishes all ownership you have of all the projects you do in the company. You of all people should know that. I can’t even believe I need to school someone like you on this. You can’t even keep yourself together.”

Levi looked away, back at the view of the balcony, the glowing city. How much of it was owned by people who knew nothing about construction, architecture or just the hard work that went into even making such a view possible? A tiny injustice that surfaced in Levi’s mind as he let Zeke’s words sink in. “With all due respect... ” His last few words came out softer than expected. But Levi had seemed almost confident with them. “...You know jackshit about coding or psychology.”

Soon, Levi gripped enough of that new found confidence to take control of the conversation. “You know nothing about how any of that shit works. You didn’t stay up all night working on that damn application. I’ll fucking bet my whole life savings you don’t even know how this application works.”

“Ackerman, watch your mouth!” It was Yelena who spoke, looking as if she had just recovered from shock, eyes wide, her own wine glass on the table.

Levi cleared his throat. “Once again, with all due respect.” He was mildly aware then, that he may have raised his voice. Zeke was surprisingly—almost admirably calm. He put one hand as if to stop Yelena and spoke up. “And does ‘knowing jackshit’ make me less of an owner?”

That was a question that Levi couldn’t answer. He regretted losing control. In shock, or in some punishment which only the inner workings of his mind understood, Levi could only stand still, unable to even sit back down.

Zeke stared at him accusingly. “Mr. Ackerman…” he started. “You don’t believe there’s any dignity in the labor of moving money around? Investing and reinvesting?”

Levi felt shame wash over him.

It was a strange state to be in. There was more than enough dignity in being a billionaire, in being one of the top one percent who just bought and sold whatever they got their hands on. It was an inarguable fact that society thought highly of the top one percent regardless of where they got their money. Yet Zeke had a way of speaking that made Levi reflect the validity of his own words, any disrespect or any backhanded insult he could have been sending to anyone else.

Levi knew he was being manipulated but he couldn’t seem to point out how.

Maybe it had been the way Zeke had opened his eyes, his face a mix of confusion, hurt, with a hint of derision. Or maybe everything had been Levi’s imagination and once again he was faced with the prospect that maybe he didn’t mean it.

“That…” That wasn’t what I meant.

At that point, Zeke had stood up and at that difference of height and difference of social status, Levi had to bite his tongue, not to lose his composure.

Zeke though seemed to know he had taken control of the conversation. “You’re trying to cover your ass?”

“Cover… my ass?” Levi said that last word with a little more venom in his mouth. Somehow, the eloquent Zeke suddenly putting so much force into one single curse only added to the tension of that moment.

“Trying to justify your own mistakes by emphasizing your own superiority. It’s a very common tactic. You’re not the first to employ it.”

“I never---”

“You should be thanking me. I’ve been treating you fairly, paying you for your hard work. And on top of that, I’ve tolerated the transgressions, even putting more money unnecessarily into covering this up.” Zeke said. He walked towards the kitchen island, pulling an envelope from next to the telephone and slamming it on the counter. He wasn’t motioning though for Levi to come.

Levi preferred to stay frozen, just standing between the sofa and the coffee table. But when Zeke opened the envelope, pulling out pictures, and a few pages which he waved on the air and slammed on the table, Levi’s curiosity peaked.

Levi covered the distance in so short an amount of time, he never figured out if he seemed too desperate.

In hindsight, it wasn’t important. The contents of the papers, the pictures bundled together by paper clips had only been a more pressing matter.

Zeke’s words only confirmed it. “You went on a road trip up north on Hange’s birthday?”

“We did,” Levi said. There wasn’t much else he could have said to deny it. The evidence was too overwhelming— blurred pictures, screenshots of comments online in threads, subthreads, all speculating Hange’s side relationship.

“No use denying it. Yelena made a call to our employees in our estate up north. They mentioned Hange’s companion when she visited.”

“But we didn’t do anything…”

Zeke raised one eyebrow as if he had caught them in the act. “I’m not accusing you of it. But what would you say in your defense? When the Love Alarm rings, when you book a double room in a motel and when you’re together, almost inseparable in all of these pictures,” Zeke spread the photos on the table, shots of them in the motel, in the train station, in Zeke's house. “Hange isn’t a high profile person. It never made the news, Yelena and I made sure of that but people talk, anyone familiar with the tech world and particularly interested in it, would know how our family looks like."

It was funny, how anger could so easily sour to shame. At that moment, Levi considered disappearing an almost welcome development. Zeke pushed the pictures nearer to him, in one messy pile, the screenshots on comments, mentioning words like ‘misters,’ ‘paramours,’ ‘who’s the man???’ “We purged the internet of all photos, no names. Some people repost but I have people watching and reporting. This isn’t cheap.”

I’m sorry. Levi’s first instinct was to apologize, the adamance of a while ago almost completely forgotten. But sorry’s wouldn't work. “How much? I’ll pay what I can.”

Zeke scoffed. “Can you?”

Levi couldn’t think up much to say. He scanned his eyes over the comments at first to feign business, an excuse not to speak up. The more he looked, the more engrossed he got at lines of comments. Others towards him, then as he turned the pages, they were all towards Hange.

Slut. Whore. Low life. Cheater.

“I’ll pay what I can,” Levi said.

“How much are you willing to shell out? A hundred grand?”

That was a huge chunk of Levi’s annual earnings already. He wasn’t one to disclose salary though. He kept his mouth a thin flat line and nodded.

Zeke shook his head. “I’ll be generous, considering all the inconvenience you’ve caused both of us. While you're here, humor me,” he said. “I may not be a coder or a psychologist but I’m sure, there are things I can teach you. If you’re willing to shell out a hundred grand, let’s gamble with it. I haven’t had a good game in a while.”

“A good game?”

Zeke turned to Yelena. “Can you be a dealer again?”

“You plan on playing heads up?” Yelena asked,

“We have a table in one of the private rooms, why not?”

“Heads-up poker?” Levi clarified. There was only one game heads up that the two could have been referring to, mentioning terms like ‘deal.’

Zeke didn’t even bother to answer the question either for lack of consideration for Levi or just an expectation that Levi may have understood.

Levi didn’t live under a rock and he was very much familiar with the game. He had played a few games on online poker sites back in college.

Still, he moved a little sluggishly behind his two companions. Levi could have just been a little too wary or Zeke could have been out for blood.

The stakes then and there were completely different. For one, he had never bet almost a year’s worth of his own salary on a single game. He had never played with anyone whose net worth was a thousand, or maybe even a million times his own.

At that moment, Levi felt like a total beginner and it was as if hesitation clipped every single moment he managed to pull out of himself. There wasn’t too much he was expected to do but watch as Yelena prepared a few playing cards then chips.

Zeke made himself comfortable right in front of Levi. “Willing to bet a hundred grand?” he said those last words with an ominous smile on his face.

Levi sensed danger, but he couldn’t sense any proper way out either. He owed Zeke, he knew that much, whether it be for the money or the utter disrespect he had been treating him with since a while ago. Maybe he owed Zeke for more than that, for any inconvenience Zeke may have experienced at Levi having gotten a little too close to Hange.

Levi admitted, even just to himself, he had been a little too close to Hange for either of them to have been comfortable. Guilt, a sense of duty or just hyper awareness of everything all at once had Levi conceding, “Do I pay now?”

“We play with chips first,” Zeke responded.

Yelena dropped colored stacks of chips in front of them. Levi counted reds, blues, yellows, browns.

“You should have a hundred thousand worth,” Yelena said. “Do you know the colors?”

“Yes, just a bit.” Dabbling into online poker for a few months at least, Levi had enough experience to tell the browns as five thousands, the light blues as two thousand and the rest had inferred for himself from the amount of chips in front of him. He looked up to see that Zeke had a noticeably larger stack. “That looks like a lot more than a hundred grand,” Levi noted.

Zeke didn’t answer immediately and the flicker of realization came quicker, quick enough to have Levi coughing in surprise. The odds were against him.

“It is,” Zeke said as he counted his own chips, as if it wasn’t plain and utter cheating or even deception that he had a glaringly higher amount of chips than Levi. He slipped the chips towards the side and looked questioningly at Levi.

What had Hange told him back then in the golf course?

Zeke likes winning...But the way he goes about winning is like...He’s always been smart about it, always playing safe.

And what a better way to play safe than to have a larger pile than your opponent.

Zeke spoke up. “Hange and I, we’d play games with business partners while talking contracts and logistics. And Hange always said this about games. They teach things and sometimes they expose parts of ourselves… And the more I played with Hange, whether it be mahjong, blackjack, golf, or chess, I started to notice something. Games are a mirror of life, almost a clear reflection of what you deal with in business and in relationships.”

Zeke paused for a second and closed his eyes as if deep in thought. The room filled with the sound of shuffling of cards, the sound of the clack of chips as Zeke ran his hand over the brown ones, tapping them over the wooden round table in stilted and deafening movements.

“Poker is one of my favorite games. Like business, you base your decision on three things… Tells, numbers and circumstances,” He paused for a few seconds longer and he could have been expecting Levi to speak.

Levi didn’t look up though, instead using the brief silence to make sense for himself the amount of chips on his side.

Zeke spoke again. “Yelena, shuffle up and deal. We’re playing heads up. Our small blind is five hundred dollars and our big blind is one thousand dollars,” he said coldly. “I hope that isn’t too much money.”

In truth, that was enough money to make Levi’s stomach turn. Zeke’s manner didn’t look like it welcomed any protest though, so Levi merely nodded as some weak reply.

A weak nod could have sufficed as a response. Zeke turned to Yelena. “Give our valued guest the dealer button.”

The dealer plays the small blind. Levi counted five hundred dollars worth of chips and pushed it in front of Zeke.

Two cards lay in front of him, care of Yelena. Levi had played before and he was familiar at least with what a good hand would have looked like. In one swift movement, he held the cards in front of him.

Ten of Clubs and Nine of Clubs. With just one look, he knew he could complete either a flush or a straight.

If the board plays to his advantage.

Zeke tutted. “It’s not considered good practice to lift the cards. Most poker players would just raise the corner just high enough to see their own cards.” He demonstrated that exact same movement, only raising high enough that he could get the contents cards with one glance. “You’ve never played on the board?”

“I’ve played for a few months online,” Levi muttered. He would look back at that experience with little animosity. After all, a few months dabbling with bets online and just applying what little he learned from his statistics class had seemed like an overall enriching experience at first. Then and there, on the board, with thousands of dollars at stake, Levi felt utterly vulnerable. Like a beginner. Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, someone with only months worth of casual experience was a beginner.

And Zeke held a glaring advantage, something Levi couldn’t so easily brush away. Levi’s own instinct, his own experience with odds had him considering raising. Just for a second. When Zeke was staring at him though, his own pile much bigger than Levi, Levi could only weigh between two decisions, fold and give up that hand or match Zeke’s bet.

It’s still a good hand anyway. “Call,” Levi said, matching Zeke’s bet.

By the way that Zeke was looking at him though, Levi knew he was probably not playing on the board properly. Zeke spoke up. “Tells. One important concept in both poker and business is tells,” he explained. “The way you carry yourself tells me you never played on the board. Am I correct?”

“Yes.” There was no use denying it but Levi didn't have to spare him a long answer.

Zeke dropped five purple chips on the table. “Raise to 2500.”

There was value in those chips, his lifestyle, his savings. And for a split second, he saw an abyss. He had spent too much on a flight ticket, a hotel room, just all the food he had been eating in that town. Then another year's worth of income on stake, reduced to chips.

By some strange instinct, by some adrenaline rush, Levi had managed to brush it away, reducing whatever stakes to the few chips on the board. And he was grateful for the power of delusion. By god, if he didn’t have at least a sliver of self-delusion, he could have folded right then.

“Call,” Levi said, once again matching Zeke’s bet. He needed to calm down. It wasn’t a loss yet, the game hadn’t even started.

There was hope in whatever cards Yelena was shuffling. She spread the first three on the table.

“We call that a flop,” Zeke said. “Just in case you didn’t know.” And of course Levi knew, he had played online long enough to pick up some terms. With the grin on Zeke’s face, a far cry from a face more appropriate for a game of poker, Levi was certain Zeke was provoking him. “I know what a flop is,” Levi said, running his eyes over the three cards.

Ace of clubs. Seven of Clubs. Eight of Hearts.

Levi started to calculate. He had 2500 dollars, a months worth of basic living expenses on the line. He wondered if it would have felt better just dropping the one hundred grand to Zeke from the start. There was something notably more painful and more terrifying about the possibility of watching his money whittle away slowly.

“During business meetings, I like to tell which topics, which specific products make my business partners uncomfortable, when dealing with stakeholders, with employees. I like to take a few quick guesses on the backgrounds of the people in front of me, to see whether they’re worth dealing with in the long term. ” Zeke explained. “How they handle pressure…”

Was that a threat? A challenge? Maybe it was. Levi was suddenly morbidly aware that he had licked his lips, that his hand shook as he took another peek at his cards.

He had a chance for a straight. But what would Zeke have? And Levi had made the mistake of looking at Zeke then.

“Another ‘tell’, your eyes widened just there. You have a pair? A potential straight? For someone who wears her heart on her sleeve, Hange does a much better time hiding than you do.” Zeke had deliberately put more emphasis on the word Hange.

If Levi hadn’t frozen solid, tensed up by the shoulders with Zeke’s almost accurate guess, the word Hange had done the trick to make Levi terribly, terribly self conscious. In an instinctive moment, Levi bent his head down, raised one hand in an attempt to cover his own eyes, only to realize a second later with his hand halfway to his eyes, that that had done worse to even show that he had something to hide.

“You don’t have to hide it. We all know already, you’re in love with Hange.”

Levi had accepted that part already. If he had been in complete denial at that moment, maybe he would have lost himself in Zeke’s accusing glare.

“Are you going to deny it?” Zeke dropped an alarming number of yellow and purple chips. “Raise to four thousand.”

Levi let out a sound, a combination between a no and a quiet huff and he matched Zeke’s bet.

“A month ago I heard from the staff in our summer house up north mentioning the man, who always followed closely behind Hange, the man who so willingly got a single bed hotel with her, the man in the train station who sat close to Hange Zoe,” Zeke said. “People talk, Levi. Did you consider that? And I thought to myself back then, maybe, it could have been a coincidence but Hange had her own tells as well. When Hange saved you from drowning, did you know she didn’t want to let go?”

Yelena put one more card down. Two of diamonds.

“This is a convenient turn card ,” Zeke commented. “If you have a nine, or a ten, you have a chance at a straight. Have you calculated?” He raised one eyebrow.

Levi didn’t answer. Hell, anything he did say could probably be taken against him.

“Hange would have. When we played, she would babble on about statistics. Everytime she held out a hand, completely beating me, she would babble all the calculations in her head. She has always been quick witted, intelligent, clever. That’s why I fell in love with her too.” He had said that part louder, more confidently and so matter-of-factly, and Levi was reminded he would never have that same confidence to say those words about Hange, even if he would have meant it.

There was a clack of poker chips. Four thousand dollars? Levi counted. He looked towards the pile next to Yelena. He had four thousand dollars there already. A total of eight thousand dollars on the table, months worth of rent for most.

From the expectant look on Zeke’s face, Levi was expecting he’d only go higher. Do I fold? But maybe with the excruciating mentions of Hange, that was something Zeke had wanted him to do. In a sliver of weak protest, Levi matched the bet, his own bet up to eight thousand dollars.

He needed a jack or a six for a straight. But why was Zeke easily dropping bets? Did he have something better?

“Let’s consider numbers in real life. Even with how you and Hange were acting, I thought I could give you the benefit of the doubt. When the alarm rang, when you and Hange accepted it as truth, I realized my suspicions might be right. Hange might actually be attracted to you, she might actually love you. So what does that mean for me?” Zeke was once again playing with his chips.

Five thousand dollars worth? Levi thought loudly to himself as he counted the chips.

A bluff? Levi’s mind was racing. Zeke’s own words were deliberately or even just half heartedly disturbing. But there wasn’t much else he could do, four thousand dollars were on the line. Zeke proved to be confident at least with his own hand.

Bluffs happened, Levi played enough to be aware that people did put more than enough money than necessary just to scare people into folding. Another surge of protest later, Levi had matched the bet, putting his total bet at eleven grand.

The final card on the board was a jack and Levi didn’t have to look back at his own cards to confirm it. He had a straight. When Zeke had bet ten grand in chips, it had been much easier to call.

Soon the cards were revealed, an Ace and a King. Zeke had the strongest pair.

But Levi had a straight. He took the pot, more than a total of twenty thousand dollars, more than enough to offset his whole trip. When Levi looked up at Zeke, he regretted it almost instantly.

The latter didn’t seem at all affected by losing over twenty thousand dollars. “Circumstances, the most powerful tool but the easiest to control with the right resources. ” Zeke said, as if that had been the explanation for his own strange behavior. “It’s only natural when the person I’m married to starts running off with another man, I’d feel threatened. When she started working on the love alarm and I noticed she was happier, happier than I’ve ever seen her before. Then she was crankier than I’ve ever seen her before, then sadder. I wondered, what was our head developer doing to make Hange like that.”

Nothing. Fall in love with her? There weren’t too many things which could have fit what was starting to seem like a redundant question, so once again, silence was the best response.

Yelena spread the deck of cards over the table and Levi instead focused on dropping the new blind and appreciating the deft manner at which Yelena ran her hands over the cards.

He wasn’t in any state to be mesmerized by cards though.

Zeke’s voice echoed in the room. “Levi, I asked you a question.”

“What did I do, you mean?” Levi asked. That was the last thing he remembered and it had seemed almost redundant, not worth an explanation. Zeke shook his head. “Do you think she’s in love with you?” A strange question to ask someone, too personal. Zeke had a way of speaking that demanded answers.

Levi’s mind was working faster, vacillating between answering or not. He thought back to the ringing of the love alarm, Hange’s words up in the tower. Hange seemed happier, then crankier, then sadder, than I’ve ever seen before. “That’s for Hange to decide, right?” Levi said.

Zeke’s voice was suddenly softer as if they had released a sigh with his words. “Considering circumstances though, I was assured Hange can’t just leave.”

That last word had peaked Levi’s interest. “Leave?” He repeated.

“Even if your love alarm is correct, even if by some chance she loved you, and she didn’t love me, Hange can’t leave. I made sure of that. I’ve covered my bases.”

Covered your bases? Levi bent his head down, hiding that incredulous look that forced itself out of him.

“I paid for her research. I paid for the emotion alarm. I paid for the media embargo so your photos wouldn’t get printed. I paid for everything, our home, our trips. Hange can’t just leave, after I put so much into this relationship right?”

Yelena dealt a new set of his cards and Levi pulled his new cards towards him and took a peak.

Eight of hearts. Three of hearts. Shitty hand with a potential for a flush.

Zeke slipped the new cards towards him. “She’s not going to leave. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized, why are you still hurting yourself over this. Why don’t you give up?”

“There’s nothing to give up. I wasn’t holding on to anything.” Those words had been surprisingly easy to say. “Hange married you. I went here to talk to her, nothing more than that.”

“You could have sent an email. You could have sent it through Erwin. Why come here yourself?” Zeke’s words were suddenly ringing through his ear.

“Why are you so bothered by me showing up? You didn’t have to invite me here,” Levi said, and somehow, a cathartic release that came with those words.

The shocked almost speechless expression on Zeke’s face, a far cry from the calm, poker face of a second ago, sent a rush of confidence over Levi

Maybe there were things he knew about Hange that Zeke didn’t. Levi continued “I don’t understand why you had to go through all this trouble, covering the embargo, sending Hange away, buying the emotion alarm. Even if you didn’t cover your bases, even if you give Hange all of that, she wouldn’t have left you. She really believes she’s in love with you.” She’s a prideful prick that way. He added silently to himself.

“What do you know about Hange? You only met her months ago.”

Long enough to feel like I’ve known her my whole life. If his words could have at least been enough to ensure some happiness for Hange in the future, it was worth a shot. “You should have just trusted her. You take in the most free-loving person I have ever met as your partner and you trap her by hanging all that over her head? That’s not how to love someone like Hange.”

“Who are you to tell me how to love the person I’m married to?”

This time, it was Levi’s turn to ask a question. “Do you love Hange?”

“More than you’re capable of understanding,” Zeke answered venomously, as if it was an attack on Levi.

Somehow, of all the things, an attack on his own ignorance didn’t feel like anything at all. Levi was confident, he wasn’t ignorant. “Hange really believes love is a choice, love is freedom. And you think the best way to love her is to tie her down with money and gifts? With circumstance?”

“You can’t assume that.”

“Then why do you have to make her feel guilty? Why do you give her everything just so she won’t leave? Why are you assuming she’ll leave the moment she gets the chance?”

One hand on the table, and the table rocked, the pile of chips Levi had meticulously organized fell in one crash, the few others as they slid amongst each other, colors mixing amongst one another.

Yelena was the first to speak. “Focus on the game, Ackerman.”

“Check.” He didn't have the best hand. As the river opened up to reveal a potential for a flush, he still thought it worth a shot.

Zeke pushed a huge pile of chips to the front. “Raise to a hundred thousand dollars.” Almost all of Levi’s available funds.”

“Fold,” Levi said.

The button switched. Levi and Zeke dealt their blinds again. Yelena dealt another two cards. And the game continued.

Carefully raising the corners of his pair, Levi noted a three of spades and a queen of hearts. Even before Yelena had dealt the river on the table, Zeke had already pushed his pile to the middle. “Raise to a hundred thousand dollars.”

Levi couldn’t win, and just like the hand before, he folded.

It continued with that same pattern for the next ten hands. Zeke started to bait him, going all in towards the fourth hand, enough for Levi to lose all his savings, and Levi would fold. Hands later, Levi had lost the winnings of the first hand, he had absorbed a net loss. Zeke’s large pile was starting to seem more ominous.

Circumstances. The word started to hold more gravity as Levi reflected the unfairness of it all. Zeke wouldn't have minded putting one year’s worth of Levi’s salary in a single round, he had more than enough to spare.

You can’t win against money. What the hell was he thinking, giving up his blinds every single time. Zeke obviously bluffed a few times. No one would be lucky enough to have a streak of good hands.

But which hand? Levi thought loudly to himself, as if by some miracle, a god-sent answer could echo in his head.

“We can do this all night,” Zeke said, his composure once again collected, the exchange of a while ago forgotten.

Levi lost track of the number of hands. A quick look at his chips only made him realize he had forty thousand dollars left. Did he lose that much by just folding?

He would lose a hundred dollars that night if he continued playing but when he willed it, he realized was ready to lose that money. But the more Zeke played, the more he spammed all ins, the more urgent the loss started to seem.

It took a few more handsfor Levi to gather the courage to play, even with the stakes completely against him. Levi spared some thought to calculation, taking from Zeke’s rulebook.

Tells.

Zeke wore a poker face...Nothing there.

Circumstances

He had to do something fast, or risk losing all his money.

Numbers

Most importantly, statistics were on his side. He had opened his new hand to find a pair of aces.

Ace of Clubs. Ace of Spades. Statistically, the best poker hand. He could easily win everything back.

Then came the first three cards.

Ace of Diamonds. Queen of Diamond. Nine of Clubs.

“Raise to ten thousand dollars,” Zeke said.

Three of a kind, with the strongest cards. “Call,” Levi responded.

The next card was dealt. Ten of diamonds.

“Bet twenty thousand dollars,” Zeke said.

“Call,” Levi said again, pushing his pile of chips to the middle of the world. He couldn’t be too sure how he looked then. Were his hands shaking? It wasn’t a graceful movement for sure. He had to push his pile to the middle with three clumsy movements while Zeke did it in one elegant push.

But Levi noted the subtle way at which Zeke raised his eyebrows before they met eyes. And for one second, Levi allowed himself a long stare, a slight movement of his lips, nothing close to a smile. If that one expression would be enough for Zeke to fold and give up everything, it was worth a try.

It wasn’t.

Yelena dropped the last card on the board. An Ace of hearts.

“Raise to one hundred thousand dollars,” Zeke said, notably louder than every other time before.

Enough to make Levi jump, enough for him to doubt. He snuck another look at his cards. Four of a kind. You’re fine. Why was his heart still beating wildly? Why was meeting Zeke’s eyes for a while longer such a harrowing experience?

It’s a poker face. People do this when they play poker. Levi told himself and the longer he was able to convince himself that Zeke knew what he was doing. And maybe it had always been good practice to stay calm, even when everything was stacked against you.

“Showdown,” Yelena said.

Or maybe Zeke just wasn't that connected, especially since nothing much was at stake for him.

It could have been all those guesses, or it could have been the ugly one that opened up in front of them right then and there.

And it looked like Zeke had figured it out first. “Have you heard of the term bad beat?”

Levi was taking longer than usual to make sense of the cards, much slower than usual and maybe it had been the exhaustion of calculating the past almost countless hands.

“There is roughly a four thousand to one chance of getting a four of a kind. But sometimes, people have something better than that… Not often but… It’s still worth considering.”

Something better. And when Levi was considering every hand better than a four of a kind, it became much easier to scan the river then Zeke’s hand for the answer.

Zeke had two cards: King of Diamonds and Jack of Diamonds. A Royal Flush.

“There’s a six hundred thousand to one chance of actually getting a royal flush. First one in my life.” Zeke could have been genuinely amazed, but that big ham reaction had been more than enough to piss Levi off.

It made it difficult to sit still.

“When you consider circumstances, you introspect, you strategize and you pray for a little luck,” Zeke said. “Believe me, you had every other chance to win before. I went all in with the worst cards and you folded every single time. Are you that terrified of losing a few thousand dollars?”

Hundreds of thousands of dollars. Levi corrected in his head. An annual salary’s worth. And maybe that was the point Zeke had wanted to make. By circumstances alone, Zeke had manipulated Levi's choice.

Zeke smirked. “Circumstances rely on luck too and luck is a funny thing. Even if you play everything correctly, you can still lose. Life’s unfair isn’t it.”

“You had less to lose than I did,” Levi said, his lip trembling. “That’s all there is to it. If you lost all the money, you would have put more in.”

“I would have,” Zeke admitted.

“I was playing a losing game.”

“At least you got the lesson. These are your circumstances. Every life lesson everyone should have learned from birth, life isn’t fair. I’m surprised you’re expecting that from a casual game.”

“I never said that. I knew I was playing a losing game and I expected that.” It had taken all his effort to keep his reaction unreadable, and god he wished he had managed it every other time before. “Thank you for the food. Thank you for the game. Thank you for covering for me and Hange.”

With the game over, it didn't look like he felt compelled to wipe that smug grin off his face. And there were things Levi wished he could tell Zeke, and maybe it was worth the risk. “One last thing, I don’t agree with you about relationships, businesses being like games. Loving isn’t a game. When you give all this money to Hange do you expect her to give back? You expect to be able to manipulate relationships through circumstance alone?"

“I told you Ackerman, don’t tell me how to love my partner.”

"I don't have enough fucks to give for every single person in this world. I’m not telling you how to love the person you married because I actually give a fuck about your love life. I’m only telling you how to love your partner because your partner just so happens to be Hange and Hange’s a free bird. She doesn't deserve at all to be loved like that. Don't cage her in with circumstances. Don’t tie her down with money, with a debt of gratitude.” He pushed his seat back and walked away.

“Where are you going?”

“I need some fresh air.”

The sliding door wasn’t locked. He forced it open gently then too hard, enough to make it rattle, He gave one was long look at the infinity pool then leaned his arms on the balcony railings. He took a deep breath.

And that reprieve was just a little too short. It turned out Yelena followed behind him, a piece of paper in hand. “Zeke’s bank details,” she said.

That had seemed too abrupt. But really, what was he supposed to expect, a consolation prize? Hange’s location?

“It would be much easier if you paid immediately,” Yelena said. “Do you have the money on hand?”

He didn’t have the credit rating to pay that in one go. He opened his own banking application and attempted to transfer that much in one go.

Bank error.

“We accept checks,” Yelena said.

Levi had never dealt with checks. His credit card limit was far less than how much he needed to pay. And a few exchanges later, a quick google search later, Levi had figured it out. He could pay by wire transfer but by god, and just the wire transfer would cost him more money than necessary.

Levi was a man of principle though. Slip of paper on hand, Yelena’s contact details on his phone he made his way out of Zeke’s presidential, without even bothering so much as a goodbye. It looked like Zeke had retired to his own private room or study anyway. Did he need that pleasantry from Levi of all people?

On the way back to his own hotel, he took a long cut, through the hotels that connected to one another through glass pathways, a few floors above ground. He made sure to take a longer time than usual, enough time to reflect on his own shitty luck.

A fruitless reflection with a very very repetitive and depressing conclusion. That’s just how life is?

If it hadn't been for those two who had talked a little too loudly by the side, maybe Levi would have deemed it fruitless.

If didn’t look to his right to see the entrance to the casino, if he didn’t walk quickly past the slot machines, taking in the red plush carpet, he would have said it was a total waste of time. The dim room only further accentuated the lights that never seemed to come from an exact same place. The casino had a way of just letting some strange feverish state, some illusion blanket his surroundings.

Hange Zoe. The man at the front had said her name, too proudly, as if in total amazement. For a while, the dazzling casino lights had him doubting that name clipped into one brief exchange. Others seemed to be talking about her too. Then he was following the crowd.

Murmurs of Hange Zoe, none of them demeaning or admonishing. Others seemed breathless, and Levi thought it worth his time, to tiptoe just to see a good look of what they were staring at.

Fruitless.

Levi dove into the crowd, slipping his way through, bending over, moving his hand through when necessary. He never made it to the front, but he did note the messy mop of brown hair, tied into a high ponytail, bent over the table. The autumn jacket, the side profile and the glimmer of some tight lips.

Hange was deep in thought in the middle of what looked to be some poker game. Her own pile of poker chips right next to her, much larger than everyone elses. He knew her enough to make that type of guess.

Circumstances.

Levi decided it would be a waste of time. Circumstances were never his to control anyway. They were Zeke’s, they were hers.

Hange Zoe’s win again.

How many hands had she played before that?

She’s cheating.

No, she’s just lucky.

I heard she calculates every single hand.

Levi felt some sense of superiority, knowing something the murmuring crowds didn’t.

All summarized into three things. Firstly, lady luck was probably on her side, it had always been as if making up a string of misfortunes in a previous life. Secondly, she probably calculated every single hand. Third, Hange would never ever cheat.

And those would be last few thing he would allow himself be proud of. That would be the last time he would think of Hange as someone remotely his.

As Levi turned the heel and walked back to his hotel, he decided, although it wasn’t too fruitless a detour, he still regretted making that quick trip into the casino.

***

If Levi knew he would have felt like shit as soon as he came back from vacation, maybe he never would have gone on that stupid vacation in the first place.

Monday. Monday morning. Those words managed to taste bitter, even when Levi was barely forcing it out of his mouth. It could have been the fact that he barely had time to get over the jet lag or it was just way too early in the morning. Scratch that, it wasn't any of that at all.

Zeke was sitting on the couch, seeming very much unaffected by what should have been transoceanic jet lag and very much unaffected by the words that came out of Erwins house just a second ago.

At first, Levi even doubted what I heard, attributing it to exhaustion. He turned back to Zeke, no sadistic grin, no furrowed brows. He was calm, unimpressed and all business.

"Sorry… it's too early in the morning… I don't think I heard you correctly,” Levi said, an attempt at professionalism even with the trappings of shock, disbelief and very inconvenient drowsiness.

“We don’t usually invite lower management to these types of meetings… But Mr. Jaeger requested you be here, to answer any questions that might pop up...” Erwin said apologetically.

“No. Not that… You mentioned it a while ago...Why is Mr. Jaeger here?”

"We’re making amendments to the contract," Erwin answered.

“And why do you need me here?”

“He’s here to buy the love alarm,” Erwin said so casually that Levi had to clear his throat, get rid of whatever popping sensation had been going on in his ears.

My love alarm. The love alarm he worked more than half a decade on. The love alarm which he knew like the back of his hand, from the backbone of the codes to the front end bugs.

"It's for sale?" Levi spat out. There were only so many ways he could speak and so many ways he could even articulate the emotions running through his head.

Erwin cleared his throat, seeming uncomfortable at such a simple question. "Initially no… we never considered selling it but when Zeke called about it last week, we thought it worth a conversation.” He turned to Zeke then back to Levi. “We were able to run through Zeke’s proposal with the higher ups last Friday, and given the generous proposal, we are more than willing to sell him the rights to the Love Alarm and the Emotions Alarm project.”

How much did he offer? Levi instinctively looked towards Zeke but he soon figured out that no matter what he said, Zeke probably would never disclose the final price. In some vague response, Zeke pulled the brown envelope on the table closer to himself. "Everything has a price,” he said matter-of-factly.

Erwin spoke up. "I did the calculations as soon as I received your call last Thursday and it looks like it would be more than enough to cover what potential earnings we expected within the next two years and more than enough for the development of another project.

Last Thursday night. The night they had met in Zeke’s penthouse suite. Was buying the love alarm an impulse decision on Zeke’s part? The timing just seemed too right.

And they only continued to talk about it, as if Levi wasn’t there. What did an engineer know about business though or about purchases as high volume as the rights to the love alarm?

For something that had taken countless all nighters over time and years of development, the process of selling it just seemed too easy. “Mr. Jaeger, if I may ask, what made you consider buying the love alarm?” Levi asked.

“Hange’s research,” Zeke said, as if it was the most obvious and the most noble reason in the world.

“And when you buy it, what then?” Levi challenged.

“I’ll work with Hange. We’ll hire new developers to fix the bugs you never fixed. We’ll further improve the product and the code and we’ll break the product down, see what else we can use to improve the emotions alarm project.” The answer was disappointing, a far cry from what Levi wanted to hear.

Your other plans with Hange. He had opened his mouth, ready to expound on the question.

Erwin though may have sensed the thick tension between them. "You have the contract?"

Zeke nodded. "I had our lawyer work on it over the weekend, a rush job. You can run through it with the higher ups and I'll have someone pick up a signed copy by this week"

"Believe me, we’re decided, you can even pick it up tomorrow," Erwin said as he opened the envelope, pulled out papers and flipped through the pages. For a second, he dropped the paperwork on the table then onto the page where the executives were expected to sign.

All familiar names from the big wigs all the way, down to Erwin. Levi's name wasn't there at all. Figures, Levi after all, was merely an engineer. He couldn't help but sense irony though in the fact that the one who knew the most about the product had no say in its actual fate.

Erwin's words only made the irony seem more glaring. “We'll use the next two weeks to do some clean up on our end, pack up the resources and work on data migration.”

By ‘we’, Levi knew Erwin would be ordering him to do that.. He couldn’t help but feel slightly cheated though. He would be basically ordered to take apart something he built from scratch, send it off and never see it again. And the longer he stared at the contract that would be ordering all that, the more desolate the air around him seemed to feel.

The product he had worked on for years, taking apart every now and then, breaking and putting back together to find even the smallest bugs, going on countless hours of overtime over, was like a child to him, a child he was unwillingly sending it away to some known.

Some masochistic part of him had him still staring at the contract, long enough still to remember his first contract when he first signed into the company, something that stayed snug into the back of his mind, unexpectedly kicking his arse then.

Ownership of Intellectual Property. Employee agrees that the Company shall own, and Employee shall (and hereby does) assign, all right, title and interest...

Everyone in the room seemed to have too much regard anyway for pleasantries anyway and never felt the need to clarify it. Levi had to rely on his own memory of Zeke saying it just a few days ago in his hotel room.

The company pays you. Any effort, ideas, projects you put into our product is company property.

And Zeke will be buying it so it will be his property.

Whether Zeke even knew how the alarm worked didn’t seem to matter to him though.“So, I guess in a matter two weeks, all server data and resources should be with Jaeger corporation.”

Erwin nodded. “We’d be happy to expedite the process. If all goes well, yes.”

When a huge sum of money was on the line, suddenly red tape was so easy to squeeze one’s way through. It took an enormous amount of effort to stay calm as they signed away the culmination of his own hard work, his countless hours of overtime, the blood, sweat and personal investment he put into that one application, all signed away in a brief second, all the red tape of a few weeks ago, non-existent.

Erwin turned to him, “If you can stay behind after the meeting, so we can discuss the logistics…”

Most days, Levi appreciated the manner at which Erwin spoke, the way he took some regard of Levi’s own time when giving orders. That day, there were too many things happening to even appreciate.

What else do you expect me to do? Say no? Hell, he had wanted to say no, but by the glaring lack of his own name on the contract, the glaring lack of regard for his own opinion on the matter, Levi could only seethe silently.

“Oh yeah,” Zeke snapped his fingers, loud enough to call Levi’s attention. “Hange sends her regards. She enjoyed working with your company a lot.” He turned to Levi and gave him a nod. “And to you too Ackerman, I just have to say we’re very grateful for your hard work and your generosity.”

What generosity? The implication that Levi had any say on commercial decisions seemed mocking.

“We’ll take good care of both applications,” Zeke continued. “And regards from Hange, she wishes you all the best with Petra.”

Petra. Levi let out a cough, letting out a subtle look at Erwin. If the latter did seem bothered, he didn’t show it.

With that, Zeke left the room, and Levi started to understand how someone could keep such a confident demeanor even with the slightest inconveniences. Somehow, having that many assets, wealth and power under one’s belt really had that paper.

The way he strode, embodied it, the way that in just a few phone calls, he had completely dismantled everything Levi had worked on, making it his own.

And when he closed the door gently behind him, leaving Levi and Erwin alone in the room, Levi was reminded once again, the love alarm, the emotion alarm, were never his, as much as he would have wanted to claim ownership.

They were never his, but suddenly they were Zeke’s. Levi turned to Erwin, narrowing his eyes, as he watched the blonde make his way to the desk. Erwin seemed uncomfortable as if he sensed the strange betrayal that something so standard as corporate procedure could bring. Then he cleared his throat and spoke up.

Two weeks. Levi was given two weeks to clean everything, migrate all data and vacate the office.

It was the company's project but it was Levi's responsibility. There was a broken partnership which somehow ended with two products sold. Yet even with all the damage dealt by that deal, the management needed some scapegoat from within the company.

Erwin had explained everything with as professional of a face as possible. With the tight lipped attempt at a grin that followed, the way he had avoided Levi’s eyes one too many times, Levi suspected Erwin knew more than he was letting on.

The photos maybe? The bug with Hange? The broken partnership? Of course someone would end up having to take the blame for giving Zeke a ‘bugged’ application.

Too many reasons, many among those rooted in some attempt to save face, in filthy office politics. And by then, Levi hadn’t been expecting too much.

That probably had been the reason that when Erwin looked back at him with a much softer expression, Levi couldn’t help but let out a long sigh, something to abate whatever emotion was threatening to let loose.

I didn’t think it was right for the mastermind behind the application to be terminated completely empty handed.

Erwin had arranged for some severance pay after the two weeks were over.

Enough to get out of the country, start somewhere else.

A job termination shouldn’t have been enough to be driven out of the country. Levi didn’t make too much sense of Erwin’s words until he had experienced it for himself a week later, through an empty email inbox after sending out the same resume to twenty companies for over thirty roles.

Have you heard of a no poach agreement? Erwin had asked back in the office.

A no poach agreement?

It’s technically illegal so this usually comes as a verbal agreement among companies. They’d note their best employees and if they have to let one go, all companies agree, they cannot hire them for a certain period of time, five to seven years. It's a 'scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' type of deal.

To keep company secrets apparently or to keep Levi from making a similar application in any other company.

If you want to continue working in the development industry, your best chance would be abroad.

Around one week left before his termination would become effective and Levi gave up on finding a development job in his city, hell even his country. Around that time he had started to clean up his studio apartment, throwing out whatever was needed.

He started looking through immigration laws, consulting when necessary. He looked through apartments in other cities, then labor laws. The severance pay was more than enough at least to get him out, and Erwin had been a big help in straightening other legalities out.

He had an extra few weeks to clean out his room, pack up his things, straighten out immigration issues and buy a damn ticket out of there.

In between, his final week at work. He had never considered leaving his job of over a decade to have ended such a long bittersweet moment. In reality, he never really had the time to appreciate normalcy and he felt some regret at that.

Migrating server data, resources, making sure everyone under him had straightened out their leaves, making sure they were assigned to new projects took time. Allowing himself reprieves in-between to just sit down, and stare at half filled boxes also took longer and more effort than he had expected it too.

He stared at the ever increasing boxes that lined his office walls for a while longer. Surprisingly, for someone so fastidious, he had a lot he needed to clean out, both inside the computer and outside.

You will lose all accesses, to emails, to chat accounts and to company property by end of day Friday. He got that same message, in different forms from human resources, from Erwin and Levi was on a strict time limit to get everything out.

In some protest, some act of empowering rebellion, Levi was taking his sweet time. He continued to reserve conference rooms, staying out of his own room as much as possible, going through each line of code slowly as if he they were all individuals all deserving of their own greeting.

He started with the backend, then went to the frontend. He looked through the pull requests and the merge requests and the fixes that would never make the next release.

And Friday couldn’t have come any faster. By then, Levi had ninety percent of his office space cleaned out. He entered the room to find his own team lugging out some of the boxes.

100 percent done then? Levi thought to himself.

Eld was the first one to speak up. “We thought you’d need some help. We heard you only had until five to vacate the room." Yet, he had the expression of a guilty child caught taking cookies from the cookie jar at midnight.

His whole team looked similar.

Levi shook his head. "No, this is much appreciated," he said. A stiff choice of words if he did say so himself but the last few hours of work weighed on him more heavily than the days leading up to it.

He only had two hours before he lost access to everything he had worked on for years.

He held his work laptop close to himself as he watched them lug box after box out of the room.

"Eld was suggesting we go get something to eat tonight," Gunther suggested.

"That depends…" Levi started. Definitely, whether he enjoyed it depended on how quickly he could brush off that weight then that tightening in his chest. "Have you talked to your new team leads? Your new managers?" he asked, an attempt at a light conversation. He wondered if his expression betrayed his words.

Maybe they did. "Or we could wait a few days," Eld said.

"We'll see. We have a few more hours before the end of day," Levi said. He slipped past them and walked back into his office.

Shelves empty, desk spotless and even the floor shone with some unsettling gleam. It had always been spotless, he made sure of it but there had always been something melancholic about rooms that had been full for years, suddenly empty.

And until a few weeks ago, the room had felt like Hange. He had deliberately left many of the crooked books on the shelf, the crooked documents, the titled reusable paper tray and the test devices messily lined up on the shelfs because Hange had left it that way.

And the whiteboard right next to his desk which Hange had failed to clean many weeks before was suddenly wiped clean. Levi didn't even noticed he let out a sound, a mix between a gasp and a whimper when he saw Hange's list of emails completely gone, erased over.

"You okay in there, boss?" Petra asked.

"Someone cleaned the whiteboard," Levi said.

"Oluo, I told you he'd point out your shitty job cleaning the board!" Petra said, from just outside.

Oluo responded. "Well, he's not going to be using it anymore so I though--- Ow!" Some silence followed, then approaching footsteps. "Sorry sir, I'll clean it again."

"No, it's fine," Levi said, he put his hand up, as if to stop Oluo from making that quick trek back to the white board. "I'll clean up the rest. Thanks for the help."

For once, he was grateful for someone's carelessness. The white board wasn't as clean as he thought it was a second ago and maybe because he would have rather it wasn't clean.

Hange wrote in crooked lines where ends hit one another, others fell and the fonts and sizes were never too similar from one line to the other. And the closer Levi came to the whiteboard, he noticed it, one email peeking out, spared by the shoddy erasing job.

Wingsoffreedom132

Hange had multiple emails she used for testing and when Levi opened his work laptop one last time, enjoying the last few hours of access as he cleaned up folders and code repositories, he found himself looking back at the email.

Does she still use it? He asked himself

Maybe. It was worth a try at least.

He looked once again around the room, the very empty room. Then he looked back at his screen, opened the repositories that were ready to be sent out to the point person from Jaeger corporation.

Then he opened his own personal folder, the unfinished codes from the love alarm then the mood alarm then the plans, the files and on the upper left of the file 'the Mood Alarm.'

To hell, with red tape, bureaucracy and all that shit. It was his project, right at his fingertips. It wasn’t Zeke’s nor was it management. The only reason they probably hadn’t sacked him on the spot was because he was the only one who could have so efficiently organized it before they sent it off to some poor sap who worked under Jaeger corporation.

He allowed himself one rebellion, or more specifically a string of rebellions.

If he were forced by some bureaucracy to send all the resources of the love alarm and the mood alarm to Hange, he would do it on his own terms.

He disconnected from the office wifi. He opened a hotspot then he opened his own personal email. Opening an incognito tab, he transferred all the codes and resources to his own personal repository, organizing it in a similar manner.

Then copied the link and started to compose an email.

To: [email protected]

All the codes for the love alarm

He pasted the link right below.

All codes for mood alarm.

And below it, he pasted another link.

He waited for a few more seconds as the email loaded the attachment, the file with all the plans he had for the mood alarm, allowing himself a small smile as he imagined Hange pondering the name 'mood alarm.'

He vacillated between writing a message under and keeping it brief. Then a second later, his fingers moved for him, he didn't even realize what he had been writing until it was on the page, ending on a period for finality.

“Dedicate your heart.” He read it out loud, then he felt a pang on his chest and a twist at his gut.

Dedicate your heart to what? He didn't want Hange dedicating her heart to anything. He wanted her free, flying high, doing whatever the hell she wanted to, bound by no role, no debt of gratitude, no excuse for love.

Reach for the sky? Hell, she could probably even make it to the stars.

So he went for something that left him cringing.

Reach for the stars (or anything higher than that).

Then he added something, collateral from that rush of indignance.

Don’t let anything stop you. Just remember, I would have given you all these damn codes for free.

After sending the email, he took a few precautions. He cleared his history, his cache, his browser and he deleted the rest of the files in his laptop. With one hour before the end of day, he turned off the laptop.

“Do you need any more help?” Petra had entered the room, hands behind her back in some very faux casual manner. And she seemed to be avoiding his gaze.

Levi used that moment to wipe that last line of Hange’s email, as if that could have been evidence to that bout of rebellion. “I’m done. Let’s leave the rest to whoever will be cleaning up the desk.”

Petra didn’t seem at all suspicious, or maybe she didn’t care. “That’s good. WIll you be joining us for dinner?”

Levi nodded. “Maybe my leaving is worth a dinner.”

“You’re really leaving?”

“Looks like it.”

“What are you gonna do?”

“I bought a plane ticket, secured a visa. I'll go somewhere, far from here, then find a job or maybe work freelance.

“I want you to stay here.”

“I wanna stay here too,” Levi admitted. “But I couldn’t even find a job.”

“I’ll miss having you here… And working with that love alarm. I really believed in the product and it made me realize my own feelings too,” Petra leaned by the window, looking worse for wear.

When Levi gave a long look, he noted maybe she had been crying. He almost felt guilty for not even struggling to fight back tears then.

Maybe his body had already reached the point of pure catatonic, pure acceptance at the hopelessness of the situation. “I’m sorry.” What was he saying sorry for? “I mean— I’m sorry I can’t stay.”

Petra took a deep breath. “This is probably the only time I can say something so I’ll say it now and you know, if you believe in your love alarm, you probably figured it out already,” Petra started. “I like you, I really like you. Actually you know what, it might be love. I don’t know if that would change anything—”

“It won’t.” Levi kept his voice firm. “I bought the ticket. I organized my papers and I have a place to stay. I’m leaving.”

“For good?” Petra had on a wounded look, her mouth twisted into something similar to a pout, by her eyes were elsewhere as if she knew there was a little too much vulnerability in her voice. “So, whatever I feel, it won’t change anything?”

Levi shook his head. “I don’t think it would be fair to you if I accept your feelings. I’m in no hurry to date.” He let out a clipped sardonic laugh. “At this point, I’ll probably die alone.”

“You deserve—”

“And you deserve someone who wouldn’t decide to date you for convenience.” Maybe Levi had been a little too frank at that moment.

Petra didn’t respond, her mouth frozen in a tight lipped line.

“The love alarm will be back so maybe you can use that to find someone else whose alarm rings with yours,” Levi continued, his voice deliberately gentler. “Or what about growing something organically, without the help of that stupid app. I honestly think, sometimes the love alarm causes more chaos than actually fixes things.” He shrugged. “It depends on the circumstances really.”

Circumstances he probably would never understand. He turned back to the black screen and reflected for a long painful moment about it. He was a slave to circumstance.

They were silent for a while longer and Levi used that time to recover, willing himself not to meet Petra's eyes.

She broke the silence a few seconds later. “We’ll meet you by the gate for dinner?”

“I’ll see you then, just give me an hour or so,” Levi said, checking the clock on his phone. He had a little more than an hour left before EOD. “Or just text me when you find a restaurant.”

It took a little longer to convince Petra to leave and it had ended with them having to text Levi a familiar restaurant name.

Levi had taken his time doing nothing at all, just sitting on his office chair in his bare office room. He counted down the minutes on his phone until five. A few times he had even stared at the seconds counting down on the digital clock view on his phone.

Around a minute past five. He booted his laptop again, typed out his email and password.

Access Denied. Please contact your IT Administrator.

At exactly five in the afternoon, he lost access to the system. He took a deep breath and let reality weigh him slowly, then sink deep into him in one swift sensation.

The love alarm and the mood alarm were never his. Any delusion that they were his had dissipated with all the company accesses.

***

In an airport, the point past immigration is international space.

Maybe that explained that strange liberation that came with getting past immigration and walking through the gates, searching for his own. Or it could have been many things at once. He was out of his old job, out of his old environment and somehow, in its own way, it symbolized a new beginning.

Even as an international space though, some things weren’t completely unavoidable. Settling on the departure gate, Levi went through some final checklists on his phone.

He had a new bank account. He had a place to stay as soon as he landed.

And his inbox was a confluence of unread mail. Many of them were goodbyes, from colleagues, some from finance, from human resources, from his own team and he wondered how the hell people found out and what they were thinking about his leaving.

Erwin sent a few tips on taxes and getting housing loans. Petra had sent a ‘safe flight’ message with the same pleasantries of meeting up when she gets to visit.

There was one message was avoiding and he decided to open it last. He spent the first few minutes before that spamming the same thank you message to every single goodbye message.

That one other message after all, was easy to ignore, just a bank notification that money had been wire transferred.

One hundred thousand dollars, the exact money he had lost and sent over to Yelena, he realized as he opened the message and put a little more thought into it.

You have two weeks to claim it. Two weeks? The countdown started a week ago and he only had a week to claim it.

Actually, not even a week. Looking up at the boarding time, he realized he only had an hour. He could probably organize something to have it sent over to his new account. Considering timing and the logistics though was stressful enough already. And besides, his mind found it more enticing to just indulge the context behind such a large sum of money.

It could have been a scam. The amount of money though had seemed too much of a coincidence and admittedly, Levi was a still lovesick.

Don’t send me money. Just fucking talk to me. Levi whispered to himself. Just in case, just in case that was Hange.

In some indignant response, he decided to delete the message and instead, spend last few hours going through some obscure threads on the industry. Something he had been actively avoiding.

Business Jaeger Zeke Jaeger acquires the love alarm… The mogul had found a fatal bug on the love alarm…

In a noble effort to improve the efficacy and accuracy of the product, he took it upon himself to oversee development….

Head developer behind the love alarm has been terminated....

Unnamed developer. He had at least been given that much. Levi let out a sigh. For a high profile application, no one really figured out the name of the head developer. It was a thankless job but Levi never thought too much about the glory of it.

And at that moment, he could only be grateful for the anonymity, whether or not Zeke had done it deliberately.

Plane ready for boarding.

They would be starting with first class passengers first and Levi knew he had more than enough time to take a trip, to the farthest trash can, yet still something near enough to catch the flight.

He unzipped the front pocket of his backpack, pulling out a small sim card pin. He poked it, pulling out the tray, noting the bronze sheen of the sim card. It had taken him a few tries to hold the small card between his fingers and a few more tries to bend it between his fingers, bend it to the point of unusable.

He pocketed his phone and quickly made his way back to the boarding gate.

No bank account. No phone number. He wondered why he went through that much of an effort to destroy everything.

Maybe just for an attempt for a new beginning. Or maybe because he didn’t want her to find him.

The more he thought about it though, the sooner he realized he wanted her to find him. He just thought it better to assume that she wouldn’t even try.

#levihan #levihan fanfiction

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animealways · 2 years

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jealousy

hermione x fem!reader

ever since the 2nd task that happen 2 weeks ago people kept coming up to you crurious about what happened underwater especially younger slytherin students. most students avoided you even in your own house but since the 1st tasked that seemed to change. you're telling a 2nd year slytherin boy outside on a bench about what happened with your girlfriend next to you.

''The gillyweed started to stop working but I kept swimming knowing air was very close and got to the surface.'' they boy listen very intentely as you finished the story. hermione didn't really seem amused but thats because her housemates had been teasing her about her being the thing you would miss the most. everyone learned that you spit out words like venom so they left you alone for the most part.

the boy said goodbye after gushing over you. you gave him a friendly smile and waved him goodbye. ''I didn't know you had liked childeren.'' hermione spoke and you raised a eyebrow at her. ''Don't act as if you don't prefer talking to the younger students over the older student.'' you chuckled. ''Touché.'' its was true you did like it better when a younger student came up to you and asked you about the task. probably because they were less likely to hex you unlike how so many other student had tried.

''Anyway I have to go.'' you said as you looked at your watch. ''Where do you have to go?'' ''Detention.'' hermione frown when you answered. ''What have you done now?'' ''Isn't obivious? I got into a fight.'' hermione sighed since this was nothing knew. you gave her a goodbye kiss making her blush abit and you left.

your girlfriend was pretty shy when it came to pda while you really didn't care. you walked towords the dungeons since you had detention with snape. unlike most students you prefered getting detention with snape over any other teacher. he usually made you help prepare a lesson, grade paper work and along the way you would learn something about magic wich was alot better then cleaning the trophy room or getting send to the forbiden forest. you never understood why students got send there anyway after all its literally called the FORBIDDEN forest.

you knocked the door of your head house classroom. he opened the door stoic as ever and he told you to grade the paper with the answersheet next to it. as you kept grading the work snape pointed out the common mistake students tend to make and explain some other stuff.

you listen intentely when he did. snape always prefered his own students that much was clear to everyone but what many people didn't know was about these semi-lesson he gave to you during detention.

you never really understood why snape payed extra attention to you even more then he did with draco malfoy, his literal godson.

was it because you the transfer student? family friend of the malfoys? perhaps because you were his top student with a genuine interest in potions and talent for it? or maybe it was all of them.

either way you're gratefull for it since this really gave you the chance to learn even more about potion. sometimes even defence against the dark art and when snape seemed to be in a good mood he even taught you things outside of the curriculum.

little were you aware of the fact snape payed you so much attention is because you reminded him of how he was like in school. bit of a loner with many enemies even in your own house, the friends you did have in slytherin defintely were bad influences and you were particulairly close with a muggle-born gryffindor girl. only it was as if he looked in the mirror that showed a better version of himself. even if you were a outcast you did seem to have a few genuine friends, you build a repution for yourself where everyone knew if you got mad they probably end up with a bloody nose and are dating the girl you fancied.

snape slightly envied you for this but a bigger part of him was glad that you did better then he did at school. he rather not imagine 1 of his students ending up like him. he wanted you off the path he went down, the path of dark magic, of pureblood supremacy, of a deatheater, after all it had caused him nothing but pain in the end. as much as he hated the fact your a friend with harry snape knew if your close with the boy who lived, it ment your chances of becoming a dark wizard was alot less then his when he was your age.

you and snape finished grading paper and snape deciced to help you practice some defence against the dark arts spells. he help you with many spells like reducto, stupefy, levicorpse, ect. eventually your detention was over and you walked out of the classroom. you stumbled into fleur delacour, her sister was send back home after the 2nd task much to your relief.

you didn't like the idea that such a young child would be on hogwarts ground considering the fact there is a tree that could destroy a car, staire cases that randomly changed sometime steps just straight up vanished and a poltergeist that throws chairs just for the heck of it. honestly sometimes you didn't understand how people considered this place safe.

''Ah y/n.'' ''Hey fleur how is it going?'' ''Pretty well but that poltergeist is being really bothersome.''

she said annoyed. ''You can say that again.'' ''I don't understand how you can tolerate it since you're actually from Illvermorny, right?'' ''Its the accent, isn't?'' you chuckled its pretty obvious you didn't grow up here. ''Oui, wich means you must understand why its so strange seeing something like a poltergeist in a school.'' you nodded agreeing with fleur completely. you 2 ended up talking for abit about how weird hogwarts could be and how different the schools are.

''Its almost dinner time.'' you pointed out when you looked at your watch. ''Want to walk together?'' fleur agreed as you 2 kept talking about how you had to adjust to life at hogwarts. you 2 walked into the great hall but kept talking. it was nice to have someone to rant about the nonsense this school could give you sometimes. its not that you hated hogwarts but Illvermorny wasn't nearly as chaotic and your time there wasn't nearly as hard there fucking dementors and a prisoner on the lose. you could underastand fleur alot, it was more then clear she extremely proud of her heritage and very outspoken about it.

little were you aware of the fact someone was feeling abit jelly seeing talk to fleur. ''Will you stop staring?'' ron spoke up making hermione turn her head. ''I'm not staring.'' ''Yes you are.'' harry said. ''Well I have a very good reason to stare.'' she argued and looked at you again frowning this time. ''Don't worry hermione. Y/n doesn't want fleur.'' ron try to reassure her. ''Y/n want her?'' hermione snapped and ron put his hand up. ''Hey I said she doesn't want her. We all know she whipped for you.'' ''Yeah remember valetine's day. Its pretty clear she is serious about you and lets not forget just, how many time has she broken someone nose because they insulted you?''

hermione fought of the urge to smile, its true you protected her no matter what even before you started to date. you knew she is capable of taking care of herself but that never stopped you. hermione secretly liked seeing you protective over her even if you did take it a step too far at times. ''Don't worry about it mione.'' harry told her. she nodded and looked back at you.

''Ugh she still talking to her.'' she said still annoyed. ''You know what? I'm going to the liberary.'' she left before the boys could say anything and you noticed how she left. ''Sorry fleur but I have to go.'' fleur didn't seem to mind it since she also noticed the way hermione. ''Its alright, go to your chéri.'' with that you ran after hermione and it didn't take long to find her.

you walked into the liberary and saw her sitting in the corner, nose stuck in a book. ''Baby?'' you spoke up but she ignored you. you sat next to her and carefully grabbed her hand. ''Hermione talk to me. Whats wrong?'' ''Nothing.'' she whispered clearly lying. ''Hermione don't lie and look at me.''

hermione slowly put her book down revealing her teary eyes. ''Whats wrong? If I did something then I'm sorry and if it was someone els I'll take care of them.'' hermione wipped her tears away. ''No, it nothing really. No one did anything...'' she said slowly. ''But?'' ''I-I just started to feel insecure when I saw you talk to fleur. You just seem alot more relaxed and I can't blame you if you wanted her over me...'' you eyes widened in surprise.

''Hermione I wouldn't replace you like that. beside the only reason I seemed so relax is because I was finally able to talk to someone who understand how weird it is to live in hogwarts. Don't get wrong I don't hate this place but its not exactly piece here, peeves for example.'' hermione looked at you abit guilty. ''Hermione don't feel bad about it. Everyone has their moments and if you ever feel like that again, just remember I choose you for a reason. You wanna know, why?''

''Why?'' hermione asked kinda crurious. ''You're brave, strong, independent, kind, caring, smart, determent, hard working and feisty. Everything I want in a woman and the fact you're a cutie is a nice plus point.'' you teased making her slightly blush. you cupped her face foreheads touching. ''Just remember I picked you for a reason and I wouldn't want to change that.'' you kissed hermione and she smiled into the kiss making you feel giddy inside. as cheesy as it sound you could still feel butterflies in your stomache whenever you kissed her.

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the-moon-prince · 3 years

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The Last Of us~Kurapika x Reader ~Chapter IV

AN: Hi my lovely fellows!

A new chapter! I tried my best to develop further the self insert character and clarify more its backstory and clan! I have somethings planned I hope you’ll enjoy. Thank you so much for all you support and I thank you for reading!

I wish you a pleasant read, and I hope you’ll enjoy the new chapter of my story. (Chapter I) (Chapter II) (Chapter III) (Chapter V soon!)

Paring: Kurapika Kurta x GN! Reader

Word count: 2 307

TW: None!

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

Everything in life has a continuation. Kurapika and (Y/n)'s relationship is also subject to this law. An undeniable detail was that the lives of both subjects were terribly busy and loaded. Notably, the activities that Kurapika was involved in were lightened. (Y/n) held their word to assist him in his cause, as their work turned out to be advantageous. Primarily when it came to retrieving scarlet eyes. Kurapika even recovered two more pairs not long after by the dint of their research.

Another point in common was that the two were- Or at least when they wanted- very organized. The majority of encounters took place after they departed their jobs with the Nostrade. Consisting most frequently in small walks in nearby parks, have coffee or read together. Accommodating conversations that permitted them to know each other.

"What is the reason behind your decision to study psychiatry?" It occurred to Kurapika to bid during a walk. The situation was atypical; people with profitable prior careers didn't take the Hunter exam, not to mention how extremely young (Y/n) was, being just a year younger than him. But knowing the introversion of his partner, he decided to go little by little.

"My grandad was one. I aspired to be similar to him.

He had a treasury full of medicine and psychiatry titles I loved to read, I also sneaked into his conversations on the subject!" -(Y/n) gloated, with a tiny rocking and a smile.-"I find the functioning of the brain stimulating! And I like to help, it makes me feel useful. One of his acquaintances invited me to be his apprentice several times ago. I just accepted."

It was not rare for them to get together in the same room for each to work on their matters. They spent time in each other's presence. It was what mattered to them.

In the beginning, (Y / n) was the one that expressed questions the most. Especially details that many would judge insignificant.-"What is your preferred flavor of ice cream?" "Your favorite color? Mine is (Fav .color)" What musical genre do you prefer? I like (Fav. genre), I'm particularly a David Bowie fan." The answers to those questions were vanilla, light gray, and jazz. (Y/n) liked to accumulate all the possible details about Kurapika. More than once he was surprised that the (hair/colored) remembered, like what candy he preferred from the local store, that he liked his water slightly cooler than room-temperature or they reminded him to take a break from using his contact lenses. (Y/n) was also very vocal, consciously or not, with what they liked about Kurapika. They made him blush more than once with "you look pretty today", "you are kind, thank you" or "I love your eyes, they are blue dog's eyes". He had no clue what the latter meant or where were their origins, but (Y/n) said it so lovingly that he couldn't help feeling like it was the greatest of compliments.

Kurapika relied most on studying (Y/n) body language to approach them. He soon realized that while their face was not very expressive, the rest of their body tended to be. When they were waiting for something that excited them, they tapped the table with their long nails. They used to hold the door for the person behind them and him. And the two things that Kurapika found the most adorable of all, they tilted their head when they thought of something and flapped their hands when they were excited-even if they tried to suppress it on occasions. Something that Kurapika was not anticipating at all, particularly considering its dexterity and exactness from the time they fought, was (Y/n) clumsiness. They took bad or silly postures and never tied their shoes- Kurapika suspected them to not know how-.

He loved to tease (Y/n) with it. Expressly when they caught a light pole in the road, for not paying attention while they talked.

(Y/n) reminded him so much of Pairo, shy, a tad playful, and caring.

Pairo...

He would have liked to meet Yorknew. Observe everything Kurapika had seen. He sure would have liked the cinnamon rolls and the city lights. It was cruel and wicked.

"Kurapika"- a quiet voice took him away from his thoughts. His head stung.

"Here's your tea, sunshine"-(Y/n) placed a cup full of steaming cinnamon tea in front of him, and proceeded to sit down.-"Are you fine?"

"Yes, I was just... just thinking."- Kurapika mumbled and looked at his cup.

"I see. It is not wrong to miss someone. It simply signifies you love them, and they're important to you."-They mumbled, also looking down at the tea, as if they were capable of reading his mind. They certainly didn't read minds. Just missed someone too.-"If we don't remember them no one else will."- (Y/n) muttered as if the statement was also for them. They wanted nothing more than to comfort him. In one effort they dubiously lifted their hand and started to gently rub his back.

Kurapika turned to see them.-"You call me sunshine now?" He wanted to tease them. It didn't work.

(Y/n) nooned with pride.-"Because of your hair, the color evokes a ray of sunshine. Without sunlight, the flowers do not grow, therefore it is important. You are valuable to me."-Completely overlooking the other man's intentions. Kurapika covered his face with his hands and started laughing. He felt better.

"You are sickly sweet!"- he exclaimed, shaking his head.

"I am. And you're sneakier than you seem." (Y/n) similarly joked. They rested their heads on the hand, drinking tea. They maybe were sappy, but in the end, Kurapika loved it. He had someone to comfort him and with whom he could play. How he had missed this!

"Your piano is nearly the only furniture you have in your living room, and I haven't seen you play it yet."-continued taking a sip of his tea. He didn't know if (Y/n) played the piano, but they certainly prepared good tea.

"I am not very skilled. I am incapable of composing anything, and I haven't played for a long time. I was taught how to play some melodies, and that's what I play."

"May I see?"-Kurapika requested, for (Y/n) to approach the grand piano. They opened the tone's cover and he started to play. Sol-Fa Re Si-Fa Re Si ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f81rM4BKODw ). It sounded like a child's song, sweet and simple.

"My grandad was better. Verily, the instruments make me nostalgic, I have them essentially for that." They babbled once finished.

"You're not awful either." The blonde assured-"Did he teach you?"

(Y/n) agreed with a smile. "We fancied dancing and singing. My people liked artistic activities, we were somewhat hippies." they joked with a melancholic undertone.

"And the Kurta?"-their interests were genuine

Kurapika was surprised, it was the first time anyone had asked him. He couldn't help but respond excitedly.- "Well, I traveled with a friend, his name was Pairo. We transported ourselves on the backs of huge birds called Pikos! It was really fun... did you had something similar to travel?"

(Y/n) stared at him for a moment, tilting their head "We were the animals...", to them, the answer was a bit obvious. Why would they mount animals for transportation if they could transform themselves into animals?

"That seems lawful... I quite omitted that detail." Kurapika notified. I forgot that people like (Y/n) were part beast. They hardly ever mentioned him and he hadn't seen them in their other form either.

(Y/n) Laughed-"And we used normal cars. Uniliums didn't live very detached from humans. Our community was like 40 away from the city and most adults worked in it. We just maintained our animal figure in private. Most humans didn't have a clue they were fraternizing with us." They were delighted to talk about their peers. Like when you talk about a family member you haven't seen in a long time.

"What kind of animals were they?"-.Kurapika's curiosity about the group only increased. Besides if he knew more about them he would also know more about his (Y/n).

They hummed, -"Well... we were all mammals. Most were preys, for each predator, there was an average of 13 preys. Of 126 members, we were 10. There were mice, rabbits, deers. But no one was sure how to determine which animal would be an offspring."- They cheerfully explained, general information. But nothing about themselves.

Kurapika would have to question directly.-"And you?"

"I am the cat. But I was raised by wolves, like Romulus and Remus. Who knows? I might establish my own empire!"-(Y/n) played.

It was the first time they mentioned it. But now that he reflected, (Y/n) resembled a cat. They had particularly long fangs and claws.

"I didn't know your parents were wolves!" Kurapika felt he was finally learning a little more about his lover's past. But the reaction received was not the one he expected. An ordinary person, he included, would be glad to remember his parents.

(Y/n) quitted smiling and leaned their head into their folded arms. The atmosphere in the room had changed.-"They are average humans. As we mix with humans, it was not uncommon for some to marry them. My grandfather's mother and my grandfather, who were Uniliums, married humans. My mother was human and married another human."- they mumbled. Kurapika felt that the topic was not very pleasant for them, and considered it appropriate to stop that conversation.

"I comprehend..."-and changed the topic-"Kurtas were further separated. It was difficult to get outward of our village. This to guard us. Controlling the scarlet eyes and our emotions was not easy. Many panicked when they saw them."

(Y/n) seemed to quickly forget the preceding topic and willingly listened to their beloved again.-"I understand that. Some humans were also afraid of us, they believed we were demons or beasts. The funny thing is that the deluded wouldn't recognize us."-they mocked-"Sentiments could also influence our appearance. But our parents taught us to be cautious since cubs."

(Y/n) had seen Kurapika with his scarlet eyes, but he hadn't seen them in their beast form. The most he had seen was that night when they saw him straight in the eye, and their pupils were contracted, like a cat's, and the (e/c) had almost fully spread.

"You have never revealed your cat form to me. I bet you're adorable!"- He expressed in an attempt to satiate his curiosity.

They sure weren't anticipating that request, following a moment of hesitation, they lilted "I presume I get accustomed to wearing this shape."

Kurapika wanted (Y/n) to have confidence in him. He understood the concern in showing foreigners such aspects. After all, they had both been marginalized and punished for their looks.-"It's not going to be unpleasant to me. I like cats." he offered them a sweet smile.

At the moment he blinked and reopened his eyes, (Y/n) had a pair of fuzzy (color) cat ears, the right one with a tiny darker spot on the tip, a fluffy tail, and their hair was slightingly fuzzed up. Maybe the most remarkable thing was their feet, long and standing on the tip.

Their eyes changed again, and their hands were slightly larger with wider claws; to ultimately have the appearance of a cat-humanoid. They didn't look so different and they were still (Y/n).

Kurapika didn't see anything devilish about the person in front of him. Rather, he saw an exotic beauty, like fantastic creatures from magical books. He felt lucky to be able to witness something of that bearing and have that experience. What was so special to him was that this being was his partner.

"You certainly are a kitten. That's something you can do in that form?"-Kurapika interrogated.

(Y/n) took a minute to consider, head tilted as usual- the only difference is that their ears moved delicately-. They raised their open hands, showing some very pink set to digital pads, advanced towards him wagging his tail, and cupping his face with a cute smile.

"Your hands are very soft, darling."-Kurapika giggled at the silly idea. (Y/n)'s grin grew wider, closed its eyes, and in complete pride said "I have paws, honey!" That was true. Not many could say they had paws. Especially a so soft and warm pair. (Y/n) appeared happy and relieved, as if they had been discharged from a weight or they were finally doing something they had repressed.

"And you also have marshmallow cheeks. Can you do something particular under that form?"-As Kurapika enjoyed the softness of the caring touch, his question was not precisely answered.

(Y/n) separated their paws from his face, and showed its claws. "I have retractile claws, like, well, a cat. Under this form my strength and speed increase. My bite force equals that of a Jaguar. Ultimately I'm capable of using a more potent nen's technique since my aura flow grows. Although, you know I'm a pacifist. I tend to be softer..."

"You look like a big plush doll. Yet, this appearance may be tricky. You absolutely are a cat."- Kurapika could recognize why (Y/n)'s clan was killed to extermination. Many collectors would be filled with sick and devious pride to have such a creature. He was happy that at least (Y/n) survived. For the first time, he was happy that he too survived.

#kurapika x reader #hxh #hxh x reader #kurapika kurta x reader #kurapika #Kurapika kurta #hunter x hunter #kurapika imagine #kurapika hxh #hxh scenarios

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alitaimagines · 4 years

Text

“I’ve always been told, one day I’ll find someone who changes my mind but when they come along, I won’t think twice cause I already good thing with me, yeah I got everything I dreamed.”

note: still looking for more MHA and Haikyuu!! character suggestions!! this is a bit long but I had fun with it so that’s why. if you want another anime with this scenario, dead ass lemme know, I’ll do it.

them seeing you with someone else after your break up:

Sakusa Kiyoomi: you end up with Bokuto

the reason why you probably ended up with Bokuto was because of Sakusa’s germaphobic tendencies.

with Sakusa not really being into going out much, the options of where to go out on dates was v. limited. you would offer to just go to a park and walk around, somewhere in the park that didn’t have a lot of people in the park but he didn’t like the idea and shot it down.

it got to the point where you got tired of him constantly shooting down your date ideas and you were tired of having to bend over backwards for him and just broke it off.

was Sakusa hurt? probably. but you tried to let him down smoothly and even tried to remain friends but he didn’t like that and cut complete contact with you.

a few years passed when you ran into someone at a bakery. he had black and silver hair and the brightest personality you had ever seen. some stuff and things happened and you got his name and number.

Bokuto had told you that he played professional volleyball and your mind immediately thought of Sakusa. you didn’t pay much attention to it so when Bokuto begged you to attend one of his games, he gave you a spare jersey and front row tickets.

the professional volleyball scene was something someone had to experience at least once in their life. the crowd, the players, everything was turned up to eleven and it had been one of the funnest nights you had in a while.

you had waved at Bokuto a few times but Sakusa hadn’t seen the interactions. it wasn’t until after the game when you met up with Bokuto when Sakusa realized everything.

“hey Sakusa, how are you?” you asked him as Bakuto gave you a look, “you know him?” the owl eyed boy asked, “yeah, we dated in high school and bit in college but I guess you can see what happened,” you mentioned.

Sakusa remained silent as Bokuto waved off the small jealousy, “it’s nice to see you again,” was all Sakusa said before heading to go take a shower.

being that Sakusa and Bokuto had their social media accounts, he would see what went on that night and the photos he posted with you. videos of the two of you at a club with a few other players were on Bokuto’s Insta story but he couldn’t say anything. it had been years since the two of you broke up and it wasn’t his place.

did it sting? yeah but what was it to him. he just had to deal that his teammate was now dating someone he once loved and that was that on that.

Haiba Lev: you end up with Kenma

oh, your break up with Lev probably had to do with his modeling career. your schedules didn’t add up and the two of you hardly seen each other. it was a lack of time and it was a mutual break up.

Lev was hurt that you were no longer with him but he understood that his career didn’t make time for you. he was upset and Alisa tried to introduce him to other girls but they weren’t you.

Lev probably thought of you as his first and only love.

as for you. you rekindled your relationship with Kenma out of genuine accidents. you would end up at the same stores Kenma would be at and the two of you exchanged numbers. one thing led to another and he added you onto his team.

the two of you tried to hide the relationship for a while and it worked for a bit but you knew that the relationship was going to get more serious and it was best to rip the bandaid off before it became too late.

the fans of Kenma loved the two of you together. even if you weren’t together, you would end up on his streams every so often and just watch him play whatever game it was while answering questions, giving him playing advice, or even trying to learn how to the play the game he was playing.

one day out of pure curiosity, Lev checked out one of Kenma’s streams. he had a bit of down time and wanted to see how successful his former teammate was.

for a while, the stream was normal. Kenma was playing Minecraft and Lev was engrossed in the stream until he noticed the door opened. the stream went mute until a baby pink gamer chair was pulled up and you sat down next to him.

Lev’s eyes widened as you gave Kenma a kiss and offered him advice on his Minecraft word (I’ve never played it before so ignore my ignorance). Alisa was able to see Lev’s sudden change in mood and looked over to see what caused it. when she made the connection, she sighed knowing her brother was probably going to be upset for a few hours now.

she called off the rest of the photoshoot they were doing and told Lev to head home. all Lev could think of was how you would hold him the way you were holding Kenma. you ran your fingers through his long hair while answering questions from the fans.

Lev knew you weren’t a gamer. he tried to get you to play video games with him but you always denied but as he watched the stream, you would grab the controller from Lev and do something every so often.

fate was a dumb thing, Lev thought. the love of his life was happy in another relationship and there was not a single thing he could do. he knew he could always find another girl but none of them amounted to you.

Kuroo Testurou: you end up with Yaku

this man was a WHORE in college. am I wrong? No. I don’t take criticism. he probably dated you during your time in college and during that time, he thought of you as another fling but that wasn’t exactly your thought on the relationship.

the cause of the break up was probably because he cheated on you. you were done with him and you absolutely disgusted by his actions during your relationship.

the way you dealt with that was by you going over seas to teach. under some odd circumstances, you happened to land a teaching gig in Russia and there you met Yaku. you didn’t have the slightest clue that those two were friends nor did Yaku ever bring it up.

you found it odd how you ended up in another relationship with someone in the volleyball world but maybe that was your type. a relationship with Yaku was completely different than being with Kuroo. he prioritized your relationship and even offered to have you hold some position with the Cheegle’s so the two of you wouldn’t be apart for so long.

you admittedly accepted it and taught the kids of the players who happened to travel along with him. Yaku was over the moon because of it and not even a year and a half in, the two of you married. it was super sudden but you said yes and held the ceremony back home.

because of the ceremony, it was like an unsanctioned Nekoma reunion. Lev, Kenma, Yamamoto, Taketora, and of course, Kuroo attended the marriage. Kuroo hadn’t gotten the fancy wedding invitation with your photo on it but he texted Yaku a few days before for the venue address.

the ceremony was huge but the thing that stopped Kuroo dead in the tracks was the huge photo of the two of you in the front of the venue. it was from your engagement photoshoot and it was like Kuroo’s life had turned upside down. the two of you being together, nevertheless married, was not what he seen coming.

Nekoma players had a table separated for just them and their partners and when you both finally made rounds to thank everyone for coming, your eyes widened at the sight of your ex boyfriend sitting next to Lev. the two of you stare at each other, you with mild disgust and Kuroo with genuine surprise.

the both of you figured it was best not to mention the past between the two of you to Yaku being that it was your wedding and the mention of a past relationship at this point was useless. you put your pride aside and quickly thanked Kuroo for coming to the wedding.

what didn’t stop you was basically showing off your happiness with Yaku. this was your last hoorah before you completely shut Kuroo out of your life for good and made sure to kiss Yaku in the most civilized yet slightly sexual way.

Kuroo was happy for the two of you because he knew Yaku was giving you the life you craved with him at some point. Kuroo was not ready to settle down yet however seeing you happily married kind of kicked him into gear. his bachelor days would have to end eventually and in the back of his mind, he thought that maybe he made a mistake by fully pushing you away.

Oikawa Tooru: you end up with Kageyama

oh how fate worked in such weird ways, right? the two of you went to Seijoh together and when he left for Argentina, the two of you had to break it off. neither of you wanted to do distance and as much as that hurt, you were the one who made the first move and broke it up with him.

Oikawa was BIG HURT but knew this was the right choice. the two of you tried to keep contact with each other but considering he lived and played in another part of the fucking world, the time never worked out and eventually, you both just gave up.

okay so you met Kageyama when played with Schweiden. you were a reporter who happened to oh so catch the eye of Kageyama and he personally seeked you out after every game. what Kageyama thought would be a small fling was actually more of a crush.

Kageyama finally grew a pair and asked you out. the two of you dated for about the time he played for the Adlers and up until he went to play in Italy. he asked you to come with him knowing that you were probably the only one he could ever see himself with and you agreed.

the move to Italy was odd but you and Kageyama made it work. you got to know who his friends were in high school and that’s when Oikawa came up. when you broke the news that you used to attend Seijoh and actually dated Oikawa during your three years. he was admittedly surprised and even though there wasn’t any animosity, a pang of jealousy and hatred was still there and in the end, Kageyama snagged his girl and with that, he was hella proud.

again under weird circumstances, the two of you ended up in Japan for a a volleyball thingy and with that, Oikawa had to be in attendance.

you weren’t harboring feelings for Oikawa anymore and although you were 100% in love with Kageyama, seeing Oikawa made your heart race out of nervousness. you ended up dating his former enemy and you had no idea how he would take that.

after Kageyama introduced you to his former teammates and his best friend, all of you sat down to talk amongst each other. you heard stories on top of stories of how Kageyama was like at Karasuno but what you weren’t prepared for was when you finally met up with Oikawa again.

you and Kageyama were secretly making out in the parking lot after the dinner thingy. he had you pinned up against the car and literally initiating sex right there but what stopped the two of you was the familiar voice to the two of you. Oikawa had sang Kageyama’s name and when Kageyama looked to see his former enemy, Oikawa’s eyes immediately shot at you.

“are you the two of you?” Oikawa asked you as you nodded, “Kageyama and I? yeah, we are,” you replied extremely flustered, “how?” Oikawa asked again.

“we met when I played for Schweiden,” was all Kageyama said before he whispered to you to get in the car. you did what he asked and waved Oikawa off as the two men stared each other down.

no matter how much those two grew up, there would still be that small animosity between them and like Kageyama had previously mentioned, he won Oikawa’s girl and for the moment, Kageyama finally one upped him.

neither of them thought of you as some competition but Oikawa was still kinda in love with you so seeing you nearly having sex with Kageyama so openly, it triggered that small high school feeling.

tsukishima kei: you end up with Nishinoya

an odd pairing?? I know but when I was looking for gifs, those two oddly came up a lot together so I ran with it. okay back to what I was saying, you must’ve dated Tsukki in college, homeboy was not dating during his Karasuno years.

the two of you were probably going really strong together but when an opportunity arose for you to go to Italy to do some interning there, you accepted and Tsukki was less than pleased. he thought it was irresponsible of you to make such a huge decision without his mild input.

that decision caused for the two of you to fight like there was no tomorrow and broke up because of it. Tsukki thought what you did was irresponsible and you didn’t think it was that big of a deal. with that, you left for Italy and had no intention of paying mind to Tsukki or the argument.

you met Nishinoya at a market. the two of you were in the same city as you interned in the same place Noya was fishing for Marlins at. you were picking up a few things for your apartment and your roommate at the time wanted you to get her a fish for her to cook later in the day. when that happened, you caught Noya’s eye and the two of you got to talking.

his vibrant attitude was a complete 360 from Tsukki and even though he wasn’t exactly your type, you gave Noya a chance and managed to actually fall in love with him rather quickly. because of that, Noya managed to keep in contact with Tanaka and he found out. during that time, Karasuno was holding a get together for former players, brought to you by Daichi and Suga.

you thought of the reunion as a way to visit everyone back home while Noya just wanted to see Tanaka and a few others again so the two of you went. again, you had no idea that Tsukki and Noya knew each other and when the day of the reunion came up, the three of you were S H O O K. the entire team was tbh.

Tsukki probably never lost his smart mouth and when he seen that you were with Noya, you were ready to fight the 6′0 man without any consequences when he made a comment in passing. Noya had the mediate the entire interaction and said that the past was the past and you were with him now and Tsukki had no business in something that no longer included him.

in the back of his mind, Tsukki knew what Noya was saying was right but his insecurities and ego wouldn’t let him back down. Noya loved you and although Tsukki was technically his friend, he was going to pick you over Tsukki any day of the week and the three of you probably had to end up being separate tables.

because everyone was of age and there was alcohol being provided, you and Noya def got drunk along with Tanaka and admittedly Yachi and Hinata. the lot of you drank like there was no tomorrow and while Tsukki wanted nothing more than to continue his smart comments, he knew it was best to drop it and watched as you and Noya drank and danced together.

Yamaguchi was able to tell that his best friend was hurting in the inside but he knew if he said anything, he would earn a smart comment. every time you and Noya kissed, Tsukki would make a disgusted face or straight up gag but anyone could tell that Tsukki was HELLA jealous.

finally when the reunion ended, everyone who got drunk got sent to their hotels in cabs as you and Noya were basically blacked out and not even in the right stage to be driving home. you were hanging onto Noya as he placed kisses all over your face while you waited for the cab to arrive.

Tsukki wanted to apologize for his actions but by the time he got to you and Noya, the two of you were already in the cab, probably making out and trying to get home as fast as possible. his mind wandered to the nights where you and him would go home drunk and do exactly what you and Noya were probably planning on doing.

in the end, Tsukki knew there was no chance that you and him would ever become friends and in a way, he liked that. he was glad that you and Noya were living in another part of the world because it gave him enough time to get over you and find someone else. overall, the break up was rough but Tsukki knew that shit happens for a reason and maybe you weren’t meant to end up with him.

Akaashi Keiji: you end up with Konoha

oh boy, this relationship was odd from the start. when you were dating Akaashi, you knew his teammate held feelings for you but at the time, you didn’t pay any mind to him and stuck with Akaashi as you were basically enthralled with him.

the reason for the break up was probably college. both of you went to different ones and you figured it was just more beneficial for the two of you just to end it before anymore feelings got hurt in that process. it sucked but that was just the way life worked.

you ended up meeting Konoha in Tokyo. you both were in the pharma business and worked in the same building, just different departments. you knew that Konoha would befriend you the minute he found out you worked at the same place he did so when you found his office, Konoha fucking ASCENDED when you told him.

that day the two of you went out for drinks and that was assumedly the first date for the two of you. you found it odd how you ended up finding Konoha again but this time, there was nothing stopping from the two of you dating and Konoha made sure that he asked you out as soon as possible.

Konoha and yourself made enough money by working in medicine that the two of you lived lavishly once you moved with each other. the house was placed a few minutes out of Tokyo and the house was big enough to hold a house warming party when it was done getting remodeled and furnished.

you had pushed him to invite a few former Fukurodani members to attend the party and that included Bokuto, Akaashi, and Haruki to which they all came. Akaashi had heard from word of mouth that the two of you ended up together but he wanted to see it to believe it.

when the party came up, you were wearing a dress, pretty tight fitting in the areas you wanted to flaunt and you knew that Konoha was going to have a ball taking the dress off of you when the party was over. plus, Konoha knew how to wear a suit well and you were planning on doing the same thing to him.

as soon as the three Fukurodani members arrived, you sat them at the main two tables and made sure that you and Konoha would sit with them for the dinner. you wanted to catch up with your former friends but you were still a bit awkward around Akaashi.

the awkward atmosphere wasn’t really felt around Konoha nor Haruki or Bokuto but you knew you wanted to get Akaashi alone to thank him for coming and making sure that there was no hard feelings between you, him, and Konoha.

once you were able to get him alone, the two of you talked for a while and chatted about how work life was until Konoha found the two of you. while he trusted you completely, he didn’t have as much trust in Akaashi and decided to stay for the rest of the conversation.

Akaashi understood where Konoha was coming from as he did the same thing with Konoha back in high school but he was already kind of over you and had no intentions of stealing you back. in a way, he liked you and Konoha together. he had no idea why but he did like it.

he watched as you and Konoha would give each other pecks here and there but while he felt a pang of jealousy, ultimately, he wished the next time he seen either of you, he had that special someone in his life. just to show that he had moved on and that the three of you could start becoming friends again.

ALITA

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hermaeusmorasuggestion · 4 years

Text

Selection From the Registry of Misdirected Prayers

Date: 1E 707

Prayer in full:

O Master of Mysteries,

In pursuit of knowledge I delve into the ruins of Arkngthunch-Sturdumz in three days’ time. I ask Your blessing and Your protection as I seek to uncover the fate of our erstwhile foolish kin, the Dwemer, and perhaps even return with some of their technology so that it might be repurposed in Your name.

I remain Your humble servant, Relyn Omaren

Response: After some deliberation, it was decided that not forwarding this wouldn’t look good for either of us. Successfully redirected.

Addendum: Uuuugggghhhhh. One of the first of many Dwemeriphiles to come, but they were genuinely in it for the knowledge so I couldn’t just let their plea go unanswered, could I? Of course the Tribunal was still getting their footing with the whole godhood thing- I understand the onslaught of an entire land’s wishes and curses can be somewhat of a hassle to take in for the first century or so- so just this once I stepped in instead. Much to the chagrin of my patron.

Relyn didn’t find the answer they were looking for, but they got out alive, which was frankly way harder for me than it should’ve been. How many booby-traps does one ruin need!??!?!! Sometimes I think the Dwemer did it all just to vex me, specifically.

Date: 1E 1105

Prayer in full:

Grandfather,

I’m Vashi but You know that. Where is Goggie? I can’t sleep if she’s not there. Thank you, I love you!

Response: Successfully redirected.

Addendum: Goggie the stuffed guar had been temporarily misplaced at the nearby temple. An easy enough fix, if a bit awkward being caught in the act of returning it and mistaken for an Acolyte, but I was definitely in the area anyway so it wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t a big deal! The kid was five years old and it wasn’t a big deal that he thought I followed another god- someone is just possessive and making a big deal out of what was, decidedly and objectively, not a big deal.

Date: 1E 2704

Prayer in full:

I know that we will be protected, so I don’t pray to ask for reassurance of that. I know that I am in Your sight, both as a student and as a child of Morrowind, and no matter my heritage this is true; I don’t pray to ask for reassurance of this either. But this has been a tumultuous time, and I find myself questioning things... You have taught me that a question is no evil thing, and yet I am full of fear. I do not know what I am afraid of, exactly, but I pray that You grant me the clarity to understand my emotions. I know that my body is a gift, so why does it fill me with such disdain? I know that I love my parents, so why does it pain me to be called their daughter? Please grant me your wisdom.

Response: Successfully redirected.

Addendum: As is typical for this kind of thing, this actually ended up being taken on by one of Vivec’s faithful instead. Only Armigers that are trained in restoration (including alchemy), illusion, or alteration are allowed to act as these Counsellors for people during their transition, so even though it had to wait until after the invasion had been... taken care of, Indaenir got the guidance they needed.

Date: 2E 322

Prayer in full:

O Lover of Learning! O Great Teacher! O Musical Mystic, lend me Your insight.

Our final Alteration exam is in less than twelve hours and I- I admit, it was a personal failing, I wasn’t paying attention, but I can’t stand the thought of being sent home, I can’t go back to that life! Please, help me to learn all that I should’ve, I promise I’ll study, really study, from here on out. Please help me.

Response: Not redirected.

Addendum: Seems someone isn’t as straight a follower of the Divines as they’d like to think they are, if their prayer ended up heard here! Followers of the Tribunal can be excused the mixup, but this was an Imperial. Any scrap of curiosity or hunger for more than what they’re taught is something It can latch onto, and it looks like the- admittedly pretty bland- lower-level courses taught at the local Mage’s Guild weren’t to Ser Herennius’ standards of interest.

Took the poor thing out for a meal after he inevitably failed his exam and gave the usual offer. Should be joining us within the week.

Date: 2E 543

Prayer in full:

O Lord of Memory,

Hear my prayer! I have lost no don’t tell him you lost it fool a true Telvanni never admits something like that ahem.

Hear my prayer! My family’s ancestral tome of spells has been stolen. I seek Your guidance in discerning its location, as it has been hidden from me- no doubt by a foul practitioner of Daedra worship seeking to bring about the ruin of all Morrowind! I beseech You, aid me in finding this relic so I am not yelled at no don’t say that either what are you an infant?

I beseech you, aid me in finding this relic so my ancestors can know peace.

Response: Successfully redirected, after taking care of the “stolen tome” problem myself. It was under his bed.

Addendum: I hope Ser Fodros doesn’t mind that I copied down some of the recipes in that ‘tome of spells’- his grandfather’s take on a Clockwork Citrus Fillet was just too good to pass up. The cute little gear-shaped lemon slices were a frankly inspired idea.

Date: 2E 583

Prayer in full:

Soul of Scholars,

[Does Adahni do this correctly? Well, only one way to know.

This one has long been curious of your realm, a supposed haven for those who wish to learn the secrets of Nirn and beyond. Adahni comes to Morrowind seeking like-minded scholars only to find close-minded bigots. Adahni wishes this is not all there is to the land of the Temple her friend talked so highly of, but they look at her in a way she does not like very much. They think she does not understand their language, but unfortunately Adahni knows too well the words that paint her as an object, no matter the language.

If you truly do care for all those who want to learn, it is no matter now if you accept Adahni into your realm or not. Only, help her to continue being free, free to learn and study as she likes.]

Response: Successfully redirected.

Addendum: The last I saw her, Adahni and her wife were busy studying Aetherial botany or something? It all went over my head but the two Proctors seemed happy enough.

Date: 3E 430

Prayer in full:

Dear Light of Knowledge,

I used your fancy name so I'm sure you get my question since this is very important. Alma is very sad I think since Ata was in your City when You left and we can't take a carriage to him. Alma doesn’t know I know she's sad, but I know she is because she looks like Kelina when he wakes me up at night because he is crying in his crib, but that's okay because I learned how to cast Magelight to make him not cry. How do I make Alma not cry?

Very sincerely, Kalini Dreth

Response: Unable to redirect prayer.

#hermaeus mora #sotha sil #tes #the elder scrolls #I was feeling nostalgic :(#📗

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btsareyandere · 5 years

Note

What is Jin and Jungkook’s y/n met other wives that were treated the same way when they go to fancy dinners with other men in high standing? I’m not saying the boys would let them become friends but I think it would be interesting haha

Just like me

Yandere Jin

(B/M/N= business man’s name)

You look around the ballroom as you walk through the door, hand in handwith Jin but slightly behind him.

“Hurry up” he snaps at you, pulling you harshly to keep upwith him.

You hate these gatherings, they’re always full of chauvinistic prickslike Jin who think nothing of the way he treats you.

You maintain pace with him for a few steps before starting to drop backagain and, of course, he notices.

“Y/n~” he sighs.

“What is wrong with you tonight? Just do as I say and quit messingaround” his eyebrows are pulled together into a deep frown now that thetwo of you are face to face. He is typically quick to anger in situationslike this, however, tonight; he seems calm albeit frustrated with you.

You raise your chin and make direct eye contact so that he knows his permissionto speak is wanted.

“Go ahead"

Taking a deep breath, you decide to tell him how these places make youfeel.

"Jin, I know you have to come to these things but why do I? Do I really have to come with you?"Everyone here treats me like..like” like you is what you really want tosay.

“..like I’m beneath them. You don’t let me talk to other men andthat’s all who are here. Even if you did let me talk to them, they would talkdown to me like I’m incapable of understanding anyt-"

He raises his hand to stop you.

"Y/n, that’s enough. You made your point. My answer is yes, yes youdo have to come here. No, you can’t talk to other men and they are in fact,well within their rights to assume you have less intellectual power thanthem."

He watches your eyes dim a little as the fire that was burning when youbegan to talk, is dying under his oppression; as always.

A trace of a smile ghosts his lips and dissipates immediately; jin ishigh on the control he wields over you.

"So, firstly, well done for asking permission to talk and forstopping the moment you were instructed to. You’re learning, baby girl” heleans in and places an acidic kiss onto your forehead.

“Secondly, I actually have a surprise for you tonight. I permitteda few of the other men to bring their wives."

When his words register, you spin to look around the hall to find thewomen he is talking about.

“where?”

Jin’s large hand takes your chin and turns it back to him,

“Listen carefully. I’ll take you to them, you’ll sit down next to me andbehave. You can talk freely with their women, my men know not to directconversation at you. Understood?”

Nodding in agreement, your mind races with all the things you want totalk about. Are they feeling the same way? Are they belittled and neglected bytheir husbands too? Are they just like you?

Jin walks you to the main table where, for the first time, you saw thewives of the men you hate. They’re gorgeous, well put together and coordinated,obviously.

“Everyone, this is Y/N, my wife.”

You lock eyes with each of the three women one by one, smiling genuinelyand relaxing when they do the same.

“I’ve given my wife permission to talk to the women, I suggest you alldo the same” Jin demands of his men.

A series of agreements rumbles around the table and you take your placebetween Jin and very close to the older looking of the three wives.

“Hi” you start in a whisper, your old habit of hiding when you talk topeople is hard to drop even with the freedom to communicate.

The lady giggles and whispers back “hello.” She giggles again, clearlyexcited to be meeting you and you start to realise that it’s only her body thatlooks like that of an older person, inside, she’s just as young and fragile asyou are.

The two of you shuffle closer and turn to face each other entirely,wanting nothing more than to be close and familiar with someone who won’t harmyou and feels every bit of the pain you do.

The evening stretches on and is full of laughter and beautiful bondingbetween you and the wife of Jin’s main business partner.

“So he does the same to you?” You ask nervously, glancing over yourshoulder to see if Jin had become aware of your conversation topic.

Jin had been watching you intermittently all night long. He and his menwere discussing important business but that doesn’t mean they can ignore theirduties and leave their women unattended. Every now and then when the squeals ofdelight becomes too much, one of the husbands would clear their throat or give aharsh warning, to put you all back in line.

As much as he believes all men to be above women in society, Jinstruggles to keep cool when other males discipline you, but you needed it andfor now, he is happy to let it continue.

“Yeah, he’s been like this for a long time. We’ve been married 30 years now;it was a forced marriage when I turned 18. I’ve never even seen the world, aprisoner of my father and now a prisoner of my husband. Sometimes-“she pauses.

You watch closely as her cheeks flush a deep shade of red,

“Don’t be embarrassed, I probably do the same.” You lean in real closeand press your ear to hers.

“Jin is mean; I do a lot of embarrassing things just to get through theday”

The round-faced lady nods her head and fiddles with the gemstones on herdress.

“Sometimes I get so lonely that even at my age, I talk to my stuffedanimals. Thirty years of isolation and total domination does crazy things toyou.”

You gaze at her empathetically and wonder if, in many years time, you’llbe in the same situation.

Jin is smart, he knows that eventually the four of you would turn to a conversationthat he wouldn’t approve of and so when he notices how you have gone quiet andare sat further from him than you should be, he begins to pay more attention.

The woman quickly takes your hands into hers and grips them tightly. Withwide, panicked eyes she stares into your soul

“Find a way to leave him Y/N. You have to save yourself somehow. I havelost my whole life to a man who treats me like a dog, run, just run!”

For some reason, her words spark something inside of you. You suddenly havethis desire to get up and leave, adrenaline is coursing through your veins inresponse to the urgency in her voice.

You stand, eyes still locked with hers, hands still encased in hers,heartbeat thundering in your ears

“Now!” she shouts.

You do it, you grab your dress to lift it off the floor and turn to makethe first true escape attempt in your marriage to jin.

You spin on your heels and slam straight into his firm chest upon the first step you take.

He wraps one arm around your waist and holds you close to his body, “B/M/N,did you not explain to your wife how fortunate she is to have been invitedtonight”

The man quickly stands and bows in apology to Jin,

“I did. I’m sorry MrKim, she knows better than this. I can assure you she will be taught a lesson,anything you want from her, take it. She’ll apologise in any way you want”

Jin waves his hand like it was nothing

“Just ensure that she nevercorrupts my Y/N like this again. If she can’t be trusted to behave in publicthen perhaps her place is in the home. Come, Y/N, you have your own lessons tolearn”

As Jin pulls you to the exit, you hear the cries of your new friendafter every sound of a slap.

“He’s beating her!” you exclaim and struggle in his hold.

Jin finally snaps, he launches you into the side of the waiting car andtips his head back, releasing a strained growl.

The driver moves to help you up but is stopped from doing so.

“Leave her. She needs to learn that beneath me is where she belongs.”

You sniffle and move into a seated position, watching as his eyes soakup the moonlight and swallow it entirely.

“j-“ You wanted to plead for forgiveness but know better than to talk.

“So you wanted to leave right? Wanted to be brave for once and escapeme. Well as expected from a woman, your plan was flawed and ultimately failed.”

The sound of glass breaking redirects your attention to the directionyou came from

“No, eyes on me. Good girl. Now I know you know who owns you, don’tyou? You’re not completely dense”

You shake your head in agreement and rise to your knees in front of him,more than willing to beg and be spared some pain. A small crowd starts to formbehind Jin and the eyes of the driver weigh heavily on your back as you displayyour submission to your husband in such a public manner.

Jin steps closer and pulls you to your feet by the hair,

“This is whyyou’re not allowed to talk to others, you’re easily manipulated and that couldget you hurt. Speaking of which..”

His lips brush yours as he continues to speak

“You’re going to hurt forthe next few days, walking, talking and sitting will be a problem for you but that’swhat happens when silly little girls try to make their own decisions”.

@v-2bucky @jinnenchimchim @aria101404 @hxfflepxff

#bts #yandere bts #yandere #yandere reactions #yandere drabble #yandere scenarios #bts drabble #bts yandere #bts scenarios #yandere jin x reader #yandere jin #bts jin x reader #bts jin

264 notes · View notes

darklordherself · 5 years

Text

#HPbattleships

Title: Time Well Spent. Author: thedarklordherself Pairing: Pansy Parkinson/Harry Potter Rating: G Length: 6191 Genre/Content: Slow Burn, Realizing feelings Warnings: None Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence Summary: Eight years after Hogwarts, two paths cross, one case gets to be solved. Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/19850356

The French man bowed deeply to Pansy making her roll her eyes. Her "mother" cleared her throat to remind her to stay poised. She didn't need telling; her parents have drilled it into her since she was 8. She plastered on a fake smile, one that managed to make the boys swoon.

"I have brought you…" the man turned towards his house-elf, snapping his fingers impatiently as the little creature struggled to carry a box. Pansy frowned, having a distaste of people who treat house-elves terribly. They helped raise her, so the respect of the creatures, in general, would never falter.

"A gift, Mademoiselle."

"You shouldn't have," Pansy answered, getting up from her chair and walking over to the elf. She kneeled to the little creature's height and held her hand out as the gift was handed to her.

"Thank you." Pansy bowed her head, the house-elf bowing its head in response. He smiled back at her.

"You're welcome, Mademoiselle, Archie hopes you like it. Archie went all over the world to find it."

Pansy smiled, the translation potion working perfectly as she thanked the house elf in French. She stood back up now, curious as to what it was, the weight of it was shocking. If it were what Harry freaking Potter is after, she would have fun with it first before handing it over. Just because her parents agreed to help the Ministry out to save face, doesn't mean Pansy has to oblige so quickly. She caught eyes with the other wizard, seeing the shocked expression.

"Don't act so surprised," Pansy quietly snapped as she sat down next to her. The older witch chuckled, trying to pay attention to the suitor speaking of what the gift was.

"I'm surprised you can be so nice, Parkinson," they smirked. Pansy huffed, turning back to the man and smiled as he continued to explain Archie's adventure.

"It is a timeless gift; please enjoy. I do hope to see you again," he bowed and turned to leave, clearly pleased with himself. The elf nodded, and Pansy waved, getting a shy wave in return. They waited till the crack of the wizard disapparating happened.

"Alright, hand it over."

Pansy clutched the weighted box to her chest, "Not so fast, I want to see it."

She moved it out of reach from the pair of hands trying to grab it, standing up and shoving the box roughly under her dress, between her thighs. She knew the Auror would never dare.

"Come on, quit acting like a child."

She smirked as her mother's face faded and Harry’s resurfaced. He reached in the dress robes pockets for his glasses.

"Looking good, Potter, dresses suit you."

Harry sarcastically struck a pose, "Better than you in a dress, now hand over the box. I want to make sure it's what we've been waiting for."

Pansy shook her head, "No, it's my gift. Didn't you hear Mr.Pompous say, 'a gift for you Mademoiselle’."

She burst out laughing as she mocked the foreigner's accent, "Saint Potta vants the box!"

"Can we act like adults, for Merlin's sake," Harry crossed his arms.

Pansy crossed her arms, "I want to see it. Better yet, I want to use it!"

She bent and pulled her dress back up, grabbing the box and hurriedly walked away. Harry nearly tripped over the long dress he had on. Lucky, he was able to wear trainers underneath. He followed Pansy out to the gardens.

"If you use it, then I have grounds to arrest you," Harry told her pointedly. She laughed and kept walking. Harry transfigured his clothes from a dress to jeans and t-shirt casual look. He was not about to parade around the gardens in a dress.

"Oh, I know a time we can go to!" Pansy practically skipped to her favourite spot. Harry walked at a reasonable pace, knowing he had no say anymore. It's not like he hadn't used it before, Hermione owned one. They should both be arrested.

"If I take you to one time, will you stop being difficult?" Harry sighed, curiosity to where she wanted to go bloomed before he could stop it. After third year, Hermione took him on various time-travelling adventures during their breaks. He might as well indulge Pansy and reward her for actually obtaining one out the forty-six there were left in the world.

"Define difficult," Pansy smirked.

"I'm serious. We have a long way to go to get all the others."

"You'll take me?" Pansy genuinely smiled like she won a grand prize, "How do I know you aren't tricking me?"

"Because I'm going with you. Think of this as a thank you for helping. I thought we would never get a crack in this case, and now we have the first of many."

Pansy narrowed her eyes but decided not to question it any further, she didn’t want Potter changing his mind.

"Alright, I want to go to the time Granger punched Draco. He denied it ever happened, but Nott insisted it was glorious. I want to see it."

Harry chuckled at the request, not minding at all to take her to that moment. He would have to avoid two sets of Harry’s and Hermione’s versus the one on that day to get Pansy to see one of his favourite memories. Luckily, he had his cloak.

"This is it though, no more time travelling after this." Harry held out his hand for the box, and Pansy handed it over, stepping closer as he untied the bow. Once the lid was removed, Pansy gasped at the exquisite gold time turner nestled on a velvet pillow. This one was the size of a teacup saucer. She had never seen one in person.

"Now, because of some complications I know of, we have to use my cloak."

"Oh, how nice of you, using your precious cloak on me, I feel honoured."

They stood close together, Harry spinning the time turner as Hermione had taught him. Pansy watched as the gardens went through many moons and suns. She was in awe.

"Alright, we are now in 1993," He shrunk the time turner and placed it in the pocket of his robes. "We are apparating outside of Hogwarts. Once there, I can pierce the protection spell, and we will be able to get in."

"Pierce the protection? You sure you can do that?"

"I'm not an Auror for nothing, Parkinson. I can get into anywhere I pretty much well please."

Pansy scoffed, about to make a snarky comment. He grabbed her hand, and she had no time to protest as the pull in her stomach started. They disapparated on the spot.

"I can get into anywhere I please," Pansy mocked in a high pitched voice. Harry rolled his eyes as she mimicked him. He started his last known spell to pierce the magical barrier. If this didn't work, they were out of luck.

"Where did you even learn to do this?" Pansy examined her nails, thinking about getting them done after their adventure. Harry let out a small huff, and finally, the barrier opened up like drawn curtains.

"Hurry up," Harry demanded as he grabbed her hand to pull her through. He was not doing that again. Surely, they can manage to sneak into the school just fine with his cloak, use one of the secret passages from the map.

They made it to the stone corridor leading to the path to Hagrid's hut. Harry was trying to remember where he and Hermione came running from, staying closer than necessary to Pansy in case they had to move out of the way. Pansy was getting antsy under the cloak. Harry's body pressed up against her was not what she was expecting to get out of this.

Soon, Draco, Theo, and Goyle walked towards the top of the hill. Pansy held her laugh, the three boys in their fancy clothes. She used to hold them in such high regard, just as they did her. But seeing them again and realising how silly they looked, their wealth making them look ridiculous, made her want to laugh out loud. She wished she could see how absurd she probably looked then as well.

Harry leaned forward towards her ear, "There we are."

Pansy froze, his breath hitting her skin shot an electric current right to her core. She tried to concentrate, the yelling of the third years began. Hermione was jabbing the end of her wand into Draco's neck, the fear clear as day on Malfoy's face was a funny sight to see.

"Don't Hermione, he's not worth it," Ron told her. Pansy frowned as Hermione lowered her wand, not expecting the witch to back down so quickly. That's not how Theo described it, making it seem like the three lions ambushed them. Gryffindor lost points from Professor Snape because of this, the older wizard taking the word of his godson.

Pansy was about to question Harry when Hermione turned away but quickly, spun with a right hook straight into Draco's nose. Pansy burst out laughing, Harry's hand immediately on her mouth, pulling out his wand to bubble them with a silencing spell.

The six students looked in their direction, all frantically scanning the area. Harry pulled Pansy closer, ready to do what was necessary to fix this. Pansy gulped, eyes wide, not moving as young Hermione pointed her wand almost in their direction.

"Homenum Revelio," the young witch walked towards their direction. She had a determined look on her face. Harry tried to bring Pansy closer, even with no more room. He was nervous that young Hermione was investigating.

He kept his eyes on her as she walked past them, into the trees. The Slytherin students told younger Harry and Ron off, threatening to tell their Head of House what happened.

"Mione, let's go," Ron called after her. Hermione looked around and back to Ron.

"You did hear it, right?"

"It sounded like a laugh, but there's no one there," Harry said, looking back towards Hagrid's Hut, "Guys, I think it's happening."

Harry used the moment of their backs towards them to start walking away, keeping Pansy restrained. She followed him backwards, trying not to stumble over his feet. He got them to the stone path, out of sight, removing the cloak.

"We have to leave before we get caught, can you manage to stay quiet? We have to go through the school."

"I can stay quiet," Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Okay, here," Harry pointed his wand at her, she froze from fear reflexively, he saw her tense up. Her body started to disappear as the Disillusion Charm worked its way down from her head to her feet. He knew why she was so nervous. He placed one on himself and folded the cloak stowing it away.

"Let's go." He grabbed her hand and led her towards the one-eyed witch passage to Honeydukes. He figured it was best to be out of the school as soon as possible.

Pansy let out a relieved sigh as they made it back to their time, her heartbeat barely slowing. She hadn't adequately processed that they were almost caught time travelling. Her parents would have been furious to find out that she was breaking various magical laws after they were trying to fix their reputation.

"Are you alright?"

She looked towards the direction of his voice, the charm slowly revealing him. She looked down to her hands and saw that she was coming back into view as well.

"Of course I am," she scoffed, walking away to get a drink to calm her nerves. Harry followed her, determined to make it right for what he did. Usually, Pansy was smooth and bold. The fear that exploded from her and the vulnerable way she seemed to feel as he used the charm on her made him feel terrible. He should have asked before pointing his wand at her.

"I… er, am sorry," he rambled out. Pansy kept her pace, turning into the library where her father kept the harder liquor.

"For what?" she demanded, annoyed that he was following her. Harry fell silent as she stood by the drinks trolley, pouring herself a glass. She paused and poured a second cup. Harry cautiously approached the trolley, grabbing the second tumbler, letting the silence fall further.

They both sat down in the pair of armchairs. Harry wasn't sure how to continue his apology. He knew she was just as scared as he was about being randomly attacked when he was on the run. That time was dark, lonely, cold, and many other horrible adjectives to describe the worst time of their lives to date. He wouldn't have survived without Hermione and Ron.

While his time of being hunted had ended, it was like the baton had been passed to all former followers of Voldemort. It took years for Harry to come to terms with the idea that the younger generations of Death Eaters weren't as all in it as their parents had been. Hermione made him work with Pansy as a sign of forgiveness, assigning him as her family's protection. The Golden Trio was making amends with those they knew didn't have a choice.

Hermione helped Draco land a healer job, Blaise Zabini worked with Bill Weasley, and many other students from their time had a brighter future, despite their parents' actions. The only one they hadn't dared to try to get in good graces with, was Pansy Parkinson. The girl who demanded the school hand Harry over on a silver platter. Harry held a grudge for years.

Pansy held her grudge, mostly out of embarrassment at her actions. But there was no way she was going to tell that to the Wizarding World's darlings. There are only two reasons why Harry and Pansy have crossed paths almost eight years after they finished their time at Hogwarts.

First, there was an incident that involved both Pansy and Draco. They were sent gift baskets to their homes with notes attached signed by the other party. The attacker used the comfort of their friendship, knowing that it would most likely work to use one against the other. Draco ended up at St. Mungo’s after taking a bite of one of the sweets, rendering him on the brink of death.

Narcissa stormed Parkinson Manor, with several Aurors to demand Pansy’s arrest when they stumbled upon a devastated couple instead. Pansy was being treated privately in their home, her parents feared public places with their tarnished reputation. Pansy slipped into an unknown dark potion-induced coma after tasting one of the bottles of liquor from the basket. It took weeks to get her out of it.

Secondly, her father was receiving many letters, inquiries if you will, about his daughter’s standing for marriage. At first, it was innocent. Pansy was receiving various bouquets of flowers, loads of jewellery, shoes and dresses.

Then came an illegal artefact, a time turner, from a suitor who wouldn’t reveal his name but demanded Pansy take the portkey to meet the mysterious man at his home. Mr Parkinson decided to hand over the gift, knowing that working with the Ministry in any way helped anyone’s reputation. It was the first small step to redemption. The Malfoys were doing it, so why not them.

Hermione had learned of the incidents and told Harry that he needed to help them. It took a couple of days, Harry even offering to be Draco Malfoy's protection versus Pansy's, but once Mr Parkinson had told him of the gifts Pansy was receiving for her hand in marriage, Harry reluctantly agreed to work and temporarily live with the Parkinsons.

"It's okay," Pansy finally spoke, half a bottle later. Harry stood and grabbed the bottle, refilling both their glasses.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Harry said softly, tossing back the amber liquid. He was nervous speaking like this. He and Pansy had a rough line of communication. Today was the first time they had managed to work without it being stiff with tension, fear of each other and anger. It only took three bloody months.

"You didn't scare me."

Harry sighed at her tone, "you don't have to act tough all the time, Parkinson, everyone can feel scared. I forgot to ask permission to use a charm on you. I don't like anyone pointing their wands at me unexpectedly either. I know that feeling, not knowing what the other person is going to do."

Pansy frowned and bit her lip to try and refrain from snapping at him. Her cheeks were burning from the embarrassment that Harry Oblivious Potter could tell she had been scared.

"I don't need you feeling sorry for me, Potter. I was caught off guard, I'm fine."

Harry rolled his eyes, realizing that they hadn't made any real progress.

"I don't feel sorry for you, stop acting like everyone is. Grow up."

Pansy glared at him, "I have grown up, it's you who has some growing up to do. You don't know what I had to do to get here. To survive!"

"Don't I?!" Harry quipped, "Wasn't it you who tried getting me turned over? Don't think I forgot for a second what you suggested in the castle!"

"You have no idea what we were going through, what pressure I was dealing with!"

"Pressure? Do you not know who I am?! I've dealt with pressure all my life!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Perfect Saint Potter, can't do anything wrong Potter, Saving the Wizarding World on multiple occasions Harry freaking Potter! You may have been fighting on the other side, but that doesn't mean it was frolicking through a flower field for me!"

"You chose, you decided, you knew what Voldemort was doing, and yet, you acted better than me and everyone else! You knew the consequences!"

"My parents decided for me, you bloody idiot! We had no choice. My father was forced as a pureblood. It was either join or die!"

"You didn't have to try and hand me over; you didn't have to be that person. You made yourself that person." Harry snapped.

"You were the ticket to anyone's freedom. You were the key to my survival, my parents' survival! Draco's, Blaise's, Theo's, every one of his followers who was stuck inside the school to play spy! You were the end of our war. We all were trying to do what was best for ourselves."

"That's where you're wrong," Harry stood up and placed the cup and bottle back on the cart, "I was trying to fight to save everyone, to make sure Voldemort didn't rule the Wizarding World. You were doing what was best for you. I'm not like you. I'm not like any selfish ex-Death Eater. I did what I had to do to save the Wizarding World."

He left the library to his quarters. Pansy's eyes filled with tears as she yelled every profanity she could in his departing direction. It felt like someone used a carving knife to open the wound from the war that had barely healed. She knew it was her fault, but would never admit it. She left to her wing, deciding to only speak to Harry when necessary for the case.

Two months had gone by, the pair now having thirty-seven of the forty-six time turners. Pansy was annoyed and tired of Harry being around. Her parents, on the other hand, adored him. Of course, they would end up liking Saint Potter. She wished she could stay with Draco, deciding Weasley would be easier to deal with than Potter. But her parents forbade it.

"There is a man from Bulgaria who invited Pansy to a ball at his palace." Her father said after swallowing a bite of his dinner. The other three looked in his direction.

"Is it wise we go to them, darling?" Mrs Parkinson was looking worriedly at her husband.

"I told him that Pansy would not be going alone and her bodyguard was also tagging along, that way it gives us a reason to bring Harry. He can come as her plus one. If you don't mind, Harry?"

"No, that's perfectly fine. I can have access to their residence. He is one of the bigger targets." Harry became excited. Pansy rolled her eyes as she took a bite of her food.

"Perfect. We leave tomorrow afternoon. I shall have the house-elves get our dress robes ready and new gowns for the ladies."

"Do you mind if I go see Arabella in the morning before we depart?" Harry looked down to his food, awkwardly asking for permission.

"Oh, Harry, you don't have to ask, sweetheart. You can come and go as you please."

Pansy rolled her eyes; You can do whatever you please, Harry, blah blah blah.

They finished their dinner, Pansy leaving to her room to make sure the house-elf was picking something to her liking and not her parents.

The next morning, Harry made his way to Pansy's wing, to check if she needed to go anywhere before he took off. Her parents requested he accompany her as often as he could to prevent any incidents.

"Pansy?" Harry knocked on her door, straining to listen for a response.

"What do you want?"

"Uh..er, do you need to do anything before we leave to the ball? I can come back to escort you if you do."

She groaned out loud. It was annoying at this point to be treated like a child, but then she sighed, thinking of getting out of the manor would do some good even if it were to Harry's muggle home. She went to open the door, Harry jumping from the surprise appearance.

"I'd like a new pair of shoes, preferably something I pick out myself. Shall we go?”

“Now?”

Pansy nodded, “your visit won’t be long, will it?”

Harry debated about bringing her along to his childhood home, how small and bland it was compared to her manor. He worried about her judgement. Harry wouldn’t change a thing about his upbringing, appreciating everything Arabella did for him, but that didn’t make it any more appealing to bring a pureblooded wealthy witch to his quaint home. He could hear the snarky comments coming from her mouth. It was like having Draco Malfoy to visit. It sounded like his worst nightmare.

“I’ll behave,” Pansy raised an eyebrow, seeing his silent turmoil. Harry was so easy to read.

“Okay, I suppose you can come. Arabella will probably like having someone else visiting as well.”

They walked to the living area where her floo was. She held out her arm, he linked his with hers, throwing a handful of powder while calling out their destination.

"Harry!"

Pansy was surprised to see a tiny old woman rush to hug Harry. She removed her arm before being caught in the hug with them.

"Hello," Harry hugged her tightly.

"You should have sent me a warning that you were coming. I could have made breakfast." Mrs Figg strolled to the kitchen to prepare tea.

"We already ate, I just wanted to come to see you, make sure you were alright."

"I'm doing just fine, kiddo, I told you not to worry about me."

He watched her movements, sad that they are becoming slower each day that passed. She was already old in age when she took him in, saving him from his neglectful aunt and uncle. His aunt made an arrangement to pay her a stipend to support the separation. Later, Harry learned that his aunt and uncle hated magic, making him appreciate Arabella more. She was a squib, teaching him everything she could from books and lessons from her own parents when they tried getting her magic to work.

"Now, who is this beautiful girl."

"Oh, this is Pansy Parkinson, she is working with me on a case."

Pansy curtsied to the older woman, not sure what else to do. She took the seat next to Harry.

"Just work, you say?" Ms Figg smiled deviously, a rather funny sight for an elderly woman. Harry groaned as she went on about him needing to get married before Death decided to take her to the other side.

"You sure are taking your sweet time, Harry," Pansy teased along, glad that for once, the talk about marriage wasn't centred around her.

"Whatever happened to the redhead? She was a feisty one."

Pansy raised an amused eyebrow to Harry who rolled his eyes in response, "Redhead? Don't tell me you dated the female Weasel?"

"It was right out of eighth year; we dated for a year or two?"

"Thought you and Granger always had a thing," Pansy sipped her tea.

"Hermione is with Ron." Harry corrected her, chuckling, as Pansy isn’t the only one who thought that.

"Oh, the poor dear could have gone with someone smarter than the Weasel."

Harry looked at her surprised; the subtle compliment towards Hermione was unexpected, especially coming from her. Pansy continued talking with Arabella about suitable women for Harry, which became extremely embarrassing on his end.

"Had I known you were looking, I would have helped ages ago, Potter. I know Daphne or Astoria need a husband. Draco is going after one of them, not sure which one."

"As if I would willingly marry into the same family as Malfoy," Harry chuckled, Pansy, joining in. They continued going down the list, Harry rejecting every suggestion. He didn't know who he even wanted; all the women she brought up weren't his type.

"Well, I'll find someone and have father set up the meet and greet. My parents would love to know that you are actively on the market."

"Alright, that's enough talk about that. I just wanted to stop by. I was going to check in on Dudley before taking Pansy to the shops."

Mrs Figg smiled softly, hearing her son tell Pansy that she will deal with another family meeting. She could see it; wonder how long it will take the two of them.

"I will see you later, preferably for dinner so I can feed you again. Pansy, you are welcome at any time."

Harry nodded, Pansy, kissed the older woman's cheek and smiled broadly. They left the house, and Pansy linked her arm through Harry's, expecting to Apparate, but he walked down the stone path, to the other side of the road.

Pansy frowned as she heard a bark from a man on the other side of the door after Harry knocked. She felt him tense up, his arm squeezed hers in response to the angry tones on the other side. Harry shuffled nervously. He hated seeing his aunt and uncle, but they allowed him to see his cousin, poor bloke moved back home after his fiance left him. They became friends once Harry moved in with Arabella across the road, his aunt and uncle only allowing the friendship because they were related. Dudley was the first person Harry ever told about his magic.

The secret was kept, and Harry continued the friendship, since his lovely aunt and uncle decided Harry was nothing like his parents. Little did they know, their son loves everything magical and is dating a witch Harry introduced him to after the heartbreak.

"Whatever you do, just don't mention magic in front of my uncle," Harry warned Pansy, deciding not to say anything, fear pooling in her stomach from whatever muggle monsters were greeting them.

"Are we all ready?" Mr Parkinson called out as they all entered the foyer.

Harry allowed Mrs Parkinson to adjust his tie. He was feeling nervous about being caught inside the Prince of whatever's castle. He needed to make sure none of their covers were blown. The real objective was to retrieve the remaining time turners. This Prince was a frequent time traveller, always adjusting timelines to benefit himself.

"Do you mind?" Pansy handed the necklace to Harry, he took it without question and waited as she turned. She bowed her head forward, her hand moving her hair out of the way of the nape of her neck. Harry worked with the clasp; his fingers grazing her skin softly, her skin pimpled at his touch. She bit her lip, trying to ignore the unexpected feeling it brought.

"There you go," Harry told her, summoning her coat for her. She slid it on and linked her arm in his. It was becoming a habit at this point.

"Let's get going." Mr Parkinson pulled out a big old fashioned key, "This will put us right at the castle, so please, mind your manners."

Harry and Pansy nodded, she squeezed his arm, trying to suppress her nerves. She was wearing a time turner to entice the Prince. It was her job to get him to confess his crimes and reveal his collection.

"If you feel any danger…"

"I know to tap on my bracelet, and you will be alerted," Pansy finished for him. They both smiled awkwardly, her father telling them to place a finger on the key levitated in the middle of the four.

Three hours had gone by, and Harry was becoming impatient. The Prince had yet to come and talk to Pansy, which made things difficult. Pansy wanted to leave already.

"Why don't you go dance?" Her mother suggested. Pansy dared to throw a frown in her direction, only to drop it when her mother narrowed her eyes.

"Harry, my dear, would you mind? Pansy seems to be getting restless."

Harry nodded and stood, deciding some dancing would clear both of their minds. They both were tense, and it would not bode well with the Prince if he could tell. After all, Harry Potter was already getting some attention.

"This is going to make things worse. He isn't interested in me," Pansy placed one hand in Harry's and her other on his shoulder. Harry pulled her in closer to avoid their voices getting too loud. His hand placed on her lower back, and he reflexively intertwined their fingers. It's how he and Ginny used to dance.

"He is, but like any good Prince, he has to entertain. He's been eyeing you all evening," Harry pushed her out in a spin and brought her back in.

“You can’t be serious?” Pansy started to look around, Harry grabbed her chin to make her stay focused on him. Her cheeks flushed with his commanding action, his hand going to her lower back again.

“You don’t want to be too obvious; take my word. He’s definitely eyeing you, as are a lot of other men here. As they should be, you look gorgeous.”

They continued their dance, Harry being a better dance partner than she imagined. He seemed so sincere with the words he spoke. Pansy was trying to focus on her feet, and getting her heart to stop beating so quickly. It was just a compliment; she needed to get a grip. At least it seemed their qualms towards the other from months ago has vanished by this point.

"Ms Parkinson."

Harry stopped abruptly, Pansy almost tripping over his feet, his arm snaked around her waist to catch her. They looked to the left and saw the Prince and his sister. They straightened up and both faced the royal siblings.

"Your Royal Highness," Pansy let go of Harry's hand, curtseying to the Prince. Harry bowed, taking the Princess’ hand, softly kissing her knuckles respectfully.

"May I have this dance? I'm sure Mr Potter wouldn't mind taking my dear sister for a dance, as well?"

The Princess blushed at her brother's words. Harry smiled and agreed, Pansy eyeing the Princess’ hand in his angrily for a moment before placing her hand in the Prince's. She followed him to the middle of the dance floor, the music changing to a waltz.

"I didn't know the famous Harry Potter did bodyguard work. I would think the English Ministry would have him on a higher pedestal."

Harry chuckled, trying to keep an eye on Pansy, "I, uh… was hired. Ms Parkinson was attacked."

"Attacked? Why would she be attacked? Was it during her time travels perhaps?"

His eyes fell to hers, losing sight of Pansy as the Princess smiled innocently. He spun her and brought her back into his arms. Were both of the siblings using the time-turners?

"That piece around her neck is beautiful, foolish girl parading around with it. Does she not know it’s illegal?”

Harry caught on to what she may be doing, “I didn’t know it if it was a replica or not.”

“Do you not know what a real time turner looks like, Mr Potter? Fakes are harder to come by," the Princess smirked. They continued dancing, Harry’s mind was reeling with what options he had; so far, there was nothing.

His bracelet wasn’t warming up, which meant Pansy was still okay. That is all that mattered out of this event. The Princess seems to be on the path of a verbal confession. That would be enough for Aurors to be able to search their castle.

One thing for sure, she knew about time turners. It was only one sentence away from confirming that they owned one.

Pansy scanned the room as the Prince twirled her out of his arms. She saw Harry talking very intimately with the Princess, blossoming a fit of very hard jealousy. The Prince pulled her back in, placing his hand back on her hip. It felt so awkward. Pansy smiled up at him, trying to make him talk about the Time-Turner.

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Yes, I am," Pansy smiled. He continued leading them around the room.

"That's a unique necklace you have there. My sister has something similar but not as small nor on a necklace. Hers are much too large for jewellery."

Pansy furrowed her eyebrows, confused by his innocent tone. Did he not know what it was?

"She has one of these? That's impressive. I didn't know anyone else had one."

"Yes, she has several actually, I don't know what it's for."

"Wait. What?" Pansy stopped dancing. He was now confused by her sudden standstill.

"Is everything okay?"

Pansy started to look around the room, trying to spot Harry, but he wasn't anywhere. She picked up her dress and hurriedly made her way to the closest hallway, they couldn't have gone far.

Harry followed the Princess to her quarters, his heart racing. She was about to show an Auror her illegal collection; surely, she knew the consequences. So, what was she going to do? Pansy was trying to woo the wrong royal. He hoped she’d caught on by this point. The bracelet on his hand wasn't warming up, meaning she was still safe.

"Harry?" Pansy called out, the Prince following behind her. She was ignoring his questions. "Harry!"

"Why are you looking for him?"

She pulled out her wand and tapped the bracelet. She felt hers grow warm, expecting Harry to pop up immediately. But, the bracelet cooled. She tapped it again, walking further into the castle.

"Harry!"

Panic spread with every step she took, the bracelet cooling off as the seconds passed by, her call was ignored. It was then she paused. What if he was hurt? Or worse? People become dangerous when an Auror is on their trail.

"I'm sure my sister is taking excellent care of your… bodyguard…" the Prince slowed his words as she kept looking in all directions. Pansy was starting to launch into a panic attack. She wasn't within the safety of her home; her parents were out of sight. Harry wasn't at her side.

"It's okay, my sister wanted some time alone with Mr Potter, she requested it. You shouldn't worry."

Pansy finally set her eyes back on the deep blue eyes in front of her. She didn't find him attractive, wasn’t impressed with his slick hair, fancy robes or any of what stood before her. No, she wanted the green set of eyes, the emeralds that had been looking after her for the last few months, paired with the still unruly hair from their youth. The awkward and sweet demeanour he had, and the way he treated her, not like a pureblood needing to be wed, but as a person; as just Pansy.

Whatever the Prince's words were next were lost on her. She was overwhelmed with thoughts of Harry, how she was jealous that he was with someone else. She didn't hate him. New panic surfaced as she stupidly started to realize what all her feelings were.

"I have to go. I have to find Harry."

The Prince watched her walk away, stunned with her disregard for him. It was unusual. Women usually swarmed him and he hoped that this arranged marriage would come through. Pansy was an exquisite and gorgeous woman, pureblooded and high in demand. People from all over the world were asking for her hand in marriage.

But it seemed, she was already spoken for. He decided to let her find Potter on her own, angry with not getting his way. The Prince returned to the ball as Pansy searched for Harry.

#hp battleships #hansy #pansy #harry/pansy #auror!harry #canon divergence

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sunflowerspectre · 5 years

Text

Divine | Lucifer x Twilight Crossover | Chapter One

Fanfiction | A03

Previous | Next

Slow Burn | Carlisle Cullen x OC

Chapter One: A Soft Light

She could’ve flown in, quite literally, but she’s always preferred her feet planted on the ground. It’s why she loves the motorcycle gifted to her from her brother. She can feel the howling wind against her, plant her feet on the earth when she stops, and is unconfined by metal and oil.

She takes the scenic route to Forks, avoiding the highways full of loud noises and the smell of smoke as much as she can. She takes her time appreciating each mountain she passes and every deer that crosses.

Forks is just as isolated as she hoped it would be. The towering trees that hide smaller houses and buildings are a breath of fresh air that she savors. She can feel the energy around her - a grainy, earthy feeling filled with growth and positivity. It vibrates through her bones and when she breathes deeply, she realizes just how much she’s missed it. The trees’ thick trunks tell her that they’ve been undisturbed for a long time and the greenery are vibrant, full of life.

The city may be Lucifer’s new home, but this is going to be hers.

Welcome To Forks - the sign is partially hidden on the side of the road, covered with overgrown bushes, but it still takes her a cool minute before she officially reaches any civilization. When her eyes meet the first building in her path, that happiness dwindles at the reminder that, as undisturbed as most of the forest is, there are people here. She forces herself to breathe through it and remind herself that that passing, fleeting sensation of disappointment at the sight of people is exactly why she is here in the first place.

Her time with Lucifer, and by extent the others, including a particular detective, has taught her many things. Aside from basic human interaction, her brother’s friends - the human family he’s made here - showed her that there is at least hope in the dark pit of humanity. She hopes that she can expand on that feeling, nourish it and care for the side of her father’s creation that she’s neglected and punished for so long.

She can feel people’s eyes on her as she passes through the town - she should have expected this. This isn’t a big city that is full of so many people that no one notices who comes and goes. Small towns mean a small community with few visitors and travelers. She tries her best to let the looks roll of her back as she continues through the streets. She takes notes of what’s around, specifically the sign that tells her which way the hospital is, but continues straight through the town until she eventually the streets gets smaller and she turns onto a dirt road.

If not for Lucifer’s funds, she would have been perfectly fine building her own little home from hand. She’s done it plenty of times before - it’s a modest, but suiting way to live in the middle of the forest. Lucifer, however, was appalled by the mere suggestion and was quick to find a place to buy for her. She insisted that if he was going to do that, to at least not get anything fancy and to get something that is a bit further from town, as in the middle of the forest as he can get. The more privacy the better.

He never showed her the pictures. She really should have asked him to. When she pulls up to the address, which at least is as secluded and private as she requested, she’s met with a house that rivals Lucifer’s own penthouse. With a groan, she pulls up and parks at the end of a long and wide paved driveway to a two story, modern architecture home. She carries her helmet under one arm - unneeded as it was, she doesn’t share her brother’s ‘openness’ and ‘honesty’ and firmly believes in upkeeping her human appearance - and already has her phone in the other as she makes her way to the door.

She puts the phone between her shoulder and ear as she digs the key out of her pocket.

“Ariel! Missed me so soon?”

She snorts, “ Tell me, Luci, when you insisted on picking out a house for me, what part of modest did you not quite understand?”

“None of it. You deserve the best, sister, so that is precisely what I got you. You’d be surprised at how hard it was to find anything expensive, modern and private in that little area of yours. Very few new houses. I imagine most of the humans that live there never leave.”

“No shit, Luci, it’s a small town. I’m surprised you even found something like this here.”

The inside of the home, at least, a bit more humble with minimal furniture, leaving the floor open and wide. She eyes the many plants lining the entire area, in a way that only a professional decorator could, with pleasant surprise. She’s not as pleased with the full bar in the kitchen, but the fresh herbs lining the kitchen’s window and the organic food in the fridge more than makes up for it. Not many people would realize it, but Lucifer does pay attention to the little things.

“That’s precisely my point. There was only one other one similar to this that was available, but it was bought a few years ago before I could make my offer. Pity too, it was much larger than that one.”

Pity isn’t the word she would use. The house is too large for her as it is, but she supposes it is more pleasant if people were to visit - people, she quickly corrects, such as her family. She could easily picture some of the more open areas being filled with Charlie’s play things and maybe she can dedicate a whole wall to Trixie’s art.

“Trust me, Luci, this is more than big enough, how many beds?”

“OH! That’s the best part. Six bedrooms so it’s perfect if the detect - Chloe - and I visit with the little urchin. Charlie and Linda and Amenadiel would be happy too, I suppose, but even with all of us staying there, you’d have plenty of free space for any orgies or parties. “

She doesn’t bother mentioning that she has no intention of either of those things, knowing it would fall to deaf ears. She quickly mutters her appreciation and ends the call, knowing that she has quite a bit of exploring to do.

She’s pleased to find that each room has its own amount of plants and flowers, and that aside from basic essentials such as beds, nightstands, and dressers, a majority of the bedrooms are empty. There is one that was more clearly decorated with Trixie in mind, something that she finds endearing that Lucifer thought that they would be coming over often enough to justify it. Two of the bedrooms conjoin and she can easily see them becoming Amenadiel and Linda’s room connecting with Charlie’s, once he is older. She tries not to dwell on how easily she can see everyone living in that space and instead reminds herself that their homes are in LA; this would be only for visits. All the space that could easily be filled with her family will likely be empty a majority of the time. The realization leaves her a bit hollow.

She’s not as pleased about the largest bedroom being one that her brother very clearly decorated himself - it being a very clear sex dungeon than a proper bedroom. It still retains some amount of classiness, with at least a leather hide rug. An intricately built sex swing is off to one side while a cage hanging from the ceiling is at the other. The bed is large and has small chains hanging from its frame. The closet is full of brand new lingerie and costumes, that she’s frightened to find are in her size. There is a whole shelf of dildos and strap on in clear view on one wall. She quickly shuts the door and knows that in the future, that door is going to be very tightly under lock and key. She supposes that if Mazikeen and perhaps even Eve visits, then they’ll be happy to stay there.

The last bedroom Lucifer clearly kept for her. The large open windows overlooking the treeline, the neatly organized and placed plants, and the large, flowery bedspread all scream of her own aesthetic. There’s a satin canopy over the bed that while is a bit out of her tastes, goes well with the soft colors of the room and compliments the vibrant green color of the plants hanging around it. The whole room is in a soft, natural light with warm, pale colors that go well with the greenery. She rolls her eyes at the clothes in the closet, all in her size, but all clearly brand new with the price tags still attached and a majority being too fancy or revealing for her tastes. She makes a mental note to go shopping for her own clothes later, but wonders if it’s too heartless to toss all those new garments.

There are a couple of boxes, shipped from LA, of personal belongings in the corner - both are small. The fact that there are only two boxes and a closet full of only brand new clothes tell her that Lucifer most definitely just threw out her old clothes instead of shipping them like she asked. A quick look into the boxes tells her that at least the most important of her belongings have made it - personal pictures, including recent ones, and a few misc. Sentimental items, things she’s collected over the eons.

She wanders back downstairs, wondering if she should head to the hospital. Her first day isn’t until tomorrow, but at least she could scope it out. However, she’s barely down the stairs when the doorbell rings.

The Cullen house is quiet. While the weekend usually means freedom, fun, or even parties for most high schoolers - they are not most high schoolers. The weekend brings silence, boredom, routine. There’s nothing that they haven’t done before and while the clouds are cloudy, there are few places for them to go or things to do. The next thunderstorm isn’t due until tomorrow, so it’s only a matter of waiting until their next game.

Emmet is one of the only ones who are genuinely enjoying the weekend, happily shouting at the screen of the TV as he plays the latest version of his favorite video game. Rosalie is not as pleased by this, but settles on the couch beside him in a huff as she does her nails. After a few choice words and fights, Emmet is careful not to nudge her, lest she get her nail polish everywhere.

Carlisle is busy at work, Edward is the one to inform them that Carlisle is busy trying to calm an ongoing gossip about a new nurse; something that while confirmed to be true, is driving their ‘father’ up the wall due to the chaos of the other nurses’ drama around the subject. Currently, the quietest sibling settles nearby with a book. Emmet is the one to tease him lightly about the fact that ‘he’s actually joining us for once’ and ‘not running to brood in his room alone.’ The teasing stops when Edward almost leaves due to it.

Jasper is fresh from a hunt, eyes burning yellow, as he greets his wife. She presses a quick kiss to his lips and opens her mouth to say something, but stops short as her body tenses. Alice doesn’t blink - she stares off into space, her body unmoving before she finally seems to come back to the present. She grins wildly, jumping a bit in excitement as she claps her hands. Jasper watches her with mild amusement, her excitement rolling off him like waves. Her light pushes on his shoulders as she jumps does nothing to move him.

“Someone moved into that house next door! We have a neighbor! They should be here by now! We should go say hi!”

This grabs everyone’s attention in various degrees. Edward immediately furrows his brows, worrying rising in his chest at the idea of the house - a place that’s sat empty for as long as they’ve owned this house due to it being out of many of Forks’ residents budget and Forks not being a place that people who can afford it go to - actually being occupied. Granted, their houses are at least a mile away from each other, it’s still too close for comfort. Who knows what type of person moved in there? A hiker who may catch them hunting? A conspiracy theorist who may piece together what they are? It could threaten their existence either way.

Emmet pauses his game at her announcement, looking over the back of the couch toward her, “Neighbors? Really? Are they hot?”

Alice rambles on how she didn’t actually ‘see’ what they looked like, she just saw someone on a bike going to the house, but that it was a bit blurry and strange.

The vision plays in her mind, allowing Edward to watch along with her. He can see what seems to be a woman, her face obscured by a helmet with long, red-blonde hair that sweeps out from the back of the helmet and down her back. However, the air around her seems disoriented, brighter than the area around her as if there’s a second source of light close to her that they can’t see. It pulses, but even as she drives up to the house, it never falters and always follows her as if she is the one causing the distortion and light. The light glares brightly when she takes off her helmet, blinding the vision completely before it ends.

Rosalie flicks nail polish on Emmet for his comment, oblivious to Edward’s inner turmoil, causing him to shout as it spills onto his controller. As the two bicker on in the background, Edward sighs as he glances over his book toward his ‘sister.’

“We’re not going to go say hi Alice,” Edward finally speaks, his voice firm on the subject.

She pouts, “Why not?”

“Do you really want to bring us to their attention? The house isn’t too far from us, if they start to suspect something, it’d be too easy for them to spy on us. Who knows what she is or what she’s involved in for it be that blurry? She could be with the wolves for all we know.”

Emmett scoffs at that comment, muttering about how no one involved with the wolves would be on their side of the treaty line anyway.

Alice waves off the concern, “All the more reason to check her out! Besides, it’s only polite that we go say hi, even Carlisle would agree with me. Oh! I should bring them something, but we don’t have any food here…”

She trails off, mumbling about what she could possibly take over as a welcoming gift, ignoring Edward’s constant protest and voiced worries. Jasper does his best to reach out toward Edward, hoping that he could calm him down. Yet at the sudden change of emotion, Edward glares at him before retreating his room with his book.

Alice’s eyes sparkle as she drives up the curved driveway to the neighbor’s house. It’s not too different than the last she saw it - granted the last she saw it was during an open house when she couldn’t resist ‘just looking.’ It’s a new home, recently built, she remembers the stir it caused in town - most people not understanding why the realtors were building such a home in Forks, but she can’t help but feel it was partially due to her coven’s own home raising the value of the area. Carlisle almost bought it as a second house in case they needed it, but someone else swooped it up quick - presumably the owner of the electric Harley Davidson motorbike.

She recognizes the bike from her vision and a large grin stretches across her face as she gracefully hops out of her car and nearly skips all the way to the door, clutching her welcoming gift close to her chest. Considering she hasn’t had a vision of the woman reacting to the gift, she hopes that their neighbor will like it.

She hums as she knocks on the door, swaying gently. Her family’s concerns echo in her mind, Edward not being the only one who spoke out after the others realized she was quite serious about coming to greet their neighbor. Rosalie had more than a few words to say on the subject with Emmett mirroring her words. Jasper seemed worried, but he supported her as much as he could once he realized that she was set on coming by even if he couldn’t come over with her; considering the chances that their neighbor being another vegetarian nomadic vampire is low, they all eventually agreed on Alice going by herself if she really wanted to go. Her control being one of the strongest - Carlisle leading their coven with Rosalie being a close second, though she refused to come along - and her being more ‘approachable’, her chances of pissing off the new neighbor, or killing them, is fairly low.

Alice is quite sure that if this woman - who may not be alone, though she was the only one in the vision - was genuinely harmful than she would have had a vision about it by now. So, she waits while she hears footsteps treading toward the door. She can hear a steady, softer heartbeat on the other side of the door and it swings open, the scent of pine trees and flowers hits her. She takes in the woman’s clothing first, noting the dated bell bottoms and loose shirt that seem more suited for the 70s and hums a bit in disapproval.

However, she tenses when she realizes bares into the woman’s strikingly yellow, and oddly familiar, eyes. It’s not the tawny or bronze eyes of her coven, but a bright unearthly yellow that are more reminiscent of a cat’s eye striking in the light, a predator staring her down. Something about it stirs within her, making her shift, but the smile on her face doesn’t falter as she stands her ground with confidence. Her first thought is that maybe they were wrong about the chances of another vampire moving here, but she can still hear the soft heartbeat of the woman. The scent of her blood is fainter, hidden in the smell of pine, but it’s there.

Human.

Unlike the vision, Alice can’t see any visible light around the woman, but something about her still glows. As if she has a presence to her that Alice just can’t deny. A gift, maybe, but if that’s the case, Alice isn’t sure what it is.

“Can I help you?”

The woman’s voice is smooth and pleasing, though not as melodic as their own. Alice nearly hops with excitement as she passes over the small potted plant to the woman.

“I’m Alice, my family and I live next door and I wanted to give you something as a welcoming present as our new neighbor!”

The woman’s expression softens as she examines the gift, her eyes losing that hostile gleam and becoming more welcoming as she steps aside and gestures for Alice to come in.

“Ariel Sera,” Ariel’s footsteps are as soft and graceful as Alice’s own, “Thank you for the rudbeckia. Once the clouds clear and it gets warmer, it’ll be nice to see some butterflies around.”

The woman’s apparent knowledge of the flower isn’t too surprising as Alice looks around the inside of the home. Most, if not all, of the furniture that was there during the open house has been replaced with softer furniture that creates a more cozier atmosphere, but there are many plants strategically placed around the room, making it nearly as green inside as it outside.

“Do you think the flower will last that long? We have quite a long way until it gets any warmer here, but I’m glad you like it! I was going to cook something, but I wasn’t sure what you would like or if you would be allergic to anything.”

Alice’s eyes continue to roam around the room. It’s a breath of fresh air, with a homey, permanent feeling to it that’s, sadly, missed from her own home. As much as she loves her coven, their house is, in a way, staged. Fake. Made to look normal and used, but lacks personal touches that come from living in a space, or planning to, for a long time. She turns vibrantly, eager to talk more, but stops short as another vision overtakes her mind.

Ariel stands in the middle of the Cullen’s living room, silent, as she leans against Carlisle’s side. She looks worried, her brows furrowed. Her eyes are hooded, tired, and seem somehow older. Carlisle looks to her with a soft gaze and his arm moves to wrap around her, clutching her hip. He presses a quick kiss to the top of her head, almost as if he’s making an unspoken promise to her, and the creases in her face relax.

Something about Ariel seems different in this vision - she seems older, different. Like the other vision, there’s a light that seems to surround her, but even the light is different. Instead of being a harsh, more bright light that seems to be burning hard with a sense of wildness, this time, she’s coated with a warmer, softer light that frames around her and vibrates with a sense of home.

Alice’s grin grows, her eyes glowing with excitement; she may not know when or how, but something inside of her tells her that this is a vision that is sure to come.

#twilight #lucifer #crossover #fanfic #fic #carlisle cullen #carlisle oc #oc #slowburn #fics #myfics #myworks #divine

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mtraki · 5 years

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Catherine found him hours later, working through everything he now knew, and everything he felt. He surprised himself, how little anger there was with the conclusion of things. The news of Dutch’s execution was bitter, but not as painful as the reflection on his betrayal of everything he’d held dear and taught them in exchange for everything he’d told them to deplore. In the end, the man who’d been hanged, Arthur supposed, was not the man he’d grown to love. If that man had ever existed in the first place...

“You haven’t told me your decision,” The lady said softly, taking a seat by the fire next to Arthur who closed his journal as she did so.

“Mrs. Cornwall… seein’ as you’ve been gettin’ letters from everyone, you surely know already that I’ve got TB.” He replied quietly, “So I ain’t gonna be any good for any sort of job you might offer me for long, and I ain’t got much use for your six thousand dollars.”

“Mister Morgan,” She answered in a similar tone, “you aren’t dead yet, and while that remains true, I have invested interest in how you want to spend your remaining days. All I’ve offered are tools to go about securing that future. If they’re insufficient, I am open to suggestions.”

He didn’t have any, really. What he’d wanted, starting out, was more or less already around him. It seemed she’d been genuine, and the people he cared for, who were still alive, were safe, and would remain safe for some years yet, if they were wise. He hadn’t planned any further than this. He supposed he hadn’t expected to live this long.

When his silence lingered too long, Catherine spoke again, “May I make a suggestion..?”

“... May as well,” He sighed.

“Come with me.”

“To California? Sure--”

“To my house. Stay with me.”

Feeling his back teeth grind, Arthur shook his head, “...Last thing I want is to spend my lingering days tucked up in a fancy bed all hours--”

“--Then don’t. The estate has a stables and three orchards, a vineyard and wine press, two workshops, miles of hunting and trails, two or three streams. Indoors, I’ve managed to collect the largest private library west of the Lanahachee River. There’s also a gaming room where the men like to play cards three nights a week. Spend your time how you want. I just… I want you there.”

Meeting her eyes, he saw that she meant it, and not from a place of pity. “...It sounds real fine...”

“It should,” She said softly, “I had you in mind when I had it built.”

He slept most of the train journey, truth be told, in the private sleeper car she’d had made for them, just behind their private passenger car-- where they were all seated in comfort. He was informed afterwards by John, Uncle, and Miss Grimshaw, that the journey had been a peaceful one. Jack was excited about his chance to go up to the engine car with the engineer, and to pull the whistle. He spent the next week telling his parents he was going to be a train engineer and a gunslinger, and nobody would rob his trains ever.

Arthur would only really remember the morning they finished their journey over and through the mountains and into California proper, seeing the pale purplish light of dawn reflecting off the snow-capped peaks and shifting the thin mists over the rolling hill country with its carpets of wildflowers. Catherine had stopped beside him to look out the window as well, and as the light slowly turned from purple to gold, he felt her fingers brush shyly against his before he took her hand and held it. Only for a few moments, but the warmth of her skin and weight of the intimacy in the touch lingered long after she stepped away again.

There were a number of passengers not related to their party, and they were continuing on to San Francisco Their own stop came not long after sunrise, and another large camp was formed and the train partially unloaded. After the train moved on, they spent the rest of the day putting wagons back together and walking out the horses and getting everyone used to their feet again. The horses seemed to have journeyed well, despite most of them not having been packed for shipping before. The following morning, the smaller group of them-- the remnants of the Van der Linde gang, Mrs. Cornwall, Barnabas, and some of his men-- rode out, leaving the nervous ledger man, whose name Arthur never caught, and the workers and their big tents to deal with themselves.

It was beautiful country, rolling plains of green and golden grasses in the valley and wooded foothills and towering cliffs over those. A waterfall could be heard in the distance, even over all the horses and the wagons.

They kept a steady pace, stopping for lunch, where Catherine pointed out the town nearest her home, Flintpoint Hollow. Arthur was paying more attention to the woman, herself. There seemed to be a strange air coming over her, at once she seemed more nervous and more exhausted. He wondered if she were not used to traveling days in her new life of wealth. That didn’t seem right, though, because only a year ago, when she’d come from a similar life, she’d never seemed worn by the rigors of the outdoors.

It broke like a fever in her that evening when they arrived at the estate. Whatever she had been anticipating, she anticipated no more, for it was upon her. Before them was a beautiful mansion in the Spanish style in a clearing surrounded by ancient trees. Three grooms met them to take the horses to the paddocks, and after a brief debate on the matter-- which the grooms surprisingly won-- they proceeded to the gate of the house where they were greeted by the biggest black man any of them had ever seen. He dwarfed Arthur by at least a foot, and even at his strongest and healthiest, this man had to outweigh him by fifty or more pounds. His clothes were clean and well-tailored, and he held himself with rigid, almost military dignity.

“Welcome home.” He opened the gate and bowed his head to Catherine, his voice deep and bass, the words rolling with an unfamiliar accent.

“Thank you, Mister Hawthorne.”

Looking them all over, Mister Hawthorne seemed to take their measure in an instant and reported to the lady, “Supper will be ready within the hour and the spare bedrooms are prepared with linens and hot water for our guests. Will Mister Misser and his men be joining us at table?”

Barnabas spoke up, “No, that’s--”

“--Please join us for supper, Barnabas, at least. There’s room at the table.” Catherine smiled graciously, then indicated the huge man, “My friends, this is Mister Dmitri Hawthorne. He runs the manor. My dear Mister Hawthorne, these are our long-awaited guests: Miss Susan Grimshaw, Miss Karen Jones, Mister Javier Escuella, Mister John Marston, Missus Abigail Marston, Mister Jack Marston, Mister Arthur Morgan, Missus Sadie Adler, and the good-natured fellow we all agree to call ‘Uncle’.”

“A distinct pleasure to finally meet in person.” The goliath responded, his tone quiet and cool, and yet there was no hint of sarcasm, either. With one massive hand, he indicated a mousey woman in a plain dress and apron, “Miss Withiers, please take Miss Grimshaw, Miss Jones, Missus Adler, and the family Marston to their rooms so they can refresh themselves before supper, after their long journey. Mister Escuella, Mister Morgan, Mister Uncle, I will show you your rooms, if you would follow me. Mistress--”

“--Catherine, Dmitri. Really.”

“--Mistress Catherine,” Mister Hawthorne continued, nonplussed, “I request you retire to your bedchambers and not your office before supper. Mister Misser and company, I believe you know your way to the front lounge?”

“We’ll be fine, Hawthorne, thanks.” The moustached man assured him, gesturing for his men to follow him.

Inside, the mansion’s warm cream walls glowed with lamplight. The rooms were large and airy, and though the furnishings were of good quality, they were not oppressive in their presentation, and very little was present without a clear function. Miss Withiers led the ladies and Marstons up the central stairs while Mister Hawthorne turned to the right, pointed out the dining room-- which was already lain with about twenty place settings on a long table-- and the adjacent parlor where Barnabas and his men situated themselves to smoke with the big windows open. They passed a few more closed doors before the big man opened the door at the corner.

“Mister Morgan, this room has been prepared for you. If you need anything at all, there is a bell pull just inside the door, or you can ask anyone in the house.”

“... So I jus’ stay here…?” Arthur gave the goliath and the men still behind him a dubious look.

“You are welcome to go anywhere you like, but please keep in mind supper will be served shortly.”

With that they left him.

The bedroom was decently sized with large windows and access to the outdoors. A sinfully comfortable looking bed awaited him, covers already turned down, but Arthur ignored it, as he

suspected he’d sleep right through supper if he laid down.

Not that he was hungry at all, really. He just wanted to sit with everyone what few chances were still afforded him.

He wanted to see the Marstons flabbergasted at real silver flatware they could eat with instead of steal and fence. He wanted to see Karen speechless to be waited on. Susan gobsmacked with the number of courses in the meal. Javier praising the wine in Spanish. He wanted Sadie to struggle to find something to be discontent with. He even wanted Uncle to try and make up a story about how he’d once had a _finer _meal somewhere. He wanted to see Catherine’s pale eyes smiling at them all from the head of the table over candlelight...

Decidedly avoiding the standing mirror in the corner, Arthur washed up in the basin, discovering the water was indeed heated as Hawthorne had said, and then stepped out the side door into the evening to watch and listen, taking in…his new home…?

Some time later, the big black man came to collect him for the dining room, suggesting he leave his gear in the room, but not insisting when Arthur made no move to take anything off.

The meal was everything Arthur had wanted and more. It did not take long at all for everyone to relax warmly into each other's company with good food. The outlaws kept a modicum of decorum in the fancy environs of their hostess, but table manners were largely overlooked and indeed ignored by everyone except the lady in question, who had been reared with them in her education. At the very least there was no spitting or smoking at the table.

Everything was going very well until that terrible, familiar feeling clenched through Arthur’s chest like a vise and he began coughing hard and rough. Having mind enough to step away from the table, the food, and the others, he made it only two paces before the inability to inhale clean again stole the strength from his limbs. Inky dregs of darkness began to swallow the outside edges of his vision. He was drowning on phlegm and blood again…

Some part of his awareness caught snatches of activity: how the voices from the table asked after him, John and Catherine getting to their feet…

Someone’s hand on his elbow just before his knees buckled.

Trying to gasp protests as somebody-- or more than one person-- lifted him to be carried.

He woke what must have been hours later, moonlight streaming in through the windows from the space between drawn curtains, and someone mopping the horrible night sweats from his face, neck, and the exposed part of his chest with a cool cloth that smelled like mint and lemon. He knew it was Catherine from the way the fingers of her other hand smoothed through his hair at his temple.

Despite every desire to say something to her--maybe to ask her wryly if she was sure this was what she wanted in her fancy house, exhaustion and fever dragged him down again. It was later that John told him they’d spent three days convinced they were just waiting to bury him.

#my mic #rdr2 #rdr2 fanfic #arthur morgan #red dead redemption 2 #red dead redemption 2 fanfic #ao3fic #roulette reloaded fic

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theeastcollective-blog1 · 6 years

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We are very excited to welcome our newest interview with the talented creative, podcaster, graphic designer Zu also known as BookofZu, @Ghetto004! We love everything about this feature and hope you enjoy it just as much as we do! ______________________________________________ 1) Tell us a little about yourself? My name is Zubair (pronounced zoo-bear) or Zu for short. I’ve said this before on the first episode of my podcast “Book of Zu” but during primary school, kids used to make the joke that I was a bear from the zoo because of my name. At that point, it used to bother me, but I was so young, so how could it not? Now, I use that to explain to people how my name is pronounced. But looking back at it, these times it was the kids that used to roll up to school in the morning with their mouths stained with wotsits (orange, cheesy crisps or chips, if you’re American). You come to school looking a mess, your mouth stained and stinking and you want to come and give me energy?? Tell your mama to brush your teeth and tongue; beloved. Your mouth smells like ass juice at 8 o’frickin-clock in the morning and you make teasing my name your first priority? Rotten mouts. But I’d be angry too if my mum hated me enough to not make me a proper breakfast, cereal is £1, beloved. I’m a Moroccan-Londoner, born and raised here in the U.K. The atmosphere is different in Morocco. I’m from Casablanca, which is a coastal city facing the Atlantic ocean. Casablanca means “white house” in Spanish because….colonialism but let’s not get into that before my wig flies off. Moroccans call it either “Casa” or “Dar L’bida” which also means “white house”. I’m also from Fes, which is an inner city, which means no beach, sadly but it makes up for that in rich history. A lot of my favourite childhood memories were made in Morocco, I’m one of 5 children, Allahumabarek. We used to drive to Morocco from London, in our seven seater, with enough stuff to give to a whole neighbourhood. You’re probably wondering “drive??? To Morocco??! From London??!”, absolutely. We’d either drive from London to Dover, get a ferry to Calais and drive from the north of France to the south into Spain, then after driving for almost 2 days, we’d arrive at Algeciras in Spain and get a ferry to Tangier, which is in northern Morocco. The other way we’d get there is, driving to Portsmouth from London and getting a 30-36 hour ferry to Bilbao in Spain and then followed by a 12 hour drive to the south and then getting a ferry into Morocco from Algeciras. I never used to appreciate the scenery as a child because I’d be fighting with my siblings telling them not to put their feet on my seat and then amidst all that fighting my mama would be screaming and then instruct my dad to pull-over, so she can get us TOGETHER and she did. Then she’d choose someone to sit in her seat, it was like being upgraded from where they store luggage in a plane to first class. If I got chosen, I’d give my siblings the devil stare and silently laugh, then they’d snitch and I’d put on my poker face. I’m petty like that, now stop being bitter and kickback into that cramped seat you’re in pretending to be luggage, whilst I stretch my legs in the front. But the last time we drove to Morocco was in 2015, this time just me and my dad. The scenery through France and Spain is breath-taking. Especially during sun rise, honey-golden amber rays of sunlight covering cascading mountains and rock formations. The air crisp, light and refreshing but pleasantly cool in temperature. But we have a big family Allahumabarek, so the car came in handy, we didn’t have to pay for taxi’s, coaches; nothing. But I’ll put a plug in this for now. 2) How would you describe your podcasts ? Good question. I don’t like to put myself in boxes but if I had to put my podcast in a category, I’d say culture and society. Culture and society is such an umbrella topic with endless sub-topics. If I had to describe it in three words, I’d say: unfiltered, eccentric and authentic. I feel like these days we lack genuine and sincere content, everybody wants to be a people-pleaser but truth be told, you can never please everyone. You left uni because your heart wasn’t in it? People will say you’re lazy and unambitious. You completed uni and got a good paying job that takes up a large portion of your time? People will say you think you’re too good for them and think you’re better than them. People are going to talk regardless, so you might as well do what you want. So when I record, I’m completely myself, how I talk in real life, is how I talk on my podcast. Whoever connects and resonates with my personality, amazing, whoever doesn’t…..moving on. I have more important things to worry about than dwelling on bitter b’s who don’t like me or my content. Important things like, whether I’d like 1 or 2 slices of toast for breakfast. I don’t think about it, don’t care about it, don’t worry about it. I have to be this way otherwise the smallest things would get to me and stop me from progressing. I’m not about to let someone’s dehydrated, ashy opinion lead me to become stagnant. If you follow me on twitter, you know I’ve been screaming “boss and level up, 2k18” with my chest. We’re elevating and uplifting ourselves and deserving others this year. Support your friends 2K18 and if you aren’t whole-heartedly supporting your friends genuinely, then I pity you, supporting and encouraging others doesn’t take anything away from you. But you’re so used to taking from people that the idea of giving back scares you because the only person you care and have ever cared about, is yourself. Now chew on THAT apple. Eat it up. You seem hungry. I’m all about supporting yourself but there’s a big difference between being unapologetically supportive of yourself and being selfish. Don’t, get it twisted. 3) What do you hope to teach others through your podcasts and what inspired you to start ? It always blows my mind when people message me or tell me that my podcast has taught them something or that my words impacted them, because I don’t feel like I’ve done enough for them to deserve that credit. I started my podcast because I felt there was a lack of genuine and authentic content in general. The things I say on my podcast are things I say in my everyday life, If you know me personally, you know I’m this way. I’m not pretending or changing myself so others can like me, because pretending to be someone you’re not is extremely mentally draining. I’m just me, the way I talk, my personality, it’s all me. So to me, all these things that I say are standard for me, it’s not going out of my way, it’s normal for me. The advice I give, is the advice I give to my friends, it’s not extraordinary to me. I just give people the advice that I would have appreciated getting when I was in those situations. What goes around, comes around and Allah SWT is the most fair and if you’re out here being fraudulent and giving people insincere, bare minimum advice, when you’re in that predicament, you’re going to have nobody to turn to. When someone reaches out to you, how you do them, is how you’ll be done. Standard. Don’t give out, what you wouldn’t appreciate receiving. I’m so humbled when people message me and talk to me about how my words have given them strength. That to me, is everything. I’m glad that people feel like they can get from me what they can’t get in the environment they’re in. The first mentions of me starting a podcast were suggested to me by two talented individuals. Hanine, aka @hanxine on twitter, she’s the founder of Nerdy POC, a writer among other creative crafts. She DM’d one day, I still remember, it was while ago and she told me that she thinks I should start a podcast because my personality would be a good fit for it. These times, I didn’t pay much attention to social media but I was so flattered because I was thinking “me?”. Then, Cari aka @cari_artist, a close friend of mine, she’s an amazing singer, her voice is so good it’s disrespectful. She told me, you should really make a podcast, your personality is so entertaining and infectious and again I was like “me?” LMAOO. Please, go and check out their pages on twitter and support!! But if you’ve been following me on twitter, you know that I’ve made threads on things people necessarily may not want to talk about, I say what I want, how I want and I’m not sorry about it. I also have had my curious cat open for ages because people reach out sometimes wanting advice on things and the fact it’s anonymous makes it easier for them. But all those posts get lost in a sea of tweets. So, I thought, I’m already speaking about these things, why don’t I immortalise these views and make them into something permanent that’s easily accessible. Then, Book of Zu was born. 4) Tips for anyone who’d like to start ? Creating podcast episodes or content in general is a commitment and takes dedication. I don’t think some people understand how much work goes into creating content and building a platform because all they see is the finished product but don’t see the struggle behind the scenes. If you’re going to do it, do it because you’re passionate and want to create quality content. Do it for you, nobody else. Don’t do it solely because people have told you “OMG! You totally should!! JSDKFKDJFKJ” because they’re not going to be doing it for you and that initial excitement is going to wear off. Motivating yourself to keep going isn’t easy because sometimes you’re so drained that you don’t want to do it but you push through because it’s something you’re truly passionate about. You don’t need to have fancy equipment in the beginning, I’m ballin’ on a budget and record my podcast on my iPhone. Make the best out of what you have. The hardest step, is the first. 5) What do you hope for in the future with your podcasts ? I hope that it continues to grow into something amazing and brings amazing opportunities Insha’Allah. I strongly believe that representation is so important, especially if you’re an ethnic minority and if you’re ethnic you know damn well we’re not represented out here. Even within ethnic minorities, all parts of the community aren’t represented in your home country’s mainstream media but that’s another story for another day. *sip* 6) Any podcasts that you are currently listening to? YETH! Podcasts made by small content creators? YETH PLEATHE!!! VANILLA SWIRL WITH COOKIE CRUNCH PLEATHE! - Inspyre Reads (@inspyre_ent) literary banter, the break down of books and discussions centred around them. Season 2, EP 1, they discussed Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, they even had a segment where they did Harry Potter centred impressions. - Her Thought Crimes (@whytrustme), she articulates topics that are difficult to put into words so eloquently. EP 2, she discussed redefining success and how it means something different to everybody, and it makes you question what you’re currently using to measure your success. - I’m Afraid It’s Terminal (@serriusbleck), he discusses idea, concepts and theories that engage you and make you think. EP 15, he spoke about Venezuela and how their wealth lead to their demise. You know when you watch a crazy documentary and you want to discuss and really break it down with someone, that’s how I’d describe his podcast. - Abwaan Chronicles (@abwaanpodcast), in EP 14 , they discussed whether they have a duty to Somalia. It was interesting to hear in one group of people how different their opinions were. Being a ethnic minority, and coming from country that isn’t fully developed yet, sometimes you can be made to feel guilt about not doing enough for your country. So this episode definitely drew me in. __________________________________________ Follow his socials to stay upto date with him Twitter- @Ghetto004 Instagram- @Bookofzu ____________________________________________ Stay up-to date with more interviews and features and follow us on our Instagram and twitter! Instagram- @_theeastcollective Twitter- @theeastcollect Contact admins @149lanets or @fvrdosa on Instagram to feature!!

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chasingarmie · 6 years

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Hello. 2017 was my “re-boot” year as I like to call it. I’ve grown a lot privately and quietly. I had scenes worthy of a three-minute standing ovation, but they are mostly mundane ones deserving a personal recognition of none other than myself. I see life through a more beautiful lens now. Change has transpired all throughout the year, but I’ve never been so glad that it did. This is a post on how 2017 changed me in ways that left me equally awed and grateful; and to 2018 me, hey, we’re gonna make this story legendary.

2017

I told myself that I want to be someone “normal” this year.

I hope you won’t crucify me for this but I felt like I was on a roll during my junior- senior high school years. Although I don’t usually like to talk about it but in all humility, I joined a lot of contests during those times, won a whole bunch of them and also lost a whole lot more. Some people don’t know about this because I like to keep my achievements in private and share the victory with my own little circle. I bagged awards in various fields, it came to a point where I won recognition in the Regional, National, and even International sphere. I earned seats in major organizations and had a chance to be with the big-shots in the academic arena of the Philippines.

Such a bragger huh, but trust me, that would be the last of my intention. It was necessary for making people understand how I was at a peak of my high-school years.

You might think that I’m so lucky, but am I really?

SILVER LININGS

I pride myself on being one who doesn’t fear failure. If I remember it correctly it was my “Introduce yourself description” on my first day of class in Grade 11. I told everyone that success is just failure turned inside out, the silver linings in the clouds of doubt. But, I lied.

It’s exhausting to fail over and over again. Of course, it’s vindicating to finally achieve the things that you’ve been working for, but the process it takes you to get there is “consuming” at the very least. I had to cry a lot of times and I spent tears on people who repeatedly threw stones at me claiming that they only want to leave me unscathed and at my very best. It became really stressful for me, and I felt l was alive with rage towards so many people. That was never what I wanted.

It was during those times that I decided to just pause and let go. I wanted to seek genuine happiness and I know deep down in my bones that I had to sacrifice a lot of things, and it includes me being a student on top of multiple awarding ceremonies at once. I wanted to become a student of life.

HUMSS

Paulo Coelho said that once you want something the whole universe conspires to help you reach it.

Interestingly enough on the road to my mission of redefining my self, I met people who altered my perception on what it is to become “normal”.

You see, at first glance my classmates at HUMSS, seem normal, the low-keys, the ones you don’t see dancing at parties with that popular kids type of swagger vibes. They won’t be the ones leading parades and have loud conversations to make people pay attention. They’re the HUMSS for pete’s sake.

Normal to them is laying on our self-bought banig during lunch and class breaks. Normal to them is taking portraits on a rice-field or on mountains or on grassy places or on pebbled beaches. Normal to them is swearing. Normal to them is laughing at dirty green jokes that only us would dare to laugh at. Normal to them is that, just being themselves. And I loved that.

There are people in our classroom who are nothing short of amazing even when they’re “normal”. (1) I have a friend who’s exceptionally good at drawing, she’s well known for that, but what most people don’t know is that she’s also darn good with words, she reads a LOT of books, she threads them into this intricate pattern of hearty prose and texts. She ones wrote me a letter, a passage she got from a Greek or was that Roman Mythology? She said that she knew that I would love a good read, and boy was she right. It made me think of all the words inside her heart and how beautiful they might be. (2) At the first day of class in Grade 11, I met this girl who showed me how it was like to be strong and soft at the same time. This one fancies wearing dark lipstick and sings to songs that are rapped and has amazing and funny beats. One time, she showed me her collection of poetry, ones that she wrote by herself, it was typed on her old phone. Do you sometimes wonder why people are so fiercely strong? Maybe it was because they were once soft and some nights they were broken and they needed to be strong because if they won’t then who else will. I think that girl is soft both on the inside and on the outside, and stronger. Always stronger. (3) This boy likes Philosophy. He talks about things that almost no one talks about. What you don’t know about this boy tho is that he’s darker than most of us. He thrives on wisdom and knowledge. He is erudite, and he’s constantly hungry for more, more of everything. This is what makes him dangerous. I hope along the way he doesn’t lose himself. I hope he seeks and finds his heart’s truest deepest desires. I hope he lives well, honestly truly completely well.

(4) A girl cried during our Christmas Party. Ironically, she smiled all throughout the day and only cried at the end. I wonder the strength it must have took to hold everything in. Maybe it was the vodka? But I know better, I know that this kid travels almost more than 10 kms. to school every day, and I also know that she helps her family by selling all kinds of snacks, and I also know that she has been through a lot and still, smiles. Maybe the vodka was a good idea. Maybe, sometimes we can just pour everything out, because oh gad who knows what might happen if we don’t. I want her to know that I’m here. In case she wants to pour one more shot of tears. Always here. (5) I waved to this boy on the first day of class and he just stared at me. I hated him that day. I gave this boy a huge sketchpad last year because he is really really really good at drawing. I liked him that day. Then, there are days when he comes to school late. What could he possibly be busy with? Then I remember that he was a Yolanda survivor, and whatever it is that takes up his time I know he’ll survive, I haven’t told him this but I believe in his dreams. I hated him ‘once’ but I liked him all the days after and possible all the years more. (6) I hope this girl breaks her heart. Cruel? Selfish? Yes. How else do we know that we deserve someone better? We deserve the love we need to give to ourselves. I hope she comes out stronger.

(7) Singing has been her trademark, and I understand that, but I don’t know sometimes I admire her inner voice more. The way she says she’s evil but she has shown me nothing but kindness. People love her you know. People really love her. Some because of her singing, but most is because of her soul. Flaws? I’m pretty sure she has them, I’m certain she has a lot. But, that’s what being normal is right? She is kind, she is loved, and her voice both sung and shown has taught me how singing touches people in more ways than they can imagine. (8) At last, I got to write about this one. I know she’s hurting. Gad she is. There are nights when she confides to me about the pain, about how it’s all wrong, about how she deserves to be treated way way better. And I know that what she’s only trying to say is that she wants to be fought for, that it’s time to be fckng fought for!!!!!!! I want her to know that she’s right, but I also want her to know that she’s wrong. That it’s okay to be fought for and to fight at the same time. I want her to know that I spoke to someone who broke my heart about everything and only then did the waters became clear. FIGHT. You have nothing to lose now, or maybe there is, but FIGHT because you will lose everything if you don’t. We’re strong independent women right. Let’s let them know. If you’re wondering, yes this is the sign.

(9) (10) There are two people who have marveled me during the years. One lost her father at the day of our recognition, and one speaks about hers with endless admiration. These two girls taught me what it’s like to love. To love both in pain and in joy, to love when a person’s here and specially when he’s not. To love. To be a child. To love even more. (11) I jogged with this boy to a cemetery once. We’ve grown closer now. And I never told him this but, sometimes I picture him as a soldier. (12) The first thing you notice about him, is his size. I may be insensitive here but remind me why again? I am extremely proud of my guy here. Lately he’s been advocating against all sorts of injustices from body shaming to calling wattpad a book. Size is the first thing you notice, but just seconds after you notice how he forgets to bring his WiFi with him, and how he looks at you in the eyes when he speaks, and how his laugh resonates in your heart. I said he’s a big guy but maybe the society needs big guys like him to speak for those who feel so little. Maybe it’s a mission, or maybe it’s a blessing in disguise, but whatever it is, I know that he’s a man with a huge heart, one brave and never cowardly. (13) The last one and the first one all at the same time. I hope he realizes how he makes me happy when he says that I’m the reason why he’s addicted to books. I like the way you turn red on the cheeks when we talk or when you laugh. I hope you laugh more.

Old Friends

I’ve drifted away with people who I once thought I could never finish high school without. There’s Pig and Jascha on top of the list. Sometimes I wonder if I’m such a bad friend, maybe I am. May they remember all our memories nonetheless. May they forgive me for forgetting their birthdays and lying about it. Trust me, I am aware of my faults and I am ashamed of it.

They say burning bridges is okay. But what do you do when the burning was an accident? When you never planned for it to happen, when it just..did. Maybe all I can do is say sorry, but also say thank you.

I know these people are happier now, they have a new set of friends and smile a whole lot wider. But I have a confession.

Making me ashamed of how I was finally doing well with HUMSS somehow made me all the more a renegade. I never blamed them when they never bothered to say hi or hello, I never made them uncomfortable with the fact that they have other friends, I was okay with them being all those things. That’s why I don’t understand why it’s not okay for me to be the same.

At 2017, I fought for someone, hard. I never regretted that night.

Burning bridges can be accidents or not, but one can find solace in the fact that it leads you to new places, one that you never knew you needed.

Debate

I felt less pressured in debates this year, maybe because it’s Brit Parliamentary season.

Family

Truth be told, WiFi has devoured most of our family time. So much, that sometimes I wish we don’t have it at all. I am not the perfect child, nor the perfect sister. I am that bastard who rolls her eyes and I wrestle with my sisters . But, every night all I want is to cuddle with Yanitz and Chim, and hug them when they’re asleep and tell them how much I love them while I still can. Every night my prayers are composed of me praying to God to grant us safety and good health and a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious long life together here on Earth. The very same prayer I had when I was 8 years old. I know that I am not the best ate or child, but I like to believe that 2017 made me a better one.

God

This year I learned to surrender.

I used to take so long when I pray and 80% of it was me asking for things I deem to be necessary, but 2017 made me understand that I have been doing it the wrong way. Now when I pray, I say a quiet scream of praise which takes up 40% of my time then I apologize for all my sins be it on the mind, heart, or deeds and that’s also about 40% and then I say “God I surrender everything to You, everything. Help me to become Your servant. Protect my family always. I love You.” 20% of my time praying is that. It is short but it is powerful.

I realized when you trust God to direct your life, you give Him the power and you give yourself the peace in knowing that you are always at His mercy and His wings. That God is with you all the days of your life, because you surrendered and the Heavens is guiding you. It’s difficult to explain but I gave God the sail to my ship and everything from there has been a purposeful ride.

Short Hair

This was the year I decided to cut my hair short like really really short. It was an impulsive decision, but one that was wanted for a long time, an act of defiance against those who said that I can’t. I enjoyed all the memories I had with this hair even though I looked like Dora and on some days Boots. Still, it was an amazing journey with this one. Power.

Lessons and Self

1. Love is everywhere. Love was there when you smiled at the old woman who wore dirty baggy clothes and who was picking up plastic bottles on theway home. Love was when she smiled back. Love was here when you treated your sister to Greenwhich. Love was wanting to sleep beside them every night. Love was when you forgave yourself for being bad at debates. Love was when you fought for Ed. Love is when you pray. Love was in the flowers that day you decided that it was time to let go. Love was in the ocean when you needed to breathe and when you felt like it’s so much easier to just drown. Love is your Papa, and your Mama, and Yanitz, and Chim. Love is the solace, love is the truth, love is the strength, love is faith. Love is everything, and love is everywhere, you just have to want to see it.

2. You are shitty person. But, that’s okay. You are trying.

3. Attitude really matters. I met a lot of people who are so engulfed with ego and pride that stemmed from their achievements, majority can’t stand them despite their honors. What good is it when you don’t touch people’s lives anyway?

4. Laugh. Satisfaction is hard to find. It’s different to stand under the rain and to dance under it. I’ve learned to do both. I dance in front of mirrors now too.

5. You don’t need a boy. Relationships bring heartache and pain. Some people say they love you but then they don’t. I know it’s nice to feel giddy before you fall asleep but if it’s at the cost of you waking up in the morning and tiring yourself to wait for their replies who by the way wouldn’t be there not until it’s convenient for them, then maybe it’s time to really really really wake up.

6. You’re still a hopeless romantic despite everything you say.

7. YOU ARE NOT AFRAID OF DYING. At 2017, I thought I had cancer. I have this bump in my head that existed for no apparent reason. It was also during this time that I visited a lot of wakes. Somehow there was a button inside of me that just kinda flipped. It was a eureka moment when I realized that I am not afraid, not of dying. It was that kind of realization that takes you on a nostalgia ride and when you look back you realize that you have loved with your heart bruised and with it whole and that you are finally happy, that you have always been happy despite not being so. It was contentment. It’s a scary thought to admit that I am not afraid of dying. Ironic.

8. Skin is just that, skin. I know it’s hard to feel confident when you have a lot of pimples and acne scars, and when you have a bloated belly, and bushy brows. But people don’t remember that about you when you die. Most of the times, people don’t even notice it. We are own critics and a pimple is not fckng worth it.

9. It’s perfectly fine to change decisions. You can go from Point A to Point B. Mistakes will be made along the way, but we are humans that’s what we do best.

10. Forgive.

11. Fight for the things and the people you love. No matter how hard it is. Sometimes, you just have to trust your heart. Everybody can say that you didn’t work out, but nobody can ever tell you that you didn’t try.

12. You turned 18 this year. Fifteen years from now maybe your wedding day. Right now, you have every chance, every opportunity, every day. To turn your aspirations into reality. To love every single person around you. To trust and to forgive when it’s so hard to do so. To be grateful. To give back. To laugh. To dance in front of mirrors. To bathe in the rain. To pray. To work on yourself. To learn. Things will change, they always do, you will too. Make it legendary.

Last night, I told someone how much I hated 2017 how all of those things above were just petty excuses for how much I loathed last year. But, I was wrong.

I wanted to become someone normal, and I think I succeeded. What is normal anyway? Normal is being yourself, normal is failing, normal is loving. I understand now that there is more to life than meets the eye.

My life is normal but it’s not monochromatic, it’s not just shades of black and white. It’s magical and vibrant. Neutrality will always be there but it doesn’t mean that you have to be color blind.

2017 was the year I loved so hard. 2017 was the year I lost people. 2017 was the year I decided that I liked wearing skirts. 2017 made me fat. 2017 was the year I turned an adult. 2017 was the year I cried so much because of Rea Nitz. 2017 was when I loved Yanitz more. 2017 was me being a whole new person, different from who I was once upon a time. I like to believe that I’m stronger now, I’m ready to get back in the game, but now with the added wisdom that the best things in life come to those who find love and beauty in the smallest things. I grew as a person, and I will continue to be a student of life. Wow if that ain’t damn good realizations I don’t know what are.

I’m pretty much sure that 2017 prepared me for a spectacular year and for all the years ahead.

I know I said I hated 2017, but I have never been so glad to finally accept that I was wrong.

#2017

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coffeeandtin · 7 years

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Useless Talent No. 7

Anon requested: Each of the Seven teaching the reader one of their skills? What would that skill be, how would they go about it, and why this skill in particular? (I listed more than one skill for some of The Seven, because some of those skills were no-brainers, and I didn’t want this to feel like I was reaching for the low-hanging fruit. The title is a tip of the hat to 2007′s Planet Terror.)

Goodnight Robicheaux: Goody is well aware that he can be a hot-headed instructor where firearms are concerned, but all the same, it’s his legacy, and he’ll proudly teach you. He relays to you all the things that have become second nature to him: holding the butt of the rifle tight against your shoulder, the aiming, the breathing, the squeeze of the trigger -for Christ’s sake don’t pull it! He grins proudly, and praises you loudly when you hit targets from progressively longer distances. Goodnight also genuinely enjoys teaching you what he calls “a practical knowledge of the fraudulent.” The rate at which you fire a weapon is not the only area in which Goodnight stresses quality over quantity. The Cajun pulls you close as he shows you (in an almost conspiratorial fashion) how to distinguish real gems from fake ones. He draws your attention to the types of metal watches are made from, as well as the makers’ marks.

Joshua Faraday: Faraday pretends to pout when you ask him to teach you magic. “Can’t be taught,” he tells you, even as he takes a deck out of one of his vest pockets. Though Faraday makes the tricks look easy, you’re not surprised when the process takes practice, and a fair amount of showmanship. He shows you how to palm cards and direct your audience’s attention to where you want it. He’s not afraid to nitpick your technique as he teaches you his little gambits. Though you suspect that there are some he will always keep to himself, this skill is his way of both showing off and spending time with you. Faraday is in his glory when he teaches you the finer points of fishing. He shows you how to tie flies and how to find promising waterways. He teaches you how to feel for when you’ve hooked a fish, as well as how to reel it in. While Faraday is usually possessed of a manic energy, you notice that he is calmer when he fishes. However, when you hook a fish before he does, he splashes you with water, and calls it beginner’s luck.

Jack Horne: Jack is a world-class tracker, and an exceedingly patient teacher. He explains himself when he needs to, but he mostly leads by example. Blood, scat and tracks are relatively easy to find. Jack crouches and points, and then moves forward to the next sign with energy common in much younger men. He shows you fur that got caught in the brush, overturned rocks, and broken twigs, and he teaches you to take note of previous, current and upcoming weather, and their implications. It’s a new way of seeing the world. Jack is also an amazing cook. “Nothing fancy,” he tells you as he shows you his secrets. Jack shows you how to preserve, and extract flavor from both meat and vegetables. While it may not be fancy, he shows you how to create dishes that are as flavorful as they are hardy. You wonder how many of these skills he had the chance to teach his children.

Vasquez: Time spent as a cattle rustler let Vasquez hone his skill with a rope. He sees no practical reason for you to learn to lasso, but he’s more than happy to be your teacher if it means spending time with you. He doesn’t hesitate to show off when he demonstrates, but then lets you try it your own way.He then suggests changes accordingly, though there’s not a trace of severity in his voice when he does so. He’s good-natured, but simultaneously impatient. “Here, like this,” he says eventually. He discards the rope and takes you by the shoulder and the arm, and moves your arm in an imitation of his own motion. “Release here,” he instructs; “Follow through like this. Take up the slack now.” Your form improves immediately, and it isn’t long before you move onto lassoing fence posts, animals, and even Vasquez himself.

Red Harvest: Red Harvest is far from being an amateur where botany is concerned, and he is all too happy to impart this knowledge. It’s his way of showing you that he values you as well as sharing something of himself. You spend hours learning from him: what plants grow where, how they thrive, their seeds, the shape and feel of their leaves. What’s medicinal, what’s edible, and what you should never -under any circumstance -touch. Red also shows you how to calm a spooked horse. It’s been ingrained in him since early childhood, and so he demonstrates, as words might fail him where experience will likely guarantee success. He tells you that horses are really just looking for their place in the herd, and sometimes they need to be reassured. It might be magic, as far as you know. Red shows you how to approach with calmness, and confidence; finding middle ground with the animal, and assuaging it, no matter how long it takes.

Sam Chisolm: Sam is a subtle, but constant teacher. He handles people, and he doesn’t presume to instruct you in that craft; he knows that if you pay attention you’ll learn. His tendency to relinquish his weapons is a loud statement, but watching Sam’s posture, and listening to his word choice go a long way toward showing you how to dissuade or provoke; intimidate or reassure. Sam’s stealthy diplomacy is a useful skill, but it’s not necessarily what he takes the most pride in teaching you. There was a time in Sam’s life where he might have been a farmer; and in the rare times when he has occasion, he passes along knowledge that he learned from his mother about growing seasons, and tilling the earth and harvesting. There’s a wistful smile on his face as he visits the past and what might have been.

Billy Rocks: Despite Billy’s assertion that “there’s nothing to” knife wielding, you quickly find that that is not exactly true. When given time, he’s a slow, methodical teacher who emphasizes the importance of practice. Before you even pick up the blades, you learn how to care for them. He also gives you a handy repertoire of effective places to strike your enemy. He hopes you’ll never have to use what he teaches you, but he appreciates your willingness to learn, and he figures it’s one more way for you to protect yourself. Billy’s talents with knives are not limited to killing, however. In an attempt to keep himself busy during downtime, he taught himself to whittle. He teaches you, too, hoping you’ll enjoy creating with a blade. With a small knife, he shows you to cut out the basic design, and how to carve with and across the grain, lest the wood splinter. He shows you how to maneuver the blade and your thumb until your design takes shape.

#headcanons #mag7 #goodnight robicheaux #joshua faraday #jack horne #vasquez #red harvest #billy rocks #sam chisolm #skillz #some of these are pretty doggone speculative #i know how to do literally one of these things #all i could think of while i was doing this was Kraglin from gotg saying captain's gonna teach stuff!#i'm just saying i think sam would really be into neurolinquistics #modern au where goody is addicted to the antiques roadshow?

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canemnecredite · 7 years

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trading tongues.

date: 08 october 2017 @ approx. 9:30 pm location: the karavadra estate ‘ballroom,’ new rome

As a closing event to the end of the Festival of Fides, the Karavadra family holds a little celebratory soiree for New Rome’s influential and elite. In the midst of the glamour, Adriana and Jax fall into their usual banter... but with a twist.

featuring: jackson karavadra -- @avadakaravadra & adriana caninii

JAX: It was a scene Jax had seen many a time, a common backdrop of many memories from his youth. The Festival of Fides was in full effect, and it wasn’t like the Karavadra family to pass up the opportunity to have a party, especially when there was a god to be celebrated. Glittering people milled about in their formal wear and sparkling jewels might set some on edge, but Jax made his way through the crowd as if he were born to be here, and walk amongst these well-connected citizens of New Rome. A smile here, a lingering touch there— it was an artform, and it was one his father had taught him from a very young age. Networking was what the Karavadra's did best... or at least they were supposed to do best. There was no doubt that Jax was the sibling that had truly excelled when it came to this particular teaching of their father's. As he moved effortlessly through the crowd, his gaze was drawn to an outlier, and he wasn't surprised to find that the very bane of his existence, Adriana, was guilty of doing nothing but sipping wine on the outskirts of the party. With a sigh, he made his way over to her. It wouldn't do if people thought he had snubbed her and her family by not greeting her. Once he was close enough, he maintained his easy smile before saying to her, "Well they'll let just about anyone into parties these days, won't they?" with a pointed look her way. He was careful to make sure that to any outsiders their conversation would look as cool and friendly as any other interaction he'd had that night.

ADRI: How tiresome it must have been to attend these gatherings again and again and again. Whether it was by bloodline or office, those ushered to the Karavadra estate adorned in all their finery knew this ritual religiously. Every few months - or every month, depending on the related party - New Rome's community of elites and influentials came together in their traditionally formal manner to meet, chat, and conduct business. Connections were invaluable assets to hold in the cutthroat upper echelons of their society. Power and glory meant something here; alas, not every single individual of what could be considered New Roman 'royalty' was so keen on participating in the delicate intricacies of retaining popularity. In this instance, Fides’ Festival was the standing excuse for the party, but that did little to alter its basic nature and intention. Adriana was stationed at her usual post -- the perimeter of the lavish hall - or was it a ballroom? Truthfully, the daughter of Mars couldn't care less about the specifics. She felt out of place among these people who fell into her family's class. She had never been a socialite. It was her name that required her attendance. Nothing more, nothing less. So she attempted pass the time without any event, but then he had to find her. Her budding stress at the sight of him was painfully evident when her huff of breath conjured a mild fog on the inside of her glass. Her eyes rolled languidly in their sockets at his witty remark. Though, she wouldn't expect anything less of her lifelong nuisance. "Jax," she greeted him curtly and swirled the red beverage with a subtle turn of her wrist - a restless tic, "I see you're enjoying yourself. You always have flourished among the petty and refined. Tell me, have you charmed the pants off any of your guests yet, or are you setting aside the only potential entertainment for this stale little reception of yours?"

JAX: As soon as she had finished speaking, Jax was already prepared to return her remarks with a quip of his own, and not a single moment separated their words. Perhaps it wasn't the most typical definition of chemistry, but it was chemistry nonetheless, just a particularly more toxic one. "Yes well, I wouldn't expect you to get along as well amongst the refined. It only seems unfair to thrust such expectations upon you." With a teasing glint to his eye, he reached to grab the wine glass from her hand and wasted no time in bringing it to his lips. After sampling the deep burgundy liquid, Jax savored the flavors as if he were the sommelier of a Michelin star restaurant. "Well it's a bit bland for me but—" he gave her a once over with his lingering gaze, "— seeing as the one drinking it is you, I suppose it makes sense." It was somewhat of a lie. There was nothing bland about how Adriana was dressed tonight, and though he was hard pressed to admit it, stunning was the only word that came to mind as he looked over the picture she made. "As for charming the pants off people," he took a moment to sweep the people that were in attendance, "I guess four phone numbers isn't the worst I've done. And what about you?" There was a pause between his words, and for a moment it might have seemed as if he were insinuating she might be his entertainment for the night. But in a moment he was speaking once more. "Anyone that strikes your fancy?"

ADRI: Adriana withstood Jax's teasing with a practiced ease. While most would look upon their dynamic as a poisonous affair, there was a strange semblance of rivaling stimulation about it. Perpetually challenging one another was a thrill for each of them, whether or not they would ever willingly admit it. "It is unfair," the centurion quipped. "Gods know I'd much prefer to be scuffing myself up on the training grounds with my legionnaires, furthering their training. You know, tending to a task that's genuinely important." She flashed him a little smile from the corner of her lips. Then he moved to snatch the drink out of her hand. For an instant, Adriana wasn’t fully paying attention to what he was actually doing, and by the time this occurred to her and she dropped her jaw to speak, it was too late. Not only had he spoiled any present chance of Adri becoming slightly inebriated — her standard tactic for enduring these nauseating soirees -- but sipping out of her glass meant she may have inadvertently poisoned him via that maternal power she had thus far yet to master. Even in small doses, envy could be an unpredictable force, especially in someone like Jax would already had more than enough ego to contend with. Despite that, Adriana wasn't about to reveal what may or may not have entered his system. Her abilities as a legacy were no public matter, so the response he won was no more than an irritated glare. It faded some at the odd sensation of sensing the sweep of his gaze over her figure and was replaced by a quiet smugness after a blink. "Only four?" she smirked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That's fewer than I would expect of you. It would be a shame if you were already losing your touch. How ever would you survive?" But really, his appearance was impeccable. She merely refused to say so. At his almost implication, a single brow quirked higher than its counterpart, cueing the faintest glint in her eye that disappeared not a second after it had manifested. "I haven't done enough exploring to find out," she spoke simply, then added with a minor tease, "but I doubt there's anyone here that would suit my taste regardless. Too many spoiled children, conniving idealists," her hazel orbs flicked back to Jax, "and champion narcissists."

JAX: Being in Adriana's presence always gave Jax the strangest juxtaposition of thoughts. On one hand, she was someone that was actually his equal both in rank and lineage, and that was something that wasn't always easy to find. Especially now that Camp Jupiter was known for letting the Greeks walk their hallowed roads and temples. But on the other, she was far too ready to combat his every word for his liking, even if there was a part of him that was amused by their banter. As the wine made a warm path down his abdomen, there was the slightest and somewhat strange tingling sensation that didn’t usually accompany his drinking habits, but for the moment he wrote it off. "Just because it's easier to lose your life in a real fight with swords and monsters doesn't mean this particular battlefield is any less important. Tongues can be just as sharp as swords." It might have been a verbatim phrase from Jax's father, but Adriana most likely wouldn't know that. He took another sip of her wine before offering it back to her. Not because of any sort of politeness or common courtesy, but simply because he was certain he'd find her reaction amusing. As it was, her glare had only caused his smirk to strengthen. "Aww it's so cute of you to be worried about me, Adri. Don't worry. The night is still young." Perhaps her words were meant to be insults, but it was easy to Jax to appear as if she were showering him with the highest compliments known to man. "Guilty as charged," he said with a confident shrug. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the string quartet his father had hired shuffling into place to begin their mood music for the night. And soon enough their dulcet tones were filling the air. "At least I'm a champion. It'd just be sad if I was bad at being full of myself. So what category do you fall into? Underwhelming try-hard or overwhelming failure?”

ADRI: Tongues can be just as sharp as swords. Very true. Adriana was familiar with the use of personal weapons in addition to the physical ones that lined her armory. But her speech was admittedly the least developed of those tactics. "Oh, yes— it is exceptionally important. I'd say the both of us can more than attest to that." Teasing, at least with Jax, was Adriana's way of avoiding potentially unpleasant subjects. The thought of silver tongues instantly brought her grandfather to mind. He was an eloquent speaker and a master of persuasion; however, not all of his qualities were so positive. When Jax offered to return her wine, Adriana made a low grunt of disgust and waved her hand at him in a gesture of 'No thanks, you can keep it.' Of course, Jax would interpret her clever jabs as compliments. He was undeniably insufferable in that way. As the musicians settled themselves in for a night of hired play, Adriana let herself become momentarily distracted by them. She had a surprising sweet spot for the melodies of string instruments. They could change the atmosphere of a room with unparalleled finesse. Unfortunately, before she could enjoy the sounds, Jax threw another quip back at her. She returned it with a frown. "Careful. Pride is famous for tearing down the best of champions." She spoke in words apt in representation of the vengeful goddess in her line, who could be quite ruthless when it came to balancing out overwhelming displays of hubris. "At least I try. You act as though your traits are mere god-given gifts. It's a tad unbecoming, really." Adriana stopped to take a second glance in the quartet's direction, pensive, briefly reminiscing, and then engaging those thoughts. "I remember when these things used to be interesting. Watching everyone fall on their ass because we littered the dance floor with marbles was far preferential to this—" she sighed, lost for how to properly communicate her mixed feelings of boredom and isolation. "It actually used to be fun. Not miserable."

JAX: Another of Jax's smirks came over him as she agreed with his comment. "With any luck, one of those four numbers I've gotten may have a sharp enough tongue." He hoped it was rather obvious what he was insinuating at this point. But her reaction to his offering back of the wine had him internally rolling his eyes. She acted as if the plague itself had infected him. "You realize that sipping off the same wine glass isn't nearly as dangerous as trading tongues, don't you? I promise I don't have mono. And I'm told my tongue is more gold than silver," he said with an obviously suggestive air. The quartet was good, after all Jefferson Karavadra wasn't known to have anything less than the best. But still— Jax couldn't help but judge the violinist as their strokes left him wanting. For a moment he feigned a look of hurt before continuing on. "Please. My talents were ones I worked for. Sure, I'm more naturally charming than most. But you don't become as charming as I am without practicing." His ears tuned into the quartet once more, and a wince passed over him. "Just like the violinist should have practiced on his strings instead of playing with new ones tonight." Some violinists loved the sound of new strings, but he was not one of them. The mention of their pranks did bring up rather fond memories for Jax, though he acted as if he were above such things nowadays. Every now and then Leo could convince him to get in on a prank, but only after a good amount of convincing. It wasn't always obvious, but his elder siblings were most certainly his weak spot. "I'm surprised they still let us back in after all the childish pranks we pulled." He brandished the wine before her once more, placing it just before her lips. "It doesn't have to be miserable. If you'd just give up your pride."

ADRI: Adriana hooked on to Jax's insinuation quicker than she could blink. His smirk was just sultry enough to give away his words before they even passed his lips. And Adri couldn't help returning that smirk. "Maybe so, but I don't take anything at face value. You're going to have to find yourself some witnesses before you convince me." A shadow shifted in her eyes, deep behind all else and passing on the barest hint of carnal thoughts. Adriana couldn't entirely falsify such curiosities. It wasn't in her nature to push them aside. Jax's commentary on the violinist's string choice as a metaphor to his own practice intrigued her. Honestly. She knew he played the instrument himself, but she had never given much thought to how knowledgeable he must have become after years and years of instruction. Adriana might have heard the difference, but she couldn't have told you what caused the variation. "Why don't you kick him out and show him how it's done then?" she suggested jokingly— in part. The Karavadra siblings were infamous troublemakers and Adri had gladly gotten caught up in their tide when the lot of them still had the time and innocence to spare. "Yeah, they were pretty epic. It's a mystery to me how you talked so many of them down." When the wine was held at her lips, Adriana dropped her eyes to the liquid and then back up to the irritatingly tall man in front of her. "I suppose it's a sacrifice worth making..." After a moment or two of her eyes lingering on the drink, she gingerly received the glass and tipped it back to continue her earlier pursuit. "So, were you thinking anything not-so-miserable in particular?"

JAX: Jax couldn't help but push his tease it bit further. Obviously the idea of doing anything with Adriana was absurd, but he wanted to see just how far he could go. "Of course. It'd be stupid not to test the goods before buying. So are you gonna be the one verifying the purchase or should I be talking to someone else?" The first violinist wasn't a performer he entirely proved of, but taking his place would have been out of the question. Jefferson would have been irate if Jax did anything but network at an event such as this. In addition, he didn't have any particular desire to play for crowds, unlike Leo. No, he was fine just where he was. "Even if I played we'd still have to pay him. Seems like a waste," he teased back. He straightened for a moment with pride as Adriana commended his abilities with smooth-talking, but just then he caught the familiar gaze of his father, Jefferson. And he was wearing a look that Jax knew well and had come to dread. Ever since they were little, Jefferson had made Jax ask Adriana for a dance at gatherings such as this. Thankfully she'd started declining his proposals years ago, and he had been spared the agony of having to dance with her. It wasn't that he disliked dancing, if he were being honest— he quite enjoyed it, but with Adriana? That was entirely a different story. Besides, he'd never understood why Leo couldn't be the one to dance with her. Most likely it was because their father knew that Leo would buck at doing most things his father asked him to do, and Jefferson didn't want to take any chances. As it were, Jax sighed and extended a hand as a livelier, yet still dance-able tune began. "Well now that we've made out via wine glass, we might as well dance. It's not too big of a next step, is it?"

ADRI: Adriana was not remotely interested on actually following through with any of their suggestive teases toward one another. Sure, Jax wasn't rough on the eyes, but just no. "Please," her eyes rolled in sync with the twitch of humor at the edge of her lips, "If I was the one verifying you wouldn't be taking your wares to anyone else ever again, and I don't like to dwell on singular contracts." She brushed her statement off with a shrug, as is if it was nothing, a casual line like any other. Jax had a point regarding the violinist. He might as well continue to play if he was being paid for it, otherwise it was wasted spending from the Karavadra funds, which a man as astute as Jefferson would certainly manage with precision. He wouldn't be too thrilled if his son disrupted his system. Adriana could sympathize with Jax along those lines. Family patriarchs were a force to be reckoned with. There were some matters that you couldn't challenge, because they would keep pushing them without a care for their progeny's personal opinions. In such cases, it was best to just indulge them. So when Jax offered Adriana his hand, no notes of shock lit up her features. She stared at it and then him, and then back again lingering with her eyes, calculating how she wanted to respond. Refusal would have been her default, but tonight was exceptionally boring without, apparently, anyone interesting to engage. Speaking generally, dancing was not her favorite pastime. It wasn't that she was poor at it, not at all — in fact, she quite graceful on the dance floor, to the majority's surprise — however, she had always been a fighter at heart. She sought thrills and action, not pointless spinning and twirling about in a room full of people. Nevertheless, the quicker pace of this particular tune and her eagerness to simply do something spurred her to break free of years' worth of stubbornness. At first, she appeared hesitant, hazel eyes still lingering on his hand, the debate turning in her mind. Then, she flicked her eyes upward to meet his, nursing another sip of wine to taunt him as she did so. "I've taken bigger leaps." A pinch of the burgundy remained in the glass when it left Adriana's lips. She swirled the bit of it and subsequently presented it to him in exchange for her hand. "Let's hope you haven't forgotten where those steps go."

JAX: Jax couldn't contain the snort of amusement that escaped him at Adriana's words. "Please. There's inflated ego, and then there's delusion. I'd say you've ventured into the latter if you really think so highly of your test run." Certainly Adriana was strangely attractive, but that didn't mean she was anything that would hold his interest for more than a single round. But the fact that he was thinking of such a situation was absurd anyways. Sleeping with Adri was something he would never lower himself to. However, Adriana's acceptance of his forced offer to dance was rather surprising, and he quickly realized he didn't actually remember the last time they had done such a thing. It must have been when they were far younger. A single momentarily raised eyebrow was the only indicator of surprise he gave, before he spoke. "I knew you'd give in to my irresistible charms one day. Just try not to step on my feet, or I'm dipping you and then dropping you," he finished with a smirk. In an instant he was pulling her by the hand towards the dance floor near the quartet. And then his hand had slipped firmly around her waist, and in effortless moments he began to lead her in a waltz. Ballroom dancing had only been one of many tutored subjects he and his siblings had been forced to endure. As always Jax had been a diligent student, and it showed in his smooth motions. "With any luck, the steps lead us right off a cliff. That put a nice early end to this," he said with a nod towards their joined hands. As the music filled the air, and the crescendos of the tune went on, Jax followed the pace and tone they set, taking Adriana with him. "Show us those fancy feet, then. Hopefully you can manage it without a sword in your hand." As the first swell came, he led her into a twirl, hoping that she wouldn't fall and embarrass the both of them.

ADRI: "And what right have you to judge my accuracy when you lack the evidence to make a claim yourself?" Adriana was determined to get the upper hand, or at least settle for a draw, on their little game of suggestive teases. Jax was very good at it. A worthy opponent, no doubt; but that was all this was. A game. The raise of his eyebrow, however brief, sparked a warm feeling of satisfaction in Adriana's bones. The pair of them hadn't danced together since they were far younger, and even then Adriana had done so stubborn and grumbling. Now, years later, she had accepted his offer willingly. Certainly, he couldn't have been expecting such an answer. How curious she was to see what he made of it. "No, I'm indulging you out of sheer boredom. And anyway, if I ever was going to dance with someone — not that I regularly would — I'd much rather do so with someone who knows what they're doing. Rest assured that your feet won't come to any harm. I'm not looking to be dropped on the ground in front of such an influential crowd." Adriana said nothing of it, but when Jax not walked, but pulled her out onto the dance floor, his eagerness left her a bit... nervous. He was quick to indulge the tempo. She nearly blanked on the placement of her empty hand when his arm slipped around her waist. It sent a quiet shock up the length of her spine, because coming from him, there was no telling what it would lead to. Would he intentionally find a way to embarrass her in front of the crowd or would he spare her that shame for his own sake — it wouldn't look positively on his part if he dropped her, after all. Fortunately, her hand did find a home on the edge of his shoulder and she fell into step with him in practiced ease. "It would," Adriana smirked at the sight of their hands clasped together, internally cringing. "Though, there are always worse things we could be doing. This is something we've done before, even ages ago, so in theory it's technically nothing new." Being a legacy of Nemesis' alter ego had its perks. Adriana had inherited an elevated skill for balance. She wasn't one who tripped or toppled easily, and on those few occasions where she did, it never took her long to find her feet again. So when Jax prompted her to spin, she didn't fret over the logistics. Whether it was a sword maneuver or a dance step, the core of the action was no different. "No one needs fancy feet to dance properly." Adriana twirled under her partner's hand as though it was as natural as breathing — swift, stable, and bold — and she came back to him it was with a renewed vigor and glint of challenge in her eye. "It takes practice and patience is all. But I suppose training with the weight of a sword in hand does lighten it some."

JAX: "Fair point." It seemed that Adriana wasn't particularly phased by his fake advances, which only made Jax want to push her further. Leaning in slightly so that his lowered voice would rumble only between them, his tone dropped an octave or so to meet his suggestive air. "Are you making an offer?" It seemed almost a bit too easy to make these advances on Adriana, but perhaps that was only because the push and pull of their bodies as they danced was heat inducing. Perhaps he should let his father know to turn up the fans, for it seemed that his arm around the daughter of Mars' waist was smoldering. "I know of at least three very nice and private closets off of this room that are excellent for— how did you put it? Verifying my wares?" It was all too fun toying with Adriana like this, and he couldn't deny the slight rush it gave him. She had said this dancing was nothing new for them, but something about this particular turn around the room had him questioning the validity of her words. Jax continued to lead his dance partner around the floor, wondering idly if Adriana begrudged the fact that per gender norms, he was the one who got to lead the dance. Another attempt to spin her later, and he was back to teasing. "Do you think I could do this enough times to make you fall on your face? To be honest it might make an improvement." It wasn't the truth. Unfortunately the years had been kind to Adriana, and given her features that spoke of her concentrated godly heritage, as was most likely the case with the Karavadra family. When the gods had frequented your family so often, it had its perks. They neared the food table, and he couldn't resist once again making a playful threat. "Here comes the hors d'oeuvres. What would you like to wear tonight? The deviled eggs or the foie gras?" he said as he insinuated the potential intention of dipping her into the bright array.

ADRI: Adriana was expecting Jax to return her teases, as he never failed to do, but when he countered her this time, the drop in his voice and the nature of his words had her blood simmering. Sure, he was still toying with her, but the directness and change in tone suggested that partially, perhaps, this was more than an insinuation. The Mars in her couldn't tear her eyes away. It was no secret that the god of war and the goddess of love were involved in an immortal affair, and while it wasn't necessarily a power, that hunger and passion could be found in a number of his children — Adriana not excluded. She allowed a taste of that flame to present itself in her eyes as she regarded him, utilizing a slight drop in her own voice for good measure. "Are you interested?" She would play along as long as she was able, far too curious to see how this played out. Her hand on his shoulder shifted ever so closer in towards his neck, and she smirked. "Well, in home as large and grand as this I would hope you had somewhere more suitable than three closets. How many bedrooms is it you have here? Surely one of them is presently unoccupied— or are you really so lax in maintaining your guests' boundaries?" Adri wasn't paying attention to the dancing anymore. How could she when frustrating Jax in this way was so much more invigorating? She might have grumbled about the conventional lead he took as the male in their scenario, but because of the difference in their heights, it made no sense to complain. Trying to take over the lead with him was bound to end awkwardly. "Mm, I'd be impressed if you could manage that. At the least, I think we both know I'd find a way to prevent my face from being smacked into the floor," the daughter of Mars chuckled and she turned again and came back, this time a bit closer than before. Despite his threat, they sly grin she sported held — as did her hands, whose grip clamped tightly at their positions. "Don't even think about it," she sneered at him, "or I'll ground you so quick you'll be seeing stars for a week."

JAX: Jax wasn't entirely prepared for the look Adriana gave him, and for a moment he thought he saw a hunger there that he'd often seen in many other faces shortly before he'd slept with them. But he'd never imagined what it might look like coming from Adriana. It wasn't disagreeable...to say the least. A small shiver of anticipation ran down his spine as her hand came closer to contacting with his skin rather than the fabric of his tuxedo, and his own arm that had wrapped around her shifted ever so slightly lower, as if he were testing the waters. In another moment he had whisked them past the food table, without so much as even threatening to drop Adriana on top of it. He was far too preoccupied with the other portion of their conversation to be concerned about teasing her with pranks as childish as that. Her question echoed in his head though. Was he interested? There was a moment when he was shocked to find that the thought of finding a nice private room or closet with Adriana didn't repulse him. In fact, it seemed to pique his curiosity. Perhaps he'd had more wine than he thought. Leaning ever so closer to his dance partner, he made sure his words went directly into her ear as the heat of his breath most likely brushed against it. "I was simply thinking of time's sake. It's a lot farther to an empty room than a dark closet. Just how desperate are you to take me on a test run?" He couldn't deny the chance to make another advance, and once again his deepened voice was filling the air between them. "But what if I wanted you on the floor? Perhaps of one of those nice rooms you were talking about?"

ADRI: Adriana almost thought she'd seen a blip of that anticipation that sent chills down Jax's spine, and a smug smirk revealed itself as reward. There was a break in their conversation, one that struck Adriana more than any other word or action that he had already thrown at her, because Jax was relentless, quick-witted. If they had wholeheartedly been teasing one another, he would have snapped back, said something to counter her threat at the idea of being dropped, and yet, he didn't. Which, in her mind, held a striking implication that her speculations about whether this was merely teasing or truly suggestive might actually be leaning toward the latter — especially when coupled with his eventual response. The hot breath on her ear forced Adriana to hold her breath and shut her eyes for a brief moment. His chosen form of delivery was absolutely diabolical— not that she was expecting anything less. Regardless, it sent a burn through her veins that was impossible to ignore and she had no choice but to shut herself out for an instant before responding because, honestly speaking, if she hadn't, she might have dragged him out right then and there. Fortunately, she had more than enough experience with that temptation to shut it down, or at least channel it into something more productive. When her hazel eyes snapped open a second later, the daughter of Mars flashed him the slyest smirk she could manage. "If I'm the one who's desperate, why are you the one suggesting we rush to a closet?" When she met his eyes once more, she took some of that suppressed ferocity to fuel the little flame in her eyes that she knew he couldn't miss. His question prompted her to mimic what he'd pulled only moments ago, as she took the tiniest step forward and leaned up to his ear, allowing her hand to drift to just the edge of the exposed skin on his neck while she answered him in a provocative hiss. "Well, don't hold back on account of me. I'm flexible."

JAX: As Jax continued to dance about with Adriana, there was a moment when the smaller details of the world surrounding him began to fall away. It wasn't because he was enraptured by the creature before him or anything of the like, truly. It was simply a byproduct of being so intensely focused on the words that were falling from her lips and the ones he was preparing in response. Her eyes having shut for the few moments they were was something he considered a victory. He was getting to her. Jax was certain of it. It only egged him on further. The brush of her hand against his neck didn't help as it seemed that the place where it had made contact was burning, not to mention the new closeness of her. As a counter-move, his own large hand inched lower, and soon enough he had found the skin of her lower back that was exposed. A benefit of having a cut out grace the back of the daughter of Mars' dress. His fingertips danced across the smoothness there, drawing lines and circles that were meant to tease and taunt. "Flexible? That's most certainly something I won't be willing to buy until tested." His hand remained where it was, as well as his voice. "Perhaps you're not desperate enough. I'm not some half-rate bargain, you know. That being said— I'll be generous. How about a tester?" he said as he inched ever closer to her, his eyes purposefully and playfully dropping to her lips. Of course, he'd never do anything of the sort in front of all these guests. And just then, the song Adriana had agreed to came to a close, but Jax lingered where he was for a moment, too invested in his tantalizing to give up so easily. But it seemed he would be forced to. Catching the gaze of his father over Adriana's shoulder, he knew he had been talking with Adriana too long. It wouldn't do to ignore the other guests. And just like that Jax was dropping his dance companion, stepping away.

ADRI: Maybe Jax was getting to her. Just a bit. But Adriana would have bet that she wasn't alone in that scenario. He continued to taunt her, allowing her step closer and dropping his hand to the break in her dress. They were evenly matched, continuously leveling the field only to take their game one inch higher. Jax was strategic, not only countering her touch to his neck, but adding to it with the aimless swirls of his fingertips — a simple gesture, and yet so thoroughly annoying. Adriana glanced toward her back quickly, not that she could actually see what he was doing, and then flicked her eyes in return to his, keeping the faintest smirk afloat on her lips. "Oh, so you do want me desperate," Adriana chuckled lowly to match the tone of his voice. "So much so that you're willing to give away free samples." Her head tilted thoughtfully and teasingly while a staged little coy grin painted her lips. "Are you sure you're not ill?" she whispered between them, following his eyes to her lips, then up again. Gods, it was tempting. Even though the idea of sleeping with him was absolutely insane, that didn't mean she wasn't curious about these outstanding qualities he claimed to possess. So for a few seconds that seemed to drag on for hours, she debated her options. And just when she'd nearly made up her mind, the music tapered to a close. Now they were just standing there. His hand was still on the small of her back and hers rested in the curve of his neck, but the distracting glamour of the melody and their dancing had fallen away, and the heat in her blood chilled with it. The flame in her eyes went dark as reality flooded in, overtaking her senses and abolishing whatever strange feelings she might have temporarily held for her rival. "Well," the daughter of Mars withdrew her hands and she settled back into the usual smug coolness he was used to, "now that that hell's over, I think you've had enough of a practice run to woo one of your four takers — easy prey. Daddy must be so proud." With a renewed smirk, Adriana padded a few steps backward, leaving with one final taunting gaze. "If you get bored, you know where to find me, but— I'm sure I'll have found someone more ambitious by then."

JAX: Now would have been the time Jax would normally say something along the lines of the sight of Adriana being the thing that was making him ill. But there was a strange and surprising reluctance to break the spell the two of them had woven. What was ever more surprising was the flare of feeling that came at the loss of Adriana's hands. Was that...disappointment? No. He wasn't that desperate. Still...he couldn't help but wonder at what might have happened had they continued. Would Adriana have broken? It didn't matter. It was a question that would never have an answer. Pulling himself back into the person he was when meeting new people at a party, he gave her a nod as she retreated. "At least I wasn't damned to it eternally. Perhaps I'll actually have to thank that violinist for saving me from certain regret. See you around...if I'm unlucky enough to see you." And with that he faded back into the crowd, returning to the guests he'd been busy entertaining before.

#trading tongues.#jax.#fides fest.#[ docs. ]#[ original sin. ]

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