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rose-tea-and-strawberries · 1 year

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Twisted Wonderland Characters Signing Your Shirt

So when I was in primary school, on the very last day of term, the year 6 leavers would sign each other's white school polo shirts with felt tips as a sort of parting gift before we all went our separate ways to secondary school. I thought it might be cool if the reader shared this tradition with her friends at NRC.

Warning: I write reader as female

I literally had no idea what to write for bat grandpa and Silver so I just didn’t write them. In return, I’ll add snippets of Trein, Crewel, Vargas and Sam

Word Count: 8k+

Masterlist

Despite the comfort you felt with your friends in Twisted Wonderland and the obvious collective effort that your fellow students showed in making you feel at home in this strange new world, sometimes it did strike you just how different your current abode was - well, barring the universal use of magic that was so common that even infants were capable of it, of course. Such instances when your geographical displacement was most apparent was when you were reminded that there seemed to be little to no shared holidays between your world and this. For example, whilst Halloween did exist here, the concept of Christmas, Easter and Valentine’s Day didn’t - and neither did Mother’s or Father’s Day or even the smaller holidays like International Best Friends’ Day. It made you wonder if this world had any holidays or traditions that yours didn’t. This exact conversation starter was how you found yourself sitting cross legged on the floor of Ramshackle with your fellow first year friends as you all discussed different traditions that you’ve all partaken in (when in fact you were supposed to be using this timeframe to be studying for an upcoming assessment).

“You know,” you mused out loud, “my primary school had this tradition where on the very last day, all of the leavers would sign each others’ shirts.”

“Really?” Deuce looked at you with sparkling wide eyes, and leaned forward slightly, as if he was hanging onto every word you said and was careful that he would miss a single syllable that came out of your mouth despite sitting less than two feet away from you.

“Yep. It was basically as a parting momentum we’d give each other to show our support even if we are parting ways and may never see each other again. I still have mine hanging in my wardrobe at home. By the end of the day, it was covered in so many felt tip marks that it was more colourful than white,” you gave a nostalgic smile at the memory of your eleven year old self being surrounded by your laughing and tearful classmates as they decorated each other’s polo shirts (and even some a lot of skin) with well wishes, signatures and drawings that were partly sweet, partly adoringly offensive and partly completely random and out there that you had no idea of what to make of them. It did make you wonder how they were currently doing and then it hit you - you had no way of knowing. Atleast back home, whenever you found yourself revisiting your younger years, you had the ability of picking up your phone and finding out for yourself. But here - here in this world where your friends and family didn’t exist, where your life had about as much substance as a black hole until that fateful day you appeared in front of that dark mirror - you had absolutely no way of connecting to anyone you once knew. You didn’t even have any pictures or mementos from your world to remind yourself that they were even real to begin with. How long would you be able to cling on to your memories and -

“Y/N,” Jack's voice pierced through the blurry memories as sharply and swiftly as Rook’s arrow, shattering every thought like glass and every fragment of them fell and dissolved into nothing until you found yourself out of your head and sitting in your dorm’s living room floor with Grim on your lap and your friends nearby. His face contorted with concern the second he noticed your smile going from fond to bittersweet, “are you okay?”

Were you?

“I-”

“Why don’t we do that?” Epel blurted out.

You looked at him in confusion as Jack and Deuce glared at him for his interruption (but, honestly, you were very grateful for that), tilting your head to the side, “huh?”

“The-the shirt signing thing. I never did it when I left elementary. It sounds like fun?” he looked at the other boys, “whatdya fellas think?”

“I’m in,” Ace stretched out his arms.

“Me too,” Deuce said immediately after, sitting up a little straighter.

“I’ll-I’ll join in as well,” Jack stuttered out, “just ‘cause you guys are. Not-not because it sounds fun or anything, alright.”

“Hmm,” Sebek scoffed, crossing his arms and looking down on the rest of the group with an expression that says ‘I’m very much interested but I’m not going to say that because I’m a tsundere who pledges allegiance to my large commissioned portrait of Waka-sama every morning’, “I suppose these human customs seem adequate enough for me to partake in them. If at least to ensure that you do not tread on a path that could cause a disturbance to Lord Malleus, as is my duty as his knight.”

Ace rolled his eyes, “sure, pal.”

“Everyone wait,” Grim yelled out, “I should go first. As Y/N is my minion, she should receive the honour of getting The Great Grim’s mark first.”

When Ace and Deuce looked like they were about to argue, you silenced them with an, “alright, Grim, you can go first.”

GRIM

Since he’s so small, he couldn’t really reach that high, even though you were sitting down

He signed ‘to my favourite minion, from the great grim. P.S buy me more tuna’ at the bottom of your shirt near the hem of your shirt

He added a little simple drawing of a fish and a doodle of a small tin of tuna next to his words

Since he didn’t wear any clothes, you signed your own name with a cute little heart on the dangly end of the ribbon that made up the bow around his neck.

ACE TRAPPOLA

He and Deuce played rock, paper, scissors to decide who should go next

He had to be reminded by everyone not to write anything too big

“That means that I can barely write anything. You’re so short and small that half a sentence would take up half of your shirt,” he snarks with a teasing grin.

Deuce hit him over the head with an unimpressed look for that one

Good boy, Deuce

He uses one of his red pens to sign ‘your best friend and favourite person in the whole world who you like more than Deuce, Ace Trappola’ with a smiley face and a doodle of the ace of hearts card under under your collar, near your chest area before surveying his masterpiece and looking up at you with a smug wink

Deuce, hit him again

You signed your own name on his collar with a heart next to it

“A heart?” he wiggled his eyebrows at you, “are you trying to tell me something, prefect?”

DEUCE!

DEUCE SPADE

Baby boy is so scared

He’s so worried that he’ll ruin your shirt with something you won’t like that his hands are shaking

Protect him

After you reassure him that you’ll love whatever he does (Ace: not as much as mine, though 😏) he nods, eyes burning with determination as he braves himself and picks up a dark blue biro

He slowly and steadily writes out, in his neatest handwriting ‘you’re my best friend and I can’t imagine NRC without you. You always make me happy, Deuce Spade” with a little coloured-in spade doodle next to his name on the stomach part of your shirt (because the mere notion of idea of going any higher made his head spin and face burn)

The entire time he was diligently writing, he was looking at his handiwork with the most concentrated expression you had seen, with his eyebrows furrowed with great attention and care whilst his tongue stuck out slightly from between his teeth

He does know that this is supposed to be a fun little activity, right? He knows that he’s not signing his last will and testament (of course he does. In his mind, this was way more important)

“That’s great, Deuce. I love it.” you smiled softly at him when he finished

He perks up at the praise before blushing and looked down, his pink face conveying how bashfully pleased he was that he didn’t mess up

He’s so going to tell his mother about this during their nightly phone calls

“Thank you, Y/N,” he shyly smiles back at you

You place your own signature on his shirt as he looks on at you with still pink cheeks

You beam at him after punctuating your name with a small little hear

“You didn’t say anything about miiinnee ~”

FOR GOD’S SAKE, ACE-

JACK HOWL

No, his tail is most definitely not wagging in excitement when he approaches you with a gel pen in hand so shut up

No one said a word, wolfy

Writes a swift ‘keep up the good work. Jack Howl’

A simple wolf, our Jack is

Please ignore the red blossoming along his cheeks and nose and the still wagging tail as he doodles a little cactus next to his name

You give him a smile as you sign your own name on his shirt and add a little smiley face next to it

You can still see some red peeking out from under his hand as he covers the lower half of his face with his palm, his tail wagging like crazy

You swear that you can hear a faint little “thank you”

EPEL FELMIER

“Hell, yeah! Move aside, losers, it’s my turn!”

*coughs and clears throat* “ahem, I mean - it’s my turn to sign your shirt, prefect.”

Uses his dark purple gel pen to sign his name and draws an apple next to it

Pretends that he isn’t elated to see your name on his shirt

Is planning to proudly wear that shirt to Vil’s etiquette lessons, propriety be damned

Is also whooping and punching the air the second he’s out of sight

SEBEK ZIGVOLT

He strides towards you all stiff and square-shouldered

Signs ‘Sebek Zigvolt, loyal knight and retainer of His Glorious Majesty Lord Malleus, the beloved and awe-inspiring fae prince of the noble kingdom of Briar Valley. It is he who I pledge my eternal loyalty and allegiance to and it is my greatest honour to die in his name.”

You had to stop him from writing a whole essay on your shirt (complete with book references) about the might of the esteemed prince who you once found sulking in the woods because Lilia ate all of his ice cream during a Call of Duty session with Idia

He loudly explains to you that it is of poor taste to allow a human to sully the uniform of the great Waka-sama’s dorm as it is unheard of for a knight to appear as anything less of perfection as his attire reflects the power of his future king-

Uh, alright crocodile boy but why are you leaning closer to me?

You sign your name really small on his shirt so that it’s not immediately visible and only those who know where it is find it.

He doesn’t know why his heart is beating much faster at the sight of this magicless human’s name. Clearly he has contracted an illness. Quick, he must go to Lilia at once and remedy the issue lest Lord Malleus finds out.

CATER DIAMOND

Once you bid your friends farewell, you, Grim, Ace and Deuce, make your way to Heartslabyul for that afternoon’s unbirthday party

The students were still setting up the tables and food in the rose garden so the dorm leader and vice dorm leader weren’t present

Cater senses the four of you approaching as he finishes painting the last of the roses red and his eyes immediately dart to your shirt

“Hey, Y/N-chan. What’s with the get-up?”

You explain how it’s a tradition in your world to sign each other’s shirts and how your friends wanted to do it for themselves

“Aww, no fair,” he pouts at you, “Cay-kun wants to join in on the fun too.”

You offer him a pen, “you’re more than welcome to add your signature, Cater-senpai.”

He grins at you and writes a funky ‘Cater Diamond’ with doodles of the cartoony smiling four diamonds on his phone case on your shirt. Underneath his name he adds his magicam and other social media usernames.

“Well, Y/N-chan?” he sing-songs, twirling the pen around with his index and middle fingers the same way a drummer would a drumstick, “what do you think?”

“I love it, Cater-senpai,” you reply happily

He joyfully pats your head, “anything for my favourite underclassman”

Ace and Deuce: we’re here too, you know 🧍🧍

“Now smile for the camera,” he chirps, holding out his phone to take a selfie of him gesturing towards the area of your shirt with his name on it

After you quickly jot down your own name on his collar before running off to help with the party preparations, he takes a selfie of himself and then spends a bit more time gazing upon your smiling face on his screen before making a post

#HangingOutWithMyFavouriteUnderclassmen #ShesTheBest #WhenACuteGirlAsksYouToSignSomethingYouSignIt #SheLooksReallyPrettyWithMyNameOnHerThough #ImNeverWashingThisShirtAgain

TREY CLOVER

Comes out before Riddle to make sure that everything is set

And to see if you’re Ace and Deuce are here

Immediately notices the shirt and wants in on it

Uses one of his edible pens that he just happens to be carrying to write his name with a cupcake and clover drawn next to it

“Here you go, Y/N,” he says as he gives you the ‘I’m the responsible and reliable senpai even though you and I both very well know that I am capable of causing the most chaos here’ smile

Pats your head after you return the favour

RIDDLE ROSEHEARTS

You’re the first thing Riddle notices the moment he enters

Has to take a second to gather his bearings when he sees you smiling when you notice his arrival

At this point he’s gotten used to the teasing smile Cater shoots him when he’s in your proximity but that doesn’t mean he has to DO IT EVERY TIME HE’S GOT A REPUTATION

In Riddle’s head: Y/N’s here 😊 I must greet her with the grace every gentleman must have when they meet a lovely lady like her. Perhaps I should point out how wonderful it is for her to join us. Or personally escort her to a seat as I comment on how happy her presence here has made me.

What Riddle says: What has happened to your shirt 🤨

Don’t worry, Riddle. You tried your best

You apologetically tell him how it’s your fault since Ace and Deuce were trying to cheer you up and then Cater and Trey wanted to join them so you’ll take full responsibility if they broke any rules

“Well,” Riddle states primly, “there’s no rule forbidding it but bear in mind that I shall not accept you making a habit of unkempt attire. As Heartslabyul students and prefects both you and them are expected to possess a certain standard of decorum.”

“Does that decorum include personally fixing the prefect's tie in the middle of a busy public corridor in broad daylight?” Ace asks innocently

Riddle shoots him a sharp glare as he puffs up with anger

Before he can open his mouth, Trey swoops in to save Ace’s neck and Riddle’s vocal chords as he suggests that the unbirthday party should commence and then tells Cater to stop filming and put his phone down

The entire time you swear that you can feel someone gazing at you when you aren’t watching but every time to turn to look in Riddle’s direction, you notice that he’s looking elsewhere whilst Cater and Trey give each other knowing looks

When everyone has finished cleaning up afterwards, Riddle catches you and Grim on your way back and politely asks you if you could join him in the common room

You agree and set Grim down so he can trouble Ace and Deuce

When you get there he stiffly stammers something about wanting to know more about the shirt situation

How someone can be both poised and shy you have no idea but it’s adorably endearing

After you explained how it’s something friends do back in your world, he gets this contemplative look on his face as he looks down and twiddles his fingers before shyly asking if it would be alright if you permitted him to sign your shirt as well

Once you give an enthusiastic reply he gets out one of his fancy rich boy fountain pens and elegantly signs his name somewhere near your shoulder blades, his face burning the entire time

“If it’s alright with you, I could do the same back,” you offered, “I signed everyone else’s shirts but since you’re the dorm leader, I’d understand that it would be improper for me to-”

“No!” he blurts out, startling both you and himself. The red hue on his face gets even darker once he realised what he had just done and clears his throat before continuing in a tone that is much more controlled yet still a tad shaky, “no, I-I’d be honoured if you wanted to do so.”

So you take the pen he offered you from his outstretched hand and sign your name on his collar like you did the others

“Well, I’ll see you soon, Riddle-senpai. I hope you take care,” you smile at him before bowing your head slightly and walking out of the room to rescue Heartslabyul from whatever Grim had done

Riddle stared at the doorway from which you left from for a considerable amount of time before looking down at the hand where your fingers grazed his when you reached for the pen

He smiled slightly before shaking his head and composing himself. Then he marched out to supervise his dormmates

RUGGIE BUCCHI

This sneaky little hyena catches you during one of his errands

He finds you on his way to deliver lunch to a certain lazy lion

Was about to pawn off the job to you but catches the names on your shirt before he hears a lightbulb go off in his head

“Shi shi shi. It seems like our prefect has been busy.”

Without even asking for an explanation, he asks if he could sign it

Throws in some hopeful puppy eyes to ensure you say yes

You don’t need to do that Ruggie. To quote my non-twst friend when I showed hyena boy’s picture to her: I would commit arson for you

Honestly he’s only doing this 60% because he wants to and 40% because he knows that it would annoy Leona

You hand him the pen you have been carrying and he scribbles on his name with a picture of a sprinkle covered doughnut next to it

He then asks you to do the same to him

You comply, noticing how his tails wags excitedly behind him

You then offer to bring Leona his lunch to give him a break, which he hastily agreed to

After you leave he wonders if he could sell this shirt to one of your simps before immediately scrapping that idea since he decides it’s not worth it this time

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

It took you a while to shake him ‘awake’

I say ‘awake’ in inverted commas because the second he hears footsteps in the botanic garden his ears perk up and he tries to determine if the scent from the incoming person is yours. If it is, he’s wide awake

But he’s also a jerk so he’s not going to make this easy for you

He’s internally smirking whenever he hears you’re irritated little huffs as you try to wake him up

The he considers that he should maybe throw you a bone so he opens his eyes only to see the names of your first year friends , those uptight Heartslabyul students and his own second in command on you

Something about that does not sit right with him and he has to fight back a possessive growl

At least he can’t see the names of that stuck up beauty queen and - god forbid - that stupid lizard

“You some to have something on you, Herbivore,” he drawls as he lazily flicks his eyes towards your face

Like you did to everyone else, to explain how it’s a thing in your world to sign your classmates’ shirts

At this he gets up, whilst maintaining eye contact, and takes one stride so that he’s right in front of you

Excuse me sir, we like to respect personal space here

Unless you’re a Twisted Wonderland character then no we don’t

“Does that mean you marked other people with your name?” he asks you with a tone that you can’t quite put your finger on but can definitely tell has hints of annoyance

You just look at him in silence, completely off guard by his proximity and out of the blue question

“Well?” he leans down closer to you

“Oh, um, yeah. I guess”

He just hums in reply before holding out his palm

You just look down at it before giving him a perplexed look

“Pen,” he says, “now.”

You place your pen in his hand before he immediately crouches down and writes ‘LEONA KINGSCHOLAR’ in block letters that seemed to be a bit larger than everyone else’s names

He holds out your pen, “your turn.”

“Oh, okay”

The minute you finish writing your name you he stands back up at his full height, green eyes gleaming with mirth

“You know, Herbivore,” he holds up your chin so you get a full view of his smirking face, “I can think of plenty of other ways I could mark my territory if you're ever up for it.”

He gives your head a pat, remarking “you know where to find me” before yawning and sauntering off to god knows where with one hand in the front pocket of his trousers and his tail swinging lazily behind him

…

You just blink at his retreating figure in confusion

“Oookaayy,” you drone out to yourself and then you make your way out of Savanaclaw as Grim mutters something about weird predators

JADE AND FLOYD LEECH

“KOEBI-CHAN! :D”

Oh dear, it seems as if Floyd has found you for his daily accosting

You know that there is no way you can run from an eel so you just brace yourself with closed eyes as you hear the grunts, groans and shouts of several students being pushed out of the way as Floyd makes his way towards you for his completely necessary squeezing the life out of you hugging session

You open your eyes the second you feel those arms glomp you as you give the eel twin a smile, “hello, Floyd-senpai.”

Out of the corner of your eye you can see Jade casually strolling along the path that his brother had cleared with a pleasant smile on his face, completely ignoring the still groaning students on the corridor’s floor

“Good afternoon, dear prefect,” he greets you politely as you feel Floyds arms wrap tighter around your waist as he nuzzles his face into your neck, “I see that you’ve run into quite a few students on your way here - if your shirt is anything to go by.”

“Huh,” Floyd lets go of you and notices Riddle’s name at the back of your shirt. He then turns you around to inspect the front of your shirt only to be met with the names of all of these bottom feeders

“Hey,” he pouts at you accusingly, crossing his arms in displeasure, “how come koebi-chan let goldfish and crabby and sea lion and all these other fish write all over her and not us. I wanna write on koebi-chan too.”

Jade gave a fond sigh at his brother’s whining before turning to you with a gentlemanly smile that barely concealed the grin of a predator, “I must say, dear prefect, I’ve got to agree with my brother here. It does seem very unfair for you to allow others to enjoy this event and not us. I feel rather hurt.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Floyd nods, “koebi-chan should let us write on her.”

“And what luck,” Jade piped up, taking a pen out of his pocket (though you had the strange suspicion that it was used less for writing and more for some weird torture technique that he and his brother liked to dish out), “it appears that I have a pen in my possession. Now, you will allow us to do so, right prefect?”

You knew for a fact that even if your brain decided to take a holiday and leave you to enter the boundless void of nothingness that inhabited your mental stability you would not even think to refuse him

“Alright then,” you said slowly and both of their faces lit up

“Me first, me first,” Floyd gleefully snatched the pen from his twin’s hand and bounded over to you, writing his name in big bold letters on your right sleeve. Underneath it he drew a picture of his eel form and a cartoony shrimp with arrows pointing towards both figures saying ‘ME!! :)’ AND “SHRIMPY!”

Jade then took the pen from his brother and wrote his own name on your left sleeve with a drawing of an anatomy correct shiitake mushroom under it. He then labeled different the different structures with their biologically correct scientific names

“Now write on us,” Floyd demanded, so you took Jade’s pen and did just that.

After he pocketed his pen, he turned to the other eel with a mischievous grin, “You know, Floyd. I believe Azul would love to see our dear prefect. What do you think?”

Floyd matched his brother’s expression with an even more unhinged one of his own, “yes, yes. Let’s go.”

And with that, the both of them each take a firm hold of each one of your shoulders and began to stir you to the Mostro Lounge, paying no attention to Grim, who was yelling at them about how it was his lunch time

AZUL ASHENGROTTO

Due to spending almost his entire life with the Leech twins, Azul was fairly accustomed to their antics - which was why he didn’t seem the least bit perturbed to the sound of the door to the VIP room slamming against the wall and Floyd’s cheerful voice loudly exclaiming “WE’RE HERE”.

He just sighed and continued to finish the sentence he was writing before looking up to greet him when he did a double take when he sway you’re slightly embarrassed self give a small smile and wave from where Floyd had you rooted with the way his arm rested over your shoulders

“Ah yes, Floyd what is-PREFECT??!!”

No his voice did not crack at the end, thank you very much

Jade gracefully stepped into the room, “Azul, Floyd and I were just admiring the prefect’s shirt and thought that you would appreciate it if we brought her here to show you ourselves.”

“Yes, what Jade said,'' Floyd nodded happily, “Jade and I both wrote our names on koebi-chan as well, see. And she wrote on us. Isn’t that great?”

Despite clearing his throat, Azul’s voice still was choked when he let out a surprised, “yes, that does look rather nice.”

The four of you spent the next minute standing in awkward silence. The eels were directing their shark-like grins on a red and embarrassed-looking Azul who seemed to look completely stumped and you just stood there having no idea what to do

“Well,” you started when the silence got too much, “I’m so sorry for barging in on you like this Azul-senpai and interrupting your work. It seems like you are really busy in the middle of something important so I’ll just head back and-”

“Wait, prefect,” Azul pushed his glasses up his nose and made his way towards you with a pen in hand, “If-if you would allow me, I would love to add my name onto your shirt.”

“Go right ahead,” you reply

Now he’s written his name hundreds of times, with the business that he runs, but for some reason him signing his name directly onto the clothing that your wearing has his heart leaping and twisting in ways that he’s never felt before

He’s lying. He’s felt that many, many times before and strangely every instance has occurred in your presence

Once he’s finished he gives you a look that very clearly expresses that he wants to ask you something

“I could sign your shirt as well if that’s okay?” you half offered half asked, thinking you might know what he wanted

He gives you a shocked look, a rosy hue painting his nose and cheeks, before clearing his throat once more

“I can’t say that I would mind terribly if you did that. Of course,” he gives you his signature businessman octopus grin, “if you would much rather sign your name on a contract, I would be more than happy to oblige.”

“Yeah, no thank you,” you deadpan. You turn around, “if that’s it then-”

“Wait,” he grabs ahold of your wrist, “actually prefect, I would very much like that.”

Your face softens and you sign your name onto his collar and left the fish mafia to practice their Godfather impressions or whatever they did behind closed doors when they weren’t dealing with the poor unfortunate souls of NRC

Unbeknownst to you, Azul immediately changed out of that shirt and kept it next to his third draft of that marriage contract he had been preparing

KALIM AL-ASIM

It was after you left Octavinelle when you remembered that Kalim had invited you to a party at Scarabia so off to his dorm you went

Almost ten seconds after you enter, you hear a shout of “Y/N!” coming from above you

“God?” you mutter under your breath as you look up and find the resident sunshine boy of the campus beaming down at you from his magic carpet

You happily give them both a joyful and hearty wave, “HI KALIM-SENPAI! HI CARPET!”

The two of them descend towards you. Kalim jumps off when it reaches a few centimetres above the ground before tackling you into a hug that was filled with unbridled merriment. Carpet, feeling lonely, latched onto the both of you as well, wrapping its tassels around the two of you and squeezed in its own version of a hug.

The two of you laughed at its enthusiasm until it let go and Kalim pulled back

“Y/N, I’m so glad you’re here,” his smile filled with pure sunshine never once left nor faltered as he looked at you with all of the joy in the world, “you’re going to love it. Everyone’s dancing and Jamil made kunafah which is really really tasty and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and we can go for a magic carpet ride as well and - woah, your shirt looks so cool!”

You giggle at his amazement, “thank you, Kalim-senpai. In my home world, it’s a tradition to sign your classmates’ shirts when you leave school so

“Wait, you’re not leaving are you?” he gives you the saddest tearful golden retriever puppy-eyed look you had ever seen and you instantly hated yourself for being the monster that caused it, “please say you’re not. We haven’t even done half of the things I wanted to do with you. Please don’t say you’re going.”

“No, no, no,” you wave your hand erratically to show that you were most certainly not leaving, “I swear that I’m not going anywhere, Kalim-senpai. I just mentioned that to everyone and they wanted to sign my shirt for fun, that’s all. I’m staying right here, pinky promise.”

Of course, you had no way of leaving this world, what with the headmaster being a lazy idiot who makes empty promises but you didn’t say a word about that part

Kalim smiled and intertwined his pinky with your outstretched one

(Meanwhile carpet sulked because he wanted to join in on the pinky promise but he had no pinkies to promise with)

“So,” he gives you a hopeful look, “does that mean that I can sign as well?”

“Of course you can,” you smile at him.

He beams back at you, holds your hand and scampers towards his room

After bringing you inside, he rummages through his drawers until he procures some limited edition ultra deluxe sparkly golden sharpie pen that you know costs like enough to feed you for a week

He skips back towards you and signs ‘KALIM!’ all big and glittery on your back with a bunch of stars and hearts surrounding it and a smiley face to dot the exclamation mark

He then giddily hands you the pen and asks you to sign his clothes as well

You hesitate because there is no way that you are going to stain a piece of clothing that has enough zeros in its price to pay for your entire neighbourhood back home

But his hopeful/pleading face was too much for you to refuse so you did as you were asked

He now wants to buy an entire store’s worth of clothes just so that the two of you could write your names all over them

He also is so happy that he wants throw another party in your honour and hopefully make an event of having the two of you sign each others clothes

Not going to lie, he’ll probably commission the best painters in the Scalding Sands to make a giant portrait of his shirt so that he can hang it up in his rooms (no that’s not a typo) and show it to his parents, his siblings, his aunts and uncles, his cousins, his pet elephants, his pet peacocks, that tiger he was going to ask for his birthday…

He just wants to keep the memory of this moment forever

“Woah, Y/N, that looks great! Hey, I have a bunch of other clothes in my wardrobe that you can sign, I’ll go get them-”

You had to stop him before he did something that would make Jamil pop a blood vessel or consider alcoholism (again) so you asked him if he could take you to where Jamil was

Thankfully, he agreed and happily lead you to the kitchens

JAMIL VIPER

Jamil had no idea what to feel when Kalim barged into the kitchens

On the one hand, the Scarabia kitchens were his safe haven, the one place where he could be alone without his airheaded master coming in to cause further trouble due to the fact that Kalim is forbidden from stepping foot in it so his annoyance at seeing that bright face in here was more than welcome

On the other hand, however, Kalim had brought you along. The diamond among the soiled charcoal that were his peers, the coolness of his eyes that never failed to put him at ease no matter how unreasonable Kalim’s never ending laundry list of problems became so he did admit that he felt much more relieved when he saw your smiling face pop in to say hello in that enchantingly sweet lilt

But then Kalim dragged you in and showed off all of the names that had been written on your shirt for that bitter python of annoyance that he keeps chained and shackled in his gut to start coiling around in displeasure - only for it to start hissing and biting at his stomach when Kalim happily pointed out his own name standing out on your back and your name on his shirt, it’s teeth sinking into every vein it can find and contaminating his bloodstream with that pungent envy

On the outside, he regarded all of this with the same cool and unwavering expression he usually wore but on the inside he was raging at how happily you wore everyone’s names - how you wore Kalim’s name - whilst casting him to the shadows.

He simply reminded Kalim that he was not allowed in the kitchens and he had a party to host so it was best for him to leave

Kalim turned to you and was about to ask you to come with him when you told him that you’ll stay and help Jamil and you promise to dance with him later

“Alright then Y/N, see you later,” and then he skipped away, a cloud of sparkles and flowers following him

You approached Jamil, who appeared to be a bit more tense than usual and placed your hand on his shoulder

He immediately stopped, took a breath and turned to you

“You know,” you smiled at him, “I didn’t just come here to help you cook, though I would very much like to.”

He raised an eyebrow at you, “is that so, prefect? Then pray tell, why did you come here.”

“Well, you see, all of my dear friends have decided to write their names on my shirt after I explained that it was a tradition where I’m from and now that I’m here, I realise that I’m one name short.”

“Is that true?” he mused, his lips twitching ever so slightly

You nodded with the gravitas of a judge giving a sentence, “yes, it is. And you see, Jamil-senpai, the person whose name that I’m talking about happens to be someone who would never go out of his way to do something that he thinks might not be wanted - even if the receiver would very much want it - so the idea of him offering his signature like everyone else seems to be out of the question.”

“What are you trying to say, prefect?” he sighed and put his head down so that he can hide his blush by pretending to rub his temples

“What I’m saying, Jamil-senpai, is that I would absolutely love it if you wrote your name on my shirt. It just doesn’t seem right without you and having you there would delight me to no end,” you reply, taking out the pen you’ve been carrying in your pocket and holding it out to him expectantly

‘How troublesome,’ he mentally sighs, though the thought was directed not towards you but to the pleasant feeling of warmth that enveloped him whenever you were near.

Regardless, he takes the pen and signs your shirt in a manner that appears to be annoyed and rushed but anyone can clearly see that the calligraphy of his name is definitely carefully thought out with strokes that look more like artwork than a teenage boy’s signature

“So, um,” you start, “you can say no if you’d like but would you like it if I signed yours back?”

He shrugged, “I see no reason why not?”

Don’t let his perpetually controlled voice fool you, he is internally punching the air and screaming with elation at the prospect to you placing your signature on him

Usually he would hate to have another's name anywhere near him. He was already cursed with the invisible shackles of the Al-Asim family, he didn’t want any other form of ownership to strip the miniscule amount of control he had in his life. However, the idea of him belonging to you only filled him with bliss instead of the accustomed disdain

‘Oh, prefect,’ he thought, internally smirking to himself as he continued with the preparations of Kalim’s feast with your assistance, ‘the next time you want me to leave my mark on you, I may not be as gentle.’

ROOK HUNT

You swear you take one step out of the mirror chamber and into the corridor before you find yourself face to face with Tamaki Suoh’s long lost cousin, who appeared out of frickin’ nowhere

“Petite mademoiselle trickster,” he cheers, “it has come to my attention that you are going around, letting the students write on your clothing and thus I must implore you to allow me the honour of joining them in this ceremonious ritual.”

Ritua - does he think that you’ve started a cult?!

Although, to be fair, that would be the least weirdest thing that’s happened in this school

You could’ve sworn you saw a bunch of Savanaclaw students standing in a circle and chanting so cultists are not completely out of line

And Crowley’s whole bird mask and making his students wear robes does seem very cult-y

Not to mention Sebek’s whole existence

Deciding to ignore the second part of Rook’s words (a standard procedure when it comes to students dealing with the huntsman) you hand him your pen

“Please allow me to write a sonnet so that I may pour out my awe at your splendorous beauty”

Yeah, you shut that one down hard

“Ah, I see. You’d much prefer a villanelle!”

No, Rook

A ballad or an Ode?

This is going to be another Sebek situation, isn’t it?

He did end up writing something

You must admit, you were impressed that he was able to conjure up a rhyming couplet dedicated to your beauty and general existence

In iambic pentameter no less

Now if only you could get him to stay still and quiet enough for you to write on your name

Great Seven, is he crying?

I’m flattered that there tears of joy but all I did was write my name on your shirt

I’m pretty sure my handwriting looked nicer on that contract that Leona turned to ash you really don’t need to praise the heavens for my existence

Oh good, Vil-senpai, you’re here

Your huntsman is broken

I know that he most probably came like this but it’s a bit unnerving

VIL SCHOENHEIT

Vil was strutting through the hallways like NRC was a pageant and his catwalk was going to be crowned as the winner when he noticed Rook singing (yes, actually singing) your praises to you whilst you just looked at him like most people do

“Rook,” he called sharply, his high heels clicking through the corridor and the back of his royal purple robe effortlessly flaring out behind him, “I have been looking all over for you.”

“Roi du Poison!” he called out, “I was just engaging in the most splendid tradition with Petite mademoiselle trickster!”

“Ah, yes, Epel mentioned this during his etiquette lesson,” he looked down at the piece of your shirt that he was pinching between his perfectly manicured index finger and thumb, “whilst I understand the sentiment, I cannot believe you would allow these undeserving potatoes to tarnish your appearance like this.”

He huffs and pulls out a pen from one of his own pockets, “thankfully, I come prepared for situations like these. Honestly, what would you do without me? Be grateful that I’m here to save you from these unruly spudlings.”

He then signs his name onto you with complete precision, most probably from his years of experience as a renowned actor

“Now it would be unfitting for me as the dorm leader of Pomefiore to walk amongst these halls with ink stains on my uniform but I have a suitable substitute for you to use so that the criteria for your traditions have been met,” and with that he pressed an apple scented soft handkerchief into your palms

“Well,” he looked at you expectantly, “aren’t you going to sign it?”

“Oh, um, yes,” and you wrote your name on this obviously very expensive piece of cloth

“Wonderful,” Vil gave you an approving smile and took his handkerchief back before briskly turning around and walking away, calling out for his vice, “Rook!”

“Coming Roi du Poison!”

ORTHO SHROUD

You made your way to Ignihyde for your regularly scheduled gaming/anime watching session with the otaku shut in of the school

But of course you couldn’t do that without saying hi to his younger brother because not greeting Ortho when you enter the dorm of the Lord of the Underworld is a crime worthy of death

“Big sister Y/N!'' is the first thing you hear when you step into Idia’s dorm. The adorable android with flaming blue hair greeted you with stone-melting giddiness, “my scanners informed me that you have arrived! That’s great news! Big brother has been waiting for you to join us all day! In fact, my sensors picked up that his heart rate increased by 15% everytime I or he mentioned you!”

You giggled and pet the little robot’s head, “that’s nice, Ortho. Say, would you like to sign my shirt? All of my other friends have written their names on it and I would be very happy if you did too.”

“Write my name on big sister’s shirt?” Ortho’s eyes widened and he clapped with glee, “yes, yes, I would love to. Please wait a moment.”

You watched with part surprise part wonder as Ortho’s right hand transformed into a tiny laser

“Big brother has downloaded and programmed over a thousand different fonts into my database. Is there a style that you prefer?”

“Um, not really, Ortho,” you reply, “why don’t you choose?”

“Alright then, I’ll apply a random generator to select one for us.”

After doing that he floated towards you and wrote Ortho Shroud onto your back

Well, it was less ‘wrote’ and more lasered ink in straight lines to create letters the same way a laser printer would shoot ink to create an image

“Thank you, Ortho, I really appreciate it,” you smiled at him, but then frowned, “though I don’t know if I can return the favour to you the same way I did to everyone else since you’re made of metal.”

“Hehe, it’s okay big sister,” he happily replies, “I’m sure big brother would be more than happy to have you write to him instead.”

IDIA SHROUD

Y/N’S COMING Y/N’S COMING Y/N’S COMING

If anyone were to ask what our resident technological genius was thinking about for last twenty minutes it would be that

You’d think that him knowing you for more than a few weeks, you rescuing him from his own overblot and learning his entire tragic anime backstory would prepare him for every time you come near him but Idia doesn’t work on the logic of normies

Can you blame him? You were like ultra SSR tier and he was so below you it wasn’t funny

Hey, at least he managed to beat that weird french blond guy with the bow and arrow in the fight over who got to be the leader of the Y/N fan club

So when you and his brother, his two favourite people in the world, come into the sanctuary of his room with blinding smiles his heart does a one hit k.o

And what’s worse is that his body pillow is all the way over there on the bed so he can’t even sink his face into it for the comfort of darkness

And then when Ortho comes and says that you want him to sign your shirt and then do the same to you?

Well, the pink that was forming at the tips of his hair has erupted his flaming locks into a bright pink fuschia

What kind of shoujo manga otome game special edition event is this

Okay, cool, Idia, cool

He takes one peek at you and then immediately covers his face with his palms as his hair grows pinker if that’s even possible

You tell him that you understand if he’s uncomfortable so it’s okay if he doesn’t want to do it

But, you see Y/N, he does

He would very much like to take part in this event

But his social stats are lower than the bottom of the ocean

And he doesn’t think he’ll be able to level up in the next two or three decades at least

Seeing his brother’s internal plight, Ortho huffs at him to just do it

So he does it

Because he wants to, alright - not-not because he’s being shamed by his little brother

So he picks up one of his pens with a miniature funko pop of his favourite anime character on it and hastily signs his name without even looking

Thankfully he signed on a free space on your back otherwise he would never show you his face again

You ask him if he wants you to do the same to him and he passes out

Sigh, Ortho activate the defibrillators

MALLEUS DRACONIA

You meet Tsunotarou after the sun has set on Twisted Wonderland and you invite him inside of Ramshackle so that the two of you can share some tea you’ve prepared before you can start your nightly walk in the woods

He politely questions you on the state of your dress and you laugh and tell him all about how you mentioned a tradition back in your home world to your friends and how that evolved into a sort of scavenger hunt for signatures

As delighted as he is that you seem to be enjoying yourself and as thankful as he is that you were able to surround yourself with people who lift your spirits and ease your homesickness, he couldn’t help but feel a dark cloud of dread invading his mind and questioning whether or not this was another occasion that he was not invited to

“Tsunotarou?” you speak up, and hold up the pen that had accompanied you throughout this whole ordeal, “would you like to sign your name as well.”

He gives you a pleasant smile as he takes a sip of his tea, “I suppose I could, Child of Man. But that begs the question.”

You tilt your head in confusion and he internally laughs at how endearing you look, “what question?”

“On how you would like me to sign,” he gives you a smug little grin, “names are very important to the fae, you see. They’re very powerful, as well. In fact, a human giving a fae their name without thinking is often considered an act of foolishness (ouch, you could sense that subtle dig at your initial meeting but, in your defence you were new to this world and the concept of fairies and magic in general, and you didn’t even know the guy). So I would need to ask you if you would rather have me sign as the crown prince, Malleus Draconia or as the Tsunotarou that you met wandering around in the woods near your abode?”

“Is there really a difference?” you pose a question of your own, “Tsunotarou is Malleus and Malleus is Tsunotarou. To me both are the same. I know the rumours of you being powerful aren’t unfounded - I mean, you fixed the entire VDC venue in a second and called it child’s play so I can only imagine how strong you are. But the thing is, when I look at you, I don’t really see some crown prince who can destroy an island in the blink of an eye. All I see is a friend that I enjoy being in the company of - even if he can be a bit odd at times.”

“Odd? How brave of you to describe the future king in such a way. I was right in stating that you have no fear,” he teased you, eyes twinkling with mirth, “very well, I shall accept your request.”

He signs his name on you with the grace and elegance you’d expect a prince would have

You feel a slightly electric tingle from where the pen touches your skin through the fabric of your shirt and you can’t help but wonder if he had cast some sort of enchantment where his name was.

Once he has completed he hands you your pen back and you smile back at him, “I trust you, Tsunotarou. Not just because you’re my friend but also because you were one of the few who truly made me feel welcome even before we even knew each other. Actually, I trust you so much that-

You beckon him towards you, causing him to lean closer towards you. You take the pen and sign your name right on the first patch of white that you can see and reach

-that I would give you my name a hundred times without even a second of hesitation.”

ALRIGHT, TEACHER SNIPPETS: The next day, you take the shirt that you had worn the previous day and carry it around in your hands around campus so that you could ask the teachers to sign their names

PROFESSOR DIVUS CREWEL looks down at all of the names with disdain and mutters something about ‘rowdy mutts slobbering around his pup’ and something about ‘neutering’ before signing his name on your shirt with a flourish

PROFESSOR TREIN looks at you fondly and gives you one of his tea biscuits before signing his name.

COACH ASHTON VARGAS gives you a booming laugh and a hair ruffle as he gladly signs his name all big and loud with several exclamation marks and some reminder to always work out

MR SAM argues with his friends from the other side on whether or not he should add their names as well. Instead he just signs his name and draws a cute little skull next to it

P.S. Please note that, if given the opportunity, any one of the NRC boys would very gladly and willingly write their names directly onto your skin with no hesitation whatsoever.

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slafkovskys · 4 months

Text

𝔫𝔬𝔟𝔬𝔡𝔶 𝔰𝔞𝔦𝔡 𝔦𝔱 𝔴𝔞𝔰 𝔢𝔞𝔰𝔶 ❈ 𝔥𝔲𝔤𝔥𝔢𝔰 𝔟𝔯𝔬𝔰 𝔵 𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔩

summary: in which the truth comes out

word count: 4k

warning(s): angst, language, mentions of cheating, mentions of alcohol consumption

↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝ ↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝ ↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝ ↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝↜ ↝ ↜ ↝↜ ↝↜

“i wonder if he knows that we can see that he’s just been sitting in the driveway for the past twenty minutes.”

“probably, but only because you keep walking up to the window to stare at him,” she sends jack a teasing smile when the older man rolls his eyes. she leans forward and presses a soft kiss to his lips, but drew makes a noise in between them and grabs onto his mother’s hair to ensure that her attention is solely on him, “hi. i haven’t forgotten about you, mister.”

there’s a knock at their front door and the two adults share a look. she takes drew from his father and stops jack when he makes a move toward the door, “remember what we talked about?”

“nice words only?” he raises an eyebrow and she smiles, “i’ll be a good boy, you don’t have to worry.”

and she can’t help but feel a little bit worried as he turns on his heel and disappears from her sight. drew tugs on her hair again and she’s quickly distracted once again by her youngest child, “are you hungry?”

jack grins at the gleeful squeals of his children as he makes his way down the hall, but it quickly falls as he spots the figure on the other side of the door. on one hand, he was happy that luke was finally taking a step towards making things right, but on the other was the fact that he had left angel during one of the most vulnerable moments of her life while also leaving him and quinn to pick up the pieces in an attempt at making her whole again.

he has to count to ten more than once before he finally pulls open the door. he hadn’t seen his youngest brother since the stanley cup final when he skated right past him to pass the cup to bratter. he still had the same dark circles under his eyes that he had for the past year and his face was even a little slimmer, but he could tell that he had showered and even gotten a haircut before he came.

“um, thanks for having me.”

“i’m not the one that invited you here,” jack all but spits and it’s only when luke flinches at his words that he remembers that he was supposed to be nice. he steps to the side so luke could come in, but then jack presses a heavy hand to his chest when he tries to enter the house, “you’re here to make amends and i get that, but i promise that if you say anything out of line, you’re gone. are we clear?”

“crystal,” luke stares at his middle brother and he sees something in his eyes that he had never seen. it was more than a warning, it was a promise. jack’s hand falls when the sound of wheels comes from somewhere down the hall, followed by a delighted noise. both brothers turn their heads to find wren in her walker, grinning widely at them around her fist.

“after you,” jack forces a smile and closes the door behind luke, moving past to run up to wren which only delights the girl more, “where are we going, wren? where’s mom?”

jack follows after her and luke pauses in the hallway, taking in everything that had changed since he had been gone. besides the baby gates that now blocked off certain rooms and the few toys he could see strewn about on the floor that led into the living room, the most noticeable difference was the picture wall. he finds himself staring at all of the memories that had been made in his absence.

the picture wall was something she had started during her second summer with the boys, not loving the empty space in their entryway. slowly but surely it became filled with photos of friends and family, of the four of them. now, though, there’s a single picture of luke on the wall from the night he was drafted, placed on the outskirts like an afterthought. the frames that he used to live in were now replaced with pictures of the twins in various stages of their lives. his eyes drift from a photo of jack and quinn holding the two babies right after they were born to the photo that’s strategically placed in the middle. quinn’s on one side, jack is on the other, and she’s standing in between them with the biggest grin on her face as both men stare down at her. she’s clad in a bikini top and a pair of denim shorts and luke can just barely make out the cowboy boots that were on her feet. jack’s got a cowboy hat on his head and quinn’s wearing a flannel with sleeves ripped off and even after almost five years, it’s comforting to know that she can get quinn out of his comfort zone because there is no way that the quinn he knows (or knew) would ever wear a cut-off shirt at twenty-nine.

“you would’ve had fun,” her voice startles him. he turns and finds her standing a few feet away, “all of your favorite artists were there. it was mostly jack’s idea because i still can’t get behind country, but it fell on our anniversary. it was our first little weekend away from the twins. i was facetiming my parents the whole time checking in on them.”

“yeah, five years,” luke says. it was a day he couldn’t forget. he had kept himself in his bedroom for the majority of it, staring at the ceiling. ellen checked on him a couple of times, made him eat dinner with her and jim before letting him disappear to his bed again. “crazy.”

“i’m glad that you came,” she says and he can tell that she means it. she beckons him to follow her and he does. “do you want something to eat? drink?”

“i’m good,” luke looks around the room. the last time he had been there, the place was more reminiscent of a frat house than what it was now. the beer bottles on the counter had been replaced with baby bottles and the clothes that used to be strewn over the floor were replaced by various toys meant to teach the babies their shapes. a pair of delighted squeals and a chuckle from jack causes luke to realize that someone is missing, “where’s quinn?”

“he’s not ready,” is all she says, slicing through a strawberry. she looks up just in time to see his eyes drift over to jack who is now being used as a jungle gym by the twins. she smirks, “and he just doesn’t trust you.”

and that’s, well, fair.

“um-”

“we’re going to go outside and talk,” she announces, not as much asking him as she was telling him while also letting jack in on their plans. she picks up her bowl and rounds the island, “jacky-”

“i’m on baby duty. don’t let them face plant on the couch because even though they laugh, it’s not actually funny,” he rolls his eyes and they share an affectionate smile, “i know the drill.”

“sometimes i wonder,” she teases as she pulls open the door. luke follows her lead, now a guest in the home he used to reside in. she points to the fire pit, “pick your seat.”

he was surprised to see that his chair was still sitting in the circle, but his eyes couldn’t help but linger on the smaller additions that now sat on either side of angel’s favorite spot. the same spot she curls up in, setting her bowl in her lap and tucking her phone underneath her thigh, an old habit she had never dropped.

she hums, “the floor is yours.”

and he takes that as they weren’t going to be doing any icebreakers.

“i didn’t sleep last night thinking about what i wanted to say, what i could say, and-” he clears his throat, “it didn’t really hit me until i was driving here that there is never anything that i could say or do that would make up for what i did. i know that you don’t have to believe me, but i meant it when i said that i was sorry.”

“i know you did,” she says and he sends her a confused glance, “when you’re lying, you scrunch up your nose and start moving your fingers around. remember that’s how i found out what quinn got me for christmas a couple of years ago? when i asked if it was post malone tickets as a joke and when you said no, you scrunched your nose.”

“oh yeah,” he chuckles at the memory of him begging her to act surprised when she opened the box that contained the tickets that morning.

she hums, “i just want to know why you did it, luke. you can tell me sorry all you want, but there’s got to be a reason.”

and there was.

he takes a deep breath before he lets the words spill from his lips, “when i pulled those tests out of your bag, i didn’t know what to do. i was about to be twenty-three and about to sign a new deal, i didn’t think that i was ready for that yet. i was scared-”

“it’s not like we had just met. we had been making plans, long-term ones,” her eyes narrowed at him, “and you were scared? i wasn’t even out of college. i still had no plans for after graduation, my partners were living on completely different sides of the continent, and all of them wanted me to come back with them after the off-season. there was so much going on in my life and to top it off, now i had a child — children — to worry about. you had a career, a home, everything planned out, but you were scared?”

“it was selfish,” he admits for the first time out loud, “it was selfish to even think of leaving that night. i wasn’t considering how you would feel or quinn or jack, i just wanted to figure it out on my own. i thought if i went to mom’s and slept on it, i would be good in the morning, but then i got on the plane to florida and i- i knew.”

“you knew?”

“how bad i had fucked up by leaving. i think in my mind, i had already lost you so there was no point in going back.”

“i promise you that if you would’ve come back that morning instead of getting on that plane, i would’ve let you. we could’ve talked like adults, laid all of our fears out on the table, and figured it out. i would’ve let you back because i still loved you then,” luke feels something reach into his chest and rip the air right from his lungs at those words, “and my problem now is that there was as much of a chance that they could have been yours as it was quinn and jack’s, but you still left. you never called. you never texted.”

“i- i wanted to,” he tries, “every day for the past year i wanted to reach out to you, talk to you, tell you how much i still love you-”

“oh, that’s rich,” she snorts, “you actually have the nerve to tell me that you still love me when it didn’t take you, what was it, luke? two weeks to hook up with someone that i thought was my friend and then continue to be with her the entire time-”

“we were never together and we never will be,” he quickly interrupts her and he watches her demeanor falter for the first time since he had arrived, “i’m not denying that we hooked up, or that we did it more than once, but she treats it as more than it is. i told her it wasn’t anything serious and she said she was fine with that. she’s the one that tells everyone that we’re together-”

“but you’re letting her?” she fired back and that was something that luke couldn’t argue with because he did let her. “she had a jacket for the playoffs.”

“i told her not to order one. i told elisa not to let her order one. she went behind our backs to the artist and ordered it herself. i promise. i have the messages,” he goes to reach for his phone and she stops him with a shake of her head.

“how,” she sniffles before using her finger to wipe underneath her eyes. behind her, luke watches as jack holds drew over his head as (he guesses) he pretends that the boy is an airplane. she takes a deep breath before speaking again, “i want to know how it happened, you and her. why it happened.”

“it must’ve been two weeks after i left, maybe three? i had already moved most of my stuff out of the townhouse and into an airbnb because i knew jack wouldn’t want me around, so i was alone a lot. she messaged me late one night and i guess you had just told her that you were pregnant, but she kept saying how she understands what i did and she doesn’t blame me for it. i- i was drinking and i called her and before i knew it, i had booked her a ticket to come out. she was at my door the next morning and i was too hungover to tell her to leave.

“we went out for dinner after i got home from skate and we just kept drinking and talking and she was taking my side and- i slept with her that night,” he watches as she tears her eyes away from his and turns her head towards the lake. her hand covers her mouth as she closes her eyes, trying to conceal the sobs, “angel-”

“don’t call me that. you don’t have the privilege right now.”

he closes his eyes too, letting his head hang ashamed. he doesn’t know how much time passes before she clears her throat, “you let four years go down the drain because you were too scared to come and talk to me.”

she’s mumbling the words to herself over and over again. she looks back at him, eyes red-rimmed, “is there anything — anyone — else that you want me to know about?”

he shakes his head, “that’s everything.”

“i tried to leave too, you know? for real,” she starts and luke’s eyes widen at her admission, “after you left here that night, i started really doubting everything. we made plans the next night, sure, and talked about it all week. we were in love and about to start a family and we should be excited about houses with fences and baby gates and onesies, but you took a piece of me with you that night, luke.

“after i found out that i was having twins, i called quinn and jack and they were both so excited. they were bickering about names and who they would look like. they even started working on a pool for when they would be born, but i couldn’t even enjoy that. i went to the appointment by myself because it was the start of playoff season and watching them argue about who they would be like the most made me start to think about you and i honestly had stopped thinking about you. i hated thinking about you.

“i hung up with them and decided that if i could do these appointments alone, i could raise them alone. what if they weren’t quinn or jack’s? what if they were yours? the first person that i had ever loved left me and never looked back. you made leaving look so easy and i got scared that they would do the same, so the next day i changed my number and put in with school for sick leave. thank god my professor was understanding of my situation or i would’ve failed the last class that i needed to graduate.

“i went back home to my parents, but jack was at my door within twelve hours. quinn couldn’t get a flight quick enough, but he had just landed in columbus so he drove. apparently, they were blowing up moms’ phones about me and they told them i was fine, i just needed space, but you and i both know that jack wouldn’t know space if it slapped him in the face,” she chuckles and luke can’t find it in him to share her humor, “i tried to make them understand, but we all knew that i was lying.

“i didn’t want to be by myself. i wanted you, all of you, and the fact that all of you didn’t want me was a lot,” she shakes her head, “there were tears, so many tears. they were begging me to stay and i was begging them to let me go. we were up until like two am until i fell asleep in jack’s lap because i was so exhausted from all the back and forth.

“mom had muffins for us the next morning and jack took me and the rental back to columbus before we caught a flight back to jersey. quinn was still freaking out and i felt so bad for scaring him, i still do, but i- i got in my head. it was a one-time thing. i’ve never thought about leaving before and i haven’t done it since.”

“jack didn’t play in any away games for the rest of the season-”

“because they were both worried i would try to leave again, no matter how many times i promised that it was a one-time thing. quinn tried to quit because of me,�� she announces and luke’s mouth falls, “yeah. they were serious about making sure that i knew they were both there for me, he said he’d retire if i wanted him to. i told him he was crazy if he thought that i’d ever ask him to do that.”

he can’t stop the question from leaving his lips, “why did you do it?”

“when i said that you took a piece of me with you that night, luke, i wasn’t kidding. watching the first person you ever loved, the one who encouraged our relationship in the first place, be the first to leave, made me start to question if all the complications were worth it. you might hate hearing me say it, but we’re not us without you. quinn, jack, and i still love each other more than ever, but we’re not whole. we all realize that something is missing and we just try to fill that void the best that we can.”

even after everything, she was saying that he was a part of them, that he was their missing piece.

“i- i didn’t know.”

she shrugs, “how could you have?”

“i wish that i could take it back. every single thing. i never should have left that night,” he lets a tear slip from his eye. she stares at him for a second, two, before reaching over and wiping it away. she lets her palm linger on his cheek and he lets out a shaky breath at the feeling of her skin on his for the first time in over a year.

“i know that you would, lukey,” she whispers, “but i can’t forgive you right now.”

“okay.”

“but that doesn’t mean that i can’t forgive you at some point,” she says with some sense of hopefulness in her tone, something that causes a pull in luke’s chest, “there’s- it’s just a lot we talked about. you said a lot, i said a lot, and i think that we both need time to process it instead of just moving on and trying to pretend that it never happened. is that fair?”

he nods, cheek still pressed against her warm hand, “that’s fair.”

“don’t run away from me again,” this time it’s a demand slipping from her lips, “just because i’m still mad, doesn’t mean i don’t want to speak. i still have love for you, luke, and there’s a lot we have to catch up on.”

he doesn’t need to ask what the ‘a lot’ she was referring to was, the two tiny, wooden lawn chairs that had been placed around the fire pit sometime during his absence were his answer.

“do you want to meet them, officially?” her face is sincere when she asks while luke can’t manage to hide the shocked expression that takes over his features.

“i-” he tries to find the words, “yeah, of course, but… you’re okay with that? so soon, i mean.”

“if you don’t feel comfortable, or even want to meet them, luke, you can say no. i don’t want to force you,” she shakes her head. luke blinks as he thinks about it. truthfully, there was nothing more in this world that he wanted than to know the twins, to know the little slice of life that she and his brothers now lived. she chuckles, “even if you aren’t with me anymore, at the very least you’re still a friend that i want them to know.”

and he wishes she would’ve just delivered a punch to his gut instead of uttering those words, but he nods. she pulls her hand away from his face and he has to refrain from chasing after her touch as she lets out a sigh, “they’ll be going down for their nap soon, so we can’t get them too amped up. you can at least say hi.”

“sounds good,” he agrees, rubbing his hands on his thighs when he stands. he follows her back up to the house and pulls the door closed behind them. jack’s eyes follow her curiously as she goes to deposit her bowl in the sink and luke wants to say something, let him know that he also owes him an apology, but she beats him to it.

“we’re going to be civil, jacky. friends, okay?” she passes in front of luke and he gets a whiff of her perfume, the same one she wore on their first date all those years ago, “and if we’re going to be friends, i want him to meet the kids.”

“we said this was your call, angel,” is all his brother says as she takes up a spot on the floor near him. luke wasn’t surprised that they were letting her call the shots on this because sure, what he did affected them, but there was no doubt that it affected her the most. the ball was always going to be in her court, they were always going to move at her pace.

she leans over and presses a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth, smiling when wren reaches for her.

“this is wren. also goes by wren quinn or kq,” there’s a prideful grin on her face as she takes her daughter from jack’s hands and sets her on her lap, “our oldest.”

“you can sit down, luke, they’re not going to bite. drew only cut his first teeth last week,” jack mumbles, noticing luke lingering between the couch and the wall. the boy in question makes an excited noise as he grabs onto his father’s finger and starts waving it around excitedly, “this is drew, also goes by dj-”

“or drew boo!” angel interrupts and jack makes a face, “he hasn’t been so lucky in the nickname department which they blame me for as if they weren’t involved in the naming process too.”

“maybe when he gets older,” luke offers as he takes a seat on the floor across from the woman. he watches as wren kicks her legs and stares at him curiously, like she knows him, but doesn’t at the same time, “hi wren. i’m-”

there’s a pause. he doesn’t know what to say and jack sends him a look that silently reminds him to heed his earlier warning. angel sends him a soft smile as she stands the seven-month-old up on her thighs and allows her to bounce gently on her feet, “this is luke, wren. he’s mommy’s friend.”

and mommy’s friend was better than nothing.

#hughes bros x angel #jack hughes #luke hughes #quinn hughes #jack hughes imagine #quinn hughes imagine #luke hughes imagine #hockey imagine #nhl imagine #my work

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nataliasquote · 3 months

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Double the trouble | a day out | n romanoff

Part of the ‘Double the trouble AU’

Summary: a day trip with 2 3-year-olds is a lot to handle…

Warnings: none

Pairings: WandaNat

wc: 2.9k

note: this was a request from anon (my first request!) so I hope I did it justice

- ⧗ -

Isla was always the loudest twin. She had all her firsts before her sister; word, steps, you name it, she beat Y/n to it. Which often left the younger girl feeling behind and unworthy, born to only follow in the shadows of her twin sister.

Natasha and Wanda tried their hardest to treat their girls equally, but with Y/n’s reluctance to try anything new and Isla’s strong temperament, they had a difficult situation on their hands.

Being three years old meant days were filled with trips to the park and fun days out for the whole family. Isla had been begging to go to the zoo, the colourful picture books she begged Wanda to read every night cementing her love for animals. Y/n nodded when asked if she wanted to go too. But what was she supposed to say? She did everything Isla did.

But the zoo wasn’t her thing. Whilst her older sister toddled around and pointed animatedly at all the different animals, Y/n stayed beside the stroller, her tiny hands fiddling with the fabric seat as she stared at the concrete pavement. Natasha tried her hardest to involve her, often picking her up so she could see over the fences and pointing to the monkeys who were chasing each other around the enclosure. But the little girl was having none of it, her fist wrapped around the strap of her mama’s tank top.

“What’s the matter maylshka?” Natasha asked, holding Y/n tight to her body as she lead them both over to a nearby bench. “I thought you loved the zoo?”

The small girl shook her head, flaming hair falling loose from its braids. “Isla like zoo. Not me.”

Natasha’s brow furrowed as she looked at her daughter. “But you said you wanted to go?”

Y/n gave her mother a glare. A very familiar one at that. “No. Isla said go. Not me.”

Natasha shifted so her daughter was now sat on her knee. She gently moved a stray piece of hair from her forehead and kissed it gently, rubbing the soft cotton of her t-shirt. “I’m sorry malyshka. I thought you wanted to go too.”

“It’s ok Mama,” Y/n said, placing her cool palms on her mother’s warm cheeks. Natasha smiled softly at the gesture and booped her on the nose, making the young girl giggle. “Can we get ice cream?”

Natasha pretended to think for a moment. “Ice cream? Hmmm, I don’t know.”

“I think yes!”

“Do you? And does Y/n make the rules now?”

The young girl nodded happily, her whole body moving with the force. “Ice cream!”

“Ok, big girl. Let’s get ice cream.” Natasha stood up from her seat and began to set Y/n down on the ground, but the three year old clung to her front like the monkeys behind her, tiny heels digging into Natasha’s waist. There were many things Nat loved about her youngest, but Y/n’s clingy nature was by far her favourite. It made her feel wanted, important.

With a stroller handle in one hand and a child balanced carefully in the other, Nat set off towards the jungle themed cafe she’d spotted on the map by the gate. Wanda had taken Isla off to god knows where, the young girl unable to sit still with so much happening around her.

The cafe itself was rather busy so Natasha expertly manoeuvred the stroller into a corner booth table and kicked the brake down so it wouldn’t roll into anyone’s way. She sank down onto the cushioned blue seat and allowed Y/n to straddle her lap, soft red hair tickling her nostrils as the young girl lay against her mother’s chest.

Natasha quickly scanned her surroundings before pulling out her phone and punching a quick update text to Wanda, who replied back with a video of Isla at the penguin enclosure.

“Look Y/n,” she turned her phone so the young girl could see but Y/n didn’t pay much attention. She watched for two seconds before her head went straight back to Natasha’s collarbone, finding more comfort there than anywhere else. “You’re really not bothered by the zoo, huh?”

Y/n shook her head lazily, her thumb coming up to brush against her lips, a telltale sign for Natasha who was well trained in motherhood.

“I think someone’s tired?” Another sleepy nod. “You wanna go for a nap, detka?” Talking was clearly too much for Y/n, who only replied with yet another nod. Natasha took her response and pulled the stroller close. However, she was met with some resistance as she tried to transfer a now squirmy three year old into her seat. “What’s wrong?”

“-na stay with you,” Y/n mumbled around her thumb before Nat gently prised it out of her mouth. Y/n’s big green eyes blinked up at her tiredly and Natasha couldn’t help but coo at the sight. Her girls were the most adorable things in her life and when they were tired they were so precious.

Nat moved her body back into the corner of the booth and allowed Y/n to swivel around so she was flat against her chest, cheek resting comfortably on the softness of Natasha’s chest. They may not be fed like that anymore, but the twins still found great comfort from their mamas’ chests.

It didn’t take long for Y/n’s breaths to even out and Natasha couldn’t help but take a quick selfie with her daughter, the moment too precious to capture. She stared at her screen with a blissful expression before posting it to her close friends’ instagram story. Only family and the occasional friend was allowed on there, and Yelena of course was the first to send a reply.

@ yelenabelova7

you better be bringing those munchkins to me soon. I want baby Y/n hugs too

Natasha rolled her eyes and laughed as she replied, flawlessly typing even with one hand.

@ natromanoff

i’m impressed you got the twin right. and i’m not putting them on a plane so you’ll have to come here. I know isla would love that.

@ yelenabelova7

I can’t believe you doubt me Natasha. I know my Y/n when I see her. Besides, she’s always clinging to you. You got the quiet one. Wanda has her hands full with the other monkey

@ natromanoff

They’re both our children, Lena. Wands is just happy to be dragged around a zoo. I’d rather sit

@ yelenabelova7

HA! You’re getting old sestra. You’re a mother, not a grandma. Not yet anyway.

Yelena’s comment made Natasha roll her eyes and place her phone down on the table. She cradled Y/n’s head to her chest and rocked her gently back and forth. A smile broke out across her face as she spotted her wife push through the large glass doors, Isla tugging on her arm impatiently.

Natasha held a finger up to her lips as her favourite girls approached, trying not to disturb her youngest. But her efforts were in vain as Y/n recognised the approaching voices and lifted her head to peer around. Wanda bent down and kissed her head softly, brushing her hair back as she pulled away.

“Hello sleepy head,” she cooed, taking a seat on the opposite bench and pulling Isla onto her lap. “Did the ice cream make you sleepy?”

“We didn’t even get that far, did we?” Natasha laughed, watching as Y/n’s head perked up at the mention of the sweet dessert.

“Can we get it now?”

Wanda looked down at Isla. “You wanna get some with me and we can bring it back for Y/n and Mama?”

“Sure!”

“Me go too!” Y/n squirmed off Natasha’s lap and ran over to Wanda, taking the hand on her other side. “Mama stay?” She asked, looking back at Natasha.

The redhead nodded. “I’ll hold down the fort.”

Wanda led the twins away like a mother duck and her ducklings, holding their hands tight until they reached the large glass cabinet. The young woman behind the counter smiled at the precious sight in front of her as the twins stretched up on their toes to peer in.

“Pink!” Y/n exclaimed, pointing to the candy floss ice cream that sounded disgusting in Wanda’s eyes. “Can I get pink?”

“Mommy I want chocolate!”

“What do we say when we want something?” Wanda asked, putting on her best ‘mom’ voice.

“Pleeeeeese?” The girls chorused, tiny toothy smiles dazzling up at their mommy. The worker chuckled and caught Y/n’s eye so she smiled widely at her too.

“That’s better. And yes, you can get whatever you would like. But you have to ask the nice lady politely.”

Isla being Isla spoke up first, puffing out her chest as she took a deep breath. “Please can I have chocolate please?” She pointed into the cabinet, just in case the server wasn’t sure which one was chocolate.

“Of course you can sweetheart. Is that in a cone or a cup?” Isla looked at her blankly and turned to Wanda, a clear cry for help.

“The smallest cone you do please. And just one scoop.” The girl nodded and began preparing her order. “They don’t need too much sugar.”

Once Isla’s order was complete the server turned to Y/n who was staring intently at all the colourful flavours. “Which one would you like sweetheart?”

“Pink?”

“Strawberry?” Y/n looked up at Wanda, tugging her sleeve for help. The mother shook her head and watched to see which one her daughter pointed too. Granted, Y/n could barely point in the right direction but her intention was enough to go off.

“I think she means the candyfloss. The one with the glitter on it.”

Y/n’s was scooped into a similar cone to Isla and then placed on the stand. Wanda quickly sorted herself and Natasha out; two scoops of honeycomb crunch in a cup for herself, and a double scoop of caramel coffee for Nat. Wanda always teased her wife for crunching on the coffee beans that topped her scoop. Natasha sure was a strange one when it came to her flavour preferences.

Ice creams clutched tightly in hands, Wanda ushered her little ducklings back to the safety of the booth where Natasha was waiting, a large grin plastered onto her face that mirrored that of her ice cream laden babies.

Sweet treats were consumed from the safety of the jungle themed cafe and Isla and Y/n swung their feet happily as they nibbled on their cones. Sticky hands and faces were just inevitable and Wanda was soon ready to attack both with baby wipes the second they were done.

“Did you two see everything you wanted to?” Natasha asked, scrolling through the pictures on Wanda’s phone of Isla at various exhibits.

“I saw lions!” Isla bared her teeth and roared, shaking her head like she’d seen the majestic creature do hours earlier. “And the ‘raffes!”

“Giraffes?”

“Yeah!”

Y/n tugged on Natasha’s sleeve and pointed to part of the mural covering the wall to her right. “They have those here?”

The colourful sea creatures were definitely oversaturated; pink sharks didn’t sit comfortably with Natasha. But she followed Y/n finger to a sparkly blue turtle and smiled, noticing how Isla and Wanda also did the same.

“I saw a sign for an aquarium around the corner,” Wanda said. “There could be turtles in there.”

“We go!”

“Now hold on a minute-“ Wanda started, but telling two sugared-up three years olds on a mission to slow down was a fruitless effort. Natasha grabbed both of their tiny wrists and gently tugged them back to the table, earning little angry glares from both girls.

“What did we say about running off?”

“But-“

“Not buts, Y/n. What did we say?”

“Don’t run off,” they said in unison, the floor now much more interesting than Natasha who wasn’t smiling. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok munchkin, just wait 2 minutes and we’ll be ready.”

Wanda and Natasha packed up quickly and headed towards the aquarium side of the zoo, eyes glued to the two little girls in front of them whose hands were tightly clasped together. They may have their favourite parent and stay glued to their side, but Y/n and Isla’s bond truly was unbreakable. Starkly different, yet inseparable.

#natasha romanoff #marvel #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff x daughter!reader #wanda maximoff x reader #wandanat #wanda maximoff #wanda maximoff x daughter!reader #fanfic #double the trouble au

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secretsofblackthornhall · 2 years

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Emma to Cristina

Dear Cristina!

Sorry to startle you, I just wrote “Dear Cristina” with the comma first and it seemed a little down. Thought I would try to spice it up a little. And I want to hear from you because I miss you and it’s highly annoying that you couldn’t be in New York.

Why did Nene have to pick this exact time to visit you guys? Is it because she has faerie intuition and carefully decided to keep us apart? I mean, no, probably not, she seems like a pretty good person. But still! Show up a week later, Nene! Also disappointed to hear that she didn’t spill anything about what the heck is up in the Seelie Court. I guess if she had given up the court’s secrets to Kieran — who is, technically, the King of the Unseelie Court — the Seelie Queen would consider that “bad” and Nene to be a “traitor,” but that’s nothing compared to how much we want to know what’s up.

Anyway. We’re back from New York, where the weather was much worse than in London, but whatever. We’d sent that picture of the candlesticks from the church to Alec, and he showed them to his mom, who recognized them. She said Robert had brought them along with a bunch of other inherited Lightwood stuff when they left Idris for NYC, and she had no idea what had happened to them since, but they were probably in the NY Institute somewhere. Well, we’ve got the Ghost Sensor, so we said goodbye to Rupert and headed over. (Julian wondered whether Rupert misses us when we’re gone, but it’s hard to tell if ghosts can tell the passage of time. In any case we didn’t find sad faces drawn in the dust when we came back, or anything like that.)

So we saw Jace and Clary, of course, and Alec came to help. I think he was really curious since it’s his family’s stuff. (We were hoping to see Simon and Isabelle but they were off recruiting for Shadowhunter Academy. And Magnus stayed home with the kids. He texted us a video from their apartment where he asked Max and Rafe, “Are we going to help our friends?” and they both shouted, “No!” It was cute. I mean, Max and Rafe were cute. Magnus was maybe milking it a little.)

Finding the candlesticks was…pretty easy, actually, kind of anticlimactic. They were hiding in plain sight in the church’s nave among all the other candlesticks and candelabras and other candle-related things. And the Sensor led us right to them. So maybe they weren’t removed in the Blitz but instead the Lightwoods took them back? Or maybe they were removed and then brought back and sometime after that Robert’s parents took them out of the church? We’ll probably never know, but it also probably doesn’t matter since, whatever, we have them, mystery solved.

In celebration we ordered a pizza and ate it by the light of the candlesticks. New York pizza! It is the best. It hurts to say that a little, as an LA girl, but the truth is the truth. I’d missed it so. Pizza in London is…well, best not to speak of it.

So while we were eating Jace asked Alec if there was any news from Idris, and Julian and I kind of looked at each other because there’s never news from Idris, the Cohort have all shut themselves in there and refuse to come out or let anyone in, you know the deal.

Alec revealed that they had been working on some new variation on fire-messages that would be able to get through the wards around Idris. Mostly using Clary’s power to invent new runes. They’ve been sending them for a while, trying different things, but hadn’t gotten any responses until very recently when they heard from one of my least favorite people, Manuel.

So Alec and Manuel have apparently been sending messages back and forth. Zara refuses to respond and Manuel implied that she didn’t like that he and Alec were talking. Alec thinks he might be lying and Zara might not even know. But Alec also thinks Manuel is tired of being stuck there and might be their way in, since (as we all know) Manuel cares about Manuel above everything else, certainly way more than he cares about the Cohort’s supposed mission. Like Jace said, Zara is a true believer, but Manuel is just an opportunist.

This was all super-interesting, of course, but Julian and I started to feel bad remembering that Alec is, you know, the Consul. Julian said he knew Alec had important Consul stuff to do and it was great that he had come to help find the candlesticks anyway. And then Alec said a really nice thing! He said that their New York crew had always had to work in secret, that they’d always thought of the Clave as the enemy. Well, maybe not the enemy, but not their ally. The Clave they grew up with, you know, locked Jace in the Silent City and refused to believe that Valentine was returning. They would never have thought of going to them for help. So Alec said it was really important to him as Consul to actually be there for the Shadowhunters, to be someone they could know and talk to and bring problems to, rather than hiding. And I guess we did know Alec personally before, and they are his family’s candlesticks, but still, it was nice that he thought of it as part of his Consul duties to help us out, rather than thinking of it as something taking time away from his Real Work. He said this was his Real Work, and we’d better not stop coming to him and Magnus for help.

So then after a while Clary announced that she and I needed to have some girl talk and whisked me off to Taki’s for coffee. Julian she left with Jace and Alec. When last I saw him Jace was guiding him towards the weapons room to take a look at the collection of 17th-century Spanish military swords he’d recently found in one of the church weapons caches somewhere in New York. Julian watched me leave like a puppy being taken to the vet for shots, but I think he had a good time. So he says, anyway.

Clary and I settled into a booth at Taki’s. She wanted to ask me how I was doing, and I started telling her, but she seemed distracted, and I realized that maybe she needed to talk to me about how she was doing. Which turned out to be true. She’s worried because Alec likes to believe the best of people, and he’s really optimistic about the progress they’ve made getting in touch with Manuel, but Clary thinks Zara is a manipulative psycho. On which topic we agree.

“You think it’s a trick?” I said. “Or a trap?”

She said she didn’t know. But then she kind of argued with herself and said she understood how important it was to open up Idris, that she knew the Clave couldn’t survive forever split in two like this.

I said it seemed like it was really weighing heavily on them, and she kind of sighed and gave me the big news, or rather the lack of big news, which is that she and Jace have decided they don’t want to get married until the Clave is reunited. And Simon and Isabelle feel the same way.

“It’s not like there’s any reason to rush,” she said. She was looking out the window as she said it, though, and she sounded kind of sad. “But we don’t want a wedding where all anyone is thinking about is how Idris is off-limits and the Clave is broken.”

She kept looking out the window, so I asked if she saw someone out there, and she kind of looked guilty and turned back to me. “Oh, no, I thought I saw Jace for a minute, but it wasn’t him.”

Finally we got around to how I’m doing and I got to tell her the thing I’m worried about, which you and I have talked about a little. Which is that Julian and I are fixing up this house and I guess…we’re going to move here? Like, move to London. And out of Los Angeles for good. And I haven’t really gotten to think about what that would be like. I was thinking of it as a kind of temporary thing where we would fix up the house and then go home. And it’s easy to feel that way because of all the stuff going on with the Clave.

But for Julian, this will be our new home. And I can’t blame him for wanting that. I mean, for one thing, he’s a Blackthorn and it’s Blackthorn Hall. But we grew up in Los Angeles. I’m an LA girl, all my memories of my parents are of them in Los Angeles. But then we both do have many hard memories from the LA Institute, and it would be nice to put them behind us and get a fresh start. I don’t know. Do you ever find it strange, that you live in New York now? And Faerie? Do you miss the D.F.?

Maybe it’s Idris being out of reach that makes it feel so strange. I grew up always knowing that however spread out the Shadowhunters might be we all had a home together in Idris. It held the Clave together all over the world. But what if Idris is really gone for us, Cristina?

What if it’s gone forever?

Xoxox

Emma

#sobh #secrets of blackthorn hall #emma carstairs #julian blackthorn #clary fairchild #taki's diner #the clave #cristina rosales #blackstairs

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fortheloveofwonderland · 11 months

Text

Somewhere to Belong | 2/3 | S.R

Part 2 of my Family Challenge Fic.

Part 1 | Part 3

Summery - Spencer moves into his new home and his friends express their concerns. His adoption process hits wall after wall and each time you’re the one he turns to.

Pairing - Spencer Reid x BAU Fem! Reader

Warnings - talk of break ups, arguing, tears, swearing, mentions of Spencer’s childhood, drinking, drunk Spencer, talk of potential relapse, crying child, NA meetings.

WC - 7.9k

Part 2

It took until the end of April, around the time flowers started to rebloom and the grass turned a lush shade of green, when he finally got the keys to his new home.

It felt fitting, the way the world was regrowing, starting a new beginning just as he was.

He’d taken the first offer that came on his apartment, not caring that it was less than he would have liked for it. He had enough money saved from over the years that he could cover the difference needed. Time was of the essence, he couldn’t wait around.

The team, now all apprised of his adoption intentions, helped him move on a rare weekend they had off from the BAU. Well all of them except for you anyway.

Luke and Matt did most of the heavy lifting, much to Spencer’s elation as honestly he had no idea how he’d planned on doing it himself.

Rossi, Emily and Tara helped fix together furniture while he and JJ started on painting the room that would hopefully one day belong to Wren.

It broke her heart a little as she aided him in filling the little bookshelf with all the girls favourite titles and putting stuffed animals on another shelf all of which he’d brought for her.

Because what happened if Wren didn’t come home to him? What on Earth would be left of her best friend if he wasn’t able to adopt her?

He’d spent nearly all his savings on this house and furnishing it, even stencilling Wren’s name above the bed. She knew there would be no coming back for him if this didn’t work out. She would help in any way she could but she wished he was erring on the side of caution more.

After hours spent getting Spencer’s new home in order, Rossi cooked them all carbonara alla Rossi which they all sat down to eat as a family.

Minus you.

And your absence was brought up about halfway through dinner.

“I have to ask,” it was Tara who finally dared broach the subject that was on the tip of everyone’s tongues. “Y/N was really cagey when we told her about today. She said she had plans but wouldn’t say what they were.”

“Did something happen between the two of you?” JJ added over her glass of wine.

Honestly Spencer didn’t really see the point in lying about it. Whatever happened between the two of you was over now so he supposed it didn’t matter if the team knew.

He put his cutlery down, leaning it on the edges of his plate and taking a sip of water. He leant on the table and cleared his throat.

“Uh well…we were dating.” He shrugged. “For a few months. But it’s over now.”

The members of his former team all exchanged looks, silently questioning each other to see if anyone had any idea. It seemed none of them did.

“Wow, I’m kinda impressed you managed to keep that from us.” Emily chuckled dryly.

“Me too.” Spencer replied.

“What happened?” Matt asked the million dollar question.

Again, Spencer didn’t see the point in lying. It wasn’t as though there were two sides to this story, it was cut and dry; about as straightforward as it could be.

“I wanted a family. She wasn’t ready. I guess that’s on me for choosing to date someone so much younger than me.” He shrugged again, trying to act as if he didn’t care.

“So you broke up because of Wren?” JJ asked him softly.

“Yes and no. I’d already mentioned having a family before Wren came into the picture and she freaked out. And then Wren came along and I realised it was perfect timing. But uh, I guess my decision to adopt her didn’t exactly help matters.” He picked his knife and fork back up, hoping if he resumed eating they would understand he didn’t want to talk about this.

“You’re sure about this right, Reid?” Luke dared to ask.

Spencer huffed and dropped his cutlery again, letting them angrily clang against the China plate.

“Am I sure about what, Alvez?” He shot Luke a look across the table none of the team had ever seen on Spencer before. “About my break up or about adopting Wren?”

Luke shrunk in on himself a little, Spencer’s gaze heavily upon him. He’d hoped maybe someone else would jump to his rescue but no one did.

Cowards.

“Any of it.” Luke’s voice cracked as he spoke. “We’re your friends and we want you to be happy, but I think I speak for everyone when I say this is all happening so fast.”

Spencer’s nostrils flared. His jaw tightened. One by one he looked at the former members of his team under a steely gaze.

“Does he speak for all of you?” Spencer spat. “Someone please speak up. If you all think I’m making such a huge mistake, please-”

“No one said it was a mistake, boy wonder, chill.” Garcia piped up, cutting Spencer off. “But Newbie is right, it’s so fast. Have you really stopped and taken a breath to think about it?”

“You’ve decorated her room, Spence and you don’t even know that you’ll get granted parental rights. What happens if you don’t? It’s going to crush you.” JJ added, her tone sombre.

“And if you do manage to get through the adoption process, you’ll have a five year old girl to take care of. A five year old girl who lost her parents in the most horrific way possible.” Tara chimed in, tone equally as morose and JJ’s.

“And you’ll be doing it alone. On top of a full time job at the university.” It was Rossi’s turn to speak.

“We’ll support you whatever you do, Reid. We’re just worried that this is some kind of…a, uh…” Emily trailed off, looking at the others for help with finishing her sentence.

But Spencer knew exactly what she wanted to say.

He slammed his hands on the table and pushed his seat back, the wooden chair legs scraping against the tiled floor aggressively.

“Just say it,” he growled, with a shake of his head. “You’re worried I’m having a mid life crisis, right?”

He got to his feet and glared down at his so-called friends in disdain.

“No one said it was a mid life crisis, kid.” Rossi sighed as though Spencer was some kind of nuisance child.

“You didn’t need to say it. You’re all thinking it.” He grunted.

“Spence,” Emily looked sadly at him. “We’re just worried about you.”

“I don’t need you to be worried about me, I am perfectly fine. Why is it such a big deal that I’m doing this? You know I’ve always wanted kids.”

“Not like this though.” JJ rolled her lip between her teeth. “I have absolutely no doubt you will be a good father, someday. This…it doesn’t seem right.”

“Thank you all for coming,” Spencer forced his anger down before he said something he would regret. “But I’d like you all to leave now.”

He turned his back on them, the way they had all metaphorically turned their backs on him, and stormed to the kitchen.

The rest of them silently decided among themselves who would be the one to go after him. Usually the job would fall to JJ but she knew Spencer was too angry with her right now.

Eventually Penelope exhaled and pushed her chair gently back before getting to her feet. She didn’t look at the others as she left, tottering on her too high heels as she followed in Spencer’s wake.

He heard the door swing open, heard her heels on the floor so he knew it was her. He gripped the counter top, his back to her.

“Please don’t try to make it better, Garcia.” He spoke without turning.

He heard her come closer and then there was a warm hand on his shoulder, turning him around. When she saw his face, the tears that were now rolling down his cheeks, her own face fell.

“Oh boy wonder,” she pouted, immediately throwing her arms around him.

Spencer sniffed, burying his head against Garcia’s shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.

“I understand what you’re all saying, trust me I get how crazy this sounds.” He whimpered a little. “But I love that little girl. And I want to be her father more than anything else in the world.”

“I know you do, Reid.” She cooed, running her hand up and down his back. “We just worry about you is all. No one is saying you shouldn’t do this, we just want to make sure you’re certain of what you’re doing.”

“Penelope,” he raised his head so he could look her in the eyes. “I have never been more sure about a single thing in my life.”

Garcia smiled at him softly, wiping away the tear stains on his cheeks.

“That’s good enough for me.” She placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. “Anything you need, Spencer, just say the word. If you need any red tape cutting through, I am a master of that.”

“Thanks Garcia.” He half-smiled. “I’ll bear that in mind.”

Garcia kindly corralled the others out of Spencer’s door and stayed to help him clean up. By the time she left he was utterly exhausted.

He climbed the stairs, running his fingers along the bannister, feeling his way in his new home. He bypassed his own bedroom and found himself in the room he’d slaved away to make perfect for Wren.

He collapsed on her small bed, the one with the My Little Pony bedspread, clutching one of many stuffed toys he’d brought for her.

He closed his eyes and he nuzzled against the pillow. If he concentrated hard enough he could feel her here in this room she’d never actually stepped foot in.

He could hear her heart warming giggle, smell her on the pillow. He could imagine her crawling under the pink pony bedspread, lying beneath a string of pumpkin fairy lights while he read to her.

He could hear her inquisitive line of questioning every time he reached the end of a page.

He could picture her hugging Rover tightly to her chest while her bright green eyes slowly closed.

His tears fell from behind his closed lids. His friends were right and he hated that.

He’d gone through all this trouble, all the time, money and effort but what if it proved fruitless? What if he never got to bring Wren home?

What if he was doomed to live in this large house all alone for the rest of his days, pinning for the life he could have had?

***

Two days later a social worker came round to do her initial assessment of his new home. He didn’t miss the small smile that crept to her face when she saw the room he hoped to be Wren’s.

He made tea and sat down in his new living room with Jenny, Wren’s permanent social worker and tried to mentally prepare himself for another grilling.

The application process itself had been particularly probing but he knew this would be worse. Garcia had emailed him over a list of potential questions which he’d tried to cultivate answers for ahead of time but right now everything went out of his head.

Jenny sipped her tea and retrieved a notebook and pen from her bag.

“So, shall we?” She smiled at him but it didn’t help alleviate his nerves.

“Sure.” He nodded, shakily smiling back. He drummed his fingers against his thighs.

“I’d like to know what your childhood was like, if you could, Doctor Reid.”

Fuck, what a place to start.

“Well,” he swallowed thickly. “It wasn’t exactly conventional. I’m sure you know about my mother from my application.”

“I do.” She nodded, pen poised above the page.

“Uh, I was pretty much responsible for myself from ten years old when my dad left. And I was also responsible for my mom. I’ve never really had anyone to depend on and on top of that I’ve had to look after a parent. I guess the parental roles got slightly tangled in my head somewhere, but I think it’s why I’m so determined to do right by Wren. She’s lost her parents and I just want her to have a family again. I want to be her family. I want to be the father I never had.” He took a big sip of tea as a way of indicating that he was finished.

Jenny jotted down some notes before looking back at him.

“So what’s your relationship with them like now? Your parents?”

“I’ve only ever seen my dad once since he walked out on us.” When I was accusing him of being a child molestor and a murderer. “I’m really close with my mom though. She’s in a facility in DC and I visit her once a week. She’d love Wren, I think Wren would love her too.”

“I think you’ve already kind of covered the effect your upbringing had on you, so I’d be interested to know what a day in the life of Spencer Reid looks like.” She paused her note taking again to look at him.

“I’m still getting used to that myself if truth be told. I left the BAU after fifteen years so I could have a job with more reliable hours for Wren. I lecture four days a week at Marlborough, I’m a criminology professor. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Thursdays are usually paperwork and grading papers but I can do that from home.

It’s normal hours, I can be here in the morning to take Wren to school and be here to pick her up and cook her dinner. Read her bedtime stories. She likes it when we read together. She has this incredible mind, she reminds me of me when I was a kid. She’s so curious and smart. She loves to learn and I love to teach and I…I’m rambling. Sorry.”

“It’s ok.” Jenny smiled softly. “Doctor Reid, no one is doubting the fact that you care deeply for this little girl. No one would be going through the lengths you’re going through for a flight of fancy. I’m just simply trying to ascertain the best fit for a frightened and traumatised little girl who lost everything.”

“And I might not be the best fit.” He sniffed, eyebrows knitting together. “Because it’s just me. Because she lost not only her dad but her mom too and you think she needs two parents.”

He was a profiler for so many years, he couldn’t just turn it off. He understood the things she wasn’t saying.

Jenny put her pen down and leant forward in the chair.

“I have no doubts that you love Wren, Doctor Reid.” She prefaced. “But unfortunately in these kinds of delicate situations we have to consider where the child has been. And where Wren has been was in a home with two loving parents.”

The tears flooded to Spencer’s eyes in a flash and he fought to keep them at bay. He rolled his lip violently between his teeth to try and stop them falling.

He tried to speak a few times but the words wouldn’t come out. He closed his eyes. Took a deep breath.

“What are, uh, what are my chances here?” He croaked.

“I don’t know, Doctor Reid.” Jenny sighed. “I have no doubts you would be a great fit for some child out there but maybe…maybe don’t set your sights on Wren.”

He opened his eyes again, the tears broke free.

“I don’t want another child. It’s not just about having some child.” He suddenly stood up. “The moment I met her I felt an intrinsic need to protect her. She is special and she is wonderful and I…I feel like her dad, don’t you understand? I love her as if she were my flesh and blood. I don’t want a child, I want Wren.”

Jenny inhaled sharply and pushed herself to her feet, slotting her notebook back in her bag.

“I’m not saying it won’t happen, Doctor Reid. But you need to be prepared for the fact it might not.” She shook her head sadly. “We can pick this up later in the week ok? I’ll call you.”

Spencer couldn’t get any words out to reply. He just stood there dumbly and watched the social worker leave.

He watched her leave him alone in this house, this fucking suburban nightmare of a house that he’d only brought for the sake of Wren.

Wren who he’d promised he would look out for, who he promised he would bring home with him. And now that could all go up in smoke.

His tears wouldn’t cease, like a never ending waterfall flowing down his face.

The walls of this goddamn house suddenly felt so small. This house was the last place he wanted to be right now.

Without much thought to where he was going, he grabbed his car keys before throwing open the front door and disappearing into the balmy spring afternoon.

***

It was late when the jet touched down and so Emily sent you all home from the air strip telling you all paperwork could wait until the morning.

You could barely keep your eyes open as you drove home, tired down to your bones.

When you found a body slumped on the floor using your front door to prop them up right, you could have burst out laughing because this was just perfect.

His shirt was wrinkled and his hair hung messily in his face. As you approached, he didn’t move, not even an inch.

You frowned as you fished your keys out of your purse, clearing your throat but he didn’t look up. His head was flopped forward to his chest, hair obscuring most of his face.

“Spencer?” You spoke his name but received no response. “Spencer?” Still nothing.

Goddamnit.

“Spencer!” You kicked him firmly in the hip and he wobbled a little and then you heard a sharp intake of air.

His head shot back, his eyes suddenly wide open and staring at you like you’d woken him from a deep sleep. You most likely had.

“Y/N?” He croaked, running his hand through his hair, eyebrows knitted in confusion. “W-where am I?”

It was then you realised his bloodshot eyes, red raw and you knew it wasn’t just from crying.

“Spencer, are you ok?” You swallowed, feeling your hands start to shake.

“How did I get here?” He squinted at you.

“I have no idea.” You reached out and grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him to his feet.

He didn’t make it easy, he was like a led weight in your arms. He stumbled once he was up, falling against your door.

Your heart thrummed against your chest.

“Spencer,” you swallowed again. “Are you…are you high?”

He averted his gaze to the floor, a symbol of guilt you knew all too well. But then he looked back at you and sighed.

“No.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I appreciate that’s what it must look like. I’m…drunk. Really fucking drunk. Not high. I swear.”

Oh thank god, you allowed yourself to breathe a sigh of relief. Half a sigh anyway.

“That’s probably not much better though right? You don’t drink.”

“True.” He nodded. “But if I didn’t drink I might have gotten high. I don’t even know how I ended up here. Or how long I’ve been here.”

This seemed way over your head, a job for JJ or Emily, not you. You didn’t know how to handle this, you weren’t equipped for it.

You knew about Spencer’s history with dilaudid, he’d told you he didn’t drink on your first date when you’d asked him what wine he wanted with dinner. He proceeded to tell you he didn’t drink because of his past addiction, he didn’t want to find himself dependent on something else again.

But here he was, drunk. Drunk and telling you he’d thought about getting high. And you had no idea what to do.

“Come inside.” You got your door open and helped him inside as he couldn’t walk in a straight line. You guided him with an arm around his waist to the couch where he fell down like a rag doll. “Should I call JJ? Emily?”

“No, p-please don’t.” He whined, his words slurring together.

“Spencer, I don’t know that I’m the best person to handle this. Do you need a meeting or something?”

“I haven’t been to a m-meeting in over ten years.” He slurred again.

You had to strain yourself to understand him, all his sentences sounding like one long word. You sat down on the coffee table in front of him and sighed.

“Why did you drink? Why did you want to get high?” Maybe you could help if you understood why. Probably not, but it was worth a shot.

He ran his fingers through his tangled hair, sweeping it back off of his face. It struck you then how old he suddenly looked, like he’d somehow aged thirty years since you’d last seen him.

“I…my social worker…she thinks…” his sentence was punctuated with heaving breaths, as though trying to stop himself breaking down into tears. “I might not be able to a-adopt Wren.”

Ah, so that’s what this was about.

The last time you’d seen him you’d argued over this exact thing. So why of all people were you the one he’d come to?

“I see.” You didn’t know what to say if truth be told. Thankfully he continued.

“She grew up in a t-two person household. J-Jenny thinks it's more likely they will place her in a home with two p-parents.” It was the most coherent he’d been, which was good. But he sounded so unbelievably sad. “I get it. I do. I w-want what’s best for her…but w-what if that’s not what’s best for m-me?”

You felt your heart ripping in two. It was painfully obvious how much this girl meant to him and you hated seeing him this way. Again you didn’t need to speak as he carried on.

“It’s ironic, you know? The only reason I even w-want to adopt is because I can’t h-hold down a relationship, c-can’t seem to find someone to have my own family with. And now it m-might be the reason I can’t adopt.” His breathing grew really frantic and you could see the tears welling in his eyes.

You really did hate that he was going through this. You leant forward and placed a gentle hand on his knee.

“I really wish I knew what to say.” You whispered. “I really am so sorry Spencer. I know I was less than thrilled with the idea but I can see how much she means to you.”

“Just wanted to take my mind o-off of it.” He mumbled. “Just needed to forget. Wanted to get high, for the f-first time in years. Didn’t though. I didn’t.”

“I know. I’m proud of you.” You gave his knee a squeeze. “But getting drunk isn’t going to help anything, you know that right?”

“Yes.” He sniffed. “Just wanted to forget.”

Suddenly he jerked forward, his large hands gripping the sides of your face and tugging you closer until his lips slammed against yours.

He tasted like whisky. Whisky and tears.

You were so gobsmacked for a moment you let him kiss you. But once your brain caught up to what was happening, you quickly pushed him away.

“What are you doing?” You frowned at him.

His eyes widened as the realisation of his stupidity washed over him and he stumbled up to his feet.

“Oh my god.” He shook his head frantically. “What am I doing? I’m so sorry, I should…should go…”

His shaky legs tried to carry him to the door but you managed to jump up and grab his wrist before he could get too far.

When he looked back at you his cheeks were bright red with his embarrassment and he struggled to look you in the eye.

“Don’t go.” You spoke softly. “I can’t let you roam the streets in this state. Stay, you can sleep on the couch. We’ll forget that ever happened.”

He pulled a face like he might argue with you and maybe if he hadn’t had so much to drink he may have.

But god knows where else he could end up with the alcohol clouding his brain, he was sure he hadn’t meant to come here in the first place.

He exhaled and nodded slowly, moving away from the door and further into your apartment.

“I really am sorry about Wren. But it’s not over, Spencer. You have to try and stay positive. For her.” You whispered before you turned away to gather blankets for your ex’s drunken stay on your couch.

***

In the morning you found your couch empty, blankets and pillows piled neatly at one end and a small scrap of note paper on top.

In Spencer’s chicken scratch handwriting you read:

Thank you for last night. I thought it best I leave before you wake up. I am absolutely mortified about my actions. I should have known better even in the state I was in.

I’m sorry for putting you in that position and for making you feel as though you had to let me stay. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.

I’m sorry for everything.

Spencer.

Everything; he was sorry for everything.

Sorry for blurting out that he wanted a family? Sorry for reacting the way he did when you told him you weren’t ready? Sorry for calling whatever the two of you had a waste of time? Sorry for diving head first into adopting a little girl without telling you?

You folded up the note and hid it away in your nightstand. You considered calling him but you were fairly certain he wouldn’t pick up.

You made coffee and ate breakfast, all the while Spencer’s heartbreak over potentially losing that little girl was weighing on you.

There had to be something you could do to help him. Anything. You would do anything for him.

You took your coffee over to the desk and booted up your laptop. Even as your fingers were hovering over the keys, you weren’t sure why exactly you were doing this.

Other than the fact you hated to see Spencer so sad.

***

It was deep into the month of June when Spencer was allowed to take Wren out of the halfway home for the first time.

Jenny accompanied them but assured him she was just here to supervise and she wouldn’t get involved.

He’d tried to remain positive, the fact they were allowing him to still see her, to take her out of the home surely meant all was not lost? Maybe he still had a chance to be her father.

The first place Wren wanted to go was for ice cream. He told her they could go anywhere she wanted and she wanted ice cream.

So he took her for ice cream.

She couldn’t decide what she wanted so he brought her seven different little cups of seven different flavours. She ate each one with a smile on her face and apparently each one was better than the last.

Hopped up on sugar, he took her to the park. She held his hand as they walked and hers was so tiny in his. It made his heart soar, spiralling up into the atmosphere and blanketing him in a warmth he’d never felt before.

He pushed her on the swing set while she giggled and screamed to go higher. He caught her in his arms at the bottom of the slide which she went down twenty two times.

And each of the twenty two times he caught her, wrapping her small body in his arms, picking her up and spinning her around causing more laughter to erupt from her. And each time when he placed her back on her feet she screamed, again!

He held her little waist while she attempted the jungle gym, not having the upper body strength to hold herself up.

Once he settled her back on the ground and asked her what she wanted to do next. Her expressive eyes wandered the park, the little cogs in her brain turning while she tried to make a decision.

But then something horrible happened.

When her eyes finally landed back on Spencer, he saw the tears behind them a split second before they started falling. Her bottom lip pouted and her small frame started to shake violently.

“Wren?” Spencer immediately knelt in front of her in the grass and placed his hands on her shoulders.

She was vibrating, sniffing dramatically and shaking her head, curls bouncing as she did so.

“Wren, what’s wrong?” He felt his heart shattering as he looked at her.

“I want to go home!” She screamed, so loudly Spencer was sure he felt an ear drum burst.

Before he could reply she had pulled herself out of his grip, turned away and started running as fast as her legs would carry her.

“I want to go home!” She screeched as she went.

Spencer pushed himself up and suddenly Jenny was at his side. He barely registered her until she spoke.

“What happened?” She asked almost accusingly.

“I have no idea.” He shook his head, not taking his eyes off of Wren who was running towards the tree line at the edge of the park. “Let me go, I’ll find out what’s wrong.”

He didn’t wait for Jenny to reply before he took off running after her. Spencer had never relished running or any kind of physical exertion. In his time with the BAU he’d avoided it at all costs.

But right now he didn’t care. He would run to the ends of the Earth if he had to just to find Wren. Thankfully he didn’t have to.

He found the small raven haired girl collapsed at the trunk of a large tree, legs drawn up to her chest and she sobbed into the fabric of her cream coloured leggings.

Her cries were so loud, so gut wrenching that he could have burst into tears just from the sound. She looked utterly helpless and Spencer wanted to wrap her in his arms and shield her from all the bad in the world.

But he wasn’t so sure that’s what she wanted.

He approached her with caution, not wanting to startle her. When he reached her, he dropped to the grass in front of her on his knees. Slowly he reached out and brushed her tangled curls behind her ear.

“Pumpkin, what’s wrong?” He whispered soothingly, hooking his finger under her chin and raising her head so he could look at her.

Those electrifying green eyes were made almost blindingly bright by her tears.

“The lady,” she sniffed, lips still pouted. “The lady by the swing set. She looked like my mommy.”

Fuck.

He felt a lump form in his throat. Sometimes she was so happy and upbeat it was easy for him to forget what had happened to her parents. She was so brave, so strong, but he couldn’t imagine the kind of inner turmoil she battled with everyday.

“Oh, Wren. I’m so sorry.” He started to brush away her tears but she surprised him when she huffed and shoved his hand off of her face.

“Stop it.” She frowned at him. “I want to go home!”

“Wren,” he tried to ignore the pain of having her push him away. “We’ve talked about this. You said you understood that you couldn’t go home.”

“I don’t care!” She yelled, slamming her little fists in the dirt. “I want to go home! I want my mommy and daddy!”

Spencer felt a presence somewhere behind them, he knew it was Jenny. He hoped she’d let him handle this.

“Wren, I know this must be hard for you…” he trailed off when the little girl pushed herself to her feet. Spencer stayed on his knees.

“I want my mommy and daddy!” She screamed at the top of her small lungs.

“I know you do, pumpkin but-”

“Stop calling me pumpkin.” She huffed again, stamping her foot.

“I thought…I thought you liked me calling you pumpkin?” His chest tightened, his heart breaking.

“Well I don’t.” She folded her arms dramatically over her chest, stomped her foot again.

“Ok, that’s ok. I won’t call you it anymore if you don’t like it.” He spoke softly, he hoped calmly.

“I don’t like you.” She suddenly spat, eyes sad and eyebrows knitted together.

The pain that shot to his heart hearing those words was like nothing Spencer had ever experienced before. It was as though she had taken her tiny fist and punched him straight in the chest with a force much stronger than herself.

The air left his lungs, the wind leaving his sails. The hurt caused by those four words was far worse than getting shot, worse than being beaten by Hankel, or the beatings he’d received in prison. Even worse than the mental and emotional anguish of watching Maeve die.

Her words were like a knife, cutting and ripping at his flesh, slicing him open and leaving him completely raw.

“W-Wren…” he choked out, his pain evident in his voice. “I know you’re sad but please don’t say that. It’s not a very nice thing to say.”

“I don’t care!” She screamed again. “I hate you! You’re not my daddy. I want my daddy!”

She grew hysteric after that, sobbing so frantically nothing she said made sense anymore. He tried to comfort her, to hold her, but she pushed him away each time.

Eventually he glanced over his shoulder where Jenny was in fact standing and looked forlornly at her from the ground.

She stepped closer tentatively and crouched next to the screeching child.

“It’s ok Wren, let’s get you back to the home.” She was able to put her arm around Wren without being pushed away and the little girl buried against her. “I’m sorry Doctor Reid but I need to take her back. I’ll call you tomorrow, ok?”

Both adults raised to their feet at the same time, Spencer’s tears filled eyes meeting those of the social worker.

“I…I…” he looked back at Wren who was clinging to Jenny like he was some kind of terrifying monster. He wanted to argue but he could risk further upsetting her. “O-ok.”

He stood dumbly and watched as Jenny led Wren back across the park. His tears started to fall despite himself and he curled his arms around his body, hugging himself tightly.

All he wanted in the world was for Wren to be happy. But if she wasn’t happy with him, how did he even begin to be happy without her?

***

“Thank you for coming with me. I’m sorry I keep dragging you into this.” Spencer averted his gaze to the sidewalk as he ambled along.

You strolled next to him, curiously watching the side of his face as you sipped your coffee.

When he’d called you this evening you’d been at the BAU finishing up some paperwork. You hadn’t seen or heard from him since the night he showed up drunk at your apartment and you were surprised to see his name flashing on your phone screen.

His tone had been frantic down the phone, you only managed to catch every few words.

Wren hates me. Fucked up. Want to use.

You managed to get him to calm for long enough to tell you where he was. When you’d hurried to Emily’s office your fear must have been written on your face as all you’d needed to say was, I have to go, Spencer… and she was motioning you out of the door.

You found him where he’d said he’d be, on a park bench with a bottle of whiskey concealed in a paper bag.

It was unopened. Small miracles.

He didn’t tell you what was wrong, instead he asked you to follow him. And you did without question.

He led you to an old community centre and once inside you understood why.

You sat and listened as he spoke to the room at Beltway Clean Cops of everything that had happened, right up until this afternoon when Wren had screamed that she hated him and didn’t want him as her dad.

He told them how he had never wanted to use so badly in over ten years and how he’d gotten drunk a little while ago to stop him getting high.

Afterwards he left and you followed him again.

He brought you coffee at a nearby cafe and the two of you walked in the DC night side by side. That was the first time he’d spoken since he addressed the room at Beltway.

“I’m glad you called actually. I’ve been worried about you.” You kept your eyes on his face but he wouldn’t look at you. “She’s been traumatised, Spence. It sounds like she’s been brave up until now but you and I both know that kind of trauma has to be dealt with eventually. I may not know her but I’m certain she didn’t mean what she said.”

“What if she did?” His hand tightened around his coffee cup. “What the hell am I supposed to do?”

“You need to give her time, that's all you can do. She needs to feel what happened to her so she can start to move past it.” You wished you had a better answer.

“So I’m just supposed to wait? I can’t do that, I have to do something.”

You reached for him, touching the back of his free hand. He slowed to a stop and you did the same. Finally his eyes flit up to you.

“You know the Serenity Prayer, right? They use it in drug rehabilitation.” You kept your hand on his, he didn’t seem to mind.

“Of course I do.” He frowned a little.

“I know you’re not religious, but I need you to say it with me. I need you to hear it.” You turned his hand over so you could hold it.

He looked like he might argue, huffing out a breath before he rolled his eyes.

“Fine.” He agreed although clearly not happily.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” You spoke in time with one another, keeping eye contact as you did so.

“You have to grant your own serenity, Spencer. You have to accept that you can’t change some things no matter how much you want to. I know it’s hard, but some things are out of your control.” You went to remove your hand from his but he surprised you by keeping a firm hold on you.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He spoke quietly, his eyebrows still knitted together. “You’re the wind beneath my wings, keeping me airborne when I feel like I might start free falling. You’re…you’re my favourite person in the whole goddamn world.”

“And you’re mine.” You smiled at him, squeezing his hand. “I want this to work out for you but if it doesn’t, you have to be able to bounce back. You just have to.”

“I know.” He agreed with a nod. “Thank you Y/N.”

He let go of your hand but was quickly wrapping his arm around you, pulling you close to his chest. In turn you wrapped your free arm around him too and you held each other tightly.

“You’ll be ok Spencer. I’m sure of it.” You whispered against his shirt.

“I hope so.” He nodded, inhaling the scent of your hair. “Can I…can I call you tomorrow after I’ve spoken to Jenny? Good or bad?”

You lifted your head so you could look at him, a gentle smile on your lips.

“You can call me any time, Spencer. I mean it.”

You noticed the way his eyes grazed over your lips and you thought he might kiss you. And this time you might have let him.

He wanted to kiss you, he almost kissed you, but he knew it wasn’t fair on either of you. You were one of those things he needed the serenity to accept he couldn’t change.

He swallowed thickly and stepped back from your hold, awkwardly scratching at the back of his neck.

“Can I walk you to your car?” He asked, eyes once again on the sidewalk.

“Sure.” You nodded and soon the two of you fell in step again and neither of you spoke until you said your goodbyes at your vehicle.

You drove away knowing you had to do more. You’d already started making provisions, taking steps in order to help your most favourite person. But you needed to do more.

And you needed to do it fast.

***

The following day Jenny called him and asked him to come to the halfway home. He was nervous, having no idea what to expect when he got there.

It wasn’t Jenny that met him in the day room though, it was Wren.

She had her curly hair in pigtails and she wore a cute pair of denim overalls with a polka dot shirt underneath. She had a shy smile on her lips, one hand clutching Rover by the ear and the other held a sheet of paper.

“Hi Wren,” Spencer cautiously stepped closer to her, wanting to give her space.

She proffered the paper towards him without a word, which he took and scrutinised.

On one half of the page was another of her crayon drawings, this one depicting a small dark-haired child cuddling an extremely tall man, taller than the trees he was standing next to.

On the other in orange crayon was a note, every word spelled correctly, he wasn’t sure if she was just that smart or if she had help. It didn’t matter much either way, what mattered were the words themself.

To: Spencer

From: Wren

I’m sorry for being mean to you. I don’t hate you and I still want to live with you in the pretty house. I miss my mommy and daddy but I still want us to be a family.

He felt the tears filling his eyes before he reached the end and once he’d read it through a handful of times he looked back up at Wren who waited patiently for him to finish.

“You’re sure?” His voice cracked, betraying him.

“Yes.” She nodded, pigtails bouncing,

“Come here,” he sniffed, holding his arms open for her to make the first move.

She was quick to come closer, falling into Spencer and wrapping her small arms around his waist while he enveloped her in a tight embrace.

“God I love you kiddo.” He blurted out, as she snuggled against him. He’d never told her that before, always too scared of what a five year olds reaction would be to that.

She squeezed him as tight as she was able, nuzzling her head into his stomach.

“I love you, Spencer.” She replied and Spencer felt the pieces of his shattered heart fall back into place. “And I do like it when you call me pumpkin.”

Spencer held her tighter still, feeling as though his chest could explode with love. He bowed his head and kissed her curls.

“Ok, pumpkin,” he whispered into her wild hair. “You want me to read to you while I’m here?”

“Yes please.” She nodded, pulling back from his arms.

She soon started running away, over towards the couch they usually occupied how he read to her. He glanced down at the piece of paper in his hands and smiled.

If it was the last thing he did, he was bringing this little girl home.

***

July came and went in a blur of home visits, parental training, family profile meetings and days out with Wren and Jenny.

August came and Spencer felt positive. With each passing day he was getting closer and closer to being able to finally bring Wren home.

But just as quickly as he’d gotten his hopes up, they were dashed again, leaving Spencer spiralling towards a dark abyss with no way to break his fall.

“I’m sorry, could you repeat that?” Spencer stared at Jenny across his coffee table, his mug of tea wobbling in his shaky hands.

Jenny inhaled, sitting back in the armchair and crossing one leg over the other.

“I said there’s a young couple who have taken a liking to Wren. They’ve expressed interest in pursuing adoption. They’re already approved, done their home studies and training. They’d just been waiting for the right child.” Jenny braced herself, waited for the doctor's reaction.

“They’ve met her?” He swallowed.

“Yes, they adore her.” Jenny told him somewhat morosely.

“And Wren?”

“She seemed to like them.” Jenny smiled sadly at him.

“So, uh, it’s over? Just like that?” The tears misted his eyes but he managed to keep them at bay.

He recited the serenity prayer in his head like a mantra.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

“It’s not over, Doctor Reid. And if you wish to still pursue your adoption you are well within your right to. But you’re entitled to know what’s going on and I’ve said before-”

“The state will be more likely inclined to place her in an environment similar to where she came from. Two parents instead of one.” His voice was monotone, not an ounce of emotion to it.

“I’m afraid so.”

Spencer wanted to cry. He wanted to laugh. He wanted to scream and break something. He wanted to drink or take dilaudid.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.

“O-ok.” He croaked.

“Ok?” Jenny frowned at him, clearly expecting him to put up more of a fight.

“I want what’s best for Wren above all else. Maybe two parents can give her more than I can.” He choked back a sob. “I’ll keep fighting for her, to the bitter end. But if it doesn’t work in my favour there’s nothing I can do, right? I have to accept the things I can’t change.”

“For what it’s worth,” Jenny pushed herself to her feet. “I’m rooting for you. But there’s only so much I can do.”

“Thank you.” He stood as well.

He saw her out and padded back to the couch, running his fingers through his tangled hair.

It was only then he realised how exhausted he was. These last few months had taken everything out of him, physically and mentally. He’d continue to go through the motions in the hopes this might end in his favour but honestly, he couldn’t keep fighting the way he had been.

He loved Wren, with every beat of his heart. But perhaps it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe he was never supposed to have a family.

He grabbed his phone and typed out a quick text, hit send and closed his eyes.

Before he could succumb to sleep, there was a knock at his green front door.

@ultragirrl @wittlewowa @bxtchopolis @coldheartedmar

#spencer reid #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid x you #spencer reid x fem! reader #spencer reid x y/n #criminal minds #criminal minds fanfiction

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yourfavoritewitchbitch · 1 month

Text

It's Called Murder, Baby!

A Scream x Stranger Things AU

Part III

Masterlist

This work will contain elements of violent themes (depictions of crime scenes, murders, etc) and smut. This is a slasher fic!

Synopsis: A string of gruesome murders takes a toll on the small town of Hawkins. Friends and family start looking like suspects making it hard to trust those who you are closest to.

Chapter Summary: Another murder leads to revisiting the past leaving Steve and Jim with more questions.

18+ Only! MDNI!

Warnings: Minimal use of Y/N. AFAB!Reader. Graphic character deaths/murders - depictions of how they were found after the murder. A little bit of angst. No smut in this chapter!

Word Count: 5K

The station had gotten the frantic call from Chase’s girlfriend, barely making out her words over the high-pitched wails and sobs. Quite a shock to the system when the man who was supposed to pick her up for a date hadn’t shown up but was instead sitting in a puddle of his own blood when she found him.

She'd gone over to check in and likely give him a piece of her mind, only to find the lifeless body sprawled out on the kitchen floor.

Steve was the first on scene meeting said girlfriend at the front stoop. She was inconsolable at that point. He sat her in the front of the cruiser doing his best to calm her down before he made his way into the house, gun drawn and ready for anything.

The site of fresh blood and viscera strewn about haphazardly was becoming second nature now with three murders in the span of 48 hours.

The place was a bloodbath, but it looked like Chase had fought. Hard. Glass wear, dishes, anything you could picture from a kitchen cupboard was on the floor. From the looks of the blood splatter, it started by the back door, into the dining room and ultimately ending in the kitchen. The door had been busted in, forced entry.

He was slashed about a dozen different ways. Mostly superficial, the exact cause of death was a stab directly through the heart. Which was confirmed by the medical examiner the next day.

Chase was one of Jason's goons in high school and a real piece of shit. It wasn't surprising someone had an ax to grind with the hothead. Even in his older age the man never outgrew that temper.

By the time he cleared the house and re-looked at the crime scene, Hopper and Callahan had arrived with the paramedics for his girlfriend.

Steve set up the boundary with the caution tape and started directing traffic when the medical examiner finally rolled in to take the body.

There wasn’t much traffic out. People were on edge, rightly so. Staying behind the safety of locked doors that now seemed it wouldn't afford them much comfort.

He looked up in time to see a familiar van pulling down the street and slowing down enough that you caught his eye through the window. Of course, you wouldn’t listen to him and get home that evening, even with everything going on.

He shook his head and quickly looked away, mentally making a note to scold you first thing in the morning.

🔪

“Goddamnit,” Hopper forced out through gritted teeth. Hunched over his desk looking at the new case file. “Has this town gone insane?”

Steve was pressed right in beside him.

They'd gotten lucky this time. The presumed perpetrator had left a partial boot print, but they were no closer in figuring anything out.

“OK, so we’ve got three murders. All with the same manner of death. And all very similar to the death of Higgins 10 years ago. What the hell are we not seeing?” The older man took another cigarette, lighting it with a sigh. He took his seat, as Steve circled the desk looking at everything laid out before them.

There was no denying the similarities. Forced entry, the same type of murder weapon. The only difference is that Higgins was put on display after being moved from his home to the football field, like some kind of trophy. They wanted him to be seen.

“Why would someone go to all this trouble to be a copycat?” Steve pondered out loud. “Hop, what if…” Trailing off because he knew this would send him over the edge.

“What if? Spit it out, Harrington.” His patience was wearing thin.

“What if the wrong man is behind bars?” He met Jim's unamused glare. They'd both been implemental in putting away Henry Creel. These were strong accusations, even for just the two of them to be talking in private.

“Kid, watch it. We can't be speculating on that right now. You and I both know how much shit this would cause if we go down that road. That's something that can't be put back in the box once it's opened.” He sighed heavily before taking another drag.

“Steve, you helped with that case. It's what drew you to law enforcement but, I can't deny the fact that it's all too similar to ignore. Do you remember anything else back then? Anyone that had a grudge against Higgins? Against any of these kids? Anything to help us out?”

March 1986

The days leading up to his murder were like any other. Kids barreling down the halls, unruly jocks picking on those that they deemed nerds or outsiders. But Ronald Higgins always has his eye out for your boyfriend, Eddie. It’s as if he always had a bone to pick with him.

After first period ended, you were at your locker waiting for Eddie. Lost in thought and busy gathering your books when you felt someone grab your hips from behind.

You jumped with a squeak and quickly spun around, dropping everything you were holding in the process.

“Shit, sorry Y/N.” Steve laughed, bending down to help pick up your belongings.

“Steve, what the hell?” you hissed. “Why would you do that?”

“Sorry, I didn’t think you’d drop your shit like that.” He chuckled, placing the rest in your waiting arms, as you both stood up. “I guess I really didn’t think that one through.”

“It’s ok Stevie.” You beamed up at him, as he gave you his own crooked grin.

He leaned against the lockers as you turned back to rummage through yours.

“You, okay?” he asked, genuinely concerned, as he watched you.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?” giving him your full attention, eyebrows knit with confusion.

Steve, your best friend since grade school, always worried about your wellbeing. Even while donning the crown during his “King Steve” era he always kept a close eye on you, much to Eddie’s dismay.

Your boyfriend could be very jealous, especially given your history. You and Steve were close. So close you two idiots took each other’s virginity just to see what all the hype was about, sophomore year. It was an uncomfortable first time to say the least but being friends made it easier.

You continued to see each other in secret until he started dating some cheerleader, throwing him in with the popular crowd and ultimately earning him that title but he never strayed far.

“Just making sure, if you ever need company if Ed isn’t home, you know you can come hang out with me.” He gave your shoulder a quick squeeze for reassurance.

“Well, don’t be shocked when I take you up on that offer.” You grinned at each other; his boyish smile always warmed your heart.

“Harrington,” a loud voice echoed down the hall. You both snapped your heads toward them.

“Hargrove,” he mumbled, moving to stand in front of you.

You watched Billy saunter up, coming close enough to the other boy that their noses almost touched. Hargrove, trying to be intimidating, only making an ass of himself.

“You know Harrington, you’ll never get back on top hanging around whorish trash like this.” Pointing to you over his shoulder, catching his eye just a moment before he looked back to Steve.

“Call her that again and see what happens,” Eddie's voice bellowed from behind you. Not noticing when he had walked up. Both boys seething from his lewd comment.

“The King and the Freak taking up for their slut. Go figure.” He laughed.

Steve suddenly pushed Billy, catching him off guard, as he fell to the ground.

Eddie quickly pulled you to move behind him, shielding you, in case any errant blows came his way.

Before Billy could register what happened, Principal Higgins yelled down the hall.

“Harrington, Hargrove, and of course, Mr. Munson. Why am I not surprised?” placing his hands on his hips fixing them each with a glare. “My office! NOW!”

Higgins was a short, plump man. Balding and wore thick glasses. He commanded authority around Hawkins High because outside of these walls he was nothing. An aging old coot who liked nothing better than to harass teenagers all day.

“Principal Higgins,” you spoke up. “Eddie didn't even do anything, and Steve was just protecting me. Billy started this whole thing.”

His eyes cut to you, with a sharp glare.

“Thank you, Ms. Y/L/N, but if I wanted your input, I would have asked for it. Now run along.” He motioned his hand, shooing you away.

“Boys, follow me.” He turned on his heel. Billy quickly rose and followed. Steve sent you a sly smirk and Eddie winked at you mouthing “that's my girl” before scurrying to catch up.

Finding yourself in between Eddie and Steve at lunch, they gave you the rundown. Both of them on the receiving end of after school detention the rest of the week, as did Billy.

“Well, that's total bullshit.” raising your voice.

“Sweetheart, don't worry yourself.” Eddie cooed. “I'm used to it.” Taking your hand, pulling it in and placing a soft kiss against your knuckles.

“Well, it still doesn't make it right. For either of you.” You glanced over to Steve, who was forking at his mashed potatoes.

“It's fine, Billy was out of line. We'd both take detention for you any day, right Munson?” He looked at Eddie expectantly.

“Of course,” Eddie replied, scooting close and planting a loud kiss on your cheek.

“Hey Freak!” Jason spat across from the three of you, gaining your attention. Most of the jocks didn't bother Steve, since he used to be a part of their crew.

“Heard you got Hargrove in trouble. You better hope this didn't ruin him playing on Friday.” He pointed an accusatory finger right at Eddie.

“Jason, fuck off.” You spoke up, standing across from him. “If anyone's to blame it's Billy.”

He was about to say something else but Eddie and Steve both stood on either side of you. He looked between the three of you and snapped his mouth shut.

“You really wanna go there, Carver?” Steve asked, narrowing his gaze looking down at the other boy.

Jason looked between the two taller boys before ultimately backing down.

“Whatever, not worth it.” He hissed as he walked away.

“Pussy.” You grumbled, causing both boys to chuckle as you all sat to finish your lunch.

“Let's try not to get you two suspended today.” You said, earning another laugh from both.

“Sweetheart, we can do that all on our own.” Eddie said, leaning over to kiss your cheek.

Steve and Eddie walked into the designated classroom for their detention that afternoon, expecting it to be them and Billy. Henry Creel was also in the corner, to himself like any other day.

Henry was a loner, a lost sheep as Eddie would say. Eddie tried to be friendly with most anyone, but he truly had a soft heart for the outcasts. Most people steered clear of Henry because of his nature. He was quiet, and a little unsettling.

Not much surprise to anyone, Billy skipped because he had basketball practice and of course, they let him slide.

They took their seats. Nothing of note happened until it got near the end of the hour.

Henry had been silent this entire time up until the last 5 minutes. He started muttering to himself.

Steve and Eddie looked at each other before slowly turning back to look at him. He was staring out the window, they couldn’t tell what he was saying but he kept repeating it.

“You good back there, bud?” Eddie spoke up, as Steve shot him a sideways glance before looking back to Creel.

Henry’s head snapped toward them. His eyes were dark, cold. Showing no emotion within.

He looked between them, as if he didn’t know who had spoken to him, but he started to get up from his chair.

“I have to go home; he’s going to get what’s coming to him.” He murmured, pulling his jacket tight, crossing his arms over his body as he walked out of the door. Both boys couldn’t pull their eyes away, as the teacher yelled after him to no avail. He was gone.

“What the fuck was that?” Steve finally broke the silence.

“I don’t know, but it didn’t sound like anything good.” Eddie replied.

They were dismissed soon after.

The next morning, Eddie picked you up for school, late as usual. He'd haul ass just to get the first period on time. Yours was journalism, so your teacher didn't mind you being late as long as the paper went out in time.

“Where’d you get off to last night? I came by but Wayne said you hadn’t made it home yet.” You asked, kissing his cheek as you sat down in the passenger seat of his van.

“Hmmm? I just had to do a few things for Rick.” He responded, barely looking at you.

“Eddie, you need to stop selling for him. It’s going to get you into more trouble than it’s worth.” You chided, buckling up as he headed down the road.

“Yeah, I know. Just until graduation, promise.” He grabbed your hand, bringing it to his lips.

As you pulled into the school parking lot, police cruisers were situated at the front of the building. Blue lights blazing, keeping everyone out.

“What the hell’s all this?” you asked out.

Eddie parked beside Steve’s car. He was already out leaning against it watching along with the rest of the student body and faculty.

You rolled down the window as he strolled up to talk to you both.

“What’s going on?” You asked, squinting against the sunlight in your face, trying to see anything out the windows.

“Someone killed Principal Higgins.” He said flatly.

“What? That’s awful.”

“Uh, yeah, apparently they strung him up on the goal post. A couple of guys coming in early for practice found him. Said he was uh… gutted.” He scratched at his brow.

“What the hell?” Your hand shot to your mouth in shock.

Eddie was unusually quiet, taking another smoke from his pack and throwing it back to the dash.

“Hey Ed, you remember how weird Creel was acting yesterday?” Steve asked him.

“Yeah, he got something to do with it?” Taking another draw, letting the smoke curl up and away from his face.

“I don’t know, think we should say something to the police?” He chewed his lip. Eddie didn’t take his eyes from the cruiser the entire time he’d been sitting here.

“I don’t know man. I mean, you can if you wanna. Don’t think I’ll go snitching on him for a little outburst.”

“Yeah, right. It’s just odd timing…” He trailed off, looking back over to the school as the front door swung open.

Chief Deputy Hopper walked out first, followed by the gurney with what was presumably Higgins zipped in the black body bag.

The entire lot was quiet, watching as they loaded him into the van.

As soon as they’d left the faculty made the announcement that school was canceled for the day.

One of the jocks yelled at Steve across the parking lot.

“Yo man, party at your house tonight? We should celebrate!” He laughed.

“Sure, but bring your own damn booze!” Cupping his hands around his mouth so the meathead could hear him.

“Yeah, man! Whatever you say!” Shouting back before he began shouting around the rest of the campus. “Party at Harrington’s tonight!”

“Steve, is that a good idea? I know Higgins was a straight up dick, but a party to celebrate?” You looked up at him, worry working over your features.

“It’s fine. You two are coming though, right?” Looking at you expectantly.

It was Eddie who answered for you. “Of course man, could always use the extra cash.” His hand came to rest on your thigh, squeezing gently. “Right babe? You need to blow off some steam.”

You still had trepidation in the back of your mind, but you nodded. Someone was just killed, and the student body was laughing it off.

“Cool, see ya’ then! Y/N, you gonna come help me get the house ready?” He smiled that crooked grin your way.

“Sure, Stevie. I'd love nothing more than to help you clean your house.” You fondly roll your eyes knowing you'd do it anyway.

True to your word you went over to Steve's about six, still feeling uneasy about the party but shrugged it off.

You'd done this a million times. Coming over to help him set out some snacks and load up the fridge with beers. Breaking into his dad's study for the heavy stuff became second nature. Richard Harrington always turned a blind eye to his son's activities and simply replaced the bottles the next time he came into town.

Instead of lecturing Steve, he'd tell him he needed to quit using the top shelf bottles and use the shit in the lower cabinet. Steve never listened, taking it all.

He bumped your shoulder as you poured some cheese puffs out into a bowl.

“So, you and Eddie are the real deal huh?” he asked, popping one of the puffs into his mouth.

“I'd like to think so. Why, Stevie? Jealous?” You looked up at him through your lashes.

“I mean… I do miss our little flings, but I am happy for you.” You laughed, but he added, “I mean it.”

“I know Steve.” You quickly kissed his cheek before continuing the task at hand.

The party was in full swing by 8 pm. You hadn't heard from Eddie since he dropped you off earlier but that wasn't unusual. He'd roll in with that lunchbox in tow any minute now.

Everyone was having their own conversations and speculations on who could have done it. As it turned out, no one really cared that Higgins was dead. He'd wronged just about everyone at some point.

Steve was unusually quiet. You'd been watching him from your seat on the couch while chatting with Robin the last half hour. He was currently in the corner with some blonde bimbo, thumbing at the label on his beer bottle instead of listening to her.

“Hey, Earth to Y/N!” She snapped her fingers in front of your face, gaining your attention once more.

“Yes, I'm here. What?” Swiping her hand away.

“If you're so worried about him, go talk to him.” She sighed, looking over her shoulder at Steve.

“He just seems off today.” You shrugged, pulling your own beer to your lips for a slow swig.

“He's off every day. He's a dingus.” She got up from her seat. “Want anything?”

“I'm good for now.”

She saluted you and headed toward the kitchen. Your eyes drifted back to where Steve had been. Him and the blonde are nowhere in sight.

You huffed, sitting further into the couch cushion, frowning to yourself.

You hadn't felt him sneak up behind you, until his lips ghosted the shell of your ear as he spoke, sending a shiver down your spine and a smile to your face.

“Why's my Princess pouting over here all by herself?”

You tilted your head back to look at him, as he planted a kiss to your cheek.

“Hey baby. Took you long enough.” You grinned as he walked around the couch plopping down where Robin had been.

“Rick always talks my damn head off.” He placed his arm over your shoulder, scooting in close. “But, I'll ask again, why are you pouting?”

“I don't know. Steve seems off. Just worried about him.” You shrugged and looked up at him.

“Cheer up babe. I think he's fine, he has his tongue shoved down some blonde’s throat down the hall.”

Very typical Steve. He serial dated these days, making his way through new girls eventually getting tired and coming back to complain to you and Robin again.

Eddie began his rounds soon after. He'd clear his lunchbox before the night was through, lining his pocket nicely.

It got late quickly as the night got away from you. In no mood to drink, you only nursed a couple more watching the rest of your friends get absolutely smashed.

Robin had gone home earlier because she didn't feel like getting another lecture from her parents. Eddie was out back smoking with a couple of guys.

“Don't you think we should be able to print it in the paper? It's big news!” Nancy complained from beside you. She and Jonathan finally strolled in only about an hour prior.

“I don't know Nance. It's a school paper, not the post. They try to censor everything we put out anyway.” You shrugged.

“I just feel like it's bullshit!” She huffed, leaning against the wall.

“Nance, have a little compassion. He was murdered. I know you're a hungry, go getter but it's high school. You know they…”

That's when you heard someone yelling down the hall interrupting your train of thought.

“Who's Y/N?! At least when you're trying to fuck me you could get my name right. Fuck off!” she shrieked. You both turned in time to catch that blonde wrench out of his grasp and walk out the front door.

Some people standing around caught the commotion and looked toward you. The insinuation in their glares making your cheeks heat.

He pinched the bridge of his nose before his eyes caught yours through the crowd. You could tell from your spot across the room he was drunk, with his glazed over expression.

He looked away quickly, turning to take his leave up the stairs. Conversations picked back up around you, eventually ignoring you once again.

Your face turned back to Nancy, but she had her head down as if she was experiencing secondhand embarrassment for you.

“Uh, I should go check on him.” You blurted out motioning toward the stairs as she nodded, finally meeting your gaze.

“Sure. Sure.” She waved you off but still gave you a pointed look.

You knew you shouldn't go after him. It would only fuel rumors that were surely going to start up, but your feet were already heading in his direction.

By the time you reached the landing, his door was already closed.

You didn't bother knocking, he was sitting on his bed, hands in his lap, head toward the floor.

“Steve, are you ok?”

“Fine.” He swallowed. “But I guess you heard all that, right?”

“Yeah. I did. But I'm not worried about that right now. What's going on with you, huh? Something's been eating at you all night.” You sat beside him, your skirt riding up as your bare thigh rested by his jean clad one.

“I just keep thinking about what Creel said, and then Higgins… it's… it's just…” he trailed off with a heavy sigh.

“You think he has something to do with it?”

He nodded.

“Well, Eddie can take you. You both could tell Hopper what he said. But for now, how about you get some rest, yeah? Don't worry about the party. I'll find Eddie and we'll tell everyone to get lost.”

He nodded again.

“Okay.” You moved to get up, but he grabbed your wrist pulling you back to the mattress.

“Steve, I…” suddenly cut off when he surged forward, pressing his lips to yours. It caught you off guard, but you didn't immediately pull away.

His lips were soft and warm, matching his sweet demeanor. His tongue darted out, as you pushed his chest and quickly stood up.

“Steve, you're drunk. You need to go to bed.” You kept your voice calm even though your heart was hammering in your chest.

“Sorry, I… I just…” He tried to get out an apology, but you placed your hand on his shoulder.

“It's okay. I forgive you. Just don't let Eddie see you try that.” You giggled as he winced thinking about Eddie.

“Now, let's get you in this nice, cozy bed, yeah?”

“Yeah, ok.” He kicked his sneakers from his feet. You helped him stand, letting you pull the covers back as he pulled his shirt over his head.

You heard his belt clink as he unbuttoned his pants, letting them pool at his feet, leaving him in his boxers.

“Come on, Stevie.” You patted the bed as he laid down and you covered him up.

You waited a few moments, watching his slow and steady breathing. The covers move with each expansion of his chest before reaching over and extinguishing his bedside lamp.

The light from the ensuite bathroom caught your attention because you knew the door had been closed a moment ago.

You jumped and let out a small yelp seeing Eddie standing there in the doorway.

“Don't let Eddie see you try that, huh?” He smirked releasing a small chuckle. Eddie wasn't mad, just amused at the fact you always try to deny how much Steve was still in love with you.

“Fuck Eddie. Have you been in there the whole time?” You grabbed his hand, pulling him back into the bathroom and shutting the door softly behind you as you heard Steve shuffle under the covers.

“Yup. The WHOLE time. Came in here cause I know no one dares to enter King Steve's room, so no lines.” He shrugged.

“You're taking him to the Sheriff's station tomorrow. It's going to eat him alive if you don't.” You hissed out.

“And what if I say no? Henry may not have done anything wrong. Just poor timing.” He grinned, eyes glinting with something you couldn't quite decipher.

“I don't care, Eddie. You both need to tell Hopper.” You crossed your arms over your chest, leaving no room for argument. You wouldn't take no for an answer. He hated when you got all authoritative toward him.

“Fuck, fine. Whatever.” He rolled his eyes. “Can we go before the boy toy wakes up looking for round two?”

You squeeze his cheeks between your palms, placing an over exaggerated kiss to his lips as he wraps his arms around you.

“Thanks baby.” You grinned.

“Mmhmm, anything for you princess.” Kissing the tip of your nose before the two of you exited the room.

After you two had successfully kicked everyone out you both took the spare room. It was better than sleeping in the van until morning like you usually did after a party.

You would be there to make sure Eddie took Steve to the station.

“So, you boys are telling me that Henry Creel said what now?” Hopper was sitting across from Steve and Eddie in his office, examining the two young men before him.

Steve was in a polo and light jacket. Eddie in his usual denim vest and leather. Polar opposites of each other.

“Well,” Steve began again, giving Eddie a sideways glance. “He said he's going to get what's coming to him.”

“And you heard this too, Eddie?” His narrow gaze aimed at the metal head.

“Yeah ma… I mean yes sir.” He nodded in agreement.

“And then he bolted out of there before they dismissed us.” Steve added.

“Yeah.” Eddie followed.

“Ok, and there's nothing else other than that?” He asked.

“No.” Both of the younger men said in unison.

He sighed, getting up from his chair, straightening his belt.

“Okay, thanks boys. We'll look into it.”

They left thinking that nothing would come of it.

Their tip led to Chief Deputy Hopper making the biggest arrest in Hawkins history. Two days later they questioned him and subsequently found a murder weapon stashed in an old shed behind his house.

Both Steve and Eddie's testimonies helped cement the case against him.

Ultimately, he was deemed not mentally capable to withstand trial and was sent to Pennhurst before it could begin.

Hawkins had seen its worst murder and the person behind it was caught. It was once again a sleepy little town. Until now.

Had the real killer laid dormant all these years? Why resurface now?

Looking back, Steve could tell Hopper that any number of people had a problem with Higgins and Jason's crew. Including himself and Eddie, even you.

He thought it was best to keep his mouth shut, hoping they could find a real lead soon.

“No, Hop. I can't think of anything.”

It would be two weeks before another murder took place giving everyone a small sense of false security.

Andy Crawford was next. Yet another that ran in that circle of friends with Jason. Same manner of death. Forced entry and far too much blood.

There was a definite pattern at this point. They just couldn't figure out who might be next.

With little to go on, save for that mask and half of a boot print they were at a loss and the whole town was quaking with fear.

Another late night at the post. Your eyes were going cross eyed from reading and typing all day.

You checked your watch. Almost 11 pm. You hated to call Eddie this late, knowing he most likely already nodded off on the couch.

You leaned back in your chair, stretching aching back muscles from being leaned over for so long when your phone rang, making you jump.

Your fingers hesitantly gripped the receiver, lifting it to your ear.

“Hello, Hawkins Post.” Coming out a little breathless.

“Hello?” A gruff voice came from the other end. “Who am I talking to?”

“This is Y/N. Can I… help you?” Feeling a little uneasy.

“Oh, Y/N. The same Y/N that writes those articles for Ghostface?” He asked with a slightly cheerier lilt.

“Yes, is there something I can help you with?” That feeling growing in the pit of your stomach.

“Big fan. Huge even.” The voice chuckled.

“That's nice, but it's late. Unless there's something I can do for you…”

“Sure, there's something you can do for me.” He growled. “Stay right there and play the helpless victim for me!”

Taglist: @barbedwirebats @kellsck @lemme-slytherin-that-dick @katie-tibo @eddiesguitarskills

#eddie munson #steve harrington #eddie munson x reader #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington fic #eddie munson fic #eddie munson x y/n #steve harrington x y/n #icmb wip #its called murder baby #ghostface!eddie x reader #Ghostface #ghostface!eddie munson x reader #ghostface!eddie #steddie x you

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yellowhollyhock · 2 months

Text

because I'm the shield

I was trying to write a little scene between rise Raph and Mikey since his overprotectiveness is something they've argued about. But that's turning out slower than I expected and will have to be for another time--maybe will fit a different prompt when it's done, who knows.

I've been rewatching some of 2003 season 4 and having feelings about shield Raph.

Fight scenes do show a lot of him throwing himself between his brothers and physical harm. But season 4, with the family relationships strained, highlights something else, which is Raph shielding his brothers from Master Splinter and each other. Especially Leo.

I learned from the tmnt fandom that sai is meant to defend against sword. And that's so fitting for these two.

Raph defending his brothers from Master Splinter mostly looks like being the loudest and most openly rebellious to draw attention away from (honestly mostly Leo and Donnie) blatantly doing what they're not supposed to do (like traveling to an alternate dimension without telling anyone or fighting the Foot alone. Seriously they call him and Mikey the impulsive ones??). And Splinter isn't a danger to the turtles, he is very loving in 03, but his opinion matters to them and Raph makes himself the squeaky wheel so the others can stay squeaky clean.

But about Leo. Two things going on season 4: Raph is (trying to) protect Leo from his own inner thoughts, verbally replying to his anxieties with positives or neutrals; and Raph is on guard to keep Leo off Don and Mikey's case.

I just watched Aliens Among Us and found it especially sweet when they're all on the roof to watch the President how Raph and Leo interact. Leo is upset with Don and Mikey for fooling around, and says out loud that by even coming to watch they 'may as well ask to be dissected.' (Because it's gonna be a Bishop episode so Leo obviously has to foreshadow that. They just had Bad Day, they will not watch as the various enemies their memories pulled from do in fact torment them.) Anyway, it's the way he keeps a pretty calm, almost lighthearted tone while he talks Leo down from his catastraphizing, drawing attention away from his other brothers who were getting yelled at in the process. And this is just an example of how Raph acts this season.

side note, I adore how these two specifically could be talking about their favorite flavor of potato chips and look like they're plotting a murder. This is a picture of Raph getting as close as he can to physically beating up Leo's inner demons.

Another small moment in this episode that I loved: Raph grabbing Leo by the shoulder with, "Whoa, where are you going? Don't you think we need a plan?" and Leo's plan is 'take out every alien we see.' This is not a Leo at the top of his game, in spite of what he told Splinter last episode about 'doing whatever it takes to protect this family.' Raph knows it. He and Leo have different strengths and different approaches, but he knows a healthy Leo would be analyzing the situation, briefing them all on what they should most likely be prepared for and what information they lack that everyone should keep an eye out for. Leo is an analyst, that's one of his greatest strengths. And he's not doing that.

it's literally like 'hey bro are you okay? you've barely picked apart the enemy's battle strategy or lurked in the shadows.' Leo isn't doing the things he loves and Raph notices.

Also speaking of Bad Day. Here's a picture of Raph telling Donny it's not his fault.

Again he looks like he's plotting murder but he is actually speaking in the softest sweetest voice to his stressed out little brother. This is a turtle who just watched his best friends get blown up by people who were looking for him and his family.

That is all ❤️

#tmnt #tmnt 2003 #2003 raph #march for raph

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dreamcubed · 11 months

Text

daylight | harry potter x reader

song; daylight [taylor swift] pairing; harry potter x ministry worker!single mother!fem!hufflepuff!reader genre; s2l, fluff, angst word count; 4,4k timeline; post-second wizarding war warnings; references to abusive ex (verbal, emotional, baby-trapping), y/n has trust issues, references to poverty summary; after providing for yourself and your two sons alone for so long, you were foreign to the concept of help, and the last person you expected to receive it from was the infamous boy who lived

masterlist

"i once believed love would be burning red, but it's golden."

————————————————

Now both your sons were in school, you were finally able to take on a full-time job and bring more money in. It had been immensely difficult being limited to only a low-paying part time job for the last five years, but you had needed flexible hours due to your lack of support system when it came to raising your boys. They were a year apart, at four and five, and their father hadn't been in the picture since the third trimester of the youngest's pregnancy.

Your family had turned their backs to you after you fell pregnant so young, out of wedlock, and without a decent job. And Merlin knows your baby daddy's family wanted absolutely nothing to do with you.

It was a shame, because your academics were good, and you had received excellent scores in both your OWLs and NEWTs, originally having big plans for your career. Then your boyfriend at the time baby-trapped you, just to abandon you anyway.

But now your sons were both old enough to enrol in muggle primary school, which was unusual for magic families to do, but it gave you the opportunity to get a better job and create a better life for the both of them. Merlin knows you were too busy to adequately homeschool them in the years before Hogwarts, anyway.

"Well, Miss L/N, you seem more than qualified," the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in the Ministry of Magic said to you, "Typically we only have freshly graduated applicants for such positions, though."

"Does that dampen by chances?"

"Not at all," she shook her head, "I see no reason not to hire you, unless there's something you need to tell me?"

You bit your tongue, deciding to not let her on to the fact you had two sons to take care of all by yourself. "No, ma'am."

"Well, perfect. Your hours would be from 8am til 5pm with forty-five minutes paid lunch break that you can take between noon and 2pm."

The hours were long, but you had already signed up your sons for their school's breakfast club every morning, as well as a different extra-curricular after school every day. Thankfully apparition would likely mean you would only be a minute or two late for pick-up.

"When can you start?"

"Immediately," you smiled.

***

While you worked in the department responsible for aurors, you would not be out in the field yourself at any point. You were simply responsible for distributing tasks and filling out and filing the reports after missions. Once upon a time you had wanted to be an auror, but now you had sons who would have no one else if something were to happen to you. You simply couldn't endanger yourself in any way.

The pay of your job was good: good enough to support a family of three and move you out of the one bedroom flat you lived in. You would wait a couple months until you were settled into the job, though, as you still needed to pay off the boys' uniforms and school lunches.

You were sat at your desk on the second day of your job, busy filling out forms for a small mission that had taken place earlier that morning. Ever since Voldemort's demise, there hadn't been any large scale missions. You supposed that was a good thing.

"Oh, you're new."

You looked up in surprise to see the Boy Who Lived stood before you, evidently having just returned from a mission as an auror.

He gave you an awkward smile, "Harry Potter."

You nodded mindlessly with your mouth slightly agape, before coming to your senses and saying, "Y/N. Y/N L/N."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

"How long have you worked here?"

"It's my second day."

"Wow, so you're, like, brand new?"

"I... I guess?"

"Let me know if you need anythi-"

"Potter," your supervisor's voice rang out, "My office."

"Shit, sorry, I have a mission debrief to give, we'll talk later?" he said, somewhat hopefully.

"Yeah, later..." you trailed off, staring after him as he walked to the office.

***

It was the end of the day, and you were packing up your belongings ready for your departure at exactly five o'clock.

"Y/N," a person called.

You turned around to see Harry Potter stood before you once more.

"Sorry I didn't have a chance to catch up with you after earlier," he said, "But, uh, do you think... do you think maybe we could go for a drink? It's important to have friends at work, after all."

You were in shock, but still answered, "I'd love to, really - but I have places to be today, I'm afraid."

"Tomorrow night, then?"

"I'm busy then too," you said apologetically.

"Okay, then when are you free?"

Great, now you were going to sound like a massive dick. "Rarely, unfortunately, I have a... chaotic family, you see."

"Right, well... see you tomorrow then."

Yep. He definitely thought you were making up excuses.

***

"I'm not too late, am I?" you asked the teacher that had been supervising the football club your sons had been attending.

"No, the other last kid just left moments ago," he smiled at you.

"Oh, thank Helga," you said without thinking.

The man frowned at your exclamation, but didn't say anything about it.

"Matty, Eric, are you boys ready to go?" you turned to your sons, who both nodded tiredly at you. Your heart dropped at how much the long day wore them out.

You led them around the corner from the primary school until you were out of sight from others, where you apparated to outside your small apartment. Upon entering, you gazed at the cramped space: you couldn't wait to upgrade to a bigger one.

"What's for dinner, mama?" your youngest, Eric, asked.

"I'll cook some pasta, yeah? And then I'll read you a story."

You couldn't fail them. They had to have a different life to you.

***

You didn't see Harry Potter at work again for the next two weeks, as he had been sent on a slightly larger auror mission abroad. But, when he did return, you ran into him almost instantly.

"How was the mission?" you asked immediately.

"Fine," he said dismissively, "Look, I'm sorry for asking you for drinks last time, you clearly didn't want to-"

"No, it's not that I don't want to," you said quickly.

"You don't have to lie to be nice, I shouldn't have asked something like that so soon after meeting you."

You sighed, "I'm not lying, I really am just an exceptionally busy person."

"Busy with what exactly?"

"I- I can't talk about it."

"You-"

That was when the ringing of your mobile phone cut through the air, making you jump slightly. You took the tiny flip phone out of your pocket and exhaled harshly at the sight of who it was. This was exactly why you had bothered getting a phone as a witch, you had just hoped it wouldn't happen so soon

"Sorry, I have to take this."

You began walking away as you answered.

"Hello, Y/N L/N speaking."

"Hello, this is Emily from St Andrew's Primary School," the woman on the other end spoke, "I'm calling on behalf of your son, Eric."

"What happened?"

"He... exhibited peculiar behaviour during a lesson today."

"Why? What did he do?"

"He made a classmate float in the air."

Your breath hitched, "That's not possible."

"I assure you, I'm being quite honest."

"Is this a prank call?" you asked. You knew it wasn't.

You didn't want the Ministry to find out you had enrolled wizards into muggle school. It was advised against for a reason, as they had enough on their plates when it came to dealing with the chaos muggle-borns caused. But, they would have already detected the use of improper magic and sent people to deal with it.

"I-"

"Y/N L/N," a man to your left said.

"If you excuse me," you spoke to the caller, hanging up. They would just think you still thought them a prankster. "Yes?"

"Simon Periwink of the Improper Use of Magic sector, can you come with me please?"

You sighed, "Is this regarding my son?"

He nodded.

"Lead the way."

***

"So as you seem to know, your son, Eric L/N, has caused a bit of a conundrum in a muggle school," Simon said, sat behind his desk with crescent moon glasses perched on his nose, "Now, he is a child, so obviously he will not be facing any consequences for this action. However, I am obliged to ask, why is he in a muggle school?"

"I don't have a choice, sir."

"Just Simon is fine- elaborate, please."

"I'm a single mother to two boys. My family abandoned me after my first pregnancy and my boyfriend upped and left during my second," you explained, although you didn't want to talk about it, "I can't afford childcare - muggle school is free and my only option."

Simon hummed, flicking through pieces of parchment, "I see. Well, I won't prevent this then - thanks to muggle-borns, we're well equipped to deal with these situations. Please, though, talk to your sons about this."

"Yes, sir- Simon. Thank you."

"We also have many support systems in place in the ministry to aid people in similar situations to yourself. Please consider looking into them."

"I will, thank you again."

"No worries - I suppose you should go and pick up your son for now."

You nodded.

***

By the time you arrived at the primary school, you saw that members of the ministry were already there - and, to your horror, Harry Potter.

He quickly spotted you, and raised a confused eyebrow.

"Y/N, what are you doing here?"

"I could ask the same of y-"

"Mama!" your son, evidently in tears, called out. He ran from the ministry member that was comforting him into your arms; you didn't hesitate to pick up your son.

Harry watched as the situation unfolded, piecing everything together in his head, before saying, "They were a member short in the improper use department, so I offered to fill in. Is this your son?"

You hummed, rocking the sobbing boy about.

"I didn't know you were-" he cut himself off, "If I had, I wouldn't have asked you out."

You sighed, "I am single."

"Oh."

"Sorry for hurting your feelings, but I think I need to go pick my other son up too," you said, "Please don't mention this to anyone."

He showed his agreement through an absent-minded nod.

"Bye."

He stared after you as you walked away.

***

After a long chat with both of your sons about resorting to muggle methods in the face of problems instead of magic methods, you reluctantly returned to work the next day, dreading the next interaction between you and Harry Potter. Why was a literal celebrity even working a normal day job anyway?

Taking in a deep breath, you sat down at your desk to begin working your way through the stack of paperwork your manager had already left for you. Just when you had almost forgotten about the man who now knew your biggest work secret, you heard a cough for attention coming from in front of you.

You looked up and saw the exact person you didn't want to see.

"Hey, I just wanted to check up on you after... yesterday."

"Why?"

He seemed taken aback by your response, "Well, you know, I... care about you?"

"You hardly know me," you said pointedly.

"And I would like to change that."

"Potter!" a voice called from the hallway, "Where are you?"

"Coming!" he replied, giving a lingering glance to you but realising you were already focused on your work again.

You felt mean, and you thought he was cute, you just didn't want him to get attached to the mess that you were.

***

"L/N, I need you to stay late today to discuss your progress," your manager said to you later that day, "Don't worry, it's nothing negative."

"Late? Respectfully, I can't do overtime."

"It's hardly overtime. Half an hour, maximum."

"Yes, but-"

"What plans do you have that are so important you must leave exactly at five o'clock?" she raised an eyebrow at you.

"I-" you froze. Should you be honest?

"Y/N," Harry Potter.

You turned away from your manager to the man, pleased at the distraction.

"I can take care of the errand you need to run," he said simply, "It's no bother."

"You can't-"

"Well, it's settled then," your manager smiled, "See you at five in my office."

Once she had walked away, you turned to Harry with a scowl.

"I could've handled that myself!"

"You clearly don't want to admit to the situation," he shrugged, "I'll go pick up your boys, don't worry."

You sighed, "I'll have to call the school to let them know."

"No worries, where should I take them? Back to yours?"

"No!" you quickly said, a little too quickly.

"I'm not gonna judge your living quarters, Y/N."

"Just- I... fine. Fine. Take them back to mine. I'll write down the address for you."

As you handed the paper over, you admitted defeat.

"Thank you, Harry, for this."

"It's my pleasure."

***

You were severely hoping that you hadn't made a stupid decision in trusting Harry with your most prized jewels. He had to be trustworthy, you reasoned, he risked his own life to save the entire world from a horrible and cruel man, after all. As you reached the door to your flat, you took a deep breath before knocking twice. You had given the key to Harry earlier on.

The door quickly flung open to reveal the Boy Who Lived with Eric on his shoulders, who was giggling in a manner you had never seen him before.

"Mama!" he exclaimed, along with his brother, who was by Harry's leg.

"I must admit, I'm normally bad with children," he said as you hugged Matty in greeting.

"Coulda fooled me," you replied, entering the flat.

"Right, I'll get going then-"

Your boys both began complaining, Matty even running from your arms to cling on to Harry's leg again.

You sighed, looking up at the man, "Stay for dinner?"

***

Somewhere along the way, after helping you put your sons to bed, an old bottle of fire whiskey in the back of your cupboard had been cracked open and you were sat on the sofa with Harry Potter, drunker than him because you hadn't had the chance to drink in years.

"Do you really do this all by yourself?" he eventually asked, after a laughing fit from the both of you.

"Do what?"

"Everything. Work, chores, raising your sons. Do you have no help at all?"

You shook your head, "Their father took off during my second pregnancy, haven't heard from him since. As you can tell, I was young when I first fell pregnant, so neither of our families wanted anything to do with us."

"But- no friends?"

"I used to have friends," you sighed, "But I kinda lost them when I started dating Derran. He isolated me a lot. Never had the chance to remake them."

He hummed, "I'm sorry that happened to you - really. I'm happy to be your first friend."

You smiled.

"And more, if you'll let me."

"Really? Thing One and Thing Two haven't put you off?"

He chuckled, "No, not yet, they haven't."

"I don't know if I have the time for dating," you said, picking at your fingernails, "I'm struggling to keep all my plates spinning as it is."

"I understand that dating you would mean a lot of time with the boys."

"Really? Do you? We'd have no date nights."

"I'm prepared to make that sacrifice."

"I don't think you are," you said simply, "Anyway, this has been fun, but I should really get to bed. Are you good to get home or should I-"

"I'm fine to get home, don't worry about me," he said, standing up.

And as you showed him out the door, shutting it behind him, he paused and turned back to look at the spot where he just saw you, meanwhile you rested your back against the wooden frame on the other side, feeling a painful longing in your chest.

***

Saturday morning started like it normally did: a later start with both your boys waking up in your arms. It was as routine up until you all entered the main room ready for breakfast.

A knock arrived on the door.

You frowned, and told the boys to sit at the table before heading over and peering through the peephole. To your surprise, you saw Harry stood patiently outside. Opening the door, you questioned his presence with a simple furrowing of your eyebrows, when you caught sight of the bags he was holding either side of him.

"I hope I'm not here too early," he said, taking in your pyjama-clad presence.

"No- no... we just weren't expecting you," you replied, allowing him in.

"Harry!" your boys called, running over to cling to his legs.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," he shrugged, placing the bags on the kitchen counter, "Hello, Eric, Matty."

"A surprise?"

He hummed, "I brought some basic foods- including ingredients for chocolate chip pancakes."

Eric and Matty cheered.

"That's sweet but- but we don't need handouts."

"Then don't think of it as one," he said simply, "This is simply a man doing something for the woman he has romantic interest in."

You sighed, unable to stop a smile from creeping on to your face.

"Are you our new dad?" Eric asked, making you snap your head in his direction.

Harry was evidently at a loss for words.

"I've always wanted a dad," Matty added. Despite having been alive for when your ex-boyfriend was still around, he had no memory of him. Not that the memories would have been good ones, anyway.

"It depends if your mum lets me date her or not," Harry stated.

"Mama, please!"

"Please, mama!"

"I don't think you know us well enough to make a commitment," you said to Harry, ignoring your sons for the time being.

"Yeah, because you won't let me get to know you," he argued, but without malice, "Is it so hard to believe I genuinely want this?"

"Yeah, it is," you said, "After-" you nodded your head towards the boys, communicating your reference to their father.

"Let me prove it to you," Harry said, to both you and the boys, "What say after breakfast, we head to Diagon Alley and make a day of it?"

The boys began cheering, though you knew all too well they had no idea what Diagon Alley was.

You pulled Harry aside and began whispering, "I've never taken them there. I don't want to get their hopes up by seeing all the things in the shops and not being able to get any of it."

"I'm paying," he reassured you, "For anything they want- that you approve of, of course."

"But-"

"No buts. I told you, I'm proving this to you."

You sighed, admitting defeat, "Okay. Fine."

"Now, let's get the pancakes on," he announced loudly.

***

You watched your sons excitedly run around Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, unable to take the smile off your face. Part of you was overjoyed that they were finally getting some experience of a normal wizardly childhood; the other part of you was upset that it wasn't really you that had provided the experience.

"I think they like the place," Harry said from his place next to you, snapping you out of your thoughts.

"I've never seen them so happy."

"Don't think you're a failure as a mother or anything," he added, "You're far from it."

You smiled, "I know I'm doing my best, but they deserve more."

He didn't reply to that statement, instead wrapping his arm around your shoulder in a comforting gesture.

Maybe, just maybe, you should let him in.

***

After that day, things fell into a new routine. Any day that Harry wasn't on an auror mission, he would show up at your flat with dinner ingredients not long after you had gotten home with your sons. Together, you would cook the meal, and then sit and eat. On Saturdays, he would take you and the boys somewhere for the day, always insisting on paying if there was an associated cost. He had even on one Sunday insisted that he babysit the boys so you could get your first bit of lone time in years. You had treated yourself to some rest and relaxation in a spa.

You had become very comfortable with his presence, but at there same time there was this constant tension between the two of you, like something was going to snap at any given moment. You almost wanted it to.

It was after dinner one night, and you were putting Eric and Matty to bed with Harry, just having finished reading their bedtime story.

"Goodnight, my loves," you said, kissing each of their heads, and tucking them in, "I'll be here to join you shortly."

"Night, mama."

"Goodnight, mama."

"Goodnight, boys," Harry said, "I should hopefully be here again tomorrow."

"Goodnight," your eldest, Matty, said tiredly.

"Night night, dad," your youngest, Eric, mumbled.

You stilled in shock, but didn't say anything since he was drifting off to sleep, instead glancing at Harry to gage his reaction. He had a slight smile on his face, which admittedly filled you with a sense of warmth. Nonetheless, when you were back in the kitchen charming the dishes to begin washing, you decided to talk about it.

"Thank you, Harry."

"For what?"

"Everything you have done for us the last few weeks," you said, "And I'm sorry Eric called you dad."

"I don't mind," he quickly said, "But I understand if you mind."

"I don't mind... but I don't want them to get hurt."

Next thing you knew, Harry's hand was on yours, "I'm not leaving."

"That's an easy thing to say."

"Y/N, I-" he cut himself off, pausing for a moment to think, "Have dinner at my house on Saturday - bring the boys, obviously."

You frowned, "Are you sure?"

"I'm always sure."

You couldn't help but chuckle at that, "Okay, we'll be there."

***

On Saturday evening, you apparated outside Harry's cottage in Godric's Hollow with your sons holding a hand either side of you. This was your first time seeing his house, and it was absolutely gorgeous: large, too. From what he had told you, he had been born in this house, but it was also where his parents had died tragically.

You let Eric and Matty run ahead to knock on the front door, which was a classic medieval-style shape. All too quickly, it swung open to reveal Harry dressed up in dress trousers and a button up shirt, with the top button left undone. You were glad that you had opted for a more dressed up look yourself - you had gotten the feeling that this was a fancier occasion than usual.

"Hello, boys," he greeted your sons, hugging both of them before standing up straight, "And, hello, Y/N." He seemed even more awkward than normal, making you confused.

He beckoned you all in and through to the dining room, where a delicious spread was billowing steam throughout the room.

"I wish I could take full credit- Molly helped quite a bit," you knew Molly to be his best friend's mother, "But I wanted this to be perfect."

"Why?" you asked, "I mean- it is, but why?"

"Because it's for you," he said.

You held prolonged and tension-filled eye contact with him for a few moments, before your attention was diverted by your boys jumping about excitedly.

"I think they're hungry," Harry laughed, "Sit down, sit down."

You all sat around the table, and you scolded your sons for not showing good manners and trying to dig in right away.

"Not to make you wait too much longer, boys, but I would like to say something first," Harry said, taking in a deep breath, "When I first met you, Y/N, I thought you wanted nothing to do with me- because you rejected me."

You chuckled.

"And that was quite a blow to my ego, so it was certainly relieving to learn that it wasn't me that was the problem- not that there really was a problem. You are simply an amazingly independent woman who didn't want people to know about her two incredible sons, for some insane reason," he said with a grin, making your cheeks heat up, "And I know it's hard for you to accept that I genuinely do want to be with you given everything you've been through."

You started to get a feeling of what was about to happen.

"And I know that being with you means being with your sons as well," he continued, "But I need you to know that it's far from a chore for me to take them in as my own - so, I have to ask, even though it may seem too soon, will you marry me?"

Tears pricked at your eyes as Matty and Eric gasped, them both being old enough to understand what marriage meant.

"You'll be our dad?" Eric asked, his eyes shining hopefully.

"Well, if your mum says yes."

"Mama, please say yes!" your youngest begged.

His older brother joined in, "Please, mama!"

"Okay," you said, sniffling, "I'll marry you, Harry Potter."

It was then, as Matty and Eric were cheering about having a dad, that Harry pushed a small velvet box across the table, and you opened it to reveal a yellow gold band with a ruby stone set in the centre.

"It's- it's beautiful."

Harry beamed at you as you put it on and admired its place on your ring finger.

"Can we eat now?" Matty asked.

"Yes, yes, we can eat," you said through happy sobs.

"And, after dinner, you two can pick your new bedrooms."

Your eyes widened in shock as Matty exclaimed, "We get our own bedrooms?!"

—————————————————

masterlist

written; 01/05/2023 —> 05/06/2023 published; 06/06/2023 edited; —/—/——

taglist ; @workinatdapyramid @iluvweasleys

#harry potter #harry potter x reader #harry potter x you #harry potter x y/n #hp #harry potter fanfic #hp fanfic #hp oneshot #harry potter oneshot #angst #fluff #strangers to lovers #fanfic #feminine pronouns #single mother reader #hufflepuff reader

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kromaticglass · 6 months

Text

I've been sitting on this for a while because I'm not usually one for writing out my thoughts on characters in media that I like but honestly I need to yell about just how much I love Wriothesley as a character and how his story is written.

Don't get me wrong, I love Scaramouche, and I love his story arc, but there's something about this absolutely horrific past that Wriothesley grew up in and despite everything that should have made him a bitter person, he's so selfless. Selfless to the point of completely overturning a system that had been working in it's own horrific manner for hundreds of years as a teenager/young adult in order to make it better and actively work on fixing people, not just let them fall between the cracks of a society that sent them away to be forgotten.

Putting this under a read more because I'm going to yell about this a lot.

When we're first learning about Wriothesley we're introduced to the fact that he was an orphan. This brings up questions to start with; how was he first orphaned? By the sounds of things he wasn't willingly given away to the foster family that he ended up living with, he was on the streets or at the very least was on his own for a time before he ended up there. The first thing that my mind goes to is that this means either his parents abandoned him or they died/were killed, which may also be the reason he seemingly was desensitized to death as a kid - I'll get to that point later, it's important.

Just how long he was on the streets before he was taken in by his foster family isn't mentioned, but I'd expect it was at least a year or so, just from some context clues we got from both his story quest and his character stories that you unlock with friendship. When in his foster home, things were supposedly a picture perfect family, a dollhouse where people looking in would only see the perfect picture but as soon as curtains closed it was something very different.

Households like that are traumatising, it's no wonder that Wriothesley's ability to trust in people is shot. The people who were supposed to care for him after promising a good life were nothing but a front and in his eyes he once more was on his own. For a child to decide to willingly orphan themselves a second time is so taxing on the mind, I could only imagine the stress he would've been under.

But what really gets me is the fact that he eventually came to the conclusion that in order to stop the cycle of picking up kids and selling them off to the highest bidder and killing the ones that didn't sell, Wriothesley didn't think about contacting gardes, didn't go to anyone else about it, he took matters into his own hands.

Not just that, but that he had to kill them.

It takes a lot for someone to work themselves up into killing another person. If you've never taken a life before, most people will hesitate, they'll be sick, or they'll completely shut down and remove themselves mentally from the situation, there's a very visceral reaction that happens in the human brain when you're pushed so far into stress responses that you'll take another life, and this was a teenager. This is why I feel like he would've been desensitized to death or at the very least gruesome scenes like this from a much younger age.

One can only wonder just what was going through his mind during the time he was away, taking the odd jobs to create that first prototype of his gauntlets that he used to shoot nails at his parents. It may not be as personal as taking a knife to someone, but using a nailgun is a bloody affair, the wounds needed to make that fatal are grievous if done by an inexperienced hand. And from what we're told in the character story, it sounds like his parents fought back, hard enough that it very nearly killed Wriothesley as well.

It makes me wonder just what he was thinking, or feeling in that moment, was it fear? Anger? A mix of many things? Or was he simply numb to it until he woke up in the hospital bed later? From what we hear in his tone during the story quest, he sounds apathetic about retelling the story, but that could be a result of trying to compartmentalize the renewed trauma that was rekindled thanks to the gem he touched.

And the trial, lets not forget that. On the day he wakes up from his injuries, he's served papers to face in court, and given a timeline for his recovery. The character story says the trial went with little fanfare and that he accepted the charges with little to no protest, it makes me think about just what could've gone through his head during the time he was recovering.

Wriothesley states that he knew he was guilty in the eyes of the law, and that his methods were extreme and he knows that. Because he survived his injuries when he expected to die from them, it makes me think that he knew he would be going to the Fortress of Meropide once he got to the trial. Given how much of a lawless land the Fortress was back then, I wonder if this was Wriothesley's own way of putting himself back into the hands of fate again, or maybe in some way, taking it back into his own hands.

Character Story 2 and his Vision story tells us more about his time in Meropide before taking it over, and how chaotic it sounded. He arrived in the Fortress and found his Vision in his pockets when being processed, and the first thing he's told is "hide it well". This was the only warning he got from anyone about how life in the Fortress was at that time, and he took that to heart in order to not lose anything precious to him.

Meropide was a place you could pay for someone to die in back then, among other things like drugs and probably far more things that Hoyoverse wouldn't mention for the sake of keeping things PG. It certainly doesn't seem like a place a teenager would be safe in and yet despite all odds, Wriothesley thrived and amassed a massive collection of credit coupons in order to make his name known.

It doesn't say much about what a feat that is, especially the line where it mentions that he amassed more coupons than anyone else in the Fortress combined. He figured out how the place ticked and made it sing to his own tempo instead of simply falling in line, that's such an impressive feat for anyone to do, let alone someone who would've had to fight tooth and nail to even get the respect needed for people to see him with as much power as he seemed to gain by the time he took over.

When he challenged the former administrator to a duel, the story mentions how Wriothesley was saved from having to get another person’s blood on his hands because he fled from the Fortress instead of showing up. And sure we could gloss over this as he was glad about not needing to fight him in the end, but this also implies that if the fight had've gone on instead of what happened, Wriothesley would've either beaten that man within an inch of his life or taken it. He would've taken another life for the sake of other people, once again.

This is something I've noticed is a theme with Wriothesley. He has either little regard for or at the very least places his own safety below others, so long as it's doing what he thinks is right or protects other people. During his story quest when he's being shot at, Wriothesley does little to protect himself aside from some minimal protection with his cryo vision against the bullets shot at him, but the moment that the gun is turned to the Traveler, he spent absolutely no time in very nearly killing Dougier (if the Traveler hadn't been there, I think there would've been a 75%-85% chance that he would've killed Dougier) and putting him in his place.

We see this again with the Archon quest where Wriothesley and Clorinde fight back the Primordial Sea. He spend his own safety and energy icing over the doors in order to save people in the Fortress from the Primordial Sea until Neuvillette could get there, at the risk of his own safety and very nearly getting trapped and dissolved by the waters.

That's not even taking into consideration the work he did on the Wingalet. We saw so little of it in the 4.2 Archon Quest, I was almost disappointed, but the fact that instead of staying idle about the prophecy, he spent so much time and energy making a ship like that and keeping it a secret from most parties until the time came all for the reason of saving as many Fontainians as possible just kills me.

Wriothesley has been through so much, and instead of that horrible backstory and all that trauma turning him into a bitter and hateful person, he instead uses it to give others a better life than he had just crushes me. He took over Meropide and reformed it into a place where not only does it help people now, but is such a nice place to be that inmates want to stay afterwards warms my heart. Like, for sure there's the fact that people staying down there reintegrating into society would be a challenge but I love the fact that there's even the choice to stay down there after the term is over instead of simply turning people lose and risking them returning back down after repeating crimes.

Anyway what I'm trying to get at here is that Wriothesley is such a well written character and I want Hoyoverse to give us more characters like this. I'm rambling way too much and I'm sure like 80% is incoherent bullshit but I needed to get my feelings off my chest about this lol.

If you made it this far thanks for putting up with my rambling LMAO.

#genshin impact #wriothesley #i have so many feelings about this man #got me wanting to dust off my old fanfic bones to write something #but i havent written a fic in over 8 years and thats such a long time to get back into it #and i feel like i could not do it justice #but ugh #i have feelings #and none of them are okay #long post #im so sorry for anyone who is not in the genshin fandom getting subjected to my bullshit #if you see typos no you dont

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nattinatalia · 1 year

Text

Jack Harlow x Reader : DÍA DE LAS MADRES

A/N : This was supposed to go out Wednesday night for Hispanic mommy’s day.

Jack had woken up earlier than usual, luckily you and the kids were still sleeping upstairs. He was running around the house trying to get things set up for you.

You both always go above and beyond for one another and this year was no different. He had picked up your favorite flowers, your gift and of course made a quick stop at your favorite Mexican restaurant for some breakfast.

He was done setting up the posters the kids had made, when he heard little feet stomping around on the floor.

“Is that for mama?”

“Yeah, do you like it?”

Ezequiel nods, “Pretty.” He looks around and says, “I want give momma some.”

Jack smiles at that, he knew his little man would say that so he came prepared. “I have some for you in the kitchen so you can give them to mama.”

He smiles and runs towards the kitchen. “Breaky too?”

Jack follows behind him.“Yeah bud, I got everything.”

Next thing a grumpy Mia walks in the kitchen rubbing her eyes. “Mommy is awake, where are her gifts?”

Ez rolls his eyes “Chill.”

“You don’t even know what that means so you hush.” Mia glares at her brother.

“No tell me to hush, Mia mean.” Ez exclaims.

“Okay, no fighting. Today is your moms day and we need to be on our best behavior.” Jack tries to get them to calm down.

“What is going on?.” You come to a stop at the entrance of the kitchen, tying your robe tight around your waist.

Three heads turn to quickly look at you.

“NOTHING.” The three of them yell out.

“Hmm.” You smile. “I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it slide.”

Jack goes up to you, wraps his arms around you. “Feliz día de las madres baby.”

To your surprise, Jack pronounced it right and said it the right way without any problems. “Aww you’ve been practicing?”

He nods, “The kids are tough teachers.”

You both smile and share a kiss. “Thank you bubs.”

“Okay no more kissing.” Ez says. “Momma these for you.” He hands you a small bouquet of sunflowers.

“Aww thank you mi amorcito.” You bend down to kiss his cheek.

“Feliz madres día momma.”

“Ezequiel, how are you going to teach me how to say it but you mixed up the words?” Jack laughs.

“I’m her baby, so is okay.” Ezequiel smirks and hugs you, and gives you a kiss on the cheek as well.

“Babe, they were literally terrorizing me because I kept messing up the words, and he gets a pass?.” Jack shakes his head, acting hurt.

“Mommy.” Mia says entering the kitchen again. somehow she made a quick run for it without you noticing. “This for you.”

She hands you a Pandora bag, “Bubs?”

Jack shakes his head and has a confused look on him. “I didn’t buy that.”

“Oh?” You face Mia.

“Tío Clay took me, lo compré con mi dinero.” She shrugs.

You open up the box and find a beautiful gold bracelet. “Mia, this is beautiful”

“You like it?”

You nod and go to hug her. “I love it, thank you.”

“Alright kids, go wash your hands so we can have breakfast.” Jack tells them, and they both run to do just that.

“Babe, we have to return it. How did Clay let her spend money on this?”

“He just texted.” He looks at his phone and laughs. “I guess he didn’t really let her waste her money. Little shit charged it on my card.”

You both laugh at that.

“WE ARE STARVING GUYS.”

“Let’s go before we get put on timeout by our children.”

You and your family enjoy breakfast together, Jack had picked up all your favorites. From chilaquiles, to huevos rancheros and pan de Dulce with some coffee.

On the kitchen counter the kids had posters scattered around that they had hand painted themselves. They drew the entire family, even including Druski in it. They even made some arts and crafts made out of pasta and glued some pictures on it.

“I have one more surprise, well two but one of them is for tonight.” Jack shuts off the faucet after finishing washing the dishes.

“Babe, I told you no gifts this year.”

“It’s mommy’s day momma, you need gifts” Ez tells you excitedly. Your little boy really is the sweetest kid ever, both of your kids actually.

“Do you two know what the surprise is?”

They both nod and smile “YESS.”

“It’s so cool mom.” Mia tells you.

“Let’s go see your surprise?”

“What do you mean, go where?”

“Outside.” Jack takes your hand and starts leading you outside.

“Momma close eyes.” Ezequiel tells you.

“Eyes are closed mijo.”

“Five steps and then open your eyes baby.”

“Alright, you guys tell me when to open my eyes.”

“Open now mama.” Both Mia and Ez yell out.

Once you open your eyes, you’re in shock. “What?”

You quickly turn to question Jack, “Baby? What is this?”

“You said you wanted one, so I got it for you.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“Baby, I was totally joking.”

He shakes his head, “You were probably joking just a tiny bit, but I know for a fact you really meant it.”

You jump on him, wrapping your legs around his waist, arms around his neck. “Thank you baby, for this morning and for always including our kids.”

“Anything for you mamas.” He squeezes your waist and gives you a kiss.

“Momma come sit in it.”

You and Jack pull away, and he sets you down. “Go momma, the kids are calling.”

You smile and follow after the kids who are sitting inside the car admiring it.

“You know we’re returning it right?” You ask your husband.

“What? No we’re not.”

“Babe, this is too much.”

“Nothing is too much for you. Plus look at the kids.” He gestured his head to where Mia and Ez are seated at. “They love it and I know they’d want turns riding in the passenger side.”

“Then this just means my gift for Father’s Day is more than valid.” You smirk.

“Babe, you can’t one up me! That’s not fair.”

You sit down in the driver seat “I’ve been planning your Father’s Day gift since last year so deal with it.”

“Momma?”

“Yeah baby?” You face Ezequiel.

“We go zoom zoom pass the hoes?”

“ANGEL EZEQUIEL HARLOW.!” Jack yells.

“What?”

“That’s not a nice word baby, where did you hear that?” You ask him, trying not to laugh.

“Uncle Druski.”

“You’re not allowed to spend alone time with uncle Dru any more.” Jack tells him, shaking his head.

“This is Mother’s Day guys, can we not talk about how naughty Cheesy and Druski are?” Mia asks, rolling her eyes. “Let’s go cuddle and watch movies.”

“Mia you’re bossy.” Ezequiel rolls his eyes.

“Alright, let’s go back inside. We all need to shower and then we can lay in bed and watch movies all day.”

“Not all day, we still have dinner.” Jack tells you.

“Dinner? Baby you already did enough.”

“It’s something small, I promise.”

“There’s nothing small concerning you Jackman.”

“You got that right.” He turns to see if the kids are out of earshot. “This is your main gift tonight.” He places your hand on his cock.

“That’s my gift every night, don’t get it twisted now.” You smack his ass and run ahead to catch up with the kids and make it to the steps before Jack catches you and carries you inside.

The kids are laughing and admiring the entire thing.

Jack and the kids definitely outdid themselves, and you weren’t talking about the gifts. The thoughtfulness and the love you received from them made your Mother’s Day so special just like every year.

• • • • • • • • • •

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@heavyhitterheaux @harlowsbby @arination99 @cmalass @jackharloww @minkookie95 @deannaard @jacksmoviestar @harlowcomehome @fdl305 @httpkoylinnn @xoxokiaraaxoxo @hoodharlow @automaticpeachsong @amethyst09 @aliciacat20 @allyson15 @gabbylovesreading @stefansalvatoresgf @violetdreamsworld @carma-fanficaddict @jasminxts @itsaaliyah2 @itsyagirljaz @harrycanyonmoonn @neon-lights-and-glitter @awhore4moree

#jack harlow #jack harlow x y/n #jack harlow x oc #jack harlow x you #jack harlow x yn #jack harlow x reader #jack harlow fanfiction

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bostova · 4 months

Text

i remember being small, maybe 2 or 3 years old. i had chicken pox and was so terribly itchy, so my mother put a lotion on my itchy that smelled bad, and unnatural, and yucky on my sores and hoped that i would sleep, but she left my moon lamp on and it was too bright in my room. i held my Captain Scarlet doll and my teddy and pulled the quilt over my face, but then i got too hot. some of my scars are from the sores.

I remember earlier than that, though. I asked my mother and she told me I was too small to be able to remember it, but i can remember it better than even she had. HE came home different and unrecognisable and Scary. There was a big dark cloud outside and it was raining. His head was shaved and he was wearing a red tracksuit. He was the angriest that my small eyes had ever seen a person to be. He smashed eveything in the kitchen, it was so loud and I covered my ears, and then he made his way through the house, punching holes in our doors, stamping on my best toys and my mother's shiny things. She put me in the car before he could break us too and we drove far away for many hours and the rain was hitting the car so hard. And then... we went home again so she must have thought it was safe now for some reason. I hoped that it would be to a different house, with new toys and no holes, but it wasn't. He was gone and my mother was left to pick up all of the little pieces of plates and cups and our lives were supposed to continue as though that hadn't and wouldn't happen again.

I remember getting lost a lot when my mother would take us shopping, i never remember him being with us, so probably we were out to try and be away from him and pretend again. i remember her showing me where in the Woolworths i should go if i got lost, but i could never find where that was, nor could i find her. i cried for a while and looked at the toys that pulled my eyes into them and had probably caused me to get lost in the first place. I looked at them through their boxes and didn't understand why i wasn't allowed to open them, were they not for children like me to play with? she always found me, but i only really remember the getting lost, not the getting found.

I remember being sat in the bath when i was 3 and being sad that i was alone and had no friends to play with, then later my mother told me that i was gonna have a sister, and that she was doing that so i wouldn't be alone. i remember hoping that i could be a good sister to her, not realising that i had to be a brother which was different. i knew this from seeing some brothers in my cartoons i think. She was so small and i remember taking a picture of her with my red camera when she was born, my mother told me to make sure it doesn't flash because my sister's eyes were so small, much smaller than mine, so i covered the flash with my finger just in case.

i remember being 6 or so, and inventing worlds for my toys to live in and be happy. I wished i could live there too, and hoped that if i wished hard enough, and gave those worlds as much detail as i could, i would be able to go there. i remember copying the voices and memorising all the lines from the films my mother had taped for me, which i was allowed to watch whilst he was away. My mother always laughed when i could say the next line of the film before the tv said it. Hook was a favourite film of mine, i loved how peter was able to fly and live in such a wonderful place like Neverland, and it always made me cry when he had to go home to his own family, because it meant i couldn't pretend that he was my dad too any more.

I remember being 6 or 7 and she showed me Highlander. I loved the swords and the sound they made, and i wanted to live forever, i think she did too because she was crying a lot. The Kurgan did not scare me, as i had seen scarier things already, and his sword was much better because the spikes popped out and it was longer. But he killed Ramirez so that made him the bad guy. BETTER TO BURN OUT, THAN TO FAAAADE AWAYYY, YYYAAGH i would say often and my mother would laugh.

i didn't like school very much and the teachers did not like me either. one of my teachers always used to spell things wrong when she wrote them on the board so i would make sure to raise my hand and tell her, so she could spell it right, you are supposed to spell things right when you are a teacher because you don't want other kids to learn it wrong, this was the right thing to do, but then she wouldn't let me go to the toilet when i asked until i stopped asking. and then i got a kidney infection and had to be in the hospital with a needle for 5 whole days because i wasn't allowed to go to the toilet i think, i was 7. she made me stand up in front of the class when i came back and asked me to explain to them what what had been wrong and asked me if it burned when i went to the toilet, i said yes and my face was red and i wanted to run away but I couldn't run home, and the other children laughed. those kids in my class had made a small card for me telling me to get well soon, i didn't recognise any of the names.

i used to fall over a lot i think, i was clumsy and "uncoordinated", that was a big word i learned from the school nurse, i asked her to say it some more times and then to write it down and then i never forgot it. I would see her a lot, and i remember making her laugh once because she had to write my name in the accident book and i said "you'll find my name in there a lot!" and she said "oh, in the wars are you?" and i smiled and agreed with her, but didn't really understand what that meant.

i remember having some friends who were girls who i liked a lot, and some boys who i had to play with because those girls would also run away from me at lunch time, they said its because they don't play with boys, but I didn't really understand what that meant or why it meant i had to try and play football instead of what they were doing. i hated football and being in the mud, one boy always used to push me over and put my things in the mud because i wasn't really a boy he said and i talked funny, and he spat on my new shoes, and stole my favourite lime green transformer car. i tried to tell the teacher but she was the one who wouldn't let me go to the toilet. why did it have to be like that i wondered?

for all of those years i wished i could be back by the mountains and the sea, and the place where they meet, where i was born and it was warm. my auntie and my nain and my taid were there, so why couldn't we be too? we could just get in a car and go there, and i remember being mad at my mother for a very long time that we had to live with Him instead. it was only later that she told me it's because he was in the police and he would kill her and me and my sister if we left, and nobody would know. she had tried to tell the police before about the way he hurt us but they said they don't know what she was talking about, he would never do that, he was a good policeman. so she belived him when he promised to hurt us if we tried to get away.

i remember high school was so big and i felt so small, and now i REALLY had to be a boy, and more boys would hurt me if i tried not to be one of them. i liked books a lot, and read them whenever i could, i got good marks in english and i liked my teacher. i wrote a poem about war once, and she told me i was a dark horse, i didn't know what that meant, and i was thankful that another kid who was loud asked her what that meant so I didn't have to use my voice to do it.

it was high school where i got into music, and i realised that music was like books because it made pictures in my head, but other kids could see those pictures too and music was easier to share than a book. i got into guitar along with a few other mosher kids because punk rock was new and exciting, and easy to learn and play for people. my first guitar was 3/4 scale and had one pickup in the middle position. it was terrible and loved it, and the way it fit my body.

i grew a lot towards the end of high school, i got tall and i grew my hair long and straight, and i think a lot of girls liked me then, and i liked some too, but i had no way to talk to them any more because i still didn't want the boys to hurt me, though i was taller than them all now, which made me feel alien and strange. i was just glad that i could run away from PE to play guitar now.

college was where i met my first girlfriend, she said she loved me and she hurt me a lot and often, this was the only kind of love i knew how to receive besides the love that my mother gave which isn't what a girlfriend is for, so i gratefully accepted it, believing her when she said that if she didn't love me who else would? she did some stuff with other guys too, but thats okay because she said she didn't love them, just me, and that i wasn't allowed to talk to any girl other than her because she loved me. I believed her because why wouldn't I? i was 17 and had never been in love before.

i went to university and i learned about byron and the renaissance and shakespeare and wordsworth, about postmodernism and structuralism, and i studied film too and adaptation. i loved learning things but i could never stay and do the other fun stuff with the people in my class because i had to go home and i wasn't allowed to be far away from my girlfriend. she said i wasn't otherwise she would tell her friends about how embarrassing my body was and what i sounded like when i had sex with her, my face went red at the thought. i ate one sandwich a day for my meal, this felt like enough, but people kept asking me if i was okay. i was cold a lot, and very thin as I realised later. i grew a beard with my long hair because i wanted to embody the manliness that i saw in films and read about in books and saw in the bands i liked, then my girlfriend wouldn't be able to embarrass me to her friends.

I was 23 when she left me, I still didn't have the guts to leave her, and i cried for a long time, because i believed nobody else could ever love me. but then someone did, and i moved across the world to be with her and to get away from everything. i loved her and she loved me, and in a new special way where i didn't have to be hurt or scared, but i think she knew that the manliness was just a costume and this wasn't what she wanted. she wanted the real thing, not the pale imitation mask that i wore. we moved back to here and tried to make it work for a while until it was either we get married and decide who moves and stays where, or we go seperate ways. she chose the latter for me because i was paralysed by the idea of losing love once again.

i realised i liked boys too, a long time before that, but i had never had the chance to try things with them, to try kissing them or touching their bodies, and when i finally did i chose to wear girls clothes and underwear because that felt correct to me, and the way they touched me felt like they were touching a girl, and that felt nice. I used to step out onto the landing outside my bedroom at home with the big mirror when nobody else was home, and see what i looked like in my girl clothes. Every now and then if i held my body in a certain way I would see that girl, and then she was gone again. and i would put my metalhead guy clothes back on and feel the anger that i thought the music was giving to me. I didn't know that anger was coming from inside me, this was how it had to be for me, i was 27.

For my whole life up to that point i knew that 30 years was my cutoff point, i knew the anger that fueled me, and followed me around was also burning me out from the inside, like a tree in a fire that is left standing only as a hollow shell of itself. "no more" i said, 30 was the end of it all.

A funny thing happened though when i was 28. i met a girl at a party with some friends and felt like i recognised her, she was tall and strong and beautiful and was dressed like a wrestler for the theme of the party. I was drawn in and i had to know more about her. i realised then that we had met before, she was the brother of a boy i knew well from high school, and she was a girl now. she had done it, and i didn't know that was a thing you could just... do. she was only a year younger than me and she was a beautiful girl now, and i was speechless. i internalised that wonder, but never quite put the two together about the way i felt about myself and what she had done for herself. that came a little later when i was 29 and very quickly approaching my cutoff point. i realised then that i had to choose. I chose "fuck it, i may as well try and be a girl, i can always leave the world later if it doesn't work out"

when i was 30, and my body was now getting softer, and I was allowed to be beautiful thanks to the hormones i had waited a lifetime for, i met another beautiful girl like me. i could tell she had been sad for a long time too and was also seeing the world through the new eyes that we had given ourselves. we grew and bloomed together, we shared our plushies and added new ones to our family, and added other beautiful girls like us to our bouquet that we had met along the way, making our family bigger and bigger. we are now surrounded by our sisters and wives and partners and so much love that binds us and makes us stronger together, and we are held by it. we have love that stretches across oceans to where my wife and little girl are waiting, and are happy and held by their loves too. one day i hope we can all join up into one place, like a wild garden of flowers and plants and trees and moss and bees and bugs and dogs. i get to be a dog too now, and I like that i can forget about the bad stuff when i am allowed to be dog. i play with my stuffed toys and i eat from my bowl and I nap in my doggie bed, and when i wake i can bark at my girls and they bark back to me, our home is full of food and joy and music, this is what love is supposed to be i think.

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firetextskpop · 10 months

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hi how are youu

could you make a poly!wonhui in idol au? the subject is entirely up to you!

thankuu <3

A/N: I wasnt 100% sure if you wanted reader to be an idol too, or not but I will write them as such lol.

Your member's eyes fell on you as Seventeen's Wonwoo stood at your dorm door. He wasn't supposed to show up by himself or at all. Usually, his manager would come to the door to pick you up but that was when you guys had something planned. To your knowledge, there was nothing planned, but here 1/2 of your boyfriends stood. Basketball shorts, a white t-shirt, not even trying to conceal his identity.

"H-hey! What're... you... doing here." You broke the silence. Wonwoo's eyes scanned the faces of the people before him before coming up with a good excuse.

"Dino told me you played pretty well and my team is short one. I came to see if you wanted to hang out with us for a bit" Well, the excuse sounded good at the moment. The oldest member of your group looked at you in confusion. "I haven't even seen you run." They said and you rolled your eyes.

"I'll be out in a bit. Thank you for the invite!" You scurried to your room but not fast enough because now your roommate member was on your tail and shut the door behind them. "JEON WONWOO? WHAT IS HE DOING HERE? HOW DO YOU KNOW DINO?" Seeing as your group has been debuted for only 6 months, you can see how everyone is confused. "Dino asked me to do a dance with him for their new song for social media." You responded, finishing getting ready. Which wasn't a lie, that is how you met Dino, but Wonwoo was a whole different story.

When you were training, you decided to visit the Pledis building (when it was still active) for motivation, and as you were leaving Wonwoo came in. His eyes met yours and immediately, he fell in love. You noticed it was him but wanted to respect his privacy. To your surprise, he called after you and asked why you were there and tried to get to know you. You answered his questions the best you could but after 5 minutes, his manager began pulling him away. Wonwoo pulled away, well aware he had a schedule and gave you his Kakao to keep in touch. He let you know that he'd love to help you in areas you needed help and would support you in your idol journey.

"Y/n, your phone." Your roommate said, knocking you from your trance. The phone lit up.

jhw:

i forgot to tell you...

Then the text cut off for privacy. Quickly, you rush out the door and ignore the many questions coming from your members. When you find the car that contains your boyfriend, you rush to get in before any fansites recognize who you are. Immediately, you're met with an arm around your shoulders and a smug-looking Wonwoo. He was very obviously head over heels for you and you appreciated it so much as well as tried to show him the same affection back.

"Jun has a surprise for you when we get to his place." Ah! You never actually read his text. "I forgot to tell you that Nonu was coming! Wear something comfortable." Nonu was the nickname you both had for Wonwoo. Being as it was Jun, you could imagine he had something intricate planned. No telling if it had some obscure meaning from something that happened in your relationship that not even your younger boyfriend remembers or something new that barely anybody has ever thought of.

Arriving at the apartment, you and Wonwoo sat in the car as the manager knocked to make sure Jun was there. Once the door opened, you both rushed inside and the door shut immediately after. Jun's apartment was like a second home to you. The pictures on his wall consisted of pictures of the three of you, his family and mostly his magazine covers. He says it keeps him motivated to keep going but you nor Wonwoo were complaining. Today, however, you noticed a theme in the pictures he had up. It started with the very first picture he ever took of you. The photo was before the 3 of you started dating. As you and the brunette followed the trail of rose petals on the floor, the pictures became more recent. At the end was a kitchen table with fresh food set up and your blonde boyfriend setting the last bit of food and drinks upon the table.

"Wen Junhui.." You mumble. His eyes met yours and he immediately smiled. "Oh, hey Xiao Baobei" Jun greeted you, coming to hold your hand and sit you down at the table. The foods consisted of the first meal you and him had on your first solo date. Wonwoo sat on your right side and his hand rested upon yours while watching Jun as he sat on your left and Wonwoo's right. "No hey for me?" The younger nudged his boyfriend. Jun smirked and placed his hand on the nape of Wonwoo and said "Hello Da Baobei" A smirk crept up onto Wonwoo's face and he began to eat.

The food Jun prepared was impeccable. Tasting the meat alone brought you back to the time Jun had suddenly made his confession. Funnily enough, you and Wonwoo had been dating for 3 months, barely branching into the new romantic versions of yourselves (Really just you, Wonwoo had been romantic with you since day 1). Seventeen were well aware of your relationship and you had spent time with them on multiple occasions. At this point, you were occasionally their background dancer so you were no stranger. This particular day it was you and the 96s hanging out. Jihoon had recommended this amazing restaurant and he and Wonwoo went to get it. Back at the dorms, you, Hoshi, and Jun watched youtube videos.

Amidst you all sharing laughs, the other 2 members had returned with the food and you all began to eat and enjoy the videos. Jun sat on one side and Wonwoo on the other. You dropped a piece of meat and it bounced from your lap to Junhui's. Without a second thought, he picked it up and put it in his mouth. "Hey! That was mine." You shoved him lightly and stole a piece from his plate. As he went to return the complaint, Wonwoo jokingly said "Why don't you 2 just kiss already." YOU were well aware it was a joke. Jun, however, didn't and lightly gripped your chin, bringing you closer. To say the least, everyone in the room was a little shocked. Soonyoung was very anxious and didn't want his younger friend upset so he immediately said something to try to make it less awkward. "Jun.. uh.. i don't think he was serious." Hoshi began rambling on the context but Wonwoo stopped him, now looking at the red-flushed man. "You like y/n?" The eldest of the 4 nodded and then the brunette turned to you. "Do you like Jun?" Your bottom lip made its way in between your teeth. Wonwoo smiled and caressed your cheek. "It's okay if so. I can share baby." Slowly you nodded and the only thing Wonwoo had to say was. "Okay." and turned his attention back to the video. It felt a bit awkward after but due to the relationship the boys had, it was over fairly soon. Later that night, Jun actually pulled Wonwoo to the side and let him know that he also had a crush on him as well. He felt like saying it in front of the other boys would have made the tension worse and well, we see how everything worked out.

Back to the present day

"It must've been great." Jun jokes and kisses your forehead, taking your plate to wash it. "It really was, thank you both sooo much." You say. Wonwoo pulled you onto his lap and gave you a kiss, then Jun comes by and gives you both kisses. "Let's cuddle on the couch" The younger suggests and carries you over. Now Jun is sitting with his legs on the couch, Wonwoo in between them laying on his back with you on top. Jun's hands ran through Wonwoo's hair and Wonwoo's hands roamed up and down your back and your hands rested against both of them. All of your breathing fell in sync and in the words of the popular song, there's no place you'd rather be.

#seventeen scenarios #kpop #kpop scenarios #wonwoo scenarios #seventeen wonwoo #jeon wonwoo #wonu #wonwoo #wonhui #junhui scenarios #wen junhui #junhui seventeen #moon junhui #seventeen stories #poly!seventeen #poly!wonhui

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vergilsama922 · 5 months

Text

Hope Universe Skit: The Hairstylist and The Model

At a chic, modern hairstyling studio. Mukuro Ikusaba is preparing her tools, and Junko Enoshima is seated in front of a large mirror, looking somewhat reluctant. Yes, I know the picture above doesn't match the setting. Sue me xP.

Mukuro: smiling softly Alright, Junko, let's get started. What are you thinking for today's shoot?

Junko: rolling her eyes Oh, I don't know, Mukuro. Something that doesn't scream 'my sister did my hair'?

Mukuro: I promise you, I'll make you look stunning. Trust me?

Junko: sighing Fine, but only because of our… 'new beginning' or whatever. Just don't mess it up. If you do, you'll find yourself volunteering to taste Taeko's new batch of totally-not-blunt weapon cookies.

Mukuro: begins working on Junko's hair, carefully and skillfully You know, I've been practicing a lot. I want to be good at this, not just for me, but for you too.

Junko: Oh, how touching. The soldier turned stylist for her little sister. Pfft.

Mukuro: It's more than that, Junko. It's about finding something peaceful, something creative. It's… healing, in a way.

Junko: glances at Mukuro through the mirror, a hint of curiosity in her eyes Healing, huh? Well, I suppose we could all use a bit of that.

Mukuro: smiles, continuing her work I remember when we were kids, you used to love when I braided your and Ryoko's hair.

Junko: Yeah, well, you were always better at it than me. I guess some things never change.

There's a brief pause as Mukuro carefully styles Junko's hair

Junko: with a snarky tone So, why hairstyling? Of all the things you could have picked. And why didn't I ever know this was something you wanted?

Mukuro: pausing, then speaking softly After everything… I wanted something that felt normal, something far from the battlefield. Hairstyling… it's creative, it's calming. It's a world away from our past.

Junko: Huh, never took you for the creative type. Always thought you were just the soldier.

Mukuro: There's a lot you don't know about me, Junko. We've both changed. I think for the better now.

Junko: Oh, the mysterious Mukuro. Who knew?

Mukuro: smiles while focusing on her work It's also about connection. Doing someone's hair, it's intimate, it's trust. I never had much of that before.

Junko: Trust, huh? That's… a big word for us.

Mukuro: It is. But it's not just about trusting others, Junko. It's about trusting ourselves too. To be better. Didn't us triplets learn that from Makoto?

Junko: with a bitter laugh Better? After everything I've done? I wanted to destroy the world, Mukuro. How do you move past that?

Mukuro: pausing, choosing her words carefully We…..We can't change the past, but we can shape our future. You feel guilt, and that's… that's a start, Junko.

Junko: Guilt doesn't even begin to cover it. I hate what I became, what I did. It's like I'm stuck in this… despair of my own making.

Mukuro: You know, Junko, being the oldest, I've always felt a sense of responsibility. But seeing you embrace motherhood… it's been a revelation. You're more than just my little sister now; you're a mother, a part of this intricate family we've built with Makoto.

Junko: Motherhood… it's weird, right? I never thought I'd be any good at it. But with our unique situation, it's like I've found a part of me I never knew existed. Makoto really brings out the best in us huh?

Mukuro: It's not just Makoto. He helped us get on the path but he never made us walk it. You've been amazing, Junko. Not just with the kids, but with all of us. You've shown a nurturing side that's been a surprise to everyone. It's like you're rewriting your own story, in the best way possible.

Junko: a smirk playing on her lips, but her eyes softer than usual Well, don't spread it around. I've got a reputation to maintain. But yeah, it's been… different. Good different. Being a part of something that's not just about me and my…..chaos.

Mukuro finishes the hairstyle, a sophisticated yet edgy look that complements Junko's features perfectly

Mukuro: Done. What do you think?

Junko: Examines herself in the mirror, her expression shifting from skepticism to genuine admiration I… I love it. You've got a real talent, Mukuro!

Mukuro: Thank you, Junko. That means a lot coming from you.

Junko: standing up, preparing to leave Don't get too excited. I'm only saying it because it's true. But… maybe you can do my hair again for the next shoot.

Mukuro: eyes light up with happiness and relief I'd like that. I….I really would.

Junko: pausing at the door, turning back towards Mukuro with a rare, softer expression Hey, Mukuro… before I go, I just want to say something. You've always been the strong one, the protector. But seeing you now, doing what you love, and being such a great mother… it's inspiring.

Mukuro: Junko, I…

Junko: No, let me finish. You've changed too, for the better. You're not just my big sister anymore; you're a role model, for me, for the kids, for everyone. You've shown that there's more to us than our past. And that… that means a lot. To all of us. Even me.

Mukuro: Is visibly moved, her eyes glistening with unshed tears Thank you, Junko. That… that means everything to me.

Junko: smirking, but her eyes betray the sincerity of her words Just don't let it go to your head, okay? We still have a lot of work to do. Let's see how confident you are after the next few dozen of shots I got~ This one time might've been a fluke or something. And I'm serious. Tell anyone about me going soft and you're testing out that new batch Taeko thinks won't cause some form of dental trauma.

#danganronpa #danganronpa au #hope universe #junko enoshima #mukuro ikusaba #makoto x junko #makoto x mukuro #skit #hope sisters #sister bonding #ryoko otonashi

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ghostinthelibrarywrites · 1 year

Note

"Knowing that this is all an act and really knowing it are two different things."

Yenskier! If you feel so moved 🥹🤞🏼

I always feel moved to write Yennskier! Here's a modern with magic AU with mentions of background Yenralt and Geraskier (can be read as pre-OT3)

The ring is perfect, a black pearl surrounded by a halo of tiny diamonds, set in a white gold band. It’s exactly the kind of engagement ring that Yennefer would have picked out for herself, if she were the engagement ring type. The fact that Jaskier is the one that bought it—even sizing it perfectly somehow—annoys her to no end.

“Well, that went swimmingly,” Jaskier says, carrying a pile of dishes into the kitchen and dumping them into the sink. “What do you think, my pearl?”

Yennefer looks away from the ring, annoyed to have been caught gazing at it like a dewy-eyed schoolgirl who was just handed her first promise ring. “I think that was the most tedious three hours of my life, and Geralt used to drag me to all your open mic nights.”

“Your wifely support warms my heart.” He puts a hand to his chest. The wedding band he selected for himself is just as perfect for him, with a sapphire as big as his thumbnail. He’s probably going to put his eye out with that thing. “But I think they all bought us as a married couple, don’t you think?”

“Well, they haven’t tried to kill us yet.” Yennefer pours the last of the bottle of wine into her glass and leans against the counter, watching as Jaskier puts his ring on the counter and begins to scrub at the dishes.

“The Turners were a bit overly interested in where we’re from and who our families are,” Jaskier says. “But I think they may just be snobs, not necessarily thinking about sacrificing us to any forest gods.”

“Mrs. Paine was very interested in you.”

“Again, I think she may just be very bored in her marriage, not necessarily homicidal.”

“It’s possible to be both.”

“You speak with such experience.” Jaskier looks over his shoulder, eyes twinkling. “I promise you, my dove, marriage to be will be many things, but never boring.”

"We're not married."

“Yes, I know that.” He waves one sudsy hand. “But if we’re going to be doing this for Melitele knows how long, we may as well lean into it.”

Yennefer snorts. She would much rather have gone through this charade with Geralt, but her lover is on the other side of the Continent right now, pursuing another lead. So she’s stuck here with his other lover, investigating the suburbanites who may or may not be trying to harness the power of an ancient forest god. Which she could forgive, if they weren’t so insufferably dull about their potential apocalyptic plans.

“Lean into it?” she asks. “By going to play badminton with Mr. Paine tomorrow? Do you think their forest god is going to be at the country club?”

“I would hope not. Those clawed feet would probably be murder on the golf courses.” Jaskier chortles at his own joke. “I’m trying to get to know the people we’re supposed to be investigating. That’s why we’re here, remember?”

“Just don’t end up tied to any altars.”

“Worried about me, my sun?” He turns to bat his eyelashes at her.

“I just don’t feel like saving your ass tomorrow morning. I have yoga.”

“Well, you don’t have to save my ass. You own enough black clothing; you’ll be a convincing widow.”

“If you die, I’ll have to go to the Brewsters’ potluck alone and I don’t think I’ll make it through the night without turning someone into a hedge.” Plus, she promised Geralt that she would keep Jaskier safe. She tries to keep her promises to Geralt, even if it means not letting his idiot boyfriend get himself killed.

“The Brewsters actually seem perfectly lovely, so we can’t have that.” Jaskier is quiet for a moment, concentrating on scrubbing a tricky spot. His back is turned to her, but she can picture his tongue poking out of his mouth like it always does when he’s focused. “After I get home from badminton, I was thinking we could go look at paint colors.”

“For what?”

“The bedroom.”

“Why?”

“Well, you’ve only mentioned how tacky you find the green and pink seventeen times this week. I thought you might be bored of complaining about the same thing.”

“This isn’t really our house,” Yennefer reminds him. “The owners will remember it eventually and when they get back from their winter in Toussaint, they’ll wonder why their bedroom is a different color.”

“I’m sure you can just waggle your fingers and turn it back.” Jaskier waggles his fingers to demonstrate. “But we’re probably going to be here for a while, so you should like our bedroom.”

“It’s not really ours.”

“Right now, it is. Anyway, it could be a fun project for us next weekend.”

“When we’re not investigating the murderous cult?” Yennefer asks acidly, staring at the back of Jaskier’s head in disbelief. Of course Jaskier would settle into this suburban life so nicely; this is how he grew up. He has a pair of doting parents, four sisters, a gaggle of nieces and nephews. He grew up surrounded by this kind of mundanity, going to barbecues on weekends and watching his parents debate swatches of paint.

Yennefer has never been meant for this life. She went from a pigsty to Aretuza to the Aedirnian government. If her parents ever got invited to barbecues and games of badminton—unlikely, given that her stepfather was the town drunk—they never brought her along.

Not that Yennefer has any kind of interest in this type of domesticity. If she were to ever settle down, it wouldn’t be in a cul de sac of cookie cutter houses, identical save for the six different colors the HOA allows them to paint their doors. She wouldn’t spend her evenings hosting dinner parties for the dullest people she’s ever met. She wouldn’t be cohabiting with Jaskier, of all people.

Jaskier is talking, she realizes, though whatever he’s saying doesn’t seem to require her participation. As he waves his hand to emphasize his point, soap bubbles fly everywhere without him even seeming to notice. A splash of water comes perilously close to his ring, which lies forgotten on the counter. Yennefer picks it up to relocate it to a safer spot.

“Anyway,” Jaskier is saying. “I’m not a sorceress who can look into their minds or a witcher who can fight their forest god. The best thing I can do is casually bring up the local disappearances while I play badminton with Mr. Paine and make a mean brisket.”

“That was a decent brisket,” Yennefer admits grudgingly.

“Wasn’t it?” Jaskier turns to grin at her again. There’s a bubble of soap suds clinging to the tip of his nose. The sight makes her feel an unexpected, entirely irrational surge of fondness. She thinks about closing the distance between them to swipe it away. Instead, she grips the edge of the counter.

“Just don’t get attached,” she says. “These people aren’t your friends. At least one of them is a killer and given the number of disappearances, I wouldn’t be surprised if half the neighborhood is either in on it or knows what’s going on and is looking in the other direction because they’d rather focus on having the nicest hydrangeas on the block.”

His grin fades into a soft, almost sad little smile. “Don’t worry, Yenn, you don’t have to worry about me getting attached. I did theater in college. I know how to put on an act.”

Yennefer isn’t sure why that bothers her. It’s good that he’s consciously putting on an act; it’s what they’re here for. “Geralt dragged me to your plays too. They were terrible.”

That gets the expected offended noise from him. “It’s a good thing you’re not masquerading as a theater critic, Yennefer, because no one can accuse you of having good taste.”

“And it’s a good thing you’re not masquerading as an actor.”

“I want a divorce.”

“We’re not married.”

“Then I want a fake divorce.”

“Mr. Paine’s a divorce attorney, isn’t he? Bring it up with him tomorrow.” Yennefer realizes she’s still holding Jaskier’s ring, the absurdly large sapphire glittering in her palm, and sets it aside. “I’m going to go upstairs.”

“Fine.” He lets out a long sigh. “Leave me to my toils.”

Yennefer rolls her eyes and mutters a spell. A moment later, the dishes are stacked neatly in the dish drainer, all perfectly clean.

Jaskier turns to look at her incredulously. “You couldn’t have done that ten minutes ago?”

“A little manual labor is good for you.”

“Just for that, I’m painting the bedroom orange.”

“Still won’t be the tackiest thing in this house.” Pointedly, she looks over his outfit, eliciting another squawk of protest.

Smirking, she heads up the stairs to the master bedroom, stepping around the pile of bedding on the floor where Jaskier has been sleeping. Even though the room’s horrendous pink and green color scheme is nothing that Yennefer would choose for herself, the room is filled with the trappings of the life she and Jaskier are sharing here: a guitar leaning against the wall, a sweater discarded on the bed, the fake wedding photo Ciri photoshopped for them sitting on the dresser.

Yennefer’s eyes linger on the photo. Ciri is a talented kid; only the most eagle-eyed observer would notice that Yennefer’s skin tone isn’t an exact match of the bride in the elegant lace dress. The false Jaskier stands behind the false Yennefer, arms around her waist, eyes twinkling with love and joy as he holds her close. Yennefer is fairly sure Ciri took his face from a photo of him with Geralt.

They talked about their wedding earlier, the stunning destination wedding to Skellige where Jaskier cried when he saw Yennefer walking down the aisle. They talked about their first meeting at the coffee shop where Jaskier used to work. They talked about Jaskier proposing in that same coffee shop two years later. It was the story of a happy, normal couple, and it was all entirely bullshit.

Yennefer sighs and twists off the perfect engagement ring, dropping it on her ring holder, before she goes to take off the seafoam green sundress she borrowed from Triss.

This is all an act, she tells herself. She just hopes that Jaskier doesn’t forget that.

***

Fake dating prompts

Tag list: @kueble @mollymawkwrites @feral-jaskier @geraltrogerericduhautebellegarde @dawnofbards @thisislisa @tsukiwolf42 @mosaicscale @rockysstupidity @fontegagrilledcheese @kuripon @help-i-need-a-cool-username @julek @flowercrown-bard @eveljerome

#the witcher #yennskier #jaskier x yennefer #jaskier #yennefer of vengerberg #ghost's writing #prompt fills #beating back the plot bunny for a 10k version of this with a stick

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14buddy22 · 1 year

Text

Slipping Through My Fingers

Aaron Hotchner x Daughter!reader

WC: 5.2K

A/n: This is from Aaron’s perspective on his daughter’s wedding day! This was inspired by Slipping Through My Fingers from the Mamma Mia movie. Feel free to listen to it while reading. (See the bottom for song :))

Masterlist

“Slipping through my fingers all the time. I try to capture every minute.”

Getting dressed for a wedding vs. getting dressed for a funeral is almost the same thing. Two important events. One event where everyone wants to attend, the other… well not so much. Getting in similar dress-like clothing (except for the bride and groom), the only difference is that two people are celebrating the start of their lives together and another has to live in sorrow for the rest of their life. The other difference is the emotion of people.

Weddings usually make people happy, maybe except for the father of the bride. That’s what I am today. My daughter’s getting married. I had been the one at the funeral, having to live the rest of my life without Haley, but my daughter and my future son-in-law were going to be starting the rest of their lives together.

My day started off hectic. I got called into the BAU. That was not something I wanted to happen on the day of my daughter’s wedding. I’m sick and tired of work and my home life clashing. It’s clashed for the past 25 years. I’ve missed out on moments from Y/n and Jack’s life. The two most important people to me and I lost out on time with them. I lost Haley because of my job. She was my rock when we first got married and my job ruined our marriage. She died because of me. It’s a guilt that I carry around every single day, and even today, more than ever.

After quickly resolving what needed to be resolved at the BAU, I came home, went for a run, showered, and began to make breakfast and clean up from last night. My living room looked like a frat party was thrown. I guess that’s what I get for letting my two children have people over the night before my daughter’s wedding.

Cleaning up the mess, I came across a photo album. Just looking at it, I knew exactly what it was. It was Haley and I’s wedding photo album. I’d been so busy with everything in my life, I guess I didn’t have time to sit down and think about what my daughter must be feeling about her wedding.

I picked up the book, only to find another photo album underneath. One was an album of my daughter and I. She made me so proud to be her father. I was the lucky one to have her in my life.

I began to flip through the pictures of the moment I found out I was going to be a father. On the first page of the book, there was a polaroid of Haley holding up the pregnancy test with myself kissing her. It made me think back to that moment, and how sentimental it was.

Exhausted. Yep, that’s what I was feeling, but that’s okay, because now I’m going home to see my beautiful wife, cook her dinner, and spend an evening with the woman I love, maybe work on making a baby.

When my key hit the front door, it made me stop and think, what’s my life going to be like in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years? Will I have 6 kids running around the house and they’ll be running to the front door when I walk inside? Will my kids be playing sports or in the marching band? Instead of coming home to see the kids, I have to split up and watch soccer games, cheerleading, baseball, band, and theater. It excited me.

I shuddered at the memory I had. I did that to myself. I chose work over the family I could have had with Haley. My two children are perfect but had I been more invested as a husband, and as a father, I could have had more. I only had myself to blame.

I walked into the kitchen to find Haley in the kitchen. She had made dinner, even though I was supposed to. I was lucky to have her, to marry my high school sweetheart, my best friend.

“So, you know how I haven’t been feeling good honey?”

“Yeah. I wanted you to rest while I was at work today.”

I paused when she put her hands on my waist to hold me still. To stop me in whatever pilot mode I was in. She was bringing me back to reality and not just going through the motions of what I did every time I got home.

“Honey, you know how we’ve been trying for a little Hotchner?”

“Haley, I told you, if we can’t have a baby, we can’t have a baby. It’s okay, we can adopt a couple of kids or we can have none. I’m sure there will be BAU babies in the future.”

“Aaron. Honey, we did it. We’re having a baby.”

She pulled out a positive pregnancy test and held it in front of my face. Tears streamed down both of our faces. We were going to become parents. At that moment, I learned I was going to be a father. We wouldn’t find out until 7 months later that we’d have a baby girl. That baby girl was the best thing to happen to Haley and me.

I flipped through the picture book, reminiscing on the days when my daughter was a baby, toddler, child, not the beautiful, young woman she’d turned into. I saw the photo of me and my two kids in the hospital bed. Y/n was only 2 years old when Jack was born, she was so excited to be a big sister and I knew their bond would be like no other.

I was slowly tearing up, going through memory lane, thinking about how fast my kids grew up and I wasn’t there for it, it killed me. I have many regrets in life, not leaving the BAU when I had the chance is my biggest one. While the work I did saved thousands of people, those moments with my kids and any chance I had with Haley, I’ll never get back.

Before I could have a full-blown crying moment, I heard my daughter speak up from her bedroom.

“Dad, can you help me get ready?”

I wasn’t new to helping her get ready. Without Haley in Y/n and Jack’s life, I had to become Dad and mom.

If you had asked me 21 years ago if I’d be the one helping my daughter get ready on her wedding day, I would have said no, that was Haley’s job, but 15 years ago, I knew that would change, when I was helping my 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son get ready for their mom’s funeral.

Over 15 years, I learned how to braid her hair, learned the correct hair and makeup products that she needed. I never envisioned I’d have to do that when I held my baby girl in my arms for the first time. I thought Haley would do that and I would just give her my debit card and she’d go. It’s funny how the times have changed.

Walking into the room that she’d grown up in made me think back to all the memories we had together. I just paused for a moment. The flashbacks of me coming home to her playing princesses in her room with her stuffed animals and then being so happy to see me. Or her putting on her music, begging me to dance with her. Her begging me to read her a bedtime story or asking to sleep in her bed because of the thunder.

Being there for my kids taught me a lot. I learned a lot more about my kids in the last 15 years than I did in the first 4 to 6 years of their life when Haley was alive. Granted, that was my fault, but they taught me much about life.

When I saw her looking at me, I quickly snapped out of whatever trance I was in. For someone who was getting married in 2 hours, she was not ready one bit, but that was the good thing about my daughter. She was good about not getting stressed, so if she was, I couldn’t tell. But I also refuse to profile my children.

Well actually, as a father, you have to read your kids. I just can’t turn it off sometimes when it comes to my kids, especially my daughter, that’s my little girl. She was opening up to me. She’d always done that, so there was never a reason to profile much. My daughter was nervous. I mean, I was when I married Haley, I don’t blame her for being nervous. There’s so much that could go wrong on the big day, that if you don’t have a support system, you’ll get lost in trying to make sure everything is perfect.

“Honey, I thought Anna and Shelby were supposed to be helping you get ready?”

“Dad, I just needed some time to be alone. I also think Anna and Jack are hooking up.”

I snickered watching my daughter gag at the thought of her best friend and younger brother hooking up. Anna and Shelby were Y/n’s childhood best friends and Jack fit into their friend group as they got older.

“Honey, Go get showered, I’ll help you with your hair. How do you want it? Curled? Braided?”

“Dad, I don’t have a lot of time, I can’t be late for my wedding.”

“We have time, we have time.”

She walked over and hugged me. It made me very happy to hold her in my arms one last time before she was getting married. I wasn’t ready to let go, but my little girl was a strong, independent woman.

In just a few short hours, I was going to be giving her away. Giving her away to a man who loved my daughter with everything he had, they had the kind of love that Haley and I had in college, the kind of love that was there when we found out we were going to be parents.

“You know Dad, I’m getting Mamma Mia vibes from this moment.”

“Except you know who your father is and he’s walking you down the aisle.”

I watched her roll her eyes and she made her way to the bathroom. I went to grab her some food and caught Jack walking out of his room, praying that he wasn’t hooking up with Anna, Y/n’s childhood bestfriend.

“Jack, your sister’s getting married and you’re fooling around with her bridesmaid.”

“Dad, come on. We’re here for a good time, not a long time.”

He patted my shoulder and walked by to grab some food. I couldn’t believe this is how my kids turned out. My daughter, marrying an amazing guy while my son on the other hand is screwing around with my daughter's bridesmaid.

“When are you getting ready? The wedding is in two hours, you still need to shower, shave, Anna needs to get to her house to get ready. Jack, I’m serious, stop laughing.”

“Hey old man, relax. It’s going to be okay. Anna and I are having a snack, she’s leaving to go get ready at her own house. I’m going to shower. See ya, daddio.”

Watching my son walk back to the room that I used to tuck him in with and build forts in seemed crazy to me. In my eyes, he was the little four year old boy that would fall asleep on the couch trying to stay up for me when I got home for work.

Both my children were growing up and I wasn’t ready. From what I saw, they were still my babies, both of them. I’m not ready for them to never need me again. Once Y/n get’s married, she’s going to have her husband, and then they’ll have kids because that’s what she’s always wanted, and then she’s going to have her own family, not her dad, and that scared me.

You can prepare all you want, but I was never prepared to become a single father to two young children, wasn’t prepared to have my daughter date, or prepared enough to have her move out of the house. From what I’ve learned, there’s no amount of preparation for that feeling of what it’ll be like when your children, your babies, grow up.

I walked back into Y/n’s room with her and Jack’s favorite food, dino chicken nuggets. No matter how old they got, they never grew out of their dino chicken nugget phase. Both of them would tell me over and over that dino chicken nuggets were elite, they basically told me that dino chicken nuggets were the Aaron Hotchner of the BAU and it somehow clicked in my mind. They were comparing me to chicken nuggets, making me feel like a hero, when in fact, I shouldn’t be their hero.

I chuckled thinking back to that conversation that they had with me. We were sitting at the kitchen table, I had got back from a case early in the afternoon and picked them up from school. They were so happy to see me, so when we went grocery shopping, I had mindlessly picked up regular chicken nuggets. Oh, was that a big mistake. Both children yelled, “NO! Not those!”

I smiled laughing at the fear that took over me in that moment. My two children, 10 and 8 years old, were telling me not to buy chicken nuggets. Jack had said that Dino chicken nuggets were the best and that he’ll eat them forever. After I explained that just the shapes were different, my daughter spoke up, saying that dino chicken nuggets were like the Aaron Hotchner of the BAU, the best of the best. Her exact words were, “Dino nuggets are the hero of chicken nuggets, just like you’re my hero.”

I didn’t want to cry. I was on the verge of tears earlier, I still had to hold it together for my daughter. I didn’t need her to come out and see me crying because I know she’d cry. She didn’t need that stress on her big day.

“Ugh! Dad.”

My daughter came into her room with one of my ¼ zips and her favorite pair of running shorts. Those were her comfort clothes. That ¼ zip was 21 years old. When I was away on cases, Haley would wear it when feeding her, and as Y/n got older, it’s the one ¼ zip she always gravitated too. While it was big on her when she was a child, she still slept in it, wore it when I wasn’t home, it was her sense of safety when I couldn’t be there. Because of me, she was attached to a piece of clothing because I couldn’t protect her. What father puts their children through that?

“What’s wrong honey?”

“Dad, I was shaving and I cut my leg.”

“Come here, sit down. I have a band-aid.”

She sat down on the bed and I grabbed a band-aid from my pocket. One thing that Haley told me from our wedding day was to always have enough band-aids. I made a promise that whenever our children got married, I’d be the one to carry the band-aids. Turns out she was right, we did need the band-aids after all.

She grabbed the dino nuggets after I put the band-aid on and she sat down on the bed. I moved to sit with my back against her head board and I was looking at her. I thought I’d see the beautiful woman she had turned into, but all I could see was my Y/n. My little girl who’d want to play basketball with me or try to show me the newest soccer move. My little girl who was just in a red dress and pigtails. Yeah, that was the little girl I saw.

“Dad, did you hear what I said?”

“What?”

“I started talking but you didn’t answer me. Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was just thinking. What did you say?”

“Can you believe I’m marrying A.J.?”

Her fiance was the perfect man for her. He was sweet, kind, just overall in love with her. The kind of love that Haley and I once had. He was everything I could have ever imagined for my little girl.

“No, I can’t believe the day has finally come. 1 year of prepping for a wedding flew by.”

“Thank you for everything, dad.”

My daughter leaned into me and put her head on my shoulder. When I looked at her TV, Mamma Mia was on. When did she put that on? This had to have been her way of trying to soak on as much time as she could before she was getting married. Maybe it was her way of getting me to come to realize that my little girl wasn’t my little girl.

As she ate her dino nuggets, I held onto her a little longer, not wanting her to get married. I know she had to, everyone has to grow up, but I just wasn’t ready. I’m finally ready to admit that. Before I could say something, Jack entered the room with two plates of dino nuggets.

“Jack, you’re supposed to be in the shower.”

“Dad, Y/n’s moving out of the house officially tonight, this is the last time we’re all going to be living together, under one roof. We’ve spent the past 19 years living together. Well, 19 years living with me, 21 for you two, but if I’m being honest, I’m not ready to let that go.”

My son was right. He was stronger than I was. He said what I had been afraid of saying this entire time. I took the plate of dino nuggets that he had reached out to give me. He sat on the bed with my daughter and I. Sharing the bed how they used to share the bed when they were just kids.

I watched my daughter begin to take pictures and videos and we got one of all of us smiling, eating our dino nuggets. Something so simple, yet so meaningful. The last time I’d ever have my children living under one roof all together. Yeah, Jack’s right, I wasn’t ready to let go, but I did, in less than an hour and 10 minutes.”

As we finished our dino nuggets, I had to begin to help with her hair, the movie playing in the background. Jack had stayed in the room to take pictures. Pictures that I would cherish for the rest of my life.

My daughter had put on “Slipping Through My Fingers”. The scene was coming up shortly in the movie but she put the song on her phone. She looked at me through the mirror and smiled. All I could think of was how much this song was so impactful in our life, and now it’s becoming a real story for our life.

Jack went to go get her dress and then went to go change, leaving Y/n and I for a minute that we both needed. With her hair braided the way she wanted, she turned around and looked at me. I handed her her dress and Jack walked into the room.

“You clean up nice, Jack.”

“Thanks sis. Dad? Do I look okay?”

My son was put together. In just a few short moments, I was going to have two children ready for a wedding. Two children who weren’t 4 and 6 anymore, but were 21 and 19. They were grown up.

“You look nice, call me when you’re ready Y/n. I’m going to change.”

I walked out of her room to give her a minute to get into her dress and walked into my room. I changed into my suit and fixed my hair. I finished tying my tie and walked back outside of Y/n’s room. I knocked on the door, getting the okay from Y/n to come in. As I made my way in, I looked at my daughter. She looked absolutely gorgeous. Just an hour ago, I was looking at the little girl in pigtails that I once saw. Now, I was staring at a beautiful, strong, young woman who had everything in the world going for her at that moment. She was my daughter and I was lucky to be her father.

Jack was sitting on the desk, giving me time to fix the little bits of hair that needed to be recurled on Y/n’s head. She was looking in the mirror, I knew she wanted to say something but I wasn’t going to pressure her. Until I heard her speak.

“Dad, am I letting you down?”

“Why would you think that?

“Because of what you’ve done, being the unit chief of the BAU, raising 2 children 2 years apart, being a single-father.”

“Honey, I didn’t have a choice. Your mother was taken from us because of what I did. I became a single father because you lost mom because of me.”

“Dad, stop. That’s not true.”

I was staring at my daughter, but that wasn’t her who said that, it was Jack. Jack was teary eyed, looking at me and Y/n. I shook my head slightly because Haley’s gone because of me and my job.

“Dad, please, you have to listen to Jack and I. It is not your fault. Foyet killed mom. You did everything you could to protect Jack and I. Dad, you could’ve been dead, too! He stabbed you 9 times. You raised us into the people we are today. We wouldn’t be half of the people we are if it weren’t for you. You’re our hero, dad. You always will be.”

I wrapped my arms around my daughter. She still saw me as a hero. My little girl. My little girl who was getting married in 45 minutes. I was her hero. There could be nothing more better than hearing her call me her hero.

“You will never let me down. No matter what. I am so proud to be your father.”

“I’m lucky to be your daughter. You’re my hero. No matter how old I get, I’m always going to need you in my life. Never forget that, Dad. Will you give me away?”

All day I had been holding up tears, guilting myself for letting Haley get killed but at this moment, all I could think about was what a blessing it was to be a father. A father who was loved by his kids. I was loved by my daughter and son, neither one of them ever angry with me for raising them as a single father, never blaming me for losing their mom. I was their hero. I was someone they trusted, they found comfort in. My kids were my saving grace. Y/n asking me to give her away, the floodgates had opened. I wiped the tear that had fallen onto her cheek and pulled her into my arms. I looked over at Jack, for one to never get emotional, he was wiping his tears as well.

As I pulled away from the hug, I kissed her forehead. She was ready to get married, I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for her to get married, but that didn’t matter because all I wanted to do was make my daughter happy.

“I think we have to get to a wedding.”

My kids and I all took one last hug. The ending of Slipping Through My Fingers filled the room. All of us all quietly soaking in the moment, realizing all we had been put through as a family, but in the end, we had made it out.

As we got to the church, we watched everyone walk down the aisle and I held onto her arm. I looked down at her and she squeezed my arm.

“Are you ready, Dad?”

“No.”

She and I shared a laugh. She just wanted me to be honest. I knew that and that’s what she was waiting for.

“No, I’m not ready for you to finally be grown up. I know you’ve been grown up for a long time, but in my eyes, you’re still the little girl who barely fits into my ¼ zip. Now you’re getting married. But if there’s anyone who deserves it, it’s you. You deserve every ounce of happiness Y/n Hotchner.”

She kissed my cheek and whispered, “You deserve happiness, too, Dad. Don’t forget that. I love you.”

The church doors swung up and the pianist began to play “Slipping Through My Fingers”. My daughter and I looked at each other, let out a deep breath and began to smile, taking our steps down the aisle.

I wish someone would’ve told me that this was the shortest walk of my life. What felt like the longest, but the most important, was the shortest amount of time I’d have with my daughter when giving her away. I wanted to cherish every moment I could get with her before she married A.J. This was the last moment before she became a married woman. I kissed her cheek, then went to sit down next to my team. Rossi gave me a pat on leg. A small gesture that I didn’t know I needed until I felt the tension in my body relax.

I had given my daughter away, she was marrying the love of her life, that feeling that I’m losing her forever was kept in my body up until that point in time that I felt Rossi’s touch.

The ceremony was beautiful, as A.J. and Y/n shared a kiss, the audience began to clap. She began to walk down the aisle, hand in hand with her husband. She gave me a smile and a wave, a small gesture that I’d hold onto forever.

As the night began to wind down, it was a beautiful wedding and reception. There was still one more thing that I needed to do. The father-daughter dance. I still had no idea what the song was, I just knew that we were dancing to a slow song.

As the D.J. called my name to the floor, I met my daughter in the middle of the dance floor. Everyone had surrounded us. I grabbed my daughter and embraced her in a hug.

“Just wait for the song, Dad. You’ll love it.”

Just as she finished, “Slipping Through My Fingers” had begun to play throughout the reception hall. I saw Jack beginning to record and looked around at everyone. They were all wiping their tears and I began to spin my daughter around the dance floor.

I didn’t know what to say. I wanted to say everything that I could to her in the time the song began to play, but I could feel all tension leave her body as soon as she held me. She had been trying to make this wedding so perfect, and it was. There’s just something you’ll always know about your children, there’s something you’re always able to provide them. Being there to provide my daughter the comfort that I had tried to do all my life was big for her.

“I’m proud of you. I want you to know that.”

“Dad, you’ve told me that ever since I was a little girl.”

“I know I have, but it’s because it’s true and I want you to know that. Okay? You need to know that you’re important to me. I’m not ready for you to not be my little girl anymore. I’m not ready to wake up tomorrow morning and know that you and Jack won’t be trying to burn down my house making breakfast. I’m not ready to let go of the fact that you really have slipped through my fingers. I don’t know where the time has gone, I just know that it went way too fast, you were always growing and I tried to make it stop but I never could. You’re always going to me Y/n Hotchner to me, you’ll always be my little girl. Just know that I’m a phone call away. I’m a car ride away to watch mamma mia and eat ice cream with.”

I watched her smile and I wiped the tears from her face.

“Just please not chocolate ice cream, dad.”

“I know, never.”

“Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture.”

We began to laugh about the ice cream. At that moment, I really did wish I could freeze the picture because this song was ending, my little girlwas going to be grown up in 30 seconds, and I had to adjust to everyday life with her being a married woman. I was proud of her. She deserved every ounce of it, worked so hard to be who she is now.

As the music faded out, I spun her in a circle and hugged her. The audience of our friends and family began to clap. I held onto her a little too long, but it was something both of us needed. I felt Jack come hug us and we all whispered how much we love each other.

When we finally let go of one another, I quickly stepped out of the way to let everyone else join in on the dance floor. A.J. and Y/n began to dance to the music, and Jack was dancing with Anna. Everyone was smiling. It was a great wedding with family and friends.

As I got Jack home for the night and into his bed, placing Gatorade, water, and Motrin at his bedside, I walked into Y/n’s room. She didn’t come home. For the first night in a while, she wasn’t going to be home. It was something I was going to have to process, but it was okay. I knew she was happy. I knew that I was the father that was trying his best, the father who made a difference in her life.

Y/n slipped through my fingers, I focused too much on trying to capture every minute with her that I didn’t realize how fast she grew up in my eyes. My daughter was married. This day was hard and I didn’t think that there’d be crying on my wedding day like how we cried at Haley's funeral. The thing that was different was that we were crying for different reasons.

I wiped the tear that had fallen onto my cheek and turned out the lights in her room.

She grew up way too fast for me to realize it, but I’m glad I had every minute I did with her. I walked back into my room and got out of my suit. As I laid in bed, I changed my profile picture on social media to the picture of walking Y/n down the aisle.

I then posted another picture of her waving and smiling as she was walking down the aisle with her husband. The caption was perfect for the ending of this night. “She waved goodbye, with an absent-minded smile.”

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