Im cursed with always being the one to find our animals sick or injured

He Takes Your Child To The Studio ~ BTS Reaction

Jin:

“I’m sorry,” was all he could say as yet again Hobi had to cut the music after your son decided to walk into the middle of their dance routine, dancing away to himself.

“He’s in a world of his own,” Taehyung teased, capturing the tot as he whirled around, stopping him from getting dizzy.

Jin walked over and scooped his son up into the air, “I know this isn’t where you want to be, but mummy is busy, please stop giving me such a hard time.”

“Why don’t we just dance with him instead?” Namjoon suggested, sensing how helpless Jin was. “One day where we don’t work on the routine isn’t going to be the end of the world.”

Jin’s head snapped around, smiling appreciatively at his leader. “I can always just head back home if you want to work without me, I’d understand it if you didn’t want me here.”

“Don’t worry, we can dance with Y/S/N,” Hobi smiled.

“But no spinning, I don’t want to get dizzy like that.”

Jin smiled, placing your son back down. “All he does is spin around Kook, so if you want to dance like him, prepare for a fall or two.”

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.”

Yoongi:

“How can I take them like this?” Yoongi quizzed, staring innocently across at you as your daughter sobbed by his feet. “They’re going to cause so much hassle.”

“I can’t take them to my meeting,” you sighed, running your hands through your hair. “They’ll be fine once they’re at the studio.”

Yoongi’s head shook as your daughters crept back in your direction. “Is there not someone that can look after them at the office? It’s obvious they don’t want to leave you.”

“It’s a one-time thing,” you assured him, handing your daughters back across to him, “please just do this for me today. When I see the boys again, I’ll apologise for all the chaos.”

Before Yoongi could protest, you began to back away towards the front door. “You owe me a huge favour for this, it’s going to be impossible to get any work done today.”

“You’ll have a great time, I promise,” you cheered.

“That’s if I ever manage to stop them crying.”

Your shoulders shrugged, “just play some music in the car and they’ll be happy again in no time, you’re a great dad, don’t forget that.”

“Music? Is that really the answer to all my problems?”

Hoseok:

“Here he is,” Hobi cooed as he carried your son into the studio, instantly being crowded by the six other members who all wanted a peek of his child.

“He really is the spitting image of Y/N,” Jimin teased, smirking in Hobi’s direction as he glared across at him, shaking his head.

After a few moments, the boys began to give him a bit of space. “Y/N wrote down a list of his routine, so I know exactly what to do and when to do it.”

“How’s she feeling?” Jin asked him. Having fallen ill that morning, Hobi was left with no choice but to take your son to the studio to give you the space that you needed to recover.

His shoulders shrugged, “I’m hoping a day in bed without this little one to look after will help, she’s barely had an hour to herself since he was born, she’s with him constantly.”

“She’s probably exhausted,” Yoongi sighed, “maybe we should do more.”

“That’s why this one is with us today.”

Hobi’s head nodded at Taehyung’s comment, “I promise you guys won’t even know he’s here, I’ll make sure he sleeps perfectly.”

“We love having him here, don’t worry.”

Namjoon:

“Daddy!” Your toddler yelled as the song came to an end. Namjoon spun around to see your daughter running towards him with her arms opened wide for him.

“What is it?” He questioned, lifting her high up into the air. “Was time with Uncle Jungkook really that bad that you came back?”

Jungkook frowned as he followed behind your daughter, “the vending machine didn’t have the chocolate that she wanted, and apparently that’s my fault.”

“That’s because it is,” Hobi chuckled from the other side of the room, “why haven’t you gone to the shop or something to go and buy her chocolate? That’s what a good uncle would do.”

Namjoon’s head nodded in agreement, “I told you that she’s stubborn just like her mum, if you don’t go to the shop, she’ll never speak to you again. I’ve learnt the hard way.”

“You really want me to get this chocolate?” He asked your daughter.

“it’s my favourite, please Uncle Kook.”

His eyes rolled, glancing across at Namjoon. “How do you put up with this every single day? She really is demanding just like her mum.”

“I had plenty of practice from Y/N, that’s why.”

Jimin:

“Can I dance?” A voice whimpered from behind Jimin as the music came to an end. He spun around to see your daughter stood behind his legs.

“Why don’t we show everyone what we worked on at home?” He suggested, bringing her around so everyone could see her.

Taehyung knelt down to her height, “what have you been working on at home? Has daddy being trying to teach you some dance moves again?” He asked her.

“We were learning Dynamite,” she informed them, showing off the first move of the chorus that she’d learnt. “Daddy said one day if I practice hard enough, I might be able to dance with him.

“Why didn’t you say whilst I was gone?” Yoongi teased.

“We could have done with a seventh member with us.”

Jimin’s head shook across at both Yoongi and Jungkook, “MAMA couldn’t even give us proper dressing rooms, let alone allow a child to dance.”

“That’s true, there’s no way it would have happened.”

Taehyung:

“Look at this,” Taehyung smiled, guiding your daughter to the corner of the studio the boys had all set up to keep her entertained.

“We found all your favourites,” Yoongi smiled, taking a seat beside her, “we even found a new colouring book to try.”

Her head nodded, but as she looked around, her bottom lip couldn’t help but quiver. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d love all of this that we sorted for you?” Jin asked.

“I miss mummy,” she sighed, looking helplessly up at her father. “I always spend the day with mummy, and now she’s not here. Do you know when she’ll be home dad?”

Taehyung knelt down beside her, “in a couple of days when her work is finished. But until then, we’ll make sure you have the best time with us and try not to worry about mummy.”

“Can I have sweets if mummy isn’t here?” She asked.

“As long as you promise not to tell mummy.”

Her head nodded immediately, as her smile reappeared. “I promise not to tell mummy. Maybe being at the studio isn’t as bad as I thought.”

“We’ll have a lot of fun, don’t worry.”

Jungkook:

“What do we want to order?” Namjoon questioned as he sat down in the middle of the circle that the boys, and your son, had formed in the studio.

“Noodles,” your daughter squeaked before anyone else had the chance to talk. “Mummy makes noodles for lunch.”

Jungkook’s eyes rolled down at her, “you’re not with mummy today, you’re with daddy. Is there nothing else that you want to eat other than having noodles?”

“I want what mummy makes,” she instructed, looking to Namjoon to write it down. “She makes the best noodles, so we have to order from somewhere that is as good as her food.”

The boys could only sit back and laugh as Jungkook turned her around to face him. “What if everyone here doesn’t want noodles, maybe we could try some other foods instead?”

“But everyone likes noodles, so why not?” She challenged.

“Noodles aren’t great when we’ve been dancing all morning.”

Her shoulders shrugged, turning back away from Jungkook. “I want noodles, you can all get noodles with me too.”

“I think noodles might be the only option here.”

---

Masterlist

A Mislabeled Hourglass

Summary: Fundy grows up faster than Wilbur was expecting but he is going to make the most of his son’s shorter childhood regardless.

Warnings: Mentions of hunting animals, implied character death

Wilbur is no stranger to growing up faster than most. In the midst of learning survival skills as a child, he was still able to play to his heart's content. His mum, and later Phil, never cared too much if he got dirty. Kids will be kids. Despite that, his first experience with grief is at 6, he causes an animal's death sooner than most would and he dies himself for the first time at the age of only 9 (stupid accident, he should have watched his step). He is perhaps 8 when Phil gives him his first taste of independence. At 11, Tommy enters their life and makes him a big brother. Phil's day trips gradually get more frequent, sometimes stretching out for longer durations too. Whenever it's just him and Tommy, he has to be responsible, has to play a more adult role despite being in his early teens when it becomes a noticeable habit. Then Technoblade shows up. You could argue that from around 17 or 18, Wilbur is practically becomes a young carer on a full time basis. However, this accelerated maturation was all mental. The earth had gone around the sun once when he spoke his first word, five times when he began deciphering sequences of letters as words, ten times when Phil told him what to expect over the next several years and it had completed its 19th revolution shortly before Fundy came into the world. Fundy was... different. First of all, he was a shapeshifter so right off the bat, he was never going to look fully human. Sally had fins and naturally red hair. Fundy was born with a substantial amount of ginger hair and ears that seemed slightly more pointed than they should be. When his son gets older, it will become apparent that his senses are stronger than Wilbur's too. Speaking of Fundy getting older... Wilbur has a hunch that something isn't quite right when his baby rapidly outgrows clothes meant for his age group. He initially dismisses it as Fundy likely inheriting his ridiculously tall genes. Because what else could it be, right? Then he is crawling at 2 months old. Wilbur's far from a baby expert but he's sure infants don't become that mobile that soon. A month or so later, Fundy takes his first clumsy steps towards him. Now that? Yeah, that undoubtedly raises alarm bells. He knows for a fact that that milestone was for those around 12 months old. Okay yep, something was definitely up. The books say Fundy should have been introduced to solid foods by now. He guesses that puts him in the Bad Dad category, along with temporarily using cows to feed him when he first got Fundy. He'd defend himself by pointing out he didn't have formula on hand the moment he became a father and was yet to learn non-human milk wasn't actually good for the baby but those excuses don't seem credible. He knows he's been going about this blinder than he would liked since day 1 but the accelerated aging might end up screwing him over even more. Ha, imagine having time to settle into parenting a baby before they graduate into toddlerhood. It's fine, he swears it's fine. It just means he gets to start having comprehensible, reciprocated conversations sooner than most, not to mention going through less nappies. There are stumbles for the first week or two after Fundy learns to walk but his son soon gets the hang of it. Only days after his first steps comes his first word. Noisy pattering paired with cries of "Daddy!" get more common. He could certainly get used to this. A one year old's way of running is potentially one of the silliest things he's ever witnessed. But look at his little champion go! When Fundy learns to crouch, Wilbur is crouching right beside him. Tommy comments that he looks and sounds like an idiot whenever he plays with Fundy. Wilbur pays him no heed because his brother is an absolute hypocrite. He has to say, Tommy is doing a great job for someone who was thrown in at the deep end just as much as he was and his brother doesn't even have the responsibility of having to care for a kid. He's always been a bit... rough and ready when it comes to playing with others. But with Fundy, he makes sure to be gentle around the toddler. Wilbur isn't entirely sure whether hanging upside down from someone's grip on a near daily basis is healthy for a little kid but Fundy's eruption of giggles each time suggest otherwise. When Tommy turned 11, he was not yet an uncle. The following April, he has a two year old nephew who complains he wants to help blow out the candles, nearly fighting for his right to do it instead of the actual birthday boy. It somehow leads to a pillow fight between them. So all in all, Tommy is taking it in his stride. By Fundy's second Christmas, Wilbur is able to start calculating. A 14 month old kid is supposed to be getting the hang of being bipedal, not receiving books that will help them learn how to read. Given that his son was walking at 3 months old, his best guess is that Fundy's development rate was four times that of other children. It seems consistent too since Fundy is approximately the equivalent of a 4 or 5 year old boy now. He recalls Sally once joking about how shapeshifters tended to live fast and die 'young'. He thinks he gets what she means now. Quadruple speed for Fundy though? Fuck. If he's got the maths right, they will be the same physical age when Wilbur is 25. The gap will only grow more and more from then on. At 30, he will have a child who is roughly 40. And when Wilbur himself is 40... he'd rather not dwell on the heartache his early 40s are set to bring. He has been given a 60 second hourglass that's been labelled as a 4 minute one. He's begun to comprehend this with 2 seconds' worth of sand already piling at the bottom. What is he even supposed to do? Does he bake a birthday cake every January, April, July and October 10th or just that last date? He guesses that will be for Fundy to decide in the future. Tommy has made a 'reverse leap day kid' joke before but it really is based in truth. While still a small child, one of Fundy's favourite places to rest is against his father's chest. There have been plenty of nights where the little boy has fallen asleep in his father's arms while being read a story. He's rapidly getting bigger and Wilbur frequently has to adapt how he holds him to accommodate. In the quietest of moments, his eyes will notice a tiny mischievous smile directed at him that will make his day or his ears will catch the softest of snores coming from beside him. As much as he tries to enjoy those occasions, peace often leads to a chance for overthinking to take place. When that happens, it all turns bittersweet with the desperate wish he could get several years of this, not feel lucky if he gets more than 2 or 3 of them. Of course, every time Fundy is resting against his chest is not necessarily positive. There are obviously the typical 'toddler having a breakdown because they scraped their knee' type stuff. Those are fine, all he has to do is soothe him and distract from what is usually an overthought 'injury'. But then there are the times where Fundy's fingers ache from the ordeal of slowly developing claws, Wilbur lets him dig his nails into his jumpers as hard as he feels the need to. The same happens whenever there is any significant growth with his ears too. The older Fundy gets, the more used to the flat of a small head pressing into his chest he becomes. He would do anything to alleviate his pain and discomfort if he could. And no, he definitely hasn't shed a tear or two when nobody is watching in regards to the matter. From here on in, it feels like he's on home soil. He's helped raise a kid from the age of 4 before. The only difference now is that this kid is his own flesh and blood. And a shapeshifter, which Tommy never was. They've begun entering the "Dad, look what I can do!" phase of Fundy's life, now that he is getting more capable with age. The first major instance is when he comes home from a hunt. Tommy has a smug look on his face and Fundy seems seconds from exploding with excitement. His son is let loose on him as soon as he's freshened up, dragging him to a chair where he is made to listen to the most drawn out reading session he has ever experienced. But Wilbur can't help but beam every time Fundy successfully gets through a word. The day he believes Fundy is old enough to start learn how to use a bow can't come soon enough. He knows fuck all about hybrids or shapeshifters other than the very basics. He can't tell you how to construct the most impressive of architectural structures. But this, archery and hunting? Now that he can impart wisdom on. He passes down second hand stories about Fundy's grandma and anecdotes about his trips with Phil when he was a young boy himself. As far as he can tell, Fundy laps it all up. Swordplay is soon added to the mix of training activities. The wooden sword he crafted for his son is slightly too big but eh, the kid will quickly grow into (then inevitably out of) it sooner than later. They gradually work up from technique and stance to improving accuracy and striking moving targets. Every bit of progress he makes, his dad is there cheering him on. Fundy only grows reluctant when it begins to get 'real'. That is to say, when Wilbur tries to take him on an actual hunt or attempts to introduce him to the subject of turning a kill into a meal. And yeah, he gets it. He wasn't the biggest fan of it either when he was being taught himself. Plus, he's aware Fundy's nose is more sensitive than his or Tommy's so yep, preparing a body's going to be even less pleasant for him. It's unfortunately a part of this sort of life. There's... well, there's always the option of heading down to the butcher's in town. Just keep in mind who got his first girlfriend indirectly due to the fact her dad would always give him money for helping supply produce. You've been doing great though. The important part is you're learning how to survive on your own if need be, not to mention how to defend yourself in case of an attack. Another part of Fundy's development to make him gush with pride is when he starts to really hone his shapeshifter nature. It's small at first, a furrier hand transforming into a paw here, a lump of a half formed tail spotted underneath a dressing gown there. He can't really describe how happy it makes him to see a child with a fox's head greet him one morning when Fundy jumps out from behind a door. There are features the young shapeshifter will keep in his human form obviously. Yet it's thrilling to have him keep coming over to show off a new shifting-related ability. The first time Fundy manages to morph fully into a fox, during the spring after his 2nd birthday, Wilbur promises the three of them can have an 'anything Fundy says, goes' type thing the following day in celebration. There are times where Fundy may, for instance, forget to include his tail as an animal or he'll walk around as his usual self, albeit with accidental fox eyes. It's simply a matter of practise, Wilbur believes. One of the best parts of Fundy gradually improving his shapeshifting is the fact he loves to curl up on his dad's lap while in fox form. Wilbur cherishes it. Fundy's getting older now (taller too, this kid is undoubtedly going to be at least 6 foot one day) but he'll always be smaller as a fox than as a human. Forgive a father with limited time to enjoy carrying his son around for wanting to prolong the inevitable. Fundy is 3 when he physically catches up with Tommy, age wise. It's not until he is the equivalent of maybe 15 that he passes his uncle's height. Tommy complains about it incessantly, especially whenever Fundy teases him about how much taller he's getting. It's all fun and games but Wilbur was an unusually large teenager once (only a few years ago really, though let's not dwell on that) so he understands what it's like. Going through growth spurts is hardly the most enjoyable thing out there and he can't imagine how it must feel to keep getting hit by them with even less time to settle into your new height. Not to mention growing pains. During a quiet evening, he checks in on his son and approaches the subject. It leads to him allowing Fundy to rant about the worst parts of growing up. Orange fur recedes on his arms to show a few stretch marks. Ah, he was wondering if the extra hair was deliberate or simply puberty taking hold. He assures Fundy stretch marks aren't something to be ashamed of. He got a bunch of them himself at his age. Although, they've pretty much all faded by now. It's fine, you don't need to stress about it. Besides, Tommy's going through the same kind of shit. The main problem with Fundy and Tommy being similar ages now is that they are arguably closer than ever. Which, no, isn't a bad thing. In fact, he's glad that for a few months they're able to hang out on more equal footing. The issue lies in the fact that Fundy takes after his uncle when it comes to causing mischief. The little rascal is turning into a bit of a prankster. And yeah, maybe Wilbur himself likes channelling hints of chaos into his life but you'll never hear the designated responsible adult admit to that in the others' presence. At one point, Fundy is a six year old gleefully explaining how Tommy helped him up so he could place that water bucket. Only a year later, there's an 11 year old revealing that yes, he was the one to make their chickens, cows and sheep switch enclosures during the night. He only gets more ambitious from there. God knows where he got all that dye from when he's in his mid-teens. Fundy is much like himself as a teenager. Both clearly love their respective fathers but both grow to varying degrees of resentment regarding the level of independence they are given. Wilbur always had too much. It was his job to take care of Tommy whenever Phil left on short trips until the avian hybrid pretty much said 'well, you're an adult now, you can take care of things all by yourself' before heading off with Technoblade for months on end. It's why Wilbur knows kids want a safety net, for an adult to be there to help them out if they need it (no matter how mature or independent they feel). Has he taken it further than he should have? Maybe. Fundy is the only one who can be the true judge of that. He just wants his little boy to be safe and happy. He didn't want him to grow up so quickly. However, even if this was happening in 15 years, he would have grown up too soon. It doesn't surprise him too much when Tommy and Fundy make the choice to go off on their own. He only allows it because they promise they will stick together throughout the journey. He supposes it was time. Phil snuck off to do the same around their age and his mum was roughly 18 when she set off to be a nomadic traveller. The thought to live a similar style life has crossed Wilbur's mind. His duty to the two boys under his care has always made him reconsider. But Tommy is 16 now and not as much of a child as Wilbur likes to say he is. As for Fundy, he's probably around the equivalent of 18 or 19 by this point. He hates to admit it but they've both grown up. Where the hell did the time go? So although it pains him to do so, he nevertheless sends them off with a smile. If they find anywhere nice in their adventures, they'll be sure to tell him. He might even join them if they choose to stick around in one area. He turns back into the house after they leave and fuck, has it always been this empty? He gets a letter in early July, telling him all about this place called the Dream SMP and their time there. He arrives and things seem to snowball as soon as he begins the 'drug business' bullshit. Suddenly, he's a general with his brother and son as soldiers, along with some new friends. They are at a disadvantage in this fight against tyranny but it's okay, Eret says she has a secret weapon. They might just pull through. Or... they might instead be brutally betrayed by a former friend and lose so much more than their possessions. He loses track of his battalion in the chaos. All he knows is screaming for everyone to flee. Then the agony a sword through his stomach. Tubbo's dead, as is Tommy. Where's Fundy? He can't see him anywhere. God, please say he managed to get the fuck out of here. Please let it be that he turned into a fox and scarpered away, something like that. Never mind his dad. If Fundy's alright, he'll be alright too. He loves his son, has done all he was able to ensure his little boy has never had reason to doubt this fact. Over the past few years, that love has been repaid in mischievous grins, unrestrained giggles and drowsy cuddles, among other quieter moments. It gets repaid once again as a boy playing a soldier struggles to join the side of his pretend general of a father in order to loosely grasp hands. It barely registers. Neither does the tiny pained smile or ginger hair that go largely missed by eyes preoccupied with the vain effort to keep them open. They all celebrate the independence they'd fought so hard for the next night. The bittersweet nature of this victory goes ignored. With all the cheerful chatter and singing declaring their land to be one of freedom from tyranny drifting in the evening air from the campfire, it feels like the good mood will never end. It feels like the only thing that may tear the father and son apart is Wilbur's desperation for just a bit more time with Fundy as his little boy, despite how painfully obvious he was already grown up into a man in less than 5 years. Arm slung around him as a toast is made, they are not yet a debilitatingly stressed president, increasingly suicidal exilee or secretly loyal spy. For tonight, they are still a relatively happy, loving pair. For tonight, there is hypothetically still so much time for them to stay like that.

Blue Eyes Part 7

Summary: After the Garrison is shot up, the youngest Shelby daughter finds a new home in London. She strips herself of her last name and tries to live a peaceful life far away from her brothers’ chaos in Birmingham. But fate leads her right back into it after she runs into Alfie Solomons.

Part 7: Tommy’s heart is ripped out. 

          The call came late at night. Ella thought she was still dreaming when she heard the words.

           “Grace is dead.”

           Her sister sounded just as stunned.

           Funeral arrangements would be made in due time. She’d be notified when the time came.

           Italians. A war was starting.

           Ella looked out the open window of her bedroom. She hung up the phone on her sister and in a daze, went to close it. They weren’t safe anymore. Hell, if they had ever known what it meant to feel safe. Ella wondered if she, or any of her siblings, had truly been at peace before.

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

           Sunday morning, Ella arrived in Warwickshire. Tommy didn’t even acknowledge her. But she knew it wasn’t because of how tense things were between them. It was shock. It was as if he wasn’t registering the world around him. His piercing eyes looked right through people as if they were ghosts.

           He held Charlie through the entirety of the funeral. The boy cried but Tommy merely blankly stared ahead, tormented by silent demons.

           Ella had lost before, they all had. But Tommy had suffered significantly. She remembered clearly when her brother lost Greta. He was still the Traveler boy with light in his eyes. He never left her bedside those last few days. When it happened, Ella wasn’t sure if her brother would ever be the same again. He clung to Polly, crying like Ella had never seen him cry before. Then he returned from the war. He stood behind as Arthur and John hugged her, Ada, and Polly. She saw his eyes on that train platform. The light had been snuffed out. From that point on, he would never again be the person she once knew. God never stopped taking from him. Carving out more and more of him, leaving behind all the emotions that drove the gangster.

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

           Ella followed him out of the church. The same church where he’d married Grace. It felt like yesterday that had happened. Now Tommy was storming off. He handed Charlie to Ada as he passed her. The toddler wailed and grabbed at the air for his father but he didn’t look back.

           “Tommy!” Ella called.

           “Leave him.” Her aunt said quietly and touched her shoulder. “He’s not right in the head, he needs some time.”

           She didn’t listen and kept following him all the way to the stables. “I know you can hear me.” She continued talking to his back. “Stop and talk to me.”

           Her brother didn’t stop. Neither did she.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           At the stables, a groom was waiting with Tommy’s favorite horse already tacked up. He’d apparently planned his escape after the funeral. Tommy snatched the reins and mounted the horse in a fluid motion.

           “Tom!” Ella watched him spur the horse off towards the pastures. She huffed and turned to the groom. “Get that gray ready for me.” She demanded.

           The young man nodded, a little too familiar with Shelby moodiness.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           Tommy had a head start on Ella, but she figured it wouldn’t be too hard to find him in the open fields. He wouldn’t travel too far from Arrow House, not without Charlie.

           Eventually, she followed a billow of smoke that had begun to climb up to the gray clouds. She found her brother sat beside the fire, his knees pulled to his chest like a child pouting. “Go away.” He muttered. Although he wasn’t surprised she hadn’t let up and continued to follow him. She was never one to take 'no' as an answer.

           Ella dismounted and allowed the horse to graze. “You obviously don’t know me very well if you think I’m going to leave you here to sulk alone.”

           “Thought you hated me.” He poked at the fire with a stick, causing it to crackle and spew out sparks.

           “I could never hate you, pral, I’m just…” She sighed and sat next to her brother. “I think we’ve gotten too caught up in life. We’ve let our emotions rule us.”

           Tommy didn’t move an inch. “Maybe.”

           Ella stretched out her legs and reached down to take off her shoes and stockings. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a flask filled to the cap with gin. Perfect remedy for sadness. After taking a long sip, she handed it to her brother almost as a peace offering.

           Tommy never passed up the opportunity to drink, especially in the state he was in. The siblings passed the flask back and forth a few times. Neither one spoke for quite some time. The simply kept the foggy afternoon at bay with the warm fire.

           Ella couldn’t help but miss the memories she had with Tommy, just the two of them. The time he’d taught her how to fish, how to set a rabbit trap, how to gallop on a horse, and how to clean a gun without shooting yourself between the eyes. Although the information was valuable, she recalled how patient he was with her, even as a loud, wild girl who became disgruntled after failing the first time. She treasured the quiet moments they had together. The silence they held as they sat in the forest, listening for any sounds of animals. The peace between them while walking their horses through empty fields.

           She sighed and lay back in the long, damp grass. The gin enveloping her in a false sense of calm.

           “Do you remember when mum died?” Tommy held the flask, his fingers tapping dully against the metal surface.

           She turned her head, her cheek kissed by the dewy grass. “No, not really. I think I remember Polly telling me but I dunno. Can’t even remember what she looked like.”

           Tommy pursed his lips for a second before screwing the cap back on the flash and placing it to the side. He slipped off his cap and sighed. “Arthur told me. Sat me down to tell me she wasn’t gonna wake up. You, Ada, and Finn were so little. Even John was too young to understand. Dad wasn’t going to take care of us so Arthur and I made a pact. We said, no matter what, we’d take care of everyone. We’d make sure this world wouldn’t hurt you the way it hurt us.” He shook his head and lifted his eyes to watch the smoke curl up into the air. His blue eyes were full of tears but he didn’t let one spill. “What a shit job we’ve done, aye?”

           Ella couldn’t help but laugh despite the sadness in her brother’s eyes. How silly it was that her brothers thought they could take on the entire world. Hold all their siblings up like Atlas holding the Earth. No wonder they were so protective and stressed all the time. “You think it’s easy taking care of four gypsy kids? I think you and Arthur’ve done the best you can. None of us are dead, s’pose that’s something. We ain’t homeless either.”

           “Life isn’t about just staying alive. It’s about finding happiness.” He shut his eyes, letting the dull sunlight graze over his face. “I was happy with Grace. Thought I could make it last.” His jaw clenched. “You were right, El, I’m the curse.”

           She chewed the inside of her cheek and propped herself up on her elbows. “That’s not true.” She scolded herself for saying something so daft even in the heat of the moment. “You’re the one who’s kept us together all these years.”

           “El, I interrupted what made you happy.” Her brother opened his eyes and looked down at her. “Polly and Ada told me but I was too upset to see it. Alfie made you happy. Maybe I’ll never understand why or how but he does. Weren’t right for me to intrude.”

           Ella’s heart seized up and she wanted to cry. “S’alright, Tom.” She sat up and rested a hand on his shoulder. “Doesn’t matter anyway. I think I’ve burned that fucking bridge beyond repair.”

           “That’s what I thought when Grace left for America. But things have their ways of working out.”

           “I wouldn’t count on it.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

           “Oi, am I gonna hafta start taking fingers or are you lot going to get the lead outta your shoes and get to work?” Alfie shouted as he stormed through the bakery. The man’s threats were starting to become routine, almost like clockwork. But they weren’t empty threats, much to the dismay of his workers. Plenty of men had faced his wrath even for the littlest things.

           Ollie was almost sure the activity would die down but he was starting to think there was no end. Despite being his assistant for so many years, that didn’t give him any sort of job security. Alfie was so hurt it drove him to be irrational. A man who handled heartbreak with anger was never one to be tempted.

           So, the younger man treaded cautiously and chose his words with care.

           “Sir, Tommy Shelby sent a telegram,” Ollie informed his boss. Any mention of the name Shelby was almost guaranteed to cause a violent reaction. One poor lad had mistakenly mentioned something about the Shelby’s horse at the derby. Alfie hit him so hard with his cane; it was as if he were trying to send him back to 1920.

           Alfie grunted with displeasure and waved his assistant into his office. “Yeah? He did, did he? Trying to threaten me more?”

           “No, sir, something about business with Russians and a robbery.” Ollie frowned as he double-checked the block letters on the slip of paper. Such a scenario sounded so convoluted but leave it to the Peaky Blinders to get involved with international heists. “He said he wants to speak to you over the phone or in person to discuss details.”

           “Really?” He scoffed. “That man puts a gun to me fucking head and suddenly wants me to help him?”

           Ollie shrugged. “I’m not sure, sir.” He set the telegram down in front of his boss to read himself. He couldn't answer any questions about the behavior of the Peaky Blinders.

           Alfie put on his glasses and scanned over the words. He snorted and shook his head. “Those fucking animals. Fine, he wants to meet, so be it. Question is, should he trust me?” He looked up at his assistant as if looking for an answer.

           “Sir?”

           “Obviously not, Ollie, fucking hell, lad.” He snapped. “Those fucking gypsies made a mistake by lying to me. They want to trust me now, that’s their own fault. Don’t be daft.”

           “What are you going to do then?” Ollie wasn’t sure double-crossing the Blinders was prudent. Alfie had done so before and it never worked out. But the man was hurt enough to be chomping at the bit for revenge.

           “Can’t let them get the entire cut from the robbery, then can we?” Alfie tossed the telegram to the side and leaned back in his desk chair. “I’ve got some people who would be interested to know their plan. We can make easy money off of this.” He removed his glasses. At that moment, he wasn’t thinking about Ella. He was hell-bent on making her brothers, specifically Tommy, pay for threatening him.

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

           “Look at the size of that fucker.” Ella whistled low as they approached the stag. The poor beast had fallen over, its big eyes glazing over with its last breath.

           Arthur chuckled. “Ain’t half the size of the last one we hunted, eh, John boy?”

           “That thing was fucking huge. Practically the size of a draft horse.” John agreed with a cigar dangling out of his mouth.

           Ella rolled her eyes at her brother’s boasting. “Then you won’t have any problem hauling this thing back to camp, then.” She replied. “Won’t need my help at all.”

           Tommy chuckled. It had been such a long time since anyone had heard him laugh. But he was in considerably better spirits after consulting with Bethany Boswell and getting rid of the sapphire necklace he’d given Grace. He was starting to heal. Unfortunately, that meant he was back to his plan involving the Russians.

           After getting back to camp, it had started to drizzle. Ella wrapped herself up in a blanket as she watched with morbid curiosity while her brothers cut the stag. She chatted idly with Curly, Isaiah, and her Uncle Charlie by the horses. It was a good day, despite the gloomy weather. Ella enjoyed being out with her brothers in the forest doing something they all liked. Being far from London helped her forget about Alfie.

           “El.” Tommy waved her over to the fire. “C’mon, having a chat.”

           She excused herself and went to sit by Arthur. Her older brother smiled and wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her affectionately.

           Tommy cleared his throat and pulled a letter out of the inside of his thick, black coat. “This letter, says dad’s dead.” He announced.

           Ella frowned and reached for the letter. “How?” She opened the creased paper and Arthur read over her shoulder.

           “He was in Boston, at some bar called the Mickey Free. Two men waiting in an alley, shot twice.” Tommy explained matter-of-factly.

           “Who’s Rosie Rice? Some fucking whore?” Arthur muttered in a clipped tone. News of his father never failed to put him in a sour mood.

           “She’s the woman that took the time to write to us.”

           Ella wasn’t sure whether to be upset or not. She hardly knew her father at all. Just one brief memory of Arthur holding her as their father screamed. His voice like thunder, rattling the entire house. She had no clue what he was saying, but it was followed up with a loud smack and the sound of Tommy yelping in pain. It was a foggy memory but always made Ella sick to her stomach.

           “She wanted us to know that while he was dying, he asked for our forgiveness. The only thing he taught us was how to kill and cut a stag.” Tommy continued to summarize the note. “Finn, John, Ella, you won’t remember.”

           “I remember,” John looked hurt but kept up a strong act. “Cannock Chase. He got drunk and sang Silver Dagger ‘bout a hundred times.”

           “One weekend,” Arthur grumbled and took the letter out of Ella’s hands, folding it back up and passing it to Tommy. He didn't want to read any more of it. “One weekend he was like that.”

           “The stag is to remember him.” He nodded. “We eat and we forget, no need to forgive.”

           Ella looked down at her hands and trembled from the chill in the air. What a fitting farewell. Another person in the family gone for good. She looked around the fire and for a second, wondered who was next.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           When Tommy began talking about the robbery, Ella lagged behind. She passed from horse to horse, idly patting them and sneaking them bits of an apple she’d packed. But it was nearly impossible to tune out the conversation completely. Call it Shelby curiosity but she wanted to hear.

           “The rest we take to America to invest in legally acquired property,” Tommy spoke about the direction of the Shelby Company. It was hopeful to hear he wanted to keep his promise to Grace and Linda. But Ella wasn’t sure whether it would ever be possible. Grudges weren’t easy to erase and the Peaky Blinders had made more than enough enemies.

           The men returned to the fire to eat after confirming plans. Tommy kept Ella behind for a moment. “Need you to do something.” He said quietly and handed her a sealed envelope.

           Ella didn’t take it right away. “What is that?” She asked suspiciously. Although she listened in on the plans, she wasn't keen to get involved in any of it. Her brothers could play their dangerous games, but she wouldn't. She liked to think she was smarter than that, or at least more conscious of the repercussions if things were to go wrong.

           “A letter for Alfie Solomons.”

           Her nose wrinkled. “Fuck off.” She pushed him away, refusing to even go near the note as if it were an open flame. “That’s what you brought me out here for?”

           “Pena, listen.” He insisted in a low voice and rested a firm hand on her shoulder to keep her from running off. “Listen to me, I wouldn't be asking if I could go to someone else. You’ll be safe, I promise.”

           “That’s not what I’m worried about, Thomas.” She snarled. “I think I can take care of myself. But I’m not going to speak to him after everything I’ve done. Doubt he would even agree to see me.”  

           “I need you to do this.” He repeated and pushed the letter towards her again. “We need his help for this job and you’re the only person he wouldn’t harm.”

           She scoffed. Whether or not that was the real reason didn't matter to her. “And what the hell do you base that on? You were the one saying he'd try to kill me if I stayed in London” She reminded him with a glare.

           Tommy sighed and nodded. “I just know he wouldn't. You’ll get a cut of the money. I promise.”

           Ella snatched the envelope from him and stuffed it into her skirt pocket. It was a snap decision and she got a sinking feeling in her stomach the second that letter touched her fingers. She had no clear reason for agreeing. Maybe she wanted to prove she was over Alfie even if she wasn't. Maybe she wanted to prove to Alfie that he hadn't crushed her to bits when he abandoned her. Maybe she wanted to ask for forgiveness. No matter the reason, it was too late to turn back after she took the letter. “You’re foolish to think you’ll ever quit, Tommy.” She told him. “You like doing this too much to turn it into a legitimate company.”

           “I promised Grace.” The gangster didn’t disagree with her. Maybe because he knew she was right but had to keep his vow to his late wife. He reached into his coat again. “Bring this with you.” He held out a brand new pistol covered by a handkerchief to hide it from view.

           “No thanks, I’ve got my own that I prefer.” If Alfie Solomons wanted to think of her as just another Shelby, then that’s what she would be. Maybe she was stupid to think she could ever turn away from the family business. Some things you could never truly escape.

~~~~~~~~~~~

           Pistol holstered at her thigh, letter in hand and heart covered with armor, Ella walked through Camden Town. She kept her chin high. London knew she was a Shelby now. There was no escaping that. Even her friends knew now and were treating her differently. Alone and behind closed doors, she could be hurt about it. But in public, she had to embrace her old identity. The London life she once had would never be returned to her.

           Ella arrived at the bakery and pushed through the heavy double doors. Immediately, Ollie stopped her. “S’cuse me…”

           “I’ve got a letter from Tommy Shelby.” She interrupted the man before he could even attempt to stop her. “To be hand-delivered to Alfie Solomons.”

           Ollie was thrown off by her clipped manner. Before Alfie found out the truth, he’d mentioned Ella a few times. Said she was the nicest woman he’d met, with kind blue eyes and a smile that lit up the room. Instead, Ollie was met with icy eyes and a look that eerily mimicked Tommy’s silent neutrality. It was any wonder how Alfie didn’t recognize her as a Shelby. But love was blind.

           “Right…I need to pat you down though.”

           She cocked an eyebrow. “You’d frisk a lady then?” There was no way she was giving up her pistol. She usually didn’t like using her gender as an excuse to be treated differently, but sometimes it came in handy.

           Ollie’s mouth opened but was gratefully interrupted by his boss. Alfie’s heavy boots shuffling towards the door.

           “S’alright Ollie...” Tommy had called Alfie saying he was sending someone to deliver a message. But the Blinder didn’t mention who it was.

           Now Alfie was stopped in his tracks, unhappy to see it was the Shelbys' sister. The two stared at each other for a moment. Neither sure what to do for a long moment.

           Finally, Alfie broke the tension. “Well, come in then.” He said curtly and waved her down the hall into his office. “Don’t waste me time.”

           Ella gritted her teeth, ready to face whatever hell Alfie was about to put her through. She fully expected it seeing as she’d scorned him. She passed by him and walked into the office.

           He shut the door and went to sit down at his desk. “Have a seat,” He held a hand out to the chairs across from him.

           “I’m not here for a chat, I’m just here to give you this.” She remained standing and held out the envelope to him.

           “Right, suit yourself, just trying to be polite.” He muttered and leaned forward to take the letter from her hand. “That all then?”

           Ella froze and pursed her lips. It felt as if her entire body was in excruciating pain but she refused to let it show. Her chest tightened, squeezing the air out of her lungs and constricting her heart. Her stomach knotted up and seized with every second that passed by. Her legs were weak, her mouth dry, her throat cramped, her head nothing but a flustered mess of overwhelming thoughts and emotions. It felt like she was trying to keep in a large ball of emotions, holding it in so it wouldn’t explode and lay waste to the world around her. But it was simply too much to handle.

           “How was it so easy?” She blurted out.

           Alfie raised an eyebrow, turning the envelope over and over in between his fingers. “What you on about?”

           “How could you just…just walk away and pretend like you didn’t feel anything?” She demanded. Now that she had begun to speak she couldn’t stop. Aunt Pol said it was something in the Shelby genes. You couldn’t stop a Shelby once they started on something.

           Alfie should’ve expected for an argument the second he saw who came into the bakery. It was only a matter of time. “You think I wanted this to happen?” He snapped. Gearing up for battle, ready to cover up his heart and come out with guns blazing. Men with emotions didn’t fare well in battle. He learned in the war that it was far easier to stuff down all emotions. Nothing to distract you while you were storming No-Man’s land. And this was a battle, anything with a Shelby was. “You think it were fucking easy to find out that Tommy was your brother?”

           Ella kept her stance. Arms crossed over her chest and chin held high. She learned a few things from her brothers about war. Polly framed a picture of the three Shelby boys, clad in their British military uniform. Such a strange contrast to the wild boys Ella knew her brothers as. She’d asked her aunt why they didn’t look scared. Surely, war must’ve terrified them. Polly merely replied, ‘They can’t be scared if they want to stay alive’.

           Never let your opponent see your true emotions. She really tried, but she didn’t want to see Alfie as her enemy. “I don’t understand. My family doesn’t change who I am. And I’m the woman you said you cared about. Then you just act like I’ve dropped off the face of the planet.” She argued, doing everything she could to stay firm. “My family shouldn’t change the way you feel about me.”

           “What changed my view of you was how you lied to me.” Alfie stood up, allowing the letter to drop to his desk. He pointed at her with narrow eyes. “You chose not to tell me and chose to let me find out by your brother pointing a fucking gun to me head!”

           “I didn’t tell you because I loved you too much!” She shouted.

           The word hit the gangster like a brick to the face. He stood as stiff as a board, staring at her, finally at a loss for words. They had now entered dangerous territory. A true war of emotions and no one could escape unscathed.

           Tears filled Ella’s eyes but she refused to look away from him. “Yeah, surprised? Did you think that Shelbys couldn’t fall in love? We’re too fucking evil to ever care for someone other than ourselves? Well, you’re wrong. Because I didn’t know what love was until I met you.” She told herself so many times that she didn’t want to cry in front of Alfie. Never wanted to give him the idea that he had finally gotten to her. But it was too difficult to hold the tears back. “Yes, I lied to you. I didn’t tell you about my family. I’m sorry. Alfie, I’m sorry that I chose not to tell you. But I just wanted to be with you, I didn’t want to involve my family or-or have this blow up into the mess it has. I just wanted to be with you.” A tear slipped down her cheek and she dropped her head. Defeated by her own silly feelings. She was just another daft girl who’d been stupid about love. “And you just turned away from me like I never mattered one bit.”

           Alfie walked around his desk and stepped in front of her. He sighed heavily and rested a hand on her cheek; his thumb caught the tears and swept them away. He tilted her chin up to look at him. “Lost so much fucking sleep over those blue eyes.” He admitted. The anger in his voice faded away. The grudge he’d been holding fell to the floor between them. Seeing her in such a state was too much to handle. He hadn’t wanted to understand her reason for lying. He wanted to plug his ears and continue telling her she was a liar. But she seemed so genuine, so hurt by everything, and remorseful. She wasn’t his enemy. “Just wish you’d told me.”

           “Then you never would’ve even looked at me again.” She replied. “I didn’t want you to see me as just a Shelby.”

           “That’s…that’s not how I see you, love.” He kept his hand on her cheek, afraid that if he let go she would disappear. “But this won’t work out. Your brother would fucking cut me into pieces and chuck me in the cut, wouldn’t he? He and I don’t play nice.”

           “He doesn’t have to know.” Ella was just desperate to hang on to the shred of chance she had left with him.

           Alfie sighed. “That’s what got you into trouble last time, love.” He reminded her. “He’d figure out anyways, gypsy senses.”

           She laughed quietly but it faded quickly. “Maybe he wouldn’t care anymore.” She curled her fingers around his shirt and pressed her forehead into his chest. “After Grace died he apologized for what he did. Said he just wants me to be happy.”

           It was too tempting to withdraw from her. Alfie hadn’t realized how starving he was for the attention she’d given him. He slipped one hand around to rest on her back and one settled in her curls. His fingers weaving in between her dark hair. “Then the next day he’ll decide I’m a son of a bitch, right, for even going near you.”

           “I don’t care.” Ella closed her eyes and picked up on his heartbeat. “Please, Alfie.”

           She was testing his resolve. But he was already walking a fine line with the Blinders. Tommy was planning something big and wanted Alfie to have a part in it. It was most certainly a test. Could they trust him after everything that happened with Ella?

           “Your brother’s enlisting my help.”

           She nodded. “Russians.” Her head lifted to look at him.

           “So I’ve heard.” He sighed and suddenly felt exhausted. “He gonna use me as Jewish bait or something?”

           “It’s jewelry,” Ella said. “They’re guaranteeing him a reward. He needs you to appraise it all.”

           Alfie raised an eyebrow. “That’s all? Seems a little too clean-cut for you lot.”

           “Well…” She tilted her head to the side and glanced at the letter on his desk. She didn’t know what was in it but she assumed it laid out the plan so Alfie knew. “They’re going to rob it once he knows what’s inside and what the security’s like.”

           “Fucking hell.” Alfie chuckled. “I thought they were just going to flat out rob the joint but they’re getting all cozy with them?”

           Ella just shrugged. “I think he wants to trust you.” She said quietly and idly wrapped a finger around the gold necklace he was wearing, retrieving the Star of David charm from under his shirt.

           Alfie watched her smooth her thumb over the gold surface. “Do you think he should?” He pressed his tongue into his cheek and thought about how many men would be willing to pay a decent fee for rare Russian jewelry. Men who wouldn’t care if it’d been stolen.

           She nodded. “I trust you. And I hope that you’ll be able to trust me in time.”

           Guilt sank deep in Alfie’s gut. “El…” He caught another tear that slipped down her cheek. He didn’t know what to say anymore. Rarely was he caught empty-handed in a conversation.

           “I know it doesn’t seem like it could work ‘tween us, I know.” She chewed on her lip and looked up at him with those eyes that made his knees weak. “But I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. I-I just don’t feel complete anymore. You changed me.”

           Alfie couldn’t even begin to explain the change she’d caused in him. “Love, you need to realize, right, that I ain’t the man you want to be with for the rest of your life. I’m the bad guy.” He forced a smile and tried to play it off like he didn’t care that he was the bad guy. But it didn’t work. He wanted to be better for her. It just didn’t seem feasible.

           “Alfie Solomons, you’re speaking to a Shelby.” She reminded him. “I come from a long line of bad guys.” A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Far longer than yours, I’m sure. We’re not god-fearing.”

           He snorted and tilted his head back a bit. “Fucking hell, you’re going to send me to an early grave.” The devious look on her face made his stomach flip-flop. He was fucked.

           “Think about it, please.” Ella guided her eyes back to her. “I’ll ask Tommy, I’m sure he’ll be more understanding this time around.”

           It was an enticing enough offer for him to nod in agreement. “But you’ll warn me if he’s out for blood? Like to be notified if he wants to rip me head off.”

           “I’ll make sure you’re the first to know.” She left a small kiss on his cheek. The piece of her that felt empty was starting to fill back up again.

~~~~~~~~~~

           Upon Tommy’s request, Ella returned to her flat in London after delivering the note to Alfie. She had a little skip in her step as she walked down her street. The first thing she did was call Tommy but received no reply. Figuring he was busy, she planned to call back later.

           But when night started to fall, Ella’s phone rang and she was met with a panicked Ada on the other end.

           “You need to come over here now.” Her older sister demanded before Ella could even get a word in.

           “What? What’s wrong?”

           “Just come over!” She shouted and hung up the phone.

           Startled, Ella quickly gathered her coat and ran down the street to Ada’s. The front door was left slightly ajar so she pushed her way in. She was met with a sight that sent her into the same panic Ada projected over the phone.

           Tommy was slumped down on the stairs, covered in sweat, and slurring his words.

           “Stay with him, I need to get an ambulance,” Ada shouted when she saw her sister come in.

           “What’s going on? Tommy, what happened?” Ella ran over to the stairs. She knelt down and took off her brother’s cap.

           “Just need a hospital.” He mumbled. “Me fucking head hurts.”

           “What happened?” She urged again. “Who did this to you?” Tommy closed his eyes and didn’t answer. “Tommy!” She grabbed his hand. “Stay awake!”

           Begrudgingly, he opened them again. “Can’t see.”

           “What?”

           “Can’t see anything.” His breathing went shallow. “Can’t see you, El.”

           “I’m right here, Tom.” Ella began to cry. It was the worst state she’d seen him in. And she’d been there after Black Star day when he was shot. “Tommy, please don’t go anywhere. I need you.”

           “Sh…” He hushed her. “Everything will be alright, pena.” He murmured to her in Shelta. Blindly, he reached a hand out to her. He found her shoulder and weakly pulled her close.

           Sobbing, Ella pressed herself into his chest, clinging to him as if he would simply fade away. Then he said something that chilled her to the bone.

           “I can see you dad. I know you’re there.”

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stolen whispers-chapter 2

AN: Chapter 2 is here!!  I decided to post it on here as normal, I hope you guys enjoy!

Summary: Albus discovers Scorpius is missing and must rely on the help of his family.

Time: Spring 2028

Extra info: James Sirius is married to my OC, Iris. They have two children.

~~~~

It had been a few hours since Scorpius had left. Now at nearly 2pm, Albus was starting to grow concerned. Scorpius had a tendency to dawdle and get distracted by all the wonderful things at the market, but this was a bit ridiculous. Even for Scorpius. Panicking would do him no good, so he decided to try calling him. One ring...two...three...straight to voice-mail. Well, shit. He sighed, running his hand through his dark curls. He wasn't paranoid, but he decided to send him a text too, just for good measure.

Still nothing. But it hadn't been that long. Surely Scorpius would call shortly. Everything would be fine. But there was a pit in his stomach still, a strong feeling that something was wrong.

'Paranoia be damned.' Albus thought. 'I have to make sure he's okay.'

The farmer's market had cleared out mostly, several vendors were starting to pack up. Heart pumping in his chest, he approached the nearest one.

"Ms. Beaker!" He called.

"Al, dear." The old woman smiled kindly. "What can I do for you? I'm afraid I'm packing up my fruit for today."

"Have you seen Scorpius?" He asked impatiently. "My husband."

"Oh yes." Ms. Beaker said. "He bought my strawberries, such a nice young man. But I haven't seen him since. He seemed to have vanished."

"Vanished?" Albus repeated. "Thank- thank you. I've got to go now."

He walked briskly towards the end of the market, trying not to think of worse case scenarios. Just as he was hovering his finger over his phone, about to call him again, something made him stop in his tracks.

A discarded basket lay clumsily on the ground. Several strawberries were scattered clumsily across the floor. Its handles were bent, clearly messed around with, but at the same time recognizable to him. Scorpius brought it with him on market trips. He often joked that it made him look like Red Riding Hood, a muggle fairytale. Albus had even tied a silver ribbon to the handle as a gift.

"Scorpius..." He murmured, collecting the basket. Okay, maybe panicking was a good idea.

'Draco. I have to find Draco. He'll know what to do.'

Finding a secluded area to collect his thoughts, he apparated to the infamous Malfoy Manor. He didn't waste any time admiring the gilded gates or the fountains or even the proud peacocks grazing nearby. No, he had to find his father in law. Luck was on his side, because he found the older wizard outside, admiring a flowered hedge.

"Draco!" He gasped, rushing forward. He didn't care about being sweaty or rude for intruding. "Please- I need your...sir I need your help."

Draco raised his brow, now puzzled as to why his son in law had apparted to the Manor at such an odd time. "With what? Come here, son.”

"I can't- I don’t." Albus shook his head.

"Where's Scorpius?"

"That's just it. I don't know. He's..." He looked grim. "He's missing."

"What do you mean 'missing'?" Draco said, though he looked deeply worried. As if he already knew the worst was coming.

Albus made a frustrated noise. "I mean, he's gone! He was at the farmer's market earlier today and he's been gone for hours. I’ve called him using my mobile, but still nothing at all. No response, not even a text."

"And he didn't have any work or ...?"

"No."

"We can't assume anything. Perhaps you should wait here while I think of something."

"Draco, what else can we do? We can't sit here when he could be hurt or lost or-"

"Why weren't you with him?" Draco demanded, his temper rising. The two men were face to face, both more scared than angry. “How could my son be missing again?”

"In case you didn't realize Draco, he's a grown adult and can go wherever he likes." Albus retorted, not the least bit intimidated by his father in law. He may be shorter than him, but he was stubborn as sin, and nothing mattered more than Scorpius. "That isn't the point, I didn't think this would happen. Please, can we not argue and figure out what to do?"

"You're right." He sighed. He looked so much older, exhausted. "I'm sorry, us arguing isn't going to help. I know it wasn’t your fault."

For a brief moment, their eyes met. Two men that loved Scorpius in different ways.

"I don't want to think it's a kidnap, but if it is?"

Draco hummed. "The Malfoys have many enemies. It wouldn't surprise me." He fiddled with his wedding ring. "We can't assume though, surely we can..."

A letter dropped in front of them with a thud. It seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, no owl in sight.

Draco snatched it before Al could, scanning it over. He looked faint, dazed. Pale and sickly, he read it over once. Then again. His hands were trembling.

"Draco....Draco!" He waved his arm desperately. "What does it say?"

"It's Scorpius. You’re right. He...has been taken."

No. No this can't be happening. Not Scorpius. Anybody but Scorpius.

"By who?" Albus urged, growing more frantic by the second. "We can't waste time standing around or..." His eyes filled with desperate, terrified tears. "Is he alive?" He whispered. "I need to know."

"Yes, he's alive." Draco nodded gravely. "I don't know who they are, but they're Death Eater sympathizers. Read it- they want gold."

Malfoy,

If you want to see your son alive again, listen carefully.

Empty all the gold you have and bring it to us.

And, join our side to repent your sins of betraying the Dark Lord.

We will bring your son back safe and sound.

Send the money to ____ and come alone.

~~~~

L, M, S

Albus sighed in relief. "They just want money, that's easy, isn't it? We can pool in however much they want."

"That's not the issue. Think, Albus!" Draco snapped. "I would give them all the gold in the Malfoy vaults if it meant Scorpius was safe. But who's to say they won't comply once they have it?"

Albus frowned, thinking for a moment. "We have to try at least. L...M...S, who could they be?"

"And that's not all they want. They want me to join their side. To make up for my betrayal of Voldemort."

"You wouldn't." He said. "Nor would Scorpius. Let's bring the note to Jamie and Iris, see if they can decipher it. Maybe my dad can-"

"I have to."

"What?" Albus looked alarmed. His heart was pounding as he waited for Draco to explain himself.

"They don't just want money. Look at it closer," He pointed at the note. "If I refuse..."

"They won't tell us where he is?"

Draco's grey eyes were wide with fear. "Worse. They'll kill him."

~•~

Albus refused to rest until he found some sort of clue of Scorpius' whereabouts. Draco had reluctantly opted to stay at the manor, in case more ransom notes arrived.

His first instinct was to visit James and Iris. Iris was an accomplished Auror, and James...well he was good for moral support. Lily was off in Romania, so she wouldn't be much help.Then contact his parents who would help as well. His Aunt Hermione too. He'd want the entire Ministry of Magic to help rescue Scorpius.

"I'll send you a patronus if something happens." Draco vowed. He reached a hand to Albus' shoulder. "Please bring him back safely."

Albus nodded firmly. "I will."

He used Draco's fireplace, holding his breath as he traveled through the floo network. His mind flashed of Scorpius' sweet blue eyes and dimpled cheeks. Youthful but wise beyond his years. His first best friend.

Please be alright. Please.

He tumbled out of the fireplace in a heap of soot. He grunted, standing up, too determined to focus on the state of himself. Probably a mess, hair askew and clothes covered in dirt.

"Bloody hell, Al!" His sister in law; Iris exclaimed. "What are you-"

"Iris." He gasped. "I need your help."

"You better sit down then. You look a right state." She said, looking the antithesis of Albus. Neat, pristine and elegant with her dark hair down her shoulders. A book she had been reading was on the floor, no doubt thrown to the side after being startled by Al's unexpected entrance. Little Henry, still a toddler even dropped his blocks.

"Alligator!" Henry piped, pointing at Albus.

"Yes, sweetheart it's Uncle Alligator." Iris said softly. Henry seemed satisfied with that, and went back to his blocks.

"Thanks," Albus murmured, taking a seat as she gestured to him. She flicked her wand casually, and a charmed teapot started to whistle. "Where's-"

"Jim's with Jazzy, off practicing Quidditch." She explained, levitating the mug towards his shaky hands. Albus would have chuckled at the nickname, but felt too numb. "Right then, what's happened?"

He explained the entire situation, but it came out so weakly, it felt like he was vomiting. His stomach was queasy with anxiety.

"It's all my fault. I should have been with him, then it wouldn't have happened." He put his head in his hands.

"Stop it, Al. Listen to me very carefully, okay?" Iris said, after examining the letter. "It's in no way your fault. So stop moping, chin up, I'll help you out. We all will. James, Teddy, Harry, Hermione, my mum...everyone will help find Scorpius."

Albus stared at his tea, eyes watering. "I don't know." He whispered. "I don't..."

"Take a deep breath," She placed a gentle, comforting hand to his shoulder. "We will. I swear on it."

"I'm scared."

"I know. It'll be okay."

"You don't know that."

"You're right. I don't. But still I'm going to send an owl to everyone. We'll need as many people as possible to decipher this note."

"Are you sure you want to help out I mean with..." Albus gestured at her barely visible bump.

Iris narrowed her eyes sharply, summoning parchment. "Yes. I've made up the guest room by the way. You're staying here."

"I don't need to..."

"You are. I insist. You don't need to be alone tonight. And don't argue. You're no good if you're exhausted." She lifted Henry in her arms, bouncing him. "Now shoo, I've got to finish this one letter."

"Who else are you contacting?" Albus tilted his head.

"The second best Auror I know, the one who can help us find him and decipher any codes from these people."

"Don't leave me in suspense, Iris."

"You won't love it...but..."

"Iris." He pressed.

"It's Rose."

~•~

Rose. Rose Granger-Weasley was an enigma. They had gotten along as kids, played gobstones and quidditch for hours but as they grew older, things were awkward and distant. After school, they remained cordial. Still, if she was supposedly their only hope, he would (begrudgingly) comply.

"Hey there baby brother." James opened the guest room door. "Dinner's ready!"

"I'm not hungry." Albus said flatly. How could he possibly eat or rest or do anything when Scorpius was alone somewhere.

"Listen, I know you're worried about Scorpius..." James said. "But Rose is here, and she read the note. She has an idea."

"And? What is it?" He snapped.

"Hi Al." Rose poked her head from behind James.

"What do you want?"

"Nice to see you too, Albus." She said coolly. "My idea is...well, it really requires us both to work together."

Albus scowled.

"We have to give them the gold.” She said. “It’s the only way, for sure that they’ll bring Scorpius back.” 

“There’s no promise they’ll just hand him over!” Albus said. “Draco said, he said they might just be using it as a trick- to bait us.” 

“If they do turn on us, we’ll have a team of Aurors to fight against them. Iris, meanwhile since she’s-” 

Albus gestured vaguely to his midsection. “Pregnant.”

“We don’t want her going into a possible battle. I’m not putting her, or our baby at risk.” James said, his voice hoarse. 

“She’ll be doing research on these kidnappers. Find out as much information as she can.” Rose explained. “We could find out why exactly they want Scorpius. Why are they still hung up over a war that ended three decades ago.” 

“Because they’re insane?” Albus frowned. “Who cares why? They have him, and we have to get him back!”

“Think for once, Albus!” Rose said, and Albus felt his temper rising again. “Finding out the why gives us clues as to how to find him! I know you want to gallantly rescue him, but you have to think logically. We have to plan this out.” 

“While you’re planning this, he could be hurt or…” Albus gulped, refusing to say it. He knew they were all thinking it. “I’m not wasting time.” 

“While you’re both arguing,” James interrupted. “You’re wasting precious time. I think Rose is right. Draco brings the gold to them, they bring Scorpius. If they don’t, we’ve got our team to kick their arses until they cry.”  

“I wasn’t going to put it that way but…”

“Draco already wrote his response. Now all we need to do is find them.” 

Albus wasn’t too confident in this plan. It sounded deeply flawed. But, if this was the one way to get Scorpius back, he refused to argue anymore.

I know I can’t stand you, but please stay anyway? (pt 4)

Pt1|Last Chapter| Ao3

Warnings: Family Christmas, Arguing (really more like bickering, though), Profanity, a lot of original characters

Pairings: Moceit

Patton hates lying. Patton never tells lies. Patton has told a massive lie. Ethan can’t stand Patton. He has no reason to ever help him. Except, of course, the most obvious one. A fake relationship, a family Christmas, and other shenanigans ensue

“Patton! Welcome home sweetheart, it’s so good to see you!”

“Mum!”

The door opened to reveal a smiling individual in a Christmas sweater who Ethan could only assume was Pauline Hart.

Almost instantly, Patton’s slightly tense expression from earlier disappeared as he embraced his mother, and the two gushed briefly about how happy they were to see each other, how handsome Patton had gotten, how wonderful the lights looked, how fun the week would be, and the possibility of snow later in the week. Neither of them stopped to take a breath or stopped smiling at any point in the exchange. Definitely Patton’s mother.

Patton finally drew away, smiling guiltily at Ethan as if he’d forgotten his presence.

“Uh, Mum? This is…um, this is him. My, um, I mean, this is Ethan.”

Mrs Hart beamed, looking at him as if she didn’t even notice how out of place Ethan’s long, messy hair and dark clothing looked in her incredibly immaculate hallway. Ethan almost felt bad that his entire acquaintance with this woman was about to be based on a lie. Did the entire family possess some kind of weird super power that compelled people around them to be nice?

Well, one could still argue that the goodness of helping and possibly wooing Patton outweighed the badness of lying to a woman he barely knew, so Ethan didn’t feel too guilty for putting on a polite smile and extending his hand.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to finally meet you, ma’am,”

She completely disregarded his hand, instead pulling him into a warm hug.

“Oh, it’s so wonderful to meet you too, sweetie! And please, there are no formalities in this household, okay? When you’re here, you can call me Pauline, or if you’re comfortable with it, you can call me ‘mum’, most of Patton’s little friends do, but either away, I don’t want to hear any of this ‘ma’am’ nonsense, alright?”

Ethan couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Patton to see him struggling not to inform Pauline that they weren’t ‘actually’ friends.

“Come on in loves, you must be exhausted, how was your journey?” She ushered them into a cozy living room, already decorated for Christmas, with what Ethan personally considered an inordinate amount of tinsel on literally every surface. He did appreciate the Santa hats taped over family pictures though.

Patton looked equal parts impressed and mildly annoyed as Pauline pressed tea into both of their hands and Ethan sat slightly too close to him as he complimented Pauline on her impeccable taste in quirky throw pillows.

(His personal favourite was one with scrabble pieces spelling out ‘puns not dead’. He was starting to see where Patton’s entire personality originated from.)

“Oh, Ethan you’re far too sweet. Patton, why on earth would you wait so long to invite him home?”

“Mum…” Patton muttered, turning slightly red.

“What? It’s a perfectly reasonable question, honey. Ethan, don’t you think it’s more than reasonable for a mother to wonder what kind of man her son has been seeing for more than three years?”

“Mum!”

“I’m just asking a question! Especially when your young man is this lovely Patton, I’m almost astounded at your lack of manners here, mister.”

Ethan decided to rescue him.

“Actually Pauline, I’m afraid that in this instance you have me to blame. Patton has been pushing for this meeting for years. I actually kept putting it off, because the prospect of disappointing two people so important to Patton was too daunting to face. I’m so sorry for any concern I may have caused you.”

Ethan gagged internally. He sounded like Roman trying to get his way. It was effective in this instance however, with Pauline giving him a touched look and waving away his apology.

“Well it’s very sweet of you to worry, but I assure you, you have absolutely nothing to worry about here. As long as you’re making Patton happy, I’ve got absolutely no problems with you.”

Ethan ignored Patton’s pointed look. That kind of thing was very easy to say, but he knew better than to take it at face value. Pauline certainly seemed like a nice woman, but so did most sweet old white ladies when one had only spoken to them for fifteen minutes.

“Well, now that you are here, why don’t you tell me more about yourself, Ethan? I feel like I barely know you at all! Every time I tried asking this one more about you, he’d start making excuses and try to get off the phone- I was starting to think you might not be real!”

Patton flushed beet red, opening his mouth as if to protest, before shutting it again in favour of burying his face in a pillow that claimed “Stay Pawsitive” (Complete with an illustration of a corgi).

He grew increasingly squirmier as Ethan made polite conversation with Pauline, about his plans for his future, surprised to find that he was actually enjoying himself somewhat. Clearly, he had a knack for impressing mothers. If things with Patton didn’t work out, he could start a very lucrative career as a fake boyfriend-for-hire.

“Mum, when does Vivian get home?” Patton cut in, apparently tired of having Ethan monopolizing his mother’s attention. “She said she’ll be arriving today.”

“She is, sweetheart, your dad’s just gone to pick her and Andre up. You know, the airport’s so far away, and they have a toddler to keep track of, so I insisted he go and give them a hand.” She turned her attention back to Ethan almost immediately. “But, Patton, you never told me you were dating a lawyer in the making!”

Patton rolled his eyes as discreetly as he could whilst Ethan preened under the attention. Was it petty of him to enjoy this so much despite how much it was clearly irritating Patton? Probably, but he was having far too much fun to stop now.

“Mum, I think Ethan is tired!” He cut in for the second time, now looking over at Ethan. “He was just saying, how he always gets worn out by travelling, weren’t you? Can I show him up to my room, and then you and I can catch up while he gets some rest?”

“That’s really not necessary-“ Ethan protested. He didn’t want to go upstairs when he’d just begun enjoying himself! When was the last time someone gushed over him like this?

“He’s just being shy mum, E’s always so worried about coming across as rude, but he hardly ever gets as much sleep as he should, and it’s really, really important to me that he use this vacation finally rest.”

Almost instantaneously, Pauline’s polite but happy demeanour gave way to a grim look filled with pure, terrifying, motherly concern. Ethan got the feeling that if he didn’t get himself upstairs immediately, he would be forcibly tucked in with a bedtime story.

“Well, Ethan, that just won’t do!”

“Really, ma’am, I-“

“Now, I know you young people are very ambitious these days, thinkin’ you can just stay up all night studying and then go to class the next day-“

“It’s not quite like that-“ It was, in fact, almost exactly like that, but she didn’t need to know that.

“But there is nothing more important than your own health! I’m sure you’re a very smart boy, but I don’t want to hear of you overworking yourself like that, okay?”

“… yes, ma’am.”

Pauline peered at him over her glasses, somehow managing to look far more intimidating than her son ever had, despite the fact that she was probably smaller than even Patton.

“And what have I told you about calling me ma’am?”

“Yes…Pauline?”

“Better. Now, I’ve set up Patton’s room for the two of you, it’s the first door on the left upstairs. I’d like you to go upstairs and rest yourself, please. As I said before, there are no formalities in this household, and I won’t hear of you depriving yourself of much needed rest for the sake of impressing me, okay?”

“…okay.” His voice came out far meeker than he was expecting.

Patton grinned at him far too sweetly. “Do you want me to show you the way?”

Fortunately, the sudden reminder that he was far sneakier than his cat pyjamas suggested only served to make Ethan more attracted to him.

He grinned at Patton, matching the other’s saccharine sweetness perfectly. “Very kind of you to offer, darling, but I think I’ll be okay.”

—

Not that he’d ever previously put any thought into the matter, but Patton’s childhood bedroom was exactly what he’d expected it would be. It had clearly been kept lovingly exactly the same as it must have been when Patton left for uni – from the collection of worn soft toys in the corner, to the collage of notes, postcards, and photos of a young Patton with an assortment of smiling friends. He recognized and took a quick picture of a baby-faced Logan in a too large tie to send to Virgil later.

“You know, you could probably give Ro a run for his money.” He whirled around to see Patton standing in the doorway, a wry smile on his face. “You’re surprisingly good at acting.”

“Shouldn’t you be downstairs bonding, or whatever?”

Patton pouted, making his way over to his bed. “Mum said it would be rude of me to leave you alone like this and sent me up. I expect we’ll be pushed together like this quite a lot over the week.”

Ethan gasped, bringing his hand up to his chest in mock horror. “You mean to tell me your parents expect us, a supposed couple of more than three years, to enjoy spending time together? Tell me it isn’t so!” He sat next to Patton. “You poor thing, stuck with your worst enemy all week long. Next thing you know, they’ll expect you to actually sit through a conversation with me present without getting huffy.”

Patton blushed, frowning down at his lap. “I don’t consider you my worst enemy.” He mumbled.

“Oh? Then you have someone you hate more than me?”

“I don’t hate you, Ethan!” Patton burst out, before immediately being silenced by Ethan’s hand over his mouth. “Mmph, what are you-“

“Oh, I’m sorry, have you forgotten that your mother is in the house? Or is your intention to make her think that we’re on the verge of breaking up?”

Patton looked slightly sheepish as Ethan removed his hand, continuing at a quieter volume. “I don’t hate you, I just,” he trailed off with a sigh “I do wish you were nicer sometimes.”

Ethan hummed, leaning closer to Patton and running his hand up his freckled arm. Patton frowned at the contact, but he didn’t move away. “Right, because you always react so well to my attempts at being nice to you.” He murmured the words softly in Patton’s ear, hoping his quiet voice would prompt Patton to look him in the eye.

It didn’t. He could see that Patton was biting the inside of his cheeks, an action Ethan had come to associate with his nervousness.

“I can never tell when you’re actually being nice.” Patton finally spoke, fiddling with his shirt. “You’re always making fun of me, specifically of me; you don’t mess with the others nearly as much, anyone would think you hated me.”

“As if I could hate you,” Ethan scoffed, ignoring Patton’s disbelieving look, “You’re always so nice, and kind.”

For fucks sake, he knew he was telling the truth and he barely believed himself. Why could he never just be straightforward when it came to this guy?

“See, this is what I mean! This is what I mean, you can’t even say something nice about me without sounding like you’re making fun!”

Ethan opened his mouth to protest but Patton was already shaking his head, clearly unwilling to continue this line of conversation.

“You know what, never mind. I mean, it hardly matters. Either way, I’m thankful that you’re helping me out. I’m sure we can act normal around each other for the next week, right? And then we’ll only ever have to see each other when all our friends are around!”

He offered him another obviously, horribly, fake grin, and Ethan’s gut twisted.

Yes, obviously, that’s what I want, I’ve agreed to come out with you to the middle of fucking nowhere and interact with your entire family, because I saw you distraught and couldn’t handle it until you were happy again, because I want to stop interacting with you.

Predictably, he didn’t say any of this. Instead, he raised an eyebrow at Patton, drawing away slightly. “Right, because we’ve been so good at acting normal so far, I can’t imagine that’ll present any issues at all.”

Patton frowned at him, “What do you mean?”

“Oh, nothing; I’m certainly not referring to the fact that you consistently jump ten feet in the air every time I touch you or move near you, in fact, I’m sure most normal couple dynamics also include one person consistently regarding the other as if they’re afraid of them.”

Patton blushed furiously, hissing at him, “I am not afraid of you- no, don’t look at me like that, I’m not! You just, you just startle me sometimes, that’s all! You can’t just randomly start acting all…funny, without any kind of warning!”

“So, you’re telling me that if I just asked you for a kiss right now, you’d have no problem with complying?”

Well, that definitely wasn’t pushing his luck at all.

“Actually, yeah, I think that’d be nice. You know, I’d just like some warning if you’re going to, um.” Patton drew off as he saw Ethan raise his eyebrows.

“So, if I asked you for a kiss right now…” he repeated, a smile tugging at his lips. It wasn’t like he expected Patton to say yes, more likely he’d just roll his eyes and glare cutely at him all over again, and frankly, that was fine by him.

“Okay.”

Wait, what?

Patton looked slightly nervous, but he said, “I mean, we probably will have to, um, at some point, and I’d rather the first time at least be without an audience so we don’t get to nervous, I guess, so yeah, if you want to-“

Oh. Well, he was certainly prepared for this. It definitely wasn’t like he’d ever imagined kissing Patton before. In fact, this was exactly how he’d always wanted it to go. It wasn’t like imagining it was any different to it actually happening. Oh, god, his heart definitely wasn’t beating any faster at all.

“Um, E? You okay? Were you being serious about, uh, or-“

Patton was offering him an out. He could just say he’d been joking; he wouldn’t have to-

He kissed Patton.

For someone who’d blushed and stuttered every time he tried to talk about it, Patton was kissing him back with surprising conviction, gripping the front of his shirt as he chased his lips. Fuck, now Ethan really hoped he was able to make some sort of sincere move by the end of the week, because he really didn’t want to have to move on from this.

Patton’s smiled at him shyly as they separated. “Alright?”

Ethan couldn’t resist.

“Oh, more than alright, Patton. In fact, if I didn’t know any better, I might even say you’ve done this before”

This time, his teasing had exactly the intended effect.

Patton’s smile disappeared. “I’ve kissed people before, you jerk,” he muttered, before tugging him back in so he could bite at his lower lip.

Ethan was only too happy to return the favour.

“Oh my god, I am so sorry!”

The two men jerked apart, turning towards the door.

“Vivian?”

Taglist:

@lunatatic

Imagine a future Weasley travelling back in time. He refuses to give up who his parents are, but after an incident in Diagon Alley the secret comes out.

Gen Fic X Reader w/ a hint of Charlie X Reader

Every Weasley coming together for all day shenanigans at the Burrow became a tradition a couple months after the war had ended and Fred woke from his coma after having a wall fall on him. And while you weren't a Weasley, it didn't stop Molly from sending her children to drag you to her home. You had been a year above Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but you had been on friendly terms with all the Weasley's.

So for a couple of years, you find yourself spending two nights at the Burrow- the night before Weasley shenanigans and the night of. And though there were numerous rooms, Molly had a tough time pairing people up. Bill, Fleur, and their toddler shared Bill's old room. Percy and his wife took his old room, and Molly reluctantly let the twins and their girlfriends all bunk in one room. And since Molly let the twins bunk with their girlfriends, she had to let Ginny and Harry stay together while Ron and Hermione stayed in another room. That left you with Charlie in his old room and while Molly gushed her apologies, you simply waved her off.

Charlie Weasley only came down for holidays and for the newest tradition now dubbed Weasley All Day Shenanigans. He was rather rambunctious when around his family, but in your shared room he seemed to decompress and knew exactly how to approach you. You let him take the full bed while squeezing a single in between his bed and the wall. It was a tight fit, but your bed was a foot lower than his and you absolutely loved it because you could burrow in your bed whenever Molly threw open the door to wake you up.

But with your bed being a foot lower is what started making your visits to the Burrow a little nerve wracking, all because Charlie moved a lot in his sleep and somehow started managing to fall into your bed while miraculously not squishing you and settling you on his chest. The cuddling sessions eventually moved onto more rated R shenanigans, and it was hard to meet any of his siblings gazes whenever they asked how you had slept.

You and Charlie both made it clear your hook-ups were nothing serious, and actually became quite good friends much to everyone's surprise.

It's just as everyone is lounging around with full stomachs after lunch that it happens. The wind picks up out of the blue and as everyone starts throwing around sticking charms to keep everything from blowing away, a couple of yards away a figure starts to appear from out of thin air. From one moment to the next there's a rather tall red head with a lean build standing where nothing had been just moments before. The head of hair is a familiar shade of red and as he glances around at everyone, his eyes slowly widen.

"Bollocks," the stranger murmurs, but seeing as you're the closest you manage to hear him.

You glance at the other Weasley's, suppressing a grin at Fred and George who are counting their family members before glancing back at the stranger with frowns. No one has any idea who the newcomer is.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley immediately stand, followed by Bill, Charlie, and the twins. Bill takes a stance in front of Fleur and his daughter, and you huff when Charlie shields you.

"Explain yourself, young man," Mrs. Weasley says. "How did you get passed our wards?"

"Uhh.." the kid blinks, swallowing thickly. "Funny thing that," he then chuckles nervously. "I'm your grandson. One of many."

"A time-traveler?" Hermione wonders as Molly gasps, and every other Weasley perks up in interest. She looks his him up and down, and frowns. "I don't see a time-turner."

"I don't have one," the kid says. "A spell was cast. I was the guinea pig."

"G-Grandson?" Molly's lip tremble, immediately believing him. "Truly?"

The kid looks at Molly, shoulders dropping as he flashes her a genuine smile. "Yeah, Nana. I am."

Molly looks like she wants nothing more than to wrap the teenager up in her arms, but Arthur lays a hand on his wife's shoulder to keep her in place. "Who are your parents then?"

The kid's eyes flicker to the other gathered Weasley's. His mouth opens and then snaps shut, his head tilting as he lets his gaze wander. "Before I answer that, can I have a show of hands to see which of you are married?"

The twins snicker before Bill and Percy raise their hands. The kid's eyes subtly widen when no one else raises their hand and then he sighs. "Bloody hell. Mum and Dad aren't even married yet. How far back did the spell take me?" Everyone suddenly becomes more curious, glancing at each other and trying to suss out who spawned the time-traveling Weasley. "Given the circumstances, I rather not say who my parents are or what year I'm from. Should someone figure out my parentage, I don't want to put pressure on them."

"Fair enough," Arthur concedes. "Can we have your name then?"

"Sure." The kid hops to attention and then bows, tilting his head up to stare at his grandfather. "Josiah Weasley at your service."

Molly coos and the others are all mumbling to themselves about the newest addition, but you.. your heart beats faster and your throat closes. You quickly blink your eyes to rid them of the gathering tears and when Josiah glances at you he smiles sadly before quickly averting his gaze.

Things quickly return to being jovial as they realize Josiah is not a threat. He hugs Molly and Arthur, talking about how young and fit they look, and that they look just as good as they do in the future. The twins, Bill, and Charlie waste no time in calling him an arse kisser, but Josiah laughs all the remarks off with a shrug.

Later in the evening when you manage to catch Josiah all on his own, you sidle up to his side and without staring at him you ask, "Your parents don't happen to call you Joss for short, do they?"

Josiah chuckles quietly and nudges you with his shoulder. "Yeah, mum. You do." You inhale sharply and when you manage to look at him, he's smiling kindly at you. "My name gave me away, didn't it?"

"Yeah. It was my grandfather's name," you say, still a bit awestruck. "I always told my mom that if I ever had a child, then I was going to name him Josiah."

"Well.. you had him."

"And apparently he's a Weasley," you grumble. Josiah chuckles and you groan. "And I don't even have to ask which one. I have a pretty good idea who your father is."

"And this is the exact reason I didn't tell you what year I'm from. I don't want to put pressure on you or Dad to.. to, you know-"

"I know," you cut him off, grinning at his sudden blush. Not being able to resist, you reach up and pinch his cheek with a quiet laugh. "Merlin this is so weird. I mean, you're my son."

"Mum," he groans and lightly bats your hand away from his face. "Stop that."

Chuckling softly, you take a step to the side as you hear incoming voices. "Only because I don't want the others to get ideas," you tell him and he rolls his eyes. "Now tell me why you decided to be a guinea pig? Was it one of your barmy uncles? My galleons are on Fred or George. Or Fred and George. They're daft enough to try something like this."

"You always were a smart witch," Josiah muses. "But don't be too harsh on them. I volunteered after all."

"Mhm. Now go mingle with the family. We've no idea how long you're here for so make the most of it while you can."

As it turns out, the spell lasts far longer than anyone had anticipated. Josiah kept quiet on the specifics of such a spell much to Hermione's dismay, and now going on day five everyone but Josiah seem to be on the edge of their seats and wondering when the boy will disappear back to his time. And since they figured out the spell would return Josiah to a specific place no matter where he was currently at, no one could find it in their heart to refuse the newest Weasley when he wanted to go exploring and see everything as it were way before his time.

Everyone had went back to their respective homes and to work, so Molly and Arthur had no problem letting Josiah stay with them. But seeing as everyone was intrigued by the young time traveler, the Burrow was once more alive with noise as several of Molly's children would visit unannounced to spend time with Josiah.

Charlie had ending up coming home to the Burrow a couple days after a mishap at work, and while he could have easily rested at his own home in Romania no one dared say anything after they realized his reasoning for coming back to the Burrow was because of Josiah. The second eldest Weasley had found himself quite attached to the Weasley time traveler and everyone was placing bets on whether Charlie was Josiah's father or just his favorite uncle.

During the weekend once you realized Josiah was not yet disappearing, he managed to wrangle you, Charlie, Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny for a trip to Diagon Alley. Lunch and drinks are had at the Leaky, everyone buys a bowl of ice cream from Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, and then it's a unanimous decision to go bother Fred and George in their shop.

You watch as the twins practically play tug-or-war with Josiah, showing him the best of what their shop has to offer. You roll your eyes as they let him pocket numerous products, and you're surprised no one's figured out the connection between you and Josiah with as much as you watch him. Either that or they think you have a crush on the time travelling Weasley which is both hilarious and gross.

The trip, however, is cut short when Ron knocks over some Peruvian Instant Darkness powder. The whole lot of you, minus Fred and George who have to stick around and clean up the mess, rush out the front of the shop in a fit of laughter.

The group is just managing to get their laughter under control when there's an explosion, followed by screams and shouts. Your eyes widen because it's been a long time since there's been any sort of conflict within the magical community, so it's no surprise that you lot freeze before running towards the commotion.

Diagon Alley is lit up with spells flying back and forth, and no one has any idea what caused the mass duel to begin with. Ron and Harry who are both aurors immediately jump into the fray while Hermione and Ginny cast shields to help the unsuspecting witch or wizard.

Charlie subconsciously herds you behind him, and with your wand in one hand you use the other to grab at Josiah's wrist and tug him behind you. Another fight breaks out somewhere behind you and you whirl around when another explosion sounds, this one much closer as it sends a spray of glass over you.

With Josiah not armed, panic seizes you when you see a purple spell being hurled right at him. And knowing that he's your son, all rational thought flees you so instead of casting a shield you shove him out of the way. The spell hits you in the center of your chest and all the breath rushes from your lungs. Charlie shouts and catches you as you collapse, and when Josiah sees you his expression transforms to one of horror.

"No. No, no, no," he chokes, scrambling on hands and knees. Charlie lowers you gently, his expression torn as he glances all around. You open your mouth to say something- anything, really- but only end up coughing blood. "Dad. Dad, you have to do something."

Your eyes widen when you see Josiah addressing Charlie, and it takes Charlie a moment to realize it's him that's being called dad. "W-What?"

"Mum's gonna die if you don't get her to Nana's. Go. Now!" Charlie gapes at you and you can barely meet his gaze as you try catching your breath. Grasping at Josiah's shirt, your son glances down at you with tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He tugs your wand from your loose grasp and sits back on his heels. "Dad's gonna take you to Nana's. She'll know how to heal you."

"J-Joss.."

"Shh. It's okay. Let dad take care of you," he says quickly while leaning down and kissing your forehead. "I'll go grab the aunts and get to the Burrow soon. I promise." Charlie's still a bit dumbstruck and it takes Josiah using your wand to cast a quick protego to shield you from a sudden onslaught of ricocheted spells. "Dad, go!"

One moment you're looking up your distraught son and the next Charlie's shoving his arms beneath your neck and the backs of your knees. "Come on, Y/N. Stay awake," he mutters. "You have a lot of explaining to do, sweetheart."

You're in so much pain that apparating doesn't seem to faze you and then Charlie's grunting as he rushes you through the familiar wards surrounding the Burrow.

"Mum! Mum, come quick." Charlie kicks open the kitchen door, setting you atop the kitchen table before sweeping everything off and laying you out.

"What happened?!" Molly bustles into the kitchen, wand raised. Charlie rips your shirt open and her wand is immediately moving over you the second she's within reach.

"Cutting hex, I think. It was heading for Josiah and Y/N pushed him out of the way."

You gurgle on blood, your nails scratching against the table's surface for something to grasp as Molly starts healing the cuts across your chest. Charlie grasps your right hand and you squeeze his hand in return.

"Go into the cabinets and grab a vial of blood replenisher and pain relief," Molly says. "Shh, dear. It's going to be okay," she assures you when you whimper.

Molly's done all she's can before instructing Charlie to help you drink the potions when you hear several pops of apparition thunder outside. Molly whirls on the stampede that all try to fit through her kitchen door at once, she only lowering her wand when Ginny yells out that it's them.

"Mum. Mum, are you okay?"

"Mum?!" Molly gasps.

Josiah's suddenly in your line of view, grabbing one of your hands between both of his and you weakly smile as he presses his forehead against yours in relief. "I knew Nana would save you."

"What is going on?" Molly then wonders.

"That's what we want to know," Ginny mutters. "Josiah went mad in the Alley. Kept saying his mum was injured and we needed to go, but we didn't think-"

"Y/N is Josiah's mother," Charlie says as both he and Josiah help you sit up, you happily taking the afghan Hermione had quickly summoned from the front room. Several pairs of eyes widen. "And I'm his father."

"Bloody hell," Ron mumbles.

"Out. Everyone out," Molly says. She shoos everyone but Charlie and Josiah from the room. And once everyone is out and you're grimacing as you hop off the table to sit in a chair, she whirls around on the three of you. "How long have you known?"

"Today," Charlie admits.

"Uhh," you utter, averting your gaze. "I, uh, I knew the moment Josiah gave us his name. It's a family name, you see, and I took an educated guess."

"But you and Charlie," Molly then says, glancing between the two of you. "Since when? You've never-"

"Mum," he groans, "can you not? We're both adults. Y/N and I's relationship is very casual. We never expected-"

"You are going to have a son, Charles," she admonishes. "That does not seem very casual to me."

"To be fair," Josiah chips in, "mum and dad are married before I'm even conceived. You're getting flustered for no reason, Nana."

"You stay out of this, young man, and go sit with your aunts and uncles in the front."

"Yes, ma'am."

Josiah is up and out of the kitchen so fast that both you and Charlie have to smother laughter. However, you lose the battle the second he scurries back into the kitchen to kiss Molly on the cheek before disappearing into a room full of laughter in the front. And that- that makes some of Molly's anger dissipate.

Taking a moment to gather herself, Molly finally deflates. "I apologize. I'm not even angry, I'm just- I'm a bit shocked." She meets your gaze, her age showing in her glistening eyes. "I haven't seen this much blood since the war and Charlie looked so panicked that I-"

"It's okay, Mrs. Weasley," you assure her, holding the afghan around your shoulders as you stand up and go in for a hug. "It's all a bit much, isn't it? Me bleeding and then finding out I'm tying down the one son you were always worried about."

"Oi!" Charlie barks though there's no real heat behind it.

Molly chuckles and then ends up a blubbering mess, she wrapping you in a hug and prematurely welcoming you into the family. You glance at Charlie, but he merely shrugs and watches from a distance with a small smile on his face.

Eventually the Weasley matriarch is calm and she's leaving you alone with her son. But before you and Charlie can even talk about all he's learned, Josiah is entering the kitchen alone. "So before I go, I thought I should tell you guys to not overthink it."

You frown. "Before you go?"

"It's part of the spell, I think," Josiah shrugs. "I just- I know it's about to take me. Why? I have no bloody idea, but I know I don't got much time."

"But I just found out," Charlie says. "Do you have to go?"

"Yeah, dad, I do." Josiah stares at Charlie before lunging in for a hug. Momentarily shocked, it takes Charlie a moment to return the embrace, but when he does he's squeezing Josiah as tightly as he can without injuring the boy. "Don't stress about getting together with mum," he then says. "It'll happen when it happens. I'm in no rush to be born."

Charlie chuckles. "I knew there was something about 'ya, kid. I could feel it."

"Now you know." Josiah pulls free from Charlie before turning to you, he then hugging you as gently as he can. "It's time. Love you, mum."

Your bottom lip trembles, but you manage to keep the tears from falling. "Love you too, Joss." A moment after he steps back and your arms fall to your sides, Josiah disappears with a smile. Your breath stutters and then Charlie's there pulling into an embrace of his own.

"Shh," he murmurs. "It's going to be okay."

"I know," you tell him. "I just- it's weird. That was our son."

"Yeah."

"Our son who I'm no doubt going to hex silly in the future when he's old enough."

Charlie chuckles softly. "He was just the guinea pig, sweetheart. Can't hex just him."

"Nope. I'm going to start with your two daft brothers."

"Well before you get hex happy, what say you and I go get cleaned up and talk about the hippogriff in the room."

You groan and snuggle further into Charlie's chest. "What's there to talk about? You like me, I like you. We pretty much knew that already."

"Yes, but we didn't know the extent of our feelings until our time travelling son appeared."

"Lets just take Josiah's advice and not stress," you mumble. "We'll get together when the time is right." You break off, yawning. "Now can you please take me to my bed? I'm really tired."

"Of course. Lets go. We'll explain everything to the family later."

GoT Fanfic: Come Into My Parlor (3/3)

Words of caution: This part has supernatural elements (sort of), implied murder, smut and dark! Jon - consider yourselves warned.

If you wanna play catch up, here’s part 1 and part 2. 

Summary: When Sansa goes to the Targaryen’s annual Halloween bash, the last thing she expected was to come face to face with her demons.

Come into my parlor

It was only after his footsteps faded, the sound of a door closing in the distance, that Sansa forced her own feet to start moving. Not towards the now dim sounds of the party, no. The last thing she wanted at the moment was to go back in there and risk another chance encounter. It was hard to imagine this night getting any shittier but the way the universe was treating her lately… she wasn’t about to take any chances.

Turning around, she went in the opposite direction.

Which is how she finds herself in her current predicament.

This must be the Halloween party from hell, she thinks grimly, as she rounds yet another corner and comes face to face with four different corridors, all leading in opposite directions.

How the fuck did I get fucking lost INSIDE this motherfucking house? How is that even fucking possible?

She knows her English Lit teacher would probably be appalled at the lack of creativity behind that sentence but right now she doesn’t give a flying fuck. Isn’t this the shittiest ending possible to the shittiest night ever?

Her initial escape from the damn party had quickly evolved into the excitement of exploring the old house. Sansa has never been the bravest of all the Stark siblings – she has, on occasion, even heard unflattering comparisons to a kitchen mouse (not even a garden mouse, for fuck’s sake) – but she has always loved exploring abandoned places. There’s something that speaks to her on a deep level, to come face to face with trinkets and artifacts that have been used and cherished long ago by people she will never know.

Harrenhal isn’t abandoned, but it had quickly become a study in contrasts, as she wondered across rooms that had been completely refurnished to its previous beauty and straight into rooms where no one had apparently set foot in more than a few decades. She’s not exactly an expert on recuperating old houses but she’s pretty sure this isn’t how they do things on The Property Brothers. The excitement had eventually soured though, once her feet had started to hurt and she had decided it was time to get back, only to discover she had no idea where ‘back’ was.

Way to go Alice. Straight into the rabbit hole.

In her defense, she has realized – belatedly, she’ll gladly admit – that this house is an absolute maze. Harrenhal was the pinnacle of Lord Whent’s dreams of grandeur and it definitely shows. Everything is huge and completely disproportional, as though it was built for giants and not men, and the inside is just as senseless. There are stairs that lead to nowhere, rooms where one would expect passageways and everything seems to be tied together in a loop from where there is no escape. She may have to resign herself to the fact that this is where she’ll spend the rest of her life, endlessly going up stairs and turning corners and never finding her way out.

You can check out anytime you’d like, but you can never leave. No wonder they say the place is haunted. At least, if everything turns out for the worse, she’ll have plenty of company.

She chooses the smallest of all four, climbs over the three crooked stone steps at the end of it and turns the corner, and comes face to face with two narrow hallways. None of this looks even slightly familiar which is good – in the sense that she hasn’t been walking in circles as she’d feared – but also bad, as it means she’s not retracing her steps back into the party.

Seven fucking hells. She really needs a drink right now. Or a cigarette. Or her cellphone so she can call the police, the fire department or even her mum. Anyone will do at this point really.

Alright, yoga remember? She takes a couple of deep breaths, starting from her belly and all the way up to her chest, to try and calm the fuck down. This isn’t impossible. All it takes is a little common sense.

There is what looks to be an open door near the middle of the corridor to her right, a soft silvery hue wrestling its way against the shadows lingering in the corners, and she makes her way there. If she can look outside maybe she’ll be able to pinpoint where exactly she is now.

Reference points and all that shit. Dad would be so proud.

The room isn’t very big and it’s crowded with old furniture underneath layers of dust, but the window is huge. The full moon stands directly in front of it, tiny wisps of clouds being pushed by the wind occasionally obscuring its glow. It’s like something right out of a witches story. That, or a slasher movie, she thinks gloomily.

Sansa remembers when she was little, how Old Nan used to tell her that she was lucky for having been born on this night, that there was something special about this time of year. She had never felt particularly lucky though. Right now, she just feels stupid. Still, she supposes, as she makes her way to the massive window, there is something beautiful about this night. Something special, that seems to call out to her.

The gardens that surround the estate are still mostly in disrepair. The grass has grown as tall as a toddler and covers the stone pathways in shades of dark greens and greys. Wild weeds have long since strangled the flower beds, leeching their way into the barks of trees that look older than time. Scattered around the edges of the greenery, antique lamp posts that have long ago grown dark stand as tall as giants, their shadows like black ghosts staring back at her.

She’s startled when she hears it at first, a low rumbling sound that seems to be coming from one of the smaller buildings to her left. Probably the kennels Ramsay was talking about earlier from the looks of it.

She frowns as she peers down at it. The thing looks mostly abandoned, with its barred windows and huge cracks lining the roof and she has a hard time imagining Jon, who is a notorious dog lover, allowing for some poor animals to be stuck in there. But there’s no mistaking the sounds coming from it.

Something heavy clenches at her chest and she suddenly feels the hairs at the back of her neck prickling, the way Lady bristles whenever she senses something foul. The gnarls coming from down below are steadily increasing in volume, something wild and untamed tearing and snarling and scratching at something, until they stop suddenly and everything is silent again. A startled bird takes flight from a nearby tree and the quiet is shattered with a long, powerful howl. Other voices soon join the first one and the black night is suddenly alight with the gut wrenching sound.

The chorus dies down gradually after some time and the night is silent once again. After the sudden howling everything seems deadly quiet, not even a speck of wind disturbing the few leaves still stubbornly clinging to the wiry branches. The only thing Sansa hears is her blood rushing in her ears.

“Sansa?”

The air hisses as she draws it in through suddenly clenched teeth as she swirls violently around. The shadow looming in the doorway jumps back and lets out a startled – and very unmanly – yelp. Her heart is still hammering away as her brain slowly begins to fire back on, her eyes widening at first and then narrowing in recognition. “Jon?”

He has a hand against his chest, the other one running through his hair in a nervous gesture she has seen on him thousands of times, and she can hear him clearing his throat before fixing her with a glare. “Seven hells, you just scared the shit out of me.”

“I scared the shit out of you? What the hell are you doing here?” she huffs.

“I was looking for you. Margaery said she left you in the bathroom but no one’s seen you since. I was worried.”

Ok, so maybe that melts her heart a little bit. “So you came looking for me?”

He shrugs in a casual manner but it does nothing to hide the pink that’s faintly coloring his cheeks underneath his beard. “Just wanted to make sure you weren’t lost or anything.”

And now it’s her turn to blush as he gives her a knowing grin. “Don’t you laugh at me,” she says, as sternly as she can.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He holds up his hands to emphasize his point but she can see the gleam of amusement twinkling in his eyes. “Shall we head back then?”

She huffs as she passes him and he chuckles as she stops dead in the doorway, looking left and right. “Do you want me to lead the way?” he whispers close to her ear, so close she can feel his breath on her neck and the faint smell of the beer he was drinking earlier. Gods, he could lead her straight to hell with that voice and she’d gladly follow.

She elbows him in the ribs instead. “If you’d be so kind.”

They walk mostly in silence as they make their way through winding corridors and steep stairways. Jon seems to know where he’s going, barely hesitating whenever they reach a new crossway before he leads them left or right accordingly, and Sansa begins to believe there might actually be a light at the end of this particular tunnel, and one that doesn’t include a train at that.

It’s only when they turn yet another corner and start making their way down the hall that Sansa suddenly stops, breaking the silence that has settled like a blanket over them to call out his name.

“Jon?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you know where you’re going?”

“Course I do. You think I’m just walking around aimlessly?”

“You sure?”

He frowns at her, looking genuinely hurt. “You don’t trust me?”

“Normally, with my life. In this particular instance, however…” she trails off, nodding her head to her right before fixing him with a stare. His frown deepens and he retraces his steps back to where she stands leaning against a doorway and peers inside the room she just pointed at.

“Shit,” he murmurs.

She narrows her eyes. “I take it that means what I think it means.”

He gives her a sideways glance before turning back to the room, his hand running through his raven curls before he lets out a frustrated sigh. “This is the room I found you in.”

“Which means we’ve been walking around in circles this whole time.”

He turns back to her with a scowl on his face, apparently not finding any of this amusing. Well, tough luck baby. Before he can answer her though, the room erupts in a sudden flash of white light, the walls around them trembling with the force of the thunder that follows right after, making the glass rattle on the weathered windows. Sansa jumps, her jaw clenching as she bites down on the startled scream that threatens to follow suit.

“It’s just a storm Sans.”

She fumes at him. “Just a storm? Just a storm? Are you shitting me right now? This isn’t just a storm! This is Halloween, and there’s a full moon, and we’re lost inside a haunted house –“

“The house isn’t haunted,” he says, quirking his brow. “I can’t believe you believe in such –“

“And NOW there’s also a storm! I’m all for the horror mood of the season but this is getting ridiculous!”

“Hey, hey,” he says, “it’s alright Sansa.” His hands are incredibly gentle as he steps forward to rub them up and down her arms, trying to soothe her. “Look at me. We’re alright.” He’s really close now, their noses almost touching, and the breath she takes in to calm her nerves smells only of him, something earthy and warm and familiar. “Better?” he asks after a few seconds, and she nods.

“Sorry. This has been a weird night.”

He smiles, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, look at it this way. At least we don’t have an axe wielding psycho on our tail.”

The shaky smile she’s sporting dies on her lips. “I don’t know about any axe wielding but we have the psycho part down.” He stares at her, clearly not getting it, and she sighs. “Ramsay’s here.”

“What?” His voice resounds through the walls as another roll of thunder comes crashing in. “What the fuck’s he doing here?”

“He says he was invited,” she explains, as she stares at him, gauging his reaction.

“No,” he says, and there’s an absolute finality in his tone that makes her relax a bit. “There’s no way. Rhaenys and Aegon would never do that, not without talking to me first and I’d never agree to it. At least, not with these many witnesses around.” He smiles as though he’s cracking a joke but it never reaches his eyes. Instead, she sees something hard flashing in its greys depths.

Sansa shivers as another thought suddenly pops into her mind. “Do you have any dogs in here?” Jon keeps silent, his face an unreadable mask as he stares at her, no doubt trying to make sense of the sudden change in conversation. “In the kennels. I thought I heard them howling a while back,” she clarifies.

He shakes his head, giving her a puzzled look. “No one lives here. Besides, I’m the only one who has a dog and if I had brought Ghost, I wouldn’t have put him in the kennels.”

Of course. That makes sense.

Jon gives the room one last dismal look before turning back to her with a sheepish smile. “Maybe you should lead this time.”

“Yeah, because I was doing such a bang up job of it before you showed up.” Still, she starts moving, leading them back the way they came, up until the corner where she turns the opposite way. She can hear Jon’s footsteps following close behind. It’s reassuring somehow, even if he’s just as lost. She’s not alone anymore.

At the very least, he’ll make for good company even if they never find their way out.

“So let me get this straight,” he says after a while, “you ran into Joffrey, Harry and Ramsay? All three of them?”

She shrugs. “My kind of party.”

“I’ll bet,” he murmurs. “I mean, what are the odds?”

“Maybe I should try the lottery next.”

He smirks. “I have to admit though, it was very satisfying seeing you telling Joffrey off.”

She looks at him over her shoulder. “You were about to see me do the same to Harry if you hadn’t been so quick to step in.”

“He was hurting you,” he says, and that hard edge is back in his eyes.

“And my boot was about to hurt him right back. Hard.” She smiles wickedly. “I was channeling Arya. He should be thanking you.”

He lets out a startled laugh as his eyes fall to the mentioned boots. They’re black leather, soft and pliant all the way up to her knees, with some killer heels. Rickon had joked about how she could easily stab a man with those. Or maybe fuck one. Jon’s eyes are now raking up her body, over her legs and lingering slightly at the apex of her thighs, sweeping over her bodice and trailing her neck before settling on her mouth. It’s a thorough eye-fuck if she’s ever seen one. And when he licks his lips before finally locking eyes with her, she feels it like a caress over her skin.

“I wouldn’t want you to ruin them. They look…” he hesitates before giving her a devastating smile, “nice.”

She grins at his cheekiness. They have been doing this for what seems like forever now, the friendly back and forth of friendship always skirting around the edges of flirting, the eternal will-they-won’t-they that has most of their friends rolling their eyes and, in Theon’s case, probably making bets. But there’s something definitely different about tonight. Something far more deliberate, that seems to be taking them much more towards the when-will-they.

The corridor comes to a sudden end, opening up into a large room with massive floor to ceiling windows, wood paneling all around and a gigantic chandelier hanging over their heads. There’s a huge dining table at the center, complete with velvet backed chairs, the brightly polished wood seeming strangely out of place when everything else is covered in what looks to be years’ worth of dust.

“Wow.”

She cocks a brow at him. “You’ve never been here before?” she says, remembering his earlier misguided bout of confidence about knowing his way around.

He seems to be remembering the same thing as he looks sheepishly at her. “In the house? A couple of times. In this room?” His eyes take a long sweep around. “I think I’d remember something like this.”

“Well, I don’t know about you but I need a break.” She struts inside, the carpeted floors muffling the click clack of her heels. The storm is still raging outside but the lighting seems to be holding up so far, several lamps bathing the room in soft yellow hues, a stark contrast against the dark woods and blood reds of the décor. Jon follows her in, pulling up a chair for her to sit before sprawling himself in the one next to it.

“This house was always more of my father’s project. He said there was something about it that reminded him of his Valiryan roots.”

She doesn’t really know what to say to that. The stories about Old Valirya – the ones she’d heard about as a child – were always filled with gore and bloodshed, gruesome tales of incest and madness, sprinkled with just a tad of magic and witchcraft. There’s something strange about this house, that’s for sure. She can feel it in her very bones, to borrow one of Old Nan’s sayings. But she always thought there was something strange about Rhaegar Targaryen as well.

There is something she wants to tell Jon though. Something she feels is way past its due. “I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you at the hospital.”

The twitching of his fingers as they drum against his jean clad thigh is the only indication that he’s heard her as he keeps his eyes glued to the carpet. “It’s alright.”

She sighs as she contemplates his answer. His quiet dismissal is nothing short of expected but it isn’t what she wants. “No, it isn’t. We’ve known each other ever since we were kids. We’re friends. I should have been there.”

“You were dealing with Ramsay at the time.” His eyes have seemingly lost their interest in the swirling patterns adorning the floor and he looks straight into her own blue gaze. Somehow, it gives her the courage to forge ahead.

“Robb said you died.” She sees him flinch at her words. “He said that when he got to the hospital the doctors told him they were trying to revive you. That you had died and they didn’t know if they could bring you back.” Her voice breaks but there’s nothing she can do about it, the helplessness she always feels whenever she thinks of that terrible night threatening to pull her under until there’s nothing she can do with it but drown.

He must hear it too and suddenly he’s leaning forward, holding her hands and invading her space, breathing her in. “But they did. They brought me back.”

Her smile is probably more like a grimace, her voice barely above a whisper. “What was it like?”

He lets her go and leans back in his chair, his hands running over his face. “I don’t remember much of it. I remember the stabbing.” He shrugs as though he’s talking about something meaningless but his eyes betray the pain the memory still causes him. “I remember thinking how cold everything was, how it felt like I was drowning…” he trails off as he sees her shuddering. “And then I just remember waking up with my father beside me.”

This times it’s her that leans forward, placing her hands over his thighs in what she intends to be a comforting gesture until his eyes darken and he raises his hand to trace a finger gently over her cheek. “I could have lost you that night,” he says, and something both warm and dangerous sparks in his eyes.

She swallows before giving him a shaky smile. “I think that’s my line.”

“No, it isn’t.” He leans forward again and his face is now just inches apart from hers. “I could have lost you without never truly having you.”

He moves, just the slightest bit forward and Sansa knows he’s going to kiss her. Her hand moves up, her palm pressing flatly against his chest and he immediately stops, making her feel a surge of power. It’s intoxicating, the knowledge she can stop him with just the barest of touches, that he will submit to her so willingly. She can see the hurt and regret swimming in his eyes but for once she doesn’t regret putting them there. If they’re going to do this – finally, at long last, actually do this – she wants to be the one to take that final step. She wants to make sure neither one has cause to doubt ever again.

His fingertips are still grazing softly against her neck, as though he fears this is both the first and the last time he has the chance of doing so. Her left hand finds purchase on his arm, holding him against her, as the other one cups his face gently. His beard is scratchy against her palm as her midnight blue nails graze his skin and he closes his eyes when she finally bridges the gap between them.

Behind her closed eyelids she can see flashes of lightning and hear the rolling of thunder from the storm outside. Or maybe it’s fireworks and the mad beating of her own heart and the storm actually exists inside of her. All she knows is that his lips are soft and yielding as they move against her own, giving her complete control over the kiss, and her brain is scrambling to catch up, trying to memorize his reactions. A soft nip at his bottom lip has him groaning, the tug of her fingers in his hair makes him tilt his head as his arm snakes around her waist to pull her into his lap.

She can feel him poking against her ass, the hard plains of his chest rubbing against her nipples as she presses herself against him, and she moans. That seems to be all the encouragement he needs as his control snaps and he grabs her thighs to lift them both up, never breaking the kiss, before settling her down on the table.

Her legs are splayed open and he settles himself in between, her knees cradling his hips and reeling him in. She can feel him rubbing against her most sensitive spot, white hot sparks of pleasure searing through her body and she tears her mouth away in a gasp. His lips never leave her skin, trailing fire across her jaw line and nipping at her ear lobe before venturing down to suck at her neck. His right hand is splayed against her back, keeping her up, but his left is slowly trailing under the hem of her dress and over her thigh, his fingertips toying with the edge of her panties.

She feels the rip against her skin more than she hears it, and she means to give him a dirty look and a slight scolding – those were some of her more expensive panties, after all – but all she manages is a keening, needful sound as he takes half a step back before placing his hand fully against her core. His fingers dip beneath her folds, easily parting them, and the lady in her should feel embarrassed about how wet she already is but she can’t, not when his thumb is brushing her clit in the most delicious manner, not when he slips one and then two fingers inside of her and she can feel her toes already curling in pleasure.

Gods, but the man knows what he’s doing. Her hips buck against his hand and he snaps his eyes back to hers, a smug grin on his face, but right now he has every right to be smug, she thinks, as she grabs his face and pulls him back up to her mouth. It’s only a fleeting kiss before she’s throwing her head back, his arm around her waist the only thing keeping her up, and she lets out a wordless scream.

When she opens her eyes again her whole body is still shuddering. Jon is looking at her as he brushes a lock of hair behind her ear, the gesture incredibly sweet after what he just did to her with that hand, his eyes filled with lust and something else she doesn’t dare to name just yet.

Her fingers play with the soft hair at the back of his head, her nails raking lightly against his neck and she’s delighted when he closes his eyes, letting out a low rumbling sound. They’re still so close that she bumps her nose against his as she tilts her head to the side to whisper in his ear, “I want more.” Her hands smooth down slowly over his chest until they reach his belt, her fingers making quick work on the buckle.

“Sansa” he rasps out through gritted teeth, “we don’t have to…” Whatever else was going to come out of that gorgeous mouth is lost as she pops the button on his jeans and lets her hand play along the fine hair over his abdomen.

“I know,” she says, her hands pushing his jeans and boxers down over his hips, fingertips touching the velvety hardness before she looks back into his eyes, a coy look on her face as he bucks against her. “I want you Jon.”

His uncertainty turns into a wolfish smile, his hands gripping onto her hips to pull her towards the edge of the table, the tip of him brushing against her wet folds. “As the lady commands.”

When he slides inside of her, the only thing she can think of is that it won’t take long for her to peak again. He sets a brutal pace, his hips snapping against hers in all the right ways, his cock hitting that delicious spot inside of her with every stroke. His right arm encircles her waist, keeping her close even as his left hand moves between them to circle her clit. Her legs have wrapped themselves around his hips and her arms move around his shoulders, their tongues mimicking the movements of their lower bodies as they swallow each other’s moans.

Lightning flashes just as Sansa wrenches her mouth free to scream his name as her orgasm washes over her. She thinks she sees something violet sparking in his grey eyes as he leans forward to whisper you’re mine now against the skin of her collarbone but a second later thunder crashes, and Jon roars her name as he spills inside of her.

She’s still limp and completely boneless when he collapses against her, his weight pushing her backwards against the table, his hands moving rapidly to cushion her fall. She lets out a contempt sigh as she combs her fingers through his sweat dampened hair, willing her racing heart to finally settle back down.

He’s grinning when he finally raises his head from her chest to look down at her. “This isn’t how I thought this night would go.”

“Second thoughts already? Man, you’re fast.” Her attempt to look miffed is shattered by a squeal of laughter when his hands tickle her sides.

“Never,” he says, moving his hands up so he can settle on his forearms and give her a heart melting kiss. “My only regret is how much time I’ve wasted.” The tips of his fingers toy with the loose strands of her hair before he brings a lock up to his lips. “But I’ll never regret how tonight turned out.” His cock twitches against her inner thigh and he gives her a playful smirk.

She cocks her brow before giving him a slight shove. “Down boy.” He laughs, leaning down to give her a quick peck on the lips before straightening, his hands gripping her elbows to help her along, even as she uses her stomach muscles to lift herself up to try and chase his lips back to hers.

Jon is tucking himself back into his jeans as Sansa stares at the mess between her legs, looking around for something to clean herself up with. “Where are my panties?”

“Those are mine now,” he smirks, and she huffs at him.

“I bet you’re gonna look great in them.”

He moves back against her, his arms boxing her in as he grips the edges of the table on each side of her. His breath is warm against her neck and she feels his teeth bluntly nipping at her ear. “Want me to clean you up?”

Oh Gods, does she ever. Even though she seriously doubts her body is capable of another orgasm right now – another knee-weakening, mind-blowing, earth-shattering orgasm – she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t very, very tempted. She feels him smiling before he moves back, allowing her brain to start working again. “Raincheck?”

“Whenever you want love.” He nods his head to a small greenish door, partially hidden by the wooden paneling. “There’s a bathroom over there where you can clean up.”

She’s throwing the paper towels down the toilet, checking herself in the mirror to try and make herself look presentable – never mind the marks Jon has left on her neck and collarbone as there’s nothing she can do about that – when it suddenly hits her.  How did he know about the bathroom? Hadn’t he said he had never been here before?

She’s still frowning, trying to collect her thoughts, when a strange noise, followed closely by a moan, startles her. There’s a door on the other side of the bathroom, probably a connection to the adjoining room, and as she strains to hear it, it’s obvious there’s something happening on the other side. The door isn’t locked, or even closed properly, the hinges creaking as Sansa pushes it open and her eyes widen.

Harry is half sitting, half lying on a couch, someone Sansa instantly recognizes as the blonde zombie from the party sprawled on top of him, her hand palming him over his trousers. She can’t see the blonde’s face as it’s hidden on the crook of Harry’s neck, but Harry sees Sansa. He lets out a strangled noise, his eyes widening at her before he lifts up his hand, beckoning her to come closer and she frowns. Is that dick really inviting her to join them?

A shadow moves in her peripheral vision and the door bangs shut abruptly. Jon is looking at her in concern as he grabs her elbows and gently steers her back. “Fucking hell,” he mutters, as he gives the now closed door a dark look. “This night can’t end soon enough.”

“I’ll say,” she mutters. He pulls her against him, his arms wrapping around her as his lips graze her temple and she nudges her nose against the crook of his neck.

“What do you say we head back to the party?” He pulls back slightly to give her a boyish grin. “I promise it isn’t half as bad as it seems.”

She’s about to make a joke over the fact that they’re still as lost now as they were an hour ago, but now that the storm is finally over, she can hear the faint strains of music coming in from somewhere down the hall. She nods, tucking herself against his side as they make their way outside. And just as they’re stepping out, she catches their reflection in the mirror, hair still pretty much disheveled, the remains of her red lipstick marring the black of his shirt, his beard burn making her neck look as pink as a new born.

He looks at her through the mirror, angling his head so he can kiss her cheek while still keeping his eyes locked on hers. “Happy birthday baby,” he whispers. And this time, she can swear she sees something violet flashing in its grey depths.    

                                                            ***

Epilogue

This time, as they start back towards the party, Jon knows exactly where he’s going. It takes them only a short while before the music is blasting its way into the corridor, pulling them back into the mass of bodies drunkenly swaying across the room.

Jon brings her hand to his lips, gently kissing her knuckles before smiling. “Do you wanna dance?”

She nods and he pulls her along, twirling her around as they reach the center of the room before pulling her firmly against his chest, eliciting an excited giggle from her lips. His arms reach around her, a palm planted against her lower back, the other finding its way up her spine to tangle gently in her red locks. Her own arms have wound themselves around his neck and she tucks her head against the crook of his neck. Right where she belongs.

He knows better than to blame this pull she has on him on anything other than his own heart. He has loved her for far longer than anyone would ever suspect.

It had been his reaction to her infatuation with that asshole Joffrey that had first opened his eyes to his real feelings for his best friend’s little sister. He had watched as she lost herself in her feelings for the blond jerk, how he gave her nothing but contempt and threats in return. The desire to see him choke over his own words was so dire Jon was sure his own hands would end up doing the job.

In time, she will learn how Joffrey died on the way to the hospital, choking on his own spit as bloody foam spurted from his mouth. Allergic reaction, the people will call it. But Sansa will know the truth.

When her path to college had taken her miles away from him, he had briefly thought about following her. But his father had cautioned him against it. She needed time, he had said, time to grow into herself and learn what she wanted. Jon hadn’t liked it, but he had agreed.

He had learned about Harry from Robb and once again jealousy had reared its ugly head. But it was Robb’s own rageful comment about how that prick had cheated on Sansa that had truly sealed his fate.

In time, she will discover how the pretty zombie from the party was really someone Harry knew – or thought he knew, in any case. Rhaenys is good at getting these things arranged, even if she doesn’t have the stomach to stick around for the fallout. Sansa will be shocked, no doubt, when Harry’s body is discovered, livid and cold and mangled in one of the mansion’s secluded rooms. Too much alcohol, the people will whisper, his heart gave out. But she will know.

His own death had changed something deep inside him. He didn’t exactly lie when he told her he couldn’t remember much. He doesn’t. But what he does know is that there was someone else in the room with his father when he had woken up, and one look into the woman’s face had made it clear he wasn’t supposed to have come back. But whatever else death might have done to him, the one thing that never changed was his love for her. If anything, it just made everything clearer. He needed her. He wanted her. And he was going to have her.

He knows why she hadn’t visited him in the hospital. While he was lying in that hospital bed, she had been in a different one, recovering from wounds inflicted upon her by the prick who was supposed to love her. Ramsay is the one he’s sorry he couldn’t kill with his bare hands. She doesn’t know it – at least Jon doesn’t think she does – but soon after his release from the hospital he had paid Ramsay a visit. His knuckles had been scraped raw as he had beat the sorry motherfucker into a pulp, his face a distorted, bloodied mass by the time Jon had stopped. Sometimes he wishes he hadn’t. Stopped, that is.

In time, she will hear about the disfigured body found in what used to be the mansion’s old kennels, too eaten and torn to pieces to allow for a positive ID. There will be speculation about how it was probably some homeless guy attacked by wild animals – and won’t Aegon be pissed when he hears his hounds being referred to as such. But Sansa will know the truth.

He nudges his thigh between her legs as he presses closer to her and she lifts her head to shoot him a dirty look. Her dress is short enough as it is and he still has her panties safely tucked away in his pocket. He kisses the tip of her nose in apology as he sways her gently across the floor. He’ll behave for now. His plan is finished and Sansa is safe in his arms.

In time, she will come to learn what he is. She will know the truth about the Targaryen bloodline and heritage, how the stories of madness were mere tales to mask a much uglier truth. In time, she will accept that everything he’s done has been for her.

He twirls his fingers through her hair, gently tugging her head until he can capture her lips with his own in a whisper of a kiss. Her eyes are sparkling as she pulls back to look at him.

“I love you Jon.”

“I love you too sweetie.”

It’s time to reap his reward.

Danger

A single dad! Ben Hardy imagine that I had an idea for.

Taglist: @marshmallowmae  @langdonzvoid

Ben Hardy masterlist

Enjoy.

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

Running a hand through his hair Ben let out a sigh, placing his beer down on the coffee table in front of him before he glanced to Joe. An apologetic look on his face before he got to his feet and disappeared out of the room. His feet pattering against the stairs, ears trained on the sound of Lola's cries that were sounding rather frantic by the time he reached her room. Ben knew when Lola was crying for attention, needing something to eat or when she was ill and yet right now he couldn't work out what was wrong.

Walking into the peach coloured room Ben headed over to the cot seeing Lola sitting up. Her face was red and blotchy as her arms outstretched in front of her when she noticed Ben in front of her.

"Oh baby, what's the matter?" He hushed, leaning down and gently picking her up. His lips pressed to her temple as the two-year-old pulled on the collar of his shirt, a rush of adrenaline coursed through Ben's stomach when he listened to her breathing for a few seconds. Hearing that Lola was breathing quickly but not really taking much air in as if breathing was becoming a struggle.

Leaning back so he could look at her properly Ben rubbed a hand up and down her back, patting between her shoulder blades to see if it would possibly clear her airways or prompt her lungs to take in the proper amount of oxygen they needed.

"Come on, let's see uncle Joe." Turning around Ben headed out of the room, his ears trained on listening to Lola's breathing to see if it was getting any better. Her head moving to rest beneath his chin against his collar bone as Ben wandered down the hall to get to the kitchen. Rifling through the medicine cupboard above the kitchen counter to try and find the cough medicine to see if that would do any good. Finding the dark purple box Ben grabbed it, nudging the cupboard shut before heading back through to the living room where Joe was patiently waiting for them.

Reaching out Joe held his arms out for the two-year-old, gently taking her from Ben so he could sit down and get the right measurement of medicine for her.

"Oh dear, are we not well?" Joe questioned, frowning at the look Lola seemed to give him. Her hand stuffing into her mouth causing her cries to come out morphed as her eyes scrunched shut. Leaning over Ben gently pulled her hand from her mouth so he could give her the pink sugary medicine that was meant to be strawberry flavour but didn't taste like it. "Oops, oh poor girl." Joe rubbed his hand up and down her back when a sudden coughing fit followed.

"I don't know what's wrong, she was fine last night. Her mum picked her up this morning and then an hour before you came round she dropped her off because she was ill." A sympathetic look came over Joe's features as he looked to his friend. 

Lola was looked after more by Ben than she was her mother and Ben preferred it that way. He knew what Lola liked to eat and what she didn't, he knew her eating and sleeping routines, he knew how to calm her down and what to do when she was ill. But it grated on his nerves when her mum did something like this. She took Lola in the morning so Ben could hang out with Joe for the day, having cared for Lola all week so it was naturally Claire's turn to take her. And then just before Joe was due to come round she turned up handing Lola over saying she was ill and just left. Ben was slightly relieved to be the one looking after Lola today but at the same time Claire couldn't just dump Lola off if she didn't want to care for her.

"Oh well, we'll look after her."

"Daddy." Reaching her arms out in Ben's direction Lola let out a whine, clearly wanting Ben over Joe which they couldn't blame her for since she clearly wasn't very well.

Sitting her on his knee Ben leaned back into the sofa, his arms circling around Lola as she leaned back into his stomach. His hand running up and down her front trying to calm her down as Joe tried playing with her, holding a stuffed toy out seeing if she wanted that to take her mind off whatever was wrong. Small sniffs and quick breaths left her lips as her cries seemed to die down as she reached out for the toy in Joe's hand.

Seeing that she was a bit calmer the boys went back to their earlier conversation, glancing down to Lola every now and then to make sure she was alright. Ben didn't dare put her back upstairs to try and sleep in case she felt worse, preferring to have her here with them so he could check on her. Knowing that Lola was always calmer when she was held and when she was ill it didn't seem right to leave her on her own anyway.

When Lola's cries suddenly came to life again Ben gently bounced her on his knee, his hand rubbing up and down her side as she held onto his arm pulling it to her chest.

"Ben... she doesn't look too well." Joe commented, fear in his voice as he leaned to look down at the toddler. She was red in the face more than usual, the colour making her look rather ill. Her breathing was what was concerning Joe because she was hardly gaining any air, she sounded more breathless than usual but she wasn't coughing or choking making him wonder why she wasn't breathing well.

Frowning, Ben gently turned Lola around so she was facing him, standing her up on his knees to see that Joe was right. Something was wrong or hurting her and she wasn't breathing well. Both men looked to one another before Joe got out his phone, quickly deciding to google these symptoms to see if the internet could come up with anything. Reaching her arms out Lola batted her hand against Ben's shoulder prompting him to move her so she was cradled to his chest.

Standing to his feet Ben started slowly pacing up and down as Joe jumped to his feet, eyes glued to his phone as he searched for possible answers.

Joe felt his heart rocketing in his chest at Ben's expression that looked like he was going to burst into tears at any given moment when a screeching cry left Lola's lips and battered through his ears. Her cheek pressing to his shoulder, her short breaths fanning against his neck as she continued to hit her hand against Ben's chest and neck. Whimpering his name over and over as if begging for some kind of help or answer that he couldn't give.

"I've got you, shh baby it's okay... Joe, what does it say?" Pressing his hand to the back of Lola's head Ben gently swayed them side to side, his eyes burning into Joe's who looked extremely panicked.

"Uh... asthma?"

"She doesn't have asthma... she's in pain Joe." Ben knew Lola didn't have asthma and if she did this couldn't be an asthma attack because they generally didn't hurt. Lola was crying in pain for a reason they couldn't seem to work out. Both men suddenly turned to look at Lola when her cries suddenly stopped. "Joe." Hurrying over to the other man Ben turned so Joe could look at Lola and check on her, watching as Joe seemed to turn shades whiter.

"I- I think she's fainted. Come on I'll drive we need to go to the hospital." Joe shuddered when the tears suddenly spilled from Ben's eyes like a river breaking the damn. Both men rushing to leave the house, grabbing their phones and keys they needed before going. Joe didn't want to stay and google the symptoms because the internet wasn't being very helpful and if he told Ben half of the reasons Google was coming up with the actor would surely have a heart attack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Is she alright now?" Joe questioned, his voice unusually timid as he sat down on the end of the bed that Ben was sitting on.

Watching as Ben was sat up straight on the rather small bed, leaning against the pillows with his legs folded beneath him. Lola resting in his arms, her head resting in the crook of his neck as her hands were splayed out against his chest. Ben cradling her to his chest as she seemed to be finally dozing off to a proper sleep rather than fainting. Her breathing no longer a problem that Ben seemed to be worrying about as she didn't seem to be in any pain either which was a relief to both men.

Whilst Lola was being seen to and Ben had gone with her Joe decided to wait outside, not wanting to intrude or be in the way even when Ben said it was fine to him to be there. Opting for calling Ben's ex for him to let her know what was happening.

"Yeah, she's better now. I can take her home soon." Ben responded, his tone showing he was tired but there was an emotion behind his eyes that Joe couldn't quite read or work out. His eyes shifting to look down at the sleeping toddler in his friend's arms, thankful she wasn't crying out in pain anymore or struggling to breathe. Joe felt his own breathing shortening to match her own in that brief moment when she fainted. Seeing the expression on Ben's face only made him feel worse and more useless because there was nothing either of them could do when they didn't know what was wrong.

"What happened?" Joe asked quietly, unsure whether he wanted to know the answer or not when a hardened expression took over Ben's features. His head moving down to lean against Lola's as if to try and calm himself down.

"She had small heart palpitations, normally not anything to worry about apparently but since she fainted..." Ben trailed off as Joe could tell that wasn't the thing that was angering or upsetting his friend. Of course this was worrying for him, Lola was two there was no reason for her heart to suddenly have erratic or unsteady beats like she obviously had done. At least it seemed to be over for her now and if she could go home that meant she wasn't in any danger of them occurring again.

"What's wrong?"

"They happened because she ingested antidepressants." Joe's face fell as his eyes narrowed in confusion. It was out of the question that a two-year-old would be taking those by prescription meaning Lola had gotten a hold of them when she shouldn't meaning someone hadn't been watching her properly for them not to notice. "I don't take or have those in the house, and she was fine when she left me this morning." There were clear frustration and anger entwined with Ben's words as he tried to keep his voice down enough so that he didn't disturb his daughter currently asleep on his chest.

Ben didn't take any medications, only paracetamol or other painkillers for when he was ill. All of which were kept in a high cupboard in the kitchen that Lola wouldn't be able to get to since she couldn't climb up onto the kitchen counter to even get near the cupboard. He also knew for a fact that when Lola left him in the morning to go with her mother she was perfectly fine meaning she had taken the tablets when in her mother's care. Begging the question of whether her mother knew and that was why she suddenly handed Lola over to him or if she simply didn't want to look after her when she was ill. Either way, Ben wasn't letting her get away with this.

"What are you going to do?"

"Take her home, she's staying with me permanently from now on." Ben wasn't having his ex look after her if she was going to put Lola at risk like that. He didn't think it was fair that she look after Lola twice a week or whenever she felt like it but then decide to hand her back when she couldn't be bothered to care for her if she was ill. That wasn't how it worked and he wasn't letting Lola get hurt or be in danger.

enjoy your stay - chapter fourteen

A/N - I don’t put links in anymore so that this comes up on search, but check my masterlist linked in my bio for links to every previous/future chapter.

Word count 3k. This chapter was really hard to write, but our Y/n could only keep up her path of destruction for so long, now, could she? 

ENJOY YOUR STAY ↳Boss!Namjoon, Chef!Jin, Receptionist!Hoseok, Bellboy!Jimin, Bartender!Jungkook, Accountant!Yoongi, Photography student!Taehyung ↳Some inappropriate language and cursing. Later chapters have sexual content.

SUMMARY ↳Working the graveyard shift at a hotel isn’t the most exciting job in the world, but your coworkers are certainly happy to have you here.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN ↳All your mistakes and poor decisions catch up with you. 

Jungkook was pissed when he walked in on you. To him, you had been in a weird mood the whole day and he was getting worried about you, only to walk in on you getting your rocks off. He wanted to know why you didn’t come to him if you were in the mood, and you kept insisting you weren’t together, so you shouldn’t sleep with him. As if that had seemed to ever stop you recently.

Your mention of the fact that you were no longer together, however temporarily, reminded Jungkook of his end of the deal, and the argument fizzled when he asked you, shyly, like it was real, if you were ready to go meet his parents.

They had invited him up to stay overnight, and since you had already called in sick to work, there was no decent reason for you to say no. You were certain his parents would be stiff business types who would slowly dish out vague hints to how disappointed they were in his change in career path, and you kind of assumed it would be a quick visit just to prove the existence of Jungkook’s ‘girlfriend.’

Because of after-work traffic, Google suggested it would take over 90 minutes to drive there, but you knew for a fact the train ride was only twenty minutes, as it cut through tunnels instead of taking detours around the hilly regions between the two towns. The tickets were purchased, and small overnight bags were packed, and the two of you got on the train within the space of an hour or so.

You found yourself at Jungkook’s parents’ house earlier than you were prepared for. It wasn’t a long train ride – actually quicker than it would have been if you drove due to the weekend traffic – and before you knew it you were shaking his father’s hand and receiving a tight hug from his mother and sitting down for some tea.

You could see a lot of Jungkook in them; his mother had the same doe eyes and his father shared his delicate bone-structure. Not just in terms of looks, though. Mr. Jeon was every bit the energizer bunny, even in his early fifties, and he wasted no time in dashing to the bookshelf and grabbing a photo album, showing you picture upon picture of chubby baby Jungkook, cheeky toddler Jungkook, and lanky teenager Jungkook.

It made your heart swell to see the clearly strong bond between them. On the way over, you had thought back to when Jungkook first told you about how his parents wanted him to go into business against his interests, and you were concerned they’d be coldhearted, hard-assed people that would passive aggressively insult the two of you for being everything they were not.

But as you blew gently at the too-hot tea and looked over the numerous photos with his father, you were pleasantly surprised. They seemed like lovely, caring people who just wanted the best for their son.

“Ah, there he is at the school fair. Him and his best friend Min Jae came up with a service where they’d change all the wires and the codes of your computer and make it nicer-”

Jungkook groaned and rolled his eyes. “Dad, I’ve told you this a million times, we literally just scanned anti-virus software for people that didn’t know how to do it themselves.”

“Well. That’s what I said, isn’t it?” His father turns to you with a querying look in his eyes, rounding up his lips in the exact mirror image of Jungkook’s confused expression. You smile warmly and just shrug. “Ah, it’s all French to me. Never been good with those things. You know, Jungkook, your mother and I always thought it was your entrepreneurship coming through, but maybe it was just your computer whiz brain, you smarty pants.”

Jungkook whined in embarrassment, but you just grinned at him and wiggled your eyebrows.

“Anyway, my dear, how did you meet my son?”

You glance over to Mrs. Jeon while the men continued talking. “Oh, at work, ma’am.”

She adjusts her glasses and takes another sip of tea. “Mm, and what do you do at the hotel?”

“I’m assistant to the manager.”

“Is my Kookie a good worker?”

For a moment, you don’t know whether to sing his praises to please her or to be honest, but she has a twinkle in her wide eyes that tells you she knows her son isn’t exactly a hotshot.

“If he ever gets the opportunity to actually serve a drink, I’ll be sure to tell you.”

Mrs. Jeon cackles, a laugh completely opposite from Jungkook’s, but it’s so contagious you join her. “Ah, my darling son. You know, when he first started working there, back when he still lived with us,” you can’t help but notice the way her tone flattens and her smile droops slightly on that phrase, “he would always come home and tell us at breakfast time what a hard day’s night he’d had. For a while, we really thought they were overworking him there with the way he’d complain. I even once called Mr. Kim myself.” You burst into a fresh pack of giggles. “He was so confused!”

Eventually the men stop their conversation and stare at the two of you cackling like hyenas. Mr. Jeon turned to Jungkook with a fond grin. “Seems like you found a good one, son. These two are as thick as thieves already.”

Jungkook leans over and gives your hand a squeeze. “I got lucky.”

Your smile strains slightly, and you fight to keep a neutral expression. You weren’t with Jungkook, you had only come here because he apparently wanted to keep his parents off his back, but now he was looking at you like you were the most magical person in the world. If it was obvious to you, you knew his parents would be able to see it too. You were worried that they’d start getting curious. This was a bad idea.

“Jungkook,” you breathe, staring deep into his eyes, “I can’t…” His parents were staring at the two of you questioningly, and you didn’t want to disappoint them or anything, but you were getting cold feet about the whole thing. They were so lovely, and you wouldn’t have agreed had you known they would care this much about their son. And Jungkook certainly wasn’t acting like you were just some girlfriend. “I don’t know if we should keep-”

“We have something to tell you,” Jungkook blurted out, locking your gaze with panicked eyes. “I guess Y/n just can’t wait, hah.” You tip your head to the side, a strange feeling in your chest. What was he doing? “Mum, dad, I know you felt a little strange about me moving in with someone for the first time, let alone a girl. But I hope now that you’ve spent some time with her, you’ll see why I love her so much, and-”

“Jungkook!” you hiss, but he’s not looking at you anymore, just holding tightly onto your hand as he beams at his parents.

“-and you’ll be happy for me when I tell you…we’re getting married.”

If life was a simulation, it just crashed. You feel like your world has frozen completely, like the only cogs still turning are the ones in your brain.

Had he planned this, or had he freaked out when you tried to back out of the whole thing? If you were an outsider, you would believe him. With the dreamy smile and the starry look in his eyes, you would honestly believe that he was hopelessly in love with you. Fuck, maybe he really was. You were really screwed then.

Like moving through treacle, you turn to face his parents, who mirror your dumbfounded expression of shock. Though, unlike you, they don’t seem completely opposed to the idea. Time begins to catch up with itself, and you tune your ears back into the world around you.

“Isn’t it a bit sudden to-”

“-sure about this?”

“I suppose congratulations are in-”

“Have you set a date yet?”

You can barely process what you hear, and you put all the energy in your body into your hands, prying his fingers away from yours and standing up to run down the hall to the entry foyer.

Ignoring the way Jungkook called out to you desperately from the living room, you fumbled with the lock and burst out into the open air, feeling sick to your stomach. Rather than risk sitting on the porch and having one of them follow you, you half-ran down the street, in the general direction of the train station.

Once you ran out of breath, you stopped and collapsed onto a bus stop bench, chest heaving and eyes burning.

You could only imagine the chaos that had broken out at the Jeon family home, and a part of you felt guilty that Jungkook would now have to explain to his parents what was really going on. Or maybe he’d just lie again, dig the two of you into a deeper hole. You were coming to learn that you really couldn’t predict Jungkook, and what he would do under pressure. It was silly of you to ever get involved with him, you knew that, you had always known that, but somehow you could never think straight around him.

You sighed bitterly, about to continue your trek towards the train station, but pausing when you remembered your ticket was for tomorrow morning.

The two of you had meant to stay the night, Jungkook insisting his mom made amazing kimchi stew and wanted you to stay for dinner, and in an effort to save money from your struggling bank account, you had paid a cheaper price for non-exchangeable tickets.

You slumped back onto the cold concrete bench and considered your options. It was freezing outside, being the end of winter, so you needed to find a place to stay. You couldn’t go back to the Jeon home, not after leaving so spectacularly, and you didn’t want to fork out for a hotel.

You bit your lip and pulled out your phone, opening your list of contacts. Maybe someone could come pick you up. Not Jimin, that would be too weird, and things had ended poorly with Yoongi. Hoseok, you recalled, was babysitting his niece again. Taehyung probably didn’t have a license, although it would’ve been nice to spend some more time with him, perfecting your evil plan (a plan that seemed unbelievably childish of you now that you were being confronted by your own poor decisions). It might’ve been weird to call your boss, so that left you with one choice.

He didn’t ask questions until he had arrived an hour or so later and bundled you into his car. The two of you drove in silence for the first forty minutes, until you entered the town and he had to pick a lane. “Am I going back to your apartment?” he asked finally, voice slightly deep from not using it.

You shook your head, then realized he wasn’t looking at you. “No. Jungkook will take the train back tomorrow morning. I don’t know if I can face him.”

Jin just nodded solemnly and flicked on his indicator to switch lanes. “You might not appreciate this, but I’m doing this because I’m concerned about you.”

You don’t understand what he means, assuming he’s taking you to his house, but when he pulls up a driveway to a small, cottage-style house, he knocks on the door rather than using a key.

“Jin, where are we?”

He doesn’t answer. After a short time, you hear some motion inside, and someone come to the door. Your heart skips a beat when it’s your boss that answers, rubbing his eyes like he’s just been woken up, still in some worn-out plaid pajamas and bedhair.

He sees Jin first and blinks. “Jin! Are you…?”

“No, I’m not here for… I think you and Y/n need to have a talk.” He steps aside to reveal you and you wave awkwardly. Namjoon presses his lips together, but nods and lets you in.

Namjoon’s house is cozy, with a fire still smoldering in the hearth and the couch bundled with heavy throws and plump cushions, but you can’t help but feel extremely uncomfortable.

Jin doesn’t look at you, just pats your back a little and stares at the floor. You know he means well, but it feels like being led to the principal’s office. Jin only knows what you told him on the phone, that you needed a ride because you couldn’t stay with Jungkook anymore, so you don’t know what he thinks happened, but somehow he’s had the foresight to recognize the gravity of the situation, and brought you here.

Namjoon’s put on some jeans and pulled a sweater over his pajama shirt, and he sits across from you like a concerned parent. “What happened?”

You blink up at the light in the ceiling, swallowing hard. “Jungkook, ah, we’ve been…dating…for a bit, but we had a disagreement. I just needed some space.”

He takes a deep breath and fixes on his most understanding gaze. “You’ve been dating.” You nod, but still don’t meet his gaze. “So, he was the one you talked to me about, the one you were having a fling with?”

Before you think, your mouth goes. “No, that was-” You break off and squeeze your eyes shut, but it’s too late.

Jin’s hand recoils from your back when you say this, and when Namjoon replies, his voice is cold. “Y/n, I suspect you have a lot to tell me, and I do expect your complete honesty here.”

You nod miserably and take a shaky breath. “Okay.”

Neither Jin nor Namjoon say a word as you explain. You start right from when it all went downhill, Jin, and how Taehyung interfered and exacerbated the situation from there. You told them about Jimin. You told them about Jungkook, then Suga, then Jungkook again. As you told your shameful story to a stone-faced audience, it was all you could do not to cry. Just putting it in words made you realize just how terrible you had been; the countless mistakes you made over and over again.

Once you were done, the room fell into a tense silence. You bit your trembling lip and buried your face in your hands.

After a full minute or so, Namjoon clears his throat with a harsh cough. “I’m extremely disappointed in your, frankly, disgusting behavior.”

You let out a sob but will yourself to hold it together. “I know.”

His voice is flat, with a tremble of some deep-running emotion that you can’t quite decipher. “I don’t think you do know, otherwise you would’ve taken one of the countless opportunities not to do what you did.”

You look up at him, at his stiff stare. “I’m so sorry, Namjoon, I’ll do anything to-”

He cuts you off. “You did do anything and look where that got you.” He scoffs humorlessly and shakes his head. “God, I told you that you could come to me with anything and I wouldn’t judge, but this…this is just unforgiveable. You’ve made a mockery of me, of my business.”

From beside you, Jin speaks up gently. “Sir, it takes two to tango, I think we should also-”

Namjoon turns on Jin. “Did you know about this? You were first in line; did you get her hooked on sexual misconduct or something? Of all people, Jin, I never expected you to encourage that kind of behavior.”

Jin sighs heavily. “I’m as shocked as you are, Namjoon. Really. I’m not agreeing with her, I’m not saying what she did was right, but you and I-”

“What we had was different,” Namjoon spits out. “I thought you would know that.” He lets out a growl and kicks the leg of the coffee table, turning to you with eyes burning. “Fuck! My chef, my bellboy, my accountant, my fucking brother! Has my judgement of character gone so downhill that I would hire someone like you?” He tenses his jaw, returning his voice to a reasonable volume, although somehow his deceptively calm demeanor felt so much worse. “You’re fired. You’re going to go drop off your uniform and key and never come back. You’re lucky I don’t sue.”

“Jesus, Namjoon,” Jin breathes out, “can’t you at least give her the months’ notice in her contract? She still has to get her things in order, get a new job. She was so desperate to get her finances in order she slept with someone, how are you gonna kick her to the curb like that?”

Namjoon laughs bitterly. “Oh, she won’t be getting a new job. The moment I get a call from a potential employer I’ll let them know exactly what they’re in for should they hire her. You should’ve thought about job security before you made your way through my team.”

You shuffle a bit on the couch, feeling the weight of the world crushing you. “I’m so sorry, sir. But please, if it’s not the full month, just two weeks. One week! If I don’t get another source of income, I’ll lose my apartment!”

He stares you down, lips pressed together. Finally, he sighs. “Tonight’s shift is your last shift. I’ll pay you two weeks’ severance, but I don’t want to see your face again.”

You nod. “Thank you, Namjoon,” you say tearfully.

He turns his head to the side. “That starts now,” he replies flatly. “Please leave. Jin, you stay. I need to speak with you in private.”

Jin grumbles a little, but stays put nonetheless. You stand up, feeling your legs wobble unsteadily beneath you. “For what it’s worth,” you say finally, feeling the dam break and your tears come out full throttle, “this was the best job I’ve ever had.”

But Namjoon’s still looking angrily down at the floor. “I’m glad you had fun.”

You sigh in resignation and make your way out the front door.

Tell me what you think Y/n is going to do next now that her past is catching up with her! What will she do without a job? Who can she turn to in her time of need? And whatever happened to Jungkook?

TAGLIST (message me or send an ask to be added, and you’ll get a notification every time I post a new chapter of EYS.)

@xxqueenwxtchxx @fandomarchive00 @cvbachacbitch@echimozart @thisgirlis-shy @sweetcheeksdna @boononx@sweetlittleviper @youngmsfts @kpopfromtheblock 

AU Yeah August | Day Thirteen: Horror

Tony's always been a famous Horror actor, but what is his worst fear?

On Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20236186

Ever since Tony was a young boy, he was told that he would be perfect in horror films. That wide eyed, innocent look on his face was perfect for playing victim and before he knew it, he was out in front of cameras with pretend monsters coming to kill him.

Blood oozed out of the walls and ran down to form the puddle at Tony’s feet, despite being twenty two he could play teenagers with ease and that’s exactly the character he was playing now.

“Mum? Dad?” He called out into the dark hallway, the light flickered under the door at the end of the hallway, he flinched at the electric pop that sounded off in front of him “Danny? Is that you?” His fingertips reached the doorknob before it was jerked opened and he was yanked forward into the blinding light, holding back a grunt when he landed face first on the crash air mat.

“Cut!” The director yelled and a bell rang out, Tony heaved himself up off the mat and stretched “Well done, Tony, that was fantastic, you did great”

“Thanks Nick, might need to inflate that before Rumlow’s stunt later, caught my chin on the floor” Tony said as he rubbed at the sore spot, worry flickered through Nick’s eyes before he nodded and started to call out orders, including for someone to grab Tony an ice pack. Steve rushed over with one wrapped in a towel and passed it over to him “Thank you Steve, think Nick’s going a little far with it though, only just caught my chin”

“Doesn’t want to mess up your pretty face is all” He chuckled softly making Tony grin with the ice pack still on his chin.

“But then we don’t have to do my busted face makeup!” Tony defended himself making Steve and Pepper, his hair stylist, laugh as she came to tidy it up.

“I’ve practised on making myself look beaten up too long for you to decide to break your own face” Steve teased him and Tony giggled before going dead still when Pepper started to mess with his hair, he had been taught from a young age to sit still when his hair and makeup was being done and he usually went silent whenever he was being worked on.

“Tony!” Bruce called as he rushed over and both Steve and Pepper both sighed but moved out of the way of the giant “Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, thank you, sweetheart” Tony smiled sweetly, managing not to laugh at his boyfriend who wasn’t used to seeing him at work as Bruce wasn’t an actor like him, Bruce actually worked at a dog rescue centre with their friend Thor which is why they have a large number of dogs now. That’s why a team of two Chihuahuas and a Jack Russell Terrier very quickly followed Bruce “Hello guys! How have they been?” Tony sat down straight away to fuss over the dogs making Pepper coo at him as Bruce grinned down at him.

“They’ve been doing great, think Wiggletons missed you” He pointed out as their pug, Wiggletons, was climbing into Tony’s lap and wiggling his butt as he tried to wag his tail. Marco and Polo were running around him playfully before Bucky came over and the pair ran to him with small yaps, for some reason the pair loved Bucky and though he wouldn’t admit it Bucky loved them as well.

Wiggletons had been his parents dog before Tony moved out with Bruce two years ago when the truth came out about his parents. His parents had been his ‘agents’ and took in all the money he earned and apparently put most of his earnings into a savings account that was locked until he was twenty one, but that wasn’t the case as his parents were just spending all of his hard earned money and nothing was saved for him as he grew up. His parents were manipulative and twisted, they lied to him and turned him around and around, keeping him away from other agents and some different actors or actresses who he’s now friends with.

Bruce took one look at Wiggletons and pushed for Tony to take him with him, his parents hadn’t been taking care of him properly, and Bruce wanted to fix that especially because he wasn’t sure that they would keep up the level of care, even if it was poor, with Tony gone.

Tony had won awards for his roles in horror films, it was what he was known for, and so it was thought that he was fearless or not fearful of most things. That’s probably what brought the video on, Fury and some of the higher ups hoped it would hype up the film by showing some behind the scenes footage of the cast and crew messing around together. There was a box that they couldn’t see into and all they had to do was keep their hand in the box for five seconds with something inside it, Pepper, Clint, Sam, Steve and Bruce had all lost so far and it was between Natasha, Steve and Tony. Tony so far had had snakes, rats, Marco the dog, all types of beetles and bugs and he had been stone-faced, looking a bit like a determined toddler - and confident through all of them and even held a snake properly which turned out to be Natasha’s.

It was the spiders that got Steve jerking away from the box and cringing at the feel of them while Natasha and Tony were fine, Bruce protested to what was coming next as he knew Tony would freak out but was outvoted on the idea. Natasha and Tony both slipped their hands into the box and looked confused for a brief moment before Tony let out a shocked scream, one that he was famous for, and tore his hand out the box before running to Bruce.

“Fucking butterflies?! Really?” Clint exclaimed and Tony nodded as he tried calming his breathing down, the cameras had shut off when Tony ran so he wasn’t worried about language and Tony certainly didn’t care about curling into Bruce’s chest as the man ran his fingers through Tony’s hair, the youngest was shaking slightly which promptly stopped the teasing.

“My first film as a kid had me be suffocated by them, I couldn’t act very well then so my dad just let them stuff, almost like green screen, material down my throat so I would choke and panic” Tony murmured softly to the group, all the people he had worked with before and trusted heavily so he wasn’t ashamed to tell them, plus it was no secret that his parents were cruel to him “I’m sorry I ruined the video”

“Not at all, Tones, we’ll just cut it as you scream and flash the title up or something, we’ve got tons of great footage” Clint waved his hand with a smile on his face before rushing to his laptop to start editing it down so he could present it to Nick quickly for promotion.

“Out of all of the horrors you’ve faced in your life and career, the worst one is butterflies” Natasha hummed thoughtfully before Clint called out without missing a beat.

“Shut up Tasha, you’re scared of birds!”

“They’re sky-rats and they just want to steal!” She snapped back at him defensively “Do you know about the magpies in Australia, Clint? They’ll kill you!”

Tony knew that his worst fear was actually his parents, Bruce knew it too as he gave him a gentle squeeze around the waist, but it was safe to say with this new found family he didn’t have to face those particular horrors alone just yet.

Chiquitita - MCU AU fanfic - C22

Story summary: Something strange is happening. Someone from space has made their way to Earth, armed with a strange weapon. Targeting teenagers, their ray gun, when fired, turns the victim into a toddler. The Avengers set out to stop this, and find a way to reverse the effects. However, they don’t all come out of the battle unscathed.

Previous chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Part of my Frostiron and Spiderson series.

Warnings/themes: de-aging, family stuff, corporal punishment (early chapters only), mental health stuff, hurt/comfort, hospital/medical stuff

Chapter 22 - Old Friends

-

“The last few months feel like they’ve gone on for years” Tony said one quiet evening.

Loki looked up from his book, and sighed. “I know what you mean”

“Your brother hasn’t been in touch for ages”

“I know. He said he was giving us false hope by coming back so regularly”

“What’s taking them so long? Was Kindsprengen really from somewhere so complicated that they can’t figure out his gun?”

“Maybe. I haven’t really been thinking about it. Not to that extent. I just think they’re bound to find a reversal eventually. There’s nothing we can do to change things, or speed them along”

Tony sighed. “I know. Just it’s been three months, and I didn’t think it would even be as long as three weeks”

“I know darling, I know” 

“Wait, Loki? Where’s the kid?”

Loki looked over to where Peter had been a few minutes earlier.

“Oh” he said. “Peter!”

There was no response. They heard something, and looked at each other.

“Was that the front door?”

“It can’t be Peter; there’s a seal at the top of the stairs” Loki said, standing up. “I’m going to go and have a look”

“MUMMA!” 

Loki and Tony looked at each other and rushed out to the corridor, where they found Peter in Carol’s arms.

“Carol! Wh-what are you doing here?!”

Carol smiled at him. “I had a bit of free time, so I thought I’d stop by. I’ve gotta say, I didn’t expect him to still be tiny”

“I’m not tiny!” Peter said, pouting. “I’m big!”

Carol kissed him on the nose. “Alright baby, you’re big”

“How long are you gonna be around for?” Tony asked, coming over and taking Peter from her, tickling his tummy.

“Hey! Daddy!”

“I’ll be around for a bit” Carol said, touching Peter’s cheek gently. “So, how are you doing?”

“Why don’t we go and grab a drink?” Tony said quickly. “Then we’ll talk”

-

Carol sat at the breakfast bar, bouncing Peter on her knee. 

“Hey baby, I’ve got something for you” she said, handing him a marshmallow lollipop.

“Oh! Thank you!” Peter grinned, taking the lolly and pulling the wrapper off.

For once, Tony chose not to complain about it. He sat a mug down in front of Carol, and then sat down on the other side of the table with Loki. 

“So” Carol said, stroking Peter’s hair. “He’s still a toddler”

“Yeah” Tony said. “They haven’t managed to make the reversal yet”

“Must be something more complex than any of us expected” Carol said. “How are you finding it with this one, then?”

“I think he’s great” Loki said. “He’s so sweet and funny and happy. He’s fun to have around. We’ve settled into a routine now, and we know what we’re doing, so it feels quite natural now”

Carol looked at Tony. “How about you?”

Tony looked at Peter, who was happily gumming his marshmallow.

“Well, it’s much easier than it was” he said. “I love the little thing. Loki’s right; he’s a funny little thing. It’s been quite fun at times, but I’m still gonna be relieved when the reversal is ready”

Carol nodded, and looked down at Peter. “What about you, baby? How are you doing?”

“I fell in the pond at the park!”

“Did you? When was that?”

“Um. Last week, I think. Last week..? I scared the ducks!”

“You scared me too!” Tony said. “He went all the way under, you know. Poor thing”

“He thought it was hilarious” Loki said. “After he’d gotten over the initial shock, anyway. You should have seen him! Screaming with laughter, he was. It wasn’t the reaction I expected. He toppled in so heavily”

“I wasn’t allowed to go on the swings” Peter pouted. 

“You were soaked through, chick” Tony said. 

“It just had to happen on the one day that I didn’t bring a change of clothes” Loki sighed, shaking his head.

Carol laughed. “Sods law. Were you hurt, little guy?”

Peter shook his head. “I dropped my ice cream”

“Oh dear! That sounds like you had a bit of rubbish day”

“He laughed about it pretty quickly, especially when he realised his rocket hadn’t succumbed to the water” Loki said. “Still, we had to take him home and put him straight in the bath. All that filthy water... I think the other parents round the pond were more scared than he was”

“Bless him. How have the press been?”

“My press manager has been surprisingly good” Tony said. “So we haven’t had too much hassle. People do keep trying to get us to meet up with other people affected by Kindsprengen though”

“I’m guessing that’s not an idea you’re on board with?”

“Nah, I’d rather just get on with it as a family. We’re fine just being the three of us. Most of the time, anyway. Still get a bit of help from friends and stuff sometimes. We don’t need to meet the other de-aged kids”

“Some of them have met up with each other though” Loki said. “Some people at the hospital showed me a few articles in some tat-mags, and apparently there was a documentary the other week. I didn’t watch it though”

“Can’t say I blame you. I don’t think I would have watched it. I might have read the articles though”

“Tragically, Loki doesn’t allow tat-mags in the house, otherwise I’d probably have some to show you” Tony said. “You could always look online. I read a few of them”

Loki looked at him. “You did?”

“Yeah, it was interesting. It’s all the same kind of thing. Like, them not having memory memories, but remembering their likes and dislikes, and some people. There's this one kid who knows their mum, but not their step-dad. How weird is that?”

“How long had they been together?” Carol asked.

“About five years, apparently. That’s still a bit weird”

“Yeah, but Peter doesn’t remember May” Loki said. “Or Liz. Maybe it’s just a bit of a pick-and-choose oddity”

Peter looked up at Carol. “Daddy said I can have a garden”

“A garden? Really? That sounds... lovely”

“It’s just an idea” Tony said.

“It’s a stupid idea. How are we supposed to have a garden? If this house was made with a garden, fine, but it wasn’t” Loki said. “There’s no provision for it!”

“Wait, how did this come about?”

“Well, yesterday when we were out, he kept asking for one of those kids climbing frames they have displayed in toy shops” Tony said. “And I said no because we don’t have a garden, and he asked for a garden, and I was like, uhh, no. But then I started thinking about it, and I thought it’d be a cool project, making a garden”

“I admire your ambition, but you can’t really have grass inside, can you? Don’t you need specially adapted spaces for indoor gardens? And aren’t they basically just greenhouses?”

“I was thinking of using one of the balconies, actually”

“Not my balcony!” Loki said.

“No! No, one of the other ones, the ones we don’t really use” Tony said. “I started drawing up some plans last night. Peter gave me some input, didn’t you, chick?”

“Yep! We’re gonna get one of them big benches that swings! AND we’re gonna have a little pond!”

“No, sweetheart, I never said a pond” Tony said. “Especially after you fell into the one at the park! Maybe a water feature”

“So what are you gonna do? Make a huge soil bed to stick grass on?”

“Maybe. I’ll show you my plans if you like” Tony said, standing up. “I left them in the other room”

Carol shook her head fondly as Tony went off. “He’s having one of his creative spurts”

“Hm, maybe” Loki said. “Our balconies are big, but I think making a full garden is a bit too ambitious. I just don’t think it would work”

“Well, I don’t see how you could do it either” Carol said. “Maybe just something that looks like a garden, then?”

“I’ll humour him” Loki said. “I just don’t want him doing something stupid. You can’t really make a garden on a balcony, especially not one that would support a big play area thing with swings”

“Wouldn’t it be a bit of a waste?” Carol said gently. “I mean, he’s not gonna be like this forever. What are you gonna do with a kids play area dealie when he’s big again?”

Loki didn’t say anything. Luckily, Tony came back into the room at that moment, shuffling some papers.

“Here, look at these. I’ve drawn the grass in, but I’m not sure how it’d work yet” 

Carol looked at his carefully drawn plans. Peter put his lolly stick down and pointed to bits of the drawing.

“This bit is all big plants! And this bit goes against the glassy bit. Daddy said it’s safer that way” he said. “This is the swinging bench! Daddy said we can get a slide too, that’s what this is! It’s a, um... daddy, what is it?”

“It’s a novelty slide”

“Yes!” Peter grinned. “Oh, oh! Daddy, water!”

“Water?” Tony said. “Oh, are you thirsty?”

“Water! Water!” 

Peter scurried down from Carol’s lap, running over to the sink and pointing.

“Water, water, water!”

“Ooh, you wanna play, don’t you?” Tony smiled, getting up.

Carol watched while Tony filled the washing up bowl and set it on the floor. She watched him handing the toddler some plastic cups and little rubber bath toys. Tony knelt on the floor, rolling Peter’s sleeves up to stop them from getting too wet. 

“It looks like you’re doing well” she said to Loki. 

“Yes, well, it took some getting used to” Loki said. “Tony was rubbish the first week, but then he stepped up. He’s had a few rocky days, but ultimately, he’s been great”

“He’s such a dad. He looks so comfortable with him even now he’s a toddler”

“He’s cute” Loki said. “...Peter’s gotten really into water lately. I thought about getting him one of those big water troughs, but Tony said no”

“That makes sense. Have you considered what you’re gonna do with all this kids stuff after he’s been zapped back to normal?”

“Not really” Loki said vaguely, looking back at Peter and Tony. “He ends up spending ages in the bath now, since he’s got so many bath toys. He loves those little water mills”

“Have you taken him swimming? He might enjoy that”

“Oh yeah, he loves it! We’ve taken him a handful of times. He adores it, especially this little slide they have there in the shape of a whale”

“That’s cute. What about you, though? You never go swimming”

“Well, with the baby, we’re just in the baby pool and the shallow end, and I’m fine with that. Tony takes him into the deeper parts a little bit, but not much. Peter likes being able to splash around”

“Nice. So, you’re doing well?”

Loki nodded. “I’m enjoying it, if I’m honest. He’s a lot of fun, and it makes it a lot easier to deal with the whole situation”

“So you’ve not got any idea how long he’s gonna be like this?”

“No. Thor said he’ll let us know about any progress on the reversal as soon as he knows” 

“Something must have happened to slow their progress. How long has it been now? Three months?”

“To the day” Loki nodded. 

Carol sighed, looking at Peter. Tony was squirting water at him with a little toy frog, and Peter was laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.

“He looks happy” she said. “But he deserves to be given his life back”

Loki looked at her. “Isn’t happiness more important?”

Carol looked at him. “He won’t be like this forever. Regular Peter might have been through some horrible stuff, but he still has a good life. He has a family, and good friends. He’s a superhero. Secretly, yeah, but still. He deserves to have that life back. Even if he’s a toddler now who can’t remember anything from before he got zapped, he still has the same past. You’re never going to be able to change that”

“If it’s a past he’s forgotten, why would we need to?”

“You’re thinking dangerously, Loki” she said. “As soon as that reversal is done, Thor’s gonna come here first. He’ll zap Peter back to normal, and then he’ll go and zap all the other kids back to normal. This was always a temporary thing. As soon as that guy popped up, you all started talking of a way to reverse the effects, isn’t that what you said?”

“Well, yes, but-”

“But nothing. You knew how it had to go even before Peter got hit. Do you really think all those kids are better off now? I’ve heard bits about this, Loki. The first one to get zapped was like, four months ago, right? They're exactly the same as the day they got zapped. So there’s a chance they’ll be stuck as toddlers forever if they don’t get that reversal gun. Is that better than giving them their lives back?”

“I don’t care about the other kids: I care about Peter”

“Stop talking mad, then” Carol said. “You’re allowed to enjoy the toddler version, but you’re not allowed to contemplate keeping it this way forever. It’s not gonna happen”

“I know that” Loki nearly snapped. “I never outright said to you that we should keep him this way;- that was just your assumption. You’re putting words in my mouth”

“I’m taking them from your mind”

“Mumma, mumma!” Peter called. 

Carol stood up and went over to him. “What’cha doing over here, baby?”

“You can make the water bubble!” he said. “Make it bubble!”

“I’ll make it bubble, but only if you promise not to touch”

“Promise!”

Tony smiled at Peter’s fascination and amazement at the bubbling of the boiling water when Carol heated it. He was a little impressed himself. Carol’s glowing hands weren’t something he’d had the pleasure of seeing in action very often. 

“You know, if you’ve got some free time, maybe you could stay the night and come out with us tomorrow” he suggested.

“I’m up for staying the night. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“We haven’t really decided yet. If the weather is good, we were thinking about this outdoor splash pad thing. It’s like a big water-based play area. If the weathers not so good, well, I’m not sure. Maybe just something boring like going out for lunch and then going shopping”

“Getting stuff for your garden project?”

“Maybe. I kinda wanted to go to a garden centre anyway. We did up May’s grave recently, and I wanted to see if I could find another nice statue or one of those little coloured lanterns for her. Garden centres are gonna have ones that’ll last outside, more than normal shops”

“Was she into that kinda stuff? Like, gnomes?”

“God no; she hated gnomes. Peter once hid one in her bed so when she pulled back the covers she got the fright of her life. Peter said it’s the only time he can remember May properly hitting him” Tony smiled slightly. “I don’t know why gnomes freaked her out. She always hated that one Loki used to have by the front door”

“Oh yeah. What happened to that?”

“Peter smashed it in a fit of rage after May died” Loki said, draining his mug. “Somehow I never got round to getting another one”

“Huh” Carol lowered her hand, letting the water go still again.

“Oh!” Peter said. “It’s stopped bubbling!”

“Yeah, but it’ll still be hot, so you can’t touch” Carol said, picking him up and giving him a cuddle. “What time do you go to bed, baby?”

“Usually around midnight” Peter said, very matter-o’-fact. 

“He’s lying” Tony said unnecessarily. “He goes at eight. I guess he can stay up a bit later tonight, since you’re here”

“Aww, that’ll be fun” Carol said. “I’ll read you some stories if you like, baby”

“Ah, maybe don’t suggest that” Loki said. “He’s really into his reading right now, and he won’t let us read to him: he has to read to us”

“Ooh, you can read?”

“Yep! Daddy taught me!” Peter grinned. “I get stuck on the really big words though”

“I’ll help you along. Do you wanna read? Or do you wanna do something else?”

Peter thought for a moment. “I want hot chocolate!”

Carol laughed. “Better ask your dads”

Peter blinked at her, and then looked at Tony. “Hot chocolate?”

Tony smiled. “Sure thing kiddo. Just give me five minutes”

-

Peter decided he didn’t want to read after having his hot chocolate. Instead, he wanted to show Carol all of his toys. He had a lot, so this was quite a time consuming venture. Tony and Loki left him to it for a while, and Peter may have got through everything - if he didn’t feel the need to explain every single toy in detail to Carol. His enthusiasm may have been endearing, but it certainly ate into the evening too.

“Bambino” Tony said at quarter to nine. “I think it’s time to go to bed”

“No!” Peter protested. “I haven’t finished!”

“You can show mumma the rest of your things tomorrow. It’s already past your usual bed time” 

Peter looked at Loki for help. “I can stay up, can’t I?”

“You’ve already stayed up, chick” Loki said. “It’s time to put your toys away and let us take you to bed”

Peter looked at Carol. “I can stay up?”

“No, I think it’s definitely bedtime now” Carol said. “We’ll tidy up your toys, and then you’ll go to bed”

Peter pouted. “I don’t want to”

“You still gotta go”

“Can you take me?”

“Sure, I can take you” she said, looking at Tony for permission. “But first you need to tidy your toys”

Peter nodded and started throwing his toys back into their boxes.

“Careful!” Loki said. “You’ll break something if you throw them about like that”

Peter looked at him, and then started putting his toys away in a much more gentle fashion. Carol gave him a hand, and once everything was away, she gave him a little squeeze.

“Good boy. Are you gonna say goodnight?”

Peter nodded and ran over to Loki and Tony, who lifted him up and gave him a  big hug.

“Goodnight, darling” Loki said. “See you in the morning”

“Night, chick” Tony said. “Be good for mumma, ok?”

“I will!” Peter said. “Love you, daddies!”

“We love you too”

-

Peter happily trotted along to his room with Carol, thrilled to be seeing her again after so long. He decided he had to be good as gold, and he went straight to his en suite, climbed up onto his little stepping stool, and grabbed his toothbrush.

“You know exactly what you’re doing, don’t you, baby?”

Peter did his teeth and then let Carol wash his face and help him into his pyjamas. 

“You’re so good, you know” she said.

“I try” Peter grinned. 

“You ready to get into bed?”

“No! I need a wee!”

“Ok, ok. I’ll go and sort your bed out then” Carol said, taking his rocket and leaving him to it.

It felt a little odd, seeing Peter’s room filled with all this little-boy, toddler-sized stuff. Most of regular Peter’s stuff was still there, like his elephant and his shelf of trophies and his little collection of Steiff toys. But other stuff had obviously been put away for safekeeping, like his school things and his workshop things and his laptop. The photo of May and Peter that had been on the bedside table for so long had been moved. Carol understood why, but it was still weird seeing it was missing - it made the bedside table look bare. 

“Mumma?” Peter said, coming out of the en suite. “Are you gonna be here tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I’m staying over” Carol said.

“Are we going out?”

“I'm not sure yet. I think your dads were thinking of taking you out”

“Oh!” Peter said, climbing up onto his bed. “You too?”

“Yeah, me too” she smiled. “Do you wanna read a story before you go to sleep?”

Peter shook his head. “Tell me one of your stories!”

Carol laughed. “Sure, but you gotta lay down first”

Peter flopped down onto his back, hugging his rocket close. Carol sat on the bed with him. 

“Ok, I’ll tell you something that happened a few weeks ago. So, there I was, minding my own business, when suddenly, out of nowhere-”

-

Loki and Tony looked up when Carol rejoined them in the living room.

“Is he asleep?” Tony asked.

“Yep” Carol sat down beside Loki. “He’s a good kid. He’s excited about going out tomorrow, even though I told him I don’t know where we’re going”

“I think we should go swimming again” Loki said. “He enjoys it so much”

“Well, I’ve been looking at the weather forecast, and it’s supposed to be pretty hot tomorrow” Tony said. “We don’t wanna go to the main pool and waste the hot weather by being inside”

“Didn’t you say something about an outdoor splash pad thing?” Carol said.

“Yeah, but there’s also an outdoor paddling pool in this other park” Tony said. “There’s not really any pictures of it online, but it sounds like it could be a good thing. Just a basic pool, apparently with a kiosk nearby, so we could have an ice cream or something too”

“What if it’s busy?” Loki said. “It might be a bit much, having three of us with the toddler”

“It’s probably not gonna be too busy. People go to the coast and theme parks and stuff when it’s hot. Those are the places that are gonna be crowded” Tony said. “We could go earlier too. Then go for lunch afterwards? And the garden centre. Like I said; there’s some stuff I need”

Loki looked at Carol. “What do you think?”

“I don’t mind, but I don’t have a swim suit”

“We’ve got some here you could use” Tony said. “Peter’s friends have kinda got a drawer full of swim stuff here for some reason”

“Ok, but somehow I don’t think a fifteen year olds bikini will fit me”

“You’re not exactly huge, Cap” Tony said. “I’m sure Millie’s stuff will fit. She’s a bit fat”

“Millie isn’t fat!” Loki said. “She’s just a bit chunky”

“She’s bigger than the other two. She wears bigger sizes. You could always go and see”

“You’d wake Peter up, rifling around in his room for the swim stuff” Loki said. “Maybe we’d better think of something else to do tomorrow”

“I’ll have a brain storm over night” Tony said. “We’ll see what we can come up with. Any suggestions?”

“Hey, I’m easy” Carol smiled. “Now, do you mind if I raid your kitchen?”

Tony laughed and passed her his phone. “Order a takeaway. Loki and I were gonna get something in anyway. May as well feed you too”

*

Charlie’s Big Secret

Read on AO3

A/N: This is not new, and you may see my writing has changed a bit since I wrote this, but I wanted to share because I do wonder about adding to this storyline sometimes.

Summary: Charlie is home for the summer, and he had brought a friend with him.

Sunday 7thAug 05

The Burrow was its usual bustling hub of Weasley activity as it was every first Sunday of the month. Of course it was not going to be all that long until they were celebrating again for her birthday on the 11th. Harry was outside with the children, supervising a game made up by them (mainly Teddy) that involved kicking a ball as far as they could and then asking Harry to summon it back. Kicky ball was Little Freddie’s favourite game at the moment and nobody else seemed to mind either. Even Louis was there cling to his father’s trouser leg for balance as he attempted a kick. Ginny was watching from the kitchen window as she supervised the potatoes, listening to her sisters’ gossip and chatter.

                 “Oh, you need another place setting Audrey dear. Charlie said he would be arriving today.” Her mother informed them like this was not big news. Nobody had heard from their elusive brother in weeks, which was not unheard of but a little unusual, as he normally wrote to say he would not be able to contact them for a while. Ginny had shared her concerns with Harry and, of course, he had offered to look into it for her but she had declined his offer, knowing Charlie he was probably nursing a sick baby dragon and would get in touch again when he could. Audrey didn’t respond apart from summoning another place setting.

                 “Did he say why he’s not been writing?” She asked her mother, all other conversation had stopped, waiting on the matriarch’s words.

                 “He said he had some important news to share but he wanted to tell us in person. Said he might be staying for a bit longer this time.” This set tongues wagging again, wondering what this news could be. Ginny thought of her quiet brother and wondered. She had always found it easy to speak to Charlie; sometimes it was easier to put her worries into a letter. He usually confided in her too, so when Angelina and Fleur started to talk about a potential fiancé turning up with him Ginny was not so sure. There had been a girl he had written to her about, but she had broken his heart, and she hoped if he had found someone else he would be just as happy to tell her.

                 Hermione and Ron arrived by the floo then. Ron hovering over his wife a concerned look on his face. She was looking a little green and before Ginny could summon the biscuit tin her mother was already handing her a ginger newt. She took the biscuit gratefully and nibbled it delicately as she sat down swatting Ron’s hands away.

                 “Oh for goodness sake Ronald I’m fine, stop fussing.” Ron looked around the room and saw how outnumbered he was, and decided to go help with the children outside.

                 “Still not shaking the morning sickness then?” Asked Angelina, her four-month-old daughter Roxanne was sleeping in her arms despite all the noise around.

                 “For the most part it’s gone,” Hermione replied. “But using the floo makes me really bad, and of course I can’t apparate. I would drive but it is a bit far to do in a day, and Ron won’t let me drive for more than an hour a day.” She huffed slightly as she took a bigger bite of her biscuit. Only four months into her pregnancy there were no visible signs yet apart from the glow of pregnancy that made her look even more beautiful that she normally did. The floo flared again, followed by the deep voice of Charlie. Molly rushed into the living room but stopped short in the doorway as if she had run into an invisible wall. Ginny couldn’t see her face but knew by her stance something had shocked her. Oh, bothering hell He’s not lost an arm or something has he? She wondered as she joined her mother. But there was Charlie standing in the middle of the room looking completely whole and healthy, Ginny immediately saw what had stopped their mother in her tracks. For standing at Charlie’s side holding his hand was a small boy, probably not much older than Three-year-old Dominique.

                 “It’s alright mate, don’t be shy.” He was speaking softly to the boy, who was looking around the room with very big blue eyes. “This is your Grandma Molly.” Charlie looked at his mother’s face with a mix of pride and fear. “Grandma Molly, this is my son Motshan.” Molly fell to her knees and opened her arms to the boy; he did not hesitate but threw himself into them. Ginny looked on, her mouth agape, Fleur and Audrey pressed in beside her. “Can we please try not to crowd him?” Charlie pleaded softly; Ginny noticed the little boy was crying, clinging to his grandmother. “He’s been through an awful lot.” He knelt down on the floor beside them looking overwhelmed and stroking his sons back awkwardly.

                 “I’ll get dad then you can have some privacy,” Ginny said then motioned for the others to go back to the kitchen. Hermione and Angelina looked on expectantly as they came back. Ginny carried on outside knowing that the other two would catch them up.

                 “Mama” James yelled at her as she came out he ran towards her and jumped with the complete confidence that she would catch him, which of course she did. He began to tell her what he had been doing in very rapid and barely understandable speech. “Iwaskikinabaal. Anitwent sooooofaaaar.” She hugged her son and listened to his ramblings while she searched for her father. Harry came over to her his expression changing from warm to curious at her distracted look.

                 “I saw you kicking the ball sweetheart, you did really well. Where is Grandpa Arthur?” She asked both of them. “Because Uncle Charlie is here and needs to have a chat with him and Grandma Molly.” She said it all in a light tone, to James who beamed back at her.

                 “Inna shed! Inna shed!” He pointed. She kissed his cheek fondly then handed him over to Harry. He looked at her, the question clearly on his face.

                 “Thank you. I’ll explain in a minute.” She promised her husband. Arthur was exactly where James had said, and he looked up as she entered.

           “Charlie is here and he wants to talk to you and mum.” She hesitated a moment wondering if it would be better to tell him before he walked in. “Dad?” He looked expectantly at her noticing the tone of her voice. “Charlie has brought his son with him and that’s all I know.” Her father’s eyes widened in shock, but he didn’t question her further just moved passed her and into the house. Ever astute Harry came over to her as she closed the shed door behind her, his eyes full of questions. She looked over his shoulder at her other brother still happily entertaining the children.

                 “Charlie has arrived with a toddler, says he is his son.” Harry’s brows rose in surprise, “I don’t know the rest he’s never written to me about him. He called him Motshan. The mother must be that girl he wrote to me about, the Romany who broke his heart.” Harry nodded looking speculative.

                 “Wow, there is a mini Charlie in there.” He mused looking into the burrow. “Everyone over here.” He shouted in his Auror voice. Her brothers looked around curiously, noticing the two of them together they smiled knowingly.

                 “Have you knocked my sister up again Potter?” George asked mischievously. Ginny glared at him in response wondering if he would ever grow up.

                 “No you idiot, Charlie is here, but before you see him you’ve got to know he’s brought someone with him.” They all looked highly amused by this and went to walk in and see who they all assumed was a girl. “It’s a small boy and Charlie says he is his.” That stopped them in their tracks. “Mum and dad are talking to them. I’m sure we will get our chance.” Then she shouted in a similar voice to the one Harry had just used. “Everyone inside and get washed up before dinner.” The tone of her final words so like their mother they didn’t argue, didn’t ask her any questions just went and got the children cleaned up and sitting around the table ready to eat.

                 Fleur, who had taken over the kitchen duties, started making up some plates before placing the rest in the middle of the table. She didn’t speak as she calmly levitated the dinners and took them into the front room. Ginny was surprised to see that Charlie followed her back out. Everyone of course, greeted him warmly. It was always a comical sight to see her stocky and strong brother mobbed by his tiny nieces and nephews. He smiled down at baby Roxanne, still sleeping soundly in Angelina’s arms, stroking a fuzzy cheek. Ginny noticed the look he gave the baby was more melancholy than he had seen on her brother before. Ginny made sure she gave him an extra tight squeeze when she hugged him knowing that he needed a bit more reassurance.

                 The air was thick with unasked questions, but nobody wanted to speak about it in front of the children. Teddy who was always more sensitive to the moods of his elders kept glancing at his godfather between taking large bites of his dinner. Harry smiled back at his godson every time he looked up at him, but Ginny knew he was distracted by his unstoppable curiosity. Freddie and James who were completely oblivious to the mood of the room badgered their uncle for stories about his dragons, he obliged happily, telling them about a particularly fierce Horntail.

                 When Arthur came out the front room carrying the empty plates, just about everyone was finished eating. Without any hesitation, he ushered all his grandchildren into the sunroom with promises of music and cake. He placed a hand on Charlie’s shoulder as he walked past him giving it a squeeze. With a tray of cupcakes in hand, he joined his grandchildren closing the door. The second batch of cupcakes was placed at the centre of the table along with a giant pot of tea. When everyone was settled with steaming cups in hand all eyes fell on their elusive brother. Before they could start to question him the front room door opened and a blue-eyed red haired boy shuffled out followed by Molly. He looked so much like Charlie; the same square jaw and softly curling red hair, and freckles, even his build, although still small he had the look that he would one day have his father’s broad shoulders. He was dressed in blue shorts, colourful patterned shirt, and leather sandals. His visible knees and legs bore the marks of a boy who liked to climb and explore. His eyes were huge as he looked at the group of adults before him. One of his hands was tangled in the skirt of Molly’s robes, and she was stroking the boy’s head soothingly.

                 “Would you like to meet your cousins Motshan?” Molly asked him gently, he looked a little unsure but nodded. “These are your aunts and uncles. These people are all your family.” She led him through stopping at Charlie’s chair; the boy looked up at him a small shy smile crept onto his face.

                 “Papa?” He asked in a very small voice.

                 “It’s ok, you go have fun with your cousins. I’ll see you in a minute ok?” The little boy nodded and moved on. When the door was opened to the sunroom, the sounds of children laughing and playing filled the air. Ginny knew that some children would be intimidated by such a sound but not Motshan it seemed as he ran to join in. “I think he’s going to be just fine,” Molly said to her second son before leaving them to question him.

                 Charlie looked a little more relaxed now as he turned to face his siblings and their partners. “So?” He said with a slight smile. “What do you want to know?”

                 Everyone spoke at once but it was Bill’s voice that carried over the rest.

                 “How long have you known about him?” Bill asked first, he had always been the closest to Charlie, but it was obvious he hadn’t known about this either, his tone sounded a little put out.

                 “Since March. His mother tried to deny he was mine.” He shook his head, a bitter tone in his voice. “His grandparents were the ones who contacted me when their caravan came back to the village near the sanctuary. They were getting very worried about his mother.”

                 “How old is he?” Ginny asked next, her voice gentle compared to Bill.

                 “He just turned three on the second.” Harry shifted slightly in his seat, showing his slight discomfort with what he was about to ask.

                 “What happened between you and his mother?” It was a question they all, wanted to know the answer to. Charlie took a long drink of his tea Ginny could see by his slight look at the cup he was wishing it were something stronger, he took a moment before he spoke.

                 “The first time I met her was about five years ago now. Their caravan would visit regularly to purchase various Dragon items in exchange for really good healing salves, but that was the first time I noticed her with them. I felt an instant connection with her, she loved to sketch and we would talk about all sorts of things.” He fished in his back pocket and pulled out what Ginny thought was a photograph, but when she had her turn to look at it she saw it as a hand-drawn portrait of a very beautiful woman with long curling black hair and dark blue eyes. She stared back at Ginny with an air of disinterest. “They would only stay for a week at the most then move on. But they started coming back a lot more frequently when we started seeing each other.” His smiled sadly into his cup. “I knew pretty early on that I was in love with her, but I could never find the right way to say it. When I finally did tell her, something changed, and she drew back from me, told me it wasn’t right, that I couldn’t be with her anymore.” Fleur who was sat beside him pulled him into a hug, but he only let her hold him for a brief moment. “I was a little angry with her the last time we saw each other, she told me it would never work. I was a little drunk, I don’t remember much apart from waking up in her bed. I spoke to her parents the night before. I asked them to explain what she meant, why she refused to accept my love for her, but they wouldn’t tell me anything. That was the last I saw of them until March this year, and that was nearly four years ago. That’s when they decided to explain it to me, for the sake of Motshan.” He looked around at them frustration clear on his face. “I didn’t exactly have permission to take him. His grandparents urged me to but his mother didn’t know.” Hermione took a sharp intake of breath, placing her hands on her belly. Ginny caught Percy’s eye and stopped him from speaking with a sharp glare. They knew their brother; he wouldn’t have done it without good reason. “She is not very maternal, but that is not the problem. She is convinced she carries a curse upon her soul, although according to her parents nothing has ever manifested itself. Unfortunately for Motshan, she was also convinced it had been passed on to him.” He closed his eyes and shuddered running his hands through his hair. “I don’t think they told me the worst of it, but I know she tried to purify his blood by trying to drain it from him. They managed to stop her in time.”

Ginny could not imagine the horrors this small boy has had to endure, by his own mother. Desperately she sought her husband’s eye, she knew he was hurting inside, his face was a blank mask of controlled anger, she took his hand and held it tightly, and he returned the pressure and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. Around her, all the couples seemed to be doing the same thing. “I couldn’t leave him there any longer. I arranged an emergency port key and brought him here.” He looked pleadingly around the room. “I want to do this right. I will argue my case in front of whomever I need to. Unfortunately due to the fact he was born with the caravan; I don’t even know what country he was born in, and even if his birth is registered. I haven’t lived in Britain for so long I’m not even sure what rights I have in this country.”

                 “We will get this sorted out Charlie,” Hermione told him firmly, and Percy nodded his head in agreement, already taking out his communication device to message his office. Hermione too had gone to grab hers muttering about a letter of intent, and transparency. Harry moved to sit beside Charlie and gripped his shoulder firmly. It was as if the action of those few broke the spell on the others and everyone started talking again, reassuring Charlie. Angelina and Fleur went into the sunroom to meet their new nephew properly. The noises from the room were a lot more subdued now and seven-year-old Teddy wandered out. He came over to stand by her taking her hand.

                 “Is everyone napping?” She asked him gently he nodded and shrugged.

                 “Not Victoire or Freddie. Grandpa Arthur is reading a story.” His hair turned to black as he looked at Harry. “Is everything ok? New cousins are normally babies?” She smiled at his insight.

                 “Yes, everything is fine honey, it’s a little difficult to explain but Uncle Charlie didn’t know about him until a few months ago.” Ginny knew this could slide into dangerous territory, but she had always promised herself to be truthful to her children, and she had always considered Teddy to be her adopted son. Teddy nodded accepting her explanation and going back into the sunroom. Harry and Charlie were talking quietly to each other; she could not make out what they were saying over the din of everyone else. Bill, Ron and George were conversing in a corner eyes murderous. Her own anger over the boy’s mother was bubbling under the surface, but she knew that getting angry and lashing out was not going to help improve matters. She marched over to them eyes flashing.  

                 “You three better not be planning to do anything drastic.” She glared up at them, her head didn’t reach past Ron and Bill’s shoulders but they still shied back slightly. “We don’t want any reasons for this not to go in Charlie’s favour.” Three innocent faces stared down at her.

                 “We were only discussing organising a small party for the boy, as he has just had a birthday. Perhaps combine it with yours?” Bill replied looking as innocent as it was possible to be. “That boy deserves to know the family he is part of.” And the dark look crossed his face again. Now she understood, their anger was because the poor boy had been denied the fun his uncles could give him, denied a regular upbringing. She backed down a bit after that.

                 It was not until the following evening sitting round the Burrow kitchen table. Hermione, Percy, and Harry sat with Charlie to discuss with him what they had managed to discover. Ginny had just come back down the stairs after putting James to bed in her old room, and checking on the soundly sleeping form of her nephew. James was spending the night as Ginny was due back to training in the morning, and Ginny thought it would help Motshan settle in better if he had a friend to play with. Her mother had not yet returned from taking Teddy home with an overly large parcel of food, and her father was tinkering in his shed.

                 Although she could not help in any way with Charlie’s case she joined them at the table sitting beside Charlie and taking his hand. He squeezed it and gave her a small grateful smile. Hermione resumed talking when his attention returned to the matter at hand.

                 “As I was saying, despite the fact you have been living and working in Romania for the past few years. You never changed your account from Gringotts and you never applied to be a citizen of Romania. So in the eyes of the ministry you are still a British wizard, who just so happens to be working abroad.” Charlie looked very pleased at her words, he breathed out a huge sigh of relief. Percy continued when Hermione stopped.

                 “Unfortunately so far we have not been able to uncover any records of Motshan’s birth. I have requested a meeting with my counterpart in Romania and hopefully he will be able to set things in motion properly. Did the grandparents give you any information?” Charlie shrugged then shook his head.

                 “A little. They were close to the border with Hungary when he was born but I don’t think he was ever officially registered. But the trace would have found him wouldn’t it?”

                 “That is what we are hoping.” Hermione replied reassuringly. “Has he displayed any sign of being magical?” Charlie nodded.

                 “His Grandfather said he fell out of a tree and his magic saved him.”

                 “Oh that’s good that means the trace should have found him. Harry has some contacts in that part of the continent. Did you manage to get anywhere with them?” She asked next, he leaned back in his chair, as he spoke not sounding overly hopeful.

                 “I spoke to my contact in Hungary, they have no record of a magical baby being born with that name, on that day. He is going to speak to his counterpart in Romania and get back to me. Also I spoke to the head at Drumstrang. They are also looking at their records of children born that year; of course it would make it easier if we knew his surname. Would he be registered as Weasley, or would he be given his mother’s surname?” His question was not directed at anyone in particular, but of course Hermione had the answer.  

                 “I looked into this and children born out of wedlock are always given the mother’s surname unless they are registered using a different one. I would believe that Motshan’s mother would not have tried to change this so we can work under the reasonable assumption he is registered with his mother’s surname. Which is?” She asked looking at Charlie

                 “Dinicu” He replied

                 “Well that should not be too hard to find.” She said brightly writing it down, Harry did the same. “This will all be sorted before you know it Charlie, we will make sure of it.” Ginny wanted to share in Hermione’s confidence; she had such faith in the law. Her own opinion was a little more cynical after years of hearing Harry talk about his cases and how difficult it could be sometimes to ensure justice was served.

                 “There is only one small issue that might come up and I wanted to tell you about it now so we can figure out if it is going to cause any problems.” Percy said in a very quiet voice not wanting to dilute the positivity in the room but knowing this had to be said. They all looked expectantly at him waiting for him to continue. “Your continued employment.”

                 “What about it?” Charlie asked defensively.

                 “Well the Wizengamot will insist that you are financially capable of providing for the child, and have a steady income. In order to maintain this you will most likely have to continue to work full time.”

                 “I have been worried about that.” He said honestly.

                 “If it comes to finances don’t worry about it.” Ginny told him firmly, Harry nodded his agreement. Percy shifted in his seat a little uncomfortable with the situation.

                 “I think it is more the fact they would want you to be in a steady employment, you have no shortage of family support. Audrey and I will help in any way we can.” Everyone else at the table voiced their agreement, offering to help.

                 “I know, and I really appreciate you all doing this for me, for us. Mum is not really sure what to do right now. She is angry with me about how irresponsible I have been, but doesn’t want to shout in front of Mosh so she just gives me glares.” He shook his head and tapped a random pattern on the table, his nervous twitch. “The reserve is not a safe place for a child of any age, especially not a curious three year old. I have a friend who works at the reserve in Scotland I am hoping there might be a position for me there. I love you for offering Ginny but I could not take your money, I have enough of my own to not need to work for a few years if it comes to that.”

                 “You would be miserable Charlie. You love your work, even with Motshan to keep you busy I think you would not be the same for you.” Ginny told him gently.

                 “I have to work, but I also have to look after my son. He can’t live with me where I currently work and I can’t stop working. What am I going to do?”

                 “He will live here with us.” Molly said decisively from the door, nobody had heard her come in; she was still wearing her thick cloak. “He will be safe and he will be loved.” Her eyes sparkled with fierce determination. It was the look she always had when she was being protective for her family, the look she had when she had seen Bellatrix’s curse missing Ginny by a hair. “You will go tell that ministry he is not going back. He is a Weasley.” She nodded her head once to indicate the finality of her statement.

                 “Well I think we can all agree with that.” Said Hermione standing up slowly. “I better get home before Ron starts to worry.”

                 “We can take you home.” Said Harry “We brought the car as James doesn’t like the floo.”

                 “Thanks you two,” She said gratefully sounding very tired. She made her way over to Charlie and gave him a reassuring hug. “I will have all the paperwork ready for you tomorrow. Can you come by my office and we can get it all started officially.”

                 “And after that you can bring Mosh and James over to Holyhead and watch us all train.” Ginny added so he had something to look forward too.

                 “Okay.” He agreed

                 “We have to show our newest nephew he is part of a strong Quidditch family history.”

                 “Gin, he is only three.” Harry added with a smirk. “Are you sure you want James there? You know he can’t resist the chance to fly.”

                 “Don’t worry I have it all planned out.”

Burned Part 27

Summary:  Alfie Solomons is in need of a secretary. Tommy Shelby mentions a young woman in need of employment. From there the two step into a dangerous dance together.

Part 27: Tommy Shelby delivers a present, Alfie writes a letter. 

          “Can you believe it, Teddy? Aye? An MP.”

           Teddy was on the floor, pushing a wooden train around the rug. He was a fairly quiet little boy and could entertain himself longer than most toddlers. The soothing atmosphere of the office kept him at ease. His father constantly smudging the ink on the paper, mumbling incoherent curses, and Cyril watching from his bed in the corner.

           The three-year-old giggled, oblivious to what Alfie was actually talking about. He beamed up at his father. “Daddy, look at my train.”

           Alfie smiled. “Yeah, that’s your train. Where’s it off to then?” He grunted as he heaved himself up out of the leather desk chair. He held the paper in his hand as he painstakingly lowered himself down to sit on the rug beside his sun.

           “I dunno.” Teddy lifted his shoulders dramatically.

           “How ‘bout…” He winced as he tried to adjust how he was sitting to alleviate the pain in his hip. “It’s off to visit Cyril.”

           The little boy giggled and pushed the train over to Cyril who was watching Teddy from his well-worn bed. His chin rested on his paws, his sad eyes half-closed. Finally, Teddy gently tapped the engine against the mastiff’s nose. Cyril hardly even flinched. Instead, his tail started to thump happily against the floor.

           “Choo choo!” Teddy crowed happily.

           “Alright, bring it back then, back to dad.” Alfie leaned back on his elbow, scanning the rest of the article about Tommy Shelby becoming an MP. A landslide they called it. Clearly the popular choice for the labor party. “Crazy gypsy.” He muttered under his breath. Politics was the absolute last thing Alfie would ever want to be involved in. Sure it brought a lot of power and weight in the game, but all the regulations and rules. Not to mention how much time it probably took up. No thank you. Alfie was quite content with spending time with his family.

           Of course, Tommy Shelby wasn’t dying. Or he wasn’t dying as fast as Alfie was. Course the Blinder could be shot down any day, but he highly doubted it after everything he pulled with the Italians.

           Teddy scampered back over to Alfie, running the train over his legs as if they were hills. Alfie chuckled. “Bumpy track, aye?”

           “Bumpy.” His son mimicked.

           “Well, at least I’m not a fucking MP like Tommy Shelby.” He sighed.

           Teddy sat back, pressing the soles of his feet together. His blue eyes looked up at his father. “Fucking MP.”

           Alfie’s eyes widened and he realized he’d really done it that time. He should’ve realized the day would come, Teddy echoed him day in and day out like a parrot. Louise was stern with him, saying he needed to cut back on the swearing while in Teddy’s presence or he’d pick it up sooner or later. Apparently, it had come sooner.

           “Fucking MP,” Teddy said again.

           “Hey, hey, can’t say that.” He was not the disciplinary of the household. It nearly broke his heart to scold the little boy or tell him no. Ollie often teased him for being such a pushover. Leave it to a three-foot toddler to make him go soft.

           Teddy tilted his head to the side in confusion. “Why?” Since he was so curious, he always asked that. He was never content with just accepting things the way they were. He wanted to know where the sun went at night. He wanted to know why horses and dogs walked on four legs. He wanted to know how cars worked. Often times, Alfie was at a loss under his intensive questioning. Sometimes he had to make things up on the spot just to satisfy his inquiries. He prided himself on being pretty clever, but when Teddy asked where babies came from; he had to stammer his way through a bullshit excuse about storks.

           “’Cause it’s a naughty word.” Alfie tried to explain, hoping that was enough of an explanation.

           Of course, it wasn’t. “Why?”

           “I dunno, just is.”

           Teddy frowned, clearly displeased by his lack of an answer. “Why?” He pressed again.

           Alfie couldn’t help but chuckle and tousle his hair. “Because someone a long time ago said so. Can’t say it, at least not around mum.”

           He smiled, a little mischief glinting in his eyes. He loved keeping little secrets from his mother. Secrets just he and Alfie knew. Like how Cyril would always get a few table scraps when Louise wasn’t looking. Or how Alfie let him stay up just a little bit later to read another book together. What they didn’t know was Louise was well aware of their secrets. She just simply chose to look the other way. She adored seeing the bond between father and son.

           “Okay.” Teddy put a finger to his lips. “Shhh.”

           “Yeah, shhh.” Alfie smiled and checked his watch. Louise was due back from her ride at any moment. He stood up, shaking out the pins and needles in his legs. “There she is.” As if on cue, he looked out the window and saw his wife riding Paris down the gravel drive. The two foxhounds trotting after the mare’s feet. Louise usually rode a loop around the property, where Alfie thought she’d be safest, from the stables to the front gate. Despite the remote location, Alfie still insisted she brought the dogs with her who were trained to attack humans as well as animals and that she carried her handgun. Old habits died hard and a gangster, even if retired, couldn’t help but always look over his shoulder.

           Alfie stretched his stiff back. “How’s about you and me go out to greet mum? Get some air?”

           Teddy smiled and lifted himself up. He followed his father to the front hall grabbing at his pant leg.

           “Gotta get your coat on, mate, don’t want ya to catch your death.” He retrieved Teddy’s baby blue coat and knelt down to get it on. “Right, looking handsome now, just like dad, yeah?”

           Teddy giggled. “Handsome.” He tugged at the collar of his coat.

           “That’s right,” Alfie grunted as he stood up. “You hold dad’s hand now, don’t want you running off, aye?” He had to stoop a little to let his son take his hand. “Good lad.”

           The two stepped out as Louise was dismounting. Baby and Ollie came rushing over to see them. Teddy squealed as the hounds licked his cheeks affectionately.

           “Right, you two. Leave him be.” Alfie shooed them off to the direction of the stables.

           “There are my boys.” Louise smiled warmly and walked over with Paris plodding beside her. “Finally come outside?”

           “Well, had to come out and see you.” He smiled and rubbed the mare’s cheek. “How are you, lass?” He’d warmed up to the idea of horses a little more although he still wouldn’t dream of getting on one.

           Paris nickered softly and lowered her head to sniff at Teddy. He giggled and reached up to gently feel the horse’s whiskers. She exhaled, the warm air blowing through his dark hair. “Par.” He cooed and touched his cheek to her muzzle. The little boy was fearless when it came to animals. It got to the point where Alfie had to be extra careful he didn’t go running off toward any of the wild animals that happened to pass through the lawn. Teddy was positive the fox that lived at the outskirts of the forest would love a good cuddle. Alfie was positive that he would not.

           “Let me set her out in the pasture and then we can have tea on the terrace,” Louise suggested. “How’s that sound, my loves?” She bent down to kiss her son’s forehead, using her sleeve to wipe dog slobber off his cherub cheeks.

           “Sounds good to me.” Her husband nodded. “Let’s see the goats, eh?” He squeezed Teddy’s hand gently and followed Louise and Paris back to the stables.

           While she untacked and brushed the mare, Alfie brought Teddy over to the pasture fence where a few goats and a mule kept Paris company. The goats bleated as they approached. They usually expected treats when Teddy came over.

           “How’s ‘bout you give them those dandelions?” Alfie pointed to the thatch of grass beside the pasture. “Get the weeds, two birds with one stone, yeah?”

           Teddy crouched down and yanked up the yellow dandelions. He walked over to the goats, who already had their heads poking out between the fence posts, their lips smacking.

           “Careful of their teeth,” Alfie said as Teddy held the dandelions out and let the goats greedily snatch them away. The little boy clapped his hands together with a beaming smile, bits of dirt sticking to his palms. Then he lifted his hand to stick his fingers in his mouth, as toddlers often do. “Ah, ah, no, nasty innit?” His father stopped him. “Come on, let’s get you washed up. Mum will be done soon.”

           As they walked back up the gravel drive to the house, Alfie heard the distinct sound of a car driving up. He wasn’t expecting anyone for a visit so it was highly unusual. He instinctually tensed and scooped up Teddy. His large frame holding him securely, the man always ready to take a barrage of bullets for his son if need be. He peered a bit and saw Tommy Shelby driving up with Johnny Dogs and Charlie in the car with him.

           Alfie relaxed a bit but kept Teddy in his arms just in case he ran off towards the car. He saw a trailer was hooked up to the car, which was just as strange as the Blinder coming to visit unannounced. Since he was retired, there wasn’t much need for interaction with Tommy. But they crossed paths every so often. Some charity events he and Louise attended, they chatted with him. Every so often, Alfie would catch news about Tommy’s business. Legitimate or not. But since the men had left on good terms, and Alfie had stayed true to his word and remained retired, there wasn’t any more bad blood.

           He waited as the car pulled around the circle drive and stopped near the path that led to the stables.

           Tommy got out, Johnny helping Charlie out. “Alfie.” The Shelby walked over to him.

           “Unexpected surprise, nearly put a fucking bullet in your windshield, Tommy,” Alfie said tersely, already forgetting he had to quit swearing in front of Teddy. But Tommy brought out that side of him more often than not. “You could’ve called me beforehand.”

           “Been out all day, didn’t have time.” Tommy smiled when he saw Alfie in his now natural state of being a father. “Hello, Teddy. Look at how big you are. Look like your mum, you do.”

           Alfie always felt a sense of pride when people acknowledged what a precious little thing Teddy was. “Got me eyes though, don't he?”

           “Yeah, can see that.” Tommy nodded in agreement. “Charlie, that’s Teddy, just a bit younger than you.

           His son smiled shyly and remained close to Tommy’s leg. “Hi.” He said softly.

           “Is Louise ‘round? Got a present for the both of you.” Tommy said as a sharp neigh coming from the trailer.

           Louise walked from the stables, tugging off her gloves. “Tommy, what a surprise.” She smiled. “Hi, Charlie. Look at you, handsome boy.” She cooed and remarked at how big the boy had gotten.

           “Mr. Shelby has a present for us,” Alfie told her. “Keeping us in suspense, I s’pose.”

           “Johnny, will you go get him?” Tommy asked and pulled a cigarette out.

           “Don’t smoke around my fucking kid, mate.” The Jewish man grunted firmly.

           Louise put her hands on her hips and gave her husband a look. “Don’t swear around him.”

           Teddy pressed a hand to Alfie’s mouth. “Naughty word!” He scolded.

           Alfie sighed. “Sorry, sorry.”

           Tommy chuckled and tucked the silver container away. “S’your home, I’ll respect that.” Of course, the Blinder found the interaction amusing. Used to be you couldn’t count the number of times Alfie swore in one minute on both hands. Now it appeared domestic bliss was really taking a toll on his vocabulary.

           Alfie grunted and let Teddy down. “Go show Charlie the goats, Ted.” He shooed the boys off but kept an eye on them.

           Johnny came around the trailer leading a handsome, well-built, dark bay stallion.

           “Oh, Tommy, he’s gorgeous.” Louise gasped softly. She approached the horse, stroking his shoulder and inspecting his legs and hooves. He was well-muscled and looked strong.

           “Retired off the track, name’s Birmingham’s Jewel, we call him Burr,” Tommy explained. “Still young though, a thoroughbred mixed with Arabian. I’d like to see if he can sire a few foals, see if any of them could make money on the track.”

           “You want Paris to foal?” Louise asked glancing over at the pastures. Her beloved mare grazing the lush grass, her stunning black coat shining in the sun.

           Alfie frowned and stepped in. He didn’t know much about horses, but he knew enough about wagers and racing to catch on to what Tommy was suggesting. “Hold on, I ain’t letting you use her mare to make you money, mate. Not making ties with you Blinders.”

           Tommy stuck his hands in his pockets. “It’s all perfectly legal, Alfie. No need to fix races anymore.” He explained steadily. “All for sport now. Thinking we could half and half on the horse if it makes it anywhere. May Carleton can train; I’ll pay you for that as well as any other expenses.”

           “Yeah?” Alfie weighed the offer. He knew how much Louise loved horses and figured it might be a joy for her to have foals around. But he still considered it a risk. Anything with Tommy usually was. “Right, what if Lou wants to keep the foal? She can decide whether it races or not, very fond of her horses she is. I think that’s fair if she decides.”

           “It’s okay.” She touched her husband’s arm. “I trust they’ll treat them well on the track. When they’re retired you can bring them here. We have plenty of stall space.”

           “Fair enough.” Tommy nodded. “Meanwhile, you can have Burr to ride. He’s still sound, got hot blood though. Doesn’t spook often but can be strong on the bit.”

           “Hang on, you passing off your devil horse to my wife, Shelby?” Alfie didn’t like the idea of his wife riding a horse with Birmingham blood in him.

           “Alfie…”

           He shook his head calmly. “He’s not dangerous, I’m sure she could handle him.”

           Alfie muttered under his breath something about gypsy horses. But decided it wasn’t worth getting into an argument with the Blinder.

           “I’m sure he’s lovely, I can handle it.” Louise cut off her husband. “I think that’s a wonderful idea, Tommy. I’d love Paris to have a beau of her own. Don’t you think, dear?” She gave an extra flutter of her eyelashes to make her husband cave in.

           “That alright with you, Mr. Solomons?” Tommy asked.

           Alfie scratched at his beard. It was painfully difficult to say no to Louise just like it was saying no to his son. Of course, she knew she could get him with those doe-eyes. “S’her decision. But if that beast gives her trouble, you’re taking him back. Won’t have that mess here.”          

           “I can do that.” The two sealed the deal with a spit and shake.

           “Go on and let her in the enclosed paddock, Johnny. I’ll keep them separate until they’ve become acquainted.” Louise suggested and walked over to the fence. “Paris is used to the goats and donkey. But May will sometimes come out for a ride with me. She gets along with the mare that she has.”

           Johnny led Burr over to the paddock and slipped off his halter, letting him loose. Burr took a few cantering strides out into the grass, scoping out his space. His hooves beating strong against the firm ground. He stopped at the fence and took a few laps around the enclosure, his nostrils flaring and ears perked forward in curiosity. His long legs stretched out as he trotted, showing off a bit. His head kept tossing about and he decided to trot over to the fence closest to where Paris was grazing.

           Tommy, Alfie, and Louise watched as Paris lifted her head when the stallion whinnied to her. She dutifully plodded over to him, taking her sweet time through the ankle-high grass. She decided to take a detour, going over to the goats that were eating grass from Charlie and Teddy. The mare nudged the goats aside and stuck her head over the fence to sniff at Teddy, affectionately running her muzzle over his hair.

           Burr looked expectantly and called out again as if to hurry her along. Paris lifted her head and began walking back over. The stallion nickered softly as she came to the fence separating them. He stretched out his neck to try and sniff her. But Paris paused and let out a low snort. Her ears pinned back and she turned away from him, walking away without a second glance.

           Burr whinnied loudly to try and bring her back but she ignored him.

           Alfie was positively chuffed at Paris’s indifference and chuckled. “She’s a heartbreaker, innit she? ‘Fraid it’ll be a while ‘fore you get your foal, Tommy.”

           “Oh, he’s so sweet. I’m sure she’ll warm up to him soon.” Louise nudged her husband. But she did look amused at the interaction.

           Tommy smiled and shook his head. “Well, I guess we’ll see if he wins her over anytime soon.”

           The stallion tried to coax the mare back, pacing up and down the fence, strutting his stuff, his tail lifted to accent his Arabian traits. Without so much as a glance, Paris continued grazing beside the donkey. Burr snorted in frustration but eventually gave up and lowered his head to nibble on the grass.

           “Alfie told me about the elections,” Louise mentioned. “What a responsibility.”

           Tommy nodded and watched Charlie wander over to Johnny who was chatting with the stable hand near the paddock where Burr was held. “Certainly won’t have a lot of free time but it’ll be worth it.”

           “Tommy Shelby, OBE, and MP.” Alfie shook his head. “Knew you were crazy, mate, but not this crazy.”

           “Politics can be used to help people, Alfie,” Tommy replied.

           “Mphf.” He simply grunted. “Whatever you say.”

           Teddy came over and tugged on Alfie’s pant leg. “Daddy, potty.” He requested urgently.

           “Alright, let’s go inside. You two better make sure that Paris don’t kick off.” He chuckled and began to walk Teddy back inside.

           “How’s he doing?” Tommy asked. The Blinder wouldn’t ask Alfie about his condition to his face. Most likely, it would incur wrath or simply a ‘fuck off’. Especially since the man had attempted to die much sooner than God intended.

           Louise sighed. “He hasn’t worsened as much as the doctors expected.” She chewed on her lip and watched Paris out in the pasture. “But he hasn’t gotten any better either. I just thought that…he’s lived longer than they expected. So maybe they got it wrong, or it’s not as serious as they initially said. But he’s still in so much pain. Won’t take medication to help with the aches or his lungs.” She shook her head. “Doesn’t even want to see the doctor anymore. Says he’s just ready to handle it how he handles it.”

           “Well, that’s certainly the man I knew.” Tommy agreed. “He seems happy though, happiest I’ve ever seen him.”

           She smiled and nodded. “I can be thankful for that. I think sometimes I push too hard to look into treatments. I forget that he just wants to spend time with Teddy and me.” She swallowed back tears that were starting to form in her throat. “I just want to give him the most time he can.”

           Tommy felt sympathetic for the woman. Losing Grace was difficult but he wondered if it was worse or better to know that your other half was dying. It couldn’t be easy knowing they were in so much pain. At least Grace went fairly quickly and relatively painlessly as far as he knew. But Louise was watching her husband suffer every day and there wasn’t much she could do about it. Tommy knew what it was like to stand there helplessly. You could call out for help all you wanted but there was no response.

           “Anything I can do?” Tommy asked even though he knew there wasn’t anything he could do within his power.

           “Afraid there isn’t much any of us can do.” She whispered. “As long as he’s happy and he’s living the way he wants to. He knows how he wants to die. I think he’ll know when it’s time, time to go to Margate.” She took a deep breath. Every day she tried to put it out of her mind that she was going to lose Alfie. But it was becoming more and more impossible to turn a blind eye. One night he was nearly in tears because of how much pain he was in. She often stayed up late some nights, just watching him breathe, hoping, praying he’ll keep breathing.

           “Mummy!” Teddy came running back outside across the gravel path.

           Louise wiped away the sadness on her face and bent down to pick up her son. “Hi, love.” She kissed his cheek.

           Alfie lagged behind, not able to keep up with Teddy’s pace anymore. He relied more on his cane those days and had a harder time breathing. But nevertheless, he persisted.

           “Mummy, new horse!” Teddy pointed at Burr.

           “Yes, isn’t he handsome? Let’s go say hello.” She offered and walked over to Johnny and the groom.

           “Be careful,” Alfie called after her. He didn’t want the unfamiliar horse chomping off a few of Teddy’s little fingers.

           “You’re living the dream, aye, Alfie?” Tommy asked and held out his cigarette pack as if asking for permission.

           “Yeah, yeah.” He nodded and let the Brummie light up a cigarette. “S’pose I am. Cancer isn’t ideal.” The Jewish man shrugged as if he didn’t give a care about the diagnosis. An obvious coping tactic that could be attributed to the man’s past behavior of being indifferent towards death. But there was no mistaking the obvious heartache that Alfie felt for leaving his beloved family behind.

           “If there’s any way I can help…” Tommy offered.

           Alfie narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “Mate, if you make a move on me wife after I’m dead, I’ll fucking rise from my grave and strangle you. I can fucking promise you that.” He jabbed a finger at the man who was notorious for being a womanizer.

           Tommy just chuckled and shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, Alfie, you know that.” He replied.

           He grumbled. “I guess I sometimes worry about people taking advantage of her.” He admitted with a disgruntled sigh. “She’s smart, but I’ve still got enemies out there who probably love to think that she’s an easy target.”

           “Well, she’s still under the Peaky Blinders’ protection.” He informed him. “We don’t forget our debts. She paid us for protection a long time ago but it still stands.”

           Alfie was a little surprised that the man remembered the payment all those years later. In a way, he was grateful that the Blinders rarely forgot a deal. Perhaps they could offer him another measure of peace that she would be protected. “No messing about with her? ‘Cause I’ve got people in Camden who’ll still watch over her too. Family who would be mighty unhappy if they found out you were taking money from her.”

           “I’m a man of my word, Alfie.” Tommy glanced over at him with a firm nod. “We’ll keep an eye on her, by order of the Peaky Blinders.”

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

     “Dad, what’re you writing?”

           It was summer in Margate. Teddy, now five-years-old, had wandered into the little study. Louise and Alfie had to make a few adjustments to the cottage, adding an extension to make a little bit more room for the three of them and three dogs. Now Teddy had his own room and Alfie had a cozy office. Not that he had much paperwork to do anymore. But he liked overseeing finances and documents at a desk; it made him feel more like himself.

           Alfie glanced up over his half-moon glasses. A small smile formed on his face. Teddy must’ve gotten bored with baking with Louise. “Writing a letter.” He answered and beckoned his son over.

           The young boy rounded the desk and crawled up onto Alfie’s lap. “Why? Can’t you just call ‘em on the telephone?” He asked.

           “You youngins and your technology.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m writing a letter to you, mate.”

           “To me?” A funny look crossed Teddy’s face as he looked up at his father. “Why? I’m right here.”

           Alfie put the paper aside and found the envelope he’d already pulled out. “See that?” He pointed to the words written on the front of the cream envelope. “Says it’s addressed to Theodore Tovi Solomons.” He read out, the tip of his finger tracing under each word so Teddy could follow along. “To be read on his eighteenth birthday.”

           Teddy frowned. “Eighteen? But that’s a long ways away. That’s ‘lmost how old you are!” He exclaimed.

           “Well, I’m flattered.” Alfie smiled and tousled his hair. “But you’ll hafta wait. Can’t read it ‘til then. See that, September sixteenth, 1944. That’s the day you turn eighteen, innit?”

           “That’s like a million years away.” He groaned. “Can’t I just read it now?”

           “Trust me, time goes a lot faster than you think. You’ll be eighteen ‘fore you know it and you’ll be able to read it. F’ya read it now you’ll just be bored.”

           Teddy sighed and rested back against Alfie. “Kay.” He gave in. “What’re we gonna do on my birthday?”

           Alfie wished more than anything he could be there. But his cancer was ready to take him, he could feel it. Breathing was becoming more and more agonizing with each passing day. He was in constant pain and there was little to relieve it. Some parts of his skin looked like it was being eaten away.

           “Whatever you want, Ted.”

           “It’ll be fun. Birthdays are always fun. Mum makes me chocolate cake.” Teddy rambled on, fiddling with the pen Alfie had left on the desk.

           “Yeah, she does.”

           “You get me presents. Maybe when I’m eighteen you can get me a horse of my own.” He beamed up at his father.

           Alfie smiled and nodded. He was positive Louise would continue to spoil Teddy after he was gone. So giving him a horse wasn’t too far fetched. “Sure.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

           Although there wasn’t much Alfie could do to alleviate his pain, he did enjoy the salt air. It might’ve just been psychological, but whenever he was out on the beach, he felt just a tad bit better. He could breathe easier and the sound of the waves could pull his thoughts away from the ache in his bones.

           When they were at Margate, if Louise couldn’t find Alfie in the house, she was guaranteed to find him outside. Down the dunes, past the pier, standing by the shore. Cyril by his side.

           After Teddy turned five, Cyril lost most of the energy he had left. Alfie said dogs his size rarely lived past eight-years-old so it was a miracle he was going on eleven.

           One morning, Louise woke Alfie up in a panic. Cyril was lying on the end of their bed and it didn’t look like he was breathing. Alfie simply nudged the mastiff with his foot and he awoke, tail wagging happily.

           Louise wasn’t ready to lose either of them. But she did everything she could to contain her worry and grief. The last thing she wanted to do was upset Teddy or make Alfie feel guilty. She learned to simply take each day at a time. And when that failed, she started to go by every hour, then every minute. All she had was that minute. Alfie and Cyril were fine and alive. She had them forever in that moment. The minutes and hours and days ahead were unknown. All she had was a minute. A second even.

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

           Late one night, Louise woke to find the bed next to her empty. It wasn’t uncommon. Alfie often got up to walk or simply sit on the beach. Sometimes the pain was too much to stay in bed. Apparently, he’d left Cyril behind because the mastiff could be heard snoring from Teddy’s room.

           Louise slipped on a thin sweater over her nightgown and walked outside. She traveled down the well-worn path through the dunes, passing by the spot where he’d proposed to her.

           Alfie was standing by the shore. The moon was nearly full and there wasn’t a cloud in the night sky. The beach was illuminated enough to see his figure. The moon reflected off the calm waves that lapped at the shore. The sand still held some of its warmth from soaking up the summer sun all day.

           “Alfie…” Louise called a few feet away from him so she wouldn’t startle him. She knew he would be deep in his thoughts.

           The man turned and smiled when he saw his wife. “Cyril’s snoring wake you up?” He reached out a hand to her.

           “I think so.” She giggled and took his hand. “Or maybe I could sense you’d left.”

           “Maybe.��� He’d discarded his coat onto the sand, unnecessary in the warm air. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, displaying some of the worst of his cancer. He used his cane to lower himself to the sand. Louise followed, curling up beside him as he stretched his legs out. He let out a long sigh, inhaling the salty air.

           “Have you finished your letter to Teddy yet?” She asked quietly. The two had talked about his legacy, as hard as it was. But they agreed that Alfie would write a letter to Teddy and she’d give it to him when the boy turned eighteen. That way, Alfie could explain a few things in his own words.

           “Just about.” Her husband nodded. “It’s hard, I’m worried I’ll leave something out.” He admitted and wrapped an arm around her.

           “You’ll make sure to add everything you need to. You’ve already spent at least a month on it.” She reminded him.

           “Just want it to be perfect.”

           Louise hummed in agreement and cuddled closer into his side. She looked up at the clear stars up above them. “Maybe we become stars when we’ve passed.” She whispered.

           “Stars?” Alfie tilted his head to see where she was looking.

           She shrugged. “Maybe. So that we can always look down on the people who miss us.”

           Alfie didn’t expect much after death. His religion was more focused on what you did during your lifetime rather than what happened after it. But he didn’t want to tell Louise that he wouldn’t be there for her. Because whether it was just a thought, he wanted to always be in the back of her mind. Whether it was selfish or not, Alfie didn’t like the feeling of leaving her behind. So he didn’t plan on it.

           “That’d be nice.” He agreed quietly and kissed her cheek. “I’d like that.”

           “Yeah, me too.” She looked away from the constellations and pressed into the crook of his arm.

           “Or maybe you go back to a time you’ve really enjoyed. Reliving that moment over and over again.” Alfie mused. “What’d that be? What’s your favorite moment?”

           His wife was quiet for a moment, sifting through all the lovely memories she had with him. “The moment you held Teddy for the first time. The love I saw in your eyes. It was perfect. I was so worried when I found out I was pregnant; I was worried you would doubt yourself as a father. But I saw it in your eyes that you didn’t doubt yourself. You knew how to be a father. It was just in your blood.”

           Alfie had to walk himself through a few deep breaths. His chest had tightened so much that he was afraid he would lose his cool if he spoke. Finally, he composed himself, focusing on Louise’s steady breathing. “Y-yeah…I’d pick that moment too.”

           “Good.” She sniffled and dabbed her eyes. “I’ll see you there then.” Her whisper barely rose above the sound of the gentle waves.

           “See you there, love.”

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

//So next part will be the epilogue. I have a few one shots revolving around the Burned universe so to speak that I can post afterward. 

Permanent Tag: @papa-geralt-of-cirilla​ @giftofdreams​ @biba3434​

Tag list: @vehement-care​ @kimmietea​ @eleventhdoctorsangel​ @fire-treasure-iii​

Masterpost

PB Masterlist

Puns and Funs.

Bobby x Reader x Toddler Daughter

Fluff

Being a dad isn’t always fun and game. Bobby runs into a bit of trouble on his bring-your-daughter-to-work day.

Thank you for taking your time to send in your request. I hope it lives up to your expectation. Enjoy!

“You sure you wanna take her for the whole day, babe?”

You groan, sleep clearly evident in the way your voice rasps. A small hum emanate from the hot body you’ve been sharing cover with almost every night for the past 5 years.

“Where are you going? It’s not often I get to cuddle you past 7:00.”

You had been ready to get up when the muscular arm drapes across your torso pin your weary body in place. Laying back down obediently, you have absolutely no grief with a few extra minutes in bed. You have to admit, being a mom and working leave you with next to nothing in alone time with your husband, much less time on your own. Whenever you’re off work, your whole day would revolve around your daughter. It honestly got so rough in the beginning you’d sometimes just cry for no apparent reason. Thank God for giving you someone as supportive and understanding as Bobby. No matter how rough it got, he was never far behind picking up the pieces. The rare chance you get to meet up with all your friends, you can be sure to grin like an idiot the whole entire time from the endless amount of compliments and envies from the girls for having someone like Bobby in your life. 

Sighing contently, you let yourself sink into his enchanting musk and soft bare skin. Despite the sun already playfully dancing around the room, left over cold air from the night wind still lingers. No matter as you got the best heater in the whole world holding you tight in his arms. You’re seriously the luckiest woman in the world. 

“Bobby, you’re sure you can handle her.”

Stirring from his own slumber, Bobby runs a hand through his messy brown locks before sneaking a peek only to see your eyes still close while snuggling tightly against his chest. A small satisfactory smile crack upon the ample lips.

“Yes, babe. You deserve a day off without me or Yebin bugging you hours on end. You haven’t had one since our little crazy bunny was born. Treat yo self, woman!”

You both share a big chuckle, his hot breath fanning against your hair before a searing heat of a kiss burns onto your forehead. Tilting your head back, you share a good morning kiss before just laying still, staring into each other eyes, basking in the rare peaceful moment of just enjoying one another. Things were much simpler when it was just you and him - nothing was on schedule, things happens spontaneously. Yet somehow, you’re both certain you wouldn’t do life any other way even if it meant never having enough sleep because your daughter is an energizer bunny, just like her dad.

Right on cue, as if she has a built in internal clock, you could hear the stomping footstep of the little monster running down the hall, tearing up the quietness of the house. Bobby lets out a big laugh before whispering a countdown.

“3…2…1…”

Just as the last number leaves his lips, your bedroom door swings wide open and in fly Yebin, crashing her tiny body right in between yours and Bobby’s. She giggles up a storm before clambering on top to press kisses on your face. Once finished, her tiny hands grab hold of Bobby’s face, holding it in place as he pretend to struggle out of her grasp before giving up. Now laying neatly on top of his chest, she turns back to you with curious eyes.

“Mum, daddy broken today?”

Yebin’s cute little words shock Bobby out of the trance she had put him in. It always amazes you how in love he is with both you and your daughter no matter how many years had past since you built this little family. Too often you heard of husbands who has no bond with their children. One look at Bobby and you know you will never, ever have to worry about that problem. The boy has to be more in love with Yebin than he ever did with you.

“Wait, what does that mean? Why am I broken? Babe?”

Snickering at his panic, you pay him no attention before turning to Yebin, brushing a few hair out of her bright eyes.

“You’re going to work with daddy today, remember bunbun?”

“OH YEA!” She screams off the top of her lungs before hopping off, jetting back the way she came from just moments ago. 

Finally getting out of bed, you run off to get your daughter ready for the day while Bobby stumble off to get ready for work, lips still mumbling about what could she possibly mean by he’s broken.

Another hour had past before Yebin is happily secure in her carseat while you load the rest of the necessity in the trunk of Bobby’s car. Once finished, you linger for a few more seconds chatting away with the excited little bunny who’s rambling on and on about going to work like a big girl. Giving a quick goodbye kiss to Bobby, both your attention tear away when Yebin suddenly exclaim loudly. 

“WEEEWEEE”

While Bobby standing there panicking, you laugh your ass off before telling a giggling Yebin to watch herself.

“Why are you laughing? She want to go to the bathroom. Take her before she pee in the car.”

“She said Ewweee, as in gross, as in mom and dad kissing is gross.”

Sighing loudly, Bobby throws his arms up in the air in defeat. Yebin learning to talk had gave him the biggest stress ever as nothing seems to mean what it suppose to. 

“I forgot how weird you guys are. What about this morning? She said I’m broken.”

“Well whenever you’re off work, you tell her you’re not working. Broken just means not working, babe.”

“And here I thought… aye. She got me good, that little one. It’s gonna be such a long day. Okay. I love you. We will be back before sundown. It’s just a small photoshoot today so it shouldn’t take too long I hope.”

Waving goodbye to your two toddlers, you shake your head, somehow you have a feeling today wouldn’t be all fun and relaxing for you. It wasn’t rare for Bobby have have alone time with Yebin when you need to step out for a moment. Usually it would only be for an hour or two. Never did he take her for a full day without your help. 

The whole entire ride to work consists both Bobby and little Bobby singing horribly along to random songs in the car. The thought of you having a whole entire day to rest delighted Bobby to the greatest. He had always thought you work too hard and give up too much just so he could have a little one running around, keeping him company. Despite all your worrying, he had secretly vowed  to do you right by taking more father-daughter days with Yebin so you could have some down time. 

“Daddy, can I see uncles today?” His thought cut short from the excitement in the little one’s voice. From the rearview mirror, Bobby could see Yebin do your signature sway the best she could under the carseat restraint, amuse at how much alike Yebin is to you.

“Yea, baby. After we park the car, you can go play with all your uncles.”

Snuggly in Bobby’s arm, Yebin giggles and sings the whole way up to the studio leaving a trail of female workers sighing infatuatedly with the little tyke. Finally catching onto all the snickering and attention his lil one seems to be getting, Bobby is only now paying attention to what she’s been singing. Although something about the song seems familiar, for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what it is. 

“What are you singing, baby?”

“You know, your chwi chwi song.”

“My what?” He raise an eyebrow in confusion. It wasn’t strange for you to play his music at home while playing with Yebin but what on Earth have you been playing that she think he’d have a song called “chwi chwi”. All his wonders out the window when he’s greet with the erupting cheer and the rib shattering kicks Yebin was doing when she sees that all her uncles had gather to play with her. To her, every work visit is simply her uncles wanting to play with her so they all gathered rather than her being the visitor. 

“Who’s my favorite little 3 years old?” 

Hanbin yells from across the way just as Bobby lets her off. Bolting straight into his embrace, Yebin yells her name as loud as she could. One by one, she pecks each and every one of the member on the cheek as Bobby watch with adoring eyes. 

“Can you sing me the chwi chwi song later? Daddy doesn’t know it so you have to sing it.”

In unison, all 6 pairs of perplex eyes immediately landing on Bobby as if he knows what the heck she means. With a shrug of the shoulders, he was hoping one of the boys would know what Yebin mean. Especially Hanbin. He himself grew up with a baby sister, plus he’s now proud father of twins. If anyone would know, it would be baby expert and song writer B.I.  

Morning past without much hiccups. For the large part, Bobby and the boys managed to figure out Yebin’s made up words from her gestures or by pointing at everything until she says yes to something. Although a bit frustrating, Bobby couldn’t help but dotes the strange way she communicates that reminds him so much of your eccentric personality. When Bobby is on deck for the shoot, one of the other boys would take over. Currently, she’s riding on her favorite giraffe uncle Chanwoo’s shoulders, pretending she’s king of the world while commanding her servant Yun and Jinnie to get her flowers. All the fun she had seems to be catching up as Yebin totters over, clinging onto his long legs.

“Daddy, I want the cheese worms.”

“What’s a cheese worm, baby?” he quip, fingers tickling up her side and she roll onto the floor in a laughing fit.

“You know, mommy bought me cheese worms with the red sauce.”

“How bout we eat the sandwiches mommy made, huh? They’re really good.”

“Nyooooo….” 

She whines and all Bobby could do was give in even though he has no idea what he’s giving into. Desperate, he waves the boys over for help with this strange dish Yebin had just made up. One by one, the boys bow in defeat. None of them had figured out what “chwi chwi” song is and now she wants cheese worms. 

“Why don’t you just call your wife? she would know what cheese worms are since Yebin said she bought it before.” Befuddled, all Hanbin could do is scratch his head completely stumped. 

“Yea but I promise her I can do this. She’ll never trust me to take Yebin anywhere on my own again if I just call her for the littlest thing.”

Hanbin nods in agreement. He knows how hard life could get for the wives of idols being a husband and father himself. Before the two baffled boys could have a moment to figure out what the little one want, she’s already back with another mystery.

“Daddy, I wanna eat the cheese worms then go ninety nine. Oh and I want to eat the nanan too.”

Frustration beginning to get overwhelming as Yebin makes less and less sense the sleepier she gets. He knows she was due for a nap soon but he can’t let her sleep without lunch. 

“Come on, baby. Let’s just eat the food mommy pack hmm?”

“Nyooo. She said the sammies are for you. You have to buy me the cheese worms.”

Sighing, he has never feels so lost before in his life. It hit him hard how little he knows about his own daughter and how much work you put in to make up for what he lacks. He doesn’t spend nearly as much time with her as he should be and it kills him. To think the simplest thing as feeding Yebin requires your input amplify his guilt to another level. Before he could say anything else, his manager had call out for him.

“Okay, we’ll get the cheese worms okay? Daddy has to go over there for a little bit. Can you be a good girl and play with uncles? You can look that way and you’ll see me.”

Nodding softly, she watches as Bobby runs off for another shoot. It wasn’t even 10 minutes before he returns but what he sees break his heart. Curling up on the armchair he had sat her in, her small hands covering her face as small kitten like whimpers surrounds her. 

“Yebin, are you crying?” He whispers softly, hand petting her wavy brown hair.

“No… Mommy said I have to be a good girl but I’m not. I’m sorry, daddy.” 

“AW, no baby.  You’ve been so good all morning.” He couldn’t help but feel useless at his little princess lost of spirit. Winking at all the boys, he silently asks for help in cheering up the little one. One by one, the rest of the members surround her attempting to lift her mood but none prevail. Although she tries her best to stay strong and not cry, her shaky voice and dejected gaze tell another story. 

“Nyoo. Mommy said I have to use big girl words when I go out with you and uncles but I forgot my big girl words. I don’t know remember what cheese worms are. I miss mommy…”

His heart drops at the small confession. He had been so busy freaking out over figuring out what Yebin’s words mean that he completely misses all the sign that she too was struggling to find ways so he could understand. A small sniffle tears through all 7 boys’ desperation of cheering her up. Anxiety worsen, Bobby rummages for his phone before leaving the room. 

If you were being really honest, you’re completely and utterly bored out of your mind without both your crazy bunnies around. All your errands were done within two hours after you saw them off. Now laying in the middle of the living room catching up on your drama, you couldn’t help but let loneliness tugs at your heart. Who knew watching drama without Bobby butting in asking you to explain the situation every five minutes would be so boring. Peeling yourself away from the couch, you got ready, hopefully early enough to catch a quick lunch with everyone. 

It’s been awhile since you’ve seen Bobby at work. Before Yebin came along, you’d go to every photoshoot, every concert, every fanmeet. Now with the little one, both you and your husband agreed perhaps it’d be in her best interest to keep the spotlight away until she’s a bit older. Excited, you quickly jog down the familiar hall to their studio. You were expect utter chaos, noise that could be heard from down the hall but what you were met with is a sadden Bobby, hand clutching tightly his phone. He stands there in a handsome suit, hair impeccable, leaning against the wall, eyes forlorn. You had only seen this look twice before in your life. The first when you had told him you were moving away indefinitely for college, and the second when he thought you had moved on when you came to visit accompanied by your male best friend. For him to looks so hurt, something big must’ve happen. Without thinking twice, you run over and wrap your arm around a very taken back Bobby. 

“Honey, what’s wrong? Did something happen to Yebin?”

“Oh, she’s fine. She’s playing with Donghyuk and June inside. What are you doing here, babe? I thought you’re suppose to enjoy your day off.”

“Yea, turns out I can’t enjoy anything without you two. It got boring reaaaalll fast.”

He chortles and it clears your worries just the slightest. Fingers pinching your cheeks, he presses a big kiss onto your lips before pulling you into that warm embrace he knows you love so much.

“I thought I could do it but, I guess I can’t.”

“Do what, babe?”

“Take care of Yebin for the whole day. God, I feel so useless. You’ve always make it seems so effortless. But then again, it’s you. You’re like this superwoman that can do anything. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. I’m such a horrible dad and husband.”

“Awe, don’t say that, love. What’s wrong?” 

As far as being a dad goes, Bobby excels in everything he does. In little Yebin’s eyes, he shines brighter than the stars she loves so much whenever she takes trips to the countryside with her grandparents. He’s all she could brag about anywhere she goes. You couldn’t possibly see why Bobby would be so down thinking he’s not a good father.

“It’s just I can’t understand her for the life of me. None of the guys have any clue. We’re all just sitting here completely powerless while she’s trying to put up a brave face. I guess that speak to the kind of dad I am. So completely helpless, can’t even do the simplest thing. I just leave everything to you and disappear on tours, on assignments. I just, I feel like I failed you, and our little baby.” 

His spirit lows, words he didn’t even know he was holding back come out so naturally. You were never aware of Bobby having such thought. Being the good husband and naturally high strung person, it doesn’t surprise you he had hid all these feelings. 

“Honey, you’ve been the biggest support I have for the past 5 years we’ve been married, and even all the years before that when we were dating, when we were just friends. You never gave up even when I left oversea for years. The second Yebin was born, you had this twinkle in your eyes that I know we will always be safe in your arms. If you could hear the way Yebin talks about you when we go out, you would explode from how cute she is. You’re her whole world, she worships you. So don’t even think for a second that you’re less in her eyes, in my eyes. You’re our everything, you got that?”

Tear brimming, Bobby nods furiously at your encouragement. He had always been insecure at being a good husband, a good dad. He knew you both deserve so much more and always felt like he wasn’t enough. With the constant touring and putting out new albums, every now and then he wouldn’t be home as much as he’d like and it kills him knowing you’re doing everything on your own.

“What do I even do without you, babe. Every second with you remind me how blessed I am.” 

“And that’s why I married you. I need you, you need me, and Yebin needs both of us. Now tell me what did the little pumpkin did that drove everyone to the point of tears.” Patting his chest softly, your hands instinctively go to straighten out his suit collars before pressing a big kiss onto those soft lips.

“We’re all going crazy over here. Yebin is getting mad at herself for not using her big girl’s words like you taught her. She said it’s her fault we don’t understand her so she’s crying. She wanted to eat cheese worms for lunch then something about nanan before she’s ninety nine?”

You heave a small laugh, much to Bobby’s dismay. How could you seriously laugh right now.

“Babe~ I’m serious.” He whines and you have to shove your face onto his chest just to regain composure. Bobby is always naturally cute but often time he just comes off manly even at home. It gives you great joy whenever your teasing get his adorable side out.

“Awe, I’m sorry. It’s just, it’s like that with her everyday. She’s constantly making up new words. Trust me, I freak out every time she decides to change it up on me. You’re doing fine, honey.”

With your words of encouragement, Bobby finally sigh in relief.

“Serious? You’re not just saying that to make me feel better?”

“Yes, love. I had to start a notebook to keep track of all her words. I’ll show you it when we get home if you don’t believe me. But even if you are struggling, it’s completely fine. Yebin is only our first. We’re gonna scratch and claw our ways through this parenthood thing but you know, we’ll do it somehow. Our parents did it, we can too.”

Fortunately, it seems little Yebin hadn’t changed up her dictionary today as all the words are ones you’re all too familiar with. 

“She wants spaghetti from the cafeteria. You bought her that last time we visited, remember? Nanan is banana.  and ninety nine is nighty night as in she wants nap.”

“Oh God, that actually make sense. spaghetti is worm and it has cheese so cheese worm with the red sauce. Good lord she’s weird, just like you.”

Feeling like the weight of the world had just lifted off his shoulders, Bobby nearly drop onto the floor out of sheer exhaustion. He would’ve too if it wasn’t for your hug. Who knew conversation with a three years old could be so tough.

“Trust me, a little of that is yours babe. I’m not that weird. Well husband, anything else I can help with?” You couldn’t hide the snicker in your voice as Bobby groan loudly from your teasing.

“I’m glad you find amusement in my pain. Just one more thing, “chwi chwi” song?”

“It’s My Type. She loves that song. Beg me incessantly to put it on repeat every time you’re away for work.”

“Come again?” bemuse, Bobby raises an eyebrow, curious at what explanation could possibly tie their debut song to something so simple as “chwi chwi”

“neoneun nae CHWIhyangjeogyeok, nae CHWIhyangjeogyeok. Sounds familiar? She calls it that because it’s your part in the song. Don’t ask me why out of all the words she choose “chwi chwi”, it’s just is.”

Another long sigh heaves from his chest, the world suddenly makes much more sense now. A loud muffled shriek emanating from behind the glass door reminds you both of the situation awaiting. 

“Well it looks like the boys got the situation under control, huh. Looks like my work is done.” Backing away, you dust off your shoulders and your hands before pretending to walk away.

“Wait, baby where are you going?”

“I was gonna come and grab lunch with everyone but I think you all need to suffer from the little bunny’s wrath a little more. We’ll grab dinner together.”

Pushing him in through the glass door, you duck away carefully out of Yebin’s view. The way her eyes lit up when Bobby runs back in screaming “everyone is getting spaghetti and banana for lunch” spreads a smile on your face. Definitely, you’re definitely the luckiest woman in the world. Walking away, you have a smile on your face even if the rest of the day you’d be lonely but it’ll be alright, father-daughter time is important.

The day came and gone, it’s already 6:30 in the evening and you’re once again heading down the familiar hallway. Not even half way down the hall, complete and utter chaotic sound of all too well known destruction is already tearing through your eardrums. 

“Mommy!!!!!”

Your heart jumps for joy the second Yebin jumps into your embrace pecking the hell out of your face. 

“Did you had fun playing with your uncles?”

“YEAH! They let me ride on their shoulders. Then daddy bought me spaghetti and then and then I got to watch everyone did the chwi chwi song. Ikon the best!”

“Wow, I missed out huh. I have to come to work with you next time.”

Running back, hugging and kissing everyone, Yebin clings onto Bobby before waving goodbye to everyone one last time. Thanking the boys for taking care of both your kids, you follow the rousing pair to the car.

“What are you two giggling so much about. Let mommy in on the fun too, I miss you both so much today.”

“Should we let her know, daddy?” Little Yebin snickers behind her small little hand, whispering into Bobby’s ear a bit too loud.

“Hmm, let’s see if mommy knows the answer. You ask her, baby.”

“Okay. How many tickles before the octopus laughs?”

“Wow, that’s a hard one. I don’t know, Bunbun. How many?”

Perplex, you let out a small gasp, finger rubbing your chin inquisitively. Dad and daughter share a cheeky look before bursting into laughter. Yebin hugs her dad tightly, burying her face into his shoulder, hardly bothering to contain her snicker.

“Eyy, mommy doesn’t know anything huh, baby. It’s so easy. Should we give her another chance?”

“Mommy, you have until bedtime to figure out okay?”

Nodding, you keep a hand on the small of Bobby’s back, smiling to yourself, listening to Yebin random rambles with her dad. If you were being really honest, the answer popped into your mind almost immediately the second Yebin finished asking the question. You were all too used to Bobby’s bad puns and dad jokes. After all, who else beside Bobby would be brave enough to use bad pun as his pick up line on your first date. Life long friendship, 3 years of dating, and 5 years of marriage later, his puns and jokes had only gotten worse. It’s honestly a wonder how Yebin hadn’t picked up all of them till now. 

Closing the door after Yebin had been secured in her car seat, Bobby doubles back to help you load the trunk. He throws both his arms around your waist, kissing your shoulder lightly.

“You already figured out the pun huh? You’re just pretending not to know so Yebin would be happy.”

Slamming the trunk close, you turn around pressing a kiss onto his cheek before patting it lightly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about bunny boy. I got till bedtime to figure out sooooo let’s go get dinner, I’m hungry.”

With that, you head straight into the passenger seat without another word leaving Bobby heaving a laugh in defeat. You figured he could already tell you’re onto their joke, you’ve been married to the most observing guy in the world all these time. You can only hope he wouldn’t think too much into it and play along. After the day Bobby had, maybe having father-daughter secrets wouldn’t be too bad at all.

And here’s the first chapter of generation three, where I try to pull all the threads of this generation together in time. While writing this, I found out that toddlers have been added to the game, which is great timing as far as this legacy’s concerned. Anyway, on with the chapter - which is around twice as big as usual, be warned.

Jupiter: Mercury? Venus? I... I can explain.

Venus: You're not dead?

Jupiter: Nope. Funny, isn't it?

Mercury: Not really. All of us thought you were.

Jupiter: Look, it's a long story. If I can just go inside and talk to Mu-

Mercury: Wait, not yet.

Venus: Mercury?

Mercury: I need to know you understand. As far as we were concerned, you died in that car with Dad and Grandpa. You're a ghost, if that makes any sense.

Jupiter: *sighs* I get it. 

Mercury: And one more thing.

Jupiter: Yeah?

Mercury: Why now? After all these years, why come back now? 

Jupiter: I promise, I'll explain everything.

Venus: What's wrong? I thought you'd be pleased to see him.

Mercury: I would, if he hadn't had years to come back home already. He's not my big brother anymore.

Venus: That's because he's not eleven anymore, and neither are we.

Mercury: Sometimes, I wish we were.

Venus: Just try not to spend too much time wishing or you might miss something, if you know what I mean.

Ava: You know, all things considered, I’m thinking of retiring.

Gia: Retiring? It doesn’t seem like long ago you were cleaning palettes to pay for our school books.

Ava: I know, I know. But I don’t have long left and, unlike your father, I have no intention of working all my li- 

*door opens*

Jupiter: Hi, Mum.

Gia: Jupiter?!

Jupiter: I’m home.

Gia: I...

Ava: Sit down... All of you.

Gia: It’s so good to see you again, I don’t know what to say...

Jupiter: I know I have a lot of explaining to do-

Gia: Not right now, you don’t have to-

Jupiter: Yes right now, this is important and I can’t let myself get distracted.

Venus: I shouldn’t be listening to this conversation...

Mercury: Wait, Venus. Where are you going? 

Venus: This is a family issue, and I’m not family.

Mercury: Maybe not, but you were just as close to the issue as any of us. Sit down.

Jupiter: I suppose, to really explain, I have to start at the explosion.

Gia: The detectives that investigating the case told us that it was just a fault with a car engine.

Jupiter: They were wrong. It was a fault, but not with the engine, with the bomb attached to the engine.

Ava: A bomb?

Jupiter: Whoever made it did a really bad job. The blast only caught whoever was in the driver’s and front passenger seat. I was in the back. The explosion started a fire that burnt down the rest of the car. 

Gia: If you survived, why didn’t you come home?

Jupiter: It wasn’t that easy. My leg was stuck, I thought the fire was gonna burn it off. I waited for the fire department, I did. But, before they got there, someone else showed up and pulled me out of the car. 

Mercury: And why didn’t they bring you home? Or to a hospital?

Jupiter: They did, in a way. They took me to this private medical ward. I found out a lot there.

Jupiter: Before Granddad died, he was trying to seal a deal with this group of guys. They weren’t happy with how things were going, and the bomb was a hit on his life. If he died, they could deal with his second-in-command, who was apparently some kind of double-agent for them. 

Mercury: That still doesn’t explain why you couldn’t come home. Or why they blew up an entire car rather than just shooting him in the street.

Jupiter: Witnesses. The car wasn’t in any shape to act as evidence, Dad was dead, they thought I was, and it looked like just an engine fault to everyone watching. If I came back, they’d know I wasn’t dead. They’d try to stage another hit, and I didn’t want to put you guys in danger. They told me that, if I wanted to come home, I had to take over control of the business. 

Gia: And you said no.

Jupiter: Exactly. So they kept me in safehouse after safehouse, until two weeks ago. I saw one of Saturn’s stories in the bookshop across from the flat I was living in. And I just couldn’t stay away anymore. My 18th birthday was in two days, so they let me go. With orders to contact them about taking over as soon as possible. If I can’t hide from it, I’ll fight it.

Ava: Come on, it’s getting late. I’m sure Jupiter wants some...space.

Venus: Hi, stranger.

Jupiter: I’m sorry, for making you guys think that I was dead. Could you tell Mercury that?

Venus: You can tell him yourself, just give him a night to stew over the...bomb you just dropped.

Jupiter: About that-

Venus: You’re a soon-to-be master of criminal enterprise. I just got a scholarship at a leading school for medical research that’s about ten hours away by car. Congrats, we’re all going places.

Jupiter: *laughs* Damn, I missed that.

Venus: For exactly 0 simoleons, you can laugh again. Unfortunately, you’ll have to do it for yourself. I’ve got an angst-ridden Mercury to talk to.

Jupiter: Better get going then. It was nice seeing you again.

Venus: You too, idiot.

Venus: There you are...

Venus: It’s funny, your aunts and your uncle, they only live across the street and yet they have no idea what’s going on in this house.

Mercury: Yeah, I suppose so.

Venus: So, what is it? And don’t try to dodge, I’d be more worried if there wasn’t something going through your head right now.

Mercury: Now that Jupiter’s back, are you and he-

Venus: *laughs*

Mercury: What? What’s so funny?

Venus: Oh god, sorry, I shouldn’t be laughing. You think that, just because we haven’t been dating more than 24 hours, I’m going to jump ship to a guy I haven’t known properly since his idea of a valentine was a glitter monstrosity?

Mercury: Just a thought.

Venus: On a more serious note, that means you’re under the impression that you’re some kind of second best. Let me make it clear.

Mercury: Venus-

Venus: No, shut up. I have this little house near the school I’m going to and I don’t want to live in it alone. Maybe it won’t work. Maybe I’ll go back to sleepwalking and falling down the stairs. But, if there’s even a tiny chance you’ll keep looking at me the way you did back at the river, I have to try. 

Jupiter: Have we met?

Thalia: I’m...Thalia. Saturn’s girlfriend.

Jupiter: Huh... Nice.

Thalia: This house just keeps getting weirder.

Thalia: Hey, you’ll never guess what just... What are you looking at?

Saturn: I think I got a pen mark on the wall, I kind of want to find it before Nana does. 

Thalia: I don’t see anything. But I did see some weird dude with red hair in your living room.

Saturn: Red? T, what kind of red?

Thalia: I don’t know... Like jam? Come on, I’m tired. Let’s just get in bed and watch some Simflix already.

Saturn: So, it’s really you.

Jupiter: Normally, people introduce themselves with a name or a gun when they meet me. 

Saturn: Except, this isn’t really the first time we’ve met. I just don’t remember all the other times.

Jupiter: You’re not wrong... Just forgive me if I have no idea who you actually are.

Saturn: And, as far as I’m concerned, you’re a fairytale.

Jupiter: Well, at least that’s cleared up. So, a girlfriend?

Saturn: Yep. Mum’s been totally fine with it.

Jupiter: Saturn, Mum’s ace. Didn’t she tell you that?

Saturn: She’s never talked about...things like that.

Ava: As nice as it is to see you two bonding, I need to talk to Jupiter. You’ll have chance to chat later.

Ava: I see you still remember where the fridge is. Now, your mum will be down in a minute to announce who the next heir will be. I just wanted to you to know, so there are no surprises, that you were in the choice pool.

Jupiter: I was?

Ava: Just something a little birdy told me.

Gia: Alright... We’ve been through a lot to get here. But don’t let that take away from this moment. For what it’s worth, I wouldn’t trade any of you for anything. So, the heir is...

Gia: Saturn!

Just like I did with Gia, I decided to give her (and Thalia) a makeover. Her traits are Creative, Art Lover, Muser and Neat.

The new CC she’s wearing is the Civ Top by @nolan-sims and @madlensims Attila Shoes.

Thalia’s traits are Self-Assured, Outgoing, Domestic and Goofball.

The new CC she’s wearing is @skadisim‘s recolour of @meyokisims‘ HUSH! Outfit.

Gia: Promise you’ll keep in touch.

Jupiter: I promise, I promise.

Venus: I thought I’d find you hiding out here.

Mercury: Who says I’m hiding?

Venus: I do. You’re so transparent I could put a mirror on the other side of you and still do my make up in it.

Mercury: That bad, huh?

Venus: Only if I need to fix my eyeliner.

Mercury: About that house you mentioned.

Venus: Mm-hmm?

Mercury: I don’t have any plans for the next 60 years that I can’t take with me. 

Venus: In that case, I hope you like the right side of the bed.

Venus: Oh. I don’t think we’re alone anymore. I’ll give you two some space.

Jupiter: I just wanted to say, I’m sorry for letting you think I was dead.

Mercury: You did what you had to do. I shouldn’t have been so sceptical last night.

Jupiter: Already forgotten, Dad wouldn’t have wanted us to fight.

Mercury: Where will you go now?

Jupiter: I’ll find an apartment, try to stay in touch. I’m sick of hiding, even if it means getting involved with all that, even if it takes years to catch the guys who did this.

Mercury: And after that?

Jupiter: We hand them anonymously over to the police and...I don’t know.

Ava: I’ll say this for you, there was never a dull moment. Ever.

Gia: You got that right.

Gia: I got a letter a day or two ago, from the daycare where Carson and I worked when we were younger. They want me to go and run a video game fun day with the kids. I’m thinking of accepting.

Ava: Do it. That way, you’ll still be down with the kids when the next ones start calling you ‘Nana’.

Gia: *laughs* Thanks, Mum.

Jupiter: Dad always said the river reminded him of me. 

Mercury: From the back, you almost look like him - almost.

Jupiter: It’s funny, you know.

Mercury: What? That you’re not dead?

Jupiter: I’m taking over a criminal organisation. When I was little, I thought I’d be an astronaut.

Mercury: You still could be. It doesn’t always have to be about catching them.

Jupiter: I don’t know... I feel like that’d be asking too much of Lady Luck. A few centimetres closer to that bomb and I would’ve been stardust too.

Mercury: Stardust...

Jupiter: When I was hiding out in some of the grottier safehouses, I used to think about what I’d write on Dad’s epitaph if I ever got the chance. ‘We are nothing but Stardust trying to find its way back to the stars’. That’s what I decided on. I have no idea where it comes from.

Mercury: Then find you way back. Sign up for the Mars mission. They’re not closing the entry window for another 20 years.

Jupiter: I... I’ll consider it. But, if I die in space, you have to come up with something just as deep for my epitaph.

Mercury: Deal.

Jupiter: Snazzy. Now that’s over... Want some whiskey?

Mercury: You brought whiskey with you to reunite with your long lost family members?

Jupiter: Only the best. Here, have a sip.

And that’s the end of a very long generation. In fact, it’s just under a year since Chapter 14, the first chapter of the generation. It’s been a bit of a ride, real life interruptions included, and I really enjoyed it. And I’m also really looking forward to this generation, with Saturn and Thalia, and the addition of toddlers. Thanks for reading!

CC Credit:

coliswonderland, nolan-sims, riice, pixielated, deeetron-sims, pixeldreamworld, puresims, pxelpink, madlensims, skadisim, meyokisims, plumbobteasociety