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worldismyne · 1 year

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The Longest Sleepover: Ch 15 (End)

Summary: The first year of school did not go as planned for Harv and he’s never felt more alone. That is, until a loud kid from the saga studies course decides they’re best friends now.

(Year 1 AU, Harv deals with homophobia, Finn is oblivious.)

Series: Warrior U

Pairing: HarvFinn

Rating: T

Ao3 Link

Harv approached his home for the first time in weeks. The goats trotted about excitedly hoping for a treat or a head pat. He practically had to escort Finn to the door to keep them from munching on his very expensive clothes. Harv breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the clang of hot iron under a hammer. With his father in the smithy, it would make things easier. He entered the house with Finn close behind, his hands trembled as the door clicked shut behind him. His mother looked up from the fire pit casually, only to knock over her stool to run toward him.

"Harv!" She held him close, placing kisses on his head and cheeks. "I've been so worried." She looked over his shoulder at the stranger Harv had let into their home. Finn shifted uncomfortably and offered an awkward wave hello. "Is this your friend?" She asked.

"...In a way." Finn said. Harv peeled himself out of his mother's grasp.

"I brought money," Harv reached in his satchel and pulled out a coin purse, "it's not a lot, but it's a start."

"Harv, you don't need to do that." Clover tried to push it away, but Harv insisted.

"Is that what dad thinks too?" He asked. Her expression faltered and she ushered them to sit at the table. Finn took a seat next to him, clearly uncomfortable, but uncertain what to say.

"We saw your duel the other day," his mother said pouring tea, "it was very promising." Then they also had seen Finn crawling all over them. Harv took the tin cup a tad aggressively and sighed.

"I'm not going back." He said.

"I know." She said. "You'll do great at whatever you do, it's just a shame to see you give up so quickly." His grip tightened on the cup.

"This was a bad idea, we should-" Harv began, Finn laid a gentle hand on his arm.

"Harv deserves an apology." Finn said. "At the very least listen to what he has to say." Harv settled a little in his chair as Finn squeezed his arm. Harv knew running away had hurt his parents, his siblings, and he could only imagine the burden it put on the farm.

"I did everything I could to make you happy," Harv said, "but the one time I asked for something you didn't listen. You... made it sound like I was just being over emotional, but I was just tired of letting everyone down. I didn't like who I was becoming either." He took Finn's hand in his own. "Now that I'm on my own, at least this way I can help without... Without being a bad influence on my siblings."

"Harv, we've always been proud of you." His mother looked like she wanted to cry. "I just wanted to fix what was hurting you." She noticed the way he tensed. "I never meant to disregard your feelings. We love you so much. The last thing I wanted was for you to feel like you were hurting this family. I'm sorry."

"Then why..." Harv took a deep breath. "Why did you hide what was happening from my brothers? You told them I was looking for a cure, but I'm not. I'm staying at the witch's house because I want to." That was what hurt the most, how easily his parents had written over what he wanted without thinking of how it made him feel.

"They're just so young..."

"Even Rhodri?" Harv said. He knew his brother had already talked about courting someone rich. Those discussions seemed perfectly fine, but the moment Harv's feelings for Trevor had come up, suddenly it was taboo. "This is why I'm not coming back. I know it's been difficult, but... I have to be able to talk about myself without it being some kind of secret."

"I understand." His mother said sadly.

"And I'm not talking to dad until he's ready to apologize." Harv said, knowing the likelihood of that happening was poor at best. "If Puck or Biggie ask where I am, please tell them. I don't want them to feel like they can't talk to me." She nodded, but he could tell he'd have to ask Rhodri to pass that message along. "I just wanted to let you know I'm okay." He stood up from the table and offered her a tense hug. All in all, things could have gone worse, but he still felt like he'd reopened a healing wound. "I love you mom."

"I love you too honey." She let him go, biting her lip all the while.

"Come on Finn, let's go." Harv said. Finn hurried behind him, their tea left to cool on the kitchen table. They exited the farmhouse just as Puck had begun to bring out the goat's feed. He left the open bag where the goats could feast and ran toward them.

"Harv!" Puck clung to his leg. Harv crouched down hugging him so tight it almost hurt.

"Sorry buddy, I have to go." Harv said. The young child clung to him tighter.

"No, you can't leave. You're not allowed." Puck cried. It was hard for Harv to pry his sibling off him, but he couldn't hear the telltale sound of metalwork coming from the smithy anymore.

"Ask Rhodri to bring you over for a visit." Harv whispered in the boy's ear. "I'm sorry I have to go, but I do." He let go of his brother, despite the younger's protests. He wanted more time, but he caught sight of his father leaving the shed. They briefly made eye contact and Harv panicked. "Finn, we need to go now." They ran to the cart; his brother chased after them, nearly breaking his heart.

They drove back to the witch's house and as soon as the cart came to a stop, Harv sat in silence. Finn leaned against him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Harv's shoulders shook.

"They just need more time Harvey." Finn said sweetly, though his heart ached for the warrior. Things certainly could have gone better, but at the bare minimum they'd gotten an apology of sorts. "You'll be able to see your brothers again. Emet hangs out with Rhodri some time, we can talk to them through those two." Harv nodded mutely, trying his best to gain control of his emotions. "I'm sorry it didn't go how you hoped." Harv leaned his head against Finn's. It would be a while before he'd feel grounded enough to guide the sheep back to their shed. He'd get there eventually. For now he was content with Finn holding him.

-v-

The night of Finn's first performance with his band was... well Harv wasn't an expert, but it was not good. He'd found himself in the same music club Trevor took them to, though he went out of his way to pick a different seat. It was a small gig, with Finn's band opening for a headlining act. Unfortunately, the group still hadn't agreed on a band name and Shad was able to declare them Algal before either member could speak.

As they played their opening number, the crowd turned their attention away, talking over the performance. Some younger audience members even tried talking to Beatus who was actively playing. At the back of the room some of the gruffer attendees were tossing around a ball to keep them entertained. Where they had gotten it, Harv had no clue. Harv could see the disinterest take its toll during Finn's solo, as the blond caught sight of just how many people didn't care.

At the end of the first song, Harv swallowed his pride and stood. He clapped and cheered, generally making an utter fool of himself to be heard over the other concert goers. It caused Finn to light up with a brilliant smile and launch into his next song.

By the end of their set, the headliner still hadn't gotten ready, causing Finn's group to stall for time. They played more experimental pieces and even some of the earlier songs again when they still had to buy time. People grew restless, chanting the name of the group they actually came to see over them playing. At long last, the main act came on stage to a cheering, drunk audience and Finn was set free. Harv's empty table was suddenly swarmed by three tired bards.

"No one threw things at us!" Shad cheered, and the other bards celebrated less enthusiastically.

"The bar is that low, hunh?" Harv asked.

"Oh Harvey, no one appreciates the arts like you do." Finn sighed, snuggling up against him with a mischievous glint.

"It's not the art he's a fan of." Beatus rolled his eyes.

"Even better." Finn said and stuck out his tongue. "The last thing you need is a fan."

"Unfortunately, the bar is that low." Shad said with a sigh. "It's hard to establish yourself with less formal venues to attend at. People think since they see you walk to the stage, they're entitled to treat you the same as someone from the audience."

"Even harder since we'll have to change the name." Finn pouted. "Algal doesn't say anything about the band. It should be Fabulux or something that represents the sound, not some random thing only you know."

"I still think it should be a symbol." Beatus said.

"No one's going to know how to pronounce that." Harv added.

"Thank you, Harvey." Finn said, lacing their fingers together. "Majority rules, no symbols."

"You use your boyfriend to weigh the vote in your favor." Shad said, sensing a dangerous powerplay in motion. "He's not technically in the band anyway."

Even with everyone bickering around him, Harv smiled. Finn's friends could care less whether they were dating or not, and were rather encouraging all things considered. Finn never denied it when the term was flung as an insult, despite the fact that technically they hadn't discussed being exclusive yet. He knew when they'd get home, Leenan would be waiting to hear how the concert went and give Harv his next list of tasks. Finn would vent about the backstage drama and the pros putting them in a tough spot, and they'd stay up as late as possible before Harv would have to go back to his own room. If he opened his window a crack, he'd be able to hear Finn practicing the lyre a few doors down and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of Finn's music.

"Harvey, is everything okay?" Finn poked his cheek, having noticed his mind was elsewhere.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Harv said. "You think next time we could snag an extra ticket for my brothers?"

"Absolutely!" Finn shook him a little. "The more plants we have in the audience the better. I will not be upstaged by a ball in the audience again."

"Of course you won't." Harv pecked Finn's forehead. The blond gasped, a brilliant twinkle in his eye.

"Did you see that!?" Finn couldn't help but taunt. "Did you?" His friends rolled their eyes, already used to Finn's obsessive fascination with public displays of affection, no matter how small. No matter what Harv did, as long as Finn was by his side, he knew he'd never face silence again.

#warrior u #fanfic #harvfinn #little finnharv things

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sogno-ao3 · 2 years

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still waters, ch. 32

ch. 32: hike // entire work

summary: I'm a seamstress at a local shop that Mr. Thomas Shelby frequents. I see bits and pieces into his life, until one day, I can't close my eyes anymore, and I see it all.

pairing: Tommy Shelby/Original Female Character(s)

rating: m

additional tags: slow burn, chinese character, coming of age, season one, feminist themes, first person, eventual explicit, character study, mental health issues, ptsd

words: 48,675

selected passage from ch. 32:

I sat in my usual chair, a few feet away from him, and waited.

He opened his journal, and began to read the latest entry.

Since that day, I had withdrawn, but he seemed not to notice. Rather, it seemed as if nothing had happened at all. Except these days--he had started to read me his journal entries, written after a nightmare, and he would tolerate questions. The only change, other than swapping Jane Eyre for Huckleberry Finn.

#peaky blinders #ao3 #tommy shelby #tommy shelby x oc #fanfiction #peaky blinders fanfic #tommy shelby imagine #peaky blinders imagine #stillwaters-ao3

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thetriggeredhappy · 3 years

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day 1 let’s fuckin’ go. everyone listen to butterflies by samsa

Day 1: Pursuit

“You seriously don’t have any better games than this?” Scout complained, looking back down at the board, doubtful. “Not even, like, a deck of cards? To play poker or somethin’?”

“Rather not play two-person poker, and I don’t like gambling anyways,” was Sniper’s reply, not glancing up from shuffling the cards.

“I mean, maybe Go Fish then, or Old Maid, or—or somethin’, not fuckin’… Trivial Pursuit.”

Sniper seemed to mull that over for a moment. “If you don’t want to play,” he started to say, hesitant, and Scout sputtered to cut him off before he could finish that thought.

“I, I mean, I didn’t say that,” he managed, still half-glaring down at the board. “Just, y’know.”

Sniper probably didn’t know, actually. Truthfully, Scout wasn’t much for… book smarts type games. Games that needed quick reflexes, talking quickly, theatrics, those he was a champion at besides his eternally bad luck, but facts and numbers and geography? Those he tended to sort of… fuck up beyond recognition. And he really, really didn’t want to look like a complete idiot in front of Sniper.

Kind of the worst case scenario, actually. But the worse worst case scenario was driving the guy away before even getting to hang out with him, here, the first time he’d ever agreed to one of Scout’s dozens of proposed hangouts.

Hell, he’d honestly gotten used to Sniper always saying no. ‘Nah’ and ‘Not this time’ and ‘Afraid not, sorry mate’ were three phrases Scout had heard at least three and four times a week for months, now. He’d started brushing right through it, stopped letting it hurt his feelings even, although he couldn’t help but get his hopes up, still. Invitations to team drinking nights and poker parties and carpooling with the guys to the movies or a bar or a casino, or more overt invitations to listen to new albums or go out to get fast food or to fairs or to concerts, he’d long since gotten used to those standard, polite rejections.

So he was surprised, then, when he’d delivered his offhanded invitation—“Hey, Snipes, all the other guys bailed on the rec room game night tonight, you wanna be there anyways?”—he hadn’t expected Sniper to hesitate for a few seconds before shrugging and saying sure.

Hell, he was halfway through his ‘yeah no problem no worries man’ before he even realized Sniper said yes, then it was fumbling the whole rest of the way.

Better to be an idiot friend than a distant acquaintance, maybe. That’s what he told himself.

A brief mumbled rundown of the rules went in one ear and out the other as he got preoccupied with looking over one of the cards, mind boggled by what the hell the letters and colors were supposed to mean. A short summary was nodded at vaguely, and apparently his poker face had been terrible all along, because Sniper shrugged and said that they could just play first to six questions right and tally up wins from there. Then they rolled a dice and Sniper, apparently, would go first.

“Alright, uh,” Scout said, squinting down at the little card. “What does a… he-leo-logist, study?”

Sniper thought about it for a second. “Er… the sun,” he replied.

“Yep,” Scout nodded, nudged a piece towards him. Sniper took it. “So, uh, you go again?”

“Yeah. Er… geography, this time,” Sniper mumbled, shuffling some pieces around in a way that probably made sense to people who actually knew how this board game worked.

“Sure. What’s… the country that has South America’s highest and lowest points?”

Another pause. “Bloody… Argentina, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Damn. Okay, next one,” Scout said, less concerned about the fact that Sniper was doing well and more worried at the fact that he was gonna do awful.

“Geography again,” Sniper determined.

“What natural… breakwater, is off the north… eastern, part of Australia?” he read, a little stilted, squinting at the letters, like that would help, for once. Silence, for a pause, then for longer. Scout breathed an internal sigh of relief, smiling a little. “C’mon, it’s your own fuckin’, uh… country, continent, thing, isn’t it?”

“It’s both,” Sniper said, and paused. “It… it’s not talking about the bloody, er… Solomon Islands, is it?”

“Great Barrier Reef,” Scout replied.

Sniper muttered a swear. “Overthought it,” he sighed, nudging the dice over to Scout, who rolled it. Sniper glanced at the number, moved the pieces, looked at a card. “Right. What craft uses a… kiln, and a kick wheel?”

Scout could’ve cried. “That’s, uh, pottery, sculpting,” he said, relieved.

A nod from Sniper, a piece scooped onto his side of the table, the dice rolled a few seconds later when he realized he was supposed to do that. “How many colors are in the rainbow?” he asked next.

Scout had to count off on his fingers for a second. “Uh, seven,” he said, and fist-pumped when Sniper nodded, scooping up another piece. “Even though it’s, uh, kinda bullishit. There should be six.”

Sniper’s eyebrows ticking up in confusion probably was a sign he should drop it, but instead he found himself spouting off.

“Because, uh, like, y’know, there’s—there’s the kinds of colors, right?” he said, backpedaling at his response of furrowed eyebrows. “Like, the basic ones, the, uh, primary colors, that’s red and yellow and blue, y’know? And then the other three, that you get from mixing those, like, uh, red and yellow is, uh… is orange, and then like, green, and purple, you combine ‘em, right?”

Sniper nodded slowly after a moment.

“But then you got, uh, fuckin’… indigo. In the, uh, in the list of colors, fuckin’, Roy G. Biv? Red orange yellow, green, blue indigo violet? And I know it’s, like, blue and dark blue, but I think that still sucks. If we’ve got indigo we’ve gotta have like, the other in- between guys. Know what I mean?”

“Don’t have much of an opinion on it, but, sounds like you’re making points,” Sniper said, and Scout shrugged, glanced down at the table, tapped his fingertips against his knees out of sight to try and let out some nervous energy. “Bloody, er… your turn, or mine?”

“Uh, mine,” Scout said, scrambling to roll the dice.

“Right. Sorry. Er…” Sniper read over the card. “Patron saint of Scotland?”

Scout swore under his breath, deflating a little, coming up blank. “Uh… hey, Demo!” he called, and heard a vague ‘aye’ from the kitchen. “Who’s the patron saint of Scotland?”

“My mum,” Demo called back, and Sniper snickered, at least, which softened the blow to Scout’s confidence considerably.

“Ah, fuck off,” Scout called back, and looked back at Sniper, smiling. “Saint Scrumpy, fuck, I dunno.”

“Saint Andrew, apparently,” Sniper shrugged, rolling the dice. “Sports question. The orange one.”

Scout tried to read the question before starting to say anything out loud, and found himself completely lost anyways. “Who was the first… Ch—Check-uh-slavarian… to win, the… Wimbleton…”

“No idea,” Sniper said outright, shaking his head at himself. “Don’t follow, er… what, the Olympics?”

“Tennis, I guess,” Scout shrugged, rolling the dice.

“Sports for you too. What did… bloody hell. What did second baseman Bill… Wambsganss, do all by himself in the, er… 1920 World Series game?”

“Oh, shit,” Scout laughed, “guy did, like, a triple play, and then hit into a double later that same game. That was the year some guy got hit in the head with a ball and fuckin’ died.”

Sniper was staring at him, clearly shocked.

“What?” Scout asked, rolling the dice. “I know baseball. And it was a whole thing.”

Sniper seemed to shrug it off, shaking his head. “What’s the Taj Mahal made of?”

“Fuckin’, I dunno, chocolate? What, that some kinda dessert? What’s that?” Scout scoffed, trying to play it off.

“It’s… it’s a place. Looks a bit like a castle? Like, er, like the Eiffel Tower, or Big Ben, tourist sort of thing?” Sniper tried, and Scout shrugged, and he shrugged back, rolling the dice. “Fair enough. One of the, er, Science ones. Green one.”

Scout looked at the card for a few seconds. “I… dunno how to say this word. Glue… glay… what’s that?”

Sniper leaned over, and Scout turned it towards him. “Glaucoma. Hits your eyes,” he said, and Scout nodded, and he took a piece, rolled again. “Brown one.”

“What are… catalogued, under the Dewey decimal system?” Scout asked, eyebrows furrowing.

“Books, library books,” Sniper mumbled.

“Jesus, are you—where’s the mirrors, seriously? How are you doing that?” Scout asked, and Sniper huffed something like a laugh, taking the piece, rolling again. “No, no, seriously. How the hell do you know half of these?”

“Geography, blue,” he prompted.

“Alright, I swear to god.” Scout held the card close as he read it, first to himself, then out loud. “What national capital is heated by underground hot springs?”

Sniper, to his credit, paused for a moment before answering. “Iceland’s. Reykjavik, it’s called.”

“I swear to god.” Scout flipped over the card, read the answer. “Oh, what the fuck!”

“I’ve bloody been there!” Sniper defended.

“Nah, fuck off, hold on—“ Scout picked up another card, reading another question. “Where in a tree does photosynthesis happen?”

“Leaves.”

“How do you know that so fast!” Scout demanded.

“That’s just science class in school!”

“Fuckin’—who, fuckin’, rode on the raft with Huck Finn?” Scout asked next.

“The, er… runaway, Jim.”

“Oh, what!” Scout all but shouted.

“Scout, I read.”

“Nah, nah, you’re way too good at this game, either you’re like, cheating, or you on purpose picked this game because you’re, like, weirdly crazy good at it or something!”

Sniper’s expression went from amusement to that blankness again, and it only made Scout even more infuriated.

“I mean, seriously, did you pick this game on purpose because you just know all the cards? Did you just wanna do the game where you’d for sure win?” he demanded.

Sniper was fidgeting with his glasses, now, and to be honest, Scout wasn’t even particularly mad, just confused.

“I mean, shit, you’d think you just wanted too play this one so you could look smart and cool and shit like that,” he said. and saw the way Sniper shrank a little, and the lightbulb went off way too late.

A pause.

“Dude,” Scout said, fighting down a laugh.

Sniper mumbled something he didn’t quite hear, sinking in his chair.

“Alright, seriously, if you wanna look smarter than me, you really don’t gotta pull out the trivia questions. Pretty much any game works, you know that, right? I’ll make an idiot of myself playing, like… Uno,” Scout said. Sniper shrugged, still not looking him in the eye. “Okay. Here’s an idea. How about we play, uh… I dunno, Crazy Eights. And while we play I’m gonna keep grilling you on this random trivia shit because seriously, that’s totally nuts, man.”

Sniper hesitated for a few seconds before he finally nodded and straightened up, and in a way, they both won. Scout because he now at least knew he wasn’t the only one who was a total mess and way too worried about what other people thought, and Sniper because he could keep being impressive about random trivia knowledge. Apparently, he knew a bunch about geography and books and nature, and not a single thing about sports.

Scout accused him of trying to memorize the cards. Sniper laughed, properly, for the first time all night.

#sniperscout #speeding bullet #sniperscout ship week #team fortress 2 #tf2 #shut up me #just this once. SNIPER is the dorkass loser

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tuiyla · 2 years

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How well written do you think Blaine, Finn and Quinn are?

What a wild mix!

I feel like there should be a comprehensive look at all the main characters and where they are compared to each other in terms of "well-writtenness". Someone should take the initiative but that's a very multi-layered thing. And even with these characters again I could go back to consistency, development and well-roundedness but I feel like they need to be defined a lot more for me to properly explain where these characters sit. The fact that I should really work on other posts gives me an excuse to save y'all from all that and just summarize it briefly.

Blaine is an interesting case of what I'd call retroactive character building, meaning that he was essentially a prop for Kurt's story in season 2 and then went from there, only gaining true depth season 4 onwards. I think the stuff he gets there is solid enough but he doesn't have a clear trajectory and suffers from the writers trying to find substance to match the amount he sings, not the other way around. I feel like he could have benefitted from taking some of his songs' time away from performing and using it to build his character instead. Or make the songs actually relevant, which a lot of the time they aren't. By the time he becomes one of the central characters I think he's a strong enough character to carry that but I'd say he's mid-tier in terms of good writing just because of the way he starts out, with little thought put into who he is and because there isn't much of an arc to build him around outside of Kurt.

Finn, well. Could be a good case study to see what good writing actually means but to cut a potentially really long tangent short, his writing is... it's pretty bad. The issue is that writers don't actually seem to know who this character is. They steer him in one direction while pretending he's going in another. What we get doesn't match how he's framed. If people thought Rachel got away with too much, oh boy, get ready for Finn. And it's not only immensely frustrating in the overall story, it's to the detriment of the character. His growth, when he does have it, feels shallow and unearned. His true arc begins in season 4 and sadly never really gets finished. Finn is hard to judge because his story was tragically cut short by real life interfering so I can only really take into consideration the first three seasons. And Finn's writing in those seasons involves the most frustrating things Glee ever did, imo. He's going in the "pretty bad, very frustrating" category - correction, his writing does. This isn't my feelings on Finn as a ch just how he's actually written, which unfortunately is also pretty frustrating.

And Quinn, oh boy. Remember how I said consistency was one of the factors? Yeah. Quinn is the antithesis of well-written. Any enjoyment fans get out of her character, which is valid btw, comes from a) what Dianna put into it and b) the bright spots in a very dodgy narrative. Quinn is barely ever written by the end, she's just... tossed here and there. Reset when the writers feel like it. Make no mistake, I think we can make her work as a character and I happen to enjoy making her work very much. But this is where we really can’t credit the writers with much of anything. To be entirely clear I’m not calling Quinn a bad character; I’m saying the writers did a bad job with her and any greatness Quinn might have had was accidental and not their achievement. I know people would consider season 1 an exception to this, but eh, idk. They didn’t exactly treat her well there either.

#anon #glee asks #oh look an actual ask among the #well you know #blaine anderson #quinn fabray #finn hudson

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hopetwin · 5 years

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tag drop i

a burning brand to your enemies and a brilliant fire to your friends {face} mother is the name of god on the lips of all children {leia organa solo} yun harla incarnate {headcanons} i was born in a thunderstorm // i grew up overnight {ch. study} someone to show her softer side to {wants and wishes} i garb myself in the universe {wardrobe} his commitment is absolute {poe dameron} you knew my tears though i couldn’t cry {caydren trecoll} again and again we crash together like a galaxy wanting to be born {jagged fel} i want to punch him as much as kiss him {luconis} faces in the stars {wanted opposite} the home amongst the stones and trees {yavin 4} dear brother do you still believe in love i wonder {darth caedus} my father taught me how to live {han solo} from him i learned who i am {luke skywalker} my grandfather still {bail organa} made of love and courage {breha organa} her fire burns brighter than the stars that she calls home {rey} he wears bravery and loyalty equally well {finn} his heart was born out of fire {anakin solo} such a brave droid {bb8} he is a fine knight {ben skywalker} all this bad blood here // won’t you let it dry {kylo ren} i had two mothers and i love her still {winter} wildfire and wisdom run through her veins {mara jade skywalker} we are two halves of the same whole {jacen solo} i never dreamed i would meet somebody like you {re:jagged fel} are you and angel / are you a devil {re: luconis dalmore}

#a burning brand to your enemies and a brilliant fire to your friends {face}#mother is the name of god on the lips of all children {leia organa solo}#yun harla incarnate {headcanons}#i was born in a thunderstorm // i grew up overnight {ch. study}#someone to show her softer side to {wants and wishes}#i garb myself in the universe {wardrobe}#his commitment is absolute {poe dameron}#you knew my tears though i couldn’t cry {caydren trecoll}#again and again we crash together like a galaxy wanting to be born {jagged fel}#i want to punch him as much as kiss him {luconis}#faces in the stars {wanted opposite}#the home amongst the stones and trees {yavin 4}#dear brother do you still believe in love i wonder {darth caedus}#my father taught me how to live {han solo}#from him i learned who i am {luke skywalker}#my grandfather still {bail organa}#made of love and courage {breha organa}#her fire burns brighter than the stars that she calls home {rey}#he wears bravery and loyalty equally well {finn}#his heart was born out of fire {anakin solo}#all this bad blood here // won’t you let it dry {kylo ren}#i had two mothers and i love her still {winter}#such a brave droid {bb8}#he is a fine knight {ben skywalker}#wildfire and wisdom run through her veins {mara jade skywalker}#we are two halves of the same whole {jacen solo}#i never dreamed i would meet somebody like you {re:jagged fel}#are you and angel / are you a devil {re: luconis dalmore}

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catracorner962 · 3 years

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Beautiful Children Ch. 6

Now back from hiatus!

Adora and Catra have a good time, Adora suffers a dinner party and a betrayal.

Like what I do? Consider buying me a Ko-fi! <3

*Warning for mentions of child abuse and trauma*

“Yes, of course! We can set course for Rarion in,” Adora glanced at Glimmer from her gilded chair in the throne room; the Queen of Brightmoon eyed her from her own throne, mouthing an unmistakable,

In six turns, through her lips.

“In six turns!” Adora repeated aloud. The Rarion delegation exchanged a confused glance between themselves, muttering in a language Adora could not discern.

“Pffftl!”

“Shhh!” Catra hissed at Finn, holding them out as far away from her as possible while still keeping them on her lap. Adora gripped the bar of her chair tightly.

No, shhh, please Finn, quiet! I promised Glimmer you’d be good.

The tallest Rarion, the leader of their group, glared at her wife and their-not-yet-but-hopefully-soon-with-some-convincing-permenantly-adopted-child.

Even as Shera, the Rarion ambassador sneered,

“My people have waited eons for the magic of Rario to be awoken! If Queen Glimmer and her champion would rather babysit kittens then do their duty, perhaps Etheria is not deserving of their own magic.”

“Pffftling! Ahhh! Hehehe! Ghaaa!” Finn reached for the rattle Catra held in her hand, trying to grab at it and stuff it into their mouth. Adora focused on the sight of it, trying to dampen her rage. Still, the familiar shine of magic flashed behind her eyes, nearly summoning her sword.

This is not what I meant when I wanted to continue working as Shera!

“Ambassador,” Glimmer stood from her throne with a reglaness that still surprised Adora, “Shera and I look forward to bringing the rightful magic of Rario back to your people. But we still have many duties here on Etheria still,” Adora could feel Glimmer’s eyes on her back,

“we will go to Rario in six turns. No sooner, no later. That is my offer. Do you accept?”

“Plllfffinging! Goooogaa!” Finn shrieked, their blue eyes widening as they tried to leap forward at the toy. Catra cursed not so subtly, trying to hush them once more. Her heterochromatic eyes burned with suppressed anger, towards the ambassador or Finn, Adora didn’t know. The uncertainty sent a chill through her spine.

Your Shera, get it together! You said you wanted to do more work around the palace and help Glimmer...even with Finn, this is what that looks like! And you already embarrassed the entire court with your uncontrollable child! The ambassador insulted Glimmer and it is all your fault!

“Eeee!” Finn exploded in giggles, catching the toy at last and biting into it with furious gluttony. It had been five months since they were initially brought back from Brightmoon and they were finally starting to make louder, more frequent sounds...and show an interest in stalking and hunting their toys. Adora flinched at the otherwise tense silence, the Rarion delegation turned once more to scrutinize the baby, and Catra with judgemental disapproval.

She watched her wife rise, with Finn, and held her breath.

Catra...please...don’t…

“Apologies,” she muttered through clenched teeth, “I will excuse myself until the kit has settled. Queen Glimmer: permission to leave?” Adora watched the once former Horde Force Captain adjust Finn to her hip.

“Granted,” Glimmer quipped. Catra bowed to her, then turned to the delegation:

“Your….excellencies,” she tried. “Rest assured I will deliberate with the Queen on our mission to Rario and send you reports in due time. Six turns and your planet will be as magical as Etheria.” Adora’s chest swelled with pride, trying poorly to conceal her beaming face at Catra’s decorum. She bowed again one last time to the ambassador and carried Finn from the room, still squealing and gurgling with their rattle.

“I expect reports from you and your adviser in one turn,” the ambassador snipped. He bowed stiffly towards Adora, then to Glimmer before motioning his delegation from the throne room. The doors shut with a clang and Adora let out the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

“I’m sorry,” she managed, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand as sparks dissolved, now back to her usual size. Glimmer sighed, descending from her throne.

“It’s fine Adora, apparently my mom said Rarion has always been a difficult planet. They’re the ones who’ve been leading the: Etheria-was-better-off-in-Despondos movement.”

“I know Finn was a distraction, I’ll figure something out...I know it’s been turns but...I just...we don’t have a nursemaid, I can’t ask the princesses and the last guard we left them with got clawed.”

Bow’s warm hand landed on her shoulder, soothing as ever.

“Hey, it’s okay. Glimmer and I said we’d help you. It’s fine that Finn is in meetings,”

There’s a but, there’s always a but...he’s trying to find a way to put it nicely.

“ Maybe just bring a bottle or something with you next time for them to feed on while the adults are chatting?”

“Good idea,” Glimmer piped up, her icy demeanor from earlier evaporating.

“I didn’t realize what I was signing up for when I said I wanted more Shera duties,” Adora managed a nervous laugh.

“I told you we didn’t have as much need for her!” Glimmer laughed as though it were a good thing. “You don’t have to come to these meetings! I’ve told you, as long as Catra can be here for part of it, it’s fine and even then I can always debrief you both afterwards if needed.”

Glimmer was trying to be reassuring, and helpful of course but Adora couldn’t quell the sourness in her stomach,

No matter how nice Bow and Glimmer are about it, I know it’s not ideal. Why is raising a baby so lonely even with good friends helping?

“Thanks guys,” Adora smiled, genuine, thanking Mara for friends like these even when it was so isolating. “I better go check on Catra.”

Bow and Glimmer nodded, opening the large throne room door for her.

“Oh! Don’t forget Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio arrive tonight!”

“That’s tonight?” This time Adora could not suppress the groan in her voice.

“Yes, we talked about it in the meeting this morning,” Glimmer reminded her gently.

“I wasn’t at the meeting,” Adora replied, guilt eating at her again. “You said I didn’t have to go because I was up all night with Finn?”

“And I was right!” Glimmer smiled, “Adora it’s okay. I’m just telling you since you weren’t there. They are visiting for the next few days.”

“I’ll be there for the next meeting, I promise!” Adora vowed cheerfully.

Even if Finn has another bad night. I can do it. I don’t need as much rest as Shera, I could just transform into her all day tomorrow if I need. I did it last week for three days. It’s worse afterward but...I can be Shera and Finn’s mom. I got this.

“Okay, well, we’ll see you tonight in the banquet hall, and have Catra come to my study sometime this afternoon okay?”

“You got it!”

“Thanks!”

Glimmer grabbed Bow’s hand, teleporting them away in a plume of pink glittery magic.

Adora let out a long breath, shoulder’s sagging. She rubbed her heavy eyes and stretched her back,

“Mmmmmgh! You got this Adora,” she repeated to herself walking back to her and Catra’s quarters, “you’ll go back, congratulate Catra on her wonderful show of diplomacy, kiss her,” a silly little grin came to her lips at the thought,

Hug Catra and then play with Finn, make sure they eat before the dinner, get ready, get Catra to Glimmer’s study...well I should do that first before getting ready for dinner...oh and have to make sure Finn takes a nap,

her never ending list of to-do’s scrolled through her mind as she climbed the stairs. She was almost thankful for the long walk back. Walking to and from different priorities for the day had become her only alone time.

Not long enough, as Catra burst through the door to their room as soon as Adora turned down the long corridor.

Must have heard me coming.

“There you are!”

“Sorry, I…”

“It’s fine,” Catra grumbled, her hair falling from it’s ponytail all over the place, her ears pinned to the back of her head.

“Is Finn…?”

“Finn’s fine, Adora, just fine. Now that they ruined a meeting and made us look like complete idiots with a planet we’re trying to forge an alliance with. They won’t stop chewing their rattle and then getting angry when they can’t bite through it.”

“Who knew magikits get their teeth so much sooner than other species,” Adora wondered aloud, shutting the door behind her as to keep the rest of the palace from Finn’s hysterical hisses and screeches.

Catra scoffed, walking briskly from their sitting room to the bedroom.

“We looked like total fools!” She shouted.

Finn, adjusted their newest toy, a stuffed scorpion in their mouth and tugged at it, drool dripping onto their fattened little fists.

“Finny, you’re going to ruin the toy Aunt Scorpia gave you!” Adora’s mood instantly improved, beholding Finn, enamored with their toy.

“What did they do when you were teething?” Adora tugged at the toy playfully.

“They beat me with whatever I was chewing on.”

The light died in her chest instantly.

I shouldn’t have asked. Oh stars of course they did, how could I be so stupid?

“Catra,” Adora stood, turning from Finn to walk towards their bedroom.

“Sometimes it was a sock or a mat. Other times a stun baton. Usually a stun button,” Catra tugged the elastic out of her hair and shook out her brown locks.

“I didn’t know Catra, I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah well, you’ve never been very observant.”

Her words hit like a punch in the gut, Adora bit her tongue, standing awkwardly. From the mirror on her bureau Catra paused, dropping her arms from her hair and coming to sit beside Adora.

“No, that was mean of me. I know growing up there wasn’t easy for you either.”

Adora managed a painful smile, nodding.

“It wasn’t.”

Catra took her hands, squeezing them and lifted a finger to kiss her knuckles.

“I shouldn’t have insulted you. You were doing what you had to do to survive.”

“We both survived,” Adora returned kisse to Catra’s own fingers.

“That’s right. We did,” her wife affirmed.

“Eaaaahhh!” Finn dissolved into tears. Catra moaned, rolling her eyes, the hair on her tail puffing and pupils dilating.

“I’ll get them,” Adora gave one last kiss to Catra’s cheek.

“No,” Catra stood, “you’ve been running around all day, sit.”

Adora watched her saunter from their room, tail swishing idley behind her in tune with her hips.

“Hey you little shit,” Adora could hear her wife murmur from the other room, whether it was affectionate, genuinely annoyed or both she couldn’t quite tell. To her credit, as far as Adora had observed, Catra had somewhat calmed her initial refusal at Finn’s presence in their lives. She was no longer outwardly hostile to them and on occasion, like today, even took initiative to look after them. Still, Adora forced herself to quell any rising hopes that Catra would embrace any semblance of motherhood with open arms. It wasn’t as though she was doing perfectly with it either.

Just yesterday I got Finn’s tail caught in the door, and then scared them during peek-a-boo. Who knew transforming into Shera and surprising them would freak them out so much!

Catra had adjusted insofar as she would assure Finn was content and more or less safe. Not loved, not happy...but cared for adequately.

Am I pushing her too hard? Bow said maybe we could just foster Finn until we found someone else to raise them. She agreed to that. Is it too much to ask for more? Am I demanding too much? After everything? She’s accepted Shera...accepted my duty...fought with us against the Brotherhood of Prime, married me. If I am asking her to be a mother too...Is that too much?

“Adora, Etheria to Adora!”

She blinked out of her contemplation to see Catra in the doorway. Hip cocked and tail flicking. Her gold and blue eyes gleaming in the mid-afternoon sun.

“H...hey Catra,” she whispered through an embarrassed giggle.

“I got them down for now, who knows how long it will last.”

“Thank you,” Adora’s chest swelled with appreciation, for all her resignations, Catra was trying.

“We should make the most of it, don’t you think?” Her wife’s tone instantly changed, one hand coming up and touching Adora’s face, fingertips trailing her jaw. Adora shivered pleasantly allowing that warm touch to dissipate any fear or doubt.

“Glimmer wanted you to meet her in her office,” Adora sucked in a breath at Catra’s lips now kissing her neck, nibbling at the tight skin there.

“Sparkles can wait,” Catra continued kissing, pressing her weight down on Adora and lowering her down into the bed.

“Mmmm but we have that dinner tonight,” Adora’s mind ping-ponged, from Catra’s fingers minstrating against her sides and her kisses to the ever ongoing monologue of worry.

“That’s hours away,” Catra kissed her lips before Adora could protest, allowing her wife to take the air from her words. “We hardly ever get time for this,” she continued running her fingers up Adora’s sides, retracted claws barely grazing against her flesh up and down. She shuddered happily.

She has a point, between Finn’s recent teething fusses waking them every two hours and the combined exhaustion of the two of them, they usually ended up just going to sleep they crawled into bed together.

She’s right. More time taking care of Finn means less time for things like this.

Adora reached up, tangling her fingers through Catra’s brown curls, eliciting a small groan from the woman. Catra rolled her hips, bracketing Adora’s on either side.

You can want this Adora, it’s okay to want. To desire. What are you doing? Don’t just lay there! She’s kissing you, her hands are on your….oh, now on your breasts, she’s straddling you! Do something!

Hoping it wasn’t loud enough to wake Finn, Adora allowed herself to transform fully into Shera, the magic of desire and need and love, oh such devotional untold amounts of love, poured from her as she grew. Transformation complete, she wasted no time, taking Catra’s slim waist in her hands and rolling the woman over onto the bed, pinning her with her knee between her legs.

“Ah!” Catra all but squeaked out, face flushed. Adora, now Shera loomed over her, taking in every inch of that beautiful, flustered lithe body. She bent down, kissing her lovingly, unabashed, wet and full and panting. Adora slid her hands upward, across the plane of Catra’s torso to her breasts, taking one fully in her palm and cupping it just tight enough to make her wife squirm with need. More confident as Shera, Adora pressed her knee just slightly against Catra’s pelvis, leaning into the pressure. Catra’s lips parted mid-kiss, with a breathy gasp. She rolled herself against the pressure there, undulating gracefully and rhythmic. Adora kissed her lips, each of her six freckles, each other eyes, against the soft sensitive lobe of her inner ear. Catra gasped, her claws partially released on instinct, gripping Shera’s muscular back. The sudden sensation only sent another fervor of lust through her mind. She yanked Catra’s shirt off altogether with ease, nearly shredding it.

“Sorr…”

“S’fine!”

Catra assured her with more kisses, more greedy rolls of her hips. Her own claws undid Shera’s white and gold attire frantically.

“I love you,” Adora whispered through her kisses against her wife’s collar. In answer Catra kissed her back, fingers pulling on her blonde hair.

“Love you,” she gasped as Shera rocked against her once more.

“Mmmmg...fff...waa..” something far away sounded in Adora’s periphery. But Catra’s hands, so warm and smooth against her, every part of her….her head fogged over in pleasure, in Catra, Catra, Catra. Her tongue, her breath, her sweet smell, her bony hips.

“W...w...wahhhh!”

Finn?

A growl sounded from somewhere, deep in Catra’s throat. Adora could feel the thrum of her chest, the vibration of her lungs. Through their kisses, Adora took in her wife’s own air, the sound of her growl and kissed her deeper. Her hands, slid lower, down the contours of Catra to her hips, to the V of her…

“Waaahhh!!”

Finn!

“Argh,” warmth was lost from Adora as Catra squirmed out from under her, reaching for her clothes.

“Maybe they’ll go back to sleep?” Adora tried, missing the echo of Catra’s warmth against her.

“No, they won’t. We know they won’t. I’ll get them just...stay there.” Adora frowned, sitting up on the bed, twiddling her hands, deflated.

Though her hearing was nowhere near as precise, she could hear Catra grumbling, picking up Finn and trying to shush them soothingly.

It’s fine. It’ll be fine. Catra will put Finn back to bed and come back here and we’ll pick up right where we left off. It’s still daylight, she noted watching the golden slants of sunlight glow through the curtains. It’ll be okay. You’re Shera. You’re Shera! Maybe I should go check on them? What if this throws off Catra’s whole mood? It’s happened before. Plenty of times.

Many, many times. Raising Finn came with more than just parenting difficulties.

Adora waited, listening to Finn’s fussing rise from mewls to full on screaming sobbing, back down to meek whimpers and then again to screaming.

“Finn, Finny, you have to calm down,” she could hear Catra soothe from the other room. “You already messed this day up enough just please nap for a little while before this dinner.”

“Whh...w...waaahh!”

Adora fiddled with her own clothing, nervously ringing the fabric in her fingers. I really should go check on them...no...no Catra can handle this. It’s fine. She can do this.

“Waaahhh!!!”

“Finn! Come on now, I’m not kidding!” A pause, probably her patting them on the back or something. “I mean it! Go to sleep or I swear I will….”

“I swear I will make sure you never see outside this chamber again!”

Adora’s mind flashed to that fateful night.

Shadow Weaver caught us outside the barracks, trying to get to the kitchens. She took us both to the Black Garnet Chamber. Even as Shera, she shuddered with nausea at the memory of that night. She tortured Catra, restrained her, and worked some spell to make it so that Catra felt stuffed to her stomach, bursting, gagging. I held her hair back for her later when she vomited in the latrine….

Adora stopped. It was easier to pause the spiral of her anxieties as Shera. A balm against her greatest fears.

Catra...and Finn, they’ve stopped talking, stopped crying.

“Shhh….shhh...that’s it...nice and easy now.”

Whatever threat Catra had meant to say, she had stopped herself. Replacing the ominous words with gentle whispers.

Shera’s own thoughts of Catra...of Catra’s hands and her warmth and her noises, her lips...danced back and forth through Adora’s mind. Distractingly so.

“Catra, everything okay in there?”

“Fine!” She whisper yelled, a very specific tone all too familiar with them now. Adora nodded, waiting. The heat below her belly button had not ceased throbbing. She waited for Catra to get back, determined not to interrupt.

She can do this, no need for Shera to jump in. Just relax. It’ll be okay, it’ll...

Catra walked back into their room unceremoniously, blinking slowly, rubbing her eyes in exhaustion.

Oh no, this is happening, Adora stood, crossing the room in one easy step. With Shera’s bravado and renewed passion. She looped an arm around Catra’s middle, shoving her against the wall.

“Catra,” Adora breathed, her lips grazing her wife’s as she tilted her head downward. The height difference now exaggerated. She braced Catra’s shoulders with her own toned arms. Catra’s breath came heavy, her shoulder’s rising and falling, the hollow of her neck prone.

Adora relished in watching her whole body shudder, bracing against the wall.

“A...Adora,” Catra whispered, voice breaking, looking up at Adora through heavy lidded eyes.

Fire and ice, Adora swept her up, hands going around her wife’s legs, pressing her up and against the wall kissing her ruthlessly. Catra groaned, arching backward, into Adora’s touch. She threaded her fingers through the waistband of Catra’s pants, reaching every downward.

“A...Adora,” she panted against ear desperately, “p….please.”

Catra, my Catra. Mine, Shera’s propensity for domination, from the battlefield to the bedroom, could hold back no more.

Not with Catra quivering against her, kissing her, grinding against her. Adora thrust forward, careful of the extra power she now held, and slid her hand further until her fingers brushed their mark. Catra buckled,

“I got you,” Adora assured her, holding her firm against the wall, Shera’s long golden hair falling between them as she worked her fingers delicately but persistent. Catra threw her head back and Adora reached up, cupping the back of her head, fisting her hair with one hand, the other still occupied. Luckily Shera’s sheer brute strength kept Catra where she was. Small bites from her fangs dotted against Adora’s neck, her skin, her chest, slick with sweat.

“Adora,” Catra repeated her name as a mantra. Husky and low, wanting, almost pitiful. But humbling, Adora thought; to have Catra, so battle hardened and tense like this before her. Open and needing, unafraid and unabashed. To be soft, to be vulnerable, begging, and the trust that lay therein. It drove Adora forward, rolling her hips with each thrust of her fingers.

“Yes, Adora, baby...almost there, come on…” Adora almost laughed in sheer joy, Catra wanting her, Catra needing her. Her body beseeching with each twitch of muscle and stroke of fingers. Her own hands clutched around Shera’s broad shoulders, pulling at the skin there, taut across her back.

So...good, stars I love her, love everything about her. I want to take every part of me and put it inside every part of you.

Is that sexy or creepy or weird?

I want all of her. I want to give all of me to all of her. Catra...

“You feel so good,” Adora moaned still pushing deeper. Catra’s form tensed, holding her in a death grip. Beyond the point of speech, Catra made a low lusty sound, then stopped, holding her breath, her body tight, so tight. Adora panted, holding her there at the edge. Catra’s legs gripped tight against Shera’s hips, trembling.

Yes, oh yes, Catra...Catra we can still love like this. Every night, every day, every moment we aren’t with Finn we can. I love you, I love you so much. All I want is you, is this.

With Shera’s strength and form, Adora cupped her fingers upward and inward right to that secret, tender, deep spot within. Catra’s body convulsed, claws digging painfully good into Adora’s back.

“A….d...Ad...Adora...a..a!”

Adora’s heart soared.

Even as Shera, she wants me. Adora. As I am.

She pressed harder, drawing it out,

“I...l...love...y..you,” Catra spoke through clenched teeth, holding Adora impossibly tighter.

“Catra! Adoraa--aaaaaa!”

Pink shimmering sparks filled Adora’s vision. Startled, she scrambled backward, wincing at a loud “OOF!” of Catra, no longer pinned against the wall, now crumpling to the ground.

“SPARKELSS!” The magicat seethed.

Shera dissolved as quickly as she’d appeared. Adora, very naked and very much still enamoured with Catra’s breath against her skin just moments before, crossed her arms to cover herself.

“SORRY! GLIMMER SO SORRY!”

“WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!”

“Having sex Sarkles!” Catra seethed, picking herself up off the ground and gathering her clothes. “With my wife! In our room! That is private! That has a door, for knocking!”

“Sorry Glimmer!”

Adora’s face flooded with heat, trying to search for her garments. Catra handed her Shera’s cape.

“Sorry! But I tried knocking and there was no answer!” Glimmer put her hands to her hips, glaring at them both.

“Hmmm no answer? I wonder why that could be?” Catra yanked on her shirt, tail bristling at the sound of Finn’s wake-up wail.

“I’ll get them!” Adora bolted from the room, grateful to save herself from further humiliation.

Though that’s like the tenth time this has happened. Maybe we should talk put protective wards around the room for anti-teleportation.

“Sorry Finny,” Adora scooped up the crying kit, who only screamed louder at the shouting from Catra and Glimmer.

“We have dinner tonight! With dignitaries from the former Fright Zone in twenty minutes! They’re already here!”

“Psh! They’re not dignitaries Sparkles, it’s Kyle Lonnie and Rogelio. They are like the least dignified people I’ve ever met.”

Finn kneaded at Adora’s chest, adding additional red marks to her skin though she minded neither. Kissing the top of their blonde curls she smiled, breathing in the calming scent of their fur, walking them slowly back to her wife and Glimmer.

“Maybe we’ll send you an invitation next time Sparkles!” Catra sneered, pulling on her pants, “really put Arrow Boy’s...arrow to the test!”

“Can we not do this in front of the baby?” Adora covered one of their little velvet ears protectively. Finn only sniffled, grabbing their tail in their and tugging it forward, attempting to stuff it into their mouth.

“Your disgusting Horde Scum! Shut up and get dressed for dinner. Banquet Hall in twenty! And put Finn in that nice outfit I got them! They’ve never worn it.”

“Yeah, because it’s ugly!”

“It is not!”

“Catra, Glimmer! Can we talk about this later? We have to...Finn that’s not going to work sweety,” Adora gingerly put her hand between their puckering mouth and their tail.

“Use the door next time Sparkles! Like Everyone else!”

Glimmer huffed, rolling her eyes.

“See you in twenty minutes! Bye Finny!” Glimmer waved towards the magikit and stuck her tongue out a Catra before teleporting away.

“Waaahhh!” Finn threw their head back in rage against Adora’s chest as they tried to fight her hand.

“I’m sorry Finn, you can’t eat your own tail!” Adora jostled the enraged magikit.

“Don’t apologize to them!” Catra snapped, turning on them both. “They can’t eat their tail. That’s that. You don’t need to say sorry. It’s not your fault.”

That’s...that’s not what I meant...Finn please just...calm down. Please for my sake?

“I know it’s not my fault,” her voice hardened. “I meant sorry for making them cry.”

Catra’s ears pricked back, hands folding across her chest.

“You didn’t make them cry,” she explained as though it were obvious. “You did the right thing. If they cry that’s their problem. If they’re going to try and eat their tail, we’ll bind it back.”

What? No! We can’t do that….Catra, you out of everyone should know what feels like! Shadow Weaver would bind your tail when we were kids. You always told me how much it hurt.

Adora stole a breath for herself, walking towards Finn’s room to change them despite their fit. She could recall it clearly, herself no more than five, and Catra only three. The binds Shadow Weaver would constrict to keep her tail up, out of the way. One of the many abuses directly aimed at suppressing or destroying Catra’s more….feline features. Adora herself could undo the bandages right now if she imagined it hard enough. Each finger twerking and jerking to pry loose the binds, her own hands bore blisters.

Catra’s wounds were more important. More severe.

“Finn! Hold still!” Adora wrestled with their flailing arms and kicking legs, the swiping tail in question, bat against her forearm. She tried to stuff them into the outfit Glimmer had bought them, pastel purple with so many frills it was hard to tell which hole was for the head, which for the legs, which for the arms.

Catra’s right, this is kinda ugly.

But she didn’t have the energy to argue.

“Please can we just get through this dinner with no upsets? From you or Catra?” Finn wailed louder, little claws scraping against her skin.

It’s okay, I’m used to it.

---

Bright smile, friendly voice, open arms. You can do this.

“Lonnie! Kyle! Rogelio!”

“Good to see you Adora,” Lonnie stood from her seat always with balanced dignity and put an arm around Adora’s shoulder.

Didn’t realize how much I missed her! Adora’s forced smile now changed to genuine.

“Catra,” Lonnie acknowledged, cool but cordial. Adora gave her wife a slight nudge to the arm that was looped around her.

“Lonnie,” Catra returned with the same ambivalence.

“Sorry we’re late! We had to get this one dressed,” she giggled Finn on her hip who was at last content with a stuffed arrow Bow had made for them. They beat it against Adora’s arm in glee.

“And who’s this one?” Kyle asked, bending down to Finn’s level and wiggling his finger in the baby’s face.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Catra advised. Finn tried to shoot forward at the hand, their pointy teeth snapping.

“Ahh!” Kyle scrambled back toward Rogelio’s side.

“They bite,” Catra finished. Adora laughed, scooping down to get the dropped toy and edged herself closer to their seats.

“Is that your baby?” Lonnie asked, going to take her spot between Rogelio and Kyle.

Yes! Wait...no? Yes? I...they’re my baby, but I don’t know if they’re Catra’s? Say something Adora! Think!

“Uhhh, it’s…”

“Time to eat!” Glimmer teleported into the room as the double doors opened once more, chef’s from the kitchen streaming in with platters of food.

“Just in time,” Adora laughed, getting Finn settled into the little chair Glimmer had set up beside her. The queen only nodded, understanding.

“Welcome to Brightmoon!” She announced, turning once more to her queenly duties. Adora sat down, allowing herself a brief breath of relief.

“He says we’ve been here before,” Lonnie translated for Rogelio. Glimmer nodded, awkwardly. “We were at Catra and Adora’s wedding.”

“Well, we’re glad to have you back!” Glimmer quipped, clapping her hands, signaling for everyone to eat.

Adora reached forward, staking her plate with as much food as she could. Eager to avoid any additional awkward conversation.

“You want to try some Finny?” She scooped up some soft ikchi and felt her anxiety dissipate, Finn launching themselves face first toward the spoonful.

“Well? Is that your baby?” Lonnie pressed again, while cutting her chevlin meat. Adora wiped Finn’s face, helping them with another spoonful.

“We found them on a mission,” Catra answered shortly. Lonnie exchanged a look with Kyle and Rogelio. The lizard man growled something Adora could not discern, even after all these years.

“Mamamamaggg,” Finn kicked at the table trying to get more. Catra wordlessly took the spoon and offered them another portion. Adora watched her face remain neutral even as Finn laughed adorably, orange goo all over their face.

“You found them on a mission?” Kyle asked between bites of food, “like me! That’s where the Horde found me anyways, after...a...a battle in Plumeria.”

“Makes sense,” Adora pondered aloud, pushing food around on her plate, appetite suddenly gone. “We were all orphaned one way or another before the Horde kidnapped us.”

Rogelio growled, shaking his head fervently. He put down the utensils he’d been struggling to hold, in favor of trying to gesture with his large claws. Adora watched him carefully, but cocked her head, unable to read.

“What’s he saying now?” Glimmer looked to Lonnie.

“He says speak for yourselves, both his parents met in the Horde and became Force Captains. He grew up with them, remember?”

Not really, Adora thought absently, I was too busy trying not to get punished to notice Rogelio’s family life. Or anyone else's upbringing...apart from Catra’s.

“Then Prime came and well, we weren’t the only ones who left after,” Adora watched her former squadmate glare at Catra before quickly continuing, “...after Hordak disappeared.”

“Well, I’m glad you found them Rogelio!” Glimmer answered for all of them. Rogelio only nodded, picking up his fork and poking at the steaming baked tyrin fish.

“I knew my parents too,” Lonnie kept her eyes trained evenly at Adora. “I was one of eight sisters!”

“Me too!” Bow waved from the other head of the table opposite Glimmer.

“Well, I was one of seven brothers!”

Lonnie nodded, a smile coming to her lips. She let out a terse laugh, as close to being friendly towards former rebels as she got.

“So you know how it is! My family’s been sending one child from their family to serve the Horde for generations ever since the Horde got here. I was happy to come…” she faltered momentarily. “We’ll I thought I’d be happy.”

Adora nodded, ignoring Finn’s grabby hands trying to reach for the plate before them.

“If anyone should’ve been promoted to Force Captain, it was you,” she looked at her once squadmate in earnest. Lonnie’s bright hazel eyes widened for a moment. “I mean it,” Adora continued,

“You were just as good as I was at fighting and on missions. You were always the most competent….I know now that all Shadow Weaver or Hordak ever saw in me as far as potential was...my connection to magic and Shera but,” Catra’s light hand on her knee under the table squeezed gently, grounding her. She swallowed, trying to calm her breathing;

“You’re a true born leader Lonnie.You should’ve been made Force Captain.”

Adora stopped herself before she could continue the word vomit, but it was true. Between all of them, even herself, Lonnie always worked hard, managed to balance commitment to training with empathy, at least towards Adora, Kyle and Rogelio. Her and Catra’s relationship was...we.., rocky to say the least as far as Adora could guess. The two were always at each other’s throats...almost too similar in their protective and stubbornness. But it was more complicated than that, Adora recalled Catra confiding in her that while she’d been in her own hellish spiral...Lonnie had taken on the mantle of managing most field operations and looking after the soldiers well-being. Not for nothing. Catra would never say it to her face, but Adora was certain there was respect there for their squadmate, maybe even a modicum of like minded agreeableness. Deep under everything else.

“Thanks Adora, and...who cares about Hordak and that old witch? If you hadn’t left, you’d be a great force captain too.” Her squadmate smiled sheepishly. Sentiment was never one of her strong suits, another commonality with Catra.

“So...that means just Adora Catra and I are orphans?”

“Kyle!” Lonnie and Catra reprimanded in unison.

“I was an only child,” Glimmer offered, cutting into her orvo steak. “I thought my dad died when I was a baby but,” she laughed,

“We all know how that turned out.” she joked.

“My mom was so afraid something would happen to me so she tried to keep me safe.” Adora felt her gut twinge with another pang of guilt. But Glimmer only took a deep breath, wistful,

“But safe also meant boring! Luckily things got a whole lot more interesting when Adora turned up!”

Kyle, Lonnie, Rogelio nodded, smiling in agreement. Beside her, even Catra chuckled.

“Mamamamamammmm!” Finn yanked at the delicate tablecloth, taking advantage of the momentary distraction, dishes jerking where they stood.

“Finn, come on don’t do that!” Adora lifted them from their seat, sitting them in her lap.

“They’re really cute though!” Kyle commented happily. Pride made Adora’s chest inflate.

“They are, aren’t they?”

“Looks like someone got food all over their face!” Adora stood up from the table with Finn, wriggling as ever in her hold.

“Let me clean them up, I’ll be back!”

“Let us know if you need help!” Bow called.

---

“Finny, really with the food?”

“Maaaaag!”

Adora chuckled, wiping their face with a damp towel, glad to have some reprieve.

“Teething or not little buddy, you’re going to get a good night's sleep tonight...let’s hope.”

I could use a good night’s sleep.

Sleep and...other things, Catra’s hot breath against her lips echoed in her memory. The slick wetness of her. Her stomach flipped, a pang going through her.

Towels drifted to the floor, Finn having swiped at them playfully. Adora, now shaken from daydreaming, sighed, bending to pick them up while still holding the baby.

She tidied Finn as quickly as possible, made somewhat more difficult by their constant kicking and grabbing for things to chew. Finally, she eased them up, caring them back to the banquet hall.

Not too much longer, you can do..

“Why would I take your kid Catra? You don’t think Kyle and Rogelio and I have other things to deal with?”

Lonnie stretched forward almost across the table, holding her fork in fist. Catra crouched in her seat, tail lashing.

“They’re not my kid! And you raised that creepy imp didn’t you?”

“Catra?” Glimmer’s concern carried over the table, mirrored by Kyle’s helpless wide-eyed expression, he placed a hand on Lonnie’s arm to no avail.

“Yeah, we did! But we’re not running an orphanage!”

Adora held Finn tighter on instinct, wandering back to her seat beside Catra with care.

What is she playing at?

“I know that,” Catra growled, slamming her fist down on the table. “That’s not what I’m asking! I want to know if you want this magkitten! Just one! You and Kyle and Rogelio can raise it together, it’ll be like a bonding thing.”

Rogelio growled something, though by the shake of his head Adora imagined it was a no. Kyle only looked between them, terrified as ever.

“Maybe we should talk about this calmly,” Bow interjected, leaning forward.

“I’m not cleaning up another one of your messes Catra. You’re not Force Captain anymore.” Lonnie all but snarled, that old vitriol rising.

Catra’s...trying to... the realization came slowly as Adora sat down beside her wife, holding Finn to her no matter how they wiggled. Magic flared through her eyes at the thought of it, ...giving Finn up? No, Catra wouldn’t do that, we’re becoming a family! We’ve been over this!

“I think this meal is over,” Glimmer pronounced, getting up from her seat with a flourish. Magic sparking in her hands.

“Fine by me,” Lonnie scoffed, shoving the table in front of her and standing. Kyle and Rogelio followed suit, though Kyle pushed his chair in awkwardly, placing his napkin back onto the plate.

“What do you want, Lonnie?” Catra demanded, “you want my old Force Captain badge?”

“I don’t want shit from you,” Lonnie leapt across the table in one move, jabbing a finger at Catra. “You’ve done enough. Not my fault you got stuck with some kid you can’t handle. That’s you and Adora’s problem, add it to the list.”

She couldn’t take it anymore. Adora stood, rounding on Catra.

“Lonnie enough, Finn isn’t going anywhere.” Both Lonnie and Catra stared at her. Finn reached out, trying to go to Catra but Adora held them firm.

“Glimmer thank you for dinner, sorry for the mess. Kyle, Rogelio, Lonnie, it was nice to see you but I think you should go now.”

Kyle nodded, sheepish, taking Rogelio and Lonnie’s hands, trying to pull them from the hall. Lonnie only glared, allowing herself to be led, but muttered something under her breath Adora could’t hear. Whatever it was, made Catra’s tail stiff with rage. Before she could leap forward, Adora grabbed at her wife’s arm.

“How could you?” She forced Catra to face her.

“Guys,” Bow inched forward, as the cooks hesitantly moved around them trying to clear the table.

“How could you?” Adora repeated, trying to articulate the thousand and one emotions surging through her.

Hurt, betrayal, anger, sadness.

“You said we were only going to look after them until we found someone more permanent!” Catra’s claws dug into the edge of the table in anger, “it’s been five months!”

I...I did say that didn’t I? Adora realized, regretting it instantly. I thought she’d forget about it….I should’ve known.

“You need to make your choice!” She continued, despite Glimmer opening her mouth to try and speak, “do you want this family or not?”

Catra’s eyes burned, her ears flat. Adora watched her look at Finn, who tried to lunge towards her.

“I want them to be safe!” Catra tried, “I want them to have real parents who can look after them! And I want you!”

“You want me to yourself,” Adora countered, the magic within her now making her eyes shine icey blue. Even Finn’s warm little body could’t calm her.

“Magdaaaaa daa faaah,” Finn babbled trying again to leap forward. This time, they were quick, Adora let out a startled yelp, Glimmer instantly teleported forward to try and catch them as they arched through the air, tail up, claws forward.

Adora watched Catra instantly reach her arms out, grabbing them before they hit the ground. Finn only smiled, ears pricked forward, their tail switched playfully proud of themselves.

“Catra, you got them?”

Bow asked as Glimmer materialized. Catra nodded, mute.

Adora took a deep breath,

Calm down, they’re safe. You're mad, yes. Think about why, articulate Remember what Perfuma said.

“You went behind my back,” she started over, hopefully more calm. “You waited until I left the room before asking Lonnie, Kyle and Rogelio of all people if they wanted Finn. You wanted to sell them like a skiff!”

Catra looked at the magikit in her arms, even as they tried to crawl up over her shoulder. Her expression filled with some semblance of remorse and confusion.

“Adora, maybe Bow and I can watch Finn while you two…”

“No,” Adora interrupted, insessed. “You can’t go behind my back. We talked about this, we said we’d make it work.”

“Yeah,” Catra’s cockiness caught up with her, “and how’s that working out for us Adora?”

So far not that great, she admitted to herself the thing she’d refused all this time. Try and she might, Catra had not taken to motherhood, not well. Not willingly. Thing’s between them had tensed, their patience towards each other stretched.

Maybe she was right, maybe can’t do this.

Adora stared at Finn, who’d wound themselves around Catra’s shoulders and was now trying to nibble at her ears. Adorable under any other circumstance.

I can’t choose, please don't make me choose, her heart wrenched.

“It hasn’t been going well,” she forced herself to speak the truth. No more covering things up, no more stewing in unspoken emotion. Her wife nodded in agreement. “I don’t know if it’s you, or me, or what was done to us as kids but...you clearly don’t want this and I do...I want you both...but..I don’t know if I can.”

Catra opened her mouth to speak, eyes somewhat softer now,

“I think,”

“M...aa..ma...mama!”

Adora stopped, Catra’s ear twitched, Glimmer let out a little gaspt, instantly covering her mouth, Bow quelled an “awwwe,” behind his hands.

“Mama!” Finn chirped.

“Are they talking about Adora or Catra?” Bow whispered, Glimmer shrugged.

Adora looked to her wife, then back at the magkit. Catra lifted her arms up, taking Finn gently in them and holding them out to her at arm's length.

“That’s it, go to mama Finn.” Heterochromatic eyes looked everywhere but at Adora, who accepted the magikit into her hold once more, though no more comforted.

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seagreen-meets-grey · 4 years

Text

Hooked On A Feeling Ch. 1

When Hiccup and Astrid realize they've never hung out alone before, they decide to change that. And how do you better spend time with your Good Friend than by playing Mario Kart all night?

[Chapter 1: Come A Little Bit Closer] [Chapter 2: Fooled Around And Fell In Love] [Chapter 3: Go All The Way]

Crossposted on ao3 and ff.net

_______________

Hiccup was at his fourth beer when he noticed.

He was leaning against the railing of Justin’s balcony, the cold night air cooling his skin, warm from the heat of the living room and the alcohol. It was game night, a tradition he and his friends had started over two years ago when none of them had really known anyone yet, trying to find their place on Berk’s huge university campus. Some of them had been in the same campus tour group on day one, the rest had met in class. If Hiccup recalled correctly, it had been Justin, also known as Fishlegs among his friends, who had suggested a night of board games and bonding, which had turned into a bi-weekly event of drinking and trash-talking each other over SingStar, Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity and the like.

Currently, they were taking a quick break from playing. Tuffnut and Snotlout needed a smoke break, Fishlegs one of his many potty breaks, and the rest of them just went along.

Hiccup was fairly sure that Tuff’s twin sister was filling up everyone’s water glasses with vodka, which would at least result in a hilarious moment of spitting out drinks all over Hiccup’s Monopoly board. He had long ago decided to never take his Game of Thrones board to game night if he didn’t want it back sticky and covered in oily crumbs.

He had opened a new beer bottle and followed Tuff, Snot and Astrid outside, engrossed in a conversation about the latest rumor about two of their professors dating.

By the time the two cigarettes were merely tiny smoldering dots in the ashtray on the windowsill, snowflakes started to descend silently from the dark sky. Snotlout looked up and stuck out his tongue to catch one, but it fell into his eye which made him whine and dramatically stagger off to the bathroom to wash it out, with an excited Tuff in tow who began to tell him a story of one of his many cousins who supposedly went blind from a snowflake in his eye.

“Muttonheads,” Astrid mumbled when the boys were gone.

Hiccup grinned and shook his head. “If we’re lucky, Tuff manages to make Snot so paranoid that we can sell him anything that will apparently prevent him from going blind.”

Astrid leaned against the railing next to him, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “I’m intrigued, Haddock. Keep talking.”

Animated by her reaction, he fell into his habit of gesticulating while talking, beer bottle still in hand. “Like, we could tell him about this old myth that says making bad choices in board games will increase your body’s healing capabilities.”

“Yes!” Astrid pointed a finger at him. “We’ll let Tuff scare him further with his ridiculous tales about cousins he doesn’t have, and he’ll eat right out of our hands.”

She was beaming at the chance to mess with their friend, and for a while, they kept brainstorming ideas to make Snotlout lose at Monopoly on purpose.

He was taking another sip of his beer when it hit him.

“Hey,” he interrupted her newest plan and she raised her eyebrows in question. “You know what I just realized?”

“That most of our friends share one brain cell?”

He chuckled. “No, I already knew about that. I meant… We’ve never, you know, done this before.” He gesticulated between him and Astrid.

“Messed with our friends?”

“No. No, I mean, I mean we do that a lot, but… But, you know, we never-- we never hung out like this before, just- just the two of us.”

He could see the same realization dawn on her. “Oh my god, you’re right.”

“Haven’t we?”

“We haven’t!” She shook her head disbelievingly. “How long have we been friends now? Almost three years, right?”

Hiccup nodded. “True. And we never really hung out outside this group.”

Astrid shivered and gestured with her head to go back inside. “We have to change that.”

They sat back down next to each other on the large sofa. Astrid reached for her water glass but was smart enough to sniff at it before taking a sip. From the corner of his eye, Hiccup spotted Ruffnut peering over in anticipation. He heard her curse when Astrid took the nearest bottle of coke and filled her glass to the brim. She took a scrutinizing sip, scrunching up her face for a second, shrugged and settled with it.

“So what do we do?” she asked, taking another sip.

Hiccup hummed in thought, crossed his arms and leaned back, tapping the neck of his almost empty bottle against his arm. “And when do we do it?”

“Do what?” Fishlegs asked, sitting down in front of his side of the Monopoly board.

“Hang out,” Hiccup and Astrid said in unison. Astrid held up her hand and without looking Hiccup gave her a high-five.

“Uhm,” Tuffnut said and made an open gesture. “Aren’t you hanging out right now?” He squinted his eyes. “Or is hanging out what the kids are calling it these days?”

Astrid threw a game piece at him and Hiccup felt a blush rise to his cheeks. “Hanging out as friends, you muttonhead!” she yelled.

“Right,” Tuff said, although Hiccup could tell he didn’t quite get it yet – or believed it.

“Hey, Hiccup,” Fishlegs chimed in, “didn’t you order Mario Kart for your Switch last week?”

“I did!” Hiccup sat up straight and turned towards Astrid. “All 48 races. Next Friday. We stay up all night. Loser buys the other a Christmas gift.” He offered her his hand.

She considered it for a second. “No falling asleep and the gift has a cost limit.”

They shook hands.

“Deal.”

_______________

Hiccup was at her place at nine, his Switch and Mario Kart game in his bag, as well as the ingredients to their self-made pizza. In return, her fridge was filled with energy drinks.

They said cheers with the first can and started on the pizza.

Astrid’s apartment had underfloor-heating that made the kitchen warm and cozy. Outside in the dark night, more snow was falling, covering the world in a white blanket. Music was coming from Astrid’s portable loudspeaker box.

“Someone’s been watching Guardians of the Galaxy,” Hiccup noted while he rolled out the premade dough on the griddle to the Marvel movie’s official mixtape.

“Nah, just dug it out when I went through my playlists.” She started humming and dancing on the spot where she was cutting onions on the kitchen counter.

She could feel the caffeine from the energy drink settle in her system. Using her knife as a microphone, she twirled around to face Hiccup at the kitchen table. “I’m hooked on a feeling!” she sang, taking joy in the way Hiccup started laughing at how off-key she sounded. “I’m high on believing!” She slid across the tiles in her beloved blue fleece socks, holding the knife-mic out to Hiccup.

“That you’re in love with me!” he sang into the fake-mic, equally off-key. She danced back to her cutting board and took another large gulp of energy drink. Not that she thought that hanging out with Hiccup wouldn’t be fun, but she just hadn’t anticipated it to be this nice.

While the pizza was in the oven, she opened her second drink and pulled Hiccup to his feet. Later, she claimed it was the caffeine coursing through both their bodies that made them decide they should have a dance-off right there in her small kitchen. Sliding on soft socks, slipping and catching themselves on the furniture or each other, they alternated between battling each other in ridiculous dance moves and twirling each other around, bumping into the table and counter several times.

When the oven timer went off, Hiccup loaded three big pieces each on two plates while Astrid disappeared into her little study room and came back with a DVD case in her hand.

“I’m up for some Home Alone, how about you?” She really hoped he wasn’t one of those people who hated the movie. Christmas time was Home Alone time for her.

“Am I ever!” Hiccup exclaimed and Astrid whooped and skipped off to her bedroom. He took a deep breath before he followed her, smile ever-present on his face.

They settled on her queen-sized bed, the desk with the large TV she got from her uncle Finn for her birthday in front of it, pizza and energy drinks on a tray between them.

Hiccup was impressed with the accuracy and passion with which she recited basically half the movie. But her amused expressions told him he didn’t fare any different with his impressions of Kevin and the bandits alike.

"I always think," she said when Kevin prepared his master trap, "that I'm glad Kevin seems to know what he's doing. Would have been a fucking chaos if he didn't."

Hiccup nodded vigorously. "Wanna know a fun fact about me?"

She peeled her eyes away from the screen and looked at him, genuine interest in her eyes.

"When I was a kid- actually, it started when I was a kid, and when I was fifteen, I was, like�� Anyway, um… Basically, Kevin McCallister was my childhood hero."

"Oh, no." The dread in her voice didn't match the anticipating grin on her face.

"Yep," he said, popping the p. "Made my parents' life hell, especially because my inventions and traps never worked the way I wanted them to."

"Oh my god," she laughed.

"My father still doesn't let me live down the day I decided to rebuild the zipline Kevin uses to get from the house to his tree house."

"But it shouldn't even work in the movie, like, all of these traps are bullshit, realistically speaking." She wiped tears from laughter out of her eye.

Hiccup gave her a deadpan expression. "Well, fifteen-year-old me was confident he had made the right tweaks."

"What happened?"

"Umm…" He averted his face and she leaned over the tray to shake his shoulder.

"Now you have to tell me!"

Hiccup sighed and turned back to her, trying to keep up his serious expression. "I had fastened the end of the line, the one that started at the house, on the windowpane. At that point we were living in this old house with wooden panes. You can probably guess where this is going."

"Nope, totally lost. Don't leave out even one detail." Hiccup shot her an unbelieving expression, but she kept looking at him with that twinkle in her eyes, so he gave in with a defeated sigh.

"Fine, the wood was too old, it snapped when I jumped, I fell and broke my left leg in two places. Had to wear a cast for weeks. From then on, I was done with those experiments."

“But you’re studying engineering.”

He shrugged. “Exactly. Never said I was done with all kinds of experiments forever.”

A sly grin formed on Astrid’s face right when on TV the hot iron trap went off. “Let’s use the energy that kept young Hiccup going on Snotlout and the twins.”

He slowly shook his head. “You. Are. Evil.”

“Nope, not evil.” She opened two new cans of energy drinks and handed him one. “Just working with what I got to make the world a better place in these difficult times of Snotfaces and Nuts.”

He snorted and threw her an amused look. He was definitely in the right company.

_______________

“Alright.” Astrid stretched in the middle of her room and cracked her knuckles. “Let’s do this. I’m ready to destroy you.”

Hiccup just hummed disbelievingly from where he was setting up his gaming system. “Better open the windows for a few minutes first, the air in here is really bad.” When Astrid did just that, he added, “because it smells of loser!”

“That’s because of you,” she countered without batting an eye.

“I know, my fault, I should have thrown you out earlier.” A pair of socks flew over his head while he was plugging in the HDMI cable. "Miss me, miss me, now you gotta kiss me."

"Keep that up and I'll have to kiss you for real."

Hiccup looked up at her and saw her eyes dart back up from somewhere below his midriff. He looked at the backside of his pants. Did he have a stain there? He couldn’t find anything. Dismissing it with a shrug, he joined Astrid on the bed again. She handed him his energy can, opening another one for herself. This couldn’t be good for their health.

While the game was loading, Astrid repeated the rules. “We play all 48 races. We can’t fall asleep. If one of us does, the other is strictly obligated to wake them up. Loser buys the other a Christmas present but it has a clear cost limit.”

“Wouldn’t we get each other little gifts anyway?”

“Additional present, then.” She took a large gulp of her drink.

“I don’t think you should drink so much of that stuff; your body’s energy will drop tremendously as soon as the effect wears off, and you’ll fall asleep. Also, you’ll get diarrhea.”

She threw him an unimpressed look while he took a sip as well. “Look who’s talking. Besides, I know my own body. I’ve done this before.”

“Sure,” Hiccup shrugged and dipped his head back to drain the can. “Let’s deal with it when the time comes.” He wasn’t able to keep still anymore, wiggling his toes to countermeasure the pace of his heart. Definitely not good for their health. They really shouldn’t do this. There was a pop and a sizzling sound and he was handed a new drink. Oh, well.

When the Mario Kart home screen came up, Hiccup took his controller and chose the right settings. Astrid grabbed the other one and tested out the buttons. It had been a while since she’d last played it, but Hiccup was dead certain she hadn’t forgotten how to properly kick his butt. Or, as he would make sure in tonight’s case, die trying. He’d love an additional Christmas present from her, and he’d love even more to destroy her. Smirk on his face, he moved the stick to choose his character as she did the same.

“You can’t be serious!” Astrid yelled accusatory. “Link isn’t even a Mario character!”

“So?” he shrugged. “He’s a choosable character and you know I love Legend of Zelda.”

She wasn’t having any of it. “You can’t play a non-Mario character in a Mario game, Hiccup.”

“He’s still a Nintendo character, and what’s the big deal?”

“We said we would play this right, so no characters from other games. Choose another one!”

“If I have to pick a character other than the one I always pick, you have to do the same,” he argued. “No Bowser for you, milady!”

“At least he’s from Mario.”

“Do it properly, Astrid!” He grinned. “If I have to repick, then so do you.”

She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Fine! But I don’t trust you with this. I’ll choose for you.”

He stuck out his hand. “Only if I get to choose for you.” They shook on the deal and switched controllers.

“Let’s see…” Astrid mumbled while going through the different available characters. “Got it!” She pushed a button to confirm her selection.

“What?!” He threw his hands up in indignation. “Why am I Waluigi?!”

“Because he looks like you.”

“Pah!” He quickly selected her character. “I guess you’re Baby Peach, then.”

She huffed. “Really, Hiccup?! Because she’s blonde?”

“No,” he said, smirk back on his face, “because she's a helpless baby and she, too, needs saving all the time because she keeps getting kidnapped by the same dude over and over again and she’s a bi– uff!“ She shut him up by surprise-tackling him to the mattress.

“Oh, really? Who needs saving now, huh?”

He struggled underneath her, but she had him pinned down with her full weight. His chest was warm underneath her arms and his face very close to hers. She furrowed her brows. Had he always had that many freckles? And did he know that there were so many shades of green in his eyes? She noticed the stubble on his chin, and he actually smelled really nice.

When her face suddenly started to feel hot, she did the first thing that came to her mind; she pushed him off the bed.

“Ow, why would you do that?!” Hiccup pulled himself up on the edge of the bed, and Astrid hoped he hadn’t seen the blush that was only slowly leaving her cheeks. But he had seen it.

For a moment, he frowned in confusion. Why was she acting so flustered?

“That’s for making me Baby Peach and comparing me to her,” she said evenly, trying to sound nonchalant, but she would still not meet his eyes. Huh. Maybe he could work with that, he thought, caffeine pulsing in his blood – whatever weird thing was going on.

They settled back into position next to each other, an arm’s length of space between them, and started the game. While they were racing over Cheep Cheep Beach, throwing shells and bananas at each other, Astrid didn’t say a word. Hiccup made a few comments every now and then and tried to trash-talk her, but she didn’t seem to hear him. Her face was focused but her eyes were far away. He hoped she wasn’t mad at him because of the Baby Peach thing.

His character broke through the finish line first.

“Wait, what?!” she shouted, perplexed, after she came in sixth.

Hiccup grinned mischievously at her. “Maybe you should pay more attention to the game if you want to win.”

“I was paying attention,” she insisted, “it’s because of stupid Baby Peach, she’s useless! Let’s start anew with our characters.”

Hiccup feigned shock, holding his hand to his heart. “What, you – Astrid Hofferson – want to back out after only one race?!”

She glared at him and raised her chin with determination. “I’ll show you a race, Waluigi!”

“That’s what I thought.”

Racing through the Water Park course, Astrid did her best to keep her concentration on the game, but her attention was continuously diverted. Why was it so nice to be so close to Hiccup and why was she suddenly so aware of him? She could feel his body heat next to her where they were sitting on her bed in their pajamas at 1 a.m. She’s had five energy drinks and she kind of wanted to make out with him.

It didn’t help at all that, during the next five races, his leg moved closer to hers inch by inch until their knees were touching, and from time to time, he shifted on his butt and leaned very close to her in the process. He let out this quiet chuckle that pierced straight through her heart and then he was suddenly sitting normally again and she realized she’d been driving against walls for a minute.

He won the fifth race with several positions ahead of her and she wanted to whack her controller on his stupid face.

“Whohoo!” Hiccup shouted, celebrating by jumping up from the bed and doing a little dance in front of the TV.

“You cheated,” she grumbled when he let himself fall back next to her.

“Astrid, you can’t cheat on Mario Kart.”

“You also don’t play a non-Mario character on Mario Kart and yet here we are,” she countered.

“But I’m not even playing Link.”

“Yes, because I saved you from that.”

“I never needed saving. See, that’s the difference between me and Peach–“

She punched him on the arm, shutting him up. “Feeling overconfident, are we?”

“Score.” He pointed at the ranking list on the screen.

“Pff,” she made, “we’re just getting started, Haddock.”

With matching competitive grins, they got ready for the next race.

“Ha!” Astrid exclaimed when she sent a blue shell for Hiccup on the N64 Rainbow Road and lead the brigade of opponents rushing past him, claiming her first victory of the night.

She finally went on a winning streak, the adrenaline that came with it keeping her from getting drowsy, unlike the not-cheating cheater next to her. Nine races later, she stretched her arms with a loud yawn and used the pause to check the messages on her phone while Hiccup leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.

It wasn’t long until his head rolled to the side and came to rest on her shoulder, his even breaths tickling her neck. She bit her lip. They’d agreed to stay awake, but she couldn’t find it in herself to wake him while he looked so peaceful and relaxed.

The loop of their characters cheering on the screen behind the updated ranking list went on, the music becoming background noise while she went through every social media feed on her phone, ignoring the increasing pressure in her bladder.

But more than a liter of energy drink had the power of two days’ worth of water, and it started to feel like it was trying to turn her insides out. She regretfully and carefully moved Hiccup’s head out of the way, immediately missing its weight on her shoulder and the warmth of his body leaning against her side.

Peeing felt like the liberation of France and she sighed in relief. Maybe she could be back before Hiccup woke up.

She wasn’t. When she came back from the bathroom, he was stretching on her bed, bleary-eyed and disarmingly cute with his messy hair, rubbing his eyes and face like a child.

“You broke a rule,” he yawned. “You didn’t wake me.”

“I didn’t notice you’d fallen asleep, doofus. I was in the bathroom.” She settled back on the blanket, making sure to leave a little space between them lest she got foolishly distracted by him again.

He reached over her to grab another energy drink and she could swear he was smirking. But when she eyed him properly, his eyes were big and innocent, a little red-rimmed from being tired and staring at a screen for so long. Choosing to forget the whole thing, she resumed the game.

#httyd #hiccstrid #hiccup haddock #astrid hofferson #fishlegs #tuffnut #ruffnut #snotlout #ff #fanfiction #modern au #fluff #maja writes #mario kart

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thumperking · 2 years

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thumper and I are now in culinary school 👨‍🍳

#ch. study.#mostly me but yk #finn hudson stan first ﹐human second ﹐out of character.

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gustafsnightangel · 3 years

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Shattered Lives Ch 33 Pt 1

Gustaf was woken by a tiny body curling up at his back. He cracked an eye open and looked at the clock, 4:30. Well at least he had four hours sleep, he’d survived on less. He reached an arm back to hug the kid close to him. There were no sniffles or sobs so he wasn’t too worried. He figured the kid just needed to be close.

“You ok Finn?” He mumbled into the dark.

“I’mk.” His tiny voice so quiet even though his face was buried in Gustaf’s neck. “Can I stay?”

“You can stay, go back to sleep for a bit longer buddy.” He rolled enough to kiss him on the head and squish him in a one handed hug.

He got a few more hours before Lily decided it was Christmas Day and the entire family should be awake. “Good morning Lily bear.” He chuckled and she chattered her usual dad dad. He nuzzled Sildie’s neck breathing her in, feeling his hardening cock press against her ass, and then remembered he had a seven year old in the bed at his back. Morning wood would be difficult to explain.

“Morning love.” He chuckled as she woke, Lily’s squeals made sure she was awake.

“Morning. Ok Lily I’m up.” She giggled. “Sounds like the little lady wants presents.” She pulled back the covers and Gustaf dragged her back against her kissing her neck before she could get up.

“I have a need for you, but the seven year old plastered to my spine had put the kibosh on that lovely wake up I had planned for you this morning.” He chuckled.

“Nightmare?” She asked as he let her go.

“No, I think he just needed that connection.” He watched her closely, today was going to be rough.

“He needed a dad.” She said gently and leaned over kissing him before he could argue. “Take your time, I’ll get Lily and the boys up. He needs you Gustaf. He may not voice it but he needs you to just be you.” She kissed him again and went to deal with Lily.

He waited until Sildie had left with Lily before rolling over to face Finn, which was difficult to do when the kid was wrapped around his neck and stuck like glue. The boy was out cold, he’d obviously relaxed enough once he was next to Gustaf to let sleep claim him hard. He curled the kid into him and let him sleep, drifting into a doze himself.

He woke sharply when Finn stirred and a knee ended up in his ribs. Bright blue eyes looked at him and he smiled before wrapping his arms around Gustaf and hugging him tight.

“Easy kid.” He chuckled and hugged him back. “You ok champ?”

“Yeah.” He mumbled as he let Gustaf go.

“Did you have a nightmare last night?” He asked not really sure what the kid needed.

“No.” He shook his head. “Just sad.” Gustaf hated hearing that grief in his voice, in any kids voice.

“Wanna talk about it?” He wouldn’t push but wanted him to have the option.

“I’m sad they’re not here, but also if they were here I wouldn’t have you.” Finn said softly. Kid logic, Gustaf thought, simple, straight to the point with no added bullshit.

“I feel the same way.” Gustaf said gently.

“You do?” Finn looked at him puzzled.

“I do. I’m sad that your parents aren’t here, but, at the same time, if they were still here I wouldn’t have met Sildie, and I wouldn’t have four great kids in my life.” He watched the kid carefully not sure if it was the right thing to say or if a kid of his age really understood. “It’s ok to be sad they’re not here Finn, and you never have to feel bad or hide it from me ok? I get it.” Finn nodded and snuggled into Gustaf’s chest, the kid needed the connection, needed a dad.

Fuck, he thought, was he really ready for them to call him dad? It freaked him out if he was being completely honest. This is what you wanted, that little voice in his head echoed and he smiled. He wanted it, all of it, but it was scary as fuck.

Sildie smiled at the sight as she opened the bedroom door, tiny lanky body curled into a big lanky body, they were both all limbs. She sat on the edge of the bed and trailed a finger down Gustaf’s jaw before running her fingers over Finns hair and kissing his forehead.

“Doing ok in here?” She asked gently, she knew how sensitive Finn was. He climbed off Gustaf and hugged Sildie.

“I’m ok.” He said and kissed her.

“Breakfast is ready, how about you go get some pancakes?” She said and watched as the kid evaporated at the mention of food. She looked at Gustaf and watched him breath out carefully. “You ok?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Just freaking out a little.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Quinn’s are some fucking big shoes to fill Sildie.”

“Hey.” She cupped a palm to his face and kissed him tenderly. “Breathe.” She murmured against his lips as she could feel the anxiety rolling off him in waves. “Don’t worry about Quinn’s shoes. Just be you, that’s all they want.” She kissed him again. “It’s all I want, just you.” Her kiss was slow and loving. “Breathe love. You’re doing just fine.”

He took a calming breath and pulled her to him burying his face in her hair and letting her scent calm him. “My sweet man, it’s their choice, their decision.” She smiled and stroked his head as he held her. “Let it happen, they have so much love to give you.”

“I love you.” He mumbled into her hair.

“I love you too. Come on you can’t hide in here all day, breakfast then presents or were going to have a mutiny on our hands.”

“I’ll be out in a minute.” He said as she stood and held her hand out for him. He took it somewhat reluctantly, she was taking care of him like he took care of her. He stood and looked into those ice blue eyes, love and compassion looked back.

“See that you are.” She said kissing him. “I made bacon, you might want to come and get some before it’s all gone.” She grinned.

She could see this was difficult for him and only hoped he wouldn’t have a panic attack over it when the boys decided to let him know.

“Go easy with him today.” She said softly, sitting at the table and getting some pancakes for Lily. “If you’re going to ask him to be your dad, go easy, and expect a lot of tears and emotion, ok?” The boys looked at her. “I had to give him a heads up, it’s only fair with something this important. We can’t blindside him.”

Brendan nodded. “He wants to be though, right?” He asked slightly nervous.

“He wants to, but he’s not sure he’s worthy of the title or if he can be that for you like your dad was. But he wants to try. It’s a big deal for him, just try and remember that.”

“He already is though.” Finn said.

“I agree love, and I couldn’t be happier that you want him as a dad. Just be gentle, be kind. He will cry and he will get emotional. This is huge for him.” The boys nodded and she put her finger to her lips as Gustaf walked out in some really ugly Christmas pajamas.

He grinned at the giggles coming from the table.

“Those are really bad.” Sildie chuckled as he came over and kissed her.

“I know, I saw them and just had to.” His grin was wide.

They sat and ate breakfast, Lily ending up in Gustaf’s lap feeding him bacon and tiny crumbs of Lussekatta. The kids cleared the table and once a pot of tea was made they all sat around the tree while Brendan handed out presents. The twins helped Lily unwrap gifts as Sildie took photos and recorded some of it, Gustaf getting his own photos of them so they would have some with Sildie in there as well. He’d noticed that about the photos in the digital frame, there were about six with Sildie in them as she’d been behind the camera for most of the time.

There weren’t a lot of presents but those that were given and received were thoughtful and full of love. Gustaf saw the tiny package Sildie was opening and smirked, she was going to be furious. She opened the small box to reveal a key and frowned at it as it was oddly familiar.

“You look perplexed love.” He said, she could hear the knowing smirk in his voice.

“What’s it to?” She asked looking at him and holding it up. Her tone had the kids attention too. He knew that tone, suspicion and irritation.

“Why don’t you go down to the garage and find out.” He suggested.

He saw it the moment it clicked. “You didn’t.” She choked, staring at him. She didn’t know if she wanted to rage at him or kiss him.

“Oh, I did.” He nodded.

“He did what?” Liam asked not catching on just yet.

“He bought her the car.” Brendan said piecing it together. Damn the kid was as sharp as Sildie.

“I... you... I’m so mad at you right now.” She said simply, unable to put her words together.

“Ok.” He laughed.

“I specifically asked you not to buy me one.” She huffed.

“I know, and technically I didn’t, it’s still in my name.” He shifted closer to her and kissed her. “Presents are off limits love.” He grinned.

“Damn it Gustaf.” She sighed, she wasn’t angry per se, she was exasperated. “I don’t want your money.” She said quietly.

“I know.” He kissed her. “Please don’t be angry.” He murmured. “It’s nothing more than me trying to make your life easier. You need a new car so now you have one. The money you saved is still in the bank and you can use that for partner if you take it.” He swiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb and kissed her.

“No more spending money on me. This counts as at least five birthdays and Christmas’s.” She pleaded.

“No dice.” He kissed her quickly and grinned. “Presents are off limits and I like buying things for you.”

“You know you’d make a great lawyer considering the way you find your way around loopholes.” She said sarcastically.

“I’ll leave that to you.” He chuckled.

“Thank you.” She said gently, she couldn’t be mad. It was Christmas and he’d done it out of kindness and love, not for the sake of just buying it because it was expensive.

“I love you Sildie.” He kissed her temple.

“Love you too.” She bumped his shoulder with hers and he laughed.

She saw him pick up the thin package with gold wrapping and smiled. His brow knit as he studied the dvd wondering what on earth could be on it.

“You’ll need the laptop.” She said softly and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Don’t worry it’s kid safe.” She chuckled, and that mischievous grin spread across his face. He wouldn’t mind a not kid safe sexy movie just for him to take with him when he was away.

He got up and found the laptop they used to Skype with him and sat back on the floor with it. Tugging her hand he urged her to sit closer wanting to watch it with her. He had no idea what was on it and nothing prepared him for the title page. Our Family, it said simply.

He looked at her and she smiled. “Play it.” She said gently, kissing him with that deep tenderness.

He pressed play and watched as every small home video they’d taken together on their phones flowed from one memory into the next. Looking over the top of the screen he saw Brendan smiling, the kid had put this together and found a way to sneak into his phone and download all the videos he had of them.

“You’re sneaky.” He said playfully to the teen, to which the kid just shrugged and grinned.

“I figured this would hold you over until we can get some more together.” Her voice quiet.

“I love it, and I love you. It’s perfect.” He placed the laptop on the floor, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her. “I can watch it when I’m away on set.”

“I love you too, Merry Christmas.”

“Our first together.” His voice thick with emotion.

“Just the beginning love. We have many more to go.”

“Yes we do.”

With their gifts opened Gustaf stayed on the floor with Lily while the boys tidied up the paper and Brendan made a fresh pot of tea.

“We have one more present for Gustaf.” Brendan said hesitantly his eye flicking to Sildie, not sure if this was the right time but the three boys had decided today was the day. Gustaf’s gut lurched as Brendan and the twins handed him an envelope.

“It’s something the four of us made.” He shrugged, the teen trying not to make it too big a deal, especially with Sildie’s warning. Gustaf’s hand shook as he took it from him. The twins sat beside him and Brendan sat in front so he could keep Lily occupied while Gustaf read the letters the four of them had written.

His throat was chocked with emotion as he unfolded the first piece of paper. It was a drawing, obviously done by Brendan at the level of skill involved. A portrait of all six of them, a family unit. If the kid didn’t go into cooking he could certainly find a career in drawing, he was exceptional. As he stared at it he saw that there were colorful scribbles over the picture and Lily’s handprints in yellow paint in the corners. He smiled and had to stifle the sob that wanted to escape as he ran his thumb over the dried paint.

He felt Sildie sit behind him, felt her mold her body against his back much like she’d done in the cabin when he burned the notebook. She was grounding him and he took a steadying breath as her fingers fanned out over his heart.

The second piece of paper was from the twins. Again, a drawing of the six of them, in a house as a family, more stick figure than portrait, but something they had thought about, something that they had worked on together for him. Their handprints were done in orange and green, the names of each person underneath. His thumb brushed over the dad inscribed in blue, the mum in red and he sucked in a breath barely holding onto his composure. The final piece of paper was a letter, and Gustaf’s eyes flicked to Brendan before he started to read. He saw the nervousness in the teens eyes.

It was simply written, words from their hearts. Hearts of four children that had lost so much, yet willing to give him so much of themselves freely. They weren’t words to impress, but to convey their love. To ask him for the one thing they needed, the one thing to fill that void of never ending grief, that heart wrenching sorrow. To be the man in their life, the dad in their life, to help them heal.

It spoke of the love they would always have for Quinn and the harsh reality that he was gone. Words from four kids, childhoods partly destroyed by tragedy, where things were anything but normal. He crumpled, he had no words, no way of answering as his emotions completely consumed him. Leaning back into Sildie he pinched his fingers to his eyes as he wept, felt her kiss at his temple, the assurance that he was ok, that this was all ok. How did he be this person, how did he be a dad to them? Sildie’s words from earlier echoed through his mind, they just want you. Just be you.

Brendan’s eyes met Sildie’s and she smiled, mouthing an “it’s ok” at the kids alarmed look. She had warned them and had been expecting it. This was a huge step for them, for Gustaf, and her heart was so full it felt like it would explode. With their letters still in his hand Gustaf wrapped an arm around Brendan and the twins and pulled them in close, the last line of the letter replaying in his head.

You’re the only dad we have now.

Lily squealed at being caged in by so many bodies and Gustaf chuckled releasing the twins, sniffing and trying to get a grip. Brendan held on tight as Sildie scooted back and pulled Lily into her lap.

“I love you dad.” Came the faint mumble and Gustaf sobbed holding the teen tighter, his body shaking. It was new for them too and with all the emotion that had crashed through him he’d forgotten that.

“Love you too B.” He managed to get out before more tears fell. He kissed the teens head and held him tight. Watching the photos scroll through on the digital frame he let it just consume him. There was no way he was containing this. He felt the twins curl into him and pulled them close again, Sildie’s hand at his lower back, soothing, grounding. Sitting there with his family in his arms he let the tears fall, let the love and warmth from four amazing kids surround him, soothe him.

When he managed to get some measure of control he loosened his grip on the kids and they sat back, tears of their own falling.

“I love you guys.” He said shakily as he scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s going to take a bit to get used to.” He sniffed and Sildie handed him the tissues.

“We just wanted you to know.” Finn said quietly and hugged him.

“Can we take it slow?” Gustaf asked, as he planted a kiss to Finns head, and to his relief the kids nodded. “Because this is going to choke me up for a while.” He wiped his eyes and stared at the portrait Brendan had done. “This is beautiful.” He murmured, his hand cupping the back of the teens neck to draw him in for another hug. “And so’s this.” He unfolded the twins picture and grinned. “That reminds me, I almost forgot. I have another gift for you guys next door.” He felt Sildie’s hand squeeze his shoulder at his words.

“More?” Liam’s face lit up.

“More.” Gustaf kissed Liam’s head and folded the three pieces of paper carefully as if they were delicate 16th century priceless art works and returned them to the envelope. To him they were, they were priceless and so very special.

Sildie almost cried as she watched Gustaf get to his feet, go straight to his messenger bag, and place that envelope in his notebook. She knew that notebook went with him everywhere. A lesser man would have sat it with all the other gifts to maybe toss at the bottom of a box later, but not her man. No, he would keep those with him, on him forever, pull them out and look at them when he needed to remind himself of what incredible kids he had.

She stepped in front of him as he went to grab his keys and he stopped abruptly, his gaze finding hers. She placed her palm over his heart and kissed him. “I love you.” She said tenderly.

His hands disappeared into her hair and he devoured her mouth so thoroughly she was breathless when he spoke. “And I’m so in love with you.” His smile wide. “Shall we go next door and surprise the kids?”

“Are you ok?” She asked, resting her forehead against his.

“I am, a little shaken but I’m ok. I just need time to process and I think they do too.” He closed his eyes and tried to settle. “That was huge and overwhelming.”

“They just want you, love.” Her kiss was soft. “Just be the wonderful soul you are.”

“I just want them too. And you.” He growled the last two words and snapped his eyes open to find hers as she giggled.

“Take a breath.” She said gently and smiled as it shuddered out of him. “And another.”

He calmed, the breath leveling him out. “Thank you.” He murmured and kissed her temple. “You know just what I need.”

They headed next door and as the boys stood in the living room while Gustaf collected the three small boxes from his office . They tore the wrapping off and looked puzzled at the key in their hand.

“Ok the deal is if you can find what the key opens you can have it.” Gustaf grinned, Sildie’s chuckle was all he heard as three boys looked at each other and then started looking for all the keyholes in the place. “Don’t worry I’ll change their door handles back to regular ones tomorrow.” He murmured and kissed her temple.

“Does Lily gets keys too?” Liam asked.

“She does, but I wanted you guys to find yours first since she’s going to need your help finding hers.” He said.

Gustaf knew Brendan had figured it out and was always amazed at how the teen put his brothers first. Holding off for the twins, helping them find their room first after searching for a bit. They went all over the apartment, Brendan turning it into a scavenger hunt. Silence descended as the twins stared at their room, while Brendan opened the door to his. Brendan looked at Gustaf, not quite sure if he understood correctly. He was sure Sildie had said she was going to ask Gustaf to move in with them. Gustaf turned to Sildie.

“Move in with me?” He asked loud enough for the boys to hear.

She looked over to Brendan to see a smile bloom across his face. “What do you think guys? Should we move in here with Gustaf?”

“These rooms are for us?” Liam asked in awe.

“All for you. There’s one at the end of the hall for Lily too so Ama doesn’t have to share anymore.” The boys crowded into Lily’s room and Sildie chuckled.

“I think they’re ok with it.” She whispered to him as he took Lily from her and kissed the tiny girl until she giggled.

“Come see your room little lady.” He set her down and she went exploring. The boys did much the same in their own rooms.

“Mum come seeeee.” Liam said grabbing her hand and dragging her to their room. Mum, she thought, we’ll she’d kind of expected that considering. If the kids were ok with the sentiment then she was too, sort of. They needed closure, they needed to move forward and if calling her mum helped them she’d suck it up. She knew deep down she wasn’t mum material but for them she’d try.

“When can we move in? Can we sleep here tonight?” Finn asked hopeful, as he sat on the bottom bunk with a book.

“We can start moving in tomorrow and we’ll see about where we sleep tonight. We don’t have things for Lily over here, no food.” She just wanted to get through today and there was so much more of the day to go.

“We can always camp out tonight.” Gustaf said walking back to them, Lily on his hip. “Why don’t you take a shower and the boys can help me move some stuff across and we can sleep here tonight.” He stroked a finger down her jaw and curled the wave of hair around it.

“You’re sure?” She said hesitantly.

“Never more sure love. Then we can move everything else tomorrow.” He kissed her long and slow. “Besides.” He growled. “I want you in our bed tonight.” He nipped her ear lobe gently and her giggle made his cock twitch.

The boys practically skipped home and started to help Gustaf pack up and move everything they’d need next door for their sleep over. It had gone better than she could have hoped for, she thought as the hot water soothed and relaxed her. By the time she was getting dressed the boys were taking their showers and Gustaf had Lily in the tub.

She decided on leggings and an oversized sweater. She wanted comfort. “Is this ok?” She asked and he smiled at her.

“Love, you’d look good in a paper bag.” He chuckled.

“Be serious.” She said shortly and he heard the anxiety in her tone.

He placed Lily on the floor to play and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m very serious, and yes what you have on is fine. I’m just going in jeans a shirt. My sister is probably going to be in something similar.” He kissed her, lingering. “Relax.” He murmured. “Breathe. It’ll be ok with whatever you decide to wear.”

“Ok.” She nodded and whooshed a breath out.

“Go get the boys squared away while I take a shower and then we can go.” He kissed her sweetly. “I’ll be right there with you love, together, you and me.” She nodded and then kissed him.

“Just nervous.”

“I am too.” He confessed.

“You’re nerv....” She choked. “Great.” Her squeak made him smile.

“Yes. Would you like to know why?” He kissed her tenderly and she nodded.

“You’re the first woman I’ve brought home for Christmas.” Kissing her temple he breathed her in, calm.

“I’m what?”

“My family met Ana and previous girlfriends, even Hanna my first wife, but I never had them home for family Christmas. Most of the time they were with their own families or I was working. I’d asked, their families were more important which is understandable. It stung a little I’m not going to lie, but you’re the first and last woman I’ll be taking home for Christmas.” His hands roamed her body and pressed her against the hard lean length of his. “I’m nervous because you mean so much to me and I want them to love you as much as I do.”

“They’re your family Gustaf, they love what you love.” She scoffed, remembering what Bill had said in the car to her that night.

“Yes, but I... I want things to go smoothly for you.” He said honestly. “I don’t want you or the kids feeling uncomfortable.”

“I’ll be ok.” She said forcing the smile, she wasn’t convinced but she’d try.

“And I’m nervous after the boys gift.” He choked. “It’s a lot to live up to, I’m still reeling a bit and I... I’m fucking terrified.” He looked at her hoping it wouldn’t compound her already heightening anxiety.

“We can be terrified together. Apparently I’m mum now.” She chuckled and blew out a breath. “Go shower.” She kissed him. “Let’s get it done and then sleep in our bed.”

“Now that I can get down with.” He said gently and kissed her quickly before heading to shower.

With the Kladdkaka and presents packed, kids in coats, Lily in her stroller, and her nerves relegated to a deep pit in her stomach, they walked to the Skarsgard family home. By the time they were in the elevator she’d let the lawyer surface and wrangled her emotions, she would get through this and she was not going to embarrass Gustaf by having a complete meltdown in front of his entire family. With that firmly decided she plastered a smile on her face and let the lawyer take the reigns.

Even though his parents were divorced his mother My still lived in the house Gustaf grew up in, and his parents had an amicable relationship which meant Stellan would be here with his wife and two sons. All Sildie knew was there were going to be lots of people, and probably lots of questions, she was ambivalent about both.

Gustaf walked straight through the door without knocking, each child knew they had an open door at their mothers house. Sildie was greeted by voices and music as Gustaf helped her with her coat and pulled Lily out of her stroller to hang up her coat and snuggle with him. She looked at Brendan and could see the teen was nervous but ok, same with Liam, but Finn was glued to her leg.

“Give me a minute.” She murmured to Gustaf and pried Finn loose enough to get down on his level. “You nervous love?” She asked gently and he nodded. “Me too.” She smiled shyly when his eyes met hers.

“Can I hold your hand and stay with you?” He asked in a barely audible voice.

“Of course. You know, I think Uncle Bill is here today too.” She said looking at Gustaf.

“He will be if he’s not already here, and Oona and Aunt Alida.” He added, he felt for the kid, lots happening and slightly unsure of his new surroundings. Finn was sensitive and hated crowds, just like Sildie.

“Then maybe you can play Mario cart later.” She saw the slight smile and hoped that was enough to keep him from freaking out.

She took his hand and Liam’s and walked behind Gustaf, Brendan followed with the Kladdkaka. Gustaf introduced them to the room and she was greeted by happy smiles and friendly waves. Heading to the kitchen she noticed everyone seemed to see them, say hi, but not crowd them, and she was thankful for that. She smiled as Bill came toward them, a familiar face she was relieved to see. Brendan and Liam went with him to meet Valter, but Finn stuck to Sildie and hid behind her, even with Bill.

“He’ll be ok Bill, he just needs some time to adjust.” She said squeezing Finn’s hand and the kid squeezed back. It was their own secret communication of checking in with each other.

“Bathroom?” Sildie asked Gustaf before they headed into the throng of people.

“Down the hall, last door on the right.” He kissed her sweetly.

“Good to know.” She smiled and squeezed Finn’s hand again. If Finn knew where the bathroom was he’d have somewhere he could go to breathe and collect his thoughts.

Finn seemed to blend into Sildie and as she was introduced to Gustaf’s cousins she was relieved that none of them pushed an introduction to the kid, or a conversation. It was painfully obvious that he wasn’t handling things well. That changed when Gustaf’s father came over to say hello.

“And who’s this little guy attached to your leg?” He asked conversationally, not pushing.

“This is Finn, his twin is Liam, who I think ran off with Bill at some point.” Sildie chuckled. “Finn and I are kindred spirits, we don’t handle big crowds very well.” She squeezed Finn’s hand and he squeezed back as he pressed tighter against her leg.

“Ah. I understand completely. My youngest boy is the same way. Can I?” He asked, pointing to Finn and at Sildie’s nod he dropped to the kids level. She saw now where Gustaf got it from, that compassion, that kindness, the never ending patience. The apple hadn’t fallen far from the tree.

“Hi Finn.” He said gently.

“Hi.” Came a mumbled, barely there reply as he pressed himself tighter against Sildie’s leg. Sildie was grateful he hadn’t completely shut down.

“I hear from Gustaf you like the Harry Potter movies?” Stellan looked up at Sildie and she could have kissed the man. Finn nodded quickly, his face still half attached to Sildie’s leg. “My youngest son likes them too and is watching the first one, would you like to come and watch it with him? It’s a little quieter over there and not as many people.”

Finn looked up at Sildie and she squeezed his hand willing the universe for him to take a leap of faith and go. She got down to his level and kissed him. “You can go watch it, I’ll be right here.”

Stellan held out his hand and waited, he was offering but not pushing and Finn could see that. He took Stellans hand and squeezed Sildie’s.

“Are you Gustaf’s dad?” He asked quietly.

“I am.” Stellan smiled. “Ready for some Harry Potter magic?”

Finn nodded and dropped both Sildie’s and Stellan’s hand before hugging Sildie tightly around the neck. “I’ll be right here love, I won’t leave without you and you can come find me or Gustaf at any time ok?”

“Ok. Love you mum.”

“Love you too. I’m proud of you. Go make some new friends.” She said smiling at him when he let her go and took Stellan’s hand again. She watched them go and blew a breath out as she stood. She felt Gustaf’s hand at her waist, his lips at her jaw.

“Ok it’s official, your dad is awesome.” She chuckled. “My new bestie.”

“He’s good with kids.”

“One would hope so considering he has the eight of you.” She quipped and Gustaf’s laugh eased the tension in her shoulders.

He introduced her to Valter who was just a big goofy kid at heart. He owned the house in the realm of video games and she saw now why Gustaf wanted Finn to go up against him, although Brendan and Liam were holding their own quite well. Valter and Brendan seemed to be on the same wavelength as the geek speak flowed as easily as their native tongue.

“If we can persuade Finn to play he’d wipe the floor with him.” Gustaf murmured pointing at Valter and Sildie smiled.

“Let’s play that by ear, he might relax more as the night goes on.” She said softly.

“There are other nights, doesn’t have to be tonight.”

He led her back out to the living room, introducing her to more people, his hand at her back a constant source of grounding and comfort. She was going to have a hard time remembering everyone’s name. They stopped near a man that was taller than Gustaf by a few inches with his back to them.

“Sam.” Gustaf said and tapped him on the shoulder.

As her eyes landed on his face she felt her entire world bottom out. “Dr Sam.” She choked, the familiar lightheadedness and prickling of her skin her only warning her system was about to implode, catastrophically.

“Sildie?” He said puzzled, his brow knit.

She saw the recognition in his eyes as her chest tightened. “Excuse me a moment I need the bathroom.” She managed to wheeze out before she broke from Gustaf’s grip abruptly and fled. Last door on the right, last door on the right she repeated, the wheeze tightening her chest. She burst through the door and slammed it shut turning the lock and virtually collapsed on the floor as her legs crumpled under her. Bringing her knees up she sat trying to force oxygen into her lungs, while making herself as small as she could. She would not pass out or have a fucking coronary today she willed.

Gustaf didn’t know what the fuck was going on. At her choked Dr Sam he’d watched the color drain from her face to a sickly grey.

“What the fuck Sam?” He spat, turning on his brother, temper flaring. Yes, he had one, it didn’t surface often or easily, but he had one and it was volatile. “You two know each other?” He wanted to go after Sildie but he had to know what he was getting into first.

“I’m sorry.” Sam said in his gentle manner, knowing how explosive his brother could be. “It didn’t click until just now. I looked after her brother in the ICU, mum was with his wife.” He sighed out, his gaze flicking to Lily, the realization that this was the child his wife had been carrying. “Shit Goose, I didn’t know. I see hundreds of people a year I don’t remember them all and it didn’t click.”

“Fuck!” Gustaf swore and glared at his brother. “Didn’t click? How did it not become fucking obvious when I told you her name?” He spat. “This will fucking destroy her.” He seethed. “She’s spent the better part of two months, two months Sam, working her herself up to come and meet everyone without losing her shit.”

“Goose, I’m sorry, but I don’t remember everyone I treat.” It was the truth and Gustaf knew it but he was livid. The one thing he didn’t want shoved in her face today had been firmly rammed down her throat.

“We’re not fucking done.” He snarled and set off down the hall with Lily still snuggled in his arms.

He stood outside the bathroom and hesitated, his hand poised to knock. He could hear her sobs and felt like shit. How had he not seen this as a possibility? Because there is more than one hospital in the city and Sam can’t control who his patients are you moron, he swore silently. He felt like shit for that now too, the way he’d ripped into him, jumped down his throat without thinking. What a fucking mess. He took a breath, she needed him calm, she needed him to be her rock. “Breathe.” He said softly as he got rid of the rage at his brother. “Just breathe.”

She heard the soft knock and the call of her name before the lock clicked open. It was like the voice was down the end of a tunnel as black clouded her vision. Damn it to hell she would not pass out. Still forcing air into her lungs he closed and relocked the door.

His heart broke, she was sitting on the floor, knees under her chin, eyes red, that tell tale wheeze as she tried to breathe. He sat beside her, hauling her into his lap with Lily.

“I’m so sorry love, I didn’t know. Sam didn’t either.” He sighed, kissing her head and stroking his fingers through her hair more to soothe himself.

“I know.” She sobbed. “I’m not mad it just... I can’t breathe.” She wheezed.

“There’s more.” He said gently. Fuck this was going to destroy her. “My mum was with Dana.” He dropped that piece of news quickly, like ripping off a bandaid.

“Oh.” She said quietly before a new wave of tears fell, the choked sobs that made her wheeze worse.

“Let it out love.” He soothed, it was the only way now, there was no going back. There was no calm breathing, she needed to cry it out, she needed to let it consume her to move past it when it had gone beyond breathing techniques and conscious thought. “I’m so sorry love, I never meant for it to happen like this.”

“It’s ok.” Her sobs catching in her throat.

“No, it’s not, but it will be.” He said softly as he held her tighter as she fell apart. “Pass out if you need to I’ve got you love let it come.”

She let the grief swamp her, she was safe and he was with her. Letting it go was the only way now as his hand stroked her back, soothing, calming. “Deep breaths for me love.” He murmured as her sobs lessened, his gentle string of instruction calming her further.

Lily squirmed after a while and let it be known she wasn’t happy with the current situation and Sildie laughed as she sat up, her breathing calmer. He settled her, leveled her out.

“She wants you all to herself.” She sniffed and started to reign it in. “Not that I blame her.”

“I love you.” He said tenderly, fingers toying with the wave of copper at her jaw.

“I love you too. I’m so sorry.” She said as she climbed off him and stood, throwing cool water on her face to get a grip. “Sam must think I’m a fucking basket case.” She huffed.

“Don’t. That was some slap in the face Sildie and I never meant for that to happen.” He stood behind her, kissed her neck, and let his hand wander under her sweater to find bare skin at her hip. “Relax.” He murmured and rubbed a hand up and down her spine, the skin on skin contact what she needed. “Get through the rest of this and I’ll make it all better when we get home, to our room, in our bed.”

His gaze met hers in the mirror and he saw the lawyer surface. “There’s my girl.” He growled. “So fucking strong for me.”

@hausofobsession @ill-skillsgard @grandpa-sweaters @authentic90skidd @tuckersgirl @fairlyfallacy @flowers-in-your-hayr @raewritesfiction @stinkerbelle007 @kamie-b @mrsaugustwalker @skrsgardspam @loliwrites @trippedmetaldetector @lihikainanea @fay-walden

#gustaf skarsgard #gustaf skarsgard fanfiction #shattered lives

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worldismyne · 1 year

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The Longest Sleepover: Ch 14

Summary: The first year of school did not go as planned for Harv and he’s never felt more alone. That is, until a loud kid from the saga studies course decides they’re best friends now.

(Year 1 AU, Harv deals with homophobia, Finn is oblivious.)

Series: Warrior U

Pairing: HarvFinn

Rating: T

Ao3 Link

That morning, Finn trudged downstairs for breakfast with a headache and a guilty conscience. He'd really hoped to shield Harv from his hysterical behavior, especially after trying so hard to fight it. However, seeing Harv kiss someone else had blasted a hole in his heart he hadn't anticipated. He was used to things like jealousy and envy, what he wasn't used to was a feeling of loss that was physically painful. He had called up the only person he knew who had close friendships with other men only to be told quite bluntly what he already knew. Friends didn't feel this volatile seeing each other be happy with a significant other. The only upside that came from last night was Beatus and Shad finally apologizing for saying he was weird before for not 'liking' anyone, since clearly, he liked someone quite a lot. Enough to spiral into an emotional meltdown that made Finn feel borderline psychotic and fear he wouldn't be able to put himself back together again.

At least now he felt he could talk to someone without lurching to an extreme emotion.

His appetite had come back a little, enough he could busy his hands and hide his shame in pointed silence. He never wanted Harv to see him like that. Especially when he'd felt so out of control. It was scary and embarrassing all the same. He still hadn't heard how Harv's date went. Finn begrudgingly set aside his toast, the anxiety and feeling of rejection treating to steal his appetite once more.

"Hey..." Harv said as he entered the kitchen. Finn glanced up and nodded, unable to force a smile. Harv plated his own breakfast in silence before taking a seat across from Finn. "Are you... okay?"

"No." Finn said.

"What happened?" Harv asked. "Everything seemed fine when I left."

"I was fine... kind of..." Finn sighed. "But then I saw you kiss him and- I should have been happy for you and I couldn't do it. I felt like a terrible friend and all I wanted was for that date to have never happened; which isn't fair to you. No matter what I do I can't make it go away." He gestured to himself. "It's not your fault. I mean, it kind of is, you let me become so attached to you it's really quite ridiculous looking back on it. You've had other friends before, you should have... I guess you did, I just didn't want to hear it." Finn looked down at his toast and bit his lip. "I'm sorry for saying you were lucky you had someone you liked, this feels awful."

"...you like me?" He had noticed Finn wasn't as affectionate with his other friends; but he had chalked that up to Finn barely being friends with them at all. He had done his best to squash any thought of Finn wanting to hold onto him this badly. Watching the guilt and shame take over Finn's features was oddly like staring into a window to the past. Even if the reasons were different, it was quite clear, Finn felt like he liked someone more than he should.

"As much as I possibly can, yes." Finn said quietly. "At least that's what everyone else seems to think. Which is very confusing, because these were the same people that thought I'd never like anyone, so maybe they're wrong. But if they are wrong, then I really have lost my mind." Harv reached across the table, and took one of Finn's hands, the bard stilled. "I know it's selfish, but I want to be the most important person in your world, and I want you to be happy... I don't think I can have both."

"Selfish how?"

"You should have seen the things people were doing on that hayride, and that was in public!" Finn took his hand back. "I might never want to do something like that. I'd feel like... like I'd be making you give something up. It doesn't seem fair."

"You know, next time I see Shad, I might punch him in the face for you."

"Don't do that." Finn said, though there was a small glimmer in his eye.

"I'm barely comfortable going on dates in public, and now that I've been on one, I can tell you the biggest difference was you're more..." Harv's face lit up. "You want to be touched plenty by what I've seen. Don't go throwing your weird bard friend's definition of relationships into it."

"You're just saying that."

"I'm not. It's a fact and furthermore, you've never asked if I liked you back." Harv pretended to be indignant, watching as Finn realized what direction Harv was pulling the conversation.

"I thought you liked Trevor."

"I do, but he... He's just not ready for the kind of relationship I want to have." He wasn't sure he could wait around for someone who might change their mind with Finn staring at him all starry-eyed across the table.

"Just how many people do you find attractive?" Finn gaped.

"...Do you mean physically or-" He cut himself off, laughing at Finn's dawning horror. "I'm not emotionally invested in all of them, I just have eyes. I've just known Trevor for a long time, we used to be best friends. I'm not sure he'll want to talk to me for a while."

"Well where do I fall on this list?" Finn crossed his arms and waited.

"It's not a list!" Harv said. "You've always been very cute, but very unavailable; so I didn't do anything about it."

"Well now I'm attractive and available, so what are you going to do about it?"

"I... I'm kind of out of sorts myself. I know it's silly to be upset when I'm the one who broke it off..." Trevor still hadn't called him back. The longer things went, the more certain he was that there'd be no second date regardless of the other boy's answer. It still stung. "I need time to fully deal with all of that. That means no more going on dates."

"That bad?" Finn cringed, his tone a little too hopeful to come off as fully sympathetic.

"We just wanted different things..." Harv said. "Right now, I'm very committed to my job."

"Yes, of course, your job." Finn took a bite of toast. "Well, I'd like to go to the speak easy today. It's been a very turbulent weekend for me and I'd like to spend time somewhere quiet and private."

"Alright, well I'm drinking water then. Those drinks are expensive."

-v-

The day of the duel arrived. Harv was dressed up in a particularly ridiculously decorated set of armor, but Finn insisted he looked dashing in it. Finn talked him into wearing a lot of things that way, like Darren's sword he'd accidentally stolen. An intimidation tactic supposedly, though it was probably just another way Finn could indirectly insult the noble.

He showed up to find the training grounds flanked by spectators eagerly awaiting the match. It seemed there was no way to handle things quietly like men, but rather make an utter spectacle of the other's defeat. Not that he was terribly worried, a week's worth of training was not enough to surpass his pure brute strength. It was a little nerve wracking being the center of attention again, catching quite a few familiar faces in the crowd.

"Wipe the floor with him Harv!" Emet cheered from the sidelines. She leaned back pointing to the clothes he was wearing, willing to tell anyone who'd listen who made them and how to order them. He might as well have been a walking billboard for her designs. However, her cheers had caused a ripple effect as other warriors from his class whooped and hollered as if nothing had changed. He offered a shy wave to his fellow barbarians, even Trevor was there to show support despite everything. Though seeing him did sting a still healing wound.

"Harvey, wait!" Finn waved him over toward the stands. Harv came in close as Finn pulled out a lavender handkerchief. "You are doing this to defend my honor in a way, so..." Finn clumsily tied the handkerchief around Harv's belt, a rosey blush dusting his face. "Knock him dead, Harv."

"I'm not going to kill him."

"Maybe just a little." Finn looked at Harv through a small gap between his fingers.

"Not gonna kill him."

"Fine." Finn sighed. "Could you at the very least maim him for me."

"I will humiliate him publicly, isn't that enough?"

"I guess." Finn pouted, and tried not to smile. "Good luck."

Harv pulled himself away from the stands to face his very angry opponent. He tossed Darren's glove back to him, who snatched it midair. Darren then dropped it to the side with a sneer.

"I will be taking my sword back." Darren said dryly. Harv casually stretched his arm in a performative attempt to warm up.

"You already have a sword." Harv said. "You can barely hold one up, let alone two." Darren clenched his sword and growled, while Harv patiently waited for the neutral party to announce the fight. While Harv was willing to try talking it out, Darren insisted the duel continued as planned. The arbitrator dropped a red cloth and instantly Darren lunged.

He was quicker this time, not underestimating Harv's strength like he had before. His technique was a little sharper too now that his mind was strictly on the fight. Harv deflected each blow lazily. The one disadvantage to thinner swords was he had a habit of breaking them on accident. This was supposed to be a fair fight after all, he didn't want Darren getting injured over some flying shrapnel.

"Could you at least pretend to take this seriously!?" Darren took a few steps back, having been the only one on the offensive.

"I am." Harv said. "I haven't had the chance to fight anyone in a while. I'm trying to keep it going." A few years back, he would have died for a chance to see a real knight in combat. So of course he wanted to have a little fun while in the ring, especially if this knight was as big a deal as he claimed to be. His sincerity fell on deaf ears, coming off more as a cat toying with a mouse than a fellow swordsman. "Isn't the point of having an audience to give a good show?"

Darren shot towards him again, his strikes clumsier than before. It was harder to predict which place Darren would try to strike next and he almost nicked Harv's arm. Harv dove out of the way, and flipped the sword around so he could grab it by the blade. Darren faltered, seeing Harv wield his sword more like a mace than a blade, and knocked Darren's sword out of his hands. Harv tossed his weapon up in the air, catching it by the handle and pointed it at Darren.

"Come on, pick it up." Harv tapped his foot. "I'll wait."

"That technique is for armored opponents." Darren spat. He collected his weapon, resenting the fact Harv continued to wait until he was back on his feet.

"Well, yeah, but I've always wanted to try it." Harv bounced a little on his toes. This time, he swung his sword overhead. When Darren, effortlessly blocked, Harv grabbed Darren's right elbow. The angle of his sword slipped, and Harv was able to break through his defense and gently tapped Darren's shoulder before letting go. "If only we were wearing helmets. There was one where you grab the visor and pull them toward the blade." He side stepped away from Darren's strike. "And then there's one-"

"I know!" Darren shouted. "I've been studying sword fighting since before you could walk. I don't need a lesson from some barbarian drop out!" Harv's smile fell. As Darren ran toward him again, he grabbed the tip of Darren's blade, pulling it to his side. He had the sense of mind to drop his own weapon, not wanting to seriously injure the knight. So instead of running into the hilt of Harv's sword, he got punched in the face. Darren stumbled backwards, the beginnings of two black eyes starting to bruise.

"I thought you knew that one." Harv said as Darren dropped to the ground. Harv picked up both swords and pointed both blades at Darren's heart. The noble moaned weakly in the dirt as a small trickle of blood streamed down from his nose to his chin. "I win." He sighed, sheathing one blade and burying the other one in the dirt. There was a roar of cheers from people who were happy to witness violence, though some booed at the lack of real bloodshed. Finn crawled over the stands to the battlefield and ran to Harv with open arms.

"You did it!" Finn cheered. Harv scooped him up, swinging him around to keep the bard from accidentally strangling him. Finn went to kiss his cheek only to be met halfway. The bard's grip slipped a little from the shock. It wasn't either of their first kisses, but it was the first time Finn had been kissed in public. The crowd was just noise to him, he couldn't tell if it was good or bad. "Oh..." When they separated, Harv gently helped Finn find his footing once more.

"Sorry, that was really petty of me." Harv mumbled. "I shouldn't have-" Finn kissed him again, then his cheek, and the bruises forming on his knuckles.

"Please, use me to be petty more often." Finn said, blushing in spite of his false confidence. "Make everyone jealous. We could actually make them a little more jealous." Finn leaned in again and Harv bashfully turned aside.

"Come on Finn, they get the idea."

"He likes to kiss me, on the mouth!" Finn half shouted, half cackled. "Not you, not you, ew definitely not you. ME!"

"Finn, now you're just embarrassing me." Harv started to lead Finn away from the crowd. He'd never consider Finn's obnoxious habit of showing off his favorite things might trickle down into relationships. Which was silly, Emet had warned him about this from the start. He couldn't help but feel a little rush every time Finn made eye contact to taunt another passerby that he just so happened to be attached at the hip of the strongest fighter in all of Cailburry. His words of course, not Harv's.

The whole walk home Finn was bombarding him with questions he didn't quite have the answers to yet. He had meant what he said about taking a break from dating, especially with him working for Finn's mother, but he also couldn't deny wanting to kiss Finn or openly stare at him. He also couldn't shake the slowly rising panic at the realization of what such a public display of affection might actually affect later down the line.

"Harvey, you just beat up Cailburry's star swordsman and my mother kidnaps people who insult her for fun. You're fine." Finn shrugged. "The worst thing that's going to happen is people might have new things to whisper about behind your back. But they'll be too scared to say anything to your face!" Finn winked, shooting a few finger gun's Harv's way. "It'll be fine. If anyone so much as looks at you funny, I'll give them the old 'if looks could kill'. That always shuts them up."

"That's true." Harv sighed. They entered the front hall, and Harv paused while hanging up his cloak. There was a cake in the trash.

"Harvey?"

"My mom was here." Harv quickly put his cloak back on.

"Harvey, wait, think about this!" Finn chased after him out into the street. "You can't just go running back there without a plan."

"It's my mom Finn, what do you-" Harv slowed down. He could see the concern in Finn's eyes. "I kept waiting for them to try and talk to me, and now she finally has. I have to at least try."

"But what if he's there too." Finn said. Harv's shoulders sagged, knowing deep down Finn had a valid concern. "Let's at least tell mother what's going on before going back there. She can keep an eye on us. I'm sure they'd rather talk to you alone, but..." He tugged Harv towards him by the arm. "I don't like the idea of you going there by yourself."

"Okay..." Harv tried to calm his racing thoughts. "No, you're right. It's just, if either of them will understand, it's my mom."

#warrior u #fanfic #harvfinn #little finnharv things

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queenofthedramedies · 3 years

Text

Mother Approved: Ch. 14

Hello, my lovely readers. Elijah has love interests. Yeah... It's gonna get crazy. On with the show...

Chapter 14: Do You Know What Love Is?

The last of Elijah Mikaelson's classes at Whitmore had ended for the day. Now, all he had to do was collect Finn and drive home. Also, drop by the grocery to pick up the rack of lamb their mother ordered. Klaus mentioned needing someone to pick up a present for Caroline which his minions could not collect, because they had all lost their passports in Italy. Or was it Spain? Maria needed an extra battery. And Kol said he wanted something... A set of firecrackers? Dior perfume? A baseball bat, to beat Damon Salvatore with? Well, Elijah felt certain he would recall what is was Kol wanted, at some point.

The college campus was almost empty. All but the most diligent of students stayed behind. Or those who lived on-campus. Then there were the graduate students who marched along like zombies grunting at each other, in search of their next expresso shot, or can of Red Bull.

Speaking of coffee, Elijah made his way to the Internet café. It was due to close, soon. They had learned to close, to keep the grad students out. They had a tendency to begin lecturing about ideology, and sometimes fights broke out between the Marxists and Capitalists. Economics majors really shouldn't study together.

Elijah searched the shop for his brother. He saw a tall form, slumped in front of a glowing screen with a dour expression. Yes, that must be Finn. Striding toward his brother, Elijah came to stop by his side. "Finn?"

Finn placed his face in his hands. "Brother, why did they not like me?"

Feeling confused and desirous to finish his chores-before tomorrow-Elijah said: "Who?" He would come to regret caring.

"The people of this site." Finn nodded at the computer screen. Eyes going to the screen, Elijah saw the scam that is Facebook's welcome page. "Ted, from Anthropology, told me of this site. He told me I could discover friends there." Shaking his head, Finn looked soberly at the screen. "I do not understand, Elijah. Ted know much of the modern world. He even has a group. They play a game entitled Dungeons and Dragons, and play on Sundays. I'm on a list of alternates, if something happens to Stacy, or Ravish."

This conversation was going on far too long for Elijah's taste. The shop with Niklaus' gift for Caroline would be closing within in the hour. So, would the butcher's counter in the grocer's. "We can discuss this tomorrow, Finn." But Finn was not paying attention.

Tapping keys, Finn pulled up a page. Elijah's head tilted to the side and his eyes widened at the sight of Sage in a variety of photos. He would never see strawberries, or stuffed lions in the same light. Finn waved a hand at the page. "Ted told me to give him my phone, yesterday, during our Pop Psychology class. He told me he'd see if I had anything that might interest new friends there. Last night I went to bed with zero friend requests. This morning I woke to twenty. By noon it was in the hundreds. But they do not like me. They like Sage... Elijah, why don't they like me?"

Finn peered up at Elijah with wide, innocent eyes and Elijah thought of five reasons in less than five seconds. But, again, he had things to attend to. And chasing Finn around campus while Finn ranted and tried to hide in various trees would not help. "I do not know, brother. You do need to take down those photos. Sage has a right to priva-"

"Sage is pleased. She wants to start a blog." Finn logged out, with a heavy sigh. "What if I stated a blog. I could call it: Finn's Thoughts. It would be all about what I think of various subjects. Criticizing people and things seems to be popular. I think I would be good at it."

Elijah nodded. He was no longer listening. His watch went off. Fifty minutes 'til shops closed. "Whatever you think is best."

"I will begin with my thoughts on the music of today. Many singer's have little vocal range and their so-called lyrics make little sense. It's like someone is stringing a variety of words together, using a computer algorithm, rather than human feeling. Yes! Brilliant!"

Still nodding, Elijah recalled what it was Kol wanted: Tickets to a baseball game in New York. He pulled out his cellphone and purchased them. One task down. Three to go. He just needed to get off this bloody campus. Tugging his tie loose, Elijah ran a hand through his hair. He could feel himself coming undone, and that would not do.

Thank you for reading, faving, reblogging, and following. 😊

Be safe,

-J

#elijah mikaelson #katherine pierce #kalijah #hayley marshall #haylijah #rebekah mikaelson #klaus mikaelson #kol mikaelson #finn mikaelson #esther mikaelson #davina claire #an evil doll named monica #maria the robot #tvd fanfiction

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saiilorstars · 4 years

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Dare To Forget Me

Ch. 16: Facing the Beast

/ Previous Chapters /

Fandom: Law & Order SVU

Pairing: Rafael Barba x Original female character

Warnings: Due to the nature of the series’ plots, I do have to rate this as ‘mature’ for constant mentions of rape.

~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ` 0 ~ 0 ~ 0 ~

Chapter Summary: The trial against William Lewis begins and despite her best efforts, Montserrat is succumbed by the fear of her own demons of the past.

There were few employees left in the SVU bullpen by 7 pm. It was one of the rare slow days that many employees heard of but only few actually saw. Montserrat was one of those.

She gave a light knock on Olivia's office door and walked in with a few papers in hand. "I'm ready to go but I wanted to drop these off first."

Olivia pulled her glasses off and put them on her desk. She seemed wearier than usual. "Thanks. What were those again?"

Montserrat approached the desk and discreetly saw the papers Olivia had in front of her. Though she meant to be discreet, what she saw left her visibly surprised.

"Those papers…?" Olivia called when she noticed where Montserrat's gaze was.

The detective blinked back to the present and handed Olivia her papers. "Paperwork on the Jenson case. Tedious as was Jenson but it is all done." Montserrat offered a smile that became a bit too teethy.

"Can I help you with something else, Novak?" Olivia raised an eyebrow, her seriousness going over Montserrat's head.

"Please don't call me Novak - you sound like Rafael," Montserrat rolled her eyes. "I'm just curious as to why a sergeant is wasting time going over an old case that's good and closed."

"Because this case is not completely closed," Olivia admitted and since Montserrat looked confused she added, "One of the children I found is still being moved through foster homes."

Montserrat continued to be confused until it donned on her what case Olivia was talking about. "Is it baby boy Doe? The baby you found from that couple who went around 'adopting' unwanted children?" Olivia nodded and leaned back against her chair. "I read about that on the news. The other kids were returned home, weren't they?"

"Yes, but this baby doesn't have parents nor next of kin," Olivia wearily rubbed her forehead. "He's gone through 3 foster homes in the last 5 months. It's like none of these parents want to take care of him."

Montserrat tilted her head at Olivia, clearly questioning where Olivia got this knowledge from. "Who do you have on the inside?"

Olivia playfully rolled her eyes. "I've been going to his hearings in family court. It breaks my heart we can't find the right home for this baby."

Montserrat was quiet for a minute as she thought. "Well...sometimes bad things happen in order for something exceptionally good to happen."

Olivia smiled but only briefly. She reached for her glasses on the desk and started to gently tap them against the wood. "Well I'm waiting for that exceptionally good thing to happen. He has another hearing next week so maybe it'll be then. But what are you doing tonight? Sitting with the boss and talking about cases? Go home, Montserrat."

Montserrat only agreed because she had set up an appointment that she couldn't miss. She bid goodnight to Olivia then walked out of the office. She made it all the way to her desk and looked around to see the few detectives left with her.

"Go home you old men," she said to Sonny and Fin. "Take a leaf out of Amanda's book and go have a drink or something."

"Same can be said for you," Fin quipped within the next second.

"And I'll have you know that I'm actually going out on a date in about…" Sonny's eyes widened in alarm after seeing the time on his watch, "...crap! Now!" both Montserrat and Finn burst into laughter while they watched Sonny scramble to get his things from his desk.

"Kara is going to kill you! And then finally my horror of this dating thing will end!" Montserrat calmly went to gather her things.

Sonny threw her a sharp look for her words. Little did she know that his date was actually a trip to visit the place where Kara had planned her surprise birthday party. And that's the thanks I get? He planned on getting a real date with Kara after this. It was only fair.

"Where you headed, then?" Finn asked Montserrat once Sonny had left (ran).

"Oh you know... Here and there, not really sure yet," Montserrat tried being nonchalant about her plans. "Have a good night."

"You too," Finn called once she got going.

~0~

Each week that Montserrat visited her therapist she felt as if things were getting better for her. And in reality, they were. But, her birthday was nearing. It meant it was almost a year now that her life had changed.

"It's not even the fact that I'm turning 30 - usually that's the bit that upsets you - but...turning 30 is the least of my problems," she spoke quietly but there was a shakiness in her voice Dr. Weslin detected. "In fact I'm pretty sure Kara doesn't get the memo that I don't want anything to do with my birthday."

"Have you told her why?" Dr. Weslin inquired even though she knew the answer.

Montserrat shook her head. "Telling her why means I'd have to tell her what happened. I don't think I can do that."

Dr. Weslin studied Montserrat fidget in her chair. "Montserrat, have you ever considered attending an anonymous abuse meeting?"

The detective seemed startled by the question. She drew some hair behind her ear then gave her therapist a curious look. "Those exist?"

Dr. Weslin briefly smiled. "Yes. It's just like alcoholic anonymous group or a gambler's anonymous group. You are doing phenomenal but...I think the fact that you don't feel comfortable to disclose to anyone else, including your closest friend, might be hindering a part of your recovery. A meeting like this would be completely anonymous. You can share what happened to you without having to face anyone that you know. Does this sound like something you would be interested in?"

Montserrat couldn't answer straight away, mostly because she wasn't sure. The only people who knew about her rape were Casey and her old Queens precinct Captain. She couldn't muster the courage to tell anyone else, not even her own family.

"Montserrat?" Dr. Weslin brought the woman back to the present. "Should I give you locations?"

There was a silence over Montserrat that couldn't be waived.

~0~

The following work week brought the awaited trail Olivia had been waiting for a while now, and when she meant a 'while' she really meant months and months. And though it finally came, she still felt as if there were loose strings that couldn't be tied up now.

When Montserrat arrived at the precinct, she came to see only Sonny around. He was blatantly staring at Olivia's office. Though the office was closed but she could see Rafael talking to Olivia, Amanda, Fin and Nick. "What's going on there?" she dropped her purse on her desk.

Sonny glanced at her with a small smile. "Trial we're not exactly part of."

"Which one?" Montserrat made a face.

Sonny turned his chair to face her. "The Lewis Williams trial. It starts tomorrow."

Montserrat wasn't as caught up with Manhattan's SVU cases before her time. There was hardly a need, and even then she had taken a look at some of the more bigger ones...and perhaps that one may have shown up. "Lewis case…" she repeated quietly while she tried to remember. She drew in a breath when she came up blank. "I'm going to sound so unprofessional but what case is that?"

Sonny barely got to raise an eyebrow when they both heard the office door opening up. Rafael had led the rest of the squad out and when he walked, he made a purpose to head for the two detectives who were out of the loop. "You two, keep your mouths shut. Don't talk to anyone, got it?"

There was a mutual confusion between Montserrat and Sonny.

"...you know, you could just say 'good morning' like a normal person," Montserrat quietly said and looked away before she could meet Rafael's deadpanning look.

Rafael rolled his eyes as he assumed she was being sarcastic - which was too early in his opinion. "Do you understand, Novak?"

Montserrat helplessly glanced at Sonny then at the others coming out of the office. "I wish I did but I don't. I don't know what's going on."

"That makes two," Sonny's agreement helped her out in that she wasn't being rude this time.

In fact, it seemed as if it re-directed some of Rafael's annoyance towards the others. He looked back at the rest of the squad with disbelief. "You haven't caught them up? Are you serious!?"

"It didn't seem pertinent," Olivia was the one to answer, even though it revolved entirely around her.

"What didn't?" asked both Montserrat and Sonny, making Rafael nearly slap his forehead with deeper irritation.

"You two," he dropped his hand only to point at them, "Get yourselves caught up. You're the only detectives allowed to be in the trial from beginning to end. But your strength is also your weakness: your absences in this case make you easy preys for the defense. They will try to weed out any information from you so be on guard."

"With all due respect, councilor, I think Montse and I know what we're doing," Sonny leaned back in his chair. "But it wouldn't hurt to discuss more about this."

On that note, Rafael agreed. He glanced at the rest of the squad with a warning glint in his eyes. "Do it. Better safe than sorry." He took off but briefly stopped next to Montserrat. "And good morning," he greeted her with one of his usual smirks.

A smile came to Montserrat's face when he took off again. It was short lived after seeing the grimness the rest of her co-workers carried with them. "Okay, seriously, someone tell us what's going on?"

~ 0 ~

Montserrat wished she would've never asked.

She seriously meant it.

To learn what her sergeant - and more importantly her friend - had gone through with the animal that was Lewis Williams was terrifying, and heartbreaking. Montserrat couldn't believe that someone as strong as Olivia Benson had the misfortune of crossing paths with Lewis. It definitely made Montserrat look at Olivia in a new way.

So, on the first day of trial Montserrat presented herself at the courthouse earlier than the others would. She walked through the crowds of people down the hallway until she spotted Olivia sitting alone on a bench. As she got closer, Montserrat could see the distant look on Olivia's face that was really a cover up for all the nervousness she must have been feeling.

"Here," Montserrat offered Olivia the coffee cup in her hand. Olivia was, of course, surprised to see Montserrat there so early. Montserrat just continued to smile and motioned Olivia to take the coffee.

"Thank you," Olivia quietly said before taking the cup. She hadn't been able to eat nor drink anything that morning - she didn't think she could stomach it.

Montserrat still felt at a loss for words. In her experience, nothing anyone could say helped her get through her trauma. "When you were looking at the Baby Boy Doe case the other night...were you thinking about...this?"

Olivia pursed her lips together, letting the warmth of the coffee hit her lips from the inside. She gave a slight nod of her head in the end.

"I did notice you were...a little more distant but I didn't imagine it was because of this," Montserrat sighed. "Liv, I don't even know what to tell you. I'm sure whatever I do say it won't be enough."

Olivia still offered the detective a thankful smile. "Your presence is appreciated. And trust me, I didn't think it was important to burden you nor Carisi about this. You weren't there anyways-"

"-but we're your friends, Liv. And I don't mean that as a 'you should've told us something' because it doesn't entitle us to anything. I just…" Montserrat sighed again and moved to sit next to Olivia. She licked her lips with a new sense of nervousness, as if something she could say would tip Olivia off that she was speaking from a similar experience.

Olivia studied Montserrat, much to the detective's luck, and got the feeling she was holding something back. It reminded Olivia of the early days when they'd hired Montserrat. Every now and then, Montserrat would become cryptic with her words and she would exhibit odd actions and expressions. She hadn't seen it in a while, actually.

Montserrat released a breath and shifted a bit to better face Olivia. "Do you think that if you would've told me or Sonny about this...it would've made you feel any better about this whole thing?"

Olivia tilted her head as she tried to understand what Montserrat wanted to know. "Well, it wasn't much of a secret to begin with. Everyone else saw what I went through...what...happened…"

"I know, I know," Montserrat made a motion for Olivia to stop so she could better explain, "I meant like...everything Lewis did to you, it's traumatic no doubt. Would talking about it to someone, someone besides a therapist, make you feel better about it? Like, if you sat down with one of us and just...let it all out?"

Olivia admitted that she never considered talking about the four days with Lewis with anyone but her therapist. Sure, the squad had been witness to the crime scenes but she'd never actually talked with any of them about what went on during those days. She didn't feel ready for it, and when she'd finally gotten to a better place...she didn't want to tell anyone else. Her therapist was helping her anyways. What was the point in poking holes in her recovery?

Just when Montserrat thought she was about to get an answer, the rest of the squad arrived. She did her best to hide her disappointment, but maybe she didn't do a very good job in those first seconds because Olivia kept giving her strange looks.

"Looking strong, Olivia," Fin offered the Sergeant an encouraging smile.

"You all came," Olivia was truly surprised they'd go to the trouble of coming all together on the day that each would testify at different hours.

"We got your back, Liv," Nick reminded her.

Rafael emerged from the trial room and was thoroughly confused to find the whole group there. "What are you people doing here? You know you can't watch the trial. You're all witnesses."

"We're here for moral support," Amanda assured him they knew the rules.

"And Montse and I are going to be there for all of it," Sonny gestured to himself and the ginger still sitting on the bench. His words of support weren't as good since said woman seemed to be staring to the side.

Her mind had gotten to somewhere else.

"Montse?" Olivia was the one to bring Montserrat back to the present. The sergeant rose from the bench and held a hand out for Montserrat.

Realizing she'd lost reality for a second, Montserrat cleared her throat and got on her feet. "Sorry, yes. Ready?"

Olivia slowly nodded and glanced at the others to reiterate she was alright.

"Counselor, don't mess this one up," Fin told Rafael, as if the latter was thinking of it.

"I was gonna tell you the same thing," he quipped then shot the rest of the squad a sharper look. "Remember why we're here." His look lingered on Montserrat for her obvious unresponsive self.

Least she wasn't a witness this time.

~ 0 ~

As far as Montserrat could see, Lewis William was a manipulative, calculating man. He had a terrible scar that curved the left side of his face - a scar that Olivia had allegedly left on him. When Lewis would walk - because oh yes, as a last way to taunt Olivia he had decided to defend himself - he would purposely make a bigger limp than what it really was. He didn't fail to mention the fact the NYPD Had a vendetta against him while he interrogated Finn and Amanda.

By the time Lewis got to cross-examine Nick, both Montserrat and Sonny had learned that he was a conniving man hellbent on making it look like the NYPD was framing him and covering up that Olivia was the one to initiate a relationship with him.

"So, it's impossible to know conclusive who actually shot that officer, isn't it?" Lewis knew very well he had murdered an officer but the jury didn't, and as far as he was concerned they would believe Olivia could've had a hand in it.

Nick was barely holding himself to just glare at the man. "Oh, there's no way she did it. She was duct taped, lying on the car floor."

"Again, that's what she told you?"

"Yes,"

There was a moment of silence that passed by before Lewis would ask another question. "Do you remember the first time that you and detective Benson interrogated me? How would you characterize her demeanor? was she physically close? Flirtatious? Did she seem aroused when I spoke to her?"

Nick despised Lewis even more at that moment, because no matter how he would answer it would make Olivia look bad. "She may have acted provocatively, but that was for your benefit. During an interrogation, you role-play."

"Is rape considered a sexual act amongst SVU detectives?"

"No, it's not about sex. It's about power, control, humiliation…"

"So why, in your opinion, when your partner was questioning me about rape, did she sexualize the interrogation?"

"It's a technique to find a way to connect to the suspect," Nick answered almost through gritted teeth.

"Well, I would say it worked," Lewis turned in time to see Rafael practically slam his pen on the desk in anger. With a smirk, Lewis said, "Withdrawn."

As soon as the trial was finished, Montserrat was the first to get up to go. She felt revulsion for that man, sick to her stomach, so she knew how Olivia was feeling at the moment.

"You should go home," Montserrat advised Olivia once they were in the hallway. For the case's benefit, the rest of the squad except for her and Sonny had departed the moment they were finished testifying. "Try to do something to get your mind off this for a bit."

"Not gonna tell me to get some rest?" Olivia asked since that was what everyone always told her in the early days after the kidnapping..

"No, that never works in the beginning," Montserrat said far too quickly and too matter-of-factly. Olivia once again felt there was something this detective was keeping back. It felt as if Montserrat knew what she was talking about.

"That was awful," Sonny was telling Rafael as the two walked out of the trial room.

"But fixable," Rafael said with utter confidence. He expected such manipulations from Lewis but he was confident that he would outsmart this man no matter what. "Liv, you should go get some rest-"

"-don't tell her get rest, it won't work," Montserrat all but practically snapped at him. She looked mighty distressed for someone who'd only sat in on the trial.

Olivia placed a hand on Montserrat's arm and nodded at Rafael. "I will try, but...you know it'll be difficult to sleep for the next couple of weeks."

"Just try," Rafael persisted. "And Novak, maybe you should consider it too since you're all riled up."

Montserrat momentarily glared until she realized he was right. It wasn't her place and it certainly wasn't her right to be upset. Olivia was the one who needed all the support right now. She was the one who would have to face her attacker soon, the one who would have to talk to him...look at him…

The moment her face went pale was instantaneous. Now she truly looked sick. "I'll see you. Take it easy Olivia," she said in a quick blue before turning to leave.

There was mutual confusion as well as concern between the remaining three.

~ 0 ~

The last thing Casey Novak was expecting that night was for her cousin to knock on her apartment door.

"I need you," Montserrat uttered the three words nearly in tears.

Casey might not have had the context she needed to figure out what led Montserrat to her door, but she was pretty sure what it was ABOUT about. She brought her cousin inside and took her to the living room where Montserrat opened the floodgates of her problem for the day.

"And I know it's not my case, it's not my trial, but it's making me remember what I went through last year," Montserrat spoke rather fast but Casey was used to the speedy relaying of information.

The two cousins sat on the couch, Montserrat draped under a blanket Casey brought for her. It was their comfort blanket each had held in their worst moments.

"It's Olivia's case and I should be a better friend who puts aside their trauma to help them," Montserrat drew in a shaky breath. "But I can't. It's literally against me. It's been almost a year, why is it still affecting me like this?"

"Well-" Casey tried to answer but Montserrat wasn't finished rambling.

"I've done everything right. I've moved cities, I've found new friends, a new job. I got a therapist and I've gone to each of my sessions. I've tried being happy and making better, new memories so why is this happening?" by the time Montserrat finished her question, new tears had spilled down her face.

"It's a long, long process Montserrat," Casey spoke in a gentle tone. "I've seen victims take years to fully recover, but even then there's always going to be a wound."

"So I'm just going to relapse every few years?"

"What you're feeling doesn't mean that you're undoing all of your progress," Casey first said to make sure Montserrat understood she wasn't doing anything wrong. "You were violated and that is a traumatic event that will, on occasion, cause these moments of pain. It's normal. You're human, Montse."

Montserrat sniffled. "I'm a detective, I can't afford these moments."

"As a lawyer, I advise you not to bottle it up. It's good that you're talking it out with someone," Casey offered a kind smile for her cousin.

Montserrat thought back to her therapist's suggestion and even when she'd asked Olivia her thoughts about talking with people. "But I'm supposed to be supporting Olivia right now."

Casey understood what Montserrat meant, and even though she loved Olivia she had to think about her family first. "Maybe you can support her outside of the trial room." The suggestion didn't seem to sit well with Montserrat. "It's obvious that this Lewis case is bringing up memories and feelings. If Olivia knew about this, she would understand. But even without the knowledge of your rape, she won't be upset if you don't show up to the trial."

Montserrat brought a hand to her forehead. "I'm supposed to be her moral support. Now I'm becoming the one who needs the support?"

"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Montserrat," Casey said in a sharp, almost warning, tone. "You need your time too. And let me put it in a way that might get me to understand: if you're not at your best, then can you really support Olivia?"

Well, that she understood.

~0~

While the trial continued, Montserrat listened to Casey's advice and stayed away from the trial for a few days. She decided there was perhaps another way she could support Olivia.

She rarely visited Family court and it was honestly not a place you wanted to be at so much. It just brought back too many memories, too many decisions that she would rather forget. but this was a better way to support Olivia without harming herself in the process.

She took a seat in one of the empty benches and listened to the hearing of Baby Boy Doe.

A social worker was giving her rendition of a finished investigation concerning Baby Boy Doe, and it seemed like things could be getting better for this baby. "Your Honor, ACS have thoroughly conducted an examination of a new Foster home for baby boy doe. It is our belief that baby boy doe would be well cared for by these Foster parents."

The judge herself seemed rather relieved this was the case. She looked over her copy of the paperwork the social worker was reading from and gave a conclusive nod. "Let's hope so, Miss Carlisle. This would be Baby Boy Doe's fourth home in the past 5 months. I grant the motion to place Baby Boy Doe in the care of the Walkers." The judge slammed her mallet over her desk and adjourned the court.

Montserrat rose from her seat and moved towards the social worker before the latter could leave. "Excuse me, I'm detective Novak," she flashed her badge then put it away, "My sergeant, Olivia Benson, sent me in her place today to see how the case was going."

the mention of Olivia's name seemed to ease the social worker. Clearly, they knew each other. "Sergeant Benson, yes we've talked. Is she okay?"

"Um…" Montserrat was surprised that the social worker didn't know about the ongoing trial, but she wasn't going to tell her either. "She just couldn't make it. She's very attached to this baby."

Miss Carlisle agreed with a nod while she finished packing her things. "Yes. She's the one who found him."

"I heard. So is this new home really the best one for this baby? I just heard from Olivia that he's been moved quite a lot for the few months he's been in ACS custody."

"Yes," Miss Carlisle side. She moved around once in awhile and started walking towards the accident the room. "we've had to move him for safety reasons. There was one home that was already housing more foster kids than we realized. Then there was another one that wasn't as safe as we thought. The third one actually gave him a fungal disease so we need to immediately get him out of there."

"Poor baby," Montserrat said. She followed Miss Carlisle into the hallway. "Listen, I don't know if usually do this...but because Olivia wasn't here I was wondering if you could give me the new address of this baby."

Miss Carlisle offered a nervous smile. "I'm not sure that's really in protocols."

"Well, it's just as you said...my sergeant was the one who found this baby so she's pretty attached to him. I'm sure it would make her really happy if she could just visit the baby. Unless if you think the Foster family wouldn't like that…"

"No, no, I don't think they would mind. It's just not really seen as much…"

"My sergeant isn't like the others," Montserrat subtly insisted.

Miss Carlisle looked around the hallway that was pretty empty save for them. "Well...I suppose it wouldn't hurt anyone. Would you have time to come by my office?"

"Of course," Montserrat smiled and gestured for her to lead the way out.

#svu #rafael barba #ocappreciation #ocapp #svu fics #rafael barba fics #rafael barba imagines #svu imagines #olivia benson #sonny carisi #oc: Montserrat Novak #fic: dare to forget me

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kirareykenobi22 · 4 years

Text

Reylo Coffee Shop AU

"You know," she heard her best friend Rose say. "As a barista, I feel like I should tell you that you look like you could use more coffee. But as your best friend, I feel obligated to tell you that maybe you just need some sleep."

Rey groaned as she straightened up from leaning against her open textbook at her table. "It's not like I can sleep in my dorm room. My roommate is the worst." Giving up on studying, she packed up all her supplies as she started into a rant. "She got this new boyfriend, and he basically lives in our dorm now. I barely want to study with a stranger in the room, I definitely don't want to sleep with him around. And do you know what my roommate said when I talked to her about it? She had the nerve to tell me that I'm just jealous." She slammed her textbook and looked to Rose for encouragement. "Can you believe that?"

She was met with pursed lips from Rose. "So I'm not saying what she's doing is fine, cause it isn't, but are you sure that none of this hostility is coming from just a little bit of jealousy?"

"I am not jealous."

Rose raised her hands in defense. "All I'm saying is that you also seemed a bit touchy like this when Finn and I started dating."

Rey rolled her eyes harder than she ever had. "You guys met here. At a coffee shop. Do you know how cliche that is? Who actually meets their soulmate in a coffee shop?"

"Technically we met in freshmen biology. I just didn't work up the nerve to ask him out until he started coming here everyday for coffee."

"I have not had enough caffeine for this conversation," Rey said massaging her temples.

"I'm not making you anymore coffee," Rose warned, getting to her feet. "One sec, I've got another customer."

Rey's eyes followed Rose back to the counter, and she sat up a little straighter when she saw the waiting customer. A well-dressed man stood at the counter and gave a small smile as Rose took his order. Maybe it was just a result of all the relationship talk, but Rey couldn't help but notice that he was insanely attractive. He had dark wavy hair and dark eyes that swam with hidden depths of mystery. And he was tall. Rey was rather tall herself for a female, but this man would've towered over her still. Even though a counter separated them, she could see that the top of Rose's head didn't even reach his shoulders.

Rey immediately felt self-conscious of her hair, which was pulling up in the world's messiest bun, and of her shirt which may or may not have had more than one coffee stain on it. Her gaze didn't stray from the man, but he never looked her way. He simply waited for his coffee, and he left as soon as Rose handed it to him.

Rose returned to Rey's table a minute later taking off her apron as she sat. "And that is officially the end of my shift."

"Who was that guy?" Rey asked with a one track mind.

"Why?"

"Just curious," Rey shrugged.

Rose chuckled. "I don't really know except that his name is Ben. He's been coming in every day for about two weeks now to get coffee. And you've been sitting at this table studying for about two weeks now. But I guess you just now noticed him?"

"Ben, huh?" she asked, her mind drifting. "And you said he comes in here everyday?"

"Yeah... What are you planning?"

"Absolutely nothing."

*****

"Are you wearing mascara?" Rose asked incredulously the next day.

"Maybe," Rey said coyly as she dropped her backpack on the ground at her table.

"Who are you trying to impress? Is it about that guy you were asking me about yesterday?"

"Can't a girl just feel like looking nice just for herself?" Rey asked as she pulled out her laptop.

"Well of course a girl can. But you never do."

Rey may or may not have put a little bit of extra effort into her appearance when getting dressed this morning. She put on a subtle layer of makeup, although obviously not subtle enough, wore a nice black blouse, her best jeans, tall boots, and even wore her hair half down. But it's not like she was trying to impress anyone. Nobody but Rose paid attention to her anyway.

"I just felt like changing things up today. Don't overthink it."

Rose narrowed her eyes as she returned back to work. One peppermint mocha latte later, Ben walked in the door. Rey stared over the top of her laptop as she pretended to be writing her research paper. Once again though, he got his coffee and left without even looking in her direction.

She frowned slightly as he walked out. It was fine. She wasn't upset. It's not like she'd been expecting anything. Only people like Rose got cutesy love stories in coffee shops, and Rey's life certainly wasn't a fairy tale.

When Rose's shift ended and she came to sit, Rey didn't hesitate before speaking. "So his name is Ben Solo."

"What? No middle name. I'm disappointed." Rose laughed.

Rey glared. "His full name is Benjamin Lucas Solo. Now may I finish?"

"There's more?" Rose sighed as Rey's glare intensified. "Of course you may finish."

"He's a senior in his final semester here. He's graduating a semester early in case you were wondering. He's a political science major with a minor in literature. His mom is Leia Organa and his dad is Han Solo! And that means his uncle is Luke Skywalker!"

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Should I know who any of those people are?"

Rey groaned. "Leia Organa is only one of the most influential senators of this generation. and Both Han Solo and Luke Skywalker are famous war heroes. Han with the Air Force and Luke with the Army. Come on, Rose. And I thought I lived under a rock having grown up in an orphanage."

"Okay, okay," Rose said. "So he's related to pretty important people. How did you even find any of this out?"

Rey waved a hand. "The internet knows everything."

"But how did you..." Rose trailed off and shook her head. "Never mind. I don't wanna know. So what are you gonna do with all this information?"

Rey sighed. "Nothing. There's nothing do with it."

"You know, you could just try talking to him. He seems nice enough."

"He probably doesn't want to talk to me. He's related to so many important people, and I'm just some random nobody."

"Well, you never know until you try."

Days passed and Rey continued to dress nice to stare as Ben came to get coffee only to leave without speaking to her. One day she was almost certain that he looked at her, but that's about all she had to show for her efforts.

On the last day of finals, the last day she could see him before he graduated and left forever, Rey had an idea. As soon as she got to Starbucks, she walked up to the counter where Rose worked.

"Grande peppermint mocha latte?" she asked with a knowing smile.

"No," Rey said firmly. "Well, yes. But also no."

Rose scrunched up her eyebrows. "I'm confused. Do you want one or not?"

"I do. But I was also wondering, do you know what Ben's order is?"

"Of course." Rose smiled. "He orders a black coffee everyday."

"What?" Rey scrunched her nose. "Why? Why come to Starbucks and just order a black coffee? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a Keurig?"

"Maybe," Rose shrugged. "But he said this gives him an excuse to see someone everyday." She sent Rey a pointed look.

She blanched. "You don't think he means me, do you?"

"Look around. Who else is in here everyday?"

"Then why hasn't he ever spoken to me?"

Rose let out an exasperated sigh. "Why haven't you ever talked to him? You both are assuming the other doesn't want to know you."

"Okay, okay." Rey took a deep breath. "I'm going to buy his coffee today. When he comes in to order just point him in my direction."

"I can do that."

Fifteen minutes later, Ben walked in and Rey felt her stomach flip. What if she made a huge mistake? As he walked up to the counter and talked with Rose, Rey honestly felt like running for the door. She watched Rose hand him his coffee and point in her direction, and she braced herself for the inevitable.

He walked over to her table with a small smile. He gestured to the empty seat across from her. "May I?"

"Of course," Rey forced herself to smile instead of showing the anxiety she felt.

"So you're the one who bought my coffee today." His voice was a low rumble that somehow seemed to make him even more attractive.

"Oh yeah," Rey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I see you in here everyday, and I've been meaning to introduce myself but I never got the chance, so I figured this was just as good a way as any."

"Do you know who my parents are?" he asked.

"I do, but that's not why I wanted meet you."

"Really?" He seemed genuinely shocked. "That's usually the only reason people talk to me. They see me as their gateway to fame."

"Well I promise that's not me," she said. "I just think you look like a really nice guy is all." And you're super cute so if you wanted to marry me that'd be cool too, she added in her head.

"You're Rey, right?" he asked.

Her jaw hung open for a moment. He knew who she was already. He knew her name. "That would be me."

He smiled. "I've read some of your research papers the university published. If you could actually manage to create the technology you proposed that could change the world."

Now her jaw was definitely hanging open. "No way! You actually read those papers? The department made a big deal out of publishing them but I didn't think anyone would even look at them."

He laughed. "Well I read them. And I'll admit, it made me a little curious about the girl who wrote them so I may have done a little research on you."

"And learned that I come to this Starbucks to study literally every single day?"

"I may have noticed that."

Rey laughed now. "So do you have big plans for after graduation?"

He shook his head. "Not really. I want to go into politics like my mom obviously, but my dad's still bugging me to become a pilot. And my uncle has always wanted me to join the army. Did you know that my uncle made me do an army military camp with him one summer in high school?" He laughed. "Worst summer of my life."

"Really? Was it really that bad?"

"Oh it was the worst. I told him I was going to burn the place down to save other children from having to go through what I did."

Rey burst into laughter. "I'm assuming you didn't actually burn it down."

"No, but I came close."

"Okay, but seriously, you've gotta have some kind of a plan for what you're about to do with your life."

"I do," he relented. "But my goals are more long term. The short term goal is to get to know you outside of this coffee shop."

Rey gave a small laugh. "You're just messing with me now."

He shook his head. "I'm not. Here." He passed a napkin over to her with his messy scrawl on it. "It's my phone number. I'm hoping you'll get good use out of it. Being the son of national heroes means you're actually pretty lonely most of the time."

Rey smiled broadly as she took the napkin. "Well you're not alone anymore."

Ben smiled back. "And neither are you."

#reylo #coffee shop au #star wars #rey #ben solo #kylo ren #tros #rise of skywalker #reylo au #oneshot #bendemption

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elejahfanfic · 4 years

Text

Hello Love/2

Fanfiction

Part 2

AU story with tvd characters

Miguel Galindo x Elena Gilbert💖

Ft. Klaroline, Kennett

It's a love story -no vampires. Human.

Featuring a song by David Bisbal_Me enamore de ti

Also, Yemaya is played by Zoe Saldana.

♡□

So much is going on in this ch, there is so many characters - I hope it still has a coherent flow - 😅

Thanks for reading. 😀😘

Tag_@miguelsbrat

♤♡◇♧

Niklaus, or better known as Klaus to his family and friends, just taken a cab to take him to the Mikaelson residence.

He still wasn't sure if he made the right decision to return home after so many years abroad, where he had built a very good reputation and established himself as a prominent young architect making his firm The Wolf Group, as they called themselves, one of the very best. He left it to be run by his partner, Marcel Gerard.

It was one morning after he spoke to Miguel that he made the abrupt decision to take a sabatical year and spend time with the family. Actually, to be precise, with his siblings, as his relationship with his parents was not a good one.

***

Meanwhile

In Rebekah's office, she was looking at the photographs that were to go in the next issue.

"Get me Damon" she said to her assistant Vicki.

"Anything else?" Vicki asked.

"No. I'll be working till late, so you can go. Thanks" Rebekah said.

The eldest of them was Finn, who tragically died in a car crash, at the age 20. Niklaus was their second child. He was three years old when they adopted Miguel.

Rebekah chose to work hard to prove to her father that she can get the fashion magazine up and running and make a huge success of it when she took over. So, at work she was known as the shrew, some of her co-workers would refer to her as a blood-sucker at times. The Mikaelson family was regarded as the most ambitious when business was concerned. Their parents taught their children to be excellent, to strive to excel. To be the best. And they made them proud.

After, Kol, Rebekah and finally Henrik followed.

Miguel fell in love and chose to go to live in San Diego to work after he married. And as his wife died, instead of returning to New York, he chose to go to Mexico City. As for Klaus, after finishing his studies decided to travel the world, finally settling in Europe starting to work as an architect in a small firm.

The Mikaelsons were a big family.

But lately, work was all she had on her mind.

Damon got to her office in a little while, and as he entered the first thing she said was-

"We are professionals and personal stuff should never affect the work-still- I am going to say this, because Elena is my friend and I love her dearly - you're an asshole! If you weren't so damned good at what you do I would kick you to the curb."

"That's not bad. I kind of thought you would dagger me!" Damon said.

"Let's get to work. Look at those", she now showed what she didn't like about those photos and asked for a new photo session with the next month's cover person.

***

Elsewhere

Bonnie and Caroline met Elena for some good old retail therapy. The best remedy when trying to kinda mend a broken heart. A change in style, hair was Caroline's suggestion. Also, they all had already received an electronic invitation to the Mikaelson cocktail night. And they need great dresses for the occasion.

Elena kept quiet about her unusual meeting in the cafe.

In the Upper East Side, Miguel met his son at his new school. Cris as he and all his family and friends called him didn't want to go to a private school, and so Miguel enrolled him in the public school recommended by Rebekah.

Cristobal, looked a lot like his mother, very savvy, goodhearted teenager, who knew exactly what he wanted in his life. He was very close his father. The death of Emily, cut them both and glued them even more together. Sometimes Cristobal took more care of his father, than the other way around. Mostly because Miguel was very dedicated to his work.

There were certain things he still needed to do regarding the transfer, and he now dealt with all that.

"There something different about you dad" he said to him when they got out of the school.

"In what way?" Miguel looked surprised at his son.

"I don't know. But- different! You have a happy face."

"I have a happy face?"

"Yes. Usually it's - just serious." Cristobal said as he opened the car door.

Miguel looked at the watch and he had promised their housekeeper Senora Vega that they would be on time for the evening dinner. "Come on, we are late."

And there was a certain truth, he felt different. The woman Elena that he had met in the cafe was not getting out of his head. He had not felt a tingle in his heart for a woman for a very long time.

***

Greenich Village

Elena returned home later that evening and looked at the dress she chose for the cocktail party. Then at her new hairstyle, running her hands through them, inhaling deeply.

"Stop it!" she said to herself in the mirror, "stop thinking about him. Don't need anyone right now. Good-he looked so good in the three-piece suit- too good. "I am going crazy- what's wrong with me?!"

This man was not even her type. She prefered guys in jeans, with a badboy vibe about them. 'Mike' was completely the opposite. What was happening to her. Rebound thoughts. Totally crazy. Sliding the dress safely into the small closet, she went to the living room and put one of her mix playlists on.

Taking her laptop, she made hetself comfortable on the sofa. It was time to do some work. Lena's Cookie website needed updating. Browsing through the photos of her recent cookie creations made her stumble on a few she had done for her friend Yemaya's birthday. Though she was from Brasil, she was very much into mexican art and so she had requested mexican sugar cookies for her birthday fiesta.

Thinking of 'Mike', she looked up a recipe from her notes.

Me enamoré de ti, jamás lo imaginaba

Que algun día yo, de amor iba a vivir

***

A couple of blocks away

"Move in with me" he blurted out inbetween kisses and half way to bed disregarding supper.

"Enough of work." Bonnie said closing Kol's laptop nestling comfortably on his lap, pulling him into a kiss.

Kol finished writing the draft of his last research paper. Bonnie sneaked up on at him with a trey of food and wine.

"Who is joking? Move in with me. I'm serious. I want you here - all the time. It's crazy paying for two apartments, sleeping ovet here- there."

"Ok," Bonnie said,"yeah, let's be practical"

"This is not about being practical," Kol drew his fingers up her cheeks, looking at her dreamily, "I really want you here with me all the time."

"When you look at me that way, I could never say no."

"You drive me crazy" Kol smiled, "At times I can't believe you are real - and you are with me"

"Shut up and kiss me" Bonnie pressed her forfinger on his lips.

She was a person so very open hearted, giving and so loving. He met her accidently, so he thought, as he waited for Rebekah to meet him for lunch at the bar. He didn't know that the Rebekah and the others set Bonnie and he up on a blind date. He complained to Rebekah that he had no luck in the love department and that he had enough of dates that led to nowhere.

He kissed her, and he took that as a 'yes'.

***

Stefan met his fellow journalist Yemaya for a last minute check before he gave in his article for print.

"Stop joking"

"Want to grab a drink?" he asked casually.

"Just one!" she stressed out, "Last night I had one too many"

"Wow- in the middle of the week ?!"he teased her as he knew her rule not to drink during the week.

"We took Elena out to kick her shoes off. She was really down."

"I heard," Stefan said, "I cannot make excuses for my brother, he is not bad-but he makes hell of mistakes."

"All the time!" Yemaya added.

"Yeah, but I am not really into the Damon- Elena talk. Actually, I need a date for a cocktail party?!"

"You got invited too?!" Yemaya was surprised.

"Maybe it was some mistake, but it came from Mikael's official e-mail!" Stefan said.

"Yes. I would like to be your date!" Yemaya accepted happily.

"Good!"- Stefan smiled, and now waited for her to finish off what she was doing.

***

Days went by in a flash, and everyone had mostly work on their mind. Well, not everyone. Elena had something else on her mind, or rather someone else.

The Mikaelson cocktail party started to be the thing everyone started to talk about.

Esther and Rebekah were deeply immersed in the event. Everything had to be perfect.

Esther had invited all her family for a family brunch the day before.

Kol, Miguel and Cristobal arrived an hour before the meal. Cristobal immediately went with Henrik, who was two years older than him and that was a bit strange as he was in actual fact his uncle.

"What is not weird with this family" Cristobal said looking at Henrik wide-eyed.

"I kind of have to get to know Klaus and Miguel- they look too serious" Henrik said.

"Dad can be fun-he just doesn't like to show it much!" Cristobal explained. "Show me the last vynils you’ve bought."

"Come on" Henrik said gesturing to follow him to his room.

Rebekah walked in the living room all chirpy, "Gossiped much?!"

"No. Why would you think so?" Klaus said. "Then you have changed- you always had something smart to say about me"

"I did hear already comments about what a dragon you are at work, " Klaus teased, "it's only fashion, but I guess it has to be run with military precision. Father must be very proud!"

"There-you see" Rebekah looked at Miguel, who wanted to stay out of it.

"I hear you have new friends," Klaus said,"kicked the old snobby ones to the curb, I hear"

"I am sick of her snoby friends- yes-I have managed to make proper friends, and if you behave, maybe I will introduce them to you!" Rebekah shot back at her brother tapping him on the shoulder.

Esther walked into the Salon and there was gladness in her heart. All her children were there, and that was a rare occasion in the last years.

Her husband now joined them and they sat down for a very different brunch they all were used to. It was warm, chatty and quite lively.

Esther was counting her blessings, though her heart was not entirely at ease.

***

The next day, the pre-cocktail buzz was already in full flow with both the hosts as well as their invites.

Caroline talked to Elena over the phone about the cocktail party and Klaus.

"He looks really good," Caroline said, "you should check his site- he has done some amazing stuff."

"Caroline, you are telling me that I get into things head over heals like instantly. Rebekah is great, but he is a Mikaelson. Do you really want to get involved with one of them?"

"Elena, I know what you're thinking. Too close to home. Could mess up a great friendship if things go bad"

"Not thinking anything. Ok. I got to go. See you later"

"I will pick you up," Caroline said, "oh, I went back and changed the dress. I am wearing the blue dress - right- Jess is hear to do my hair. I will see you soon."

"Ok." Elena put the phone down.

Elena went to do her hair and make up herself. She was good in anything creative. She decided to wave it a bit and pin one side. She was going for a more natural look, and yet looking glam.

Simplicity has always been her motto. And yet, everything she did never looked simple. From her range of cookies to her relationships.

The door bell went and Elena was surprised to see Yemaya at the door. She had already been ready and dressed.

"Hey- Sorry. I just had to come" the woman stormed in.

Elena could see that her friend was all flustered. Something major must have happened for her to be coming and not calling.

Elena now waited to hear her spill the beans.

"Ok -I am going to say it- huh- I slept with Stefan. We went for a drink and it was just one drink -and we talked and he drove me home and then we kissed and then we kissed some more and- you know the rest."

Elena didn't understand what was so bad about it. He and Yemaya were work collegues. And that is exactly now what was Yemaya's concern.

"I said I would never get involved with someone I work with."

"Shall I guess what you told him in the morning?! Exactly that?! Right?"

Yemaya nodded.

***

In the Mikaelson Mansion, Esther Mikaelson was going through the list with her personal party organizer for the afternoon cocktail party the family was hosting for an exlusive charity event for the hospital Miguel and Kol worked for. Just one look from her said volumes when she was displeased with something. When her favourite sister died in the car crash, everyone thought that she would retreat and never come back, as she did go away for a year to grieve and be by herself. The grief changed something in her, she became a recluse, but adopting Miguel, brought her back to life. As he now walked out into the garden, greeting her with a small kiss on the cheek.

"How are you, querida madre?"

"Very well - even better now that you and Cristobal are here." Esther replied.

"This looks beautiful. Thank you for doing this."

"Darling, it is nothing. It's my pleasure. Where is Cristobal?"

"With Henrik" Miguel said and now greeted Kol and Bonnie.

Kol then went on to introduce Bonnie to Klaus and Miguel. Rebekah quickly snatched Bonnie away from the men.

"So, I'm hearing wedding bells from the distance!" Klaus teased Kol.

"Unlike you, I actually want one woman for myself!" Kol threw back at him.

"You haven't changed at all!" Klaus said. "I will leave you two to discuss whatever medical thing you will discuss"

"Bonnie" Miguel started, " she seems to be lovely!"

"What about you? Are you never going to find someone again?” Kol asked his brother.

"I don't know," Miguel said, "maybe"

"What does that mean? Have you met somebody?" Kol continued with the quizzing. "Dr Ruben has set her eyes on you. She's been asking me if you were dating anyone?"

"Please don't play the matchmaker." Miguel warned.

"Don't worry -"

Cris and Henrik came up to them and Kol now turned to them, quizzing them about the band they were forming.

The guest started arriving and Cris now observed how Esther and Mikael, together with Rebekah glided among the guests and how masterfully they played the hosts.

Damon and Stefan arrived together. Krystal made a solo appearance.

Elena, Yemaya and Caroline entered like a grand trio.

Rebekah was there like a shot and greeted her friends.

"Who invited Krystal?" Caroline shot at Rebekah straight out seeing the woman mingling with some of the guests.

"Father's office - she is the best model and it's about business -if you thought that this was a family thing only, then you are mistaken -come on -let me introduce you to Miguel and Klaus."

Elena's heart dropped when she heard the name, but when she actually saw that it was the man she had met in the cafe, her heart started beating uncontrollably. She tried to keep her composure as Rebekah officially now introduced them.

"Hello" Miguel said, curling a smile at the brunette.

"Hello" Elena muttered and smiled back at him, “I thought your name is Mike?!”

"Uhm - it's Miguel - when we were kids Rebekah would call me Mikey - uhm - I don’t know why I introduced myself using my childhood nickname - just felt like - I suppose being back in New York”

"Oh, you've met?" Rebekah said slightly wide-eyed.

"Yes- a few days ago" Miguel said, his eyes still fixed on Elena.

Se pinta de colores toda mi alma

Con esa dulce luz de tu mirada

Y al verte sonreír, vuelvo a tener fe

Elena nodded, confirming it was so, looking at her friend and then at the suave looking cardiologist.

The waitress with champagne cocktails approached them and Miguel now took the glasses and offered one to her.

"Strawberry Bellini! I think you will like it." Miguel said to the brunette.

"Thank you!" Elena took the glass. She was at ease now. His charm just enveloped her and she didn't care anymore that she had seen Damon and Krystal at the party.

Not standing far from them, Caroline already chatted with Klaus as if they knew eachother forever. He offered her a Mimosa cocktail.

"You are looking in the direction of that brunette like she had done something to you so disgracefully" Klaus commented since Caroline looked at Krystal off and on.

_ to be continued

#miguel galindo #elena gilbert #fanfiction #klaroline #kennett #rebekah mikaelson #alternate pairing #alterntive universe #the originals imagine #the originals fanfiction #crossover au #crossover fanfiction

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