#but will grow to be her protector while she smooths his rough edges | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thefanbasewhore · 3 years

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United as One. || Part 1.

Summary: Din returns home after fulfilling his mission of saving his foundling, after completing it he can now claim his rightful spot as clan leader. There is one problem he needs a wife to secure the future of his clan but his clan is not to happy with his choice and they make that very clear.

Warning/content: None for this part except for blood, wounds and angst but future ones will be 18+, have mature themes, pregnancy and etc. This does contain chapter 16 spoilers!!! No use of y/n.

Clan leader Din AU. Also not edited because im lazy.

paring: din djarin/female reader

Part 2. || Master post.

Din holds the child close, it's a bittersweet moment as Grogu is finally untied with his father. Tears threaten the Mandalorian's eyes, he's thankful of helmet at this very moment. His eyes find her, another reason to get emotional. He realizes just how much she’s grown on him during this journey, and could easily admit he didn’t want to say good bye. She can't help it as her own eyes gloss over as the words are said. Din leans over, cool helmet flushing against the warmth of her forehead. “Now that the child is safe I must return to my clan.”

"I'm glad we found him Din, I'm glad you can go back home." Din sighs, the leather pad of gloves rubbing the highest point of her cheek, soaking in the feeling of skin. "I wish you could stay."

“It’s my obligation." Din mumbles, metal kisses her ear as he presses his forehead into the her collarbone. He was close, never wanting to let go as he pulls her in as much as the child will allow against his chest. "The clan needs me, I'm to be the new leader."

"I know, someone out there needs you more than I do." It's a whisper only meant for his ears, the rough edges of his visor meets her face, surprised at the words. She can’t see it, the way his bottom lip quivers with emotion, the longing eyes that just want her. Those words mean something to him.

“Come with me, I can’t be without you.” he admits, he wishes Boba and Fennec weren't close by, he wishes he can tell her to shut her eyes so he can feel the softness of lips, the rush that fills him whenever he kisses her. Pink, soft and plump, the perfect fit for his own.

"Din I'm not -."

Din doesn't allow any excuses, "I love you. I need you."

"You're making this hard." Tears swell immediately, sucking her bottom lip between her teeth with a soft sob, disguising it as a laugh. Din doesn’t move a single muscle, just stares intensely.

"Please." He begs, the hand against her cheek lowers to her hip fingers pressing in attempt to close the gap between the two.. Grogu's soft fingers touch her collarbones, his own quiet plea. Cheeks rise to form wrinkles under eyes as her smile makes Din's heart rate increase.

"Okay. I'll go." Din let's out a breath he didn't realize he was holding in, chest expanding once again, a ghost of a smile.

"I wish I could kiss you Cyar'ika, I am so thankful for you." Din's heart felt like it was going to explode, the unbearable emptiness of leaving her here was suddenly gone. "You're are my other half. I can't wait to share my home with you."

While the ride was long, Din manages to make it manageable, he tells stories of his clan, talks about the different types of foods, the ceremony that will be held in days time when he arrives. It’s cute.. how passionate he is about his people. It never really hit her before.. Din is to be a leader of his clan and it fits him, a little to perfect. He’s a protector but caring, it’s the perfect blend for one.

Din's fingers squeeze her own as the ship lands, reinsuring as he senses the nervousness seeing her shift her weight from one foot to the other. Standing tall, stiff and uncomfortable. "It's going to be okay, you look nervous."

"I am nervous." Fidgeting with the hem of tunic says it all, he leans in closer he smell of him is almost enough, but the warmth is what really calms her down. Din's fingers fill the gaps in-between hers, his own little way of saying he's here, there's no reason to be nervous.

The ramp of the ship is slowly opening while her eyes dart over his side profile over and over again; of course it’s just his helmet, but somewhere in those points of basker bring comfort. The moment he does notice, she’s blushing, caught but he doesn’t seem to mind.

"There's no reason to be, I'll always protect you my love." There it is, the love of the man that got her nto this in the first place. It's a small gesture, a glove hand pressing softly into her cheek, dragging across smooth skin. "I mean it, I'd do anything for you."

Her mouth open to say the same words back but the smell of fresh pine, earthy tones of moisture are distracting, there is absolutely nothing, just trees and dirt that run for miles. The small child is asleep but stirs in the bag that wraps across his neck and down his side.

"We have to hike there." The Mandalorian throws a pack over his shoulder, hand finding slipping into hers again. "The clan survives by being a secret, no one but us must know the location."

"Not even Boba?"

Din's eyes drag along her face, looking back at herself in the reflection of his helmet. "No, he is not a Mandalorian."

"Either am I." Din steps out in front of her, hands still crossed in each other, extending it until your feet move out from under her.

"You're with me, no one will say anything." He pauses, slight amusement in his voice. "If they know what's good for them."

"Come on." Despite Din controlling the pace it does not meet up to expectations as he pulls her closer and slightly in front of him. "Stay right next to me and we have to move quicker, it gets dangerous around here at night time."

Dark was near, hanging right over the horizon as the planet’s sun begins to set lower, it was quieter then when she first arrived, the small animals and bugs of the forest seemed to also agree with Din.

The big fill moon on display provides just the amount of light needed to maneuver the thick brush and trees. It’s peaceful, beautiful, the forest is different hues of greens, pinks and blues from growing flowers make the trip just a little more bearable.

It’s serenity, peaceful and ebbing so gently throughout the darkness. Din’s hand never leaves her own except when he drapes his cape over shuddering shoulders, or to check on the child, the darkness brought a chill with it.

It’s happens in an instant, suddenly all of her breath is knocked out of as Din pushes her with a shout, “Get down!” Protective hands press accidently press her face against the foliage of the forest, the heavy body shielding her own from harm.

Large sharp spikes take wing above them. Both of their hearts thump at the crunching of leaves in the distance with the snapping branches falling all around when a loud unhuman sound fills the air, a growl so close she couldn’t decide if the hot air was it was coming from under Din’s helmet or snapping of jaws in front of her face. It’s covered in fur black red eyes peering as it’s long claws reached for both of her but Din is quicker, his fingers grasp her hips, yanking up and pushing her back as he secures the bag against his chest. “Run!”

The sounds of chanting could be heard, a group large in numbers just ahead in the tree line, a large bright light that an only resemble a large fire burning, the smell makes her nose twitch, it’s so close but very very far for the predicament the pair find themselves in.

She couldn’t breath, air ways blocked by paralyzing fear that swirls deep inside of her stomach sending her whole body into a frenzy. Feet ran with a blur, not being make out anything due to how fast she were going, the pitch dark didn’t help either, but Din was were to guide her, with one slip up he was pushing her into the right direction. Alarms and bells began to sing, loud drums as chaos broke out, yelling and the sound of blasters as she finally hit the tree line. Din’s finger press into her shoulder to finally stop her from running, the beast did not dare past the tree line.

Only because of what in habited it. Loud wheezing falls from burning lungs, long, shallow breaths as she lean one hand against the ground for support. It was obvious her body was still in flight mode when hands try to touch her face only to be pushed away with brutal force.

“It’s me, it’s just me. Breath with me.” The Mandalorian’s face is in front of her own, pressing his hand against the swells of her chest to remind her to breath. As her body starts to calm, it feels hot. The sound of crackling and popping as scarlet flames dance right in behind her, Din doesn’t like the close proximity as he stands between her and the warmth.

“Come over here, you’re too close to the fire.” As she starts to take in the rest of the environment she can’t help but notice the faces around them, well some were faces the rest were similar to Din, the helmets weren’t as seek, silver as him but a variety of different shaped eyes, symbols and lines. Now she understood why the creature didn’t dare cross the forest lines. There was a small amount of commotion, some eyes question her but the majority seek out Din.

“The Mand’lor has returned.” Din nods in acknowledgment, hands pulling his girl from the ground. Din’s fingers swipe her hair from her forehead as he sees the look of disapproval on the few bare faces.

“Listen to me.” He pleads, watching as a smaller woman, elder woman slowly ascends towards them. “Anyone can challenge rank in the clan, you must fight if need be.”

“Wh-What?” Wide eyes meet his visor, stomach twisting as Din’s words stun her. It was too late, the elder’s staff is pressing against her throat harshly. “Who is this woman you’ve brought us?”

The growl that Din lets out is enough to scare that monster in the woods, it’s protective, frustrated but expected, how did he ever think his people would accept a outsider? especially a non-mandalorian one. The elder sneers at her, different symbols of no legitimacy are painted against her forehead, black charcoal lines that reach to her lips. “Let her go. She’s with me.”

The elder’s eyes shift towards Din. While Din may be the leader of the clan, the elders are responsible for making sure the rules are followed, guidance for such a leader. The pressure releases from her throat but the venom in her tone says it all. “She doesn’t belong here.”

If a staff to the point of almost unconsciousness doesn’t say you’re not welcomed here the words make her cheeks red with embarrassment. Din’s fingers find her shoulder quickly, pulling her against his chest protectively. Eyes turn in disgust as they realize, the way he flushes her against him, his willingness to protect her. It’s wrong, so very wrong to the clan but Din doesn’t care. All eyes are on him as he steps in front of her, the child now awake is shoved against her chest, Din’s fists ball against his sides, he’s strong, sturdy like a wall as the crowd meets his own gaze. “She is under my protection, if anyone wants a challenge, they go through me first.”

Just like the the tension leaves the air, no one dares to step forward as the cold, icy gaze of the visor warns them, then to the elder that stands a few feet from him. “Is that understood?”

Watching all these people cower at his words makes her throat dry, Din Djarin was passionate, a little rough around the edges but never this scary. Shaky finger rub against her throbbing throat as another wheeze leaves her burning throat. Without a second glance Din is dragging her along the field, the peaks of houses just over the land.

“Are you okay?” She doesn’t answer, only presses herself into his hold as they near one of the biggest huts in the field.

“Where are we?” It’s cold, but clean. Neatly organized books against the walls, a fireplace with two comfy leather chairs, the kitchen is small, almost right next to the living room but it is cozy. Din manages to find some matches to light the room up, “My home.”

The child fights against her grasp as she sits down on the brown chair, large dark eyes meeting her own as he lets out a whine of frustration. . It doesn’t register, everything happening to quickly doesn’t give her time to even breath as she looks up at the Mandalorian. When Grogu is finally free, he manages to find the other chair, curling up comfortably in it “What just happened?”

Din tries to speak but she decides for him. “They don’t want me here, why did you bring me here?”

Din shakes his head, falling between her thighs, hands press against them with intent to comfort but it makes her more frustrated. “They’re not used to strangers, and you’re not Mandalorian, it caught them by surprise.”

“Din I saw the way they looked at me, that old lady almost murdered me. “Did you know it was going to be like this?”

He bites the inside of his cheek, bringing his helmet forward to her shoulder. “Yes but no one will challenge you for now, not until you’re part of the clan.”

“No one wants me here.” Tears of frustration slip past eyelashes, rejection sitting deep inside the pit of her stomach.

“Sweet girl.” Din’s covers her eyes with his palm using the other to pull the helmet off placing it next to him. “Close your eyes.”

Even if she wanted to she couldn’t open them, they’re too heavy with emotion as Din presses his fingers against tears, wiping them gently. “No tears, for the love of maker, no tears.”

“I-I’m -” Din doesn’t let her finish, instead he uses his lips to taste the salty mixture that formulated from her pain, lips meet hers gently.

“They will love you, they haven’t seen a stranger since I left two years ago, give it time.” Din promises, hands wrap around just below her breast, pulling her against his chest. “The clan is sacred, they just see -.”

“An outsider.” The sourness of the words taste strange in her mouth, “Why did you bring me here then?”

“I love you.” It’s the first time those words move past those lips, “I can’t be without you.”

It’s hours later when Din returns to the tent, while many hours have past she was still asleep. The bed was comfortable, stuffed with feathers, covered in layers and layers of animal pelts. Soft fur smooth against skin, perfect for the chilly night.

The child notices, instantly perking up to extend his arms out to his father. The foundling coos as Din’s hands hold him close to his chest, “Hey buddy, are you hungry?”

The next few days are almost enough to make her regret coming with Din, she’s alone half the time, Din leaves her for what he called ‘very important business, and snarled at when she leaves the hut. Never in her life has she felt so.. unwelcomed, out of place. She has never been a person to care about things like these, but the child was soon becoming her only source of social interaction and everyone knows how well that is.

“What are you doing out here?” Din’s voice startles her, the child in her arms jumps as she does.

Eyes shift in confusion at the Mandalorian, the raspiness of his voice, hands bare but open cuts painted across them, dried blood show signs of a struggle as she tits her head. “What happened?”

“Nothing you need to worry about sweet girl.” The hand finds the crown of her head, rubbing the hair softly, then to the child’s head before disappearing silently into the hut, while it was very Din the tone of his voice was very uncharacteristic.

“Din?” It’s much later in the night, so late that they should both be fast asleep like the child tucked between them. Din’s helmet reflects the dying fire across the room, despite the inches of distance between them it felt like miles. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He sighs, turning onto his side so he can look at her. He was stripped down to a thinner tunic, comfortable pants rid of all amour except his helmet, the fire was still alive. “It’s just -.”

He cuts himself off, bringing his hands forward to her hips fingers dig into the flesh to pull her close against him. “What is it?”

“The elders.. they don’t like that I brought you here.”

“i know that.”

Din turns his back towards the fire, the broadness of him dimming the room almost instantly. The helmet falls to the floor with a thud, lips meet the junction between her clavicle and sternum, nose pressing against her skin. “I want you to stay here with me.”

“I don’t feel welcomed here, no one even knowledge me.”

“Marry me.” The words make her choke, body momentarily freezing as fingers release his hair. Din freezes as well, not believing the words fell from his lips so easily.

“If you marry me, they will have no choice but to accept you. You will be my queen.” A pregnant pause falls amongst them, Din doesn’t dare move from his spot but pushes further. “They will make me take a wife anyways, I want it to be you.”

Emotion is heavy in her throat, “It feels forced, you’re only doing this for me. For you can have me.”

“I’m doing this because I love you, I want you to stay with me. The elders have no control over what I’m saying to you. I want you to marry me because I love you.” The words aren’t forced, they’re spoken with carefulness but freely mumbled against her chest.

“Marry me, I’ve always known you’d be my riduur from the moment I met you.”

A/N: I swear its going to get much better, first chapters are always so slow. Thank you for reading, I’m accepting tags just comment below, thank you!

#din djarin fan fiction #din djarin x reader #din djarin imagine #the mandolorian imagine #the mandolorian x reader

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toffrox · 3 years

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Out Loud

Read on Ao3

Will

Will wasn't exactly sure if there was an exact moment that he knew he was in love with Nico.

Maybe, he mused, it was that evening in the infirmary. When Nico had looked up at him with wide, beautiful eyes and said "I think you you should kiss me."

Or, maybe, it was before that. Maybe it was the first time Will saw him laugh. Or the first time he surprised Will with lunch at the infirmary during a busy shift.

Sometimes, Will wondered if it was on the day they first met. Maybe on some level, he always knew.

Then again, the moment Nico first called Will his boyfriend was a strong contender.

They had been sitting up on Half Blood Hill together, watching the sunset. It was the night after Apollo had left Camp with Leo, Calypso and Festus, and they were all still reeling from the battle with the Colossus.

He and Nico had been discussing the fight, which had led them to a memory of the last battle they had fought together, on this very spot, when Nico had stumbled across Will, Cecil and Lou Ellen.

"I was so angry at you for using your powers when you were that close to fading." Will said, glad that they could laugh about it now. Nico smiled a wry smile.

"And I was so angry at you for being so smug about it." He grouched. "Remember when you ran straight at the enemy as a distraction? With absolutely no plan to defeat them? I never understood how you could be so calm with 6 roman legionnaires on your tail."

Will grinned at him, eyes sparkling.

"I knew you would save me." He said simply.

Nico rolled his eyes, but Will could see that he was pleased. The corners of his lips twitched in that way Will loved and Will leaned in to kiss him. Nico pulled back before he could, trying to look stern.

"Absolutely not. You are not getting a kiss for that." He said sternly.

"Please?" Will asked, fluttering his eyelashes as dramatically as he could.

Nico cast his eyes to the sky as if asking for help from the Gods.

Luckily, Will knew he wouldn't be counting on them too much. He swooped in and pecked Nico on the cheek, which made him laugh.

"My boyfriend is a sap." He sighed, his eyes still cast skywards.

Will pulled back at that, his mouth open in shock.

"I... I can't believe you just said that" He found himself saying. His voice came out excited and breathless.

Nico quirked a single eyebrow.

"Said what?" He asked dryly.

"You just referred to me as your boyfriend." Will said, incredulous.

Nico frowned at him as if he'd lost his mind. "Um. Yeah..."

Will felt a massive grin spread across his face. His heart ballooned with a feeling so strong it was verging on painful.

Nico frowned deeper, looking utterly perplexed.

"Will." He said, the way one might speak to a small child or a confused pet. "You are my boyfriend."

The feeling in Will's chest ballooned even bigger. His cheeks ached.

For a second, Will felt as though he was going to cave in and say the words that had been on the tip of his lips for quite some time now.

Instead, before he knew what he was doing he dived forward into Nico's arms, clutching his waist tight and burying his face in Nico's chest. He felt a startled breath push itself out of Nico's lungs.

"You've never said it out loud before..." Will mumbled into his shirt.

Nico let out a surprised laugh, but held him tighter, one hand carding through Will's hair, his touch particularly gentle.

"Like I said." he chuckled. "A complete sap."

Maybe that had been the moment...

But then again, there had been moments like that before, Will supposed.

Moments when the two of them had been teasing each other, or holding each other, or wrapped up in one another, physically and mentally.

The time Nico first told him about his past. The time they had decided officially to be more than friends. The day Will had introduced Nico to his mother...

Each of these moments, Will could feel it. The unspoken words. Those intense feelings he was so sure that both of them felt.

Except that the timing had never been right. And for a lot of those moments, neither of them had really been ready.

Will supposed really that the moment on top of Half Blood Hill hadn't been the first time he'd felt in love. But it was the first time he'd felt ready to say it.

Except that he didn't.

And he wouldn't, he decided, until Nico was ready too.

For now, he thought, they would continue to sit in those moments together - both feeling, neither saying - waiting for the right time to arrive.

The first time Nico said "I love you" out loud, Will was asleep.

Or, at least, Nico thought Will was asleep. That's what Will assumed.

Will was sleeping in the Hades Cabin, as he often did, despite the relentless teasing it prompted from Austin and Kayla.

Usually, Will fell asleep before Nico. Nico slept so fitfully anyway, and Will always felt more tired once the sun had set.

But tonight, Will couldn't sleep. It had been a rough day. A new camper had arrived with their protector early in the day, both pretty injured from a run in with some hellhounds on their way here. Then Ellis got beaten up pretty badly in training, and there was an explosion in Bunker Nine, resulting in several Hephaestus campers all getting injured as well.

On top of that, Kayla was having a dark week and hadn't been able to get out of bed that morning. Will had been pushing down his worry about her all day, working the infirmary alone while Austin stayed in Cabin Seven to keep her company and make sure she took her anti-depressants. That evening, Will, Austin Nico and Lacy from Cabin Eight had all piled into bed with her to watch her favourite movie. Kayla had sat with her head on Will's shoulder and Will had forced down his worry some more; he knew that Kayla hated it when he was worried about her.

So by the time Will crashed into Nico's bunk, his brain forgot that he was physically exhausted and instead chose that moment to surface every worry he had been avoiding.

Nico climbed into bed after him and held Will to his chest and said in a low voice that he should get some rest and look after himself and they would talk in the morning.

Slowly, Will felt his muscles ease up. And eventually, his mind eased too.

He rolled over, Nico shifting forwards so that he stayed curled around Will's body, nuzzling his face into Will's hair.

"Goodnight, Will." He whispered. Will sighed softly in response, too tired to reply.

He lay there in Nico's arms, his mind not fretting anymore but moving too quickly to sleep, despite his body's growing heaviness.

He felt Nico's breath on the back of his neck and could tell that he was still awake.

It could have been hours that they were lying there like that, on the edge of sleep. Will wasn't sure exactly how long it was, when Nico's voice cut through the room again.

"Will?"

It was barely a whisper, breathed out against the back of his neck.

Will tried to blink his eyes open, but his lids were heavy. He tried to shift, but his limbs stayed put. He thought that he mumbled a response, but Nico didn't seem to hear him.

He paused for a moment, then Will felt a hand squeeze his waist, as if silence was the response Nico was hoping for.

He felt the faint brush of Nico's lips, pressed just under his ear.

Then, a whisper:

"I love you."

Something about those words seemed to mean something to Will's sleepy brain. He felt his lips curve into a lazy smile. He felt something warm settle in his chest. And before he could really think much on it, he had dropped into proper sleep.

The next morning, the full force of Nico's words hit Will as he sat up in bed, remembering the whispered confession. He wondered if it was real, or if he'd dreamt it.

Nico was tangled up in the sheets, his face smooth and angelic as it always was when he slept.

Will carefully extricated himself from Nico's bunk, preparing to head back to Cabin Seven and check in on Kayla.

He pressed a kiss to Nico's forehead and whispered "Love you too, Death Boy."

Then he smiled to himself, heart full, as he walked back across the green with the sun rising behind him.

A few days later, Will got his proof that it hadn't been a dream.

They were sitting out by the beach, in their favourite spot.

It had been another particularly heavy shift at the infirmary and Will was sitting between Nico's legs, dozing with his head leaning back on Nico's chest.

Nico's whisper "Will, are you awake?" had roused him, though his voice was gentle enough that his eyes stayed closed.

He was about to blink them open, to respond with a sleepy "hmm?", when the warm memory of that night in Cabin Thirteen bubbled up into Will's mind. He must have smiled, but he held back his reply.

Instead, he kept his eyes closed and let himself sigh, sinking further into Nico's arms.

"No?" Nico whispered.

Will stayed quiet.

He felt Nico's lips press ever so softly against the top of his head. And then, another whisper;

"Love you."

It was quiet, just like last time, even more difficult to hear over the sounds of the sea and the wind and trees rustling nearby.

But Will heard it. And Nico's arms tightening around him confirmed that he hadn't imagined it.

The third time it happened, Will stayed awake deliberately.

He suggested coming to Cabin Thirteen for the evening at dinner. Nico was surprised (Will usually waited for Nico to invite him rather than invite himself), but he seemed pleased.

They played Mythomagic for a while and then watched a movie. Will made an effort to be extra affectionate, shooting Nico warm, sappy smiles wherever he could and pressing kisses to his shoulder in the way he knew made Nico melt every time.

When they settled down to sleep, Will rolled over and willed himself to relax into the pillow.

He slowed his breath as much as he could and let the tension drain out of his shoulders.

Then, he waited.

For a while, Nico lay tense at Will's back. It always took him a little while to get in the headspace for sleep if he'd had a day free of shadow travel or any other kind of Underworldly power, and today had been a fairly uneventful day. His breath brushed against Will's neck steadily, but quickly.

At one point, Will wondered if maybe he knew that Will was awake. Or maybe the last two times had been flukes, one offs.

But then, eventually, the whisper came.

First checking, making sure he was asleep.

"Will?"

Will pursed his lips to stop himself from grinning. He stayed quiet.

Nico breathed out a sigh of what might be relief. He moved his mouth to just under Will's ear and whispered again.

"I love you."

Glee sparked in Will's chest. He had to fight to keep his breathing even. Except that focusing on that when his heart was swelling with joy at the same time caused his skin to glow against his will.

He felt a flash of panic as Nico gasped and pulled back slightly.

Would Nico realise what Will had done? Would he notice Will was actually awake?

Instead, Will was simply granted another secret whisper. This one breathed out in awe, Nico's voice sounding sweeter than Will had ever heard it.

"You are so beautiful."

Will felt himself blush furiously into the dark.

Nico usually never complimented him like that in the daylight. He usually went for snarky, teasing comments when they were together. Even in his more sincere moments, he stuck to praises about his personality over his appearance; he commented on Will's skill as a healer, or his kindness or his humour. He'd never called Will beautiful before. Never spoken so earnestly like this.

For a second, Will thought that maybe he would open his eyes, and reply to Nico. Maybe he would reveal that he'd heard Nico's words and say them back.

But then Nico was sighing contently and rolling over behind him, ready for sleep.

Maybe tomorrow he'll say it during the day.

But Nico didn't say it the next day. Or the day after that either.

So pretending to sleep whenever the two of them are napping together instead became something of a guilty habit of Will's. A routine.

Maybe Nico wasn't ready to say the words in the daylight, but for now, just knowing that he was right, that they did feel the same way, was more than enough.

For weeks, months, the routine persisted:

The two of them said goodnight. They cuddled.

Will pretended to sleep.

Nico checked to see if he was awake.

Will was silent.

Nico brought his lips to the spot just behind Will's ear.

Nico whispered "I love you."

And Will glowed.

Then, one night in the middle of spring, the routine broke.

Nico had been hearing voices from Tartarus. Will was spending the afternoon with him to distract him. They were sitting on the porch of the Big House, waiting for their first pinochle lesson with Mr D.

It wasn't a particularly special moment, really. But Will was convinced that Nico had been about to say it.

Will looked out over the camp and turned to find Nico gazing at him with an oddly sincere expression.

Will felt his cheeks flush pink, which only intensified Nico's look.

"What is it?" Will asked. He felt almost shy. His heart thudded slightly faster.

"I-" Nico hesitated. He started to smile.

Will was so sure that he was going to say it.

"Alright you two, come on in." Mr D appeared on the porch. Nico and Will both jumped. Mr D frowned. "What? Am I interrupting something?"

Will blushed and Nico laughed nervously.

"No, no, of course not." He said.

...But Will had been so sure.

That night, Nico whispered, "Will, are you awake?"

Will held back his smile.

Nico leaned forward, brushing his lips against Will's ear.

"I love you."

Will let out a hum of contentment.

Then, his eyes snapped open.

Shit.

He'd never done that before. That wasn't part of the routine.

Nico shifted back ever so slightly, his body tensing.

"Will?" He said, out loud. Not a whisper.

Will squeezed his eyes shut, heart racing. Maybe he would think it was a coincidence. Maybe he hadn't seen his eyes open.

There was a long, tense pause.

Nico rolled over. And Will prayed that he hadn't just messed this up.

The next morning, Nico wouldn't look at him.

He avoided breakfast, and didn't drop by the infirmary.

Will started to worry.

He left his shift early to look for him. But he wasn't in Cabin Thirteen, or at the beach, or the arena.

Gods, how had Will made such a mess of this?

He headed out of the dining pavilion after lunch, thinking maybe he could talk to Rachel about this. She would know what to do.

But when he approached the entrance to the cave, he heard Nico's voice.

Will froze, overhearing Nico's words before he could stop himself.

"-don't know what to do! He obviously heard me, but he pretended like he didn't! Do you think I freaked him out? I thought he felt the same way..."

Will pulled back, retreating as hurriedly as he could.

He forced himself to hold in his laugh.

He forced himself to wait until his heart rate slowed down again.

Then he shook his head, and returned to the infirmary for the afternoon.

This had gone on long enough, he decided. It was time that one of them to stop being an idiot.

Will snuck over to Cabin Thirteen just before curfew.

Nico seemed surprised to see him when he slipped in the door and went straight to Nico's bunk. But he didn't say anything and nodded willingly when Will murmured "Is this ok?"

Nico held him tight.

Will told him: "I couldn't sleep without you" and Nico's grip tightened.

Will waited.

"Will - you awake?"

Will smiled. He shifted, rolling over so that they were facing each other under the covers.

"I am awake, actually." He said, keeping his voice as low as he could.

Nico's eyes widened.

"Oh."

Will brought one hand to Nico's face, stroking his thumb against his cheekbone in a way he hoped would be soothing.

"I have to tell you something." Will whispered.

Nico's forehead creased every so slightly and Will felt his heartbeat quicken.

"… you do?"

"Yeah." whispered Will. "Close your eyes."

Nico hesitated, but followed Will's instructions.

Will grinned. He moved his hand away and leaned in to brush his lips against the skin under Nico's ear, right where Nico had been kissing him in secret.

He let the now familiar feeling in his chest expand and warm his entire body, then whispered, featherlight.

"I love you."

He pulled back just in time to see Nico's eyes snap open. He looked so wild and panicked that Will couldn't help but laugh.

Nico's mouth twisted in outrage.

"You were awake that night!" He cried, indignant.

Will blushed.

"I may have overheard you…" He admitted. "...on more than just one occasion, actually."

"Oh my gods" Nico looked mortified. He buried his face in hands. "Why didn't you say anything?!" He said, voice muffled through his fingers.

"I meant to, I really did!" Will managed to say, his voice still breathless with laughter and nerves. "But I kind of figured you weren't ready and then after a while I started to like it - and it became kind of like a routine..." Will trailed off.

He reached up to pull Nico's hands away from his face so they could look at one another. His cheeks were getting sore from grinning, now.

"You're awfully sweet when you think I'm sleeping, you know." He teased.

"Gods, how long has this been going on?" Nico choked out.

Will bit his lip, sheepish. "Um… a couple of months."

"A couple of months?" Nico sounded slightly strangled.

"Maybe six weeks? Since February!" Will amended hastily. "And I'm sorry! I really thought you'd say it during the day sometime, but you never did!"

"I thought maybe you wouldn't say it back!"

Will scoffed at that.

"No, you didn't!"

"I did!" Nico said, scowling now. "I was really worried!"

"No you weren't." Will rolled his eyes.

"I was." Nico insisted.

"You were not." Will smirked. "Everyone in this whole damn camp knows I'm in love with you. It's no secret."

"Well I never knew for sure." Nico said stubbornly.

"No?" Will teased. "What had you unsure? Was it me introducing you to my mother? Or was it the way I drive Kayla and Austin crazy on a daily basis because I talk about you constantly? Or maybe it's how every time I see you I have to literally hold back all my powers so I don't start glowing like an idiot. Or the fact that I hate spending nights in my cabin now because I miss you, even though we spend basically all day every day hanging out. Or maybe it's-

"Oh my god, shut up." Nico groaned.

He buried his face in Will's chest and Will laughed.

"I hate you." Nico said into his shirt.

"No you don't" Will said, smugly. "You love me."

Nico looked up at him with that scowl that Will loved so much. His lips did Will's favourite thing, twitching up reluctantly.

"I do." he admitted.

Will beamed and swooped down to kiss him properly. Nico smiled against his lips, and Will felt that incredible feeling ballooning in his chest again. Nico pressed forward to deepen the kiss and the feeling grew and grew until Will was suddenly desperate to tell him again, properly this time.

He pulled back and looked Nico dead in the eye.

"I love you so much." He breathed.

Nico bit his lip. He was nervous. Unsure, as always, even after Will's teasing.

"You do?" He breathed.

"Nico, I've loved you for so long. I love you more than anything."

Will's voice was quiet and earnest, trying to express something too big for the words he was speaking.

Nico smiled.

From then on, they followed a new routine:

Nico reached over. He kissed the spot under Will's ear.

He said, "I love you, Will."

And Will smiled into the darkness and whispered back "I love you too."

#fluff #posting this here too #I'm just really proud of this one #solangelo fluff #tooth rotting fluff #first i love you #Nico di Angelo #Will solace #THEY ARE IN LOVE OK?

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helahades · 4 years

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James and the Siren

(Prewar!Bucky x Black/WOC!Siren)

Summary: There’s magic in Brooklyn before the war. She takes the form of an alluring Siren with an appetite for predatory men. While at the beach one day, Bucky gets involved in something that draws Her attention. Will he live to tell the tale?

A/N: This is the surprise project! If you’re dead set on Greek Mythology accuracy, this is not the fic for you. I’ve definitely taken some liberties.

Im not sure if I’m planning to do a part two, but if y’all show interest in this, I’ll consider it! Quick shoutout to @xbuchananbarnes for being a lovely angel and betaing this and encouraging me all the way. Also to @invisibleanonymousmonsters for being the sweetest and helping me put my scrambled ideas together. ♥️♥️♥️Hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Two minor deaths. Creepy guy following someone. Injury. Blood mentions. Drafted, scared Bucky. Fighting. Drowning if you squint. Sad and confused Bucky. Overuse of cheesy water imagery. Me completely ignoring the reality of New York’s geography. I did what I wanted skskksk.

Word Count: 4.2k

—

Light.

Light like smooth honey.

Light like tree sap in glittering in the sun, spread across the sand in a broken mosaic, tumbling in waves to just barely provide the light Bucky needed to see his notebook.

The day feels so bright his eyes won’t open wide, and yet shaded in the trees, Bucky can’t see.

Shuffling with their branches, the leaves danced as the wind blew through them. Everything here seems to have its own rhythm, from the clouds stretching and inching across a leaden blue sky, to the filtered light leaping from one wave to the next.

These purities make Bucky feel like he can breathe, in a time that has been near suffocating.

He’s been sad.

Sergeant James. That’s all he is now. In a week or so, Uncle Sam will come to retrieve the body he is, and he will leave most things behind. It isn’t that he doesn’t want to serve—actually maybe he doesn’t. But is that so wrong?

He can’t understand why Steve wants it. He’s not foolish enough to think that punk has the same roots in Brooklyn anymore, not with Sarah gone, not with the way the guys around here treat him.. But Bucky can’t understand how Steve can be so…ready. He won’t say it to anyone, but he just doesn’t want to look Death in the eyes quite yet.

Bucky finds himself praying for some force to steal him away in the night. He dreams of things otherworldly.

Bucky finds himself trying not to think about how it will only be good news for his mother, who loves him, but whose wallet will breathe now that she’s not feeding a growing man along with her multiple daughters.

Bucky finds himself at the beach in Brooklyn, writing random things in a journal. He doesn’t know how to get the feelings out. He can’t write words on paper in a place his mother won’t eventually find and be heartbroken by them.

So he writes nonsensical things. He scribbles. He’s no artist like Steve, but it feels like it's enough. And he watches the glistening shores, waiting for what lies beyond—or at least what he hopes exists.

Jenny and Dot and Nancy and all the girls say there’s something big in these waters. Maybe it’s someone who swims. But maybe... it’s magic. Maybe it’s some sort of impossible magical creature that makes dreams come true.

That’s what they tell Bucky behind their giggles, but really they know She’s a protector.

—

One day, Jenny was walking home, and felt a strike of ominous energy in her heart. She had taken the long way, because she likes to see the clear waters of the ocean. Sometimes it feels like nothing else is clean in New York.

But as she came upon the beach she cursed herself for this choice, and hurried along the sidewalk that overlooked it all, for she felt someone walking towards her, and with intention. Hearing a chuckle from behind, that was closer than it should be, she realized the man must have noticed her change in body language and begun to advance upon her.

Step.

It took everything within her to refrain from breaking into a run, but she was wearing her fancy shoes, and wasn’t confident in her ability to run in them. She wonders if she’s out of normal step, and tries to walk to the beat of her heart, only to find that it’s racing. Clutching the sides of her skirts, she breathed in deep and let it out into the salty air. If he would hurt her, she certainly wouldn’t show him fear.

As if she could see into the time not yet passed, and knew all would be fine, she started to breathe again, tension beginning to unwind from her veins. Then a wave of it hit. It was power and reassurance, like a hug from a mother, like a proud smile from a teacher.

Jenny chanced a look behind her in the same moment. The man was frozen. He was desperately looking to the rocky shores in the distance below them, no longer pursuing her.

Somewhere inside was screaming to her that it was time to go home. But everything was heavy and light and fresh, and she was feeling the strange seduction of the waves too.

She took one—two scooping steps backwards in alarm when the man urgently began to move again. Only, he was stumbling down the bouldered bank in a rushed, yet somehow lethargic shuffle. As he finally got into the sand and clambered onto the rocks overlooking the ocean, a head breached the water!

Dark cascades of curly hair wrapped around and around in tight coils, and curtained the sides of her angelic face.

She was alluring, and glowing bright and faded, as living moonlight. Her skin was deep brown and cool, like driftwood or seashells, also washed by the sin she consumed.

Jenny would have been surprised at their breath holding skills, had her soul not already known the truth. For just a fraction of a moment, the being’s energy was focused on her, before the attraction released Jenny, and safety flowed through her and guided her home.

Then. They turned on the man, and he leaped into the depths.

No man bothered Jenny again after that day.

—

“—not a soul heard from that chump again!”

“It’s them canary lookers by the beach!”

Bucky sat and tried to process. The fellas that hung around the dance hall had all sorts of stories.

But he’s a smart kid. Smart enough to put two and two together.

When the girls all talked about this creature that supposedly lives in the beach waters, they speak of it—of her— as some sort of guardian angel, maybe a friend.

When the guys tell it, she’s a man eating broad that swims naked and eats innocent family men. Every guy knows another one who hasn’t come back after hearing a smooth song and wandering down to the beach like they were possessed with something wild.

A man of science, as Bucky believes himself, but a dreamer all the same, he wants to believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

—

Bucky can’t deny the beach has its magic.

He feels alone at school, at the diner, walking the streets, sometimes even with Steve.

At the beach though, things are alive and awake. He doesn’t understand why some guys can’t stand the place. Some guys, and Bucky sees no coincidence in it being the shadier ones, feel as though they’re being watched if they edge too close to the coarse sands.

To Bucky, there is energy, but it just feels like peace. Peace that is much needed as he reconciles maybe never returning home after shipping off. Notebook forgotten, Bucky looks out across the cerulean waters and tries to make out waves as far as he can before the blur of them mixes with the skyline. He’s already sweat out the gel in the front of his hair, and some of the growing strands are ruffling in the salty wind.

Just then, a couple guys from school waltz down the hillside behind him, and begin walking down the beach, laughing obnoxiously and making jokes all the way down.

Roy and Charles. Maybe the only two people Bucky's age in the city that match him for size and strength. They love to let the world know. They’ve given Steve one too many rough looks, and frazzled too many skirts for Bucky to be comfortable with them.

Roy has stick straight mahogany colored hair that never seems to be without a perfectly gelled style. He will abandon dates if he dances too long and fears he might have sweated it out. Standing just a bit taller than Bucky, he was stocky, blocky, and cocky. He will soon, like Bucky, outgrow the food budget of his parents.

Most kids from school think he’s been big since birth. He must have gone straight from baby to man, or been delivered here by a bone tired stork, some say. For all that muscle and size, there is not a bone of charm in him, or anything interesting about him. His skin is a dull beige. He tries to make up for all of this by being as loud and obnoxious as he can, filling up any room with his desperation.

Charles has all the charm. The whispers say that Roy follows him hoping to catch a personality. With loose blond curls and granny smith sweet eyes, he can turn on his games, and dames, in just an instant. He seems to have a permanent flush of the skin, enhancing the smattering of freckles across his nose. He is lean and lanky, and just as tall as Roy. Something about him unsettles Bucky. Charles seems to always be thinking something strange, and every girl who ever loved him has always regretted it.

They both thought it was a shame Bucky refused to hang with them, and held a strange reserved animosity towards him at the rejection. What are they doing here though?

They secretly feared the depths. It was only when Bucky noticed Roy’s sloshed stumbling that he felt dread wash over him. Once they reached the bottom of the hill, Charles patted Roy on the back and turned to leave, as if he had only come to escort his friend.

How strange, Bucky thinks.

In a moment of weakness, Bucky looked down, not caring to be caught watching the waves. He’s not sure why.

Bucky decides to leave the drunken Roy to his business. If he does something stupid wandering the beach, that is his own problem.

That is…until he saw Roy wasn't just relaxing or wandering. Jenny was further down the beach, standing just where the tide won’t touch her. Loose from her usual tight curls, her hair waved like a banner in the breeze as she stood watching every movement of the tide. She’s a liberated picture, like she found out how to breathe, like there’s nothing to fear, and Bucky would have kept admiring, had he not severely doubted the intentions of the meathead making his way closer to her.

He found himself on his feet, and followed after the young man. Now there were two suspicious gazes on Roy…and one on him.

Following carefully, he was slightly behind when Roy arrived at where Jenny was.

“Ya floozie,” Roy slurred before stepping closer, “think nobody knows what you did to my Uncle Kenny?”

Still watching the waves, Jenny made no indication she had heard him at all. Roy took a deep breath, like he was ready to yell. Before he did, she finally looked his way.

“What malarkey,” she spat, looking up into his eyes.

Stepping closer to the tide she kept her eyes on Roy, and noted Bucky looking at her just behind him, trying to decipher the intensity in her stare.

“No one did a thing to him that he didn’t already have comin’.”

Turning red, darkness bled into his stare as he lunged for Jenny. Running up just behind, Bucky tackles him into the water, falling in beside him.

Roy scrambles up into the sand and locks eyes with Bucky, standing bristled, like a cat given an unwanted bath.

“This ain’t your fight, Barnes! That tramp’s gonna learn!”

“Give it a rest Roy…”

“That lyin’ bat,” he continued to slur, “All these dames lie! Now somebody’s gotta pay, and it was this floozie who gave him up to—“

Roy vaguely gestured to the ocean and became distracted, considering something else for just a moment.

Then Roy turned to Bucky, who had put himself between him and Jenny. Shivering in the breeze that suddenly felt frigid, his eyes seemed to turn wild. Roy began to pat down his soaked slacks frantically, as if fearing he lost something in the gritty tide.

On alert now, Bucky prepared for a fight, moving himself in closer to block him from getting to Jenny. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Leave him be, Bucky,” she pleaded, only now stirred by the thought that Bucky could be hurt. She didn’t know if her protector could stop this.

Bucky couldn’t stop to consider why Jenny didn’t fear for her own safety, because with a brash guffaw, Roy’s desperation blew away as he found what he had been looking for. A glitter of a threat gleaned off Roy’s shiny blade, and he seemed to sober up, drunk on something else. Bloodlust.

“Walk away, Barnes.”

“You first.”

Bucky started to take a deep breath of the salty air in preparation, but had to cut it short when Roy lunged. Instinctively throwing one arm out behind him to shield Jenny, Bucky left himself open.

One free arm and a bad stance in the uneven sand wasn’t enough. A burst of pain and heat stretched across his chest in an instant.

Grunting, he pulled both arms forward and shoved Roy. Hard. Roy stumbled, but managed to keep on his feet, throwing a crossbody punch that Bucky knocked out of the way, using Roy’s momentum against him. Using that opening, Bucky swung a fist into Roy’s unguarded side just under his ribs. That took him down.

From the ground, Ray scooted back as Bucky advanced on him. A wet blob of chunky sand sailed through the air, and Bucky coolly side stepped, evading it. It would have directly hit his chest wound.

Looking like a cornered animal, Roy stopped scooting away, and when Bucky got close enough, he swung his foot up right into Bucky's groin.

Bucky was down too now, and after catching his breath, Roy was the first to get back on his feet.

Trying to fight the fire in his nerves, and the rough sand tearing at his chest wound, Bucky yelled with all his might as he writhed in the sand.

“Jenny, RUN!”

She backed up in a daze, from where she had been watching with worry, and the gravity dawned on her, just a moment too late. Turning abruptly, having no choice but to take her eyes off Roy, her chunky heels pounded sloshing wet splashes through the soaked sand.

Four of her strides were one and a half of Roy’s. But now Bucky was up, and he ran after them both, intending to tackle Roy and wrestle the knife away.

It began like a change in the air. A frequency finding itself, humming with the tune of the moon pulling the tide, and adjusting to its prey. It was like the evening cicadas, until it rounded into something lovelier. It had a sonorous resonance, like the cry of a damsel worn by a widow sneaking around her net, waiting for entanglement.

It was rich like a church choir and seductive like sin. Both Roy and Bucky were frozen upon hearing the melody. The familiar feeling of protected comfort washed through Jenny, but she immediately felt dread at realizing Bucky was also in a trance at the siren song.

“Not him,” she breathed.

Then, She appeared.

The melody grew into a spiked honey of sorts, warming with command. The men straightened from their tense stances, and inched ever so slowly toward the water.

Her song grew sharper, and she rose higher from the water, scales like gold scattered on her arms, sensuality running down Her neck and chest like flowing oil.

Finally, Jenny ran to Bucky and threw herself into his arms with a shriek, pressing her cool palms to either side of his face.

“Not him!”

The song swallowed her pleading. It had been seen. The girl. Two men after her.

First it was Roy. He took big steps forward, Her allure magnetic to sin, and the ocean swallowed him suddenly, as it does.

She flipped back then, slick abdomen curling over the surface before a long emerald tail followed, entering the water silently, sending ripples that Bucky reached out to touch. Still looking desperately at Bucky's greying eyes, and trying to hold him back, Jenny began to cry.

“Oh please, Bucky, please. I never would wish this on you. I'm not sure what you’re hearing, but don’t listen! You’re too good.”

Bucky wanted to breathe. He’s been so tired. The waves call him.

When She returned, Jenny felt it before seeing it. She studied Jenny. Torn lovers had, on occasion, tried to rescue bad men from the curse. For just a moment, she reserves judgement, wondering if this is that. She studies Bucky. Sees the gash across his chest. Puts it together. Then she’s gone.

Bucky falls to his knees and the clouds seem to wash out of his vision, his familiar diamond eyes blooming back to their shade. He lets out a shaky breath, and Jenny throws her arms around him. They stay there, on their knees, startled in the sand, before Jenny pulls herself up, a funny look on her face as she looks at his wound.

“Y-You stay. Stay right here, James! I’ll get somebody!”

When the tide washes in and back, the sand and shells part to reveal the knife. Bucky snatches it up and presses it into Jenny’s hand without thinking, looking at her intently.

She shivers at the silent message, but knows it's not her who needs the protection. Then she runs, hoping to find someone who will know what to do. She wonders as she leaves... what life will be with Roy dead and gone. She wonders what Becca Barnes will say if she sees her at school if life never returns to her brother. Will Bucky ever tell what happened today? She sure won’t.

As Jenny disappears into the distance, Bucky realizes the clouds have eaten up all the direct sunlight. He stares in the direction Jenny left, still there in the sand, trying to process what happened. Where’s Roy? Is Jenny alright? Can he die from this cut? Would that save him from the war?

He absentmindedly looks to the water, before gasping and freezing in place. The creature is back. It had saved Jenny… sure. That was good. Bucky never liked Roy, but now he’s dead, maybe, and that’s a lot to reconcile. Now it’s staring at him again. Will it—She—sing him into another spell? What does She want?

Her eyes melt from whiskey brown to honeyed gold in an instant as she assesses his pain. Twirling where she is, she lies on her back in the water, with the slow fanning of her multi gem colored tail propelling Her languidly across his field of vision. This allows Bucky to take in Her captivating form. Now that She doesn’t deem Bucky a threat, everything about Her is warm from Her eyes to the undertone of Her skin. He can’t believe what he’s witnessing, and considers the fact that he may have died already.

Stretching Her arms behind her head, she paddled both arms in full motions until She reached the cool, flat stone She had been searching for. It extended from the sand into the sea, and was littered with weeds and grit from the high tide. With a casual turn of Her wrist, the debris parted down the middle and slid off into the water.

Twisting towards the flat rock, She planted two surprisingly human hands onto it and pulled Herself gracefully and easily atop it. Lying flat on Her stomach, She curled her golden emerald tail up toward the sky, then further toward her body. Finally deciding she was comfortable, after lying her head on crossed arms, she regarded Bucky again.

He felt a pull towards Her, like a silk lasso on his heart, but it was softer than before. She wanted him to choose. It was, of course, impossible for him to resist Her, and he was up, walking the stretch of the beach it took to close the distance. Coming to kneel next to Her, he was closer than he had ever been, and was transfixed by Her beauty. He also noticed that she seemed to be wrapped up in the water's surface tension, for it seemed to glide over Her skin, even when She was out of it. It parted for a moment though, when Her eyes flickered up to meet his, and She, once again, grabbed ahold of his soul.

A wave of sedative-like calm overtook Bucky, and he only watched as She assessed him. Rising off of her arms, Bucky rose too as She reached for his chest and placed gentle, and surprisingly warm, hands on either side of the gash. With sweetly sure and surely piercing golden eyes still on him, She rolled her palms against his chest, pulling sand from him and his skin back together in just a moment. Then, with a final palm in the center, where the gash had previously been, Bucky’s face twisted into something comical as he felt something beneath the newly healed skin shift, and the pain disappeared.

Propping Herself on one sinewy arm, She reached for his face with the other, gently pressing a palm to his cheek, gently curling Her fingertips, and rubbing small motions with a gentle thumb. She appeared somber for a moment, then almost mournful as She looked into his baby blues, reading something he couldn’t see.

“Thanks,” Bucky said softly, wincing at how croaky he suddenly sounded.

She hummed a small confirmation and it flowed easily through the air, like the sound of bells or wind chimes. Pulling Her hand back from his face, She lowered Herself mostly into the water, crossing Her arms at the edge of the stone and gazing up at him.

He had so many things he wanted to say, but the surrealism of this moment was making abstractions of his thoughts. It hits him. There's magic in Brooklyn, and there had been all along. It feels right, but wanting to believe, and being made to see no other truth are two different frames of mind. He is still having trouble processing. Is Roy dead? Is Jenny okay?

Will Steve be okay without him? Bucky knows he’s strong, hell, Bucky would say Steve is stronger than him. Steve has got enough determination and courage in one finger to win several wars. Put him in a healthier body, and that punk would be unstoppable.

Actually, Bucky is sure everyone will be okay when he leaves. He’s glad about that in many ways, but in many others, it just makes him feel like a grain of sand, respective to the universe. He knows everyone will be okay. Bucky is just not sure about himself.

As if She could read the focus of the lines of stress etched into his face, Her gaze focused intently, and She began to think of how to word Her sentiments. She reached to hold his icy hands in Her warm ones, and Her eyes darkened to an amber brown as She grew less playful, gently somber.

“Everything changes, James,” his name was a lullaby from Her mouth, and he could not help but to listen, “that sort of…”—

—she paused thoughtfully, trying to find the word.

“That sort of fluctuation,” she continued, “is the only thing that is sure in anyone’s existence.

Some part of him was melting into ease, but he still was not sure what she meant.

“You will not be afraid. Not forever. Even once you have...left. Nothing will stay as it is.”

She looked, sort of at him, but more so beyond, as if there were some greater picture, as if she could see his soul.

“What is forever, is the gracious creature you are. And not a soul can take that from you, James. Not a soul.”

She raised one hand out of his gentle grip, straight to his heart, where his old wound once was. Now calm, and entirely transfixed, he realized, She has now healed him twice. Then She pulled away.

He feels the finality of the moment, he tries to rush and say something else.

“R-Right now they say it should only be a year...or two. But then I’ll be back.”

Eyes falling shut, She pulls in and releases a slow breath, and Bucky can't tell if it's the water of the sea gliding down Her cheeks.

“You will be back. And we will see each other again.”

Reaching a hand to his face, She presses a couple of fingers to his forehead, and his eyes flutter closed. He slumps into a sleep, and before he falls, She raises both hands, bending the energy behind him, and She slowly lies him down in the sand.

“Goodbye, for now, James,” she whispers, trying not to mourn the pain of his future lifetime, before disappearing into the depths.

—

“—ucky, Bucky, Bucky, JAMES!”

Jenny shook him with all her might, tears threatening to spill. When Bucky’s eyes open, he becomes distressed too.

“Heya doll, easy! I’m alright, I swear it.”

She gasps in a shaky breath before they pull each other into a long hug. A few seconds in, he looks over her shoulder and out to the depths. Trying to get a grasp on the events of today, he hopes it all wasn't a dream. Then, he remembers Her words.. He suddenly feels warm, emotions rushing back in a flurry.

He gets the sudden ache to see his family, to see Steve, to go dancing. After all...

Nothing will stay as it is.

—

lovely darlings who are very inspirational:

@xbuchananbarnes @threeminutesoflife @invisibleanonymousmonsters @honeychicanawrites @thorsthot @avintagekiss24 @sapphirescrolls @jtargaryen18 @propertyofpoeandbucky @papi-chulo-bucky @tropicalcap @smollest-soybean

#bucky #bucky barnes #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x reader #40s!bucky #40s!bucky x reader #30s!bucky #30s!bucky x reader #prewar bucky #siren #siren reader #enhanced!reader #marvel fanfiction #bucky au

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blankdblank · 4 years

Text

Ridikulus Pt 20

Through one final archway you exited into an open stretch of green leading to the great lake crossing the path. You smiled up at Idris and Fawkes on his evening flight while Norberta and Opal exited the same archway to make her trip to Hagrid’s hut for her appearance as the subject for his later lesson with the older students that were to help gather her latest measurements and help with her feeding. On your right he said, “It is comforting to see your people so at peace in these lands, and that the barriers are so good at keeping the winds in check.”

You let out a weak giggle, “We had to put windmills around our borders to help with that. They gather energy and fuel some of our buildings, mainly our hospital. It actually is quite useful, though we do have to find a use for the three hour mists that linger in the mornings since the snows stopped. Though a few of our creatures do enjoy the moisture, as do a few of our plants.”

Smiling down at you he shifted closer to your side, “That is good to hear.”

“We’ll just have to see how winter is here, that will be the test, but we’ll manage it.”

“I am certain you will.”

Looking forward again you spotted your doorway popping up with Fred and George surrounded by the Elf King, twins and Prince while Ginny popped out behind them asking, “Jaqi, can borrow your mood ring?”

With a nod you slipped it off your hand and passed it to her and said, “Of course.”

She flashed you a quick grin, “Hard to word how it works. I’ll have it back to you at dinner.”

You watched the sighing teen glance over Elrond’s Sons peered around curiously taking in the surroundings. Off to your left the Whomping Willow drew the eye of the Elf Twins as you said, “Our Willow. If you need it, there’s a knot on the stump that immobilizes it, though I doubt it’ll let you get that close. Please try not to get injured, I doubt your Father would forgive me for that.”

They nodded and Elladan stated, “We will learn what is angering your Willow.”

“Just try not to get too close or it’ll think you’re going for the tunnel it’s protecting.”

Ellohrir, “Tunnel?”

You nodded, “It leads to the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. The small town not far from here.”

Elladan nodded and led the way, “We will get to the bottom of this.”

You smirked again as Fred and George shook their heads, through the doors behind him Ginny passed through mumbling, “I’ll make sure they don’t die. Mum keeps trying to teach me to knit. Was going to show this to-, though it can wait, they can’t go alone.”

In her trot after the pair pocketing your ring she seemed to grin at their shared comments while Fred said, “She’s not on the couch as much.”

George, “Mum keeps trying to get her to move.”

Fred, “Insisting on hobbies. Don’t know how you managed it.”

George, “Even took a tour of Lothlorien the other day just to get away from gardening lessons.”

Fred let out a laugh as you started walking to the lake, “Ended up getting pulled into a tour of the gardens by one of their border protectors.”

Thranduil peered at you curiously asking, “Has she been unwell?”

You met his eye, “She was in a relationship with my Cousin Harry. She thought she might have been pregnant when we fell here.”

His lips parted as Legolas and Glorfindel both peered at you as well through George saying, “Been a rough time, but she’s so young, plenty of time for families still.”

Fred, “Besides, when she settles again Dad’s certain she’ll have plenty of offers.”

George, “Even that border guard, keeps making trips past the portal into our main courtyard on weekends to peer over our fence.”

You let out a giggle, “Either that or he’s wondering how the house stays up.”

Fred chuckled too, adding, “Or how we get our hogs so large.”

George, “Or why Percy insists on practicing his singing in the front yard.”

You giggled again, “That would gain a great deal of stares.”

Glorfindel, “Which border guard?”

George, “Um, it starts with an H, only heard it through the walls.”

Fred, “Halmir?”

In a giggle you replied, “Haldir.”

Legolas looked at him, “Ah, yes, his eldest Son, Halmir sailed centuries past with his Wife.”

Thranduil, “March Warden in Lothlorien, a respectable position for any of your kin, should you be considering it.”

Fred, “Either way it’s Ginny’s choice.”

George laughed, “Pity the lad trying to force a match with her.”

Fred, “She seemed to absorb our tempers growing up.”

You giggled as well, “And every bit of rebellion too. Great deal of patience would be called for.”

Glorfindel’s hand shifted in yours as he stated, “For our Ones you would not find a greater source of patience. Our kin have been known to wait ages for a single glimpse. Though should he believe her to be his, her Father would be informed first, before any steps are taken to approach her.”

George smirked, “Good thing Dale’s plans are finalized then, it’ll give the poor lad a chance to find Dad. The meeting points of the new Council keep getting moved.”

Unable to hold his tongue on the subject any more after another glance at you Thranduil stated, “I understand you discovered some returned Elves earlier, Jaqi.”

You nodded, “They don’t like me very much at first glance apparently. Part of Elrond’s family.”

Thranduil nodded, “What they had said about you, it will not happen again. I am certain Elrond will set them straight on your trustworthiness.”

You smiled at him, “Thank you, but it will take a lot more than someone doubting my character to hurt my feelings. And I’ve been called far worse than creature.”

Beneath the tree beside the lake you paused seeing a group of curious students watching as Fred and George drew in a breath pulling out a large jar each from their bags, they claimed a swirl of Gillyweed and slid it into their mouths chewing it before offering some to the trio of Elves inspecting the strange plants. “Gillyweed, it’ll give you an hour roughly of being able to breathe freely under water.” You reached down to untie your raised left heel you slid off and set aside before removing the other.

Fred slicked his tongue over his teeth holding back his shudder at the taste after swallowing, “It’s not the most pleasant, but it’s a lot better than bubble charms.”

The trio struggled the food down then eyed your hands unbuttoning your blouse as the twins toed out of their shoes and pulled off their socks before pulling their shirts off over their heads to add to your pile of shoes. The trio pulled off their shirts and boots as well and set them near yours.

In a glance up Thranduil and Glorfindel both swallowed dryly as your blouse was slid free from your shoulders to drop to your hands behind your back and to flutter down to the pile. A simple tug of your waistband on your unzipped jeans brought the black pair of panties matching your bra to their attention making their breath catch in their throats.

While Legolas eyed the tattoo for your Father and other scattered smaller tattoos matching those across your sides matching the twins for their animangus as Phoenix and dark marks across your hidden muscles, especially those in your toned legs when your hands smoothed your legs free from your black jeans you added to the pile. Hungrily their eyes scanned over your hidden dips and curves as you looked over the trio and passed them hair ties through their first dry near gag at the plant working their bodies into forming gills.

After tying back their hair they followed you to the water’s edge. You clipped your wand sheath onto a band you eased onto your wrist then tied up your hair in your backwards walk into the water saying, “The shift is uncomfortable, but after you will be able to see and breathe under water perfectly, and you’re hands and feet will grow fins as well.”

Legolas, “Fins?”

You nodded and Fred added, “No worries though, goes away after the hours up.” His eyes scanned over the Prince’s as he stole a glance over their similar groupings of freckles through securing their fanny packs around their waists.

In your own inspection of the King and Lord staring at you, it took all you had not to blush and keep your hair from changing color at your clear attraction to the broad muscular pair still trying to focus on you and not their discomfort at the shift. Slowly they eased into the water after you trying not to reveal their own attraction to you that quickened their pace in hopes of sinking into the water before and twinges below the waist were to reveal their hormonal urges to reach out for you even here in plain sight to strip you of what you had left. The addition of your own fanny pack George offered you drew their eyes to the dimples across your lower back when you turned again to lower and swim out into deeper water with the Twins.

Sinking into the water Legolas asked, “You have not eaten your plant yet Naneth.”

His eyes sank to his hands seeing the webbing latching between them stirring a weak smile, lower and lower they sunk into the water as you replied, “I don’t need any.” Trying to hide your puzzled racing thoughts at the now clear meaning of his nickname, peering over to Thranduil you asked, “How many languages do you know?”

Wetting his lips he replied, “Valinorian, Doriathian, Silvan, Quenya, Rohirric and Gondorian. I do understand small common phrases of Khuzdul as well, why?”

“How many can you read and write?”

“All but Valinorian and Khuzdul past a few common runes, again, why? Have you uncovered a text you need translating?”

“I’m trying to learn the languages of your world, would you teach me?”

He nodded, “I would be glad to. And any language you wish to share I would be grateful to master.”

After a set of confirming checks on each other’s gills the twins started the groups sinking under the surface. All eyes fell to you as they claimed their surprising first breaths. You sank into the water and your softly glowing skin seemed to shimmer across your legs that pressed together and grew longer making their lips part. In a manner of seconds your legs were swapped with a long deep silvery blue tail as your hands grew a set of fins as well in your turn to join the twins on the path deeper into the lake. Breaking through their shock at your change the trio swam after you taking in the darkening surroundings and swaying seaweed in the distance.

Not long past the swaying forest you sank into singing became audible and you glanced back at the curious blondes saying, “Nearly there now.”

Through parted lips they each tested their voices under water making you giggle and face forward again eyeing the small squids swimming out through the seaweed to swim around your stomach and back before latching onto your arms for a rest to eye the men around you before letting go to circle the source of their interest.

Crossing a crumbling courtyard outside a patch of coral you eyed the curious fish exiting their homes to peer up at you before you passed their borders and followed the stone formed path to a giant glimmering city. Outside their borders you spotted a pair of mermaids waiting to guide you to the pearl patch near a massive crevice in which the giant squid dwelled surrounded by singing mermen carrying baskets of food offerings to leave by the crevice.

The rocky sand coated grounds between patches of seaweed and various underwater plants mermaids were pruning you eyed the patch of oysters and clams rising from the sand to spit their pearls into the water above. Sinking above them your hands extended to claim a couple pearls you passed to the trio eyeing the swirling lights inside making them nearly gasp at the apparent galaxies trapped inside.

When they looked again the saw the jar you drew from your bag as the twins moved to two other patches to collect the other types of pearls, one that changes color based on the position of sun and moon and the other that each let out a soft hum of its own. The free mermaids and mermen aided you on collecting the pesky jewels they had no use for and struggled to contain in their borders as they kept growing to longer they remained in the water until they split releasing murky liquids killing all plants around them when reaching the size of a large cow.

With full jars you turned and swam for the surface again to dry off and get dressed again as the giant squid rose from the seemingly endless crevice he called home to sample from his offerings eyeing your group curiously with a softening expression at you and the twins he recognized from your years of friendship.

Shaking your feet in your walk to the shore your feet changed back to normal and the water left your body. In your turn to Legolas a wave of your hand left him dry again as he pulled his hair free from the hair tie. Fred helped Thranduil dry as you turned nearly crashing into Glorfindel’s chest in his move to your side. The few inches between you brought the white scars stemming from his ribs over his chest to your attention, in a reach out your fingers eased along the longest nearly making him shiver at the contact. In their being dried the twins headed off to the Chamber office to add the pearls to the rest of your supplies.

Glorfindel, “An ambush by Goblins in the second age. The scars have lessened greatly in time. My others have healed.” You nodded as his hand covered yours and raised it to kiss your knuckles then released it to allow you to dress again unwilling to claim more while in such a public state of undress.

Fully dressed you peered up at Thranduil in his approach to your free side only to glance at the water when another body crashed from nothingness to the surface earning cheers from students across the pond repeating, “Belly flop!”

You let out a giggle then approached the waters edge as the raven haired man approached the edge. Fleeing from the large tentacle pushing him to the edge, on land he panted and turned to you then flinched away as you asked, “Elrond?”

The familiar face on the tall Elf now forming a deep scowl at you made you glance at Thranduil to ask, “Is it my hair? What could I possibly be doing?”

The step closer to you with hands rising made Glorfindel drop his boots to rush over tackling the Elf into the water again in his attempt at choking you while Thranduil moved to guide you towards the tree. The pair struggled in the water shouting in broken Doriathian between traded blows and bouts of pinning the other down while Legolas blocked you from sight. Thranduil watched the pair as Glorfindel tried and failed to talk him down from his rage, and assured you softly, “You have done nothing to earn an attack.”

The air above the lake flashed with lights again as two more bodies fell with piercing cries, not adults this time however, but two young boys. With a soft gasp you raced around Legolas and dove into the water beside the frozen pair standing to watch your body morph and speed deeper into the water. Down you dove to the sinking pair then rose again for the Elves to see you surface with both boys in your arms for the swim back to the edge. Coughs were soon followed by more frightened cries before a woman fell next into the swelling water as the eye of the giant squid peered up at the swirling cloud of lights in the sky reflected in his eyes that simply vanished.

On the shore your eyes turned to Elrond’s doppelganger as he shouted, “Unhand those Children Melkor!”

Softly you repeated the name then glanced at Thranduil, who stepped between you in his attempt at a step to you as Legolas helped the floundering Elleth to the edge. In a stern tone Thranduil shouted back, “You will not speak to Lady Black in that manner Lord Elros!”

Softly you repeated his name to yourself as you peered down at the apparent toddlers latching onto your shirt trying to burrow closer to your chest in fear of the shouting stranger as Elros cried back, “When did you fall to this madness! My Father’s told me the signs! Those are the eyes of Melkor! She doesn’t even try to mask them you fool!”

Glorfindel, “You are mistaken! I have faced Melkor in battle, she is not Melkor!”

Elros scoffed, “Fools the lot of you! My Brother will see through this charade!”

His hand rushed through the pair’s shoulders in a reach for the boys only to go falling to his side after your hand rose to wrap around his wrist. His eyes flashed silver in your mind meeting his, sharing who you were and your fall here.

In a blink when you let him go his eyes flashed back again then settled on you as you folded your arms around the boys again in their whimpering states. Legolas guided the woman closer to you watching as you said, “I have no idea who this Melkor is, but hopefully that is proof enough I mean you no harm. If you would not mind, the boys are terrified and your shouting is not helping.”

In a glance to the woman you watched her gasp softly and throw herself into Glorfindel’s chest calling his name, in a step back he helped her upright and bowed his head, “Lady Aredhel,” his head turned to you as his hand extended saying, “This is my, well, our One, Jaqiearae Black.”

She looked to you with a soft smile bowing her head, then to Thranduil with a puzzled expression trying to decipher where she knew him from, “And you are?”

“Thranduil Oropherion, King of the Great Greenwood.”

Her lips parted fro a gasp as she stated, “Oropher! Your Ada’s shop was my Ada’s favored stop in the markets.” Her smile grew as he nodded before she peered at Legolas through his introduction ending with him ushering her from the edge.

Over to you Elladan and Ellohrir raced with Ginny behind them open mouthed looking at their uncle, the pair approached him stating, “Uncle Elros..”

Elros’ eyes scanned over the pair and he asked, “Uncle?”

With a grin they extended their hands and began to guide him back to Rivendell, “Come, see Ada.”

In their passing through the doorway with Aredhel following curiously behind them you muttered, “Ada..” The word made Thranduil turn looking you over, only to have his lips part recognizing the pair in your arms.

Ginny gave you a grin and said, “They nearly got crushed, five times. I think I’ll head out now, let you calm them down.”

You nodded and your closed then reopened doorway let her through and vanished after her freeing your gaze to drop to the boys when Thranduil stepped closer. His head tilted slightly with a hint of a grin on his face, “Princes Elured, Elurin,” their soft whimpering curl against your chest paused to glimpse out at the King stepping closer, “Do you remember me? My name is Thranduil. Your Naneth used to bring you into my Parents’ shop.”

“We can’t take them to Rivendell. Those Lords, they-,”

You shook your head and Glorfindel moved closer resting his hand on your upper back, “We understand perfectly.”

Thranduil looked to the boys stating, “Princes, we will show you to my Kingdom and get you something to eat. I swear you will be safe there. No one will dare harm you, not with Lady Black’s barriers protecting it.”

Their eyes rose to you and you said, “No one breaks my barriers.”

In a matching set of nods the bright eyed pair looked to the doorway Thranduil led you all through the doorway you summoned mentally sending word ahead to have a meal prepared.

Onto a large cushioned backed stool you set the boys and glanced across at Thranduil mid conversation with a pair of servants instructing them to ready Glorfindel’s apartment. Beside you Glorfindel slid it your high backed stool with an easy grin stating, “Do not worry. I will be their guardian. We will not allow the Princes to want for any joy in these lands.”

Curious glances from the servants around you fell on the boys as they eyed the food set in front of them then you again. Your soft smile eased their worries as you stated, “Eat what you like.”

In timid Doriathian the one farthest from you asked, “Are you our Mother now?”

With the parting of your lips Glorfindel stated through a grin, “I am going to be your guardian now.” In their deflating exhales and reach for a slice of fruit their eyes shifted back to him when he said, “Lady Black will be charging my care of you of course.” Those words seemed to be a calming force in them while Thranduil came to join you at the table across from you. Legolas had seemed to vanish only to pop through the archways from Rivendell with Estel on his hip and Em on the other making your lips part again.

“How did you get in Rivendell?”

Legolas answered for her while she chewed on a slice of an orange from the bag in her other hand, “Regulus arrived and Lindir sent word to me that an emergency came up in the Ministry. Something about a chimney requiring, Molly, as well.”

“Ah,” In his lowering the pair onto the backed stool beside Thranduil the Prince sat beside Estel unable to keep from grinning at his greatly expanded family before you looked to the boys. “Could you tell me your names? Or which of you belongs to which name?”

They eyed Glorfindel and the twins as he replied, “I am Elurin.”

His Brother added, “I am Elured.”

You smiled at the boys after naming their relatives, “Well boys, you have your Nephew, Elrond, his twin Elros, and his Nephews Elladan and Ellohrir, they were at the lake. Their Parents and Sister are in Rivendell as well, so you have family to visit you.”

Their eyes sank to the table sadly making your brows furrow curiously as they continued reaching for the small tea sandwiches set before them as cheery voices of fostering Elves on an evening stroll drew closer.

At a sharp zapping sound at the archway your head turned at Thranduil’s stiffening up making you say, “That is what happens when someone you won’t allow through tries to use the archway. Same as the border. They should be conscious in ten minutes.”

Legolas, “Does it hurt?”

Your curt giggle shared all they needed to know, “Hurt doesn’t come close.”

Tentatively Elrond stepped through the arch and let out a breath of relief upon being allowed through your barrier and made his way to the table. His eyes scanned over the group and he stated with a hint of a grin on his face, “I have come to thank you for delivering my brother back to Rivendell along with Lady Aredhel. Both are elated to see their families again. Also, I wished to pay my respects to my uncles,” his head bowed to the pair who looked him over curiously then looked to you seeing your comfort around him, “Thank you, for finding them and protecting them. We have been pained with their loss at so young for ages. I do understand why they were brought here over Rivendell.”

His mind reaching out to Glorfindel asking while he poured juice out for the Princes, “Glorfindel, would you claim them?”

The blonde peered up at him and nodded, “Of course. I would not imagine to leave the task solely to Lady Black worsening her daily tasks by adding two more children to her load.”

“I didn’t mean to cross any boundaries,”

His head shook and he stated, “I wished to state that I support your decision to protect the Princes. To ensure their safety under your watch Glorfindel would care for them in Greenwood to ensure their comfort. I am certain Thranduil would not mind having two young Princes in his halls.” His eyes shifted to Glorfindel, “For having taken guardianship I will see to it you are removed from our patrols.”

“You’re firing him?”

Glorfindel’s hand settled on your arm luring your eyes to him, “Not at all. Thank you Dearest, for being concerned of my being cast out. I have fostered youth before, I will ensure their safety, I give you my word. Merely accommodating my move to Greenwood. Please do not be concerned. Either way, I must pack.” You nodded and he leaned in to press a chaste kiss to your cheek and stood, “And gather Lipte who always enjoys these pastures in our previous stays.” In his move around you his fingers trailed off your arm and brushed through your hair in his crossings the garden to the arches.

Elrond again had your attention in asking Thranduil, “If I may, the barrier?”

Thranduil, “I have merely barred Lords Maglor and Maedhros from these lands in my own defense for the Princes. The rest of your kin are welcome of course.” Earning an understanding and grateful nod from the Lord.

“Which one touched the barrier?”

Elrond looked to you stating, “Maedhros.”

With a nod you asked, “Is he the dumber of the two?” His brow inched up and you said, “He should wake up in a few minutes, the second time he will be unconscious longer. Each time will grow more powerful until the seventh, which will kill him.” Elrond nodded and you said, “It’s an old spell, Dragons count by sevens, you get just shy of one batch to be forgiven and walk away.”

Elrond couldn’t help but chuckle to himself then look to Thranduil asking, “Also, this might be a bit sudden. However, I believed the Princes might wish for some company through the days.”

Thranduil taking his meaning nodded in return, “Of course we would love to house Estel as well.” You looked between them and Elrond stated, “Lindir has already begun packing his transferable belongings, I know you have a guest room for him already, simplifying matters greatly. It is best to have the little ones with ample company to occupy them.”

Shifting on his feet he strode around the table to take Glorfindel’s seat still seeing the confusion and worry in your eyes and rested his hand on your wringing jumble of fingers on your lap to say kindly, “Miss Black, we share a childhood experience the four of us. Please do trust that even though I have grown to have a fondness for the men who took pity and refused to slay me in taking Doriath I do not question your decision. In fact I would have suggested it myself to Thranduil had you not. They were much younger than Elros and I, nearer to your age when you faced it.

Much like your kin we must be better for our little ones. I trust your heart on this and Glorfindel will see to their every need, while also being amply welcome in Rivendell. It is merely a shift in living quarters and his will remain his in Rivendell if ever he requires a rest. Now, I must get back, Lindir tends to become flustered when packing worrying he has not gathered enough for any occasion.” He stood and walked to the archway, “As if we have no doorway to travel now easing fetching things.” Nodding his head one last time to his uncles in his passing them, “It is a pleasure to meet you finally. When you do feel comfortable you are always welcome in my lands as well.”

More food arrived and the screech of an owl raised the King’s eyes to the bird flying through your archway. Curiously his eyes shifted to you asking, “You wrote to me?”

Shaking your head you said, “That’s Hedwig, must be from Hermione. She got her after we lost Harry.”

In a reach up he accepted the letter and the boys glanced up at Hedwig in her land on the table inching closer to the tray of deli meat. With a smile Estel pulled off a slice the bird tore apart to eat making the children giggle at her content noises and move to inspect the rest of the spread. Opening the letter he stated, “I have been invited to the introductory dinner between the Grangers and Durins.”

“Huh,” you stated to yourself and his eyes rose from the page back to you in your soft thanks to the Elleth pouring your tea making the boys begin to thank those bringing more food and drinks for them.

Thranduil, “It is common to invite another third party to buffer the evening.”

Legolas stated with a grin, “Ada, I believe a run might aid Miss Black’s relaxing before the dinner.”

In a glance between the two from you Thranduil stated with a hint of a grin, “Yes, I believe it would.” Up onto his feet he stood after giving Em’s back a gentle pat saying, “We will be back in a little while, Em.”

Legolas caught your eye giving you a quick grin, “Glorfindel should be back shortly. Have fun.”

Thranduil extended his hand when he reached your side and gave you a gentle grin when you settled your hand in his and rose to your feet at the Princes wishing you a fun run. Their eyes turned back to Estel in sharing the rules of tag while Em reached up to touch Legolas’ hand resting on the back of the stool drawing his attention to her in her inspection of the embroidery on his sleeve making his grin deepen. The tiny girl such an impressive double of your own curious nature he would be pleased greatly to call his baby sister among three new adopted baby brothers.

Eating would soon lead to tag spreading the number of guards come to aid in minding all four little ones from wandering off or gaining injuries. Though the timid nature of the twins soon turned the game to shift to a move to Estel’s play room for his blocks to build something to keep the twins from worrying on getting dirty or disheveled in your absence.

Pt 21

#Thranduil x Reader OC #Glorfindel x Reader OC #HP Crossover

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kinsbin · 5 years

Text

Raiden’s Greeting

Title: Raiden’s Greeting Ship: Raiden/Alexys [Mentions of Alexys/Johnny Cage/Kuai Liang [Self Insert/Canon] Word Count: 2028 Summary: While waiting for her boyfriends to return home from a special mission, Alexys gets a visit from an unlikely god at the Special Forces base camp. He proceeds to take...something of a liking to her.

A/N: Another commission for @bad-blue-moon-rising! This one is more focused on Raiden, who is a vERY GOOD SHIP WITH HER 10/10 WOULD GUSH ABOUT TO HER IT’S SO WORTH IT.

Alexys took a breath, exhaling with the slightest of annoyances as she tapped her fingers aimlessly on the cold steel table stretched out before her. The quiet of the military base was interrupted only on occasion by the soft ticking and beeps of monitors surrounding her, the surveillance and meeting room otherwise empty besides the warmth of the machinery. Under both Johnny and Kuai’s orders, she was to remain in the base and within its protection. Both men were terrified of losing the woman and it showed in the way their eyes sparkled with pain as she disagreed with them, saying how she wanted to be at their side no matter what the outcome of their battles with other realms brought about.

It took both of them embracing her, their heads resting on either side of hers and a slow explanation of their fear of loss towards her for Alexys to finally agree, the pout on her lips still there but her eyes sympathetic as she nodded. Her hands held both of theirs tight before they finally slipped away, both of their gazes reassuring on her heart as Johnny declared how, soon, they would be back for her and ready to make up for any lost time they had together. Even those words made Kuai chuckle as they exited, the steel door shutting tight behind them.

Later in the day others left too. Jaqui and Cassie moving on with Takeda and Jax to pursue more missions under squadron command and Sonya soon announcing that she needed to give backup to a squad somewhere on the other side of the military endeavor that was having trouble with a legion of Netherrealm goons. Alexys allowed them to go with a smile on her lips, assuring them that it would be fine if she was alone for a while until they all returned.

Now, however, in the otherwise monotone environment with the steady beeping of machines and cold metal encasing her like a cage, she felt claustrophobic. The loneliness was jarring, easily attacking the back of her mind as she tried to push it away but failed miserably through its snarking words and intense pressure. That pressure seemed to fill up her lungs as she fiddled with her fingers, her phone doing nothing to entertain her since she had long beaten all the games she had downloaded on it. There wasn’t good signal in the area, anyways, considering it was a military operation. Outside forces were kept at an easy limit, much to her dismay. Couldn’t they at least keep her safe somewhere in the outside world? Maybe with a wifi connection and a plethora of videos to binge for a later date? Another sigh escaped her lips at he thought as she put the device down and rested her head on her arm with an incohesive grumble.

She would just have to wait...yeah...some fun waiting was when she was the only one there.

As if on cue the air electrified around her. Alexys felt the tingle of it in her skin, goosebumps rising as the hair on her arms grew stiff with friction. She watched them with wide, confused eyes as she felt her body tingle. Her fingers twitched against her will and she bit her lip, head tilting in confusion at the events going on. She caught the glimpse of her hair rising and shifting with the waves of electricity apparently sparking vehemently around her body. Everything felt so much more all at once that she wasn’t sure what to make of it. Panic pounded hard in her heart as she turned around, the sound of distant crackling growing more and more intense with every passing second.

Without warning, a crash echoed through the military base. The sound of thunder burned loud in her skull, ringing it loudly as her brain rattled against either side. The intensity of the sudden electrical onslaught caused the mortal girl to scream in surprise, backing up on her chair only to feel it catch on the floor beneath it. With a slow tip of itself backwards, Alexys found herself on the ground in just moments. Her back and tailbone burned with the pain of having being landed on, the groan escaping her lips a deaf noise under the secondary crackle of red lightning that summoned forth a silhouette from its very recesses.

Grey eyes widened as they watched the appearance of a silhouette in the smoke of the room sauntered forward. Lighting revealed it to be a face she had never seen in real life, but, knew close enough to have the inkling suspicion of just who it was.

Johnny and Kuai both had told her stories of the godly protector of earth realm, yet, for some reason it felt as though Raiden looked different than what she had pictured in her mind. The mind, of course, was a poor thing to rely on when the set in stone looks of others was brought about certainly, but regardless her surprise was still there. It was painted across her eyes along with her fear as Raiden cast his gaze from side to side, brows furrowing with frustration at the lack of people within the room. At last, however, they followed the trail of the fallen chair next to the table, towards the phone that had clattered off of the edge at some point, and finally settled on the long haired human staring in surprise at his being.

“You,” He demanded sharply, “Who are you? Where are the commanders of the Special Forces Unit? Answer me.”

Alexys stuttered for a few moments between the questions, her words dying on her throat until the man ceased his sharp questioning and stared her down with an arched white eyebrow. His eyes were gorgeous, she had decided after a moment as her jaw dropped despite herself, his face so smooth and mature. Yet...young despite the age she was sure the god was. After the time of admiration passed, however, Alexys sat up a little bit straighter and gestured around the room with one hand, using the other to keep herself perched up as she replied:

“Uh-um! I’m Alexys, uh, Johnny Cage and Kuai Liang’s girlfriend and-well-they’re all out on a mission and thought I would be safest here so, uh, I’m on watch I guess? No, that’s not right. I’m not actually a military official I just kind of go here. Not ‘go’ here, really, I just! They’ll be back in like an hour or two if that helps?”

HIs mouth opened wide as his brows furrowed, the serious body language causing Alexys to flinch away in terror that she would receive the wrath of the god without necessarily invoking it. Tears sprung in the corners of her eyes for a moment as she bit her lip, waiting for the verbal snark to arrive swiftly. Raiden saw this and his heart, still rough and tumbled from the abuse Earthrealm had weathered, softened the slightest. She was, after all, a citizen under him. A mortal who lived on the planet he had sworn to protect and, as a result, was a being he was to treat fairly.

He took in a breath as he approached her, leaning down to offer a hand out in her position. Alexys looked on from the hand and towards the man with confusion, as if not quite understanding what he wanted out of her. Patiently, Raiden continued to hold out his hand for her until she finally understood the gesture. Placing her own in it, Alexys allowed the Thunder God to take her hand in his own and pull her into an upright position at his side.

“I...apologize for startling you like that,” Raiden mumbled, “You are of Earthrealm, and I mean you no harm from it. I simply have urgent matters to discuss with Johnny Cage and Kuai Liang both. You said they were...your boyfriends correct?”

The word held confusion in its tone, but, it wasn’t anything Alexys wasn’t surprised at. Most had reacted that way towards she and her two men when first being told. Smiling, she gave a nod to the god before her and gestured somewhere vaguely in the distance, her mind momentarily wandering as she explained almost on instinct:

“Yeah, both of them...They love me a lot and, well, Johnny believes in polyamory more than most. So we all make it work, I suppose. Either way, you’re welcome to wait with me here if you want...I’m sure they’ll be back soon.”

Her voice was soft in its last explanation, blush coating her face as she averted her gaze from Raiden for a few moments. Stupid, she realized in the back of her mind, how stupid was that! To explain to an ancient god about polyamory and then invite him to hang out with you while your boyfriends are out? He certainly must hae thought of her as a fool in any case. There was no way-

“Johnny Cage is a man whose heart spans wider than most,” Raiden seemed to agree after a moment, “Very well, I will wait here with you.”

“You will?” Alexys sounded incredulous.

As if to prove his point, Raiden rolled a nearby chair up and sat down on it, arms crossed as his eyes closed, hiding the red glow of their light from the human at his side as she, too, picked the chair that she had fallen from up and sat in it. The two sat in silence for a long moment, Alexys staring at the God before her and the God, in turn, remaining pensive and quiet. She wondered how time worked in his mind...Would this be long, or short in comparison? Would he mind the wait, or push it away with annoyance later?

“I didn’t get...your name,” Alexys finally spoke up softly, “Even though I gave you mine.”

“Surely you know of me if your significant others are Johnny Cage and Kuai Liang.”

His tone of voice was teasing and Alexys could spot the slightest hint of a smirk rolling itself against his lips. She couldn’t help but giggle at the way he spoke, the lightheartedness of it small but so different in comparison to her first impression of him. Perhaps there was something in him that made him, at the very least, amusing to be around? For the sake of her and other humans?

“It seems to have slipped my mind,” She retorted wickedly, leaning on the palm of her hand as she arched an eyebrow.

Raiden raised his own, a challenging look to the one she offered up behind her chorus of soft laughs and teasing hums. The noises she made were pleasant, he realized with a moderate shock to himself, as his cheeks warmed and were hidden by the glowing red of his eyes. How could one human make such a pleasant noise? Her mouth was curled so easily into a sweet smile, he almost regretted taking it away from them the first moment they had met. Half of him wanted to wait in his response, to see just what she would do if he didn’t answer her teasing question. Or what if he had teased another word in response? Something about it seemed like an interesting endeavor with her.

Instead, however, he relented.

“I am called Raiden.”

This seemed to introduce an opportunity that made Alexys’ eyes twinkle with delight.

“Nice to meet you, then, ‘Called Raiden’.”

The groan that left his lips wasn’t intentional, but, it was enough to make Alexys laugh in amusement, her free hand covering her mouth to try ands top the noises but fail miserably.

“I can see how Johnny Cage would like you...And how you might make Kuai smile.”

Alexys felt her face heat up in the form of a blush at the compliment, her hand falling from her lips to show it to the God, who appreciated the gaze she was giving him with moderate pride swelling in his stomach. He may not have gotten just who he wanted to see, but, Alexys certainly wasn’t bad company.

He wondered how these feelings would blossom, but ignored them for now. They would get there in time, as all things did.

#self insert #self ship #self shipping #writing commission #kinley writes #mortal kombat #mkx #mk11 #raiden

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