#how you can tell the wedding gown was once gorgeous but now it's old and torn | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

goldentournesol · 3 years

Text

The Receptionist and the Profiler (Epilogue)

Chapter Eight: Epilogue

(Spencer Reid x f!Reader)

Series Masterlist

General Masterlist

A/N: Welcome to the final chapter of the series. this is just a summary of what Spencer and Reader’s life is like in the future. thank you so much for joining me on this journey. I’ve enjoyed it so much more than I thought I would. So without further ado, enjoy.

Working for the FBI made for a pretty wild life. Even though Y/N wasn’t an agent, her life had been caught up with work just like all the other agents’. It also didn’t help that her boyfriend was endangered practically every minute of every day. It was hard, but Spencer and Y/N made it work. Among the darkness, they created light for each other. Spencer was no longer dreading coming home to a quiet life of reading and rereading his favorite books. He had a partner, he had a lover, someone to depend on. She was there for him as he grieved the loss of his friend and coworker deeply and she was there when he struggled with his excruciating migraines. They walked through life together, facing the challenges head on.

Emily’s death had taken a toll on the both of them, but they were nothing short of relieved when they found out that she was alive and well. Many changes took place after that.

JJ had worked long and hard to turn into a profiler, the liaison had years upon years of experience before switching jobs which meant Hotch had to find a new communications liaison, but he didn’t have to look far at all. He had offered Y/N the job without a second thought. A lot of her job as receptionist covered a liaison’s job. She would often get numerous calls a day from nosy reporters and she’d have to shut them down. However, with the added responsibilities, she’d had to take classes and had undergone copious amounts of training with JJ and Hotch, but she found that she flourished in this new job, despite the hardships that came with it.

This meant that she had her own office now. Whenever Spencer wasn’t at his desk, he was in her office, and whenever she wasn’t in her office, she was at his desk. She often found that she missed her old job as receptionist, but nothing could replace the newfound feeling of making a difference in the world. She used to admire JJ’s ability to stand before nosy reporters and judgmental cops, and here she was, blowing herself (and the team) away with these hidden abilities.

Before, she was aware of the general gist of the job, she knew it wasn’t easy, but the team often kept the gory details to themselves around her. Now, she had to pick and choose the gore which constantly left her with the question of whether she’d made the right choice or not. The intensity of the job had slightly damaged her spirits, but thankfully she had an amazing support system. She couldn’t have done it without Spencer’s unending support, or Hotch’s for that matter. Before allowing Y/N to accept the job, Hotch had made sure to warn her about the horrors first. She assured him she was ready, even though sometimes she felt like she wasn’t.

On the somewhat bright side, this also meant that she was around during most, if not all cases. This had Spencer jumping for joy, but it also terrified him to his bones. All his emotions were always on overdrive when it came to her. He was glad that he didn’t have to spend so much time away from her, but it simultaneously meant that he was constantly worried for her safety. He never wanted her to go into the field, ever. No matter the amount of combat training she did with Morgan. She found that she preferred interviewing victims’ families and controlling the press to facing serial killers head on anyway.

Sometimes it was easier for her to control the press from Quantico, so it wasn’t uncommon for her to stay back during cases. One particular case had dragged on for much longer than any of them had expected. The whole team was gone in Wisconsin and Hotch had asked her to stay back and hold down the fort at Quantico. The team ended up staying there for two weeks. It was the longest she’d ever been away from Spencer. Nightly calls weren’t enough for them and Spencer truly hadn’t experienced such an emptiness without her before.

As he scooped her into his awaiting arms right outside the elevator when they finally made it back to the office, he breathlessly declared to her, “Marry me.”

She pulled back from the tight embrace to examine his features, “What?” She said, voice thick with confusion.

“I don’t want to be away from you for that long ever again. I don’t want to wait anymore. Marry. Me.” He enunciated firmly. She broke out into a grin.

“Okay, I will.” She laughed and he squeezed her once more, savoring her warmth.

“This isn’t the official proposal by the way, you deserve something far nicer than all this, but I just want you to know that I’m ready if you are.” Spencer clarified and she threw her head back with laughter. Spencer’s heart soared at the sound.

Spencer took that statement and ran with it. He teased her every chance he got. At one dinner date they had planned, he had the nerve to begin his sentence with her full name, her heart dropping to her gut.

“Y/N Y/L/N, would you do me the honor of...sharing this fine wine with me?” Spencer said smugly, resulting in a shocked, but somehow relieved scoff coming from her.

A different time, he decided to give her a false alarm during one of their daily lunch walks in the park nearest to Quantico. He knelt down to one of his knees in the middle of their promenade.

“Y/N Y/L/N, will you...wait for me while I tie my shoe?” Spencer asked with a face-splitting grin. This time, she didn’t hesitate to shove his shoulder slightly, causing him to lose balance and almost faceplant into the pavement.

At this point, she truly had no idea when he was going to pop the big question. Knowing him, it could literally be at any point in time. She had to admit, though, he kept her on her toes. A month later, she was sure he’d pop the question during JJ’s wedding reception because of the way he was staring at her all night. He’d looked dreamy in his tux to say the least. Y/N was almost too shy to dance with him because of how magnificent he looked. What she didn’t know was that he was thinking the same exact thing about her. She looked exquisite in the evening gown she adorned and Spencer was absolutely enraptured by her.

Being so surrounded by love and admiration, Spencer finally asked her to marry him the second they made it through her front door. They stood in the small hallway between the kitchen and the living room. She had just turned around from taking her heels off and was met with Spencer down on one knee, holding the most beautiful ring out to her in a navy blue velvet box.

“I had this elaborate speech planned, Y/N, I really did. I was going to talk about the stars, about the first conversation we had when I told you about the origins of yogurt, about how stupid we were for not realizing our love for each other earlier, but I realized that none of that matters right now. All I know is that this feels right, you make everything feel right. Will you marry me?” Spencer asked, his face incapable of hiding even a sliver of the adoration he felt for her.

“Yes, I’ll marry you in every lifetime and every universe.” She said, tears falling freely from her eyes. He sprang to his feet and wrapped her up in a long awaited embrace. He felt her body shake with wet laughter against his. He placed the ring on her finger and quickly kissed her passionately. Their giddy giggles flew through and around them.

Spencer knew she didn’t want a long engagement. Her previous engagement was hard enough of the both of them. Their jobs were just so demanding, it was hard to set a date and keep from pushing it back. Their wedding planner was beyond frustrated with them, but what can they do? They’re literally out there saving lives. And before they knew it, two years had passed them by and they were due to be married in two months.

But, alas, Spencer Reid seemed to have a knack for getting shot by unsubs right before weddings. While they were investigating a difficult case in Texas, Spencer was shot in the neck. Y/N was at the police station when she’d heard. She wasn’t sure who took her to the hospital to see him, everything was a blur since she got the call. She was plagued by the fear of losing him.

She’d overheard Alex Blake and JJ discuss how he’d always wanted children when she arrived at the hospital. In the back of her mind, she screamed that she’d give him all the kids he wanted, if the universe just let them breathe.

All too quickly, she was a sobbing mess in JJ’s arms. He’d gotten hurt before, he’d been in danger before, but she’d never been as close to it as she was then, it terrified her. Garcia had arrived and guided her to Spencer’s room. In another flash of events, there was a loud bang and Y/N had barely registered that a gun was shot inside the room.

The ringing of her ears subsided just enough to hear Spencer tell Garcia, “You saved my life, do you hear me?”

That was the second time his life was endangered in the span of two hours. Y/N looked her fiancé square in the face.

“I don’t want to wait anymore. As soon as you’re up and well, we’re getting married.”

Exactly one week later, they’d rushed through whatever they could rush through. Thankfully her dress was ready and altered, the cake was made to order, but sadly, they’d given up their gorgeous, gorgeous venue. Rossi was more than happy to offer up his backyard and the couple found it more than fitting to commemorate their love in the very location where Spencer had first confessed his feelings to her and where she’d returned them later.

Life truly came full circle as Spencer stood in the same exact spot where he’d confessed his undying love for her the very first time. Spencer did everything he could to keep from sobbing like a child as he saw the owner of his heart stand before him, just like she did that day, but this time adorning her white dress.

Being the romantic sap that he was, he recounted almost every milestone in perfect detail during his vows. Through the unrelenting tears, of course. Y/N’s words came out wobbly and wet, but she managed to get her vows out. There really was not a single dry eye in the small, intimate crowd. The entire team had watched them fall in love oh-so-gracelessly over the years.

Their ceremony was beautiful. It was different than JJ’s had been, it was more special to the two of them. Spencer was in nothing short of awe as he watched his wife sway with Henry wrapped up in her embrace on the dance floor. Henry’s little arms and legs were wound tightly around her, the bottoms of his shoes surely smearing dirt all over the back of her dress, but she didn’t care. Not when Spencer was looking at her like that. His throat clogged itself up as she caught his eye and smiled sweetly. The same thing was on both their minds, it was like an unspoken agreement had been made through some kind of special, invisible bond between them.

He couldn’t wait to have a family with that woman.

And they’d wasted absolutely no time. Three months after the wedding, Y/N announced that she was carrying a baby Reid. Tears and cheers erupted for them all. They had found the perfect little house with the help of Morgan. It was perfect for their growing family.

Pregnancy wasn’t easy on Y/N at all. Flying all around the country and helping catch serial killers was not an activity that pregnant Y/N wanted to engage in. The team had been more than forgiving as they dealt with her mood swings and crazy cravings. It also turns out that soon-to-be mama Y/N was especially helpful in chewing out unsubs in the interrogation room, but as useful as she proved to be, she couldn’t wait to pop the little peanut out.

Spencer and the team were rushing off the jet to the hospital as they’d heard Y/N had gone into labor. Spencer had only missed the very beginning and was by her side the entire time after that.

They welcomed baby Emelia Reid into this world on a chilly September night. Spencer was over the moon, he was borderline obsessed with looking at the baby and keeping a hand on her at all times whenever she was in the room with them.

He waited for his mother to fly out a few days later just to meet baby Emelia. He wept as he watched his mother kiss the top of his baby girl’s head. No other feeling could ever compete with the one he experienced at that moment in time.

Emelia had grown into such a radiant little girl. She was a miniature hurricane of chocolatey brown curls and rosy red cheeks. She’d already blown her parents away as her intelligence only seemed to increase with time. The similarities she had to her father were astonishing. She was a daddy’s girl through and through, but Y/N didn’t seem to mind sharing him. Not when the sight of them together instantly melted her heart every single time.

Diana tried to be as active in the baby’s life as she could possibly be, however her condition began to worsen over time. Eventually, Diana had had to move in with Y/N, Spencer, and Emelia. Thankfully, their house was large enough, but taking care of a toddler and Diana while being 6 months pregnant was inarguably too much to handle for Y/N. She’d found out that she was pregnant again, and they were expecting another baby girl. Y/N had also taken time off from work to focus on the dilemmas at home.

The at-home nurse was doing the best she could since Spencer was always either at work or off finding Diana some kind of new treatment. He’d told Y/N that he’d been going to Mexico to get her some special medication and so she didn’t mind as long as she’d been kept in the loop of where and how he was. Spencer Reid never kept anything from his wife. They were always transparent with each other. Y/N was glad that he’d told her about his trips down to Mexico, or else she’d be out of her mind looking for him.

But suddenly, during one trip, he’d stopped answering her calls. Complete silence on his end. It had driven her absolutely mad. It was only until JJ visited her the next morning informing her that Spencer had been arrested in Mexico for the illegal possession of drugs and possibly murder. If JJ hadn’t been around to catch Y/N before passing out, she or the baby would have been in extreme danger.

But Spencer Reid never kept anything from his wife. She’d been adamant that she would have known if he was struggling with drugs again. The last time she’d seen Spencer was during the trial. He’d looked so terrified as they pronounced him guilty and shoved him away from her. From his family. He’d spared Y/N one last broken glance, his gaze drifting down to her swollen belly. Their second child was on the way and he won’t be there to meet them. He mouthed a heartfelt apology before they took him away. Y/N wept and wept until everyone but the team left the courtroom.

“How am I gonna do this, Pen? How am I gonna do this without him?” She spoke between breathy sobs. The baby, Emelia, Diana. She couldn’t do it on her own. It would break her.

“You won’t be alone, Y/N. We’re all going to help you.” Penelope reassured her, but the only thing that was capable of reassuring her was currently in handcuffs behind closed doors.

She’d had to keep Spencer’s whereabouts from Diana and Emelia. She’d told him that he was consulting a case somewhere in California, where he also had access to the beach. Up until that lie wasn’t viable enough. Emelia’s questions about her daddy absolutely tore through what remained of her heart.

Diana’s caretaker had apparently quit and a new one came by. Y/N thought something was off, but she pushed that thought aside as she worried over her husband and the baby that they were due to meet any day now. Two months had passed and Spencer was still incarcerated, he hadn’t allowed Y/N or Emelia anywhere near the prison, but she’d broken down at the possibility of him being locked away for 25 years.

She’d visited him once, right after the birth of their second baby. They’d had another beautiful baby girl, whose name had been decided long ago by the two parents. Baby Adaline. The delivery was immensely difficult without him, but she pushed through. Y/N had almost begged Emily to pull any, any strings she could to get them to meet since Spencer said he’d only agree to see them if he could ensure their privacy and safety. They’d managed to get them in with Spencer’s lawyer, Fiona. Y/N cooed to Adaline as she cradled her in her arms, wrapped in her little blanket. The cooing served as a distraction as she waited anxiously for Spencer to meet them in the small little room.

Suddenly the doors emitted a loud buzzing noise, prompting a loud cry from Adaline. A sound that was strange to echo off the walls of this place. Y/N shushed her gently until she caught sight of her husband walking through the door. Tears gathered in her eyes as she took in his disheveled state. His eyes found hers and quickly flitted to the squirming bundle of joy in her arms. Spencer’s lip wobbled as he entered the room. Y/N shifted Adaline to rest upon her shoulder as she wrapped one arm tightly around Spencer. No touching was allowed, but the guards pretended to look the other way, courtesy of whatever strings Emily had pulled.

The three of them bawled against each other in an unceremonious reunion. Spencer at last pulled away from his wife and stared at the baby in the bundle. He hesitated to carry her. His hands were clean, but they still felt so dirty. How could his hands hold this beautiful gift of life while they’d been committing such heinous acts within these very walls? But one utterance from his wife made that all vanish.

“It’s okay, Spence.” She smiled slightly, angling Adaline towards him.

He gazed at Y/N closely, as if checking to see if she was sure. Y/N carefully handed her over to him and he instantly turned into less of a shell of himself and had begun to resemble the man that Y/N could recognize. He cooed to her softly, kissing her face repeatedly. Adaline instantly quieted down at her father’s touch.

The small interaction had fueled the pair for weeks. Spencer found a source of hope and was determined to see through to the other side. He would not rot away in his cell forever. The team continued to try and crack the case from the outside. Y/N was instructed to be more careful than ever. She often brought Emelie and Adaline to work with her. She had not been flying out with the team, preferring to stay close to her girls until Spencer was back.

On one of the days Y/N brought her girls to work, she’d found out that Diana had been missing. Her caretaker was accompanying her to visit Spencer in prison and then neither of them had been seen afterwards. They quickly identified the caretaker as Lindsey Vaughn. If Y/N had been on the case with them ten years ago, she would have identified her, but she was just another face to her. Y/N was livid, Vaughn had been around her children, she’d been inside her home. If Spencer didn’t get to catch the bitch, they better believe Y/N will.

Spencer was released quickly after the BAU proved his innocence. He was on his way to the office now. Y/N had been peering into Adaline’s carriage when she’d heard the high pitched voice of Emelia.

“Daddy!” Emelia exclaimed, racing across the bullpen to jump into her father’s arms.

“Hi baby. Daddy missed you so much.” Spencer said, hiding his tears in his daughter's hair. He held her tightly to his chest as he crossed the bullpen and made it to Y/N’s office. He put Emelia down gently and scooped his wife into his arms.

“You’re back.” She said softly through tears.

He hooked his chin over her shoulder and sniffled strongly. He might not be the same man he was before, but he still loved her unconditionally. He still loved all three of them unconditionally.

“I’m here.” He repeated the phrase out loud like a mantra.

And he was here, but he also wasn’t. His wife could tell that the man who stood before her had endured hell, but when he cradled their baby girl so tightly to his chest, it was hard to imagine him as anything other than a loving, gentle father, and a compassionate partner. She knew she’d hold onto that thought forever. Once they retrieved Diana, they knew they could face anything.

As long as they were together.

And they knew they would be, for as long as the universe would allow in this life, and then the one after that.

~THE END~

previous chapter/ bonus chapter

taglist: @hopefulfangirl24 @spoiledtunaprincess @ellvswriting-deactivated2021010 @drreidshands @pumpkin-reads @ssa-pretty-boy @thebadassbitchqueen @youareperrrfectls @literaila @greeny-kitten @reidcm @holytrashvoidpersona @hopebaker @word-scribbless @fellintotartarus @criminalmindzjunkie @jpegjade @randomfandomshitposts @differentkettleoffishalltogether @imjusthereformggcontent @confused-and-really-hungry @theseuscmander @purifycrowley @l0ve-0f-my-life @mrs-dr-reid @eideticprongs @onceuponathreetwoone @mosleylanes @eevee0722 @fear-less-write-more @andiebeaword @shameleswhorehourstm @missyredbean @moonshinerbynight @mggpleasedontlookhere @midnight-snacks-are-the-best @justpeachykeeeen @meowiemari @sizzlingclamturtlesludge @unded-bride @nazdaniels @hercleverboy @myangstyacademia @rainsong01 @enchantedcruelsummer @silverhetdanes @archiveofadragon @softieekayy @spencerreidlivesrentfreeinmyhead @yeah-just-ignore-me-thanks @cuddlyklaus @ellesgreenaway @idmakeitbehave @bugg-zee @holl2712

thank you for all the love, feedback is always appreciated!

#spencer reid #dr spencer reid #spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid fanfiction #Spencer Reid fic #spencer reid series #spencer reid angst #spencer reid masterlist #the receptionist and the profiler #Criminal Minds #criminal minds fanfic #Criminal Minds Fanfiction #criminal minds fic #cm #spencer reid fluff

266 notes · View notes

mrsalwayswrite · 3 years

Text

To Call Forth Love - Chapter 9

Yay! Next chapter! True confessions, this *sorta* slow burn is killing me....and i’m the one writing it! (sorry not sorry?)

Warnings: some swearing, nothing really, Hvitserk being a good bro?

Words:7100 (I hope these longer chapters make up for the wait)

Tag List: @youbloodymadgenius @evelynshelby @pomegranates-and-blood @deans-ch-ch-cherrypie @heavenly1927 @zuxiezendler @punkrocknpearls @love-all-things-writing @southernbe

Series Masterlist

The ringing of her phone had Kari dropping the leggings she was folding on her bed to quickly snatch it up.

"Albus!"

The voice on the other end sighed. "You know I hate that nickname."

Kari laughed, picking the leggings back up to fold. "But it fits you so perfectly."

"I am not an old wizard."

"I'll give you that, but you're studious, kind and too wise for someone your age. So close enough."

"I suppose if I haven't been able to convince you to drop that nickname for the past ten years, I won't be able to now."

"Nope." She cheerfully said. "So, how are you? Your mother still wreaking havoc in your life?"

"She set me up on a date last week." He grumbled after a moment's hesitation.

In her mind, she could imagine him sitting at his desk with a slight furrow between his brows and lips pursed as he lamented his mother's involvement in his love life. This would not be the first time he complained to Kari about this topic. "Ohhhh? How did that go?" She asked, even if by his tone she could already guess his answer.

"I know my mother means well, but the women she thinks I should date…." He trailed off with a forlorn sigh.

"Not your type?"

"No."

"I'm sorry. You'll find someone and your mother won't be able to help but love them."

He snorted inelegantly. "I won't hold my breath for that."

"See, you're so wise." She teased, smiling as she folded a work shirt. "Now, what else is new since last month?"

The two spent the next hour talking. It had become their tradition after she moved. Hearing the gentle cadence in his voice, his quiet chuckles, it sent a wave of nostalgia washing over her. He was the only person from England she still kept in communication with, the only one who knew where she was. The last string tying her to her prior life. Although she would not have labeled him her best friend, they were certainly close and even more so after she moved. In their monthly conversations, they would chat about anything new in their lives, TV shows watched, books read, his latest exams in university. He always made sure to inform her what he knew about her family. Something she was grateful for but it always felt like a knife to the heart after.

As they talked, she finished folding her laundry, a necessary evil in her opinion. Once done with that, she moved on to the package she received in the mail today. It was addressed to her but the sender was a designer name she would never be able to afford in her lifetime. She shook her head, wondering what surprise the youngest Lothbrok had bought for her.

Listening to him regale her with the latest family drama of his, she opened the package and had to muffle a gasp at the two dresses that lay inside. The first was an off-the-shoulder, black skater dress that would reach mid-thigh in length. It was a classy and elegant cocktail dress that reminded her of the dress she wore on her and Ivar's "date" but way more sophisticated and stylish. It was the second dress that made her pause and wonder where Ivar thought she would ever wear something like this. It was a deep red evening gown, the hem long enough to trail slightly on the ground. The dress was gorgeous with a tight bodice and slight flair of the skirt. It was the slit in the skirt that touched her upper thigh and the sheer middle of the bodice that made Kari raise her eyebrows. The gown was the perfect blend of chic and sexy. What was Ivar thinking? She would feel so self-conscious and she never went anywhere fancy enough to wear it. Though as she stared at both dresses, she decided it never hurt to admire them on the hanger, even if she never got the chance to wear them. As her friend continued speaking, she hung both dresses up in her closet, making a mental note to talk to Ivar.

"It's probably good your brother moved out last year." She commented, tucking her laundry basket away in her closet.

"Yeah. He only comes over to the house if he has to." He said with a resigned sigh. After a long moment of silence, he spoke up again. His voice hesitant, almost remorseful, as what had been obviously on the tip of his tongue finally came forth. "Your mother has been talking about trying to find you again."

Kari froze, her mind shorting out and heart rate skyrocketing as his statement sunk in. "What…. what did she say?"

"Not much that I overheard." He confessed, sympathy in each word. "How much she misses her only daughter and feels abandoned by you. She has been telling people that you're doing charity work in another country when they ask about you."

"It's been almost two years… I hoped…" She slumped onto her bed, legs wobbling and mind whirling.

"That your mother would forget about you?"

"I don't know. I just…. I don't know."

Silence reigned for a moment before he spoke again.

"Are you ever coming home?"

"I…. I don't think that's home anymore."

"I miss you." He whispered.

Tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath forcing them back, but knew her shaky voice betrayed her. "I miss you too. Maybe you can come visit me here?"

"That would blow your cover."

"Could we meet up somewhere? You take a vacation or something?"

"I'll consider it…." His voice trailed off, only to come back stronger. "You know, when you wanted help to leave England, I thought it was just a temporary reprieve. I didn't imagine you would stay away."

It felt like a knife twisted in her gut, because he was right. She had never thought she would be gone this long. "I know…. I just…. I like my life here. I don't…. I don't want to go back to that."

He sighed as if giving up on convincing her to return. "I understand. I'll always be here for you. I still think of you as one of my closest friends."

"Same. We've known each other since we were thirteen. A few countries between us isn't going to stop that."

He chuckled. "Right. Well, I'll still hold you to your promise. If we're both unmarried by thirty-five, we'll have a courthouse wedding to keep our families off our backs."

"Sounds good." She laughed out, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I have to go. I'll text you about when we can catch up next month."

"Perfect. Stay safe, Albus."

"You too, Abs."

"Ugh! That nickname is worse than yours!" She groaned, hearing a small chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Bye!"

After hanging up, she stared at her phone for a minute, the smile fading as her mind revisited the conversation. The weight of everything slammed into her, her body no longer able to support her under the strength of her duress. She crumpled onto her bed, curling into a fetal position, tears streaming down her cheeks. It hurt that England no longer felt like home to her, but neither did where she currently lived. What hurt and confused her most, was when she thought of being home- Ivar's face filled her mind's eye.

*****

"Thank you everyone for coming to class today. I'll see you either tomorrow or next week."

With the lights still dim, Kari turned off the soothing water music over the speakers in the yoga studio room. The women who had been laying in corpse pose on their mats began to rise and gather up their personal items. A quiet murmur of voices replaced the music in the enclosed room. She waved at a few of the regulars as they left her class. Even if she was not the one doing all the poses, by the end of class she still felt refreshed and rejuvenated. It always brought her joy to see people come in, stressed or anxious, and leave her class with a smile on their faces or just looking less tense.

Through the mirrors along the wall at the front of the room, she could see the tall, statuesque blonde making her way over, yoga mat tucked under her arm.

"Hey, you doing anything for lunch?" Gyda asked, coming up beside her. Even in leggings and a tight tank top, she looked like someone off the covers of a women's magazine. All Kari could figure was it was in the Lothbrok blood.

"Um, working on inventory?"

"How about instead you come out to lunch with us?" She motioned vaguely towards Torvi, who was gathering up her yoga mat. "We planned on stopping at that new boutique down the strip. So, we can just meet you for lunch when you're done."

"Really?" The brunette was startled by the offer. Sure, she had gone out with Gyda a few times but never with Torvi too. The three would chat occasionally before or after class and she liked Torvi's no-nonsense attitude. They had flippantly made comments about the three of them going out but to actually hear they wanted her presence both surprised and warmed her heart. "Torvi is okay with this too?"

Gyda rolled her eyes. "Yes. So…. Yes? No? Don't leave me in suspense."

"Yeah, I'd love to."

"Great. Text me when you're done and we'll meet up."

"It'll be at least half an hour…."

Gyda waved her off, her voice growing louder. "That's fine. Torvi takes forever when she browses anyway."

"Sorry, I like to think through my purchases before I buy something!"

Kari smiled at Torvi's retort. The other blonde was checking her phone, a smile on her face though as she peered up at her sister-in-law and her yoga instructor.

"Are you joining us?" She called over.

"Of course, she is!" Gyda replied, before Kari could respond. "But she's only coming if you swear not to share any stories about you and Bjorn's kinky sex life. Nobody wants to hear that."

Without a word, Torvi gave her the middle finger salute, before looking back down at her phone.

Gyda chuckled then turned to raise an eyebrow at the shorter woman. "Unless you're into that kind of stuff…."

"Oh gods, Gyda! No!" Her face flushed at the thought.

"Hey, it's the quiet ones who are the kinkiest. I bet Ivar would like that." She laughed as Kari tried to swat at her. Taking a step back, she pretended to zip her lips. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Text me when you're done! We can meet at the café down the street. "

Kari waved at Torvi as the two blondes walked out of the studio room. Quickly, she hurried to finish tidying up. It had been a long time since she felt this excited to go out to eat with some female friends. A handful of times she had gone out with some coworkers or Lydia. In the beginning she was excited when Alana would invite her out with her friends to a club or bar but Kari quickly learned that was not her scene and began making every excuse possible to not be forced out with them. She always felt like an afterthought amongst the group, especially since getting drunk nor sleeping around was not her style. This time, she had high hopes for spending time with Gyda and Torvi. It would be nice to have female friends again.

The door to the studio room opened and Lydia popped her head in. "Almost done? You've got a visitor out here and he's causing quite the distraction." She said with a distinct shit-eating grin and wink before ducking back out.

"He?" Kari questioned out loud, although her mind suspected who it was. He was the only one who ever visited her. Slipping her phone into the pocket of her maroon leggings, she gave the room one final survey, wanting it to be ready for the next class before she left. With a nod, she headed out, the door swinging shut behind her.

In the large open area, she understood what Lydia meant by 'causing quite the distraction'. If she paused for a moment to drink the sight in, no one could possibly know, right?

Ivar leaned his shoulder against a wall, arms crossed over his chest with the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to display his toned forearms. His dark locks were pulled back loosely in a man-bun, a few tendrils slipped free. Even in jeans, braces and smart-looking leather shoes, he looked quite handsome. With no cane in sight, it must be a good day.

Kari noticed more than one pair of eyes lingering on him from around the studio although he did not seem to notice as he stood there talking with Gyda and Torvi in hushed tones. The latter said something that immediately caused Ivar to narrow his eyes at her as he snapped a comment.

Even from across the room, Kari could read the tension in his frame and decided to intervene before he caused a scene. Walking over to them, aware of the many sets of eyes upon the group of three, she fixed a smile on her face. Once those intense, blue eyes locked onto her and his posture softened marginally, her smile transitioned into a genuine grin. "Hey, Ivar, what are you doing here?" She asked, coming to stand between him and Gyda.

"Do I need a reason to come see you?" He smirked down at her.

That look released butterflies in her stomach but she ignored them to tease him back. "Usually that's how it works."

"And if that reason is to fulfill my quota?"

The blush that rose to her cheeks was so hot, she wondered if you could fry an egg on her face. Immediately, she dropped her chin to her chest, willing the warmth to vanish.

"Hmmm…. that blush for me, kattungen?" He shifted closer so his mouth was near her ear, his question asked in such a lecherous tone, Kari felt her core clench.

"Shut up." She mumbled, pushing him away. He rocked back on his heels, a smug grin on his face, and an amused chuckle leaving his lips.

Gyda patted Kari's shoulder, drawing the brunette's attention upward again. "Text me when you're done. We'll leave you with this grumpy asshole. I'm sure you can think of a way to cheer him up." She winked as she took a step away.

For a moment, Kari wished the ground would open up beneath her. Between Gyda's teasing comments and Ivar's blatant remarks and heated looks, Kari's face was going to be permanently red in an endless flush.

"Good luck on your trip, Ivar." Torvi called over her shoulder as she followed Gyda.

"Oi! Tell Bjorn to keep his big fucking mouth shut!" He yelled after the blondes; the tension returned with Torvi's parting statement. Glaring at the door the two women passed through, he muttered something in a foreign language as he rubbed his hand over his mouth. Briefly, his thoughts seemed to take him elsewhere but he quickly snapped back, blue eyes finding Kari once again.

It was only something she had realized lately, but when he looked at her, that consuming and burning gaze landing on her with all the impact of a sledgehammer, it made her feel like the only woman in the room. It was such a cliché thing, something stupid out of a romance novel, but it was the only way she could describe the feeling. When he looked at her like this, nothing else mattered in the room. She had his whole attention, all his focus. It was heady and powerful and terrifying and astounding. The weight of others watching made her skin itch but with his gaze locked on hers, lips tilted up slightly in the hint of a fond smile, she felt in the eye of a hurricane.

Her blue-green eyes dropped to his chest, unable to maintain eye contact when it left her feeling so flustered. Tugging on her earlobe, she quietly asked. "What are you doing here? I thought I wasn't seeing you until you picked me up for dinner tonight?"

"Something came up." Silently, he reached over and grasped her hand, causing her head to jerk up. Intertwining their fingers, he watched her with regret in his eyes. "I have to fly out to Italy in two hours."

"Oh. Is everything okay?" That was not what she had expected to hear. Her heart plummeted that their dinner would have to be canceled but tried not to let it show.

"Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"

"Um, sure." Emotions flickering between curiosity and concern, she guided him back to the studio room. The weight of eyes lingered as they walked, especially since he refused to release her hand. A brief glance at the front counter, only to see Lydia and Sasha both staring at her with amused and proud smiles, had Kari trying to hurry out of sight with Ivar in tow.

Soon as the door shut behind them, hiding them from view, he pulled her against his body, one arm wrapping around her waist, trapping her against him while the other hand gripped the back of her neck. He kissed her passionately, like a man dying of thirst and only she could save him.

"Ivar…." She tried to pull away, aware she was at work and anyone could walk in. Instead, he held her tighter, molding her body to his. The drugging kiss that followed had her all but melting against him, knees weak and her resolve disappearing like smoke in the wind. When she opened her mouth, inviting his tongue to dance with hers, the growl that erupted from him was so thready and rough, it called to a primal part of her, making her warm all over and a tightness grow in her belly.

It had been two days since they had seen each other and she genuinely missed him. They had been texting during that time, but it was not the same. She missed his presence, his touch, his kisses, his grumpy comments and the way he made her laugh. Even when he annoyed or frustrated her, he still was the color in her otherwise monochromatic world. And with each day that passed, her desire to push him away fractured a little bit more.

When their mouths finally unlocked, both panting and lips swollen and red, she was almost shocked the nearby mirrors were not fogged up. Breathless and overwhelmed, she pressed her forehead to his, her arms around his neck. For a minute they stood there peacefully, only the sounds of their ragged breathing and the occasional noise from those outside of the studio room broke through their tranquility.

"What's going on, Ivar?"

"Something with work."

"Does this have to do with why you've been so busy?"

He sighed but when he spoke in a hushed tone, the rage painting each word was undeniable. "Someone on the inside has been selling information about us." She gasped, shocked but when she tried to pull away to look at him, he tugged her back against him, placing his chin on the top of her head. "I think I know who the fucker is."

"That's why you're going to Italy?"

"Hmmm."

"Will you be safe?"

That made him chuckle, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Are you worried about me?"

She thought about making a joke, about teasing him about his recklessness. Instead the question knocked the air from her lungs momentarily, because the truth was, she was. What little she had gleaned about his work when he needed to vent, there was still an element of danger to it. She tipped her face up to look at him, her answer a quiet murmur that did nothing to hide the emotion behind her words. "Yes…. I don't know what I'd do if you got hurt."

The amusement in his eyes drained to be replaced with a softness that made her heart clench. He inhaled sharply and glanced away for a moment. "Fuck, kitten…." When he turned back, he kissed her tenderly, a slow melding of their mouths like the taste of her was a fine wine he wanted to sip on endlessly. There was a promise in his action, just as much as his words when he finally whispered against her lips. "I'll be safe, just meeting with a contact. That's all."

"Okay, just please be careful." Worry still tainted her, but she trusted Ivar to keep himself safe. He had been doing this job far longer than she had known him.

"Don't tell anyone about what I've said. No one else knows."

"I promise. Not a word."

"Good girl." He swatted her ass, making her squeak and glare up at him. "I'm going to have Hvitserk check up on you later."

"That's not necessary." She tried to say. She would hate to be a waste of time for the older Lothbrok. The look he gave her said to not argue with him. "Fine," she dramatically sighed, "maybe him and I will watch movies and cuddle since you're soooo busy. I wonder if he'd think my bed is comfy enough or if the couch is better?"

"Don't you fucking dare." He growled, gripping her waist in a possessive hold.

She just laughed at how easy he was to wind up. It was mean and she knew it.

He nipped at her bottom lip. "Keep playing, Kari and I'll have to punish you."

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She batted her lashes at him, failing to suppress a childish giggle.

He rolled his eyes, the twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement. "I need to go." He softly said though he made no move to release her from his arms.

With that a wave of worry and fear cascaded over her, it was unfounded she knew, but it still threatened to drag her into its depths. Not giving it a second thought, she raised up on her toes to plant a lingering kiss on his lips.

"You're not helping." He muttered, never removing his mouth from hers.

"Maybe take the next flight?"

"Don't tempt me, vixen. I'll lock that door and have my wicked way with you right fucking here until everyone hears you screaming my name."

Between the image he painted in her mind and his mouth having moved to her pulse point, heated arousal pooled between her legs. She gulped, her mouth suddenly dry and words sticking to her throat.

He leaned back, a devious smirk on his lips at her obviously flushed face. "No, my priestess," he purred, a filthy, predatory glint in his blue eyes, she could not help but gasp as her knees threatened to buckle under her. "When I finally have you, it'll be somewhere I can both worship you and fuck you all night long without fear of being interrupted."

She let out a shaky breath. "But, um…. we…. ah."

"Soon, Vakker, blir du min." He kissed her roughly, as if sealing his words. "I do need to leave. Walk with me." He took her hand, leading her out of the studio room, giving her no choice but to walk beside him. Not that her brain was fully able to make coherent decisions at the moment.

As they walked towards the front of the building, she wondered if their make-out session was obvious. Her lips felt red and swollen and a blush still colored her cheeks. A glance at Ivar showed his lips fuller but he appeared so calm and collected it was unfair.

"Did you like the dresses?" He asked, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"I do. They both are gorgeous, but they're too much. I don't have a reason to dress up that fancy."

"With me, you will. I'll get you some casual dresses too."

"Ivar…." She whined.

"You need more clothes, Kari."

"Fine. Not because I want more clothes but because I know you'll buy them for me anyway."

He winked at her, his tone smug. "I always get my way."

"You're unbelievable."

They stopped beside his SUV, parked next to the sidewalk. His driver was already in the driver's seat waiting. Kari made sure to wave at the man, earning a nod back from him. The driver was a huge guy with long, thick locks of white hair and a scar on his face. He intimidated Kari but she tried to ignore that and be friendly. Even if Ivar made fun of her for it.

"I should be back tomorrow unless some shit comes up." Ivar stated, opening the back door.

"Okay. Be safe."

"Stop worrying. Shit. I'll be fine." He remarked, sliding into his seat. Before he closed the door, he met her gaze. "I'll text you."

She smiled in acknowledgment and stepped back, giving him a quick wave as she headed back inside and his SUV started off.

Lydia leaned against the front counter with Sasha and Alicia now, all three watching her with expressions ranging from amused to shocked.

"Um, I'm going to…. go on my lunch break now." She mumbled and hurried away to grab her purse from the office, the sounds of laughter following her.

The stray thought crossed her mind that she would need some new bras if Ivar was set on buying her new clothes. Not that he would see those bras, but it would be good to have…. and maybe some matching panties.

*****

Summer was transitioning to fall, cool undertones intermixed with the residual warmth of a September evening.

Kari stared at the book in her lap but the words blurred together no matter how many times she reread the same line. She loved reading outside, sitting on the small patio behind the townhouse, especially when none of the neighbors were out. She could pretend it was her own place of solace, being out in nature. The sunlight shined through the line of pine trees separating their row of townhouses from the ones behind them, bird songs mixed with the sound of traffic from the nearby roads. She much preferred this too being stuck indoors.

Today though, her mind drifted like the breeze, but it all centered on a conversation she had not even ten minutes ago. If she listened closely, she could hear Alana through the screen door, making her dinner in the kitchen. She knew it was not Alana's fault, but the conversation still felt like a rug had been yanked from underneath the brunette. With everything going so well in her life, of course fate had to throw her a curveball.

Now her mind scrambled as what to do next.

A sound from her left had her glance over to see Erik stepping out of his back door. A boyish grin lit up his face when he saw her.

"Hi, Kari. Beautiful evening, isn't it?"

"Yeah. It is." She gave a half-hearted smile, watching as he closed the door behind him and stepped closer.

"Mind if I join you?"

She waved a hand at the patio set. "Not at all." Hopefully talking with Erik would be the distraction she needed for the moment, to pull her out of her quagmire of thoughts.

Dropping onto the cushioned chair to her left, he ran a hand through his dirty blond hair. In jeans and a t-shirt, he appeared ready to relax for the evening.

"What are you reading this time?" He asked curiously. This would not be the first time he had found her outside reading.

She reclined on the two-person, cushioned couch, legs up and bent with her open book resting against her thighs, wearing her typical leggings and slouchy shirt. At his question, she flashed him the cover. "The Princess Bride."

"Isn't that a movie?"

She pretended to gasp in horror. "Yes, but the book is still a classic."

He raised his hands in surrender, grin spreading across his face. “If you say. Not really my taste. So how was your day?"

"Nothing exciting. Yours?"

"The usual. Customers thinking they could do my job better than me."

She winced. "I know the feeling."

They made small talk for some time, talking about work and a documentary he recommended for her to watch. They argued which was the better coffee shop nearby, something they continuously disagreed on. Soon the upsetting conversation with Alana drifted to the back of her mind. It did not take long for her to close her book and set it on the ground so she could be fully invested in the conversation, especially when Erik became so animated about a topic, his hands waving around like a conductor in his enthusiasm. It was an endearing trait of his, but also alerted her to settle in because it meant he would not need much encouragement to keep talking.

The opening of the sliding door behind Kari stunted their conversation.

"Kari, someone is here for you." Alana said sweetly, stepping out onto the patio.

Unsure what she meant and since Kari never had visitors except for Ivar, she finally turned around. Only to be met with the view of Hvitserk leaning against the doorframe, a smirk on his lips. Standing there looking quite handsome in a dark navy business suit with a white undershirt, sans tie. Even his hair was nicely pleated back, making him look very professional and attractive.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in surprise, wondering if he just got off work.

Pushing off the doorframe, he meandered past Alana to approach Kari's side. "I came to check on you." He answered easily then scooped her up like she weighed nothing, making her squeal, and casually resettled them on the couch. Now he sat where she had been with her tucked against his side and his arm behind her. She also noticed how he purposefully put himself between her and Erik but chose not to comment on that.

"Ivar sent you, didn't he?" She grumbled, poking Hvitserk in the chest. "I told him it wasn't necessary."

"Well, you know him." He shrugged, that teasing smirk still adorning his lips. When she tried to poke him again, he snatched her hand and held it hostage, even as she tried to tug it back. Ignoring her, he turned his attention to Erik. "Hey, man. I'm Hvitserk."

"I'm Erik. I live next door." He responded warily, eyeing up the man as if debating to be friendly or not.

"Ah." With that understanding, Hvitserk seemed to give Erik a more assessing look before peering down at Kari. "You eat dinner yet?"

"Sorta. I'm not too hungry."

Alana spoke up from leaning against the other chair. "If you're hungry we can order something, Hvitserk. It's not a big deal."

Kari's head whipped around to stare at her roommate in shock. Never had Alana played the hostess to Kari or anyone she knew. Then she really noticed the coquettish look of her roommate- the fluttering lashes, the sensual biting of her bottom lip in mock innocence, the way she casually leaned against the chair in a way to best highlight the curves of her body. Kari wanted to sigh. Of course, the only reason Alana pretended to care was to try and entice Hvitserk. An attractive man in their home, it was as if Alana could not help herself.

Apparently the flaxen-haired Lothbrok noticed her flirtatious manner also. He tipped his head, eyes blatantly tracing over her body with appreciation. Kari could see the blonde preening under Hvitserk's gaze.

"Did I fuck you?"

What confident, amorous expression on Alana's face dropped in a second. "Excuse me?"

Hvitserk waved a hand dismissively. "Sorry, you seem familiar but I can't remember…. Did you fuck one of my brothers?"

Anger transformed her face, making her rigid and lip curled back in a snarl. "Fuck you, asshole." She shrieked, then stormed back inside, slamming the door shut.

He chuckled. "Huh. I take that as a yes…. ouch!"

Kari slapped his chest. "That was extremely rude and insensitive."

"Why? Because it's the truth?"

"You can't just…. ask something like that." She turned to look at the closed door, wondering if she should go apologize to Alana and check on her. After a moment's debate, she turned away from the townhouse, figuring seeking out Alana would most likely end up with a door slammed in her face.

Hvitserk shrugged, pulling his phone out of his pocket and checking it before slipping it back in.

His nonchalance baffled Kari. Did he not care that he just humiliated her roommate? Should she make him apologize? Though she doubted he would. Finally, she settled for just muttering, "you Lothbroks are unbelievable."

"Oh, are you related to…." Erik's question trailed off. Where he once had been relaxed back in the cushioned chair, now he sat tensely, one of his hands tapping his knee repeatedly.

"Ivar? Yeah, he's my brother." Hvitserk said with a knowing smirk.

"He's, um…"

"A crazy, mad bastard? Yeah. Don't recommend getting on his bad side."

"I was going to say intense."

Hvitserk threw his head back as he laughed. Even Kari smiled at the hesitant way Erik answered. Intense was an understatement for the youngest Lothbrok. "Yeah, he's family."

Erik then motioned between Kari and Hvitserk. "So are you two…. just friends?"

Before Kari could explain, Hvitserk jumped in to answer.

"Ivar and I share her."

Immediately Kari choked on air due to his candid response. Her gaze darted to Erik in horror, seeing his jaw dropped and eyes wide as saucers. Beside her Hvitserk cackled like a hyena at both of their expressions.

"That's not…. ugh! No!" Kari tried to speak, once she could functionally breathe again, only to cover her face as her words tumbled out of her mouth inelegantly.

"Awww, come on, Kari. You know I'm teasing." The elder Lothbrok tugged her hands away from her face, which only caused her to bury her face in his shoulder. "We know Ivar doesn't share. But if you ever get tired of his cranky ass, I'll be more than willing to show you a good time."

"Oh my god." She mumbled to herself, completely mortified. The evening had been going so well, and now…. all of this. Whose grave had she accidently stepped on today?

Erik awkwardly cleared his throat as he rose to his feet. "Um, I'm going to go."

"I'm so sorry, Erik." She elbowed Hvitserk when he refused to release her hands, earning an 'oof' from him. Turning her body to give Erik her full attention, she continued, hoping this had not ruined their friendship or his night. "I know this is last minute but do you think you can give me a ride to work tomorrow? If you don't want to, that's fine, especially after all of this, I wouldn't blame you."

"No, no. I mean, sure. It's not a problem. Just, ah, text me when you're ready."

She smiled gratefully at him. "I will. Have a good night, Erik!"

"You too, Kari." He gave her his signature boyish grin. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked at Hvitserk. "Nice meeting you."

"Yeah, nice meeting you too." He said back, draping his arm once again behind Kari.

Erik gave Kari another brief smile before disappearing back inside his townhouse, the door sliding quietly shut behind him.

Hvitserk continued to stare where Erik disappeared for a long minute before muttering, "boy better watch himself."

"What are you talking about?" She sighed out, feeling the lurking sensation of a stress headache coming on.

"He wants to fuck you. Ivar won't like that."

"What is with…. No. I'm ignoring all of that." She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes. "Ugh, my evening was going so well until an hour ago."

"What happened? That guy showed up to bother you? Want me to tell him to lay off?" His questions came out in rapid-fire, concern infused in his voice.

"No, Erik is fine. It's …. it's nothing like that."

"So, what happened?"

"Nothing important. Have you heard from Ivar?"

He raised a brow at her dismissal but changed the subject. "Yeah, looks like he got what he needed so he'll be back tomorrow morning."

"Oh good."

"Hmmm…. which means he'll want to take you out tomorrow."

"He bought me some dresses." She softly confessed, fiddling with her diamond stud earring.

"I'd recommend wearing one of those."

She swatted at him, only to mirror the easy grin on his face. After a moment, she asked, "I just…. is it weird for him to do that?"

"What?"

"Buy me stuff."

"Does it bother you?"

"I don't know."

"If you want my advice, I'd say to let him." He lifted a finger to silence her protest. Her mouth snapped shut at his pointed look. Once he was sure she would not interrupt him, he spoke. "Ivar has never been good with…. verbally expressing affection, something I am sure he learned from our father. So he buys gifts, something he can touch and control. If he's buying you gifts, not out of obligation but because he wants to spoil you, then you mean a lot to him."

She pondered his words and how she felt about them. Never did she want Ivar to feel taken advantage of by her, especially in regards to his money. She would rather tear her own heart out than make him feel used again. It grated slightly how freely he wasted money on her. The dresses were lovely, something she could only dream of having with her current salary. But she worked hard for her life, to be independent. Even whenever they went out to eat together, he never let her pay for her own meal. She had given up that fight already but this…. It felt different. Yet what Hvitserk said slunk back to the forefront of her mind. If this was his way of showing affection, of letting her know he cared about her, would it do more damage to refuse his gift?

"How did you become so insightful into Ivar?" She teased, deciding to think about this more later.

He laughed, flicking her ear with the hand he still had behind her. "Out of necessity. I don't think anyone can fully understand him, not even himself."

"He's complex." She agreed.

"That's a nice way of putting it." He tipped his head to the side to meet her gaze. "Now, tell me what happened earlier."

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Ivar told me to check on you. If I left you trying to hide tears and he found out, he'd probably break my hands or legs, not sure how particular he would be."

Biting her bottom lip, she debated blowing him off again. It was not his problem, she could deal with her own issues. But there was something about Hvitserk that made her feel comfortable around him. Even though he was under no obligation, he seemed to actually care about her.

Finally, she gave in with a sigh, laying her head against his shoulder. "Alana said…. Um, this townhouse belongs to her uncle. Him and his family moved into a bigger home and instead of selling this place decided to rent it out for a little extra cash. The rent is minimal, since he isn't renting to really make a profit. It's honestly the only way I've been able to afford being here. Well, Alana told me earlier that he is having to increase our rent. She didn't really tell me why but now it's going to be an extra 300 a month…. and I don't have that. So unless I want to find somewhere new to live, it kind of looks like I need to get a second job."

He waited a moment before flatly stating, "have Ivar pay the extra. Fuck, he'd probably pay your whole rent if you asked him too."

"No! I don't want that!" She sat up so fast, it was a miracle she did not fall off the couch. Her eyes turned to the brother beside her, wide and pleading. "Please don't tell him, Hvitty! I don't want him thinking I'm using him for his money. I…. I need to do this on my own somehow. I'll figure it out, honestly. I just wasn't expecting this to happen, that's all."

"You really don't care about our money, do you?"

"No." It broke her heart a little at the shock in his questioning tone. Did any of them ever expect someone to care about them without the influence of their money?

He stared off into the distance before looking back at her with a solemn expression. "I'll make you a deal. I won't say anything to Ivar about this, but if you are struggling, even if it's just one month's payment, you come to me and I'll help until you get your head above water again, got it?"

"Why would you want to help me?" She quietly asked, meeting his gaze.

He smirked. "I like you. You're genuine. Plus, you're also great for Ivar. I'd like you to stick around and if this is one way to help with that, it's an easy solution." He narrowed his eyes at her as she started to protest again. "Don't fight me on this."

"You Lothbroks are unbelievable. Fine." She laid her head back on his shoulder. "Thank you, Hvitserk…. and thanks for coming to check on me."

"Anytime. You've got my number. Just cause you're Ivar's woman doesn't mean we can't be friends. But my offer still stands, if you get sick of him, I'll be the first to snatch you up."

She laughed, heart feeling lighter than it had all afternoon. "Stop. I'm not Ivar's woman."

"You keep telling yourself that."

They sat quietly for a few minutes, watching the sky change colors.

"Mmmm…."

"What?" She looked up at him.

He peeked down at her with a shit-eating grin. "I still can't remember if I fucked your roommate or not."

"Gods, Hvitserk!"

*****

Before she fell asleep that night, she checked her phone one last time. A jolt of elation shot through her when she saw an unread text from Ivar. Her fingers fumbled with how quickly she tried to unlock her phone to read the text.

Ivar: good nite, kitten. C u 2morrow.

A silly smile on her face, she replied.

Kari: sweet dreams, Ivar.

After that, she plugged in her phone and curled up under her covers. Relief and excitement bled into her veins, allowing her to drift off to sleep with thoughts of the dark-haired Lothbrok coming home to her.

#vikings #MODERN VIKINGS #vikings ivar #vikings fanfiction #vikings fandom #ivar the boneless #ivar ragnarsson #ivar lothbrok #modern ivar #ivar x oc #ivar x ofc #modern!ivar x oc #modern!ivar #ivar's heathen army #Hvitserk #Hvitserk Ragnarsson #hvitserk lothbrok #to call forth love #mzwrites

76 notes · View notes

oz-the-sorcerer · 3 years

Text

Create For Thra Day 6: "There are many paths laid before us, some good, most bad."

@createforthra

Here's a thing I have written months ago, which happens to be a perfect fit for today's topic!

Excuse my writing skills and enjoy!... Or cry.

🌟

Open Your Eyes

🌟

Kira tried to wipe away some of the blush from her freckled cheeks. She loved her reflection on the dressing mirror, but she thought her mom could do her make up a little bit less.

She heard her mom laugh.

"And here I was wondering how long would it take you to remove some of it."

"But it feels heavy, you know I like how I look."

"Yes honey, but this is a special occasion... Spare me this once?"

Kira rolled her eyes playfully as Brea braided her silver hair with beads. Kira's hair fell from her shoulders, she especially wanted side braids like her gorgeous mother, but had thin side braids instead of thick ones. She made them herself, then Brea offered help attaching the beads. Brea made two braids, connecting into one thick braid at the center.

"Looking good as ever." Came a silent voice. Kira turned to her aunt, whose body, spider body, was sitting on top of the counter. She couldn't help but blush, looking down.

"Don't move your head, sweetheart." Brea said, posing her head straight again.

"Sorry. I am just... Excited." She was terrifyingly aware of her heartbeat, tried to take a deep breath.

"I can sense your fear." Tavra walked with her thin legs and stopped between Kira and the mirror. "You have nothing to be afraid of."

"I can't help it." Kira explained. " I wish I could know what the future holds for me, like Mother Aughra. Maybe then I wouldn't be this vulnerable."

"You are not vulnerable." She felt her mother tug on her finished braid as a warning. She didn't like it when Kira dragged herself down this way. "Do you think I didn't feel afraid? I thought I was going to faint."

"Ah yes, glad that you only puked and didn't faint."

"Tavra!"

Kira started to laugh. Well, this story was new.

"You puked?! Why didn't you tell me?!"

"I didn't want my daughter to know this ridiculous fact, thank you very much."

"She was so excited, so she ate whatever she could find from the kitchen and made herself sick." Tavra spoke mischievously.

"I had to keep myself busy!" Brea argued with her big sister. Kira loved their bickering. They were almost never serious with it, that's why Kira even started some of them on purpose.

While they were stating opinions on how to cope with these kinds of excitement, Kira looked at the mirror once more, and decided her fear was a good thing. She would always have her loved ones by her side, possibly talking nonsense like this and she realized, there was nothing to be afraid of. Her future, their future was filled with hope and laughter, she just knew it.

Another deep breath. And a big smile.

"Alright, all done here." Her mother said. For final touch, Tavra brought her golden coronet, which Brea placed on Kira's brow.

A knock on the door which made Kira's heart flip. Only Onica's wild red hair could be seen since she opened the door ajar while talking with someone outside the dressing room. Tavra's tiny body bounced with joy. When Onica came in, they also saw Tae outside, waving at them.

"We are all set. You can come out whenever you want." said the Far-Dreamer.

"Thra's Mighty Hooyim King, you look amazing, Kira!" Tae cheered.

Kira thanked her while she got up from her chair. Her white gown with gold and silver rands fell smoothly behind her. Embroidered with both Vapra and Spriton symbols, she was very proud of this dress she made herself.

One last glance at her reflection, one last deep breathe.

Brea reached to fix her bangs while Onica put out her hand for Tavra to climb on. Tavra wished her a good luck with: "Go get him!" while moving her legs exaggeratively, causing a big laughter in the room.

Then they got out, it was only her and her mother now. Brea's eyes were shining, her little fizzgig was now all grown up, taking another big step in her life.

"Mother, I will be okay."

"I know, baby."

"So, don't cry."

Brea abruptly wiped her tears on her long sleeve, trying not to smear her make up. Then she held Kira's hand and squuezed. Supposedly, they promised each other just this morning as a family that they weren't going to cry.

But all those hardships back in the trines, almost getting killed by a Garthim several times... Brea still couldn't believe it was all over. Skeksis no more.

Another knock on the door, and this time both of their eyes sparkled, as the legendary songteller stepped in to the dressing room with a blinding smile.

Kylan stopped in his tracks and stared at his daughter in awe. Kira laughed and went to hug him.

"Please don't start crying like mother did just now."

Kylan chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and spinned once. Then he sent a playful smirk on Brea's way and said: "It seems you lost our bet, love."

Brea pretended to be angry with a pout, but when she glanced at her little family, she smiled until her cheeks hurt.

"I want a hug too!" she said as she took big steps towards her husband. Kylan opened one arm for her and immidiately in she was. Kira leaned on her father's shoulder, which always felt like home. After some minutes, Brea sniffled once more, and Kira reached and hugged her as well. This is nice, she thought. It had been a while since they could be like this because of the fussy preparations.

When they let go, Kylan placed both hands on her cheeks and kissed her forehead. Kira could see his eyes becoming misty with emotion as well. She smiled widely with the same eyes she has as her father.

Brea took his arm and started to lead him toward the door.

"Aww, I don't want to give her to Jen yet!"

Brea raised a laugh. "You are not giving her to anyone, honey. Let's give her a moment and take our places at the balcony."

Then she flashed Kira a proud look, and they were gone.

Kira felt aware of her heart again. She couldn't stop this fuzzy feeling inside her stomach and bounced around happily. Calm yourself before you sweat inside the dress, she thought to herself. She let go of the fists she made without noticing, and reached for the door.

Citadel's hallways were empty. As she passed each one, she heard the Gelf folk outside, crowded and excited, just like her. The noise grew louder and louder, then she made a left turn, reaching the last corridor before the Citadel's balcony.

She already could see her parents, on the left side. Brea was already looking at her direction and when she saw Kira coming, she gently elbowed Kylan's arm, causing him to look at her too. And the smile he gave her was everything. Before she teared up, she took a right glance, and saw Rian and Deet, also waiting for her to arrive.

With all the rustling her parents caused, Jen turned around where he was standing at the center and their eyes met.

The flutter inside her chest made her think that she was really about to let go of the lunch she had at noon.

Even if he tried to, Jen couldn't stop looking at her until she was at his side. He awkwardly reached his hand out for her. She took it eagerly.

They both stood straight before her Aunt Seladon, who was going to perform their marriage ceremony. She smiled down at them lovingly, which, Kira didn't experience often much before.

Kira glanced down at all the Gelfling who attended their wedding. Besides the whole citizens of Ha'rar, she could see many faces from every clan. Well, if there is any left, at this point.

Her Uncle Gurjin and Auntie Naia were cheering loudly, as well as her Uncle Amri. As her closest family friends, they had every right to scream.

She couldn't even begin to count everyone she knew when her eyes locked with a figure, at the very back of the crowd. Her eyes widened as the old creature's crane's shard shined with light.

"Mother Aughra..." she let out before she could manage. Jen smiled knowingly.

"I also thought she wouldn't be here today."

Kira, not being sure if Aughra could see it, bowed her head slowly at her direction. Jen followed right after her, thanking Mother Thra for everything she's done for the Gelfling.

When they finally started the ceremony, Aughra snickered loudly.

"These kids..." she said to herself. She ignored the looks of some Gelfling who heard her loud and sudden snicker, and glanced at the endless sky.

"You spoil these children, old friend." She talked to Thra, jokingly mentioning the great weather today. Her tired eyes scanned her every children, happy and bonded with the song of Thra.

They deserved this, she thought.

Their future is brighter than the stars above, she thought.

Then she closed her eyes, listening to her children's voices.

She didn't want to open them. She truly didn't. However, she had no other choice. She counted every star she visited while she was sleeping, just to kill time. But, they also came to an end.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was a Gelfling. Laying and unmoving, already returned to Thra. After every slow step she took, she saw another. And another.

She recognized one, two, three... Maybe all. Or maybe she didn't. She didn't know.

She wondered, why Thra showed her this vision now. Which didn't mean anything. She huffed, then coughed, trying to silence her pain.

She knew where she was. In which reality, in which possible future she was in. She had this reality as a vision trines ago, and there they were. Her children, poor children...

And she knew what she was supposed to do. Her feet took her to the right direction as if moving without her consent. But that was she. That was Thra. Already decided fate. Too late to return.

One tear dropped from her eye to the bloody soil as she stood beside the corpse of a certain songteller, his eyes are half open as he clutched into his magical firca, like a last hope.

She leaned down and grabbed it. With delicate care, she fully closed his eyes, careful of her crooked nail.

Without looking back, she made her way toward the already decided route again. She wished all of her children, for them to return to Thra safely, as that was all she could do.

Grunting while she walked, scolding Thra for showing her a vision this heartbreaking, for making her cry, off to the UrRu valley she went. With the firca around her neck.

29 notes · View notes

prfctethereal · 3 years

Text

ghostin. | james potter

thank u, next x marauders

alexa, play ghostin by ariana grande

pairing: james potter x reader, remus lupin x reader, james potter x lily potter

summary: a recounting of the events that lead up to james and lily’s death, and the guilt you hold with it

word count: 2,510

warnings: mentions of death, mentions of anxiety, jily death

a/n: this is the first fic in my thank u next x marauders series. i hope everyone enjoys it. - kennedy

***

Ever since I knew what love was, there had only been one person in my heart. Only one person could make me laugh, could make me smile, could make me feel pure ecstasy, but he was just out of reach.

Our friendship blossomed beautifully throughout our years at Hogwarts. Those evenings in the library spent gossiping, chatting, arms thrown around each other, bathing in each other’s presence. Something so special that was ours. Every moment spent with him was one I remembered forever, locked away in the darkest depths of my soul, knowing that it was for my eye’s only.

James Potter and I were close, exceptionally close. He had been my first friend I met at Hogwarts and was certainly not my last. Though I met others, the connection I made with James never faltered. That was the problem. I admired him too much.

It wasn’t my fault when the time we spent with each other changed. It wasn’t my fault when my eyes lingered over his a little longer than I intended to. It wasn’t my fault that my stomach fluttered everytime his fingers brushed over mine. I didn’t intend on falling in love with him, but I did.

Yet, James never looked at me that way. I endured it, year after year, watching him pine after perfect Lily Evans, the most gorgeous, charming girl in our year. James was in love with her, instead of me. Unfortunately, we were still close as anything, which let him confide in me all this time.

Sixth year. Lying across James’ lap, I carefully flicked through the pages of my potions book, unable to complete my homework, but feeling the need to be productive. Feeling the need to be close to James. Moments had passed and we were the only ones left in the common room. My eyes had drifted away from my book and flickered upwards towards his face.

The faint light of the fireplace illuminated his features. His soft hazel eyes shone bright, with flecks of blue and green shining in the light. Shadows cast down on his face, accentuating his features. My hand played gently with his hair unconsciously as I tried desperately hard to concentrate on my work, but I couldn’t. But nothing good can last forever.

“[Y/N]?” James muttered softly, breaking my ever so strong attention from his face. I fluttered my eyelids self consciously, turning back towards my book. “Hm?” I answered, acting calm, even though my heart was beating out of my chest. His voice was soft and gentle, soothing my anxious thoughts.

“Do you think Lily knows how much I love her?” And in that moment, my heart shattered into a million pieces. It was that moment that I knew that my love for James was unrequited. I met his eyes in that moment and I searched them for anything I could find, desperation hoping for something, even if I didn’t quite know what I was looking for.

“H-how much do you love her?” I stumbled over my words, my voice croaking out as I held back the emotion I felt. Something flickered in James’ eyes at that moment, but was swept away by a grin the size of Jupiter creeping up his cheeks.

“More than anything.” He said. Whatever love that was showing in James’ eyes weren’t for me and would never be for me. Lying in James’ lap, I decided that I needed to push down any feelings I felt for him, for the good of my own heart. I couldn’t love James any longer.

So I settled. Remus Lupin was one of James’ friends, naturally making him one of mine. Not long after James and Lily had finally gotten together, I noticed eyes lingering on me, the same way I had looked at James. Well, the same way I still looked at James.

Remus was quaint, soft, and supportive. He was comfortable. He may not have been everything I had ever dreamed of but he truly looked at me as if I was his world, and I loved him. I wasn’t in love with him, like I was with James, but I loved him.

***

Halloween. 1981. Warm air drifted in through the window of my home that I shared with Remus. Nervously, I sipped quietly on my tea, palming through an old edition of the Daily Prophet from a few days ago, toying anxiously with the engagement ring around my finger.

Of course I said yes when Remus got down on one knee; I would’ve been foolish not to. His pleading eyes looking up at me with admiration and affection melted my heart. Before I registered the situation, the words fell out of my mouth. Now, I had a wedding to plan, one with the man I didn’t love.

The dining room table was littered with bits and pieces for our wedding. Cloths and cards picked out specifically, each with the intention of pleasing the eye. In front of me laid the sketch of the dress I was supposed to wear, the one I drew when I was just a little girl, who dreamed of her big day in white. A tear fell down my cheek as I remembered that I could never wear that dress to my own wedding. Lily had fallen in love with the same dress and asked if she could use the design for her own wedding dress. Sheepishly, I agree, immediately regretting. Not only did Lily marry the man I loved but she married him in the dress I loved too.

The memories of James and Lily’s day came flooding back into my head. A bright day in the summer of 1978 was filled with joy as I helped pin Lily’s dress a few hours before she would be walking down the aisle. I had my work cut out as I perfected Lily’s gown, certain on having her look like a princess. Her auburn hair was pulled gently into an elegant bun at the back of her head. Green eyes gleamed with excitement as she thumbed the soft material of the dress cascading down her. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would look like in the dress. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would look like walking down the aisle instead.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous, [Y/N]. I love it more than anything.” Lily gasped as she looked at herself in the mirror. More than anything. The words stung deeply, my hand wiping across my cheek to stop a tear from rolling down. Lily’s face dropped as she saw my solemn state.

“What’s wrong?” Lily crouched down next to me, resting her hand on my back, gently tracing circles to calm me down. Looking back at her, I smiled, not wanting to ruin her day.

“You just look so beautiful.” I lied through my teeth, standing up from my position and heading for the door. “I just need to grab some more pins and I’ll be back.” I muttered while racing out of the room.

Tears were pouring down my face now like a thunderstorm. I tried to compose myself but I couldn’t, running away, far away, the destination unclear in my mind. The next thing I knew, I had bumped into a person, falling into their arms. Unsure of who it was, I stayed in their arms, falling to the ground, about to pass out from exhaustion.

As I looked up, my eyes met the eyes of none other than the groom himself. Concern boiled up in his irises as he looked down at me. Smiling as I felt his fingers stroke the soft skin of my arms reassuring me, he helped me up to a standing position, keeping one arm firm on my waist so I didn’t topple over again.

“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong, love?” The nickname James used hurt more than he could imagine, but I kept smiling, not wanting to ruin his special day.

“She looks so beautiful,” I started, talking about Lily, his future wife. “She looks like a goddess, I just know I’ll never get to look like that.” I tried to laugh to lighten the tension but it only resulted in James pulling me into an inviting hug.

“Don’t say that.” James whispered, his soft voice sending goosebumps down my spine. “One day when you get married, you will too.”

A moment passed as I just stayed in James’ arms, not wanting to let go. The moment was ruined unfortunately when James spoke again. “Remus is one lucky guy.”

My heart dropped, pulling away awkwardly, tucking my arms close to my side. “Haha, yeah, um, Lily is one lucky girl.”

In a flash, my eyes looked up to meet James. His grasp had pulled me close to him once again, my eyes darting from his eyes to his lips repeatedly, his doing the same. I was so close to him; an inch or two closer and we would’ve kissed “Where’s Lily?” A voice from down the hall snapped up both out of our trance. James immediately pushed me away from his body, looking for the source of the noise. From around the corner, Sirius appeared, all dressed up in his best man tuxedo. I smiled naturally, heading off to look for Lily, the girl who was about to marry the love of my life.

Looking back at that day, I could’ve said something. I could’ve objected to the union, but seeing the look on James’ face when he saw Lily walk down the aisle was priceless. I would’ve been a criminal to rob James of that happiness. So I had stayed silent in the pews. I said nothing.

A few tears had fallen on the table, pulling me back to the present. It was Halloween. By now, all the trick or treaters had dispersed, leaving a quiet hum of the tree breeze alone. Remus would be home soon from a meeting with the Order. Yet, he should’ve been home an hour ago. Anxiety rushed through my veins, until I heard a knock at the door. I relaxed, opening the door.

Instead of seeing my normally happy, calm husband, I saw my husband, puffy eyed, tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. Then, he collapsed on the ground outside the door. Rushing to him, I enveloped him in a gentle hug, letting him sob into my neck.

It had been a few months since I last saw Remus cry like this, which made me on edge. Last time he was in this state, someone had died. Now I was just waiting for the news.

Yet, he kept crying. For at least ten minutes, he sobbed into my shoulder, the warm wind passing us every now and then. After a moment, he pulled away and stood up with no words, leaving me on the ground. I followed him, putting the kettle on.

Remus sat wordless on the couch, playing with the ring on his finger like I had been doing not long before. As I brought him a cup of tea, I sat beside him, waiting for him to start speaking, but he never did. All he did was place his hand on my thigh, tenderly stroking it as he looked blankly into the darkness of our house.

“I’m sorry darling.” He eventually spoke, turning to look me in my eyes for the first time that evening. I reacted to his voice, pulling him in close to me. My arm draped over his shoulders, tugging Remus closer to my side. “James and Lily are dead.”

My face dropped. My heart ached. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t process what Remus was saying. My arm fell from his side as I pulled away from his touch. He called out to me but my head didn’t register his words. Hazily, I stood up, needing to be away from him. Nothing seemed right.

Seemingly in a drunken state, I walked up the staircase and found my way into our joined bed. I was sure that Remus was calling to me but I didn’t respond. I couldn’t respond.

That’s when the tears started falling. Curled up in my bed, I pulled the cover to wipe my eyes, but it was pointless. What was once silent tears was a full on breakdown. My eyes were puffy and crimson, dry as a desert. Throat hoarse from screaming, no proper words could come out my mouth. I was empty.

The man who had stolen my heart, the man whom I loved dearly, was dead. He was the one who spent all those long nights talking to me. He was the one who held my hand when I was too anxious to stand in front of a crowd. He was the one who supported me throughout the strife we went through from the order. He was the one who grounded me when I was distressed. And he was gone.

My bed had never felt colder. My heart had never felt emptier. I was alone.After what felt like hours, the door to my bedroom opened, a small light blinding my eyes. I didn’t move or even speak as Remus slipped under the covers next to me. I was unable to do anything as he whispered that he loved me and kissed me on my forehead.

***

Morning broke and the reality of everything had yet to settle in. I had expected that James and Lily’s death would have plagued my nightmares but the opposite effect had happened. My night was full of dreams of James and I, memories of the time we had spent together coming back to me. Memories that I once thought I had lost.

The spot next to me in bed was empty when I turned around so I knew Remus must’ve been downstairs. Quietly, I slipped out of the duvet and trotted downstairs. I didn’t even say good morning as Remus placed a cup of tea in front of me when I sat at the dining table. My eyes darted away, not wanting to face all our wedding planning. It all just felt wrong.

Remus picked up on my hesitation and sat down next to me, sighing. He wasn’t dumb. He knew that I didn’t love him the way he loved me. He knew that my heart was reserved for someone that wasn’t him. He knew that I was in love with James, and so he said so.

“I know you were in love with him.” Remus broke the uncomfortable silence, grabbing my attention. My lip quivered, my eyes threatened to spill out more tears, but he pressed on. “I knew you will never love me the way you loved James, so please [Y/N], tell me.”

“Tell you what.” I mumbled, not daring to look Remus in the eyes, which rubbed salt further into the wound.

“I won’t press you on, as I know you’re hurting, but please, I have to know.” He paused, looking for the right words to say.

“Do you still want to marry me?”

#harry potter #marauders #marauders fanfiction #marauders era #James potter #James potter x reader #James potter fluff #James potter angst #remus lupin x reader #remus lupin fluff #remus lupin angst #James potter x you #remus lupin x you

148 notes · View notes

minniepetals · 4 years

Text

a gentle memory

— summary: sometimes things are just not meant to be. and sometimes they are. the boys recall all their memories spent with you on the day of your wedding.

— pairing: bts x reader

— genre: angst, poly!au, break up!au, f2l!au, wedding!au

— word count: 2.2k

— warnings: sad ending

— a/n: i’m sorry

There is something in your eyes, something about it just makes any anger, any dark thoughts and frustrations fall at an instant the second they meet them. They don't know what it is or why and how, but something about them is just enough to lessen all the pains and have them forgetting about all the sad parts of life.

It makes them soft. Makes the crease between their brows lift, makes their lips curl from the corners, and makes their hearts melt.

Your smile, brighter than any star, your fingers that often weaves through their silky hair on both good and bad days, and your soft, soft voice which always whispers gentle words to them. They shall never forget the first moments they realized they had fallen in love with their best friend.

A moment unforgettable like any other moments after that.

Soft kisses.

Laughter. Your giggles ringing in the air.

The way your cheeks will rise in color and you would try to hide your face behind your hands, only for them to take it away and let you squeal in delight because you're easily shy and embarrassed.

Sweet humming lullabies on nights when they cannot sleep. Head too caught up in their thoughts. Nightmares plaguing their minds.

Tears rolling down their eyes, chest tightening, hearts in pain. And then your soft smile when you see them, always the first to run after them, always the first to ask what's wrong even when those tears are hidden under a false image, a false smile.

You'll always catch it.

Always.

And then you'll hold them in your arms, letting them lean against you, face buried in your neck, face against your chest as you run a comforting hand down their head, whispering soft words and allowing them to cry for however long they need it.

You'll let them lay against you, their heads on your chest, ears right atop your heartbeat.

It beats steadily.

One pump.

Two pumps.

Three.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

A soft humming sound so crystal clear. And you hold them for as long as they need. Even through sleep. Even when they awake hours later. Sometimes you're still awake, greeting them with a smile and a kiss. Sometimes you've fallen asleep as well. Expression soft, breathing slow and steady.

Even through sleep you do not let go.

When the piano begins to play, everyone looks towards the door and their breaths are held back as they await for you to walk right in. The audience stands at your arrival and their hearts begin to beat hard and rapidly against their chest.

They can hear it.

How loud it's beating.

How hard it's going.

As if ready to just jump right out of their chests.

You are beautiful.

Dressed in white, the pretty gown only looking even more enchanting because of you and you alone. It hugs you just perfectly just the way they have always imagined it to be. Your hair is held up in pretty flowers. You always loved flowers. And you hold white and pink roses in your hand, the white gown and veil trailing right behind you.

You are a goddess.

More beautiful than a goddess.

And they see it, the way you try to keep a straight face but they know you better than that. The corners of your lips tugs. One, two, three seconds in and when you meet their eyes, you can no longer hide it. When you smile, the whole room is even more mesmerized, watching in awe, the ladies all jealous of how gorgeous your beauty is, the men not being able to look away.

They chuckle knowingly.

That's their girl.

Once just a small little child who didn't know how to stand up for herself so they had to butt in, shouting at your bullies and letting you run into their arms because the other kids were being mean and had stolen your crayons.

So Jungkook, Taehyung, and Jimin let you borrow theirs while the older ones kept watch in case anyone else wants to mess with the cute girl in pigtails.

The friendship grew from then. They'd always protect you whenever you need it, even past middle school when you could finally get some bravery in and try to be stronger than you thought you could ever be. It's a hard process, and a long one for you, because people are scary and you don't like mean people. Still they hold you through it and watch as you grow into the woman you are now.

College years were what made things turn into a little twist. But had it even been a twist when they saw it coming?

Nothing changed.

But they were finally able to kiss you and hold you for as long as they could. They could make you smile brighter and you would be reverting back to your shy stages where every little soft gesture they make at you will make you melt and you wouldn't know how to react.

Instead hiding your face in your hands and run away squealing because they're so "cheesy."

But you like it. They know you do.

Even if you'll pretend to cringe and say you don't like it.

First anniversary.

Second.

Third.

And before the fourth could happen, something went wrong.

They got used to it. To your kind and giving self and forgot that just simply relying on you to help them feel better isn't the best way to walk through a relationship.

They forgot.

Forgot to care for you and pay attention to the little things. Forgot to say thank you, to ask if you were doing alright, to ask if you were happy. You weren't doing alright and you weren't entirely happy. But they never knew because you never showed. Once that never mattered because they used to be able to tell every little lie you'll make even before you say them aloud. So when you'd fake a smile and hide your tears whenever you felt things became too rough on you, they'd just let it go without noticing the hidden trail of tears or the redness in your eyes.

Still you'd ask if they were alright. If they were eating well, if they were happy.

And when they weren't, you could simply tell without them needing to say a thing. You'll run a bath, cook them food, and let them lay their heads and rest for as long as they need it.

Forgetting to care for your own self.

But they should have been the ones to remind you, right? They should've been the ones to care for you, to give you love and show that they haven't forgotten about your wellbeing.

Hence a little fight started.

Escalating into them saying harsh words they never meant to say, burning tears in your eyes, and ripping out your heart.

Telling you you don't care and have forgotten about them when the truth was the other way around. But anger in a strong thing that blinds one from seeing what is right and wrong.

Even then you never blamed them.

The first to say sorry, feeling as if it is all your fault because they fueled those thoughts into you.

It was wrong.

So wrong.

And before they realized it all, you were already gone.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be enough," you said but that wasn't true. It was never true. You had always been enough, more than enough, but they forgot to remind you of that and only made you feel worse about yourself. They didn't realize you had been crying to yourself nights after nights when everyone went to sleep. Insomnia. Nightmares scaring you from sleeping. Yet when they came to you with their problems, you'd stay awake all night just to make sure they were alright again.

So it was right for you to leave.

To find yourself.

A break.

A six month leave and then that fateful encounter happened when you met Namjoon.

It wasn't great at first, not at all. The air thick with awkwardness but you were the first to break.

"How have you been?"

Always the one to look past the bad memories and see what's in front of you instead. But Namjoon was sure you were still hurt by the things they said.

"Good. I've been...I've been good."

A lie.

So he sighed and let his guard down to tell you the truth, the honest truth.

He wasn't good, they were never good after you left, and asked if you wanted to meet up with the others to which you agreed.

Things weren't...the best, so you all decided to just start as friends again. After all, you were all best friends before anything happened.

It went well.

So great.

And they began to pay attention to the little things again.

How your eyes will always sparkle when you see something you like, or the scrunching of your nose when you'd smile or grimace. They returned to their old ways, before things went wrong, before they broke you and hurt you and tore your heart apart. Apologies were spilled but even then they decided simple words would never be enough. Not for you. You deserved so much more and they decided to give you that.

And they did.

They do.

Doing all that they can just to see your pretty smile that will always make their hearts flutter.

And now here they are, four years later, having proved their worth and willing to show more again and again until the day death tears you apart.

Because you deserve everything.

Every single thing.

They watch you with gentle smiles, tears welling up, not being able to believe it just yet.

You're beautiful. So, so beautiful.

And they can't believe it.

Finally able to see you in a wedding dress with your pretty smile lighting up your face, the most excited you have ever been in your entire life besides the day of the proposal.

They watch you as memories flood their minds of every little moment spent with you, knowing there will be more moments to see in the future. They watch as you take slow steps down the aisle. Waiting, and waiting.

When you meet their eyes, your eyes crinkle a little more, smile widening and cheeks rising.

You are beautiful and they are blessed to be the ones by your side.

Even if it means you aren't theirs.

Even if it means you're walking towards another man that will make the rest of your life the happiest times.

You pass them.

Eyes straying away.

Their hearts fall.

And your eyes meet the person who will be with you for the rest of your life.

A hand passed to hold his, your hearts fluttering with excitement and love, shy smiles, and you giggle as he whispers words they will never have a chance to hear.

Their hearts fall.

A tear escapes.

"I love you," he tells you after his vow.

"I love you," you say after your vow.

They can still remember it all, they remember everything today.

He had been waiting for you, chasing after you, but also remaining patient for as long as he needed. You didn't want to jump into a relationship, too scared, too afraid, but also for another reason they wish to believe it is because you were still in love with them.

Yet he waited.

A patient man.

Always there for you when you cried, when you were frustrated, happy, and grumpy. He noticed the little things, picked up your fake smiles, the words you say that are false to your emotions, and waited. Waited for as long as he could, never straying away to other women who were in line for him.

"Why?" They remember you asking. "Why does he do this? I'm not...I'm not worth all of this."

"Oh Y/N. You are worth everything in this entire universe."

And so much more.

So when you gave him a chance, they stepped back. Let you go. Let him have a chance to make you happy.

But would always remind the man that if he ever did anything to hurt you, they'll kill him.

"I'm so scared," they remember you saying. "What if it doesn't work out? I'll have to hurt again, won't I?"

It was all their fault for making you feel that way, for making you worry about another failed relationship.

So they stepped up to make sure things went well, to make sure he knew never to take advantage of your kindness and to always care for you.

Yet it seems they never really had to remind him because he never forgot.

Never.

Not like them.

And that's when they realized that in this world, this lifetime, you are not theirs.

You were never theirs to begin with.

So no matter what, seeing you up there, smiling as you meet their eyes again, they return the smile so bittersweet and hide the tears in a way even you can't tell they're hoping to break down and cry.

Because they are happy.

Truly.

Even if your soulmate is not them. Because in this lifetime you belong to someone else. Someone that can make you happier, grow into a better woman than you are at this moment, help you during your ups and downs, and there to remain by your side.

Perhaps in another lifetime.

Perhaps you can be theirs then.

700 notes · View notes

lily-mj-fae · 3 years

Text

Elain Archeron Appreciation Week: Day 1; Favorite Scene

So I have multiple. I will pick one from each book. Because she’s my favorite character. And I adore her.

ACOTAR

“Feyre, you should have told us!” Elain said, still gaping. “Oh, how awful—and you had to endure losing her all on your own, you poor thing. Father will be devastated that he didn’t get to pay his respects.”

...

“Feyre, you look as dumbfounded as we were,” Elain said, hooking elbows with me. “Come inside. We’ll show you the house! We don’t have a room decorated for you, because we thought you’d be with poor old Aunt Ripleigh for months yet, but we have so many bedrooms that you can sleep in a different one each night if you wish!”

...

“You should come with me,” Elain went on. “Nesta won’t go, because she says she doesn’t want to risk the sea crossing, but you and I … Oh, we’d have fun, wouldn’t we?”

Listen. Elain’s reaction to Feyre returning home...you cannot tell me she does not love her sister. Her pure radiance and joy at seeing Feyre. Not to mention, it’s now her turn to take care of Feyre and she immediately embraces it. She tells Feyre they’ll figure out her room and encourages her to find one that makes her comfortable. She makes sure their father is able to start accessing Feyre’s new money. She even arranges a ball (because that’s the kind of thing people did) just to celebrate Feyre’s return. Even under the effects of the glamour, she wants to know about Feyre’s life as it was. And she wants to do things with Feyre. I think they could have had so much fun on the continent.

ACOMAF

“Nesta,” Elain said again, twisting her hands. “If … if we do not help Feyre, there won’t be a wedding. Even Lord Nolan’s battlements and all his men, couldn’t save me from … from them.” Nesta didn’t so much as flinch. Elain pushed, “We keep it secret—we send the servants away. With the spring approaching, they’ll be glad to go home. And if Feyre needs to be in and out for meetings, she’ll send word ahead, and we’ll clear them out. Make up excuses to send them on holidays. Father won’t be back until the summer, anyway. No one will know.” She put a hand on Nesta’s knee, the purple of my sister’s gown nearly swallowing up the ivory hand. “Feyre gave and gave—for years. Let us now help her. Help … others.”

A faint smile bloomed upon Azriel’s mouth as he noticed Elain’s fingers white-knuckled on that fork, but he kept silent, focusing instead, as Cassian was subtly trying to do, on adjusting his wings around a human chair. Cauldron damn me.

Elain’s voice wobbled as she noted the same thing and quickly said to him, “It … it is very hard, you understand, to … accept it.” I realized the dark metal of her ring … it was iron. Even though I had told them about iron being useless, there it was. The gift from her Fae-hating soon-to-be-husband’s family. Elain cast pleading eyes on Rhys, then Azriel, such mortal fear coating her features, her scent. “We are raised this way. We hear stories of your kind crossing the wall to hurt us. Our own neighbor, Clare Beddor, was taken, her family murdered …”

Elain sat a little higher as she said to Cassian, “And as for Feyre’s hunting during those years, it was not Nesta’s neglect alone that is to blame. We were scared, and had received no training, and everything had been taken, and we failed her. Both of us.”

This. I will die for Elain here. Elain, who was able to recognize her mistakes and wanting to help her sister. She wants to do better. Not to mention it’s just a great moment. We see how much good is in her. She’s terrified of Cassian, Az and Rhys. But she’s still talking to them. Defends her sister in front of them. I think it shows just how strong she is, especially compared to what everyone seems to think of her.

ACOWAR

Elain stepped out of a shadow behind him, and rammed Truth-Teller to the hilt through the back of the king’s neck as she snarled in his ear, “Don’t you touch my sister.”

Listen. Even in my first couple reads when I didn’t give a rat’s ass about Elain, this moment made me cheer. When my third reread happened to have Elain grabbing me by the collar and making me love her, this scene became even better. The amount of courage she’d have had to build up. The amount on energy. The amount that she would have had to push back to make herself do something like this? Impeccable. Respect. And she deserves every ounce of respect for this moment. And you will not dare tell me otherwise.

ACOFAS

Elain floated to my side. “Happy birthday, Feyre.” My friends—my family—echoed the words as Rhys set the cake on the low-lying table before the fire. I glanced toward my sister. “Did you …?” A nod from Elain. “Nuala did the decorating, though.” It was then that I realized what the three different tiers had been painted to look like. On the top: flowers. In the middle: flames. And on the bottom, widest layer … stars. The same design of the chest of drawers I’d once painted in that dilapidated cottage. One for each of us—each sister. Those stars and moons sent to me, my mind, by my mate, long before we’d ever met. “I asked Nuala to do it in that order,” Elain said as the others gathered round. “Because you’re the foundation, the one who lifts us. You always have been.”

Listen. When I tell you this part almost makes me cry, I’m not kidding. Feyre had always wondered if her sisters ever even noticed the dresser. And the way Elain chose to show she had....absolutely beautiful. GORGEOUS. And I don’t think she gets enough appreciation for this moment Either.

ACOSF (I don’t have the E-book so copying and pasting isn’t happening. And I’m too lazy to type out everything)

Elain talking about Nesta dancing. The whole time she talks about Nesta. And commenting on how happy she is that Nesta has found something that seems to make her just as happy.

For all the wrong things she said in this book (which weren’t awful, just mistakes and it’s okay), I wish Nesta could have heard Elain in that moment. I wish Nesta could have been there to hear how Elain admired that. It just...oh my heart. I felt so much for Elain in this moment. Elain who had loved Nesta and was being pushed away. Elain who loved her family so dearly and felt like she was losing Nesta. That moment. I wanted to hug her.

#elain archeron #elainarcheronweek #pro elain #pro elain archeron #acotar #acomaf #acofas #acosf

69 notes · View notes

mrsfrecklesmarauders · 3 years

Text

Even opposite cakes attract

Summary: James and Lily assist to Petunia's wedding as their unofficial first date.

“Hello?”

“HI LILY!!”

“You don’t have to scream, Prongs”

“SORRY!!” he screamed anyway.

Lily laughed. Her laughter was so delicious and delicate. James’ heart overloaded with joy. It was easy now, making her laugh. She didn’t get annoyed, or yelled at him, or called him names. James felt as if he was doing things better.

“Moony, get out of here” he said whispering now. He wanted some privacy.

“Are you sure you can handle the, what did you call it? Oh yeah, the tellyphone, alright?”

Lily heard Remus’ voice because she laughed on the other line. James could see Padfoot and Wormtail cracking up laughing outside the booth.

“Just-get-out-of-here!!” James grunted

“Alright” Remus rolled his eyes, then yelled to the phone “BYE LILY!”

James heard her reply “BYE REMUS!”

James shooed his friend outside. He closed the door of the booth but soon enough his three dumb friends were making faces, sending him kisses across the glass.

“Sorry about them, darling” James decided to ignored them, they even deserved a middle finger. “Those assholes”

“It’s okay” Lily giggled “I know perfectly how those assholes are”

James laughed.

The whole summer, James and Lily chatted over the muggle phone. Luckily there was an old booth a few miles away from his house. Even if it was once a week, James was happy to talk with Lily, hear her voice. Really this muggle invention was ten times better than owls. It was like having Lily next to him, if he closed his eyes.

“How have you been?” James asked “How’s your summer so far”

“Stressful” Lily sighed “Petunia is getting married this weekend and my house had been a chaos with preparation and people coming over…”

“Your sister?” James asked. He had heard Remus mentioned her several times when he retold Lily’s stories to him. It was the only way to get to know her. But now, Lily had been telling him things.

Friends. Only friends. James could do that. He wanted to respect Lily’s wishes. Lily knew exactly how he felt. They had kissed. But something seemed to stop them every time, actually someone. Snape. He kept manipulating her, even after what he called her. And Lily was too good to realize it. After their first kiss, they fought about it. Then, they were okay again. Lily suggested starting from the beginning. They had been on the wrong foot before, they wanted to make things better this time. Know each other for real, not the wrong perception of each other they had before. So, friends, for now.

“Yeah… That bitch”

“Lils! I think it’s the first time you insult someone besides me” James teased

Lily snorted “You’re an idiot”

“Exactly my point”

“I just don’t want to be there alone, with Tuney’s pretentious friends and Vernon’s pretentious sister and…. OH MY GOD!!”

James jumped and his ear hurt. And he regretted now having shouted on the tellyphone before.

“Are you okay, gorgeous?”

“Sorry… It’s a stupid idea. I just had a stupid idea” Lily said nervously

“Okay…” James smiled again. James had found out that Lily was adorable and sometimes talked to much, but James could hear her talk all day. Apparently, Lily was different than what he thought. James liked this Lily better.

“Well is actually a good idea” Lily snorted “Yeah it’s definitely good” And James imagined her biting her lip as she did when she was nervous. “But I don’t know if you’re going to like it. Maybe it is horrible idea for you. I don’t know why I thought about it…”

“Hey, Lils” James interrupted “Just tell me”

Lily was definitely adorable.

Lily took a deep breath “Would you like, I mean maybe if you can and you have time… would you like…maybe come to my sister’s wedding with me?”

James was too shocked to even speak. Lily was asking him out? To Petunia’s wedding? Petunia being her sister, meaning her family would probably would be there. Her Parents!

He was sure his cheeks were burning. The Marauders were going to laugh at him. But when James turned to look at them, he saw they had given up and were seated by the grass, smoking.

“James?” Lily asked after a while “Oh Lord, I knew this was a bad idea”

“NO…NO…NO….NO….NO”

“Those were fives no’s, you definitely don’t want to come”

“NO! Shit! I mean YES!! Of course, I would like to come. I would definitely come. Just be sure I would be there, darling!”

Lily laughed relieved while James blushed profoundly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, sure”

“It wouldn’t be… awkward?”

“Why?”

“Well… We are going slowly. And now you’re going to meet my family”

James swallowed nervously “Friends meet each other’s families, right?”

Even though I don’t want to be your friend Lily

“Right” Lily answered after a while

Then, they were in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence. They were feeling each other’s breathing, planning on what to say. In James case, he wanted to tell Lily how much he loved her. How much he wanted to see her, kiss those lips again, how much he missed her. He wanted to say ‘Fuck being friends, please Lily be my forever and only’. But no. James was a new and improved man. He was so scared of fucking it up and going back to cero. James was going to respect her even if he had to wait forever.

“Okay then…” James began

“Okay then…” James could almost feel Lily’s smile on her voice.

“I’ll see you this weekend”

“It’s on Saturday, ten o´clock” Lily laughed “I forgot to tell you that”

“Yeah, that’s good to know” James snorted

“And I will send you the address so that you can apparate here”

“Right”

“Oh, and can you wear a muggle tuxedo? Ask Remus” Lily continued “My family is very muggle, you see”

“Don’t worry babe, I’ll be as muggle as possible” James’ intention was to impress Lily’s family.

“Now that I think about it, you probably don’t own a muggle tuxedo” Lily hissed “I am so stupid…”

“Hey gorgeous” James interrupted with a smile “I’ll figure something out, don’t’ worry”

“Okay…” Lily said now more relaxed “I’ll see you on Saturday, then”

“I’ll see you on Saturday” James answered

“Bye”

Silence

Lily giggled “Hang up James”

“I don’t know how”

Lily laughed louder “Right, then I’ll hang up…Bye”

“Bye gorgeous” James smiled. And then he heard a bipping sound. But James just stayed there grinning like an idiot. He just put the phone back to it’s case.

James turned to look at his friends. Moony was fast asleep on Sirius’ lap. And Peter was laying besides them, chewing a lolly.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK

James knocked the door excitedly until his friends saw him. They jumped. But as a matter of fact, they turned to look. Even Moony was awake.

James grinned “I HAVE A DATE WITH LILY!!” he shouted.

It wasn’t technically a date. But he didn’t care.

His friends must’ve heard him, because they started cheering and clapping. James was so happy.

Lily had been very happy all morning. She felt like anything could stop her. She shouldn’t be feeling that way. But that was James Potter provoked on her. Lately she was bloody happy around him. Lily had been looking forward to see him again, perhaps kiss him again and run her fingers through his untidy hair…

But James and Lily were on good terms now. And Lily didn’t want to ruin it. She had realized James was an important person in her life. And Lily was afraid, because she had been hurt before. Turned out, the boys she’d met had been horrible to her, Luke, Severus, Jhonny. And she had thought James was on that list too. But actually, he had been acting differently. Remus had said he didn’t change, he was always like that. Only he was controlling his idiocy and his desire to show off. Lily didn’t know if she hadn’t known James at all, or if he had changed. The thing was that Lily liked this James. She liked him a lot.

And Lily was stressed and nervous about today. If Tuney wasn’t fucking hysterical, then maybe Lily wouldn’t be the same.

“Just untie the bun!” Petunia was shouting to her friend Margaret who had been working on a salon for a year and was assigned to comb Petunia´s hair for the event.

“But you wanted that bun” her friend replied nervously

“IT IS HORRENDOUS! TAKE THE BUN OUT!”

Lily understood it would be stressful to get married. But honestly, wasn’t Petunia in love? She was marrying the love of her life today. She should be happy. Lily had suggested to fix her hair with magic, but Petunia’s hateful glare and her mother’s gasp shut her down. That word was forbidden in that house. Magic. Lily missed her dad. At least he was interested in magic, Hogwarts and Lily’s subjects.

Lily was helping her mother fold some napkins for the reception when they heard the door bell rang. Almost everyone in the room yelled and panicked. Most of them being Petunia’s friends, and Lily’s aunts.

“The car isn’t supposed to be here, yet!” Marge yelled furiously. Vernon’s sister had been drinking many glasses of wine so far. Lily was afraid she wouldn’t make it to the ceremony sober.

“Lily, darling, Open the door please” her mother said “It’s probably the cater or florist”

Lily sighed before walking to the door. But when she opened it, the wasn’t any cater or florist outside. It was James.

He was wearing a blue tuxedo and a red tie. Lily remembered telling Remus she once saw Robert Redford using one in one of his movies and how sexy he looked. Lily was glad that Remus helped James dress up. Wow. And he was caring a bouquet of blue lilies. Lily was momentarily out of breath.

His iconic grin disappeared when he saw Lily’s shocked expression. James was early. So early. Lily wasn’t even dressed. Her hair and makeup were fixed already but she was waiting to put on her dress, in case it was ruined. Or else, Petunia might actually kill her.

“You look beautiful” James said running his hand through his hair, which made him even hotter.

Lily tried not to blush.

“What are you…”

But James was openly staring at her outfit, which meant her body. Lily unconsciously wrapped herself tighter with her dressing gown.

“Perhaps I am wrongly dressed” he looked down to himself “Remus said this would be fine”

Lily couldn’t avoid laughing.

“No James, you’re perfectly fine and very handsome” she blushed “But you’re like” she checked the house’s entrance clock “An hour early” she smiled at him.

“Yeah” James said confused “Moony said that muggles arrive one hour early to every event, and I wanted to…”

Lily bit her lip to avoid laughing. Probably James noticed.

“And he totally lied to me….” James closed his eyes embarrassed “FUCK REMUS LUPIN! I am so sorry… I am an idiot”

James sighed profoundly. And he started pacing and rubbing his hair uncontrollably. Lily giggled as she watched him.

“I can leave and come back if you want to…” he continued “Or I can leave and not assist at all… Fuck…. Remus…. Arrg…”

Lily laughed louder. She was so happy now that he was here.

“James, it’s fine…”

He looked at her.

“It’s totally fine” she repeated “Actually it is good that you arrive early” she took him by the arm “We need more hands to help” she dragged him inside.

James looked around like a little kid in the zoo. Lily found him adorable. He was even adjusting his glasses. Lily’s house wasn’t a big thing. It was small and average. Remus had mentioned how big James’ house was.

“There are quite a number of people in the room” James pointed amused. Like a kid showing their parent something interesting. Lily smiled.

“All of them are muggles?” James asked

Lily nodded. Her mother had two sisters, each one with their husbands. And her father had an older brother who had a lot of children and younger single sister. Her aunt Katie was her favorite, maybe because she reminded her of her father. And then, there were all Petunia’s friends: Ruth, Genevie and Margaret. Marge had been added to the group of bridesmaids as well as Lily.

Lily nodded “You and me, the only freaks”

Lily meant that as a joke, but James didn’t laugh.

“Don’t worry. I have my wand buried in my pocket” he said as he patted his chest “Today I am as muggle as the rest”

Lily knew Severus would’ve hated being here. He would probably had said something mean about so many muggles, how they were different and superior than them. Probably he wouldn’t have wanted to come at all. Lily was happy she had invited James.

She smiled “Let’s go. I’ll introduce you to everyone”

James was polite with everyone. He smiled, accepted handshakes and kissed the girls in the cheek. Some of Petunia’s friends were even eyeing hungrily at James. And Lily tried not to be jealous.

Lily’s aunts even mentioned that her ‘boyfriend’ was adorable and easy going. Lily decided not to correct them. And she enjoyed the grin and red cheeks on James’ face.

“Boyfriend, ha?” James raised an eyebrow once they were out of sight

“Shut up” Lily laughed “You need to meet Petunia and mum”

James seemed more confident. But Lily was not. Petunia wasn’t the nicest person to be around.

They got to the kitchen. Lily’s mother was busy talking, or better yet yelling at someone on the phone. So, Lily decided to go to Petunia first.

Margaret had managed to keep Petunia’s blond hair loose. With tiny flowers on top and curls falling down to her shoulders. She looked beautiful. Although her expression didn’t seem cheerful. She was looking at her reflection and deciding what to do with it.

“Wow Maggie” Lily said as they approached “It looks nice”

“Thanks Lily” At least Maggie was nice to Lily, when Tuney and Ruth weren’t around.

“Tuney…” Lily swallowed “This is my… eh friend James Potter”

Petunia didn’t seem to be listening to her. Lily bit her lip trying not to be embarrassed.

“From school” Lily added.

And now Petunia seemed interested, she looked up finally at James.

“Hi Petunia” James offered her his hand “Lily had told me loads about you. I’m James”

As adorable as ever. But Petunia didn’t seem swiped by James’ charm.

“I thought you were going to invite Snape” Petunia simply said looking at Lily. James lowered his hand slowly.

Lily was just asking one thing from her sister. A little bit of kindness towards her friend, boyfriend… well James. Just like she had shown to her friends or Vernon and his irritable sister, none of who had been nice to Lily. And James was being kind to her. In fact, he had been acting like a proper gentleman.

“No… I told you we aren’t friends anymore” Lily side glanced at James. They had discussed about Severus in the past. And Lily didn’t want to cause trouble.

“Good” Petunia said “I reckon he is better than Snape” then she turned to James “Your hair is widely untamed”

“I’ve been told” James nodded

“Nice. Maybe Maggie could fix it”

Maggie laughed nervously “I don’t think I…”

“I am only joking” Petunia said

James tried to laugh “You’re funny”

“Lily…” Petunia made Lily lean for her to whisper in her ear “I know he is one of...your kind. If he doesn’t behave…”

But Lily pulled away furiously “Your hair looks nice, Tuney” she crossed her arms.

“Oh, Lily why aren’t you dressed yet?” Mrs. Evans appeared behind Lily

“Mum, does my hair look good?” Petunia asked

“You look wonderful, darling” Mrs. Evans smiled “Lily. We are about to leave and… Oh, who are you? I don’t know you” she stared at James.

James immediately offered his hand and a wide smile. Lily was grateful.

“Mrs. Evans, pleasure to meet you. I am James Potter. I go with your daughter to school”

“Oh, I see” Mrs. Evans shook his hand “Nice suit”

“Thank you”

“He speaks like royalty” Mrs. Evans offered. Lily giggled. James tended to speak like a fine English man when he was around adults. He did the same with teachers.

“Lily does know strange people” Tuney commented

“Oh, I believe Vernon speaks funny as well” Lily spatted. Her mother, James and Maggie laughed. Petunia just glared at her. She began everything. It wasn’t Lily’s fault.

“Lily!” Mrs. Evans chanted “The dress!”

“Coming”

“Oh, and James can help me fold the rest of the napkins”

“Oh, I would absolutely adore to do so” James smiled

Mrs. Evans smiled “Very polite”

“You’ll have to teach him, mum” Lily grinned “He hasn’t folded a napkin in his life”

“I can fold napkins!” James protested “With a bit of magic” he whispered on Lily’s ear.

“No” she whispered back.

James smiled and winked at her.

“See you in a bit” Lily kissed his cheek and ran upstairs before James or herself could react to that gesture.

“REMUS JOHN LUPIN!” James didn’t shout loudly in case anyone heard him “Sirius put me with Moony! I can’t hear him laughing in the back!”

“I tell you mate; Remus is a bloody genius” Sirius roared with laughter.

James was freaking out. Mrs. Evans had tried to make a proper conversation with him. But James started talking about how fascinating the microwave was. James didn’t know how to talk to muggles. Not because they weren’t cool. But because he was so afraid of dropping something suspicious and magical. So, James had excused himself and locked in the restroom. Luckily, he had brought the two-way mirror.

“HE IS AN IDIOT THAT’S WHAT HE IS” James spatted “Did you have any idea about this?”

“Nop…”

James raised an eyebrow

“I swear! It was all Moony’s doing. I know as much about muggles as you”

“Arrive one hour later, talk a lot about microwaves… Bloody bastard!”

His two friends laughed hysterically.

“Put me with Remus Traitor Lupin…” James frowned “Oi! Are you in my pool?” James caught a glimpse of his familiar pool at home.

“Oh hi, James” Remus appeared in the mirror, grinning like an idiot.

“Traitor!”

“Sirius said this is his house as well so he is allowed to use the pool, which is not only yours” Remus said sipping lemonade “And Sirius invited me, so”

“Ha ha ha, you’re so funny. You fucking twat”

Remus giggled.

“Lily is very important to me, okay? Therefore, her family”

“At least I gave you a sweet tuxedo” Remus said

“It was well accepted” James said “What, are you hanging out without me? Where’s Peter?”

“I didn’t invite him” Sirius’ face appeared as well

“You didn’t invite him?” Remus asked “I thought you said he couldn’t come”

“I wanted to spend the day with you” Sirius shrugged

Remus looked embarrassed, and James saw him blushing. Or maybe was the sun.

“What the actual fuck?” James teased “The pretty good best friends, ha?”

Remus and Sirius smiled. James rubbed his hair.

“Okay, I need advice. And this time GOOD ADVICE JOHN LUPIN”

“Oh, I am going to call you John now” Sirius grinned

“Don’t you dare!”

“Lily has been flirting with me, okay?” James continued “I know it. I know it! And she kissed me on the cheek…”

“Wild” Remus commented

“Use protection!” Sirius gasped

“Idiots” James rolled his eyes “I just really want to push her against the wall and kiss her senseless. But at the same time, I want to be her everything and marry her and have her babies. And I won’t be able to do that if I push her like I did last time. Like I know we are just friends, but we keep flirting and I don’t think I will be able to stand her gorgeous face and body any longer. I mean I am sweating just thinking about her. I cannot sweat!”

“Relax, Prongs” Sirius whistled

“Just be yourself” Remus suggested “Actually don’t be yourself. Be more like me. Maybe you should behave”

“I bet you would be snogging her by the end of the night” Sirius said grabbing his glass of lemonade.

“Did Effie prepare lemonade without me?” James pouted

But Sirius didn’t listen “Or if you’re lucky, you can sh…”

Remus knocked over the drink over Sirius.

“MOONY!”

“Stop talking shit, Sirius”

They started discussing, as they always did. James was used to them discussing and liking each other as nothing happened. But he was more preoccupied on the possibility of doing something with Lily. He was sweating. And then he heard footsteps outside the door.

“I gotta go, they think I am pooping”

And James hung up pocketing the mirror and exiting the bathroom.

James smiled at some people on the hall, before walking to the kitchen again.

“Napkins look good, Mrs. Evans” James announced.

Mrs. Evans laughed. She had already changed to a discreet dress and was fixing her hair.

“You look nice as well, Mrs. Evans”

“Thank you, James” Mrs. Evans blushed “You are really a wonderful young man. You remind me of my husband when he was young”

James knew Lily’s father had died a year ago. James had tried to apologize for the Snape incident. And Lily had yelled at him horrible things. But he didn’t know she had lost her father until Marlene mentioned it later that day. The good thing was that James and Lily were on good terms now. Excellent terms.

“I wish I had been able to meet him” James said “Lily speaks highly about him”

Mrs. Evans smiled as she put on some earring.

“He would’ve liked you” she said sighing.

“Who doesn’t like the incredible James”

James turned around to see Lily. She looked so beautiful, so gorgeous. She was wearing a violet dress, with a pink ribbon on her waist. The dress revealed a bit of Lily’s breasts. She was wearing a heart shaped necklace. The one she always wore. Her hair was loose with red curls going down to her waist. She was wearing makeup and red lipstick which made her lips more desirable. She was so beautiful; James felt his legs trembled a little. His heart raced.

I want her, I love her. James thought.

But even if she was a few meters away, she seemed unreachable. Forget about Quidditch. Lily was the best thing in the world.

“Wow” James sighed “You look… am…” he moved his hands from his pockets to his hair “There are no words to describe how dashing you look, darling. I mean literally wow. A piece of art”

Lily’s face adopted the same red color as her hair. She bit her lip and looked down but she was smiling.

“You are wow yourself, Potter”

James grinned. James had forgotten that Mrs. Evans was there until she laughed.

“I think Tuney is not the only one in love this evening” she said. James and Lily blushed. “Do you want to come in the car or you prefer to walk?”

“We’ll walk” Lily said smiling at James

“Be there on time, Lily”

Mrs. Evans smiled at James and followed Petunia’s moans and complains somewhere in the house. But James too concentrated in Lily’s green eyes, staring back at him.

“We are going to walk there?” James decided to break the ice

Lily smiled “Church is only a few blocks away” she explained “But Tuney wanted to arrive elegantly in a car. I bet Vernon and the rest are already there”

“Okay…” James showed her his arms for her to take it “Let’s go milady”

“I bet that in an hour I will take these horrible heels off” Lily said “Try to use heels one day”

“The next wedding, we assist, I’ll promise I wear a good pair of heels”

Lily laughed.

“Deal”

They walked talking about many things. From their families, to the war, to their plans for the future, to silly things like food or music preference. It was so easy talking to each other. There were a lot of things they actually didn’t know about each other, even if they’ve been class mates for six years. James made Lily laugh a lot. And James laughed a lot. It just felt that the two of them where the only ones in that street, in that town, in that world.

“If there was a fire in your house, what’s the first thing would save?” Lily asked

“Oh, we are going with the deep shit questions, aren’t we?”

Lily giggled.

“Amm…” James thought about the question “It depends which one is my home and who I am living with”

“I thought you were going to say your broomstick or something” Lily smiled

“I am not that shallow!” James protested

Lily laughed

“I guess if I cannot rescue my parents or anyone alive…”

Lily shook her head.

“I would save our book, me and my folks’ book”

“What book?”

“We have this family book full of photographs and paper clips, and letters we saved through the years” James explained “I remember we started it when I was six. My parents were my best friends back then, they still are. But now I have The Marauders, and you and the girls. But they are everything to me. So, if everything burns, I would like to save that”

James didn’t say this to impress Lily or anything. It was actually true. He wasn’t ashamed of having a good relationship with his parents. Because he had the best parents in the world.

But Lily was looking at him in a very different and intense way. James decided to clear his throat.

“What about you?”

Lily smiled “No. I think I cannot beat your answer, I’m afraid”

“Now I’m curious”

“I was going to say my collection of records”

“I don’t believe you” James laughed “Come on, you don’t want to tell me!”

Lily laughed too “Really that was going to be my answer, because I thought you were going to say your broomstick… Now, I look like an idiot”

“Okay, okay” James laughed “I change my answer, I would save my broomstick. Happy?”

“In that case I would save my dad’s favorite books, the ones he used to read me when I was little” Lily said “Now my answer is better than yours” she grinned

“And I am the superficial asshole again”

“Exactly” Lily giggled

“You are worse than Moony”

Lily laughed “We arrived” she announced.

James even forgot that they were heading to a wedding. Petunia’s wedding. The church was a very large building with black windows. The guests were entering the place and taking their seats. Some were chatting on the entrance. James swallowed, more people to meet and impress.

Lily stopped before stepping inside.

“I might cry I lot in there” she said “Promise to hold my hand and don’t laugh?”

James dared to take her hand right now. And he kissed her cheek.

“Promise, love” he whispered. And they stepped in.

They sat on the front rows, still holding hands. James was so happy. He felt a sort of feeling of protectiveness towards Lily. Like Lily belonged with him. Like they were meant for each other.

And suddenly he didn’t need to snog or do other things with Lily. Like he wanted to do so of course but this was ten times better than any physical pleasure. Just sitting with Lily in silence. Holding hands.

Many people asked Lily if James was her boyfriend. She simply nodded, smiled or blushed. James didn’t know what to do about it. But she wasn’t saying no. Lily whispered on James’ ear who these people were, how they were related to her, and a quick funny anecdote about them.

“That’s my father’s cousin Maurice. Legend says he hides pot in his wig”

James and Lily giggled and some people shushed them up. That made them giggle even more.

Vernon was a short, chubby lad with the largest moustache James had ever seen. He looked nervous but pleased with himself.

“We don’t particularly like each other, me and Vernon” Lily whispered “I think Tuney deserved better”

“Love is blind, they say” James answered “Although I don’t see how can I be more blind than I already am”

Lily giggled with this. She was trying so hard to contain her laughter. She looked adorable. James dared to kiss her hand. Which he was still holding.

“Lily please” Mrs. Evans warned

“Sorry”

“Sorry, Mrs. Evans. Lily is nervous” James whispered

James found Mrs. Evans was really fond of him and she smiled at him a lot.

Music started and everyone raised to receive the bride. Petunia walked in accompanied by someone who Lily said was her uncle and Petunia’s godfather since their parent couldn’t be there.

“Every child has a godfather? Because I don’t have one” James whispered as Petunia entered

“Not magical children, no”

“Maybe they should”

Lily smiled and then squeezed his hand hard. James grunted in pain.

“Sorry. She looks so beautiful and she is getting married” Lily’s eyes watered.

The ceremony was beautiful. James had assisted wizard weddings when he was a kid. He remembered more rituals, spells, magical shows and performances. But this was nothing like those. This seemed more intimate, simpler. James wanted his wedding to be like this. And then, he started fantasying about his wedding. Could it be with Lily? They could get there. And start a live together. James stared at Lily. How beautiful she was. How much she cared about her sister. James wanted to live that with Lily. Maybe in the future he hoped. For now, he was holding Lily’s hand, and he wanted to kiss her. Only once.

Even if Lily hated Vernon, the way they had looked at each other in the ceremony. Him and Petunia were truly in love. Even if Lily couldn’t understand how Petunia could love someone like that. Lily had read about that one true love in books and watch it in movies. And Lily aspired to that. Finding her one true love. It didn’t happen with any of the boys she had met.

But James was different. It wasn’t exactly love…yet. But Lily knew she had a special connection with him. She’d never laughed so hard with someone, or be so relaxed and safe with someone. She’d never wanted to snog someone so badly. She’d never fantasized about it. She’d never felt so intensely happy with someone.

The reception was held on The Evans residence. It wasn’t that big so everyone was squeezed between the living room, the dinning room, the kitchen and the backyard.

Lily went upstairs to change to flat shoes before her feet broke. So, she was ready to dance after lunch. Dance with James. Lily had been considering all afternoon if she should kiss him. Would it change things? Lily was scared of staring a relationship with him and somehow fuck it up or James being someone else. James had tried to get with Lily for three years. What if Lily accepted, the spell would break and James wouldn’t like her anymore, what if he moved on to flirt with another girl? It was easy being that way. Just friends, like being in a very comfortable bubble. But oh boy, Lily wanted to kiss him and break it so bad, but she was scared.

They chatted over food with Lily’s mother, and the new wedded.

“Congratulations Vernon, is it? I think you two look very happy together and make a lovely couple” James tried casually, but Lily could tell he was nervous because he moved his leg a lot under the table.

Vernon and Petunia were caught of guard by James' intervention. They stared at him with displeasure. Petunia whispered something in his ear and Vernon’s eyes widened. Lily squeezed her napkin under the table.

It had been in New Year’s when Vernon found out about Lily’s “condition”. She had wanted to tell him because he had proposed over Christmas and Lily wanted him to know Petunia’s family. Where he was getting into. Petunia avoided the subject, and simply replied with a ‘I’ll tell him eventually’. Lily had cornered Vernon at New Year’s party and told him everything. She even made magic without her wand, which wasn’t registered at the Ministry. Vernon ran away, started his vehicle and left for the night. He didn’t speak with Petunia for days. She was devastated. And Lily felt guilty. She tried to contact him without response. She apologized with her sister and he was furious. Eventually, the couple worked things out, otherwise they weren’t here at their wedding. But Vernon flinched every time Lily was around. Vernon was scared of her. Probably Petunia mentioned James was the same.

“Thank you, sir” Vernon simply answered. And continued chatting with his sister.

Lily felt sick. Vernon was now her family, and he was always going to look at her with disgust.

But James looked pleased “He called me, sir” he whispered smiling.

James was so pure, so amiable, so wonderful. Lily was not going to permit that either Vernon or Petunia treat him badly, even if it was their wedding.

Later that evening, many people were dancing. Others drinking and smoking now that the party had officially initiated. James and Lily were on their desserts while Vernon went on and on about the cars, he was planning on buying for him and Petunia.

“Why did you order chocolate?” Lily asked ignoring Vernon. There were two types of cake. Thanks to the various bakers on the family. One chocolate cake, one lemon cake.

“Chocolate is the best!” James protested “Moony would’ve adored this one”

“True” Lily said “But too much of a chocolate is not good”

“Why?”

“It ends up getting too sweet to enjoy. And then you hated it, and you avoid chocolate for days after that”

“That’s better than ordering lemon”

“It’s actually pretty good”

“Yeah?” James raised an eyebrow “Can I try it?”

“Can I try the chocolate one?”

James nodded grinning. Lily took a large bite of the chocolate cake, while James took a large bite of the lemon one.

“Yeah it’s not bad” James said

Lily moaned when she tasted chocolate “So good” she licked the spoon.

James looked at her amused with his cheeks slightly red. Lily decided to ignore that.

“What about the nonsense of chocolate is bad?” James asked

“I told you. Only in little amounts, otherwise is awful”

“Remus would disagree with you”

“I know” Lily smiled “What if we mix them?”

“What if we mix them indeed?” James raised an eyebrow

They both giggled as they took a bit of one flavor and a bit of the other. And put them in their mouths at the same time.

It was actually pretty good. Lily laughed. James and her hit palms happy for their discovery.

“Opposites attract” Lily said

“Even opposites cakes attract” James added

Lily thought it was true. That was them. Chocolate and Lemon cakes falling in love and making a better mixture. Lily thought they couldn’t be more different, but they complemented each other in such way, it was beautiful.

“Maybe we can make this a tradition” James said “Order different flavors and mix them up”

Tradition. James saw her in his future. Lily giggled. And Lily had never wanted him so badly. She was leaning in, ready to kiss him, snog him senseless. Even if everything changed after that. James noticed this and his expression changed, he was leaning as well…

“What car do you own, Mr. eh….”

Vernon had ignored James all evening and now he tried to chat with him, just now…

“Potter” James answered quickly, clearing his throat and rubbing his hair, kind of blushing for what they were about to do “And I don’t own cars, I own a broomstick”

Vernon jumped at the sound of that word as it was obscene. He looked around, luckily no one was there. Just the three of them. Petunia was chatting with different relatives as well as her mother. Marge was gulping more wine. Vernon’s parents were dancing.

“We don’t ride cars” James said “We…” he looked around and leaned over whispering “wizards”

Vernon jumped again and blinked hard.

“I see…” Vernon said, he looked around trying to find an escape, regretting his decision of chatting with James in the first place “Then your kind… doesn’t have very much money, I assume? For having…eh… tricks?”

Lily almost laughed. She had tried to explain what her world was like, but they never payed her attention.

“Oh no” James laughed “We have money just like you, in fact my family owns a big portion of money. Not to brag or anything. And I just buy the best broom on the market just like you own the best muggle transport…”

“James…” Lily hissed

Vernon looked disgusted and scared.

“And we have a bank and everything to store our money, Gringotts. Guarded by goblins” James nodded and took a sip of his wine “The most secure place in the world they say”

“James…”

“It must be some sort of joke” Vernon grunted “Did I hear correctly? Go-goblins? Guarding your money?”

“Yeah. They are very serious when it comes to money” James nodded

Lily sighed. Vernon looked purple now.

“Are you mocking me? Are you truly laughing in my face?” Vernon snaped “Lily…”

It was the first time he said her name in a long time

“You bring a fool to my wedding so that he can mock me?”

“I am telling the truth!” James protested, but Lily grabbed his arm

“Nonsense!” Vernon raised up “I don’t like your behavior mister. I very well hope you had too much wine to justify your loose tongue. Excuse me” And with that he stormed out of the table towards his new wife.

“Very rude! I was telling the truth… I was very well telling the truth. You know that” James protested “Fuck, sorry, darling. Maybe I should go there and apologize…”

“No, it’s fine”

“Lils, I don’t want to be on bad terms with your family. They are very important to me because you are”

Lily’s heart started racing.

“Let me just…”

But before James could move, Lily kissed him. Lily, never in her life, had done something so reckless without thinking about it before. But there she was. She wanted to avoid more chaos, but the main reason was that she had been wanting to do that since the end of their first kiss, back in June.

James was shocked at first. But then, he responded to the kiss. And he moved in a way that sent shivers down her spine. After they were done, Lily smiled embarrassed. Her face was hot and red.

She snorted “Do you know how to dance?”

“What?” James was still in shock which was adorable.

“You don’t?” Lily said “Don’t worry. I will show you”

She took James’ hand and she dragged him to the dance floor.

“You have to put your hands on my waist” she instructed avoiding the urge to kiss him again and the embarrassment she felt. James obeyed.

“I’ve heard dancing involves a lot of kissing as well” James said

Lily laughed and everything was back to normal. Lily decided that was a green flag to kiss him again.

“Now focus” Lily laughed and wrapped her arms around James’ shoulders. He smelled so good. “Now we have to sway to the music”

Lily closed her eyes feeling her heart beats mixing with James’. She placed her head on James’ chest, confirming how much his heart raced. If this wasn’t love, it must be something very similar.

“Am I doing it correctly?” James whispered

“Perfectly fine”

“The dancing or the kissing?”

Lily laughed “Both”

“You’re good at both as well, gorgeous”

Lily loved when he called her gorgeous.

The rest of the evening was wonderful. They decided not to worry about anything and had a good time. They drank, ate more, danced a lot, sang a lot. And kiss a lot.

Petunia and Vernon left for their honeymoon at some point before sunset. The party continued. And Lily didn’t realize there were actually many people leaving, but the party was still on.

“I’m tired!” Lily announced after a while collapsing on her chair. She had to be fair, she was slightly drunk. Maybe more than slightly. “Do you want to take me to my room?”

When Lily saw that James went red as a tomato, she laughed. “Just to tug me in bed and then leave, you little perv” she was definitely drunk.

James seemed drunk as well. But many years of experience of after match parties, made him resist alcohol a bit more. James smiled widely. Then kissed her.

“You’re so gorgeous” he said

“So, do you” Lily said and they kissed again.

They climbed upstairs making sure they weren’t seen by the rest of the guests, specially Mrs. Evans. But she seemed too busy being host.

As soon as they got there, Lily collapsed on the bed. Her bed. James seemed unsure to be there. He was such a gentleman.

“I don’t bite” Lily grinned “Com’ere”

James lied beside Lily. Within the silence of the room, Lily could clearly hear his heart beats and his heavy breathing. James was nervous. Which made Lily want him more.

“I want your jacket so I can have your smell when you leave” Lily concluded that alcohol in her system was like Varitaserum.

James laughed “At this rhythm you’re going to strip me down”

Lily blushed at this, and her body felt warmer at the thought of a naked James.

“Here…”

Lily sat down and let James place the jacket around her. And she was happy she asked for it, it smelled really nice, just like James. She lied down again next to James. But James was already kissing her. And she kissed him back. James was being so nice. He respected when she wanted to stop, they giggled for a while and continued. James tried not to touch her where she didn’t want to or felt too uncomfortable. He didn’t even try to take off her clothes.

They stopped kissing after a while but facing the ceiling. Then Lily dared to hold his hand. They stared at each other only through the moonlight.

“I had a wonderful time” James whispered “Thank you for inviting me, beautiful”

“I am going to miss you for the rest of the summer” she whispered back, now closing her eyes. She was getting sleepy.

“Me too, Lils”

Lily knew he wanted to ask the question. What were they? Were they a couple now?

I love you. I love you. I love you. But I am scared of you getting tired of me. I am scared of this feeling being over.

“Would you stay with me until I fall asleep?” that’s what she said instead.

“Of course” James whispered before kissing her forehead.

Lily slowly drifted to sleep.

The next day, Lily woke surrounded by James’ scent. She smiled. She was still wearing James’ jacket. Lily hugged it, like it was James himself. She giggled. In the pocket, she found a strange pocket mirror. And a note that said:

With this, we will be able to talk and see each other until the end of summer. So, the longing would not be eternal.

Love,

James.

#harry potter #marauders #marauders era #marauders fanfiction #james potter #lily evans #jily #jily fanfiction #james x lily #remus lupin #sirius black #petunia dursley #vernon dursley

45 notes · View notes

jeongyunhoed · 3 years

Photo

The 100-Day Relationship

alternatively titled: 10 Months Love

Member: Seonghwa Pairing: Seonghwa/OC Group: ATEEZ

Genre: Fluff, romance, comedy, tiny bit of angst (if you squint), fake dating

Summary: When wealthy socialite Juhyun is facing pressure to bring a date to the biggest wedding of the year and the beginning of the social season among the elite, she hurriedly asks an old college schoolmate, Park Seonghwa to be her boyfriend for the entire season. The longer they put up appearances, the more they realize that they never want the arrangement to end.

Things to note: Art curator!Seonghwa, a lot of expensive-ness going on. Other idols are mentioned as well (if you’ve read my fics, you know there will be). Tag list is forever open if you want to keep tabs on this fic, hehet!

Warnings: Some cussing, we’ll be feeling poor and broke with what’s in here.

Tag list: @closer-stars , @masterninjacow , @kunrengui

Masterlist

Chapter 2

“So who is he?” Kibum asked the next day over breakfast.

Kim Kibum was the son of the Kims that owned a chain of hotels and condominiums. The very building Juhyun lived in was owned by his family. The youngest son, he was a dedicated bachelor while his older siblings did all the corporate work. Kibum was also Juhyun’s best friend and constant date if she needed someone for an event, but she thought it would definitely change this time.

“Who is who?” Juhyun raised a brow.

“The guy you were with yesterday, grocery bags and all, I told you to call me after that meeting you had but you didn’t,” Kibum grinned. “So, who was he?”

“Park Seonghwa, he’s an old schoolmate of mine, and the guy,” Juhyun paused. “The guy I have arranged to be my boyfriend for this entire social season…?” She looked at him, a little wary about what she revealed.

Kibum gaped at her, unable to hide the surprise as he tried to understand what she did for a few seconds. “Juhyun….really? Are you that desperate?”

Juhyun rolled her eyes at him. “No, well, maybe, but seeing as Jihan practically humiliated me when he cheated, I’m taking any chance I get. Seonghwa knows and understands what we’re going to get ourselves into anyway.”

“Does Jinri know about this? You ought to tell the bride you’re bringing a plus one, given that she’s been bridezilla these past few weeks,” Kibum joked while taking a sip of his mimosa.

“I didn’t need to. Jinri just assumed I’d be bringing someone, she always says it’s in case I finally move on from Jihan,” She sighed. “Well, any day now, I’d have to meet Seonghwa again to go dress shopping.”

“Dress shopping? You mean no designer’s dressing you yet?” Kibum raised a brow.

“No, because they’re all occupied with the other people attending this wedding and their parents,” Juhyun shook her head. “I figured I’d reuse the blue Elie Saab gown I only wore once and it was during a magazine’s anniversary party. I was only there for 20 minutes anyway.”

Kibum sat up. “Either way, I’m looking forward to meeting Seonghwa, probably make him squirm about your relationship-”

Juhyun slapped his arm. “You will not. Now that you know that Seonghwa and I are pretending to be dating, I won’t let him be subject to your foolishness,” She blew a raspberry at him, making him laugh out loud.

“Alright fine. Anyway, you’re coming with me to Macau, right? I promised Elise I would be meeting her there.”

Juhyun raised a brow at the name. “Elise? Your new pursuit?”

“We’ve only been seeing each other for a month, Juhyun, I doubt it would last, but maybe I could still see her long enough until after the wedding.”

“I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the two of you, and yes I’ll be going.”

That gave him an idea. “Ah, why don’t you bring Seonghwa along? We could have it like a double date,” He suggested.

It was Juhyun’s turn to look surprised. “...What?”

“Bring Seonghwa along. We’re taking my jet anyway, and it’s likely that Elise and I won’t be leaving our hotel room so I might not have time to take you around while we’re there,” Kibum winked, making her cringe.

“I-I guess I’ll try and see if he’s free,” Juhyun shrugged. “I can’t promise you that he’ll agree to come, we haven’t even set the date for when I’ll go dress shopping yet either, much less Jinri announcing when the wedding shower is.”

“You’ll never know if you don’t ask,” Kibum pointed out. “Tell him I asked, I really did ask you to bring him along after all.”

They sat up when they heard the elevator doors open in the hall. “Unnie,” They heard the voice of her sister Jihyun, sounding even more chipper than the last time she came to visit. Juhyun’s sister Jihyun, was known among society circles for her fashion sense. She was also dating Moon Bin, a celebrity choreographer, the two of them having been together for 4 years, one year more than when she and Jihan dated.

Juhyun and Kibum got up to see her. “Yeah?” She asked.

“I was- Oh hi Kibum,” Jihyun waved at him before handing Juhyun a lavender envelope. “That’s for the upcoming epilepsy benefit. It’s next week.”

Juhyun looked through the contents of the envelope. “Jihyun, did you know, your sister’s bringing a date,” Kibum suddenly said, making her nudge him hard. He laughed out loud, amused at her reaction.

Jihyun’s ears perked up. “...Who is it? It’s you, isn’t it?”

“Believe it or not, it’s not me,” Kibum thought to egg her on. “Juhyun’s got a boyfriend, the two of them have been seeing each other for a while now too.”

“Kibum!” Juhyun nudged him hard again, and he laughed even more.

Jihyun stared at her. “Well? Who is he? What’s his name? And more importantly, why haven’t you said anything?”

“Park Seonghwa, an old schoolmate of mine, he owns the Mars Art Gallery,” Juhyun replied. “And I didn’t want to jinx it. Things have been going very well,” She added, Kibum trying his hardest to stifle his laughter.

“What does he look like?” She could tell Jihyun was trying not to squeal with how unusually calm she sounded.

Juhyun took her phone out, showing her the selca they took together, leaning away when, as she expected, Jihyun squealed. “Oh my god, unnie … He’s gorgeous! Okay now I have to meet him when you bring him to the benefit, okay?” Jihyun brought out her own phone, tapping furiously that Juhyun knew she was telling their parents. “I have to go, I just came by to give you that invitation and now I’m glad I did! See you at the benefit, unnie! Bye Kibum!” She rushed back to the hall where the elevator was.

As soon as they heard the doors close again, Juhyun nudged Kibum again. “You really had to tell her, didn’t you?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

Kibum laughed. “Come on, Juhyun, think of that as a trial run before the wedding. Seonghwa will be better prepared by the big day once you bring him along to Macau, and at that benefit we now have to go to.”

“Alright, but because you’re insisting I bring him along, you are now sworn to secrecy,” Juhyun beamed. “If you tell, I’ll tell everyone you’re marrying Elise.”

Kibum feigned surprise then nodded. “Alright, you drive a hard bargain. This whole thing is safe with me.”

Hongjoong gaped at his friend. Seonghwa invited him over to eat lunch at the gallery, along with both their longtime friends who also worked for him, Kang Yeosang and Jeong Yunho, when he told all of them what was going on. Hongjoong worked as a producer for A Entertainment, but he also had a side gig as a street fashion designer, having launched capsule collections that were regular fixtures at Seoul Fashion Week. Seonghwa could argue that Hongjoong was also one of the few that actually succeeded in pursuing their major, and in Hongjoong’s case, it was music production. “...Are you joking?” Yunho managed to ask, and Seonghwa shook his head.

“Really? Was that why she was talking to you?” Hongjoong chimed in.

“Yes. It-It’s just for this whole social season she’s got going on and she said after all of that we won’t have to have anything to do with each other anymore,” Seonghwa explained.

“And you’re okay with this? “ Hongjoong raised a brow, wanting to be sure. “People of her kind of crowd aren’t exactly the nicest.”

“I know, I know, but I can hold my own, you’re making it sound as if I don’t deal with those types on an almost regular basis, rich stiffs tend to buy paintings from the gallery,” Seonghwa pointed out. “But I know Juhyun, I know she isn’t like that. She’s the opposite of a rich stiff. I mean, she’s rich, but she’s no stiff.”

“I do know that, we all know that, we’ve all gone to school with her,” Yunho spoke. “It’s the people in her circle that we know are those rich stiffs you’re talking about.”

“Well, I won’t say I’m not concerned, but who knows, maybe you’ll blend right in,” Yeosang commented. “Looks like the gallery’s going to get a ton of publicity once Seonghwa makes his society debut.”

The art curator frowned as they tucked back into their food. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and he paused eating to take it out. It was a message from Juhyun.

Epilepsy benefit next week. My sister’s dying to meet you already. Think we can meet tomorrow?

An amused smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and it didn’t go unnoticed by his three friends. “That was her, wasn’t it?” Hongjoong eyed him.

“As a matter of fact, it is,” Seonghwa replied coolly before typing his reply.

Sure. We can meet at that cafe again for lunch?

Seconds later, he saw a response.

It’s a deal.

“What did she say this time?” Yunho asked, wiping his mouth with a tissue.

“We’ve got our first event to go to next week. It’s an epilepsy benefit and we’re meeting tomorrow to go over the details, I guess,” He said. “And her sister wants to meet me.”

“Her sister? Choi Jihyun?!” Hongjoong’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, the same Choi Jihyun who is already dating that choreographer from F Entertainment,” Seonghwa remembered, making the shorter male frown and Yeosang and Yunho snicker. “I don’t think she’s willing to leave that guy for you either.”

Yunho and Yeosang burst into fits of laughter.

Seonghwa arrived at the cafe the next day, quickly taking the table close to the counter so he could look at the menu while he waited. He wondered what they were planning to do today while also thinking of what his friends had said. It was Juhyun’s friends that they were wary of, and he should be wary of them too. He still wanted to make a good impression. There was the publicity his art gallery was going to have once they go public.

“Hey.”

He snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Juhyun, looking a little embarrassed yet for some odd reason she looked different. It was then he realized that they seemed to be wearing the same pattern on their clothes; blue polo stripes against white, her blouse with his dress shirt under his blue blazer. If anything, they looked like a couple attending a gala on a yacht. “Hi,” He got up to greet her.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry,” Juhyun said. “And what a coincidence too,” She gestured to their clothes, making the two of them chuckle. Seonghwa gestured for her to sit down and she sat across from him.

“I came just a little before you did so you weren’t late at all,” He assured her. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“Just the raspberry iced tea?” Juhyun replied.

“Got it, I’ll be back,” He smiled, padding towards the counter.

Juhyun watched him, thinking about what Kibum told her. One of those social events would definitely have her parents in attendance, and the fact that her sister was aware of her so-called “relationship” with Seonghwa, it wouldn’t be surprising if they and their friends already knew and were trying to find out more about him. She just hoped he was prepared for it.

He returned a moment later, holding the tray with their drinks and set it down. “So what’s going to happen at this benefit? Other than your sister wanting to meet me?” He sounded eager.

“Well, my sister is an understatement, pretty much everyone who knows me will want to know who you are and how we met and what family you’re from, what business you own or specialize in, all of that stuff,” Juhyun swirled her straw in her drink.

“Oh, right, well, at least we have that covered. What time should I pick you up?” Seonghwa took a sip of his tea, looking at the invitation Juhyun slid towards him. “...Wow, this benefit seems huge,” He read the rest of the details. “It’s hard to book a function room in this hotel. Everything had to be made six months in advance,” It made him think of one high-profile exhibit he ended up hosting and the headache it caused him trying to book a venue months in advance.

“8:30, how about that? Cocktails are at seven, but I’d rather not go in for the small talk,” Juhyun frowned at the thought. The last thing she wanted to do at an event like that was to pretend to be friendly with everyone, including Jihan.

“It’s okay with me,” He nodded. “What time should we leave?”

“Because I don’t plan on staying there very long, 8:45?” Juhyun asked. Seonghwa stared at her incredulously. “I know it seems like a waste of effort, but really, events like that are incredibly boring.”

“So why do you even go in the first place?” Seonghwa was confused. He never understood why people of her stature would only afford to be at a black-tie event for a few minutes at a time.

“They’re also expecting I shell out some money to the cause, and it’s a good cause, I just don’t like who I have to mingle with for the sake of that cause,” Juhyun looked down as she took a sip of her drink. “And, for the sake of being petty, I plan on showing up on Jihan and Eunbi, which is why I asked you to meet me, because today’s a day we have to prepare for those events.”

“Prepare?”

“Yeah,” Juhyun nodded. “We’re going to go shopping for your suits.”

Seonghwa froze. “...Today?”

“Yeah, I have to look for a dress too because I only have one dress to recycle, and Jinri is going to demand to see what I plan to wear now before she freaks out later, yeah, you’ll meet her in the events too,” Juhyun added.

“Alright then, so where do we go first?”

“Department store, for your suits. I know just the place, well, it’s the only acceptable place to get fitted for suits in my opinion, I’ve never seen guys walk out of that place not looking good,” Juhyun said with a knowing look.

Seonghwa raised a brow. “...where is it?”

Juhyun smiled. “It’s an old place, but it’s great.”

They were standing in front of a Huntsman boutique at the topmost floor of the department store a while later. “This is what I was talking about…” Juhyun said quietly, glancing at him to see his reaction.

“...Here?” Seonghwa couldn’t hide how surprised he was.

“Yeah, what do you think? If you don’t want to, it’s okay, we can always go to where you usually get your suits…” Juhyun said, hoping she didn’t overstep any lines with him.

“No, no, it’s- I just only thought this was like the Kingsman movie for some reason,” Seonghwa assured her.

“You’ll need a few more suits for every event, and this is usually my father’s go-to shop whenever he has events, and these suits are made to last too,” Juhyun recalled what her father would always tell her mother. She took his hand. “Let’s go inside, we’re catching them on a quiet day.”

She led him inside the store, and Seonghwa looked at everything in awe. “Ah, Ms. Choi, hello,” He heard a man greet her, making him snap out of his momentary daze.

“Hello Basil, this is my boyfriend, Seonghwa,” She introduced them, Seonghwa immediately bowing. “He needs a few suits for this season.”

“Ah yes, busy time of year,” Basil replied, looking him up and down. “He has the built for a suit like ours, I’ll get your measurements and you could pick the fabric,” He gestured to the large rolls of fabric on the shelves behind the desk.

“Send me the total and I’ll make some calls,” Juhyun said. “Sorry, I know, I know what you’re already thinking,” She flashed Seonghwa a sheepish grin. “I promise everything else is on you to spend on me.”

“Now I’m getting nervous on how much I have to spend on you,” He teased.

“I swear I’m not as fancy as I probably seem right now, I don’t even go in here a lot,” She pointed out with a chuckle. “I buy my clothes where everyone buys their clothes.”

“I know, and I don’t doubt that at all,” Seonghwa kissed her cheek, the two of them freezing for a moment at the sudden display of affection. Juhyun felt her cheeks heat up, partly in embarrassment as it happened in front of Basil.

She watched Seonghwa get measured, eyes traveling to the fabrics as she tried to compose herself. She was initially worried about insisting on everything so far, but she was relieved that he was okay with whatever she showed him. “All the men in my family come to this tailor for their suits. Basil worked in the actual Savile Row shop,” She eyed the tailor, who just smiled.

Seonghwa looked impressed, lifting his arms when the tailor went to run a measuring tape along them. “Oh yes, Ms. Choi’s family have been loyal patrons at the Savile Row boutique. I remember having to measure your grandfather,” He replied. “I would personally recommend a navy blue velvet tuxedo jacket for one, bespoke of course.”

Juhyun nodded, giving Seonghwa an assuring look as well, sensing that he was still trying to get used to getting fitted. “Sure, h-how long until it’s done?” He spoke this time.

“For Ms. Choi’s date? Six weeks at the most, both of you won’t need to worry,” Basil assured them.

“Oh, now I see why we had to go here early,” Seonghwa’s eyes widened.

The two of them were walking along the dress boutiques a while later, stopping every now and then to look at the designs displayed on the mannequins. “There’s something else I have to talk to you about,” She said, as they stopped in front of a slightly more colorful dress shop. “My friend Kibum, he owns the building I live in, he’s inviting us to go with him to Macau.”

“Macau?” Seonghwa asked curiously.

“Macau,” Juhyun nodded. “He’s inviting you too to come with me, keep me company or something like that because he’s meeting his girlfriend there.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “Really?”

“Yeah. He also wants to meet you. He’s one of my best friends. We’re taking his jet so you don’t have to worry about tickets or anything.”

“Alright then, I think I can leave for a week or something,” Seonghwa nodded. He hadn’t traveled in a while. Neither did Juhyun, who seemed especially surprised at his answer. The two of them figured they still had some getting to know each other to do. He noticed the green and black dress behind the mannequin. “That dress seems like it would look good on you,” He gestured to the display, making her turn around.

“You think so?” Juhyun nodded, looking at the details. “Let’s ask inside then.”

They quietly entered the shop, seeing all the mannequins dressed in long ball gowns and tuxedos. There were photos of celebrities on the walls having worn some of the dresses that were proudly on display, including the dress they were looking at. Juhyun rang the little bell on the desk, and her expression fell when out from the backroom was none other than Kim Eunbi herself, who looked just as disappointed to see her.

“Oh, well, well, well, if it isn’t Choi Juhyun and,” She tilted her head. “Park Seonghwa, right? Jihan told me about your new...squeeze.”

“Hello Eunbi,” Juhyun replied. “I was going to inquire about the dress on that display at the window-”

“Nice, isn’t it? I was inspired by The Devil Wears Prada, Seo Yeji went head over heels for that number, but you’re no Seo Yeji,” Eunbi pointed out.

“Of course I’m not Seo Yeji, I have a different name,” Juhyun quipped back.

Eunbi’s expression stiffened. “Well, if you think I’m going to sell you that dress, you’re probably kidding yourself. Off you go, chop chop,” She gestured them to go away.

“...Excuse me?” Seonghwa blurted out. He could feel his blood boil at the rudeness that was in front of him.

Eunbi laughed a mocking laugh. “Go on, chop chop, before I close this shop out of an abundance of caution. As if I would give any of you the pleasure of wearing my creations.”

Juhyun calmly nodded and turned on her heel. “Come, there are other places to shop,” She muttered to him, and he followed, his free hand curling into a fist as they closed the door, walking down the other direction to the other boutiques.

“If I didn’t care enough, I would’ve lost it at the way she treated you,” Seonghwa frowned as they walked.

“I kind of expected it anyway the moment I realized she owned that shop,” Juhyun said.

“If she knows who you are, she should’ve honestly feared you, you might have her kicked out of this place or something,” Seonghwa said.

“Maybe, since my family owns this department store.”

Seonghwa gaped at her. “Then all the more you should’ve done something, have her kicked out for being rude to you, she doesn’t deserve to be here, she doesn’t deserve to run her own line at all if she’s going to be like that.”

“I know, but it’s not worth my time, I’ve got other things to worry about, like what we’re going to do in Macau or something,” Juhyun chuckled, linking her arm with his. “Why would I waste my time trying to ruin her when I know I’m better off where I am anyway?”

That seemed to make him feel better, but he figured he’d say something if Eunbi tried to do anything again if they were going to see each other at the events. Seonghwa placed his hand over hers. “...Since we’re going to be a couple for this social season, we’d better get comfortable like this, wouldn’t we?”

“Yeah, for a second I was worried that this might come off too strong or something,” Juhyun chuckled, squeezing his arm, feeling the muscle tense under her fingers.

“If we’re going to be believable, coming off too strong on each other is probably what’s needed,” Seonghwa agreed with a knowing look. “We’re going crazy like Jackson Pollock on his canvas.”

“Are you going to make art puns this whole time?” She laughed at the comparison.

“Maybe, hey, you’re supposedly dating an art curator, and I know my art,” Seonghwa grinned. “Want to get some ice cream before we go back to shopping?”

“Just the ice cream. I think after today, I’ll just figure out what I’ll be wearing for the next few months.”

42 notes · View notes

ourloveisforthelovely · 3 years

Text

Alive Again Part 1

Harry Potter AU

Summary: What if Regulus didn't die? What if Kreacher didn't see "everything" that happened in the cave that night? You have spent three years thinking that your lover was dead. Now you may have a second chance at life.

Pairings: Regulus Black x Reader

Rating: M

_______

Regulus lay several inches below the surface of the water as you ran down to him.

“Reggie! No, no, no...Regulus wake up. Reggie, come back.”

You reached into the water enough to wrap your hands around the lapels of his vest and yanked hard. When his eyes snapped open, you screamed. Where your lover’s gorgeous eyes had once been was milky, cloudy, and white.

Inferius...your husband was dead and now replaced with a zombie-like monster. The moment that you tried to pull away his hand reached up and wrapped around your wrist. You thrashed backward trying to pull away.

“Let go! Let go!”

You screamed. No matter how much you tried, Regulus pulled harder. The moment you fell into the lake you inhaled and tried to kick hard. You had to keep your head above water. With each kick, Regulus’ grip increased until his arms were around you fully. He pulled you further and further down into the murky water of the lake. You wanted to scream at the blank ghostly expression on his face.

“Regulus, stop! You’ll kill me!”

You screamed internally as your lungs began to ache with the need to breathe. Reaching out, you tugged hard on Regulus’ curls as they floated around his head.

“Reggie.”

You whined again as the world began to fade to black…

You snapped awake the moment that there was a knock on your door. Sitting up, you were drenched with sweat and panting. That dream again! That blasted dream that haunted your sleep every night since Regulus died.

“Mistress are you awake?”

Kreacher’s voice came from the other side of the door before he popped in. The elf was holding a tray with a silver teacup on it.

“Good morning, Kreacher.”

You said, trying to calm down. The elf snapped his finger making some nice hot tea appear in the up.

“Kreacher thinks Mistress needs some tea. You sounded dreadful this morning. Were you having your dream again?”

You only nodded as the elf stroked your hand.

“Master Regulus died a hero, mistress. He loved you very much. Now, why don’t you get up and have some fresh air? Mistress has breakfast waiting. She wanted me to let you know that she has little mistress Astaria awake and ready.”

Kreacher mentioning Regulus’ name made your heart.

“That will do, Kreacher. Tell Walburga that I will be down in a moment.”

Once Kreacher was gone, you put your hand in your hands before focusing on your engagement ring. It had been almost three years since Regulus went away on a mission and didn’t return. It wasn’t until Kreacher told you what happened did you actually know what happened.

To say that you were devastated was an understatement! You were a new wife and about to be a mother. You were not supposed to be a widow...not this quickly. Had it not been for Walburga, you weren't sure what you would have done. She swooped in and picked you right up off of your feet. Maybe you helped her as much as she helped you. Walburga was getting over her husband’s death now her favorite son was dead. You were the last tangible family member that she had. Knowing that both her daughter in law and granddaughter needed her was enough to keep her hobbling along.

You quickly dressed before setting your eyes on your wedding photo. You couldn’t help but smile. Everything was so perfect that day! Regulus had his arms wrapped around you smiling happily. It was one of the few times that he smiled. You were so used to his serious calculating nature that the genuine smile warmed your heart whenever you saw the photo.

Beside Regulus stood your brother Evan. Evan was a difficult subject for you. He had fallen apart since Regulus died. Losing his best friend was a gut punch that your older brother never recovered from. He was still a death eater but was becoming more and more reckless with each passing day. You were, unfortunately, waiting to get notice of Evan Rosier’s death.

Walking down the stairs, your thoughts were still on Regulus’ death. After he died, you could have returned to the Rosier family home but you didn’t. You didn’t want to leave Walburga alone in the cold dark home that she inhabited.

“Good morning, my dear.”

Walburga’s voice pulled you from your thoughts. The older woman sat in front of Astaria as she happily nibbled on bite-sized pieces of toast.

“Good morning. Did she wake you?”

Walburga smiled and stroked her granddaughter’s messy curls. Everything about Astaria reminded Walburga of her son. She had Regulus’ curly hair, serious expression, and pouty lips.

“Not at all. I was awake when she started making her adorable little noises.”

Never in a million years did you ever think that Walburga Black would say anything was adorable. In the beginning, you were petrified of your mother in law. You had known Walburga since you were a child. As your aunt Druella had married Walbruga’s brother had had three girls; you were very well known with the Black family.

You grew up with Regulus. Maybe that’s what made his death even more painful. The two of you were the same age and were always playing with Evan, Andromeda, Bella, and Narcissa. Sirius never seemed interested in anything that the lot of you had going on.

“We are having a party.”

Walburga’s casual comment pulled you from the memories of your privileged childhood.

“Excuse me?”

Walburga smiled.

“I decided that it's time for a party. It's been a long time since there has been some life around here. I only wish everyone could be here.”

You closed your eyes envisioning the Black Family Tapestry. Regulus was gone. Bella was in prison and Andromeda was blown off never to be spoken of again.

At least the promise of seeing Narcissa was promising. Narcissa took extra steps to baby Astaria. She and Lucius would periodically swoop in and take the two of you on pricey vacations with their little boy Draco.

“Me too. It will be nice, mum. You’re right. We do need some life around here.”

Walburga stood with a smile and lovingly fluffed your hair.

“I would like you to wear the green dress that you wore for your engagement party. That dress was lovely. I even got a lovely little dress for Astoria. It will be good fun.”

(The next night) Walburga’s party turned out to be a bigger success than you had expected. A ton of people, that you didn’t know, showed up. You found yourself wondering how in the world Walurga knew half of these people also.

“Y/n, darling!”

Your attention went from the faces of strangers to Narcissa who had eagerly pulled you into a hug.

‘Cissy, it's so good to see you. Lucius, hello.

Lucius stepped forward and gently kissed your hand.

“Narcissa is right. You do look extremely lovely. It appears that Astaria is growing. She’s lovely.”

You smiled at your daughter who was busy playing with Draco.

“Draco too. He’s a charming little boy.”

Lucius smiled, proudly.

“I’ll let you ladies have at it. I’m going to visit some other associates.”

Narcissa nodded as her husband left. The two of you sat down and sipped on champagne Narcissa was the first to speak.

“There are some good looking men here.”

You nodded, casually. The truth was, you hadn’t really looked at any of the men in the room. You had felt any kind of drive to move on.

“I guess there is.”

Narcissa’s smile faded.

“Darling, it's been nearly three years.”

As you considered what your comment was going to be, your attention landed on someone standing in the doorway. You felt your mouth drop. That face...it was the fact that you had been missing for so long.

“Regulus!”

You nearly choked on your drink. Narcissa looked as stunned as you were as you tossed your cocktail on the floor. You nearly jumped over a couple of old people. Had your evening gown not gotten in the way, there was an old witch that would have been a small hurdle in your path.

Stopping a few inches away from him. Your mouth was hanging open as you tried to decide if this was a dream. Everything looked the same; the same hair, the same mouth, and the same eyes. Your heart ached to look at his eyes. Regulus’ eyes...they were right not like the inferi.

“Hi, darling.”

His voice...it was the same. This had to be one of the cruelest dreams ever! Regulus stepped forward and wrapped his arms around your waist.

“Touch me.”

Regulus said, hoarsely. It didn’t take him being in love with you since childhood to know that you were scared out of your mind. Regulus didn’t want to admit it but you were always a bit delicate. Maybe that's why he was so excited about the betrothal that his parents offered.

You raised a shaky hand and stroked his cheek. Regulus was so warm! In dreams, he was never warm. His skin was always cold and corpse-like.

“Reggie!”

You squealed his name before jumping in his arms. This was the moment that you had in good dreams. Holding Regulus again was the one thing that you wanted more than anyone in the world!

Regulus, meanwhile, was as happy as you were. He kept his hold on you for a long time before slowly letting you down.

“Come with me.”

Regulus wasn’t ready to face his mother yet. His sights were only on you at the moment.

You followed Regulus into the small sitting room. He closed the door before turning to face you.

“I’ve missed you.”

“How are you alive? Kreacher told me...that you were pulled into that lake. How are you alive? Evan said that you would be part of the inferi now.”

Regulus’ smile fell.

“Can’t it be enough that I’m alive?”

“I deserve to know. I’ve been mourning you for almost three years.”

Regulus glanced over his shoulder before quickly walking to you and leaning down. He didn’t want anyone to overhear.

“Kreacher didn’t see it all. He saw me be pulled into the lake. I was able to get loose but I was trapped as a prisoner in that cave. You can thank Voldemort for that. He probably got my sassy note and wanted to see me suffer. I’m sorry, Y/n, but there are some things that you don’t need to know.”

You didn’t like that response. Somehow, you would get the information out of Regulus but for now, you would be thankful that your husband was alive.

______

@brokencasbutt67-writer

@authoressskr

@fandom-trash-worth-it

@hankypranky

@summer-novak

@li0nh34rt

@tas898

@stuckinsaudi1

@shadows-and-padlocked-hearts

@knight-of-gleefulness

@marichromatic

@maggioli-m

@shaylybaby2032

@emiwrites3reads

@wontlookaway

@shitfaceddaniel

@untoldshortsofthefandoms

@deanwherescas

@sprnaturallover

#Regulus Black #Regulus Black x Reader #timothee chalamet as regulus black #regulus arcturus black #walburga black #orion black #narcissa malfoy #lucius malfoy #Draco Malfoy #evan rosier #rosier family #harry potter au #regulus black fanfiction #Alive Again

125 notes · View notes

louezem · 4 years

Text

Saying Yes

Summary: Katniss and Peeta had a bitter break up years ago and went their separate ways. Katniss knows nothing of Peeta’s life now, until a stunning blonde walks into the exclusive bridal salon were she works, to buy her a dress for her wedding - to Peeta Mellark.

Part Four - Sisters…..

Part 4 - Sisters

“Prim? Are you here?”

Katniss threw her keys and bag down and toed off her shoes with a sigh of relief. It had been a long and frustrating day at work. All she wanted was to shower, eat and then sleep.

“I’m in the kitchen!” her sister replied. “Dinner’s almost ready!”

Katniss offered up a silent prayer of thanks that she wouldn’t have to face another takeout or frozen pizza for dinner tonight. She knew how to cook but was lazy about it when she only had to cook for herself. Prim, however, loved to cook.

She followed the delicious aroma wafting down the narrow hall to the tiny kitchen. It was barely big enough to hold a small table and 2 chairs, but Prim had set it with the nice plates and cutlery and a small bud vase holding a single, yellow dandelion.

“What’s all this?” Katniss waved at the table. “It’s not my birthday.”

“Does it need to be a special occasion for me to show my appreciation for my favorite sister?” Prim asked, lifting a spoon to her mouth and offering it to her for a taste.

“Mmm, that’s so good.” Katniss licked her lips. “It tastes familiar. What’s in it?”

“It’s lamb stew with dried plums.” Prim smiled as she added an extra dash of red wine to the simmering pot. “I remembered how much you love it and I thought I’d try to recreate the recipe. Besides, lamb was on special at the market today.”

Still thrifty with the budget. Katniss thought. Old habits die hard.

“Go get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. I just need to warm up some crusty bread to go with this.”

“I love you, little duck,” Katniss said, pulling her sister in for a hug.

“I love you more, duck potato,” Prim grinned.

An hour later and Katniss was feeling full and sleepy as she curled on the sofa with her legs tucked under her, sipping on a second glass of red wine.

“Thank you Prim, that was wonderful,” she sighed, patting her full tummy. “I always appreciate a home cooked meal but I thought you had plans to go to the movies with Rory tonight?”

“I did but he caught an extra shift so I decided to come over and bug you instead.” Prim said, joining her on the sofa.

“So, did you happen to catch any news today? Hear any juicy celebrity gossip at work?” she asked, taking a sip from her own wineglass.

Katniss looked sideways at her sister, wondering why she was asking such an odd question. Prim knew Katniss was not big on the news or gossip – celebrity or otherwise.

“No, I was run off my feet all day. I don’t have time for gossip. There’s a trunk show on all week and they can get a little crazy.”

“Huh,” Prim starting tapping on the screen of her obnoxiously large smart phone. “Then you haven’t seen this?” She slowly turned the phone screen to face her sister.

Katniss fought to keep her composure as she watched the images unfold in front of her. The video captured a gorgeous smiling couple standing close together, hands intwined, on a gilded balcony overlooking the park. A fireworks display was lighting up the night sky behind them. Once the fireworks come to an end the couple and their guests start to clap and cheer and someone pops a champagne cork as music begins to play and other couples start to filter onto the dancefloor.

Dressed in the one-of-a-kind flowing white and gold reception gown created by Cinna, paired with custom Jimmy Choo couture heels and her golden hair flowing in loose waves almost to her waist, the bride was every bit as breath-taking as Katniss knew she would be. Holding her close to his side with an affectionate smile on his face was Peeta. He looked equally handsome in a perfectly tailored white suit with gold accents at his throat, breast pocket and cuffs.

Though Cinna never talked to her about it – most likely to spare her feelings - Katniss knew he’d worked closely with Portia, the designer who created Peeta’s outfit, to ensure the bride and groom perfectly complimented each other on their special day.

She couldn’t help looking carefully at Peeta’s left hand now placed on Glimmer’s waist expecting to see the shiny glint of a new gold band on his finger but he didn’t appear to be wearing one.

That’s odd. She thought. No wedding ring?

She always thought Peeta was the type of guy would like to wear a ring when he got married.

When they were dating he was always very open about showing his feelings for her, and would tease her gently when she got embarrassed by his frequent public displays of affection. “I want the whole world to know I’m yours,” he’d told her, more than once, gently tugging on the end of her braid as she’d scowl.

Unable to continue watching him display affection for another woman was more then she could bear and she pushed the phone away.

“They make a very lovely couple,” Katniss said quietly. “I hope they’ll be very happy together”.

Prim snorted out loud. “Katniss did you even read what’s under the video?” she held the phone up again.

“The Show Must Go On!”

An official spokesperson for the Snow family declined to comment following the cancellation of the nuptials between heiress Glimmer Snow, granddaughter of Coriolanus Snow, and her fiancé Peeta Mellark, Culinary Director for the “Arena” chain of restaurants owned by the Snow Corporation. However the brother of the groom, Mr Ryan Mellark, confirmed that the decision by the couple not to proceed with the wedding was both “mutual and loving” and that the couple would remain friends.

“I don’t understand,” Katniss looked to her sister, confused. “Are you telling me they didn’t get married?”

“Yep. No wedding. They called it off at the last minute but went ahead with the dinner and reception anyway, which is kind of cool. One of Rory’s classmates was working the bar for the evening and he says it turned into one hell of a party. But then I guess the Snow family does know how to do things in style.”

“Wow. I wonder what happened to make them call it off.” Katniss stared into space as she tried to process this new information. She’d purposely avoided all news and social media over the weekend, hoping that if she distanced herself the sooner she’d be able to forget the intense look in Peeta’s eyes as she’d driven away from the hotel. “So much time, money and effort went into those dresses, poor Cinna worked for days hand beading the reception dress—"

Prim rolled her eyes.

“Lord almighty Katniss, you can be so dumb sometimes,” she took another sip of her wine. “Isn’t it obvious what happened? Peeta claps eyes on you again for the first time in forever and the next day his wedding is called off. He still loves you.”

“That’s not true.” Katniss jumped off the sofa and quickly gathered her wine glass and the near empty bottle. “Don’t say that. Why would you say something like that?”

“Hey, give that back!” Prim tried to grab the wine bottle from her as she stomped past into the kitchen and began angrily slamming their dirty dishes into the dishwasher. It wasn’t long before she heard her sister’s soft footsteps behind her.

“I’m sorry Katniss, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Prim apologised quietly. “I’m worried about you, that’s all. You haven’t been yourself since you found out Peeta was getting married.”

Katniss sighed. “I’m fine Prim, really. You’ve no need to worry about me. Peeta and I were over a lifetime ago. I’m over it. I know absolutely nothing about his life now.”

Prim tilted her head and regarded her sister with cool blue eyes. “Will you ever tell me what happened between the two of you? You’ve never given me a straight answer.”

“Does it matter now?”

Prim shrugged. “I’d like to understand. I was still a kid when you two broke up and no one bothered to explain what was going on to me. It was confusing. All I knew was one day you were getting ready to leave for college, the next you were staying in District 12 and applying for any low paid job you could get. Why didn’t you go?”

“Because things changed,” Katniss scowled. “Family comes first.”

Prim squinted. “Really, Katniss? You’ve fobbed me off with that line for years. I was hoping you were finally ready to open up with a few more details. I know you loved Peeta, don’t bother denying it. Your feelings for him weren’t the problem. Or his for you, everyone could see how bad the guy had it for you. It wasn’t Mom, or money issues. She was fine then and you had a full scholarship. There’s something else you’re not telling me.”

“All right, if you want to know I’ll tell you.” Katniss reached up into a small cupboard a produced a bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses. “Follow me. This conversation is going to require something a bit stronger than wine.”

Settled back on the sofa once again, she tossed back a shot and took a deep breath.

“Peeta accused me of cheating on him,” she began. “When I tried to defend myself, he didn’t believe me. He chose to take his brother’s word over mine.”

“No way.” Prim gasped, her eyes widening.

“It’s true. Rye told Peeta he caught me making out with Gale after a graduation party at Madge’s house. Rye didn’t believe me when I told him that Gale kissed me, that I didn’t invite it and I didn’t kiss him back. After cussing me out and calling me a few choice names he went straight to Peeta and told him.”

“Oh, shit.” Prim’s mouth dropped open. She picked up a full shot glass and threw it back before fixing her sister with a stare. “Okay. In the interest of full disclosure I have to ask – did you make out with Gale?”

“Of course not!” Katniss yelled. “Gale was my friend! I’d known him since we were kids. Besides, Madge liked him and I wouldn’t do that to a friend.”

“But did you like him? Let’s face it, Gale is attractive. In a Hemsworth kind of way.”

“No. I only ever saw him like a cousin, or maybe an older brother. I never felt anything romantic for Gale. It shocked the hell out of me when he kissed me. We didn’t talk for a long time afterwards.”

“Okay, okay, I just needed to clarify that. Continue, please.“

“Peeta and I had a huge fight and he broke up with me. He was horrible to me Prim.” Katniss voice cracked a little as the memories assaulted her. “He wouldn’t give me a chance to defend myself. He was so mean, I’d never seen him like that before. He was like a totally different person.”

Katniss felt the familiar sting starting to build behind her eyes and bit her lip in order to try and gain some control over her emotions. It still hurt, remembering the words that came out of his mouth.

“He asked me had I led Gale on, and told me to crawl back to the slag heap I came from.”

“Oh my god, Katniss,” Prim’s eyes softened and reached towards her sister “I’m so sorry—"

“Wait! It gets worse!” Katniss let out a hard laugh. “As if that wasn’t bad enough, somehow Peeta’s evil bitch of a mother found out about what happened. She called Mom and threatened her. She told her that if her seam slut of a daughter went ahead with her plans to go to the same school as her son, that she’d report her to Child Protective Services for neglect. She’d tell them about Mom leaving us alone at night while she worked, and that you would be left at home by yourself at 14 if I left town for school. She even knew about the bouts of depression after Dad died. All stuff I’d confided in Peeta about.”

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing.” Prim jumped of the sofa and started to pace up and down. “It’s so unfair. And untrue! Mom and I talked about what would happen when you went to school, I was going to stay overnight with Hazelle at the Hawthornes when she was on nights!”

“You know that and I know that, but Mom was terrified. She didn’t know what to do.”

Katniss downed another shot.

“After she threatened Mom, I tried talking to Rye one more time. I begged him again to believe me that what he saw wasn’t real, but he insisted I was lying. That Gale had been seen at the slag heap with a girl from the Seam, and I must have made it worth it when he could have had Madge instead of my skinny ass. His words. I never really understood that part.” She frowned.

“I told him about his mother’s threats and he finally said he’d talk to his Dad about keeping her off our Mom’s back, but only for your sake and only if I agreed to stop trying to contact Peeta. So I did what he wanted. I gave up my college place and started applying for jobs and signed up for a few classes at the Community College.”

“So, it was me.” Prim’s eyes filled with tears and she crawled towards her sister and wrapped her arms around her in a fierce hug. “You did it for me.”

Katniss shrugged like it was no big deal. “You’re my sister. I’d give my life for yours in a heartbeat.”

“You’re such a dumbass but I love you.” Prim began to cry harder. “You sacrificed so much Katniss. Your education. Your future. Peeta. I’ve never seen you as happy as when you two were together, not even when you were with Darius.”

“Hush now, no more of that talk.” Katniss soothed her crying sister, tears forming in her own eyes. “It all worked out for the best in the end. I was here when Mom got sick and I took on a second job to help pay the bills. We got by, and we stayed together. That’s what Dad would have wanted. Family comes first.”

“Peeta was a part of our family. He was like a brother to me when I was a kid.” Prim sniffed. “Why didn’t he believe you? And what the fuck was Rye’s problem?”

“I don’t know. All I know is his mother always hated me, but I never knew Rye did too. Peeta and Rye were always close, and once Rye started filling Peeta’s head with lies I just couldn’t get through to him after that. He never spoke to me again after he broke up with me. A few weeks later he left town for school and I never saw him again until that day on the steps of his hotel.”

“Katniss, I don’t know what to say. I am so sorry. It sounds like his mind was poisoned by his brother and that horrible old witch who gave birth to him. God, I’d love to give her a piece of my mind. As for Rye? I swear, if I ever see that guy again I will dick punch him.”

“I saw Rye the day before the wedding, he has mellowed quite a bit,” Katniss continued to stroke Prim’s blonde hair soothingly, taking comfort from the continuous motion herself. “He was almost pleasant once he realized I had a legitimate reason for being there.”

“I owe you so much Katniss,” Prim sat up, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. “Because of your support, I got to come here, go to school, do everything you missed out on. Everything I’ve achieved is because you. How can I ever repay a debt like that?”

“Don’t worry, you can pay for my luxury retirement home on the beach in District Four when you find the cure for cancer,” Katniss quipped and laughed as Prim hit her with a cushion.

Later that night, after Prim had left and Katniss was getting ready for bed, she couldn’t help but look for a small box she kept hidden in the furthest corner of her closet.

Inside were a few sentimental items that even after ten years, she never had the heart to throw away.

A pencil drawing of a dandelion he’d put into her locker one day, after she told him they made her think of him.

A movie stub from their first date. She smiled at the memory. Peeta had taken her to see “I Am Legend” and got embarrassed when he cried over the dog, Sam, dying. It was still one of her favorite movies.

A photo of them together at Senior Prom, and another of their High School Graduation, big smiles on their faces just days before he broke up with her and her world came crashing down.

“Oh Peeta,” she mumbled, “why didn’t you believe me?” She sniffed. No, she wasn’t going to cry. She’d already done enough of that for this lifetime.

“… maybe you should crawl back to the slag heap you come from.”

She felt a spark of anger in her own stomach when she recalled the things he’d accused her of. It was an old spark, but one that had helped her keep going and moving forward over the years. She slammed the box shut and shoved it back in the darkest recess of her closet before crawling into her bed. She had run from the bakery that day. Run from his words and the rage and hurt in blue eyes that had only ever looked at her with softer emotions.

She closed her own eyes and pulled the covers over her head, hoping she wouldn’t be hearing them over and over in her nightmares that night.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Read on AO3

#promptsinpanem #15Days #for Kika #Kristin Rouse #baronesskika #authoresskika #in loving memory

119 notes · View notes

mrvdocks · 4 years

Text

Plus One

“That’s a straight no.”

“What? Why?”

“Come on,” You laugh. “I can hear the sirens coming for you now. She looks like she’s a junior in high school.”

He cocks his brow, “You do too and I still live with you.”

You playfully smack him. “That’s different.”

“Why? Because you can't handle seeing me with someone else?” He says smugly.

@mochminnie and anyone else that would like to get tagged :))

(Chapter one)

Morning of Nancy & Jonathan’s Wedding

The daylight shines on his face when he wakes up. He looks down to see you’ve disappeared and instantly thinks yesterday was a dream. He’s almost disappointed.

“You snore too loud.” You say as a matter of factly, coming out in a robe and towel.

It wasn’t a dream. He smiles.

“You hog the blanket too much.” He retorts, flipping the covers over and getting up to stretch.

"It's like thirteen degrees outside of course I'm going to take it."

"There's layers to this, you know that right?"

“Alright, alright Casanova, do you want to stay here sparring with me or go find the love of your life?”

He stretches his arms, then sighs. “Not sure if I’ll meet the one if I’m half-naked.”

“Oh, you’d be surprised.” You wink, going back inside the bathroom to get ready.

Only an hour later and you two were nearly late because he decided to play hideaway with your heels. You didn’t protest as much but they were the only fancy shoe you’d brought to match the nuptial’s dress code.

You rushed into the elevator, counting down to at least ten minutes. It should be enough time to walk over to the chapel.

You glance at Steve, seeing him look out of it.

“Hey,” You tug at his arm. He straightens up. “You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just been a while.”

Part of him wondered if they would remember him after so long.

“Well if they’re not talking about you, they’ll be talking about how messy and out of place you look. Here, let me fix you.” You fix his Windsor knot stay in place and then move his floppy hair, letting a single curl of hair rest on his forehead.

“Is this really how you styled it?” You lift yourself on your toes to get more of it but he moves aside.

“Hey, hey, don’t damage the goods.”

“Is that - hold on, ” You take a whiff of his hair. “Oh my god.”

He rolls his eyes. “Alright, laugh it up.”

“You smell like my mom!” You chortle.

He pushes you playfully as the elevator doors open and he walks out with you hysterically laughing. He smiles nervously at the passing guests as they file out to the chapel.

“That’s so cute. Listen, if you don’t end up with anyone our age here, you can definitely bag one of the aunts. I’m sure they’d love you.”

“It was my go-to in high school, alright? Girls loved it.”

He can see the subtle upward quirk of your mouth as you smothered a laugh.

“C’mon, before we become those people who hog all the attention.” You interlinked your arms and made your way past the field of green and a big brown chapel.

You both sat in the middle row on Nancy’s side, meeting all of her family and being introduced to her sister Holly, brother Mike and his girlfriend Jane. You couldn’t stop staring as Mike and Jane sat and goofed with each other.

“Been together since ‘84, and they still can’t get enough of each other,” Steve tells you in a hushed voice as he leans to you and begins giving you the dirt on everyone there.

Jonathan’s mother, Joyce sits at the front with a gruff looking man who kept trying to take out a pack of cigarettes. She’s pretty, and definitely doesn’t look as old as Steve says she is. She has a timeless beauty to her. Steve tells you that the man she’s with is Hopper, the same man whose wedding you would be attending later in March. Jonathan’s brother, Will sits to his mother's left and is in deep conversation with a man Steve doesn’t recognize.

Steve goes on a tangent on how different and grown-up everyone looks. He goes into details about things they used to do back in Indiana, some things crazy and others unbelievable. He almost sounds sad for not being able to see their growth for himself but that’s not a story he’ll tell you anytime soon.

You’re conversing with Jane when everyone quiets down and music starts playing. You stand and watch as Jonathan marches right up to one step to meet his brother and hug him momentarily. Holly enters, picking petals out of the basket and dropping them as she passes. Nancy enters soon after slowly, keeping tempo with the music. Her dad is older, more filled out, and grey-haired than Steve originally remembers him. Her mother, however, is stunning in a way that doesn’t overshadow her daughter. Her blonde hair is pulled into a half updo, she smiles warmly to guests as she carries the tail of Nancy’s beautiful cream dress. It's an eye-catching tulle gown with floral accents and lace sleeves that move comfortably with her.

Nancy’s brown hair is long and curls at the end, decorated with a pearl headband, her slender nude manicured fingers holding onto the bouquet gracefully as if she was a princess. She’s naturally gorgeous, with touches of blush on her cheekbones. She takes your breath away.

You’re almost a little jealous Steve got to date her.

“Please be seated.” The priest says.

You accidentally sit on Steve’s hand, making him jerk quickly but fast enough to avoid attention. You're locked in the entire time, entranced by every little detail from the soft brown tones of Jonathan's suit to the camera pin he wears to the embroidery on Nancy's heels.

The ceremony is beautiful, you even catch Steve tearing up at Jonathan’s thoughtfully written vows for Nancy.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

The crowd goes wild, cheers and whistles all around as Nancy and Jonathan kiss and he twirls her in a circle. She’s smiling shyly as Jonathan peppers her with kisses. Will steps in and takes a couple of photos before whispering something into Jonathan’s ear and making him laugh. The bride and groom rush outside hand in hand, rice and flowers being thrown as they disappear past the golden-brown of the chapel.

You and Steve give each other a look, thinking this wedding plan might not be so bad after all. You’re seeing love in its purest form.

The reception is held in a small banquet hall, music is being played by a band of fine instruments led by people Steve tells you are part of Nancy’s family. The whole place is decorated to bring out the snow and natural elements outside. Windows wide open, the brown of the hall illuminated by fairy lights hanging from above, a cute photo booth with a retro moon to pose with, and a DJ soon after the band leaves.

“Come,” Steve says, intertwining your hand in his and leading you over to where Nancy and Jonathan are.

Jonathan notices him first and immediately hugs him. Steve hugs him tighter, letting them sway for a moment while you introduce yourself to Nancy.

“Hi, I’m -”

“You must be the one Steve talks so much! I've heard a lot about you!” She giggles. My god, even her laugh was beautiful.

“Beautiful wedding! I am in love with you - your dress, I’m sorry.” You say, flustered. Nancy takes no offense and instead envelopes you in a hug.

“Thank you! It was a lot of stress but I'm glad we could finally get it to come to fruition. Steve never told me you were this lovely.”

You wave her comment away, feeling shyer than ever. “Please, I’m just so glad I finally get to meet THE Nancy Wheeler.”

“I hope you’re not trying to steal my wife,” Jonathan beams, bear-hugging you.

"I would never." You grin. “You’re a lucky man, Mr. Byers.”

“Mr. Byers was my dad, please call me Jonathan.”

You nod, feeling the warmth and love that Jonathan and Nancy were giving off.

"So? How are you two? How's New York?" Nancy asks.

You and Steve glance at each other to see who goes first.

"Good! So good." You say in unison.

“So what’s going on with you two, huh? Any crazy stories?” Steve asks, eager to get the attention off of him for once.

“Well,” Nancy looks at Jonathan. “Jonathan was a freelancing photographer for a while but he was just hired for a two-year contract by Life magazine!”

You and Steve look at Jonathan wide-eyed and with jaws dropped. Jonathan smiles shyly.

“Jon, oh my god congratulations!” Steve says, pulling Jonathan into another hug.

“It was just a split-second decision, he almost didn’t send the photos in time but I convinced him.” Nancy smiles. "They want to send him to Amsterdam next week."

"Europe for the honeymoon? That's amazing." You gush, thinking about the canals and all the great food.

“And that’s not all,” Jonathan rubs at Nancy’s back with his other hand. “Nancy’s accepted a job up in New York as a journalist.”

“No way!” You feel your excitement skyrocket.

“We’re moving into the East Village in March, just after my mom’s wedding.”

“That’s amazing you guys, I’m so happy for you.” Steve is absolutely over the moon.

“Thank you and please help yourselves!” Jonathan’s eyes crinkle as he smiles.

“Hope to see you guys soon!” Nancy exclaimed, before being met with more family to greet. You and Steve say goodbye and gush over them.

“I can’t believe you got to date her.” You remark, sipping more of the champagne.

“Yeah well, I was lucky to even kiss her. Looking back, I think they had it for each other all the time. I was just in the way.”

Projecting onto her, he thinks.

You frown. “Personally, I’m glad to see it all worked out in the end. To the happy couple!”

You bring your glasses to toast and snicker when some of it spills onto Steve’s lap. He tries to get you back but you evade him.

The orchestra ends and the DJ begins his set. He starts off with some lovey-dovey tunes you remember your mother playing from her childhood.

“Come on, let’s dance!” You exclaim, taking Steve’s hand and pulling him up and away from the table.

The dance floor is decently packed, The Del-Viking’s “Come Go With Me” echoing through the walls of the banquet hall.

Steve makes a fool of himself, flailing and dancing exaggeratedly while you move side to side to the dum dum dum, occasionally doubling over when Steve stumbles back into someone.

The music shifts after you two are completely tired out, changing to The Smiths’ “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now”. Definitely Jonathan’s choice.

You and Steve pair up, dancing slowly with your head on his shoulder.

It’s a nice feeling, to be like this with someone. You didn’t know how you felt about Steve, besides the fact that he could be annoying as all hell and a bummer. But he wasn't so unpleasant to have around. He just needed to let loose. He wasn’t going to be twenty-eight forever.

Maybe it was too early, you saw how he’d freaked about Danny.

“Hey, five o’clock.” He whispers in your ear, ripping you away from your thoughts.

“What?”

“What about the girl at five o’clock? She seems nice.”

“Spin me.”

He spins you out to see a girl in a nice pastel blue colored dress and bouffant talking to Jonathan. He spun you back in.

“That’s a straight no.”

“What? Why?”

“Come on,” You laugh. “I can hear the sirens coming for you now. She looks like she’s a junior in high school.”

He cocks his brow, “You do too and I still live with you.”

You playfully smack him. “That’s different.”

“Why? Because you can't handle seeing me with someone else?” He says smugly.

“Pfft. She’s got babyface. Just trust me.”

The music shifts throughout the night, some electronic, another alternative, or more classical and then back to lovey-dovey.

At the end of “Earth Angel,” you’re just about ready to leave and kick off the heels that just won’t quit squeezing your feet.

“I’m starving.” You whisper into his ear.

“There’s food here.”

“Yes, and I’m still hungry. I need to severely gorge on something big right now.”

Steve chuckles lowly, about to make the joke you feared once the words ‘something big’ left your lips.

“Don’t you dare.”

“Yes, dear.” He snickers.

Once you’re away from the view of family and friends, you unbuckle the straps of your heels and breath in relief at your chains being taken off. Steve walks past you but you whistle to him to catch his attention.

“Well? Come on.” He motions for you.

You throw your head back and whine. “I can’t walk. These things have worn me down.”

He chuckles to himself shaking his head. “Alright, hop on.”

He turns and bends to your level, letting you climb onto his back like a monkey. You wrap your arms around his neck, him holding you up by your thighs.

You nestle comfortably into his shoulder, letting out an audible sigh.

“Don’t get too comfortable up there, you have the keys to the room.” He warns, but you’re fast asleep by the end of the sentence. "So much for being hungry."

He gets soft looks and compliments of ‘being a great boyfriend’ from different guests but he doesn’t have the energy to correct them. The dancing tired him out.

He uses the pointy end of your heel to click the elevator button and is careful with you when entering. Your soft sighs and deep breaths comfort him in some way. Your fingers twitch around his now loosened tie, softly scratching at the nape of his neck. It gives him goosebumps, but he relaxes into it, letting the warmth creep up to his cheeks.

He’s too lost in the feeling to notice when the doors open, the elevator dings to alert him. When he’s out, he shakes you slowly to wake you up. You stir and hum but stay asleep. He maneuvers your bag to face him, getting the key painfully slow. The door hinges creaking don’t wake you at all.

He lays you down onto the side where he sleeps, careful with your shoes and your bag. Putting them aside, he makes a move to close the door but your hand grabs at his wrist and pulls him back.

He glances down at you, still asleep but still holding on. “I have to close the door.” He whispers.

“Steve.” You murmur.

“Yeah?” He brings himself to ask, entranced by you.

You mumble incoherently, letting go of his wrist and turning your side to get comfortable.

He sighs.

"It was a nice wedding." He says, getting the suitcases out of the cab while you tip the driver.

"It really was. Plus I'm glad I got to take one of these suckers home too." You dig through your bag, pulling out the towel teddy bear that had previously been on your hotel bed. It looked a little deformed now but you could fix it.

Steve makes a surprised noise, "We steal things now?"

"It's not stealing if they were just going to put another one back."

"Well, I wish could've taken some of that shampoo. It made my hair smell great."

"Oh don't worry I got a couple of them in my suitcase. You can have them."

He looks at you with intrigue.

"What? We can't live fancy?"

He shakes his head, his shoulders shaking as you head into the apartments.

"Hey, sorry I ruined your shot looking for someone at the reception."

He shrugs, feeling it wasn't a big deal. "That's why we have the other three, right? Plus, I had fun. I wouldn't have wanted to be in my head the entire time."

The answer satisfies you but you promise yourself to aim higher at the next wedding.

#steve harrington imagine #steve harrington x reader #stranger things imagine #joe keery x reader

104 notes · View notes

spade-head · 3 years

Text

I wrote a short love story and it is featured below if y’all wanna read it. I worked hard on it so if you do read it I hope you like it.

‘Twas the beast who fell first

Let me tell you a story. It’s quite old you see. A tale as old as time, but not like the one of the beauty. This tale is of a beast. He lived inside a castle far off in a forest. Everyday he was told how he was to dress and how he was to act.

“Keep your hair tied back!” “Keep your voice down when you speak!” “Keep the dirt off your dress!”

The orders were barked at him day after day. And you might think: “How odd of orders for a boy.” But the the thing that made the beast, a beast, was that he wasn’t a he at all. He was a she and he hated it. Everything about him seemed to fit into that of a young man’s role. He wanted to play in the dirt. He wanted to have his hair messy and down. He wanted to yell as loud as he could. But most of all, he wanted the beautiful person he saw everyday by the willow tree. There was magic mirror in the castle he lived in and he could see anywhere in the world. And the place he saw most was that small farm town. He only found the town from a map in the library. It wasn’t far off from the forest so he had hoped to see it. A see if he did. He heard all of the towns tales and snooped in on the latest gossip. Of course none of the townsfolk knew he was hearing this, as the young beast was not actually there. The mirror showed him the world but didn’t show the world him. A cruel trick to play on him as he found it out. He wanted to play with the other children in the town but found they did not know he was there. They did not see him nor hear him. It was then he realized how alone he was. The boy didn’t want to return to his castle though, so he ran in the town. He ran until he found himself by that old willow tree. And there he saw the person. A beautiful magician of blue haired kind. Witches were cast out of towns and it seems this young one found this the hard way. He knew he couldn’t comfort them but he sat with them nonetheless. They sat together for a long time even after the young magician ceased their weeping. He enjoyed their company even if they couldn’t feel his. The magician left after some time and the beast returned back to his castle home. But he went back the next day and there sat the magician. It went on like this for many moons and everyday like clockwork the magician was at the willow tree.

The beast would listen to the magician as they spoke to seemingly themself. They would sing and draw and even practice their magic. It was a wonder to see. And one day the magician said something that startled the beast.

“I know that you’re there. I can sense your aura. It’s here a lot.”

The beast wasn’t sure what to respond. He wasn’t sure if he even could. But curiosity overcame him and he spoke.

“Y-yes I am here. But I didn’t know you knew.” He said rather quickly, almost hoping that he wasn’t heard.

“I know much more than I appear to. So don’t be so surprised.” Their bubbly voice replied.

“Well what exactly do you know?”

“I know lots of magic, like divination, item enchantment, and aura reading.”

“Aura reading? Is that how you knew I was here?”

“No. Any magician can pick up on an aura. But aura reading can tell you about the person it belongs to.”

“Oh…”

The beast felt his face flush as he pondered what the young magician knew of him. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to ask.

“You’ve watched me for a long time. Maybe we could be friends, even if I can’t see you.” The young magician said abruptly. The beast liked the thought of having a friend more than the castle staff and the mousing cat. So happily, he agreed.

The two continued to meet for years. Sharing secrets between one another. They grew together like they should. But the young magician was free from anything binding them to proper etiquette. The beast however was not free of such chains. He grew into a “proper young lady” as his parents wanted. But it was on his 16th year that he felt his world start to crumble.

“Darling daughter of mine! I have wonderful news!” The beast’s mother called while walking into his room where servants dressed him in a silk gown.

“Yes, mother?” He spoke with a gasp as they tightened the ribbons on the gown.

“We have found a suitor for you! It’s a prince! His family have accepted and you are to be wed!” The beast’s mother cheered.

However, the beast could not share in his mother’s joy. You see through the years growing up with the young magician, the beast felt strange emotions about them. The magician was very beautiful and elegant that much was true, but he saw it in more ways than just the first look at their appearance. Their smile, their laugh, and their entire personality was gorgeous. And the beast knew the marriage would take away his ability to see the magician. So that night he decided to speak the them through the mirror one more time.

“Hello there friend! How might you be in this evening?” The magician asked in their soft voice. Though the beast knew they couldn’t see him, he still felt their blue eyes on him expectantly.

“I’ve been better.” He replied solemnly.

“What’s wrong, bean? You can tell me.”

The beast softly chuckled at the nickname that came from a silly story of getting a bean stuck up his nose.

“Well, I’ve been set to be wed.”

“Well shouldn’t that be good news? Most people wed for love and it’s often a happy occasion.”

“It’s not for love. My parents arranged it and I hate it. I hate it all here. The stupid gowns and the stupid rules and the marriage to that stupid stuck up prince! I hate it all”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. But that means we won’t be able to talk anymore huh?”

“I guess, though I wish it wasn’t.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m going to go now, magician. I have to prepare for the death of a bachelorette.”

“Good luck, my friend.”

“Same to you.”

With those words the beast returned to his castle home. The same stone walls around him. And no magician to comfort him. He decided to venture to the balcony, seeking comfort in the stars. This was after all a trick the magician showed him.

“The stars are old. Older than anything in the world. Older than the world itself. And they know how it feels to hurt. So if you feel hurt, just look at the stars and know they feel your pain too. If your lucky a shooting star may grant you a wish!”

That was was the magician told the beast once. So here sat the beast, awaiting the fate of a wedding when he saw it. A flash of a star shooting across the sky. So he wished, and he wished rather hard.

“Please shooting star, I wish I didn’t have to marry the prince. I wish I could stay where I can see the magician.”

And the star granted the wish in the form of a thought. In the beast’s head it formed. That thought. That wonderful, amazing thought. So to the library he ran, grabbing the map that showed where the town was. And then the the armory where he got a sword. Before he left he would no longer be the proper lady his parents wish him to be. He would be the beast he really was.

He took his long hair and sliced it down short. Then dressed himself in men’s garments. He sheathed the sword and took it with him. And he took a horse and he rode. He rode through the forest, far away from the castle. He left behind all he had known for all he wanted know. He rode and he rode, until he arrived in the town. Many questioned the strange young man who arrived on horse back but he had one desire and it was not to answer their questions. He headed along the familiar paths he ran along through the mirror. And there it was.

The willow tree stood tall and beautiful as he always imagined. And beside it sat the magician.

“Magician of the willow? Might I ponder a question?” The beast said in a cool tone.

“What might your question be?” The magician responded, not looking up to see who was there.

“Could I change my fate, to one I’d like more than the one I had?” The beast asked. This caused the magician to look up and notice the aura of the beast standing beside them. They let out an audible gasp before jumping to their feet and tackling the beast in a hug.

“How on earth are you here? I thought you were to be married? Oh who cares? You’re here!” The magician cried and held onto the beast. The beast then stood to his feet and spoke.

“I asked if I could change my fate. I’d like to know now.” The beast spoke as he pulled a small satchet from his pocket. From it came a small silver ring.

“Magician of the willow, would you marry me?” The beast dropped onto one knee and looked the magician in their blue eyes as he awaited their response.

The magician was starstruck, but after a moment cried out their answer.

“YES! Of course, I’ll marry you!”

The beast stood once again and placed the silver ring on the magicians finger. The two embraced and were wed weeks later. After that the magician and the beast lived happily ever after.

Now you would think they seemed to fall in love at the same time, but you’d be wrong. See it was on that fateful day when the beast saw the magician weeping by the willow that it happened for him. So no they didn’t fall at the same time but rather ‘twas the beast who fell first.

THE END

#short story #lgbtq #ftm #love story #magic mirror

5 notes · View notes

lazyangeltreemoney · 4 years

Text

Never Doubt I Love

One Shot, Royal AU

Description : Prince James is to wed Princess Y/N of the neighbouring country after the war to try and strengthen their countries. Bucky is less than happy about it and is shamelessly rude to Y/N, one day she has enough.

Pairings: Prince!Bucky x Princess!Reader (platonic), Prince!Bucky x Natasha, Loki x Princess!Reader

Word Count: 4987

Warnings: mentions of war, arranged marriage, death, insults, swearings.

A/N: just had this idea in my head all day and I’m a sucker for AU’s. Hope y'all enjoy

Bucky hated her from the second he saw her. When she stepped out of the limo in front of the palace an instant disdain burned in him. He would say it was from how she dressed being so dull, or her hair and makeup seemingly so perfect to the point of she looked like a doll, not a real human being. Natalia looks real. She was by no means the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Natalia is beautiful. This, this was who his parents expected him to marry?

When they finally got to talking it only cemented his hate. He hated how proper and ladylike she was, a proper princess who knew all the curtseys and proper rituals, it was almost robotic. Natalia at least would talk like a real human being. She talked to his parents and said everything she was trained to say, nothing seemed real about her. Natalia has a personality.

As time went on and she would try talking to Bucky she would be able to talk circles around him, any insult he gave she was able to bat back in a moment. Natalia knew when he did and didn’t like being pushed. He didn’t like being outwitted, especially on his own turf.

“You just hate her because you can’t marry Nat without giving your mother a heart attack.” Steve stated as he took a swing of his water.

“No, I hate her because she’s the most boring and insufferable woman I’ve ever met, I would say human but I’ve met Sam.” Bucky commented back.

The pair had been sparring and training. Steve was Bucky’s cousin and Head of the Royal Guard. The pair had been friends since they could talk, thick as thieves. They had gone to war together and by some miracle survived and came out stronger than ever. Bucky was the soon to be King, he had no reason to be training but some of the old army habits he was never able to kick.

“She’s in a new country, a country she will soon have to rule, it’s a lot to take on.” Steve tried to get his friend to sympathise with Y/N.

“Not my problem, now if we’re done here I’m going to see Nat.” Bucky retorted and walked away.

“I’ll see you at the ball tonight!” Steve called down the hall.

Bucky simply ignored him and kept walking on shaking his head. Of course Steve would have to remind him of that stupid ball, the one to announce Y/N’s and his engagment. Y/N had been staying in the palace for nearly over a month now, to try and not raise suspicion of an ‘arranged marriage’. Bucky had gone over his proposal speech about a thousand times to try and give it something to make it believable. Nothing worked, it all sounded robotic and cheesy to the point where the press would see right through him.

This led to him sitting with Natalia in his bedroom trying to think of what on earth he was going to say tonight. The pair were both naked with only a sheet covering them, Bucky was sat by the window smoking a cigarette to try and clear his head. Natalia was going over what he had already written down so far.

“-I love you to the moon and back’ oof.” Natalia laughed.

“I know, I know, it’s awful and I’m about to make a fool out of myself in front of the whole kingdom.” Bucky huffed, stubbing out his cigarette.

Natalia leaned forward and began to card her hands through his hair to try and comfort him. Telling him how some of it was sweet or how he could close his eyes and try to pretend it was her, he was proposing to.

“Urgh, it doesn’t matter what I write how I can be any form of genuine when I’m proposing to an iceberg.” Bucky groaned holding his head.

“Come on, she’s not that bad, Wanda speaks pretty highly of her.” Natalia offered.

Bucky was so sick of everyone trying to convince him Y/N ‘wasn’t that bad’. Even Nat, apparently her and Y/N would often go into the gardens with Wanda for some form of a book club. Y/N knew full well what was going on between Nat and Bucky, she had told her in person and she gave Nat her blessing. Told her that she was simply doing right by her country and had no claim over Bucky’s heart.

Bucky didn’t buy it, he was convinced Y/N was trying to play some bigger game. He was the only one in his conspiracy theory.

“Nat I’m having to ask that bitch to be my wife, to stand by me, raise my heirs, how can I?” Bucky let out an exasperated sigh.

“Because you’re a King and like it or not she is your Queen.” Nat tried to calm him.

“Well right now I want to pretend that you are my one and only queen.” Bucky smirked and grabbed Natalia ready to ravish her again.

So lost in the moment he had no idea Y/N was just right outside of the room, hearing their whole conversation. She had gone to talk to Bucky about tonight, about how to play in front of the press watching and just them in general. Y/N only closed her eyes and let out a small frustrated sigh as she marched back to her room. By the time she was just outside her room she didn’t know how or why but she was crying. Endless streams of tears seemed to be flooding and nothing she did could stop it, but why? Did she love Bucky? No, but at the very least she wanted him to respect her. Not call her a bitch or human iceberg.

Rushing into her room she slammed the doors behind her. In her room were her clothes for this evening, a gorgeous gown with silver trimmings and heels to match. However the very sight of the dress made her feel sick. It was less of a gorgeous gown and more like shackles. As if she was submitting to a life of ridicule and hate from her husband.

Falling to her knees she held herself for a second. It was never meant to be like this. It was meant to be so much kinder and happier, the life a princess was supposed to have. This however was the reality, cruel and ironic at every chance it had.

Y/N wasn’t sure how long she had laid on the floor but she knew it had been a while and she would have to start getting ready. As she had been trained since birth, she wiped her eyes and gracefully rose from the floor, back straight and head high, thinking of all she would sacrifice for her kingdom.

It was now only a few hours til the ball and Bucky still didn’t know what to say during his proposal. Anything he had down was tibits he had gotten from people Y/N actually talked to, like Steve or Wanda. However none of it sounded like him, he had always been vocal in the press, they knew how he talked. Defeatedly, he walked towards Y/N’s room knowing she was the only one who could fix this.

Y/N had a way with the people, even Bucky couldn’t deny that. When the war was at its worst, it was Y/N’s speeches or public acts that seemed to give most of the soldiers and citizens hope. If anyone knew what the public wanted to hear it was Y/N. So Bucky now stood in front of her ornate door hanging his head. Letting out a frustrated sigh he knocked on the door. There was a short pause before a voice called him in.

“Enter.”

When he walked in he saw Y/N in her dress. It was a dark blue silk that was sleeveless, that seemed to hug her figure just right. She wore white silk gloves that had the most delicate lace and pearls wrapped around her neck. Bucky hated to admit it but he was speechless at the sight of her. Her hair was in a bun but a few loose hairs cascaded down her face shaping it perfectly. Her makeup was a lot more natural and her lips seemed to be the perfect shade. The more he looked at her the less and less she looked like the girl who first appeared in the palace.

“Was there something you wanted to say James or are you just going to stare?” Y/N asked bringing him back to reality.

Bucky coughed slightly and stood up a little straighter.

“Ah yes, I came to talk to you about tonight,” Bucky began before Y/N let out a sarcastic laugh. “Something funny?” Bucky raised a brow to her.

“Just surprised that you would want to hold an actual conversation with me is all.” Y/N spoke in that tone that made Bucky cringe.

It was royal and regal, just the right amount of sweetness with the right amount of authority. No one had a voice like that unless they had been trained from day one. Bucky hated that even now she was playing mind games with him and talking so many circles around him his head could spin. But right now he had to let it slide because he really needed her help.

“Look I need your help on conning an entire country that we’re in love.” Bucky tried to explain.

“Love.” Y/N scoffed back.

Bucky was now losing his patience.

“Yes love.” Bucky’s tone was getting dangerously dark.

Y/N however didn’t care, she had been pushed too far. She was too tired, tired of his arrogance, his childishness, his stubbornness and how he was convinced that Y/N wanted this. Especially when he didn’t know the first thing about her.

“How can you when you hate me, god James I know you don’t love me and I don’t want you to but you could at least tolerate me.” Y/N exasperated, he was finally getting put in his place one way or another.

Bucky went to argue back but Y/N was nowhere near done.

“I tolerate you, I tolerate your lover, even befriended her but you can’t even look at me without insulting me, God, you think I want this? You think my heart doesn’t belong to someone else as well, at least you get to see your lover everyday.” Y/N ranted.

So much information was coming at Bucky at once it was hard to process it all. His brain was almost on autopilot.

“How does any of that help me write this?” Bucky asked.

Of course, of fucking course, Y/N just poured her heart out to him and he still doesn’t care. Well now neither does she.

“Say whatever the fuck you want.” Y/N yelled storming out of the room.

Bucky was left alone in the room feeling uneasy. Y/N had never swore once in the whole time he had known her, not even with anyone. She had always tried to be the perfect lady but now that seemed to all go out of the window. Sighing, Bucky sat on Y/N’s bed and let his mind wander. The words Y/N spoke seemed to be playing on a loop until it finally hit him.

“You think my heart doesn’t belong to someone else as well”

It was about an hour before the ball was supposed to begin when Bucky finally found her. Y/N was on one of the balconies having a cigarette. He had no idea that she smoked, but she even made that look graceful. She seemed to be deep in thought, almost relaxed. However her little moment of peace seemed to be ruined when Bucky showed his face. She looked at him for a moment before turning away to look at the night sky.

“So who is he?” Bucky asked, leaning on the railing.

Y/N remained silent and took another puff of her cigarette. Her face was like a statue wanting to give nothing away.

“Is he back in your country?” Bucky hummed.

“He’s buried there.” Y/N finally spoke.

Bucky looked at her in astonishment. Y/N had revealed one of her deepest secrets so casually he wasn’t sure if he was hallucinating. He tried to study her more to see if she was lying but he honestly couldn’t tell, until she stubbed out her cigarette.

“His name was Loki and he was beautiful.” Y/N spoke softly with a sad smile forming on her face as the memories came flooding back.

Thor was her usual royal guardsmen. He was a bit of a goof with more brawn than brains but Y/N got along with him just fine. Just like all the guardsmen in her country Y/N trusted them with her life. However one morning Thor greeted her before she went riding accompanied by a dark haired man. He was a lot shorter than Thor and paler. His eyes were an emerald green that seemed to be locked on Y/N from the second he walked into the stable.

“Ah Thor, ready for our ride?” Y/N spoke enthusiastically

“Actually your Majesty will have the joy of my brother with you today.” Thor explained, gesturing to the man next to him.

“Brother?” Y/N raised an eyebrow at him.

“Adopted.” Thor explained.

“Call me Loki.” The dark haired man introduced himself.

“Only if you call my Y/N.” She replied.

Loki instantly smirked at her. Something about the tone of her voice told him this was going to be fun. The pair saddled up the horses and were off into the royal woods. Y/N led the way and Loki had to try his best to not lose her. After about half an hour of riding Y/N finally stopped by a lake. Loki was exhausted and more than happy to have his own two legs on the ground. He practically collapsed off his horse and gulped some water from his bottle.

“Anyone would think you didn’t want my protection.” Loki said breathily.

Y/N only giggled at him and began to set up her camp. Loki noticed she was building a small fire, she then took out a metal can and took some water from the lake. With that she took out a book and a tea bag she placed into the can of water.

“Would you care for some tea?” Y/N asked.

Loki merely nodded and sat down beside her. The lake was beautiful, the water was so clear and glimmering, it seemed to show his reflection perfectly. The woods circled around them, it almost felt like he was in the eye of a storm. He glanced over to Y/N who was pouring him a small cup of tea. She was so beautiful as the light shone on her, regal, elegant.

“What are you reading?” Loki mused as he took the cup.

“Shakespeare's sonnets.” Y/N showed him the cover as her eyes went back to the pages.

“Would you mind if you read them to me, I’ve always had a soft spot for his works.” Loki admitted.

He wasn’t sure why he was telling her this but he felt like he could, he felt like he could tell her anything within a few minutes of knowing her. She had the air of comfort around her. Y/N nodded and began to read out loud to him. Her voice seemed to give the words meaning, as if before now they were just words on a page. The pair sat together like that for hours, eventually Loki began to read to her instead. They discussed and argued about what he truly meant when Shakespeare wrote certain rhymes. They continued to jest and tease each other on the ride home. By the time they got to the stable it was nearly sunset.

“Thankyou for this today, usually when I go with Thor he gets bored after an hour and I have to head home.” Y/N smiled at Loki as she tied up her horse.

“Anytime, Y/N.” Loki replied smiling at her.

Y/N wanted to scold herself for how her heart fluttered when he said her name. The two bid each other goodnight but the lingering glances were clear neither of them wanted to part ways.

Them running away to the lake quickly became a little tradition between them. Even if they could only have an hour there they would wake up at the crack of dawn or dead of night to simply be in each others company. It was one of the times when they both had busy schedules the next day so they were in the dead of night Y/N’s head laid in Loki’s lap by the lake. The moonlight shining down on them. The soft neighs of horses and gentle lapping on the lake could be heard. It was the most peaceful thing Y/N had ever experienced.

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;Doubt that the sun doth move;Doubt truth to be a liar;But never doubt I love.” Loki spoke softly

Y/N nestled into more as his words rang seemed to lull her to sleep.

“Love maybe we should head back, the sun will be coming up soon.” Loki reminded her.

“Just a few more minutes.” Y/N sleepily mumbled back.

Loki couldn’t help but chuckle at her sleepy stubbornness. To be completely honest, he didn’t want to leave either, this was their little sanctuary, away from their duties, the fear, the pressure. But they couldn’t hide away forever, Y/N especially would never abandon her people like that.

“Alright Love.” Loki spoke softly.

He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. By the time he finished reading the page Y/N was asleep. Her soft snores and gentle eyes closed. Loki wanted nothing more than to see that sight every night, to have her fall asleep in his arms every night. But she was a royal, the princess no less and he was not. It didn’t matter though, he had this and it was enough for now.

“What happened?” Bucky asked.

“The war happened.” Y/N replied.

She had to hold back the tears as the memories played on in her mind.

Loki had agreed to meet her at the lake early that morning. They both needed it, the war had just begun and they were both on edge. The war had barely begun and Y/N was trying to think of ways to end it. Meanwhile Loki was more scared for Y/N’s safety than ever, scared she would end up performing some act of Martyrdom just to end the war.

Loki and Y/N had ridden in complete silence to the lake. It was weird, usually their ride together would be filled with teasing and discussing whatever book they were reading. This however was uneasy and uncomfortable. Too much was on each others mind for them to just be themselves.

However once they reached the lake and Y/N had made the tea it was as if everything outside those woods no longer existed. Y/N laid her head on Loki’s shoulder and he began to read aloud to her, pausing occasionally to make a remark about it or flirt with Y/N. To which she would merely giggle and kiss his cheek to tell him to keep reading.

It was one of those moments when Y/N went to kiss his cheek did he turned so to catch her lips with his. Loki dropped the book and wrapped his hands around her waist. Y/N had hers around his neck as she deepened the kiss. The two only broke apart for air, resting their foreheads against each other.

“I’ve missed my Love.” Loki spoke breathlessly.

“I’m sorry, I just want this war to end.” Y/N admitted guiltily.

Y/N noticed how Loki’s face turned slightly when she mentioned the war, as if there was something he needed to tell her about it. No, surely not.

“I got my draft letter yesterday, I ship out in a few days.” Loki almost hung his head in shame.

Y/N broke apart from him. This couldn’t be happening, no she wouldn’t allow it. She had given almost all of herself to her people, to the crown but they couldn’t have Loki.

“No, no, no.” She rambled pacing up and down but the lake.

“Love.” Loki called trying to soothe her.

“No, I won’t allow it, I decree it as the Princess of this land you will not set one foot out of the palace grounds.” Y/N tried to sound strong, use her authoritative tone so Loki wouldn't argue.

But it was to no avail.

“You think I want to leave you, but if I stay on your orders, what will people think?” Loki explained.

“I don’t care what they think, I’ll marry you, you’ll be their king and adore you.” Y/N pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes.

“We both know that’s not how this works.” Loki sighed, he hated to see her cry.

He hated any form of sadness she had to endure. He hated how she would never be able to let it show, always internalising it and keeping it hidden. She only let her emotions go when she was with him, which made all of this hurt even more.

Slowly he walked over to her and held her close. She sobbed into his shirt until no more tears could physically come out of her. Even after that Y/N still held him close, afraid that the second she let go he would be gone.

“Promise me that you’ll come back to me, that no matter what happens you will come back here to this very spot.” Y/N’s voice was crackled and strained from the crying.

Loki knew he couldn’t truly promise her that, but nonetheless he did.

“I promise, Love.”

Y/N watched him get shipped out. She went in disguise to kiss him goodbye on the dock. Tears were in both of their eyes. She used her spies to give him love letters and gifts of books with their favourite passages circled. Loki saw the work Y/N was doing and the speeches she made in the papers and on posters everywhere he went. He had never been so proud of her, she was truly going to make a wonderful Queen.

It was the very last year of the war when Thor knocked on her door in full uniform with that damned letter and dog tags.No body could be recovered, there were too many hidden among them. She had locked herself into isolation after Thor had told her the knews; Simply wanting to be alone with her books and memories. Then her maid came and dropped breakfast by her door while slipping a letter under the door.

Y/N walked towards the door and picked up the letter when she gasped at the handwriting, it was Loki’s. She felt almost feral as she tore it open, instantly checking the date, it was from three weeks ago, two weeks before…

To My Dear Y/N

I miss you my love, miss you more than you will ever know. I’ve seen your face all around the city, in the papers and although I am proud of you it does make my heart ache, a constant reminder of the distance between us.

It is something I can bear no longer. Which is why when I keep my promise to you I will meet you at our spot and march into the palace demanding the King to make you my wife. I know I am no prince or lord but I am yours and I hope with everything in my being you are still mine. You are the only thing that makes this war worth fighting for and we both know it is drawing to a close. So please just hang on a little longer my Love.

Soon we will have all we can desire; we will be wed; we’ll have children and take them to the lake. You will splash them in the water and then we’ll dry them while we read them stories with tea sat round the fire. Until then we will just have to read our stories apart, me around the fire here and you in front of the fire there.

All my love,

Loki.

“I took his dog tags and the letters he wrote me,put them in a box and buried them by the lake, In the spot where I would always light the fire.” Y/N’s voice shook a little, she had never told anyone where she hid the letters before.

She couldn’t take them with her, if anyone ever found them there would be hell to pay. Burying them seemed like the only option and what better place than in their sanctuary. After she buried them she swore that she would never visit the lake again. About a week after she was told by her Father that she would be marrying Prince James within the next year.

Bucky had listened to her story and his heart broke for her. He remembered all the times he thought he would never see Nat again while out in the trenches. All the time he was under heavy fire and prayed for some miracle to get him out of it. It made more and more sense now why she had such a hard time opening herself up to new people, especially him.

“I’m sorry, I get it now.” Bucky spoke softly.

“Thankyou.” Y/N replied offering him a small smile.

“Did you two have a favourite story in the end?” Bucky asked looking up at the stars.

Y/N was honestly touched and surprised he had actually been listening to the story.

“Hamlet I think, it was one we could talk about endlessly.” Y/N smiled at the memory of them.

With that Bucky excused himself. Y/N simply thought he was allowing her sometime to herself before the big night. For the first time in a long time she let herself think of Loki and not feel too distraught about him.

The ball finally came around. All the Ladies and Lords, prime ministers and ambassadors seemed to be there. Y/N even got to finally see her Mother and Father, she knew she couldn’t but she wanted to so desperately run into her Mother's arms and stay there for the whole night. Instead she merely curtsied to them and shared a few dances with her Father.

The party seemed to be in full swing, everyone took turns dancing with Y/N while they waited for Bucky to actually arrive. First Steve danced with her, always the gentleman, then Sam, then Pietro who kept remarking on how beautiful she looked tonight and if ‘Barnes screws up I’m more than happy to take his place.’ When Y/N was finally all danced out she sat down at one of the tables with Wanda and Natalia.

“Do you think Bucky isn’t coming?” Wanda asked concerned.

Nat and Y/N shared a look. Bucky had always been emotional and brash that after his and Y/N’s talk he could have decided to call off the whole engagement. As much as Y/N wished Nat and him could have a happy ending Y/N had to put her country first. Worry began to spread between the three when suddenly.

“His Majesty Prince James.” The announcer beconned.

Y/N looked up the the top of the room to see James and finally arrived. They made eye contact across the room and Bucky came practically bolting down the stairs towards her. Everyone watched the Prince cautiously, knowing what tonight was going to be. Bucky reached Y/N’s table and leaned down towards her.

“Close your eyes and imagine his voice.” He whispered in her ear so only she would hear.

Taking a fork and champagne glass he tapped the two together and the crowd instantly went silent. Bucky shot Y/N a look almost saying ‘Do you trust me?’. Y/N simply nodded and Bucky got down onto one knee as Y/N closed her eyes trying to remember Loki’s voice.

“I’ve never been good with words so I’ll leave summing up my love for Y/N to someone who is far better at it than me. Y/N, Doubt thou the stars are fire;Doubt that the sun doth move;Doubt truth to be a liar;But never doubt I love. I love you more with every book we read and every fire we light, will you do me the honor of becoming my Wife and my Queen?”

“Yes.” Loki

Bucky got up from one knee and placed a small kiss on Y/N’s cheek.

“Thankyou.” Y/N whispered back at him.

The whole crowd cheered as the sight of the newly engaged couple. It turned out all those hours Bucky had been gone he was reading Hamlet trying to find the quote Y/N had mentioned when she told him about Loki. It was the start of friendship between Bucky and Y/N and understanding. That no matter who they gave their hearts to, their country would come first. A fondness grew between them over the years, they paved the way for a long and peaceful reign. When Y/N reached the age of 86 she passed away, Bucky buried his Queen back in her homeland by the lake she had told him about, along with a marked grave stone for Loki. The gravestone read, ‘Never Doubt that I love’.

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #prince!bucky #royal!au #royal!reader #princess!reader #loki x reader #bucky x natasha #marvel fanfiction #marvel imagine #prince!au

409 notes · View notes