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hargrove-mayfields · 2 years

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Who Knows The Way I Love You

(A Valentine’s Day Harringrove ficlet! <3)

Leave it up to Steve’s mother, queen of control freaks and master of all life-ruiners to have arranged a date for him. Especially today, Valentine's Day.

For ages now she’s been harping on him about how disappointed she is in his lack of motivation to grow up. She felt that at 19 he was too old to still be at home, a mooch and an embarrassment to the family name, all because she had moved out when she was just 17 and got married in the same year and he’s, well, nothing like that.

The fact that she isn’t happy in that marriage never seems to come up when she’s making that argument though.

But apparently she’s taken matters into her own hands again, arranging for him to meet with some random bachelorette in hopes they’ll fall madly in love and he’ll want to move out immediately so she can finally have the house to herself. Maybe a few grand babies to dote on in a few years to make her feel like a good mother. The usual.

Of course she would wait until the day of to tell him too, casually over black coffee he hates the bitter taste of mentioning offhandedly, “You’re meeting with the Thompson girl tonight.”

He hadn’t known what to say except, “Meeting up as in, like, a date?”

“That’s what I said, Steven.” Her tone was serious, harsh even, as she monotonously explained the details, “You’ll pick her up at seven. Don’t be a minute late. I’ve already picked out a suit, just try to do something with that hair of yours, would you?”

At that point, he’d been perfectly content with nodding along, only hearing her request, ignoring it, then immediately forgetting, but she just had to add, before she turned on her heel and left him to think on it, “Oh and dear, please don’t do anything rash like last time. Lord knows how everyone talked after the Wheeler girl. If you must make a fool of yourself, do it quietly.”

It’s not that Steve had been really surprised, because again, his mother’s been trying to shape him into the perfect son since he was in diapers, which most of the time meant being judgemental as hell, and playing the love doctor since he was old enough to date, hand picking all his girlfriends to try to ensure her future daughter in law would be just perfect. It was amazing how every time, without fail, she always picked girls Steve couldn’t stand or get along with in the least bit.

Growing up in his mansion by parents too snobbish to deal with the less desirable aspects of parenting, he knew there was no way they could even know him all that well, but it still sung, just a little, every time his mother would force him to go out with any old rich debutante that struck her fancy without knowing what he cared for. Which happened to not be women at all, but that was beside the point.

Because vacations and family photos, that was all fine and easy, but teaching their kid a life skill or two, maybe sticking around long enough to make sure he wasn’t a walking anxious disaster, that was too far below them. And that’s exactly why they, or more specifically his mother (his dad probably doesn’t even know Steve’s ever had a girlfriend) think he needs every last part of his life predetermined to avoid the failures they had ultimately set him up for.

Like when his mother made him go to the country club his freshman year on weekend dates with Tina, who talked like a snob and thought she was better than him in every way. Or similarly when he had to take the Holloway’s daughter to the most expensive sit down restaurant just outside of Hawkins, this one the polar opposite of Tina, again leaving him with absolutely no idea how to conduct himself. She’d never even said a single word to him. At least breaking it off didn’t reflect back onto him.

All he’d realized from it was that he could barely manage small talk with any of the girls she wanted for him, let alone planning his whole damned future with them.

The only partner he’d ever really chosen for himself was Nancy Wheeler, and well, he didn’t even want to think about how that one ended. Or that maybe he never really loved her in the first place, that she was instead just an experiment to test his independence he got too attached to. Or, regardless of his feelings, the fact that it’s been thrown back in his face about a thousand times since as proof he shouldn’t be out there on his own. Like having one failed romance meant he had to just tuck his tail and drop whatever he was doing for her matchmaking bullshit.

Well wouldn’t she be disappointed to hear he already had a date, and she wouldn’t be getting her perfect little daughter in law anytime soon? He’d bet her heart would break clean in two.

Because this wasn’t just the case of your typical, rebellious well-off teenager dating the-girl-next-door to offend his beloved parents while ultimately still following the rules, he’d done all that before. It’s juvenile.

This, this was more like taking everything they had ever raised him to be and turning it on it’s head.

Steve has a boyfriend. Well, a sort of a boyfriend. They never used that word, in Steve’s case mostly because he can’t handle the commitment just yet. He can thank Ruth Harrington for that one.

Ironically, the fact that this partner of his was a boy somehow probably wasn’t enough to shred her sensibilities into nothing but hatred on its own, but that ambiguity, the hesitation to commit for the rest of his life into something romantic, that might just do the trick.

He just couldn’t help himself. When Billy Hargrove rolled into Hawkins straight off the pages of a magazine, he saw an opportunity. Recognized his chance in the pierced left ear and the fashions right out of the Castro district, so he made his move as soon as they were over the bullying thing. His mothers expectations be damned.

So, of course Steve will not be going to dinner with Tammy Thompson, not that he’d ever want to in the first place, his plan was always to go over to Billy’s place.

Besides, it’s fourteenth of February, Valentine’s Day, and Billy’s dad is out of town. They might not be ready for labels, and very rightly so, but Steve is still not going to let an opportunity like that slide. All that wasted romance on girls he wanted nothing to do with could now be freely funneled into the first person he’d ever truly wanted to spend his forever with.

It’s admittedly not their usual speed, but they’d planned a night in for the holiday. Everything about it was probably too intimate for the current status of their relationship, putting Steve between equal nerves and excitement. Anticipation for getting to act like a couple, bring his boy a card and a kiss on the cheek in celebration, couple right with the fear of getting too comfortable in something that the stability of was constantly threatened, be that by societal rule of his mother.

The fact of the matter is though, they didn’t exactly want to be caught together on Valentine’s Day either, even if it was just at a random party. Rumors spread fast in Hawkins, Steve’d been around that all his life and learned it doubly well since his most recent breakup, so they both agreed it was best to just spend the night alone.

And honestly, Steve was okay with that, actually sort of desperate for that normalcy he’d come to develop with Billy since they’d started this dating thing, but that hesitation in his chest still lingers. That idea that maybe he should just go through with what his mother wants and leave Billy hanging, since they’re not technically official yet anyways.

It’s a guilty thought to have, but he’s never been the type to be able to completely disregard what his parents think, especially when it comes to this. To the one thing he’d fucking failed at doing right countless times; being their perfect son who’d follow every rule and continue on the family legacy before he had time to grow into his own life.

Still, he’d really hate to lose Billy over something so trivial, and he thinks he’d hate it even more to be hitched to some random chick he’d end up either hating or leaving anyways, so, as it stands, he’s headed for Cherry Lane.

He tosses his stupid, and probably poorly thought out, little drugstore gifts in the shapes of cartoon hearts and withering roses into his backseat, and drives the familiar route to Billy’s house. Not that he’d stopped there often, the same authoritarian whose absence meant tonight was possible the very reason he didn’t usually come out this way, but, every so often, Billy’d need him to come by.

He’d have just one too many to drink while they were out and need dropped off a little closer to home, or maybe he’d be a little extra lonely, in need, and beg Steve to actually come in, again only on days when it was safe. All the same, Steve gets there without any extra stress to add on top of that tightness in his chest, that uncomfortable mixture of longing and fear that washes heavy over him.

He powers through the anxiety and marches right over to Billy’s window, standing on his toes to reach the pane just above his head and tapping on the glass with his knuckles, knowing the other boy would be nearby. Waiting up for him, even if it still took him a moment to answer, just enough of a pause to not seem like he isn’t eager.

Steve smiles wide as the bottom finally slides up, a groggy looking blonde peeking out down at him, “Could’ve used the door, H. Neil’s not home.”

“Yeah, I know. Thought this’d be more romantic.” Billy pauses for a second, like he’s processing what Steve said, before an equal smile cracks across his face, extending a hand down to Steve and remarking, “Get your ass in here.”

The first thing Steve does, once he pulls himself up into the room with only minor effort, is thrust those cheesy gifts he’d brought out towards the other boy. He has no words, just a slightly flushed, overly self-confident expression he hopes reads a little cooler than it sounds.

Billy thankfully doesn’t freak out, doesn’t tear the card in half or smash the flowers into the carpet like the more anxious parts of Steve’s mind convinced himself was a possibility. He just looks down at what’s in his hands, clearly not knowing what to say other than, after another moments pause, “You goin’ soft on me, Harrington?”

Steve shrugs, adding to make himself sound like he’s on Billy’s level or to make him laugh, he isn’t sure, “You wish, Hargrove. These were supposed to be for some chick.”

“Ah, but you still decided to give them to me.” Billy smirks, licks his teeth, takes another step forward. They’re teasing around something, literally. Pulling pigtails like they do best.

“Who else would? You know, I consider myself quite the charitable guy.”

One more step, Billy mutters, close enough that Steve can count the freckles on his nose, feel the hitch in his breath when Billy says, “I consider you an obnoxious asshole.”

It’s Steve who makes the first move from there, closing that tiny gap that was left between them to connect their lips, an open-mouthed kiss he presses forward into until Billy’s knees buckle and they both fall back against his bed. Hands wander, the kiss deepens, passions dance. That’s the way it always is with Billy, since the very first time he’d grabbed Steve a little too rough and kissed him the same way.

They’re awkward and they’re a little clashy but Steve at least gets absolutely lost in it. Could just sit and make out with him all day and never notice that the world kept turning without them. It’s what drew him in and just one of the many things that kept him around. Kept the idea in his heart so solid that Billy was his one.

He’s glad he chose this. Any lingering regrets melting away with his fears of approaching Billy so vulnerably. So demanding of something he wasn’t sure they were ready to have.

Still, in the moment, once his thoughts wander back to the warm hands under his shirt, the tongue halfway down his throat, he breaks it off. As much as he could lose track of everything, he can tell things are probably going to go further tonight, it is a special occasion after all, and he wants to be ready for that.

Steve pushes up off the bed, off of Billy, wandering towards the bookshelves where Billy lines up his music. If he is finally going to give up that one last milestone, he tells himself the music will ground him, keep his thoughts from wandering. From assuming the sex is all they’ll ever amount to just like all his other partners did.

Billy lacks the context of that internal dilemma though, throwing an arm dramatically over his face and complaining, “Where’re you goin’?”

“Need a soundtrack. Don’t like the quiet.” For a moment, Steve wishes he’d thought of this sooner and brought his own, because as he pushes through the stacks of tapes, it’s all the stuff he’s been bitching about Billy turning off every time he’s in his car, “God, do you have anything in here that’s not for crazy metalheads?”

Billy sits up on his elbows, interjecting, his tone a whine, “Why the hell’s it matter what the music is? Jus’ pick something.”

“Because it’s Valentine’s Day, Bills.” Steve rolls his eyes, muttering as he pushes yet another row of tapes out of the way, “I’ll keep it in my pants if the only option is this garbage.”

Billy sighs heavily, definitely playing up the drama on purpose, but he gives Steve a clue in so he’ll stop stalling already, “Third row from the front. Far left.”

Steve follows his directions with his finger, smearing dust off of older I played tapes at the back, landing on a particular mix. It’s half played. The title is scratched on in blue pen, but instead of being numbered like most of the rest of his mixtapes are, as Steve had come to learn, this one simply has a picture of a crown and a heart scribbled next to it. Something something along Steve.

He flips it around, can tell Billy is flustered by the idea of him hearing it, or even holding itx if the flush that's started creeping up his neck under Jose golden curls that spill over his shoulders is any indication. “What is this, B?”

“What you wanted.” Billy grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest and almost demanding, “Just get your ass back over here.”

But Steve is distracted, slotting the cassette into the clunky, beat-up player, standing in place until the static cuts through into music. He doesn’t recognize the song, it’s some disco era love song. Leo Sayer maybe.

Doesn’t matter, because Billy is embarrassed by it all the same, and Steve is going to milk that for all it’s worth. He knows the tape was for him, and that he was also never supposed to find it. It’s a touching gesture really, but he’ll be damned if he doesn’t have something to tease Billy about on a night when he brought him fucking flowers.

He sways to the music a little, making Billy groan and put his head in his hands, “What are you doing, Stevie?”

He just laughs a little, does a little turn in the center of the room. Not really dancing as much as he is teasing his boyfriend about his sappy secret taste in seventies love songs.

Billy, now blushing about as red as the roses on his nightstand, hooks his fingers through Steve’s belt loops, tugging him back over, interrupting his little moment. Steve lets Billy pull him where he wants him, which is in his lap.

Billy holds an arm around Steve’s waist, kissing him again before they have time to say anything else. Because really, they don’t need words. Not right now.

There’s a distinct lack of the heat they had before though. No expectations this time, no next steps behind this particular union. Steve likes it that way. Likes the feeling of warmth and love and appreciation of the moment. It’s why he came here tonight. It’s why Billy makes him feel special.

Steve realizes then, that he can’t deny it anymore; He’s fully in love with Billy Hargrove.

When the time comes to take a breath, it’s Steve who pulls back, when Billy leans in again, pressing their foreheads together as a sort of reminder that he needs a minute. He can’t help the loose smile that crosses his face then, “Who would've guessed that Billy Hargrove was such a romantic?”

Billy returns it, somehow almost bashful, even though he’d initiated this, “There’s lots’a things you don’t know about me.”

“Like what?” Steve urges him along playfull, genuinely making Billy stop and think.

That’s yet another thing about the two of them. The charm between them doesn’t come so easy as it does in other settings. It’s never that same practiced shtick they have to put on for all the pretty girls and watching eyes, they keep each other on their toes, in a challenging, complete sort of way. In a way that almost says- I’ll always keep trying to be my best for you.

Billy hums, trying his damndest to be cheesy back if his lopsided smile says anything, “Like.. how I got a hundred numbers my first week in town and still chose you.”

“Pfft, I could’ve guessed that one. No one would pass me by if they had the chance.” It makes them both laugh, soft chuckles drowned out by the continuous music from the stereo, it’s natural setting just a little too loud because of the double speakers. Steve prompts further, “Try again.”

“Okay. Bet you have no idea how much I love you.”

There’s a pause. The tape clicks as the ribbon runs out. Billy’s room is suddenly silent.

If they haven’t even officially used the word ‘boyfriend,’ they definitely haven't said those words out loud yet. Steve had just come to terms with it in his head. Neither of them were ready for that.

“Did you just say-“ Steve starts, leaning back to look at more of Billy, who at the same time almost instantly interrupts with, “-I did.”

“I thought we weren’t-“ Again Steve tries, but the same thing happens, Billy cutting him off, his voice increasingly shaky, “-I didn’t mean to go too far.”

“You didn’t, I jus-“ Once more, “-I’m an idiot H. Was trying to be sly and it just sorta, slipped out and I-“

“Billy. Listen to me.” Steve raises his tone just a little, firm enough to interrupt the panic he knows is taking root in the other boy's thoughts, but gentle enough it won’t register as condescending.

“Just spit it out, H.” Billy starts, mumbling once he realizes he’s doing the same thing, meaning not listening, “Sorry.”

“No, s’okay. Just wanna talk about it.” Steve slides out of Billy’s lap, the position sort of inappropriate for this type of conversation, settling beside him so they can talk more comfortably, “I’m not like, mad that you said it. I’ve kinda.. wanted you to for a while actually.”

Billy looks at him, a reflection of shock and confusion, the look of someone who’s too busy blaming themself to hear the truth, “We’ve only been together for like, a month though, Steve.”

“I know, but you can’t tell me this isn’t special. I’ve at least known it was since the first time I saw you.” Steve tries, but Billy's face contorts again, his eyes narrowing and his smile fading even deeper into a frown, this time taking it the wrong way, “I tell you how I feel and you’re trying to show me up now?”

“No! I told you to just listen. You’re throwing me off. Just- lemme start over.” Steve shakes his head, feeling Billy's sharpened gaze follow his every move. He sighs and tries from the beginning, “I know it feels sort of like we’re rushing things, but it’s just different with you, Billy. It’s like, I feel like this is actually where I want to be, and like I always want you to be with me. Like I’m drawn to you all the time and I can’t wait for the next time I get to kiss your stupid face.”

Billy gets it, finally, “So.. like you love me.”

Steve hesitates at the wording, finding it just as hard to admit those feelings, mostly because of the last time he did, “Yeah, just like that. And I do.”

“Say it then.” Billy shifts closer, physically and in the conversation, intense and passionate. It gives Steve the impression he’s had a similar experience as he did.

“I’ll save it for a special moment.” Steve promises, half-way between joking and deflecting. The way Billy’s face crumbles sways him though, “..And seeing as tonight’s Valentines Day, And we’re here all alone..”

Steve leans forward and kisses him again softly, muttering against the warmth of Billy’s lips, a promise made all the more personal by the gesture, “Love you, Billy.”

When he pulls away again, the tension has gone again. Billy deadpans, though clearly not meaning it, “You’re a dick.”

“Aw, but you love it.”

“No shit, I said it first.”

“Still can’t believe that. I thought I was supposed to be the romantic one. I even brought you flowers.”

“Just had to throw you off your game.” Billy shrugs comfortably, their entire tone finally having shifted more to genuinely being able to laugh at themselves and each other, the motive of getting under the other’s skin seemingly dissipated by their mutual declaration, painful as it was.

“Say it again and it just might work.”

“I can’t. S’a heat of the moment thing.” It’s Steve this time who pouts, glassy eyes and pretty puffy lips demanding something more from Billy, who caves, “Fine. Don’t make those eyes at me. I’m already in love with you.”

Steve shakes his head, between being encouraging and just being plain stubborn, “You’re talking around it again. Just say I love you.”

“I’m tired of just talkin’. We’ve only got like, two hours left tops ‘til you’ve gotta be far away from here and we’re wastin’ it. Why don’t we do something?”

“Something like..?” Steve prompts, one eyebrow raised, the expression and the question both making Billy chuckle warmly, and counter with, “You really gonna make me say it? Just get back over here, pretty boy, ‘n I’ll show ya.”

“Hm. Shouldn’t you reset the tape first?”

“You’re never gonna let me live tonight down are ya?”

“Never.”

#harringrove #steve harrington #billy hargrove #billy x steve #ej writer #story by ej!#it’s Valentines!#went digging in my drafts and found this reject from last year so I spruced it up et viola #this is basically #gay! Steve #the boys hiding their feelings and being generally difficult #and idk me just exploring internal conflicts as an outer thing #idk I’m in theater classes rn this was almost written like a play until I read it back through and realized #but! here’s something #sorry for my absence this is the best I can do rn

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stylistiquements · 3 years

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The Sorcerer pt. 1

Corpse Husband x gn!reader

Reincarnation AU | Summary :

The same candle lights up on Corpse’s desk every time you are reborn and turn 23. He has been looking for you during centuries but this time you might be closer than anticipated. {Playlist}

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 : 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞

You’re about to blow your 23rd candles and Corpse is about to experience the consequences of it. Somehow, something about your rebirth is different this time.

☾ Words : 6009.

☾ Warnings : angst, mention of death (only suggested and not specific), grieving, swearing

Masterlist | Next

What does it mean to be a sorcerer in 2021? Corpse wonders as he chooses an outfit for his black bean character, lightly tapping his fingers in a crafted rhythm against his dark wooden desk. Nothing, really. The modern days turned his kind into a groundless concept, legendary creatures at best and it’s truly a shame when you think about it.

“Alright, are you ready?” Corpse asks as he moves his mouse above the “start” button and projects everyone into a new round.

“I won’t forgive you like I did last round,” Karl warns Corpse, dash of amusement in his tone.

“Sure,” he scoffs and the devious ghost of a smile shines on his lips when the bloody word “imposter” appears above his virtual pink cat hat.

Sorcerers used to be the rulers of this world and the most famous of well-hidden secrets; no one talked about it yet everyone knew. You just had to be here, respect and adoration followed their every move. People from all horizons went out of their way to meet them in hope of witnessing a miracle.

Oh, how the tables have turned now. They didn’t have to hide their face back then and it all went the harmonious way until a certain day when their fate met a tragic outcome. The day when life took a turn for the hidden.

Corpse is somehow retired now. Maybe that’s why he started doing youtube in the first place; because the craving of being needed had to be fulfilled one way or another. Or maybe because the thrill of life has been gone for so long he had to try everything to fill the void in hope of feeling a drip of something again. The weariness of a mere life stiffened in his rib cage from time to time, preventing a proper breathing.

He could have still been able to practice his magic facelessly -he wouldn’t be the first one to do so after all- but it seems crazy, surreal even, for him to picture being so public about such a heavy little secret nowadays. He found comfort in the concealed, in the invisible so long ago.

See, that’s the most important reason why Corpse is who he is today but stopping the explanations there would be neglecting the truth. Corpse would, but I'm more honest than he is.

Somehow, he believes a little too seriously that a kid’s app was designed to ruin his life. He feels this rotting taste that burns his tongue every time he thinks about it, he always talks about it with great passion; as if one minute videos could compete against the thundering energy that travels from his veins to the tip of his fingers. Witchcraft tiktok got the last bit of his ancestral pride and that’s a damn shame.

His character ambles around the hostile corridors dipped in yellow light, looking for a prey to slice in half. He doesn’t have a plan yet but he sure knows how to improvise by now. Corpse deems that he’s rather good at it. He meets Tina in O2. She’s wandering around, running like a headless chicken. What if he took that expression a little too seriously? Alas, he can’t wrap his mind around the idea of the unforgivable and she escapes his reach. Corpse’s nose wrinkles, better luck next time.

His fictional blood thirst gets stronger when he hops inside a vent and observes Rae’s red character doing her tasks. Corpse knows what comes next, it’s inevitable. A hint of excitement and nervousness hatch on his chest.

At the same time on the other side of the country, the ones you love are carrying a big cake to your table. It seems so silly and it leaves you slightly embarrassed that people are celebrating the fact that you were born but, somehow, you can’t forbid that smile to reach your ears.

When you look at the cake, a snort escapes your control. Your friends drew a glazed picture of you but you find yourself hoping that there isn’t much resemblance between that Picasso-ish designed cake and your actual face. I mean, except for that particularity your face displays; eyes that don’t match in colors, one green and one hazel, it really just looks like a kid's doodle.

23, what a weird number. It doesn’t sit quite right with you for some reason. 22 is fine, same goes for 24 but 23 … Somehow, it feels like something is either missing or too much. You’re not too sure which one it could be.

The warmth that emanates from the candles is sweet and tickles your chin softly and everyone is singing along the most disastrous birthday wishes. You’re preparing for your wish. What could you need more? You’re a faceless horror narrator on youtube and life is just about good. I mean, there really isn’t much to complain about and that should be enough.

Your mind drifts off for a second, contemplating what the dream life could be about while one of your friends is already complaining about wax getting all over your glazed face. You could wish for material things but they come and go and their meaning is only ephemeral, maybe 23 is about getting more than that.

Ah, found it. You close your eyes. May I find the place where I truly belong. 23 candles are blown in one breath, not a bad performance.

That’s when the candle on Corpse’s desk starts shining a delicate and orange shade.

Corpse doesn’t notice it at first, too impregnated by his hunt, but when the unusual warmth finally informs him of the merry event, he wrestles to keep his mind into the game. His virtual character stands motionless for a second as he mutes his mic and takes his headphones off.

Fuck, not now please.

Somewhere, a new version of the love of his life turned 23. His mind drifts off, wandering near this idea as his eyes meet the flame.

It’s been hundreds of years and that fucking candle kept you hostage of his mind. Because Corpse couldn’t forget about you, he built those walls to provide you from slipping away, from invading too much of his busy mind. It was a compromise he made with himself so he couldn’t reach you entirely and, therefore, miss you completely. Yet, your rebirth leaks through the pores of his brain and past the fences no matter how hard he tries.

Corpse battles to breathe, he tries to get his mind back on the game but somehow his throat is already filling with a dangerously acidic concoction. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t notice immediately the way his fingers start shaking at a painstaking rhythm.

He moves his character around. Left and right. It’s mechanical and meaningless, nothing but a lost cause. Corpse clenches his grip around the mouse, hoping that the unsteadiness would pity him. How much longer can he carry that feeling? It sits on his shoulders and his chest. It tests out his patience, his own resistance to pain.

“Corpse!” Rae shouts wholeheartedly, rooting him out of his spiral. “Where are you?!”

Fuck; he has no ounce of idea of what is happening in real life, too busy going down this familiar and intimate loop once more. He swallows it all, praying that you would spare him some earned mercy. You’re always so cruel, unabashedly sneaking in and taking over his space despite all his efforts.

“I-huh- I’m in medbay, I have scan," he bluffs, hoping that no one would notice the way his voice cracks at the end.

Because if anyone did, he would have to admit that he’s not okay, that he never was and doubts that he ever will be. Just as if conceding the facts would’ve allowed him to feel how flourishing his despair was. There’s this knot inside his throat. It’s painful and he’s so tired. How many times was he left crawling on his bathroom’s floor when his heart fractured a little deeper? He misses you every fucking day but each rebirth brings back more and more longing.

He would love to abandon himself to the aching pleasure of this unsolicited reminiscence but he knows that if he did, you would possess him wholly and never give him back. You plague his mind like a mist that grows thicker and thicker on his lungs. It diffuses everywhere and intoxicates what’s left of him.

“Sure sleepy but that’s bullshit,” Tina whines. “We know it’s Corpse. He’s been sus’ the entire round!”

“He said he had scan, right?” Sean interferes, believing that Corpse is the jester. “Why don’t you give him the benefit of the doubt?”

They’re all waiting for Corpse to step in, to defend himself but he’s no longer here, too busy trying to swallow the emotions that are leaking all over the place. It gnaws him alive, piece by piece and it hurts so fucking much. Will it ever stop?

Silence is convenient, “I voted” badges get pinned on everyone’s chest. His black character falls into the lava, what an ironic metaphor.

“Sorry guys, something came up and I gotta go.” He finally says, hurry in his voice. He doesn’t try to hide it. In fact, he can’t.

“Are you s…” Rae’s voice gets cut abruptly when Corpse quits the call without further notice.

Corpse knows what’s next, when his head gets overcrowded by feelings and his heart too empty. It’s ugly, it’s messy and oh how he wishes it would be different this time.

The room is spinning from the crumbs of your sweet face and the trickle of your voice that drips through his ears as if you were still here. He clings onto that distorted and stained picture as if it was the ultimate proof that you were real. Were you even real once ? Remembering feels like repeating a word over and over again: with time, it loses its meaning. It wasn’t you he remembered, Corpse figured it out a long time ago. You weren’t there anymore.

The thought of it drives him crazy. He wishes he could get rid of that fucking candle, constant reminder of your rebirth away from him, constant reminder of the defeat he has to endure every time you turn 23 and you’re still not by his side. He has been looking for you everywhere for hundreds of years, from the biggest capitals to the most secluded parts of this world, without a single hint of your existence. You’re his greatest failure and he can’t, he won’t stand that.

Corpse grabs the candle and it collides with the floor with a thud that tangles with his raw voice. His chest moves heavily. It's scattered and in discord and there is this distorted gaze on his face when he remembers that the candle cannot be shattered. It’s this unsolicited spark of self-awareness that brings him closer to reality. Fuck. What the fuck is he doing? Corpse finally lost his damn mind. His hands wander uncontrollably in his hair and he looks around frantically for a second, trying to remember how to survive.

Corpse’s head is pressuring him, rushing him to turn off his computer and spill the words that are stuck on the back of his tongue on a piece of paper. That grip is unforgivable and unclear but he starts writing as if it was the only thing left to do, maybe it is. It feels like survival instinct at this point, it feels like the last attempt to collect the pieces of himself you left behind.

Dear you,

Happy birthday, wherever you are in this world. Another letter is about to join the pile. How many are there already? I wouldn’t know. I stopped counting since it made me sick.

As every time, I hope it’s the best birthday you have ever had. I remember the twenty-third birthday we spent together as if it were yesterday. I can no longer recall the way your eyes wrinkled under your bright smile or the sound of your echoing laughter but I do remember that warm feeling inside my chest, the pain in my cheeks from laughing with all my heart. How pleasant was it to be able to live it all with you? To be able to embrace you, to breathe you, to see you. Forgive me, my love, for I am no longer capable of picturing anything of you. I wish I could. I wish I could be haunted by a proper ghost, at least, and not just a glimpse of the range of emotions that animated me when you were by my side. All I can remember now is that you felt like a firework and that my eyes never met a prettier human. It’s so truly unfair to think about the fact that no one matters as much as you still do.

I am drifting off, am I? I always tend to do that in those letters. I hope you’re doing well, I really do. Did you spend your birthday with the ones who love you? I hope you’re happy and healthy. It’s the only important thing, or at least that’s what I have learned so far.

I hate those letters, they make me realize how lonely I am. Somehow, it feels like I’m expecting an answer that is never going to arrive.

Fuck. My skin aches from the lack of your touch. I miss you so fucking much. Just tell me what to do. I tried everything and you’re still stuck inside my brain. I’m a sorcerer for fuck’s sake, one of the most powerful beings to have ever existed and yet the concept of one single human defeats me day after day, rebirth after rebirth. I’m a fucking shame for my kind. I hate you. I love you so very much. Happy birthday.

Yours truly, Corpse Husband

The paper is stained by the storm that has been building up in Corpse's mind for hours. The letters are deformed now. Look at the mess you just made. He throws the letters away, where he can no longer see it and brings his knees to his chest, resting his head between his legs. He feels like screaming one more time but he’s choking. Sweet and sore agony grips his throat as his veins are burning with thick poison.

Don’t be fooled, Corpse would have been able to cast a spell or two to forget about your existence and spare himself a bit. Yet, it would only erase the last proof he had of you, not his feelings. He would have to bear the burden of a quest he could no longer figure out. He would be left longing for something that no longer existed. As if it wasn’t the case already. He wishes he could sleep, life would be so fucking easier if he could just fall asleep.

A few days have passed since your birthday. The thread between days and nights is thin and confusing and the candle on Corpse’s desk is still radiating with as much energy as the first day.

Corpse’s head is heavy, aching, he wonders if he could still carry it on his shoulders if he wasn’t lying on his bed. That sore body feels like it has been drained from an eagerness that has been growing for too long. Corpse groans, trying to figure out what’s sheets and blankets and what’s limbs, living up to the name he chose for himself.

Every ray of the sun is burning his skin. It leaves his body smelling like heat, he doesn't like that smell. Now, he could just get up and draw the curtains but that laziness is as weary as infiltrated. If only it could rain, maybe it would soothe his nerves and his growing migraine.

After a few minutes of silent fulminations, Corpse finally unlocks his phone and opens his texts one by one just to ignore them. He’s curled up on himself, as if a compressed version of his darkness could help in order to block the light. Sorcerers are supposed to be tied with nature, with every ray of the moon and the sun. His bond with the sun is molded, if not completely doomed to grow untie. Corpse is a sorcerer like no others and that goes without saying.

One text captures his breath and his attention, bringing back some interest into the numbness. It’s coming from you, y/n. Or at least, the “you” from this present life. The “you” who isn’t aware of the past and the “you” Corpse doesn’t know is the one he has been looking for during eternity.

In this life, the two of you aren’t close enough to be friends -and he would never let you take that role- but, by the time of your first Twitter interaction -which consisted of you tweeting emo Sykkuno with tattoo pictures and Corpse replying with a meme that said "If life is a simulation please turn it off", Corpse knew you should be near him at all time. Not too close for you to actually be able to touch him but definitely not too far. It’s peculiar but something that has to be felt, not explained; a primitive hunch so loud it couldn’t be unheard.

His mind is awake again. The plan for today, which consisted of him rotting in his bed, seems compromised right now. Corpse turns to lay on the left side of the bed, where the sheets are cooler. His brows furrow and he sighs heavily as he rubs his eyes with his thumbs.

Corpse really doesn’t know why he’d feel that way in the first place for someone like you. You always seem so organic, radiating, so free in the way you choose to exist. He envies you for being so authentic when all he can afford to do is remain hidden, where no light can really reach him if not to draw a faint shape of his being. No harsh feelings though, it’s just the way he feels about anyone who doesn’t sound fake. There is still a bit of remaining endearment in the way Corpse’s words are thrown at you, you just have to know what to look for.

Now, Corpse trades his horror narrator's advices against some social media help. Those things are bigger than him, he’s too old for that anyway. You think the way he still uses symbols as emojis is charming -no one does that anymore- but Corpse just can��t keep up with today’s slang and way of showing emotions via texts. Kids these days are just too creative with the way they express themselves.

[Hello, Mr Sorcerer, hope you’re doing good. I need your help on something.]

Huh.

He meets your words and his mind gets coated in sweat, frozen blood preventing the next heartbeat from happening. Who told you?

Corpse can’t wrap his mind around the fact that his most precious secret is being exposed with that much negligence. He can count on his fingers the number of people who are aware of his true nature, half of them are actually other magical beings of some sort. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

His head is hammered by thoughts. He thinks he’s screwed, that everyone will know. He can already foresee what is about to come. That’s why there is a bit of fear in the way his eyebrows are arching. His alerted mind screams for him to just throw his phone across the room but his fingers, covered in panic, are faster. The first text he sends is not directed to you, but to Sykkuno, his familiar.

Familiars are to sorcerers what assistants are to magicians. In short -but not limited to- a massive help.

Corpse’s link with Sykkuno transcends the law of words and thoughts. They just understand each other and the way they do, without even having to see each other, is just something that has to be witnessed once in a lifetime. It’s a sort of energy that travels through space, a special connection. It's light and invisible but leaves a warm trail on its way.

However, what doesn’t transcend their bond is the concept of time zone -which Corpse forgot about for a second. Sykkuno is probably asleep right now. Corpse’s panic takes back its race once he realizes he’s on his own and he types:

[Haha, very funny. You know, if you wanted to talk, you just had to say hi :)]

Denial, that will do the trick, right? You can’t be that persistent. Or at least that’s what Corpse hopes when he leaves his phone on an unstable balance on his forehead, waiting for an answer he hopes would spare his mind from yet another issue he has to take care of.

[I knew you’d say that but don’t worry, I promise I won’t snitch,] you reply, lips twitching under a sly smile. [I’m way too afraid of you cursing me or something.]

[Who told you shit like that anyway?]

[I just know someone.]

His expression hardens, that head keeps throbbing harder and harder by the minute. You’re so impetuous and it turns him into an impatient and choleric fog. The topic is too important, crucial and it shows how you truly have no idea what you’re talking about when you act as recklessly as you do.

[Some crazy folk told you about magic and you believed them, huh? Thought you were smarter than that.]

[Dream would be pretty upset if he knew you called him “some crazy folk”.]

Corpse stares numbly at his screen before sitting back on his bed, pulling away from his vision the curly strands that fell down. He throws a bunch of silent curses at the sun which is still attacking him, if not even more now. He types a few words but erases them in a snap, repeating the process once or twice more. Now he has to send another text, this one is for Dream : “we need to talk.”

What a weird day.

Questions, Corpse has so many of them but he can’t stop shaking his head with confusion. He had no idea you knew Dream. Why would Dream reveal something so critical as Corpse’s identity? Why would another sorcerer send you his way? That’s not how things are done unless it’s something they deem they wouldn’t be able to handle and there’s really a few things Dream wouldn’t be able to do. Corpse hesitates for second, fingers fidgeting in the air. He doubts that he would ever be capable of doing something Dream can’t do but does it really matter when, right now, you’re holding information you should never be holding in the first place?

[Feeling like trading secrets under the full moon?] You outbid. It’s always so tempting to tease Corpse when he sounds like a grumpy old man.

[A sincere fuck you.]

[That’s very rude, Mr Sorcerer.]

The way you avoid providing any sort of explanation grows in his mind like weeds that need to be ripped off. Really, from all the good timing in the world, you had to choose the worst one. But there’s the faintest hint of a smile on his lips when he does the math and realizes that, if you wanted to use that secret to your advantage, you would have done it by now. A slow relief that softens his headache. Also, Corpse is well aware that, as annoying as you can get, he can’t refuse you a thing.

[Fine, tell me what you need.]

[So I keep seeing the same number again and again and your name keeps appearing in my head at random times. Still don’t get the correlation but I know there is one. I wanna know the number’s meaning and how I can get rid of you.]

Corpse huffs, he’d like to know that himself. He’s about to laugh it off when he reads the text one more time. Something about it is mysterious enough to pique his curiosity. You mentioned his name, it bothers him. Not that he doesn’t appreciate you thinking about him but because it sounds odd enough to be something related to magic in one way or another. There’s this mix of excitement and apprehension that fills the pit of his stomach and now half of a smile is embellishing his lips. This buzzing sound in his brain, maybe it’s the final signal that he should start practicing magic again, the final signal his life will feel thrilling again.

[Call you in 5. This is a consultation by the way, I’m not doing this for free.]

[Fine, you rat.] You answer with a victorious smile.

Corpse’s words linger in the air. It’s smooth like velvet -you could almost touch it if you pictured it hard enough- and it’s soothing in some way. It’s deep mumbles and bits of light chuckles and a little magic. You’re spinning slowly on your chair, playing with strands of your hair. There’s a different tone in Corpse’s voice. He sounds tired and it’s mixed with something else you can’t really pinpoint. For the best or the worst, that, has yet to be determined.

“So.” Corpse says, bringing you back to reality. “What’s that number you were talking about?”

“Right. So, I keep seeing the number 5 everywhere. I wake up at 5:55 every morning. When my eyes are looking at the clock, it’s 5:55PM and it extends to absolutely everything.” You faintly slap your palm against your thighs in exasperation.

Corpse is silent for a moment as he tries to collect the bits of knowledge that are still hanging here and there inside his mind. As he expected, the pressure below his left eyebrow makes it hard to think. He really doesn’t get why Dream wouldn’t be able to take care of a matter that sounds so frivolous. It feels like the most important piece of the puzzle is missing , the one that makes the whole picture makes sense.

“Okay, this is not really my specialty but the number 5 is an interesting angel number.” Corpse hums. The word “specialty” echoes. Dream talked about that once and somehow, that’s how you finally realized that Corpse was, indeed, a sorcerer. Not that you wouldn’t believe the information in the first place but there’s a remarkable difference between learning and experiencing. What would be his specialty then?

Dream introduced you to this new veil a couple of months ago and you never fully believed in it before getting involved. Maybe that’s why you never talked about it to anyone. Even now, your skeptical nature always finds its way back to you. He said all sorcerers had specialties and that his was clairvoyance. You don’t really know what that means but you wouldn’t ask too much. Knowledge seems like a curse in that field, or at least that’s what you have learned from Dream’s distressed tone when he talked about the past. He always sounded like a broken record, a little out of tune, as if his soul was still partially stuck back there and maybe that’s why Corpse always sounded that way too.

“Do you believe in guardian angels?” You raise an eyebrow, high voice brimming with confusion.

“Do you?” Corpse pauses, you’re silent for a couple of seconds and he realizes that he won’t get an answer to that. “The number 5 is your guardian angel trying to tell you that things are about to change in your life. In fact, it means that the process already started.”

“You’re kinda scaring me though,” you say as you readjust your sit, nose wrinkling under an almost grimace. You don’t like it, you don’t like their world. It’s not yours, you’re only a human with a mere life and an almost mere job. Sometimes, you hate Dream for letting you on this secret you were now forced to keep. It always felt so two faced.

“You don’t have to be scared, the change is only gonna benefit you.” Corpse’s voice is soft and the way you can tell he believes in the words he is speaking is almost as surprising as reassuring. You can’t help it, you don’t like change. The unknown is called that way for a reason and maybe this reason is the explanation for why it needs to remain that way.

“Sure,” you coy. “What do I do about you? That’s what really interests me.”

He scoffs. Trust me, that’s what interests him the most as well. Yet Corpse knows no answer to that. He hesitates for a second and his eyes wander into the void. Should he let you know that he doesn’t have a clue, that it somehow scares him as much as it intrigues you? It feels like his broken sorcerer ego would crack even more if he did. Maybe he just had to find out before letting you know.

“Are you obsessed with me, y/n?” Corpse winces. Why would he have to travel through sarcasmland(™) to escape the question? His eyes go wide for a second, flickering on corners of his empty room. It’s only fair that he would tease you like you tease him, right?

“You’re just being annoying now,” you mumble, cheeks flushing in a vivid tint of pink and Corpse snorts.

Corpse almost forgot about himself for a second, about that damn candle, but it hits him once the conversation fades away and the static silence is the only thing left. So he gets up, grunts in complaint rooted out by sore muscles, turns his computer on and plays some rain sounds. The melody of droplets hitting the ground is reminding him how to breathe.

“Rain sounds, huh,” you whisper. “You like those.”

Corpse hums and the two of you are left listening to the rain. It tickles your ears pleasantly, so you close your eyes and relax in the back of your chair for a moment. It’s a beautiful disharmony if you really pay attention, just like Corpse is. You feel like the conversation is about to end, you don’t want him to hang up just yet.

“Corpse?” Your voice trails for a second and Corpse hums again. “Why did you decide to be faceless?”

“What did Dream answer to that question?” His tone is interesting, a bit higher than it probably should have been. What came up as conversation modalities turns into a piqued interest.

“He never answered me," you mumble.

“So people like you can’t take advantage of our nature in real life too,” he lies and you can tell by the half chuckle that travels with the answer.

You know you won’t get more from him, way less than you wish you did. Those faceless sorcerers always leave you hanging. They let you in on their little Hannah Montana life but never bear the consequence that is this endless and flowing well of questions. The rain rings heavily through your ears. It’s time for the call to end.

"Goodbye, Mr Sorcerer,” you sing before hanging up.

When the darkness finally surrounds Corpse, he slips into a strange place that greets him with a familiar smell; vanilla and freshly cut grass. The birds are singing. He takes a long inspiration, his body knows before he does. Corpse looks around, trying to let the image of the surrounding setting sink in.

That place seems oddly familiar, yet totally new; a kitchen made of golden wooden walls. It's decorated with an old and distinguished taste. The wooden table is dressed with a pretty blue and red tablecloth. Vases of fresh flowers displayed on parts of the kitchen, dried herbs hanging above the sink in front of the window. It’s dipped in sunlight, too bright to be real. The rays of light are swaying with the shadows of branches which are dancing outside with the wind. Corpse doesn’t mind the light for once, he even closes his eyes for a second to let every pore of his body get soaked in it. God, did he miss that place.

“Honey, I was waiting for you.”

Corpse’s heart jumps a little before clutching harder. He knows who’s here, he knows it’s his unforgettable love and the idea makes him almost want to never open his eyes again. He can feel it, the profound kindness and sweet smiles that are surrounding you like it always have and it makes his eyes burn with tears that are ready to trail down his cheek, sobs jostling inside his throat. Corpse wishes he could just cover you in embraces and kisses but he can’t, he can never do that in those dreams.

Corpse tries his hardest not to let the frustration immerse him in bitterness by controlling his breathing which could get carried away at any moment now. He finally swallows it all to look at you. There’s a significant disappointment on his face when he realizes yours is as blurry as always. He wishes he could just witness this beauty one more time. He doesn’t remember what your face looks like, you’re not real. It’s nothing but a dream and you’re not here.

“I made some cookies for you.” The ghost of you says as it points out a chair that seems to have appeared out of nowhere, inviting him to take a seat as it does the same. “Those are your favorite, remember?”

With a voice sweeter than honey, so bewitching, Corpse’s body works on its own and mimics your gestures. His eyes are frozen on your silhouette. He tries to remember the shades and colors that were once painted on your face. If only he could remember.

“Did you redecorate our kitchen?” Corpse asks as he takes a bite of the cookie.

“Did I?” Your past self wonders out loud. “It’s been so long, I can’t tell.”

The treat tastes as good as it always has, Corpse takes another bite. The silence in the kitchen is delicate, contemplative. Outside, the weather is lovely; white clouds floating above the endless and bright green meadows. Corpse tries to take everything he can from that dream, from the peacefulness he feels now deep inside, and the perfume of your skin, to the sweet voice that caresses his ears. If Corpse could stay here forever, he would.

“Why are you here, my love?” You suddenly ask, forcing Corpse’s attention which he refuses by looking away.

“I wonder if the wind is warm or cool outside, maybe I should check.”

Corpse knows what happens every time you visit his dreams : you end up asking this question, he answers and suddenly he’s alone and you vanished into thin air. The response is always the same; because I miss you. It leaves him feeling lonelier than ever, craving a presence he can no longer be blessed with. Just a little bit longer, please. He blinks rapidly to expel the few tears that are forming in his eyes, so the knot inside his throat wouldn’t become more unbearable than it already is. Corpse is left feeling so desperate and helpless.

In a precipitation he almost can't control, he gets up and walks towards the door. He just wants to feel the wind on his skin. Please, just a bit longer. Corpse is almost at the door when his eyes deform with stupor under the pressure of a hand that grabs his sleeve. His heart stops, he was never able to touch you in a dream before. What changed? There’s a moment of hesitation before his eyes travel from your hand, to your arm, to your neck, to your face and he can no longer swallow his emotions when he dives into your eyes. Your eyes, he can see them.

When Corpse wakes up, wiped out of his dream, his breath is short and sweat pearls down his forehead. He’s in a rush, he remembers something about your face, something important. He knows what to look for now; your eyes, your irises. They don’t match in color. The left is green, the right has a pretty hazel color.

☾ A/N : Welcome on this new AU my friends I’m so excited to have you here with me on this new journey! I hope you liked the first chapter. A big thank you to @moontwinkles for beta reading the chapter and being a big help 💗 How are we feeling about this? Faceless leo men being sorcerers and familiar Sykkuno??? Idk I’m a little too passionate about it. Don’t worry the next chapter won’t be as angsty as this one but I needed to express my thrist for angst lmao anyway let me know what you think! Until next time (ɔˆ ³(ˆ⌣ˆc)

☾ 𝑻𝑨𝑮𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑻 *OPEN* : @open-minded-chip-101 ; @lochness-butmakeitsexy ; @bizarrebibitch ; @bellomi-clarke ; @ladybismuth ; @katyasrussianaccent ; @satanhauntedourcats ; @owl-llie ; @teenloves ; @notannis ; @mcntsee ; @rottenroyalebooks ; @peachdoppi ; @mirahg ; @foxxtrot-116 ; @koi-soi ; @lupinpetersclearwaterodairparker ; @butterfly-skinnylegend ; @fanworrior ; @stickystrawberrysyrup ;

#corpse husband #corpse #corpse x reader #corpse x y/n #corpse x you #corpse husband x reader #corpse husband x you #corpse husband x y/n #corpse husband imagine #corpse husband fic #corpse husband AU #the sorcerer #platonic!dream

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twoidiotwriters1 · 3 years

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Déjà Vu (Or are we losing our minds?) XIV -Modern!Shirbert

A/N: I haven’t written the epilogue yet, so it might not come out next week, I do hope I get the time to do it though, hang in there! -Danny

Words: 1,178

Series’ Masterlist

Previous Chapter // Epilogue

'I hope that if alternate universes exist, it will still be you and me in the end. I hope that there will always be an us.

In every world, in every story' — Tina Tran

New Year's passed without any strange occurrences as well, Anne had made up her mind and decided that those dreams had been the result of a very shitty week in which she'd had to deal with her ex's engagement, but now she was fine!

If fine meant being unable to not daydream about the handsome stranger with the pretty eyes.

Either way, her trip back to Toronto had gone well, next day they would attend the Orchard's party (Diana had told her she'd contacted Gilbert and he'd reserved a whole table for them) and she couldn't wait to get rid of this false illusion, she decided that the only way she'd be able to get over this man would be by meeting him. Usually, that's all it takes to stop liking a man.

"Anne?" Diana peered through the door. "It's almost three in the morning, you should go to bed..."

"I'm sorry Di, did I wake you?"

"Yeah, what are you doing anyway? School hasn't started, you can't be doing homework?"

"Oh, no," Anne smiled. "I started a new project. It's... It's a romance."

"Oh?" Diana's brow raised. "Are we back to being hopeless romantics, then?"

"I don't know," She looked back at her laptop. "I haven't decided yet. Which is perfect for the book, you know? I think I can give an interesting perspective, don't you think? More objective?"

"What's the main plot?"

"I don't know yet," Anne laughed. "It's about this boy, he's met a girl once in his life and only talked to her for like, five seconds, but it's enough for him to fall in love completely. After that, he starts to compare every woman to the stranger even though all is mere speculation— I haven't decided whether if it should have a happy ending or a realistic one."

"Happy endings can be realistic too, you know?"

"Well, you know what I mean," She shrugged. "It's just a concept, and it could suck— I could end up abandoning the story if it doesn't feel right, but it's the first time I feel inspired enough to do something longer than three pages and I thought I should try it."

"I think you should," Diana walked up to her and kissed the top of her head. "I know it's hard to go to bed when you're inspired and all, but do try to sleep? I don't want you leaving the party early..."

Anne's stomach twisted in anticipation, she doesn't know if she'll want to stay after meeting Gilbert, but she can't say that to her friend.

"Of course," She smiles. "Don't worry."

———————————————

It wasn't a fact, but the possibility of Anne coming to the party caused Gilbert to pour all his energy into making sure everything was perfect.

Gilbert had always been a bit of a control freak, but this was the last opportunity to actually meet the real Anne, and he didn't want to waste it.

He looked at the decorations around him feeling satisfied, Gilbert checked the time and realized it was almost 3 am, he swore under his breath and quickly made his way out, making sure everything was in place and safely secured.

He didn't know why, but something about the next day felt final, it was a now or never kind of situation.

***

The train's incessant rumbling woke him up. He realized he'd fallen asleep while reading the newspaper, Gilbert carefully folded it and fixed his posture as well as his clothes. He realized he was wearing some kind of old-fashioned suit, which he didn't consider strange at all, it felt right, actually, he felt more at home than ever.

Someone sat down in front of him, a dark-haired girl with intense brown eyes and flushed cheeks, he knew who it was immediately.

"Diana," He smiled. "To what do I owe the ple—"

"What is wrong with you?" She interrupted. "First you make us all believe you're marrying an older lady, then you show up at the last minute and announce to my father that you're no longer marrying and you're moving to Toronto instead?"

"I— What?" Gilbert blinked. "Marrying?"

"Yes!" Diana leaned forward. "You told my father you were planning to propose to Winnifred Rose and that you were moving out to Paris, then you change your plans completely! You have no idea how's Anne suffered because of you!"

The name immediately stirred something in him, Gilbert smiled.

"This is a dream, isn't it?" He asked. "She's here—"

"So you simply never bothered to speak to Anne about any of this?" She demanded, clearly not listening to him.

Gilbert's mind came up with a reply on its own, much like any regular dream, it was as if he knew there was a script he had to follow for the story to continue its course.

"Had I had the opportunity to I would have, in fact, I went over—"

"You had every opportunity, for years! Admit it— You've been smitten with Anne ever since she first came to Avonlea and smashed that slate over your head!"

The sentence brought back clear memories: Anne looking extremely pissed, holding a small slate and then hitting him with it. Him being so drunk he'd insulted her without really meaning to.

'Oh... crap', He thought.

"I need to talk to her," Gilbert stood up abruptly.

Part of him knew this wasn't real and talking to Anne here would do nothing to fix the reality that he'd screwed up the first impression already. But his dream-self had no sense of logic, so he ran to the nearest exit just when the train was reaching the station.

He rushed past the crowd and quickly found himself in the middle of a town with no idea of where he was going. The streets looked familiar, but where was Anne?

He ran across alleys, wide streets and unknown houses until he saw a big, greenish building ahead, and his heart jolted in excitement, he knew this was it, he sped forward, he was reaching the entrance—

***

The loud beeping of his alarm woke him up abruptly. Gilbert's eyes opened at once and he looked for the device frantically.

"No no no," He said anxiously. "I was so close!"

But it was all a dream, even if he'd found Anne, it wouldn't change the fact that he'd already ruined his chances with her since the start, and maybe his dreams were all a constant reminder of how it didn't matter how many times he could rewrite the story in his dreams, what's done it's done.

Gilbert fell back on the mattress with a groan. He'd been planning this party for weeks and now it all felt useless, now all he could do was wait for the party and hope Anne didn't remember him.

———————————————

Anne stood gracefully in the corner of the room, looking around at the attendants of that evening's ball without much interest, she was looking for those familiar dark-brown curls, but there was no sign of them yet.

"Oh, Anne!" Phil approached her. "Isn't this dance beautiful? Although it saddens me that the only reason why we get to enjoy it it's because we've finished our studies for good! I shall miss the classroom very much, won't you miss me?"

"Yes, I believe my heart will feel like a part of it has been stolen as soon as you part from my side," Anne replied, only the tiniest hint of teasing in her voice.

"Oh, you're lying!" Phil sniffed dramatically. "I know I won't be you most missed old chum, that's a place Gilbert Blythe has occupied ever since you rejected his proposal."

"Phil!" Anne exclaimed. "Don't speak like that! It wouldn't be proper of me to miss a man while courting another and you know it!"

"Oh, but the heart is such a funny thing," Phil sighed. "And I know you love him, therefore I should deliver the news before it's too late. Gilbert is expected to be engaged very soon."

Anne felt like her heart was getting squeezed and shattered, but she managed to control her voice.

"Oh?"

"Yes," Phil continued calmly. "I thought you ought to know, even if you insist you don't love him. I tell you so you don't do anything foolish... you should tell him the truth."

"What truth?"

"That you and Roy won't get married, of course!"

"Dear me, Phil, where did you get that from?" Anne gasped. "He hasn't even proposed!"

"It doesn't matter, I know you regret deeply the way you treated Gilbert that dreadful day, I know you would answer differently now, wouldn't you?"

What dreadful day?

Rejected his proposal? What proposal?

A muffled voice echoed in her mind, one she knew too well already.

'You would have sex with me?'

Anne shook her head in incredulity. Well, of course she was going to reject him! That offer had been positively scandalous!

And what had she done? She had... she had...

The memory came to her fresh in a flash. She had seized the slate and slapped him with it.

"Oh my..." Anne's hand covered her lips in horror. "Well, I did what I had to, Phil, he was incredibly rude!"

"Rude? He was just asking a question!" Phil blinked in confusion. "How's that rude?"

"Because he... he..." Anne blinked several times, then her gaze gained a bit of clarity. "He called me carrots! Yes, he did!"

"Oh, Anne, that was so long ago!" Phil laughed. "Haven't you gone through enough together to know he didn't mean to offend you?"

Anne was growing anxious. She fixed her skirt even though it didn't need any fixing, and stood up.

"It's getting late, I think I'll go now."

Without waiting for a reply she left, in the blink of an eye, she found herself inside the Green Gables' kitchen, Marilla was seated in front of her, and she had a very pitiful expression.

"I understand if you don't want to visit him, Anne, but I think you should, this may be the last chance you get to speak to him."

"I... Visit him?" Anne blinked. "Last chance?"

"I don't want to scare you, dear, but his mother told me his condition is quite grave," Marilla sighed. "Gilbert might not be with us next week."

"Gilbert?" Anne's voice trembled. "He's sick?"

"I understand your shock, but please do consider going to pay him a visit, whatever he did to offend you... it's better if you let him go with a clean conscience, he was such a good man..."

Marilla was talking of him as if he were already dead! He couldn't be! Anne had seen him in the picture—

But how long had it been since that? How long since she'd stopped dreaming about him? What if this was the reason?

Anne stood up and ran upstairs, she got to her room and locked herself away so she could be miserable in peace.

It was true that he had disrespected her, and she'd defended her honour with that slate... but he was really sweet and generous... or was he?

Ugh, she was so confused! How could she know what was real and what had been her imaginings entirely?

***

"Good morning, Princess Cordelia!" Cole stormed into the room and let himself fall on top of her. Anne groaned and pushed him away. "Are you ready for tonight? I'm planning to get you so drunk you start talking about shifting realities!"

"No!" She whined.

"What?" Cole looked at her.

"I'm not ready to—" She caught herself before she could say 'meet him', "...to get drunk! I think I should take a break from parties..."

She knew that meeting him would help her get over her infatuation, and maybe even stop her dreams... but she didn't want them to stop; it was so nice to have someone treating her the way Gilbert would in her imagination... what if he was just as awful as Roy? She wasn't ready to have her heart broken again...

"Anne, but you've only gone to one party since the holidays started," Cole visibly deflated, "please don't tell me this is about your ex? Diana told me you were writing again, I thought you were making progress..."

Anne shook her head. "I'm not feeling well, Cole."

Cole stood up, Anne pulled the blankets over her head.

———————————————

When the first group of people arrived, Gilbert's anxiety skyrocketed. He was expecting to see Diana's face any moment now, and that would end up confirming whether he would be reuniting with Anne that night or not.

Thirty minutes... an hour...

"Gilbert!" The young woman and her group of friends (including Cole) made a beeline towards him. "Oh my goodness, you're so tall!"

He smiled, for a moment his thoughts focused on his old friends, and how different yet similar they all look from their younger versions. Then he realized Anne wasn't there, and his hopes and expectations both crashed.

Of course she wasn't going to come! Even if she did live here, Diana had probably told her it was a reunion for old friends only, and she didn't know him, not the real him, and if he was really honest, he didn't know her either.

———————————————

If she were to stay and miss the party, she'd end up frustrated. If she did meet him and didn't like him, she would move on faster— a bit hurt, but knowing she was making the right choice.

However, if she were to attend the party, meet him, and realize he was all she'd been expecting him to be and more... well, she could only hope for him to be single.

Anne had been pacing up and down her apartment pretending to be cleaning when in reality she was only making a bigger mess. Her phone buzzed and Diana's name appeared on the screen. She picked it up with shaky hands and unlocked it.

'We miss u :c'

Under the text, there was a selfie of Diana, over her shoulder was Cole, and he was talking animatedly with... Dear God, he was taller than expected.

She stared at Cole and some strange resentment filled her.

"That should be me," She stated, and somehow she knew she was right. It should be Anne talking to Gilbert, taking a risk for the first time in years. She'd only dated one guy, for heaven's sake! She had to let herself live!

"FINE!" Anne groaned. "I'm going!"

***

Gilbert hadn't announced he was leaving, he knew they would all ask him to stay but he couldn't, he was disappointed, all he wanted was to stay home watching shitty romcoms and crying his eyes out.

It was all his fault, Anne had nothing to do with this, he had let his mind run wild and these were the consequences he was forced to face.

Unknown to him, Anne was in her apartment frantically changing her clothes and brushing her hair. She grabbed a bag and hastily put all her stuff in it. She'd already wasted two hours, she had to leave the house NOW.

Gilbert searched his pockets for change, he was planning to buy a few beers and get slightly tipsy so he could be sad properly. He found a dollar but the wind snatched it out of his hand abruptly. The young man let out a short groan as he ran after it. A door opened across the street and a woman's voice reached him.

"C'mon!" Anne closed the door roughly, she lifted her gaze and...

Gilbert didn't breathe, he didn't move. In front of him Anne stopped as well, her arms fell to her sides and she stood there wondering if she was dreaming.

"Hi."

That was his voice! His voice!

She shook her head lightly and walked down the few steps that separated her from the sidewalk. Gilbert's feet moved on their own until he was standing right in front of her.

Anne's hand reached blindly and pinched her arm, she hissed. He looked down at her wrist and frowned.

"I-I just had to check," She laughed nervously. "I have... a very good imagination— so... I just had to be sure this... is real."

Gilbert spoke in the softest of voices.

"Anne? With an E?"

"H-How..?"

"I'm Gilbert," He continued. "I don't know if you remember but... I think... I think we've met before?"

"My god— You won't believe this, but I've been having the strangest—"

"Dreams?" He finished for her. "Me too."

She laughed again, her hands were shaking.

"There... there was a coffee shop—"

"And a cat—"

"You were dying—"

"You were a pirate!"

They looked at each other in disbelief, their smiles growing.

"I... was it real?" She questioned.

Gilbert's brow furrowed as he spoke. "Which part?"

"I don't know... everything... us?"

"Anne," He repeated, this time a bit more urgently. "I have to know... does this mean... you know who I am?"

She beamed, then stretched out her hand.

"Gilbert Blythe, I'm Anne Shirley-Cuthbert. I broke a slate on your head the first time we spoke, and I've been sorry ever since, I just didn't remember it."

He let out an incredulous laugh and held her hand eagerly.

"Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, I think we're going to be the best of friends," He gazed down at her adoringly. "We're meant to be. You've thwarted destiny long enough."

"It was you who moved out before we could meet!"

"You left the bathroom before I could apologize!"

There was a moment of silence before Anne spoke again.

"You know what this means?"

"Yeah, we have around ten years of conversations we need to catch up to," He joked.

"Ten years and a month," She realized he hadn't let go of her hand, but she wasn't going to move any time soon. "But I'd say the night's still young. I was on my way to your party..."

"Can I walk you there?" He asked expectantly.

"Lead the way."

***

"Anne! You came!" Diana froze and stared at Gilbert. "Oh, hi. Did you guys know each other?"

Anne and Gilbert exchanged a look and smiled.

"I ran into him a moment ago," She explained. "He's nice."

"Thanks," He chuckled. "Anne was telling me she's been your best friend ever since she moved to Avonlea— is it true that she's the Cuthbert's daughter?"

"Yes!" Diana beamed. "Isn't she great?"

"Is it true you got drunk on accident when you were thirteen?"

Diana laughed.

"You're already sharing stories? Hang on, I have a great one of that one time she dyed her hair green—"

"Diana, don't you dare!"

***

"You lucky bastard," Bash slapped the back of his head as Gilbert walked into the kitchen.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"You've been whining about your dream girl for weeks and just when you tell me you gave up, this breathtaking redhead steps into the diner and wastes the whole night flirting with you!" Bash said in disbelief. "How did you do that? What the hell did you sell your soul to?"

Gilbert laughed lightheartedly.

"Honestly, Bash, I have no clue... Was she really flirting with me, though? Do you think she likes me?"

Bash rolled his eyes.

"I swear, Blythe, if you don't ask her on a date I'll kill you."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Gilbert grinned.

***

"So, Gilbert," Cole nudged her arm as soon as the boy went into the kitchen. "You know he has a crush on you, right? It's so obvious, I'd be shocked if he doesn't get in one knee by the end of the night and asks you to marry him—"

"Don't scare her, Cole!" Josie slapped his arm lightly. "But Gilbert definitely likes you. He hasn't seen any of us in years and yet he's acting as if we were the strangers!"

Anne squirmed in her place giddily.

"I like him."

"That's our girl!" Jane exclaimed, finishing her drink in one large gulp. "I swear to god, Anne, if you don't take him home I'll run you over with my car..."

"Wow, that's a bit too drastic, don't you think?" Diana said. "They just met, and Anne's just recovering from her breakup with Roy!"

"Fuck Roy, honestly," Anne replied carelessly. "Gilbert's gorgeous..."

"Thanks," a voice said behind her.

Anne winced, the table fell silent and she covered her face with both hands.

"Oh my god... please tell me this isn't happening..."

The group burst out laughing, Gilbert sat down practically glowing with joy.

"Just so you know, I was about to ask you on a date, but I understand if you need time—"

"She'd be delighted!" Cole interrupted. "Please, help us, our friend desperately needs to get laid—"

"Are you talking about Gilbert?" Moody sat down next to Ruby and placed a drink in front of her. "Because the others told him that already and—"

"Okay!" Gilbert replied loudly. "Can we please not talk about sex?"

"Oh, pity, I was about to offer you a hand..." Anne teased.

Gilbert choked on his beer.

"W-What?"

"Smooth, doctor," Josie mumbled.

"Wait, is this actually happening?" Ruby asked with excitement. "Are you two going on a date for real?"

Gilbert stared at Anne with his mouth half-open, unable to get the words out. Anne simply smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes Gil, I'd love to."

The table went wild afterwards. Cole, Diana and Josie rambled about how they should've introduced them sooner, the rest simply were in for the teasing, but no one in the place apart from Anne and Gilbert knew exactly how long both had been waiting for this moment. No one was more relieved than them.

No one was happier than Gilbert as he reached for her hand and held it in front of everyone. No one felt giddier and excited than Anne when he asked for her phone number.

Life had turned into their best dream.

Taglist.

@ninizkd @http-itsrebecca @fuckthisshitimoutyall @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @little-boats-on-a-lake @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @skarlygonzalez

#twoidiots writing #anne with an e fanfic #anne with an e #anne shirley cuthbert #anne shirley x gilbert blythe #Gilbert Blythe #awae #DV fic #shirbert

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lifeistooshorttowasteyourtime · 3 years

Text

Different worlds, same heart - Chapter 6

Chapter summary: The charms course has come to an end and it’s time to say goodbye although (Y/N) is not ready yet, Tina and the Scamander brothers too close to her heart. In a most personal farewell, she finds herself wanting to delay her return to Hogwarts while Theseus holds her in his warm embrace, admitting he’s also going to miss her.

PART 1 – PART 2 – PART 3 – PART 4 – PART 5

***

“Don’t hold back” (Y/N) smiled at her opponent.

Theseus smiled back and the both of them started to throw spells at each other, some verbal, some not, putting in practice what (Y/N) had taught the Aurors in those last weeks. The rest of the group observed them fighting, not knowing which one could win.

After good ten minutes, Theseus threw a non-verbal spell which made her fly back and, before colliding with the floor, Newt caught her. She smiled up at him and then at his older sibling who was panting a bit tired. The rest of Aurors started to clap, which (Y/N) joined smiling brightly.

“Well, I think I can’t teach you anything else. If you need any more help with the spells, your leader is fit enough to help you out” they all laughed and Theseus bowed jokingly “it’s been a pleasure working with you all, really, and I can’t thank you enough how comfortable and welcome you’ve made me feel in the last weeks. I’m going back to Hogwarts, but if you need anything, I’m a jump away. Thank you so much to you all and good luck”.

The room erupted in claps, all of them approached (Y/N) to say goodbye in a more personal note, making her tear up a bit because of the warm farewell from the Aurors. The Scamander brothers and Tina waited till the end, not really knowing how to say goodbye.

“Oh no, I’m not ready to say goodbye to you three just yet” she said looking briefly a Theseus “I would like you to come to have dinner at my home, if you want of course. Don’t want to impose at all”.

Tina smiled brightly “it will be a pleasure!”.

(Y/N) smiled back and looked at the brothers who nodded “count on us” said Theseus.

The woman blushed with a small laugh and the four of them talked about the details for that night meeting.

“See you tonight” said the older Scamander once they were going to part ways at the door of her house.

“I’m looking forward to it” she smiled happily before turning to step into the building.

Theseus chuckled watching her disappear and kept a small smile while going back to his own house. There, he couldn’t help but think about the times she had been there, at the beginning because of her nightmares but then because they just enjoyed each other company. Those walls had known her tears, her laughs, her confidences and vulnerability. And he turned sad. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye either.

That night, Theseus picked up Newt and Tina before leading them to (Y/N)’s house who welcomed them warmly.

“It smells amazing, (Y/N)” Tina said when they stepped into the living room.

“Oh, thank you, dear. I’m not the best when it comes about cooking but I’ve learnt a thing or two back in Hogwarts, some elves are quite chatty. Please, get yourself comfortable!”.

“I have to go down the suitcase to feed some creatures” Newt mumbled shyly.

“May I go with you?” (Y/N) asked with big eyes.

The magizoologist was surprised but nodded with a smile.

They all ended up going down the staircase, Theseus wasn’t much a fan but enjoyed seeing his brother discussing with (Y/N) about some of the creatures and how Newt gravitated towards Tina who couldn’t stop smiling in Newt’s presence. Theseus chuckled watching how his little brother fell in love even more with the brave Auror. Meanwhile, he couldn’t help but admire how (Y/N) was fascinated with every creature, a special spark in her eyes and a permanent face of amazement.

Once they were all having dinner at (Y/N)’s dinning room, they all talked about their future plans, without mentioning the possibility of a futile future if Grindelwald won.

“I know I’m going to get old in Hogwarts” the professor said “I can’t imagine myself doing another thing”.

“As I do with creatures” Newt added with a small smile.

“You would be a good teacher of Care of Magic Creatures”.

“I-I don’t see myself being-being a teacher”.

“I said you would be, not you should be” she smiled at him “you are a free spirit after all. But I’m going to pester the director to make your book the basic one for that subject”.

Newt blushed but smiled at her with thankfulness.

Tina had to go back home before midnight so both women embraced each tightly, promising to write each other and visit as soon as they could. Newt, as the gentleman he was, offered himself to go with Tina. (Y/N) and the magizoologist shared a short hug as an expression of the affection they had harbour for each other in the last weeks, promising to keep in contact. Besides, Newt knew his brother wanted to have his own goodbye.

Theseus helped (Y/N) to clean up after the dinner in the muggle way, wanting to stretch the time they still had.

“If you… If I asked you again to join the Aurors, would you?” Theseus asked when they both were drinking a cup of tea while chatting in the living room, she titled her head smiling and he coughed “Miss (Y/S), would you kindly reconsider to occupy a position between our lines in the Auror department? It would be a pleasure to work along side such a brilliant mind”.

(Y/N) laughed letting her head fall backwards a bit, remembering all the times Theseus had asked the same in the past and making him smile brightly “you know my answer but… You’ve made me doubt for a moment. Made me see myself working with you”.

Theseus shook his head “if I have made that, I’m terribly proud of it”.

She smiled and nodded “you should, yeah. But you make it easy. I mean, I…” she blushed looking down, her shy side coming out again. He sighed and put his hand over hers calling her attention “I’m going to miss you”.

(Y/N) pressed her lips into a thin line and wrapped her arms around his torso, pressing her face against his shoulder. Theseus hugged her back immediately and kissed her hair, not an unknown act from him. She sighed and flexed her fingers against his back before pulling away slightly to look at his eyes “I’m going to miss you too”.

Both of them smiled but decided it was time to part ways and they went to the main door. She smiled sadly at him and crossed her arms over her chest, feeling lonely suddenly “promise to write. I think I’m going to go mad worrying about your role as leader of the Aurors”.

“Don’t worry too much, concentrate in teaching the future generations”.

“Don’t ask me not to worry about you, I hold you dear, you know?”.

Theseus smiled and she uncrossed her arms shaking her head while her cheeks turned red. He observed her and decided to take both her hands between his, making her look up at him shyly.

“I promise to inform you of my wellbeing, I hope to hear about how much the kids learn with you”.

(Y/N) laughed and squeezed his hands a bit. He smiled and kissed her forehead softly before pulling away completely, their hands losing their hold slowly.

“See you soon, (Y/N)” he smiled.

“See you soon, Theseus”.

He disappeared in the night while she sighed closing her door. She put her hand over her chest and closed her eyes hoping it would slow down.

The return to Hogwarts was marvellous, she had truly missed the school and the children so going back to the routine wasn’t that difficult. But to be totally truthful, she sometimes missed teaching the Aurors. Actually, she missed her time with her friends. And the one that was more even though her head told her not to admit what her heart desired.

Three weeks later, in which she exchanged letters with Tina, Newt and Theseus, she was in her class with Hufflepuffs and Slytherins when a silver figure flew by the window. One of the students opened it and the figure went to (Y/N) but, before it could say anything, it disappeared.

“Professor, what was that?” a boy asked with curiosity.

“That was a Patronus, McArdle. You will learn it in Defence against Dark Arts” she coughed before looking at the children of first year “I’m afraid the class has to end now. Go back to your common rooms, please. Not homework for tomorrow”.

(Y/N) alerted Dumbledore and the director with her own patronus before going outside of Hogwarts and apparated to the ministry, her heart telling her she would find Theseus there waiting for her.

#theseus scamander #theseus #theseus scamander x reader #theseus scamander fanfic #theseus scamander fanfiction #theseus scamander imagine #theseus scamander imagines #fantastic beasts and where to find them

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kitkatt0430 · 3 years

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the flash and the problem of the pointless sacrifice

It starts at the end of season one. Eddie Thawne picks up his gun and shoots himself, dying to protect Iris, Barry, and the rest from his dangerous descendent Eobard Thawne.

Season two ends with its reversal, Barry creating the Flashpoint Timeline that, though its eventually set back to 'normal-ish', leaves a time remnant of Eobard Thawne alive and well (if running scared from the Black Flash/Hunter Zolomon as a speed zombie) to wreak havoc once more.

And I get it. The Reverse Flash is one of the Flash's most iconic villains - killing him off in season one couldn't be permanent. But apparently Eddie's suicide could be and the message that sends is... unfortunate.

Eddie is an extremely kindhearted person and we see that about him again and again throughout season one. He always has a smile for the people he cares about and he's an absolutely terrible liar. But we also know that he was bullied as a child/teen and since he never brings up the subject of his own family, it's likely he doesn't have a support structure outside of Central City. And the support structure he does gain in Central City was Barry's support structure first. There's not a single person we see Eddie spend time with in season one that didn't know Barry first.

And that's a big part of what wears him down over the course of the season. When both Barry and Eddie need support, Barry gets it first. Barry's secrets are treated as something Eddie has to prioritize over his relationship with Iris. Barry's loved Iris longer than Eddie's known her and while Iris loves Eddie, she also loves Barry and she's infatuated with the Flash - not realizing he's Barry's alter ego. Over the course of the season, Eddie constantly tries to connect with Barry and Barry constantly holds back. Their relationship is never equal. And that's what leaves Eddie open to Eobard's manipulations with the future news article.

And Eddie tries to make his own future with Iris anyway. But even with Iris accepting his proposal, Joe makes it clear he'll never truly accept their relationship and Eddie's sense of self worth is at an all time low. And that's the state of mind he's in during the fight in the pipeline. When Barry chooses not to let Eobard go after all, it puts them all in a position of potentially having to deal with this fight between the two speedsters just... never ending. It puts Iris in danger because Barry cares about her and because while Eddie is Eobard's ancestor... Iris isn't. From Eobard's point of view, Eddie's the only one who isn't expendable and from Eddie's point of view... he's the only one who is expendable.

His answer is suicide. And his death immediately erases Eobard from the timeline, but its also implied to have contributed to the re-emergence of the singularity. But at least Eobard was dead.

At least, until Barry created Flashpoint at the end of season 2. Presumably Eddie was alive in Flashpoint, but we never see him. Maybe he stays in Keystone instead of transferring to Central City. Never meets Iris. Never gets worn down to feel like he's not good enough. Never kills himself.

When Flashpoint is reset, Eddie's dead again but now his sacrifice has been rendered moot because Eobard's still alive as a time remnant.

It sets a rather nasty precedent for the show.

Season two also ends with a suicide. This time it's Barry's.

Much like Eddie the year before, Barry's been worn down. He had his place in his family's come into question, with Henry leaving at the start of the season and Wally's arrival midway through the season. His back is literally broken by the stress of fighting Zoom and despite everything he's suffered for the city, his honor is called into question the instant a different speedster takes to thievery. He has to give up his speed to protect Wally only for that to immediately put Caitlin in danger. His colleagues are brutally murdered by Zoom to teach him a lesson. His father finally comes back for good, only to be murdered in the same place as Barry's mother.

Honestly, there is no question (to my mind anyway) that Barry's suicidal at the end of the season. And because Barry his time remnants are fundamentally the same person at the moment of their split, the time remnant Barry creates is suicidal as well.

That time remnant tears himself apart to stop Zoom's plan to destroy the multi-verse. His very existence also lures in the Time Wraiths that take Zoom away, transforming him into the mindless Black Flash. All at the cost of a version of Barry killing himself, going unlamented and forgotten. But at least the multi-verse was safe.

Until the Red Skies Crisis when the multi-verse is actually destroyed and rebooted.

Another sacrifice rendered pointless.

HR does not kill himself in season three. But he deliberately places himself in a position to be killed in Iris' place. He arrives on the heels of a scandal on his Earth where he's been revealed to have been taking credit for someone else's work - with that person's blessing, but its still ruined his reputation. He comes wanting to reinvent himself, but from the start he's not the person the team really wants. They want Harry. Cisco wants Harry. He gets it hammered in that his strengths aren't appreciated by the team because he's not a scientist. His efforts to help STAR Labs are dismissed entirely. The only reason any attempts to help his museum venture succeed are because changing the future might save Iris.

It's not that HR is disliked, but he's left acutely aware that he's considered 'a bit much' and that he's always going to come second to the people he puts first. In fact, Tracy's probably the only one who truly and completely appreciates HR as he is.

So HR swaps places with Iris, knowing that he's going to die when he does. And while HR doesn't kill himself, there's an argument to be made that what he did was still suicide by proxy.

And this is a sacrifice that sticks, because Iris West is the love interest. She's never going to be killed off for real.

Three seasons ending with a suicidal sacrifice. And only one of them doesn't have that sacrifice reversed or nullified. Unfortunately, that's not the end of it either.

Harry leaves his Earth at the start of season four. His relationship with his daughter, which was shown to still be strong in season three, has somehow deteriorated to the point where she's thrown him off her support team and he comes to Earth-1 to reconnect with the found family he forged during season two. He's in the midst of a crisis and his understanding of himself as a parent is unraveling. And then DeVoe calls the other pillar of Harry's self identity into question, because Harry's genius isn't enough on its own anymore. He's not smart enough to out think DeVoe and his Earth-1 family is suffering. So Harry creates his own downfall, burns out his own brain trying to be the smartest. And he sacrifices his last moments of lucidity to find the answer to stopping DeVoe. In doing so, Harry puts Barry in the position to save Ralph's life.

But DeVoe still gets the last laugh when he causes the STAR Labs satellite to come falling down, nearly destroying the city and creating Cicada in the process.

But unlike previous seasons, Harry doesn't die. He gets some of his intelligence back and immediately gets exiled by the writers back to Earth-2 due to the massive problems with ableism this show has. But that's a different conversation.

Season five is probably the only season not to include a suicidal character who's kills themselves. Nora dies when she erases herself from the timeline by accident, but we know now she'll be back in the back half of season seven, along with her new brother. But one out five seasons not taking a suicide (or similar action in Harry's case) and painting it as a noble - but ultimately useless - gesture is rather... bad as far as track records go.

Season six has the alternate Barry Allen - implied to be the Barry from the 90s show - who dies in place of this show's Barry. To save the multi-verse and let this other Barry go home to his wife, something he'll never have with Tina again. And the multi-verse is destroyed anyway.

Season seven opened with Nash Wells, whose usual method of investigating mysteries and hoaxes led to the Anti Monitor's freedom and the multi-verse's destruction. His home Earth destroyed so he can never go home. He's confronted with an alternate version of his dead daughter, who can barely stand his presence. He begins to hallucinate alternate versions of himself and is possessed by the Reverse Flash and all his research on how to create a new Speed Force - to try to make up for some of the damage he's caused - points to a single conclusion. The only way to make things better is for him to die.

Instead, Nash's death immediately makes things worse. The artificial speed force is flawed and Barry destroys it in the very next episode. And while one could argue that Nash's death allowed Barry to save Iris and ultimately restored the original Speed Force, it doesn't negate the fact that Nash's suicidal state of mind wasn't addressed by the people who called him friend. And his legacy was immediately deemed a failure and destroyed.

While I wouldn't say the show is glorifying suicide, there's a subtle and incredibly troubling repetition in the story telling on the show that frames suicide as the right decision in certain circumstances. Even though what's being sacrificed for often comes to naught. And it's incredibly uncomfortable, seeing it all laid out like this.

I'm still really not sure what to make of it all, but I've got no doubt it ties into the show's ableism with regards to mental health issues. Because every time its someone whose mental health has been brought down to a low point who commits these acts of 'sacrifice' and while the team grieves these losses... they don't seem to learn from them either. Because it just keeps happening.

(Think I missed something? Please, by all means, add on.)

#the flash #the flash meta #tw suicude #some of the story telling trends on this show can be a little disturbing when you take a closer look at them #discussing several characters on the Flash who commit suicide (or make self-destructive decisions) across the seven seasons #ableism on the Flash

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stevenismyboy · 4 years

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You Belong Among The Stars.

a/n: inspired by a post written by @jxnehxpper (check her work out because it’s incredible!!!) from a few weeks ago, I just couldn't resist not writing about Steve as Han Solo! I haven't been here long enough, but I hope you still enjoy my work. The day after tomorrow, or in two days' time I should publish the next part of To All The Boys I Loved Before au- who's excited? I certainly am!

summary: This year, Steve is dressing up as a famous Star Wars smuggler for Halloween. But he didn't expect to meet a princess on his way. You can find my Masterlist here.

Steve loved Halloween. As soon as the leaves on the trees started to turn red, yellow and orange instead of green, he and Dustin just couldn't wait for it. Robin didn't share their admiration, although she was happy to join in with the costumes and go for a trick or treat in the evening. Steve wanted that night so badly. He wanted to be someone else for one night. Somebody special.

“Give me that” the guy sighed annoyed. Dustin reluctantly gave him a can of hairspray. Steve looked at himself in the mirror and put his lips in a beak, still dissatisfied with the effect. “You look good, Your Majesty. I've got to look, too. Don't be selfish!” Dustin sighed, trying to rip the can out of his hands. Steve just raised his hand up so his friend couldn't reach it. “Come on, that's not fair!”

“You, my little friend, are just going to ask the old ladies for candy. And I'm going hunting to a distant galaxy today, inhabited by the hottest girls on the planet Hawkins. You don't need a hairstyle from space” Steve snorted.

“Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I have to look worse. Chewbacca had a great haircut. I'm not gonna let your tall ego ruin my image” the guy answered and finally ripped out his can. His costume looked fantastic. The kid worked on it so long, Steve was impressed. The fake fur was sewn by Claudia to his brown sweatshirt and even darker pants. Dustin worked almost all evening to attach his eyebrows and beard, but Robin and Steve assured him that what he had was enough.

It was Steve who came up with the idea for their costumes. He had to admit that he surprised himself year after year. His creativity was getting higher and higher. When he was recently moving cassettes with movies on the shelf with the most watched productions, he came across Star Wars and simply couldn't resist. He found and ironed a white shirt, bought a brown vest for a few dollars, and completed the whole thing with tall shoes, waving a plastic fake gun in his hands. Everyone will know who he is. A smuggler. Casanova of the Milky Way. Han Solo.

“First of all, you look terrible enough for a creature from outer space. And second, who do you want to impress today? You've already found your Suzie” Steve shrugged his shoulders. “Excuse me? Just because I have a girlfriend doesn't mean I'll go to Halloween unprepared. That would be unprofessional, and you, Steven Harrington, should know that of all the people you know, I am the least unprofessional. I could have been Luke, but you insisted I have to be Chewie, so bite your tongue and wait for me at the Millennium Falcon”.

“Yes, Captain” Steve saluted a friend and left the bathroom. His parents weren't home as usual. Why? To ruin his night?

Robin was already waiting downstairs. She was chewing the gum lazy looking at his childhood photos in frames, listening to the wind howling outside. She was wearing jeans, a white checked shirt and a red vest, much more spacious than the one Steve had. She looked at him surprised and made a gum balloon that broke with a loud crack.

“I have to admit that... I didn't expect you to look so good. And believe that it was supposed to be a compliment”she added quickly when Steve made a pirouette to present herself to her. “You really liked that movie so much?” Steve wrinkled his nose, pointing to her outfit. “Well, I don't remember much of it, given that I was completely high, but I had no other idea, and time was running out. Besides, I didn't spend millions on it. Marty Mcfly is fully satisfied with me” his friend shrugged her shoulders. True, she remembered little of "Back to the Future", but so what? She remembered that she liked it. Before she stared at the lights on the ceiling so long that she threw up in the bathroom.

“I gave you an idea. Then you disagreed” Steve squinted, pretending to be offended, though in a way it was. He's been dreaming about this day for months. He was supposed to be Han Solo, Dustin Chewbacca (though he would only spend two or three hours with him and Robin) and his friend was supposed to be Leia. But she didn't even want to hear about it.

“I'll say again for the hundredth time, dingus. I don't want to and I will never dress up as a princess”. “Did you ever watch that movie? She's great! She's damn brave, sarcastic, and I guess I don't have to add that she's super hot. Don't you see the resemblance?” Steve raised one eyebrow. Robin sighined, threw herself on the couch, looking out the window.

“You're only talking like that to convince me. My costume is ready, and Leia is absolutely not persuading me. Do you have any idea how many chicks can dress up like her today? A whole lot. You'll be able to dress up in them as much as you like. So leave me alone and accept that today you're playing a duo instead of a trio” she said with her hands behind her head. Steve refrained from commenting, hearing Dustin's feet rumble on the stairs. The boy ran to them with a perfectly laid out head, smiling from ear to ear.

“Ready for the most scary night of the year?” he asked, carrying his plastic gun and falling out before anyone could stop him.

After Steve and Robin made sure that Dustin would reach his friends safely and his sugar level would not exceed the norm, Steve took them both to the party he had been waiting for so long. Fortunately, Tina didn't organize it. He would have had the resistance to go to the bathroom to relive the same experience as last year. The host was some Nick (he didn't even know who hewas) but Robin made sure that he was a great guy and everyone who will be there would make sure that they don't forget that night for the rest of their lives.

They went through the crowd of sweaty teenagers, heading to the kitchen to find alcohol. Robin's blue eyes were wandering around the people, looking for a girl who has been visiting her at work quite often lately. Steve was looking around too. He was looking for smiling ladies, shiny eyes, long hair. He wanted to feel different today. He wanted to feel as if he could still please someone else. As a smuggler, he wanted to steal someone's heart today. Not for one night. Maybe for longer.

“Steve! Here!” Nancy waved at him, standing by the fireplace. Robin ran up to her first to say hi. The girl was wearing a short green dress and cardboard wings, painted with paint and glitter that was falling under her feet. She looked like a real forest fairy. Jonathan chose no costume, but was wearing a green shirt that matched his girlfriend's outfit. Steve smiled, nodding his head at him.

“You look incredible! Steve... I wouldn't expect you to be a smuggler today, Nancy smiled, drinking a sip of juice from her mug. Apparently after the last time she said she wouldn't touch alcohol on Halloween. “Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far, away...” Jonathan quoted the movie, giving Steve a hand. The boy shooked it, scratching his neck. A couple of people had already managed to hang their eyes on him and, frankly, he didn't expect it to embarrass him. He used to get used to the looks. Now, they made him feel warm.

All of a sudden, Robin's eyes were shining. She saw the blackness of a girl's hair, who had recently occupied her thoughts. She banged up and put her hand on Nancy's shoulder, apologizing to her. “You'll have to forgive me for a moment. I have to... move in time” she smiled at one corner of her mouth and rushed into the crowd so she wouldn't lose her chosen one. Steve smiled at her on the run and went into the crowd himself to dance. Wanting to dance like he hadn't danced in a long time, so that he could enjoy the music with all his heart and that he was among strangers for whom he was now only a smuggler.

At the same time, you too are stuck in a crowd of people. The pride in your costume began to splash like a soap bubble. The long, white dress got tangled under your feet, the long sleeves made you hot. It's good that the belt kept the fabric at the waist and didn't slip lower than it should. Instead of two princess's chignons on both sides of your head, you tied ordinary ponies, hoping that everyone would still know who you are today.

As you were fixing your make up on the couch, the mascara fell out of your hand, making your fingers black. All you wanted was to get into the bathroom to wash your fingers and accidentally not touch the dress. The princess is not allowed to walk in dirty clothes. But a party is always a party. A moment of inattention was enough for someone to step on a piece of your dress. You lost your balance by falling into a crowd of people, getting ready to meet the floor.

But that didn't happen. Someone's strong shoulders woven around your waist to protect you from falling. The ponies just swirled around your face, and when you took them aside, your heart stopped.

The universe has stopped for a moment. The planets stopped circulating, the stars surely glowed brighter. Steve couldn't believe his eyes. One moment he danced as if it was the last night of his life, and the next he held Princess Leia in his arms. You were speechless. The real, living Han Solo embraced you with no intention of taking his hands off you.

“I... um... my hands are dirty” you said the first thing that came to your mind, hitting yourself in your head for this stupid sentence. “My hands are dirty, too” Steve said immediately, and then he closed his eyes from embarrassment. “I mean... No, they're not, you don't have to worry about the dress, but it's a quote... That's what Han Solo said to Leia when... I just wanted...”. “I understand” you said it with a wide smile. Steve relaxed. He still didn't take his hands, but at least he stopped feeling the burning shame. “Well, if you know the movie so well, what did Han Solo say later?”

“I think... I think he asked 'what are you afraid of?’” Steve guessed, squinting his dark eyes a little. “Afraid?” you repeated amused again, not believing in your own happiness. Someone who knew Star Wars lines by heart, someone who was dressed up as Han Solo, someone who looked amazingly charming saved you from falling? No way.

“You're trembling” Steve squinted, continuing to quote. Maybe he was even a little right. You got goosebumps out of your nerves, although just a moment ago, the long sleeves were keeping the heat. “I'm not trembling” your fingers went to his vest. You forgot they could leave ink streaks.

“You like me because I'm a scoundrel. There aren't enough scoundrels in your life” Steve smiled even wider. “I happen to like nice men”. “I'm a nice man” he said it clearly. If he have to, he'll convince you to spend the evening with him. That he won't do anything to upset or disappoint you. He didn't even have to try. You already believed him.

“Well, let's see how well you're dancing” you're smiling, giving him a hand, completely forgetting the traces of the mascara. Steve didn't even care about that. He was led by the princess to the middle of the dance floor and when she held his hand he could swear that although he was in the middle of the house, he saw the stars in front of his eyes.

Taglist: @mochminnie @quen1054 @krazykatkay456 @sydzygy @ghostineleven @the-almond-dinger @l0ve-0f-my-life

#steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington imagine #stranger things #stranger things imagine #dustin henderson #dustin henderson imagine #robin buckley #robin buckley imagine #nancy wheeler #nancy wheeler imagine

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headfulloffantasy · 4 years

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How to cure a soul

Disclaimer: heavy illness, near death experience, heavy angst Pairing: Reed900 Setting: Human!AU, Hospital!AU, sickfic

@definietlynotsatan inspired me with a headcanon about Doctor!Nines and Patient!Gavin a while back and I just had to write something for it. Thank you so much for the inspiration! This is just something like a draft, but I hope you all like it.

Nines is the best doctor in his hospital. His reputation is widely known, they say nobody has died under his care before. What they don't know is that it's because he is ruthless and only focused on his statistic. He seems really friendly on the outside, but he doesn't really care about his patients or their fates. When he notices that a case is hopeless, he will ditch it and let somebody else take over so that it doesn't show as a death on his record sheet.

Then one day, he gets a patient whose healing potential isn't that bad, but the idiot is really stubborn and uncooperative, a Detective injured on the job. Gavin looks right through Nines' facade and sees that he isn't really invested in Gavin aside from curing him. So he avoids some of the treatment and sabotages Nines along the way, refusing to eat or pulling out tubes because the beeping is getting on his nerves. His only agenda is to piss off Nines as much as possible. Gavin himself just wants to be left alone, he feels lonely and hopeless despite Tina visiting sometimes. Nines is furious of course, how does this jerk dare to act against the best doctor's advises?! It's almost like he doesn't want to get better!

Nines tries to ditch Gavin's case at some point, but he isn't allowed to.

"Jeffrey, how am I supposed to heal someone that doesn't want to be healed?! This is just pointless!"

"I don't know, come up with something for god’s sake! He is the Cyberlife CEO's brother, we are paid a shit ton of money, but for that I have to assign him my best doctor! That's you, Nines. I don't care how you do it, but do it. Heal his soul first, convince him. Make him want to get better."

"Heal his soul, are you kidding me, Jeffrey?!"

"Do I look like I am?"

Nines has to continue looking after Detective Reed. That asshole is really getting on his nerves, if he won’t get better soon, he will fuck up the doctor’s record.

One time, Gavin refuses to eat again and Nines yells at him to shove that food in his mouth already.

"What are you going to do, doctor? Force me to? That wouldn't be good for my healing process, would it?"

Nines desperately tries to calm down and not strangle the stubborn idiot with his stethoscope. When he is outside, he tries some of the hospital food and finds out that it tastes horrible. No wonder Gavin was refusing to eat that shit. When he sees Tina visit someday, he notices a special brand of chocolate bars she brings with her. So the following day, Nines buys one of them and gifts it to Gavin, who at first is really suspicious but then he accepts it.

As the time passes, Gavin manages to open Nines' eyes for the situation of his patients more while Gavin himself becomes calmer and more cooperative. They establish this habit of Nines smuggling in food from outside and he will spend his lunch break in Gavin's room, number 87. At first it is to monitor his patient's eating habit, but soon it becomes his favourite part of the day. They spend their lunch together, sometimes with sushi because Gavin loves it, sometimes with something else, trying out all food opportunities around the hospital. Gavin starts to get better, he eats and accepts treatment. One day, Nines is on his way to a meeting that could be important to him and his career. But as he walks down the hallway, he passes Gavin's room and sees that the man is crying. Silent and it's not obvious at first sight, yet Nines knows him by now. When he enters, Gavin quickly sniffles and wipes away the tears.

"I... have an allergy."

Nines just sits down on the edge of his bed.

"I know your clinical record, Gavin. You don't have any allergies."

That gets both of them smiling a bit.

"Don't you have to be somewhere?" The doctor thinks about it, but then he surprises himself. "Nothing important. Now tell me what's up."

Gavin opens up to him and tells him that he feels lonely. He has a hard time falling asleep due to anxiety. Nines had noticed the dark circles under the man's eyes. Gavin just rambles on and Nines listens, but when the man tears up again, he can't help but reach out and pull Gavin into his arms. He probably shouldn't be doing this as the man is his patient, but fuck it. To distract him, Nines asks about Gavin's life and he gladly tells about his cat and life outside of the hospital and his past. After some time, the Detective gets tired and falls asleep under Nines’ watch. The medical leaves, but he comes back the next day. He works way over his shifts anyway, so he can spend the evening just as well in Gavin's room and it isn’t unusal anymore to find the doctor in room number 87. They will talk and Nines stays until his patient falls asleep, so he doesn’t have to be alone anymore. Every time Gavin wakes up, there is a chocolate bar or a note next to his bed.

Every now and then they will go on a walk outside, though never far as Gavin is still weak. Nines starts to worry, because yes, he accepts Nines' help now, but somehow he isn't really getting better. Losing weight instead of gaining. Gavin doesn't seem to mind, he's just happy to get out of his hospital bed from time to time. They get closer and closer until one day, Gavin decides to kiss Nines.

“Stop frowning and kiss me.”

The medical complies gladly and leans down for their lips to meet, clinging to Gavin with his dear life. He has fallen so hard for that stubborn idiot, the man is the first person he is genuinely worried about. Nines knows he has to find a way to heal Gavin, this time for him as a person and not as a number on Nines' record sheet. But he feels like his repertoire is at its end. Gavin tries to calm him of course and Nines wants to believe him, but there still is that feeling in his stomach. He feels so guilty because he knows that a few months back, he would have ditched Gavin's case now.

The next day Nines comes to work and wants to visit Gavin in his room to say good morning, though when he enters, he immediately sees the red alarm in one of the rooms. Number 87. The blood freezes in his veins.

Nines runs there as fast as he can and when he enters, the room is already full of medical staff trying to revive the man he grew to love. The doctor almost can't bear the sight of Gavin's limp body getting electroshocked and that horrible sound of a heart flatlining.

Nines rushes towards Gavin and pushes away the people standing around the bed. He takes over and while trying to revive Gavin, he screams at him that he isn't allowed to leave, that he can't leave Nines behind. Tears run down his face and cloud his vision.

“Open your eyes, Gavin, please! You- you can’t leave me like this! Come back to me, I beg you!”

And Gavin does. He comes back to life with a sharp inhale and coughs while the screen slowly goes back to steady beeps. Nines can't hold himself back from pulling the man into his arms and he weeps like a child. There are shaky arms wrapping around him, drawing soothing circles on his back. Of course Gavin would care for him, even though the Detective just barely escaped death.

At a control screening, they find out that Gavin has a tumour that had been unnoticed before. That's what impeded his healing process and ate away at him. The other doctors offer him a chemotherapy, but it's his decision to make. Gavin asks them to leave Nines and him alone, because he sees how stunned the other is looking. He knows the percentages for recovering from cancer. He has treated this condition all his life.

"Hey Nines, you okay?"

Nines can't suppress the small sad smile. Gavin is always caring for others first, although it should be Nines supporting the Detective now and not the other way around. He can’t help the panic creeping up in him though and his hands are shaking. Immense guilt rolls over him, mixed with overwhelming fear and sorrow. The medical knows he would have ditched Gavin's case here a few months back as he would see it hopeless. A hopeless case not worth looking into more. But now he wants to stay and fight and he begs Gavin to fight as well. The Detective hugs him tight when he starts crying again.

"Nines, I want to go home-"

"No, Gavin, no, please don't do that to me, I almost lost you once, I can't ... I just can't-" Gavin interrupts him with pressing his lips on Nines’. The contact immediately soothes the taller man and he melts into the kiss, salty from his own tears.

"I will fight, don't worry. I will do everything you say, no matter how much it sucks. But I want to get home, Nines. I am sick of hospitals."

That is something the doctor can accept. They decide that with Nines’ help, Gavin can get back home and come to the hospital to get his treatment. Nines stays with him and basically moves in to assist the Detective with his daily tasks. Gavin introduces him to his cat he had told him so much about. Nines takes time off to care for the Detective and help him at home and to get to where he has to be. As he never really took a vacation before, the doctor has a lot of days left and Fowler helps him get off from work for the duration of Gavin needing help.

So the treatment goes on and Nines stays.

They become a real couple, going through good phases and really shitty ones. But Gavin doesn't have to go through them alone anymore. Nines cooks for him, cares for the cat, they will watch movies all day snuggling in bed and of course Nines helps him when shit gets bad and Gavin gets sick. But they make it through it together. And slowly but steady, Gavin gets better, becoming stronger and gaining weight day by day. Despite puking and the side effects that freaking suck, Gavin is the happiest he has been in a long time. There is someone holding him at night, someone he wakes up to in the morning, snoring next to him. He is so in love that he feels like he can get through everything. Yes, the rest sucks and sometimes he doesn't stop cursing at how miserable he feels. But Nines is right there with him.

They are on a good way and Gavin gets better and better, beating the cancer. His hair is slowly growing back and Nines is really fascinated. Yes, he knew the man used to have a beard, but he never knew how HAIRY Gavin was. Scruff along his jaw and cheeks, soft fluff on chest, arms, legs, head and a bit on his stomach. Nines adores it, always letting his palm caress over the flimsy hair when they lie in bed. It makes Gavin laugh and he tilts his head to place a gentle kiss on Nines’ lips.

"Yes, I am prickly, not as baby butt smooth as you are." the Detective teases with a weird wink.

Nines has to admit that this was exactly the side of Gavin he fell so hard for. His rough but kind personality, the charm of all his sharp edges. With a swift move, the Detective turns them around, arms pulling Nines closer. He has regained a lot of strength over the last weeks and Nines feels himself blush at how easy the man shifts him around. He lets his fingers roam through the short strands of hair on Gavin's head and the Detective closes his eyes with a pleased hum.

"I know." Nines whispers as their hands lace together. "And I love it. I love you."

#reed900 #gavinreed #nines rk900 #dbh #my writing #heavy angst #sickfic

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fandom-necromancer · 4 years

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One Push too Many - alternate ending continuation

This was prompted by the wonderful @anxiousmessofaperson! I hope you enjoy some groggy Gavin shennanigans!

Fandom: Detroit become human | Ship: Reed900 & Kamski [Part1] [alternate “ending”]

They found a spot in the lobby of the wing where patients who weren’t able to go the full way to the cafeteria could meet up with family. It was empty at the time Kamski and Nines entered, and they chose a table at the windows, where they could look into the hallway. Kamski joined him later, fetching a coffee from the vending machine. Black with sugar. Just as Gavin took his. With the exception that Gavin would have never touched overprized low-quality hospital coffee.

Kamski sat down opposite of him and stirred in the steaming cup. ‘Please’, he began. ‘Tell me about my brother. How was his life like? I haven’t been in touch since he ran away. We called each other at our birthdays and on Christmas, but that was it.’ ‘I didn’t know him for long’, Nines admitted. ‘I was one of the last units to be activated and after deviancy I joined the DPD.’ ‘Well, then you knew him longer than I do. At least the man he is now.’ ‘I don’t think I ever really got to know him regardless’, Nines mused. ‘My mistake was asking my brother for help instead of trying to make my own experiences. I don’t have a social module. I hadn’t known what I did wrong until it was too late.’ ‘Just describe him to me, please.’

Nines swallowed any further explanation and just did as told: ‘Gavin was stubborn and didn’t open up to people easily. Not the trusting kind. Not a lot of friends. If you happened to gain his trust, he could become very protective. He had a best friend, Tina. They spent their breaks together. Gavin was a very intelligent and capable human.’ ‘And how did you fuck it up?’ ‘I made fun of his past. Of his relationship with you. And how you were favoured over him. He told me in the very beginning when he first opened up a little. I now realise that was a topic not to make fun of. But it took me far too long to understand that.’

‘Hmm yeah, our childhood wasn’t the best. I’d always been dad’s favourite son, the problem of having children from another woman in the family, I guess. I should have stayed with him, but I didn’t see the extend at which Gavin was neglected. He had been right to hate me. I just wished I had apologized earlier.’

There was some commotion in the hallway behind them, but both were too lost to their thoughts to notice or care.

‘I feel the same’, Nines muttered. ‘I should have apologised to him the moment I realised something was off. I should have realised far earlier that I was hurting him. I took his friends, I made fun of him and I drove him to quit his job. Even a blind person could have seen my mistakes.’ ‘I’d drink to that, but I don’t think hospitals offer what I need. If I hadn’t been so obsessed with creating new life, I wouldn’t have missed the one around me. And now he’s-‘

The noise from the hallway grew louder, voices shouting, and the sound of a fight made them fall silent. Before they could even stand up and go to help, a person stumbled out of the mess and hurried over to them.

It was Gavin. He stood there in his nightgown on shivering legs and with dishevelled hair. And he looked angry. ‘You two!’, he screamed with a hoarse voice. ‘You two assholes stop talking about me as if I were six feet under! You are both at fault for this shit, so get the hell out of-‘ Nines could see the exact moment his knees gave in and he jumped to his side immediately, catching him and holding him in a tight hug. ‘I’m so sorry, Gavin, I was a horrible partner and treated you like shit.’ ‘That you did’, Gavin slurred. ‘Let me go you big terminator!’ Nines only fastened his grip on him. ‘And I want to apologise for being an absolute shit of a brother!’, Kamski added onto Nines’ apology. ‘I wished things had gone differently and I hope you can forgive me.’

Nines finally let Gavin go and helped him sit down on a chair while the man watched both of them grumpily. Kamski and Nines stood next to each other allowing Gavin to scrutinize them. Then the man pointed his finger at Nines. ‘You. You are a total ass for everything you did in the little time you were active. But I don’t hold you accountable for whatever shit you pulled because that’s your programming’s fault and I get that. But for the love of all that’s holy, ask before you decide to do something you don’t have a single clue about.’ Nines nodded, not daring to say a single word that could cause Gavin to change his mind. ‘And you!’ He pointed to Elijah. ‘I still hate you and I don’t want to see you. But I’ll forgive you if you write this idiot a damned social module.’ He sighed deeply and tried to stand up. ‘And now both of you get the phck out of here. The doctors will be furious with me and I only just woke up from the dead. I need a phcking nap.’

#detroit become human #dbh #Reed900 #Gavin Reed #RK900 #Elijah Kamski #Nines & Kamski: I miss him so much. Sometimes it's like I can still hear his voice #Gavin: Quit telling everyone I'm dead!

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arrow-guy · 4 years

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Author and Auror (2/??)

Synopsis: Eleanore Vaughan has never been one for the spotlight. Her cousin, Rosaline, is the one best suited to the limelight, and is happier for the attention. Though Nora is most comfortable tucked away in her book shop, what happens when Grindelwald’s sudden takeover flips her world upside-down and thrusts her into the inner circle?

A/N: Alright, here we are with chapter two, more exciting stuff happening and a little more angst and all kinds of nonsense. As soon as this chapter is through, we’re out of canon material and it’s entirely from my brain meats, with help from @thorne93 . Again, I literally haven’t seen Crimes of Grindelwald since it was in theaters, so this will not be fully accurate. Anyway, have fun!

Page dividers by @carryonmyswansong

Previously, with Rosaline…

Pairing: Theseus ScamanderxOFC

Word Count: 3.8k

Warnings: Fire, kidnapping, angst

Part 1

We appear in a cramped living room and immediately fall away from one another. Jacob and Tina situate the now unconscious man on the chair and ottoman. He begins to convulse and Newt looks over him with renewed interest. He instructs Jacob to grab a pair of tweezers, declaring a sort of parasite has found a host in our newest hostage. Newt pulls it from his eye and hands the tweezers off to Jacob. I take them from him and search for a jar in which to put the parasite. With the man settled, Rosaline and Newt drop down into Newt’s suitcase to take care of the zouwu. I poke at the wards around the home and am surprised to find them to be significantly stronger than expected.

I lean against the wall and cast a Tempus charm before waving it away and taking in the substantial number of jars lining two floor to ceiling shelving units.

“How do you know Newt?” Tina asks.

Jacob looks between the two of us and presses his lips together. “I’m gonna go look around. See if there’s some food or something.”

I nod. “Be careful. We don’t know who’s home this is.”

“Yeah, sure,” he answers, already halfway up the stairs. “What other trouble could I get myself into?”

I laugh and turn back to Tina. “I went to Hogwarts with his brother and then worked with him at the ministry for a while before opening my bookstore. I ran into Newt while I was on holiday one year and he needed help with an aged porlock. Poor thing could barely walk and it absolutely hated Newt. I was wearing a sweater my mother knitted me with a horse on it, and porlocks love horses, so it calmed down enough for Newt to handle it. I worked with him on and off for a couple years after that.”

“And your sister-”

“Cousin. Rosaline.”

She nods once. “Cousin. How does she know him?”

“They graduated together. She’s been his assistant for nearly six years now.”

I watch as her hands bunch up the legs of her trousers. I tilt my head to the side, but she doesn’t seem to notice. She clears her throat. “Why did you leave the ministry?”

“Because being my own boss was much more appealing than being someone’s secretary.” I lift my chin and loosen my tie. “Newt tells me you’re an auror.”

Her brow furrows. “Did he just tell everyone he knows about me?”

“His circle of friends is very small,” I say. “News travels fast.”

“How much do you know about me, then?” she asks.

I shrug. “Enough.”

The case swings open and Newt climbs out and offers Rosaline a hand. They talk in hushed tones, their heads pushed together. Newt says something and Rosaline shrugs and offers a counterpoint. Newt shakes his head, his lips pursing. I watch Tina eye them and press my lips together. A loud thud startles Rosaline into pulling away from Newt and I narrow my eyes as Tina’s shoulders visibly relax.

“What was that?” Rosaline asks.

“Jacob probably got into something.” I meet Tina’s eyes. “Tina. We should go check on him.”

She nods slowly and pulls herself away from the couch. She heads up and I follow along behind. Rosaline shoots me a questioning look and I look very pointedly at Newt and make a shooing motion. She swallows and nods. I give her a thumbs up and hustle to catch up with Tina.

I find Jacob on the floor, caught in a net. Tina crouches beside him, wand out.

“What the hell happened?” I ask.

“I saw this ball thing on the desk. I swear it looked like a regular ball of string, but then I touched it and now I can’t feel my legs.”

“Didn’t I tell you to be careful?”

“To be perfectly fair to you, I probably wasn’t listening very closely.”

“Circe, it’s like wrangling crups,” I mutter.

“I got no clue what that means, but I’m gonna agree with you.”

I laugh and search for the loose thread that should unravel the trap. It’s right at the back of Jacob’s neck. I pull on the short section and the entire net comes apart. I snap my wrist and the string shivers before rolling back up into a ball.

“How’d you know what to look for?” Tina asks.

“It’s just a string trap. Dumbledore taught me how to make them when I was in my sixth year at Hogwarts.” I look over the ball of string, noting how frayed it appears to be, before setting it back on the desk. “But something tells me whoever taught him lives here.”

“We should go back downstairs,” Tina says.

I nod and gesture for them to follow me, but not before telling Jacob not to touch anything else. I lead the way down and freeze when I hear Rosaline talking to Newt. Her voice waivers and my hand tightens on the railing.

“-I’ve seen your heart break before and I couldn’t do anything about it, even though desperately I wanted to. If you felt the same towards me, I’d think you would’ve said something before now. I don’t want to be a last resort. Just thought you should know how I feel.”

Jacob takes an extra step down and the stairs creak. Rosaline jerks her head up and I press my lips together and dip my head when she meets my eye. I shove my hands in my pockets and saunter the rest of the way down the stairs. Tina follows behind, her shoulders rigid, and Jacob carefully picks his way down the rest of the staircase. Once on the ground floor, a long silence stretches out between the group. It’s broken when Jacob coughs. My eyes flick to him and he pulls at this shirt collar.

“We should go to the Ministry,” Newt blurts out.

“I’ll go with you!” Tina and Rosaline say in unison.

Newt looks between me and the two of them and I shake my head.

“How about I divvy up the groups?” I suggest.

“Wha-” Tina starts, but I cut her off.

“Newt, Tina, and I will go to the Ministry. Rosaline and Jacob, you’ll stay here with the man from earlier.”

“What?! Why am I staying behind?” Rosaline is outraged.

I sigh softly. “Because you’re our best line of defense until the master of the house returns. Three of us is worth one of you.”

She tips her chin up and sets her jaw. “Can’t argue with you there.”

I deadpan. “Really?”

“Alright,” she snorts. “I’ll stay here.”

“Fantastic, thank you.”

Tina, Newt, and I gather together and apparate away from the living room. We land outside of the entrance to the French Ministry. The cage to the elevator closes around us and Newt pulls a phial from his breast pocket. He drops in a strand of hair and I bite the inside of my cheek.

“Polyjuice?” Tina questions.

“Just enough to get me inside,” he explains. “Sorry ahead of time, Nora.”

I shake my head and refuse to look at him as he tips the contents of the vial into his mouth. “It’s fine. Just don’t be surprised if I can’t make eye contact with you.”

“That’s fair.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tina asks.

“We’re getting into the Ministry, no questions asked. Anything else isn’t important,” I say.

We step off the elevator and I immediately grab Newt’s arm. He’s a good two inches taller now. Tina quickly falls in line beside us and we make our way to the archives as calmly and quickly as we possibly can.

“Who are you supposed to be?” Tina hisses.

“Theseus Scamander,” I answer.

“What?”

“You remember me saying my relationship with my brother is complicated?” Newt asks. Tina nods. “Well…”

I glance to my right and my blood runs cold. My hand tightens around Newt’s arm and I freeze where I stand. “Newt.” I hiss.

“What?”

“You two need to start walking.” I push him away from me and do the same to Tina. “Now.”

“I don’t understand,” he says. He’s shrunk again and his hair is going back to its original color and texture. I jerk my head to the right and his eyes follow. “Oh.”

Theseus stands a ways away, speaking closely with Leta. Alarms sound throughout the atrium and Newt scrambles away from me, dragging Tina along with him. The noise draws Theseus’ attention away from his fiance and, with all his looking around, his eyes land on me. He whispers something to Leta and glances around before striding over to me. I shove my hands into my pockets and my right hand closes around my wand, instantly calming the hammering of my heart.

“What are you doing here?” he hisses when he’s close enough to not raise his voice.

I shrug. “I heard there was a circus in town. When I got there, it was gone. I thought I might take a look at the Ministry archives while I was still here. I heard they’ve got a two hundred year old transfiguration text stored away somewhere.”

“Cut the nonsense, Nora.” He scowls at me, and I raise my eyebrows at him in surprise. “I should have known you would follow Newt here. You’ve always had a soft spot for him.”

“Ugh, please, Theseus,” I shake my head. “I thought you trusted me more than that!”

“Are you kidding me? I don’t have time for this.” He shakes his head and takes a step back. He moves like he’s going to go around me and I pull my wand from my pocket and point it at his chest. “What, are you going to stop me?”

“Depulso,” I flick my wand and he falls onto his back and slides across the marble floor. “Locomotor mortis.”

His legs snap together and his eyes go wide when I turn to run.

“I really am sorry, Theseus!” I call.

“GET BACK HERE!” he roars.

Instead, I turn on my heel and race off in the direction I sent Newt and Tina. I weave through slow moving, elderly ministry workers and my shoes fight to find purchase on the smooth flooring when I go around corners. When I see the woman tasked with looking after the genealogy records standing in front of the doors, I slowly creep back out of the room and search for a way over the top of the vault walls. There’s just the wrought iron ivy that climbs the walls around the circular room that leads up to the next floor.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I take a deep breath and make a break for the opposite side of the room. As soon as I have my hands in the Ivy above my head, I wedge my foot into a space and begin hauling myself up the wall. It’s not far to the top, but even then I have to scrabble to find a grip on the floor as my fingers begin to slip as soon as they touch the marble. When I can bring my other hand up to the railing of the next floor, I pull myself up and swing one leg over and drop to the marble as quietly as I can manage.

Leta Lestrange stands to my left, fully facing the archives. She hasn’t noticed me yet and I hold my breath, hoping to keep quiet for just a short while longer.

“Lestrange,” she murmurs.

Below, the shelves of family trees begin to shift, rising through the air, smoothly weaving through one another. The specific shelves holding the Lestrange documents come forward. Newt and Tina cling to the shelves for dear life and I can feel my eyes grow wide. Newt sees me and presses a finger to his lips, telling me to be quiet. I squint at him and shuffle closer to Leta.

“Hello, Newt,” Leta says.

“Hello, Leta,” Newt’s voice holds his usual timidness.

I stand up and brush my hands off on my pants and join the group. Newt climbs around the shelves and helps Tina over the railing before holding a hand out for Pickett to climb onto.

“Where’s your cousin, Vaughan?” Leta asks. “Doesn’t she follow Newt everywhere?”

I shrug. “We switch weeks sometimes.”

“Well, you came all this way for nothing,” Leta says, holding out a slip of paper to me. “My records are gone.”

I scan the text and hand it back to her, shaking my head. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Grindelwald took my family tree,” she sighs.

A great hiss pulls us away from the conversation. The woman from downstairs slinks towards us flanked by several charcoal colored matagot.

“What are those?!” Tina asks.

“They’re matagot,” Newt explains. “They won’t hurt us unless-”

There’s another hiss and Leta sends a stunner at the one closest to us. It splits into two and the rest of the pack launch themselves at us. I cast depulso, and push them back for a moment, allowing Newt time to release his newly befriended zouwu. It escapes from his case with a mighty roar and swipes at the matagot. They cling to its fur and tail, but it still allows us to climb onto its back.

“Where are we supposed to be going?” Newt asks.

“The Lestrange mausoleum,” Leta answers.

The zouwu skitters to a stop with the matagot still clinging to it’s fur. We slide down from it’s back and the zouwu shakes it’s entire body, dislodging the matagot. As soon as they hit the grass, they turn to house cats and scatter into the graveyard. Leta and I stand off to the side while Newt calms his new friend. I watch with a smile on my face as the Zouwu rubs up against him and he laughs and scratches it’s chin. Tina distracts it from Newt with the bell toy and manages to get the zouwu back into the case without any fuss.

We trudge through the rows of mausoleums to the looming structure of the Lestrange’s. I file in through the door behind Tina and Leta leads the way to the main chamber. When we arrive, there’s already two other people there. I recognize the young man as Credence from the sketches that Newt made after coming back from the states. The young woman beside him shivers from the cold that radiates from the solid marble from which the mausoleum is carved. Listening in on their conversation feels very much like an intrusion.

The man from the sewer appears from the mouth of the doorway, taking us all by surprise. I learn that his name is Yusuf. Leta’s half brother by way of her mother. His wand is pointed straight at Credence. He believes him to be Leta’s half brother by way of her father. I watch with horror as she sinks to her knees and opens her family tree. As she explains what happened to her real brother. As the flower that represents her chokes out the branch that supports her long dead baby brother, I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes and I turn away, shaking my head. A doorway opens up at the other end of the room. I pull the others attention to it.

“We should go through,” I say. “Grindelwald is bound to be on the other side.”

“Are you mad?!” Leta hisses.

“No more than you,” I answer. “We came here to get in his way, didn’t we? It’s not as if we can do it from here.”

No one protests.

The hallway opens up into a large amphitheater. Hundreds of witches and wizards are gathered together. I catch sight of Rosaline and immediately split off from the others to get to her. I can hear Newt calling after me, but I ignore him in favor of getting closer to Rosaline. Someone grabs hold of my arm and drags me into one of the rows of people. I try to pry their hands away, but their grip tightens instead.

“It’s starting soon!” the young woman gripping my arm exclaims.

“What is?”

“Grindelwald himself will be addressing us!” she says, excitement dripping from every pore. “We are truly lucky to be witness to such a historic occasion.”

She only releases me when I take a seat beside her. I glance around the amphitheater, trying to find any familiar faces. Rosaline is still stuck between a pair of witches who lean forward in their seats. Two rows below her stands Jacob with a blonde woman, whom I assume to be Queenie, glued to his arm. Newt and Leta are nowhere to be found. Tina, who had been walking down one row over from me is completely gone from my sight.

The address starts and I quickly find myself focused on what’s being said. When Grindelwald begins showing the assembly his visions, I cover my face with my hands and shake my head. A ringing starts in my ears and when it goes away I pull my hands from my face when Grindelwald calls aurors down from the edge of the amphitheater. I catch sight of Theseus leading a group down one row and my hand immediately goes to my hip, searching for my wand. Other groups of aurors file through the crowd. A flash goes off across the room and a young woman falls limp. All hell breaks loose as Grindelwald creates a circle of blue fire and his followers lash out at the numbers of aurors before apparating away. The women who had blocked me in disappear and I bolt for Rosaline. She’s fighting off three wizards, each coming at her from a different side, and loosing. She barely manages to dodge a hex when I’m close enough to counter. I knock two back and send a slicing jinx at the one who’s left standing. He screeches and disapparates. As Rosaline prepares to go after the two wizards I’d managed to knock down, a witch hurls a particularly nasty jinx at us and we barely manage to throw up a protego before it hits. The witch grabs the two felled wizards and apparates away.

“FUCK,” I yell over the roar of the battle. “You alright?”

Rosaline nods. “Thanks for the save.”

“Good. We have to find Newt. Did you see where Jacob disappeared to?”

“I think Queenie dragged him off a ways. I’ll see if I can find them. You get to Newt and Theseus.”

I nod once and grab her face to press a quick kiss to her forehead and push her away. “Be careful, you hear me?”

She snorts. “What do you take me for? I’ll be fine.”

I grit my teeth and force myself to keep quiet.

We part ways and I head in the direction of the row I last saw Theseus in. He and Newt are trying to fight their way through the fire and making absolutely no headway. I race over and slide to a stop beside them to add my protego to theirs. One of Grindelwald’s followers skips through the fire ring to stand beside him and a wizard tries to do the same after hesitating only a second. He immediately begins to burn up and disappears altogether. My eyes go wide and I just barely manage to cast another protection charm before a tendril of fire manages to singe my trousers.

In the distance I can hear raised voices, arguing over something I can’t quite place.

“Where’s Leta?” I call to Theseus and Newt.

Newt points to the other side of Theseus. I can barely see her through the heat and the way Theseus’ suit jacket flaps in the air currents. I shoot glances over at the argument that’s taking place just a short ways away. Rosaline stands to the side of Jacob and Queenie. Queenie steps away from Jacob and walks through the fire. Grindelwald greets her with open arms and the grip I have on my wand tightens as I put as much energy into protection charms as I can possibly manage. Tendrils of fire go after the small number of aurors left and I see Credence walking towards the middle of the amphitheater. The young woman he was with grips his arm and pleads with him not to go. He looks pained as he pulls free of her grasp and walks through the fire. Grindelwald is pleased but turns his attention elsewhere when Theseus yells “NO” at someone. I tear my eyes away from Credence to see Leta walking towards the ring of fire. Grindelwald makes a remark that I can’t hear and Leta responds before stepping into the fire.

She turns back to Theseus and Newt and says, “I love you.”

She and Grindelwald raise their wands to one another, but Leta burns up in the fire with a gut-wrenching scream that lingers even after she’s gone. There’s no time to react because Grindelwald has set his sights on someone else.

“Ah, Ms. Vaughan,” he says, a sinister smile creeping across his face. “So kind of you to join the fun! I see you’ve survived the fire.”

Rosaline steps through the fire and my heart drops.

“We both have our secrets, Grindelwald.”

“Oh, trust me, my dear, I know.”

His hand flashes out and grabs her wrist, quickly pulling her against his chest. One arm wraps around her waist and he presses the fingers of his free hand to her forehead. Rosaline falls limp and he moves his mouth close to her ear.

Anger bubbles in my gut and I feel the air crackle around me. Magic courses down my arms and into the palms of my hands. I let loose a blood curdling scream and bring my hands together, releasing a massive burst of magic into the amphitheater. It doesn’t do anything to the fire and I can feel hot tears streak down my face as Grindelwald disappears with Rosaline. Newt wraps his arms around Theseus and I, and apparates outside the mausoleum.

A frail looking, white haired man greets us and gives us instructions for an incantation to stop the fire inside the mausoleum from spreading and destroying Paris. When he’s sure we understand his directions he tells us to form a circle around the mausoleum. I am on the side opposite Newt and Theseus with an auror on either side of me. I wipe away my still flowing tears and recite the spell and stab the tip of my wand into the soft soil under my feet. A great wall of light forms, stopping the movement of three dragons formed by the blue fire from spreading any further into the city. When the fire has dispersed, the spell flickers and fades away. I look out over the ruined graveyard, my chest heaving with the exertion from the spells. The realization of how many people we’ve lost washes over me and I clamp a hand over my mouth and fall to my knees. I kneel there, quietly sobbing and trying to reign in my emotions before someone finds me.

--------

Part 3

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please reblog, comment, and/or shoot me ask! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

#theseus scamanderxreader #readerxtheseus scamander #theseus scamander x reader #reader x theseus scamander #theseus scamander #newt scamander

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untitled-writer-013 · 4 years

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Credence x Fem!Reader

Credence Barebone x Fem!Reader (Soulmate AU, Modern)

notes: i had a ton of fun writing my first request, and i came up with a random idea, here you go!

warning(s): none, except for fluffy credence :3

cast: Credence, (Y/n), Mary Lou, Newt, Jacob, Queenie, Tina. (all from fantastic beasts)

key: (Y/n) = your name, (f/c) = favorite color, and (f/b/g) = favorite baked good.

Credence had always wondered what it must be like to have a soulmate. He would watch as soulmates walked by him on the streets as he handed out fliers, his slight jealousy bubbling up inside him at the sight of each couple. He would daydream about meeting his own soulmate, whoever they may be. He thought about how lovely it would be to live out the rest of his life with his soulmate, away from Mary Lou and in a peaceful home out in the middle of nowhere. But, his dreams always seemed to crack and crumble with each day that passed without him meeting his soulmate.

It was a snowy December day, quite common for New York. Credence was on the street corner, handing out fliers as always whilst wearing his usual broad-brimmed hat to try and keep the falling snow out of his eyes, when he saw a woman across the street. She was in a very inviting bakery, looked to be around his age, and was talking with a man that Credence had seen before at one of Mary Lou’s rallies. Credence looked at his wrist, reading the first words his soulmate would say to him. ‘I am so sorry, I’m just so clumsy, aren’t I?’ His wrist read, it was rather long, but he loved it just the same.

It meant that his soulmate was probably as clumsy as he was, and they were kind enough to apologize to him. A soft smile graced his lips at the thought of it, deciding to take a break from the cold to talk to the woman in the bakery. Credence made sure to look like he was just giving out more fliers as he made his way towards the bakery, not wanting Mary Lou to catch on to what he was doing. Credence opened the door, when said woman accidentally walked into him and made him fall out of surprise, his fliers flying up into the air as she fell on top of him, the fliers beginning to fall back down around them as he looked up at her. “I am so sorry, I’m just so clumsy aren’t I?” The woman stated, a worried expression on her face as he looked up at her with surprise.

“I-It’s my fault, I s-should’ve watched w-where I was g-going.” Credence stated, watching the woman on top of him return his shocked expression. She immediately stood up and helped him up, brushing him off before she looked back up at him. “S-Soulmate?” She asked, making Credence nod as he showed her his wrist, being careful not to show the scars on his hands. She did the same, yet didn’t hide her hands as a soft smile began to grow on her face, a sort of euphoria filling her as she looked into Credence’s chocolate brown eyes. “I’m (Y/n), what’s your name?” (Y/n) asked, Credence returning the smile as he answered her.

“Credence, Credence Barebone.” Credence stated, slightly surprised he didn’t stutter. “It’s very nice to meet you Credence.” (Y/n) stated, shaking his hand as a light blush dusted across his face, gently shaking her hand. Eventually Jacob, the owner of the bakery, came out from the kitchen and looked between Credence and (Y/n), a smile on his face as always. “Who’s your friend, (Y/n)?” Jacob asked, his wife, Queenie, following behind Jacob. “This is my soulmate, Credence. Credence, this is my close friend, Jacob.” (Y/n) introduced them to each other, watching as they both shook hands.

“Good for you, (Y/n)! I knew you would find your soulmate eventually.” Jacob stated, smiling as Queenie came out from behind Jacob. “Hello Credence, I’m Queenie! I’m Jacob’s wife, would you like some hot cocoa? It’s on the house!” Queenie asked, Credence was taken aback slightly at how kind she was towards him even when they just met. “Oh, it’s no problem, really!” Queenie stated, unable to stop herself from reading Credence’s mind automatically as she began to make some hot cocoa for all of them, including Tina and Newt who were in Jacob and Queenie’s apartment above the bakery. The statement left Credence confused, while (Y/n) knew what Queenie had most likely done and tried to change the subject. “So Credence, would you like anything to eat? I can only imagine how cold you were outside. I saw you on the street corner, and you’ve been there for a while now. Besides, you aren’t wearing a proper coat for these temperatures.” (Y/n) stated, noticing how thin the black cardigan that Credence was wearing, causing him to slightly nod as he noticed (Y/n) had a (f/c) scarf and a dark gray coat with her, much more protection from the cold than what he was wearing.

Credence slightly smiled, glad to know that his soulmate wouldn’t risk getting sick like himself, since Mary Lou never really gave him a proper coat. “Here, go on ahead and hang up your hat and coat here, I know they probably aren’t doing much for you now.” Jacob stated, taking out a mix of a wooden coat and hat rack from his storage. He placed it by the front door of his bakery, walking back behind the counter as he watched Credence take off his coat. “T-Thank you for the hospitality, I really appreciate it.” Credence stated, his voice soft as he hung up his coat and hat. “Hot cocoa is done!” Queenie stated, smiling as she poured each of them a glass, smiling as she heard Newt and Tina begin to return back downstairs, most likely finished with discussing about the magical creatures in Newt’s suitcase.

“O-Oh, hello Credence.” Newt stated, stuttering out of slight surprise from seeing Credence there, Tina’s expression becoming a mix of worry and confusion. “What are you doing here, Credence?” Tina asked, her tone calm as not to scare the usually timid man in front of her. “I just wanted to talk with (Y/n)..that’s all.” Credence stated his tone at a now normal level as Tina smiled, looking over at (Y/n) “Found your soulmate?” Tina asked, receiving a confirming nod from (Y/n). “Good, that’s good..that’s good, right?” Newt asked, his socializing skills hadn’t really improved since Credence last met Newt. “Yes, it’s very good Newt.” (Y/n) confirmed, causing Credence to look over at her with a smile.

After they all ate and drank their hot cocoa, (Y/n) and Credence began to walk through the snow-covered streets together, (Y/n) had given Credence a proper coat while Credence continued to keep an arm on her shoulder, doing his best to keep her warm. (Y/n) carried a bag of (f/b/g), planning to share them with Credence later. As they walked in the snow, holding each other’s hand, Credence spotted Mary Lou beginning to walk towards him with an angry expression on her face, causing him to let out a yelp. (Y/n) looked over, a scared expression on her face as she watched Mary Lou begin to get closer, Credence standing protectively in front of (Y/n). “What are you doing with that witch, Credence?” Mary Lou asked, hissing out in anger as she looked at (Y/n), calling her a witch to try and scare Credence away from her.

“S-She’s my soulmate..” Credence stated, his confidence dwindling as the fear of being punished began to eat away at him. As Mary Lou continued to insult (Y/n), (Y/n) finally had it, taking Credence’s hand tightly and apparating to the front door of her apartment. Credence felt dizzy as he looked around, clearly confused about where they were and where Mary Lou was. “It’s okay Credence, she isn’t here.” (Y/n) stated, surprising Credence as he looked at the apartment door, which was the same color as (Y/n)’s scarf. “Is this your place?” Credence asked, receiving a nod from (Y/n).

“I’m sorry if I scared you..I was just trying to get away from that awful woman. Please tell me you can forgive me?” (Y/n) asked, her voice soft as Credence’s eyes widened, he didn’t expect (Y/n) to apologize. “You d-don’t need to apologize, really..” Credence stated, slowly hugging her as (Y/n) nodded against his chest, making Credence notice how she was short compared to him. “Wanna go inside?” (Y/n) asked, smiling as Credence nodded, walking into her apartment and sitting down on the couch. And as they began to watch a movie together with blankets on top of them to keep them warm, the snow began to fall again, and the winter moon began to rise higher into the dark night sky.

~fin~

author’s note: tell me if you would like a part two! this was really fun to write, so please send more requests to me, they don’t have to be fantastic beasts related either! just check the post about the fandoms that i write for!

#fantastic beats and where to find them #credence barebone #oneshot #request #fanfiction #hot cocoa

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hippohead · 3 years

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I was recently tagged by the wonderful @jazziergin to list my top ten female characters and today I was tagged by the equally wonderful @anderhummel to list my top ten male characters so here they all are:

Also, wait - I am absolutely going to overthink this so bare with me. Also also feel free to ignore this as I will absolutely be rambling rather than listing.

1. Ann Perkins from Parks and Recreation. This slot is very easy to fill because she is my absolute favourite character, period. My whole heart belongs to her truly and if I could go back in time, I would go back to 2009 and let the Parks writers know that she’s a lesbian (someone let me do my Operation Ann re-write, PLEASE) 2. The next one is easy as well and it’s Leslie Knope, also from Parks and Recreation. Have I expressed how much Parks means to me? Anyway, ily to my favourite blonde steamroller xx 3. This is where I get stressed? I love so many women. Help. Okay I am going to say Abbi Abrams from Broad City because I am literally her and she is wonderful and fills my heart with happiness. 4. Can I say characters from novels or are we just doing shows? I am making up the rules and I say I can so: Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen. i love u, u pining idiot, i do! 5. And continuing with making up the rules, I am going to do movies, too: Catherine Stewart of Cutie Pies from Amy Poehler’s film directorial debut, Wine Country (2019). If you haven’t already, watch this film and then agree with me that Cath & Tammy are in love and then read my fic about it 6 & 7. Okay the next two are both from Glee and I adore them: Mercedes Jones and Tina Cohen Chang. I wish we got more and I’m grateful for everything we were given 8 & 9. Paris Geller and Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. Paris falls into the same category as Ann in the sense that she, too, is a lesbian! or at least sapphic. ASP let me chat to you! And, I mean, Lauren Graham? Need I say more? 10. Last spot goes to Valencia Perez from Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Honestly I LOVE all the women on that show but Valencia has my heart the most (don’t worry Paula, ur right there too xx) and her s4 storyline? thank you to god (Rachel Bloom) for that amen

1. This spot belong to Kurt E. Hummel and as it should! God, I just adore him so much and I WILL get emotional if I get into it too much so I won’t but. he’s number one and that’s important. 2. I feel like a monster for not immediately putting Blaine but if I am being totally honest, number two spot belongs to Patrick Brewster in my heart. Watching Schitt’s Creek was such a special experience for me and meeting Patrick for the first time and watching his arc unfold was so very, very important to me. 3. Ok and NOW it is time for Kurt’s HUSBAND Blaine Devon Anderson. what a dummy! i love him so much! My relationship with is Blaine is this: Blaine is Mona-Lisa Saperstein saying, “I have done nothing wrong, ever, in my life” and I am Dr. Saperstein saying, “I know this, and I love you” 4. For legal reasons, I have to put the ice clown himself, Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation, here because, like, are you kidding me? That man is the ONLY man. i love u calzone-boy xo 5. I keep splitting up the husbands and I’m so sorry but David Rose from Schitt’s Creek because he’s everything and also a mess and I love him. 6. WILL COOPER I LOVE YOU. Ok I almost forgot about Will for a hot sec but I take back what I said when I said that Ben Wyatt is the only man because there are two men and the second one is Will Cooper from Single Parents (rip to my little heart sitcom i miss you dearly every single day) 6. Mr. Darcy but SPECIFICALLY Colin Firth’s Darcy from the 1995 BBC miniseries of Pride and Prejudice. I would die for that man. 7. Chidi Anagonye from The Good Place for being a Hot Mess and relatable and listen,,, William Harper Jackson can Get It 8. I must not forget my moody diner-owner Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls. If I knew that man in real life I would simply have to shake some sense into him sometimes but alas, I cannot blame Luke for ASP’s downfalls and really what I must do is listen to my heart and my heart say ily Luke Danes. 9. I’m going to give this one to Burt Hummel because I love him. Everybody else was just playing around but Mike O’Malley was doing the most. 10. I’m running out of men so... Remus Lupin, because even though we don’t acknowledge the terf, this man has lived in my heart since the Prisoner of Azkaban book release and that’s special.

I... apologise. It’s just that when I’m given an opportunity to talk about something I love I tend to take it and run with it and, anyway, feel free to skim this or not read it at all. But here is some of my heart! I’m absolutely going to think of people I missed and stress (already: Xena! Donna Meagle! Katherine Mayfair!) but this was fun!

#about me #me vs rambling about the things i love #it's just that i love them SO MUCH

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cilldaracailin · 4 years

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Killer Queen

Hello my Tumblr lovely’s!

Who is ready for some more! It’s a good one if I do say so myself! ;) Hope you all enjoy!

Suze xx

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.”

Robyn had left Taron just after four and it gave him some time to catch up with Lyndsey, quickly explaining to her about his little fan meet on the beach. While on the phone with him, his publicist did a quick scour of the usual social media outlets and as predicted the fan picture had appeared on social media but not received the backlash he thought it was going too and his posting of the Instagram picture had appeased most, though Lyndsey felt the need now to warn Taron that his visits to Ireland might not be completely media free as before, Taron’s whole body slumping onto the duvet in the tent as he listened, returning his answer with heated tones.

“I just need to give you the heads-up Taron, you know this. Don’t get crabby with me.”

“Sorry Lyndsey.”

“Look I know you want to protect her.”

“It’s more than that.” Interrupted Taron.

“And Robyn had proven herself very capable of dealing with the media Taron.”

“But it’s so different when it will involve her home.”

“And it won’t come to that and Taron, you know some reporters already have been at her home back in September and it was fine.”

Taron sighed heavily, rubbing his tired eyes. “Sorry Lyndsey.”

“Don’t be sorry. I know you love her and have this undeniable urge to defend her and watch over her but it’s not always possible Taron and at some point, you are going to have to accept that, especially if you keep inviting her to your events. It is going to get people talking as you bring her into the public eye more. If you want to protect her, you will have to leave her at home but if you want her by your side, now or in the future as something more, you will have to be ready to completely let her into your world.”

“Sorry.”

“Stop saying sorry to me Taron.” Laughed Lyndsey. “Robyn has without a doubt gotten under your skin and believe me, I think the world of her and you know that.”

“I do.”

“Then trust me.”

“I do.”

Lyndsey smiled into the phone. She had worked with Taron for so long, she could read every emotion he was feeling from just the tone of his voice and his reactions and knew immediately he had a bad night’s sleep. “You are tired. I need to you to sleep tonight for me.”

“I will.”

“Taron…”

“I will Lyndsey and sorry again. It just rattled me. It’s not something I expected and wasn’t prepared for the photo.”

“And you dealt with it as you always do, with a cool and level head. You trust Robyn?”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s just wait and see Taron. Normally stuff like this either blows up or floats around before it dies out. I am sure the premier will have more of a reaction than anything and before you say it, sure your picture and visit to Ireland will more than likely be a question asked of you while on promotion but you know how to answer these questions Taron and you know I have left it up to you as to how you want to do so. Robyn is a firm fixture in your life and most people understand it is because she saved your life and you don’t have to make excuses for that Taron. You should never make excuses for that.”

Taron nodded to himself. “Thanks Lyndsey. Sometimes I forget that part.”

Lyndsey rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that shit Taron. You can’t bullshit me.” She heard him laugh a little. “I want you to stop over thinking, go and enjoy Robyn’s show tonight and then sleep, as best you can and I will see you bright and early at the Radio One studio on Sunday.”

“Sure.”

“And get as many hugs in as you can and remember them because as far as I can tell, Robyn’s hugs are the only thing that can calm you down lately.”

Taron chuckled. “I will try.”

“See you Sunday.”

“Thank you Lyndsey. Sorry for bugging you.”

“You don’t bug me Taron. Frustrate me at times but I know for a fact you do that to all the women in your life.” At last she heard a genuine chuckle from him. “Go and enjoy your last few hours of freedom.”

Taron ended the call and let his arm fall away from his ear, his phone falling from his hand and onto the soft duvet. As always, he let his worries over take him and once again it was another woman calming his fears. With Lyndsey’s promise to further double check everything for him, he found himself breathing a little easier and putting the thoughts of the photo to the back of his mind. Instead he focused on the evening to come and another chance to watch Robyn on stage in her element and he was just a little excited to see her in her stage gear once more but his face frowned as he remembered all the kisses from the night before but Robyn had promised him it wouldn’t happen again.

“And I am not jealous.” He said turning his head to look at the two dinosaurs who still sat together inside the tent as he had left them earlier. They both grinned back at him. “I am not.”

But his beating heart and rise in body temperature said otherwise. Taron rolled over into his stomach and let a muffled scream out into the pillow, his anxiety about the photo, his upcoming tour and his love for Robyn causing emotions and feelings he was finding so hard to cope with. He reached for his phone and pressing number one on his speed dial, groaned once more into the pillow.

“Hello love.”

“Hey mam.”

“Taron, love what’s wrong?” Tina could immediately hear the deflation in her son’s voice.

“Mam I can’t do it anymore.”

“Do what love?”

“Robyn.”

Tina just about heard the whispered of the woman’s name who had wiggled her way into her son’s heart because his voice was laden with sadness. “Taron?” Tina listened to silence for a few seconds. “Taron, sweetheart?”

“It hurts too much to love her mam.” He turned his head sideways on the pillow. “Even more so because I can’t tell her because that fucker hurt her so badly she not only believes she doesn’t deserve to be loved but that it’s something that doesn’t exist and I can’t sit here anymore and not tell her that I love her because it is what she deserves and she needs to know that love is wonderful and thrilling and she is most definitely worthy of it and I want to be the one to love her. I need to be the one.”

“Ok Taron you need to slow down, stop speaking in riddles and start from the beginning.”

With a rush of words and long sentences, Taron burdened his mother with his worries and woes, once starting to speak, finding it hard to stop until he had managed to get everything off his chest, including the fact that he was actually very jealous of the stage kisses.

“Mam why are you laughing?”

“Taron this is what love is, what it does to you and I know you love her.”

“And you still stand by your advice of not telling her?”

“Yes.”

“Mam!” He groaned.

“Yes Taron I still do even more so after what that fucker as you call him did to her.”

“That was actually Robyn’s mam’s words, not mine.”

“I really need to get Robyn’s mam’s number. I would like to have a chat with her at some point.”

“Mam don’t change the subject.”

“You told me when you met Robyn, she wouldn’t let you in and it took a lot of trust for her to open up to you and it was a man who betrayed her trust Taron. The fact that she has let you in speaks volumes for how she feels about you.”

“I wish she would just tell me.”

“Women don’t think like men do.”

“Well I know that mam.”

“And I don’t just mean thinking with certain body parts.”

“Ugh mam seriously?”

“Well Taron you went into some detail about that kiss and a pair of short purple shorts so I am just returning with the information you have given me.”

“Maybe I should talk to Guy.”

“Taron, Robyn has been badly hurt in the past and I know you know that but because it was a man who did it, she will be very guarded when it comes to a new man in her life. She will be scared to let one in, to actually admit she loves one even if that one is you Taron. She won’t open her heart to someone for fear it will be broken again. A woman’s heart is a very delicate thing, especially a torn one.”

“Mam I know she loves me.”

“And I am sure she does but Robyn has to realise it for herself.”

“Her kiss made it pretty clear.”

“And that was a kiss from a bet. There is a difference I am sure between a kiss from a bet and a kiss she wants to give you of her own accord.”

“But it was a kiss.”

“Sweetheart, women are complicated.”

“You don’t need to tell me that.” Taron rolled over into his side. “I just don’t know how much longer I can wait to tell her.”

“As long as it takes Robyn to tell you. You want to protect her and show her that you love her than keep doing all the wonderful things you have been doing for her. She will come around Taron.”

“It’s so hard mam.”

Tina felt for her son. “Is she worth it?” She asked. “Is she worth the traveling and the tiredness and the longing that you have worth it for one hug, or one cuddle you get from her?”

“Of course.”

“Then you will wait Taron. I know you chose your career for your love of acting Taron and I don’t hold your choice against you and you know how proud me and your step-dad and your dad are of you but for a woman to step into your world, you are asking a lot. However, Robyn has taken it all in her stride and is joining you for your premier, one which will be filled with press from around the world, live TV coverage and more publicity than Robyn will have ever faced. I think it’s clear she loves you if she is willing to do that for you. Also, she cooked for you and baked. She definitely loves you Taron but please try and be patient with her. If you rush her, you could trigger some of those feelings of rejection she still has in the back her mind.”

“I don’t want that to happen.”

“Love is hard Taron. No one said it was easy.”

Taron sighed. “If it was easy it wouldn’t be real.”

“Unfortunately, that’s true. Just keep doing what you are doing love. Robyn has a beautiful heart and you know I adore her and how she looks after you but you keep doing these little things for her and soon, she will come to her senses.”

“How long…”

“As long as it takes her Taron.”

“Thanks mam.”

“Anytime love. You are not going to blurt it out this evening?”

“No mam.”

“Even after you see her dressed in leather.”

“Mam!” Taron’s scoff turned to a light laughter. “Though I have seen her in a towel.”

“Taron David Egerton!”

Taron chuckled at his mam’s scolding. “And she has seen me in one too.”

“Taron!”

“I love you mam.”

“Yeah and I love you. Be gentle with her heart ok? Like I said, it’s been torn before and still a bit brittle.”

“I will mam.”

“Taron, I truly believe you can heal it for her. Just give her the time to figure that out.”

“Thank you mam.”

“Ring me tomorrow when you get back to your flat ok?”

“I will do.”

“And tell Robyn I said hello.”

“I will.”

With a heavy sigh, Taron dropped his phone onto the pillow in front of his face. He trusted his mam’s advice and judgement more than anyone’s and although it was not what he wanted to hear; he knew she was right. Robyn had been treated horribly before and he knew himself she was guarded but when it came down to him, he also knew she trusted him and he would do nothing to break that trust but taking his mam’s guidance, he knew but hated that he would have to wait for Robyn to figure out that she loved him as much as he loved her.

After a nap, he hadn’t realised he had taken until he woke up, Taron quickly showered and changed, pulling his black hat onto his head again and made the quick ten-minute walk to the hall with five minutes to spare before the performance started. Robyn’s little head massage had helped to ease a niggling headache he had felt earlier, knowing it was from lack of sleep but the two paracetamol he had routed out from her drawer had lifted it completely and as he sat on the inside edge of the row four, he kept his hat on his head and his eyes on the programme, one that he bought from Jane on the way into the hall, ignoring the smirk on her face.

With his closeness to the stage and his second time watching the show, he noticed things he hadn’t before, including how tight Robyn’s stage outfits actually were and her facial expressions as she sang and danced and the wink she definitely threw his way before she slid down the fire pole and he chuckled as she smoothly slid down the pole with ease and grace.

The other thing he definitely noticed was the stage kiss between Robyn and Cathal just before the first act ended and he was sitting up in his chair, the programme twisted in his hands again as Cathal grabbed Robyn by her hips and pulled her tight against him and kissed her hard. What upset Taron the most was that he could see Robyn place her hands on her co-stars chest to push him away from her and the flicker of anger in her eyes before she put her arms around him and turned them around so her back was to the audience, Cathal’s face going straight into her neck. Taron glared at him, hearing his teeth grind and a very quiet growl come from deep within him. Robyn had told him that she had spoken to Cathal and he had been warned not to kiss or touch her and he had clearly leaped over boundaries once again and Taron was fuming as he sat, putting his hat back on his head as the house lights came back on.

He saw Jane walking towards him, selling raffle tickets and he motioned towards her.

“Hey you.”

“Is there any way I can talk to Robyn?” He asked quickly trying to keep his voice steady.

“To Robyn?” Jane asked.

“Yeah. Any chance?”

“Well I am not too sure. The cast have about fifteen minutes to catch their breath and change before they are back on stage.”

“Please Jane.”

She looked to him and sighed. “Come with me.”

Taron stood up and dropped his programme on the chair and followed Jane out through the main doors of the hall and around the front of the building and then through a side gate. They walked down a narrow pathway and out into a very small open garden with a picnic bench on which Robyn was sitting her head in her hands. Taron mouthed thank you to Jane and quickly walked over to stand in front of Robyn.

“You need a squishy hug?”

Robyn looked up in surprise to see Taron standing in front of her and without a word, jumped down from the picnic table and into his open arms, snuggling deep into his warmth, feeling his arms hug her tightly.

Before the show started and once she was dressed and ready to go, she had spoken to Cathal about the stage kisses and he assured her he wouldn’t try anything but he broke his promise just before the first act ended and their kiss after their duet was hard and fast and horribly wet and Robyn had tried to push Cathal away but he only pulled her disgustingly firm against him but somehow she managed to break their kiss, push him on his chest hard and turned their closeness into a hug, Cathal’s face immediately going straight to her neck, into where Taron always nestled his face so closely and Cathal’s hot breathe on her neck made her skin crawl and a cold shiver run right through her.

Once the stage went dark, Robyn shoved Cathal away from her, lifted her knee and aimed hard for his crotch before she ran down the steps ignoring all her cast mates who called her name and stormed outside, taking to pacing up and down the small garden before taking a seat on the picnic bench, her head in her hands. She was thoroughly frustrated. She hated being taken advantage of and had already been in a position like that with Keith and she had worked so hard to get over him and how he treated her and she could slowly feel her insecurities creeping back in as Cathal made her feel as small as a mouse. Keith often used his physical strength against her and Cathal was doing the same and Robyn hated feeling not in control.

She was running shaking hands down her face when Taron’s voice filled her ear and there he was standing in front of her, his arms open for a hug and she didn’t need to be asked twice if she wanted a hug. She was desperate for comfort that only Taron could give her and he did it with his wonderfully strong arms, warm chest and beating heart.

“Breath darling.” Taron whispered into her curly hair. “Take a breath.”

“I am going to murder someone by the end of tonight.”

Taron chuckled into her hair. “I don’t doubt that for a second.”

Robyn snuggled more into his shoulder and allowed herself to sink into him, feeling his hands rub up and down her back, the material of the cropped top moving so eventually his hands met with the heated skin of her back. He rested his hands flat on her lower back, his thumbs grazing softly back and forth over the dip in her skin above her skirt.

“Hey Robyn, we need to get that costume change going. Oh sorry!” Dee had walked out to once again locate one of the female leads of the musical to get her ready for the second act but she was wrapped up in a cosy looking cuddle in the arms of man who had appeared from nowhere. “I will give you a second.”

“Thanks Dee. I will be there in two.”

Robyn ran her hands in circles around Taron’s back before gripping his long sleeved stripped t-shirt in her hands. “Thank you.” She murmured into his t-shirt.

“You ok?”

“Not really.” Robyn felt how Taron’s whole body froze for the briefest second before he resumed his back rub for her. “But I will be.”

“I am going to have a word with him.”

Robyn pulled herself from Taron immediately but her hands were still wrapped around his back. “No you won’t.”

“Robyn he cannot fucking do that do you. It’s disgusting and almost harassment and I won’t have anybody do that to you.”

“True but you won’t go near Cathal.”

“Robyn…”

She placed her hands on his cheeks. “He is already going to find it hard to walk straight for a while. He doesn’t need any words.”

Taron grinned under her hands. “Stiletto?”

“Knee.”

Taron winced but moved to place a soothing kiss on her head. “Good girl.”

“I told him yesterday it was going to happen if he tried to kiss me again.” She felt her hands being taken, as Taron took them from his cheeks. “You can understand somewhat because like me you still get flashbacks of Florida but sometimes I get some from Keith and unfortunately unwanted kisses are part of them.”

“Robyn…”

“Not ours.” She confirmed immediately. “But the force of what Cathal does is uncomfortable and unprofessional.”

The Welshman immediately engulfed her in another hug, desperately wanting to show Robyn what a kiss should be but her little confession only further confirmed his talk with his mam earlier and Robyn was definitely more than a little brittle and now was not the time for a kiss so instead he hugged her so close to him.

“Thank you Taron.”

“I am always here for you Robyn. Always.” He was trying so hard to keep his cool, knowing the arsehole who was taking advantage of her was only a few footsteps away and while on the outside he was showing himself to cool and composed, inside he was seething.

“Ahem.”

Both turned to see Dee once more standing at the door.

“I am really sorry Robyn but we only have five minutes. I really need to get you changed.”

“I am coming Dee.”

Robyn let Taron go and took in his concerned eyes which were frantically searching hers. She lifted her hands and fixed his hat so it sat straight on his head. “I will be fine. I always am.” She assured him, moving forward to kiss his cheek. “Thank you. My knight in shining white and navy stripes and a black hat.” She half smiled. “Go and enjoy the rest of the show.”

“That bastard better not touch you.”

“Well he has to…”

“Out of script I mean.”

“Don’t charge the stage Taron.”

Her words made him grin a little. “He tries anything and you may have a new cast member.”

“Robyn!”

“I had better go.”

“I will wait for you at the end of the show.”

“You had better.”

Robyn turned away from him and walked quickly back into the backstage area and through the curtain for the female dressing area.

“You have three minutes.” Dee said holding a make-up brush while Laura was beside her with a hairbrush. “And he is beautiful.” Robyn didn’t answer her as she sat in the chair but she whole heartedly agreed with the make-up artist but Taron was more than beautiful. He was perfect. “Might need to hold off on the blush for the second act.”

“That was some hug Robyn. You get them often?” Asked Laura as she stood behind her and quickly fixed her hair.

“How did you see the hug?” Robyn asked her with her eyes closed as Dee topped up her eye shadow.

“We all saw it.”

“You all peaked out the door?”

“Naturally.”

“Jesus.”

“And we are all a little jealous of it.”

“He gives good hugs.” Robyn confirmed. “Everyone saw it then?”

“Everyone but Cathal and Jude.” Replied Laura.

“Jude is livid.” Dee explained as she fixed some smudged eye liner. “Pulled Cathal outside the hall to talk to him.”

“Steve would be stepping in if he was able.”

“Just my luck that he happened to break his hand.” Sighed Robyn.

“Your male friend, that’s Taron right?” Asked Laura as she sprayed Robyn’s hair, seeing the curls bounce as Robyn nodded. “He’s something else.”

“Yeah he is.”

“Ladies, we nearly done? We have about thirty seconds.” They heard Jude call in through the curtain.

“Go and get changed.” Said Dee as she let Robyn up from the chair. “And hey, Cathal really struggled into his leathers. We watched.”

Robyn moved over to the clothes rail and quickly stripped down and pulled on her dress for the opening scene of the second act, making sure it was straight, her heart racing. She had never known a man like Taron before who knew her so well, who knew what she needed and she desperately needed the hug and it seemed he did too and she also knew he was mad. She could see it in him even though he tried his best to keep his anger in, she could feel the tension in his body and she had never felt protected and loved more than right there and then.

“You have about five seconds to get on stage. Just go from stage left.” Jude met her as she came out from around the curtain. “I am sorry I can’t replace him Robyn.”

“It’s ok.” She said as she walked past him and to the side of the stage.

“No it’s not. I have spoken to him and he knows.”

“We haven’t a chance of the AIMs award.”

“We have every chance. Now go and kill it like you always do.”

Robyn nodded, her eyes going to Taron as he sat back in his seat. She had been able to see him the whole show and when she thought it would have made her nervous, it was the opposite and knowing he was there only made her want to perform perfectly and hit every note and give the best performance she could managed because Taron had travelled to see her and support her. With a long breathe she skipped on stage a little later than normal, turning her focus on being Mimi, looking Cathal in his eyes, showing him that she was not taking any of his shit.

As Taron sat back in his seat, he was still furious and once more the programme was twisted in hands. He was so glad he had been able to see Robyn in between the two acts, thankful he could be there to give her some comfort but he was pissed off and his anger stull bubbled under his skin, even more so when he learnt that Keith had taken advantage of Robyn through one of the most intimate gestures a man can get from a woman. A kiss.

“Fucker.” He muttered under his breath as the house lights dimmed and the music for the second act started to play. Robyn took the stage a little later than the night before, going straight into her song and Taron could see her standing straight and keeping directly in character with Cathal. He didn’t understand how she could do it but like he was a professional actor knowing where his responsibilities lay so did Robyn and she showed that by her perfect performance.

He was on his feet cheering and wolf-whistling before anyone else in the hall and he didn’t care. It was what he had wanted to do last night but because he was keeping a low profile, he couldn’t but now that Robyn knew he was here, once the house lights went up before the cast took their bow and sang their final song, he was clapping hard. His standing ovation spurred everyone else in the hall to get to their feet too and when Robyn ran on stage to take her bow, Taron whooped and called even louder, seeing her laugh at him and she blew him a kiss and gave a curtesy.

He freely sang along as the cast took an encore of Seasons of Love and applauded until they had all left the stage. He side stepped from his chair, into the walkway to let the people sitting the row he was in to get out before he sat back in his seat. He was even more proud of Robyn compared to last night and as he sat on his chair, his joy for Robyn turned a little sad as he thought about how this time tomorrow, he would be back in London and up to his eyes in work. His flight was early the next morning and Robyn had promised to bring him to the airport as she always did but he wasn’t really looking forward to it. He never did enjoy saying goodbye but this weekend had been so special for him because he had been the one to spoil and treat Robyn and he loved doing it for her. He was so thankful it wouldn’t be another eight weeks or so before he saw her again, only two weeks until they hopefully would see each other for dinner in Paris.

“So, was it better the second time round?”

Jane walking over to him broke his thoughts. “Absolutely. Thank you again for getting me to her.”

“You are more than welcome.”

“Guess I really owe you that signed photo now.” He smiled as Jane blushed.

“Robyn told you about that then?”

“She tells me things.”

“I am sure she does.” Jane nodded. “It was nice to see you again Taron and that little smile. Good luck with your tour.”

“Thanks Jane.”

“I’d imagine she will be out quicker tonight. You can go and wait at the curtain if you want.”

“I think I will do that.”

Taron got to his feet, slipped on his coat and made his way over to where the curtain separated front of house from backstage and stood waiting patiently for Robyn to come out. He was looking forward to going back to hers, letting her shower and although he didn’t have any more surprises for her, he just wanted to give her the longest cuddle as they lay in the tent.

“I told you I have nothing to say to you. Just piss off Cathal.”

On hearing her heated tones, Taron ignored the shouts of entry refusal from the people at the curtain and barged straight through the black material into the private backstage area of the cast members, seeing Robyn and Cathal in a stand-off, some space between them. He briskly walked to Robyn and stood in front her, his back right against her chest.

“She said piss off, loud and clear.”

Robyn was more than relieved that Cathal had played the part of Roger as he was supposed to play it during the second act and didn’t even attempt to try anything and any kisses they shared were simple stage kisses and nothing more. Once their final bow was taken, she was the first off stage and into the dressing area, pulling her tattered dress over her head and hanging it on the hanger before she pulled on her jeans and Taron’s Hawaiian shirt. She had worn it to rehearsal, needing to feel a comfort and security from having a piece of him with her and after she had buttoned the middle buttons, tied the bottom ends of the shirt in a knot, so it sat on the waistband of her jeans. She was more than ready to say goodnight and go home, shower and change into her wonderful cosy dolphin PJ’s and another piece of Taron’s clothing, sit in her tent and eat the cupcakes Taron brought her yesterday and just be in her own home with him. As she grabbed her bag and coat, she said a quick goodnight to her other cast mates and director and made her way towards the curtain but she was stopped by Cathal who pulled on her hand, Robyn dropping it like it was a hot coal.

She was about to tell him to leave her alone again when Taron suddenly appeared and stood in front of her, saying it for her, his arms moving out a little so Robyn couldn’t get by him.

“I just wanted to talk to her.” Cathal frowned at the presence of the new man in front of him, blocking his view of Robyn from him.

“I don’t think she has anything she wants to say to you.” Taron replied, trying to keep his temper at bay.

“Look I just want to apologise to her.”

“And I really don’t think it’s good enough.”

“Taron…” Robyn placed her hand on his right wrist.

“You really have nothing to do with this.” Cathal said as he took a step closer to Taron. “You are not her boyfriend.”

“And neither are you.” The Welshman returned. “But I am a man who has respect for women and you clearly don’t. Touch her again and…”

“And what? Is that a threat?”

Taron laughed. “No mate, I don’t need to threaten you. Not when Robyn can do that all her own. How’s the prince jewels feeling?” He asked with a half grin. “Lucky it wasn’t her heel that made its mark.”

There was a titter of giggles from around the cast members as they stood watching the confrontation.

“I don’t need to be her boyfriend to show her respect. It’s what a man does but clearly you are not a man but a boy, taking advantage of a situation because you know otherwise you have no chance. She is much too good for you anyway.”

Taron had learnt his lesson from New Year’s Eve and with the training from Kingsman still fresh in his mind not too mention that still bubbling anger, he quickly dodged the oncoming punch that made its way to him, grabbing Robyn and pulling him with her as he side stepped to the right, Cathal falling over onto the floor in heap as he over balanced when his fist met with blank air.

“You never stood a chance. Tosspot. You ready to go Robyn?”

“Definitely.”

Robyn said a quick goodbye to her friends, not even apologising for Taron’s sudden appearance and keeping his hand in hers, led him out from the backstage area and out of the hall into the fresh night air.

“You are really following through with this knight in shining armour thing, aren’t you?” She asked him.

“I heard you tell him to piss off and I kinda saw red. I wasn’t going to let him even speak to you after what he did earlier and we are going the wrong way.” Taron turned his head as Robyn led him away from the bridge that brought them towards her house.

“I feel like a spice bag.”

“What on earth is a spice bag?”

#Taron Egerton #Taron Egerton Fanfiction #Taron Egerton Fanfic #Taron Fanfic #Love #Friendship #Emotions #Protection #Knight in Shining Armour #Cuddles and Hugs #Musicals #Kisses #Anger #Robyn and Taron

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haledamage · 4 years

Note

7: I'll keep you warm

(have some Kira & Tina! Unit Bravo is great, but Tina should get more love too. Though also featuring a bit of Kira/Adam because I wanted to and no one can stop me :P)

“Well, it could be worse.”

“Please. Enlighten me.”

“We could be alone in a big, drafty building with no heat in the middle of a sudden snowstorm.” Despite her cheerful tone, Tina rubbed her hands together and stomped her feet, trying to keep them from going numb from the cold. “At least we have each other.”

Kira crossed her arms over her chest, hugging herself as if it would somehow make it warmer. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Ooh!” Tina exclaimed, loud enough that it made Kira jump. “I have an idea! Be right back.”

“Tina, what’re you--” Kira sighed as her friend disappeared into the back room without another word.

She came back a couple minutes later with her arms full of blankets. “Ta-da!” She laid out one blanket on the floor, sat down on it, and wrapped two more blankets around her shoulders. Then she held her arms out to Kira and waggled her eyebrows. “C’mere, Detective Kingston. I’ll keep you warm.”

“This isn’t very conducive to getting any work done,” Kira grumbled as she sat down in the blanket nest and let Tina hug her close. The combination of layers of blankets and human body heat did a good job of dispelling the worst of the chill.

“You sound like your Commanding Agent,” Tina said slyly as she tucked her head into Kira’s shoulder.

Kira pushed her friend’s pile of brown curly hair out of her face enough to rest her head on top of hers. “Now that’s just rude.” She couldn’t hear Tina’s laughter, but she could feel her shoulders shake from it.

"I wish we had a few more of these, we could build a blanket fort!" Kira grimaced at the idea of someone coming to the station for help and finding the officers on duty stringing blankets up between the desks. Tina didn't seem to notice, and kept talking jovially. "Did you ever do that when you were little? My stepmum would help me build tunnels all through the house, like a blanket labyrinth."

Kira nodded. "Mum would help me string up fairy lights inside, so I could sit in my fort and read."

"Now I'm just picturing your mum," Tina said with a giggle, "in her power suit and heels, crawling into Little Kira's blanket library and somehow still looking like a badass."

"Oh yeah, she's always been like that," Kira said fondly. She could almost see it, Rebecca just home from work, sitting under the dining table with a sheet draped over it, tired but smiling, lit by the soft blue lights as she listened to a very young Kira tell her about the book she was reading, or what happened at school, while very carefully skirting around talking about her own day. "A picture of poise and grace, no matter where."

She shook herself out of her reverie, but Tina was still in her own. Thinking of her stepmother, maybe. Kira had never gotten the chance to meet her, she'd died just before she and Tina met, but Tina spoke highly of her. Kira hugged her friend a little closer and let her take all the time she needed.

"You ever think about how things would be if we'd met when I first moved here? When we were kids?" Tina asked abruptly.

"I don't think you would have liked me," Kira replied after thinking about it for a minute, then quickly amended, "Well, no, that's not quite true. I'm told I'm very likeable. Lots of people like me. Never really had many actual friends, though." She shrugged nonchalantly, unbothered by the relative solitude of her childhood. "Too shy, I guess. Until you. Until Verda. Until…" she stopped, not shocked by the fact that she considered Unit Bravo to be friends, but that she'd put them - all of them - on the same level as Tina and Verda.

Tina heard the rest of the sentence, even if it hadn't been spoken aloud. She lifted her head from Kira's shoulder to turn a sly grin in her direction. "Their introduction wasn't that much different than mine, if you think about it."

“Really?” Kira scoffed, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. “Because when we were introduced I thought 'wow, she's really nice!' and when Mum introduced me to them I thought 'wow, I didn't know migraines came in human form!'”

"You didn't really think that."

"Not about Nate," she said immediately, almost defensively. "He's a genuinely great guy. And Felix was… a lot, but maybe not so terrible. Adam and Mason, though, absolutely."

That sly grin grew dangerously. "My my, how quickly things change."

“Not really.” Now Kira did actually roll her eyes, though to her annoyance she could feel her face get hot as she blushed. “They're both still a complete pain in the arse.”

“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

“Ha ha ha,” Kira deadpanned.

“You wanna know what I think?” Tina kept talking without giving her a chance to answer, expression suddenly serious. “I think someday you'll look back and find that the day those vampires crashed their way into your office was the most important day of your life.” There was a moment of thoughtful silence as her words sank in, and then her smile was back. “Well, second most. After the day you met me, obviously.”

“Obviously.” Kira gave Tina’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze. “I love you, Tina. I hope you know that. No matter what supernatural bullshit I get dragged into, you’ll always be my best friend.”

“I know. I love you too.” Tina leaned her head on her friend’s shoulder again. Quietly, almost hesitantly, she added, “You know you don’t have to feel guilty for enjoying your time with Unit Bravo, right? You can love me and love them too. You don’t have to choose one or the other.”

Kira didn’t respond to that. It was feeling, more and more as the days went by, that she would have to choose. Probably sooner rather than later. And if she was honest with herself, she already knew what her choice would be. She just hoped, when that day came, she’d be able to take Tina with her somehow.

“Your favorite Bravo Boy is here, Kira,” Tina said, interrupting her thoughts with an elbow to her ribs. Kira followed her gaze through the glass front wall of the station, watching the man in question striding confidently through the falling snow, his dark grey coat stark against the blanket of white. “Maybe you should ask him to warm you up instead of me.”

“Tina, it’s not like that.” It sounded like a lie even to her own ears.

“It could be,” she said with a barely stifled giggle. “You never know if you don’t ask.”

Before Kira could reply, Adam walked through the door, purposeful steps slowing to a confused stop at the bundle of police officers in the middle of the room.

She smiled up at him, ignoring the sudden nervous flutter in her stomach and the knowing way Tina looked back and forth between them. “Hi.”

He raised one dark blonde eyebrow, but his face remained otherwise stony and emotionless. “Hello, Detective. Officer Poname. Slow day?”

“Oh, don’t mind us,” Tina said lightly. “Just a couple of cop-sicles.”

For a moment, the station was so quiet you could almost hear the snow falling outside. Then Kira and Tina collapsed into giggles, falling against each other in their little blanket nest. Adam watched them, face blank, but Kira knew him well enough to see the amusement in his icy green eyes.

“Go on.” Tina gave Kira a nudge, still laughing. “I got to cuddle with you all day, now it’s his turn.”

“Tina…” Kira said warningly, though she did start detangling herself from the blankets so she could climb to her feet. She very pointedly didn’t look at Adam; it was safer not to know what expression was on his face.

Tina’s grin was completely unrepentant. “Just send someone by in a few hours to chip me off the floor.”

It was much colder outside of the blankets than it had been before. In the three steps it took to get to her office to grab her bags, Kira was already shivering again.

“Are you all right, Detective?” Adam asked as he followed her, a concerned frown breaking through his stoic mask.

She waved off his concern, very quickly checking her messages to make sure she hadn’t missed anything while she and Tina had been huddling for warmth. She hadn’t. “I’m just cold. It was supposed to be nice today, so I didn’t wear a heavy enough coat. Wasn’t expecting the heat to be out either.” She turned to face Adam in time to see him finish unbuttoning his wool peacoat. Without thinking, she grabbed it by the lapels before he could take it off. “What are you doing?”

“Giving you my coat,” he said, like it should be obvious.

“I’m pretty sure the cold affects you a lot more than it does me, no matter how good you are at hiding it. You don’t have to make yourself uncomfortable for my sake.” She uncurled her hands from their grip on his coat and, without really thinking about it, pressed them flat against his chest, letting his warmth seep into her chilled fingertips. She yanked her hands away when she realised what she was doing, and turned away from him again. “Keep it. I’m fine.”

A warm weight settled over her shoulders and she spun around with a gasp to find Adam right there, pulling his coat firmly around her shoulders. It reminded Kira abruptly of that night on patrol, all those months ago. So much had changed since then, but not the way her heart raced to have him this close, or the heat building in the space between them, or the spark that traveled through her the moment his eyes met hers.

He swallowed hard, as if he was thinking of the same thing. “It’s okay to let others help you sometimes, Detective,” he murmured.

That drew a grin to her face, and she couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “You know what they say about people in glass houses, don’t you, Adam?”

His lips quirked in a small smile. “Perhaps. I am trying.”

“I know.” She slid her hands up the coat until her fingers brushed his. “Thank you.”

He allowed the touch for a few long moments, a softness in his eyes that drew her an unconscious step closer. He studied her face slowly, purposefully, and she could almost feel the weight of his gaze against her skin.

Then he pulled away all at once, walls snapping firmly back in place. “I will wait for you outside.” He turned and stalked away without another word.

Tina sidled up next to her once he was gone, as if she appeared out of nowhere. “Told you so.”

“Sod off.”

#kira kingston #tina poname #kira/adam #the wayhaven chronicles #this fic was born entirely from the word 'cop-sicles'#and I chose adam because he was A) one of the ones who wouldn't find cop-sicles funny #and B) the only one who wouldn't straight-up directly offer to keep kira warm #actualanxiousswampwitch

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selfships-in-spanish · 4 years

Text

–A fleeting encounter

I’m posting the Vampire!Hank ask as a new post because for the love of everything, Tumblr doesn’t let me take out the read more out of the ask’s header. It’s glued to the ask bubble and there’s no way to get it out... Ugh, this hellish site.

Here’s the original ask:

Your AU’s keep me alive ❤️ however, the Vampire AU is currently my new drug. Vampire Hank is such a weakness! I love imagining Ona meeting Vampire!Hank for the first time and she’s both seduced but also cautious of him 👀 imagining Hank giving a deep menacing chuckle at how this little human amuses him 🥴

BUT AHHHH THANK YOU ANON!!! I’m sorry for having so many AUs but I just enjoy all the ideas you guys come up with, and I absolutely love creating content for them!! Vampire!AU is something I want to delve more into, because it’s dark, it’s dangerous and we all love our damn vampires, don’t we all.

I’ll get over my phobia of blood for you guys, I got you all (seriously, I see blood and/or needles I go down to the floor. And I’m diabetic. FUN! )

But… Au within an Au? Ona is still a cop? Hank & the boys are a vamp family and Mr.Anderson is out having a nice hunt evening?

AUception it is.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

She’s tiny.

That’s not hard to be when he’s a giant mass compared to anyone, strong and robust, but the difference is still funny.

She has a lovely voice and he wonders if her blood will taste sweet too.

Hank observes the situation in a table near his barstool: her tight smile and bored eyes, her way of picking the food on her plate and how the almost empty wine glass was more interesting than the conversation and man in front of her. The man probably thought he was doing a fantastic job and would get laid tonight, but the girl’s face told another story.

What a pity that courting and wooing was out of fashion; it was always nice to be and feel appreciated.

The girl looked around the restaurant, not being able to bear another look at the guy. They crossed looks, and from Hank’s magnetic gaze, she was unable to look away. Hank smirked, pleased he had her attention now. He made sure to look intently at her as he took a sip of his drink, appealing to her curiosity. He winked.

Hank’s smirk widened when her cheeks reddened, quickly looking away and getting herself busy with her own drink, looking everywhere but him.

The pretty human tried to keep on with the conversation, tried to concentrate on the man in front of her rather than the mysterious silver fox, and it amused Hank to no end. He was a patient man, and he knew he would taste her eventually. It made the wait worthwhile.

Her date stood up, excusing himself to go to the bathroom. The girl nodded and sighed once the man was out of sight and hearing range. The waiter came immediately after she finished her glass of wine, leaving another one and a small folded note. She frowned.

“From the gentleman over there.”

The girl looked over where the waiter pointed, eyes widening when she saw who this gentleman was. Hank chuckled to himself, raising his own glass in acknowledgement and waiting for her to reciprocate the far away toast. She did, holding his intense gaze the entire time with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Now that he had her attention, it was only a matter of time and patience.

Hank was a patient man.

She looked away, shyly, when she put down her own glass, wiping her mouth delicately with her napkin. When she glanced over the mysterious gentleman again, he pointed to her table, that smirk still painted over his lips. Ona looked down, noticing for the first time the folded note that the waiter delivered with her glass of wine. Ona opened it, finding a handwritten note in a beautiful cursive hand.

“It looks like you need to break free from that cage, little bird. In case you want a more refreshing conversation, I’m having a smoke outside. H.”

There was also a number at the bottom of it. Huh. Silver fox was going strong.

Ona’s date was back and she hastily hid the note in her purse. The man grinned at her and she smiled back, trying so hard to keep up the façade. She felt bad for even considering going outside when she already was with someone, but the guy clearly was after a very certain and particular thing she was not going to give him, and this was becoming a huge, disastrous mess.

“Sorry sweet cheeks, Mother Nature called. Anyways, as I was saying…”

Ona tuned out, fearing her brain would rot if she listened to the guy mansplaining once again how to do her job. Going out for a dinner date with a fellow detective, even if he was from another precinct, had been another terrible idea. Why on earth did she say yes? Oh yes, Tina. Tina bet her, and Ona never stepped down from a bet in a display of a true stubborn spaniard as she was. It was practically in her veins.

Mr.I’m-the best-at-my-job kept going on, not even leaving her room to say her own thoughts about the matter. He kept drilling on, laughing at his own jokes while Ona merely smiled to keep the appearances. Gods, what a self-centred asshole. An involuntary sigh escaped her lips. Mr. My-teeth-are-whiter-than-snow frowned, shutting up.

“Sorry, am I boring you?” He didn’t sound sorry at all, more annoyed than anything.

“No, sorry. Just a little dizzy.”

“Huh. Well, like I was saying—“

“Actually, do you mind if I go outside for a minute? Some fresh air may help.”

Before Detective Asshole could say anything else, Ona stood up, grabbing her jacket from the chair and walking to the front door of the restaurant.

Nightly cold air greeted her, making her sigh pleasantly this time. She was actually starting to feel a throbbing inside her head. If that guy called her sweet cheeks again or said “as I was saying”, Ona would make him choke on his food, make that juicy olive in his cocktail get stuck in his throat and make it look like an accident. Ona let a smile grace her lips, enjoying the scene in her head.

“I thought you would never come.”

“OH JESUS FUCKING CHRIST—“ Ona jumped, startled when a deep, purring voice spoke next to her. Her heart was threatening to beat out of her chest. She placed a hand over it, trying to will her heart to a more even pace. The voice chuckled.

“Such blasphemous curses.”

“If you are a believer.” Ona looked at the owner of the voice, brows rising when she saw the mysterious silver fox.

True to his word, he was outside with a lit cigarette between his lips. Now that she was closer, Ona could see how full the beard was, but also well kept. The man smelled of expensive cologne, and judging by his clothes, he did have the money. Neat and clean haircut, spotless coat, leather gloves and blue eyes twinkling with amusement, although Ona could see a glint of something behind it. It made her uneasy but also curious.

“Out of the cage, then, little bird?”

“I needed fresh air indeed,” Ona crossed her arms. “But didn’t you promise a refreshing conversation?” Curiosity won.

The gentleman looked inside the restaurant where her date was.

“That bad?” He said, nodding in her date’s direction and brows raised.

“That bad.” Ona let herself snort.

The man stepped closer, holding his hand out.

“I’m Hank.”

Ona took it, squeezing it with enough force to let the man know she was not easily swayed. She wasn’t a Detective for nothing. She also had a mean punch. Hank looked pleased at her grip.

“Ona.” Hank’s hands were big. He was big. And she noticed right that instant how tiny she was compared to him.

“Nice to meet you, Ona.” She tried not to squeak like a tiny mouse.

“So, what brought you to the enlightening company of Mr. Boring Date over there?” His voice was like velvet and Ona felt it brush her ears like a soft caress.

“A bet.”

“A bet?” Hank’s amused chuckle made her pout. “I hope you win it, then. Considering…” Hank nodded towards her date’s direction.

“Yeah, gonna get some cash. And favours.” Ona joined his chuckle in the end, thinking about Tina’s smug face when Gavin discovers that no, Mr.Suit-&-Tie didn’t manage to get inside Ona’s pants. She could already see her new shiny toaster on her kitchen’s counter. “So, what’s a man like you doing in a place like this, all alone?”

“I’m not alone right now, am I?” Hank winked. Ona raised her brow.

“Is this how you pick up potential dates?”

“Are you considering yourself a potential date, then? I wouldn’t be opposed to the idea.”

“Wha–wait no, wait!” Ona could feel her cheeks getting hotter. She was a grown up woman and would absolutely not blush. No sir. “I didn’t say anything about a being a potential date!”

“You asked me if this is how I pick up potential dates.” Hank’s amused voice wasn’t helping her at all.

“I’m not– ugh! Don’t turn my words against me!”

“I’m so sorry, darling, you just made it so easy and I really couldn’t resist.” He stepped closer. He took out a pack of cigarettes, offering one to Ona. She shook her head.

“No, thank you. I don’t smoke.”

“Smart lady. Don’t fall into that. And it comes from someone who smokes like a chimney.”

“Then you should quit smoking. A man your age…” Ona teased him with a smirk of her own.

Hank snorted. If she really knew his age… but that’s a secret for later. He was only here to scout, to see what both Connor and Richard meant by a very strong-willed and capable Police Detective catching their attention, but if he got a taste… he wouldn’t complain one bit. Connor and Richard once got a whiff of her blood when their paths crossed in one of her police investigations, getting hurt while having to run after a suspect. Needless to say she did apprehend the suspect despite the cut on her leg. The fire in her eyes drew them in.

But, that didn’t mean he couldn’t play a little with this cute, tiny human. Hank was not stupid, she was pretty, and that’s something he absolutely read in Connor and Richard’s faces and attitude. When they found someone pretty and capable, they put their entire attention on them. She was a lucky lady.

“I’m going to make a proposition to you, Ona.” Hank blew the smoke upwards, mindful of not letting it hit her. Ona was silently grateful for that.

“An indecent one?” Ona chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest and tilting her head slightly to the side, curious.

“Ah, only if you want it to be, darling.” Hank purred out the pet name. Ona didn’t know she could blush even more.

“I-I—“

“You make teasing you so easy,” Hank stepped even closer, just tiptoeing on Ona’s personal space. She could smell the expensive cologne, but could feel no warmth radiating off him. Strange. “But that wasn’t what I was going to proposition to you. What about you give me one night?” One night with me, and then you can judge if I am that old.”

Ona felt her heart beat faster. Her mouth felt dry all of the sudden.

“Well?”

“I barely know you.” But she felt curious. And daring.

Hank raised his eyebrows, chuckling. She was a stubborn one. Connor will have fun with her.

“Well, what a better chance to know each other than to have a nice dinner together and drinks after?”

Hank made sense, in a way. He was the one interested in meeting her, but she wouldn’t admit out loud she wanted to know more about this mysterious man. Puzzles such as this were a thrill for her, she didn’t become a detective for the paperwork, but for the adrenaline rushing through her veins when faced with a dangerous case, a bloody trail begging to be solved, the satisfaction of seeing behind bars those who thought they could best the law, best her.

This man was a mystery begging to be solved, too.

“You know what? Give me your phone.”

Hank’s smile was radiant and just a touch from being predatory, pleased she accepted. He handed his phone to her, watching in satisfaction as she typed her phone number there.

He couldn’t wait to rub that fact on the younger vampire’s faces. While Richard kept pinning like the romantic dumbass he was, and Connor made excuses to bump into her investigations just to catch a glimpse and a whiff of her scent, Hank managed to get a date. How wonderful their enraged faces are going to be. Thank God he was an older and stronger vampire, more experienced too, or they would have torn him into shreds.

“I can’t believe I’ve done this, but… there you go. Call me.” Ona handed the phone back, which Hank took with a sparkling smile, showing perfect teeth with a little gap between the front ones that Ona found endearing.

“Of course I will, darling. Better when your romeo isn’t there wondering why his tricks ain’t working, huh?”

“Oh my god, I forgot about him!” Ona gasped, horrified at herself. Hank barked out a laugh, whole body shaking with it. Ona glanced at the restaurant’s window and then back to Hank. “I-I have to go. Like, right now. Shit.”

Hank took her hand and kissed the back of it. Ona was taken aback from the act and felt her cheeks redden.

“Go, or I’ll keep you here longer.”

Ona let out an undignified noise while Hank chuckled, taking her hand back and choking out a “bye” as she turned around and got inside again. In her shock she didn’t notice the frozen cold touch of his lips against her skin.

Hank stomped out the butt of the cigarette, taking out his phone and going through the contact’s list. His eyes twinkled in amusement.

“Ona 🌊”

Hank walked back to his car, whistling a random tune with a spring in his steps. It was a pretty name, very fitting also.

Connor and Richard were indeed not pleased that Hank passed his hand over their faces. He dangled the phone in his hand, knowing how the brothers wanted to throw his phone to the fire and stomp on its ashes.

“Don’t you dare taste her first, Hank.” Connor’s lips were pressed into a tight line.

“I wouldn’t even think about it, knowing how much you want her.” He did want to taste her blood, but he wasn’t that evil towards the brothers.

“You will regret it if you do.” Richard’s icy stare would have sent shivers down his spine if he knew he couldn’t fight him and win.

Hank groaned, tired of the silly possessiveness they felt towards the human. He went to the mini bar and poured himself a drink.

“I won’t drink her blood, for now, but if you don’t move your goddamn asses, I will be drinking something else.”

Hank felt the poisoned daggers the brothers were stabbing him with their eyes. They were enamored by that tiny human, and couldn’t think straight when her blood was present.

“If you don’t want me to do neither, do something yourselves.”

Connor and Richard stood up, lips curved into a snarl and their fists tight. They disappeared into their own rooms, probably to sulk. Hank sighed, shaking his head.

He had a dinner date to plan.

#dbh #detroit become human #hank anderson #rk800 #rk900 #hank anderson x oc #hank anderson x reader #rk800 x oc #rk900 x oc #vampire hank #vampire rk800 #vampire rk900 #vampire au #mius writes

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