#so in the morning my aunt kindly informed me that my friend had invited me to her house

[fangirling-is-my-passion]

🎃 Halloween Special 🎃 (Draco Malfoy x Reader)

Warnings: none, according to me

Summary: It’s your fifth year at Hogwarts and you decide to change things up a little bit by making a mix between muggle and magical traditions in Halloween.

A/N: Hellooooo, lovelies! I know it's been ages since the last time I posted any of my writings, but I got this idea the other day and I just couldn't let it die in my drafts. It's my first time writing for Draco, so if there's any mistake or stuff way too out of character, please, have mercy on me... 😔🙏 I love you and I really hope you enjoy it! Happy Halloween! :) <3

October was finally coming to its end and Halloween was just around the corner, so everybody's excitement was palpable. The Halloween celebration at Hogwarts was one of the most expected by the students and you were definitely not the exception, nonetheless, after already four years of spending the holiday the wizard style, you were kind of starting to miss the muggle celebrations you were so used to when you were only a child.

You missed the costumes so much. Everything was really cool, but why didn't wizards dress up for Halloween? I mean, can you imagine the possibilities?

And so your idea was born: A Halloween celebration in Hogsmeade with your friends and anybody else who wanted to join, but with costumes, like muggles did. It was going to be a little bit of a mix between the two worlds. And it was going to be fantastic.

"Guys, guys, guys, guys, guys!" you said excitedly on Monday morning, sitting at the Gryffindor table in a rush, "I was thinking, why don't we throw a costume party in Hogsmeade the night of Halloween? It could even be at the Three Broomsticks, if we ask for permission, of course, I gotta check that, but, a costume party! What do you think?"

"You mean like the muggle tradition?" asked Hermione.

"Yes! Exactly! I actually don't quite understand why wizards don't dress up for Halloween, but whatever. I think this would be great!"

"Of course, sounds amazing, (Y/N)! But we gotta plan it very well, so I'll help you with the organisation," said Hermione with a lopsided smile.

"Well, sounds like fun, so count me in," said Ron, "By the way, (Y/N), can you pass me the sausages, please?"

"Sure, there you go..."

"I'm definitely in too. It would be my first time dressing up for Halloween, so I wouldn't miss it for the world," Harry added, "Dudley was the one who went trick-or-treating every year; meanwhile I stayed at home, either inside the cupboard or doing whatever chores my aunt could come up with."

"Blimey, Harry, that sucks..." Ron commented before placing another sausage on his plate, which was already brimming with food. Harry simply shrugged.

"Erm, well, great then! I think..." you paused for a second and then added," Let's tell everybody else!"

"Who are you planning to invite?" Hermione questioned; she was definitely taking this organisation thing very seriously.

"I was thinking of simply spreading the word, so anybody who wants to can join."

"Oh, all right. That sounds fine," she said, although she didn't sound entirely convinced.

"Are you going to invite your boyfriend then?" Ron inquired with a sly look on his face.

"Oh, he's not my boyfriend! We're just... acquaintances... who hated each other in the past... but not anymore..."

He referred to no other than Draco Malfoy, the so called Slytherin Prince. At the very beginning of your Hogwarts days, you honestly couldn't stand each other, with all his arrogance and his superiority complex, however, at some point and for some strange and unknown reason to you, he stopped being an utter arsehole, your mutual teasing became more of an inside joke than actual bullying and you kinda started getting along. At least you were able to be in the same room without trying to hex one another.

"Yeaaah, of course, and who also study together in the library..." Ron continued.

"That happened one time!" you exclaimed, a flush creeping across your cheeks, "Or was it twice?"

"Twice" Harry and Ron answered in unison.

"Actually," Hermione interrupted, "it happened three times if we count the one where they had to work on the potions project together."

"But that does not count! It was a project! We had to!"

"Mmmmm, it counts because you chose to work together" she explained, a sly tone in her voice.

"That was just because he's the only Slytherin I've had an actual, relatively decent interaction with... Seriously, Hermione? That's not even the point here, guys, let's focus. And yes," you said making emphasis en the 'yes', "I am going to invite him, 'cause, why not? He's probably going to instantly reject the idea anyways, you know how he is." You crossed your arms over the table and took a deep breath.

"Wow", said Ron, "I can't believe you actually said all that without pausing to breathe. However," he said emphasising that last word," I'm telling you, (Y/N), you're gonna end up together. But if you're so sure of the contrary, let's make a bet."

"What?"

"Yes, whoever loses will have to do the winner's homework for a week." Ron smirked.

"A week! Are you nuts?" you exclaimed.

"Well, you have nothing to worry about... Unless you do think you're gonna end up being Malfoy's girlfriend..." His smirk widened and your cheeks went a little pinker than they already were.

"All right, fine. It's settled then. I only hope you're ready to do all my homework for a week, Ronald Weasley."

"We'll see about that."

After a busy and tiring week trying to plan an amazing Halloween party at the same time as doing all your class work, Saturday had finally arrived and everybody was filled with excitement. The news of your party had spread like wildfire and soon you and Hermione had to recalculate the supplies you'd need in order to have enough for every single person who wanted to drop by.

Also, you'd indeed told Draco about the party, nonetheless, just as you thought it would be, he didn't seem very excited about the whole idea... Well, yeah, he might have implied that he would never in his right mind attend a muggle celebration like that and that you were nuts to think of the possibility, however!, he didn't really, explicitly say no, so you'd taken his response as a maybe and still hoped he'd go for at least a little while (wait, why were you hoping that? It's not like you cared that much about him attending or not... Right?)

Since you'd been very busy with all the planning, you'd started working on your costume a little bit late, but you were very satisfied with the result: you were going to be Medusa. I mean, she's iconic! Being able to turn people into stone if they look you in the eye? Wicked! (At some point Harry made a joke comparing Medusa to a basilisk, and I mean, sure, but to be honest he really had to work on his humour). You'd even enchanted a diadem with snakes so they moved like they were alive! (Because, come on, you were committed to this holiday, but let's be sensible, you weren't going to wear actual snakes on your hair, there are levels).

The point is that, like everyone else, you were incredibly excited about your party. And also a bit nervous, you didn't want to screw something up, but you also knew not everything could be perfect and what mattered most was that everybody had fun.

"(Y/N)! Are you ready? We gotta get going!" Hermione called from outside the bathroom of your dormitory. You opened the door and stepped out, ready to rock and roll.

"So? How do I look?" you asked, twirling so she could take a look of your whole costume.

"Intimidatingly gorgeous."

"Oww! Thank you! Wait," you said now focusing on Hermione's costume," what are you wearing? No, no, not that, forget that, but why didn't you tell me you were going to be greek goddess, Hermione?"

"For your information, I am Athena," she said and imitated your twirl, "and I wanted it to be a surprise, I kind of got the idea thanks to you, when you told me you were going to be Medusa."

"Well, yeah... It's perfectly okay, but I would've liked to know before! Also, dressing up as specifically Athena is so you, Hermione, and you look gorgeous, seriously, I'm in love with you. Draco Malfoy who?"

"Is that a confession?" questioned Hermione with a sly smile.

"It's a joke" you clarified rolling your eyes but with a lopsided smile on your face.

"Yeah, sure, truly convincing," your friend said with sarcasm "Anyways, we gotta go now, come on!"

And off you went. You met Harry and Ron in the Gryffindor common room (Harry had dressed up as a Gryffindor quidditch player who'd been hit in the head by a bludger, and Ron was simply wearing a Chudley Cannons uniform. Boy, if these guys were obsessed with quidditch...) and the four of you headed happily towards the entrance of the castle, where all the students gathered before going to Hogsmeade. In your way there you were able to see a lot of different costumes from the students who were attending your party and you were deeply amused (and amazed) by they're creativity. Wizards should definitely do this more often.

When you finally arrived to the Three Broomsticks, you found the entire place decorated just as you'd imagined, and Madam Rosmerta (whom you'd previously sent a letter asking for her permission to use the place for your party in exchange of a reasonable amount of money, and she very kindly had agreed and even offered to help you with the organisation and setting the ambience too) was just applying the final touches.

"Oh, hello, dears!" she greeted you with a smile; she really was a very beautiful woman, no wonder why Ron and many other students fancied her, "So? What do you think? Is it like you imagined?"

"It definitely is!" you exclaimed looking around the place in awe, "It's truly fantastic, thank you so, so much! Now all we got to do is wait for everybody else to arrive!"

It didn't take too long before the first group of students entered the place, only a couple of minutes after the time of the appointment, and from then on, people just kept flooding the pub.

"All right, guys!" you shouted over the murmurs of the crowd so everybody could hear you and be quiet while you spoke, "Here's what we've got: You are allowed to order two butterbeers free of charge, however, if you want more you'll have to pay them yourselves. Now, there's relatively decent food on that table," you pointed to the table on the corner at your left side," and in that other table next to the entrance you will find a bunch of various sweets that are definitely unhealthy if eaten in excess, so, please, don't get too excited, people," the multitude before you chuckled and you smiled widely," Also, dear Colin here offered to take pictures of whoever asked him to, so if you want one, just let him now... Ah! And I almost forgot, there will be a costume contest at the end, so be sure to write your name down on the scroll that's on that wall,"you said and pointed to the wall opposite to you," if you want to participate. I think that's all for now, so enjoy the party, and Happy Halloween, everybody!"

The crowd cheered and applauded you before returning to their chatting or heading straight to where the food was. You walked towards the bar to tell something to Madam Rosmerta and soon some upbeat Halloween-themed music started playing. At some point, a few students took a corner of the place as improvised dance floor and, frankly, everything was even better than how you'd pictured it at first. And that was saying something.

"Amazing party, (Y/N)! You should totally do this more often!" cheered Fred and George Weasley about and hour after the beginning of the party. They'd dressed up as some quite creepy zombie conjoint twins and you thought it was brilliant.

"Thank you, guys! I'm glad you're having fun!" you shouted over the music, "By the way, I think your costume is brilliant, suits you perfectly!"

"Thanks! Hope it's enough to win that costume contest of yours, but being honest, there's a lot of competition here," Fred replied.

"Yeah, I mean, just look at your costume! You look fantastic!" George continued.

"Oww, well, luckily for you, I'm going to be a judge, so I'm not participating..."

The conversation went on for a couple more minutes until Lee Jordan called the twins to the dance floor.

Although the party was an absolute hit, you couldn't help but think about a certain someone who wasn't there.

"You look a bit disappointed," said Hermione from behind you, making you jump a bit, "Thinking about somebody who didn't come, perhaps?"

Sometimes it was truly scary how Hermione could know so much.

"What? No! What are you talking about?" you asked trying to brush the topic off.

"Will you please stop trying to deny your feelings, (Y/N)?" Hermione crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, it's pretty obvious that Malfoy isn't indifferent to you and, to be fair, I don't really mind! I mean, he's been a lot less annoying since you two started to get along a little better, so go ahead if you fancy him!"

"But what if I don't want to fancy him, Hermione?" you exclaimed finally giving in, "He was pretty awful to us in our first years and, yes, maybe we get along now, and he's been a lot better but... I just... I don't know! I guess I feel a bit guilty about it... Besides,he can still be considerably rude sometimes towards people and, even if we left that aside, what makes you think that he could possibly fancy me? I mean, come on, he didn't even come! And I don't... I don't want to be all head over heels for him or anything, and that's also the reason why I keep denying it! If I talk about it, it becomes more real, so maybe if I simply ignore it, my feelings will go away soon enough!"

Luckily for you, you were wearing your green Medusa makeup, otherwise Hermione would have been able to see your cheeks turn bright red.

"Okay, I understand that..." she said, "But I think you got something wrong there, (Y/N), he did come..."

"What?!"

"He just arrived, look, there he is! It's like you invoked him" You turned to look were Hermione had her eyes fixed. And, of course, she was right, there he was. Looking quite dreamy, but you shouldn't think about that, should you? "I'd give you my whole pep talk, but there's no time, you've got more important things to take care of right now. Just, I don't know, let it flow, okay?... But go on, then! Go with him!" she hurried you. You did as you were told and walked towards him changing your mood instantly and pretending that the previous conversation with Hermione had never happened. Just act normal, you thought.

"So you came!" you greeted him once you'd reached him.

"I did," Draco asserted, "Medusa, huh?" he said looking at you up and down with a raised eyebrow and... was that the spirit of a smirk? Once more your makeup helped you hide your blushing and you tried to act like there weren't some butterflies fluttering in your stomach.

...Ugh, this was exactly why you didn't want to admit you fancied him in the first place!

"Indeed," you replied smirking, "And a vampire, eh? Pretty simple if I'm honest, but you look good."

"I always look good, (Y/L/N), but if I'm honest," he said imitating your tone, "you look pretty good too."

"I always look good, Malfoy."

You explained him what you'd told the crowd at the beginning of the party and he decided to order a butterbeer. Then the conversation between the two of you simply kept on going without much difficulty; for some strange reason the fact that you had feelings for him and yet apparently not a single thing in common with him didn't affect your communication.

"All right, but this is insane," he said at some point, " how did you manage to pull this off? I mean, it must have cost you quite a fortune..."

"Well, I did get help from my friends with the budget, but, yes, I had to negotiate with my parents and trade my Christmas and birthday presents of the next year for some money to do this right."

"You're bloody insane..."

"I think you made that pretty clear when I first invited you to come, and yet here you are," you said with sufficiency, "so I guess I'm not the only one here who's gone a bit nuts."

He huffed and took another sip of his butterbeer. In that moment, Ginny Weasley, Parvati Patil and Hermione, who were currently dancing among a bunch of other students, called you and gestured at you to go dance with them. You nodded and turned to Draco in order to tell him that he could stay there while you danced for a while, but before you could articulate anything he said:

"No way you're leaving me here, you're the only person I can actually interact with in a mildly pacific way, so I'm sticking with you."

"Okay... But you're gonna have to dance, then."

"And you think am not qualified for the task?" he asked with his usual smirk.

"Are you really always such a showoff?"

"Only when I'm trying to impress somebody," that answer definitely took you by surprise, but you didn't have the chance to say anything, 'cause he added, "Go on, then, they're waiting for you. I'll go right behind."

And so you danced with your friends. And he danced. And you two danced together. And it was pretty unbelievable for everyone, including you, but nobody seemed to mind since they had never seen Draco in such an unproblematic mood.

A couple of hours later, the costume contest finally took place. The prize for the winner was a special package of sweets you'd prepared plus five galleons... Yeaaah, you'd definitely put a lot of effort in the planning of your party, and it had been completely worth it so far.

All the participants formed a line so each one could walk around showing their costume just as if it were a fashion runway. Meanwhile, you were arranging the seats for the judges. And, as a matter of fact, you had one judge missing. Your intention at first had been that there were four judges in the panel, nonetheless, since both Harry and Ron had declined the offer because they wanted to participate, you were only three: Madam Rosmerta, Hermione and yourself. And all the people you trusted also wanted to take part in it, so it seemed that you'd have to settle with only three judges. Unless...

"Hey, Draco!" Wait, since when did you address him by his first name? Oooh, this was getting out of control... You shouldn't have said anything!

"What is it?" he asked from the seat he had taken at some nearby table, just like all the other students who wouldn't take part in the contest, and were happy to simply watch, had done.

"Well, I was wondering..." you began doubtfully, "if you would like to be a judge too?"

"Me? A judge?" He frowned. "Why?"

"Because I wanted there to be four, but I've got one missing. And I think you'd make a fair judge, as long as you keep your good mood and you're not rude to our contestants... So?" you said bitting your lip.

"Erm, all right. Can't promise I won't be tough on them, though" there was that smirk again.

"Oh, shut up," you said playfully," You can be tough, just not rude. There's a difference."

And so the contest began.

An hour flew by and sooner than you'd expected, you found yourself deliberating with your three judges on whose costume was the best. A task which was pretty hard to do. Harder than you'd expected, actually.

At the moment, you had managed to leave only three finalists, each one provided by one of your fellow judges, and you were the one with the final word. The problem was that you couldn't make up your mind.

"I'm telling you!" Hermione insisted, "Harry's costume should win! It's creative and original and very thorough!"

"Granger, you're only saying that because he's your friend," intervened Draco," but come on! That kid with the Dementor costume? He is literally floating! And he's like in second grade or so! I really think he's the one who should win."

"Well, he definitely portrays a dementor better than you did in third year..." the girl countered.

"All right, guys, don't fight, we gotta make a decision quickly and you're getting on my nerves. Yes, both of you..."

"I still say that those Weasley twins are a lot of fun... They should win if you ask me," Madam Rosmerta mentioned, already losing interest in the matter; looking at three teenagers argue over a costume contest wasn't exactly her definition of "fun".

"Yeah, but they're costume is not as complex as Harry's, (Y/N)!" Hermione reiterated.

"But Potter is not floating, now, is he?" Draco retorted.

"Merlin's beard, you guys! Will you both please shut up?" you scolded, "If I'm completely honest, I wouldn't even consider any of them as my first option, I would choose Padma Patil!" you paused for a second thinking what to say next to state your point, "I mean, she dressed up as Celestina Warbeck! Are you joking? That's bloody brilliant if you ask me! And not only that but she brought Lavender, Parvati and that other girl whose name I don't remember at the moment as her Banshees! Come on! Creative, original... Besides, look at her dress! It looks pretty thorough to me! And yeah, she may not be floating," you added turning to Draco," but she's enchanted her necklace to play 'You stole my cauldron but you can't have my heart' to look like she's actually singing!"

There were a couple of seconds of silence, until Draco decided to break it.

"Then why on earth didn't you say that from the very beginning, (Y/L/N)?"

"Because you were so determined to say who you thought should win that I didn't want to cause more trouble with the decision!"

"Well, as a matter of fact, it makes it a lot easier for me," said Madam Rosmerta, "that girl and her friends were my second option. I simply love Celestina Warbeck."

"She was my third option, so I guess I don't mind," Draco stated shrugging and then leaned back on his chair.

You looked at Hermione.

"Well, yeah... She wasn't in my top three, but it's fine for me", she didn't sound entirely convinced, but it was enough.

"Okay, then..." you said finally, a little surprised by the result, yet satisfied," Brilliant! Then we've got our winner!"

The four of you stood up; Hermione, Draco and you walked to the center of the improvised runway while Madam Rosmerta simply returned to the back of the bar, clearly not wanting to take part in the decision-making of some fifteen-year-olds anymore.

"So, before we announce our winner, I wanted to say something," you began, "As you can see, it was quite difficult for us to make a decision, because all of your costumes are amazing. I truly think so! You're so creative and fun, and believe me when I say that if I had a larger budget I'd probably give prizes to all of you," you chuckled softly, " unfortunately, it isn't the case, so we had to choose only one... Are you ready to know who won?"

The multitude shouted a very enthusiastic "Yes" as response.

"All right, then... Padma Patil, congratulations, you and your Banshees are the winners!"

There were cheers, applause and a few disappointed sighs, but everybody seemed to be as satisfied with the decision as you. You gave the four girls their prize and the music started playing once more. However, the party was coming to its end and a lot of people were already saying their goodbyes and leaving. Therefore, before anything else could happen, you grabbed Draco's arm and dragged him all the way to where Colin Creevy was taking a few pictures of some third year students.

"What are you doing?"

"We're gonna take some pictures," you stated, "I've already got a few with Harry, Ron and Hermione, but since you arrived late..."

He didn't even get the chance to protest, because in that moment the third year students left and you dragged him once more to the spot where they'd been posing.

"What the... What am I supposed to do?" he inquired with a slight note of panic in his voice.

"Dunno, just think of cool poses! We've got two shots, so think fast!"

Your first shot was of you two in an average pose, you know, just smiling, you leaning on his shoulder, his arm around your waist and the butterflies in your stomach going a bit crazier about it.

"What now?!"

"I don't know! It's not like I'm used to doing this!" he exclaimed.

"I thought you were Draco bloody Malfoy, aren't you known enough to get a lot of pictures? You should be used to it!"

"I don't get a lot of fun pictures with weird poses!"

"Well, think of something then!" Colin could do nothing but stare in amusement at your absurd argument, trying to suppress his laughter.

"You think of something!" Draco countered.

"Why am I the one who always has to think of everything? Use your brain, mister!"

And you'd barely finished your sentence when, without a warning and almost against any common sense left on both of you, Draco's lips crushed against yours, his hands grabbing the sides of your face eagerly. Only an instant later he pulled away and looked at you, with his usually pale cheeks coloured in a bright shade of pink and his moon-like eyes reflecting the panic of maybe having done something very wrong. However, he quickly intended to hide it:

"Was that a proper use of my brain, miss?

You were flabbergasted. Totally. The whole night had been utter madness for you since this boy arrived... But it wasn't a bad type of madness, you were delighted. You fancied him. And now you knew that it was mutual.

"Well... Sure... but why did you stop?" you murmured, just inches away from his face, and then smiled bitting your lip. You saw his whole face lighten up as he smiled broadly, just before leaning in to kiss you once more, this time more passionately and intensely than before. You could feel the cold touch of his family ring against the soft skin of your cheeks, contrasting with the warmth of his palms.

The camera flashed and that single incredible moment was captured forever in a picture that would last for a long, long time, kept in scrapbooks and family photo albums.

"Oh, crap..." you grumbled after you pulled away the second time.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked, his voice hoarse due to the kiss.

"Now I'm going to have to do Ronald's homework for a week!"

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[prettyinpymtech]

For My Heart Finds You

Part 1

Poe Dameron x fem!Reader (Regency AU)

Summary: Impressed by your cousin’s prosperous engagement, your parents arrange for you to stay with your aunt with the hope that she may find a proper suitor for your hand. Your arrival is met with spitefulness, however, and you are forced to endure her cruel words alone. But an invitation from Leia Organa soon changes your prospects and offers encounters with many kindly acquaintances, including a handsome young man named Poe Dameron. 

A/N: I’m so excited to share this one with all of you! Poe is not featured in this chapter, but this gives some insight into Leia’s role in their meeting. I hope you enjoy it!

Perfection, much to your aunt’s credit, continuously emanated from within the small confines of her mansion. Every bend of the surrounding expanse followed such an ambition-from the perfectly trimmed hedges below the windows to the rows of flowers in the garden. No existence could deter such an appearance.   

Well, except for your own presence.      

Your seemingly rebellious nature was hardly the result of pure spite, though the accusation had been brought before you on more than one occasion. What was often mistaken for disobedience was no more than an attempt to define your own happiness, rather than surrender it for the sake of visiting guests.

Such an assessment had been frowned upon, however, and it had not left a very commendable impression among your hosts. You suspected that your aunt would have sent you away without a moment’s hesitation if it had not been for the praise of her friends as they applauded her efforts. Every last person in town had failed to recognize her family’s vanity and you were ashamed to admit that you had also been misled by her pretense.

It was an arrangement that had commenced as an earnest affair. The sudden engagement of your cousin had impressed your parents and they had written to your aunt with the hope that she could achieve the same triumph for your regard. It was her pride that had compelled her to accept your company in her household and you had believed in her deceitful reception.  

But, as you continued your stay, you soon found that she was far too cruel and calculating-and her daughters were no different. Martha, the eldest of the two, placed her pride on her recent engagement to Ben Solo, a cold man that only seemed to find interest in his wealth. Madeline had yet to find a husband to match her sister’s, but she still took great pride in her mother’s stature.  

You tried to avoid their scornful gazes as often as possible, and found comfort within the narrow walls of your uncle’s library. Your aunt had found very little use for the room after his passing, but the room offered an escape that no other corner could provide, particularly when your aunt brought home a rather boorish parade of guests to rid her of her charge.

All of your meals were enjoyed in the library with little interruptions and that had lasted until a month after your initial appearance.

You had busied yourself with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in another early one morning when an excited chatter compelled you to wander into the drawing room. Ben Solo sat in a chair not too far from his wife, while your aunt and Madeline conversed with an older woman. You did not recognize her, but you recognized something warm and familiar in her gaze as she turned to greet you.

“Marie, you have not introduced me to your guest.”

Your aunt hurried to meet you with an exaggerated smile. “Forgive me, Leia. This is Y/N, my niece. I have been trusted with her care until I am fortunate to find a proper suitor to marry her.”

Struggling not to grimace at her overstated attempts, you caught Leia chuckling to herself almost as if she could read your thoughts, though whether that was a result of understanding or sheer coincidence, you could not say. But her gaze held no malice and you felt a sense of warmth in her presence as she beckoned you to take a seat next to her.  

“And where do you hail from, child?” she asked.

“My family owns a small cottage near the lakes of Naboo.”

“Is that so? A lovely place, though I must admit it has been some time since I last visited. Tell me, are the summers still as enchanting as I remember them?”

“Oh, yes, quite so. Our gardens had only started to blossom before I arrived here and I am sure they are even lovelier now.” 

You felt a small twinge of longing as you spoke of your home and you tried to hide the tears that threatened to emerge. Taking notice of your gloom, Leia reached out and placed her hand on top of yours.

“I am sorry you have had to miss such a beautiful sight.”

She continued to provide a sincere affection as the discussion was changed to an entirely different subject. You learned that Leia was Ben’s mother, but you would not have guessed such a fact if it had not been for her revelation. She did not carry herself with the unfriendly manner that her son so often possessed and instead spoke of fantastic adventures and friends.

In a matter of hours she had reluctantly agreed to Ben’s insistence to leave before dark. She bid a courteous farewell to Marie and her daughters, but a look of excitement appeared in her eyes as she stopped in front of you.

“Our gardens are not quite as wonderful as yours, but they certainly offer a pleasant resemblance. You must come and see them!”

Her request surprised you. “Do you really mean it?”

“Of course! It has been too long since I last welcomed guests in D’Qar and I would love to show you the place! The preparations should not take too long. Please tell me you will come!”

“Oh, Leia!” interrupted your aunt. “Nothing would bring us more joy than to visit your home!”

Leia turned to your aunt and smiled, but you noticed the surprise in her features as if she had forgotten of your aunt’s presence altogether.

“Oh, well, I suppose I could find room for the rest of you.” Returning her gaze to you, she added, “I will await your arrival. Perhaps I shall even arrange a dinner to celebrate such an occasion. Kes has finally returned to D’Qar and I have been informed that his son will soon be joining him for the summer. I am sure they would be delighted to meet you.”

A gasp of surprise escaped your aunt at the mention of Leia’s friends. “I had no idea Poe planned to return home.”   

“Indeed, he has! I have no idea how long he intends to stay, but Kes has hopes that he may find someone that will convince him to delay his leave.” 

She gazed in your direction as she voiced her friend’s expectations, but you had no time to ponder her meaning as she was escorted to her carriage. Ben soon followed her outside, leaving Marie to revel in the excited chatter of her daughters.

“This is wonderful news, girls! Just think, Madeline, in a matter of days we could very much find you engaged to Poe Dameron!”

“I must prepare at once!” cried Madeline. “Surely, he will not find me appealing in this terrible garment!”

“You’re quite right. We shall leave for town at once to find you something much more suitable.”

Their excitement amused you, but you failed to understand such fuss.

“Poe Dameron,” you muttered, “I’m afraid I have not heard of him. What is he like?” 

Your aunt scoffed. “The Damerons are a noble family and quite prosperous in their fortunes. It does not surprise me that you are not familiar with the name. After all, why should he have crossed paths with someone so pitiable?”

Martha and Madeline giggled at her remark, but you ignored their spitefulness. Retreating to the comfort of the library, you held to Leia’s kindness and allowed, for just a brief moment, a chance to fantasize of all the splendid opportunities her invitation could present for the coming days.

#poe dameron x reader #poe dameron imagine #poe dameron #star wars imagine

[luciehercndale]

Dark Light - Last Chapter // Blackdale

Hi everyone! Thank you for reading this. It was the first multi-chapter fan fiction I finished, so this is a great accomplishment for me. I really hope you enjoyed this. I loved writing it, and I hope you will also check out my work in the future. Enjoy, and thank you!!! 🥺🌼✨

Couple/Characters: Blackdale, Lucie Herondale and Jesse Blackthorn Rating: T

10. Last Chapter + Epilogue

There wasn’t time to do anything, because the moment they took Tatiana Blackthorn away, they also asked for Lucie and Jesse to come back to London. It is probably temporary, Lucie thought, since they just needed them to testify against the woman. Deep down, she wanted to return to the Institute for good. Maybe it was too early to hope that the Clave would change their mind about their exile. She didn’t want to keep her hopes up for them to be crushed again, so she didn’t hope for anything.

That night, she enjoyed Cordelia’s company in front of the fire. The others had left already, and they had taken Jesse with them. She knew he would stay at uncle Gabriel’s house, and the thought comforted her, but she wished she could have a moment to speak with him. She was curious, but also afraid of what he might have to say about her confession. 

Had she been impulsive? Definitely. She had harbored these feelings for so long, deep in her heart, but she had never given them a proper name. Or probably just ignored them, thinking that they would just hurt her if she acknowledged them. But they were there, and couldn’t look away anymore. She wondered if things would change, once they returned to the Cornwall Institute.

“What are you thinking? Can’t you believe you’re home?” Cordelia asked, and grabbed Lucie’s hand. 

Lucie had been staring at the hearth. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening,” she apologized, and sighed. Bridget had brought them cookies when they arrived, and she took one from the plate. 

“You must be shook,” Cordelia said. “She might have killed you.”

“She wanted to kill her son,” her voice shook, and her shoulders sagged. “She tried to poison him.”

Cordelia gasped, and put a comforting hand behind Lucie’s back. “Now he is safe, though. Wait, Lucie,” she peered at her. “Do you love him?”

“Is it evident?” she wondered, and covered her face with her hands. 

“Don’t be embarrassed,” Cordelia continued. “I also love James.”

Lucie frowned for a second, but then she smiled at her friend. “I knew it!” she exclaimed, and grabbed Cordelia by the shoulders. “I knew you loved him.”

There was an unspoken, I wish you would have told me, between the two, but no one said anything. The most important thing was that the truth was out. 

 …

The following morning, Lucie woke up disoriented. Then she remembered, with a bitter laugh, that she was in her room at the Institute, and in her bed. She better enjoyed it while it lasted, she thought, and got ready to go downstairs to eat breakfast. She found everyone but her parents in the kitchen. Cordelia stood from her chair and came to hug her. James, who was talking to Matthew, waved at her. The former also winked at Lucie, and gave her a tight hug. 

“How are you doing, Lucie?”

“How are you doing, Matthew?” she cocked her head to the side, one eyebrow raised. 

“He’s okay, he’s okay,” James interjected, grabbing him by the shoulders. 

“I know how to talk, thank you very much,” Matthew said, sitting down in front of Cordelia. “Let’s talk later if we have time, shall we?”

“Whenever you want,” Lucie responded, and gave him a bitter laugh, wondering if that moment would ever come. She didn’t know how much time she had left before they would ask her to go back to Cornwall.

Bridget had prepared bread and butter pudding, which was Lucie’s favorite, and she enjoyed it to the very last bite while talking to her closest friends. James told her that Christopher and Thomas would get there in a few hours with Anna, whom she hadn’t seen in two months. No one said anything about Jesse. It was as if he didn’t exist, or if they didn’t mention him because he wasn’t part of their group.

Everyone was gathered in the drawing room, when her parents finally arrived. Yes, because her father had been screaming Lucie’s name so loud that it was impossible not to know they were back. Each one of the people present stopped whatever they were doing and looked at each other, frowning. They all knew Will’s antics, so it’s not like they were surprised.

“Uncle Will must be cheerful that Lucie is back,” Christopher said, and they all laughed, until Will stumbled in the room. His cheeks were red, as if he had raced there.

Lucie came near her father, concerned. “Papa, what’s wrong?” there was fear in her tone. Let’s hope he doesn’t say I have to go back.  Let’s hope he doesn’t say-

“Lucie, my dear!” Will beamed, and hugged his daughter. “They let you go!”

“Who let me go?” she questioned.

“Come on, I mean the Clave!” Will replied, glancing in Lucie’s eyes. “They decided that since you didn’t use the Black Volume after all, but just stole it, and caught the person who indeed used it in the past, they wanted to grace you with freedom. Of course, not just you. Tatiana’s boy has no blame either. On the other hand, he’s one of her victims.”

Tears welled up in Lucie’s eyes, and she couldn’t do anything but cry of joy on her father’s chest.

…

The following two weeks, they received news about Tatiana Blackthorn. She was put before the Inquisitor, tried with the Mortal Sword, and taken to the Silent City to be locked for the rest of her life. She hadn’t wanted to go to the trial, but she was asked to go as a witness. Tatiana not only admitted that she tried to kill her own son. She also planned to kill Lucie and take him away with her somewhere, and she enlisted a warlock to do that. Tatiana had uttered a name, but it later turned out to be a vagabond who lived in the slums. The warlock or whoever helped the woman might have been powerful and aware of what they were doing, if they were able to run away just like this. Lucie wondered if they ever found this person, but at this point, she did not care.

She wanted to know how Jesse was doing. Where was he, what were his thoughts. If he was feeling alone. Lucie decided to be bold and ask her mother casually over tea, the day after Tatiana’s trial. She couldn’t go on not knowing, especially after confessing her love to him. She had let two weeks fly and waited for a sign, which did not come. Was this his way to kindly reject her? She thought it wasn’t something he would do. He was too honest to just move on with his life and ignore her. If he didn’t feel the same about her, he would tell her.

“He’s decided to live at uncle Gabriel’s until he finds another place, that’s what your aunt Cecily told me,” Tessa said, sipping her white tea. “They are happy because they never got to know him, and now they can. Gideon and Sophie decided to take a trip back from Idris just so they can also spend time with him. I’m sure he’s surrounded by people who love him.”

Lucie nodded. “Yes, I’m sure it’s true.”

Once the tea was over, Lucie decided to go back to her room. She was inspired to write, or better. She hoped that writing would help her not think about Jesse. She wondered when it would be okay for her to visit him at the Lightwoods, without seeming too suspicious. They all knew that Jesse had stayed two months with her in Cornwall, but no one knew the extent of their relationship. They didn’t know they had known each other before he was revived, and that she had already developed feelings for him back then. She didn’t know how to handle all of this.

Lucie caught someone coming out of her father’s office on her way back to her room. If it wasn’t for the straight black hair, she would have thought it was her brother. But it wasn’t James. It was Jesse. She was too far to hear what they were saying, but she believed they were having a friendly conversation because she heard her father’s jovial laugh. 

She advanced. She hadn't seen Jesse for a few weeks, and her spirits soared upon seeing him.  It sounded like a repeat of her first stay at the Cornwall Institute, but in a different place. 

Both men turned to her when they heard her heels on the carpet. Jesse smiled slightly, and so did Will. 

"Lulu, good morning," her father said. She widened her eyes at the mention of her nickname from him. Her cheeks warmed, and she glared at him. “Lucie, good morning,” he said again, and made an apologetic smile. 

"I didn't know you had guests," she said, trying not to look too obvious when she gazed up at Jesse. She frowned at him, trying to let him know that she would have loved to know about what he had been up to. It hurt. It felt like he had been avoiding her, but perhaps he had just been busy with his found family. “You could have called for me.”

"I was surprised too, my dear," Will replied, and Lucie bit her lip. Was she too obvious? "Mr. Blackthorn came to personally bring us the invite for an informal ball at his house." 

"A ball?" 

"It's not a ball per se, but a party to celebrate my return," Jesse grinned. "I have decided to restore Chiswick to its splendor, with my uncles and aunts help. There is still so much to do, but I decided to start from the ballroom, which was the room which required less effort to tidy up." 

“I… see, and I’m glad to participate,” Lucie murmured. Those news lifted her mood. Warmth filled her chest, and their eyes locked for a long time, until her father cleared his voice.

“Alright, I believe Mr. Blackthorn has to go,” Will announced, and Lucie snapped back to reality, glancing away from the weird duo before her. “We will be honored to join you for this special event, next Saturday. I can’t wait to see Chiswick’s ballroom again, you know why,” he continued. Jesse nodded a greeting at Lucie before her father put an arm behind his back to lead him away from her. 

She asked herself why Jesse would know the reason her father wanted to see his ballroom again, but it probably had to do his and her mother’s past. She shrugged.

…

Saturday couldn’t come any sooner, but Lucie knew that time was slower when one was eager to do something they wanted. Lucie’s mother Tessa had taken her daughter to Bond Street to buy her a new dress for the event. It wasn’t the first time they had shopped for dresses together, and Lucie was happy with the suggestion because she had already deemed all of her clothes unfit for the occasion. She wasn’t vain, but she thought she needed a fresh start, and her mother agreed, so they spent more than they would normally do. This night would also celebrate the end of Lucie’s exile, and she wanted to look good.

And she thought she did. She chose an embellished satin blue dress with short sleeves, which complemented her eyes, and put her hair up. She reached Chiswick with her family, but once the carriage stopped, she ran off. No one said anything, since it wasn’t rare for Lucie to go inside and go find her friends. She caught sight of Cordelia, and she waved at her, but before she could reach her, Lucie muttered that she had to do something first. 

She had thought a lot during the last few days, and resolved that she needed to act. It was nor or never. She couldn’t wait for Jesse anymore to make the first step. If he would ever move, that is. She found him by the table filled with cocktails and food, speaking to a few people she couldn’t recognize. His eyes found Lucie’s in an instant, and he excused himself and went to her. She thought he looked amazing in his black and white evening suit.

“You came,” he said softly. “You’re late.”

Lucie rolled her eyes. She knew he was joking. “The people who count always come late,” she told him, smirking, and raised an eyebrow at him. 

He grinned. “Come on, let’s go somewhere quieter to talk,” he suggested, and Lucie followed him outside of the ballroom, which was in a separate wing of the building. 

There were a lot of people, she saw, all over the property. He must have invited the whole Clave. She was too distracted looking around that she shivered when he secured her hand in his and smiled warmly at her. 

They were walking on a path in between the grass, and Lucie realized that she had already been there in the past. Her suspicions were confirmed when they stopped in front of the greenhouse doors. He opened one for her, and she entered, ready to face the disruption she had seen the last time she had been there, but she was astonished when she saw the place looked entirely different from the way she remembered it. Most of the plants had been either cut or substituted by new ones, and fresh, colorful flowers grew at the sides of the greenhouse. Now it was bright and clean like she had never seen it before. A witchlight here and there lighted the ambient and made it look like some place out of a fairytale.

“Do you like it, Lucie?”

“It’s wonderful,” she commented, seeing how many types of plants were actually there. “How did you do this?”

“I called several gardeners, and-” he interrupted himself, because she was rolling her eyes at him. “Okay, I’ll stop humoring you, Lucie. I was saying-”

“Why didn’t you come to see me after we got back?” she interjected. She understood that he wanted to tell her about the greenhouse and how he had restored it, but she needed to talk about important matters first. “I thought you would come,” she murmured, trying not to seem too hurt. “I believed you would talk to me.”

“I also asked myself the same thing,” he admitted, and she thought he was honest. “I needed time, Lucie. Time to think. I thought about what I wanted to do with my future, now that my mother has been taken away. If I could live as a shadowhunter, or I would rather live as a mundane. Do you know that my father left me a hefty inheritance? I could sit down all day and do nothing for the rest of my life, and I would still have money to survive,” he chuckled.

“Exercise is important,” Lucie said, and they both laughed. 

“Yes, and not only that,” Jesse’s face turned serious. “It didn’t take me long to resolve what I wanted to do. The first thing I decided to dedicate myself to, was remodeling this house. I talked about it with my uncles, and they all agreed to help me with this. They are all incredibly nice and sweet, and I’m angry at my mother for lying about them. She said they were evil, and I even believed her. But now I know better,” he glanced at a cactus for a moment, and sighed. “Can you believe they said that they want me to keep Chiswick?”

“I do believe you, Jesse,” she nodded. She was aware of her uncles and aunts’ generosity. 

“The second thing I resolved to do, was trying to understand if I could be a shadowhunter. You know that my mother also forbade me to live this life, literally, and I told myself: you should do it if you want to do it. I still don’t know much about it, but I am a good learner.”

“Yes, you are,” she agreed again, and he smiled at her. 

“And if you’d help me, and you’d teach me, I’m sure I’ll get better in no time,” he said, and got closer to her.

“Of course I will help you. Of course.”

“Be with me, Lucie,” he took her hands in his. “Marry me.”

Lucie’s jaw dropped, and her skin flushed. Her heart would leap out of her chest if it could, she was sure. “But… don’t you believe it’s too early for this? I’ve just turned seventeen, we’re both seventeen, and…”

“We can wait until you are ready to make this step, but I can’t wait for you to give me an answer. I’ve lost seven years of my life already. I don’t want to lose more time and lose more occasions. I want to finally live my life,” he said with hope. 

It was an honest request.

“With me?”

“Why does it sound too weird to you, Lucie? I think my life gained color when I first met you. After then, it was a crescendo of hues. You let me live even when I couldn’t. I wouldn’t want to tie your life to mine, knowing that I was dead. I wouldn’t want to subject you to the fate of loving someone who couldn’t be the person you deserved by your side, because I was half-alive. I would have never confessed my feelings for you, had I stayed a ghost.”

“Do you… love me?” her voice shook, and tears started to well in her eyes. 

“Again, I wonder why does it sound impossible to you that I love you, Lucie?” Jesse asked, caressing her cheek tenderly. “I think I fell for you before I gave your brother my last breath. I thought I loved you because you were the only other person who could see me, but I was wrong. I waited for the night to fall so I could be with you. I missed you. I never developed any affection for anyone before you, and I realized it’s because you are special. And the Jesse Blackthorn who spent two months with you before I regained my memories knew it too.”

“Do you remember?”

“Yes, I remembered what happened after you brought me to life. I remember that I doubted you, but then asked for your help and you hid me while we figured how to get my memories back. I remember the first rune you drew on my arm when we entered this very house to bring the Black Volume back, and your shock when you saw me at the Cornwall Institute. I also remember our first kiss, and the way I fainted,” he laughed. “I already remembered after Magnus Bane finished performing that spell on me. I couldn’t place those frames at first, but then they clicked. Everything fell into place. And I… had to do something about it.”

“You organized a ball,” Lucie commented with a grin. 

“I wanted to celebrate my life… Selfish, isn’t it?”

“Nah, you deserve it, Jesse Blackthorn. You’re the least self-centered person I know, although you are arrogant at times,” she shrugged, and he frowned. “And I love you. I want to be with you as long as life allows us to be together.”

He beamed, and smiled widely. “Can I kiss you, Lucie?”

“You can kiss me anytime you want,” she replied. “And this, of course, goes both ways,” Lucie said, and she rose on the balls of her feet to kiss him before he would do it.

He gave her his family ring next, and slid it on her fourth finger. They agreed on telling the news to everyone that night, and Jesse confessed that her parents already knew. 

“That’s why I came to the Institute personally the other day,” Jesse told her as they returned back to the party. “I asked your father the permission to marry you.”

“And what did he say?” she asked, curious.

“He said that it was up to you. It wasn’t up to him to give me his permission. You were the only one who could accept or refuse my proposal. He added that if you said yes, he would know that I was worthy of you, because you would never choose somebody who didn’t deserve you.”

Lucie laughed. “Come on, let’s hurry. I think he is eager to find out what i said.”

...

EPILOGUE 6 Years Later

London, Spring 1910

 “And then, the princess exclaimed: I came to destroy you! You dared to make the prince fall into a deep sleep, and I’ll never forgive you for this!” Lucie exclaimed giddily, as she dressed her son in the green pants and white shirt she had chosen for the event they were throwing that night. Lucie believed the baby needed to shine as much as his parents, since this party was also for him. “No, you won’t crush me! You’re just a little girl!” she continued, and the baby laughed as she put on his socks and shoes. “I’m not a little girl!” she said in a different one of voice, pretending she was fifteen years younger than she was now.

“Is prince Theodore ready, my lady?” Jesse asked from the doorway, as Lucie finished the last touch on their son’s outfit, a cute dark green bow tie.

Theodore was a healthy two year old baby with Lucie’s brown hair and blue-green eyes. Not quite like the color of either of his parents, but more of a mix between the two. Perhaps it would turn into the Blackthorn-Herondale trademark color. Who knew.

“He is now,” she replied, and she turned her face to let her husband of four years kiss her on the lips. “And so am I, thanks for asking.”

“I helped you close the zip of your dress because it got stuck, earlier,” he winked, and grabbed his jacket from the chair, then picked baby Theodore from the changing table, and kissed his cheek. The baby giggled excitedly.

Lucie checked herself in the mirror one last time, then they went down at the top of the stairs outside to wait for their guests, as they usually did on such occasions. It was their fourth wedding anniversary, and they had made it a tradition to throw a party at Blackthorn Hall every year. Blackthorn Hall used to be Chiswick House. They thought it deserved a name change after they had restored the place, to symbolize its renovation and brand new life. 

They saw a few carriages approach, and Lucie smiled to herself. The party was about to begin.

“The zip of my dress didn’t get stuck,” she said out of the blue, continuing the conversation they were having inside. “I just gained weight on my stomach,” she glanced at him with a smirk.

Jesse frowned at first. “It’s okay Lu-” he said, then realized what she meant, and his eyes widened, filled with surprise but also joy. “Are you with child?” 

Lucie smiled lovingly at her husband. “Happy Fourth Anniversary, my love,” she told him, and he gave her another kiss.

“I wanted to wait later to give this to you, but since we’re here,” he said, and took a white envelope from his pocket and gave it to her. “It came in the mail this morning. It looks thick.”

She glanced at her husband with expectations and hope. “Let’s open it,” she muttered, and started reading as fast as she could. She was trying to finish before the carriages would get too close to the house. “By the angel, by the angel!”

“What does it say?”

“Mrs. Lucie Blackthorn, we are happy to inform you that we found your manuscript interesting and creative, and we look forward to working with you. We would love to publish your work as soon as possible. Please come to our office as soon as you can, to sign the contract. Sincerely, Parks of London Publishing House,” she said, and she started jumping on the spot. “They will publish my book!”

“Careful, careful, though,” he advised, putting an arm on her shoulder and kissing her head. “I’m so happy for you, my beloved. Happy anniversary.”

And they all lived happily ever after.

Taglist (if you want to be added or removed, send me a PM): @princesslucretia @kit-12 @immortal-enemies @lucian-evander @esa-emery @danieldyers @blackthorn-trash @rinadragomir @fortunesandfables @itsdaughterofthemoon @silvenys@thomastair3 @livvyheronstairs @ holding-infinity-and-a-book @lovelaces @axoloteca 

#tsc #tlh #blackdale #jesse blackthorn #lucie herondale #the last hours #the shadowhunter chronicles #chain of gold #chain of iron #chain of thorns #tweety.writes

[ineffablecolors]

The Wife [4/?]

The Wife || Ch 4 ~ 4.2 k || Ch 1 Ch2 Ch3 || FF.NET&AO3 Summary: No one knows all that Emma has been through and certainly no one knows all that Killian has been through and being husband and wife doesn’t make them any less unknown to each other. And really, how can you help someone heal when you don’t even know how hurt they are? A/N: Do check the notes on chapter 1 and fair warning - they touch again.

Dear Emma,

  If Emma had any doubts about Killian’s claims, the letter she receives from Mary Margaret the very next day would’ve put them to rest. As it is, she is grateful to be forewarned so the information Mary relays is not as much of a shock to her as it apparently was to her friend.

Still, her heart can’t help but constrict painfully at Mary’s badly hidden distress. The indignation on the sheet of paper is palpable – how the last cup of tea Emma shared with her friend wasn’t even washed yet when Mary’s apartment became the preferred destination for good Samarians who wanted to warn her that she’d better wait a fortnight before paying her friend a visit as some people expected Killian Jones to put her out of his house in no time at all.

Emma is not terribly surprised. Whatever rumours might circulate about Captain Jones, he is still a man and one with a decent income at that. Society may wag its tongues but it will never spit him out. It obviously has no such qualms about Emma.

Mary, however – with her less than favourable opinion of Emma’s husband, is obviously incented by the mere suggestion that Killian might be the one to find fault with Emma rather than the other way around. Yet, Emma can’t help but notice that it has taken more than a week for her friend to write to her. She believes this as well probably stems from Mary’s distrust of her husband, rather than a desire to set herself apart from Emma and, while the latter would have been truly devastating, she finds that the former causes her a fair bit of annoyance as well.

She can’t help the spike of irritation when her friend’s manner of writing adopts the style of one addressing a prisoner – as if she were a princess locked in a towel guarded by a dragon. Though that image is only wrong in spirit for, compared to her life with Regina, Emma does feel rather like a princess and, reading about the social fires raging in town, she rather appreciates the protection of her public-shunning dragon.

Thus, Emma sits at her desk, staring out of the window and wondering what on earth is the proper thing to do – invite her closest friend to visit her in her new home like any newly married woman would or absolve her of having to associate herself with Emma at least for the near future. Eventually, as with most things, Emma decides to trust the feeling deep in her gut. She writes back to Mary Margaret, inviting her to visit if and only if she is confident it won’t prove too much of a stain on her snow white reputation and, as kindly as she can, asks her not to abuse Killian’s name without reason.

*****

But it is not that letter which takes Emma by surprise, expected even earlier as it had been. It’s the one she finds the morning after, when she and Alice are sorting through their correspondence and Emma is trying – as she does every morning – not to notice the steady flow of letters Alice receives – all carrying the same pretty cursive.

She gets up and heads for Killian’s study, turning the letter over and over in her hand.

“I think you forgot this one,” she says when she is within reach of his desk and he can get a good look at the name.

He looks up and Emma purses her lips so she doesn’t grin at the way he squints and pushes his glasses up his nose.

“I did not. It’s addressed to you.”

“Yes, but it’s from your sister-in-law.”

“Aye, but it’s addressed to you. I’m not going to go around opening your correspondence, Emma, no matter who it might be from.”

Emma draws her hand back to her side and mulls that over. Privacy is most certainly not something she has been deprived off in this house but she appreciates the freedoms that she keeps discovering, freedoms that she thought – still thinks really – not many women enjoy.

“May I?”

She waves a hand toward one of the armchairs in Killian’s study and he blinks at her a couple of time in surprise before he nods his affirmation. Emma drops into the chair’s soft depths slightly less gracefully than she intended and a sly look at Killian shows that he might have noticed, if the way he focuses hard on the papers before him and purses his own lips to keep them from stretching is any indication. She does her best to control her blush and turns her attention back to Elsa’s letter. Elsa’s invitation, as it turns out.

“There’s to be a dance.”

“I expected as much.”

“You did?”

“Hmm. You and Alice should pick some new gowns this week.”

She laughs.

“I just finished filling a whole wardrobe, I believe I’ll manage to find something to wear. Does that mean we will be attending?”

Killian finally looks up again and Emma thinks that surprise is definitely the reaction she seems to inspire the most in her husband.

“Even I don’t refuse invitations extended by my own brother and his lovely wife. Especially when the whole affair is organized to welcome my new wife.”

He gives her a pointed look and Emma feels her eyes widen, the letter almost slipping from her cold fingers.

“Oh. But… this can’t— You must tell them there is no need—“

Killian waves his hand in a gesture that seems to say nothing can be done about it now.

“Do not concern yourself, Elsa would seize any and every opportunity for a ball. I would’ve been concerned for my sister’s health had she failed to send such an invitation before the close of the month. It will also…” Killian looks her in the eyes, a certain amount of caution and gentleness swimming in the blue. “Well, it will be a good thing for us to do.”

There is no blush on her cheeks now, she is certain, for while the feeling for one is there, her face must be quite pale as she realizes that the Jones’s are throwing a ball to demonstrate that Killian has not married her just to hide her away like a shameful secret.

“Oh, this is really—“

Emma flounders for a bit before she drops her face in her hands and tries to master her emotions, her shoulders hunched and her fingers digging into the roots of her hair as she breathes through her nose. Focused as she is on that crucial task, the warmth of Killian’s hand on her knee is like a jolt to her entire system. She looks up to find him kneeling in front of her, a cautious and concerned expression on his face.

“Emma, there truly is nothing to worry about. It’s not at all unusual to celebrate an addition to the family with a—“

“Yes, except,” her voice is choked but she soldiers on. “This is not a celebration but a demonstration—“

“That depends entirely on how you choose to see it.”

She opens her mouth to protest but the calmness on his face stops the words in her throat.

“Papa, I have decided what— Oh. Is something the matter?”

The concern on Alice’s face is the last push Emma needs to pull herself together and she smiles up at the girl the best she can as her hand reaches to quickly squeeze Killian’s in silent gratitude – the warmth of it almost seeping into her own fingers.

“It would seem we are going to a ball.”

“Ah, is that what aunt Elsa wrote you about? But… do you not wish to go, Emma?”

“No, no, I do. I was just… surprised, her requesting that I be her guest of honour is a bit... I’m sure to muck it up.”

Alice laughs at her choice of words and shakes her head as Killian gets back to his feet.

“It’s really not that difficult. You just have to look nice but also not overshadow aunt.”

Emma takes her own turn to laugh.

“I’m quite certain there is no danger of that.”

“What did you come to tell me, darling?”

“Ah, yes,” and just like that the sparkle is back in Alice’s eyes. “I’ve decided what we are to do today.”

“And you have been so kind as to come pass your sentence personally.”

Alice rolls her eyes in a manner that Emma is sure many a proper lady would have quite a few choice words for but no one in the room seems to mind.

“We’re going to the lake. Ruby is already preparing a basket.”

Killian casts a mournful look at his desk before he sighs and turns back to his daughter.

“Aye, aye, cap’n.”

*****

Ruby tries to stifle her laugh as she watches the mistress of the house rub mournfully at the heel of her foot.

“I have never seen a woman this fond of walking and riding, and running, and really any physically taxing activity on the face of the earth.”

Now she can’t help but chuckle in agreement.

“She was much worse when she was little, if you can believe it.”

“Oh, what did she do then? Fly?”

“She tried it once. Thankfully, she was already smart enough to choose a window on the ground floor. Granny says half of Captain Jones’s gray hairs are from that very day.”

Emma shakes her head and fits her foot back in her soft slipper with the slightest whimper before she takes the other one in her hands. Ruby adds one last log to the fire in the library and turns to leave when Emma speaks up again.

“Ruby, did— Was there a ball given when… when the late Mrs Jones became… Mrs Jones?”

Ruby frowns a bit, digging into her own memories and trying to order what her grandmother has told her.

“Well, I think I wasn’t old enough to be helping Granny around the kitchen yet. She’d only been here for a year or so. Ever since the captain had come back from the war and taken the house, you know? And she—” Ruby smiles at her first memories of sneaking rolls behind Granny’s back. “She’d bring me round from time to time, she couldn’t always leave me with neighbours and all and she says Killian never minded. Now, she minded plenty but she had bigger messes to make to bother with me.”

Granny being the irreproachable fortress than she is, Ruby always gladly takes on the role of a more welcoming and engaging presence, but even she made an exception for Eloise. The woman scared her as a child and then—

She shakes her head and focuses her eyes on Emma’s curious green ones. Her mouth is set in a line that tells Ruby whatever she has heard has been enough to incite less than tender sympathies toward the previous Mrs Jones.

“But, no. No, I was told the whole thing was very quick and quiet. No announcements, no fanfare. I don’t think anyone was at the ceremony except for Admiral Jones. And then… well, she went into society a lot, I think. But never with the captain. There was this group of women – they’d come here often and then she would visit with them for long periods of time. I think everybody rather preferred it that way.”

She closes her mouth and sucks her lips in, sensing that she might have gotten carried away. Emma only asked about a ball and Ruby doesn’t want her thinking that she’ll grasp at any opportunity to gossip.

“Thank you. I umm…,” Emma’s own discomfort puts her more at ease. “I didn’t mean to pry into— I just wanted to get an idea. No matter. Thank you.”

Her smile is a little forced and nervous and Ruby returns it with a warm and genuine one. She has been watching Emma tiptoe around the house and the family even since she got here and she finds it both endearing and a little saddening. She almost wants to tell her that there is little she can do that will stand in a bad light compared to what came to pass before her, she wants to tell her that a little calmness and a little softness is all they all need and she seems to have enough of both within her.

But she doesn’t say any of that. It’s not her place and her grandmother will have her head, if she does. Ruby doesn’t get how she can still be suspicious of the new mistress’s intentions but she knows there is no use arguing with her – no one but Granny can convince Granny that she is wrong. So with another smile, she turns to leave, stopping with the door handle in her hand.

“Another thing, Miss Alice’s secret might be retiring to bed before the witching hour. Which cannot often be said about her father and yourself.”

*****

Emma stretches her aching legs in front of her one more time before she gets up and makes her way to the study at the end of the corridor for the second time that day.

The late summer day on the lake proved a nice distraction. Alice is something of an expert on lake and woodland creatures alike, Ruby is most certainly an expert on putting together a picnic in an hour and Killian apparently likes to pretend that he is an expert at stone skipping even though she defeated him twice as often as he did her. But, most importantly, none of them seem to be experts on ball etiquette and, rather than make her more anxious, this seemed to calm Emma’s nerves concerning the whole affair.

Back when she first came out into society, Regina was willing to let her go to as many dances as three gowns per season would permit her. But after a certain point in her young life her public appearances steadily decreased. At first, it was deemed the wise thing to do – to just disappear for a bit, to not fan the rumours’ flames by showing her face all around town, and then afterwards, Emma herself had lost all interest in the frivolities of meeting young ladies and gentlemen who cared more about what was being said about her and what she was wearing in her hair than what was in her head, let alone her heart – the latter was almost unmanageably heavy and after some time she tried to keep the former as blank as possible.

Obviously, whatever good her restrained and demure presence had achieved was undone by Regina’s candidness and desperate rush to find her a husband and now, in a few weeks’ time, Emma will have her first chance to hopefully start anew as Mrs Emma Jones. She tries to chase the thought away before it can seep all the way inside her and twist her all up, instead she takes the open door as a good sign and leans her hip lightly on the doorframe as she waits for Killian to look up from whatever he is scribbling furiously.

It takes long enough that her feet start tingling in protest again. Finally, his eyes rise and then so do his eyebrows – the question obvious and underlined with a touch of annoyance. She concentrates on not shifting nervously on her feet.

“Did you need something, Emma?”

“No, just trying to determine the chances of me having married a vampire.”

He snorts, obviously unwillingly amused.

“I assure you, I age,” he sets his pen down and reaches for his glass, lifting it to his mouth only to find it empty.

Emma shakes her head and turns on her heel without another word. In the kitchen Mrs Lucas informs her that Ruby has gone to bed.

“Oh, I don’t need anyone. Just to know where the chamomile and valerian root are.”

The cook huffs and crosses her arms in front of her chest but she points out where everything Emma asks for is and leans back against the table with a look that tells Emma she is watching every move she makes in her kitchen.

“That’s not gonna work.”

Emma shrugs her shoulders as if it’s all the same to her.

“And I could’ve done it for ya.”

“And what should I do?”

“How should I know? Whatever it is that you ladies do when you are all provided for. Prop your feet on a pillow, admire lace, get one of them small dogs.”

Emma laughs at that last part.

“I prefer cats.”

“Cats are kitchen animals.”

“Well, maybe that’s why I like the kitchen quite so much,” she replies with a little challenge in the tilt of her chin as she arranges her tea tray under the older woman’s hawk-like gaze.

Mrs Lucas grunts in displeasure.

“Between your liking and him taking his breakfast in here all the time, I might as well leave the kitchen to the masters and go have all the rest of the house to myself.”

It is certainly an amusing image and, ever since first finding Killian here, Emma can’t say that she terribly minds the idea of them being locked in the small space and letting Mrs Lucas reigned over all else.

When first faced with the reality and imminence of it, Emma looked toward her marriage with a cool sort of resignation, then, much as she tried to maintain that detachment in front of Mary Margaret and Regina, and even herself, Emma inevitably started planning how to make her life as a married woman the most painless and bearable. She started envisioning a day in her future and trying to determine which moments she will be able to steal for herself, what spaces she will be able to carve out for herself. Most of all, of course, she thought her evenings and nights would not be her own and she most definitely did not envision fancying the idea of being shut in a small room with her husband.

Now, she is relieved to see that Killian has not shut the door to his study after her abrupt departure and she only has to nudge it slightly with her foot so she can carry her tea tray inside. It is as she looks for a place to put it that she realizes for the first time how rigidly ordered everything on Jones’ desk is – she deposits the tray a safe distance away from all the perfectly aligned piles of papers.

“Umm, thank you,” Killian doesn’t go as far as to eye the tea with distrust but it’s a near thing. “You needn’t have… I lean towards something a tad sharper in the evenings.”

Emma looks at the small arrangement of bottles on the high wooden table a few feet from his desk and approaches it slowly. She takes the silence as permission and leans down to inspect the bottles. Save for a couple of scotches, they are all different bottles of rum and even Emma’s meager knowledge is enough to determine that some of them are rather exotic and have probably crossed the ocean to find themselves here. She takes an opened and unremarkable one that she is almost certain she has seen before and turns around.

By now Killian is leaning back in his chair and watching her with undisguised amusement. At her questioning look, he swipes his arm in a gesture of generous invitation and watches her as she returns to her tea with the bottle clutched in her hand so tightly that her fingers look even more pale than usual.

Some small part of Emma wants to back out now and even that part knows that it’s too late for that. So she tries to loosen her shoulders as inconspicuously as possible and unscrews the cap on the bottle. She pours a small amount of the dark liquid into each of the two teacups – just enough not to be laughable, closes the bottle and sets it to the side.

Killian has put his writing instruments aside since she left to prepare the tea she is now pouring.

“You are finished?” she asks in her surprise.

“I still have to read through these,” he inclines his head toward a small pile of papers set front and center.

“Do you have to do that here?”

His right eyebrow climbs up, creasing his forehead and disappearing somewhere under the hair that has fallen over it.

“I suppose not.”

Emma picks up the tray again and thanks whatever star she was born under that it doesn’t shake in her white-knuckled grasp. She takes to steps backwards, careful not to step on her own dress and make a fool of herself, and lifts an eyebrow of her own.

She turns around at the door and heads for the library, her heart performing an admirable attempt at escaping her chest as she tries to focus on not spilling anything and not on listening if there is another set of footsteps coming up behind her.

As soon as she makes it inside, she sets the tray down with a clatter and takes a seat, her hands balled into fists in her lap. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath and now she cannot help but strain her ears toward the corridor. Nothing. She bites her lower lip and tries to quickly wall in the feeling of humiliation that threatens to wash over her whole body.

Then she hears a door close. It takes less than half a minute to cross the distance between Killian’s study and the library and it’s a lucky thing indeed, seeing as Emma doesn’t breathe until he quietly slips into the room.

The look Killian gives her as he sits on the other end of the settee is downright evil but it doesn’t detract from her feeling of victory in the least. Nor does the pointed way he deposits his small mountain of papers beside the tea tray before he picks up one of the cups.

Satisfied, Emma takes the book she set aside and tucks her tired feet under her – the very picture of innocence that’s only ruined by the way she chokes a little on the first sip of the concoction in her teacup.

“Aye. Next time don’t use the rum I used to disinfect Alice’s scrapped knees with.”

She chokes a second time. That seems to satisfy Killian’s need for revenge and he settles more comfortably, adjusting his glasses and focusing on the document in his hand.

Mrs Lucas comes in a short time later to stoke the fire and ask if they need anything or she can retire for the night, looking at the teapot as if she still can’t quite accept that Emma has taken charge of it.

Emma has made some admirable progress with her book when her yawns start getting longer and harder to swallow around, her eyes watering a little more with each one.

“You really needn’t wait for me, love.”

Her hand freezes midway to her mouth and her eyes snap to Killian who somehow still manages to appear deeply engrossed in his own reading, though she is sure it is much drier and more complicated than her own. The endearment bounces in her mind for a moment longer and she tries to keep her face impassive – neither surprised, not pleased. But she can’t deny – and is only mildly startled to find – that inside she is both.

When Killian doesn’t look up, she eyes the sheets that he still hasn’t gotten to and sighs. She tries to concentrate on her book again long enough to finish her chapter before she gets up to return it to its shelf.

“You know you can leave it out, don’t you? Or take it up with you.”

She hesitates for a moment before she comes back and leaves the book on the side table. When she reaches for the tea tray Killian’s voice derails her again.

“I’ll put it away later.”

“You don’t have—”

“Emma, it’s fine, just leave it.”

She sighs again and thinks it probably sounds more like a huff, the way his mouth twitches at her exasperation.

“Alright. Good night.”

“Good night.”

She hesitates at the door long enough to glare at the way Killian rolls his knuckles over his forehead and pinches the bridge of his nose.

Really, it’s a fine thing that they don’t sleep in the same bed or there is no way she will let this happen night after night.

*****

For such a heavy door, it closes with the softest of clicks – which doesn’t stop the sound from echoing around in Killian’s mind long after.

As light and quiet as her presence is, the moment it is gone is much like a pitch black night at sea following on the heels of a full moon. There is a reason the moon recedes bit by bit, waning sailors off its light before it leaves them completely in the dark – the shock would be much too jarring otherwise.

And Killian Jones thought he of all men was prepared for anything when it came to taking on a new wife. Killian Jones was wrong. He is not at all prepared to enjoy having one.

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Wedding insecurities.

Part 1

Summary:  With Mina’s helpful aid, Ochaco invites Izuku to go with her to buy a dress for her aunt’s wedding and go with her to the event the following week. But something happens when they were shopping that makes Izuku act strange making the young girl worry.

It was supposed to be nice morning, the sun was shining in the sky, not a single villain attack happened during the day and the temperature was the right one, neither too hot nor too cold. The calmness that surrounded them was easily felt by everyone who had gone outside their homes

Across his life, Midoriya spent most Saturday mornings inside his bedroom keeping up with the latest news on heroes, playing a game or occasionally video chatting with his friends talking about the homework they had or any other conversation topic they could come up with.

If at the beginning of the week someone had suggested that he would spend the Saturday morning accompanying his classmate and best friend Ochaco to the mall with the intention to buy new clothes, he probably would have brushed it off claiming that even if he liked to spend time with the girl; she would probably prefer Momo’s, Tsuyu’s, or any other girl’s company for that sort of thing.

Now he was walking besides her as she checked store after store looking for a dress she could use to her aunt’s wedding. Midoriya still couldn’t believe that out of all the students in their class she had asked him to go, even after saying yes almost immediately (everyone knew he couldn’t say no to anything, especially when Ochaco was the one asking) he had to take a few seconds to process what he had agreed to.

-I think we can find something in here-Ochaco said almost doubtful, it was also her first-time shopping with a boy and she didn’t know how he would react to any suggestion no matter how nice

-If you think so then alright- Midoriya asked as he let her step inside following her from up close seeing as she observed rows upon rows of dresses meant to fit girls with every imaginable quirk.

Ochaco watched them with care occasionally asking for Midoriya’s opinion receiving nothing but vague answers. He didn’t want to come out as rude but any dress she picked wouldn’t make any difference on his opinion. Midoriya was sure that Ochaco would look stunning in everything she wore.

After a few minutes she picked two dresses a soft pink one and a green one, Izuku couldn’t see exactly how they were since she almost immediately smiled brightly proud of what she found and dragged him by the hand to the dressing room letting him to sit on one of the sofas kindly left for people like him whose purpose was none beyond offer help and company.

While Ochaco was changing to her possibly new dress Midoriya had time to think what got him to go shopping with Ochaco in the first place.

-Your aunt is getting married?- Mina asked with an excited smile on her face, Ochaco nodded smiling too as she told everything to her friends

-But I don’t have a dress to use so I wanted to see if any of you would like to go to the mall with me this Saturday to buy one- Ochaco invited happy, but her friends’ smiles dropped almost immediately.

-I can’t, sorry but I have to come on Saturday to cover the extra credit I need for the test I failed- Mina apologized

-I’m sorry Ochaco but I have to take care of my siblings that afternoon.- Tsuyu followed Mina’s words. Noticing how all of them were on the same track Ochaco waved her hands in front of her dismissing any further excuse

-Don’t worry girls, it’s alright. I’ll go alone to buy a dress- Ochaco simply explained,

-Why don’t you invite Midoriya, I’m sure he’ll say yes- Mina jumped suggesting what she thought was the idea of the century.

-You could even invite him to the wedding- Toru suggested sounding a little too excited, this made a blush cover Ochaco’s face, even if they had shared a friendship since the first year being now on the second one she still had trouble conveying how she felt towards the green haired boy

-I don’t think it’s a good idea- Ochaco tried to dismiss with the blush still on her face, her friends looked between each other with knowing glances

-Why not?- This time was Momo who intertwined, the brunette couldn’t give a proper excuse still embarrassed that they even suggested it.

-I think she just needs a little push- Mina commented pushing Ochaco towards Midoriya who was talking with Iida about the previous assignment the professor had gave them.

Ochaco nearly stumbled catching herself putting her hands on the desk that luckily didn’t fly to the classroom’s roof.

-Iida, can you explain me this?!- Mina screamed from the other side of the classroom holding a notebook high in the air. Iida nodded walking towards her and Mina felt proud of herself for managing to give those lovebirds some time alone.

-So…-Ochaco mumbled fidgeting with her fingers unable to find the next words to say, Midoriya stared at her curious of what had her in such a nervous state –My aunt is getting married next weekend and I wanted to see if you wanted to come with me to buy a dress this Saturday and to the event the Saturday after- She spoke almost in a rush, he had to take a few seconds to meditate if he had understood her words correctly. When he did he blushed at the unexpected invitation.

-Of- Of course Uraraka- he agreed –But why me?-the boy questioned-It’s not like I’m not honored or happy, I am-

-None of the girls can come with me to buy the dress. And to be honest, you were my first option to invite to the event- she said with honesty. The instant her parents informed her she could bring someone, Midoriya was the first one who popped into her head.

-Oh, Alright then- he smiled bright and nervous at the same time,-It’s a date then- he said causally, and although smiling grateful for the acceptance on the outside, Ochaco was melting on the inside for both his smile and the choice of words.

Deku didn’t realize what he had actually said until seconds later that Iida and Kirishima who had observed the ordeal explained it to him.

-Isn’t that Deku?-

-I think it is- the sound of familiar voices and his old nickname combined made Izuku instantly turn from the changing rooms where Uraraka had gone to a girl and a boy talking at his back.

As soon as he laid eyes on them he recognized them and his heart sunk a bit, he was one of the guys that used to bully him, she was his first crush. She had rejected him harshly as soon as she found out about his feelings for her, so even though he loved Ochaco with all his heart seeing the other girl was like pinching an old wound.

-Oh my God, he is!- the girl said, and it almost appeared like she was holding back a snicker.

-Hello- greeted Midoriya more nervous than he intended slowly waving his hand.

They both approached the teen, grinning from ear to ear. Midoriya still remembered their quirks; she could turn everything she touched into sugar, he could stretch his limbs at a great distance, though it was usually limited by three meters. He wondered if he had made the distance larger.

-We saw you in the sports festival!- she beamed –I still can’t believe I rejected you in middle school- The girl said, Midoriya frowned a little at the girl’s comment

-But honey, you did it with a reason. He was so useless back then, remember? He was average in the physical tests- The boy laughed, Midoriya glanced at the door hoping Uraraka wouldn’t come out to see such scene.

-It’s true, but now he even knows All Might- The girl argued, the boy then turned at him wide eyed, Midoriya gulped loudly.

-Deku, you know All Might?- The boy almost shouted, Midoriya shifted uncomfortably

-Well, yes… I mean-

-As in The All Might- the boy interrupted, Midoriya sighed he couldn’t lie to them.

-Yes, I know him- The grin on the boy’s face seemed to grow, Izuku couldn’t remember he had smiled like that when looking at him when they were in middle school.

-And can you get me an autograph? – The boy asked, Midoriya wished he could make an excuse, but he couldn’t leave Ochaco alone, especially since she had asked so nicely for him to go.

-I don’t…

-C’mon dude- The boy almost begged –What’s a favor like that to two old pals- Midoriya was almost amused at the use of the word pals if he hadn’t lied so bluntly at him

-Can’t you do it for me?- The girl batted her eyelashes getting closer to him, the fact that she was so near made him take a step back, offended at the unexpected reaction she returned to her apparent boyfriend’s side.

-I’m sor…

-Whatever- she said –Why did we even stop to talk to him? He was a waste of time then, it’s clear he would still be one no matter how many powers he will have. It’s just a matter of time before he either drops out of Yuuei or gets kicked out for being so useless.-She barely gave a glance at him, as the boy laughed at her comment –Let’s go to buy that cute dress I saw at the other side at the store dear- and with that they were gone, like if they hadn’t even been around in the first place.

Midoriya stood there speechless for a few seconds, frozen in place not a single thought crossed his mind. He knew angry people did unreasonable things, it had happened to everyone; however, that girl’s words felt particularly harmful to him. They pulled an old string so worn out that he had forgotten it was there. He was in his second year; even Bakugou had accepted he was stuck with Midoriya for at least other two years, so why did she see the need to say something like that to him?

-Izuku- Uraraka’s voice snapped him out of his daze and he immediately turned at the sound of it encountering with her mouth slightly open as she tried the dress on looking at him with curiosity.

-Who were they?- Her sweet tone invaded his ears, his vision entirely focused on the soft pink dress she was wearing, it had a heart cut and stood above her knees, a see-through fabric covered the space between the little cleavage the dress exposed and the lower part of her neck, a silver belt shone on her waist.

She was stunning, he was speechless.

-Izuku, who were they?- She repeated with a small pink tinting her cheeks, Izuku wasn’t subtle when observing her dress.

-Oh, some old classmates don’t worry- He rubbed the back of his neck a goofy smile covering his face, however his posture was tense and didn’t match with the feeling he was trying to give.

-Shouldn’t we go and say hello?- genuine interest covered her voice making a knot produce itself in his stomach.

-I don’t think so- his voice almost trembled when he spoke, -They were in a bit of a hurry- He scratched the back of his head once again this time with a more sheepish smile.

-What a shame- she said twisting her mouth –I wanted to ask how you were at that age, I bet you were really cute and had lots of friends- She clasped her hands together, he smiled nervous unable to break that illusion she had.

-Yeah…- he replied scratching the back of his neck wishing she wouldn’t pry more on the topic. No one in his class besides Bakugou knew how was his life before entering Yuuei, and he liked it that way. He wouldn’t lie if asked, but he found no need to pry into that time.

-So, what do you think?- Ochaco asked turning around to give him a better appreciation of how she looked with the dress on, she needed the most honest opinion, some of her oldest aunts tended to be quite picky on what the youngest wore so she had to look at least decently so they wouldn’t begin scolding her parents.

-You look really good Uraraka- Midoriya cheered with a smile, he wanted to tell her she would be the prettiest girl on the party but instead his cheeks tinted themselves with red right after seeing her just like hers did after hearing the compliment

-Do you really think so?- She asked turning around so she could see the back of it properly, she liked it so far, but she still felt the need to try the second one.

-Of course! You look beautiful Uraraka- The blush on her cheeks grew making her face red.

-I-I- I’m going to try the other one!- She spoke, her voice sounding a pitch higher as she rushed towards the changing room once again closing the door shut behind herself.

After making sure the lock was on she rested against the door clutching her hand close to her chest to steady her fastening heartbeat. Why did she have to have feelings for him? Why did she followed Mina’s advice and invited him?

-Calm down Ochaco- She said taking off the pink dress placing it on a hook grabbing the green one assuring herself that Izuku was only a friend, her best friend and they were fine just like that.

Izuku was on the outside still thinking about his older classmate’s words. He thought that after getting One for All he wouldn’t have to face that kind of backlash anymore, yet, someone like her had to come to snap that kind of comment towards him only because he wouldn’t get her new boyfriend All Might’s autograph. He could have gotten All Might’s autograph, but he didn’t want to bother his idol who would probably want to ask who was the autograph for.

He was so deep in thought he didn’t notice Ochaco coming out of the changing room with the green dress on.

-Izuku- she called, he lifted his sight from the floor to her and his mouth fell open.

She was standing nervous an almost worried expression on her face as she wore the floor length green dress with spaghetti straps, it had small details in black and white all around it, Midoriya wasn’t unsure of what to say as she turned around revealing it had a low back.

It was then when it finally hit him like an avalanche.

He was going shopping with a girl. Not any girl, his best friend Ochaco Uraraka, who was cute beyond measure. The girl he liked had invited him to go shopping with her and pick a dress to go with him to her aunt’s wedding.

These thoughts flew almost at the same time in his head leaving him frozen in place with his eyes refusing to leave her figure.

-Izuku?- She raised her voice a bit more calling his attention as her mind navigated on the idea that she looked bad on the dress and he was trying to find the right words to say it without hurting her feelings.

-You look beautiful Uraraka!- He yelped without thinking taken by surprise by the girl’s voice, this attracted a few looks from the establishment’s workers who looked at them thinking they were a cute couple.

-I-I- Thank you- Ochaco had to gather a lot of her courage to speak and not run and hide into the changing room –Which one do you like the most?- she wondered giving another turn, she was quite shy about the back

-Do I have to choose?- Midoriya asked surprised –You look good in both- Ochaco giggled at this with her cheeks tinted red

-It doesn’t work like that- she said looking at herself on the mirror, if she honest they choice was made as soon as she put the green dress on-I think I made a choice- she spoke walking back to change, into the shorts and the blouse she wore when she arrived.

She went out followed by Midoriya who tried to pry and see which dress she had chosen. Even if it was such simple information she refused to reveal it to him claiming it was a surprise and that he would see it on the wedding day. After she said that he respected her wish and decided not to insist anymore.

After paying they went to take lunch spending the rest of the evening talking about trivial matters like school and their friends. Midoriya accompanied her to her house despite her protests claiming how his house would be even further away if he did so. He refused to take a no for an answer so even if she was against it they ended up going together to her house.

Midoriya was surprised how Uraraka’s mother saluted him instantly after greeting her own daughter calling him by his name. Seeing Midoriya’s confused stare the woman smiled warmly and mentioned that Ochaco talked about him all the time. Both of the teens blushed at the woman’s words, however while Midoriya said goodbye the brunette girl was quick to pull her mother to the inside of the house before she could embarrass her any further.

By the time he arrived home he told his mother about his day and the woman listened attentive at every word that came out of his son’s lips excited for seeing him not only going out with a girl who was his “best friend” (even she didn’t believe that). However, Midoriya excluded the event with the girl and her boyfriend; there was no need of worrying his mother with something like that.

After he finished his dinner he went towards the bed too tired figuring he would do the rest of his homework the next day. As he lied in bed he couldn’t help but think about the girl’s words. It had been years since he heard something so harsh. The words continued dwelling into his mind, what could she have earned from doing something like that? He wanted not to care, he had endured it ever since he was in kindergarten, and there should be no difference.

The girl’s words didn’t abandon him for the rest of the week sulking his usual sweet and cheerful self. The difference in his behavior was so small that if you didn’t know him you probably wouldn’t notice.

Class 2-A however, knew better than that.

The main trouble was in the fact that every time someone asked him if there was any trouble he smiled and gave a no for response. It was obvious there was something; aware of the boy’s bad habit of hiding whatever distressed him they even asked Ochaco if there was something irregular in their trip. She refused, not recalling a single thing that could have left him with such a mood.

The week went by and no one could figure out what was wrong with the teen so they kindly asked (practically begged) Ochaco to find out what it was in the time they would be spending together. The girl nodded secure assuring them that she would try her best to help her friend.

Ochaco and Midoriya left together on Ochaco’s parent’s car. Inko said goodbye to her son when the Uraraka family arrived to pick him up and wished him the best of luck. The woman sent a text to her son almost immediately remembering him that he had promised to text her often to assure her that he was fine.

The ride was weird; Ochaco didn’t have any sibling so each of them sat embarrassed at each window occasionally glancing at each other before turning to the other side and admiring the view. Ochaco’s mom tried to fill the silences with conversations asking Izuku questions even if they were things she already knew because of Ochaco.

This seemed to work because soon enough the teenagers were chatting amongst themselves oblivious to the two adults in front of them who glanced every once in a while during the three hour trip.

Arriving at the hotel was quite the experience, Midoriya found himself to be surrounded by a bunch of people he had never met in his entire life, some looked like one of Ochaco’s parents, and other looked too different to seem they were even related. The young teen greeted as many as she could while she followed her parents towards the reception to register their arrival. Midoriya spoke soft “hellos” to every person Ochaco seemed to greet so he would not appear rude in front of them. A few of them asked his name others seemed to not have heard him at all.

-Mom! Why would you do it?- Ochaco whined and Izuku looked at her curious

-Sorry, sweetie, I thought it would be the best- The woman apologized but Izuku was pretty certain he could see a flash of a smile on her face

-Is there anything wrong?- He asked politely getting closer to the pair, at first he had remained on one of the sofas in the lobby waiting for the girl would give him his key; however, as soon as he heard her complain he decided that joining them was the best option. Ochaco’s cheeks seemed to be a bright pink when he arrived.

-Izuku, I’m afraid me and my husband thought it would be a nice idea for you to stay in the same room as Ochaco because there wouldn’t be enough rooms for everyone and you two get along so well. Does it bother you?- The woman explained and Izuku didn’t see Ochaco glaring at her mother.

-No, it doesn’t bother me at all Mrs. Uraraka, don’t worry-he was quick to answer, Ochaco stared at him wide eyed, her mouth slightly open. Obviously he would say it doesn’t bother him.

-Perfect!- the woman declared clasping her hands together, she seemed to be too excited at the fact he had agreed so quickly –Here is the key and right there is your bedroom number, have fun and give us a call if you need anything!- The woman spoke handing the card with the number 234 to Izuku who thanked the woman.

Izuku adjusted his backpack and looked at the key one more time

-Let’s go Uraraka- he invited, the young teenager gulped before following her friend to the elevator that led them to the third floor and eventually their bedroom.

Izuku was the one who put the card placing his things carefully on the floor once they were inside. He looked around the room finding nothing extraordinary about it, it had two beds, one TV, one night table at either side of the bed and a lamp over it. He turned around seeing Uraraka repeating the same actions as him placing her luggage on the floor.

-I’m going to the bathroom- she said softly closing the door behind her Midoriya could hear the lock being pressed.

-I’m sharing a bedroom… with a girl- he reasoned. He was too worried with being polite with Ochaco’s family that he never reasoned the implications of what he had agreed to –It’s not a big deal, right?- he asked no one –Uraraka is my friend, it’s no big deal we just have to organize ourselves and everything will be alright, but also…- Izuku began to mumble to himself.

-I’m out- Ochaco said interrupting his train of thought coming out of the bathroom just showered with her pajamas already on and drying her hair with a soft pink towel, a soft blush on her cheeks

-You can go in Izuku- she invited; he stared at her a few seconds

-Oh, right- he said rushing towards the bathroom wondering why she wasn’t as nervous as he was. Little did he know that Ochaco had to stop herself from screaming in after she entered the bathroom only because she knew he would listen. However, she did dedicate a few not nice words to her mother.

Once he was out they agreed that Ochaco would sleep on the bed that was near the door and he in the one who was close to the window.

Soon enough, although not for them, they wished each other good night. Both of them could barely avoid glancing at the other to assure that they were still there and that it wasn’t a dream. Struggling to conceal the sleep at first thanks to the car road they slowly surrendered themselves to sleep. It was quite a funny picture, while Midoriya was rather stiff when he slept Ochaco seemed to extend herself all over the bed with a pair of mittens on to avoid floating away in the middle of the night.

#Izuocha #Ochako Uraraka #izuku midoriya #izuku x ochaco #ochako x izuku #Bnha #Boku no hero academia #MHA #my hero academia #fanfiction #my hero academia fanfic

[the-randomest-ofthe-bloggiest]

The Curse

Last Chapter Part 2

Quick Summary: Elizabeth Ann is the daughter of a wealthy British family and at a party she meets a very mysterious guest. Action, drama, and fun ensue!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Warnings: Mentions of death (very light!), smoking (Lily smokes a cigar)

Chapter 5: PART 1

3rd Person POV:

It was the 4th night this week Elizabeth has stayed up reading books about magic and curses with only the light of a single candle to see with.

She couldn’t help it though, she had to figure out a way to break this curse! Normally, she’d read it in the day, but she had the feeling Mr and Mrs Ann would be kinda freaked out if they knew she was reading this kind of stuff. Neither of her parents really believed in magic or anything, and Elizabeth was fine with that, but she knew she had to help Lily.

So, in the day she spent her spare time reading “The Study in Scarlet”, and at night she would stay up late and read about spells, curses, and other magic things.

After finishing the chapter about familiars, her eyes were tired and wary, and she decided it was time to hit the hay. She yawned and blew out her candle, which has surprisingly lasted a very long time, and shoved the book into her desk.

Then, she got out of her chair, wobbling a bit since it was dark and she was exhausted, and dove into bed, almost immediately falling asleep.

The next morning she sat up in her bed, still feeling pretty tired and looked out the window. Usually when she got up, the sun would be first rising, but instead, the sun was all the way up in the sky, beaming through her window.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she internally panicked, how could she get up this late?! Rushing out of bed, she quickly changed her clothes and messily made her bed.

Sprinting downstairs, she heard her parents casually talking in the living room. She screeched to a halt right before entering, trying to make it seem like she calmly got up and came down.

“Hi mum! Hi dad!” Elizabeth greeted as she entered the room. Mr and Mrs Ann both turned to their daughter and gave her warm smiles.

“Hi Elle! How are you?” Mr. Ann welcomed warmly. “I’m ok! What time is it?” Elizabeth asked, casually trying to find out how late her parents let her sleep in. “Oh, it’s about 8:30 AM, you seemed pretty tired so we let you get some extra rest” Mrs. Ann answered, knowing full-well Elizabeth has been staying up late.

As soon as Elizabeth got small bags under her eyes, Mrs. Ann’s mum-senses began going off, making her hyper aware of the amount of sleep her daughter has been getting.

Elizabeth gave a sheepish smile, “Oh, thanks, I didn’t sleep very well last night. All night I was tossing and turning, I guess I accidentally stayed up pretty late”.

Yes, Elizabeth knew lying is wrong and she didn’t think it was ok, but it was only a small one, and she was sure she wouldn’t of been able to sleep anyways.

Mrs. Ann suspiciously eyed her daughter, but didn’t say anything, as her husband replied, “Aww, we’re sorry honey, next time you can’t sleep you can wake us up and we can get you some warm milk or something”.

Elizabeth gave her parents a big smile, “Ok! Thank you guys!”.

“Hey hon, so we invited your Aunt and Uncle over today, so we want to make sure you room is clean!” Mrs. Ann informed, a smile coming onto her face. Elizabeth practically felt the light bulb light above her head and she excitedly asked, “Is Mark coming with them?”. Mr. Ann gave his daughter a knowing smile, “Yes, y’know I bet he is heading over the field right now”.

He knew she loved her cousin like an older brother, and always got excited when he was nearby.

“Is it ok if I introduce him to Lily? I think they’d get along great!” Elizabeth eagerly asked, bouncing with excitement.

Mrs. Ann nodded, “Sure, just make sure you get home a bit early so you can say hi to Uncle Picani and Aunt Mary”. Elizabeth quickly nodded and sprinted to the front door, sliding her shoes on as quick as possible.

She knew Lily and Mark would get along, but that was only part of the reason she was excited. Then she raced off to the Cobb manor, taking breaks every so often since it was quite a long way.

Lily was sitting on her porch, her fat, purple cigar in hand as she read “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”, by Lewis Carroll.

She was always a big fan of fiction writing, since it allowed so many things our real world didn’t allow. In fiction people could be a centimeter tall and fly, and in that story that was real.

Then, she saw Elizabeth run up to her house, a large smile on her face despite being breathless.

“Hello Elizabeth, what’s the rush?” Lily asked curiously. “My cousin is coming over! I’d love for you to meet him!” Elizabeth explained in between breaths. Lily raised her eyebrow, “Oh, that’s lovely! I’d love to meet him!”.

Elizabeth nodded before sitting down, “Yeah! Just, give me a second to catch me breath”. Both girls giggled at how tired Elizabeth was.

“Oh yeah, I’ve been reading the Study In Scarlet! I’ve really enjoyed it so far!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “Aw, I’m so glad! It was one of my sisters favorites!” Lily happily replied, taking a puff from her cigar and holder.

Elizabeth smiled at the little factoid, but on the inside she felt a small wave of determination from remembering that darned curse. Don’t worry Lily, you’ll be able to share this book for many years.

After a few moments of silence, Elizabeth stood up and grinned, “Okay, you ready to meet Mark?”.

Lily returned Elizabeth’s look and also stood up, taking a puff of her cigar, “As ready as I’ll ever be!”. Elizabeth nodded and both girls marched out of the house, only stopping when Lily had to lock the front door.

The girls walked back towards Elizabeth’s house, chatting a long the way. “So, where is your cousin?” Lily asked curiously, questioning herself on why she didn’t ask this sooner. “Oh, he’s just a bit past my house at this field!” Elizabeth explained, swinging her arms back and forth as they walked.

Although neither Lily or her parents knew this, there was a more important reason Elizabeth wanted Lily to meet Mark.

She wanted to see if Mark had any potions that could break the curse.

“By the way, I need to tell you my cousin is a magic guy. He makes potions out of things he finds in nature, they usually are used a medicines and stuff, but I wanted to see if he had anything that could help us” Elizabeth said, revealing her true intentions to Lily.

They weren’t bad, she just wasn’t sure how Lily would’ve reacted if she knew right away what was going on.

“That’s awesome!” Lily cheered, taking a puff of her cigar and holder. She was always curious about potions, but she never knew how to make any, so this is an awesome way to learn about it.

As the girls reached the field, they could see that in the middle of the field there was a hill with a boy sitting on it.

The girls quickly trekked up the hill, Lily tucking her cigar and holder behind her ear so she could use both hands.

When they made it to the top, they were met at a 15-year old looking boy, laying next to a basket filled with everyday grass. “Hey Mark!” Elizabeth exclaimed, so excited to see her cousin. Mark quickly turned around and saw his cousin a long with a girl he didn’t recognize. “Hello Elizabeth! How are you, and who is this?” Mark greeted kindly, standing up and putting his hand out for the mysterious girl to shake his hand. “I’m good, and this is Lily Cobb, she’s a friend of mine!” Elizabeth said, a big smile on her face. Lily shook Mark’s hand and gave him a polite smile, “Hello, you’re name is Mark right?”, she asked, making sure she wasn’t calling someone the wrong name. Mark nodded, “Yep! So, what brings you two around?”. Elizabeth quickly jumped in, “Well, I figured you and Lily would get a long great! Also, we have a bit of a problem that I think you could help with”. “Ok, what do you need?” He asked, ready to help. Mark always treated Elizabeth like a younger sister since they were around each other so much when they were kids. Elizabeth accepted Mark and took care of him, even when it got tough.

Because of this, Mark is always excited and ready to help Elizabeth with anything she needs. Elizabeth gestures for Lily to explain and Lily chimed in, “A while ago my older sister found a seed. We planted it, but turned out to be cursed. It caused accidents to happen that killed things, since death was the only way it could grow. I’m the only Cobb left, and although I’m not sure the curse can be broken, Elizabeth is trying to find a way to break the curse before it kills me”. Mark’s eyebrows rises and he stared at the two girls.

To most people, they would sound absolutely insane, but Mark practiced magic and knew it existed. “Ok, so you want me to help make a potion to fix it?” Mark asked, walking back and picking up his basket. “Yes please!” Elizabeth pleaded, Lily also nodding.

Mark smiled, “Okay then! There’s a forest a few yards from here that should have plenty of ingredients I need”. Both girls nodded and the trio began walking west to the forest.

Lily quickly remembered her cigar and holder and pulled it out from behind her ear, taking a puff. All of a sudden Mark was staring at her- no wait- her cigar and holder.

“Wait... is that purple smoke?!” He excitedly questioned, surprise and curiosity coming through in his tone. Elizabeth looked over as well and realized that yes, Lily’s cigar was giving out a lavender smoke.

“Oh my gosh, how have I not noticed that before?!” Elizabeth exclaimed. After days and days of hanging out with Lily and not once had she noticed the purple smoke?! Lily just shrugged, “Yeah”.

The cousins continued staring for a moment before quickly recovering from their surprise and beginning on their quest for ingredients again.

As they walked, Lily observed the relatives. Elizabeth and Mark could be mistaken for twins, since they both have emerald eyes, tan skin, and Mark is only slightly taller than Elizabeth, except for their hair. Elizabeth’s hair was straight and a dark coco color while Mark’s hair was golden and as curly as can be.

As Lily pondered these thoughts, the group reached the edge of the forest. “Perfect! I’ll go in real quick and gather some stuff, you two stay out here in case I get lost or something”, Mark said, already making his way into the forest.

“Ok!” The girls called back in accidental unison. Elizabeth giggled, “We have been hanging out too much!”. Lily just rolled her eyes and sat down the grass, she had the feeling Mark would be a while. Elizabeth sat down next to her and began picking at the grass in the ground.

“So, your cousin seems nice” Lily said, trying to break the silence. Elizabeth nodded, her eyes still glued to the grass, “Yeah, he is! I’m glad you could meet him!”.

After another moment of quiet Lily spoke up again, “Do you know what he might be grabbing?”. Elizabeth tore her eyes away from the grass and thought for a second, “Hmm, probably some berries, maybe a bit of tree sap, and definitely more wheat grass”. “Oh is that what that basket was full of? I was so confused!” Lily laughed, finally understanding Mark’s weird grass-basket. “Yeah! Wheat grass is kinda the base of every potion, so Mark collects a lot!”, Elizabeth explained. “That makes sense! I’m excited to see what potions he can make!” Lily grinned.

Lily had never seen good magic before, so this’ll be quite interesting. “I am too! Hopefully he can brew something to break the curse!” Elizabeth proposed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

Lily, not wanting to crush that hope, just nodded and took another puff of her cigar.

After a few moments of Elizabeth picking at grass and Lily taking puffs of her cigar, the purple smoke turning into different designs like spider webs, Mark emerged from the forest with his basket overflowing with random plants.

“Ok, I’ve got everything! Let’s see what we can make!” He bellowed as he speed-walked to Lily and Elizabeth.

“Awesome!” Elizabeth shouted back before both girls stood up. “Where are we going to make this stuff?” Lily inquired. The cousins both paused, “Wait... where are we gonna go?”, Elizabeth asked.

Mark thought for a moment before coming up with a plan, “Oh! How about we go to your house and ask Mrs. Jackson if we could use the kitchen? I only need to boil these down and use some food ingredients!”. Elizabeth brightened up, “Yeah! That could totally work, I doubt Mrs. Jackson will mind anyway!”. Lily nodded and took a puff.

Then the trio headed towards Elizabeth’s house.

When they got there, Elizabeth knocked on the door with Mark and Lily behind her. “Oh hello Elizabeth, Mark, and Lily! What do you three need?” Mrs. Jackson welcomed, allowing the tweens and teen to step in. “Hi Mrs. Jackson, do you mind if we use the kitchen? Mark was some recipes he wants to show us!” Elizabeth explained, Mark and Lily nodding behind her. “Sure! Just clean up when your done!” Mrs. Jackson agreed, before turning away and going back to where the adults were.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Picani were happily chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Ann. “Yes, kids are just the craziest things!” Aunt Mary laughed, grabbing another slice of cheddar cheese. “No kidding, Elizabeth is reading this mystery novel, which is a bid surprise since she used to always read fantasy books. She’s growing up, and we couldn’t be more proud” Mr. Ann said, a proud smile on his face. The other adults nodded, before changing to topic to the new bakery downtown.

As the adults talked, Mark, Lily, and Elizabeth went to work getting bowls and spoons out to make potions. “Will this wooden spoon work?” Lily asked Mark, showing off an oak spoon. Mark nodded before filling the ceramic bowl they found with water.

“We are gonna try three different potions, the first one is a loganberry, sugar, wheat grass, and gooseberry mix” Mark explained, pulling out of his basket barn-red berries, bright green grass, and green berries.

“These-“ Mark said, gesturing to the barn-red berries “-are the loganberries. And these-“ He gestured to the green berries “-are the gooseberries”. Lily nodded and Elizabeth walked over with a jar of sugar. “Here’s the sugar!” She exclaimed, setting it down next to the other ingredients. Mark smiled, “Thank you Elizabeth”.

Mark then took the bowl of water and set it over the stove, turning the fire on. “Where do you learn these recipes?” Lily asked, leaning against the counter. “I studied potion making, particularly healing potions, and I know most by heart. Sometimes they are a bit off though” Mark told, giving a nervous chuckle at the end. Elizabeth giggled, “Yeah, once he accidentally made a potion that makes you weightless! I floated around the kitchen for a few hours after that!”.

Lily laughed as well, and Mark soon joined in.

Then, Mark looked towards the bowl of water and saw it was boiling. “Now, we are going to add the wheat grass and stir for a few minutes” Mark informed, before doing just as he said and adding two huge handfuls of the bright green grass.

As Mark stirred, Elizabeth looked over at Lily and asked, “Hey, if one of these potions does work, what do you think you’ll do?”. Lily raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean?”, she questioned. “Well, what do you want your job and stuff to be?” Elizabeth further asked, explaining her last question. “Oh, if I do live I’m gonna become a cannon-tester, just like my mom!” Lily answered, a smile going on her face.

Elizabeth returned the smile, “Aww, that’s awesome!”, she cheered, but inside, she was worried.

She hated the word if in this situation. She wanted it to be when.

Mark quietly listened in, before interrupting, “Ok, now we can add the loganberries!”, and putting a handful of loganberries in.

Both girls looked over Mark’s shoulder and saw that, unexpectedly, the mixture was turning a reddish-green color. The berries weren’t fully melted, but the wheat grass was!

After the loganberries also mixed in, Mark asked Elizabeth, “Could you you hand me a milliliter measuring cup?”. Elizabeth nodded and walked over to the drawer just past the stove, that’s where they put the measuring instruments. She dug through, but quickly saw some normal measuring cups and pulled those out. Elizabeth took the milliliter and handed it back to Mark.

“Thank you”, Mark politely said, before turning to Lily, “Ok, I need you to continue stirring this while I crush up some of the gooseberries, ok?”. “Ok” Lily agreed before taking the wooden spoon and stirring the green-ish red concoction. Mark walked to the cabinets behind them, facing away from the stove and took out a medium sized bowl. He also walked over past Elizabeth and grabbed another big spoon.

He walked back to his bowl and poured some of the gooseberries in, before mashing them up with the spoon.

While Mark did that, Elizabeth and Lily carefully watched the bowl, praying they wouldn’t somehow mess it up.

After a few minutes, once Mark was happy with how mashed the gooseberries were, he grabbed the jar of sugar and added to the gooseberries mush 10 milliliters of sugar. He used the spoon and stirred the sugar into the gooseberry mush before taking the whole bowl and walking over to the stove.

“Now, I’ll need you to keep stirring while I add in the gooseberries” Mark explained. Lily nodded and stepped a bit to the side so there was enough room to pour the gooseberries in. Elizabeth also stepped back, but that was more out of fear of splash back. Mark slowly poured the gooseberry mush into the concoction, slow enough that it could mix into the rest of the potion before he poured the next bit in.

Once the whole bowl the added to the concoction, Mark smiled at both girls proudly, “And we’re done!”.

Elizabeth cheered and Lily gave him an excited grin, before Mark walked over to the cupboards and got out a medium-sized glass.

He poured the entire potion into the glass and handed it to Lily. Both Mark and Elizabeth’s faces turned serious, while Lily’s grin stayed glued to her face.

“Ok Lily, you are gonna have to drink that. Hopefully it won’t taste bad and will break the curse” Elizabeth explained, hope yet worry in her voice. She didn’t want the potion to have any bad side effects, which she doubt it would, but still.

Lily nodded and took a big gulp of the potion, wiping her potion-mustache when she finished. “Do you feel anything?” Mark curiously questioned. Lily mentally checked how she felt before shaking her head, “I’m afraid not”.

As soon as Elizabeth and Mark heard her voice, they both bursted our laughing. Lily raised an eyebrow, “What? What’s so funny?”. “You- Your-“ Elizabeth struggled to say before laughing again. Mark cleared his throat and wiped the humor-fueled tears from his eyes before explaining, “Your voice is super high-pitched!”.

Lily’s eyes widened before humming to herself, trying to find the pitch. Sure enough, she as an octave higher than usual. Then, she began giggling herself. “I sound like a small animal!”, Lily exclaimed, laughing at her own voice.

“Wait, wait” Elizabeth began before taking the glass and chugging a bit of the potion. “How do I sound?” Elizabeth asked, her voice a bit lighter than Lily’s. Both Mark and Lily began laughing again, this time at Elizabeth’s voice.

Elizabeth smiled and began singing, sending her friend and her cousin further into their laughing fits.

“My turn!” Mark exclaimed before gulping down the rest of the potion. “What do you think, so I sound like a bunny or not?” Mark asked, his voice the lightest and funniest of them all.

Both girls began laughing so hard, neither could breathe. Mark grinned and began teasing them, “Wow, I must sound super manly and tough! Look at me go!”.

Lily and Elizabeth began laughing harder, “S-Sto-op! I-It’s too funny!” Lily said in between laughs. “Never!” Mark bellowed before hunching his shoulders and stomping around the room, making fun of “tough” guys.

Not before too long, all three of them were laughing, Lily and Elizabeth both almost in tears.

After a few more minutes, their laughter all turning a bit lower in time, Mark composed himself and clapped his hands together, “Ok, now on to the second potion!”, he exclaimed, his voice back at normal tone. Lily also composed herself and Elizabeth wiped the tears from her eyes and swallowed back her laughter. Mark took the bowl off the stove and began to wash it out, using only water so there is no soap residue.

“What are the next ingredients?” Lily asked, looking over at the basket. “Next, we will have a wheat grass, blueberry, mushroom, and maple syrup mix”, Mark explained before refilling the bowl with water and putting it back in the stove. He turned the heat on and added the wheat grass, waiting for the water to start boiling again.

“What other potions have you guys made?” Lily asked, trying to make conversation. “Well, together, we have made a potion that heals small colds, one that makes your stomach feel better, a failed love potion, one that makes you run faster, and one that makes your grow a foot taller”, Elizabeth rattled off, counting on her fingers.

Lily raised an eyebrow, “Love potion? Who for?”. Mark and Elizabeth exchanged a sheepish glance and, after having a seemingly psychic conversation using only their eyes, Mark sighed and let Elizabeth tell. “Mark was supposed to go out with this girl down the street, but he didn’t like her like that, so we tried to make a love potion so that he would love her back. It turned into the floaty potion and then Uncle Picani caught us and gave Mark a long talk about not having to go out with her if he didn’t want to”. Lily nodded, “Thats cool, I’m glad that your dad was understanding”, she said, trying to make Mark feel less embarrassed.

#my writing! #the curse

[mikeyhatesit113]

forever and never: Chapter 8

“I like those new Lancers,” Janie says with a coy smile. She says she loves their appearance and really wants one.

I ponder her words for a moment and almost immediately come to my decision.

I’m going to go buy her a Lancer.

On the morning of, I drove her Corolla to work and right afterwards, I drove to the Mitsubishi dealership. After some perusing and brief haggling, the salesman says that he’ll see what he can do and give me a call.

It seems that he’ll have to do some negotiating with the banks due to my debt-to-income ratio, despite my great credit.

I go home, and not even 20 minutes later, he calls me back.

“Bring your $400 and the Corolla. Let’s go ahead with the trade-in.”

I drive a new Mitsubishi Lancer off the lot that day, and when I arrive home, Janie is ecstatic.

She has the car she really wanted, and I came through once again.

I feel happy that I’m able to make her happy. It’s what makes me feel good.

4 Months Later

I walk in the darkness back to our empty townhouse, the lights still on inside. It feels like a crime scene, and as far as I was concerned, it might as well have been one.

Her beautiful Lancer sits in the driveway, motionless and empty in the night.

Kelly and Dan greet me on my doorstep. After my phone call to Kelly about the mystery number, she and Dan decided that something was really wrong. Being they lived in the same development, they got ready and walked over as soon as they could.

“She’s gone,” I told them as their eyes searched me for answers.

“Where?” asked Kelly.

“I don’t know, but she’s with whoever’s phone number that was,” I said.

Kelly is horrified, and the usually hilarious Dan is lost for words. I can relate to both of them. But there was no time to cry and speculate, because I had done enough of that. I was certain this was the end, and I needed their help.

“Can you guys drive the Lancer to my sister’s house?” I asked. “Sure,” said Kelly.

If this was the end, I needed to remove the Lancer from her access, and I had the perfect hiding place in the gravel parking area at my sister’s.

Kelly followed my car in the Lancer as we drove to my sister’s. Dan sat in the passenger seat of my car, telling me that Janie and I were no good for each other. I needed to move on.

My heart sunk lower and lower as I listened to his words. I didn’t exactly value his opinion, as he was no perfect husband himself, but even still, hearing another human being pronounce your relationship dead is never comforting.

I hear Dan’s words, but my mind of course drifts off to Janie.

Who she’s with. Where they’re at.

What they’re doing.

We park the Lancer at my sister’s house, and I take Kelly and Dan home. After arriving back to my own home, I didn’t even attempt sleep.

It was 3:00am. The dead of night, but I’d have to wake up in less than 2 hours anyway. And if this was indeed the end, I needed to start the packing phase.

I didn’t know where I was going, but anywhere seemed better than where I was at. Janie and I had some nasty fights before, but nothing like what had taken place before her departure into the night. How could we ever come back from that?

I un-install the cable box and start boxing up DVD’s. In less than a half hour, the living area looks like a half finished room.

Before I knew it, it was time to get ready for work. I shower, dress, and step back out into the muggy Summer night. I drive to work, not knowing what the sunrise would bring.

At some point that morning, I spoke to Janie’s mom. “She’s with another man,” I told her. “Yeah, and I have an idea with who,” her mom says ominously.

She didn’t care to elaborate.

I went about my work duties like a robot without programming, completely on autopilot. I didn’t bother contacting Janie. Why should I?

Maybe that’s why I looked down at my phone later in the day and saw a MISSED CALL from her. My heart skipped a beat as the dread washed over me.

Was this an apology? Was this asking me when I’d be moving out? Was it her mystery man calling me to continue with his career advice he had so kindly provided the night before?

I called her back, and she answered.

“After work, do you want to talk?” she asked.

Her voice was no longer hostile and belligerent. It was calm, almost monotone.

“Sure,” I said.

After work, I drove home. But she wasn’t there. Instead, she was across the street, sun bathing in her mom’s backyard.

I walked over to her, and she laid there, looking up at the sky in her sunglasses.

“Where’d you go last night?” I asked immediately.

“He picked me up,” she said.

“Who” I asked, standing there as my heart pounded inside my chest. The questions that had tortured me over the past few weeks were about to receive answers.

“Shawn, my ex-boyfriend from high school,” she said. “I ran into him the day of your Sheriff’s test, and we exchanged numbers. Over the past few weeks, he was able to provide answers about the problems we’ve been having,” she explained.

“He was fair, and he was able to tell me how you were feeling,” she continued. “He’d even tell me when I was wrong,” she said.

“So, where did he take you last night?” I asked, trying to soak in the information.

“He left work and drove me to a hotel, and then went back to work,” she replied. “And this morning, when he got off of work, he came and picked me up and drove me to work.”

What a nice guy, I thought.

“How’d you pay for it?” I asked.

From what I knew, Janie didn’t exactly to have the disposable income to book one-night stays at local hotels. In fact, many times, she requested my debit card to go shopping.

“I paid in cash,” she said.

“Do you have a receipt?” I asked.

“No, I don’t,” she answered.

“But this morning, I told him that we can’t be friends anymore,” she said. “I told him that asking for his advice was wrong, and I need to work on my marriage alone,” she explained.

Amidst the practical disbelief in this story, as she couldn’t even provide physical proof of this hotel stay, a wave of relief did wash over me.

I wasn’t a piece of shit. She didn’t hate me. She wanted to work on us.

I didn’t have to find a new home, after all.

And just like that, I was back in it. I was ready to work on our marriage, too.

Another night of mystery without hard evidence of any scenario.

No evidence she cheated. No evidence she hadn’t.

Not Guilty.

“Can I have my car back?” she asked with a sheepish grin.

-------

The rest of the year finished without incident, although nothing was necessarily fixed. We had just swept the issues under a pretty rug, removing them from plain sight.

In fact, we started looking toward brighter horizons.

Possibly being homeowners, though we didn’t have pennies for a down payment on anything.

Possibly being new parents.

After Janie’s second child, she had gotten her tubes tied. In retrospect, she blamed Jay for that decision, and expressed resentment that he was able to have more children while she couldn't. However, as the years went on, we discussed the possibility of having child of our own together, and we looked into the tubal reversal process.

The doctor walked us through the process, and finished with the $10,000+ price tag. Quite a hefty price to pay for a procedure that could never guarantee a pregnancy.

But I was willing to try. Deflated, we left the appointment in separate cars, and I called a loan company that had recently sent me a “pre-approval” in the mail. The agent took my information and current expenses, but in the end, my debt-to-income ratio was too high.

If, however, she had approved me for a $15,000 loan, I would have absolutely went through with it and paid for Janie’s tubal reversal.

From a personal standpoint, I was no longer the fresh 20-year-old kid I started out as.

I was now 24 years old, and with some scars of my own now, I wasn’t as keen on celebrating our love story. Every year, we celebrated our 11/01/07 anniversary, but as the years went on, I began to feel more shame about that anniversary than I ever had.

Our 1 year wedding anniversary didn’t even feel genuine. We went to a Victorian-themed Murder Mystery weekend that took place in a Gettysburg hotel, and on Sunday morning, we exchanged gifts.

She gave me a Sons of Anarchy belt buckle.

I have her a pricey necklace, but she expressed dissatisfaction.

She even pointed out that I had not gotten her the $1600 Victorian ring she had been willing to trade her wedding ring in for.

Everything felt wrong, and now it seemed that my gifts were no good anymore.

In a slow build, the year went on and Summer came once again.

And so did the fighting.

No house, no baby, and now it seemed there could be no peace.

On top of the underlining distrust and mysteries of our relationship altogether, every little disagreement turned into a fight.

With so much spilled gasoline all around us, even the strike of just one match could incinerate everything around us.

The perfect birthdays were now even tainted, let alone the fact that I had missed Brock’s previous two due to these clandestine encounters.

James’ 10th birthday came around, and he was big into zombies that year. In turn, we bought him a zombie cake and I even dressed up like a zombie, roaming around his party and scaring his friends that were invited.

Later that day, my friend and I ran to the store to buy a fire pit for the evening, When we returned to the party, we were disturbed to find confused guests in the back yard, mostly members of my family.

“She took a bunch of people across the street to go swimming at her moms?” my aunt said as she packed up her things.

I apologized to the departing guests and as evening fell, Janie didn’t come back over. Instead, she conversed with one of her mother’s friends that had arrived in her mom’s back yard. He was an older man (ordinarily no threat), but she sipped her beers and listened intently to everything he had to say.

He was clearly enjoying the attention, and as I walked past her mother’s back yard, she looked over and smirked at my clear discontent over how the day had ended up.

My best friend watched me have an emotional meltdown in the house and had to stop me from packing up my things again that day.

Things were quickly spiraling out of control. Jealousy was rampant like a virus.

Too much damage had been done, and our freight train was threatening to derail at any moment. But whether it was the kids, or the comforts of home, or the fact that I unmistakably loved her...or all of the above...I couldn’t jump off.

But perhaps, July 4th would deliver the first of several fatal blows.

The day started off normally, but not long after we got our day started, it was clear that we were not going to be getting along that day.

The children were with Jay, and after a fiery argument, we parted ways from one another. She went to wherever she wanted to go, and I went with my best friend, abandoning our plans to go to the firework display with Bill.

SIDE NOTE: Bill, my groomsman and good friend, had since separated from his girlfriend Monica. Their infant daughter was caught in the crossfire of their rather nasty breakup, where they both tried to get Janie and I to testify that the other parent was unfit to raise their daughter. This would prove to be very important and critical.

I hung out with my best friend, Jose, and as usual, I didn’t hear a word from Janie all day. I gave strict instructions to Jose NOT to share my whereabouts with Janie. Odd as it may sound, but I had become wise to her strategy of requesting my location from other people. This would give her an idea of where I was, and give her clearance to do whatever she wanted to do, knowing I was not near her.

Consider it a way of tracking me, so to speak.

Night fell, and as Jose’s car sped along a major roadway, I saw a beautiful fireworks display in the distance. Aside from feeling numb, and I still felt enough to recognize the empty pang in my heart.

I knew things were broken...

We went to another friend’s house and played video games.

Unbeknownst to me, Janie texted Jose while we were at the friend’s house. As I sat playing video games and trying to enjoy myself, Jose was texting her that I was with him.

Janie knew who I was with, and now she knew how far away I was.

Hours later, I arrived home and crawled into bed with Janie. A toxic couple becomes extremely comfortable with having terrible fights and day-long arguments, but also crawling into bed together at the end of the day.

Maybe out of habit. Maybe out of the remanants of love.

Probably somewhere in the middle.

------

Over the next few weeks after July 4th, I saw more of Bill than I ever had. In his separation with Monica, we were sure to invite him over to our home for bonfires and little cookouts with other friends.

He’d show up alone. He’d show up with his daughter. He’d show up with a girl he was dating.

One night, I even noticed that him and Janie were missing from a party we were throwing.

“Where’s Janie?” I asked.

“Oh, her and Bill ran down to the store real quick for chips and dip,” someone replied.

...

I also noticed Janie coming home later than usual after work. Sometimes she’d have work meetings at a local bar and grill. Other times she’d want to stop by the mall, where she even brought me home a new pair of shoes one day.

In any event, things seemed to be drifting back into unfamiliar familiar waters, but I did my best to think positive.

Perhaps, things began taking shape one fateful night that I’ll never forget.

Weeks in advance, I scheduled for a few friends to come over and watch old home videos we filmed when we were younger. I didn’t get to see or speak to these friends as often as I would have liked, so it seemed like a great idea to get together and revisit our childhood memories. Janie was on board with this...until the day of.

After running morning errands that Saturday, we returned home and I was going to take a nap.

“Hey, is it ok if Bill brings his daughter over so I can see her?” asked Janie.

“Sure,” I said.

I knew how much Janie enjoyed kids, as she continued working in the field. She had since switched daycare centers to a more community-based childcare center for less money, but more career opportunities. I supported her all of the way.

I went to take a nap, and I woke up about 2 hours later close to the time I had wanted to wake up. I looked out of the window, and I saw Bill’s car parked out front.

Almost immediately, I heard heavy footsteps thundering up the stairs. The door burst open, and Bill came rushing in, laughing and hollering.

“Get your ass up!” he yelled with that signature goofy grin.

Bill was leaving shortly after, but Janie announced that she had invited more people over for a separate bonfire in the back yard. Her own guests included her parents, my uncle and his girlfriend, and Bill?

Bill asked me if I minded if he came back later. “Of course not,” I said.

My friends arrived soon after, and shortly after that, Janie’s bonfire got started in the back yard. After dropping his daughter off to his mother, whom he lived at home with, Bill returned to our house.

“This is Bill,” I announced to my friends. “He’s cool, he’s one of us,” I said, alluding to his personality that seemed in-step with my buddies and I.

But he didn’t choose to hang with my friends and I. He chose to attend Janie’s bonfire.

The two separate parties got underway, and I excused myself to the kitchen to get a drink.

As I poured myself a glass of iced tea, my uncle came in from the back yard.

“Hey Mikey, who’s that dude in the back yard?” he asked.

“Who?” I asked.

“The one who kind of looks like you,” he said.

“Oh, Bill,” I replied. “That’s one of my best friends, he was in my groom’s party.”

My uncle stepped closer to me, lowering his voice.

“Mike, watch him.”

From the living room, I hear my friends laugh hysterically at the television that showed another dumb stunt of ours.

From our youth. Such a simpler time.

Oh, fuck.

“Come again?” I asked.

“I’m not trying to stir anything up, but I’ve seen guys like him. Watch him,” my uncle insisted.

I chuckled uncomfortably.

“Mike, I’m serious. Whatever she wants, he does it. He's pouring her drinks. Putting more wood on the fire. He’s sitting right next to her, something isn’t right,” my uncle spoke.

“Mike! Come here!” one of my buddies yells from the living room, rewinding the DVD to the part he wants to show me.

My heart races. My stomach turns.

I chuckle nervously.

“Mike, I’m seri-” my uncle starts, but I cut him off.

“I know, I know,” I hiss. “Let me wrap this party up, and then I’ll be out to the fire,” I say.

I returned to the living room and sat with my friends. I laughed along with them, but in all honesty, I could not wait for them to leave my house.

I wanted them to continue thinking I’m doing well. I wanted them to continue thinking I’m happily married. I did not want them to even get a sniff of what was happening in my back yard.

And I did not want them to see what was going to happen next.

Mercifully, they announced they had to get home, and I thanked them profusely for coming. I was truly grateful. I watched them leave, waving merrily.

Now, I had a fucking bonfire to attend.

I went to the back yard and sat in a chair. Bill was seated next to her, and Janie looked disinterested at my arrival.

We chatted casually, but it felt like I had intruded on a party that I wasn’t invited to.

My uncle sipped his beer casually in his seat, trying to look nonchalant.

We played a game where we had to name the last person we’d talk to if we were dying, and what we would say.

Janie’s answer was Brock and James, and she’d tell them that she loved them very much and did the best that she could.

Bill’s answer was, “Ekim Pper! And I’d tell him, see you in hell!”

I didn’t get the joke.

Then, out of the blue, Janie asked Bill if he was spending the night.

I found this odd, as Bill had never spent the night before, and he wasn’t even drinking.

“I wasn’t going to, but I could?” replied Bill.

“Yeah, you could sleep in Brock’s or James’s bed,” she said.

I couldn’t resist myself.

“Or, you could shack up with my wife?” I offered.

Janie gave me a murderous look, Bill shifted uncomfortably, and Janie’s mom said, “Now, come on, Michael.”

The bonfire ended soon after. Bill didn’t use his “Spend the Night” card, and Janie’s parents went back to their house.

Only my uncle and his girlfriend remained in the kitchen with us, and I couldn’t wait for them to leave either.

There was a vicious fight brewing, and they were standing in my way. Janie and I sniped at each other, and my uncle’s well-intentioned anecdotes to defuse the tension were futile.

We were two caged lions, ready to rip each other to fucking shreds.

My uncle and his girlfriend left, and as soon as the door closed, we started in at each other. Venom and toxic poison filled the air. Words more powerful than fists, thrown at each other with reckless abandon.

Intent to maim. Intent to destroy.

This is who we were.

“You have problems!” I scream at her.

“Yeah, and one of them was marrying you,” she fires back.

“Fuck this, man, I’M OUT!” I scream.

I turn my back and walk across the kitchen to retrieve my keys. Behind me, Janie breaks into a sprint and launches herself at me, knocking me forward.

I wheel around, fury filling every pore of my body.

“Touch me again, and I’ll have your fucking ass hauled out of here in handcuffs!” I scream.

Would you believe me if I told you we somehow went to bed together that night?

Because we did.

Remember? Toxic couples, habits, broken shards of love, etc.

The next morning, we woke up pleasant enough. That night, I was performing amateur stand-up comedy at a local club.

Janie left the house that morning to go buy an outfit, and I left to buy a new shirt of my own.

That night, a bunch of my friends, family, and Janie gathered to watch me perform. Before the performance, Bill showed up and wished me well.

However, right before the show started, he abruptly left, citing a “babysitting issue”.

I took definite notice to Janie not caring at all about his departure, which was a stark contrast to the previous night’s events.

I performed my set, and it was one of my best sets ever. The crowd laughed when I wanted them to. My jokes flowed effortlessly. I felt on top of the world.

Janie seemed genuinely excited for me that night. Her eyes seemed to sparkle in the glow of the bar lights. She kissed me on the lips, hard.

“You did amazing!” she said to me, hugging me tightly.

I felt like I had my wife back.

The rest of my friends and family congratulated me, and I couldn’t have been higher.

Janie and I left the bar and went home. We fell asleep next to each other, feeling closer than we had in a long time.

I drifted off to sleep, knowing this feeling would resonate for days to come.

Or, that’s what I thought.

I forgot to turn my phone on silent that night, and when it rang at 2am, I was jolted from my deep sleep.

Groggy, I looked at the screen.

PRIVATE.

I figured it was one of my family members or friends still at the bar, trying to prank call me. I silenced the call and put my phone back on the bed stand.

A moment later, it rang again.

I looked at the screen, and this time, it was a number I didn’t recognize.

After I didn’t answer that call either, it was a moment before my phone made another noise.

A voicemail ping.

I clicked the voicemail icon and put the phone up to my ear.

My God.

“All last summer in case you don't recall, I was yours and you were mine forget it all. Is there a line that I could write, That's sad enough to make you cry? And all the lines you wrote to me were lies. Months roll past, the love that you struck dead. Did you love me only in my head? There were things you said and did to me, They seem to come so easily, The love I thought I'd won you give for free.”

Gin Blossoms “Found Out About You”

NOTE: Though this is my side of the story, including my own personal recollections and opinions, the reader should not consider this note anything other than a work of literature. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

#dating #relationships #depression #relationship advice #breakups #mental health #suicide #begin again #new #new beginnings #taylor swift #marriage #divorce #broken

[thursdayg1rl]

what a day.

#so in the morning my aunt kindly informed me that my friend had invited me to her house #and she was really angry abt it as if I was trying to hide smth from her when I didnt even know abt this #anyways she made me cry before my maths exams #which went so SO terribly #i cldnt concentrate bcz my head was hurting sm #bcz of the crying #the last few questions.. 🤡 #i dont even want to talk about it it was so bad #i literally starting tearing up again whe one of the science teachers told me that i'll do well #it really makes you realise like how little praise you get like i thought i'd start crying #it was so weirdly nice of him hes so nice even though he doesnt even teach me #but yeah i did not infact do well. #maybe i can get a 7 though so its fine #hopefully i can manage an 8 though #no way im getting a nine lmao #so yeah after that. geography was good i finished with half an hour left which was like so impressive for me #usually im working right until the end in geography #but yeah i used the right exams techniques and everything so im happy #then i went to my friends house it was nice we just listened to music outside #now its nearly time for me to go to sleep i cant wait like unironically my body is going to be SO rested in the morning ugh <3 #but yeah now my aunt is being normal again idk she literally has something wrong with her #think she might have even casued trouble before my exam on purpose. wuldnt put it past her lmao #anyways yeah im not going to study at all this weekend cannot wait