hedwig_dordt | Entries tagged with my fic

Title:After thus accounting / For an improbable situation
Summary: Derek seduced his boyfriend, and now his friend wants some pointers. So he teaches Kira a few moves.

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Written for Chuck Wendig's flash fiction challenge. The prompt: the danger of undeserved power. A fairytale of sorts.

Accident of Birth

The messenger holds out the envelope, and the King accepts it with a nod. He offers it to his wife: “will you do the honours?”

She takes it from him, and opens it. Carefully, she slides out the sheet of paper that will confirm their daugther’s rights to the throne. Her eyes scan the lines, she frowns, goes white, and with a thump she faints. Two ladies in waiting rush to her side, with a handkerchief and some water to bring her back to consciousness. The princess grabs the letter and reads it.

“Oh thank god,” she says, “no wonder I’m terrible at this.”

“What does it say?” a courtier asks.

“I’m not the princess. Can’t be. It’s not in my DNA.” The Princess holds up the letter. “See that, dad? It’s not my fault. I literally wasn’t born for this. No wonder I’m shite at it.”

“Language,” her father says automatically. He sits down next to his wife, who is starting to regain consciousness. “Are you feeling alright dear?”

“Yes. I assume the fact that I’m lying on the floor means that actually just happened?” the Queen says.

“Yes!” the princess screams. “Yes it fucking does!”

“Language,” her mother says.

The princess has an epiphany: “Does that mean I can marry Rose now?” She scans the room: “Rose, if I don’t have to become the next Queen, does that mean you do want to date me?”

“It does mean we have to figure out who does become the next heir, though.” Rose points out.

“Oh crap, a quest.”

“Language!” at least four people chime in.

“You don’t understand – you have to come!” the Princess exclaims. “I diverted a dragon, bartered with dwarves for clothes warm enough to trek through these mountains, and exchanged riddles with the witch.”

The hospital director looks her over: “You don’t look like a princess.”

“Well, it’s a bit of a long story. Baby mix-up: you should’ve been raised at court to do… court-stuff. I was actually raised at court, but I’m terrible at it. I was never supposed to be a princess.” She considers what she knows of the director: clearly the same age, but running a complete hospital. So: ambitious, capable, mind for logistics, and likely good with people. Likely won’t respond to direct flattery, but indirect might work. “Look, what our country needs is someone who can make it run smoothly,” she says. “And clearly, you can run things.” She relaxes a bit when the director doesn’t challenge that. She realises they’ve gathered an audience of nurses, doctors, and patients in their pajamas. Some of them cautiously nod. “I have nothing to offer but the image of a party girl and some outdoorsmanship.”

“You slayed a dragon,” the director offers.

“Diverted it – I couldn’t kill it.”

“See: you’re a good person! You’re young, you can still learn.”

“No, I mean, I was physically incapable. That was one huge monster.” The Princess shudders at the memory. “You know what, come with me to the palace, meet my folks. They’re lovely people – in their own way – and get a feel for the position. If after a year or two, you decide it’s not for you, you can always go back to running your provincial hospital.”

The director frowns: “Two years is too long. Six months.”

“Eighteen.”

“Fifteen.”

“Twelve?”

“I don’t know why I’m agreeing to this.” The director says, but she shakes the princess’ hand. “Twelve months. And the palace provides funds to run the hospital in my absence.”

“Done,” the princess says amiably. “You’re making the right call here.”

Fandom: Teen Wolf
Pairing: Chris Argent & Noah Stilinski
Rating: gen
Word count: 1311

The fic idea that has been bouncing around in my head since I realised that both Chris and Noah had lost their wives. So maybe Noah had some pointer on dealing with that?

Five times Chris Argent and Noah Stilinski bonded online and one they did it IRL

After the funeral, Noah presses a small business card in Chris’ hand. Chris turns it over, but it only has a url. Noah looks a bit uncomfortable: “Look, I’m not going to tell you to talk about it, but you’re not the first person to lose their partner. So if you’re looking to talk to someone who understands, there’s a forum.”

“Thanks sheriff,” Chris says, and tucks the card away into the pocket of his jacket.

“Call me Noah,” he says.

1: Claudia’s birthday

Almost_jason_bourne signed on

JohnnyCage signed on

JohnnyCage: today would’ve been her birthday. Went to her grave with Kiddo. When we were there, I realised he’d been without her as long as he’d been with her

JohnnyCage: but hey, I didn’t drink, so there’s that

Almost_jason_bourne: that is still years ahead for me. Must be a weird notion.

JohnnyCage: apart from kiddo, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But every year that passes, as kiddo grows up, it’s like the rest of my life just keeps going on.

JohnnyCage: today I had the realisation that I might be taking grandkids to the grave one day

Almost_jason_bourne: I’m not sure if that’s awesome or depressing

JohnnyCage: bit of both, really.

JohnnyCage: though kiddo suggests I could start dating again

Almost_jason_bourne: do you want to?

JohnnyCage: in theory? Maybe. In practice: haven’t really met anyone interesting, I guess.

Almost_jason_bourne: there’s no timeline for these things, you know

JohnnyCage: thanks for throwing my words back at me

Almost_jason_bourne: any time :)

When Chris logs off from the chat, he feels a little lighter. He empties his coffee and wonders if he could arrange to meet JohnnyCage in real life. He could perhaps drop a hint when he goes on another business trip.

2: when Noah almost figured out his son’s sexuality

Almost_jason_bourne signed on

JohnnyCage signed on

Almost_jason_bourne: Did you finally catch the new Bond?

JohnnyCage: Yes, kid and I went yesterday

JohnnyCage: M’s death hurt. Kiddo cried I think, it was like Bond lost his mother.

Almost_jason_bourne: la generalissima was really smitten with this incarnation of Eve

JohnnyCage: Kiddo is smitten with the new Q. Not sure if he wants to be him or do him, you know.

Almost_jason_bourne: Is it time for the “you know you can tell me anything?”

JohnnyCage: We’ve had that conversation. Or at least, I tried

JohnnyCage: He says he’s not gay -and I believe him

JohnnyCage: he’s had a crush on a girl for years

JohnnyCage: and even if he didn’t, his best friend couldn’t keep his mouth shut if he tried

Almost_jason_bourne: He could be bisexual?

JohnnyCage: That would

JohnnyCage: that would explain

JohnnyCage: so much

JohnnyCage: definitely time for the “you can tell me anything” speech

Almost_jason_bourne: you’re welcome. Whatever you say, it’s going to be better than what my parents said.

JohnnyCage: i’m sorry to hear that.

Almost_jason_bourne: it’s a long time. Finding the wife kinda helped.

JohnnyCage: anything i should avoid?

Almost_jason_bourne: “it’s just a phase”

Almost_jason_bourne: “don’t think you can bring a man into this house”

Almost_jason_bourne: don’t force his hand, he might be in the process of figuring it out himself. Oh and fair warning

JohnnyCage: oh god

Almost_jason_bourne: crushes on close same-sex friends are pretty much a par on course, and a source of of teenage angsting

JohnnyCage: now i’m wondering if they’ve ever shared a bed since puberty kicked in

Almost_jason_bourne: ah, you know which one it is

JohnnyCage: pretty much. Well, there might be another one.

JohnnyCage: there’s no way i can un-think any of that, right?

Almost_jason_bourne: if he wants to talk to someone who’s been there, i’m here.

3: When Allison started dating again

Almost_jason_bourne online

JohnnyCage is signing on

JohnnyCage: how was dinner?

Almost_jason_bourne: awkward anyway

Almost_jason_bourne: She had wanted to take her boyfriend.

JohnnyCage: That’s no fun. Did you manage to salvage anything?

Almost_jason_bourne: Eventually.

Almost_jason_bourne: I pulled the “I’m only doing this because I love you” card

JohnnyCage: Does that still work on her?

Almost_jason_bourne: sort of

Almost_jason_bourne: she’s doing her homework

JohnnyCage: you’re doing better than me.

JohnnyCage: Is he allowed in your house?

Almost_jason_bourne: they’re doing homework together right now. No sleepovers

JohnnyCage: what do his parents think of the dating situation

Almost_jason_bourne: not in the picture

JohnnyCage: ?

Almost_jason_bourne: orphan.

Almost_jason_bourne: I just want her to be safe, and she keeps throwing herself into danger

JohnnyCage: I know that feeling

JohnnyCage: my friend tells me ‘keeping her safe’ is not what you’re supposed to be doing though

JohnnyCage: you’re supposed to give them what they need to deal with whatever life throws at them

Almost_jason_bourne: I’ll keep trying to remember that

Almost_jason_bourne: but she’s so young

JohnnyCage: gotta go, duty calls

Almost_jason_bourne: at this hour?

JohnnyCage: crime never sleeps

JohnnyCage signed off

Almost_jason_bourne: are you

Almost_jason_bourne signed off

4: When Allison and Stiles graduated

Almost_jason_bourne: la generalissima is graduating in a few weeks

JohnnyCage: Congrats! (she is the in the same year as kiddo, I remember)

JohnnyCage: how do you feel about it?

Almost_jason_bourne: mixed, tbh

JohnnyCage: thb?

Almost_jason_bourne: To Be Honest

JohnnyCage: right

Almost_jason_bourne: the Mrs was great at these events. I’m pretty sure la generalissma really misses her too now - it’s as if she’s extra not here.

Noah stops himself from typing to allow Almost_jason_bourne some time to write out what he feels.

Almost_jason_bourne: we moved around a lot, so la generalissma eventually got held back a year. I was worried she’d stop caring about school, but that hasn’t happened. I’m even weirded out that she hasn’t.

JohnnyCage: does she have a group of friends that care about academics?

Almost_jason_bourne: now that I think of it: her best friend is a certified genius, her boyfriends works both try to put in the work. So yes, I think so.

JohnnyCage: sometimes peer pressure helps, I suppose

JohnnyCage: if the norm is working hard, that’s what they’ll do

Almost_jason_bourne: oh, you’re not going to tell me it’s my own fault for burying myself in work?

JohnnyCage: you have a therapist for that, I’m sure

Almost_jason_bourne: my therapist doesn’t tell me these things!

JohnnyCage: maybe you need a better therapist :)

JohnnyCage: did I do the face thing right?

5: When the house got too quiet

Almost_jason_bourne online

JohnnyCage is signing on

Almost_jason_bourne: hey, you’re back!

JohnnyCage: yes - kiddo has successfully moved to college. How was your weekend?

Almost_jason_bourne: same - moving la generalissima to her new campus and trying not to cry that she’s too young to be out there on her own

JohnnyCage: maybe we’re too old to be out here on our own?

Almost_jason_bourne: speak for yourself. I can cook my own meals!

JohnnyCage: right for the jugular

Almost_jason_bourne: anyway, so I’m playing an old record V used to love and tell her that we did good.

JohnnyCage: I’m taking a drink tonight and pour one out for her

Almost_jason_bourne: that’s quite pagan :)

JohnnyCage: we have Polish roots, which means there’s pagan elements buried everywhere

JohnnyCage: pun not intended

Almost_jason_bourne: hey, I’ve noticed we’re online in the same timeframe a lot, even with your working hours. Do you think maybe we should meet irl some time?

Chris sits down in the coffeeshop where he had agreed to meet his online friend. He stirs his coffee aimlessly. The doorbell jingles and he sees the sheriff coming in. The sheriff surveys the crowd, and his eyes settle on Chris. For a moment, Chris fears that he’s coming to bring bad news, but he’s in civilian clothes and he doesn’t look troubled. That’s when he realises and his face breaks in a smile. As the corners of his mouth start curving he sees realisation dawn on the sheriff’s face as well. Chris gets up to greet him.

“Noah, good to see you,” he says, trying to shake hands, but the sheriff is not having it and hugs him instead.

Fandom: Teen Wolf
Main pairing: Derek Hale/Lydia Martin
Background pairing: Scott McCall/Stiles Stilinski
Wordcount: 901
Additional tags: getting together, outsider pov, fluff, seven days seven stories

I Can't Believe You Didn't Tell Me

Scott is doing the last bit of clean-up in the living room so that they can have pack night. They don’t have it as often as they did in college, and Scott takes up hosting only about half the time, the rest of the pack takes turns. He smells Stiles’ excitement before he hears it.

“Scottie,” Stiles yells from the kitchen, “Derek is holding open the car door for someone - did you know Derek was bringing someone? Is that…? Derek and Lydia are holding hands!”

“Took them long enough!” Scott answers from the living room.

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t see that coming?” Scott says. “Well good for you on being over that, then.”

“Good for you, you mean,” Stiles grins. “Wait, you knew?”

“I suspected.”

“When did that happen?”

“The first inkling was about six months ago.”

The pack meeting is winding down, as the betas start saying their goodbyes before heading to their homes. Lydia opens her backpack and turns to Derek.

“So, I’m working on this text,” she opens, and Scott is surprised to have her scent spike with anxiety, “and I need a second pair of eyes on them. You do translations, right?”

Derek leans in, to look over the text. “French. Seventeenth century?” he estimates.

“Which is why I’m asking you.”

“It’s not my specialisation, but I will happily see what I can do, and maybe put you in touch with someone who knows more?”

“Excellent. Can I come by tomorrow afternoon?”

Derek smiles, “sure. I’ll probably be doing nothing more exciting than the crossword.”

They smile at each other slightly wider than the promise of seventeenth century French text warrants, Scott thinks to himself, but then tells himself that he is neither a mathematical historian nor a linguistic specialist. Possibly they’re just happy someone sees the value in their respective pursuits.

“Really? She had him help her with her homework?” Stiles yelps. “If I’d known that works I would have been so much more successful at dating years ago!”

“Second hint was a little later. Do you remember when we went to see Black Panther for the second time?”

“Of course.”

“So, I kinda ran into Derek there.”

Scott is at the cinema to pick up their tickets. He’s old fashioned that way, he likes having the physical tickets on hand beforehand, and scrapbooking them afterwards. He looks up when he smells a familiar scent. Derek is on the phone looking up at the listings.

“Nine sounds doable. We could have dinner beforehand?” Scott smiles a little, it’s been long since Derek looked so hopeful. “No, I’ll book us a table, you focus on writing, I will provide the rewards.” Scott tries to figure out who Derek is talking to without hearing the voice. Lydia is at Berkeley working on her PhD in mathematics, and that’s the only person Scott knows to be writing anything. Lydia and Derek? “Okay, I’ll see you Friday, now write. Bye!” Derek hangs up. “Hey Scott,” he says, “picking up tickets too?”

“Yup, we’re seeing Black Panther.”

“Oh nice.” Derek tries to sound enthusiastic about a superhero movie.

“Not really your speed, I know. What are you seeing?”

“There’s an open air screening of an Italian movie next week. I’m making sure we have tickets.”

“Romantic,” Scott comments. “Who’s the lucky one?”

“I am,” Derek says with a shy smile. “It’s kind of new, we’re still figuring it out. We both have... histories. We’re taking it slow.”

Scott nods in understanding, and moves over to hug Derek, scent marking him. “You’re a good guy, Derek. Anyone should be lucky to have you.”

Stiles walks in the living room, gesticulating with emotion. “You knew Derek and Lydia were dating, and you didn’t tell me?”

“I didn’t know for sure. I figured they’d tell us when they were ready.”

“Six months, Scott!”

“I know. As I said, long time coming. I think they got together about two weeks ago.”

Scott goes for an early grocery run on Saturday morning while Stiles is still at the Sheriff’s station. He doesn’t sleep well when Stiles has the night shift anyway. He is surprised to see Derek there, who clearly has not been sleeping much over the night, but smells delighted anyway. Scott walks up to him, and spots blueberries and fresh milk in his cart.

“Good night or good morning?” Scott asks. For once in his life, Scott has managed to startle Derek. He should probably scrapbook that event.

Derek recovers quickly: “both.”

Scott smiles, and nods at the cart, “I think that’s a safe bet. I won’t keep you. Have fun.” He spots a strawberry blonde hair on Derek’s shirt and carefully says nothing about it. “I’m going to find the spinach. Stiles has had the night shift, which means I have to feed him vegetables today.”

“You do that.”

Derek seems unwilling to hug for once, probably still high on the scent of his lover, and Scott does not want to spoil a good thing for his beta. They nod and go their separate ways.

The doorbell rings, and Stiles goes to open. Scott listens in from the living room, idly tugging at the corner of the table cloth.

“I can’t believe Scottie knew before I did. Congratulations, you traitors, I hope you make each other really happy.” There's a rustle of clothing that likely means Stiles is hugging them both.