#dovesdreaming

Alex Karev had a reputation. Everyone knew he was gruff, blunt, and about as cuddly as barbed wire. So when you quiet, nervous, always double-checking charts three times before presenting them, ended up working alongside him, the other interns were quick to whisper warnings. But then they saw it.

“Hey, don’t hover. You’ll drive yourself nuts” Alex muttered one afternoon when he caught you pacing with a patient file. He took it gently from your hands, scanned it, and tapped the margin with his pen. “You did it right. Relax”

You blinked at him, wide eyed, like no one had ever said that to you before. And he…softened. Just a little.

By the time you followed him into rounds, sticking close but quiet, Alex was already slowing down his usual stride so you didn’t have to scramble to keep up. He tossed you questions, not the brutal trick kind he used on everyone else, but the ones he knew you could answer. When you hesitated, he gave you the smallest nod, silent reassurance.

Cristina narrowed her eyes from across the hallway. “Okay, what is that?” she demanded. “Since when does Karev play emotional support intern?”

“Yeah” Meredith added, smirking. “I think he likes the shy one”

Alex shot them both a glare. “Shut up” But when you tugged at your sleeve nervously beside him, he leaned down just enough to murmur, “Don’t listen to them. You’re doing just fine” And somehow, no one could quite figure out how the hospital’s resident tough guy had turned into your personal shield. Except you who felt, for once, like you actually belonged in your role.

Seattle Grace was chaotic on a good day, and today was anything but good. The ER was packed, and Alex was already over it, feeling the familiar irritation building in his chest as he stalked through the hospital corridors. He had patients to deal with, charts piling up, and he was pretty sure someone had taken the last cup of coffee in the break room. As he turned the corner, he almost ran straight into someone a figure with a lab coat far too big for her frame, clutching a stack of files like her life depended on it. She stumbled back, her eyes wide with panic. “Watch it!” Alex snapped out of reflex, his mood getting the best of him. But then he actually looked at her.

She was new, he could tell. Probably an intern, though she barely looked like she belonged in a hospital at all. She had soft features and the most nervous expression he’d ever seen. Her hands fidgeted with the files, and she looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor. “I’m so sorry!” she managed to get out, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t mean to-uh, I’m just-I’ll move-“ Alex raised an eyebrow, his annoyance fading into something else. He wasn’t used to seeing people this timid around here. Most of the interns were cocky, desperate to prove themselves. This one? She looked like she’d rather hide in a broom closet than face another minute of hospital chaos.

“What’s your name?” Alex asked, his tone less sharp than usual. “Y/N” she said quickly, blinking up at him. “I just started last week. I’m still figuring things out”. He could tell. She was still clutching the files like they were going to escape, and she wasn’t meeting his gaze for more than a second at a time. Alex was used to being intimidating, but something about her made him dial it back, just a little. “Yeah, well, you might want to figure out where you’re going before you run into people” he said, but the edge in his voice was gone. “What department are you in?” “I’m supposed to be in pediatrics today” she said, glancing down at the files as if they might hold the answer. “But I got lost, and-” “Peds?” Alex interrupted, suddenly interested. “That’s my department. Come on, I’ll show you where it is”.

“Her eyes widened in surprise, and she nodded quickly, scurrying after him as he led the way. Alex wasn’t sure why he’d offered to help, but something about her made him want to keep an eye on her. She looked too fragile, too sweet for a place like Seattle Grace. And for some reason, he didn’t want her to get chewed up by the hospital like so many others.

Over the next few weeks, Y/N kept popping up in Alex’s orbit. She was quiet, always doing her work with a shy determination, never drawing attention to herself. Most of the time, she was shadowing other attendings, but every now and then, Alex would catch her watching him, her eyes wide with curiosity. He couldn’t help but notice the way she treated her patients, especially the kids. She was gentle, kind, always smiling softly as she spoke to them. It was the kind of bedside manner Alex knew he didn’t have, but it was also the kind that worked. The kids loved her, and even the parents seemed to relax when she was around.

One day, after a particularly long surgery, Alex found her in the break room, sitting in a corner with a cup of tea and a medical textbook. She looked up when he walked in, her eyes widening slightly as if she hadn’t expected anyone else to be there. “Hey” Alex said, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting across from her. He didn’t know why he sat down, but there was something calming about her presence. “How’s it going?” “Oh, um, good” she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously. “Just, you know… studying”. “Yeah, I can see that”. Alex took a sip of his coffee, eyeing her over the rim of his cup. “You’ve been in peds a lot lately”. She nodded, her cheeks turning pink under his scrutiny. “I like working with the kids. They’re… easier to talk to, I guess”. Alex raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Easier than the attendings?” She let out a soft laugh, the sound like music to his ears. “Sometimes”. For the first time, she seemed to relax a little, her shoulders loosening as they sat in companionable silence. Alex was used to small talk, to people trying to impress him or challenge him, but Y/N didn’t seem to be interested in any of that. She was content to just sit there, sipping her tea and reading her book. It was..nice.

The more Alex saw of Y/N, the more he found himself drawn to her. There was something about the way she moved through the hospital, quietly competent but never cocky, that intrigued him. She was nothing like the people he usually gravitated toward, but maybe that was exactly why he couldn’t get her out of his head. One afternoon, after a particularly tough case involving a young girl with a chronic illness, Alex found Y/N sitting by the window in the peds ward. The sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a soft glow on her as she stared out at the city below. “Hey” Alex said, walking over and leaning against the wall beside her. “You alright?” She looked up at him, her eyes filled with an emotion he couldn’t quite place. “It’s just… hard sometimes, you know?” Alex knew exactly what she meant. Pediatrics could be brutal. You got attached to the kids, and sometimes, no matter what you did, it wasn’t enough.

“Yeah” he said quietly, his voice softer than usual. “It is”. They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the day pressing down on both of them. Alex wasn’t used to talking about this stuff, he usually kept his walls up, kept his emotions locked away. But something about Y/N made him feel like he didn’t have to. Like she wouldn’t judge him for having a bad day, for caring too much.

“I don’t know how you do it” Y/N said after a while, her voice barely a whisper. “You’re so strong. I feel like I’m always on the verge of falling apart”. Alex glanced at her, surprised by the raw honesty in her voice. “You’re stronger than you think” he said, his tone firm. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t”. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and vulnerable. For a moment, Alex thought she might cry, but instead, she smiled a soft, shy smile that made his heart skip a beat “Thanks” she whispered, and Alex felt something inside him shift.

It wasn’t long before everyone in the hospital started noticing the change in Alex. He was still his usual sarcastic, tough self, but there was a new softness to him, a gentleness that hadn’t been there before. And it didn’t take long for people to figure out why. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with the new intern” Meredith remarked one afternoon, her voice teasing as she leaned against the nurses’ station. “Something you want to share?” Alex shot her a look, but there was no heat behind it. “She’s just..different”. “Different, huh?” Meredith smirked. “Alex Karev has a crush on the sweet, shy intern. Who would’ve thought?”He rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t deny it. Y/N was different, and the more time he spent with her, the more he realized just how much she meant to him. It wasn’t just that she was sweet, or shy, or that she had a way with the kids. It was the way she saw the world, quietly, thoughtfully, with a kindness that Alex had never really experienced before. She made him feel like he didn’t have to be the tough guy all the time, like it was okay to just be… himself.And that was something Alex hadn’t felt in a long time.

One evening, after a long shift, Alex found Y/N sitting outside the hospital, her face tilted up toward the fading sunlight. He sat down beside her, their shoulders brushing as they watched the sky change from orange to pink. “Long day?” he asked, his voice low. “Yeah” she replied softly. “But it’s getting better”. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the world fading away as the sun dipped below the horizon. For once, Alex didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with words. Being with Y/N was enough. And as he sat there, feeling her warmth beside him, Alex realized something: he didn’t want to keep her at arm’s length anymore.

“Y/N” he said quietly, turning to look at her. “I like spending time with you”. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “You do?” Alex nodded, feeling a little unsteady, but he was never one to shy away from saying what he meant. “Yeah, I do. You’re… different from anyone I’ve met before. In a good way”.

Y/N’s cheeks flushed pink, and she glanced down, her fingers playing nervously with the hem of her scrub top. “I… I like spending time with you too” she admitted, her voice soft but sincere. “I didn’t think you’d even notice me, honestly”. Alex frowned, confused by her words. “Why wouldn’t I notice you?” She shrugged, still not looking up. “I’m not exactly… outgoing or confident. I just figured someone like you wouldn’t-well, wouldn’t be interested in someone like me”. Alex shifted closer, leaning in so that their knees were almost touching. “What do you mean, ‘someone like me’? You’re a great doctor, and you’re good with the kids. Who cares if you’re not loud or whatever?”

Y/N finally looked up, her eyes searching his. “It’s just… you’re so confident, Alex. You’re tough. I’m nothing like that”. Alex let out a small laugh, but there was no mockery in it, just a hint of disbelief. “You think I’m confident? Half the time, I’m just winging it, same as everyone else”. Her eyes softened, like she was seeing him in a new light. “But you don’t seem like it. You always look like you have everything under control”.

“Yeah, well, that’s just a mask” Alex said, his voice lowering as he leaned back against the bench. “I didn’t grow up with a lot of control, so I learned how to fake it. Doesn’t mean I don’t have my own doubts”. Y/N seemed to process that for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. “I didn’t know…” Alex shrugged, not wanting to get too deep into his past, but he didn’t mind sharing a little with her. “Everyone’s got stuff they don’t talk about. But you-” he paused, glancing at her with a small smile, “-you don’t need to pretend to be anything you’re not. You’re perfect just the way you are”.

Y/N smiled, shy but more sure of herself now. “I don’t think anyone’s ever told me that before”. “Well, they should have” Alex said, his voice firm. “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I like you, Y/N. And I mean like you. I just… wasn’t sure how to tell you”. Y/N blinked, and for a moment, Alex wondered if he’d gone too far, if he’d made her uncomfortable. But then her face lit up with a shy, beautiful smile, the kind that made something inside him soften. “I like you too, Alex” she whispered, her voice barely audible but carrying enough weight to make his heart race. “I just didn’t think you’d feel the same”. Alex let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Well, now you know”. For a moment, they just sat there, looking at each other. There was something easy about it, something that made Alex feel like he didn’t have to put up his usual walls. He didn’t need to act tough or pretend he didn’t care. Y/N saw through all of that, and she liked him anyway. He didn’t know why, but he wasn’t going to question it. “So” Y/N said after a while, her voice hesitant but hopeful, “what happens now?” Alex chuckled softly, his usual cockiness slipping back in, but this time it was gentler, more genuine. “Well, now that we’ve got the awkward confessions out of the way, I’m thinking we could, you know… see where this goes”. She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I’d like that”.

After that night, things shifted between them. It wasn’t sudden or dramatic, Alex wasn’t the kind of guy who’d show up with grand gestures or make big, romantic speeches. But he was there, in the little moments. He’d walk with her between rounds, steal moments in the break room, and sometimes, when they were alone, he’d brush a hand across her back in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. At first, it was subtle enough that no one seemed to notice, but it wasn’t long before people started talking. Meredith gave Alex a knowing look when she saw him lingering around Y/N a little longer than necessary, and even Cristina, who usually didn’t care about anyone’s personal life, raised an eyebrow when she saw them leaving the hospital together one evening.

“You two?” she’d said flatly, gesturing between them. Alex rolled his eyes. “Yeah, so what?” Cristina shrugged, clearly uninterested. “Nothing. Just didn’t think you’d go for someone so… sweet”. Y/N blushed, and Alex glared at Cristina, but there was no real malice in it. “Yeah, well, not everyone’s a robot like you”. Cristina smirked and walked away without another word, but Alex could see the way Y/N’s cheeks were still flushed from embarrassment. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “Ignore her. She doesn’t get it”. Y/N smiled up at him, her nervousness fading. “I think I’m starting to”.

As their relationship deepened, Alex found himself letting Y/N into parts of his life he usually kept locked away. He didn’t open up easily, but with her, it felt different. She didn’t push, didn’t demand more than he was willing to give. She just… understood. And somehow, that made it easier to be around her. They spent late nights together, either in the hospital or grabbing takeout when they both had time off. Alex would tease her when she got flustered, and she’d laugh in that quiet way of hers that made him want to hear it again and again. The thing that surprised Alex the most, though, was how much she challenged him. For all her shyness, Y/N wasn’t afraid to stand her ground when it came to her patients. He saw a fierceness in her when she thought someone wasn’t getting the care they deserved, and that fire was something Alex admired.

“You’re not as shy as people think you are” he told her one evening, as they sat on the couch in his apartment, her head resting on his shoulder. She smiled softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his hand. “I guess I’m not. You make me feel..more confident”. Alex smirked, squeezing her hand. “Good. Because you’re pretty damn amazing when you show it”. Y/N blushed, and Alex leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

Eventually, word got out about them. It was bound to happen in a hospital like Seattle Grace. But to Alex’s surprise, he didn’t care. He usually hated being the center of gossip, but when it came to Y/N, he wasn’t interested in hiding. One afternoon, they were walking out of the hospital together, and Alex could feel the eyes of a few nurses on them. He glanced down at Y/N, noticing the way she fidgeted slightly under the scrutiny. “You okay?” he asked, slowing his pace. Y/N nodded, though her expression was still shy. “Yeah, it’s just… people are staring”. Alex stopped walking, turning to face her. “Let them. I don’t care what they think. I’m with you”. Her eyes widened slightly at his words, but then she smiled a bright, genuine smile that made Alex’s heart skip a beat. “I’m with you too”. And that was all that mattered.

- Maybe cliche but he was a goner the moment your eyes locked. He felt like time slowed and everything around you both disappeared yet the trance quickly broke as your eyes had carried on glancing around the corridor. He knew from then on he had to win your attention

- He would definitely leave anonymous notes with flowers in your locker hoping you’d be able to figure it out on your own (that was not the case

- His friends would get tired of him yearning after you. He would literally try to insert you into every conversation “hey did you see the way she wore her hair today?” “She smiled at me, actually smiled at me!”. They were beyond fed up

- He would definitely talk about you to his parents. They would smile at each other and give each other knowing nods noticing the sparkle in his eyes when he spoke about you

- When he eventually plucked up the courage to actually talk to you he might stumble over his words a bit but you didn’t seem to mind acting quite bashful yourself after admiring him from afar for awhile (which he hadn’t seen)

- Would always invite you to his sports game and would nervously watch the stands fill up, spotting you immediately when you arrived. If you were ever late his team mates would have gotten an earful “why isn’t here yet?” “Did I make her mad today?”

- Would always point to you in the stands and blow you a kiss after scoring any points for his team

- Called you his lucky charm and always claimed he need a good luck kiss before every match

- Quite needy and always wants to be around you whether that be cuddling with you or just sitting next to you

- Still continued to give you flowers but face to face this timed (definitely knows your favourite flower)

- Shyly admits to being the culprit behind the notes and flowers but you cut him off with a kiss which turns him to mush

"Hey, bloodsucker” You glanced up from your untouched tray to find Benny sliding into the seat beside you, his signature smirk firmly in place. Ethan followed, offering a more timid smile as he sat across from you.

"Hey, spell nerd” You shot back, nudging him with your shoulder. "Aren't you supposed to be getting your daily allowance of pizza grease and regret?"

"Already inhaled it” Benny grinned, wiggling his fingers. "Gotta keep these bad boys powered up for casting spells and charming ladies”.

You snorted. "Guess it's only working for the spells, then”.

Ethan sputtered a laugh while Benny clutched his chest dramatically. "Wounded! The love of my life, the immortal goddess of my dreams, disrespects me in front of my own best friend!"

"More like in front of your only friend” you corrected, stealing a fry off his tray.

Benny's grin widened. "Please, if I didn’t know any better, I'd think you like me”.

Your eyes rolled, a smile tugging at the corner of your mouth. "Yeah, yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night”. From across the table, Ethan sighed and shot Sarah a pointed look when she walked up. She glanced between you and Benny and muttered, "Just get together already. We're all sick of this, literally I can feel my breakfast coming back up from the sight of you two”.

"Yeah, okay” Benny said easily, looping an arm around your shoulders and squeezing. "Right after she finally admits she's madly in love with me”.

Your laugh bubbled up, sharp and instinctive, and you swatted his hand away. "In your dreams, Weir”. But the way his arm had draped over your shoulders, warm and casual felt more natural than you’d like to admit.

After lunch classes continued and you managed to clear the thoughts of bennys teasing from your head instead focusing on whatever the teacher was droning on about. After another lot of homework was dumped on your work pile you knew it was gonna be another afternoon in the library with benny again. You didn’t know whether this made you feel excited or nervous.

"Are you even listening to me?"

Benny’s head snapped up from his phone, eyes wide. “Huh? Yeah, of course!”

You lifted an eyebrow, pointing to the notes sprawled across the table. "Oh, really? So what’s the answer to number four?”

He squinted at the paper. “Uh… B?”

“It’s a math question, Benny”.

He sighed, flopping back in his chair. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. I just don’t get why we need algebra. Do you think I’ll be fighting vampires with the quadratic formula?”

“Well, no, but-“

“Exactly! I need to be studying important things, like defense spells, potion recipes… your favorite blood type” He grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Gross” you snorted. “And I don’t have a favorite, you dork”.

“Come on” Benny leaned in, his face inches from yours. “Aren’t you a little curious? Like, what if your dream blood is out there? What if it’s mine?”

You laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. “Benny, I already know your blood would taste like Mountain Dew and bad decisions”

“Ouch” He pressed a hand to his chest, but his smile never faltered. “Lucky for you, I think all your vampire stuff is hot anyway”.

Your stomach did a weird little flip, but you quickly shot him a smirk. “Don’t you have a spell or class to be failing?”

You tried to put your head back down to concentrate on your work, you really wanted this done so it was one less thing on your mind but you knew with Benny around it’d take an immense amount of willpower to resist his presence. Willpower you didn’t posses so you gave in. You’d just have to complete the homework tonight like usual, you don’t know why you kept inviting him to your study sessions.

What you didn’t anticipate was that later would never come for your homework. You had sat down at your desk to finally complete it when your stomach growled but not for food, curse being a vampire. An overwhelming need for blood took over, the sort of craving you haven’t had since you started giving up human blood.

It led to a near slip-up. You’d felt that ache, that hunger clawing at you, so close to the edge of losing control. You didn’t know who else to go to, who else could calm you down like he did.

Benny had found you sitting on the curb outside his house, face buried in your hands. When he sat beside you, you didn’t have the energy to pretend.

“I almost…” you whispered, voice thick. “I could’ve hurt someone”. He was quiet, the stillness stretching. When you dared to look at him, his gaze was steady. Warm.

“But you didn’t” he finally said. “And you won’t. You’re stronger than that”.

“What if I’m not?” you murmured.

“Then I’ll be right there. I’ll help you”.

It was so simple, so Benny, that your throat tightened. “Why are you always like this?”

He blinked, a lopsided smile breaking through. “Because I’m in love with you, obviously”.

“Benny-“

“I’m serious”.

You shook your head, but the weight of his sincerity settled heavily on your shoulders. This was Benny. Always flirty, always playing around. You heart couldn’t take another punch tonight so you just let his words roll off of you.

You were thankful when Friday night finally came. Finally able to rest and not worry about school and of course being able to hang out with your friends. Friday is movie night at Ethan’s place, and as usual, Benny sat sprawled across the couch, his head resting on your lap. You ran your fingers absentmindedly through his hair, your eyes half-watching the screen while Ethan and Sarah whispered snide remarks beside you.

“Are we watching the movie or the world’s slowest confession?” Sarah muttered, nudging Ethan.

Ethan snickered, and you shot them both a playful glare. "I heard that”.

"Good!" Sarah grinned. "Maybe you'll finally realize what literally everyone else has”.

Benny craned his neck up to face you, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh, you mean how I'm desperately, hopelessly, and completely in love with her?"

You laughed, nudging his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, Benny. Keep dreaming”.

Ethan and Sarah exchanged a knowing look, but you chose to ignore it. It was just Benny being Benny. Flirty, bold, and impossible to take seriously.

Later, when the others had finally retreated to their own homes, you and Benny found yourselves alone in his room. The hum of his computer filled the quiet, and you leaned back against the wall, watching as he messed with some spell book he had picked up from Grandma Weir's collection.

"You're lucky you don't have to deal with this magic stuff” Benny said, flipping a page. "All you gotta do is look hot and, you know, not eat anyone”.

You rolled your eyes, but a soft laugh escaped. "Yeah, because resisting bloodlust is just that easy”.

His gaze softened, the usual playfulness fading into something sincere. "Hey, I know it's not. And I know you’re always worried about... slipping up or whatever. But you’re not a monster, okay?" It wasn't the first time he'd said something like that, reassured you that your vampire side didn't make you any less... you. But it still felt different every time.

You tried to brush off the way your chest tightened. "Yeah, well, you’re just saying that because you think I’m 'hot and badass.'"

"And because I love you” he added smoothly, a grin flickering at his lips.

You laughed, the sound wavering just slightly. "Oh, please”.

He set the book down and turned to face you fully. His smile softened, his eyes searching yours. “I’m serious, you know. I love you. Not just in the ‘oh wow, she’s hot’ way. In the 'I think about you all the time and want to be around you forever' way”.

Your smile faltered, caught between disbelief and something that felt like hope. Something was different about the way he was saying those words now. “You- you can’t be serious”.

Benny’s eyes never wavered. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve been trying to tell you this whole time”

Because you were a vampire. Because you had parts of you that craved blood and darkness, parts that scared you sometimes. Because Benny deserved someone easy and safe.

“Because I’m a vampire, Benny” It came out weaker than you intended.

He stepped closer, his hands reaching out to gently hold your arms. “I don’t care. I think all of that just makes you more... you. And I think you’re amazing”.

Your mind spun, every instinct telling you to laugh it off like always. But the sincerity in his eyes wouldn’t let you.

“Are you- like, actually serious?” you whispered.

“Completely”

His face was inches from yours, his eyes warm and unwavering. You took a breath, feeling every hesitation crumble under his gaze.

“I think... I think I love you, too” you admitted quietly.

A grin broke across his face bright, infectious, so completely Benny. “Yeah?”

You rolled your eyes, the familiar banter slipping back into place. “Yes, idiot”.

Before you could second-guess yourself, you leaned in and kissed him, his breath hitching just before his lips met yours. When you pulled back, his grin was still there, but softer, sweeter.

Neverland was Peter Pan’s domain, a place where he controlled the rules, and everyone answered to him. Every Lost Boy followed his lead, every creature in the forest feared his shadow. And then there was you his equal, his confidant, his partner in crime and affection. Your presence had always kept Pan grounded, the thrill of your shared chaos as intoxicating as it was comforting. Yet there was a part of you that still held onto the world beyond Neverland, a curiosity that Peter both loved and feared. It was that curiosity that had drawn you to Wendy Darling.

She had been brought to Neverland as a bargaining chip, a pawn for Pan’s games. But Wendy was no ordinary pawn; she was clever and compassionate, and it didn’t take long for her to see through Pan’s manipulations. What he hadn’t expected was how quickly she found a place among the Lost Boys, and beside you.

Peter had noticed it from the start: the way your laughter rang louder when Wendy was near, the shared glances, the whispered conversations. He wasn’t sure what bothered him more. The way you seemed to gravitate toward Wendy or the way Wendy looked at you with wide-eyed admiration.

Peters jealousy was at an all time high when the three of you sat around the fire one night, the Lost Boys already dispersed into their huts or fallen asleep on the ground. Wendy sat beside you, her knees pulled to her chest, her face lit warmly by the firelight. Pan leaned back, arms crossed, watching the two of you closely. Wendy’s voice was soft but animated. “I just... I didn’t think Neverland would be like this. There’s so much more life here than I imagined”.

“Life and danger” Pan remarked, his voice more clipped than intended. You nudged him playfully, a gesture that usually softened his mood, but tonight it barely dented the tension knotting his chest.

“It’s both” you agreed with Wendy, your smile warm and genuine. “That’s why it’s amazing”. Wendy’s eyes lingered on you, and Peter saw the glimmer of admiration there. Or was it something more? His fingers dug into his arms, his jaw tightening.

“I could stay here forever” Wendy said quietly, looking at you rather than the island.

The air felt heavy. Peter’s smile faltered, sharpness glinting in his eyes. “Forever’s a long time, Darling. Especially here”. Wendy’s gaze flicked to Pan’s, startled by his tone. She shifted slightly, her shoulders stiffening. You shot Pan a pointed look, a silent reprimand that only stoked the frustration twisting inside him.

Over the next few days, Pan’s unease grew. He saw it in every interaction, Wendy’s shy smile when you taught her how to shoot an arrow, the way you leaned in close to show her how to set a snare, the way you brushed dirt from her cheek with a tenderness that twisted in his gut. When Wendy began to spend more time with the Lost Boys, Pan thought maybe things would return to normal. Instead, you drifted with her, laughing as you showed her around Neverland, while Peter watched from the shadows.

One evening, he found you both by the lagoon, your heads bent close together as you whispered and giggled. The sound dug into him, sharper than a blade. He approached, his presence breaking the moment. Wendy looked up first, her face bright with excitement.

“Peter! We were just talking about exploring the caves tomorrow. Y/N says they’re incredible”. Peter’s eyes flicked to you, but your expression was unreadable. The uncertainty made his throat tight.

“Funny,” he drawled, forcing a smirk. “I thought the caves were our thing, love”.

You stiffened slightly, catching the edge in his voice. “They still are, Pan. We were just talking”.

“Just talking” he echoed, the forced grin not reaching his eyes. “Right”.

Wendy glanced between the two of you, the atmosphere now heavy and uncomfortable. She shifted awkwardly. “Maybe... maybe I should head back”.

“No” you interjected, your gaze locking with Pan’s. “It’s fine, Wendy”. But she was already retreating, her smile awkward and apologetic. Pan watched her go, his chest aching with something ugly and unfamiliar. When you turned to him, your expression was caught between irritation and confusion.

“What is wrong with you?” you demanded.

“What’s wrong with me?” Peter’s voice was sharper than intended. “Maybe I should be asking what’s going on with you and Wendy”.

You blinked, the accusation hanging heavy between you. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on” Pan snapped. “The way she looks at you, the way you look at her. I’m not blind”.

Realization dawned in your eyes, and you scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping your lips. “Are you actually jealous right now?” Pan’s mouth opened, but no words came out. The accusation felt too close, too raw. “Wendy and I are friends” you said firmly. “That’s it”.

“But what if it wasn’t?” The question slipped out, a crack in his defenses. “What if she wanted more? What if you did?”

Your eyes softened, the sharpness of your expression fading. “Peter... I'm with you. I love you. And, yes, I'm bi, but that doesn't mean I want everyone who’s kind to me. It doesn’t change what I feel for you”.

The knot in Pan’s chest began to loosen, replaced by a guilty, aching relief. “I just... I see the way she looks at you, and I thought...”

“I care about Wendy” you admitted gently. “She’s amazing. But she’s not you. She doesn’t know me like you do”.

Peter’s gaze fell, the weight of his fear laid bare. “I thought maybe you’d realized I wasn’t enough. That someone else could give you more”.

You stepped closer, reaching out to touch his face, tilting his chin up until his eyes met yours. “No one could ever be you, Peter. No one else could ever matter like you do”. For a moment, the tension hung between you, a fragile, vulnerable thing. Then Pan leaned in, his forehead resting against yours, his breath shaky but steadying.

“Sorry I got jealous” he muttered looking at the ground.

Being the daughter of Meg and Hercules wasn’t easy. On one hand, you were expected to live up to your father’s reputation. The strong, brave hero of Olympus who could move mountains and defeat titans. People looked at you like you were supposed to be just like him- noble, pure, a shining example of what a demigod should be. But on the other hand, you were also Meg’s daughter. And that meant you were sarcastic, quick-witted, and more than a little cynical. If your dad was all about heroism, you were about surviving in a world where happy endings didn’t always happen. Your mother had made sure you understood that. She’d been there, done that, and wasn’t about to let you fall into the same traps she had.

You were, as people liked to say, the spitting image of Meg. From your sharp wit to the way you carried yourself, always with a knowing smirk and a hint of sass in your voice. You weren’t a wide-eyed optimist like so many people in Auradon. No, you knew better than that. Which was why Auradon Prep had become.. a little boring. The whole "perfect world" thing? Yeah, it got pretty old fast. Sure, there were plenty of bright, smiling faces and happily-ever-afters, but after a while, it all felt a bit fake. Like everyone was just pretending everything was perfect all the time. You needed something different. Something real. And then… Harry Hook showed up.

The first time you met Harry, you were standing by the docks, watching the Isle of the Lost kids as they arrived on their ship. Ben had done his whole "integration" thing, and now, here they were, villains' kids walking the pristine streets of Auradon. It was all very dramatic, with people whispering and staring at the new arrivals, like they were some kind of dangerous animals let loose in a zoo. You didn’t care about most of them. But then, you saw him. Harry Hook.

With his long coat, swaggering walk, and that trademark hook hanging from his hand, he made quite the entrance. His sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd, taking everything in like he was already planning his next move. His smirk was lazy, but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes that made you raise an eyebrow. And when his gaze landed on you? Oh, he noticed you too. His eyes flicked over your figure, taking in the sharpness of your features, the confidence in the way you stood. Unapologetic, like you didn’t care what anyone thought. It was enough to make him pause for a second, his smirk faltering before returning even wider.

“Aye, what do we have here?” he murmured as he sauntered over to you, his voice dripping with a Scottish lilt that sounded both amused and intrigued. “Didn’t know Auradon had girls like you”.

You crossed your arms, eyeing him up and down. “What? You thought we were all sunshine and rainbows?” He grinned, his hook tapping against his side as he stopped in front of you. “Somethin’ like that. But I think ye’re more storm clouds, lass. And I like that”. You gave him a dry smile, the corner of your lips lifting. “I aim to disappoint”. Harry’s grin didn’t falter. If anything, it grew wider. “Ah, ye’re trouble, aren’t ye? I can tell”. You shrugged, glancing at him with a bored expression. “If you’re looking for damsels in distress, you might want to look elsewhere”. “Damsels?” He raised an eyebrow, his smirk full of mischief. “I don’t do damsels. I like girls who fight back”. You tilted your head, feigning interest. “Good, because I’d rather throw myself off a cliff than need saving”.

He laughed, a deep sound that was rough around the edges, like he wasn’t used to laughing much. But there was something about you that seemed to break through his usual bravado. “Aye, I can tell”. After that, it was like a game between the two of you. Wherever you were, Harry wasn’t far behind, and every time he tried his usual pirate charm on you, you gave it right back with a smart remark or a sarcastic quip. He’d call you “lass” and you’d call him “Hook” with a roll of your eyes, but beneath all the teasing, there was something else. Something you weren’t quite ready to name.

Because despite all the back-and-forth banter, Harry Hook was different from the others. He wasn’t like the perfect princes of Auradon, who threw themselves at you with grand gestures and shining armor. No, Harry was raw. Real. He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t, and he didn’t expect you to either.You liked that about him, even if you’d never admit it.

One afternoon, you found yourself sitting by the lake, enjoying some peace and quiet when you heard footsteps behind you. You didn’t need to look to know who it was “Should’ve guessed you’d be here” you said, not even turning around as you leaned back on your elbows. Harry sat down next to you, close enough that you could feel the warmth of his body. “Can’t help meself” he said with a grin. “Ye’re just too much fun to annoy”. You glanced over at him, eyebrow raised. “If this is your idea of fun, you need a hobby”.

“Oh, I’ve got hobbies” he replied, his voice teasing. “But ye’re definitely the most interestin’ one so far”. You rolled your eyes, fighting back the smile that tugged at the corners of your lips. “You must be really bored”. Harry chuckled softly, but then his expression shifted, turning more serious. “Ye know, ye’re different from the rest of ‘em”.

That caught your attention. You turned to him, curious. “What do you mean?” He tapped his hook lightly against his leg, looking out at the water. “Auradon, it’s full of people pretendin’ to be somethin’ they’re not. All smiles and pretendin’ everythin’ is perfect. But you?” He looked at you with those intense blue eyes. “Ye don’t pretend. Ye’re real”.’You blinked, not expecting the honesty in his words. For a moment, you didn’t know what to say. You’d spent so long deflecting with sarcasm and wit that someone seeing through you like that threw you off balance. “I’m just me” you finally said, shrugging as if it didn’t matter. “Nothing special”. Harry’s gaze didn’t waver. “That’s where ye’re wrong, lass”.

There was something in his voice that made your heart skip a beat. You weren’t used to this, this raw, unfiltered honesty. People didn’t talk like that in Auradon. They didn’t look at you like they could see right through the mask. But Harry did. And, gods help you, you liked it. You cleared your throat, breaking the tension. “And here I thought pirates only cared about treasure”. Harry smirked, his teasing nature slipping back into place. “Aye, well, maybe I found somethin’ better”. Your heart did another unexpected flip at that, but you didn’t let it show. Instead, you gave him a lopsided smile. “If you think I’m going to swoon, you’ve got another thing coming”. Harry chuckled, shaking his head. “Nah, I wouldn’t want ye any other way”.

The two of you sat in comfortable silence after that, the sound of the water lapping against the shore filling the space between you. For once, there were no quips, no banter just a quiet understanding. Maybe you and Harry weren’t so different after all. Maybe, beneath the sarcasm and smirks, you were both just looking for something real. And maybe, just maybe, you’d found it in each other.

-

A sharp bust of pain cut through your eyebrow as the needle pierced your skin. Reactionary tears wet your bottom eyelids but were quickly blinked away as you started to open your eyes again. Your eyes darted around the room, pupils shrinking as they take back in the light. You spared a glance upwards towards your eyebrow but couldn’t manage to see the metal bar that now punctured your eyebrow. There was a snap to the right of you as the piercer removed their gloves and quickly brought a mirror to show you the final result. You couldn’t help the bright smile that overcame your face, it was perfect.

On the journey back to Hogwarts you’d didn’t expect to be flaunting a new piece of jewellery but here you were, excited and slightly nervous for your friends and boyfriends reaction.

It was easy to find your friends, they always took over the common room like they owned the place. Sprawling out into the many sofas taking up more space than needed. Most of the time you could hear them before you saw them which always let you know you were heading in the right direction. Today was no different, as you walked up to the common room door you could hear Bartys boisterous laugh, echoing louder than the rest of your friends.

The old wooden door creaked open under the push of your hand and revealed exactly the scene you were imagining. Barry sprawled out in the arm chair, Dorcas lying down on the sofa with her head in Evan’s lap. A smile bloomed on your face from the familiar sight as you walked to stand in the middle of them all just in front of the coffee table. You waited a few seconds for them to notice as their conversations halted, each of them giving you questioning looks. “What are you doing just standing there? come sit down” Evan questioned you. Dorcas was the first to realise letting out such a squeal that everyone flinched away from her. Evan had now realised which left Barty to sit there questioning if everyone had gone mad. He had to be nudged and have his eyeline guided directly to your eyebrow. His face immediately morphed into one of shock “Godric, that’s hot” Barty breathlessly said letting out a low whistle. “Regulus is going to collapse when he sees you!” Dorcas giggled excitedly.

That’s when the realisation hit you, he wasn’t here with them. It immediately clicked in your head “Have you lot scared him off again?”

“We’ve done nothing of the sort” Barty mock offendly said, which you only raised an eyebrow to. Your gaze switched to Evan who simply said “library” before you were off.

It wasn’t too far of a walk to the library but it was long enough for nerves to bubble in your stomach. What if he didn’t like the way your face looked now? No this was regulus. The regulus who was only soft with you, slowly letting you break down his walls.

There he was sitting in his usual table at the back right in the corner out of everyone’s sight. You slowly approached and he was as per usual deeply focus in a book. The chair next to him dragged across the floor as you pulled it out to sit down. He didn’t make any reaction to your arrival, his eyes still moving across the page he was on. You slowly reached toward his hand he held curled up in his lap and upon touching him you could tell he took a second to register it was you before taking your hand and engulfing it in his, keeping them together in his lap.

Of course he didn’t look up at you with those perceptive, grey eyes the one time you wanted him to. Your last resort was pulling your entwined hands up to your face and planting a soft kiss against his knuckles. Now that got his attention. He drew his eyes away from his book with a light dusting of pink across his cheeks, still not used to your casual affection, his eyes took the whole of your face in, mentally committing every freckle, mark and scar to memory. As his eyes rose up your face he immediately spotted it and his own eyebrows shot up. His hands hesitated to reach out to touch it but drew them away when he remembered that would hurt you. He sat across from you in silent admiration until you couldn’t take any more of it and head to break your eyes from his and lower your head. His hand cradled your cheek and let his thumb rest under your chin slowly lifting your face back into his eyeline. He let a rare soft smile grace his face “your not allowed to hide from me, especially when you look so captivating”

“So does that mean you like it?” You quietly asked while looking at him through your lashes.

The new Thunderbolts base wasn't a military compound or a prison or a bunker. It was a sleek, slightly too modern high rise with reinforced windows, panoramic views. A building that just so happened to be the old avenger’s tower. It was weird seeing the inside of such a famous building especially one that had so much security your suprised the building didn’t burst at it’s seams.

You stood in the living room, duffel bag slung over your shoulder, watching as Alexei loudly rushed and jumped over the side of the sofa declaring it his “throne” only to be half pushed off by Bucky with the calmness of a man who looks like he’s used to living with the chaos of so many roommates. You wondered what he felt like being back here after so many years but now with a different team.

Yelena Belova strolled past all of it with a duffel slung across her back, inspecting all the surfaces her eyes could land on. “You’re quiet” she said, stopping in front of you.

You blinked. “You’ve known me for what.. three minutes”

“Three minutes too long for someone who hasn't insulted Walker yet”

You snorted despite yourself. “I’m pacing myself”

Her smile was quick and mischievous. “Ah. A slow-burn hater. I like it” This was going to be a lot to get used to.

After living with a team of volatile assassins, soldiers, and supers for a few months you could definitely say it was exactly as chaotic as you'd expected and also a little sweeter than anyone would admit. Alexei cooked every Sunday night and insisted on everyone complimenting him. He referred to it as “family dinner” and always wore those cringey, maybe, slightly endearing aprons apron that said things like “mr good looking is cookin”. The dinners went smoother than expected, you would all chat to each other across the table and even have group discussions (which sometimes could get slightly out of hand). They always brought a warm fuzzy feeling to your stomach though because as you looked around the table at the people you met only a matter of months ago you could say that it felt somewhat like a home now. Everyone had their little quirks but it’s what made them feel more like a real family.

Walker had tried (and failed) to establish chore rotations and was then was ruthlessly mocked into only managing the trash.

Ghost phased through walls constantly. You stopped flinching after the third time she appeared beside you holding a bowl of cereal at 2 AM like a haunting.

Bob beat everyone in Mario Kart. Every. Single. Time. Now that annoyed you, you swore he was cheating, there was no way he couldn’t be.

Yelena… well, Yelena made herself at home in your space faster than anyone else. She’d drape across your bed without asking, steal your hoodies, and text you memes at 3 AM. She once sent a photo of Alexei snoring on a beanbag with the caption: “we have lost father. funeral at dawn.”

You never had a sister. Not a real one. But somehow, Yelena slipped into that role before you could define it. Well you assumed this was how sisters were with each other from what you had seen. She teased you constantly.

“You organise your socks by color? Psychopath behaviour”

“You're using that serum-enhanced shampoo again, aren't you? Your hair is aggressively shiny”

You gave it back just as hard.

“At least I don’t name my throwing knives”

“They all have different personalities! ‘Stabby’ is very misunderstood”

But when it mattered when a mission left you too shaken to breathe, or your past clawed its way into your mind, Yelena was there. She didn’t hug people often. But she’d sit with you, shoulder to shoulder, offering silence when words were too heavy.

“I know what it’s like” she once said after a bad mission. “To be used. To feel like your scars are instructions someone else left behind” You stared at her, eyes glassy. She looked forward, voice soft. “But they’re not. They’re yours now. You get to decide what they mean”.

You’ve change your mind. Yelena gave the worst advice.

“Text your crush and say ‘I could kill you in 47 ways but I won’t.’ It’s romantic”

“Fight the mission commander. Establish dominance”

“You are too emotionally stable. Go slash some tires”

You never took it seriously… unless she said it in her soft voice. The voice that came out when she was being real. Like the time you doubted yourself before a mission. Too many failures stacked behind you. You’d nearly stayed behind. Yelena found you in the gym, tossing knives at a target with clenched fists.

“You do not have to prove anything,” she said. “Not to them. Not even to me”

You shook your head. “I don’t want to be the weak link”

She crossed the room, stopped just in front of you. “Then don’t be. You’re not broken. You’re building” She handed you a knife. “Come. Let us show them what we’re made of” You walked into that mission stronger than ever.

One night, you sat on the balcony outside your room, knees pulled to your chest, staring into the city lights. Yelena had let herself into your room and slid down beside you, legs stretched in front of her, hair up in a mess behind her.

“Is it weird” you asked, “to be happy here?”

She tilted her head. “Yes. But good-weird.”

You looked at her. “Feels like if I let myself believe this is real, it’ll disappear again”

She nodded slowly. “That’s the curse of people like us. We were made to lose things”

Then she leaned her head against yours.

“But I’m not going anywhere, little shadow”

You swallowed past the lump in your throat.

“You’re annoying, you know that?”