Barty: You And James Aren't A Thing, Right?

Barty: you and James aren't a thing, right?

Regulus: what? no

Barty: great because I was thinking about asking him out

Regulus: you better back the fuck up before you get smacked the fuck up

Mikey's girl PART TWO II :

Warning : suggestive talk, dirty jokes, Bonten being gossips again...

Summary : I didn't thought of making a part two of this, but you all liked it so much and asked to meet the other executives, so here we are !

PART ONE LINK HERE.

You should read the part one before starting this !

-" You know... " Sanzu, sitting on the chair in front of Mikey's started, earning his boss's attention. " You maybe should invite her to the gala event, boss. "

The latter lifted his head from his paperwork in front of him, looking at his henchman dead in the eyes and tilting his head to the side.

-" Your girl, I mean. " He added, in front of his boss' confusion.

Mikey frowned, which made Sanzu gulp down.

-" That's none of your business. "

Haruchiyo sank deeper in his seat, playing with his pill's bottle under the table discreetly.

-" Yeah, right. I'm sorry, Mikey... "

Nodding, Mikey looked back at his work, but something kept him from focusing on the words he was reading. Because of that damn Sanzu, he couldn't help but wonder what would be your reaction if he, actually, invited you at the gala Bonten were organizing in few days.

-" Why... Though ? " He started, for the first time his tone was laced with a spark of doubt which surprised Haruchiyo.

-" Um, well... Most men like to bring compagnie to these kinda events, and... You know, chicks usually like when their guys take them out to classy places".

Deep inside, he couldn't deny what his henchman had just said since he had no knowledge of being in a relationship besides some one night stands here and there.

Chicks usually like when their guys take them out... would you give him that smile of yours that made his chest go through strange heat states ?

Most importantly, would you actually appear next to him, as... As an official something ? Would you like being associated with one of the most dangerous Japan criminals ? You, the closest thing to an angel ?

-" That's still none of your business, though. "

Anxiety began creeping in inside you the minute you stepped into that ballroom. From the excessively rich decoration to the women's eyes that already started scanning you, everything screamed at you to run, this was not your element.

And could you blame your guts for that feeling ? You were used to white hospital walls, not to giant velvet curtains and crown moldings on high walls, used to the cries and screams of patients, not to the snarky whispers while those rich women were looking at you, and your body was more comfortable in scrubs and white coats, not the overly expensive mermaid dress Mikey has bought for you.

If there was something you despised, it was being the center of the attention. You gladly took the champagne glass the waiter passing by had offered you, ignoring the eyes lingering on your dress and body, especially that you were not seeing your boyfriend anywhere around you and started feeling lonely.

Not so far away from there, Takeomi and Kokonoi were discussing some business matters, both dressed in their most stunning suits, champagne glasses on hand. To be fair, Takeomi has been long ago stolen from whatever his friend was saying, eyes stuck on the young woman who just entered the room. It didn't took too much time for Hajime to notice that his co-worker was not listening to him anymore.

-" that's interesting... " The Akashi absentmindedly nodded his head.

-" You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you ?" Kokonoi asked with an exhausted face.

-" Not a clue." He answered in a smirk.

His face grew outraged, not only he was not even looking at him, he was, in addition admitting it openly.

-" Go to hell. "

-" Oh I'm counting on it, but I have a good reason for not listening".

Koko rolled his eyes, took another gulp of his drink and asked.

-" What is it ?"

The smirk adorning Takeomi's lips at that moment, as he put his hand on his co-worker's shoulder and turned his body toward where you were standing already told him it was about a woman.

-" This young blood. "

Hajime's gaze followed Takeomi's one,until it stopped on the one who had seemed to catch it. And his interest rose from none to two hundred percent in less than a second.

The first thing he had thought seeing you was how has he even been too blind to not notice you in the first place ? High fashion so stunning it could have blinded him. The mermaid shape of the dress embraced each curve of your body perfectly, it was in a Champagne-like color, which highlighted your skin tone too well for your own good, and then his eyes trailed down your legs, under the see-through fabric of the dress, he could use that sight of your bare thighs as he pleased.

-" A whole snack, indeed. " He admitted, cutting off his friend with what he added next. " But she's way outta your league. "

-" Huh-?" His hand on his friend's shoulder tightened and he made Koko face him again, which took out a frustrated groan from the latter since he was not done admiring you. " You mean she's too good for me ?"

-" I mean with a dress like that, her boyfriend must be either Christian Dior, or me. " Koko scoffed under a dark glare from Takeomi. " And honestly if I had someone like her on my bed, I wouldn't even be here t'night. "

Indignation filled the older man senses, painting a weary expression on his face.

-" I had girls like this between my legs when you weren't even born, jerk. "

-" and years later what you have between your legs now is a soft cucumber". Kokonoi replied, then snorted at his own comment making Takeomi roll his eyes.

-" You're being such a smartass, sit here and watch how real men make pussy rain. "

This time, Hajime couldn't hold his laughter, earning few glances from the people around. An idea clicked in his head at the same time.

-" I'll let you give it a try " he made a step toward him, locking eyes with his. " Then I'm heading toward her and bet tonight you'll receive a charming picture of her young pussy creaming on top of my bills. "

His answer has been a devilish smirk adorning Takeomi's lips, then he offered his hand to Kokonoi which he shook.

-" Deal. "

Oh no... You began biting your lower lip when you caught one of them approaching you. They have been standing only few meters away from you and shamelessly undressing you with their eyes, and now, the one who seemed the older was coming toward you with a smile on his face.

-" Isn't it a crime for such a beautiful lady not to enjoy herself at our event ?"

Our ? You wondered as he made a final step toward you, taking your hand in his and directing it toward his mouth in a gracious kiss. You smiled politely and shook his hand, he was not that bad, actually handsome, but a little too old for you.

-" Who told you I was not enjoying myself ? And, I assume you're one of the organizers".

Her voice's as soft as her skin, he mentally noted, reluctantly releasing your hand.

-" sweetheart drinking on your own is sad. " He watched as your smile grew wider, enjoying how your eyes lit up. " Takeomi Akashi, consider me your champagne mate for the night."

His confidence took a small laugh out of you, he was surprised by how warm his chest has felt within seconds because of you.

-" you have me very flattered, but unfortunately I am tak-"

-" Heard her, Omi ? " Another man's voice startled you from behind, within a second the voice's face appeared as a younger man, the second one that has been eye fucking you all along. " She's not interested".

Kokonoi stood between you and Takeomi, leaning over and taking your hand in his, placing a small kiss on your skin. If it wouldn't have looked creepy, he would gladly have left his lips lingering there longer, inhaling your perfume.

-" Kokonoi Hajime, dear. "

-" I am delighted" you flashed another smile toward him, thanks God was he a master in hiding his reactions since his heart missed a beat, couldn't take his eyes off of your face.

Not to sound cliché, but he found you looked different, almost out of place. Your face had that wide smile, those still bright eyes, an innocent expression in a nutshell, still not at all stained by all the dirty blood on that ballroom's walls.

And that,along with your enticing looks, was what had caught all Bonten's men attention. They had that chase arsenal, the need for destruction, and you looked like the perfect prey, untouched, like you would be beautiful even after the damage.

You on the other hand were flattered by their attention, really. Still couldn't help but be outraged by how stupid they thought you were, staring at you, discussing for nearly ten minutes and shaking hands just before they came to talk.

-" And it is my duty to say I really like the way you wear this dress. "

-" I like it too. " You answered Kokonoi in yet another smile. " Unfortunately for you, it's staying on. "

Both men scoffed at your answer, one mocking his friend, the other even more pleased. Kokonoi has never been a man of easy chores, he appreciated a little hard work and that made you even more interesting.

-" What a shame I won't be witnessing that wonderful view... "

-" Keep flirting with what's mine and you'll witness me declaring World War three. "

You three stiffened at the new voice, you were in no need to turn around to understand the hand that pulled you tighter by the waist was Mikey's. He stood there next to you, holding you close and sending daggers at both his men, poor them, you had thought still you couldn't help but smile seeing them with their tails between their legs.

-" Boss... " Kokonoi started, his face turned stern at the same time your eyes slightly widened.

Boss... Your smile was even harder to hold, you were far from being a tease but if was funny seeing them struggling in front of their boss' dark glare.

-" So this is... She is... " Takeomi began connecting the dots, then his eyes had caught the sight of his younger brother from the other side of the room, smirking along with both the Haitani brothers, that was when everything became clearer.

-" Now I understand why you told Mikey to invite her" Rindou contained his smile while talking to the pink haired man. The three of them were mocking Kokonoi and Takeomi's pale faces, Sanzu with a wide smile and Ran with a breathed laugh.

-" The face they're making is priceless. " Sanzu answered, yet his smile faltered since one of their partners cut Mikey off in his threatening glares, approaching him along with Kakucho.

-" duty calls... " Ran deadpanned and started walking toward them first, quickly followed by his brother and a sighing Sanzu.

Your fun was short lived since before anyone could add anything, the man with heterochromatic eyes that came in your house that night brought what looked like a business man with him who wanted to talk to your boyfriend, and soon after the greetings, the unknown one started introducing his project in front of Mikey's unbiased look.

There you were, standing in the middle of eight men discussing business, gazes drifting toward you from time to time as if you were nothing more but a doll on a shelf and that started really playing on your nerves, especially that the man was offering an investment that no one better than you could tell would cause a great loss.

Both the Haitani brothers had their eyes on you, even more obviously than Sanzu who still had too much respect to eye you that way in front of Mikey. Not a single inch of your skin was still unburned by their glances, from your bare shoulders under the shoulder-off dress to your breasts. The one you had stitched had a sly smile on his face that you wanted to wipe away, and the one you remembered as Rindou, the grumpy one just stared with a weary expression. He was too good at hiding that with every breath you were taking his heart was racing faster.

-" I'll study the case, none of us know enough about these to say if the income would be satisfying for us. As you know, we are quite demanding with our partners. " Kokonoi had replied to who you understood now was the president of a new pharmaceutical company.

No one of you can, but me... your mind was screaming for you to talk. Yet you were quite intimidated, honestly who wouldn't be ? Most of the men there were eyeing you as a piece of meat, and all the women were gathered far from any business talk, judging each other dresses and outfits. You secretly bit your tongue.

Shut up, shut up, shut up... Plus, what kind of honest pharmaceutical developer would use a criminal organization to promote their product?

-" I assure you that you will not regret investing in our antibiotics, I am fully confident that within the next twenty years we will dominate the pharmaceutical market." The CEO explained with another pathetic smile, that was the last straw for you, no doubt if you didn't talked at that time, you would have exploded.

-" This doesn't make much sense... "

Now have a room full of wolves, throw a piece of meat in the middle and close the door, that would be your feeling currently. Though you spoke in a low voice, all gazes turned toward you, you refused to meet any of them especially your boyfriend's one which you felt burning through your skin.

-" Aww she talks ! " His sugar coated tone almost made you throw up, which didn't help was how Mikey's hand tightened around your waist. " Why don't you go put on some lipstick, sweetheart? This strong sex's talk gives bad headaches. "

With each word of him, your blood boiled a temperature higher, and with each glance at his contemptuous face your nails dug deeper in your palm. All men stiffened around, hearing how he addressed you. To be fair, partners used to talk to their girls even worse, but what they all wondered was would Mikey consider you as their usual girls ?

Sanzu knew he wouldn't, he knew his king too well to not notice how his eyes darkened even more than usual...

-" Aww he barks ! " You scoffed in the same tone, making the man frown. " Thank you for caring about my lip's color, and since this conversation is for the strong sex, the strong sex's gonna use her pretty lips to tell these men around that investing in your project would be the worst decision they could ever take. "

The conversations around the ballroom seemed to get muffled, everyone could sense the tension climbing across the air. Kokonoi frowned, quite interested by your statement.

-" This is not about a stupid feminist argument sweetheart-"

-" Watch your fucking mouth when you talk to her. "

The man shivered to the spine under Mikey's voice, nodded fervently and cleared his throat. All the executives could not help but follow what was happening mouth agape, since when did Mikey stand up for his bitches ?

-" I apologize, Sir. What I meant is, this conversation's quite complicated for her-"

-" why ?" You cut him off, struggling to free yourself from Mikey's grip to make a step toward him. " Is it because I was born with a pussy between my legs ?"

-" Show us a proof... " Ran whispered under his breath, Sanzu almost laughing out loud because of his lewd statement. At the same time, Ran's face turned pale catching his boss' dark glare on him.

-" Say that again ?"

The silence around was suffocating, you didn't even cared about what Ran might have said since you were too busy throwing death glares at the pharmacist.

-" Um prove ! I said she has nothing to prove. not to him. He should respect her honestly, that is not how you treat a lady-" The elder Haitani made it up, luckily for him Manjiro was way too busy keeping you grounded to care more about him.

-" Within 20 years, antibiotics will be obsolete and completely unnecessary, with bacterial resistance increasing and the anti-antibiotic movement growing. " You managed to free yourself from your boyfriend's grip to stand still, with all your height in front of the taller man. " You just don't like it when pussy comes with a head, that's it. "

-" I wouldn't mind you giving me both-"

-" Repeat that ?" Mikey snapped back after Rindou whispered under his breath. Rindou straightened, cleared his throat and adopted his usual weary face.

-" I said she's a goat, boss. Women are smart, they giv- have wonderful heads. "

At this point, Manjiro was just too busy burning you with his gaze to even care about Sanzu, Ran and Rindou struggling to contain their laughers as dumb schoolgirls. His rage was roaring inside him, not only because of the several eyes stuck on his pretty girl,but also because his pretty girl had to draw everyone attention to her.

In less than a second, your waist was squeezed again, you found yourself face pressed against his strong chest, only able to look at the white fabric of his suit's shirt when you heard him.

-" I gotta talk to my women. Koko ?"

That one's eyes which were stuck on the curve of your hips from behind quickly got back at Mikey's face, straightening his shoulders, he nodded toward his boss.

-" Take care of this f'me, be back in a few. "

With that, he guided you, without a word outside, in a terrace that emptied as soon as you two got inside.

Kokonoi guided the man further from his co-workers, talking about whatever, and they took the opportunity to start spilling whatever they have been thinking.

-" Wow- " Sanzu began, popped a pill and stared at his older brother who was the next to speak.

-" that was... Fuckin' hot. "

Either nodding, or scoffing, none of them could deny that for once, having a woman taking part of the talk, putting a man back in his place and especially such a gorgeous woman had all their pants tightening.

-" She's the pussy that has been taking the Sano-conda for months, no doubt she's strong " Sanzu replied, earning all the glances to himself. Kokonoi who just came back to them rose an eyebrow.

-" Don't tell me you just gave Mikey's dick a name? Don't tell me his name is literally a mix of Sano and Anaconda?"

-" Okay I won't tell you" that one shrugged, still it didn't wiped the disgusted expression on Hajime's face.

-" So, you guys now believe us ?" Rindou inquired, Kokonoi and Takeomi's gaze met for a second, remembering their bet. They were not ashamed, far from it, they were just pissed by the fact that no one would obviously ever win that bet.

-" Someone tells me where I could buy these dark impulses ? 'cause I got the darkest black card out here and never had such a glamour-puss ".

-" That's exactly how I called her !" Both the Haitani brothers exclaimed as twins, then turned to look at each other with a sly smile.

- " how are things going, champagne mate ?" Sanzu took a chance to approach his brother and mock him while that one groaned.

-" She would've accepted if she was not head over heels for Mikey, I'm sure. "

-" Spare us, she's so young you could be her dad. "

-" you're thinking I wouldn't like her callin' me daddy ?" Takeomi snapped right back, making the Haitani's laugh.

-" shit bro, that ass in that dress was screaming for a spank. Bet Mikey's spanking his naughty girl right now " Ran made almost all of the men laugh.

-" What the hell am I hearing ?" Mochi who just came back from where he was smoking in the terrace asked, joining the group.

-" Where were you ?"

-" Smoking. And bro, how the hell did Mikey managed to get himself such a hot stuff ?"

He almost startled when the Haitani's and Sanzu looked at each other and went in for another laugher. What caught him more aback was that both Koko and Takeomi were smirking.

-" What the hell's happening here ?" He turned toward Kakucho, the only serious one there and asked. The latter sighed.

-" Nothing, just them being... Them. And me wondering why the hell my mother didn't swallow instead. "

Mochi only nodded slowly, confused as if to laugh or cry because of his friend's state, before Sanzu cut him off.

-" You can play coy all you want, just don't dare saying you wouldn't want whatever the fuck Mikey's having on the terrace now ".

Throwing a death glare at Sanzu and feeling his cheeks heating because of all his co-workers laughers and glances at him, he put his hands in his pockets and looked away, ignoring the statement.

He would not deny that. He could not anyway. His boss got himself the prettiest and cleanest girl they had ever seen since they started their careers, sweet, smart, and fierce, him just like any other executive could not say they were not even the slightest bit envious.

-" Yeah that's what I thought" the latter scoffed. " What are they doing anyway ? It's cold outside. "

-" Yeah... " Kokonoi started, and even himself wasn't believing what he was about to say, yet the influence of staying so long around these men have had the best of him. " It's cold outside, she's gonna tell him to cum inside. "

Nearly everyone's attention was on their group at that point, the laugher most of them had let out echoing through the room until even both you and Manjiro heard it from the terrace. Kakucho and Takeomi were the only ones who didn't laughed, still a smile was there curling both their lips, reluctantly.

-" That was the lamest joke I've heard in my life. " Takeomi told Kokonoi, who only rolled his eyes.

-" This is a nightmare... " Kakucho stated, before Ran answered.

-" No, this is Bonten ".

-" Every Saturday night on your TV. Stay tuned. "

•••

If only the laughers echoing from inside have been useful, yet even those were not enough to cool off the atmosphere between the two of you.

Mikey had his back facing you, both his hands on the railing. His knuckles were turning white from how strong he was gripping that one, keeping himself grounded.

His demons started roaring again, screaming for destruction and burning with wrath. And deep inside, he was terrified.

Scared that he might just let go of the wheel, scared they might hurt you, the ones inside his head, and that was the last thing he wanted.

He has been so hell bent on keeping you away from his gang life at first, he really should have kept that mindset, let Ran die in his backseat that night because now, he knew there wouldn't be any back off possible. You were just too... Eye catching, your honesty, your innocence, everything about you was a forbidden fruit for all the devils inside that ballroom, not a wonder you got all their eyes stuck on you the entire night.

And that was one of the things upsetting him so much, how even his presence didn't scared them off of your face, of your body and your fire. That feeling of jealousy was a whole new cloud in his already dark sky, he had never felt such a thing before, never actually cared about anyone to even feel it. And now, he was finding himself wanting to kill people just because their eyes landed on you.

-" It's getting late-"

Enough, in a split second you found yourself pinned against the wall, with Mikey's hand around your throat and his knee pressed between your legs.

You gulped down, dived deep in those dark eyes you loved so much. Never have you ever seen his face in such a state, it was emptier than usual, darker, even. You could not help but feel scared, feeling your hands trembling on each side of your body yet you maintained his eye contact.

-" Find it fucking funny to have all those eyes on you ? Running this mouth 'f yours around my men ?"

His voice was lower than usual, more dangerous, his lips inches away from yours gave you the impression of eating you alive, but nothing could have been compared to the way his eyes were burning each inch of your skin, from your face to your chest.

-" You should be the one asking yourself questions. " You replied with all the courage left in your body. " Like : Do I actually own a gang or a kindergarten ? "

He would not hurt you, right ? You wondered right after the words left your mouth. Your Manjiro, the man that turned into a boy in your arms, he would never get mad at you until hurting you, right ?

You heavily doubted it as you watched his hand tightening around your throat, still his knee between your legs, the friction he was giving you had something comforting, as if he wanted you to understand you were not in danger of death.

-" You really want me to force you to watch as I kill them all, hm ?"

Closing your eyes briefly for a second, you repeated a mantra inside your head.

He would not, he would never... he just was feeling insecure, you knew him better than anyone. Being between a bunch of men which everyone wanted you in a different way had all his insecurities and demons screaming, be smarter.

-" When I fuckin' ask, you answer. "

His hand squeezed a little more on your throat, making you gasp louder. At the same time, Manjiro thrusted his knee against your crotch, making your clit throb from pleasure, a smirk adorned his merciless face while you squeezed your thighs against each other.

-" No. But I won't stay there and shut up when someone disrespects me. " In a bold, or maybe suicidal move, your hands flew to his collar and brought him closer to you. Lucky you, your gesture was rather soft, otherwise he would never have took it that lightly.

And to be honest, whenever you would flash that fierce part of yourself, he would already be thinking about thousand and one ways of having you, taking you, keeping you next to him forever.

-" You brought me here tonight. You wanted me to be your girl in front of anyone. You don't disrespect the boss' girl. "

His girl, could the world stop for a minute and just let him feel the hurricane moving his chest at that meer word?

Mikey stared blankly at your eye color, sinking deep in your ocean. There were so much things he could read there that he couldn't quite say anything, couldn't comprehend anything except his heart beating louder, his lips screaming to take your pretty ones. Each of your words was his daily reminder to why he has chosen to keep you longer in the first place, each more second that you sustained his glare was a slap in the face, telling him if whatever soulmates existed, you would be his.

-" if you waited long enough, you would've known I was only waiting for him to make one more mistake to gift you his head on a platter. "

Dead serious, the look in his eyes dared you to even think he wouldn't be able to do it. That night you knew, he knew, and all of them inside knew he would kill for you.

Your hands left his shirt to cup his cheeks, even though his dark desires were still yearning for destruction and pain, your gentleness soothed his worries and thoughts, he leaned in your touch the slightest bit.

-" I know that, but I don't want this. And deep inside, you don't want this either. "

Frowning, his hand around your throat loosened and his knee left your thighs, Mikey straightened, sensing where you were going and stared at you.

-" What do you mean ?"

-" I mean that you need someone who can stand for herself, even when you're not here. When you're by my side, I'm the strongest. But when you're not here, I take your sword and carry your crown gladly. "

Has his heart ever beaten that fast in years ? Through fights or workouts ? Through experiencing death ? Never, he promised. And nothing has never been that right, he had lost too many people to think he could protect you forever, what he needed was to rest, to feel like whenever he would not be able to stand for you, you would be able to do it yourself.

-" you don't need someone you can protect, Manjiro. You need someone who'll make you drop the sword for a while and rest, I can be that someone. I can be your someone. "

Think of it as if his whole life suddenly made more sense, as if hearing his needs out loud was the thing that made them relevant,accurate.

He felt exposed, naked, but not only. He felt as if you broke his walls, looked passed his insecurities that were hiding inside and built brand new walls around his heart. With windows, this time, to let the light seep in. He was at a loss of words and couldn't even face you, look you in the eyes.

Just what did he do to deserve such a blessing ? You were so perfect that it started to hurt, that it became torture to keep wondering when you would finally understand he was not worth it, you...

Your heart missed several beats when he turned his back to you, began making few steps toward the door that led inside the ballroom.

Was it the end ? Have you gone too far ? Months of trying to make his guards fall down have them ended up themselves falling, failing ?

Anxiety had you digging your nails in your palms, heart racing rapidly especially when he stopped few steps away from the door and turned to look at you from the corner of his eyes.

And God was he pretty, with his empty dark eye devouring you that way, wind slightly blowing his hair.

-" What you waiting for ?"

His stern voice snapped you out of your thoughts, you tilted your head to the side questioningly, eyeing the hand he reached toward you to take.

-" better hurry up and come with me, before I make them all hear how dumb I fuck my queen. "

Tag-list : @dreamingofyourmoons @fl4mepillar @thisbicc @isacreellover @Inupiko @akanemayumi @simpingforwakasa04 @luno614 @gukiemochi @shuujin

Wow, I bet you all know the kind of unfunny and lame jokes I make everyday, poor my friends...

I stressed posting this honestly cause you all liked the first part so much and I didn't wanted to ruined it, I was kinda pressured, hope you like it though !

About Sanzu's girl, it's soon to come ! And soon I'll be back to your requests, have a good night 🖤

Reblogs and comments are appreciated 🖤

Network : @downtown-roponggi @tokyo-ballroom

Babe is so smiling im so happy

Hey! I know your requests are closed but you said this is one of the prompts you will be writing so for dad timo could u make a little boy who looks just like him? and maybe his kids having french names, it would be so cute (:

hiiii! thank you for requesting this, i had the best time writing it and hope you like it 💗

crayons

it’s the curls, you decide. or maybe it’s the shape of their smiles. or the way they both sneeze the exact same way. almost always it’s the laughter, the way it fills the room, loud, unabashed belly laughs merging into one beautiful cacophony of happiness.

it’s everything, you decide, everything about luc reminds you of timothée. and you’re sure you’ll never be able to comprehend your luck, your life with him, with them, with all this love.

watching them from the kitchen, you play spot the difference as a teething luc dribbles all over timothée’s fingers on the living room floor: his tiny scrunched nose is an exact replica of timothée’s, smattered with the same dusting of freckles that you kiss nightly. his pudgy hands are just as wild as his father’s, banging together in a sort of applause while he gurgles and shrieks at timmy’s funny faces.

“baby?” you call from the doorway, stifling a giggle when both heads whip around simultaneously. your boys. you smile at them. “can you reach that pan for me?”

timothée’s up in a flash, pecking your cheek as he passes you, kind of like a habit. you smile, admiring the stretch of his arm as he retrieves the pan from the highest shelf.

“thank you, darling,” you smile against his lips when he kisses you again, he can’t help himself, and you use the pan to push him gently back towards your very unsupervised twelve-month-old.

“hey, monkey!” timothée laughs, hurriedly sitting back down on the living room floor and prying a red crayon from his son’s mouth. “that’s not food.”

he only looked away for a second, but your son is exactly where the baby books say he should be: pulling himself up, a strong grip, a teething nightmare, and he’s a little menace for it.

everything, everything, ends up in his mouth. hair, soap, the tv remote, one time your engagement ring – a terrifying day for all involved. and you’ve tried everything: teething toys, chilled fruit, cold washcloths, all to no avail.

now, your twelve-month-old son peers up at his father, craning his neck so high he almost topples over before timothée steadies him.

“nomnomnom,” he babbles, one pudgy hand fumbling for another crayon.

“nuh uh,” timmy sings, laying down on his stomach and holding the crayon in front of luc’s face for a beat.

he’s mesmerised by the colour, the shape, and timmy loves his curiosity, but he also loves his son not throwing up rainbows.

“drawing, dessin,” timothée says, english then french, pressing the crayon against the paper in between them, “not eating.”

he draws some lips, a smiling mouth, then switches colours, adding eyes, nose, ears, hair, colouring and shading until that delightful shriek —

“mama!” luc cries in recognition, banging his hands together in what timothée interprets as a clap.

“that’s right, it’s mama!” timothée smiles at his son, his mirror image, and then hands him the crayon to draw his own picture.

luc immediately shoves it into his mouth.

“nonono,” timothée rushes out, quickly fishing it out of his mouth. “not eating. drawing. like this—”

delicately, he takes his son’s hand and works it into a fist, slotting a bright yellow crayon into his grip. together, they cross the paper, luc gurgling happily at the lines he’s making, at the crazy scribbles and swirling marks.

“think you can do it by yourself?” he asks, watching his son intently. “luc draw?”

luc nods, his chubby fists reaching for more colours, first a pink, then a blue, adding more and more until it’s the most beautiful mess timothée has ever seen.

“yay!” luc shrieks, cheeks flushed in excitement. it seems he’s realised he is the one making the lines, as he studies each mark intently in the cutest damn concentration face timmy ever did see. it kind of reminds him of your laser sharp focus on the morning crossword; it kind of makes him want to cry. he sees so much of your beauty in him, and every day he can’t believe it. to be given the greatest gift: more of you in the world.

“more paper, buddy?” he asks, watching luc work out where to mark next on his scribbled masterpiece. of course, the next sheet goes directly into his mouth.

“jeez, you’d think we never feed you,” timothée giggles, lying the paper back on the floor with an affectionate kiss to luc’s curls.

this time, luc loves the colour purple, and is suddenly inspired by your hardwood floor.

“no, not on the floor, monkey,” timothée guides, nudging his son’s fist back to his paper.

luc just gurgles, climbing over his father instead, a much more interesting canvas, crayon running over timmy’s sweats.

“hey, cheeky,” he chuckles, rolling onto his back and hoisting his son into the air.

luc shrieks in laughter, kicking his legs out as his grabby hands reach out for timothée.

“dada!” he cackles, tugging on his father’s curls when timmy’s mouth lands on his tummy, pretending to chomp.

“you know how much i love you? how much mama loves you?” timothée asks, placing his son astride his stomach.

luc looks down at him inquisitively; timmy’s almost convinced he understands him sometimes. those eyes, like his, swirl with a thousand thoughts, constantly learning, seeking, growing.

he almost wants time to stand still. just for a little while.

timothée watches his son choose another colour, smiles to himself when he sees luc’s thoughts as they pass over his face: grab, sniff, dada, what does it taste like—

“nononono, luc!” timothée chuckles, removing another gnawed crayon from his son’s mouth.

“drawing, baby,” his father reminds him, setting out more paper when luc clambours off of him.

he could watch him make random scribbles all day. it’s luc’s unbridled joy as he does it, as he squeals happily when colours overlap, or he goes really fast with the crayon.

“dada, look!” he cries suddenly, little head snapping up to meet his father’s eyes, those eyes alight with pride, love, so much love.

“it’s me?” timothée asks, heart tripling in size at the messy squiggles. “you drew me?”

“dada, mama!” luc corrects, flapping his arms happily and adding a green squiggle in the corner. “luc!”

“me, you and mama?” timothée lets out an incredulous laugh, blinking back tears. “buddy, i love it.”

dazed, he had no idea he could love this much. of course, he loves you so much it scares him, but this burning desire to protect, to care for this tiny human you created together, it’s unlike anything he’s ever known.

it’s his very own work of art.

“gah, we love you so much,” timothée shouts, grabbing his son and peppering his scrumptious cheeks with loud kisses. luc shrieks in delight, a proper belly laugh overtaking him that makes timmy double down his efforts, tickling his son’s little feet.

the most beautiful sound, timothée chases it, springing into a cross-legged position and cradling him in his lap just to munch on those deliciously chubby legs.

luc’s giggles amplify as he kicks his feet, tiny hands tugging at timmy’s tshirt, his laughter bouncing, infectious, hilarious.

it’s the most beautiful sound, the most beautiful sight from where you stand against the doorway.

the pair of them together, a joyous mess of curls and squiggles, your very own work of art.

ROBBIE COLTRANE and RUBEUS HAGRID | Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

-elena armas