(Terence x reader)

The Accusation

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Yvette stood tall, her face contorted with fake righteousness as she pointed directly at me. 

"You all think she's so innocent, but I saw her leading the thistles!" she declared. "She was always so proud of capturing them before. Who's to say she didn't set them loose this time?" 

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. My home—my life—had just been destroyed, and now she was accusing me of doing it? 

Terence's grip on my hand tightened. His presence grounded me, but I could feel the tremble of anger beneath his touch. 

Queen Clarion's piercing gaze settled on Yvette. "If you have proof, present it now." 

Yvette hesitated for just a second—just long enough to make it clear she was grasping at straws—but then she lifted something from a pouch at her waist. 

It was one of my gardening gloves. 

"Explain this" she sneered, holding it up for all to see. "I found this near where the thistles were being kept. Why would her glove be there unless she was involved?" 

Whispers broke out around us. I felt my stomach drop. 

Vidia rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on" she scoffed. "That's the best you've got? A glove? Do you know how easy it is to steal someone's stuff and plant it somewhere?" 

Yvette's smug expression faltered, but she quickly recovered. "Why would I need to plant it? She's been acting suspicious ever since she got here! She's always been trying to prove herself, trying to show off! Maybe she thought wrecking her own house would make us pity her!" 

That was enough. 

I ripped my hand from Terence's and stepped forward. My heart pounded, but I kept my voice steady. 

"That's ridiculous, and you know it," I said. "Why would I destroy my own home? Everything I owned was in there. My memories, my books, my work. If you're going to accuse me of something, at least make it make sense." 

Yvette glared, opening her mouth to retort, but Queen Clarion raised a hand, silencing her. 

"We will not act on baseless accusations," the queen said, her voice calm but firm. "If (Y/N) was with Terence last night, then she could not have led the thistles." 

Terence, who had been quiet but fuming, stepped forward again. "She was with me," he confirmed. "All night. And if you need more proof, just ask anyone who saw us." He turned toward the others. "Tink? Rosetta? Vidia?" 

Tinker Bell crossed her arms. "Yep. I saw them together. She was definitely not leading thistles into the Hollow." 

Rosetta scoffed. "Pfft. I'd bet my whole garden on (Y/N) being innocent." 

Vidia smirked. "And I'd love to see Yvette try and prove otherwise." She leaned in on Yvette "that is, if she's got more proof than just a misplaced garden glove"

Queen Clarion studied Yvette carefully. The tension in the air was thick, and Yvette looked increasingly uneasy under the scrutiny of the growing crowd.

"Do you have any evidence beyond a misplaced glove?" the queen asked. 

Yvette's hands clenched into fists. "I... I know she did it!" 

"That is not proof," Queen Clarion said simply. 

Yvette's face turned red with frustration. For a moment, it looked like she might try to argue again, but then she looked around—at all the skeptical faces, the unimpressed stares. 

She realized she had lost. 

With an exasperated huff, she threw the glove on the ground and turned away. "Fine. Believe her," she spat. "But don't come crying to me when she messes up again." 

And with that, she took off into the sky, disappearing into the distance. 

A heavy silence followed. 

Then, Terence turned to me, his face full of warmth and concern. "Are you okay?" 

I let out a shaky breath. "I... I don't know." My home was still gone. Yvette was still out there, probably plotting her next move. And while I had been cleared of her ridiculous accusation, something told me this wasn't over. 

But one thing was certain: I wasn't alone. 

Terence reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before resting his forehead against mine. "Hey," he whispered. "No matter what happens, I'm here. Always." 

A small, grateful smile tugged at my lips. "I know." 

As the others began discussing what to do next—plans to rebuild, ideas for strengthening Pixie Hollow's defenses—I stayed there, in Terence's arms, letting myself find comfort in the fact that, despite everything, I still had *him.* 

And no matter what Yvette tried next... 

I wouldn't let her win.