#Bounce Castle Water Slide

[allsonsinc]

Top Inflatable Water Slide Rentals in Saint Clair Shores for Parties

Planning a party during warm weather in Saint Clair Shores calls for something more exciting than just food and games. One of the best additions to any celebration is an inflatable water slide. These attractions are not only crowd-pleasers but also provide safe and thrilling fun for guests of all ages. From backyard birthday parties to larger community events, inflatable slides add an energetic splash to the experience.

Why Inflatable Water Slides Are a Party Game-Changer

Inflatable water slides have evolved into much more than a simple slide with a hose. Today’s models include features like splash pools, dual lanes for racing, and climbing walls. The appeal lies in their versatility—these slides can entertain children and adults alike, ensuring everyone stays cool while having fun. Additionally, they help keep kids actively engaged throughout the event, giving parents peace of mind and a break from organizing constant activities.

Considerations When Choosing a Water Slide Rental

When planning to rent a slide, safety should always be a top priority. Reputable providers offer equipment that meets safety standards and is cleaned and inspected after each use. Size is another factor; you’ll need to choose a unit that fits your space while providing enough fun for your guest list. For example, smaller slides are ideal for private parties, while larger units work well for school fairs or neighborhood events.

Many local hosts start their search with terms like “water slide rentals near me” to find reputable providers in the Saint Clair Shores area. Local rental services often provide timely delivery, setup, and pickup, ensuring a hassle-free experience for the host.

Combine Fun with a Bounce Castle Water Slide

For those seeking something even more interactive, hybrid units like the bounce castle water slide offer a double dose of entertainment. These combinations allow kids to bounce, climb, and slide all in one space. They are perfect for themed parties, offering both wet and dry options depending on weather and preference. These types of slides are especially popular for summer birthday parties and school celebrations, creating an all-in-one play zone that keeps kids entertained for hours.

Perfect for Summer Events and Birthdays

Saint Clair Shores residents often look for ways to beat the summer heat during outdoor celebrations. That’s where an inflatable water slide becomes the ultimate addition. Whether you’re hosting a birthday bash, block party, or holiday gathering, these slides elevate the experience, making it memorable and enjoyable for everyone. Most importantly, they offer a safe, inflatable environment, minimizing the risk of injury compared to traditional water activities.

From birthday parties to school events, inflatable water slides bring unmatched energy and enjoyment to any gathering. With features that combine fun, safety, and convenience, they’re a perfect investment for a successful event. For those searching for reliable and high-quality rentals in the area, All Sons Inc offers the best inflatable water slide options, including bounce castle water slides, to transform your Saint Clair Shores party into a splash-filled celebration.

[littlejumpersnj]

Bouncy house rentals in New Providence, NJ

Join New Providence, NJ’s evolution in Bouncy house rentals njs with Little Jumpers LLC.

Our bouncy house rentals njs are available for rent in New Providence, NJ. So if you want to have a get-together in New Providence, NJ, you should definitely consider hiring us for your bouncy house rentals nj. High quality parties like the one you are planning need top notch equipment, and you can get that from Little Jumpers LLC.

Little Jumpers LLC is your source for high quality bouncy house rentals njs.

You may want to consider these other items in New Providence, NJ:

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In addition to offering #1 bouncy house rentals njs in New Providence, NJ, we also offer: Bounce House Rental. So if your children are bored this year, then you might want to consider Little Jumpers LLC for your next rental so they can have a blast with their friends outside in the grass. We have a big selection so, be sure to check out all of our inventory.

We have everything needed to throw awesome, once in a lifetime parties. Whether it’s in your backyard or a large corporate event, we want to make sure your event is a fun, relaxing experience from start to finish.

Interested in hosting a memorable party? Little Jumpers LLC has got you covered! With everything you need, we can help make your party absolutely special. Whether it’s intimate gatherings or large-scale company parties, we offer a wide range of inventory to suit your needs.

Experience the power of Bouncy house rentals njs in the heart of New Providence, NJ.

Little Jumpers LLC is your high quality source for bouncy house rentals njs. We love providing the top bargain for your money in the area. With every rental and every event, we focus in on providing quality service so you can focus on having FUN. We also pride ourselves in providing safe, clean equipment at the most competitive pricing around. Each item is cleaned and sanitized after every event to ensure your safety and satisfaction. We always follow the strictest safety rules and we will not ignore your safety for business. EVER.

Transforming Bouncy house rentals njs one project at a time – that’s Little Jumpers LLC.

[bouncehouserentaltampa]

Make Your Event Unforgettable with Bounce Genie: Premier Bounce House, Water Slide, and Party Rentals

Bounce Genie: Premier Bounce House, Water Slide, and Party Rentals

Welcome to Bounce Genie

Are you looking for excitement at your next event? Bounce Genie is here for you. We specialize in bounce house and water slide rentals. We also offer complete party solutions.

Reasons to Hire Bounce Genie 🤹

Diverse Collection of Bounce Houses and Water Slides

Bounce Genie offers a rich selection of bounce houses and water slides. Our collection fits any party theme and space requirement. From vibrant bounce houses to exhilarating water slides, we provide well-maintained and safe options for every type of gathering, ensuring your event is a hit.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Our services are priced competitively to provide maximum value. When you rent from Bounce Genie, the cost includes delivery, setup, and removal. There are no unexpected fees. You get premium service that fits your budget.

Outstanding Customer Support

We prioritize your satisfaction. Our team is helpful and knowledgeable. They guide you in selecting the perfect rentals for your occasion. We guarantee on-time delivery and efficient setup. Your hassle-free experience is our goal.

Simplify Your Party Planning with Bounce Genie 🎈

Comprehensive Party Rentals

Beyond inflatables, Bounce Genie offers everything needed for a successful event. Whether you need seating, shelter, or fun food machines, we have it all. From chairs and tents to popcorn and snow cone machines, we are your all-in-one party rental service.

Commitment to Safety and Hygiene

We ensure every rental item is spotless and safe. Our products are thoroughly cleaned and inspected regularly. Enjoy peace of mind knowing your guests are safe while they have fun.

Flexible Rental Durations

Your party's needs are unique. Bounce Genie offers versatile rental durations to accommodate any schedule. Whether it's for a short gathering or an all-day event, we adapt to your time requirements for maximum convenience.

Reserve Now with Bounce Genie 🎠

Streamlined Booking System

Renting with Bounce Genie is straightforward. Visit our website to view our inventory, select your rentals, and book online. You can also contact us directly for personal assistance. Our friendly staff is eager to help you.

Coverage Across Various Locations

Bounce Genie services numerous areas. Visit our website to see if we are available in your location. We are ready to deliver fun right to your event.

Ideal for Every Occasion

Bounce Genie is the perfect choice for any celebration. From birthday parties and school functions to community events and corporate gatherings, we add excitement and joy to your special occasions. Trust Bounce Genie to elevate your event.

Conclusion: Trust Bounce Genie for Memorable Events 🌟

Ready to create lasting memories? Choose Bounce Genie for your next event. We offer a vast selection of bounce houses, water slides, and party rentals, backed by our dedication to your complete satisfaction.

Book your event with Bounce Genie today. Let us make your celebration a resounding success.

[bouncybrosiowaia]

Bouncy Bro’s: Elevating Fun with Premier Cedar Rapids Bounce House Rentals

In the heart of Cedar Rapids, a new wave of excitement has taken the children's party scene by storm. Bouncy Bro's, a vibrant and rapidly growing business, has become synonymous with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Specializing in bounce house rentals, this local company is setting the standard for fun and safe outdoor entertainment in Cedar Rapids and its surrounding areas.

A Leap Above the Rest: Why Choose Bouncy Bro’s When it comes to choosing the perfect entertainment for a child's birthday party, community event, or any celebration that includes young guests, Bouncy Bro's stands out for several compelling reasons. With an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and customer satisfaction, here’s why Cedar Rapids bounce house rentals from Bouncy Bro's are the talk of the town.

Unmatched Quality and Variety Bouncy Bro's takes pride in offering an extensive selection of high-quality bounce houses. From vibrant castles and adventurous jungle-themed jumpers to interactive sports arenas and water slides, there’s something to match every theme and occasion. Made from the best materials and meticulously maintained, each bounce house promises a safe and exhilarating experience for kids and peace of mind for parents.

Safety as a Top Priority Understanding the concerns parents have about safety, Bouncy Bro's has implemented rigorous safety protocols. Each rental undergoes a thorough inspection and cleaning process before and after use. Additionally, the company ensures that all installations are securely anchored and provides clear safety guidelines to prevent accidents, making them a trustworthy choice for Cedar Rapids bounce house rentals.

Customer-Focused Service At the heart of Bouncy Bro's success is its unparalleled customer service. The team goes above and beyond to ensure that every rental experience is seamless, from the initial consultation to the post-event follow-up. Their flexibility in accommodating special requests and their prompt, reliable delivery and setup services have earned them rave reviews and repeat customers.

Competitive Pricing and Packages Recognizing the importance of value, Bouncy Bro's offers competitive pricing and packages that cater to various budgets and needs. Whether you're planning a small backyard gathering or a large community festival, Bouncy Bro's has flexible options that ensure you get the best bang for your buck without compromising on quality or fun.

Serving Cedar Rapids and Beyond While based in Cedar Rapids, Bouncy Bro's serves a wide area, bringing joy to numerous communities around. Their dedication to spreading happiness and creating magical experiences for children is evident in every event they are part of. This commitment has not only made them a household name in Cedar Rapids but also a preferred choice for bounce house rentals in the surrounding regions.

A Testimony to Unforgettable Memories The true measure of Bouncy Bro's success lies in the smiles of children and the satisfaction of parents. Countless testimonials from happy customers highlight the joy and excitement that Bouncy Bro's bounce houses bring to every event. From the laughter of children bouncing under the sun to the grateful nods of parents who’ve found a reliable partner in creating memorable celebrations, Bouncy Bro's is making a significant impact.

Embracing Community and Sustainability Beyond providing fun and entertainment, Bouncy Bro's is deeply committed to the Cedar Rapids community and the environment. By adopting sustainable practices in their operations and actively participating in local events and charities, Bouncy Bro's is not just a business; it's a responsible and valued community member.

Looking to the Future As Bouncy Bro's continues to grow, their vision remains clear: to be the leading provider of Cedar Rapids bounce house rentals, known for their quality, safety, and exceptional service. With plans to expand their inventory and explore new ways to make every party and event even more special, the future looks bright and bouncy for Bouncy Bro's and the communities they serve.

Last Word: In a world where the simple joys of childhood are more precious than ever, Bouncy Bro's is a beacon of fun and laughter. Their dedication to providing top-quality Cedar Rapids bounce house rentals, combined with their commitment to safety and customer satisfaction, makes them the go-to choice for parents and organizers looking to add a bounce to their next event. Whether you're planning a birthday party, a school function, or just a day of fun in the sun, Bouncy Bro's is ready to help you create unforgettable memories. Join the countless happy customers and let Bouncy Bro's elevate your next celebration to new heights of fun!

[naffeclipse]

Sea Tears

Reader x Selkie!Moon

Commission Info

Thank you to the darling @cipher-the-sidhe for commissioning me to write about Selkie!Moon! The setting and the scenario are absolutely delightful. It's a shame I haven't written a selkie until now but I'm so glad I finally did!

Content Warning for mild injury and blood.

———

You tread carefully through the salt-tinged darkness and listen. A low hum plays along the moonbeams brightening the Salish Sea coast in an ancient voice you cannot translate. The fish and the seals might understand it as it thrums like insects on the wind or the constant, murmuring dance of the waves. You wonder if it is simply the sea. Perhaps it is something hidden along the dark inky waters now softly lapping up in the high tide.

Bends and sharp juts of coves shelter the rocky beaches. Further inland, a dense forest of coniferous evergreens conceal the beautiful shore and thrive in high levels of salt spray. You descend to the water, minding every step knowing that a slick, ocean-stained rock could easily lead you into a stumble and your head could crack open like an egg on the wave-smooth stones. 

These beaches are not for sunbathing and sand castles. They are to stand and admire the great breath of the Salish Sea and the bumps of crags lining the dark teal ocean—if the mist and cold don’t form an avid deterrent.

You rub your arms over the sleeves of your jacket and breathe a crisp scent. Driftwood dots the edge of land and water, and heaps of bull kelp sway farther out in the sea, lurking like guardians just along the surface to whatever might wander from the depths. 

Tonight, the fog is wonderfully parted by the silver-fingered light of the full moon. You scan the crevices in between dark, angled but blunt rocks, seeking the smooth fragments of seashells. In your years, you have rarely discovered a whole heart cockle or horse clam shell. There are only remnants of what was whole. 

The sand is firm and brown. The water gushes between stones before receding gently back with a frothy lace edge, bubbling and tumbling over itself just to do it all over again. You spy a fragment of a castoff shell, bleached and pale. You bend carefully down to scoop up its shard like a piece missing from a puzzle you wish to finish.

You hold it between your fingers. A curve or perhaps half of a spiral of a shell, sculpted by the waves now, softened by the time of being broken. Still, it is beautiful.

Carefully, you straighten while you slip it into your pocket. A soft understanding fills you to the bottom of your rib cage. A kinship, perhaps. You cast your eyes around you for a moment, admiring the moonlight until it shines upon a texture that is not often found here. 

Fur. Silver and speckled in blue-gray, it sits, slumped and hunched between two rocks, lying lifeless.

A seal. The dawning comes upon you in a moment of the rushing tide, and then, your feet are moving towards it. Your heart twists while you watch it sharply. How it could be so still and thin? Is it injured? You don’t have your phone with you—you left it in the car parked beside the oceanside road. Who would you call? Wildlife service? Perhaps it’s already too late.

No. You pray it isn’t.

You weave between sand and stones. Where the unmoving figure lies is thick with rocks, with almost no beach to speak of other than what is buried beneath. Your sandals slip on the slick edges of the rugged terrain. Wobbling, you catch yourself before you sling your body along a craggy boulder. You pass over the harsh edges and corners of the rocky shore, almost within reach. The fur hasn’t moved an inch at your rash approach. Your throat bobs for a moment in the horror of coming upon a long rotted seal—then your sandal-clad foot slips. 

A whip of sea and wind, and you fall. You throw your elbow down to catch you and it scraps sharply down the side of rough rock. You gasp when you bounce and slide, splashing into a thin strip of the tide slipping between cracks and crevices, but hold your chin high, away from any fatal head injuries.

You inhale slowly, eyes wide in the relief that you are not currently dripping your brains out of your skull like spilled yoke. A thin, stinging pain erupts along your forearm. Prying yourself off of the ground, watching where you place your feet, you get back up. A glance at the fur confirms it is still there. Slowly, you twist your arm to examine a fine, ragged cut slicing towards your wrist. A mix of sand, salt water, and blood spread across your skin. 

You breathe as it flares with pain. You close your eyes and convince yourself that you’ll clean and bandage it once you get back to your car.

First, the seal.

You lower your arm. Blood drops into the water as you at last reach the two stones the fur is wedged between, and tentatively, you reach out with the vain hope it might be warm and move with life. Your fingers stroke over the beautifully silver shade of the coat, dappled with blue-gray markings and a few, lovely rings at the end. But strangely, it’s cool with mist and bunched like fabric. Your mind turns the conundrum over slowly as if examining a broken seashell before you tug on it, higher, higher, until you hold in your hand the thin skin of a seal.

A pelt.

There is no blood, sinew, or otherwise, much to your relief. It carries a smooth sleekness on its underside. The strangeness of it tugs at a part of your mind, a memory of folklore and tales spoken around a table late at night. The beautiful pelt fills your vision with its starry silver shade and the Pacific ocean-deep hue of its markings. Carefully, as if handling platinum and sapphires, you caress the fur with the back of your fingers. A drop of blood from your arm threatens to stain it and you quickly shift the hide to your clean arm. You can’t ruin this beautiful coat with your crimson.

You lift your head. You gaze out over the ocean, rippling with the incandescence of the moon upon its onyx surface. Your heart bobs within you. Your eyes seek, and your ears strain.

The hum of the ocean which has filled you since you first arrived in the darkness grows. It is no longer a muffled, soft sound carried from behind closed lips but a soft melody lifted upon a voice. It rises to the sky. Over the driftwood and waves, you turn to face it, clutching the seal skin to your chest.

A man sings.

A part of you, undeniable and filled with longing, strides towards it. Following the curve of the rocky beach, you watch your every step. A plea in your core echoes with the desire to find the one singing. The crystal vibrations of the siren call rings through your bones. 

A rocky cove crops up on the side of a bluff, cutting off the beach but resuming with a swell of the tide into its darkened alcove. Once you near the mouth, you stop to bask in the lovely timbre. 

Then, with your fingers tangled in the soft, sleek fur of the seal pelt, you stand upon a rock just out of reach of the oceanic tide and peer into the cove.

In the glow of the night, a man stands in the icy shallows. You can only gaze at his striking figure wrapped in moonbeams. He steps lightly, his movement rhythm. The water ripples softly underneath him. He waves his arms, his limbs flowing over his head and down, like a wind sweeping the rocks and ushering the mist higher onto land. He turns, and one leg sweeps over the inky surface before stepping back. 

His body is long-limbed and slender, blue-gray like the speckles on the fur you hold. Upon his face is a marking of a silver crescent. His rich copper eyes flash in the dimness and are half-lidded in his homage to the great sea. Your breath stalls in your throat caught upon his visage. His face is wide and flat. Draping behind his head is an appendage much like a seal tail, an even darker blue with spots of glimmering silver-like stars.

His voice carries a song you have no name for but that which you hold only the most reverence in its echo. Your lips part unwittingly in adoration. He sings to himself and dances to an audience of the black sky filled with the moon.

But you twitch a hand forward as if you might catch a note of his lullaby and cradle it close to your chest. The man’s head snaps towards you. You freeze.

In a second of time and starlight, he holds your gaze, and you slip into the coppery irises that fill his wide eyes. His attention slips to what you clutch. You glance down, admiring the fur anew before you find your voice, hollowed and soft.

“Is this yours?” you ask.

The man stares, motionless like the bluffs the waves beat against. A few heartbeats pass within you. The man gently dips his head. The tail on the back of his head sways slightly like a nightcap.

“It is,” he speaks. “Please return it to me. I cannot return to the sea and my brothers without my coat.”

His voice rasps through the salty air and brushes the shell of your ear as if he whispered it to you. 

The word emerges in your mind like the fall of dusk. Selkie. One who has shed his fur to take a faintly human form under the full moon. The tales you’ve caught murmurs of were always of women, beautiful and naked, who begged for their seal skin back but spent the rest of their days held captive by the man who kept it hidden, forced to become a bride and carry his children.

An ache takes over your heart at such a cruel fate.

You answer with a gentle, “Of course.”

You slowly step into the icy waters. A shiver rolls up your body and you catch your tongue between your teeth to keep from gasping out at the shock of the brine. The selkie watches you, his eyes unreadable, his hands poised with his fingers half furled—as if you intend to dangle his seal skin in front of him before yanking it out of reach.

“I’m sorry,” you breathe. You wade far less gracefully in the echoes of his dance and song to reach him under the cove’s mouth, “I didn’t intend to keep it. I only meant to return it to you.”

You find the truth along your tongue. Even if you didn’t catch a glimpse of his beautiful melody, you would have left the coat where it lay, too afraid of stranding a selkie without her or his skin.

He says nothing until you present it to him. Carefully, you hold it out to him and his long fingers grasp it. A soft breath leaves him. His shoulders lower while he turns his coat over and examines it, stroking the fine fur before leveling an unreadable gaze over you. You’re small before his tall figure. You feel clumsy and cumbersome in comparison to his lissom body. 

A true selkie, right before your eyes.

“So you did,” he at last murmurs as if he were dreaming. His copper eyes glide over you. His blue-gray body shimmers with a galaxy-like illumination. He carefully folds his coat over his arm before holding out his other hand and bidding you closer. “Come here. Sit with me.”

You stare at his offered palm. A few thoughts cross your mind of danger and temptation, a selkie ready to snatch away an unwary human, but would he have asked you so kindly? You slide your fingers into his grasp. He holds your hand before gently tugging you down until you cross your legs and sit in the icy cove water beside him.

“Is it true?” you ask, then flush slightly with the bluntness of your voice echoing in the alcove.

He tilts his head at you, the appendage at the back of his head slipping over your shoulder. His silence coaxes you softly into asking, “Do humans really steal the coats of selkies and force them into marriage?”

The selkie’s eyes lower, somber, before he dips his chin. “It is true. But not always.” His eyes find yours and hold them softly.

He has yet to release your hand, but slowly, he lifts your wrist and turns it slowly. You almost forget the sting until the sight of the bloody cut down your arm strikes you once more. Your lips twist at the sight, glancing at the selkie and fearing his judgment. How human you are, bleeding in his ocean.

“What did this?” he asks in a low voice, his eyes outlining the edges of your wound.

“A fall,” you say sheepishly, “I thought your coat was an injured seal.”

A laugh, rolling and deep, loosens from his lips. A not unwelcome shudder fills you in the sound. Mischievous and sincere, all at once.

“You must be more careful,” he says, his laughter dying as he leans closer.

You curl your fingers. Pressing back in the slightest as he hovers over your torn flesh, you hushly ask his name.

But he doesn’t answer. You watch in the quiet of the tide as the selkie blinks, and a tear falls onto your sliced forearm. A soft tingle spreads through your flesh. You glance down, and another tear falls, mingling with the sand and ocean salt, but the tingling becomes a gentle sensation knitting and stitching the skin together. In stunned silence, you observe seven tears in total bind your wound as if you never fell.

“This is my thanks for returning my coat.” The selkie releases your arm to gently wash it with a touch of brackish water. Blood and sand wash away, leaving your skin as it once was. He lifts his head and smiles. “I am Moon, and I must go.”

“Oh.” The sound is so small coming from you. “Moon…”

You echo your name. It feels so weak in comparison to his, but he takes it within his mouth and he sings it once. Your heart bobs within your chest as if floating upon a storm-tossed sea. 

“Goodbye,” he rasps. He holds your gaze, soft as seafoam, and tugs his coat over his body. He slips down into the water. A flick of velvet flippers emerges, and a large seal lifts his head above water. 

You gaze at the beautiful copper eyes of the seal. Whiskers twitch and a wet nose presses closer to you. Slowly, carefully, you stretch your fingers and stroke the soft fur of his head. Your palm runs down the slippery slope of his neck to his strong, blubbered back. The selkie holds beautifully still.

“Goodbye, Moon,” you whisper.

The selkie eyes upturn, somehow grinning in an animal form. In a sharp splash, he turns and dives into the water. The sleek dappled fur of his pelt mingles with the moonlight reflecting upon the black ocean before the waves reclaim one of its own. 

You stay in the cove for a time you cannot account for, watching the waters, wishing to catch the echo of his song just one last time.

Gradually, like the moon beginning to shift across the darkness, you get to your feet. Water splashes back into the cove. Your heart grows heavy and forlorn, and you rub your fingertips together as if still stroking his fur.

Perhaps you might return in search of broken seashells but find the selkie again.

[kkami-writes]

waiting for us — chapter twenty six. howls moving castle wc. 625 + 4SS

The apartment was not as bad as Jisung had made it out to seem. It definitely looked lived in, especially by four boys but it wasn’t quite the fire hazard you thought it was going to be. The apartment next door to the right contained the other four, he told you that they got pretty lucky with two places opening up at the same time.

The two of you had decided on Chinese, eating directly from the little takeout boxes. When Jisung said it would be a casual date he had really meant it.

You were sat next to him, food already been inhaled and promptly discarded to the little side table he had next to his bed. Both of you were too engrossed in Howl’s Moving Castle at the moment, having already watched Spirited Away while you ate. The movie was set up on a projector that displayed directly against the wall. Jisung had explained that movie nights were taken very seriously in their relationship, the boys taking turns picking each week. He would not disclose how many times he had already made his soulmates watch this particular movie.

The silence between the two of you is comfortable and you feel a sense of contentment just sitting next to him. You’re unsure if it’s the soulmate link that makes you feel this way, or if Jisung is simply a calming presence. He’s close enough that you can practically feel his body heat but he leaves enough space for you to close the distance yourself if you choose to. Still, it’s nerve wracking, heart hammering against your ribcage and it’s making it hard to focus on anything but the boy next to you. Not even the glorious Howl Pendragon could captured your attention as effortlessly as Han Jisung is right now.

He’s dressed in a black and white stripped sweater and jeans, a signature beanie covering his hair. Yet he looks so effortlessly handsome and it makes your mouth a little dry. You have to take a sip of water.

When you put your hand back, you’re placing it in between the spaces of your bodies, itching for a little bit of contact. You don’t think he’ll notice but of course Jisung does. Despite his eyes never leaving the movie, he’s so acutely aware of everything you’re doing. Are you ok? Are you having fun? You’re not too overwhelmed are you? These questions practically bounce around in his head. He doesn’t want to read too much into the small movement of your hand but fuck, does he really want to intertwine his fingers with yours.

So he puts his hand almost dangerously close to yours, giving you once again the option to take the plunge if you wish. You’re chewing on the inside of your cheek, fingers twitching to get just a little closer. You let out a quiet shaky exhale before sliding your hand to brush against his own. The touch sends a shiver down your spine and you suddenly feel like a school girl with a crush, butterflies swarming annoyingly in your stomach.

Jisung can’t hide the smile on his face as he connects your pinkies together. You’re not surprised when your hands end up wrapped together later, him holding your hand in his lap.

You already knew that you were well and truly fucked. These boys would 100% be the death of you (in the best way possible). Yet, you can’t find it in yourself to really care. You were tired of being scared, letting people decide how you should feel - the results of the shitty family fate had dealt you.

But you were more than ready to jump into the deep end for these boys. If you drowned, so be it.

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[lucky0stars]

I kept wondering if you are still active since I genuinely enjoy your writing.

If requests are open, might I ask for a ficlet of Young Master Xehanort telling the reader that he loves them for the first time?

Oh this one has been on my mind ever since you sent it!!

I hope you don't mind that I wrote this one in the same series as The Young Master. I've absolutely missed that series and this gave me a good starting point of how to have him confess his feelings.

I hope you enjoy!! Thank you so much for your patience.

**The Young Master - Confession**

Words: 2121

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The forests of Enchanted Dominion were a spectacle in themselves. Branches and leaves curved together into perfectly formed shapes, as if someone meticulously went through and sheared every one. Vibrant hues made up the bark, creating a multitude of color as you walked through the brush. Critters scuttled past, their chitters and songs mixing with the wind rustling the leaves. 

By all accounts, it was a serene perfect day. If Maleficent’s abandoned castle wasn’t looming in the distance in the craggy mountains, you might have been able to enjoy it. Instead, the forest did nothing but provide a false sense of calm. You still weren’t entirely sure why Master Yen Sid sent you to the Enchanted Dominion. A favor towards the good fairies, perhaps. That was your best guess. Still, it got you away from the fray, if even for a day. 

As you approached the mountain side the forest thinned. Dried leaves drifted in the whistling wind, leaving dark bare branches behind. A green wispy fog covered your path. It smelled of overripe fruit and fire, making you cough and cover your mouth with the back of your hand. Maybe the good fairies did indeed have something to worry about. Even without Maleficent there to rule over her fortress, something nefarious seemed to be involved. 

Crumbling steps led up the mountain, spiralling up towards the clouds. You reached the base, taking a moment to gaze up at your upcoming trek. Your legs throbbed, already sore at the mere thought of it. Despite it, you went on ahead. If this was what your superiors needed, you were going to get it done. A small part of you felt you deserved it after all. Between your secret meetings with the young master and all the other distractions he brought with him, you weren’t exactly a model Keyblade Master. 

If Xehanort were there with you, he’d be able to get you to the fortress with a flick of his wrist. Of course, all that time saved would instead be spent lost in the other and it wouldn’t get the mission done faster. The thought did seem enticing though. You smiled at the idea, despite yourself.  It provided a nice distraction from the thickening fog and endless stairs. 

Reaching an alcove in the mountainside, you allowed yourself a moment of respite. Moss hung from the rocks’ edge, dripping with water. The sound bounced off the walls, echoing into the canyon. You settled against the mountain, sliding to the ground to sit. The view was breathtaking. You were higher up than you expected, but still had quite the way to go. Leaning your head back, your eyes slid shut. You listened to the trickling water and the wind howling through the cracks of the mountain. Then your ears perked at the unmistakable sound of a Corridor of Darkness. 

You leapt up to your feet, Keyblade flashing into your grasp. Black tendrils writhed and scraped across the ground, an orb of darkness sprouted from its center. Your breath stuttered, any one of the Organization Members could walk out of it. And one did, his hood concealing his face. The Corridor wisped away behind him, its mist lost to the breeze. You straightened, Keyblade at your side. Was it too much to hope for it to be Xehanort?

He lifted his hands and pushed back his hood. Silver hair pooled out and you released a breath, a grin forming before you wiped it away and replaced it with a taut frown. 

“Xehanort,” you said his name, your heart fluttering. “What are you doing here?”

He smirked. His golden eyes danced over you, settling on your Keyblade as he crossed his arms. “I thought I saw someone coming up the steps. It had to be you.”

Your blade lowered. “You were already here,” you realized. “Why?”

His gaze raised to yours and his smirk grew. “I could ask you the same thing, couldn’t I?”

Your frown cracked and you shrugged. “You could.”

The two of you stared back at the other. This was always how it started: curt words and remarks that danced around your true intentions. You wondered how long it would take for the defenses to go down this time. Was it anything more than a game at this point? It should have been, but you both realized along the way that fighting it was fruitless.

When he didn’t speak, you walked past him, continuing up the steps. “If you’re not going to tell me, I’m going to figure it out for myself.”

He huffed out a laugh. “Should I have dinner waiting when you finally get there?” He reappeared two stairs ahead of you, his Corridor wisping away behind him. “Or should we cut through all this and I show you?”

You stopped, struggling to keep your mouth from curving and matching his smirk. Guilt trickled in as it always did. That sickening feeling that simmered in the pit of your gut while the rest of you got swept up in the game. That’s all it was, right? Just a game. You wanted to agree, especially as you noticed the way his golden eyes drifted to your lips. Instead, you stepped aside and went past. “And accept help from the enemy? For all I know, you’ve got a trap waiting for me.”

Hurried footsteps followed you, until Xehanort met your pace, his hands clasped behind his back. “Maybe I do,” he agreed. “Maleficent’s fortress does seem fitting to capture my very own princess.” He sped up a couple steps once again and this time stopped you by cupping his hand along your cheek. 

Warmth rushed up your cheek and you fought the urge to lean into his touch. His thumb gripped your chin and your lips parted ever so slightly. 

“The damsel in distress, locked in my tower,” he teased, his voice low. “Do you think your Heroes of Light would manage to save you from me?”

Your breath shook every so slightly, the idea far too enticing for your liking. Gripping his wrist, you moved his hand away from your chin. “I think I’d save myself just fine.”

He chuckled as you walked past. “Of course.” He followed after you. “You know, it’s not a bad idea. Keeping you here for myself.”

You scoffed, thankful you were up ahead so he couldn’t see the way you blushed. “What makes you think I’d let you keep me here?”

“Call it intuition,” he replied and you could hear that damn smirk in his voice. 

A laugh spilled out of you and you stopped, allowing him to catch up. You looked into his golden eyes, a passion and spark festering inside them. Shaking your head, you whispered, “You’re relentless.”

He huffed out a short laugh. His eyes danced over you as the amusement faded, his smirk softening. “And what are you?”

You hummed, averting your eyes until his hand gripped your chin and brought your attention back. He stood a scant distance away, your lips barely inches apart. His warm breath brushed against you and you swallowed hard. The game was had. “Hopeless,” you whispered, allowing him to close the distance between you.

His lips were so warm. A whine escaped you, swallowed by his vibrating hum. An arm wrapped around your back, pulling you closer until your body was flush against his. Darkness sprouted from the ground, surrounding both of you in its embrace. Its heaviness weighed on your heart and was the only thing that spurred you to pull away from Xehanort. His Corridor brought you to the heart of Maleficent’s fortress. Sunlight streamed through the windows, forming splotches of light in the darkness. 

It took your eyes a moment to adjust. Xehanort held you close to him, his lips trailing alongside your jaw down to your neck. You whimpered, eyes sliding shut and hands clenching against his chest. 

“Xeha,” you sighed out his name and he pulled back enough to see your face. You meant to say more, but instead closed the distance once again, your lips lingering against his until you parted for a breath. “What are you doing here?” you asked with a whisper. “Show me, please.”

He hummed, that smirk of his returning. “Now you’re interested?”

“Yes,” you admitted with a soft laugh. “Are you going to show me or not?”

His smirk faltered and he looked beyond you further into the dark fortress. You turned to look with him, seeing swaths of the green mist pouring from a thin dilapidated doorway. 

“The source of the mist,” you said, stepping away from him. “What is it?

He went up beside you. “We don’t know.”

“You too?” you asked, walking towards the doorway until he grabbed your wrist. “What?”

“Are you planning on walking right into it?” he asked, summoning his Keyblade. 

A barrier formed around both of you and he led the way in. You remained close at his side, watching the mist swirl around the shield. Through the doorway, it appeared to lead into the throne room. Maleficent’s black throne stood at the focal point, its form cracked and malformed with the mist seeping out of its orifices. 

“That’s… not good,” you admitted and Xehanort huffed out a short laugh. 

“No, it’s not,” he agreed. “And we don’t know what it is.”

You looked up at him, though his attention was focused on the chair. A subtle smile curved your lips. “Did we end up on the same side for once?”

His brow raised and he looked back at you, a smirk matching yours. “You really are hopeless.”

You scoffed, crossing your arms. “Says the guy that begged me to come up here with him.”

“I wouldn’t call it begging,” he said, leading the two of you back out of the throne room. “More, trying to save you some time.”

“Sure,” you replied, stepping away from him once the barrier was gone. You walked further into the fortress, hands going to your hips. “So… what do we do about this?”

“About you and me?” he asked, smirking when you sent him a look over your shoulder. “I assumed you would have to report back to your Masters. I’m sure those fairies of yours will be infesting the place soon enough.”

“If you felt that way, why did you help me get here faster?” you asked. 

“I thought it would have been obvious,” he replied and you couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across your face. 

“Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t,” you teased, walking further. You heard his footsteps echo behind you and you bit your lip in anticipation.

His hand wound around your arm and tugged you back. With a swift motion, he spun you around and pressed your back up against a pillar. His hands pinned you in on either side. Both of you stared at the other, breaths getting heavier. He leaned forward, the tip of his nose grazing the side of your face towards your ear. “Should I make it more obvious?”

Your breath choked into a gasp, your head slinging back against the rock. “By all means.”

He chuckled, his voice vibrating through you. His lips pressed against your neck, just behind your ear. Your voice shuddered, your hands clinging to his back. Lips trailed along your neck, to your jaw, pausing just before your lips. You fluttered your eyes open, seeing him just a breath away, lips parted and curved into a smile. Your chest swelled and your hand laced into his hair, tugging him to your mouth. He groaned, his tongue sliding effortlessly against yours. Your head was spinning by the time you parted. Heaving breaths fogged between the two of you. 

His hands cupped both of your cheeks, his thumbs gently caressing. He gazed into your eyes, the deep emotion inside of his golden ones was like an endless pool. Your heart lodged in your throat. The game was getting more complicated. 

“Y/N,” he whispered. 

“Yes…?” you whispered in reply, eyes dancing over his face. 

“I…” he cut himself off by kissing you, lingering. He rested his head against yours, his breath shaking. “I think I love you.”

Your breath hitched. He couldn’t take that back. He knew that. This wasn’t just a game anymore. 

“Xeha…” you breathed out. 

He pulled back enough to see your face and you noticed the warmth in his cheeks. He meant it. A cacophony of emotions toiled inside your heart: excitement, joy, along with overwhelming guilt and nausea at what it truly meant for you. All of it faded when you met your eyes with his. 

“I… I think I might love you too,” you admitted, releasing a breath and a smile when Xehanort grinned and pulled you in for another kiss. 

[boom-bada-boom]

in a dream i meet my dead friend

“He has, / I know, gone long and far, / and yet he is the same / for the dead are changeless. / They grow no older. / It is I who have changed, / grown strange to what I was.”

— A Meeting, Wendell Berry

when albion’s need is greatest, kilgharrah tells him. when albion’s need is greatest, freya tells him. when albion’s need is greatest, arthur will rise again.

when he first heard the words, he didn’t really understand them. arthur was dead, but he’d come back eventually— though how long was anyones guess. but for the moment, arthur was dead, the king was dead, and his kingdom deserved to know what happened.

he gives himself a day, the night and the dawn and the midday and the sunset, to remain in front of the lake, blood drying and crusting over on his hands and staining his clothes. he gives himself a day frozen keeling at the lake’s edge, before pushing himself to his feet and whispering, “i promise i’ll come back.” to the still still still waters.

it takes him a long time to fulfill that promise. by then, giaus is dead, percival is dead, leon is dead, and the only reason he ever returns to camelot at all is because of gwen, old now and confined to her bed, and because he needs to see the city, the castle, one last time; carve the picture into his memories. maybe carve a spell into the castle’s stone so it survives a while yet, while he runs away from his past.

he kneels once more before the shores of avalon, and the magic heavy over him like a thick winter coat slides off to reveal beneath it a face and body just the same as the one that had knelt there decades before.

“‘when albion’s need is greatest,’” he echoes across the years, and clutches at his own arms in a farce of a hug. there is a long pause, a long moment where the sun high above is hidden behind thick clouds, a long moment where the gentle breeze stills, a long moment where the sounds of the woodland at his back fades out. it passes.

“i want to see you, arthur.” merlin admits to the still waters. “i do. but i fear what threat we will be facing in the face of it.” he smiles, rueful, grieved, so tired already, at the sparkling reflections bouncing from the mirror-like work of nature and magic before him. “i’m— tired. of fighting. i think i’d just like to be with my friends. all of them.”

it’s not really directed to arthur, anymore, he doesn’t think. it’s more an observation of his own inner psyche, something he doesn’t oft do simply because he fears what he might find in the depths.

he knows he means it though, all of his friends. in his minds eye flashes the image of morgana, young, plagued with nightmares still, but brave and kind and righteous; the look of her smile, soft and loving, as she gazed upon gwen, a bundle of flowers in one hand and the other simply holding holding holding gwen’s own; the slight smirk as she looked down on arthur, play-threats and play-fights and all the camaraderie of siblings with none of the titles; the indulgent, caring look she bestowed upon him, in the long quiet moments where she thought him unaware.

all of them.

when the castle fell, merlin thought that this, maybe, was the moment arthur returned. he had not dared step foot in the city walls since gwen’s death, but he still always kept one ear out for news regarding it. his magic, embedded into the stones, strained and tried to protect the frame and those within it, but it could only do so much from the great chasm of distance between him and camelot. he was kneeling before the lake by the end of the day. he did not get up for a week, and then another, and by the time his body seemed liable to shake apart and was held together only by his own magic, and it was abundantly clear arthur would not be returning— by then, he just slammed his fists into the earth and screamed. screamed for a life and a future robbed from him, from arthur, from all his friends. screamed because while their life was robbed because it ended, his life was robbed because there was no end for him.

after that, time seemed to pass quicker, or maybe merlin cared less. camelot, its king and its knights and all the people it contained, was soon faded into myth and legend, a true story known only in the depths of his own mind, hidden behind the ancient old carved-in image of a castle now only ruins in life. history moved around him, through him, did not care for him.

he tried helping, at first. tried using magic to make things better, mostly by healing people. merlin learned soon enough though, and began to stop trying. after the next uncountable attempt at killing him for witchcraft, he stopped trying to help that way. not long after that, every other way too.

when the twenty-first century rolled around, merlin was tired most of all. tired and sad and worn and hopeless. arthur was not coming back, he realized. not if wars and plagues and massacres and destruction was not enough to raise him.

or maybe it is because these were all things merlin could have helped, could have possibly even prevented entirely if he could’ve brought himself to interfere. when albion’s need is greatest, but obviously there would be no need if merlin could fix the problem with a snap of his fingers.

for the nth time, he considered what that could mean. what could be the cause. what great, impossible threat was out there that even merlin couldn’t defeat, that even he could not prevent?

it had been over a thousand years, and he was tired and old and bitter. angry at his still-unfinished destiny and hateful of this immortal, unending life.

perhaps then that’s why he thinks, something merlin can’t defeat? well, he couldn’t very well defeat himself.

and perhaps that is where it starts.

when albion’s need is greatest, king arthur will rise again.

merlin decides he will bring about albion’s time of great need— anything to bring back arthur from his watery grave.

(he was so tired of living, tired of waiting. he just wanted his friend back, wanted to smile and call the king a prat and be looked at with the same fond admiration he’d always been given though never recognized during the moment.)

…

…

…

(below the waters of avalon, between life and death, king arthur pendragon, the once and future king, awakens from death with a gasp.)

(above those same waters, shadows walk the earth. shadows of albion, and of camelot, knights and magical creatures alike. all of them simply echoes given life by a magic more powerful than anything that has ever been or will ever be.)

the thing is, the lake of avalon had never just been the specific location. it is the veil between worlds, and thus the lake of avalon is everywhere where life and death meet.

so, as the world decends to chaos, and as merlin watches the lake shore like the bird he is named after, king arthur is thrust from the lake of avalon somewhere else entirely, far out of merlin’s reach. behind him, the knights of the round table, along with the queen guinevere and the lady morgana, rise just the same.

because, of course, nothing is ever quite simple.

merlin does not extend himself to learn of the whys and hows of the pockets of resistance against him. he does not want to know, just wants them crushed because then, maybe then, albion’s need will be greatest.

so, when a certain floundering group of someones begin carving a path of resistance towards the shadow castle built only from the image carved into merlin’s own head, he does not take note except to send more power to squash it.

(said group does not know much, truly. they do not know of the world they have found themselves in, though they always find people willing to help them in the unlikeliest of places. they do not know what the name of the great evil they face is, nor why it had come, only that they must stop it.)

(they do not know why the lady of the lake was crying, as she watched them stumble into life once more, nor why she handed them a rose, just a rose, still on the stem, and told them that it would lead them to their destiny.)

(it is not until she has disappeared that arthur thinks to ask, where is merlin?)

[realtacuardach]

How to Heal a Herbalist

Entry for Day 1 of Obiyuki Madness 2025 (better than never :D) for @snowwhite-andtheknight: caregiver reversal.

~~~

“Herbalists,” Obi said airily, barely audible over the crunching of snow underfoot, “make the worst patients.”

Miss lifted her head from where it had been resting against the back of his neck, and made an indignant noise that was far cuter than it was intimidating. “You have clearly,” she began in a stern tone, the effect somewhat dampened by the congestion already overpowering her sinuses with a vengeance, “never treated assassins. They are very,” she sneezed, “stubborn.”

“Mercenary turned shining knight, thank you very much,” Obi countered, grinning as his Miss attempted to wipe the back of his neck in apology, although it hadn’t penetrated the scarf she’d insisted on wrapping around his neck before their evening adventures. “And I think herbalists have us beat on being stubborn.”

“Oh, really?” Miss attempted to jibe back, although her head fell against his back with a dull thud that caused him to tighten his hold around her legs and hasten his step.

“I have experience,” Obi continued, “in climbing all sorts of trees, Miss. I could have gotten that branch easily–”

“I was there first–”

“And I wouldn’t have fallen out of the tree into the pond.”

“You could have!”

“Miss.” He turned to face her, a little difficult given how she was draped over his back. “Have you ever seen me  fall?”

A pregnant pause fell over the pair as Obi made his steady way back to the castle. Miss nuzzled against his neck and murmured triumphantly. “You fell for me!”

Even exceptionally nasal, the words paired with the warm press of her face against his neck sent a jolt of some strong emotion that he felt he needed to bestow on her in kind. But she was cold, she was dripping from the thankfully not quite frozen pond, and he was pretty sure she had, at the very, very least, a sprained ankle. “Yes, I did, Miss.”

“Shirayuki.” Her arms gripped more securely around his neck, and he shivered at the sensation - and at how cold her fingers were.

“Shirayuki,” he acquiesced, the name still a strange but sweet taste on his tongue. She made a murmur of something like approval, and leaned forward with a sigh. Her grip slackened on his neck, and he gripped her legs more firmly, breathing a sigh of relief at the sight of the castle finally looming in the distance.

…

Obi slid smoothly through the clinic door, satchel borrowed from Shirayuki bouncing on his hip, the contents clinking dully together. “I’m back,” he crooned quietly, but bit the sound off quickly as he saw his lady’s chest slowly rising and falling in a light doze, her nose whistling slightly in the still room. He indulged in a moment of appreciating how beautiful she was, even in a cocoon of blankets and snoring, before turning in earnest to his work.

The fire he had stoked prior to his quest to the kitchen and storerooms crackled cheerily in the hearth as he set the kettle he had filled with water above the flames. He pulled one of the clinic’s side tables towards him, depositing his pilfered gains onto the slightly scarred surface.

He could hear Miss’ lilting laugh in his ears, as clear as though she were awake. And you know that you could have asked someone to get those, you don’t have to ‘steal’ anything.

But then she would have been embarrassed to have roused the concerned kitchen staff and not-so-little Ryuu and who knew who all else on her behalf; especially since it had nearly required pulling teeth to let him alone take care of her. Besides, Obi liked having him all to herself, to be the one to take care of her.

Keeping an eye on her dozing form, he began to finely dice ginger root, sliding the pieces into her favorite chipped mug. He then peeled the onion and garlic before slicing them into thin slivers. By the time the garlic and onion had been ground into a fine power and then turned into a thin paste following a generous slug of olive oil, the kettle had begun to whistle.

Obi pulled the kettle off of its hook and replaced it with the bowl of poultice. He poured the boiling water into the mug of ginger root, hoping the whistling hadn’t roused Miss.

“Obi?”

“Oops, sorry, Miss,” Obi smiled at her, stirring the contents of the mug. “Didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“That’s okay,” she replied, attempting to sit up before falling back with a thump against the headboard. She let out a breathy, somewhat exasperated laugh. “I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, bringing over the steeping mug and a bundle of bandages. “Rest is important to healing, I have it on good authority.”

Miss seemed to consider sitting up again but decided against it, settling for rolling onto her side to better see Obi. “It’s good to know that you heard that authority,” she said, sniffling,” “It’s a shame you don’t seem to remember that when you’re the patient.”

“Must be some sort of condition,” Obi quipped, returning to the bowl of poultice and checking the temperature.

“Selective hearing, most likely.”

Obi barked a laugh. “Could be. How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” she admitted, “but less cold.” She sniffed the air curiously, then looking adorably frustrated. “What’s that on the hearth?”

“Why, don’t you trust me?”

“I do.” She said without hesitation, and he swallowed hard, focusing on stirring the steeping ginger water. “I’m just curious.”

“Onion, garlic, and olive oil,” he replied. “For your ankle.”

Her eyes glowed appreciatively. “A poultice?”

“Yes,” he said. “It’s not as tasty this way, but I didn’t think your throat could take anything more hearty than a broth right now.”

She coughed ruefully, the catch in her voice audible. “I think you’re right.”

“So I made you some ginger tea.” He gestured towards the steaming cup before scooping a liberal amount of honey from a nearby jar and stirring it in. 

“Sounds good,” she sighed, leaning back. She shuffled her shoulders and laughed. “Although I might need help detangling myself so I can actually drink it.”

Obi shook his head sadly. “Sorry, can’t do that. Rest is important for healing.”

She gave him a look. “That does make drinking it harder.”

Leaning over her, Obi slid his arms around her back and legs and gently lifted her into a sitting position. “That’s why I’m here.” She looked puzzled, and he bit back a grin as he reached for the cup and spoon. He dipped the spoon into the tea and brought it towards her mouth.

She crossed her eyes at him for a moment before laughing. “That’s not necessary.” However, she obediently opened her mouth for the first spoonful, sighing a little at the warmth coursing down her throat before she winced.

“Is it too hot?” Obi asked, dipping the spoon again and blowing gently against the tea. 

“No,” she said, before accepting another spoonful. “It’s perfect, my throat’s just tender.”

“Told you you needed to rest.”

Shirayuki sighed.

The next few minutes passed in a comfortable silence save for the clinking of the spoon against the mug and the quiet whisper of Obi’s breath across each offering. After drinking half of the mug, Miss closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall.

Obi put the mug to the side and retrieved the warm bowl of poultice. He peeled back the blankets around her feet, wincing a little apologetically at the shivers the movement evoked. “Sorry,” he said, removing the thick woolen sock before applying the warm poultice with firm, gentle strokes around her swollen ankle.

“You’re fine,” Miss assured him, and then her throat caught in a giggle.

“Ticklish?”

“Yes,” Miss looked down at him, and a somewhat alarmed look spread across her face at his smirk. “Obi, don’t you dare.”

“Perish the thought, Miss,” Obi replied lightly, obediently steering his fingers away from the sole of her foot while storing away that information for the future. He wrapped the ankle firmly in the bandages and replaced the sock before tucking the blanket snugly around her once more.

“Shirayuki,” she reminded him automatically. He saw her foot flex experimentally beneath the blankets. “That’s a wonderful wrap, Obi.”

“I’ve learned from the best.”

A cheeky grin spread across her flushed face. “Ryuu?”

“From two of the best,” Obi corrected.

“Garelt?”

“You, Shirayuki,” Obi crooned, shifting his position back towards where her head rested against the wall, “are teasing me.”

“I learned from the best.”

“The best, you say,” Obi grinned, leaning closer towards her and delighting in how the flush in her face spread swiftly to her ears. He wondered how he might make that flush spread even further, and an idea sprang to mind.

“What is it?” His Miss knew him all too well.

“You know, I heard of one way to get rid of a cold.”

“Really?” The tone was equal parts curious and suspicious as his lady regarded him.

“Sharing it.” Obi leaned closer.

“That,” Shirayuki stuttered a little at his encroaching proximity, although her eyes glittered with mirth, “has never been scientifically proven.”

Obi arched a brow. “Well, I’ve learned from you how to fix that.”

“And how is that?” She shivered, moreso from the ghost of his breath across her lips than from the cold.

“Further testing.” And with that, he leaned the remainder of the way.

[countrymusiclover]

3 - The Feast pt 1

Part 4

The Last Velaryon

Tag list @rise-my-angel @cdragons

Chezney and I followed Robb's heel's quickly through the winter castle. All our belongings were being brought in by some of their guards and the rooms being prepared by the maids. But none of that matters to me. The ends of my dress had begun being covered in thick mud. "So where are we going now, Robb?"

He glanced over his shoulder causing his curls to bounce as he walked ahead of us. "It's just a little further, my ladies. Don't you worry I won't keep you out long to catch frostbite."

"It's colder than I anticipated it to be, Haelesa." Chezney shivered under her one layer winter fur causing me to pause in my step and drape mine over her shoulders to which she protested. "You'll catch a cold for sure."

Shaking my head I kept walking forward. For most of the remaining trip I didn't notice the cold too bad until we stopped moving and ended up underneath a large red tree in the middle of a winter garden area. "She's right, Lady Haelesa. I would never hear the end of it if you froze to death on my watch." Robb came over sliding his light colored fur cloak off his shoulders.

"Robb, that's not necessary. You'll surely freeze too." I attempted to turn down his offer.

But the Stark boy was raised to be honorable and kind by his parents. He placed the cloak over my shoulders and it almost fell off since it was bigger on me than him. He moved his hands down, tying the laces so it stayed on. "I was born in the North, remember. I'll last longer without a cloak than you and your friend would have."

"Well thank you. So what is this place?" I lifted my head up slightly eyeing the tall red tree in front of the three of us.

He lifted his blue eyes upwards the tree. "This is the Godswoods of Winterfell. My parents were married underneath this tree and someday I shall be too. I thought I should show you since they probably don't have one like it in the south."

"I must say I've seen more of the North than the place I shall call home for the rest of my life." I sadly admit to him.

He apologized. "I'm sorry."

"Not you're doing. It is the fault of my new golden husband." Shrugging my shoulders.

He made a face at me. "You're the girl from the foreign fish house by Dragonstone. My father mentioned it once but I didn't think I would be meeting you during the king's ride here."

"Yes well, my father had legitimate son's. The one he has is only concerned with bedding girls instead of helping the family name. So it all hangs on my head." I explained to him.

Robb eyed me silently for a moment. He wasn't sure what had come over him but he knew he couldn't keep it to himself. "You don't want the marriage to the Kingslayer do you?"

"I told her he might be nice once she gets to know him." Chezney remains the hopeful one.

Turning my head slightly back and forth the wind managed to catch some of the baby hairs that couldn't fit into my braid. "I've heard some good and some bad. Rarely any good ones come from an arranged marriage in this life."

"My mother claims that hers ended well. Five Stark children and an honorable husband." He pointed it out to me.

Nodding my head I kept on. "Indeed it appears so. I dream of the day but it is not my only dream in life."

"An arranged marriage is not my dream either.  But I was raised to be lord of Winterfell. I must do the duty of my house." He declared dropping his brown gaze onto me. "What is your dream, Haelesa?"

Throwing my arms away from my sides I raised them in the air feeling a rush of excitement at somebody finally asking me after all these years. "What I want is to see the world. I've lived my whole life in a castle surrounded by water. After the Targaryen reign ended my house fell into the shadows. I assumed I would die in that castle until my father declared I was to wed Jaime Lannister."

"But we are seeing the world, D." Chezney attempted to say.

Sending her a glare I wasn't finished. "Until we're shipped off to Casterly Rock surrounded by the ocean once more. Forgive me, Robb but what I want is something I shall never have."

"I understand, my lady." He replied softly. "You want love and adventure. Same as I."

I chuckled lightly at the eldest Stark boy. "Aren't we a pair."

Chezney turned her attention away from our conversation hearing the galloping of hooves coming our direction. Robb and I soon noticed it and turned our heads over our shoulders seeing a Stark knight. "My lord, my ladies. Lady Stark sent me to retrieve you for the feast tonight."

"Thank you, ser. We were just on our way back." Robb nodded at one of his father's men.

Chezney and I watched the knight remain there where she spoke up. "Was there something else, ser?"

"Ser Jaime wishes to see his betrothed before the feast tonight. I was informed to escort you to him." The knight said.

Tugging the cloak closer around me I huffed following Robb back on foot. Chezney was behind us and the knight followed from behind even though I didn't feel afraid in these woods. "And so it begins." Getting back to the castle I didn't bother with changing out of my muddy clothes if he wished to see me it would be like this. The Stark knight led me through some hallways until we reached the chambers we had been given by Lord Eddard for our time being here.

The Stark knight held open the door and I shooed him away where he shut the door before my betrothed ever uttered a word. "I was wondering if you were ever coming back or had you and your lady in waiting scampered off to the woods with that boy."

"The boy's name is Robb. Now what is it you wished to see me for?" I questioned him.

Jaime smirked, taking a step towards me. "Ah already on a first name basis are you. Tell me are you more intrigued by such danger of getting caught. Because I can gladly help you with your desire before the wedding in a few weeks."

"Hah. I have no desire to share your bed." I scoffed.

He shook his head. "But you'll have to at some point."

"Not by my choice." I sniped, closing Robb's cloak tightly around me. "If you called me here just to make flirty remarks I must be ready for the feast."

"I have something for you actually. If you're interested." Spinning on my heels I headed towards the door until he spoke up. He went over to a crate drawing out something long wrapped in a cloth sheet. He unwrapped it revealing a shiny new blade.

Tilting my head to the side I slowly moved away from the door admiring the newly forage sword that he had placed on the edge of the bed. "Did you have it made for me?"

"I did my best to get the balance right. If it's too heavy I can have the blacksmith change it." He said back to me.

Slowly wrapping my fingers around the handle I took a hold of it with both hands. Swinging it lightly around I could feel much better balance than the one I held at Kings Landing. "This is much better but I don't understand. Why do this for me?"

"It's very unlikely we will fall in love with this arrangement. So I thought I'd do something to make you happy. I saw that we are both in our true element when we were sword fighting. It's yours, Haelesa." Jaime explained resting his right hand on his hip.

Laying the sword down on the bed I sent him a tiny smile. "Thank you, Jaime."

"You're welcome. Now you best get ready for tonight. We can practice before we leave here in a few days." He says while I put the sword back in its holder and headed for the door.

Opening the door I halted in my tracks seeing his sister standing there where I quickly gave her my best curtsy. "Your grace."

"Little Velaryon." She greets me with a stern look walking past me and into her brother's chambers. Once the door was shut behind the young Velaryon Cersei changed her entire demeanor towards her brother. "What exactly do you hope to gain with her?"

Jaime sat down on the bed confused. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I am talking about. I have spies everywhere in the city. They told me about you sword fighting with her and her lady in waiting. Now you present her with her own sword. Father won't be happy with that."

He rolled his eyes. "Father has rarely ever been happy with anything we've done in our lives."

"Probably because you and our monster of a brother never did what he wanted. Like jumping off the side of the Rock when we were children." She grumbled to him.

Jaime rolled his eyes. "There was nothing wrong with what I did until you told him about it. Now is there something you want to tell me or did you just come to snoop on me?"

"I came to warn you of her. She won't love you. She's a child and she will never have what we have." Cersei stepped closer to him, throwing her bright red dress around as she went.

Jaime dropped his hands in his lap. "Don't tell me you're jealous of the Velaryon girl. She doesn't want this marriage. The only thing I can do is make it look like this can work between us. If I make it clear that I am with you both our heads will be on spikes."

"You let me worry about my drunk husband. And remember that father doesn't care if you make her slightly happy or not." The queen of the seven kingdoms eyed her brother.

He got to his feet snagging her wrist and bringing her to his embrace. "Lannisters don't act like fools. It's the family name that lives on. Nothing else matters."

"So give her a child and then be done with her. That's the plan." She nodded to him in agreement sepering from him and leaving him to prepare for the feast herself.

I wasn't familiar with the rules of many feasts where the royal family was present. Thankfully I wasn't the one hosting such an event. I simply had to represent my house to the best of my ability. Chezney and I made our way down the cold stone stairs that led into the large dining hall. "I can't believe we're here together, Hael."

The feast

"It's not that exciting." I told her where she huffed and I knew I needed to change my attitude about this. "I'm sorry, Chez. This just doesn't feel like me. All the formalities, gowns and accessories. I don't care for it all."

She squeezed my arm that was looped through hers. "Yeah. I suppose you'd rather be running through the woods like a wilding."

"I wouldn't say that - oh I'm sorry." I accidentally bumped into a young girl with dark brown hair and a messy dress. Tilting my head to the side I recognize her as the youngest Stark daughter. "You're Arya aren't you?"

She spun around on her feet. "You're the Velaryon girl. Come sit with me." She takes hold of my hand and drags me to her seat with Chezney trailing behind us and pulling up a chair for herself.

"So how boring are these things normally?" Chezney asked the young girl.

Arya sticks her tongue out. "Extremely. I don't like them. But I can't stand that either. I'm Arya, what's your name?"

"I'm Haelesa and this is Chezney." Following her gaze I saw that her older sister Sansa was gossiping with her friends. She kept aweing the blonde haired prince who was looking in her direction. I couldn't blame her for not liking it. Yes he was cute and had the title of Prince but that wasn't important if he was a brute. "I see that. I never had any sisters to relate to."

"She was stuck with me. I think I do a rather good job." Chezney throws an arm over my shoulder.

Arya smiled, grabbing her fork and getting some cake on the end of it. "Watch this, it'll be funny."

"Arya!" Sansa gasped shapely when the cake from the fork smashed on her cheek. Some of it fell and got on her dress which caused laughter to fill the hall. Covering my mouth with my hands I couldn't contain the laughter that fell from my lips. Chezney nearly fell backwards off her chair.

At that time Lady Stark sent her eldest son a look sending him over to the three of us. Robb began coming in our direction where I warned the girl. "Run Arya."

"Come on. Get some more." Chezney attempted to help her get some more cake on her fork to do it a second time.

Scrambling to my feet I moved around in the blue dress I wore hoping to block him from his sister. "Haelesa, what are you doing?" He chuckled moving but I got in front of him at every step.

"Keeping you from her, what does it look like?" I teased him with a grin.

Robb made a move but I jumped in front of him yet again. He kept his hands at a distance where if he had he could easily beat me here. He was much faster and stronger after all. "My mother wants me to put her to bed before she embarrasses us more tonight."

"Sorry Robb. But it's three against one." I chuckled seeing his eyes shift from me to my best friend and his sister then back to me. "What's the problem, Stark. Afraid to fight a girl?"

He answered my question. "I was raised not too."

"It's all in good fun." I responded.

Chezney nudged Arya who bent her spoon back and launched cake in his face. He ran toward her and he almost grabbed her until I jumped on his back and we went tumbling to the cold floor. "Haelesa!" He called out my name in a fit of laughter.

"Ha we beat you." Chezney teased him with Arya proudly at her side.

Robb rubbed the back of his head while I brushed the dirt off my dress. "Yes you did. Now off to bed you." He forced himself to his feet pushing his sister towards the hallway.

"At least you're not a sore loser, Stark." My best friend sticks her tongue out.

I pushed myself up to stand on my own feet not bothering with fixing my messy hair. I felt my chest rising up and down knowing I was enjoying myself at this moment. "Uh, I need some air." I told the pair sensing that someone was watching me. I was right to assume so because Jaime was leaning up against the wall watching the whole moment between us. I didn't feel comfortable being myself with him watching me.

"I'll come with you." Robb offered me his arm since I wasn't familiar with the grounds and it was nightfall now so it was easy for me to get lost.

Chezney waved bye to us. "See you later." She saw Robb and I walk away from the feast yet she wasn't the only one watching in the room.

Unknown to the young pair King Robert and his friend Lord Eddard were the ones watching them. "Ned, there's something we should talk about."

"Of course." He agreed to his friend leaving the feast.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

[allsonsinc]

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[kingofthe-egirls]

BEACH HOUSE INVITE: LUFFY x Y/N

Requested by anon

(cw: kissing, fluffy fluffy fluff)

Ok so i based the reader/luffy dynamic off of the relationship bt him and Shirahoshi bc i'm in love with them. ugh.

Songs: "Superfruit" by Maude Latour (Luffy's pov)

uk the voice luffy uses to say goodbye to shirahoshi? the really sweet and kind one? yeah that's the voice he uses around you all the time

the crew notices and makes fun of him at first but eventually stop

bc he just keeps using it

so sweet and quiet and gentle, asking if you’re okay, if you want a snack (only after he's eaten tho lol)

Shirahoshi inspo/proof they're in love: The way he lets her hold him in her hands, the way he found her the first time by jumping on her boobs in the dark lmao

It’s like that with you, since the first time he saw you, with pink hair tumbling down your shoulders, cute bows at two pixie buns at either side of your head. the way you smell like the freshest sea breeze, he loves just standing next to you on the deck and breathing you in. you're literally a breath of fresh air

Also he knew immediately that he wanted to touch you. like, all the time. sweet and soft and gentle, he's in love with your curves, your supple skin, your flowy clothes and pastel eyeshadows. he's in love with your softness: your quiet, gentle bird's voice, the way that you smile and blush whenever he meets your sparkly eyes

You're also curvier than Nami and Robin (or most of the girls in one piece cmon oda) and he loves your squishy parts like your upper arms or lower hips (your ass, your tits), and he can't help from squeezing them, always passing his hands over you as he slides past you in the hallway, or playing tag with you on the deck (you love playing games with your captain; it's like you're little kids! you want to build sandcastles at the beach with him--which is why you invite him to the beach, originally)

***

"You need a break, Captain," you smile sweetly at him, holding the paper invitation in your hands. It's cream, with tinted pink designs of seashells on the edges. It has gold writing on it, giving him the address of your beach house and the dates you want him to visit. You hand it to him, sheepishly. He takes it, stars in his eyes as seagulls call over head. You hold your hands behind your back.

"Whooooaa, seashells!" He turns the paper over in his hands. "Is this for me?"

You nod, shifting on your feet. Your turquoise skirt floats around your legs. Your thigh pokes out from the deep slit on the side. Your golden sandals are laced halfway up your calf, with beads dangling from the side.

“I want you to come to my beach house!” You explain, “While the rest of the crew is on leave.” You bounce up onto your toes, your white crochet halter scratching against your underarms. Luffy bounces, too.

Except he bounces three feet into the air, rocketing around the ship like an elastic firework.

“OF COURSE I’LL COME!!!” He shouts from his perch on the mast, before slingshotting back down to land at your feet. He’s grinning six inches from you, hands around your waist. “Can we go now?”

***

You tie your silky, pink hair up in two ribbons, having french braided the top half into two pixie buns, letting the rest fall down your back in loose waves. The sea salt is already frizzing up your hair slightly, but you shrug. Luffy doesn’t usually care about stuff like that, anyway.

Besides, you like a little wildness.

You trot down the beach, following a singing Luffy who skips a few feet in front of you. You’re wearing a a silver bikini, with a lavender cover-up tied around your waist. Seashell bracelets decorate your wrists.

“Let’s build a sand castle!” You call, dipping your toes into wet sand. Sea stars and broken bits of shell litter the beach. Tide pools gather with snipping crabs and soft sands. You pick your way around any potential snippers, as you catch up to where Luffy’s kneeling in the sand.

He’s further away from the water, where the sand is dry and hot from the midsummer sun. The waves crash gently at the beach.

The house itself is up on the hill, grassy tufts of greenery lining the rocky incline. It’s white and blue and shuttered, with lacy trimming and a rickety screen door. It’s old, and small, and so, so cute. You’ve spent most of your childhood summers, here. You count yourself lucky.

Luffy is already scooping piles of sand into one big mound.

“Hey, that’s not how you do that,” you say, trudging up farther to the base of the wooden stairs that lead up the hill. You grab a shiny red bucket and a blue plastic shovel. You giggle, tipping any debris out of the old pail set you’ve used since you were a kid. A couple sand flies spurt out, but you shoo them away. Luffy calls your name.

“Y/N! I wanna be king! You can be the princess,” he grins as you come back. He’s squatting in his red swim trunks, chest left bare for the sun. His skin is almond honey, and his arms flex as he works. “Gimme the bucket,” he holds out a hand without looking. A comma of intense concentration forms between his eyebrows; he sticks his tongue out to the side.

“We should put a star on the castle, so everyone knows it’s ours.”

He snickers, scooping sand into the bucket. He pats it down with the shovel. “I like that, Y/N! Let’s go get one.” He searches around the shore for something worthwhile. You take the bucket from him, kneeling in the sand. Black and tan flecks stick to your upper thighs.

You busy yourself with tipping out sand pillars, forming the square ring for the castle. You’ll put a big mound in the middle, you think, and add turrets on either side. You’re lost in thought, scooping piles together, when Luffy comes back.

He lets out a low whistle, “Whew, that looks cool!” He sits down with a thump, toned legs crisscrossed like a little kid’s. He dumps out a bunch of sea shells, sand dollars, crab shells, and bits of broken rock and glass onto the sand. He giggles at his treasure.

“Look at this one, Y/N! It’s shaped like Chopper!” He holds up a brown bottle glass piece, with two sharp juts sticking out like antlers. You grin.

“That’s so cool!!!” You geek out with him, poring over the little beach gifts.

“I like this one,” you point out a silver seashell, glittering with opalescence on one side. The other is dark brown and ridged. “Abalone,” you explain, holding up the palm-sized piece. You trace your fingers over the iridescent shimmers, all turquoise and violet in the sunlight. It’s getting close to evening, soon.

“Mother of pearl,” Luffy says, tracing the outside ridge of the sea shell. “Nami likes that, too.”

You smile, softly. His fingertips move closer to yours, both of you holding the shell between you. His hand ghosts over yours, touching the back of your wrist. “I like you,” he says, voice cracking. “Do ya like me, too?”

A coral blush is formed on his cheeks, his dark eyes cast away from you for now. You duck your head to meet him. “Yeah,” you whisper, leaning forward so your lips almost touch. He doesn’t pull away from you; instead, his breath quickens. Your own heart is drumming away in your chest.

You press a kiss into his soft lips.

“Mm,” he moans, almost immediately, dropping the shell to cradle the back of your head. You both shift, so you’re sitting closer with his legs around your waist. You’re kneeling in the sand.

Luffy’s lips are soft as sugar, sweet and chapped and practiced. You didn’t know he liked girls, your crush always thrumming in your breastbone whenever he’s around. But he’s good enough at kissing to have done it plenty of times before. You wonder who he’s been kissing, but heat flares in your gut and you push that away for later.

Now, he’s running his strong hand up your ribcage, to softly palm at your breast. He moans, the sound pouring sweet into your mouth. His thumb strokes over your nipple, over the fabric of your swimsuit. He repeats the movement, twice.

“Luuuuffy—,” you whimper, hands scrabbling at his chest. You don’t know where to touch: his tanned shoulders, his muscular biceps, his strong forearms. You reach down for his hands, pressing them both against your cheeks. “I love you,” you whisper, eyes watering as you meet his.

Luffy’s boyish face breaks into a grin. He beams, pecking a kiss onto your cheeks. He peppers your whole face with kisses, nuzzling into your scent. “I love ya too,” he rasps, voice at your ear. He takes the shell of it between his teeth. Then kisses below your jawline. “Always have.”

“I know,” you whisper, eyes fluttered shut. His ministrations are heaven against your skin. You wrap your own arms around his waist, bringing him in closer. He giggles, kissing down your neck as he indulges you. “Me too.”

“Ahh, good,” he strokes your collarbone, thumbing over it gently. He leans the side of his head against your shoulder. His lips move softly against your neck as he speaks. “I thought so, but I didn’t wanna say anything. You’re so shy,” he snickers, “I didn’t wanna scare ya away.”

“Sorry,” you say, shrinking away. Your blush has grown hot on your cheeks.

“Don’t be,” he pulls back to peck at your face again. His eyes crinkle at the edges. He’s so handsome, oh my gosh. You kiss him, again.

And again, and again, and again.

***

[leejenowrld]

Hey love! Okay then could you give us a Serin x Jeno moment (could be more too). Just her being the biggest daddy’s girl ever, and him just utterly whipped and in love with his baby??

-💕

heres some facts 🥰. their own sparkling, princess-bubba world, laced with the whole family’s love and dreamlike, physical memories i adore:

— serin’s favourite place is always wherever jeno is, especially on “daddy cuddle couch”—her name for the spot between his chest and his arm where she fits perfectly, legs sprawled over his lap, little fingers tugging at his shirt, chin tucked up, whispering, “i be your baby forever, daddy, promise!”

— when she’s feeling princess-y (which is most mornings), she’ll demand “castle adventures” at the park—jeno carries her on his shoulders, her arms flung wide, pink shoes sparkling, shouting, “onward, horsey king!” while junie gallops beside them and y/n rolls her eyes but snaps a thousand photos. if a puppy passes by, serin must stop and say, “hello, little cloud!” and if chaeun is visiting, they race to see who can climb the slide fastest, serin always shrieking, “princess wins!”

— beach days mean serin dragging jeno by the hand down to the water’s edge, insisting, “no shoes, daddy! toes need squish sand!” she plops down right where the foam tickles her ankles, scoops salty water into her bucket, and shrieks when jeno lifts her high into the waves—always clinging tight, yelling, “don’t let go, don’t let go!” afterward, she’ll burrow under his towel and eat melon cubes, humming, “mmmm, melony princess,” cheeks sticky and hair wild.

— she loves “sleepy tent” nights, when the living room glows with fairy lights and everyone piles under a fort of blankets—mummy with her nose in a book, junie with his dinosaur, haeun curled up with her thumb in her mouth, and serin plastered across jeno’s chest, whispering, “this my kingdom, only daddy can stay up late with me.”

— every time y/n or jeno dress up for a fancy event, serin demands to “help”—she’ll toddle in with bows and beads, stick-on earrings and pink lip gloss, and insist, “you pretty now, just like my sissy!” sometimes she’ll do her own hair in wild, looping pigtails, declaring, “i’m bubba queen, everybody bow!” when she spins for jeno, he claps and gasps, “my baby is the most beautiful princess!”—and she beams so wide it hurts.

— when she gets fussy or dramatic, the cure is always “daddy bounce”—jeno sweeps her up, presses kisses to her forehead, and gently bounces her until she melts into a giggly, sleepy lump, mumbling, “don’t stop, daddy. ‘m so little. hold me close, okay?”

— on rainy days, she sits in the bay window with y/n, painting rainbows on the glass while humming, “rain rain, go away, serin wants to dance today,” and if junie joins in, she’ll tell him, “no dinosaurs, just princesses and rainbows today!” but if chaeun or haeun show up, the three of them squish together, sharing a blanket and giggling, hair tangled and cheeks flushed, always ending in a sleepy, sissy cuddle heap.

— sometimes, when jeno comes home late, serin will wait by the door in her bunny slippers, hands behind her back, and as soon as she sees him she squeals, “daddy, pick me up! missed you big big big!” then wraps her arms and legs around him like a little monkey and refuses to let go, head tucked under his chin, babbling sleepily, “my best friend, daddy. you come back to me.”

— every night, no matter where she falls asleep, serin whispers her goodnights to everyone—“night night, mummy. night night, sissy. night night, big brother. night night, daddy, don’t let the monsters get me.” and jeno always replies, “never, princess. i’ll chase them all away, just for you.”

[snowyknight-17]

I’m gonna leave this WIP here for a bit…

NSFW under the cut

Featuring Hancock and other FO4 mentions

“Let me ask you something,” John sat lazily on his sofa drawing another puff from his cigarette; eyes hooded under a tilted tri-corner hat,

“Why me?” Hancock paused for affect watching Annie twiddle her thumbs and pull at her jacket,

“You come all this way for a tussle all the while passing up 3 to 4 other dicks on much prettier men.”

Annie only now realized she’d been holding her breath and let it out loudly; but before she could make her plea John put out his cig and lit another.

It was hard to not notice how smooth Hancock moved, like water, and Annie was here to swim.

“For instance, that ‘holier then thou’ Paladin of yours. Yeah I see him get an eyeful every time you turn around, big lumbering soldier gets all pink in the cheeks when you take lead. Or that boss of his,”

Hancock snapped his fingers trying to remember Elder Maxson’s name,

“Elder Scarface. I fuckin hate that bigot but don’t mean he wouldn’t turn to putty the second you touched his shoulder. Guy’s so frickin tightly wound, I bet he’d cum by the fifth bounce. Sure he acts like a war tactician, bloodline bred for excellence, deathclaw slayer but I’d bet my last cap he’d turn into a little red faced bitch/sub underneath you.”

The conjured image was not unpleasant. Maxson begging for release, reduced to a tear stained, blubbering mess. Hands bound of front of him trying to feel any inch of her sweat slicked skin…

Her ears began to beat to the rush of blood to her face, had the room always been this hot?

John was standing over his coffee table, fingering through his stash of chems; amongst the stash were random bullets, poker chips, buttons and a magazine of some porno called “Three’s a crowd”. The cover showed 3 men in a cramped space with the same amount of lust in their eyes that Annie had for Hancock. He pocketed a jet then shot a round of hydra into his shoulder.

Annie remembered the last time they traveled together a couple of months ago. Helping out the folks at The Slog, when suddenly 3 super mutants appeared. They were low on the totem pole though; carrying only one pipe rifle the other two had 2x4’s, so they went down pretty quick, but not before John took a wack to his right side from one of the boards. He recovered fast due to his ghoul flesh, but his shoulder joint would always get stiff in rainy weather. If he would only ask, she would rub it.

Hancock made no sign he’d just been jabbed by a needle. Just rotated his arm adjusting the tight muscle, retuning his cigarette to his lips. Giving her body a quick once over before continuing,

“How about that Boy Scout lieutenant of yours? He’d practically marry you if you asked nicely…”

“Preston is an angel and wouldn’t know how to fuck me into a mattress of his life depended on it.”

John snorted, “Don’t be too sure about that chica. Every time I meander my way to your castle, I can practically feel the buzz coming off him when you’re around. He may be a saint but he’s still a man.”

Preston was Annie’s friend. Her first friend. She knew he wanted more, but she didn’t feel the same. It felt wrong to think of him that way when she had no intention of cultivating a relationship with him.

By now Hancock was close. Close enough to feel his warmth, smell his tobacco, see little stains on his red coat from when he refills the oil lamps. He huffed a final draft of smoke just to the side of her, before dropping and stepping on the butt. He adjusted his hat and looked her in the eye. Black voids meeting pale blues.

“Or perhaps this is a social call for a whole other reason.” His rough hands were barely touching her hips. Gentle caresses over her dirty jeans, his fingers sliding into her back pockets, heat radiating off him now. The front corner of his hat brushing against her hair,

Annie looked up and saw a restraint set in his jaw. As she leaned in to kiss the ghoul, he leaned back away from her mouth, and with a softness asked,

“Any chance you’re here to forget about that doe eyed, southern man you’ve been chasing?”

The mention of Jake sucked the heat out of the room. Annie felt a humid cold spread over her, tears pricked at the corner of her eyes and weakness began to build.

Jake.

Gods she loved him. Wanted him. Needed him; and what’s worse is Jake wanted her too. They kissed once after GNN was won. But Jake had to talk her down from taking more. While he wanted something between them to bloom, he just couldn’t give himself fully until his daughter was found. She understood. Hell she knew better than most what it means to have a child missing; her own son still in the clutches of ‘lord knows where’.

It made her sick to think about. Her baby boy, out there, somewhere. Was he safe? Well fed? Happy? Annie didn’t know. Was she terrible for wanting a distraction now and then in the arms of a lover while her dream guy worked endlessly looking for his baby?

Thick, wet tears trickled down her flush cheeks. They culminated in salty pools in the crease of her mouth only to be swiped away by Hancock’s thumb.

“What makes you think a boozy night with a mug like mine would make the ache go away?” His hands were no longer on her ass but on the small of her back, rubbing soothing circles.

[askthechronoverse]

The last of four short stories I have written for supplemental purposes. Takes place after everything else I've written so far.

The clicking of a keyboard was the only sound that could be heard in the sterile and clinical lab. A lone figure was the source of the oddly melodic sounds, her paws orange barely visible and her expression stern and focused. Her tail swayed to the rhythm of her typing as she made music with her large computer. Her music was visual, displayed on the monitor as various graphs, charts, and figures. Most of it would make no sense to a passerby, save for the images of two people. One was a man with wild dark brown hair who's eyes reflected a deep, almost spiritual tiredness. The other had dark grey hair that was adorned with a simple grey pillbox hat. His expression was neutral, almost bland. The fox tapped a mouse with an impatient paw, clicking into a diagnostic screen for a Project Daffodil. She clicked her tongue as she went over the diagnostics, a smirk slowly sliding onto her face. It was working. She should have guessed it would: doing this kind of task was just a normal occurrence for a scientific mind like hers.

She took her paw off of her mouse and sauntered to a small, nearby capsule. The capsule was smooth and black, several different kinds of tubes and wires making it look like a baby kraken in the dim light. The fox tapped the glass with her paw, the blackness parting to reveal something moving in water. She shook her head, ear twitching at the rapid movement. It was almost time, but her special project had to be patient for just a little longer. Perfection takes time, after all. She shuffled over to the console again and grabbed a jar. The jar had only two objects in it: a dim grey heart and a bright green heart. Both seemed to glow softly, ebbing in time with each other. She watched this dance for a moment, smiling at how coordinated it all was.

She looked back at the capsule, seeing the movement once again. The end was near. She could take her time with this, however. She had so much to prepare first, so much to do before the time finally came.

A soft hum made the fox sigh. She glanced back at the two hearts. The memory of gathering the samples was vivid as she looked back. They were symbols of pure love, created when the two men on her large monitor kissed for the first time as a married couple. She had been studying what she can do with these totems for a long time and this was the best thing she could think of doing. Grabbing the jar, the fox headed once more to the capsule, opening a small hatch. She carefully put both hearts into the hatch, closing it quickly.

Now to wait, the worst part of the process. She went back to the monitor and watched the screen. After what felt like an eternity, an alert flashed on her screen. The end was here. She typed some commands in the keyboard and rushed to the capsule, which was already open on her approach. A long cry cut through the evening air, coming from a bundle wrapped in soft, blue fabric with yellow stars creating a cartoony nebula in the open container. The fox peeked in to see the result of her careful testing.

"Success," was all she uttered as she picked up the noisy bundle. "Now. Normally I would dispose of you, but you are special." The fox bounced, the noise stopping in due time. "Let's not wake the castle. We'll go for a walk." She held the bundle in her arms and shuffled out the door, a small square robot following behind her.

The fox passed through the town, which was clearly getting ready for Halloween. Posters advertised a costume party for Halloween night. Leaves playfully circled her feet as she walked toward the woods, the smell of nature in fall making her nose crinkle. Nature. She wasn't a fan of nature. Why did they have to live so far into the woods? Oh well. It didn't matter, she supposed. She wasn't going to be there long. She'd just have to distract herself with mathematical equations and calculations for her next major experiment.

While the fox made her trek, the man with tired eyes was busy in the kitchen. He whistled a song he'd thought he'd forgotten as he mixed a white, creamy liquid in a pot.

"Hey, babe? We goin' to the party? I know ya gotta go, but are we goin'?" He grabbed a cutting board and waited for a reply. He soon got one from the grey haired man, who floated over to the maplewood bar and watched the other work.

"I would love nothing more than for you to go, my beloved. We could do a themed costume, if it isn't too late for that." His bright smile was the most expression he was giving, as his voice gave nothing in that department. "Would it be too late to attempt that?"

"Nah, it's never too late to beat Brock and Frown for the best couple costume award. They were stiff competition last year, but we just needta be clever ta beat them. Ya got something' in mind?" As Rex spoke, he began to chop some carrots and potatoes.

"We could dress up as the characters from that movie I showed you the other day. I'm surprised you stayed awake until the end. I know you prefer action films to period pieces." Richard floated behind his boyfriend, willing his feet to touch the wood flooring. Rex turned around and leaned down to kiss him softly.

"I almost did, babe. But, we can do that. Am I gonna be Lady Pemblebrick or Lord Bricklebottom? I should have time to grab some very period accurate pieces after work tomorrow." He turned back to the pot, adding some herbs to the stew.

"You know I look better in a corset, but you have her passion and hair type. If we want to win, you will need to tame that cowlick of yours, but if I'm Lord Bricklebottom, we can easily win." There was a twinkle in Richard's eye as he spoke, his voice still monotone. He floated to the counter, perching there with crossed legs.

"I find it hard to say no to you, babe. I'll even wear the heels. We gotta win this year. It's gettin' embarrassing to get beaten by those two!"

A loud knock from the front door crashed through the banter, Richard sighing softly as he floated toward the door to open it. Just before he reached the door, it swung open with sizable force. This startled both occupants of the cabin, a green exclamation mark appearing over Rex's head.

"Oh! Doctor Fox! Did you walk all this way? It's supposed to start raining soon." Richard saw that Doctor Fox and the robot were already wet and the rain was coming down heavily. "Come in. You'll get a cold."

"It's not me you should be worrying about." The words ominously hung in the air as she entered the cabin, the bundle she held close to her chest starting to stir.

"Who else would we worry about, Doc? The robot?" Rex went back to the pot on the stove. "We should have enough stew for ya if ya wanna stay a while." Doctor Fox sat at the counter, Richard once again perching on it.

"I was just planning on dropping something off and leaving." She put the bundle down on the counter and started to leave. She didn't get far before Richard picked it up and unwrapped it to reveal a round little face, dark eyes staring up at him with a blank calmness. His heart stopped as he stared back at the thing. He whistled for Rex to turn around, which he did. He walked over to his husband and was handed the bundl with shaking hands.

"What... what is..." Richard spoke breathlessly. "Why us?"

"It's a girl and she's yours, genetically speaking. I wanted to see if your DNA would be compatible, since you still have traces of your brickness and Rex is something else altogether. It worked." She looked at the couple for a sign of a possible compliment, but all she got was a shaking Richard and a Rex on the verge of tears. "You could thank me or something, guys."

"... Our daughter? This is our daughter?" Rex swallowed, eyes solely on the little girl. She made fussy little sounds, squirming a little.

"Doctor Fox, you should have said something first. We don't have room in this cabin for a third person and we both work. One of us will need to take time off to take care of her until she is out of infant-" Richard looked around and saw that Doctor Fox had left. He shook his head. "Rex, what are we going to do?"

"Rich. We can do this. I can renovate the cabin and I can afford to take time off." Rex held the child close to him, almost afraid she was going to vanish if he let go.

"Rex. You just got the Royal Chrononauts off the ground and financially viable a year ago. You can't afford to lose that momentum." Richard urged, worry and fear framing the monotone in his voice.

"You and I both know ya ain't gonna be the one to stop working for that long. I can afford it. Besides, the one picking up my slack would be the exact person who put us in this... amazing position." The tears continued to flow as Rex walked to the couch and grabbed a clean blanket and rewrapped the baby in it. "We get back at her for throwing this on us, I finally get time off work that isn't for some science talk or to visit Emmet and we get to... to start a family." Rex moved back to his husband, who had taken the stew off the burner.

"...You know, you can tell she's our little girl. She has your eyes." Richard floated by Rex's side, watching the little girl fuss in her tight wrappings.

“Well yeah. She has one of your eyes too. Two different colors.” Rex chuckled as he loosened the blanket a little for her. 

 "If you're ready, I'll be as well.” Richard whispered. “I do recall that Lady Pemblebrick and Lord Bricklebottom had a child at the end of the novel the film was based on. We may have to just compete for best group costume this year.

[a-myriad-of-stars]

First, this is giving Superstar Daycare at Freddy Fazbear’s Mega Pizzaplex vibes so freakin hard.

Second, I have a story.

Back in January, one of my friends invited us to an event for her birthday. The event in question was a traveling bounce house extravaganza. Now when I say bounce house, immediately what may come to mind is the small inflatable castle or the towering water slide at your neighbors birthday party.

This is “Big Bounce America”. They had the world’s biggest bounce houses, with one being so big it had a DJ booth at its center! They had an inflatable obstacle course 900 ft (that’s 274 meters) long!These were not just bounce houses, these were bounce palaces. I did the whole obstacle course. I was absolutely exhausted, and half of my companions quit halfway through by way of the “quitters exits”, but I completed the entire thing (and almost passed out afterwards for my efforts).

But it reminded me of childhood play and reminded me that I am alive. I didn’t realize how much I missed PLAYING until I was inside these things. I longed for jungle gyms and the now defunct McD*nalds play places with a ferocity I’ve not felt in decades. Why give us places like Chuck E. Cheese or Celebration Station without the addition of “Adult Nights”? Let us be kids again for just a while before we return to the slog of the world at large and all the responsibility that comes with it.

Please let there be adult inclusive play places, that aren’t just overpriced theme parks where the only “play” you experience is akin to carnival rides. I want to be able to swing at the park without being judged or have (justifiably in most cases) paranoid parents drag their kids away from the “weird lady on the slide”. I wanna play again. I so desperately miss it.

We’re all goin here right