#How Does One Save A Marriage Best Cool Tips

[shimmerytimbers]

Colm Fahey is one of the best, most supportive parents written in media i've ever seen like-

Colm Fahey who doesn't entirely understand the Jesper situation. Doesn't understand how his son is running with criminals, dropped out of university and in major financial debt, debt that does include his farm that he gifted to his wife as a marriage present. He, at some point, even joins in on Kaz's scheme despite not understanding most things, but purely because he trusts Jesper and that if he's already lost everything, he might as well save his son.

Colm Fahey who doesn't scream and yell and shout at Jesper the moment he arrives in Ketterdam, even though he has every right to, but insteads waits for things to cool down before making his son explain. Col Fahey who doesn't entirely know how to deal with this situation but jumps at the opportunity to make Jesper happy. Colm Fahey who recognized Jesper and Wylan's relationship even before they got together.

Because you don't always need to understand your child, putting yourselves in other people's shoes aren't an easy task, but knowing how to accept and overcome a situation, no matter how dire it may seem is probably one of the best tips to parenting.

[jackrrabbit]

Clean /// Sakusa x f!Reader (18+)

Summary: [College dorm AU] Sakusa can’t stop thinking about you in the shower.

A/N: Indirectly inspired by @seita​ and @bakatenshii​, who made me think about soap and Sakusa’s cum in conjunction…thanks guys :P

Tags/warnings: masturbation, mild cleanliness fetish if that’s a thing?, Sakusa wants you and is in deep denial about it

It’s not like he started doing it on purpose. Not at first.

On weekdays, you wake up at the same time that Sakusa gets back from the gym: 7 AM exactly. He timed it that way because they clean the dorm bathrooms at 6:30—they’re still revolting, but they can’t be as bad as the ones at the gym. He can avoid touching the stall walls if he has to, and…he has to. 7 is the perfect time—even the students with 8 AM class can’t be fucked to wake up that early, so he gets the row of mirrors and stalls to himself.

Except for you.

Your room is right next to the stairwell; when Sakusa jogs up the stairs (two at a time, blood still pumping from his workout even though the sweat is already cooling on his back) he can hear your alarm through the thin wall. Always 7 on the dot: your phone blares an obnoxiously loud ringtone, there’s a muffled protest from you and your roommate curses at you to turn that shit off, it’s seven fucking AM. By the time he’s standing at the bathroom sink brushing his teeth, you’re usually pushing through the door in your pajamas, holding your towel in one hand and rubbing your puffy eyes with the other.

So it’s not like Sakusa plans this. It’s a coincidence. Mostly.

“G’morning…Kiyoomi.” You interrupt yourself with a yawn in the middle of the sentence. Your voice sounds heavy with exhaustion and he wonders, not for the first time, why you bother waking up so early. You don’t seem like a morning person.

The toothbrush is still in Sakusa’s mouth, so he just nods to greet you. You smile sleepily and then bend down to reach your bathroom locker, and—fuck, fuck, you’re wearing the shorts again, the threadbare cotton ones you wear whenever the weather gets a little warmer. They’re thin (so thin he can see the high cut of your panties underneath when they’re stretched over your ass, not that he’s looking), and they’re short.

Do you know how much you’re showing off when you bend over like that to rummage through your locker? You’re basically showing your ass off, the smooth muscle of your thighs rising up into those perfect cheeks, and between them, the dingy cotton stretched tight over your mound—

He’s not looking. He shouldn’t be looking. Sakusa lowers his gaze in the mirror to spit the toothpaste into the sink.

“Hey, can I borrow some of that?”

You’re standing at his elbow now, blinking up at him. Pleading. When he wordlessly hands over the tube, you grin, eyes crinkling up at the corners like he just offered to take your hand in marriage rather than letting you have some toothpaste that he wasn’t going to miss anyway. “Thanks! You’re the best.”

You barely know him. Sakusa’s pretty sure that these early-morning bathroom encounters are the only times you two interact.

“How was your workout?” you ask when you’re done brushing your teeth.

Sakusa has to grip the edge of the counter to tear his eyes away from you when you spit it out—white foam dribbling out of your mouth and down your chin—but that’s beside the point. “It was fine.”

“Yeah? Did you run or go to the gym?”

“Gym.” Why are you so curious? You’re too friendly.

You hum appreciatively, rubbing foamy circles of cleanser into your skin. The smell of it is light—floral, but barely. Lavender, maybe. That’s step one of your morning skincare routine, which Sakusa’s pretty certain he knows as well as you do by now. Next will be toner, and then you’ll save the rest for after your shower—but before you reach for the next little bottle in the row you’ve lined up on the bathroom counter, you turn toward him. “I should get back on a regular gym schedule too. Maybe one day I’ll go with you?”

“If you can wake up that early.” The remark must come out harsher than Sakusa intended, because you raise your eyebrows and your mouth drops open—but a second later you’re smiling again, turning back to the mirror so you can pat the toner into your skin.

“You’re probably right. I don’t know how you wake up at six in the morning every day.”

5:45, he wants to correct. But if he keeps talking to you, you’re going to notice he’s staring. So he just finishes washing his face without answering, puts his stuff back into the locker, and makes his way over to the shower stalls, leaving you and the scent of lavender behind.

There are five stalls. All open, of course. Second from the left has the best water pressure, and the one on the far right has a removable shower head and heats up the quickest. But Sakusa chooses the middle stall. For no reason. Not because he knows exactly which stall you’re going to pick, and he wants to be sure he’s in the stall next to yours when you do. He takes his time—undresses slowly, folding his dirty gym clothes even though they’re going straight into the laundry; sets his shampoo and conditioner and body wash out on the bench in the order that he’s going to use them; turns the knob to just the right angle to get the right temperature and waits for it to heat up until he can see the steam saturating the air.

By the time Sakusa’s under the water, massaging shampoo through his hair and feeling the sweat slough off his skin along with the shower spray, you’re done with your pre-shower skincare, padding over from the sinks to the stalls and picking—predictably—the one next to his. He has to strain himself to hear it over the sound of splashing water but he does hear it: your cheap pink flip-flops slapping against the tile floor, the relieved yawn in your breath as you stretch (you always stretch) and the soft rustling of fabric as you take off your clothes and deposit them in a heap on the bench.

Sakusa tilts his head up into the shower spray and feels the stray drops clinging to his eyelashes and wonders how much he’d be able to see if the walls were made of glass.

Today is Wednesday, and that means you’re going to wash your hair today because you always wash it on Wednesdays. Sakusa can already smell the shampoo you use filtering into the air. What is it? Sharper and more bitter than mint, medicinal almost—he’s considered asking you a few times what it is, but he can’t figure out a way to phrase the question.

Hey, (Y/N), tell me what product you use to wash your hair. Ever since I started jacking off in the shower to you, I can’t get off unless I’m smelling it.

That probably wouldn’t go over well.

Fuck, he’s already hard. The heat of the shower is nothing compared to the heat of his blood pumping down to his cock. Sakusa rinses through his hair quickly, freeing up his hands so he can palm his shaft and give it a tentative stroke.

Through the shower wall you give a light, soft sigh of appreciation, and Sakusa feels his cock jump in his hand. You prefer your showers hotter than he does—white puffs of steam are rising up over the gap between the stall divider and the ceiling, and you always come out flushed. The heat must feel nice, hm? He can almost see you, standing naked under the shower head in just your stupid pink flip-flops, letting rivulets of water drip down from the crown of your head to flow lower…over your shoulders, your back, your tits; your fingers lathering the shampoo through your hair, soap bubbles washing the grease away from you, draining away yesterday’s grime so you’re all fresh and squeaky clean.

You sigh again, and your voice is pushing out behind the breath. A moan, almost. Do you ever touch yourself in the shower? He’d be a hypocrite to think you shouldn’t be able to take advantage of this rare moment of privacy…it’s so hard to get time to yourself in the dorms, he can sympathize… So maybe you let your hands dip lower while you wash, shift your thighs apart so you can fit your fingers between them. Pet that puffy little cunt, push your fingers inside, feel your slick wash off in the water just to be replaced with more.

Sakusa wraps his fingers around his cock and slides his hand up the shaft, moving slowly so he can savor the light friction. Your hands would be soft, wouldn’t they? Softer than his. You don’t have calluses like he does—all that lotion you use must be doing you some good. And your hands are a lot smaller than his are…you’d probably have trouble getting one hand all the way around. You’d have to use both hands to hold him, hold his cock and pump him, jack him off…

If your hands are too small for him, what about your mouth?

The shower is so warm and you’re so close. Sakusa closes his eyes so he can breathe in that sweet medicinal smell and imagine you in here with him.

Your mouth. Soft lips, no makeup, just your natural color dampened from the water and your spit and his precum, closed around him, stretched around him to accommodate for the mass of his cock sitting in your mouth. Little pink tongue flicking out to tease the tip, lapping flat at the underside and then kissing it. You’d be a tease, a fucking tease. Looking up at him with those eyes, batting your eyelashes over your dewy-wet cheeks as you try to swallow him a little deeper. He’d tangle his fingers around the back of your head, push the strands of wet hair away from your face, pull your mouth up and down on his cock while the water splashes down around the two of you—

There’s a click of a cap popping shut and your shoes smacking wetly against the floor while you reach over to grab another bottle. You’re humming to yourself—a song Sakusa’s heard on his friends’ playlists and at parties but he doesn’t know the lyrics. Sometimes you sing in the shower (always softly, under your breath, so quiet he’d barely be able to hear if he wasn’t listening) but today you just hum. Maybe you’d sing out loud if he wasn’t there?

You’re probably being considerate to him...you do seem like the type. After all, you must be as aware of his presence three feet away from you as he is of yours. You probably think about him in the shower too.

Sakusa’s hips buck forward, pushing his dick through his hand as he pumps it with no real technique or rhythm, just trying to match the pace of his breathing to what he can hear of yours. The heat of his impending climax is coiling low in his belly, even though it hasn’t been long—it never takes long when he’s thinking about you. You’ve practically become a part of his own morning routine, to the point where he couldn’t even get off when he went home for spring break a few weeks ago. When the two of you move out of the dorms and go your separate ways, it’s going to be annoying. He should really stop this, wean himself off you while he can…not that he really wants to.

Your voice isn’t bad when you sing, but it’d be a lot better moaning his name.

People fuck in the showers. Sakusa knows that, he’s heard them himself and always been acutely disgusted at the filth of it all. Dorm bathrooms are notoriously foul—there’s a reason people wear shoes when they’re showering, and the thought of people actually fucking in here makes his skin crawl. But with you? He can see it, he can feel it—the soft fat of your thighs in his hands, skin dimpling under his grip as he holds you up; your arms twisted around his neck hugging into him; the hot water streaming over both of your bodies as his cock slaps into your pussy, burying into that tight wet heat.

Sakusa grits his teeth to stifle a groan and wonders if you heard it, and then he’s feeling around for the memory of your sleepy “Good morning, Kiyoomi” and warping your voice in his mind until he can almost hear your lips wrapping around his name, panting it, whimpering it, choking it out between pleas for him to fuck you harder—Kiyoomi, please, fuck me fuck me just like that, fuck my little pussy til I can’t walk straight Kiyoomi I need you!

God, he wants to hear it, he wants to say your name, wants you to know he’s jacking off to you. Sakusa’s hand speeds up and his hips are thrusting into his fist, the water making wet clicking noises every time his cockhead moves up past his fingers as he imagines fucking you right here in this shower. He’d make you cum, make you clench and tighten around him, make you wake up the entire goddamn floor with your screaming, and—fuck, he’s mouthing out the syllables, and then he can hear his own voice out loud and he’s saying your name—

“K-Kiyoomi?”

Your actual voice—lifted, high and clear as a bell ringing even stifled by the stall and the rushing water hits Sakusa and he flinches—and cums, cock jerking under his grip as the sticky white fluid shoots out to coat his hand. It’s good, so good, so fucking good, you said his name, you said it, fucking perfect—the release passes over him so forcefully that he has to hold his breath to bite back the stuttered hiss of pleasure from deep in his throat.

“Kiyoomi?” you ask again from the other stall, voice uncertain. “Did you say my name? I thought I heard you…”

It takes him a long moment to catch his breath, and another to work up enough control to straighten and raise his hand to the spray, letting the cum wash off his skin and down the drain in cloudy white trickles. “I didn’t.”

“Oh, sorry! Guess I imagined it.” You’re back to your cheerful self, humming that brainless melody and soaping yourself up without a care in the world. So gullible. Like always. And it’s not like Sakusa wanted to get caught, but…he can’t help wondering what you’d do if you knew.

Maybe you’d hate him. Maybe you’d call him a creep, stop showering when he does, avoid his gaze when you pass each other in the halls.

Or maybe you’d be into it.

Sakusa finishes his shower at the same time you do, so he can catch you just as you step out of the stall. “Oh—“ you start, barely keeping yourself from bumping into his chest. “Oops!”

Your face is stained pink from the heat of the shower…or maybe it’s the way you’re staring at his bare chest that’s making you blush. Sakusa’s not flattering himself—he knows he’s good-looking, knows what the years of athletics have done for him, and you are staring—but just for a moment before you catch yourself and right your gaze back up to his face, absently watching him towel off his hair. The fact that you let your eyes stray a little gives him permission to do the same, so he takes a moment to examine the lines of your shoulders, your soaked hair sticking to your neck, the dip of your cleavage under the fluffy white robe you’re wearing.

You smell good, all soft and wet and clean. Sakusa can’t help imagining if you taste that good, too.

“Um…s’cuse me,” you say after a moment when he doesn’t move to let you pass through the walkway. You could try to skirt around him, but he’s so big.

“What shampoo do you use?”

You blink and pat your hair self-consciously. “It’s, uh, tea tree oil? It has peppermint and lavender and stuff too I think, it’s really good for waking up in the morning—sorry, I know some people don’t like the smell—“

“No, it doesn’t bother me.” Sakusa’s eyes narrow before he steps out of the way to let you walk past.

I like it, he wants to add. But he doesn’t.

[1kook]

A COLLECTION  [ updated: 8 . 23 . 21 ]

— STATUS ONGOING — NO REPOSTS — ASKS under #ncouple ! — Copyright © 2021, 1kook on tumblr

—NETFLIX & CHILL.

summary If you planned things right, you could rain down your raging displeasure on Jeon Jungkook right after the meal but before this proposed ‘Netflix and chilling,’ maybe dramatically throw your glass of wine at him, before storming out of his place and reporting him to the authorities (Namjoon) for his douchebag personality.  warnings smut in the forms of grinding, oral (f), cum eating, vanilla unprotected sex, dirty talk misc use of the oldest trick in the book (“your hands are sooo big”), shy oblivious AND gentleman jk? pick a struggle, brief ment of app developer kook, evil and conniving oc  word count 10.2k  posted june 12, 2020

—HULU & WOOHOO.

summary But there’s more important matters to attend to than Jungkook’s Jersey Shore boner. warnings slight feelings of insecurity, smut in the forms of fingering, cunnilingus, cum eating, squirting, hand jobs, unprotected sex, riding, slight praise kink  misc if you’re not a Jersey shore fan honestly GET OUT, mentions of capitalism😡, more kind/understanding kook, basically a “what are we?” fic but silly, irresponsible emailing habits, its so dumb just read word count 6.3k posted july 4, 2020

—IMAX & CLIMAX.

summary The occasional dark horse candidate among Barbie movie binges— Jungkook gets weirdly horny and fucks you to the tune of a classic Barbie movie soundtrack. warnings smut in the form of blowjobs, tit play, praise kink, standing sex, unprotected sex, reverse cowgirl (? kinda), daddy kink that morphs into ily kink misc  jk is an avid history channel viewer, jk hates Barbie movies ik we took an L today girls 😔, jk goes thru like 4 personality changes (commanding > soft > mean > in love), honestly idk what to tag it’s a mess, he’s still cheesy and romantic but also 👀 just read word count 9.8k posted august 5, 2020

—KISSANIME & FOREPLAY.

summary You get a glimpse of the KissAnime screen for a good two seconds before about seven ads pop up. Another tab to a raunchy hentai website opens, and Jungkook groans. warnings mentions of hentai, smut in the forms of cunnilingus, masturbation (f), oral (f), use of a sex toy, fingering, nipple play, face sitting/fucking/riding idk (f), praise kink, hints of dumbification, cum eating, jk is like passive aggressive in this one, 4 (f) orgasms, this is the kicker: sub kook at the end😳, like 2 sec of dom yn lol, & u get 0.002 sec of adams apple kink misc more dumb story lines, made up sex stores bc my creativity knows no bounds, Jungkook plays nice but is actually mean for the majority of it, once again doyeon plays a pivotal role in the furthering of women empowerment, internal love monologues about jk best boy<3 word count 8.2k posted september 1, 2020

—DISNEY+ & BUST.

summary There’s a pounding on your door a little past noon, so hard and rough, that you almost think it’s the police finally coming to catch you for all your years of illegally pirating Phineas and Ferb. It’s not. It’s just a really drunk boyfriend wailing for your forgiveness at the door.   warnings arguments, feelings of insecurity, bit of asshole jk, smut in the forms of humiliation, dumbification, choking, fingering, spit kink, self punishment (? idk lol), unprotected but [ passionate ] sex, jk losing his cool, the return of mean jk, desperate jk, he is actually an emotional mess in this one wtf misc angst, anniversaries, the L word😳, app developer kook, rip ‘pretty girl’ </3, we all become phineas and ferb stans word count 13k posted september 9, 2020

—ESPN & BDSM.

summary You would like to personally thank every loud-mouthed, ESPN commentator out there for saving you from Jungkook’s dangerous seduction skills.   warnings smut in the forms of brief femdom, handcuffs, nipple clamps, blindfolding, flogging/use of a riding crop, soft dom kook, cunnilingus, spitting, unprotected but passionate, degradation, as always it starts horny n then turns into I love u kink misc kook has a swollen ankle so idk how he did all this, jk abuses the fuck outta pet names part 7, revenge gone wrong tbh, this was honestly a beginner’s intro to vanilla bdsm word count 12.7k posted september 14, 2020

—YOUTUBE & USE LUBE.

summary You can’t believe this is Jungkook’s preferred sick day treatment; YouTube, cuddles, and an ugly amount of lube. warnings smut in the forms of nipple play, handjobs, spit kink, face riding, unprotected, flavored warming lube, riding, praise kink, soft femdom, missionary bc his eyes are pretty, tit sucking, tit fucking, more jk has an impreg kink, oh and this is all subby kook misc domesticity baby!! fluff, soft scenes /.\, jk is sick:((, doyeon is A Doctor, yn sees an opportunity and she grabs it, surprise ending <3 word count 8.7k   posted september 30, 2020

—VIKI & HICKEYS.

summary Just like in those Viki dramas Jungkook likes, the world around you is enveloped in shades of pink and red, kisses and hearts, so many goddamn roses it makes you sneeze. It’s absolutely perfect— nothing could possibly go wrong when there’s so much love in the air.   warnings a little hurt + a lot of comfort, mentions of cheating!villain!jin, insecure!kook, emotional breakdowns, mentions of jk’s lonely past, jk cries :( smut in the forms of making out, eating out, fingering, clit play, hickeys, jk likes cum, double orgasm, squirting, tiny praise kink, blindfolding, rough + unprotected sex, doggy style, choking!!!, breeding/impreg kink, JEALOUS KOOK, mini hand kink, a lil bit of spanking, degradation, he gets progressively meaner lol oc cries, jk is a good boy n I want him to be happy   misc there’s a lot of fuckin plot omfg -_-, it’s Valentine’s Eve!, doyeon makes Some Points, mentions of park seojoon juicy ass, they go on a d8 😳, oc like rlly wants to marry him, oc commits double phone homicide word count 16.3k posted january 14, 2021

—PEACOCK & SWEET TALK.

summary “I wanna watch Solange in Bring It On,” Jungkook smiles, and you have to wonder who exactly this blond man is and what he did with your teen-movie-hating boyfriend.   warnings smut in the forms of kissing, cunnilingus (eating out + fingering), light praise, a lil body worship, jk fat cawk, brief nipple play, playful jk, unprotected sex, riding and missionary, the jk hand kink, I love you kink, jk wants nudes, jk’s cheerleader fantasies mentioned, spit kink, light choking, jk has like a scent kink (?), mention of collars and pet play misc app developer jk becomes even MORE app developer-y, oc is anti-google, there's plot, a 2 year anniversary, Solange knowles appreciation, BLOND JK!!!, gets sappy for a sec, seahorse marriage mention, doyeon x joon side pairing, jk is disgustingly dreamy and oc is threatened by that fact word count 10.7k posted march 23, 2021

— CRUNCHYROLL & RAIL.

summary Never mind the fact you really like Sailor Moon, or that you really want to pay attention to every little detail; the moment becomes Jungkook and his big smile and his red cheeks and the tiny box he produces from within his pocket. warnings smut in the forms of making out, jk nipple play, some 69 action, cunnilingus, blowjobs, brief choking, jk trying his best to listen to oc but he doesn’t rlly :/, fingering, missionary bc his eyes are pretty, unprotected fuckin raw, its romantic but when is it not… misc fluffy and domestic <3, weekend getaway <3, the Big Question, shy jk, sailor moon supremacy, jk makes this big elaborate speech about the sun and moon, mentions of 240p YouTube quality word count 8.7k posted may 21, 2021

—FUNIMATION & PROCREATION.

summary Never mind your upcoming wedding, this was perhaps the greatest moment of your life— the day Jungkook sought out an anime on his own. warnings kissing, smut in the forms of cunnilingus, cum eating, mentions of anal, doggy style, unprotected sex with the intention of pregnancy, spitting, hand holding<3 misc the wedding night, Doyeon strikes again, jjk watches  jjk, oh no not twins word count 9.1k posted july 31, 2021

—BOOMERANG AND BANG. 

coming soon

—COOKIES & CREAM.

summary Jungkook will watch a thousand cheesy Christmas movies if it meant making you happy. (And maybe having his dick sucked.) warnings smut in the form of blowjobs, face fucking, cum facials, fingering, overstim, double orgasm, r*mantic sex, riding, unprotected, cream pies, jk does this weird thing where he licks her face yeah idk, jk loves seeing his gf cry, jk has an obsession with jizz   misc jk pov !!, eggnog slander, jk hates xmas movies, oc dresses like a sexy mrs claus, Elf !!, jk is in loooove word count 7.1k posted december 23, 2020

— TUTUS & TIARAS.

summary your first pregnancy through the lens of your husband warnings smut in the forms of penetrative sex, sex while pregnant, unprotected sex, tit play, cunnilingus, mutual masturbation, sticking the tip in and jacking off/cockwarming?, creampies, nose kink (? like she grinds against his nose), infatuation with scent, frottage/grinding, lactation kink, titluvr jk [bass boosted] misc married ncouple <3, domesticity, jk pov, mood swings, pregnancy, GIRLDAD!JK, DILF!JK, pregnant!reader, jk’s kids are virgos its true  word count 10k posted august 23, 2021

— one.

summary Maybe Jungkook wasn’t always as cool and composed as you initially believed. But that’s okay, because you love him all the same.  word count 1.3k posted September 10, 2020

—two.

summary Even after all these years, all these doubts, and all this solitude that was really no one’s fault but his own, he still finds himself hoping that maybe you’ll be the one. word count 1k posted september 11, 2020

—three.

summary But Jungkook loves the sun. word count 1.5k posted september 12th, 2020

—four.

summary For the last ten minutes or so his mind has been bothered by one thing and one thing only— the hair that hung in his face. word count 800 words posted september 22, 2020

—five.

summary Startled and inexperienced, he can’t do anything but rub his hands over your back. “It’s fine, it’s fine,” he murmurs, even though it’s not. word count 1.3k posted september 22, 2020

—six.

SUMMARY Jungkook enjoyed pushing you down, indulging you in all your little fantasies, but he too had some he wanted to live out. WC 1.8k POSTED september 25, 2020

—seven.

summary And lastly, Jungkook will bring it full circle by indulging you two in some good old fashion spooky sex where he nuts inside you because the only thing scarier than a scary movie is a pregnancy scare. It’s a perfect plan. word count 2k posted october 30, 2020

—eight.

summary You always do this— always ask for more. You take and you take until there’s nothing left for Jungkook to give. But Jungkook is the same.   word count 1.9k posted december 28, 2020

—nine.

summary “I think that, like— me and you? We’re like, totally destined,” you ramble, “you should, like, take my number! And maybe we can, like— Netflix and chill one of these days?” word count 2.2k posted january 8 2021

—ten.

summary See, there’s no one in this world who ignores his house rules more than you. Even worse, there’s no one on this planet who can make Jungkook ignore his own rules like you do. word count 1.4k posted february 14, 2021

—eleven.

summary You’re too bright, too… there. His shell is too small. word count 1.2k posted may 3, 2021

—twelve.

summary Anyway, if it was up to Jungkook, Kim Doyeon would not be a member of the Engagement Ring Committee. word count 1.4k posted may 8th, 2021

—thirteen.

summary Because for as much shit as you let him get away with, Jungkook is certain you’ll draw the line today.   word count 1k posted june 13, 2021

—fourteen.

summary Jungkook needs you to know that you can always count on him. word count 1.3k posted july 6, 2021

—fifteen.

summary It’s Jungkook’s teenage fantasy— being pushed down by a cheerleader. word count 3.1k posted august 9, 2021

— sixteen.

summary Your skin is warm and smells like sunshine. Jungkook can’t really explain it. (And also like the sunscreen you had doused him in earlier, but that isn’t as romantic.) word count 1.9K posted august 11, 2021

—seventeen.

summary She looks his way and suddenly Jungkook is nineteen again, in his dorm, listening to the first person he ever thought he loved telling him he’s too much to handle. word count 1.6k posted august 18, 2021

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LASTLY: 

[letswritestories101]

Heya im currently working on a book, it contains an arranged marriage, forbidden relationship and theyre royals.

however, ive no idea what to include in said book, like do i add a political element like a war? whos the villain? does the crown die and suddenly the main character is the king/queen! i just dont know and now im stuck.

any thoughts or advice for me?

Hey, anon! Hello and welcome!

Your story sounds cool, with classic and amazing tropes. A lot of good things can come out of that, for sure.

You seem to be in the brainstorming stage, right at the stage where you're deciding what you want before you start writing the thing itself. So keep in mind that it's okay not to have a very good idea of ​​everything yet.

Here are some tips that might work, IMO:

Think about the theme and/or message. It doesn't have to be something deep. It doesn't need to revolutionize the world or induce a paradigm shift. It doesn't even have to be new. But it has to be something that helps you focus, see the point of your story and what you want to tell. Even the good old 'love conquers all' helps to put a focal point. For example, showing the two royals loving each other despite being a forbidden romance illustrates this well. So the challenges will have to try to break them and not get it permanently, reinforcing the theme. Hence, from these limits now placed, you can think what kinds of challenges would best illustrate. Studying your elements that you want to put in and why you like them will help you find your theme. Adventure and friendship in the face of challenges can hide a theme from the power of friendship, not losing faith that something will work hides a theme about hope. It's about what you want to go through.

Discover the genre of your story. From what you've told me, she has a lot of romance so you can already trace some things like you already did. Ask yourself, is my book all about romance or fantasy or another element also has prominence. For example, if it's a fantasy novel with a romance, the fantasy will also need problems and resolutions. Look up the conventions of the genre and try to work from them. It will help to assemble the previous stitch, inclusive.

Think about what you like. We tell stories about our points of view. Our opinions appear in our art because they are part of us. So, find what you like and put that in the book. Helps a lot.

Go berserker with your inspiration! Make music playlist, moodboard, jot down all ideas including weird sleep deprived ones at 3am! Look for things that remind you of your book and save it!

Search, Search, Search! Know how a plot works, what are character arcs. Writing is a skill, so we have to improve it.

Only share when you are ready. The pressure for validation is high, but showing it to the public ahead of time can ruin your motivation. I've been through that. Give yourself time to think.

And remember, you and only you are the author. Neither I nor anyone else can talk about what you are going to write. The story is yours and that is our greatest blessing and pleasure as authors. We can create worlds and plots as we want and no one else. Enjoy it. And don't worry if someone else will like it. The answer is yes. There is always. Someone already likes. You already like it. And I can tell you from experience, your love for your book will reflect and beautify your stories for others like no other method of outreach could. Nothing shows how amazing a book can be like the faith and love that we writers have for our stories.

I hope my advice can be useful. Writing is a strange but wonderful hobby. You'll do fine :)

Some useful blogs:

@writingwithcolor

@wordsnstuff

@pens-swords-stuffswords-stuff

@hyba

@writing-is-a-martial-art

[looney-mooney]

Thinking about making an au where Sam and Max are Haru’s distant, crazy gay American uncles who she hasn’t thought about in a while. Until she starts seriously dating Legosi, after which she’s like “maybe I should contact Uncle Max, he’s been married to a vigilante canine for ages”

Details for the Insane Beastars/Sam and Max au under the cut

Max of course DEMANDS to see his niece and her crazy new wolf boyfriend, so they end up going on a trip to the Beastars version of New York City. Louis ends up going along and paying for the trip, because he was already headed over for a business deal so they might as well.

The Beastars version of New York City is obviously culturally different from the Beastars version of Japan, and Legosi ends up getting a new perspective (as he always does.) There are some bugs who can actually talk here (???), and meat isn’t considered taboo in the same way. Most people sign up to be meat donors in their driver’s licenses, because there’s a tax incentive. This move has considerably lessened the strain between Herbivores and Carnivores, so though there’s still definitely some tension between the two groups, those who vehemently insist that carnivores and herbivores shouldn’t interact or date or anything are generally considered right-wing bigots. Most people don’t even really see a separation anymore - carnivores can be meat donors too, and some herbivores here eat meat sometimes. Most Americans are just omnivores.

Systematic racism is still a thing, obviously, because America just Sucks Like That, but I’m White so I’m not even gonna attempt to map out the History of American Racism with Furries. Just know that most people in America have at least a little bit of mixed ancestry, and Legosi probably thinks that’s cool and fascinating while everyone else is like “you seriously didn’t know about the Great American Melting Pot? Bruh have you been living under a rock”

Max is part piranha and no I am not elaborating

They also don’t have permanent Beastars in the States. The closest thing they have to a Beastar is the President, which in this world is… basically the American Beastar. I’m having this be the case mostly so that President Max still fits in with the Beastars Lore ™

Geek exists, and is just a bit younger than Haru and Legosi. She’s probably in high school, but taking college classes at the same time, because Geek’s just. Like That. She’s probably a monkey. Haru isn’t sure what she thinks about Geek at first, but then they start talking and plotting mutant botany projects together and Haru decides that this is her favorite cousin actually

I think Sybil should be at least part fox. Maybe even kitsune-coded, since she changes careers so often? Doctor Mama Bosco’s probably either a dog or a sheep, maybe a sheepdog hybrid? Whatever she is, she started her cloning experiments with insects, which is how Sal and the other talking insects in New York came to exist. Bosco’s probably one of those experimental spider goats or something. The Stinkys are carnivorous seafolk of some sort, originally from the Hudson River but migrated to Land when the river got too polluted for their ancestors to keep living there exclusively. Grandpa Stinky was probably fascinated by land culture and particularly cooking as a young sea-land immigrant, and just messed with the art of cooking as much as possible, which led to the insane food he sells at his diner. I am not going to attempt to assign Abraham Lincoln a fursona.

Legosi spends a good chunk of the trip trying to impress Sam and Max, because these people are members of Haru’s Family and he wants them to like him, but then Legosi ends up star-struck by how well Haru’s uncles work together. He’s never seen partners quite like them in action before, and tries to get them to teach him. But these guys aren’t shonen anime mentors, they’re Sam and Max, so it becomes more of a “hey back off buddy just be yourself and maybe trust your partners a little bit more”

Max in particular really tears Legosi a new one, really gives him a nice good shovel talk. Like, Max likes the kid, sure. Legosi’s the BEST kinda crazy and also a really sweet guy and he seems to care about his niece a lot. But he’s really, REALLY annoyed by how much Legosi shuts Haru out of his life. Like, she’s Max’s kin, she’d be able to take care of herself, she doesn’t need you to protect her to the point of reverence, she needs you to let her in. And not just sexually! Though he has some health class tips and condoms if they wanna do that, cuz he’s the cool uncle. But if you wanna be her partner, you have to RESPECT her, kapiche? Stop treating her like some damsel in distress, she’s tougher than you think. I will end you if you don’t stop infantilizing her.

Sam and Max teach Haru how to fight at some point, because no relative of theirs is gonna go through life not knowing how to defend themselves! Max specifically teaches Haru how to use her hammerspace, and now nobody is safe from her wrath. They also taught her how to use a gun, while scolding Louis for never teaching her this incredibly important life skill! For shame.

Imagine Haru with a gun. The power she would wield. No wonder Paru nerfed her

Speaking of Louis, I’m sure he gets involved in the misadventure somehow, probably by getting accidentally tangled with the villain’s plot during his business deal. I’m sure it’s tangled up in the reveal that Mama Bosco was involved with the anthropomorphic insects, just cuz that’s the biggest and newest difference between these two cultures, and might also somehow nod to the systematic racism in America and how fucked up that is.

Might also address how capitalism is the root of all evil, and how the pressure to conform to capitalism in order to maintain a position of power in his attempts to make the world a better place while also giving Legosi and Haru the space to have their own relationship (while also forcing himself to maintain the charade of a heteronormative arranged marriage with someone he isn’t even remotely attracted to) has been slowly but ruthlessly breaking Louis in a terrible cycle, and how he’s spent so much of his life hiding behind masks that he doesn’t even know who he is anymore. And now he’s in a cage again, but this time he put himself there, with his own actions. And Legosi has to tell him that he doesn’t have to pretend all the time, that he’s his best friend and he wants to help. That he and Haru both love him, and they want him in their lives.

The whole adventure probably ends with Haru saving her boy’s butts, and ruthlessly affirming what Legosi just said. Demanding that they BOTH stop hiding from her, and BOTH stop trying to “protect” her. That she NEEDS them, and she wants them to need her. That they don’t have to be Beastars to be PARTNERS.

And then the whole family (yes I’m including Louis and Legosi in this family) beats the villains up and goes out for a celebratory meal or something IDK how to end things

[thesmokingguns]

Wedding Season

Tommy

-Welcome to the Wedding Date expert

-Getting ready together and he matches his bow tie to your dress

-“Can you help me?” Helping him tie his bow tie and he uses the moment where you’re so close that he can kiss you

-Well you’re finishing getting ready he makes sure the car is out front.

-“Wow, babe, you’re going to make the bride jealous”

-Double checking to make sure that you have the gift and adding more money to the card

- Hes so excited to go to this wedding together and have a good time celebrating people

-Hes going to talk about all his favorite parts of the ceremony and things that he enjoys or would want in the future

“I love love”

-He is a wedding guest expert. He seems to know all the wedding coordinators and people working the event

-“Hey Sherry, another beautiful event!”

-He brings you a glass of champagne during cocktail hour and wants to talk about the vows

-“I don’t want to get married in a church. Maybe a cool Japanese garden or on the beach. I’d write my vows too. None of that obey shit. What do you think, babe?”

-He tips the band at cocktail hour and drags you out, making you laugh as you dance

-Introduces you to all his friends

-“I can’t wait to see you in a white dress”

-He is slamming his silverware against the glass to have the couple kiss all night

-Tommy will wander off to talk to someone so he’s not by your side all night but he waves at you and sends smiles your way

-He comes up with a plan so you catch the bouquet and he gets the garter

-“Throw some elbows of you have to”

-He breaks a chair jumping off it to catch the garter and almost lands on some guys.

-He offers to pick you up and give you extra height so you catch the bouquet

-“THATS MY FUCKING GIRL!” he’s amped that you caught the bouquet

-He thinks he’s going to something so sexy putting the garter on you but as he gets a view at what would be your underwear he sees you’re not wearing any.

-“Babe!”

-Laughing because you knew exactly what was going to happen as he slides the garter on you in front of his family. He’s blushing and it’s both cute and hysterical how flustered he is

-Tommy putting his jacket over your shoulders as you head up to the hotel room after

-“We should get married this summer”

-You’ve been dating for two months and it’s March

Vince

-Imagine that you’ve just spent two hours getting yourself fully ready and you’re about to leave for a wedding and down the stairs comes your man child boyfriend fully dressed in a three piece tuxedo complete with a top hat alll in white

-“What do you think?”

-He does a spin, pulls the lapels of his jacket and is smiling proud of his outfit.

-Dragging him to his room to change into a new suit

-Pouty Princess in the passenger seat of the car as you drive to the wedding

-Trying to reassures him that when it’s his wedding he can wear a white suit

-“You’ll let me wear white to our wedding?”

-He’s so sincere when he says it’s so he is holding your hand you agree even though it’s been over four years and he hasn’t really showed any interest in settling down

-Vince will talk shit about everything that he doesn’t like

-He keeps referring to “our” wedding

-he takes full advantage of the open bar and he just is getting hammered

-“I think I want pink and white roses. Like a whole fucking garden of them.”

-Having to tell him to stop talking about a fake wedding at a real wedding

-Pouty Princess gets really mad and goes to pout at the bar

-He gets up on stage and starts singing because he hates the live band

-Coaxing him off stage promising that you’ll dance with him

-“I want to go home. This club sucks.”

-Just reminding him that you’re at a wedding for your close friends

-Vince goes outside and you spend twenty minutes looking for him. You follow the sound of someone puking and find him wiping his mouth

-“they gave me the cheap stuff, honey. it’s not my fault.”

-He won’t be dragged out of the garden easily and you’re fucking horrified when he gets down on one knee at a wedding

-“Honey, I love you so much. I’ve been trying all week to figure out the best place to do this-“

-he suddenly is patting his suit and realizes that he changed before they left

-“We need to go home.” He’s standing up and you want to die of embarrassment as he’s dragging you through the wedding where a few of these people just saw him on one knee

-Anxious leg bouncing in the car, window down because he might puke again

-He’s falling up the stairs when he gets home ripping apart his white suit.

-Running down the stairs he finds you and gets down on one knee again

-“I have the ring this time.”

-Hes kind of a huge idiot but you like that he has a plan. Also you’re worried because you’re going to marry bridezilla

Mick

-If it wasn’t one of his bandmates weddings he wouldn’t be going

-If he wasn’t in the wedding party there is no way that he would wear a suit

-When he is waiting with one of the bridesmaids he’s paired with hands him her flask

-“I’m trying to stay sober to keep everyone in check”

-She scoffs and he turns to see her chugging it down before giving him another chance go to take it., which he does downing the rest of it.

-Trying to make sure all the guys are doing the right thing and keep everyone alive

-Taking pictures he finds out that the mystery bridesmaid is the brides best friend from childhood

-“I’m going to the bar.”

-He decides he needs to just have sex with someone at the wedding as a reward for actually coming here

-Looking at the wedding guests and wondering if he’s going to be alone forever

-Thinking about what a waste weddings are and how they should have saved their money

-Knows that bride shouldn’t be in pure white

-The flowers make him sneeze

-The bridesmaid is at the end of the bar and he is suddenly handed a drink she has bought him. He watches as she cheers the airs downing the three fingers of white alcohol in one sip before walking away.

-“Oh no you fucking don’t.”

-He is trying to find this girl who keeps showing up with alcohol

-Mick keeps loosing his clothes. His jacket is lost, his vest is unbuttoned and the bow tie is untied

-“Fucking Women”

- he spots her headed into the elevator and frowns when it closes. When it reopens he sees red lipstick kisses around 7

-“If she put her mouth on that...”

-He’s slamming the lucky number 7 as fast as he can

-When the door open he sees a shoe and a few paces away another one.

-As he’s walking and sees her dress and her underwear is hanging on the doorknob

-“Women like this is why I’m never getting married”

-He opens the door and he’s glad he made it go the wedding

Nikki

-“Angel, you’re going to make us late!”

-He is indiffernt about going to weddings. One part of him likes socializing and seeing people and the other part of him hated leaving the house

-Checking his watch and getting ready to go through you over his shoulder so they could leave

-When he sees her coming down the stairs he doesn’t want to go to the wedding anymore and he lets her know

-Nikki kind of is a huge show off so we plans on pulling up in this Porsche

-He wants to spend the entire time with his lady

-Even as they sit through the vows he’s reaching out running his hand over your hands

-Leaning over to whisper, “This reminds us of our wedding.”

-kissing your knuckles

-Always touching you and seeming almost anxious whenever of you steps away

-Hand on your back when you’re talking to other people, holding your hands when you’re walking and just a weakling his arms around to kiss as much as possible

-“I’m so happy you’ll always be my wedding date, Angel.”

-Checking in throughout the night to make sure that you’re okay and having a good time

-“excuse me, I’m going to steal her for this song”

-Has requested your wedding song and is slow dancing telling you all the reasons that he loves you

-Nikki loves holding you when you dance even if he hates dancing

-Taking you out to cool down and walk along the beach together

-He throws down his jacket sitting on it and pulling you into his lap

-He had literally scoped out a place where you two could make out or go further

-“you looked so beautiful, Angel. I couldn’t wait until we got home”

-Going back to everyone at the party and he’s just giving you this look the whole time like he can’t get you out of his mind

-Nikki talks to the groom about what makes marriage so great

-“You wake up to the most beautiful view every morning no matter where in the world you are”

-Being at the wedding just reminds him how happy he is to be married

-Watching his wife dancing with the girls and smiling at how she always has fun

-When Nikki’s at the bar with the guys he sees you bent down talking to the flower girl and starts thinking of you as a mother

-Nikki knows it will be a few years away because he can’t share you yet

-Smiling when you slide into his lap, holding you to him and knowing you’re going to leave soon

-“I love you.”

-Wedding season is the best for this sentimental gummy bear

[thefanbasewhore]

United as One. || Part 3

Summary: Din tries to fix what he can while another Mandalorian clan leader comes to visit and the leader tends to find an interest in the reader. 

Warning/Content: Soft!Din (as if I have to say it), angst, nsfw for hand job, a little bit of dirty talk but not much and mentions of death.

A/N: I also do not write smut often so bare with me I tried lol, but sorry It took so long !

Tag list here || Part 2. || Masterlist. 

The room was engulfed in complete darkness, peaceful sleep finally washing over after hours of crying eventually her eyes hurt too much to keep open. Thankfully with sleep came an escape from reality, all problems momentarily gone. That’s until a soft whisper tickles her neck, it’s soothing, fingers tangle into hair, nails scratching her scalp but also makes her jump, eyes opening wide for the source of danger.

“It’s me, it’s just me.” Din is breathless, trying to sooth her with words. Nothing is said, there’s complete darkness except the little light the moon offers. It outlines the soft curve of his nose, shadow of his lips, just enough to see but not enough to commit to memory what the Mandalorian looks like. “Our son.” He pauses, “Grogu wants you.”

It’s not a complete lie but the only excuse he can think of to see her, it was very late. The celebration had finally ended, the night dragged but he still found himself right where he wanted to be. For some reason he can’t find the right words to say. “Cyar'ika, I -.”

“Save it Din, give me him.” His mouth shuts at her words, the darkness blocked any clues, any way her face would form to show her emotions but he felt it in her words. There were no more tears, it’s replaced with hot, firey anger.

Grogu without a second though climbs from Din’s hand and lays against her chest, a soft coo of acknowledgement. Right where he wanted to be.

“For you.” Din’s word peak an interest, eyes meeting his in pure instinct despite the darkness. Something cold, sharp is pressed into her hand. It takes a few minutes of feeling it to realize what it was, the signet that was wrapped around the blonde’s neck made her scowl but he couldn’t see it. “I want you to wear it, I made her give it back. I don’t want -.”

For the second time tonight he’s cut off by words that hiss venom. “You give me something you made for her?”

With those words he realizes what a stupid idea it was, he’s speechless at his own Idiocracy. To be fair though, he wasn’t thinking about anything but her, only trying to make her happy. To escape this feeling of his heart breaking inside his chest, it seems almost unavoidable.

“I’m sorry.” Words are breathless, his apology makes her sigh. No words could fix this, mend the hole in her heart, the betrayal she feels. “I can’t control these things, they were made thousands of years ago. I must honor the way of the Mandalorian, that entitles a riduur and a breeder. I want to.. for you but I can’t, this is the best I can do.” Fingers apply pressure to the beskar in her hand, the coolness making her shiver.

Din is still on his knees on the floor, elbows leaning on the bed, her face, at least he thinks it’s her face only inches apart.

“Why did you bring me here?” It’s asked again. All the days seemed to form together, a promise of a future with Din made it manageable but suddenly it’s suffocating. “You didn’t once bother tell me how it was going to be. You knew they wouldn’t accept me because I’m not a Mandalorian, I would be challenged, I will never be accepted as part of your clan.”

“I thought you wouldn’t come.” He selfishly admits, his own voice chokes with emotion. Tears sting against his own waterline. Maybe it was the long night, but it felt like forever since he’s seen her, talked to her. It makes him emotional, the turmoil he’s caused so far; it was his fault. He was to blame.

“So you sentence me to this?” Din’s eyes squeeze shut, they are so close.. but miles away. “I want to leave.”

“Please.” He begs, “Just try. It’s hard to understand why but it’s the way of the mandalorian, you wouldn’t understand.”

“I’m sick of hearing that!” Her voice rises, she almost sits up to show how much she means if but she feels the child twitch against her chest. “Maker, I would be happy not to see another Mandalorian again.”

“You don’t mean that.” Din’s lays his forehead against the edge of the bed, only inches away from her body. “I don’t like hearing you like this.”

She can’t see it but he’s pressing his two fingers against his chest superficial to where his heart beats. “It hurts me.”

Silence is all he’s given, his cheek lays flat against the mattress as his hand reaches for the signet. “You’re right, it isn’t made for you. Nothing in the whole universe can be made into what I feel for you.”

Din does not give her the opportunity to talk, “My eyes are dark brown. This you know but..”

The hand nudging hers open again to feel the weight of circular plastic, enough to fill her hand. “I want to show them to you.”

They’re the beads of the woman but now any claim he’s ever had is gone; no sign of him on her person. Fingers tip under her chin, “Turn the light on and look.”

“The creed.” The worried words make him sigh, slowly leaning against her neck, forehead against her cheek.

“I have an obligation to my clan, I must lead them but for you, to show my love for you I’ll have you something no one else has. Look at my face Sweetheart, I want you too..” he pauses, “See the color with your own eyes, seeing my eyes only belongs to you. Don’t leave, stay with me.”

It’s desperate and considering the situation absolutely necessary. Truthfully Din is getting frustrated, it shows in the tears that sting his waterline, in the way he squeezes the sheets of the bed with clenched fists. Shoulders are weighed down, all the responsibility of his clan, trying to make the girl understand.. It’s too much, there is no way to give honor to the clan, no one to honor her. He’s torn, an internal fight against what he knows his right but his heart hurts, but cannot let her go.

“See me the way no one else does.” It’s a plea, throat full with emotion, his own way asking her to say. “Please.. it’s all I can give.”

It’s more silence but the way they press into his cheeks makes him whine, a small cry of relief. There was no more coldness lingering in the air as she sits up, his head resting against her inner thigh, fingers start scratching his scalp.

Maybe it’s the desperate tone, the hot tears hitting her cheek but she leans over pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Din.. it’s okay.”

“It’s not, you hate it here.” He pauses, “You’re miserable, it’s not fair and I don’t want you to go.. I feel selfish Mesh’la.”

Hot tears flush his skin, the stress was too much, building up slowly with his own clans disappointment in him, the girl he’s loves finally with him where he belongs but his own people keen on breaking them apart.

“Stay here with me.. it will get better I promise. Asher means nothing to me.. she is a means to an future but she is not mine, you are.”

She silent, deep in thought as fingers pause their movement causing Din to nudge closer into her palm. Tips of dark ringlets tickle her fingers. The mention of another’s name from his lips squeezes her heart. “Cyar'ika.. please stay.”

She was upset, there was no question about it but these few hours alone allowing so much time to just think. It wasn’t Din fault, he must do right by his clan and that means insuring a future by claiming a breeder, despite not liking it, she couldn’t find herself to blame him. He tried to make it better taking his claim back, the signet thrown lazily next to them proves it, the small pile of dark beads that not scatter the floor, an act of service to show his love. It probably wasn’t a good idea, the elders will definitely have words to say but Din didn’t care, anything to fix the gaping hole that occupied where his heart should be.

“Okay..” it’s soft.. unsure but he swears that he’ll do anything to keep her here. The darkness of the room doesn’t show it but Din’s chest finally let’s out a breath of air. “I can’t promise anything.. but I will try Din.”

“Can I come up there with you?”

“You don’t have to ask Din. It’s your bed.”

Din stands on shaky legs but curls up next to his girl, for the first time tonight not aching with sadness, anxiety. There’s a shift in the air, it’s no longer tense but filled with comfortable silence. “I want you to have a safe space here, this could be yours. I don’t have to be here.”

Before she can argue his arms pull her into his chest, no doubt the clay smears against skin. Any reasonable person would think the basker it cold, and uncomfortable but it’s quite the opposite; soft, warmth against her cheek despite the small hairs that tickle her forehead but instinctively presses a soothing kiss to his chin.

Fingers soak against her skin, up and down the think of her forearm as deep and shallow breaths calm him down. Despite the fact she chose to forgive him, his heart is still stammering inside his chest.

“Look at me, see me the way no one else does.” It’s so easy to give up the creed, it’s all for her. He has no doubt that she will accept his offer of marriage, it may take time but he won’t give up.

“I don’t want to.” She pauses, “I don’t want to be the reason you disappoint your clan anymore then necessary.”

Din doesn’t know what to say. He’s happy at the answer but kind of hoped she did open her eyes, relieve him of this weight of the creed. “If you marry me.. you’ll be able to see whenever you want. It won’t break my creed.”

“I don’t think that’s for the best.” It’s finally said with his future’s best interest. The leader of the clan needed a strong queen, and will not accept anyone but Mandalorian like them. The way the elders talked about the marriage with her to Din was enough to know she will never be welcomed here, She would not be the reason for his shame.

“I was hoping you didn’t hear that.” She bites the inside of her cheek with heat that sears her face, not knowing what to say.

“Stay a little longer. If you decide you don’t want to marry me then I’ll bring you home myself. Be open minded with me. No matter how much I love you, I love you enough to let you go sweet girl. I want you to know that.” The words sting hard against both of their hearts, a large scar that would stay forever.

“I’ll stay with you.” While she doubts her mind will change, it hurts too much to think of a life without the Mandalorian, without Grogu. “I love you too Bear.”

The lips that meet hers are bruising, almost too rough as they show their appreciation but just enough that all air is knocked from her chest, heat sources from her stomach, setting cheeks ablaze. “Maker – you are so sweet, my sweet girl.”

“You – just always make me feel so…” He can’t put the feeling into words, how could he explain the thumping his chest every time she smiles? The instant warmth when her skin touches his own? There are no words that can explain the way his heat falters inside his chest, heat burns cheeks that it’s embarrassing, thankfully she can’t see. “Right…” Are the words he decided to go with, simple but they hold meaning. “It feels so right with you.”

***

Morning rolled around way too quick, the bright white light temporarily blinding the pair as the shift away from the window, it’s perfect sync the way his chest presses against her back and flushes against his skin, arms wrapping around her waist feel the warmth. Lips lay soft kisses against the skin of her shoulder with a soft sigh. “Goodmoring pretty girl.”

There’s a certain softness that lingers in the air, the vulnerability of last night weighs heavy but despite the tears when the morning light hits there’s hope, hope of holding onto what hangs by a thin thread.

Even though her eyes are open, she doesn’t dare turn due to the fear of too much light entering the room. Small, green fingers press against her cheeks with a soft coo, head tilting just enough so his head level with his mother. “Good morning bear..” Fingers stretching out to pull the child closer only to press a soft kiss to the talons of his fingers as she addresses him. “Hi little one, how long have you been up?”

Din doesn’t have to look at the child to know what he wants as he sighs, lips pressing into her neck to savior one more minute of her skin, her smell.

“Get ready, we will go get breakfast and go for a walk. I have something to show you." 

***

After breakfast, making sure his girl and son are fed, he asks one of the others of the clan to watch the child, which is gladly accepted. It hurts, she’s glad for the little guy, how easily the clan wants him but can’t help but feel a little jealous, especially the looks they get as her and Din walk hand and hand into the forest. 

During the little walk Din tells her stories of wondering in this exact forest, always getting in trouble for wondering too far, climbing trees that are too high, he’s always had that spark, the need to adventure, it’s no surprise why he left his home for so long.

The temple isn’t that big, small compared to the one she managed to squeeze into and interrupt the meeting between Din and the Elders yesterday but it’s older. The thickness and greenery of the forest had started to take it over, long vines and trees form into it, small peaks of gold and tan clay peek through, if it wasn’t for the sun hitting the peak of beskar at the point of the roof it would be impossible to even know it’s there. 

Curious eyes peer back as she faces the helmet, through her own reflection she can see the way the sun beats down on her, eyes crystals as Din laces his fingers with her own guiding her towards the entrance with a, “Come, my love.”

The hall is dark, there’s no source of light until orange finger tips press into the side of his helmet where a small flash of light is orbited into the hall. There’s a few doors, old and withering but Din pulls her through one giant open arch and once entering the room she’s greeted with colorful bindings of books, covers made from bright oranges to dull browns, bookcases built into the clay walls surround her. 

There’s a large book in particular, all alone on a podium that stands alone in the center of the room, it’s made from old leather, pages torn and weathered but the same symbol on the front cover is the necklace that is wrapped around Grogu’s neck from a piece of strand, the one Din has given him so long ago. 

"This is my legacy.” Din’s fingers press against the small of her back, guiding slowly towards the old book. Orange fingertips run the binding, helmet looking back at her for confirmation. She nods unsurely as he flips it open, there’s scribbles, symbols in which she doesn’t understand but there’s pages and pages until he stops. There’s two words at the tops of the page, fingers trace the hydrographics as she catches the sigh under the vocoder. “I was not born a Mandalorian but the people who took me in, my father watched out for the clan before me. This is his name.”

There’s a line, different from all the others bold in the color red, the first of it’s kind as he traces it to the other word. “This is my name. Much like you, I was an outsider. I wasn’t part of the clan until I swore the creed.”

“You want me to swear the creed?”

“No mesh'la.” It’s amazing how clam and collective his is, never faltering from what he’s trying to explain just trying to get her to understand, feel what he’s trying to say. “The red line broke the first rule in the history of this clan, no outsider even a foundling is able to be Mand'lor but here I am.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because you are so worried about my name but being my wife will not shame me.” Din continues before any other words could be said, “You believe that you will make the clan dislike me but I have been shamed by whole life. My father made sure of that when he named me to suppress him as next Mand'lor. He broke the rule of only a child being born into a clan to be leader. He chose me.”

“Din you are a real  -.”

“Shhhh. Let me finish.” A soft hand soothes the top of her head, words dying in her throat as he plays with the tips of her hair, smooth and untamed from just being thrown back into a messy updo. “My father is much like me. Him and my mom could not have children, they tried and tried. For pure respect for my mother he wouldn’t accept his breeder so he named me his son, it was against all rules, made me next in line.”

The red line almost represents how different he is, the target he still has on his back even though it was so many cycles ago. “You will not shame me, they already don’t accept me. They do not want me as their leader but not even the elders can take my title away only by a challenge but I don’t see that happening.”

He pauses, pressing closer until the helmet kisses the smooth skin of her cheek. “What I am trying to say is you don’t need to worry about my name, it’s already wrong to them, I will never be what they want.” His touch is soft, gentle as flat palms rub softly against shoulders, rubbing gently against her biceps, squeezing gently. “If it ever comes to it Grogu will be named by heir, I will not accept any breeder.”

The feeling in his own chest was heavy, crushing memories of teasing and unwanted stares as a child, he can still see some now as he walks through the small village, he was never meant to be here, he’s an outsider no matter how much he wants to believe less. “We are the same, except I am not more accepted because I am Mandalorian, while you are -”

“Not.” She finishes biting her lip with such intensity that the skin breaks, a small spot of blood appear but gloves press against her cheek, angling her face to meet his gaze, or which she guesses is his gaze. 

“You will be if you marry me, they will have to accept you. It’s the creed.” Guilty eyes drops from his own, watching the way his chest moves under all the beskar, slow, nervous breaths but he understands. “You don’t need to answer me, I told you to think about it but just know, nothing in this world can come between us. No elders and especially no breeder, there’s no one else I want. For you I would do anything and if they means breaking all the rules and having my clan disapprove of me more I do not care.” Smooth fingers rub across cheek bones, a tickle of a smile against his features.

“You can’t see but I’m smiling. Just being here with you is enough for me.” 

There’s a ghost of a one that makes her cheeks blush at his close proximity. “I bet it’s beautiful bear.”

There’s something sweet about the words, almost tooth rotting as his chest fills will molten lava, fingers sieving to take in the hit of them. Never had he heard such sweetness, such softness when it came to himself, it’s intoxicating, making him dizzy with want, eyes drop down to her lips, covering her eyes and reaching behind him to throw the helmet to the ground, not caring where it falls to press smooth lips against her own. 

The air barely touched his face before he is tugging her forward, hand that once covered her eyes tangle her hair as their lips meet with a rush, feverish and filled with intensity. The force of his lips on hers, tongue meeting hers with such intensity it’s bruising but the only way he can pour his heart out. Hearts beating fast inside both of their chests, her own hands find the ringlets of his hair, tugging to deepen the kiss as fist tighten on his own end. Din tilts his head slightly, the bridge of his nose pressing against her nose bumping his own lips into her top one, tongue sliding against them with a deep moan but he stops - doesn’t pull away just enjoys the feeling of hers against his own.

At first she’s confused, breathless moving away but keeping her eyes closed but the heavy throbbing against her hip gives it away. Maker, he’s embarrassed, cheeks hot as he presses his own forehead against hers with a sigh. “I’m sorry -.”

“What are you sorry for?” She offers him a comforting smile, pressing a kiss against his cheek, it’s sweet. “There’s no reason.”

“So sweet.” The way she smiles against his skin, feeling his own dimples against her cheek as arms wrap tightly around the Mandalorian only to feel him squeeze back. “My sweet girl.”

***

By the time they get back darkness is starting to fall over the horizon, the large fire and a few torches light the way to home. Din has left a little over an hour ago, which is usually normal except for the fact that he said he’ll be right back with Grogu but still isn’t here.

She debates leaving, mostly because the glances and snarls that would follow her especially not be escorted by Din, but she’s worried. What if something happened to Din? Or worse Grogu?

Once again she was wondering down the lit up path, no one seemed to be around, a few children pause from their playing and smile at her but other then that she enters the dinning hall, it’s filled. The first thing she manages to do is smell the beautiful aroma of food that makes her stomach growl, not realizing how hungry she is but that comes to an end when the whole room drops silent.

All eyes are on her, forks dropping with a clank as hateful eyes glare intensely. In the corner of her eyes she sees the Mandalorian stand, no one can see his face but the way the ‘T’ of his visor stares is dangerous, testing, the growl the rumbles his chest is a warning, anyone who had a scene would deal with him. That was enough promise to have the room eating again, no longer silent as chatter fills the mess hall again.

A hand is placed against the small of her back, cheek of his helmet kisses her own with a whisper. “What are you doing here, love?”

The words sting, eyes shift over his own with a grimace as she pulls away from his touch. “Why? Is this only for the clan?”

A way to separate her more, keep the clan happy by isolating her from any form any outing. It makes sense, the Mandalorian wouldn’t have his people constantly at his throat, suddenly his words from before no longer mattered, they made her stomach twist, eyes water as the Din shakes his head. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. hey, hey..” Fingers pull her close into his chest, fingers grip her chin, force her to peer into his eyes. “We have a visitor from another clan is all. He can be a real asshole, I just didn’t want you around him. 

“Why because I’ll shame you even more?”

“Stop.” It’s firm, sends shivers down her skin at how he stiffens, looking around the room not wanting to make too much of a scene. “Come sit and eat.. I was just about to bring you dinner.”

It’s hard not to be obedient, he’s intimating, towers over her and she just knows the scowl under his helmet. Before anymore attention can be drawn to the pair he’s walking towards the table, leaving her standing there with no chose to take the seat next to him. 

“Who is this?” She barely had a chance to register the two additions to the table, the one is a woman with long blonde hair, piercing blue eyes that sits almost on top of the man, she wears nothing but a thin, sheer dress that when she moves her arms the outline of her nipples can be seen but no one seems too interested, almost as if it was normal. There’s a blue Mandalorian next to her, large beads lay against his chest, they also match Din’s necklaces but are made from beskar and gold. His armor is quiet similar, but it’s a dark, royal blue with lines of gold in the creases of it, his helmet his decorated with dark, black lines of clay, there’s no symbols just senseless finger paint. 

Din looks up to meet his gaze, there’s a warning in his silence but the other Mandalorian doesn’t seem to care, only tilts his head with a look she can only guess is mischief. “You know Din, It’s very uncommon to take a mistress before having a wife.”

“I’m not a mistress.” The words are hissed through her teeth, jaw flexing as she clenches them. The blue Mandalorian laughs, it’s crackles darkly and makes her stomach turn. 

“Firey, I love it. I wonder if what you have under that tunic is as beautiful as you are, Mesh’la.” The same words that sound so good on the tongue of Din sound so sickly and dark on the strangers. Fist ball against her lap, the feeling of Din’s hands against her back are there to calm her, stopping her from speaking anymore so naturally, he does instead. 

“Leave her alone.” Din wishes to say more but just dismisses the man, at the very moment he could not risk a war between the clans, especially after being gone for so long. What good leader would bring war and destruction on only their first few weeks back? Besides it was only a few weeks before the Winter Solaces and despite how much he wanted to wrap his hands around Viven’s neck, he couldn’t risk returning from the summer lands with his own homeland in ruins.  

Din was going to let it go, leave his girl to eat but the words Viven says next makes his blood boil, “You can have mine, If i can have yours.”

His mouth falls open under the helmet, anger burns his veins and continues to warming is body as it spreads like water until he’s abruptly standing but Viven is not easily scared, he matches his stance, leaning over to  push Din’s fingers away as they come down as a warning against his chest as he speaks. “You are in my land, insulting my woman -.”

Din’s hand twitches next to the blaster strapped to his hip as Viven leans closer. “You don’t scare me Din, you’re not even a real Mandalorian.”

The way Din shakes is scary, trembling as his breaths holds inside his chest before long, quick breaths move the beskar as he moves to with no doubt pounce at the man but the small hands takes his own distract him as warm fingers twine through the gaps of his own quickly pulling him towards the exit without a word.

She manages to pull them into a room down the hall, hands pressing against his chest in hopes that the change of scenery will help but his hands snatch her wrist, a rough almost inaudible growl catches the static of the vocoder. “The way he talked about you like you were some piece of meat, I’m going to kill him.”

“Shhh.” She sooths, fingers pressing against that junction of where the helmet and his shirt almost meet, leaving that small piece of skin that just radiates heat, curling the hairs with her pointer finger. His chest is stuttering under her touch but he’s too angry to notice, it’s sits in his stomach every breath that expands his chest burns with fury. 

“No, I’m going to go out there and teach him how to respect a woman.” He’s trembling, intensely staring at her as she reaches over to curl her fingers under the chest plate but he’s ready to break away, fist forming to charge out that door and snap his neck but as her hands drop lower his breath stops. His chest doesn’t dare move as her own hands shake but for a whole another reason. She’s nervous, scared of whatever the Mandalorian might do and this time it would be her fault, she would be the reason and the clan would blame him, hate him more than they already do. Fingers slip low and lower until they squeeze the outline of his erection.

He didn’t even notice over the anger and frustration that had filled his entire being but none the less she earns a lustful moan. His fingers catch her wrist, rougher then he tends too but he can think, with anger rushing his body and her hand wrapping around his throbbing hardness. It’s too much, other hand finds her hip digging small crescent shaped marks into the skin through her shirt. “W-What are you doi -.”

“Shhh, let me take care of you. Can I?” It was risky, nothing she would ever do but the only way she could possibly think to distract him. He’s tense, not moving a muscle as the small hands leave his erection instead fall under his shirt as fingers run along the line of his trousers, feeling the coolness of the jean’s button before pressing down and pulling it from the buttonhole. Her hand slips down, past the elastic of his underwear to hold his heavy cock in her hand, he hisses instantly at the contact, eyes never leaving hers as a thumb moves up to spread the beading pre-cum to lubricate her hand as gives him a test stoke in which he lets out a loud groan.

“Please.” It’s a whimper, barely audible but just enough to show how bad he needs this. Almost instantly her hands tighten, moving at a pace that makes his head spin.

His heart is pounding inside his chest, it’s heard in his ears unable to make out any other words. Heat fills the helmet, a thick fog made from his own pants makes it hard to breath, it’s exciting, exhilarating as he can still hear the chatting and clanking of forks that’s just separated by a wall. 

“Maker, pretty girl.” It’s whimpered against her hair slow, and breathlessly through the static of his helmet as it falls to rest his forehead against the top of her hair as her hand sets an unforgiving pace. 

Small pants bounce of the walls, his hips move to meet up to her own trembling hands. He let’s out a whine of disappointment as she pulls away but his eyes widening as she brings her hand close to her mouth, spitting on her palm. “Fuck…”

He’s so lost in the moment, the way her wet palm wraps around his pulsing cock as sweat begins to bead across his forehead, heat growing deep inside his stomach as he trembles under the feeling of her hand tighten around the base of his cock. Eyes squeezing in pleasure as the familiar pit inside his stomach begins to build as she strokes in time to meet up with his thrusts.

He’s falling deeper and deeper into her spell, thoughts filled with her.

It’s all her, how good her hand feels milking him for all he can offer, how beautiful she looks like this, eyes never leaving his own as the words fall from swollen lips. “Are you going to cum for me Din?”

It’s pure heaven, the way her thumb rubs his head ever so often. Just the right amount of pressure that it stings so good, burns his thighs as her fingertips dig into them. 

“Yes, Maker, yes sweetheart.” He chokes, body stiffening as he feels his balls tighten, body stutter as she pushing his pants lower past his knees as she kneels. The sounds that bounce off the wall are sinful, dirty and wet as a familiar ball of heat fills his stomach as she drops onto her knees.

She offers her face, mouth opening slightly in concentration as her hand squeezes his head one more time but he can’t help but think it’s for him as his thighs quiver and with one last trust into her hand as white, thick strands of cum paint her face pretty.

The Mandalorian in panting above her, fingers that found her hair are now rubbing softly, curling around the hair in a comforting but lazily way. He feels slightly dizzy, a post orgasm haze blurs his eyes, makes his knees ache but none the less he tucks himself back into his pants before sitting in front of her. He pulls at his cape, pressing gently against her skin to wipe at his mess, a soft laughing falling from his lips. 

“To think I thought you brought me in here to calm me down.” There’s that sweet smile that makes his heart jump but the way her eyebrows furrow with playful eyes is new. 

“That’s what I was doing.”

“Sneaky girl.” The words are whispered affectionally into her neck as he finishes and throws the cape somewhere across the room. There’s a  small tisk that falls from his lips makes her laugh. Fingers roam the bottom of the helm, seeking a kiss from those soft lips but the loud commotion outside makes him stiffen, raising to his feet as the yelling continue. His hand takes her own, this time he is the one dragging her through the threshold of the dinning hall.  Viven stands over the crowd as if he wants to speak but that’s not what pisses Din off, it’s how  dangerously close to his throne, almost acting like it doesn’t exist. 

“This man can’t lead you!” Viven’s words are loud, powerful from his chest as he catches their attention. The dinning hall is quiet now, a celebration now ruined with sourness. “He will betray the way of the Mandalore, he will shame us all, he has no wife, offers no future for you. He holds a foundling that will never survive, it is too weak. He has failed to bring it back to it’s people.”

Din stiffens at the words, hateful as they spray across the room. His son will survive, he is stronger than anyone here, no one chooses to see it. The mention of Grogu as his first balling on his lap as murmurs break the threshold of silence, heavy boots echo across the hall until they take one step onto the platform, standing to tower the man as the orange tips of his gloves poke at the blue Mandalorian’s armor. “Leave my son’s name out of your mouth, mind your words.”

"Or what? You already shame your clan by not having a wife… Do you plan on stringing this poor girl on forever?” The words make her cheeks flush in anger but realization hits Din almost instantly - the man had made it clear he wanted her but only because he thought it was all for fun, nothing but a sense or pleasure. Viven thought Din had no intention of marrying the girl because it was unheard of, a clan leader must marry another of similar rank, not a nobody who was not a mandalorian none the less. Then again Din wasn’t supposed to have the power he holds, the rules aren’t meant to be broken but also are not set in stone. Even though it wasn’t seen, Din’s stare was intense and boring a hole into the front of Viven’s visor, heart thumping against his chest with frustration, anger that Viven ever thought he would just give her away, trade her like she was  some kind of property.

“That’s not true.” The words leave her mouth before she realizes what she is saying, she’s so frustrated with the whole situation and watching how Din’s shoulders fell with Viven’s last words was the last straw. “We are getting married.”

The way everyone’s glares towards her at the words made her nervous but nothing compared to the way her heart jumped inside her chest as Din’s helmet snaps in her direction. Din felt his cheeks warm, suddenly the man challenging his authority didn’t matter. He’s thankful for the helmet at this very moment as it hides the pink patches of blush on his chest and cheeks. He tries to open his mouth and speak but the twitch of his lips stops him, she looks beautiful right now. 

Frustration clear on her red face, eyebrows furrow with agitation but she bites her bottom lip at his gaze feeling heat over her own skin as she chews it nervously. For a moment they are the only two people the exist, a little lost, unsure but no matter how much they try and fight it they would never be the same without each other. “I’ve accepted his marriage proposal.”

With those five words the room breaks out in chaos but Din can’t seem to care, his eyes can’t leave the sight of his future riduur.

Viven’s dark eyes run over the sight of Din, a loud growl coming from his chest. “I warned your father about you becoming leader, you do nothing but shame our name. You’re not even a real Mandalorian!”

Din’s body physically stiffens, hot, pulsing anger setting his skin ablaze. It’s not anything new, hearing it his whole life how he will never match up to the expectations of them but none the less he was still named leader.

Viven yells words in a different dialect but the reaction of the crowd is filled with yells of support, cheering in a sickening way that makes her stomach twist. Din’s eyes shift from hers to the blue Mandalorian, his words are also foreign but the crowd let’s out a victory cry, it’s sick of easily his own clan turns on him. 

Din Djarin has accepted the challenge to the death for his rightful place as Mand'lor and she has absolutely no idea as Din reaches behind his back to retrieve the spear of beskar as he lets out a warriors cry. 

Tags: @xxyoshiplushxx, @altarsw​, @dinsbeskar​​, @engie115, @owloveyounever​, @peterpangirl21, @couldntbedamned​, @poguesvixen​, @mudhornchronicles​, @mcueveryday​, @softly-sad​, @heythere-mel​, @rogertaylorsfalsettogivesmehives​, @the-last-twin-of-krypton​, @nikkixostan​, @coonflix​, @victias​ (if you want to be tagged, tag list is up by summary)

[robininthelabyrinth]

Howdy! Your writing rocks! If you don’t mind, could I ask you what you think would change if Jin Guangyao had given the regard he has for Lan Xichen to Jiang Cheng instead? Do you think there’d be huge changes or little ones? This isn’t a prompt, I think your meta is super cool. Obvs if you don’t wanna answer, there’s no pressure or anything.

So this is going to be more of an insight into the rambling way I develop stories than anything else, but basically these are my (very long) thoughts:

First step: the question is not “if”. The question is “how”. How does JGY come to have a regard for JC instead of LXC?

Let us posit that JGY meets (and becomes devoted to) LXC after he’s been thrown down from Koi Tower - rescuing him after the burning of the Cloud Recesses, which presumably happened while on his way to Qinghe or after he’s arrived (or, in the Untamed, when he’s working at Qinghe already). 

So, let’s take that as our starting point: JGY doesn’t go to Qinghe. 

He goes to Yunmeng instead, probably taking a boat to get there. Regardless of when he arrives, this doesn’t really go anywhere until after the Lotus Pier is burned, after everything that happens between WWX and JC happens, and now JC is raising an army and madly recruiting for the Jiang Sect. Meng Yao shows up with a smile and a “I’m from Yunping, just down the river, I want to help here” spiel, and he’s good - he’s efficient and smart and good with people, all the characteristics that made NMJ appreciate him, and JC needs good people so badly. Especially in the beginning, when he’s alone, with WWX missing.

But here’s the difference between NMJ and JC: JC needs people. He’s not a natural leader, having been dragged into trouble by WWX his whole life, and he’s brand new at being a sect leader; he doesn’t have established likes or dislikes, he has no idea what he’s doing. He’s going to rely on Meng Yao, he’s going to depend on Meng Yao - Meng Yao says jump and JC says “good idea, how high?” and he doesn’t even notice he’s doing it. Meng Yao is all but running the sect, and he doesn’t even have to try. No prostitutes’ tricks here, no smiles, no empty flattery - most of the subtle stuff goes straight over JC’s head, but a vaguely kind word every once in a while and JC will turn bright red and look pleased as punch for the next hour. That type of power is seductive.

And then WWX shows up.

As much as I love WWX, his dynamics with JC are not the best. WWX does whatever he wants and expects JC to follow, because he always has, and JC always does - how irritating that would be to Meng Yao, who up until this point has been put into the position of big brother for the first time in his life, and who now has to tip-toe around the ticking time bomb that is Yiling Patriarch!WWX to get what he wants. Plus, Meng Yao is good with people: he doesn’t need to know all the gossip about the Jiang family (though he does) to be able to figure out that, legitimate birth or not, JC has spent his entire life being treated like the sect leader’s dissatisfying bastard son - and oh, that hits Meng Yao in the one soft spot he has left, the spot that’s almost but not entirely narcissism, the one that LXC got into by being nice and kind and treating him like an equal, the one NHS, soft and dependent, got into by being sad and pathetic, and which JC, prickly and mean, gets in by virtue of being like Meng Yao.

He doesn’t do anything about that dislike, though; JC loves WWX, and the war effort needs him, so he’ll put up with him...for now. After a while, he goes to Langya - no need to have an accidentally-not-accidentally overheard conversation here! He just says “my father” and JC is like “I totally get it, go”. And when JC finds him killing that supervisor and Meng Yao says “he deserved it”, JC believes him, because JC is ride-or-die until you force him off the ride. He’s gullible and trusting, even though he thinks he’s cynical, and he’s about as susceptible to Meng Yao’s bullshit as LXC is (as we see in canon!)

So Meng Yao goes to be a spy and (because he doesn’t know LXC in this) he sends the info to JC, who sends the info to LXC (the courier), who gets it to NMJ, and all that stuff happens about the same way. Except NMJ has no reason to know that Meng Yao is a conniving bastard that uses friendly fire to settle debts, so when Meng Yao says “I had no choice but to kill them”, NMJ is upset but has no reason to doubt it. And now you have NMJ owing Meng Yao a favor, however grudgingly.

No sworn brothers, though, not with LXC to suggest it and without NMJ wanting to put Meng Yao on the right track, and JC is pretty sensitive about family stuff so best not to even suggest it. It’s fine, Meng Yao - now JGY - doesn’t need it. Just like he doesn’t need to do all that much to get JZX killed, just a suggestion here, a little trouble there, a bit of blackening of WWX’s name that’s really mostly his own fault for being so arrogant: it’s regrettable that he has to ruin Jiang Yanli’s marriage by getting JZX killed (sad, but necessary if he’s going to be sect leader), but she was never supposed to die. He even waited until she had a son and heir so that she wouldn’t be alone! He’s very nice, isn’t he? 

(And if WWX dying and Jiang Yanli dying means that JC is all his, with no one else in the world to interfere, well, that’s all the better, isn’t it? No one can take care of JC as well as he can.)

The Xue Yang situation is easy to resolve, too. NMJ has no “in” to Koi Tower, not without a relationship with JGY, and this pushes the two sects onto the brink of war - and that’d be no good at all, especially with JC grieving the way he is, all alone and desperate. Plus, JC has father issues, and that’s a little infectious; JGY is looking at JGS through the lens of JFM and it’s a lot less idealistic. So let’s say for all these reasons JGY moves up his plans and kills JGS earlier, and the second he takes over he vows that XY will be killed...except, alas, XY must have gotten wind and fled, because he’s gone. Awkward, huh? Definitely not JGY’s fault, though. Who are you going to believe is responsible for all that gross stuff, NMJ, the dead pervert or the guy who saved your life?

And then JGY is Sect Leader Jin and he and JC can raise little Jin Ling together, and maybe even Jin Rusong (although if he kills JGS early there’s a possibility that he wouldn’t need to shore up power in the Jin sect by marrying QS, or at least wouldn’t feel like he has to get her pregnant before the marriage, though of course there’s also no reason he wouldn’t do it anyway). Now what?

The Watchtowers, of course. Except in this world, NMJ is alive and well (no sworn brothers, no Song of Clarity here - except the legitimate one from LXC) and we know JGY knows how to put on the face NMJ most likes to see. So with JC in his pocket and NMJ fond of him, and LXC as nice and friendly as always, the sects live in wonderful harmony. In large part because JGY doesn’t need to murder quite so many of them. 

(and then over in Yi City, someone sacrifices their body to bring back the Yiling Patriarch because he’s their last hope to bring XXC back, either Song Lan or Xue Yang, and suddenly WWX is back - WWX who JC loves and hates in equal measure, WWX who’s a little too good at figuring out cause-and-effect - and JGY....JGY doesn’t like that. He doesn’t like that at all.)

[texanredrose]

Okay, to put some limitations on this, I’m only including the WIPs that I’ve done more than a synopsis for... that I can remember... that’s on Google Drive... that I actually think I might post one day... but haven’t posted yet because my posted WIPs are fairly easy to identify... okay... I got tagged by @unsteadyshade and I’m tagging @faunusrights and @alexlayer69

1) Across Time - Inuyasha AU where Weiss gets thrown back in time to the ancient past, where she meets two demons (Yang and Blake) warring against each other over a misunderstanding.

2) Alpha’s Devotion - Omega’s Strength, but from Winter’s POV.

3) Bears, Oh My - An exhausted Winter, lost on a hike, comes across a cabin where Yang lives with her three pet bears.

4) Brave New World - Continuation of the Dishonored AU where Ruby and Winter reflect on the new Mantle.

5) Bruised - Third installment to the ace!Yang AU. 

6) Coming Home - Based on Dash’s Tiny Knight AU, Princess Blake is betrayed and stranded far from home and must rely on a reticent knight named Weiss to return to her kingdom.

7) Complications Always Arise - Papa Schnee is demanding Weiss marry before he’ll allow her to take his place as head of the SDC, so Yang volunteers to pretend to be Weiss’ beloved. No one else knows the relationship is fake, least of all Blake and Winter, and it’s just a bunch of pain.

8) Divided - Continuation of the By Moonlight AU where Whitley returns to the castle and Winter’s not upset by that- and Winter’s upset by the fact she’s not upset and has to figure out why her inner wolf is cool with this when she should, by all rights, be furious.

9) Dragonsbane - Mage Knight Winter hears tale of a dragon in the countryside that the local villages wish to see vanquished. Winter, however, has other plans.

10) Eye of the Beholder - Blinded and near death after a battle, Winter is rescued by the mysterious Yang and is nursed back to health despite her protests otherwise. (It’s a Medusa!AU.)

11) Fabled - Fable 3 AU where Princess Ruby and Princess Yang are forced to confront the fact that Queen Raven has lost her fucking mind, only to discover that fear drove the woman insane- a fear they must confront themselves.

12) Fields of Love - Farmer Yang offers a job and housing to apparent single mother Winter and her young daughter Penny. What starts as a kind gesture grows into something so much more.

13) Full Circle - Van Helsing (2004) AU, Winter and Weiss, amnesiacs employed by the church to handle all manner of unholy problems, are sent to discover what happened to King Taiyang. Along the way, they become wrapped up in a centuries spanning prophecy and a bloodline hanging in the balance.

14) High Bar, Low Blow - Yang owns a bar where the gimmick is that everyone’s an out of work actor and the staff is staging an ongoing drama on par with a soap opera to keep their customers coming back. Winter joins the staff and then things get a bit real.

15) Hoodlums and Hijinks - Robin Hood AU where Princess Winter and Princess Weiss are just as in favor for overthrowing the king as the group of bandits run by Ruby, Yang, and Blake. 

16) Last One 2: Electric Boogaloo (title subject to change) - a sequel to Last One where the haunt continues.

17) Lexical Access - Sequel to Tip of the Tongue, where Yang gives her girlfriend a bit of roleplaying payback.

18) Little Red - Carmen Sandiego AU where Ruby was kidnapped adopted by a group of thieves and raised to become the world’s greatest thief, but a chance meeting with Penny via a stolen phone opens her eyes to the wider world, and she meets the rebellious heiress Weiss, street smart Blake, and brawler Yang, creating a team that works to foil Ruby’s former friends while eluding capture by mysterious operatives with a somewhat familiar white color scheme...

19) Long Term Investment - Yang, a fae who lives in the woods, makes a deal with Princess Winter to save the Queen. The price? Winter’s firstborn. Winter misunderstands how she’s expected to get pregnant and Yang’s never actually intended to collect. Next thing Yang knows, Winter’s moving into the clearing beside her tree home.

20) Miscalculation - Another Omegaverse AU where Weiss is an omega and Blake and Yang are alphas, except Weiss lied and said she was an alpha when enrolling in Beacon and now she’s locked in a room with Blake and Yang on the verge of starting her heat. Sharing is caring.

21) More Than Words Can Say - Winter, rendered mute by a military accident early in her career, is honestly the best girlfriend Yang’s ever had. However, tonight’s the night they’ve decided to get intimate, and that includes showing some scars that they don’t show often. It’s less about sex and more about trust and intimacy.

22) Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera AU where the mysterious, disfigured shade of the opera house, Weiss, finds herself at odds with the rich, jovial Yang in a competition for Blake’s heart. Then there’s Adam being a dick, too, and the opera house has never seen so much drama.

23) My Heart Will Go On - It’s the Titanic, but double the rich, unwilling-to-marry ladies and triple the won-a-ticket-to-a-ship ruffians. Penny’s there too; she, like Ruby, just really likes ships.

24) One Fucking Favor - Winter’s due for a long assignment and wants to make a sex tape for stress relief purposes. Yang doesn’t ask questions; she’s just the one with the camera. But then, Winter’s partner for the vid doesn’t show up. What’s Yang going to do about it?

25) Prophecy - Star Wars AU where Ruby, Yang, and Blake are trained as Jedi, Winter and Weiss are part of the clone army, and Ruby’s the chosen one. That’s a lot of pressure to put on someone, but Senator Salem is there to lend a helping hand...

26) Propositioned - Faunus experience bouts of heat; sometimes, they can safely ignore it and go about their lives, but every now and again, they really can’t. Concerned for Blake’s health as she’s skipped too many heats to be healthy, Yang sets up a partner for Blake’s heat. Blake’s not a fan but she does like the idea of banging Weiss Schnee.

27) Proven - ARK: Survival Evolved AU where Winter, after being ‘won’ by Yang, is taken into the bowels of the earth to learn how the underground tribes who inhabit the area survive in such an unforgiving environment. As she acclimates to the tribe’s ways, she finds herself carving out her own path, culminating in facing off against the Queen and proving herself worthy.

28) Reaping What You Sow - When Winter escaped to the countryside with Penny to start a farm, she knew she had her work cut out for her. In need of help and facing a harsh cold season, she hires Yang, a one armed drifter, to help her. The two end up needing the other more than they could’ve imagined.

29) Tear My Heart Open - Blake thought she understood how the world worked. As a member of the White Fang Gang, all she needed to do was keep everyone motivated to continue their ongoing street war against the police and authorities bent on keeping them down. But while running from the cops, she’s offered sanctuary in the home of one Weiss Schnee and her girlfriend, Yang. From there, her perception of the world is completely upended.

30) The Duel - After her father offered her hand in marriage to the winner of a tournament, Winter opted to assume a disguise and fight for the prize herself. In the final match, she faces Yang Xiao Long, a competitor she’s come to know quite well, and she finds her conviction to win wavering slightly. Is it enough to lose her the fight?

31) The Lies We Tell Ourselves - Weiss has made it; she’s opened her tattoo shop in Vale, well away from her father, and aside from a bad first impression with the florists across the parking lot, everything’s looking up for her- until her father finds her. Luckily, Blake’s been through some shit and doesn’t mind helping Weiss drive daddy dearest up the wall, even if it means letting her own parents think she’s dating Weiss. It’s not like either of them is going to catch feelings... unless...

32) The Princess’ Bride - After losing her fiancée to the dreaded White Fang Pirates, Yang vows to take to the sea herself and exact her revenge. Princess Weiss finds herself falling madly in love with Yang, who still loves Blake, and all this is thrown into even more chaos when Yang gets kidnapped and Blake comes back from the dead! 

33) Two for One - Yes, another Omegaverse AU. Five years after the fall of Beacon, Yang and Blake cross paths, each believing the other has spent the time keeping their mutual mate, Weiss, safe. When they realize Weiss is with neither of them, old wounds are torn open, but before they can resolve their dispute, Winter captures the both of them and hauls them to a remote part of Atlas where an SDC facility has been turned into a fortress. There, they find a mortally wounded Weiss clinging to life and raising twins daughters; she gives her mates until her death to endear themselves to their children, else the twins might opt to stay with Winter and be kept from Blake and Yang for good. Between learning about their kids, Blake and Yang navigate their complicated feelings and try to reconnect with Weiss, all while a sinister force gathers to destroy the fortress and steal the prize within.

34) Weaknesses - Loosely set in the Glamour AU, Yang is being forced to assume her mother’s position as leader of their vampire coven. Her fellow vamps disapprove of Yang’s werewolf girlfriend. Winter, of course, doesn’t care.

I got lazy and cut a bunch out. No, fuck you, I don’t have too many AUs, I will add more if I want. Also, some of these, the first chapter is posted on my Patreon. Don’t ask me which ones; I genuinely have no idea. I’m bad at this, y’all.

[fanfics4all]

Wedding Night

Request: Yes / No  Can you do a Oliver queen wedding and honeymoon imagine please 😜 by the way your writing is amazing @slytherinlyn13​

Don’t be shy, request things! <3 Have a nice day/night

Oliver Queen x Fem!Male!Reader 

Word count: 1939

Warnings: SMUT!

Y/N: Your Name 

Y/L/N: Your Last Name

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK! 

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you! 

Masterlist 

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

It was finally the day I was getting married. I remember the day Oliver Queen asked me to marry him. It was after a really close call of the world ended, but him and the rest of the supers saved everyone. During the celebration with everyone Oliver tapped his glass, gaining everyone’s attention. 

“I’d like to say great job to everyone, but that’s not the real reason I’d like your attention.” He said and I looked at him confused. He placed his glass down and turned to me, gently taking my hand. 

“Y/N, the moment I saw you for the very first time will always be stuck into my memory till the end of time, because that day changed my life. When we were paired up together in high school I honestly didn’t think much about you because, well, I was a different person back then. But then when I came back from the dead, as everyone though, I met you again and you helped me so much. You helped mold me into the man I am today without even realizing it. Even before you knew I was the Arrow, you were changing how I did things. I remember benign so scared to tell you about this part of my life, but you accepted it, always being in my corner. You encourage me to get up every morning and constantly help me become a better person in both my lives. You didn’t even bat an eye when William came to stay with us, you treated him as if he were your own. I know he loves you just as much as I do. That is why…” He said and got down on one knee. My eyes widened and I felt tears start to sting as I tried to desperately blink them away. 

“I am asking you, Y/N Y/L/N, will you please do me the honor of being my wife?” He asked and reviled an absolutely amazing ring. 

“Yes! Yes, of course Ollie!” I said and just let the happy tears fall. He placed the ring on my finger and I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down for a loving kiss. 

I smiled as I looked at myself in the mirror. I was dressed in my sleeveless, large dress, white heels, a rose gold necklace, and my white roses with some small purple ones in between. My hair was up in a bun with a loose braid connecting it. For my make up, I kept it simple, a light brown smokey eye, light blush, and a pink lip. 

Someone knocked on the door and I told them to come in. I turned around and Felicity looked at me with a smile. She was my maid of honor. 

“You look beautiful.” She said. 

“You do too.” I smiled back.

“It’s just about time, are you ready?” She asked and I nodded. 

“More than ever.” I said. 

“Great, John is ready at the door to walk you down.” She said and I nodded. 

“Thank you.” I said. She gave me one more smile and left the room. I looked back at the mirror and took a deep breath. I wished my parents could be here, but they unfortunately weren’t with us anymore. I walked outside and saw John standing near the door, just as Felicity said. I walked over to him and he gave me a big smile. 

“You look gorgeous.” He said and kissed my cheek. 

“You look very handsome yourself.” I smiled. He offered me his arms and I heard the music start to play. 

“Ready?” He asked as I took his arm. 

“More than.” I said and the doors opened. The two of us walked down the aisle and I kept my eyes on Oliver. John gave me away and I handed my bouquet to Felicity. Oliver grabbed my hands and the priest started with his speech. Finally it was time for our vows. 

“Y/N, from this moment, I take you as my best friend for life. I pledge to honour, encourage, and support you through our life together just as you’ve done for me. When our ways become difficult, I promise to stand by you and uplift you, just as you’ve done to me. I promise to work at our love and always make you a priority in my life. With every beat of my heart, I will love you.” Oliver said beautifully. 

“Oliver, today we begin our lives together. I promise here before our families and our friends to be your faithful wife. I choose to live with you as your lover, companion, and friend, loving you when life is peaceful, and when it’s painful. During our successes and during our failures. To support your strengths and accept your weaknesses. I will honor your goals and dreams, trying always, to encourage your fulfillment. I will strive to be honest and open with you, sharing my thoughts, and my life with you. I promise to love and cherish you from this day and forward.” I said and he smiled. 

“If anyone has any objections to these two joining in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The priest said and no one said anything. 

“Then, with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” He said. Oliver pulled me close to him and gave me the most loving deep kiss. 

We enjoyed our time with our friends and family. The party was lovely and it was much needed for everyone. But as soon as it was over Oliver and I were off to our honeymoon. Oliver and I decided on going to Bora Bora and we got there when it was night. As soon as we checked in Oliver picked me up and carried me all the way up to our room.. When we entered the suite, the scene was set. The lights were dim and candles were burning on either side of the bed. There were a dozen roses in a vase on the table in the corner of the room. The bed had been turned and the corner of the covers had been pulled back, inviting us to lay in it. Oliver tossed me onto the bed and crawled on top of me. He kissed me and the electricity from his lips made my mind wander to what was about to happen. I felt his rough stubble scratch against my face and I sighed happily. I love him with stubble, more so with a beard, but he didn’t want to bring it back. He kissed me deeply, but gently, taking his time with my mouth, easing me into the thrill of the moment. He brushed a hand against my cheek softly. He kissed the side of my neck and I lifted my head, exposing the full length. He reached a hand up and placed it on my left breast, over the dress I had changed into before we left. 

He then moved his hand up to the back of my neck to pull me close to him. I pushed the straps on my dress down and let the top fall, exposing the green lingerie I picked out just for this night. He pulled off the rest of my dress and smirked at me. 

“Green?” He asked and I giggled slightly. 

“What? I thought it was perfect.” I said and he chuckled, shaking his head. 

“Let’s just get it off you.” He said and pulled to top off, exposing my naked breasts. He sucked on my nipple, squeezing the bottom of my breast passionately with one hand, and holding the other breast in his other hand. I looked down at him as he licked, sucked, and rubbed both of them. He worked himself into a frenzy playing with my breast, until he wanted more. He kissed me again and placed his hand over my clothed pussy. He smirked as he pulled the fabric from my body and tossed it to the ground. He started rubbing my wet pussy. He quickly pushed two fingers inside me and I moaned. He kissed my other nipple, giving it the same attention he gave the other one. He was sucking on one nipple and fingering me harder and harder. I was getting more and more excited for the moment he would penetrate me. He pulled his fingers away and started kissing me down my body. He pushed my legs apart and gazed at my wet and ready pussy. Two fingers spread my lips and his other two fingers rubbed my clit in strong circles. Each circle sent a shock wave through my body. He pushed his mouth on top of my pussy and flicked my clit. 

“Oh Ollie!” I moaned as my eyes rolled to the back of my head. I arched my back and he pushed me back down. He took his time, enjoying himself. He watched me as I moaned and took pleasure in my every gasp. He kept licking my sensitive nub harder and harder. 

“Ollie!” I moaned again. He slid two fingers inside me again and pumped them in and out of me. 

“Oh fuck!” I moaned. 

“Does it feel good?” He asked. 

“Yes!” I moaned. He kept going, continuing to lick, suck, and moving his fingers inside me. I felt myself growing closer and closer with every movement. Then finally, with one hard flick of his tongue I felt it. The sweet release. I came all over his face with a moan, as my body quivered. He pulled his fingers out and removed his mouth as I laid on the bed, breathing heavily. He sat up and I saw my juices glistening on his face. My husband wiped his face and smiled down at me. He pulled my legs towards him and kissed me. He pulled back to undress his top half, I couldn’t believe they were on this whole time. He rubbed my inner thighs, brushing his hand against my tender pussy. He massaged my breasts once more before he finished undressing. His erection pointing straight towards the sky in excitement. He rubbed his tip against my pussy and I whimpered. I spread my legs further apart and he guided his shaft past my soft folds. He filled me and my body tried adjusting to his size once again. It always felt so right having him inside me. He moved in and out of me, slow and gentle. He was leaning on his hands and I looked down, watching his cock moving in and out of me. I threw my head back as his pace grew quicker. I moaned and gripped the sheets beneath me. I looked up at my husband and smiled. He brought his face down to mine and kissed me lovingly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down closer to me. His thrusts went harder and faster, each of us moaning into each other’s mouth. I felt my second orgasm growing closer and I started feeling his thrusts getting sloppy. He kept his pace as best as he could, bringing me to my orgasm. 

“Oh!” He moaned with a final thrust. His cock pulsed and I felt him fill me up. Our bodies pressed against each other and we held onto one another. A minute later he pulled out and laid down next to me. Oliver pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply. 

“I love you, Mrs. Queen.” He said with a smile. 

“I love you too, Mr. Queen.” I said and kissed him again. 

Tag list: @les-bio-lie​ @tashy-bear​ @ashwarren32​ @hollie-blogs​ @schisbro87​ @lover-of-books-and-teas​ @nerdygaloresposts​ @teenwolfbitches2​ @genius2050​ @drw0301bieber​ @lady-of-lies​ @ravenmoore14​ @ravenempress101​ @cillianchamp​ @rowanthomasknapp​ @lovelywordsblog​

[fatefulfaerie]

Yearning (All I Want For Christmas Is You)

Day 3 of the 12 days of Christmas prompts orchestrated by @zelink-prompts

Incarnation: Twilight Princess post-Ganondorf

Zelda always loved the Hylia’s Day ball as a child. The joyous occasion was met with festive decorations that adorned the ballroom with hues of red and green. She remembered smiles and laughter, times with her mother and father that were now just melancholy memories.

Now, all grown up, her perspective inching further and further away from romanticizing the holiday that was really no different from any other day, she anticipated it with little excitement.

Her dress, which felt as if it were being tied securely around her very lungs, nearly breaking her ribs and flattering her chest a bit more than she was used to, was a dark green. It fell down to the floor elegantly and, since she was now Queen, showed more skin than perhaps the dress of a princess. The green velvet dress had sleeves that dangled off her shoulders and a heavy petticoat underneath that rounded out the skirt.

Zelda placed her hands on her hips as one last pull of the corset strings cemented her into a perfect figure. She was glad she could breathe, but in the mirror she couldn’t help but be worried about the amount of her breasts that could be seen. The entire kingdom knew that she hadn’t yet found a King Consort to measure up to her high standards, and thus every male had his gaze upon her.

And yet all she wanted for Hylia’s Day was the one man who gave her those expectations in the first place, who stole her heart and yet disappeared without even knowing. She supposed in this coming year, she should give up the hope of his return, give up the warmth of her feelings and marry the best suitor in line, to produce heirs and become just another Queen with just another arranged marriage.

“How does that feel, Your Majesty?”

Zelda had lost herself in her reflection, tipping her head, still mesmerized by the bottom of the dress and imagining it gliding across the floor as she danced with the man who saved her kingdom.

“Hm?” She hummed before registering the question in her mind, her head realigning to sit on her shoulders evenly. “Quite satisfactory. Thank you.”

“I take it you have quite a bit of suitors coming tonight,” the handmaiden commented as she carefully placed an ornate crown upon Zelda’s head. 

“I do,” Zelda said, her fingers finicking with the skirt of her dress, a habit she had ever since she was a child.

“I guarantee they’ll fancy you in this dress,” the handmaiden continued as she made small, minute adjustments to Zelda’s updo, to Zelda’s makeup. “Is there a suitor whom you particularly fancy?”

Zelda thought upon her answer, staring at her sad blue eyes in the mirror.

“No,” she lied quietly. “Not yet.”

“Well, you never know what this day will bring,” the handmaiden said. “Hylia’s Day is a magical time.”

“Of course,” Zelda said with a small and forced smile.

“Is there anything else you need of me, Your Majesty?” The handmaiden said with a step back.

“No, thank you,” Zelda said as she turned away from the mirror, facing her handmaiden with elegantly clasped hands. “That will be all.”

The handmaiden bowed and departed to the servant’s quarters to enjoy her night off, Zelda wishing she could follow.

——————————————————————————————————

She felt alone in a crowded room of dignitaries, of suitors, of court members and distinguished soldiers. Even when someone asked her to dance she felt alone, that dangerous hole in her heart eroding at her and telling her that with Link nowhere to be found, she would be pining for him until her dying days.

It took a couple hours until she could saunter to the outside balcony without being stopped by another suitor vying for her attention. Hands on the railing, she basked in the cool night air as she closed her eyes, reveling in her temporary freedom.

Her thoughts strayed to Link, as they often did, the last time she saw him becoming smaller against the horizon, the feelings she had that she never had the courage to voice. And, of course, the distance that came after that made her heart grow even fonder of this man of her dreams.

“Perhaps it is time to let you go,” she said to the open night sky. “Three months is a long time to be gone.” She laughed to herself. “You would probably think I’m crazy for my feelings. You were part of my life for such a short time and yet…”

She sighed, hanging her head.

“I just want you back.”

“Your Majesty?” She heard someone inquire somewhere in the ballroom.

“Not even five minutes to myself,” Zelda grumbled to herself, turning around to see not a suitor but one of her servants, carrying a tray with a folded note.

“Thank you,” Zelda said as she took it, the servant bowing and returning to other duties.

The Queen had no idea what matter could be so pressing for her to receive a correspondence during the Hylia’s Day ball, but she figured she would humor that distraction.

Meet me in the west courtyard at your earliest convenience. I assure you it will be safe, but I suggest you bring a guard nonetheless.

She tried not to hope that her mysterious correspondent was Link, but by the time she reached the courtyard, she was convinced it had to be. She didn’t bring a guard because of that. The swordsman who saved Hyrule surely would still be courageous in protecting its Queen.

——————————————————————————————————

Her heart pounded in her chest as soon as she recognized his silhouette. There was no doubt it was him, Zelda having near-memorized the way he stood for her own dreams and fantasies.

Link had, however, positioned himself beyond the reach of the moonlight, standing deliberately in the shadows. Zelda steeled her excitement at the fact that he was alive when she saw his hesitation.

“Link?” She asked as she walked forward cautiously. She watched as he knelt almost immediately.

“I must apologize, Your Highness,” he said, his very voice making Zelda swoon, her cheeks blushing pink. “I no longer am of any use to you.”

“Link, what…” Zelda said with a step forward. “What are you talking about? Where have you been?”

His head remained bowed and his figure remained shrouded in shadow. Zelda’s concern grew by the second and yet at the same time, her relief that he was here was contradicting it.

“A distant village to the south heard of my battles in Hyrule,” Link said quietly and submissively, Zelda’s blue eyes already sinking at the sadness in his voice. “They travelled to Ordon to ask for my assistance defeating a monster that was terrorizing their village, killing innocent people. I left immediately, travelled back with them, and faced the monster. The battle was difficult. I was cocky, over-confident fighting a monster even though I had never seen anything like it. I defeated it eventually, but…not before the monster…robbed me…of my arm…cutting it clean off. These past couple months have been a great deal of recovery, but I’ve also been avoiding facing you, telling you that…you can no longer depend on me to be the hero. I am deeply sorry, Your Highness. I come to you ashamed that someone you depend on for the safety of your Kingdom has betrayed you in such a way, is now so…useless…”

Zelda had shed tears but she didn’t care to wipe them, rushing forward and kneeling in front of him.

“Link,” she said, placing a hand on either of his shoulders. “You aren’t just a soldier to me. That is not all you are worth. Hey! Look at me!”

His blue eyes seemed scared to meet hers until they finally did, Link taking a shaky breath.

“I am so glad you are okay,” Zelda said before insisting. “You. Not your ability to fight. You are worth so much more to me.”

“Yeah right,” Link figuring she was just saying that to be nice.

Zelda was almost angry at his lack of self-worth, for brow furrowing before she captured his lips with his, so suddenly that he didn’t even know it was coming.

Link pushed her off as soon as he could, searching her for why a person of her status would do such a thing, whether or not this was one of his dreams where she actually likes him back. Zelda placed a hand on his cheek.

“I love you for who you are,” Zelda said. “Not what you did or used to be able to do for Hyrule. I don’t love the chosen hero, I love Link. I love you…and I’m so relieved that you are back.”

Link still look absolutely shocked, Zelda worrying he didn’t return her feelings before he surged forward much like she had, only this kiss continued as they pleased.

“I love you, too,” he whispered against her lips. “From the very second I met you, I knew the meaning of love. I’m not sure how that’s possible but…it’s true.”

Zelda couldn’t help but smile.

“I feel the same.” She said, their foreheads touching. “All I wanted for Hylia’s Day was you.”

Link chuckled.

“I didn’t plan to come back on the day of the ball,” Link said. “But you look as beautiful as I remember, even more so in that dress. In the moonlight you look like Hylia herself.”

“Pale and ghostlike?” Zelda jived.

“Transcendently gorgeous,” Link corrected.

Zelda chuckled.

“You know,” she said standing up, backing away, and excitedly positioning her arms, ready to dance. “I’ve danced with every one of my suitors except you.”

“As much as I’d like to be,” Link said, standing up and stepping into the moon light. He was just as charmingly handsome as Zelda remembered. “I’m not one of your suitors.”

“Oh?” Zelda asked as they stepped into each other, Zelda taking his hand with hers and placing her other hand on his armless shoulder. “And why is that?”

“There must be some rule,” Link argued softly, the two starting to waltz in circles. 

“Rules can be changed,” Zelda said. “Remember you are dancing with a Queen.”

Link froze immediately.

“I…I-I am?”

He looked absolutely panicked.

“You didn’t know that?” Zelda asked with a smile.

“I…I don’t know, I…” Link looked for more words. “I don’t know I guess I didn’t even think you would…I-I mean of course you would rise to Queen, I…”

Zelda giggled, and her smile accentuated by the moonlight made Link’s blush.

“I supposed I should have assumed,” he said, prompting her to continue dancing in circles.

“Are you,” Link cleared his throat. “A-already in line to marry someone then? Because if I’m getting in the way of that, I really don’t need to stick around. I just want you to be happy.”

“Link,” Zelda said with shakes of her head an an elegant smile. She kissed him again. “You make me happy. Happier than I’ve ever felt. You. No one else. Those other suitors never had a chance with you in my heart. I never chose any of them.”

Link chuckled nervously.

“Good, that’s…that’s good,” Link said before laughing again, a sound much more hearty and warm, his eyes locked in hers. “I’m happy, too”

[thebrotherssalvatore321]

Keeping Secrets Ch. 41

Keeping Secrets Masterlist

A giggle sounded through the room as Klaus teased Katie’s sides making her squirm under him. “You’re so ticklish.” He laughed.

“And you…are not ticklish at all.” She complained. "It's annoyingly unfair."

“Perhaps you just haven’t found the right spot yet.” He told her, making her narrow her eyes at him in thought. “You’re welcome to continue your search.” He rolled onto his back taking her with him and she sat up, straddling him.

“Hmm,” she pursed her lips and pulled them to the side, “nah.” She fell down bracing herself on her hands on the bed. “I think I’ll let it be a mystery for a little while longer.” She started kissing his bicep, where his feather tattoo began then kissed her way up it following the birds that branched off of the feather to the last one that sat just under his collarbone then up to his shoulder where she gently bit him, pulling a pleasured sound from him. “I have other ways of making you smile.”

“Oh really, like what?” he asked curiously as he slid his hands up her thighs to hold her hips.

“Flattery for one.” She answered and she could tell he wanted to smile, but was resisting. “Or there’s always doing something random. Like…” she quickly licked the tip of his nose making him wrinkle it and laugh quietly. “See, there are those cute dimples I like so much.” She sat up and looked down at him.

“Cute huh?” He asked.

“Yep.” She told him with a flirty smile. “I also find your accent cute along with your butt, but you already knew that one. Let’s see what else do I find cute about you?” She asked herself as she looked up in thought. “How your hair gets a little curly when you let it grow out.” She told him as she looked at his messy dirty blond hair. “Oh, the way you hold me super close with my face pressed into your neck at night. Even when you’re completely asleep you don’t let go.”

“Why is that cute?” he asked.

“Because it lets me know that you want to keep me close. It shows a certain amount of neediness and it feels good to feel needed.” she told him with a shrug then kissed him and rolled over pulling him with her then wrapped her legs around him.

“You know…” he started but was cut off when she started nibbling on his neck pulling a sigh from him, “If we do this every morning and night you will soon tire of me.” he warned her.

“Not possible.” She replied then bit his neck a little harder, wishing they could blood share. “Unless…you’re getting tired of me.” she stopped and looked up at him.

He pressed his hips into hers letting her feel how much she affected him. “Does that feel like I’m getting tired of you?” he whispered then started kissing her neck making her eyes slip shut and tilt her head to the side.

“No, but I’m sure guys can fake it just as easily as girls.” She argued.

“Have you ever-”

“Not with you.” she answered before he could finish the question.

“Now my interest is peaked.” He said as he sat up on his knees and she slid up to sit in his lap with her legs wrapped around him and he held her close with his hand on her upper back. “Who, prey tell, have you faked it with?”

“Ronan. He was built like a wrestler and most girls might go for that, but in case you haven’t noticed beefy guys with muscles bigger than my head don’t really do it for me. I would have rather faced the cat-o-nine tails than the consummation of our marriage.” She told him as she let her eyes travel his body, thinking about how perfect Klaus was.

He’d suffered through some horrible things in his life, but he’d never been forced to have sex with someone. He’d also done some horrible things and rape was never one of them. “No one should ever have to go through that.” he told her quietly with a pained look in his eyes.

“Yeah, well even in my first life, circumstances shaped me into the perfect actress.” She sighed not looking up. “I had to act like Father was the upstanding guy the town believed him to be, act like he didn’t slice my back open on a daily basis. Had to convince Father I had no idea how my back had healed so fast when really my nanny and her daughter were cailleach.” She used the Irish word for witch reminding him that she still spoke Irish. “I knew how to act like everything was okay, but my wedding night was my biggest acting gig to date. Either I was convincing or Ronan just didn’t care.”

“Did he know you didn’t want him?” he asked and she shook her head no. “How long were you with him?” he asked, not being able to remember if she said in her journal.

“Eight years.” she answered.

“And in all those years you never once-”

“Nope.” She answered his question before he could finish it.

“Do me a favor, never fake it with me.” he told her as he laid her back on the bed and looked into her eyes. “If you’re not in the mood or you’re not into it, just tell me. It won’t be the first time you got me all hot and bothered then left me hanging.” Remembering the first time they kissed she wrinkled her nose and covered her face with a laugh. She moved her hand and looked at him with slightly apologetic eyes. “Just so you know…pleasuring myself to the thought of you that night did little to ebb my desire to have you.”

His words and the visions they brought to mind made a wave of pleasure shoot through her and she smiled, biting her lip before she let it slip out of her teeth. “Do you know why I was awake the night after the twenties dance?” she asked as she tightened her legs around him and he shook his head no. “It wasn’t because I was upset about Alaric. It was because I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” she grabbed his hand and kissed his fingertips, “The first time we kissed, every time you kissed my cheek or just touched me in general, the look in your eyes when you told me you intended on setting me ablaze…every memory like that kept playing in my head getting me all worked up. There was a reason I walked away from you when we were dancing that night.”

He slid his hand from her grasp to rest between her breasts as he fell forward to hover over her with his free hand on the bed beside her shoulder. “I thought I’d made you uncomfortable.”

She shook her head no. “It was because Caroline gave me a questioning look when she realized who I was dancing with and I realized that you, the brother of the man I was still bound to, the big, bad, original hybrid that had brought my friends so much terror, were my darkest desire.” She slid her hands down his chest to hold his sides. “And giving in to that desire was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Klaus slipped his thumb over her bottom lip as he looked into her eyes then moved his thumb and caught her lip between his in a kiss that quickly turned heated and passionate.

TVDTVDTVD

Later that day Katie stood at the end of the desk in the study where Klaus sat looking through Esther’s spell book. “So since I was wrong about the morning sickness being over and I missed the meeting with Sophie, what’s the plan for tonight?”

“Sophie is going to do a locator spell to find Elijah. To keep her from getting caught another witch is going to do a bigger spell to mask Sophie’s.” he told her.

“How did you convince another witch to do magic?” she asked with an interested look.

“I haven’t.” he answered looking confident. “That is what this is for.” He held up a page from the book and Katie looked at it to see a daylight ring spell. “Marcel’s right hand man Thierry is in love with a witch that owns a shop in The Caldron. Since said witch gave Thierry a tip about a werewolf in the quarter that led to dead night walkers, I gave him a little nudge and he ordered a rousting of The Caldron. When they do said rousting tonight while Rebekah and I are at Marcel’s party, a compelled nightwalker of mine is going to bite Thierry’s little girlfriend. If he loves her as much as he says he does, he will kill my night walker.”

“And Marcel has rules about vampires killing vampires.” Katie nodded. “To save Thierry his witch girlfriend will do a spell, masking Sophie’s. Too bad there’s probably not going to be time for you to make Sophie to unlink herself from me while the smoke screen is still up.” She sighed.

“One of the many things I’m working on, Love.” He told her as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“I know and I don’t mean to complain. I just wish there was more I could do than sit on my butt and do nothing.” She told him then pointed to the spell on the desk. “So what is this for?”

“Insurance.” He answered. “Another compelled vampire of mine is going to say they found this, a spell Marcel keeps under lock and key, in the shop of Thierry’s girlfriend.”

“Then Marcel will accuse Thierry of treason along with the fact that he killed another vampire and he will lose his right hand man status leaving room for you to slip into his place.” Katie finished and he looked up at her with a smirk. “And there’s no way I can go to the party?” she asked.

“You know I would grant you anything you wish, but no. It’s too dangerous.” He told her as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“I know…” she sighed. “Go, do your thing.” She told him then pecked him on the lips.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was outside, sitting on the edge of the pool with her legs in the cool water. “I thought you were supposed to be staying inside.” Katie jumped and looked to her left to see an almond skinned woman. She recognized her as one of the witches, but couldn’t remember her name. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m one of Sophie’s friends. She asked me to keep you company while everyone’s out.”

“Yeah I remember seeing you around.” Katie told her as she stood up. “What’s your name again?”

“Sabine.” She answered. “So, now that you’ve had time to wrap your head around it, how are you feeling about becoming a mother?”

“I…am…excited, for the most part.” Katie answered. “I just wish I could go get an ultrasound done so I can see it and maybe find out what it is so I can’t stop calling it, it.” she said then remembered Fiona doing a trick where she put her wedding band on a string and dangled it over her stomach. “I have a weird question, can you determine the gender?”

Sabine smiled and nodded. “Come on, let’s go into the house where there are fewer mosquitoes.”

“I…don’t have a wedding band…” Katie said realizing it was, according to Fiona, a crucial part of the trick.

“The wedding band is unnecessary. It was just our way of making things make a little more sense to the humans since a wedding band is tied to both the mother and the father.” Sabine laughed as they walked into the kitchen and she motioned to the island. “Hop up.” Katie hopped up and lay back on the counter with her hands at her sides. Sabine took off her necklace and dangled it over Katie’s stomach. After a few seconds she smiled and said, “I think it’s a girl.” Katie smiled. “No. Wait.”

“Don’t tell me I’m having twins.” Katie said thinking Sabine had found a second baby that maybe she hadn’t heard.

But Sabine dropped the necklace, threw her head back and started chanting. Knowing from the many times she saw Fiona have a vision that Sabine was having one now, Katie grabbed Sabine’s wrist hoping to see it, but Sabine was on vervain. After a minute or so Sabine stopped and looked at Katie with wide eyes.

“You just had a vision and from the looks of it, it wasn’t good.” Katie pointed out. “Tell me what it was about.”

“You’re delivery…it won’t be an easy one.” Sabine warned.

“Is that all you can tell me?” Katie asked sensing something was off.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Sabine answered. “My visions are sometimes hard to read.”

“I’m not feeling well. I’m going to go to bed, you can see yourself out.” Katie told her as she placed her hand on her stomach and started for the stairs. Sabine nodded and left.

Katie however was feeling perfectly fine and instead of going to bed grabbed her laptop and started attempting to translate what she’d heard Sabine say.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was sitting on their bed with earbuds in her ears still trying to decode what seemed to be very poor Latin when Klaus walked in and pulled one of the ear buds out of her ear. “I thought you should know Elijah will be returning to us.” Klaus told her.

She didn’t look away from her computer. “Yeah, cool.” She told him with a wave.

Klaus blinked down at her a little confused by her lack of reaction. “What on earth are you doing?”

“You speak different languages right?” she asked, finally looking away from the computer to see the look he was giving her. “I had a visitor tonight. A witch named Sabine. Sophie sent her to keep me company and I asked her to do a gender test, after which she had a vision. She said it was about my delivery, that it wasn’t going to be easy, but I think she was lying. And I can’t translate what she was chanting during her vision.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this focused on something before.” He told her as he shifted his weight on his feet.

“I don’t think you’ve ever seen me this worried before.” Katie pointed out as she stood from the bed. “It sounded bad.”

“Alright, what was she chanting?” he asked.

“Hoc est infantima malom. Nos omnia perdetu el eam.” She told him and after a few minutes his eyes grew big and his posture fell. “What does it mean, Klaus?”

“This baby is evil. It will destroy us all.” He answered.

Katie sank down on the bed. “If Sabine opens her mouth…they are going to think our child is the equivalent of Lucifer himself.” She told him with a hard voice.

He sighed, sat down beside her and grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her to him to rest her forehead on his with their eyes closed. “I will protect you and our child with my life.”

“Nothing hurts her.” Katie agreed and they opened their eyes meeting each other’s gazes. “No matter what.”

“No matter what.” He agreed then wrapped his arms around her waist and moved them so that they were lying on the bed with his hand resting on her stomach. After a few minutes what she’d said sank in. “Her?”

“Crap, I was going to ask if you wanted to know before I told you that part.” She told him and he pushed himself up on his arm to look down at her. “According to Sabine’s gender test we’re having a girl and it’s the same test Fiona did when I was pregnant with Jonah.” his eyes were wide and he almost looked scared. “You’re getting your princess.” She told him with a small smile.

A quiet, quick laugh left his lips before he pressed them to hers.

They had been making out for a few minutes when she pulled back. “Mmm, how did the party scheme go?”

“I deviated from the plan.” He answered as he pulled back to look at her face.

“How did you deviate?” she asked as she slid her hands down his chest and around his waist.

“There was no way our little suicide witch wasn’t gonna try and take out Marcel with her.” He told her. “So I killed Thierry’s girl, but unfortunately that cut Sophie’s locator spell short.”

“But you said Elijah was returning to us.” Katie pointed out a little confused.

“By protecting Marcel I’ve cemented his trust. So much so that he’s agreed to return Elijah to us. And…when he’s told me everything I need to know about Davina we will have her for ourselves.” He told her in his I’m diabolical and I know it voice. He expected her to say something along the lines of, yay Elijah’s coming back or, you’re not going to use a sixteen year old girl as a weapon. But she said nothing. “Care to voice your thoughts?”

“I just…” she sighed and shook her head, “Under any other circumstances I would totally be against using a child as a weapon, but if we can get her to willingly join our side…If she can help protect our baby…I’m all for it.” she shrugged. “As for Elijah…It’s sucked knowing he’s been daggered in a coffin with a teenage witch probably poking and prodding at him trying to figure out how to kill him.”

“I feel like there was an unspoken “but” at the end of that sentence.” He prompted.

“But…” she caressed his back with a sigh, “there’s a reason I haven’t been riding you harder about getting him back. It felt like he still has feelings for me, I know you get jealous easily and I don’t want to be the cause of a Mikealson brother smackdown.” she immediately remembered them fighting while her humanity was off after she told Elijah she had been with Klaus. “Watching two men fight over me was kind of fun the first time when I didn’t care who got hurt, but now…not so much.”

“I trust that you are loyal to me, but if he tries something I cannot promise that we won’t come to blows again.” He told her with a warning look.

“I know, and I’m not asking you to make any promises. I’m just asking you to let me handle it and if I can’t get it through his thick skull that I’m yours and I’m not going to change my mind, then you can throw fists and break stuff.” She told him with a serious face. “Deal?”

“Deal.” He agreed.

TVDTVDTVD

After eating breakfast Katie showered and started getting dressed and after trying on a third pair of jean shorts she slammed the dresser drawer shut. Klaus smirked, looking at the small pooch in her lower abdomen. “It’s not funny.” She told him as she pulled a pair of athletic shorts out of the dresser.

“You’re right it’s not funny, it’s beautiful…You’re beautiful.” He told her as he watched her pull on the shorts then a hot pink racer back tank top.

“I don’t feel beautiful.” She complained as she walked over to where he stood at the foot of the bed with his hands tucked behind his back. “I feel bloated and heartburn is a pain in the ass.”

He grabbed her hips, turned her around then pulled her back into him, sweeping her hair to the side so he could kiss her neck. “You could grow to the size of a whale and I’d still think you were the most beautiful woman on the planet.” He rested his chin on her shoulder and slipped his hand over his stomach.

“Let’s not test that theory.” She told him as she turned her head and pecked him on his stubbly cheek. “If you’re trying to feel her moving you most likely won’t.”

“I’m aware.” He told her defensively.

“Really?” she asked, not believing him. “How?” He walked over to his bedside table, pulled the top drawer open and took out a book. He tossed it to her and she caught it.

“What to expect when you’re expecting.” She read the cover out loud then smiled a bright smile at him. “You’re reading a pregnancy book.”

“Yes it’s actually quite informative.” He told her as he walked around the bed and placed his hands on her sides.

He smiled when she threw her arms around his neck and captured his lips with hers for a happy kiss. “You’re awesome.”

“It’s just a book, Love.” He laughed at her reaction.

“I begged Ronan to buy a book on pregnancy and read it with me. We were miles from town or any kind of midwife. I had no idea what to expect having never even been around a pregnant woman before. He told me that I didn’t need it because my body and nature would take care of everything and he didn’t need to know about pregnancy because the man’s job was to wait outside and have a cigar when it was all over.” She explained. “It’s not just a book.”

“I fully intend on being at your side, holding your hand or whatever you need me to do when the time comes.” He told her then pecked her on the lips. “I’ve read it, cover to cover. The book is yours and I’ll get you more if you want.”

She smiled, pecked him on the lips, “You’re awesome.” Then sat down on the bed. “I have my plans for the day. What are yours?”

“The annual Dauphine Street music festival is tonight.” He told her.

“Seems like this place is no different than Mystic Falls.” She pointed out. “Parties and festivals are hot spots for supernatural shenanigans. If it wasn’t for that I would be begging you to let me come with you. So instead I’ll say maybe next year.”

“Next year?” he asked, noticing the implication.

“I have a feeling if I had the chance I’d really like this city.” She told him with a shrug. “And it’s your favorite place and your home. Am I thinking too far ahead when I say I want it to be our home?”

“What about Mystic Falls?” he asked with an interested tilt of his head.

“Graduation was the last thing that place had to offer me. Now my friends are going to college without me and it just doesn’t feel like I belong with them anymore. So I guess you could say that I’m in the market for a new home.”

He walked over to her with admiration in his eyes. “I can’t wait to officially show you your new home. But for now I have to go.”

“Okay, if you gotta.” She sighed pretending to pout he just smirked and pecked her on the lips before he left.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was sitting on the couch reading the book when someone rang the doorbell and Rebekah answered it. “You have a visitor.” Rebekah announced as she walked into the room.

Katie looked up to see Agnes, a witch elder, walk in and sit down in the armchair across from her. “What can I do for you?” Katie asked not pleased that a witch was in the house. She was really growing to hate the French Quarter witches as a whole.

“I was just coming to check up on you.” she told her with a pleasant smile.

“I’m fine.” Katie answered. “The baby’s fine.”

“You know you’re overdue for a check up, right?” Agnes asked.

“I’m aware, but going to the doctor isn’t exactly an option right now is it?” Katie asked.

“A lot of women would kill to have a child. It strikes me as odd that you’re not taking better care of yours.” Rebekah spoke up from where she sat at a table in the room looking for the attic she saw Elijah in on satellite images.

“I know a doctor out in the bayou off the beaten path. Now, I took the liberty of making an appointment for you…tonight after hours, just us. Marcel’s men will never get word of it.” Agnes told her and Katie snapped the book shut.

“Well, thanks, but you shouldn’t have.” Katie told her as she stood up and tossed the book onto the couch then headed to the front door with Agnes. “Sorry you wasted your time.” Katie pulled the door open and motioned Agnes outside. “Goodbye.” Agnes walked out and Katie shut the door.

“Well that was rude of you.” Rebekah commented.

“I don’t trust French Quarter witches.” Katie told her as she walked back over to the couch and picked up the book. “And honestly I’m surprised you’d think I’d go anywhere alone with one of them.”

“I see my brother’s paranoia has rubbed off on you.” she sighed not looking away from the computer screen.

“It’s not paranoia if I have legitimate reasons to not trust someone.” Katie pointed out. “If I go to that doctor I’ll go with Klaus, not some witch I don’t even know.”

A few seconds later Klaus walked in and saw Rebekah on the computer just as she’d been when he left this morning. “Please sister, tell me you’re not still at it with the internet search.” He said as he walked into the room to the table that sat between the two armchairs across from the couch that Katie was sitting on and poured himself a drink from the decanter that was always on the table and always full. “How does one begin anyway, just type in ‘anonymous attic’?” he smirked at Katie who glanced up from her reading at him.

“Someone has to find Elijah. Even if I have to search every bloody attic in New Orleans.” Rebekah replied not looking away from the computer.

“Like looking for a needle in a rather large pile of needles.” Klaus commented as he turned to look at Rebekah.

“I remember details about the attic Marcel took me to. There were shutters on the windows behind Elijah’s coffin.” Rebekah replied.

“Well that should narrow it down immensely.” Klaus walked over to Katie and sat down next to her. “Myself, I prefer actual strategy as opposed to mind-numbing labor.” He grabbed Katie’s legs and pulled them to drape over his lap and she leaned to the side and the back of the couch, not taking her eyes off the book in her lap as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Marcel’s delay in returning our brother makes me suspect he’s no longer in charge of the situation. If Davina’s loyalty to Marcel is strained perhaps the young witch will be open to discussing a new alliance.”

Katie took her eyes off the book now interested in the conversation. “As usual, your power grabs are more important than rescuing your brother.” Rebekah said.

Katie frowned and looked between the brother and sister. “You know, it’s not impossible to do both. Davina has Elijah. If we get her we get him. They are kind of a packaged deal at this point.” She told Rebekah then looked at Klaus. “Am I wrong?”

“As per the usual you are spot on.” Klaus told her with an appreciative look in his eyes. Neither of them had told Rebekah about Sabine’s vision. So she didn’t know why it was so important to both of them that they get Davina on their side. “The little witch is going to be at the festival tonight and I’m going to make a move.” He told Katie more than Rebekah. Katie pecked him on the cheek then returned her eyes to her book.

TVDTVDTVD

Katie was alone in the house, cooking supper when she thought she heard something outside. Since Sabine’s visit she’d caught herself going on high alert whenever she was in the house by herself. So she pressed pause on her phone that was filling the kitchen with music. When she heard a twig snap outside she whooshed through the front door and around the house to the sound. A guy was sneaking toward the back door and she recognized him as the same witch that had tried to stop her from leaving the tomb. She got still and quiet and listened. She counted seven distinctly different sets of footsteps including the guy she had eyes on that was about to open the back door.

They created a semi circle around the back of the house. The witches further back were most likely keeping an eye on the one breaking into the house as they slowly closed in on the house. So she decided to leave him be for now. Instead she whooshed to the witch furthest away from the house, disarmed him as quietly as she could then slammed him face first into the ground and placed her foot on his back. She held his arms straight out behind his back, her hands holding tight around his wrists. “Call for help and die.” She practically growled at him. “What do you people want?” he didn’t answer. So Katie pulled back on his arms making him groan in pain. “Answer the question or I will rip your arms from your scrawny little torso.”

“We were sent to kill you.” he answered with a pant.

“By who?” she asked.

“Agnes.” He grunted. “She said that the child you’re carrying will be the death of all witches.”

“Damn it Sabine.” Katie sighed. “Looks like it’s time to send the witches a message.” With a whoosh she broke the guy’s neck. Over the course of the next minute five more witches necks were broken. The last warlock standing was the one in the house. So she whooshed to the back door and listened. She heard him in the parlor and whooshed inside, completely catching him off guard when she grabbed him from behind, sank her teeth into his neck and drank until his heart stopped then let him fall to the floor. He wasn’t even on vervain.

With all of the witches dead Katie went to the kitchen, took her phone off the speaker dock and called Klaus. “I hate to sound rude, but I’m in the middle of something, Sweetheart.” Klaus said when he answered the phone.

“Okay, I just have one quick question.” She told him as she walked into the parlor and looked down at the bloody circle on the carpet. “What should I do with the lifeless bodies of seven warlocks?”

“Are you okay?” he asked, not answering her question, but it was obvious that she now had his full attention.

“Perfectly.” She answered in a chipper voice.

“What happened?” he asked his voice now low and hard.

“Agnes sent some witches to their deaths thinking they could kill me.” she answered looking at the blood puddle that kept getting bigger. “Also, how do I get blood out of a rug? The dead guy in our living room is bleeding everywhere.”

“Where is Rebekah?” he asked once again, not answering her question.

“What the bloody hell happened here?” Rebekah asked as she walked into the parlor.

“She just got back from wherever it is she’s been.” Katie answered.

“I will be there as soon as I can.” He told her then hung up.

Katie put the phone down and looked at Rebekah. “He tried to kill me.” Katie said with a shrug as she leaned down and picked up the stake that had fallen out of the guy’s hand. “Did Agnes seriously think simple witches who aren’t allowed to do the brain pain spell could ambush me?”

“You kind of make it easy to forget that you’re a vampire.” Rebekah answered then stepped over the guy and grabbed his ankles. “Are you going to help me get him out of here or what?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” Katie said with a shake of her head and grabbed the guy’s shoulders then helped Rebekah move the guy outside.

TVDTVDTVD

“You took on seven witches…alone?” Klaus asked as he stalked into the house.

“Yep.” Katie answered simply from where she sat on the floor, scrubbing at the blood on the rug.

“You should have called me and let me handle it.” he told her with a hard face.

“I should have called you and let them close in on me while I waited for you?” she asked as she tossed the scrub brush into the bucket of soapy water and stood up.

“There are several places in this house you could have hidden.” he told her with a point to the room he had the coffins stored in.

“You of all people know I do not hide and I do not back down.” she told him with her head held high as she glared at him. It struck her that she’d had a fight like this before, with Damon, and she sighed and wiped the glare from her face. “I know I have a habit of putting myself in harm's way and I know I’m slowly getting weaker. That’s why I bite myself every once in a while to see if I still heal and I whoosh just to see if I still have speed.” She cupped his face in her hands. “You know that if I thought for even a second that taking them on would put the baby in danger I wouldn’t have done it, right?”

“Your fight is one of the many things I like about you.” he told her as he took one of her hands off his face and kissed the underside of her wrist. “I know you’d never put our baby in harm's way.” He put his hand on her shoulder then kissed her. “Now that I know you are, in fact, perfectly okay there is one more thing I need to tend to in the quarter before the night is over. I will not be long.”

“You’re not going to go on a witch hunt are you?” she asked with a smirk.

“No, but when I do get my hands on Sophie Deveraux she is-“

“It wasn’t Sophie. It was Agnes.” Katie interrupted him.

“Agnes, Sophie, it’s all the same to me. I’ll slaughter the lot of them.” He told her with a sneer.

“Not if Elijah gets there first.” Rebekah said as she walked into the room and sat down on the couch.

“Come again?” Katie asked with a look at Rebekah.

“Have you found him?” Klaus asked, tucking his hands behind his back.

“He’s been in touch, and he has a plan.” Rebekah answered then looked at Katie. “All he asks is that we take care of you.”

Klaus stalked over to glare down at Rebekah. “I asked you to stay with her, not go on a wild goose chase to find Elijah.”

“I believe she has proven that she doesn’t need a babysitter.” Rebekah argued.

Klaus opened her mouth to say something, but Katie touched his arm keeping a fight from happening. “I’ll be back.” Klaus told Katie then pecked her on the lips and walked away.

With him gone Katie returned to the kitchen and started cleaning up the meal that was no longer worth finishing. Rebekah walked in and leaned on the island. “You are aware that Elijah is still in love with you, right?” she asked.

Katie grabbed a bowl out of the cabinet. “I’m aware.” she grabbed a bag of granola cereal out of another cabinet.

“And you don’t care?” Rebekah asked.

Katie grabbed a gallon of milk out of the icebox and set it on the counter. “Of course I care, Rebekah, but my feelings for him are not what they used to be.”

“Because you’re in love with Klaus?” she asked as she watched Katie pour cereal into the bowl.

“Are you always this nosey or are you just trying to find a way to get Elijah and I back together?” she asked, avoiding the question.

“Just making an attempt at girl talk.” Rebekah answered innocently.

“If you want girl talk then we can talk about hair products, fashion or the incredibly hot Hemsworth brothers.” Katie pointed out as she added milk to the bowl.

“You have a thing for guys with accents, don’t you?” Rebekah asked.

“Yep.” Katie answered then took a bite of cereal.

“So you’re not in love with Klaus?” Rebekah asked.

Katie sighed and let her head fall forward. “I’m not talking about this with you.” she answered then grabbed her bowl and went to her and Klaus’s room.

She was sitting at a table in their room, eating her cereal and writing in her journal when her phone started ringing and she pulled it out of her pocket to see Klaus’s name on the screen. She pressed talk and before she could say hello a woman’s voice hit her ears. “Wait. That’s right I told you what happened. I never tell anybody, but I told you.” Katie frowned and hit the speaker phone button. “And you said something about Sean standing alone against his demons. When he killed those men I thought he must be mentally ill, but… What if it was demons? What if a vampire compelled him?”

“And if so, would you devote yourself to finding the guilty party? Would you sacrifice everything to find out the truth? To what end?” She heard Klaus ask, both of their voices sounded far away from the phone. She could only guess that he pocket dialed her.

“To what end? This is the entire reason I am in New Orleans!” the woman said with a raised voice.

Katie was about to hang up, knowing she shouldn’t be listening in on Klaus’s conversations, but the name that came out of his mouth stopped her. “Cami, whatever lies on the other end of this mystery will only offer you pain. Nothing will bring your brother back. Your only hope for peace is to forget this and move on.” He’d left her to go to Cami?

“No, don’t compel me to forget this.” Cami argued.

“And if I allow you to remember…your knowledge will eat away at you. Your quest for truth will only put you in danger.” Klaus told her.

“You don’t care about me! You just want me to forget this so I can be focused on Marcel. So I’ll be a good little spy for you!” Cami yelled at him. Katie placed her fingertips on her lips, debating on hanging up. She shouldn’t be listening to this, but she couldn’t help herself.

“I need your loyalty, yes, and though that may appear selfish to you the scope of my plan goes far beyond myself. Power aside I am trying to honor my brother and the woman I love.” Klaus told her with an emotional voice. Katie’s heart stopped at Klaus’s confession.

“But what about my brother? My twin brother. We were bonded our whole lives and I know…I know he didn’t just snap. And I need to know who did this and I need to make this right.” Cami pleaded with him. “No, don’t take this away from me!”

“You will do nothing. Your brother was ill. He killed those people and himself and it was a tragedy. All you can do is move on.” Katie assumed he was compelling Cami. “Know that your brother is at peace and that you needn’t worry. I will find out what happened and when I do, I will make sure whoever harmed your brother will suffer. And as for you, tonight, you will sleep and you will dream of a world far better than this one. A world where there is no evil, no demons, and all people desire only to be good.” When she heard the sound of wind against the microphone of the phone she pressed the end button.

She was putting her empty bowl in the dishwasher when she heard Klaus whoosh up behind her then grab her hips, spin her around and kiss her. She kissed him back for a few seconds then turned away and closed the dishwasher. “You…are the perfect ending to a long day.” He whispered into her ear as his hands slipped down her sides and kissed her neck.

“I’m far from perfect.” She told him as she turned in his arms. “I’m nosey.” He gave her a curious look. “You were with Cami earlier and I know that because you pocket dialed me…and I listened.”

He sighed and tilted his head to the side. “How much did you hear?”

“I came in on Cami wondering if her brother was compelled.” She answered. “I shouldn’t have listened and I’m sorry.”

“No worries, love.” He told her knowing that if she heard the whole conversation she heard him say that he loves her. She had no reason to be jealous and it didn’t look like she was mad, just guilty.

“You’re not mad at me?” she asked quietly.

“Of course not.” He told her as he placed his hands on her hips. “Something else I like about you…” he picked her up and sat her on the kitchen counter, “your curiosity.”

“Yeah, well, curiosity killed the cat.” She sighed.

“Thankfully cats have nine lives.” He replied, making her roll her eyes. “Do you have any questions regarding what you heard?”

“What’s the whole story? All I could gather from what I heard is that Cami’s twin brother, Sean, killed people and it may or may not have been because a vampire compelled him to do so.” She told him as she wrapped her legs around him.

“Her brother was a seminary student at Saint Ann’s church in the quarter.” He started. “He went insane and killed nine of his fellow seminary students then himself. According to Cami, he had no reason to do so. He showed no signs or symptoms that one usually does before a psychotic break. She feared that his demons would become her own and was suffering from insomnia and nightmares.”

“So you compelled her to rest easy and stop worrying about her brother because if she didn’t it would lead her right into the mess that is the supernatural community.” She thought out loud putting the pieces together. “You helped her because you care about her.”

“So are you jealous?” he asked with a smirk.

“That you told Cami that you are trying to honor your brother and the woman that you love?” she asked with a small smile. “Nope, I’m good.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and tightened her legs around him.

“So you’re acknowledging that I love you.” he observed.

“You’re doing everything in your power to protect me and your unborn child.” She pointed out as she looked him in the eyes. “And you called me your everything. I’d have to be blind to not see it. I just…” she bit her lips closed and dropped her eyes from his with a shake of her head.

“You’re not ready to say it back.” he finished for her as he slid his hands up from her hips to hold her sides.

“I should be, all things considered, but…no, I’m not.” She admitted with a shake of her head and a shrug. She felt like something was standing in the way of her fully giving in to Klaus, like something was blocking those words from leaving her lips.

“I move at a faster pace than you when it comes to us and that is perfectly fine.” He assured her seeing how much she was struggling with the idea of love even after everything they had been through. It was going to take time for her to let herself love again. “I don’t want you to say it unless you mean it.”

“And that…Big Bad Wolf, is one of the many, many things I like about you.” she moved her arms from around his neck to rest her hands on the sides of it. “You’re patient with me even though patience isn’t your strong suit.” He placed his hand on her cheek and opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind and closed it. She knew he wanted to say it, but if he did she would feel pressured to say it back and neither of them wanted that. So instead, he pressed his lips to hers, both of them pouring themselves into it resulting in him whooshing then upstairs to their room.

[tosikoarts]

SFW Alphabet | Koito Otonoshin

WAP reference? In my SFW alphabet? More likely than you think. You can check tosikowrites tag for more. Warning: there’s a lot under the cut.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

First of all, everybody in the radius of two kilometers knows that Koito has fallen in love. He isn’t loud about it but it is written all over his smug face 24/7: when he starts daydreaming about them (which he does a lot), faint blush covers swarthy cheeks and his eyes fixate at the farthest point on the horizon. Tsukishima has to call three times before the Second Lieutenant finally notices his presence.

Okay, maybe, he is a little louder than was previously stated. Koito hasn’t had a lot of love experience so for him it is a bumpy road of trials and errors. Considering his behavior in front of First Lieutenant Tsurumi, easy to imagine how he awkwardly stutters in the crush’s presence, switching between native Satsuma dialect and classical Japanese. As they grow closer, nervousness dies down, and Koito finally talks like normal people do! Oh, he is such a show-off. However, he is a sweetheart as well so his talk comes across as a nice kid trying to be overly cool. Makes tons of compliments but can’t take any himself. No, he does. No, he doesn’t. Koito is a mess that thinks about small compliments for weeks. You say he looks nice with hair parted down the middle and this young man never goes back to his previous haircut.

It is serious when Koito starts rapturously venting to Tsukishima about them. At first, Otonoshin starts asking subtle questions not to seem too inexperienced. Then he asks for advice on how to dress, what to give as a present, how to act in general. If there are any problems in the relationship, Koito will 100% craw to his Sergeant for help.

One of the first and generally the main way of affection for Koito is giving pricy presents. Even when he is trying not to flex on wealth, it comes across as disguised bragging. Gifts given are always unique and of quality, so there is no reason to be indignant.

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

His best friend has to be either someone from childhood or the Imperial Japanese Army Academy. Koito won’t befriend anyone in the actual military (except one exhausted Sergeant) since he has a fear of becoming a career trampoline.

Koito squanders the money on entertainment with no remorse and no shame. If he gets a new Western-style suit, his best friend will receive one in the mail too. On nights out Koito generously pays for the food and drinks, saying that they will pay next time but the next time never actually comes. There is some money in his bank account, why not spend it?

His best friend automatically becomes a part of his family and friend of Tsukishima. Koito doesn’t ask, he confidently states it. If they for some reason do not want to be close with the listed contingent, Koito faces cognitive dissonance and, notwithstanding, tries to improve relations between them.

Koito is not a stranger to gossiping and petty drama. He doesn’t get involved ever since his family has a status to maintain, but he knows what skeletons are hidden in the neighbors’ bedroom closet. His best friend hears the phrase “You won’t believe what I know” more often than “First Lieutenant is so amazing”. By the way, yes, Koito is still that fangirl and they have to deal with it.

Eh, you can’t rely on him in troubles, though. He will unapologetically push the blame on another person to stay an innocent good boy that was accidentally dragged in the mess, but he will make amends after the noise dies down.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

He is so touchy-touchy-lovey-dowey, oh my god, just like you would expect from a touched-starved young man. Koito has no problems with PDA, he enjoys gazes fixed on him, so it is not uncommon to see him with the partner on the lap. Tsukishima learned to turn a blind eye and do some extra work to give the Second Lieutenant more time with his loved one. Koito prefers spooning to any other position so he can press them against his chest and fall asleep in their warmth. Sweetheart cradle is the second-best option but, honestly, Koito is down to anything that includes any of his limbs resting on their body.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Too young (especially in the mental sphere) to think about settling down. He is 20 years old or something, right? Koito doesn’t even know what he wants, what his principles are, what his life guidelines are, so no, there’s no way he thinks about settling down any time soon. Perhaps in 3-5-10 years, after his father knocks some sense into the guy, Koito will come to the conclusion that it's time for a new chapter in his life but definitely not now. Oh, also, he is useless in the household. He can’t cook, he can’t clean (and he can’t tell how he got this ring).

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

That doesn’t go well at all. Pangs of conscience do not give him the chance to pretend and delay the moment for too long but Koito can’t just say “yeah, that’s it” and walk away as nothing happened either. He chooses the most feckless option – cruelly distancing himself and making them lose interest in the relationship. Once the decision is made, there’s no going back. Koito's interest in his military career rises significantly and, suddenly, he is always busy disciplining juniors, taking additional trips wherever First Lieutenant sends him, surprising everybody with an overwhelming passion for small arms… Yeah, I’d say that boy sus.

If the time spent apart doesn’t kill their fire, Koito will go full mean mode and start acting like a literal jerk. It’s small comments that hurt the most: he finds them too loud or too quiet, too touchy or too cold, yadda yadda. Unreasonable ostentatious attacks of jealousy? Hell yes. His goal is to get on their nerves even if it means still small voice will whisper what a terrible person he is. Regrets the childish behavior months later but won’t admit it no matter what. Fights the desire to crawl back to them for a year or so.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

It's too early to talk about it. Again, he is standing on the doorstep of real-life and significant changes like getting married and starting a family are not even close to his vision of the future. Koito hesitates much and overthinks more so there is no point in waiting for a proposal in the first two years of a relationship. There are vulnerable moments when he doubts his own suitability for marriage. They may lead either to deep conversations with psychological aspects (remember the gnawing feeling of being a family failure?) or to abrupt distancing but in both cases, Koito pulls himself together and remembers: if such an amazing person chose him among another than he must be special.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

One of the few soldiers who were left damaged but not broken, so gentleness does not just smolder, but burns in Koito's heart. When it comes to being gentle, he is a physical manifestation of fondness: it beams from his eyes, radiates from his touch, and hides in his choice of the words. Someone may find it inconsistent, but brutality outside the battlefield, in any type of relationship, seems unnecessary to him as well. In a physical sense, Koito is quite remarkable in his raring, so his actions can come off a little sloppy, rushed, and aggressive.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

Exciting hugs! Koito trembles from the top of his head to the tips of the toes when he gets a chance to hug his loved one even if it is the tenth time this day. Most often, he starts with a fast welcome kiss on the cheek before pulling them into the tight embrace: it is heartwarming but never the same, which makes a person wanting to come back for another dose of unconditional love. Koito is down to hug at any time of the day, of the week, of the month and, honestly, he sees it as one of the most gentle and innocent expressions of affection.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Blurts it out by accident after half of a year of stale dating. The delightful feeling of sentiment overwhelmed him to the point of blinding adoration so Koito couldn’t stop himself from an unexpected confession. With head resting on his hands and cheek muscles twitching from the continuous wide silly smiling, Koito just blurted out what came to his mind at the moment, realizing what that was a few seconds later. To avoid embarrassment at all costs, he played dumb even though everything was written on his face in bright red color. Whatever. Conscious confession isn’t that easy. He is full of love but translating it in an understandable voiced statement is freaking work.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Whether he is a witness to his loved one being a flirt or his loved being hit on, Koito is l i v i d. In the first case scenario, his ego is hurt so badly, he storms from the room to avoid throwing a tantrum right there on the spot. Any attempts to speak with him after what happened result in loud indisputable “don’t touch me” and silent treatment for a good week or so. The mere thought of being replaceable terrifies poor Koito, it forces him into unhealthy coping like acting demonstratively independent and detached to show them he can do it solo. We’ll pretend it is not a desperate tactic to punish them, ok ok. When his love is being hit on, Koito does not even assess the situation. He rushes to the partner to save the day, steps between them and another person, laughs it off, and asks his rival if there’s any problem. Usually, confrontation is pretty effective against unwelcome suitors. Thank god, because Koito wouldn’t want to get physical anyway.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Awwww, have you ever imagined yourself as a teacher? Too bad because as much as passionate he is, Koito is hopeless. Literally. Lack of experience affects his (non-existing) technique. Couldn’t figure out he had to open his lips for a French kiss, leave alone any abstruse tricks, and knowledge of more sensitive spots to pay attention to. All preferences in the form of instructions have to be said aloud: Koito may act like he doesn’t need them, he is so cool and mature, and only losers need to be guided, but in reality, the opposite is true. Thanks to the above-mentioned features, his favorite kisses vary from pecks on the cheek to thigh and hand kisses but they never include kisses on the lips. If the partner is the same height or taller, he prefers to be kissed on the temple and top of his head. In other cases, doesn’t have any preferences.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

There are times when you have to do what you have absolutely no idea how to do, and it perfectly describes Koito’s relationships with kids. Somehow, they are on the same level but at different poles: he would rather cry because of how annoying capricious baby is than find any way to calm them down. Changing a dirty diaper is a challenge like no other, and going to the continent for a little girl protected by the company of bloodthirsty, armed to the teeth veterans sounds a lot easier (and not so disgusting) than babysitting a single baby. Older children are fine if they know how to keep themselves occupied and out of the sight. On his watch, there is always a small chance that the house will catch fire or the most active child will break their arm. Requires obligatory supervision of a more experienced babysitter.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

No one is leaving the bed in the morning. Sleeping in is inevitable. Do not plan anything for the first part of the day because if Koito chooses to devote the weekends to the lovely company of his partner that means he will squeeze every single second spent together out of it. It doesn’t matter what they do in the bed, like cuddling, talking, doing something spicy (youtube censorship much?) as long as they remain under a warm blanket. Koito giggles a lot catching their soft gaze on his lips, tickles them when silence falls. If the couple stays in the family house, servants are ordered to prepare the tastiest breakfast with gourmet chai tea as well as to find possible entertainment for the day.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

The end of the day is the last opportunity to let off steam before getting into a slower pace, and, finally, going to bed. To no surprise, Koito prefers activities aimed at the work of muscles and not of brains. Nothing too extreme though. Horseback riding is a common pastime if they are not in the mood for anything else. In other cases, Koito offers to play cricket in the summertime and go ice-skating in winter but his all-time favorite is swimming in sun-warmed waters of a crystal clear river. Despite the cold underwater currents winding around the ankles, Koito can swim in circles for hours without letting his loved one go ashore. If they are up for a challenge, competitions for who can hold their breath longer and swim to the other side faster are always a choice.  

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

As soon as they let Koito know that they are interested (doesn’t matter in him personally or in him speaking), the dam breaks. He is ready to talk about anything, from how the day was to the meaning of life, the role of the monarchy in the future of Japan, and what influence Heinojou’s death had on him. So to say, Koito sees no problem in opening up early in the relationship. There are no forbidden topics in his mind except, maybe, what is so below the beltline: starting any intimate conversation reduces Koito to a red stammering (in Satsuma dialect of course) mess. It gets better with time.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Chill enough? Not in the Tsukishima’s sense of “I have seen too much shit in my life so I am no longer surprised by anything and I expect nothing as well” but in a cheery and optimistic outlook. If he breaks a plate or cup, it is a reason to buy a new one, not to throw a tantrum on how Japan no longer makes quality dishes. How boring life would be without nuisances, huh? However, Koito immediately blows off when it comes to serious matters like life-threatening situations. Overall? Absolute ray of sunshine, anger is unnecessary, keep calm and take it easy.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

Remembers nothing but anniversaries’ dates. Seriously. Don’t expect Koito to compliment your eyes’ color, he doesn’t remember it. Favorite food or place? Did you mention them at all? Hm. Blame it on the charm of the moment that hypnotized Koito and sent him into oblivion. He doesn't bother himself with writing down any facts and details and is visibly surprised if the partner expresses frustration with his forgetfulness.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

Perhaps it will be a surprise but the most memorable moment for Koito would be doing “bad stuff” together. As for a person, who has not yet emerged from cheerful adolescence, drinking, smoking cigarettes, and, who would have thought, opium together leaves a weird feeling of agitation and gaiety. Hiding with the partner in crime, bottle covered under the lieutenant's coat as if he is some kind of thief, is something Koito won’t ever get used to. He drinks and mumbles gibberish then pulls his loved one closer for some sloppy smooches that never work out: someone keeps missing lips and laughing like a goofball after every failure.

Smoking opium, which happened exactly one time, was the complete opposite of previous experience. They ended up in semi-darkness in a distant room with artfully painted paraphernalia and one carved pipe that was passed back and forth for the whole night. An intoxicating sense of calm and emptiness hit Koito in the head as he was watching his loved one fusing with the thin lilac smoke: a situation they were in was too bizarre to be real but magical too so he had no right to complain. Memories of that night stayed with him for the whole life but Koito never had a desire to go for a smoke again.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

For the sake of justice, Koito has a protective side, but the carefree character often overshadows it. He meets dangerous situations in conditions where one large group of opponents confront another so everyone covers each other's back. When Koito has to fight one on one he can fully rely on the own strength and reactions but when there is someone to protect things get messy really fast.

Koito is ready to cover them with his body to save from a whistling bullet but this thought comes from a place of “I can’t come up with a plan what do I do what do I do” and not from rational thinking or self-devotion in the name of love. Nah, boy just no thoughts, head empty but HEART FULL.

Would want to be protected as well? He has no problem being viewed as one who needs help. Won’t want them to act recklessly though, exchanging their life for his isn’t fair a bit.

T = Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

Youthful maximalism and all-encompassing love push Koito to new feats every day: he racks his head over which place to choose for a date, should he buy them expensive things or no because what if they look at him as at tasteless braggart, maybe, he should have not brought a bouquet today, maybe, he is too annoying… At the beginning of the relationship, he is excessively enthusiastic and scarred to mess everything at the same time. Often this mixture leads to an awkward situation but with some guidance, Koito calms down and begins to feel a partner on an intuitive level. Anniversaries will still be celebrated on a grand scale though. He has literally no chill when told to make that one day special. Lacks consistency when it comes to everyday tasks: either puts all of his effort in building a stool or does nothing the whole day.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

The bloated ego doesn’t seem a big problem at first but it keeps popping up now and then in the conversation and overall behavior. Again, it is not even close to megalomaniac extend but can be pretty annoying when Koito keeps putting himself in every story and boasting with every minor achievement.

Not the most independent, kinda clingy guy that needs somebody that he can always rely on. We have already seen Tsukishima's fate and this is what awaits for the person who decides to tie the knot with him.

LOUD. SO LOUD. DEAFENING! If you think Koito would lower the voice down or, for the frick’s sake, stop screeching but no! Excited? Yell! Scarred? Yell! Surprised? Yell! I can see him screaming louder than his newborn baby shocking midwives in the maternity hospital. Pray to God that it is not inherited.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Not to call him obsessed, but Koito takes good care of himself and tries to be attractive in the eyes of others. He may spend a little bit too much time staring in the mirror during the mourning routine, brushing hair locks just the exact way he wants them to be. Several creams are lying in the drawer of his nightstand and Koito replenishes its stock with enviable regularity. Of course, he looks sharp: when circumstances do not oblige Second Lieutenant to strict dress code, he pulls off well-tailored looks, both traditional Japanese and Westernized ones. Just imagine him dressed to kill, wearing an all-leather long car coat with skintight gloves. Koito is too powerful in his handsomeness.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Has zero knowledge of how to handle break-up and that pretty much describes what a hell ride it will be for Koito. Obviously, the violent reaction is accompanied by complete confusion, he is at a loss for words and can’t find the right ones even in the Satsuma dialect. Well, if he had a gut feeling that they are planning on leaving later or sooner, Koito would lash out at them in the worst way possible: every wrongdoing suddenly transforms into hidden signs confirming that he was not loved at all, never ever. He makes a loud scene with eyes brimming, screams whatever nonsense comes to mind to stop them from speaking further. No explanation can overpower his growing resentment. If break-up comes up out of a blue, Koito remains silent, listening to whatever they have to say. None of the words makes any sense to him and there is nothing he can tell or ask. Nothing makes sense. He sighs while rubbing his temples, eyes shut tight to separate from the world as much as possible, and turn down the white noise coming out of their mouth. Koito leaves without saying a word with a plan to avoid them in the next few weeks.

In the case of their death, Koito is in no hurry at breakneck speed to take revenge but that definitely doesn’t mean he is indifferent. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and even such a hothead as angered Koito is can wait for a better moment to strike.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

Since Koito joined the army, celebrations turned from long-awaited days into in minor verbal congratulations aaaand that’s all. The atmosphere is just not the same. In the beginning, he tried to keep head up but general disinterest killed his vibes and left him bitter.

The only person who does not mind supporting the Second Lieutenant is Tsukishima: he gladly watches Koito happily screaming as he launches a colorful kite into the air, joins playing hanetsuki and sugoroku on Japanese New Year, once he even gave Koito pochibukuro as a joke. Otonoshin was merry and embarrassed at the same time since, you know, pochibukuro is given to kids, not adult men who shoot people for a living.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

Mysterious silent people aren’t the company Koito can tolerate. He hadn’t had a good experience with Ogata back in the 7th Division and doesn’t see himself with anyone hiding behind a duplicitous smile.

Scolding Koito for his frivolity won’t do anything good, quite the contrary, it will force him into acting withdrawn in their presence. Attempts to change Koito are pointless since action generates opposition: the more he is told to be a serious man, the more infantile he will become.

By the way, it is important for Koito to see a class in his surrounding. He himself carries an elusive aesthetic so lack of taste and sense of beauty is a bummer. Good thing they can be acquired just like other skills.

Comparison. Do not compare Koito to anyone, ever. His father probably did it a lot back in the days when talking about Heinojou’s success so Otonoshin became allergic to any “you are just like/you act like/you look like/wish you were like” comments.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

The most normal person in the 7th Division when it comes to sleeping. There’s literally nothing to describe: Koito falls asleep fast, he doesn’t have any problems with falling asleep or waking up, doesn’t use any medication, doesn’t have any evening rituals. Dreams are a rarity. Loves to sleep with someone by the side, so he can hug a person from behind with both arm and leg, and if the place next to him is cold and empty, Koito may hug a pillow or rolled blanket.

[here4theheartbreak]

Firelit First (TaeKook)

AO3 Link Here!

✩ Relationships: taekook (Taehyung x Jungkook)

✩Genre: angst, smut, hybrid au

✩Rating: Explicit

✩Tags: smut, hybrid au, dragon-dog hybrid Taehyung, bunny hybrid Jungkook, first time, established relationship, bottom Jungkook, mating, licking, knotting, Bad Dragon, insecure Taehyung, fire breathing

✩Summary: They said a bunny and a dragon-dog would never work out. They were wrong in every way except for one. Jungkook’s need for physical intimacy - and Taehyung’s insecurity surrounding it - was driving a wedge between them.

✩Word Count: ~6.5k

✩A/N: Written for @btsholidaybingo​ - Square: Bonfire

What do a helicopter eared bunny rabbit and a dragon-Newfoundland fusion have in common?

According to Jin, the world’s sassiest hyena – nothing… Save for the fact that they both have crappy taste in boys. 

But Taehyung, the dragon-Newfoundland in question, believed that was wrong. His bunny boy, of course, did have a bad taste in men. He was dating him for God’s sake. But Jungkook was perfect. The two had grown up together, attending a prestigious hybrid boarding school in Seoul, along with Jin and Hoseok, and the rest of their little gang. As young children, the were separated by diet – the squirrels and chipmunks and bunnies and other pretty prey hybrids in one class; and the wolves, dogs, hyenas, tigers and yes – dragon, in the other. They were allowed to play together during recess, sternly supervised lest a wolf decide biting one of their gentle classmates was a better plan than playing tag. It was during these recesses that the group met, and stayed strong throughout the grades. As they aged and became more in control of their less human urges, the classes combined, and their friendship grew even deeper.

Not that Jungkook’s parents were very happy. The first time he brought home a damned dragon playmate for a weekend trip back home they nearly called the police. Dragons were rare hybrids, only a few families existing worldwide. And Taehyung – a dragon crossed with a dog – was a medical miracle. Fusions were one in a million, especially fusions of such a different species type.

Yet there he was, all arms and black hair and wings, even folded up tightly, too big for his gawky body. His tail was long and thick, covered in shaggy black fur, always wagging. Across the bridge of his nose and streaking down his arms was a smattering of sparkling emerald green scales. His eyes were a striking, unnatural gold color and – when he got extra excited, angry, or otherwise, puffs of hot smoke would bubble up from his lungs. Though the rumor was he could easily burn down a town with one breath, actual fire was far harder for Taehyung to form; the limitations of his human and dog DNA interfering with the dragon inside him.

Despite the worries that Taehyung would injure Jungkook in some way, their friendship blossomed, and formed something far more intimate by the time they reached high school. As other hybrids paired off and found boyfriends and girlfriends of similar species, or of humans, their group of misfits remained mostly together. Jin was found making out with the shy, soft-spoken squirrel, Hoseok. Their broody, panther Yoongi, took the fiery, hyper fox Jimin to their first prom, and intelligent, and quick bat Namjoon ended up with the feisty meerkat Halsey. It was only natural that soft, gentle bunny Jungkook with ears too long and body too big for his prey DNA would end up with the dragon-dog.

 They stayed together throughout high school, college, and moved in together as soon as they both graduated. Everyone knew someday they probably would consider marriage, though both of them thought the idea of it was somewhat outdated and unnecessary. And now, as young men in their twenties – they could not be happier.

It was a Friday afternoon, and Taehyung had finished his week’s work early. He decided it would be great to go home and surprise Jungkook, who had the day off. Maybe they could go down south for the weekend to visit Jungkook’s parents. It had been a while since he had a full weekend to himself. 

As he rounded the corner to head to their bedroom, he heard a deep, low moan. Taehyung hesitated. That… Sounded like Jungkook. Panic clenched his chest. Surely Jungkook wouldn’t do that. They’d been together for too long, and there’d never been a hint of an affair. Taehyung knew he was lacking in bed… But he worked hard to make sure Jungkook was satisfied. Not easy, given his boyfriend had the sex drive of the animal side of himself, but Taehyung did his best. An affair wouldn’t be unexpected, Taehyung supposed as he crept closer to their shut bedroom. He could hear Jungkook panting even through the closed door, punctuated by soft moans and the creak of their bed. Taehyung’s heart sank. Who was it going to be? One of their friends? A stranger? Another rabbit? Another gentle, soft prey animal hybrid? Scenario after scenario raced through his mind as he reached for the doorknob. He could just wait, he supposed. Sit in the living room, let the guy leave. But he needed to see with his own two eyes.

He grabbed the door and opened it slowly, trying not to make it squeak. Another creep forward and he peeked his head into the room. 

Jungkook was on his hands and knees on the bed, nude. His tan skin was glistening with sweat. His head was hung, one ear folded back comfortably, the other – which had been damaged when he was younger and always stood a little crooked, was hanging down more like a lop ear. Even from the doorway Taehyung could see his mouth hanging open, nose – dusted with a fine, silky fur and dotted with little white spots, twitching with excitement. But behind him, where his white nubbin tail stood high as it could go, was not a human, or hybrid, or anything living. Rather, it was a dildo, attached to the wall by suction. 

When he went forward, exposing more of the toy, Taehyung could see that it was thick and bulbous, with what looked like scaled ridges along the base. The color faded from purple to green to a blackish near the tip, with a glittery silver that seemed to sparkle in the lights. Jungkook was thoroughly enjoying himself, his cock twitching and leaking between his legs, moans and whimpers slipping from his mouth as he fucked himself onto it. It wasn’t human, that was for sure. 

“Jungkook.” Taehyung spoke firm and clear.

Jungkook yelped, pulling off the large toy. He scrambled to cover himself with a sheet, as if the dildo on the wall didn’t give away what he was doing. When he was totally off it, Taehyung was able to see the severe curve and the ridges more clearly, as well as the pointed tip and the base, which was covered with scales. It was reptilian, for sure. It looked, much to Taehyung’s disgust, like a horrible rendition of a dragon. 

“Taehyung! You’re home early,” Jungkook stuttered. 

Taehyung entered the room. Jungkook reached for the toy but Taehyung was faster, swiping it and yanking it from the wall. He held it in his hand, gauging the thickness. His wings gave an annoyed flap, ruffling Jungkook’s hair and a few papers on the desk. 

“What is this?”

“It’s a dildo, Tae.” Jungkook pouted. “I’m a grown up, I’m allowed to own a dildo.”

“Is this a dragon?”

Jungkook clenched his jaw. “So what if it is?”

“You’re dating a dragon. Do you realize how offensive this is?”

Jungkook crossed his arms, his ears flattening down in annoyance. “A dragon that won’t give me his dick no matter how much I beg. Least I can do is feel it through a toy.”

Taehyung blinked in surprise. His shoulders sagged a little. “Jungkook…”

“I don’t want to hear it.” Jungkook rose and grabbed the toy from Taehyung’s hands. He brushed past him, pulling on his shorts. 

“Where are you going?” Taehyung called, chasing after Jungkook as he walked out of the room. 

He went into the bathroom, washing the toy gently. He met Taehyung’s glare in the mirror. “What?”

“It barely looks like me,” he mumbled.

“Not that I would know. You do everything you can not to show me your dick.”

“I make you come other ways.”

“So?” Jungkook turned, splashing water as he did. “You think that’s the same? We’ve been dating forever, Tae. How do you think it makes me feel when you refuse to fuck me? All of our friends lost their virginity years ago. Making me come with your fingers or mouth or our toys isn’t nearly the same. And, you never let me pleasure you. You always go hide out in the bathroom and jerk off. Are you really so disgusted by me? Is it because I’m a bunny? Am I not good enough to turn you on?” As Jungkook ranted his anger shifted to something desperate His eyes, big and doe-ish on a good day, were even larger, wet with unshed tears of frustration. 

“Jungkook, no,” Taehyung said, closing the gap between them to try and hug his lover. Jungkook pushed him back, turning back to the sink. He began to scrub the toy again with a renewed vigor. 

“I don’t think you’re disgusting, Jungkook. I—” Taehyung saw Jungkook’s shoulders shake, his ears hanging down dejectedly.

“Don’t cry, bunny boy,” Taehyung pleaded. He wrapped his arms around Jungkook’s shoulders, burying his face in the crook of his neck. He kissed and licked gently at the soft skin there, whimpering. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Why won’t you take me to bed?” Jungkook whispered. “I try not to let it bother me, but I—You know what I am. You know how I am.”

“I know. I thought I was doing a good job satisfying you. I’m sorry, Jungkookie. I’ll try harder.”

“No!” Jungkook jerked away, shoving Taehyung back. “Get off me. I don’t want you to try harder. I don’t want you to finger fuck me or suck my dick.”

Taehyung’s entire body sagged, his tail and the ends of his wings brushing the cool linoleum. “What do you want?”

“I want you to fuck me!” Jungkook cried, whipping around. “I want to feel that connection with you. I want to know I don’t disgust you. It’s been a decade. Why won’t you tell me the truth? What are you so afraid of?”

“Hurting you,” Taehyung said, folding his arms over his chest. “I’m scared of hurting you.”

“I’m not some tiny breakable baby,” Jungkook said, his hands clenched in tight fists at his sides. His ears were flattened to his head, brows furrowed. “I’m sick that you even think that. You know that predator-prey shit is bullshit!”

“It’s not because of that, Jungkook. Don’t you dare accuse me of that.”

“Then what is it?!”

“I have a knot!” Taehyung shouted, finally losing his temper. “All these years I hid it from you because my cock is deformed. It’s hideous and it’s scary and nobody would want that. I’m a monster, Jungkook. Your parents said it enough while we were growing up and it’s the truth. You wouldn’t want to fuck me if you saw my cock and I wouldn’t blame you for packing up and leaving.”

Jungkook’s expression softened, his shoulders and fists relaxing. “A lot of hybrids have knots, Taehyung. Why would you be so scared of that? You’re half dog. It makes sense.”

“Because it’s a dragon’s cock. But it has a knot at the base. It’s horrible. And it’s…” He drifted off. It’s big. And even bigger with the stupid knot. And I can’t prevent it from happening. Every time I come it… Just … Pops and I—” He shrugged, wrapping his arms around himself. His wings fluttered, folding in front of him like a leathery cloak. “I know you’re not a tiny baby, but I’m afraid it’ll hurt you,” he finished.

Jungkook pouted a little, tilting his head. His one floppy ear tilted further, hanging down. His nose twitched in thought. He reached back, grabbing the dragon toy in the sink. He held it out to Taehyung.

“Is it bigger than this?”

Taehyung nodded. 

“By how much? Without the knot.”

Taehyung reached out and looped his forefinger and thumb around the biggest part. He added another few centimeters.

“And with?” Jungkook pressed. 

Another hand slipped out of his wing cocoon, first fingers together and thumbs together, around the size of a softball.

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Taehyung folded back in on himself, his cheeks mottled red with embarrassment. 

“I’m sorry. I—I think I’ll go stay at Jin’s tonight. Give you a chance to… Decide.” 

Jungkook frowned further. “Decide?”

“If you’re gonna leave me. And pack up, when you do…” Taehyung felt tears burning his nose and whimpered softly. He huffed and shook a little, folding his wings back and holding his head high. “I’m sorry I strung you on this long. It wasn’t fair of me to assume you’d be okay with what I couldn’t do.” He tried to smile, but knew it likely fell flat.

Jungkook’s face drooped further. “Are you dumping me?”

Taehyung looked down. He knew it would be for the best. Just end it, stop stringing him along, promising something he’d never be able to offer. “I just want you to be happy. And satisfied. And I can’t –” He looked at the dildo in Jungkook’s hand. “I can’t do that for you.” He smiled weakly and shrugged. “Your parents were right after all.”

Jungkook’s head tilted in confusion. 

Taehyung shrugged. “I’d never be able to give you a happy life. I’m just dog.” He turned to go, brushing past Jungkook. He considered heading to the bedroom, grabbing a few things, but decided against it. Best just to leave. He was so humiliated and ashamed. He should have come clean with Jungkook early on in their relationship, he knew it. He felt horrible for lying the way he had.

Jungkook bounded out of the bathroom, skidding to a stop in front of Taehyung. He shoved him back. “You don’t get to break up with me.”

Taehyung blinked lamely. “I—”

“Shut up.” 

Taehyung closed his mouth. 

Jungkook smiled a little. “You really are noisy. I thought big dogs were supposed to be quiet.” 

Taehyung huffed, twin puffs of smoke coming from his nostrils. It was a common joke between them – his hyperactivity was nothing like the large, laid back Newfoundland that made up a part of his DNA. 

Jungkook smile grew, his nose crinkling. “Since you wanna be noisy though…” He sank to his knees, his hands going to Taehyung’s belt. He managed to unhook it and begin working Taehyung’s zipper down before Taehyung realized what was happening. He yelped and jumped back, his wings spreading fast enough to knock over a pile of books on the nearby shelf. He flapped them once, and Jungkook giggle, shaking his head. “Come back here. I’m gonna suck your dick.”

“Jungkook!” Taehyung cried, surprised at the brazenness of his boyfriend. Undeterred, Jungkook crawled forward, nuzzling against Taehyung’s crotch. 

“I want it, Tae.” He looked up at him, his mouth pressed against the bulge of Taehyung’s cock. “I want you to take me. Tonight. I wanna feel you inside of me.”

When Taehyung didn’t respond, Jungkook sighed. He rose and grabbed Taehyung’s hands. “I get why you hid it. I’m not mad. I’m sad that you felt you had to, that you were scared of what I’d do… I get it.”

Taehyung lowered his gaze. 

“But,” Jungkook pressed. “That doesn’t mean you get to go back into hiding. You told me what it is you’re scared of, and I didn’t go running for the hills. And I’m not going to. I love you, you big dumb dog. And I still want you. Both as my boyfriend… And as the man who takes my virginity.”

“Jungkook—”

“It won’t hurt me. I might have bunny DNA but I’m not some tiny little thing that’ll tear in two. I know I can take it. Didn’t you see me taking Kelvin?”

Taehyung spluttered. “It has a name?”

Jungkook giggled and nodded. “It does… But I’d rather be taking Taehyung.” He cupped Taehyung through his jeans. “Please trust that I know my body. That I won’t break.”

Taehyung bared his teeth, another puff of smoke breaking over Jungkook’s face. 

Jungkook giggled. “I can feel you getting worked up.”

“You’re grabbing my dick, of course I’m getting worked up.”

“Then will you do it? I don’t mean to push you. But … Is the knot and the size the only thing keeping you from taking me?”

Taehyung nodded. “I’ve wanted for so long to make love to you,” he admitted.

“Then if those weren’t an issue…”

Taehyung nodded, his eyes slipping shut. Jungkook was on the nose – if it weren’t for his anxiety surrounding his dick, he would have made love to Jungkook years ago.

“So say they’re not. If they end up being an issue, fine, we can deal with it. Better to have tried and failed than not have tried at all, right?”

“You shouldn’t be so wise with your hand on a cock,” Taehyung mumbled with no venom. Jungkook laughed. 

“So is that a yes? You’ll try with me?”

Taehyung hesitated. He opened his eyes searching Jungkook’s bright, perfect face. He reached up, stroking over his ears. “Yeah, it’s a yes.”

Jungkook’s grin widened. He sank back to his knees, but Taehyung grabbed him, hauling him back up. “But not right now.”

Jungkook’s pout was so adorable Taehyung nearly gave in. He shook his head though, thumbing Jungkook’s velvety soft nose. “Tonight. If you’re going to have sex with a dragon we’re going to do it right.”

“There’s a right way?”

Taehyung nodded. “A way all the men in my family took their lovers for the first time. It’s tradition.”

Jungkook grinned and nodded. “Of course. When?”

Taehyung glanced at his watch. “It’s three now. Why don’t you go take a shower. I’ll go out, get a few things. And then be back home by five to pick you up for dinner and then… After…”

Jungkook nodded eagerly. He backed up, heading to the bathroom, but Taehyung grabbed his wrist. 

“No using that horrible Kelvin. No jerking off before tonight, okay?”

“I promise,” Jungkook said.

“And… Prep yourself a little, in the shower.”

Jungkook nodded again. He approached Taehyung folding himself into his arms and kissing over a spot of scales on the curve of his neck. “I’m so excited for tonight.”

“Me too,” Taehyung whispered. And he was, if he was being honest. Scared… But excited.

He let Jungkook hurry off to the bathroom before grabbing his keys and slipping his shoes back on, heading out to buy a few necessary items and plan for the evening.

When Taehyung returned, he could hear Jungkook singing from the bedroom. The sound warmed his heart. As quiet as he could, he snuck up and peeked in, watching Jungkook apply just a little makeup to his eyes. He didn’t need it, Taehyung had told him a thousand times, but it did look beautiful. 

“Ready?” He asked when the eyeliner pen was a safe distance from Jungkook’s eye. His boyfriend jumped, his ears twitching back. 

“You scared me,” Jungkook complained.

“Sorry.”

Taehyung entered fully, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s middle. He nuzzled his neck, kissing it gently before curving his neck up and letting his teeth graze Jungkook’s fuzzy ear. “You look great. And smell even better.”

“It’s the cologne you like,” Jungkook said, smiling at him through the mirror. “I’m ready. Where are we going?”

“Just someplace to get some food. A nice dinner and then we’ll be headed to a more secluded spot.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows shot up, his nose twitching. “What do you mean?”

“Trust me. Get your coat on, I gotta change really quick.”

Jungkook nodded. He grabbed lip balm, applying a little before pocketing it and bouncing out of the room. 

Their dinner was quiet and smooth, a natural ease of just being together that had been formed from the number of years spent in one another’s company. Despite the knowledge of what would be (hopefully) happening later that evening, the meal flowed with no tension or awkwardness, even when the waiter did a double take and very nearly dropped their drinks at the sight of Taehyung’s thick, leathery wings, topped with fur. It wasn’t a new thing; there weren’t many dragons and Taehyung, despite his kind, timid nature, was eye catching. 

When dinner ended, Taehyung began to drive, still keeping Jungkook in the dark about where they were going. He knew Jungkook trusted him, and hoped this was a pleasant surprise. Up, toward the mountains they went, and Jungkook’s excitement and curiosity was beginning to bubble over. 

“You won’t give me any hints?” He asked for the fifth time.

Taehyung only smiled, reaching over and stroking his floppy ear. “I will not. Settle down, would you? You’re wiggling all over the place.”

“I’m curious,” Jungkook whined. 

“We’re almost there.”

Jungkook huffed, pouting a little and looking out the window. “Are we going camping?”

“Something like that.”

Jungkook wiggled excitedly, grinning. “We haven’t camped in forever. It’s such a nice day to do it too.”

Taehyung nodded, turning a curve. He parked in front of an open field. Jungkook tilted his head. “Here?”

“Here.” Taehyung got out and circled around to the trunk, pulling out a few bags of things he’d purchased. He heard Jungkook get out and take off, and glanced up to see Jungkook darting into the field, burning off some of the nervous energy he must have built up in the car. 

He rushed back, breathing heavily. “What is that big black spot in the field? The dirt one.”

“That’s for a bonfire.”

Jungkook’s eyes lit up. “Are we gonna have one?”

Taehyung smirked. He shut the trunk and set the bags down, wrapping his arms around Jungkook’s waist. He dragged him close. “What kind of dragon would I be if I didn’t make love to my mate in front of a fire?”

“Mate?” Jungkook squeaked. 

Taehyung smiled shyly. He let go of Jungkook’s waist and grabbed the bags, hurrying toward the center of the field. He had worked hard to avoid that term. It was outdated and he knew a lot of people took offense to it, especially since it was so animalistic in some people’s minds. But for dragons – mate was the highest honor. He wondered it Jungkook knew that, or if he’d be offended. When they were a new couple, Taehyung’s parents had warned him that a prey animal would never make a good life partner for someone like Taehyung… But to a dragon, isn’t everything prey? He loved Jungkook. And this felt right. He was terrified, he knew, as he set up a little base of padding and some soft blankets near where the fire would be. It could all go south fast, but he was trying to remain optimistic. He could feel Jungkook watching him, but continued to putter about, laying out a little cooler of snacks and drinks for them, a little black bag with some more adult natured items, and finally walking around to gather up some firewood and kindling for the bonfire. 

“Can I light it?” Jungkook finally asked, crouching next to Taehyung as he set up the wood. Taehyung grinned and huffed, puffing a little smoke from his nostrils. 

“Can you breathe fire?”

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “You’re gonna? You almost never—”

“Tradition.”

Jungkook nodded. He scooted back, watching Taehyung eagerly. Taehyung chuckled. 

“You’re gonna give me performance anxiety.”

“Sorry… I just never get to see you do it. You’re so shy about it.”

“It takes a lot of effort is all.” Taehyung looked over. “But you’re worth it.”

He let his wings splay out, flicking gently as he inhaled deep puffs of air. He began to puff out smoke, first light – almost white puffs, and slowly darkening. 

Little sparks appeared next, stinging the soft meat of his tongue. He furrowed his brows and blew out again, a warmth growing in his chest. And again, it was almost uncomfortable now – there it was. A third time, his mouth open wider now, tongue flatted against the bottom of his mouth to avoid scalding as a lick of flame, vibrant red and green shifting in a way only the fire of a dragon could, shot out. It caught the small stick in his hand and lit it, chewing through the wood fast enough that Taehyung had to throw it onto the fire lest his hand end up singed. The kindling caught immediately and Jungkook gasped next to him, falling back on his butt. Taehyung smirked, pride swelling in his chest as the fire sparked green and purple and red. 

“It’s so pretty,” Jungkook praised.

“All for you,” Taehyung said softly, reaching out and stroking Jungkook’s cheek. “It’s tradition to take your mate beside a bonfire made just for them. Usually it’s in front of a cave but I couldn’t find one I felt safe sleeping in with a dragon’s fire, so a camping field will have to do.”

“It’s perfect, Tae.” Jungkook moved close to him, snuggling against his neck. Taehyung’s tail thumped happily on the dirt, and he nuzzled Jungkook’s soft, floppy ear.

“Mate,” Jungkook whispered. “Do you hate me calling you that?”

“Why haven’t you before?”

Taehyung shrugged. “I didn’t want to offend you. I know a lot of people think it’s gross.”

“But I know it means something special for your species. I’m honored. Don’t stop using it, okay?”

“I won’t.” Taehyung kissed along Jungkook’s neck. “Never.” He pushed him down onto the soft blankets next to the fire and laid over him, kissing him deeply.

The kiss deepened naturally, as it tended to between the two. Taehyung slid his hand down, cupping Jungkook through his jeans. He began so squeeze and rub gently, feeling Jungkook begin to stiffen under the rough denim. 

Jungkook slid his hands down Taehyung’s hips. 

“Lemme see you,” Jungkook whined when Taehyung instinctively twitched his hips away from the hand wandering toward his crotch. “Lemme see your cock.”

Taehyung hesitated. He needed to show it one way or another, maybe it was best to get it out of the way now, so they could stop if they needed to with less damage. 

Jungkook, seeming to sense his hesitation, whined again. He spread his legs, squeezing his own cock, the outline visible in his jeans. “You’re gonna fuck me for the first time tonight,” he panted. “Bet you’ve got so much to give me. All these years just jerking off... You can’t come as well when you’re just using your hand.”

Taehyung shuddered, his tail wagging. His own cock throbbed in the confines of his jeans, the dirty talk twisting his stomach up in knots. 

Jungkook giggled. He reached out, cupping Taehyung’s thickening bulge.

“Already so big. This is what you’re gonna knot me with? Make me your mate? Ruin me for anything else?” 

Taehyung growled low in his chest. “Your ass is never gonna have anything in it except my tongue and my cock.” 

Jungkook smirked. “Oops, I broke that rule. Take off my pants and I’ll show you a present.” 

Taehyung obeyed, stripping his jeans and boxers. He gasped when Jungkook spread his legs. Peeking out of his hole was a silver anal plug, buried deep inside him. 

“I wanted you to be able to fuck me faster. It’s the biggest one I own, just a little smaller than my toy.”

Taehyung swore, tugging the silver base until Jungkook’s hole began to stretch around it and he moaned sharply. 

“Please. Lemme see it,” Jungkook begged again. 

Taehyung nodded, relenting this time. He rose and stripped down to his boxers. Jungkook sat up, pulling his remaining clothes off. He grabbed Taehyung’s boxers and tugged them off slowly. 

Taehyung’s cock sprang free, stiff with the promise of sex. It was thick and long, with a pointed tip and a flared head. Running down the shaft were thick, green oblong scales forming firm ridges and matching his facial scale color. At the base of his cock was a patch of skin, loose and moveable, but slowly filling and swelling already. 

Jungkook moaned needily, stroking the shaft. “Lemme suck it?” He begged. 

Taehyung’s mouth hung open, mostly shocked that Jungkook didn’t run at the first sight of his ugly cock. He nodded lamely. 

Jungkook went forward, easily swallowing half of his cock down. Taehyung’s hips jerked forward. He bit back a moan, his tail wagging gently.

Jungkook pulled back. “No need to go gently. I don’t have much of a reflex.” 

Taehyung nodded. He stroked Jungkook’s soft ears before using them to drag him back onto his cock. He held him still as he thrusted forward three times. Jungkook’s throat fluttered the first time, and the second he gagged softly. By the third he was relaxed, easily letting Taehyung’s cock slip down his throat. 

Taehyung couldn’t look away as he used Jungkook’s willing, warm mouth. His cock was out, it was in Jungkook in some form, yet he was unphased. His cock was still hard between his thighs, his eyes crinkled up in a smile as he swallowed around Taehyung’s cock and snuck quick breaths of air between the thrusts.

Taehyung pulled back, drawing in a shaky breath. “Gotta stop or I’m gonna come.” 

“Then it’s time,” Jungkook said eagerly. He laid down and grabbed the little black baggie nearby. He passed Taehyung the lube, relaxing. 

Taehyung took a shaky breath. He pulled the plug free, smirking at the wet pop it made.  He drove three lube slicked fingers into Jungkook’s ass. He stretched him a little more, determined to make sure this wouldn’t hurt Jungkook in any way if it could be helped. 

When he determined he was stretched enough, he withdrew his fingers, slicking up his cock instead.

“Just relax,” he said lining up his cock. Jungkook’s hole was tight around Taehyung’s cock as he nudged the tip in for the first time. He could feel Jungkook’s rapid pulse, fluttering the tight rim. Jungkook remained silent, his bottom lip between his teeth. His hands were relaxed on Taehyung’s thighs, and his cock remained hard, dribbling precome onto his smooth belly.

Slow and steady; Taehyung knew this was no challenge for Jungkook, based on that toy he’d had buried in his hole earlier in the day. The thought made a small flame of anger bubble up, and he snapped his hips forward. Jungkook’s hole was his. 

Jungkook gasped, the motion causing his tip to slide fully in, the flared head nestling tight against the rings of muscle in Jungkook’s ass. Their gazes met and Taehyung smirked.

“My little bunny boy’s no longer a virgin.”

Jungkook giggled, his folded ear twitching up.

“And I didn’t break in two. I’m still so hard,” he whined, reaching down to stroke his cock. “I need you, Taehyung.”

“You sure?” He teased, pushing forward. The ridges of his cock slid in slowly, making Jungkook whine on each one. “Maybe you’d rather your toy dragon still?”

“Never, oh!” 

His short nails bit into Taehyung’s hips when he slid another inch in, nestling the spot where his cock would swell with a knot against Jungkook’s opening.

“If I go all the way...” 

Jungkook grinned broadly. “Make me take your knot? Is it big?” 

He reached down, trying to feel for any indication of the size. Taehyung shivered, his tail giving a tentative little wag. 

“It’s about softball sized,” he panted.

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “Softball?” 

“You don’t have to take it. We can just do this.” He pulled back and slid in until he reached the swelling spot again. Jungkook moaned softly.

“No, I want it,” he panted. He spread his legs further and reached up, grabbing the firm bones at the top of Taehyung’s wings. “I know why you’re scared.”

Taehyung looked away, staring into the bonfire roaring next to them.

“Dragons — they mate for life.” 

Taehyung’s jaw twitched. He hesitated before answering. “Only in certain cases.”

Jungkook slid his hands over the soft fur covering Taehyung’s wing bones. “Your dad did. And I know there’s not many of your kind left. Dragons. Or fusions. I’ve been by your side since we were kids, Tae. You were my best friend in school, my first kiss, my first everything. I can’t imagine a future without you. I know the meaning of this. The fire, us...” Jungkook cupped Taehyung’s chin and turned his head to make him look at him. He smiled.

“This is for life.” 

Taehyung’s heart clenched at Jungkook’s words. He leaned forward, catching his mouth in a deep kiss as he pushed his hips forward, driving the last three inches deep into Jungkook. 

Jungkook shouted into his mouth, holding tight to his wings as Taehyung began to fuck him. He was aware, in the back of his mind, that he was being rough, but Jungkook was egging him on, moaning and shouting for it. His channel was hot and warm and perfect, molding itself to Taehyung’s cock as he pumped into him. 

Taehyung pulled back then and sat on the ground, his tail swiping up a dust cloud as it wagged rapidly. He pushed a finger into Jungkook’s beautifully gaped ass. 

“Come on, bunny boy,” he cooed, puffing a breath of smoke in Jungkook’s direction.

“Hop for me.”

Jungkook rolled his eyes deeply. He grinned as he did, scrambling up. Taehyung slid a hand down his back when he settled onto his lap, grabbing Jungkook’s sensitive tail. He used it to guide the younger onto his cock once more, moaning in harmony with Jungkook.

As he demanded, Jungkook began to bounce on his lap, his ass easily and eagerly taking the full length of Taehyung’s aching cock. His ears flopped as he moved, his front teeth bared as he huffed and whined, giving him quite an adorable appearance despite the fact that he was being fucked by a cock almost too big for his body.

Taehyung wrapped his arms tight around Jungkook, licking at the spot right behind his jaw that drove him crazy. His ass clenched around Taehyung, and he whimpered his name. 

“It’s starting,” Taehyung warned. He shoved forward, knocking Jungkook back onto his back on the blankets. He laid over him, huffing softly as he sped up. Jungkook hooked his legs around Taehyung’s middle, his back arching as Taehyung’s knot began to swell, catching on his rim. Taehyung could feel his body twitching, tugging, trying to adjust, but knew it was futile; once he came he’d stay buried inside his sweet lover for as long as it took, emptying himself of come and - ideally - pleasuring Jungkook until he could take no more. 

And he was well on his way it seemed. Jungkook clawed Taehyung’s back, sobbing his name.

“Please— I’m so close—“ He begged. He made an effort to grab at his cock, but Taehyung caught his wrist and pinned it, driving in particularly hard. 

“Don’t touch yourself when I’m fucking you,” he growled, a puff of smoke slipping from his nose. Jungkook’s eyes rolled back at the command. He let his legs fall open further and let out a high, needy whine. 

“Please— Taehyung,” he begged. Taehyung smirked. Jungkook had always liked being bossed around. 

“Come on my cock.”

Jungkook nodded. He began to writhe under Taehyung, meeting his thrusts. 

Taehyung knew it was coming to an end, far too soon, in his book. His balls were drawn tight, pressure building in the base of his cock and his stomach like a balloon filling with water. His knot began to swell faster and he whined.

“Jungkook—“ He knew he sounded desperate and strained... He was.

“Jungkook, please. It’s— I’ve gotta... Tell me.” He huffed, meeting Jungkook’s gaze. “Tell me if you want it or not.” 

Jungkook smiled softly then, looking surprisingly relaxed for as worked up as they both were. “I want it. I want you. Knot me. Come in me. I’m yours.” 

Taehyung roared, sounding more dragon-like than he ever had before. He tossed his head back, a burst of fire and smoke slipping from his lungs as he drove deep into Jungkook’s ass. His knot swelled to its maximum, too wide to slip free. His balls throbbed, tickled by Jungkook’s tail, as he spilled rope after rope of hot, thick come inside him. 

Under him, Jungkook screamed until his voice broke. Taehyung felt his cock jerk between their bellies, coating them both with splashes of come. He looked down, panic streaking through him when he saw tear tracks marking Jungkook’s cheeks. A second look though, and he noticed Jungkook smiling broadly. He looked up at Taehyung, his eyes wet. 

“Why are you crying?” Taehyung asked, his voice shaky as he tried to speak normally.

“You did it. You took me... I feel so good. I’m gonna come again, I—“ he gasped, screwing his eyes shut. Another tear slid down his cheek as his cock twitched and spilled, signaling a second orgasm. 

Taehyung leaned down, licking the tears from Jungkook’s cheeks. He giggled then moaned. He whined. “I can’t come again—“

Taehyung chuckled, leaning back to watch Jungkook’s cock dribble weak spurts of come.

“I’m gonna have you coming for a while,” he warned. 

Jungkook groaned, burying his face in his hands. He began to shudder softly, whining as Taehyung’s cock pulsed inside him.

Taehyung scooped him up, wiggling a little closer to the fire and wrapping his wings around him, safely cocooning Jungkook with him. 

He felt Jungkook’s tears on his shoulder even as his cock dribbled more come, shivering hard in Taehyung’s arms.

“I’m not sad—“ Jungkook panted.

“I know.”

“Just so— Ughh...” he sobbed weakly. “Overstimulated.”

“I know baby. Just let it out. So proud of you,” Taehyung cooed. His orgasm as faded, leaving behind just a pleasant tingle as his balls drained themselves inside Jungkook. He began to groom his shivering lover, nuzzling and nibbling his soft ears, scratching the sensitive skin of his lower back and tail. 

Finally, the intensity of Taehyung’s throbs decreased enough to stop steadily milking Jungkook’s prostate, allowing him to relax in Taehyung’s arms.

“How long?” He asked in a surprisingly small voice.

“Another ten or so,” Taehyung said. “Are you comfortable?”

“Sleepy.” 

Taehyung chuckled. “Wonder why. Sweet little bunny just got railed by a dragon.” 

Jungkook laughed tiredly. “Love story for the ages.”

“You can sleep though. You should sleep. I’ll be here.”

Jungkook looked up at him, smiling softly. “I love you, Taehyungie.”

“I love you too, Jungkook.” They shared a gentle kiss, and Jungkook drifted to sleep in his arms, leaving Taehyung alone with his thoughts.

They had finally made love. It was better than Taehyung had ever imagined it could be. Jungkook wasn’t scared of him – he seemed so pleasured by his cock, even though it wasn’t exactly dog, nor dragon, nor human… Their bodies just seemed to fit. And even now, as his knot softened inside Jungkook, the fear was leaving his body. Jungkook was his mate. Was the man he loved and would be with for the rest of his life. His parents – the world – they were wrong. Jungkook may have been a bunny, and he a dragon – but their hearts were human. And they were in love. 

[thisissirius]

the most important mark to leave [AO3 Link] eddie/buck, chris. birthdays, marriage proposals, fluff and family.

“This is gross,” Eddie mutters.

If Abuela were to ever see the inside of his fridge; Eddie doesn’t wanna think about it. He moves some of the tupperware out of the way, wrinkling his nose. He doesn’t know how long some have these have been here. He gets a steady collection of pre-cooked food thanks to both Abuela and Buck, who are determined that Chris never eats anything Eddie cooks.

Which, fair, when Eddie’s not taking a dent to his pride, he can admit that living off of canned and boxed food isn’t the healthiest.

“Dad?”

Eddie looks back over his shoulder. Chris is at the table, doing his spelling for the next day. He’s been going through a nope phase with anything writing related, so Eddie’s pleased to see it. “Yeah, buddy?”

Chris shifts on his seat. “Is Buck coming over next Saturday?”

“Uh,” Eddie says, trying to think what’s happening next Saturday. He’s not working and he’s almost positive Buck’s been making noise about the aquarium. “I think so. We’ll have to ask.”

“No!” Chris looks contrite right after his shout.

“No?” Eddie raises his eyebrows and drops some of the tuppers into the trash. They’re beyond saving and it’s easier to buy new ones than expose himself—and Chris—to whatever’s inside. “Chris—”

“I meant,” Chris starts, “we have to ask him because he’s gotta come to his birthday party.”

Eddie’s not forgotten it’s Buck’s birthday; he’s already got Buck’s gift planned out, he just needs the right time. They haven’t been able to go on a proper date in weeks, but that’s never bothered them. Buck likes the domesticity that comes from being a father—and Eddie’s always going to be grateful Buck loves his son like he’s his own—and Eddie loves being under his own roof and not having a ton of people stare at him when he's inevitably awkward. “I don’t know if Buck wants that.”

Chris frowns, then puts down his pen. He meets Eddie’s eyes unflinchingly. “Dad, Buck’s not gonna say he wants a party. He doesn’t think you want a fuss.”

Eddie is, apparently, a failure of a partner. “Buck—”

“He told Abuela,” Chris says, matter-of-factly. “I wasn’t meant to hear but they thought I was sleeping. He knows you don’t like big celebration things unless they’re inside but he wants a backyard party. He wants fireworks because he thinks they’re cool and he never got them when he was as old as me. He also never got cake like I do. That’s really sad, Dad.”

It takes Eddie a moment to get his feelings under control. When he does, he closes the fridge door and sits across from Chris. He doesn’t know any of this about Buck but he’s not surprised; they don’t talk about their pasts because there’s so much there they don’t want to address. Their present and their future have always been their focus because they’re more important. Eddie thinks maybe it’s a mistake.

“Buck wants to be happy.” Chris stares down at his homework, still frowning. “He doesn’t want you to be upset with what he wants.”

There’s clearly things both he and Buck have to talk about, but Eddie’s overcome with emotion; he wants Buck to have whatever he needs, to enjoy his birthday instead of worrying about what everyone else thinks. “Well,” he says, leaning across the table and sharing a grin with his son. “I guess we should plan Buck’s birthday, shouldn’t we?”

Chris cheers and then looks down at his homework. “Does this mean I don’t have to do my spelling?”

“Nice try, buddy,” Eddie says with a laugh. “Unless you want me to call Buck and tell him you’re not doing your homework.”

“Alright,” Chris says. “I’ll finish it.”

“It should be superheroes,” Chris says.

Eddie pulls into the mall parking lot, cursing when there isn’t an available spot. Where are all the people coming from? It’s his only day off and he doesn’t wanna spend it driving around a parking lot. There’s a woman in a minivan almost on his tail and he rolls his eyes. Tapping his fingers on the wheel, he curses inwardly. “Why’s that?”

Chris sighs dramatically and Eddie snorts. He’s definitely been spending too much time with Buck. “Because Buck loves superheroes, Dad. That’s why he wants a replicon Steve shield for his birthday.”

“Replica,” Eddie corrects gently, grinning. A spot opens up and he manages to swipe it before the woman in the minivan. She looks harassed, four kids in the back, and Eddie gets a flashback to Chris’ sleepover. He doesn’t envy her one bit. “It’s a good job we managed to get it then, isn’t it?”

Chris meets his eyes in the mirror. “We’re the best.”

“Yes, we are,” Eddie says, shutting off the truck. “How about we grab Buck a cake?”

Navigating the market is an exercise in frustration at the best of times, but even more so when Chris is demanding everything be perfect. Not that Eddie’s complaining; after the couple of years Buck’s had, he deserves to be lavished with affection and Chris is nothing if not the best source of that where Buck’s concerned.

They scan the row of cakes and Eddie’s not finding any good enough. Now that he knows Buck’s never had one, he wants it to be perfect. Chris also comments on most of them; he likes some of the characters he and Buck watch on television. (Eddie doesn’t have the heart to tell him Buck watches the cartoons because Chris likes them). He stops at the generic ones; round chocolate cakes, red velvet, the occasional long and thin caterpillar cakes.

“I like that one,” Chris says. He points to a heart-shaped cake on one of the lower shelves.

Eddie raises his eyebrows. “Why that one?”

Chris tips his head back, looking up at Eddie with a grin. “Buck’s got a big heart, Dad, and he gives it to all of us all the time. Now we get to show him we know.”

One day Eddie’s gonna stop being surprised by his son’s goodness. Though it’s less surprise and more awe that he’s responsible for such a beautiful human being. “I love you so much, kid.”

“I love you too, Dad,” Chris says and Eddie’s not sure if that’s a roll of his eyes. Honestly, Buck time is being rationed. “So are we getting the cake?”

Eddie agrees easily and puts the cake in the cart. It’s probably cheaper to make his own, but he’s never tried baking before and he knows the instant he turns on the oven to try, Buck’ll appear somehow to yell him out of the kitchen. “I think that’s it, bud.”

“No.” Chris unfolds the piece of paper he’s been clutching the entire trip and gives it to Eddie. “We haven’t got the decorations yet.”

The list is small; Cake. Decorations. Dad. Friends. Me. Kisses. Hugs. Lots of Love. Abuela’s cooking. Not Dad’s cooking.

Swallowing, Eddie takes a moment. “Is this what we need for Buck’s birthday?”

Chris nods. “The decorations have to be superheroes too, Dad. Captain America because that’s Bucky’s favourite, but they need to have Buck’s face on.”

Eddie slips the paper into his pocket—his son understands Buck so well that sometimes Eddie doesn’t know what to do with it—and guides the cart after his son. “I don’t think that’s possible, Buddy.”

“Tia Pepa can print out lots of pictures of Buck’s face,” Chris explains, and Eddie keeps one eye on him, the other on the other patrons of the store. “Then we can stick them to the balloons and things.”

Chris rambles as they walk and though Eddie doesn’t know how they’re gonna go about sticking Buck’s face to everything, he dutifully puts the Captain America decorations in the cart. His bank balance isn’t going to thank him, especially with what the replica shield cost him, but Buck’s the second best thing in his life. Eddie gets to spoil him the same way he spoils Christopher. His son isn’t wrong about Buck; he does give his heart, usually in pieces, and doesn’t expect anything back in return. Eddie tries to give it but he knows he’s not the best at emotions and being candid. He’s working on it, and hopefully this party will help.

The cashier runs them through quickly, though she gives Chris a bright smile. “One of your friends having a party?”

“My Papa,” Chris says easily, and Eddie’s heart skips a beat. It never gets old, the words themselves, or the casual intimacy with which Chris says them. The love Buck and Chris have—Eddie knows he’ll never find someone else who loves Chris as much. “He’s never had a party before!”

“Chris,” Eddie says gently. The cashier doesn’t know Buck, but he’s not sure Buck’ll want everyone knowing his business.

“It’s okay, Dad,” Chris says, grinning at the cashier. “Buck doesn’t have to be sad anymore because he’s got us.”

Eddie can’t say anything for a moment, but the cashier kindly gives him the total, holding her hand out for Chris. “You make sure your Papa gets the best party.”

“Yeah,” Chris says, hi-fiving the cashier over the counter. “He’s gonna be excited.”

Excited or pissed off, Eddie thinks, when he sees the state of their house.

The confetti was a terrible idea. There’s no way it’s coming out of the carpet easy even with the tech-heavy vacuum Buck insisted on buying—and knows Eddie fucking hates.

(“It doesn’t suck properly!”

“Maybe it’s been taking lessons from you.”

“Fuck you, Buckley.)

Blowing up balloons is fast becoming the worst preparation for the party and he’s ready to give up when there’s a knock at the door. Only too happy to abandon his assigned task, he yells, “I’ve got it.”

Abuela’s in the backyard with Chris and Eddie’s got no idea what they’re up to. He’s not sure he wants to find out. When he pulls open the door, he grins. Chim and Maddie have arms full with food and gifts, and Eddie gestures them in.

“Gifts on the coffee table, food in the kitchen. No,” he continues at Maddie’s look, “I won’t be touching it.”

Maddie snorts and takes the food through to the kitchen. “Where is Buck anyway?”

“We sent him on an errand,” Eddie explains. “I can’t even remember what, Chris’ idea. Who are you guys supposed to be anyway?”

“I don’t know any superheroes,” Maddie says with a shrug. “Chim picked for me.”

Eddie and Chim share a knowing look. The Buckley lack of pop culture is a shock until you know their history.

“If I’m coming as Falcon,” Chim explains, “She’s gotta be the Winter Soldier.”

“Is this because he’s a guy?” Eddie asks.

“Chim!” Maddie slaps Chim’s arm and he laughs.

“What? You said you wanted to hide your body, not expose it!”

Eddie bites back on another laugh. “Be thankful he didn’t make you come as Man-Ape.”

Maddie obviously doesn’t know who that is, but she settles for beating Chim with a pillow. Eddie’s saved from having to intervene by the doorbell going off again.

It doesn’t take long for the house to fill up; Hen and Karen bring their kids, Bobby and the Grants arrive not long after, and Chris finally comes to find him in the kitchen absolutely not touching anything.

“Dad, I wanna get ready.”

“I thought you were,” Eddie says. “Where’s your outfit, buddy? Are you still going with Superman?”

Chris shakes his head. “No. I asked Abuela to get it for me and Tia Pepa helped. I want you to help me put it on.”

Eddie’s got no idea what’s happening, but he yells to Bobby and Athena that he’s helping Chris get ready and could someone please call Buck and tell him to come home? When he joins Chris in his bedroom, he knows he shouldn’t be surprised to see firefighting gear on the bed.

“I wanted to go as Bucky,” Chris explains, looking at the floor. “I don’t want you to be mad.”

With a pain in his chest that Eddie tries to shove down, he crouches in front of Chris, holding his hands. “I’m not mad, I promise. Why would I be? Buck’s important to you and to me.”

Chris still isn’t smiling. “I love you, Dad, but sometimes people don’t like sharing.”

Eddie doesn’t hesitate, he sweeps Chris into his arms and sits on the end of the bed. Chris gets comfortable, resting his head on Eddie’s shoulder. “Buddy, there’s nothing in this world that I want more than to share you with Buck. Seeing you two happy makes me smile the hardest and you know why?”

“No,” Chris says, shaking his head.

“Because I love you both so much. Sharing you with Buck is easy, mijo, and you shouldn’t ever be sad to tell me you want to be like Buck, or love him, or anything else, okay?”

Chris doesn’t answer for a moment. “Does that mean you won’t be mad about this?”

Eddie looks over his shoulder to see what he’s talking about and almost has a heart attack.

“I need you to help me in the bathroom too,” Chris says, making his way across the hall. Eddie follows, a little emotional about Chris in the firefighter outfit. With his curly hair he passes easily for a younger Buck and Eddie can’t wait for Buck to see him. “I need Buck’s birthmark, Dad.”

Oh, oh no. Eddie almost can’t stand it. “Buddy, that’s great. I didn’t think of that.”

“Buck’s not gonna know otherwise,” Chris says.

“Oh, I think the jacket gives it away,” Eddie says.

Chris watches his face as he sits on the toilet and hands Eddie some face paint. Abuela’s doing again, no doubt. He carefully applies some of the red to Chris’ face; he doesn’t have to look at an image of Buck to know what he’s doing. He’s spent hours of his life memorising every inch of Buck’s body, but especially his birthmark. It’s his favourite place to press a kiss, the best way to elicit a shiver out of Buck, the place he touches when he knows Buck’s sensitive. It’s a reminder for Buck, sometimes, that he’s beautiful inside and out, something Eddie knows he doesn’t believe all that much.

“You’re not mad about the jacket, are you, Daddy?”

Eddie puts down the face paint, rubs his thumb against the mark on Christopher’s eye. He sighs, scratching at the back of his head. “No, buddy. I wanted to do it for his birthday anyway, but I haven’t had time to figure it out.”

Chris nods, looking at his feet, but Eddie places a finger gently under his chin. Chris doesn’t look away. “I want to help you. Buck needs to know we both want him to stay.”

“I don’t think there’s any doubt in his mind,” Eddie says gently, “but I think it’ll help.”

Chris’ smile is worth the discomfort Eddie’s gonna get from this. Buck deserves the world, isn’t that what he’s always saying? Buck’s world is right here; Chris, Eddie, his station family.

“Buck’s here!”

Maddie’s yell breaks them out and Chris panics. “Dad, I’m not ready!”

“Calm down, mijo,” Eddie says, kissing the top of Chris’ head. “We’ll be out there in time.”

Buck’s face when he opens the door is priceless.

The scream he lets out when they yell, “Surprise!” is the best sound Eddie’s ever heard.

When he sees Christopher and starts crying, Eddie thinks he’s probably gonna burst into tears as well.

“Thank you, Chris,” Buck says, pressing his face into Chris’ neck. “You look great.”

“We have to be our favourite superheroes,” Chris says, not protesting when Buck picks him up. He throws his arms around Buck’s neck. “I even had Daddy do your birthmark.”

Buck laughs, kissing the side of Christopher’s face. He pretends to gasp, eyes wide. “So I see.It looks so real!”

Chris giggles, “It’s only face paint!”

“No,” Buck says with exaggeration and yeah, Eddie knew he’s the reason for Chris’ sass. “I thought I was looking in a mirror.”

“Silly,” Chris says.

Buck’s eyes are suspiciously shiny when he tugs Eddie in for a hug, their son trapped between them. Buck’s lips are brushing his ear. “Who are you supposed to be?”

“Myself, apparently,” Eddie says slowly.

“Daddy doesn’t think he’s a hero,” Chris says decisively, “so I had to remind him that he’s your hero!”

Buck looks Eddie in the eye, thumb rubbing the skin beneath his eye. “Damn straight.”

“Shut up,” Eddie says, turning his face away. “Pretty sure that means you’re the one supposed to be wearing this shirt.”

“I don’t know,” Buck says, pitching his voice low. “I like you in your uniform.”

Eddie definitely doesn’t wanna be thinking about that in a packed household. “Come on, Buckley, there are other guests.”

“Oh,” Maddie cuts in, “you remembered us, then?”

A laugh runs around the room, and Buck obliges when Chris asks to be put down. Eddie stays on the periphery, watching Buck do the rounds and getting the hugs and appreciation he deserves. Buck’s surprised by all of it, he knows, and he understands why; Buck’s starved for affection, accepts it from Eddie without hesitation. Still, he doesn’t know his own worth and Eddie’s gonna spend a lifetime showing him.

The cake is a hit. When Chris explains about the heart and giving out pieces, Eddie thinks everyone in the room is a little teary-eyed. Buck gets to bury his in Chris’ hair, and Eddie’s lucky enough to have Abuela nearby to do the same.

“You did good, nieto,” Abuela says, touching his elbow.

Eddie shrugs. “It’s all Chris. I just paid the bill.”

Abuela tuts at him, rolling her eyes. Okay, maybe Abuela’s responsible for 50% of Chris’ sass. “You underestimate yourself, Eddito. We both know how much you love that boy.”

“And everyone else is about to,” Eddie adds dryly. His Abuela’s shrug and lack of shame are obvious, but he can’t bring himself to be sorry that she enabled his son. “How did you know?”

There’s a short silence while Abuela looks at Buck, then back to him. “I didn’t care for Shannon,” she starts, and Eddie doesn’t want to hear this, but Abuela holds up a hand. “I know you loved her and I know she loved Chris, that she wanted what was best for him, but you, Eddie. You were never happy. Not like this.”

Eddie doesn’t know what to say. “I was happy.”

“Perhaps,” Abuela allows, “but you didn’t show it. Not like this,” she says quietly. “Not when you look at Evan. You don’t see it yourself, but I haven’t seen you smile and laugh as much as you have these past few years. You’ve changed, Edmundo, and maybe he didn’t change you, but he made you love yourself and for that I can never love him enough.”

“Abuela,” Eddie says and hears his own voice break. She hugs him, kisses his cheek. It’s a lot to take, a lot to hear, but he knows she’s right. Buck does make him happy. He can’t remember the last time he felt the burn of anger, or the overwhelming need to run after a flashback or nightmare. Buck’s always there, guiding him through the pain, reminding him that he’s loved, that he’s got a family. It’s always Buck.

It’s time.

Buck’s in the middle of a conversation with Maddie and Hen about something, so Eddie finds Chris, whispers in his ear that he should get his jacket. Abuela promises to take him, and Eddie heads off Bobby and Karen who both want to talk. “Sorry, I have to do something quick.”

Bobby’s eyebrows raise and Eddie panics that maybe he knows. “Something important?”

“Kinda,” Eddie says, then raises his voice. “Okay, gift time!”

“Eddie,” Buck says, flushing. “We don’t have to do that now.”

Eddie looks at the pile of gifts. “Okay maybe not those, but there is mine.”

“We don’t wanna be a part of this,” Chim cuts in, only to get a slap from Maddie. “What? There are kids here!”

“Which is why,” Eddie says, “this is a PG gift.”

Buck’s staring at him, torn between embarrassment and confusion, but his eyes flick to the doorway, where Chris is coming back into the room. He’s got a turnout jacket on, grinning widely, and Abuela’s gaze finds Eddie. She nods encouragement and he swallows once, twice, and then wipes his sweaty hands on his pants.

“Buddy,” Buck says, sounding awed. “The jacket looks awesome!”

Athena and May, both directly behind Chris, exchange a look and Eddie knows he sees tears in Athena’s eyes. Bobby looks at Eddie and yeah, he definitely knows.

“Wait,” Chris says, “I gotta turn around, Bucky.”

“What—,” Buck starts. His voice cuts off, mouth dropping open as Chris turns around and he sees what’s written on the jacket. “I don’t.”

“Oh,” Maddie says, pressing a hand to his mouth. “Eddie.”

Eddie moves around Chris, sees the lettering stamped on the jacket.

B. Diaz.

“It’s because you’re a Diaz now!”

Christopher’s words have Buck’s gaze flicking to Eddie.

“Almost,” Eddie says, and goes down on one knee.

“Oh my god,” Buck says.

“Oh my god,” Chim echoes.

“Daddy, you have to ask the question,” Chris puts in.

“I’m getting there, Chris,” Eddie says with a laugh. When he’s considered this moment before, he’s always imagined it in private, the two of them mutually proposing, or Eddie doing it at the wrong moment. This feels like the perfect moment; surrounded by family, Chris shoving him along like he always does, and Buck looking at Eddie like he’s surprised he can be so happy. “I love you, Evan,” he says.

“Eddie,” Buck starts. “I love you.”

“I know.” Eddie fumbles for the box in his pocket, the one he’s had buried in his closet for months. “I think if I give a speech, Chris might riot, so I’m just gonna ask; you wanna get married?”

Buck laughs, leans down and drags Eddie into a kiss. “Obviously, idiot.”

When they part, Eddie looks offended. “That’s not nice, Buckley.”

“Diaz,” Buck says breathlessly, pupils dilating. Inappropriate but understandable.

“Diaz,” Eddie agrees. They’re not married yet, but what the fuck ever. Buck’s been a Diaz from the moment he met Chris.

“What the hell kind of proposal,” Chim mutters.

Maddie’s crying, but she still manages to slap Chim on the arm.

Arms come around Eddie’s legs and he laughs, leans down to lift Chris up, who promptly wraps his arms around both Eddie and Buck. “Diazes!”

“Diazes indeed,” Buck says, sounding pleased.

When the sky starts to darken outside, Hen and Karen make noises about leaving.

“Thanks for coming,” Eddie says, hugging Hen tight.

“Are you kidding?” Hen grins. “Who knew you were a closet romantic?”

“I did,” Buck says, handing Nia back to Karen. “Thanks, guys.”

With a quick kiss to Nia’s cheek and a promise to Denny for a sleepover soon, Eddie gives Buck a knowing look. “Spilling my secrets already?”

“What are husbands for?” Buck says with a grin.

Husband. Okay, wow, Eddie’s deliberately not thinking about that word but now it’s out there he can’t not. From the expression on Buck’s face, he knows it.

“Alright boys,” Athena says, shoving at Eddie’s shoulder. “There’s still kids in the house.”

Buck immediately drags her into a hug, and if his wince is anything to go by, Athena’s grip is strong. “Thanks, Athena.”

Touching a hand to Buck’s face, Athena shakes him once. “I’m proud of you, Buck. So proud.”

“Yeah,” Buck breathes, looking like he’s gonna start crying again. Athena kisses his cheek, then steps towards Eddie.

“Don’t hurt me,” Eddie says, holding up his hands.

“Idiot,” Athena chastises, and gives him a bone-crushing hug as well. “I love both of you boys. You take care, you hear me?”

Eddie nods, a little overwhelmed, and catches the tail end of Bobby’s talk with Buck. Buck’s definitely crying, and Bobby’s holding him. Whatever they’re saying is too low for Eddie to make out, but he’s not sure he wants to know. May and Harry interrupt, telling Eddie they’re happy for him, and Michael’s soft congratulations are just as welcome.

“I never thought,” Bobby says, when he finally gets around to saying goodbye to Eddie, “that you’d come this far. All those months ago in my office, I wasn’t sure you’d ever be ready.”

“Neither did I,” Eddie admits. He doesn’t have to ask how Bobby knew, whether or not he’s always been obvious because he knows he has. He’s been afraid of plenty of things in his life, made a ton of mistakes, but this thing with Buck isn’t one of them. Buck himself is the best thing that’s ever come into Eddie and Christopher’s life and he’ll never feel worthy of it. “Thanks for everything.”

Bobby nods, hugging Eddie tight and Eddie returns it.

Eddie loves his father and he knows deep down that his father loves him too, but there’s a lot of shit between them. Loving Bobby is easy, believing that he’s a surrogate son in Bobby’s eyes is easy.

“Take some time,” Bobby says, with a wry smile. “Couple of days. We’ll cover your shifts.”

“I dunno,” Eddie says. “I kinda need to pay for this party.”

Buck flips him off behind Bobby’s back and Bobby looks unimpressed. “I saw that, Evan.”

Maddie, Chim and Abuela are the last to leave.

Maddie’s hug is tight despite her growing belly, and she whispers, “Thank you,” in Eddie’s ear. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Evan so happy.”

Eddie nods with a shrug. He can feel his face heating up, but he knows he’s grinning like an idiot. “He deserves more of the credit.”

“You’re both dumbasses,” Chim adds, but he gives both of them a tight hug anyway. “I can’t believe you’re gonna marry before us.”

Maddie snorts, but Buck just elbows Eddie. “We have a kid before you too.”

“Ouch,” Chim says, clutching at his chest. “Right for the heart.”

“Sorry about him,” Maddie says with a roll of her eyes. “Come on, idiot. I’m craving pickles and ice cream.”

“Gross,” Chim mouths, but dutifully follows Maddie out of the house. Buck’s making a face as well but Eddie’s never had pickles and ice cream; it sounds like it might be okay.

Abuela’s saying goodbye to Chris, whispering to him in Spanish and Eddie rolls his eyes. He’s sure he doesn’t wanna know what’s happening there. The face paint smudged a little while ago and Abuela wets her thumb, starts to smooth it out, but Chris stops her with a pout.

Laughing, she approaches Eddie and Buck.

“I’m happy,” she says, bringing Eddie in for a hug. “Maddie and I have a lot to talk about, no?”

“Small wedding,” Eddie warns.

Abuela waves him off, and Eddie can only laugh at Buck’s panicked expression. Eddie knows better than to argue with Abuela, but maybe he and Buck can marry first, let Abuela and Maddie have the reception. It’s something they can talk about. Later.

“And you,” Abuela says, dragging Buck into a hug. Buck buries his face in Abuela’s neck and she soothes his hair, whispering something. There’s a lot of whispering and while again, Eddie doesn’t wanna know what she’s saying, it’s because this is just for Buck. Eddie doesn’t know anything about Buck’s grandparents, but he’s taken to Abuela like he did Chris and Eddie both; wholeheartedly and without reservation. “Wednesday, Corazón Salvaje.”

“You got it,” Buck says with a laugh and yeah, he’s definitely crying again.

Eddie rolls his eyes. “I don’t know why you watch that when you can’t understand it.”

“Idiota,” Abuela says, at the same time Buck says, “Stop trying to understand Abuela Time.”

“Abuela Time,” Eddie says, sounding confused.

Buck flushes, but Abuela laughs, patting Buck on the waist. “Later, nieto.”

“Bye, Abuela,” Buck says, and Eddie echoes the sentiment. They wait until Pepa pulls out of the driveway and close the door. Buck turns, making a face at the state of the house. “I hate cleanup.”

“You can vacuum the confetti,” Eddie tells him. “You bought the stupid thing.”

Buck opens his mouth, probably to object, but instead he tugs Eddie in, giving Chris a quick glance. Their son is busy with the TV, queueing up one of Buck’s gifted movies. “You,” Buck says, hands on Eddie’s face, “are the most amazing man.”

“It’s all Chris,” Eddie admits. “Everything. He knew you wanted this, wanted to celebrate. I’m sorry I didn’t know it.”

“This was perfect,” Buck says. “It would have been perfect just us.”

Eddie nods. He knows. “But you have to tell me,” he continues, kissing Buck gently, “when you want something, even if you think I won’t want it. Relationships are a compromise.”

“Marriages are,” Buck agrees, awed.

“Yeah,” Eddie laughs. “So as husbands, we should be honest.”

Buck’s grinning like an idiot as he pulls Eddie in for a tight hug. Eddie feels lighter than he has in weeks, knows this is the start of something amazing.

“I’ll grab the snacks and you get settled on the couch.” Buck pats him on the ass and moves off towards the kitchen. Eddie’s halfway across the room when he remembers about the trash and winces at Buck’s yell. “Eddie Diaz, I am celebrating my birthday so why the HELL is there good food spoiled in the trash?”

“Fuck,” Eddie says.

“Curse word!” Chris adds helpfully.

Eddie sighs. “I can explain!”

He really, really can’t.

[tripleaxeldiaz]

all was golden when the day met the night

chapter 1/5

for @hearteyesforbuck (it’s for EVERYONE but definitely for eli)

read on ao3

Eddie’s bad at words. 

He can talk, of course, will happily go on for hours about how great Christopher’s latest art project is, can give a sermon about the Rangers’ chances of winning the World Series. But when it comes to discussing what’s happening in his brain, the gloomy, sticky parts that follow him around and keep him awake, he clams up. Keeps them locked in because it’s easier than exposing to anyone just how gross it all is, how dark everything is, how dark he is. He wants to talk about things, he does. Wants to make sure Chris knows that he should talk about his feelings, especially the bad ones. And he does his best to be open with him as well, but he’s the only one he seems to be able to do that with. Anyone else — his parents, Abuela, Shannon — he just...can’t. He’d rather save them the trouble.

Eddie’s bad at words, but he’s good at flowers.

He partially blames Abuela for making him spend hours with her in her garden when he was a kid. She taught him different planting methods, how to cut the flowers so they stayed alive longer, and a few basic meanings she learned from Good Housekeeping. After his first tour, they didn’t have the money for him to even try and get into med school, so he got a job at a local flower shop to help with their landscaping team. The owner, Mrs. Negrelli, saw he was better with the roses than the mulch and took him under her wing, teaching him everything she knew. When she retired shortly after Shannon left, she handed him a check with a lot of zeros and said, “It’s time to go plant your own seeds.”

So he did. The Greenhouse has been up and running for just over a year, and it may very well be the best year Eddie’s had in a long time. They’re in a small plaza just outside of LA proper, with an apartment above the shop that makes early morning deliveries much less horrible. Chris is doing great in school (“very popular and excellent in all subject areas”, according to his homeroom teacher) and he’s made some good friends with the other local business owners. It’s the peaceful, quiet life he always dreamed of having when he finally got out of the Army.

Peaceful except for—

“Morning, Diazes!”

“Dad! Buck’s here!”

Eddie pokes his head through the doorway from the back room in time to see his son crash into his friend’s legs, Buck scooping him up and throwing him over his shoulder. Chris laughs loudly, echoing through the whole shop, and starts talking animatedly about his latest drawing when Buck sets him on the counter. He listens intently, throwing a wink towards Eddie when he catches him lingering a few feet away.

As usual, Eddie has to school his face into something other than heart eyes as he watches the two chat. Buck’s in his standard uniform of ripped black jeans that hug his thighs in all the right places and a t-shirt featuring some grungy rock band he’s never heard of. He’s a stark contrast against the rows of hyacinths and magnolias currently on the wall, and Eddie feels a blush rise on his cheeks as he tries (and fails) to stop staring.

When he first met Buck, he was pretty sure he was getting robbed. When a six foot whatever stranger in all black and combat boots and covered in tattoos comes barreling into your newly opened flower shop, that’s kind of the first place your mind goes. He had 9 and 1 dialed on his phone before the stranger ran up to the counter and frantically asked, “What kind of flowers can I buy to apologize to my very intimidating adoptive mother for sideswiping her brand new car?”

Eddie figured an actual criminal would have bigger problems to worry about than his mom’s Nissan.

They formally met the next day, when Buck came to thank him for the bouquet (a small arrangement of broom for humility and common rue for regret; all the yellow tended to make people happier and more likely to forgive you for being a dumbass). He told Eddie he could come by the shop anytime for a tattoo, on the house.

He’d been in Armageddon Tattoo when he was first looking for a space, had met Maddie, the co-owner, and Chimney, their head artist. If he had known the other co-owner looked like Buck, he would have signed the lease much faster. Faster still once he saw how quickly and easily he and Chris got along.

A year on and Buck’s in the shop almost every day, either to buy a bouquet or to give Chris tips on a drawing or to complain about an annoying customer who changed their mind about a design after it was halfway done.

For all the peace that Eddie’s found, Buck is the one chaotic spot that keeps his reflexes in check. He’s a microburst, a runaway firework, an ATV rolling through a field of wildflowers. He blasts his music as he drives in in the mornings, and he opens doors so hard they almost fall off their hinges.

Eddie is painfully, unbearably in love with him.

Which is funny, really, because his whole life, Eddie has always been “the good guy” or “the good son” or “the good soldier”. He was homecoming king, set multiple records on courses in Basic, and became Staff Sergeant quicker than any of his superiors had seen in years. He was always by the book, always tried to be the best, and he usually was the best. 

Until he wasn’t. Until his brain was so full of sadness and horrors that it was a battle to get out of bed each day. Until he was missing so much of Chris’s life that he might as well not have been in his life at all.

Until he wasn’t enough.

His marriage crumbled from there. He knew any path he and Shannon tried to take to move forward would be foggy with the guilt of all he hadn’t done in the past to help their family, so when she left, he didn’t go after her. And that guilt — knowing that he could have fixed it if he tried, if he had just been better — follows him wherever he goes now. He second guesses himself with Chris all the time because he knows one wrong move will lead to whispers among the PTA moms about the single dad who isn’t doing it right. He almost withdrew his lease application for the shop four times because he was constantly worried that it wouldn’t work, that he’d invest all this money and time and effort and it wouldn’t matter. He had done things by the book for so long because that was supposed to be how he succeeded. But now the books are empty and he’s in free fall, hoping he finds a soft landing before splatting on the asphalt.

When he met Buck, the complete antithesis to doing anything “by the book”, a voice whispered in his head that’s your landing. He’s the opposite of everything Eddie knew how to be, and that was thrilling to see. Freeing. To see someone living a happy life by making their own way and not giving a shit what anyone else thought. Not to mention that he was gorgeous, a gentle soul armored in chains and ink, and so unabashedly himself that he drew everyone to him like a magnet.

So Eddie fell, hard but quietly. Because on top of all that, Buck is the best friend he’s made since moving to LA, and he’ll be damned if he screws that up for himself or for Chris.

He finally gets himself moving to the counter, pulled by that damn magnet, where Buck is now showing Chris his latest tattoo — a small skull with a string of roses weaving in and out of the eye sockets and mouth on his right bicep.

“Does it mean anything?” Chris asks, running a small finger over it, taking in the detail.

“Chim says so, went on and on about how it symbolizes life after death and blah blah blah. I just thought it looked cool.”

“Peach blossoms would have been better.” Eddie mutters absently, eyes glued to Buck’s arm and the pale skin under the ink. He blinks as his words register, meeting Buck’s eyes and internally wincing. Thankfully, Buck just looks amused, not mad. “They’re a sign of longevity and immortality in some Eastern cultures. Would’ve fit the life after death idea a little better.”

“See, this is why I need you and your flower wisdom on retainer at the shop. You’d save me a lot of time researching, and our stuff would be even cooler because it would make sense.” He leans down to stage-whisper to Chris. “Between you and me, I think roses are the only flowers Chim knows how to do anyway.” Chris giggles, and Eddie huffs out a laugh too. 

“Any real flowers today, Buck?” Eddie asks. He grabs the craft paper, already knowing the answer.

“Of course! Whatever feels right to you.”

Buck gets a bouquet for the shop about once a week, claims they’re good for inspiration and help some of the more nervous clients relax among the black leather chairs and tattoo guns. Sometimes he has very specific requests (“I just want orange. Like so much orange you could die.” or “Someone asked for tulips on their arm, can I get those in every color so I can practice?”), other times he tells Eddie to put together “whatever feels right”. At first, Eddie never put too much thought into those, just used whatever he was running low on and still looked okay together. But one day, one particularly dark day, when all Eddie was doing was feeling, he took Buck’s words to heart. It was a pretty morbid bouquet — cyprus for despair, peonies for the anger that never seemed to leave him, vervain as a plea to whoever was listening to protect him from the evils of his own mind. His internal mess must have been written all over his face too, because when he handed the flowers to Buck, he just looked at him for a while, like he could feel the sadness that Eddie had physically given him, like he knew the weight of what he was holding, even though Eddie knew he didn’t really. When he said thank you, it was more sincere than usual, laced with something like empathy that Eddie wasn’t ready to look at too closely.

Buck kept those flowers alive for three weeks, said he just couldn’t bear to let them go.

Luckily for everyone, Eddie is in a much less terrible place this week. With his son’s laughter still floating in his mind, he puts together crocuses and daisies, youthful joy and innocence, and ties them together with a dark blue ribbon, Chris’s favorite color. He wraps them in paper and hands them to Buck, who beams as he helps Chris down from the counter.

“Oh, these are beautiful. Almost as beautiful as the man who arranged them.” Eddie feels his cheeks get red and sees Buck’s smile turn smug. “How much do I owe for this masterpiece?”

“Please, you haven’t paid for anything here in months.” Eddie stopped charging while he was only using almost bad flowers, and told Buck as much. He just didn’t tell him when he started using the good stuff.

“I know, but I’m a gentleman, I always have to try. Remember that when you’re older, buddy.”

“I will.” Chris replies. “Dad, we’re gonna be late for school.”

“Okay okay, go grab your backpack.” Chris heads towards the back room as Buck heads towards the front door.

“Well, I’m off to stab people with needles for fun. See you later, boys! Bye Hen!”

Eddie whips his head around and sure enough, there’s Hen, leaning on the far side of the counter, looking far too smug for Eddie’s liking.

“When did you get here?”

“My shift started 20 minutes ago, boss. Glad I got here in time for the show.”

“The show?”

“Yeah, the show. You really should get an Oscar or something for how hard you act like you’re not head over heels for that man.”

Eddie’s jaw drops and Hen cackles. He doesn’t even have time to explain himself before Chris returns with his backpack and starts shoving Eddie towards the door.

“Don’t worry,” Hen calls as she opens the register for the day, “at least you’re cute when you blush!”

Eddie pointedly ignores Chris’s questioning look as he drives, his face and neck still blazing.

He can only hope Buck is less perceptive than Hen. If not, they’re going to have to move cities. Maybe countries. Maybe to the moon.