#I'll always try to reply without spoiling future chapters.

[onboardsorasora]

Ripe Cherries Bestie, beloved I gotchu

so! this does get explained a little more in ch5 but I don't want to leave you confused and upset, much less for a whole week. My bad for not being clearer <3 Also will try to do this without spoiling anything from ch5 lol

I guess from Daniel's pov, it would be that he left from watching Max and his knights train and met up with the knight (Scotty). Which is why he's still in his yellow dress and finery. The sword is a gift he is receiving.

As to why he was testing it out, that's because [heavily redacted] and [redacted]. I hope that makes sense!

Max went down there because he caught Daniel's scent in the hallway. He doesn't know its Daniel's scent and he's attracted to it and at least wants to know who it was that smelled so lovely to him. Remember, he's only seen Daniel fleetingly so far and always in a group of people so he doesn't know what he smells like (he'd have found that out if he went on that stroll so he has no one to blame but himself ... but I digress)

So he follows the scent but then his interest is piqued by what he knew to be the sound of a blade. That's confusing to him because the scent and that sound shouldn't be so close together. then Michelle yells and so now they're thinking someone is being attacked. because y'know, sword being drawn n all. And they rush down there.

He takes the sword cause well, Daniel told him he can fight and Max believes him. and that belief is confirmed with how he sees that Daniel is handling the sword and how he moves with it (like someone whose been trained).

And then of course we have the whole fact that Max is realizing that the scent he's so attracted to is Daniel's so like his competency kink alarm is going off.

for *waves hands* plot reasons for modesty and edging everyone involved, it is unbecoming for them to touch each other. More on that later so Max decides to scent Daniel indirectly, by having their scents enmesh on Daniel's new sword.

Once again, 1) the scent he loves and wants to fuck 2) the omega that's gonna be his wife and he wants to fuck 3) omega he wants to fuck being competent with a sword, things he also wants to-- ok he doesn't want to fuck the sword but you get the point.

Then at the end of it all.... Max just says fuck it and kisses Daniel's hand because he's a fucking prince and that his future omega so who's gonna stop him? plus theyre in a room full of people so theres witnesses if someone wanted to like call Daniel's virtue in question or whatever,

I hope this helps!!

[pizzapottah]

Hii!! Omg I have suggestions!!! I'm not very creative and I also like the drama. 1- Nādrēsy finally getting his rings for his horns!! And maybe even a new saddle - a glamorous one!! 2- Princess flying with Oscar on Nādrēsy and Cregan sees and gets pissy about it LMAO. 3- A moment between Helaena and Jacaerys and the wench Alicent being like "Oh", because Halaena is much happier without her and Otto. 4- Also, I believe a moment of the Princess with her future subjects would be nice!! We never really got to see that side of her and I think it would really add to the story!! 5- Her birthday being in the dragonpit, perhaps, it has more space than the castle. It would be more inconvenient to get to, and back to the castle again, mainly with foods, but we can ignore that LMAO. 6- Princess and Oscar gossiping A LOT!! 7- Otto Hightower being sent to the wall for treason would be the highlight of my year, but yk, no pressure LMAO 8- Sibling moment bewteen the dragon twins (Baela and Rhaena) and Princess 9- The Princess had so many sad moments during these last years, so this chapter or just during her nameday being all about joy and celebrating _her_ without much drama - or none at all - would be sooooo precious. 10- Also, the Princess' friendship with Aegon II made me really happy!! So maybe, another moment of them gossiping and being menaces together would be HILARIOUS! 11- Princess making an entrance at her nameday, OBVI!! 12- Seeing the Princess struggling with her scar, maybe as Cregan is trying to win her over and there's a moment where she gets insecure but only shows it when she's alone or just with Cregan 'cause she is struggling to hold it in - idk. 13- Vaghar dying - I'm sorry, but I CANNOT stand Aemond!! Him having the courage of finally being who he is is all because he got Vaghar in the first place. I really have no clue of what to suggest for Aemond, because us killing him would be kinda yk... 14- A nice moment between Rhaenyra and Princess 😭 15- Princess dancing with all of her brothers would be so precious 💖 16- If I don't read about Cregan holding his whimpers and tears of pure horror because of the Princess' rejection or cold shoulder I will hunt you down!!! (Just a joke LMAO, but seriously, our girl is petty and spoiled who may be an adult now, but this is to heal her inner child who got rejected by Cregan). I know these ideas are not very good, but they are of little moments that could be added throughout the story or the chapter to add something more to it!! Much love 💖💖 PS: I am very anxious for the new chapter and to see what will happen that I re-read the entire thing about 5 times in the last 2 weeks or so (no, I am not a busy person, as you can see)!!

gonna have to reply to all of those so bare with me 😔

1. I wanted to add that but wasn't sure if I had already written about him getting his jewelry 😭 after this clarification I'll surely add it tho!

2. LMAOOOO THIS WOULD BE TOO FUNNY MY MAN WOULS BE SO ANNOYING ABOUT IT

4. thought I'd add a bit about her coronation as heir in the celebration for her birthday!

6. you already know the drill... besties will do what besties do

9. I promise no angst in the chap 😔 maybe a smidge of sadness over laenor not being there, but nothing too heartbreaking I promise

10. already planned it! I'll just have to see where it ends up lmao

12. OHMYGOD I'M SO GOING TO ADD THISSSSSS

13. we'll see ehehe

14. as always, I have to heal my readers with mommy issues or either way no one is going to 🫡🫡🫡

15. YESSSSSSS

16. I love my men pathetic and sad so this is going to happen

thank you for all the suggestions!! this surely is making me write faster as we speak LMAO

[kquil]

hi pookie, I really hope you get well soon everyone seems to be getting sick lately (╥﹏╥)

despite being sick and busy you still updated a chapter of DOB within this month itself, thank you for going all that way ( ∩´͈ ᐜ `͈∩) (づ◡﹏◡)づ

take care of yourself, I know how important it must be for you to not let anyone down and I completely understand that feeling. however if you’re not in the best shape don’t overwork yourself!!!! ദ്ദി/ᐠ｡‸｡ᐟ\

I hope you and your girls have a great time planning future girlie getaways wahooo!!! (੭˃ᴗ˂)੭

take your sweet time planning the masterlists you didn’t plan on posting haha. you’re already treating us with your series’ and one-shots, we can wait for more of your work (..◜ᴗ◝..)

I’m still keeping epic on-hold oopsies but I’ll watch it…around some time this year (ᵕ—ᴗ—) ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ

andddd I’m eating my meals on time hehe~

praying for your recovery ahhhhh, we both sick buddies ( ≖‿ ≖ )

-🌸

Oh Honey! Are you sick too? How Dare This Universe Make Someone So Wonderful Sick?! ⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭*⁾⁾ 

Now that I'm finally on the road to a slow recovery, I can impart some recovery advice: remember that hydration is key and so is lots and lots of sleep, today I could finally breathe comfortably again without a humidifier so I slept for 13 hours straight (๑˃́ꇴ˂̀๑) Please make sure you eat/take your Vitamin C since it's good for boosting your immune system and I can't tell you how important it is to read fanfiction -- feel free to spoil yourself, it's such a big comfort, especially when you can't sleep because of uncomfortable breathing <3

I'll try not to overwork myself, I promise. I'll stay out of commission if need be -- I understand I don't really write my best work when I'm sick and loopy (⸝⸝๑﹏๑⸝⸝) And thank you! My girlies and I always have a great time planning getaways together hehe~ (❀´ ˘ `❀) We know that we're always in for a fun time

Those accidental masterlists have set the precedent for what I should be writing and posting this year now haha -- I'm thinking of setting up a poll as to which ones I should concentrate on writing first -- The Fairy Tale au or the Studio Ghibli au and then, from that, which marauder's story I should do first, I'm a little indecisive and don't know how to split my focus. I'm curious, which one do you think I should write first? From the Studio Ghibli or the Fairy Tale au series?

Feel free to watch and listen to EPIC whenever you're ready, no pressure, I'll still be here when you get to it and want someone to talk to about it ( ˘ ³˘(◡‿◡˶) no rush sweetie, you'll enjoy it better when you watch it in your own time (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)♡

And, thank you for your acknowledgements and reassurances (╥﹏╥) I always feel so appreciated and cared for whenever I read your messages, I honestly don't know what I'd do without you -- I sometimes wish I could message you as well, just so I can check up on you too but I respect your privacy and will do my best to show that I appreciate and care for you in every reply ( ˶˘ ³˘(⋆❛ ہ ❛⋆)!♡

As sick buddies, I'm sending you all the virtual cuddles and prayers that you recover soon, my baby doesn't deserve to be sick, you're too kind and lovely to ever be sick! Grrrrr! Me at the universe rn: (๑•̀д•́๑) 

I love you so much, my darling, thank you for taking the time to check up on me and write yet another sweet message despite also being sick, I adore you so so much! Get well soon, my love! Mwah mwah mwah! ♡(˃͈ દ ˂͈ ༶ )

[bookwyrminspiration]

i was scrolling through your blog again today and i got down to that ask i sent you about chapter 11 and....wow. i just checked and it's.......7477 words. the essays i write for school are less words than that??? thank you for getting me back into writing????

amd im still thinking about chapter 11 and what it could all mean, too! i havent the faintest clue where this is going and i am so grateful for it. a lot of the time i have the unfortunate ability to guess where things are gonna go so whenever something stumps me i am !!!!

and i realized i never replied to your reply on ao3, so i guess i'll take the opportunity and do that now? thank you a lot for replying to it with your own thoughts! im very excited to see where the connection linh and marella have to the dragons goes. dragons are great since they can really be anything, too, so i dont even know what you're gonna have them look like! and if they are part-dragon, itd be really interesting if maybe they were different kinds of dragons, since it would make sense for linh to be a rain or river dragon, but marella has her fire and all. either way, im super stoked for the future of the wings au! thank you tons for writing it :']

(i still have no idea whats going on with oralie and bronte's messages, though....maybe ill reread what you said on that and see if i can find any hints. i should probably do a reread of the chapters so far, too, to make sure i havent missed anything....)

- pyro

welcome back, pyro!! also oh damn that's a lot of words--also several of my posts on here are longer than essays I turn in. Just the other day I wrote an answer that was 1200 words...and my paper due this sunday for my contemporary social problems class is supposed to be between 600 and 900 (haven't started it yet but i'll be fine).

I think you're talking about the post that starts "So. Chapter 11. I have many thoughts." But if it's a different one that's also fine! also you're welcome, I think! Anything I've done to help you write and be creative is super cool!! i'm always a little shocked when I see people creating things based on stuff I've done--fanart and asks and things like that in general! just people thinking! I was just scrolling through my blog and saw a few art pieces from you about the wings au and I just sat there for a moment like oh fuck ve made a thing for my thing. So cool!

I am also thinking about chapter 11 tbh (I think you sent this before chapter 12 was posted so you're probably thinking more about chapter 12 now but still!!) Also I'm so glad you're confused about where this is going--I get so worried that my twists are gonna be predictable and bland so it's always nice to hear that there are some surprises along the way! But even if you do guess things that's also excellent! because it means what I wrote made sense and is believable! there can be a certain amount of satisfaction in guessing, but it's also so much fun to be surprised. Hopefully the au is full of several more surprises for you because I am not done yet! I have so many plans and ideas and I want to share them all.

oh also this reminded me I never responded to your comment on chapter 12 on ao3. oopsie. that's what I get for having such a busy schedule I guess! but!! I think things will kinda calm down in the new few days and then I can get back to writing and answering asks more. Had several things disrupt me and make life very chaotic, hence less frequent posts recently--still trying to recover from that! so I will reply to that comment soon, I promise! (and to all your asks!!)

also all your thoughts and speculations about dragons are so cool!! that's actually something that's coming up very soon in the au so I can't talk about it a lot without spoiling! but if you couldn't tell from Marella sneaking out, there's gonna be a little more focus on her for a little bit. the dragons have actually gotten more complex in my head as the au has gone on. they're were accidental, so I didn't think to much about what they'd look like or their purpose aside form the immediate shock factor, but now...I have several thoughts about them!! and Linh's connection...was also an accident but I'm so pleased with it. Do we know exactly what that connection is? nope! but it's not the same as Marella's and it's gonna be really fun to explore what is happening to the two of them!

"either way, im super stoked for the future of the wings au! thank you tons for writing it :']" thank you for reading it! your enthusiasm has really helped me through some of the tougher spots and kept me going. it wouldn't be the same without you! I wouldn't say I cater to the readers, but knowing what excites everyone and catches interest helps me make decisions on what to focus on later! and also gives me ideas for things to add in! and I'm also very excited for the future of this au--I have some ideas that are probably gonna be a pain in the ass to execute but I can't wait to get to them! they're still a ways off but ahh!

and those messages...so much meaning behind them. so cryptic! this is actually one of those bigger ideas I was just talking about! so if you do figure it out (not that I would tell you) you might have an idea of what's coming in the wings au in the future! I don't remember exactly what hints I gave, but I do think it's entirely possible to figure out at least parts of the clue! what it leads to is mostly me making up worldbuilding things and drama, but the hints are drawn from canon!

also if you do reread the chapters...good luck? there's so many words I wish you luck. according to google the average reader would take five hours to read that, but that's at 200-250 wpm, and I don't know your reading speed! honestly I should probably reread the au for inspiration for future chapters...we can reread it together!!

[ladylynse]

Hello, yay, I'm welcome XD XD (sorry, couldn't resist the terrible joke). I know I'm welcome, or you wouldn't replied, I guess... Anyway, I haven't thought about different name, Le Fantôme works well. I'm terrible at names, so that won't work ^^; ^^; (didn't know you have another anon with similar name... as similar the initials can be). Also knowing your personal signature helps for the next time, time passed and I want to reply it, without making weird... as how long had been, you know? Hopefully, searching by tag works correctly, you know how tumblr can be sometimes, right? (I think you did, tag as my writting as well last, last reply). All right, and sure thing Danny can only managed that much, poor boy. All the weird stuff that happen to him is more than enough if you ask me. And if you put him in the ML world with the akumas and all, well, really poor boy. :D :D Then, I'll keep wishing luck when that day came. And future you figurate out that. Oh, I do totally agreed, that crossover sounds so fun to do, but to much effort... so good luck whenever you do it :) :) (I'm also excited to see what you end doing, it does sound so amazing and I believe that's what started all this XD XD). Oh, yeah that's so true, everyone is different after all. And the ideas come and go all the time. Therefore, the different methods used is because of that, somethings works better for some other times, well no. (OMG, I love "The Trouble with Ghosts". I read it twice, I could read it again, if ask XD XD. And oh... no, sorry, I know DW -Newho- but have not clue about Psych. Don't think I'll get any of that ^^; ^^;). Oh and I actually love reveal fics, but that something else... (I know that seems out of nowhere, but feel like I need to point out XD XD). That HP cross sounds... interesting.... sorry way too long the post I don't think I have catch out with everything. But it's an interesting AU, that's for sure. :) :) And definitely had got the attention and that's good, right? And well, when that happens with that so little number on the notes, well... I'm with you. I'd even bother to continue that, you know. At least not public, who knows maybe do something for your own entertainment, but I don't know. Do that much for just yourself, if you ask me sounds like way to much work... but that's just me... ^^; ^^; In any way, whatever and whenever you decide to do something for either crossover or not fic; I wish you the best of the best with that, good luck. As always, have a great day :) :) -Le Fantôme anon

(re: this ask)

Excellent! (And it's been a while since the LF anon turned up in my ask box which is why I don't know if they're still around, but LF was short for Le Fantôme, so.... The potential for confusion on my end is very real.)

I figure searching the tags might still be easier than trying to search for post content on tumblr. Unless you go through a search engine. I've had to do that a couple of times to find something I know I posted but couldn't find in my tags because I couldn't remember what I might've tagged it with.

Re: Le Fantôme, though, I am so excited for bits I've only hinted at in the pieces I've got up on tumblr. I actually wound up picking one of my internet friends and going, "You're not in this fandom so you're not going to read this which means I can spoil you so HERE'S THE PLAN" and took the opportunity to gush. *grins* We do that to each other more often than not because we don't share a lot of fandoms anymore, so there's typically a lot of excitement for the other person's excitement.

Oh, The Trouble with Ghosts is something I wrote about six and a bit chapters of--just got into that bit where Lancer brings Danny breakfast the next morning and checks up on him--before getting terribly stuck. And I'd go and poke at it every year or so to see if I could shake out a solution, but by that point I'd moved onto other fics and wasn't investing the time to figure it out. And then I posted a bit of it on tumblr--throwing it out into the void, as it were--and people were excited about it and it got me thinking about it again. Which is why I appreciate asks that draw my attention back to fics I haven't worked on in a bit! It helps me! (I didn't post The Trouble with Ghosts elsewhere until I figured out a title for it, but I did eventually pick that title, commit to finishing it, and crosspost it, and, well, you've read it, so you know I kept writing. I should probably be concerned about the fact that might writing is on essentially the same level as it was when I started that fic since I don't think most people noticed that it was written so many years apart (basic edits aside) but, eh, this is fun for me.)

Yes, that second one was more of an example of some of the crossover ideas I have kicking around that I don't think a whole lot of people would know. It's admittedly one of the less weird ones because Doctor Who is relatively recognizable even for those who haven't actually seen it. I also have an idea for, say, a crossover between Being Erica and The Listener, and I don't expect you would've heard of either of those shows. (Being Erica featured time travel, one of my first loves, and The Listener is about a telepath who's pretending he's not a telepath (because that is not a normal thing) but still wants to help people and winds up getting involved in trying to stop a lot of crimes for a paramedic, to the point that the people investing the crimes are like. wait. why are you always involved in this stuff.) Sometimes, it's just weird combinations that I see when I've been exposed to something at the right time to spark an idea, even if it's not something I decide to share.

Reveals are one of my favourite things to write, I will admit, but I doubt that's a surprise. *grins*

It's always great for me when other people are excited enough about the idea so they write it and I can enjoy it. *grins*

That idea is just about where I'd take my starting point before figuring out all the crunch factors that push the plot--what Bruno knows prior to this happening being one of the chief things that work in the background without me actually spelling it out right away--but, yeah. That one will just live in my head. I don't have enough background knowledge to fake anything, so even writing it out for myself would require research to get the details right, unless I skipped over the start of the fic and started at the actual crossover, but then I'm missing context, and I'm a much better writer when I know the context.

Because that kind of context? It's the kind of thing I have for most of my fics, or at least the crossovers. Me already knowing that is one of the reasons I know exactly where I'm going with Le Fantôme. (Granted, with that one, the plan is to feed you the context through scenes that take place before the present--ie where Danny meets Ladybug and Chat Noir--so most of that context will end up in the fic as opposed to only showing up in random lines or references.) It's why I'm so hung up trying to give reasons for a crossover to happen. I like it when it doesn't feel overly forced, because if it is, then to me, it's something that exists solely because the author wanted to throw the fandoms together and not because they wanted to see how they could integrate them. If you skip over weaving a crossover together, you can miss things that should impact your plot.

I dunno. I'm a very picky crossover reader. I know some people are fine without that context (and worldbuilding if it's a crossover where worldbuilding is required), and that's great! It's just not my preference to read fics that ignore that aspect entirely.

[sylphid187]

Epilogue:Another One

Sunlight hits his face as it streams through his bedroom window. Kenma groans and tries to roll over from his current position on the bed, but finds that he has difficulty moving. He blinks his eyes open and then looks down, only to see a pair of arms draped around his waist, holding him tight. His thoughts begin to drift and he sighs fondly, remembering that he is no longer sleeping alone again, because after long weeks alone in a large house, Kuro is finally home. 

Kuro had to go on regular trips away for the JVA, that was just part of the job description. Of course, this means Kenma is usually alone at their, yes it's officially theirs now, home. Getting Apple Pie, Pie for short, has been helpful to ease the loneliness. The calico kitten has been nothing but a rumble of energy and adorable, always there to keep Kenma company. But it didn't erase the loneliness completely, and there was just no feeling that could compare to having Kuro around. 

But current events have allowed them more time together in the following months. With the V-League officially back in season, Kuro has been put in charge of attending those specific events. With most of the games being held in nearby stadiums, Kenma could actually spare some time to go watch them live with him. This was especially true when Shouyou was playing. The Jackals games were either watched live or in the comfort of their living room, at real time, while cuddled together. Kenma has never missed any of Shouyou's games. 

It's been around six months since their messy confession, give or take. Six months since they came out to the public as a couple, and the start of their rollercoaster of a relationship. They didn't have the perfect relationship, Kenma thinks. They still had misunderstandings, and sometimes they argued about the silliest things. But they never went to bed angry at one another, never slept without trying their best to settle things, in a way that won't leave either of them struggling to pick up the pieces of the fight the next day. Overall, Kenma was content and happy, and he hoped that Kuro was too. 

"Thinking about something?" Being stirred away from his thoughts, he feels Kuro mutter. The other's face buried on the top of his head, voice still groggy. 

"Hm. Nothing important." Kenma replies with another sigh. 

"Care to share then?" Kenma feels Kuro shift his position a bit, allowing the smaller male to turn around and having them face to face, before once again feeling Kuro's arms around his waist. "I'm a very good listener you know." 

"I was thinking of replacing you." Kenma states in a deadpan voice. 

Kuro gasps "Kenma! I'm offended! Only six months and you're tired of me already? Woe is me." Kuro tightens his hold and touches their noses together. "So tell me then, what do I have to do to regain your favor?" 

"You can get up and make breakfast." Kenma states. "And maybe I'll reconsider." 

Kuro immediately grins. "I knew my cooking was good for something. Here's an idea, you stay here and get some more shut eye. I'll make sure you have something to fill your empty stomach in a bit, yeah?" Kuroo starts to get up, slowly untangling himself between the mess of limbs the two of them are in. But Kenma immediately stops Kuroo and keeps him in place. "Kenma?" 

Kenma buries himself between the blanket and Kuro and snuggles closer. "Ten more minutes. Please." He just isn't ready to leave this warmth just yet. 

He feels Kuro place a kiss on the crown of his head, and hears the other give out a small chuckle of amusement. "Of course kitten, whatever you want." Kuro slowly settles back into his previous position. And it doesn't take long for sleep to overtake him again, filled with complete contentment and bliss. 

 

When Kenma wakes, it's to his stomach rumbling and the wafting smell of buttered toast and sizzling bacon. He slightly sniffs the air before opening his eyes and sighs in disappointment that he can no longer feel Kuro’s warmth beside him. Kenma allows himself to yawn and stretch before he rubs his eyes to force himself awake. He puts on slippers and pads out of the room, straight to their connected dining area and living room. 

He stops mid-step and blinks when he sees Kuro standing there, cup of coffee in one hand, and cat food on the other. 

"There you go buddy, must be tasty huh?" Kuro crouches down to place a generous amount of cat food into Pie's bowl. The kitten gives a pleased meow. "Yeah, yeah. I don't want you ever complaining to Kenma that I starve you, you hear me?" 

"Meow" Pie continues to stare at Kuro with wide eyes. 

"No! You are not getting any more this morning. We want you well fed, not extremely chunky!" 

"Meow" came with marching padding at Kuro's feet. 

"I know there's nothing wrong with being a chunky cat! But you're young and we have to make sure you eat healthy first, then maybe we can get you a nice piece of fish for dinner, how's that sound?" 

"Meow!" 

"I knew you'd see it my way. Now, go get your breakfast!" And Pie saunters off to her bowl and just about devours her meal. 

Kenma smiles at the domesticity of the entire scene. Kuro having an entire conversation with their cat, completely unaware, with all his barriers down. It reminds Kenma how easy it is to just fall into normalcy with Kuro, even with their new relationship. It's as if nothing and yet everything has changed all at once. 

"You know, I can't believe you lost an argument with a cat." 

Kuro immediately turns to face him and grins. "Excuse me, I did not lose. We just happen to reach a healthy compromise." He places his coffee mug down on the table, and starts to pour Kenma a cup of his own. He motions for Kenma to come over, and the gamer complies, ready to get his dose of morning coffee. 

"She got her way. You're giving her fish for dinner, it'll be your fault if she turns into a spoiled cat." 

"Oh come on, don't pretend that you don't sneak her pieces of your dinner from under the table." Kuro grins at him as he slides Kenma's plate of a healthy breakfast. 

He doesn't have a retort to that. because yes, he does shove Pie bits of his dinner from under the table, but Kenma would never just admit that and let Kuro win that easily. 

"I'll take your silence as an admittance of guilt." Kuro tells him. "But don't worry, at least you know she's got both of us wrapped around her finger...or is it her paw? That just doesn't sound right."  

Kenma smiles again as he shoves a piece of bacon in his mouth. He's too focused on his breakfast; that when he looks back up a while later, he sees Kuro staring from across him. The taller male's resting his chin on one hand, finished coffee mug on the other, and looking at Kenma with a look that seemed like he hung the stars. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kenma asks. 

"Like what?" 

"Like that. Like....I don't know, like I'm some kind of mythical creature. Or like I'm the best thing you've seen all day." Kenma clarifies with a raised eyebrow. 

"You are though." Kuro says with a smile so soft, Kenma kinda wants to slap that look off his face. 

"I'm what?" he asks again. 

"Best thing I've seen all day. Best thing in my life actually." Kuro says with the smile never leaving his face. 

Kenma's face burns, he looks down and aggressively stabs the next chunk on his plate and shoves it into his mouth. He hears Kuro guffaw at this, and feels his face get even hotter. "You know kitten, any more and you'd put our old Nekoma jackets to shame with that shade of red." 

"Shut up Kuro." Kenma mutters while he throws a glare at the other's direction. Kuro just continues to smile, already knowing that there isn't any animosity in that look. 

The remainder of breakfast passes in comfortable silence, moments with Pie inserted in between. Once they're done, they do their part to clean up, and then start their other routines for the day. Kenma goes back to his room and begins to focus on paperwork with Bouncing Ball and his upcoming stream, and Kuro goes to his own room to have a meeting with people from the JVA. 

It's pretty much routine at this point. Their jobs often being the reason why they can't always spend time together 24/7. But Kenma likes to think it contributes to why he loves Kuro so much, loves being with Kuro so much. His relationship with Kuro was never something that followed a certain set of standards or locked in a set of rules. They didn't have to always see each other to be happy, they didn't have to always physically be around one another all the time to be together , and they didn't require a regular update on each other's business every time. They also never deemed it necessary to be overly public about how they felt, at least not by their standards, which probably contributed to why they took so long to acknowledge their feelings in the first place. 

Theirs is more a quiet, straightforward kind of love. One filled with silent affirmation, affection, comfort and just being there when the other needs it the most. Kenma was never loud to begin with, always just observant and aware, but he never had to be for Kuro to know how he felt. Years of knowing each other has ultimately made Kenma realize that it's always, ever, been Kuro. And it always will be. 

Later that night, as the day ends and they snuggle together on Kenma’s large bed, Kenma’s thoughts drift to how lucky and content he is. Pie has chosen to sleep in between them on the bed tonight, positioning himself slightly, just on Kenma’s stomach. He thinks of his little family that they have built together and wonders about the future they have. 

"Hey." Kuro whispers, the man's hand stroking Pie's back, coaxing the kitten into a deeper sleep. 

"Hm?" Kenma tries his best not to squish their furbaby while snuggling just a little closer to Kuro. 

"We should get Pie a companion, don't you think?" Kuro asks him. 

Kenma raises an eyebrow questioningly. "You want to get us another cat? Why?" 

Kuro shrugs "I think it'd be nice to get the little guy a friend that's all. And don't you want Pie to have a friend?" 

"We aren't getting another cat." he tells the other. Kenma is trying to dispel this impulsive decision, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he would absolutely adore another cat. Kuro simply grins and their debate that night ends at that.

Three days later though, Kuro enters their home with more cat toys, another bag of cat food, and a small burmese cat following behind him. 

"Kuro. What's that?" Kenma stares, and gives the other a look . 

"... Not another cat?" The taller male says sheepishly, as he slowly sets the purchases down.  

The black burmese cat then pads over to Kenma and goes in between his legs. It's only then that Kenma notices the wet fur and shivering body. He bends down to pet the small creature and unknowingly smiles as he does. It then pads over to Pie who is observing at the corner of the room, and begins to nuze the other kitten. Kenma sighs in defeat before looking up to see a triumphant grin on Kuro's face. 

"Hey in my defense, I went to the store to get more cat food. This little guy just followed me home." He raises his hands in resignation after he puts down all his remaining purchases. "And it was raining Kenma! I couldn't just leave him there!" 

"Good on you for saving the cat. But we can't keep him Kuro. We're busy enough as it is and we already have Pie to take care of. We'll get him cleaned up and take him to the vet then find him a good home. Maybe Bokuto and Akaashi will want to take him." Kenma stands up and gives his pants a pat down. He desperately tries not to look at the new cat too long, or he's sure to cave into the request. 

When he looks up, Kuro is right in front of him. "Aww can't we keep him?" Kuro loops an arm around Kenma's waist and touches their noses together. 

Kenma glares. "I know what you're doing. And it's not gonna work Kuro." 

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Kuro says with a smirk. 

"We aren't keeping him." And again, Kenma tells himself that this isn't exactly because he doesn't want to, but that he's trying really hard not to give into temptation, and be the responsible adult in this relationship. 

"We can afford to get another cat though right?" 

"Well, yes we can." 

"And we love cats" 

"We do." He bites his lip at this. Damnnit Kuro. 

"So we should definitely keep this one." 

"No we won't" 

Kenma realizes at this moment that he's a liar. Because he never really could deny Kuro, just like Kuro couldn't very well deny him. And when it's all said and done, and they wake up the next day and watch as their cats are also cuddled together, Kenma can't really complain. 

Their newest addition to the family fits in with them perfectly. Like two pieces of a puzzle and two halves of a whole. 

Just like Kenma and Kuro.

Always together, no longer alone. 

So yes, Of course they keep the cat.

I added a second chapter to my previous KuroKen fic. This one is just pure fluff 🥰

[anoutlandishfanfic]

Part Two, Chapter Seven; In the Days Between - Part Two.

This chapter explores Julia’s life in the future. Julia (aka Faith) has been separated from Claire in their journey thru the stones and arrives in 2007. A nurse at the hospital she is rushed to quickly takes responsibility for her, accepting her as her own child. Part Two finds us about two and a half years after Julia arrives in the future.

You can find previous chapters here.

New Years Eve, 2010; Boston, Massachusetts. Nurse Katie Campbell

I hated parties like this. The only people I knew were the host and hostess, my cousin Michael and his wife Tiffany, and their immediate family. They were all occupied with their hosting roles, leaving me to float aimlessly from room to room in search of meaningful conversation.

Sitting in the corner of a plush sofa in the family room, I absently listened to the coverage of the ball drop events in New York City. All of the children had congregated here too, leaving me in ample company, albeit noisy. Julia adored her older cousins and had no interest in me. I could have left the state all together and I don't think she would have cared, as long as I was back by bedtime.

The countdown clock read two hours to midnight. If I just stayed here and hid among the children, would anyone notice? A tall, dark haired man sat down on the other end of the couch and I mentally sighed. I'd have to find a new spot soon.

“You look like you're having about as much fun as I am.” He commented. I turned and found him looking extraordinarily bored.

I cocked an eyebrow and raised my glass of wine, “I don't know what you mean, I'm having the time of my life.”

A huge grin spread across his face, making me realize with a start just how handsome he was. There were worse people to crash my hideout.

“So, how do you know Michael and Tiffany?” Came the standard, safe question.

“He’s my cousin,” I answered for the fiftieth time tonight, “his father is my uncle.”

Recognition lit his face, “Ah, so you're Katie.”

“And you would be?” I asked pointedly over the rim of my wine glass.

“Luke Murray, sorry.” He had the good grace to look a little embarrassed. “My son Max and I live across the street. Michael’s talked quite a bit about you.”

Ah, yes. The neighbor Tiffany tries to hook me up with every time we visit. According to her, we were perfect for each other.

I responded dryly, “And Tiffany about you.”

He laughed, a deep, resonant sound that sent an electrical current up my spine.

So what if he's attractive, Catherine Anne. He also has a kid and lives on a completely different continent. Ignore it.

“It seems they've been conspiring against us.” He commented.

“I would have used the word matchmaking, but conspiring works too.”

He grinned unabashedly, “You're not quite what I imagined you'd be.”

I snorted, “Neither are you.”

Somehow I had always imagined an overweight, balding man in his forties, despite Tif’s gushing descriptions. Luke Murray was about as far from out of shape as a person could be. He wore a loose fitting shirt, but I could tell he hid abs of steel beneath. The jeans he wore could hide many a fault, but I would bet my life his calves would rival Hercules himself.

No chance, no way. Get a grip.

Julia ran past me squealing with glee as Jake, Michael’s middle child, chased her around the couch. She launched herself into Luke's lap shouting, “Save me from the dragon, Prince Charming!”

Luke didn't even flinch, but hoisted her over his shoulder as he stood and charged after the fire breathing beast. He skillfully set Julia down and tacked Jake in one fell swoop. The eight year old boy erupted into a fit of giggles as Luke tickled him.

“Let the princess go or I'll… I’ll…” he punted. Then, seized with an idea, held the squirming child upside down and shook him gently, looking very much like someone trying to empty a piggy bank of its coins. “Or I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll tickle you until you cry for mercy!”

Jake quickly surrendered, and he and Julia scurried off to join whatever game the other children were playing.

“Mike said you had a daughter, right?” Luke asked with a huge grin, and I found myself grinning right back as I nodded.

“She would be the fair maiden you just rescued,” I laughed.

His eyes grew wide with astonishment, “That adorable sweetheart is yours? She told me earlier that I was her Prince Charming because my shirt matched her eyes. Oh, and that she had extra shoes packed in case she loses one at the party tonight.”

“You should be flattered, she doesn’t pass that title out to just anybody,” I felt my cheeks grow warm. Prince Charming, indeed.

“I’m deeply flattered,” he assured me, placing a hand over his heart in over dramatic sincerity. “I’m just glad I’m not the one who has to tell her she can’t have a pony for Christmas.”

I laughed, thinking of the spoiled creature who lived at my brother’s house. “She already has one.”

…

“Hello again,” Luke said as he stepped into the doorway beside me.

I smiled in greeting. We had gone our separate ways to attend to our respective children in the last hour, but somehow both wound up back in the media room. “Still here?” I asked.

He groaned, rolling his eyes. “Max is a night owl and having the time of his life. Me, on the other hand…”

“I found Julia sound asleep in the corner of the laundry room with the dog.” I commented, shaking my head at the memory.

“Smart girl,” he chuckled.

She certainly had the right idea in disappearing. If our bed hadn’t been used as the coat depository, I would have vanished with her in tow long ago, claiming it was her bedtime. She may have protested, but, as she was the youngest child still in attendance, I didn’t think anyone would have thought much of it.

“Five minutes!” someone shouted drunkenly.

I sighed, “At least it's almost midnight.”

The crowd in the media room was thick and Luke moved to let someone exit the room, looking after them in envy of their departure. “Can I get you a refill?”

“Yes, please,” I answered, all but shoving my glass into his hand.

…

Maybe it was the wine or maybe it was the festive, holiday spirit, but the close proximity of a certain Luke Murray was doing strange things to my adrenaline levels. He stood beside me, leaning against the back wall of the room as we watched the final minutes of 2010 tick by. I was hypersensitive to the brush of his sleeve against my arm, the smell of his cologne, his nonverbal reactions to the people around us.

He tipped his head in my direction, commenting, “You know, it’s good luck to kiss a redhead on the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve.”

“You’re making that up,” I replied as my heart thundered violently in my chest.

He chuckled, “Maybe the redheaded part, but not the rest.”

I frantically tried to think of something witty to say, but before I could, the tv announced that it was ten seconds until midnight and the room around us got considerably louder.

Luke leaned closer and his breath tickled my ear as he asked, “May I?”

Nine, eight, seven…

I looked at him, breath catching in my throat. His face was wonderfully near mine, his eyes asking in such a way that I nodded without really realizing I had until his face drew closer still.

Six, five, four…

Slipping my arm between him and the wall, my hand rested in the curve of his lower back. Luke responded in kind and drew my body to his. He was wonderfully solid, his unwavering strength and concentration supported me in a way I’d never felt before.

Three…

Two…

…

Christmas Morning, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts

“Mooooooom, Max won’t share his candy!” Julia’s voice floated up the stairs.

“It’s not my fault you ate all of yours already!” The teenager responded, followed by loud footfalls in the living room below as Max presumably evaded his stepsister’s reach.

Luke groaned, pulling me closer. His words were jumbled and run together with sleep. “‘Mnotreadyforthis.”

Another volley sounded between the siblings and I grinned when Julia switched to Gaelic. I could hear them clatter up the stairs and braced myself for impact.

“Yeah, well, same to you!” Max shouted as the door to our bedroom flew open and Julia launched herself onto the bed. She scrambled over Luke to my side, scurrying under the blankets.

“Your hands are freezing!” I protested as she latched herself onto me.

The bed shifted again, less violently this time, as Max climbed aboard and began to poke her from the relative safety of the other side of the bed. Julia reared up, flinging the blankets off and sending an even colder blast of air into my warm cocoon. She lunged towards him and put just enough pressure on my abdomen to make the babe within me turn somersaults in complaint.

“Oof,” I groaned.

Julia froze, looking down at me in concern. “Did I hurt the baby?”

“No,” I answered, “but he isn’t overly pleased with being tackled this early in the morning.”

“Neither am I,” Luke said gruffly, peeking out of one eye.

“She!” Julia insisted, then patted my growing bump. “Sorry.”

Max grinned sheepishly but made no move to leave, echoing, “Sorry.”

“Go back down stairs and we’ll be there in a minute,” I pushed the eight and a half year old bulk off of me. They did so without complaint, leaving us alone once again.

I rolled onto my side and pressed myself against my husband, melting into him as he curved himself around me. His hands instinctively gravitated towards his child, whispering “Merry Christmas” to the both of us.

[hinge]

Hinge presents an anthology of love stories almost never told. Read more on https://no-ordinary-love.co