#Little animation I had in my head for a while

[rorimoon9597]

If I like a headcaonnon enough, then I'll adopt it as my own. One of these headcannons is that the Bats act less human than they really are.

They are human! It's just that adopting mannerisms of the actual animals helps them keep their civilian identities away from their vigilante ones. And it's not much, not really.

It started with Dick. Kids have a tendency to stare at things the younger they are. Eight year old Dick Grayson thought that staring at the crooks and tilting his head was perfect for catching people off-guard. He found that cackling added to the effect, and he really did find it funny how these adults with scars and tattoos and such would scream like little girls and stumble right to Bruce. Dick managed to perfect this so that he acts like a real bird while in his suit, flying through the sky and being a blur of color that cackled at thugs pain.

Head tilts just a little too bird-like. Whistles and chirps to call out to Bruce without anyone knowing what was being said. A call sign for checking in as Dick got older and started to patrol areas on his own.

Bruce saw the usefulness in Dick chirping like a bird. He worked with Dick to create a language based on bat and bird sounds, and it's a small portion of why they work so well together.

Jason picked up on it. The head tilts, the chirps and whistles that Bruce made sure were distinctly different from Dick's calls. A way to tell which of his chaotic little shits he was calling out to.

Babs also picked up on it. She wasn't one of Bruce's kids, but she learned to be more bat-like and how to call out to the others, just in case.

Each bat kid has their own call, their own bird. Cass chose to use the sounds of a young bat calling to it's parent or others around it. Most of the Robin's have sounds that are similar yet different.

There's one thing that's true through Gotham. The sound of Batman's kids laughing echoing through the streets like some disembodied voice from a horror movie isn't something to be scared of. Their laughter said that they were in good moods.

It was the chirps, the narrow eyed, birdish head tilts, the sound of birds in the dark of night, that you had to look out for.

[mullermilkshake]

Fear

Part 28 <- Part 29 -> Part 30

Jinwoo's memories returned just in time to welcome two special people into the world.

Yandere!Jinwoo Sung x Pregnant!reader Tags - Depictions of Childbirth and labour, Depictions of blood, cutting, Delivering premature babies

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I have only watched the anime and haven't gotten round to reading the manhwa yet. Please refrain from spoilers.

TAG LIST RE-OPEN (The tag list is back up and open for a little while, if you'd like to be tagged, please let me know! 🤗)

TW - This will contain some very graphic details of childbirth which may be triggering for some, if you do not wish to read it, I will leave a short summary of this chapter at the bottom of this post, thank you all for reading this far and enjoy!!

Fear. It was fear in the end that put things back as they should be.

Seeing you in agony and standing helplessly on the side triggered something on a chemical level in Jinwoo’s brain that essentially turned the light back on in his head. It may have had help from the doctor man’s abilities, but Jinwoo didn’t accept that theory.

It was viciously sudden, like taking a sharp breath of fresh air for the first time after being confined to a stuffy room all day, then coughing up his lungs due to the icy cold. Or, the sensation was similar to jolting against the seatbelt when executing an emergency brake during a drivers exam. Heart racing to an unknown beat, chest pounding yet knowing that safety sat right on the road behind the wheel.

Like standing in a room and forgetting why he was in there until it suddenly came back to him.

Watching you in pain set a defibrillator to his heart and ignored the warning signs before yelling ‘clear’.

Hearing you shout at the woman not only opened the door once the window had closed on Jinwoo, it put everything into perspective. He almost lost the moments that meant everything to him, right down the gutter, washed away with a horrid storm and the front door to the apartment remained sealed shut despite how hard he banged on it.

Jinwoo realised how attached Beru had gotten and understood now why he was hovering around outside, Igris kept watch on the perimeter. They were both your protectors and now it all made sense.

The twins aura had vanished.

He had no time to investigate or tell you that he regained his memories when his eye twitching like that, how the doctor was still standing in the room being utterly useless. Jinwoo wouldn’t just let you lie in pain when this woman could stop it.

Jinwoo never experienced fear anymore until now, but he recognised it as muscle memory. A jittery feeling standing there helpless and hopeless, taking up oxygen instead of breathing evenly and waiting to see how things planned out.

Events couldn’t play out as normal if he hyperventilated.

“Doctor.” He approached her already, taking her arm discreetly and forcing her into the corner where you couldn’t see her or hear him.

He had enough of her bullshit. Jinwoo recognised that she was paramount in a safe delivery should things change or go wrong, but as far as her usefulness in this room, she had outlived it.

Jinwoo had to whisper in order to control himself. “If you don’t give her what she’s asking for and something goes wrong… I’ll murder you in your sleep, and you’ll never know when I might come. But I guarantee that I will… Do you want the fact you’re willingly causing her pain on your conscience, knowing you could have stopped it? You’ll be looking over your shoulder for a lifetime.” 

She whispered too out of natural mirroring. “You- you- I know that look… You got your memories back- when did you… That’s great- but you’re hurting me.” 

Jinwoo gave no fucks when it came to you, he’d break her arm if he wanted to just to prove a point. “Answer my question.” 

“N-No, I don’t want that. I’ll give her the medication- anything she wants.” 

He let her go, but kept his closeness. “Good. Off you go, and stay out of this room until you’re actually needed. Understand?” 

“Yes, Mr. Sung.” She retreated with her tail between her legs, had Jinwoo not been staying strong for you, he would have laughed.

“I’ll go get your pain meds, then just call if you need me- I’ll be with hunter Cha.”

Jinwoo waited for the sound of the doctor's footsteps to disappear before speaking to you. “She’s getting you anything you need, don’t leave anything out, alright?” He watched you with an eagerness that resembled what it might have been like if he’d been kept from you for days. “Hi, Baby.”

Your pet name. Your expression fell, like the pain melted away for just a moment. “Jinwoo- wait- do you-”

He wanted to run to you, to embrace you and praise you in front of everyone for being the strong person he knew you were. For the longest time, he wanted to have a form of control over you where you became entirely reliant on him, but seeing you like this, still going strong in the pain you were in, he knew he’d never have that.

And now, it didn't seem so important.

Jinwoo had changed drastically and his time away from you laid it all out in plain sight. He kissed your forehead, pressing his lips to your skin like you’d vanish in thin air if he didn’t, a physical mantra he repeated out of necessity. “I’m sorry I went away, I won’t ever leave again, I promise.”

“Wait- wait.” You almost gave him whiplash. “You took your time!”

So, you were back to your old self. That’s good. 

Jinwoo was overwhelmed with that same sense of familiarity he’d been ruminating on since he left that dungeon.

That fucking dungeon.

“Thanks for waiting for me, I missed you too.”

“I did miss you.”

Jinwoo held back any and all excitement he had to contain over hearing your confession of love. It filled him with warmth and bitterness simultaneously. 

He missed it- well, he didn’t miss it- but he did. The first time and Jinwoo missed it. It tore his heart apart and taped it back together continuously.

“And you love me too, huh?”

He played it cool, though it made his heart thump. Your wide eyes, deep breaths on the hospital bed, he’d missed it. You needing him. Him needing you.

Before you could speak, Jinwoo’s phone went off, an unknown number. He pocketed it, held your hands and made you comfortable.

“I’m here. Let’s welcome our babies together, yeah?”

You nodded enthusiastically, hissing and squeezing his hands as soon as a huge contraction came on. 

“Fuck-fuck-fuck!”  

Jinwoo wanted to take the pain away, absorb it all and take it for you- no, put it all on her instead.

The doctor came in with a tray, and a gas canister. “You can have an epidural, but I'd suggest gas and air first, see how you go. It should take the edge off. Breathe it in every contraction and it’ll help.”

She didn’t dignify Jinwoo with a look his way. Good. 

The nurse called your name sweetly. “I’m going to check how dilated you are now, okay? Can you put your legs- yep, like that… and I’ll just check…”

She moved her arm under the draped cloth, a similar scene when you and Jinwoo found that you were carrying twins. Made from the same material, the same dull and depressing shade of blue with weird little circles evenly spaced out. You sat in the same position in the stirrups. 

It was only like yesterday that it happened. Now within a few hours, the babies would be in your arms, you and Jinwoo would become a proper family.

“Okay, you’re almost eight centimetres dilated, things are going to get intense soon, maybe stick to the gas and air.” She waved over Jinwoo who hadn’t let go of your hand. “Dad, your job is coming up now, keep her calm and relaxed as much as possible.”

“Of course.” He said, stepping back to your side and stroking your hair in the process. 

At first, whispered sweet praises worked a treat. 

“I’m so proud of you.” 

“You’re doing so well, baby.” 

“You’ve got this, I know you can do it.” 

“That’s my girl.” 

Then, praise started to piss you off. You became nasty, erratic and emotional.

“I can’t believe you did this to me, you utter dickhead!” 

“You’re never touching me again, I swear to god I’ll bite your fucking hand off!” 

“The twins are punishing me- I just know it- it’s all your fault, Jinwoo!” 

“I don’t like you very much right now- stop touching me!” 

Jinwoo took nothing to heart, absolutely nothing and in time, you and he would be laughing it off and cuddling your little bundles of joy in no time. But it was starting to get a little hurtful. Especially when you let slip that you hated him after hearing Hae-in absolutely belt it from across the hall just before the news came that she’d given birth to a little boy.

The screeches and screams terrified you, Jinwoo understood that, yet when you yanked his shirt down to your level and growled something demonic between pulls on the canister, Jinwoo wasn’t exactly sure how to take you.

When you were ten centimetres dilated, things amped up, they sky rocketed. Jinwoo didn’t realise that until now you weren’t using your full strength to squeeze his hand. It wasn’t that it hurt, but each time you clenched his hand in such a way, it rolled his knuckles, and cringed his body like you were punishing him personally.

“You did this, you did this you fucking- ouch!” 

The midwife had taken her place by your feet, rolled the sheet up over your knees and looked ready to catch one of the twins with a net.

What if she’s right? What if the twins fall out? 

At least he was here to catch them, fully present and correct.

“Do you feel the need to push-“

“Yes, yes! I need to push, I really need to push!”

“Then push, love.” She said, voice soothing and calm. “Every time you get a contraction, you push with everything you have and stop when I tell you, alright?”

You didn’t respond, almost silent with each push, hand visibly shaking. Jinwoo stood helpless, the same flutter of fear being utterly powerless on something you had to ride out on your own.

It shone a light on you that Jinwoo never thought would turn on by yourself, not a flicker but a full beam full of warm UV rays and sunshine. In the beginning, Jinwoo really wanted to keep you, use your abilities for things he still hadn’t fully figured out yet, he wanted to have you all to himself and tuck you away forever.

Being the mother of his children, you were so strong and resilient through everything, Jinwoo only wanted you. 

He’d give up everything for you.

Kill for you, again.

Take the world for you.

Burn it down for you.

Reduce everything to dust just to see you smile. Because you loved him back. You wanted him too.

Jinwoo patted your forehead with a damp cloth, soothing you with soft delicate words whenever you wanted to give up, he would have let you breake both his hands if it took an ounce of pain away.

Each push, each stifled grunt and growl through the pain brought you closer to delivery. Jinwoo was anxious to move anywhere away from your head, he knew eventually he’d be cutting the cords of his children, but getting close between your legs during active labour just felt like something only a professional should do.

That, and he was sure you’d hit him if he moved an inch away as he learned earlier when he wanted to go to the bathroom after you told him to fuck off. You threw something at him and begged him to come back in tears and hold your hand.

“Baby’s head is out… One big push- that’s it. Push-push-push, one last push.”

A deep breath and mountainous determination, you pushed again, far quieter than Hae-in ever was.

Jinwoo’s moment he’d hold forever in his head and heart, was the proudest sensation filling up his chest with your sigh of relief and the sound of his baby crying for the first time.

He’d never get it out of his head and he never wanted to. So beautiful, so overwhelming, so perfect.

“Okay, we have a boy!” The midwife smiled briefly, holding him in her arms so Jinwoo could see.

He was beautiful.

“Baby, he’s perfect.” He peppered kisses on your forehead, squeezing your hand tight with encouragement.

“Is he- is he okay?" 

Jinwoo grinned from ear to ear. "He's great, he's so tiny. But he's so perfect."

"Come and cut the cord dad." The specialist gave him sterile gloves to wear, and threw on a quick hospital gown.

Holy shit, holy fucking shit. Don't mess this up, man. 

Even if his hands trembled, Jinwoo cut his sons cord like he imagined his dad did for him.

The midwife and passed the Jinwoo’s son over to the specialist. “She’ll clean him up, and let’s get his sibling ready to follow.” 

Jinwoo wiped the wet away from his eyes. A son, a baby boy that you made all by yourself, wrapped up in his own aura. An aura almost identical to Jinwoo’s as soon as the cord was cut.

A little baby he only saw for a second, but knew he was the sweetest and most adorable baby in the world. Someone who was destined to do great things.

"Ouch, ouch ouch!” You hissed, waving your hand around until you connected with Jinwoo and crushed his hand in the process.

“Do you need to push again?” The midwife fiddled around under the cloth and looked back at you with a raised brow.

“Yep! I need to- I have to push again!”

Jinwoo sniffled and doubled down, resting his forehead on your hair for a moment. “Come on baby, you’re almost there. You’re doing so well, you can do this. I love you so much.” 

You went into silence again, focusing and drenched in your own sweat, gasping on air between pushes. Only praise kept you going now, or you just ignored Jinwoo, either way, you were too distracted to shout at him and pull him closer than he already was.

But wow, if Jinwoo wasn’t emotional at everything unfolding in front of him by now, he certainly was when he heard the first cry of his second child.

Far too much. How the fuck were you keeping it all together like you were?

“And… we have a girl!”

A son. A daughter. A woman who Jinwoo would call his wife soon.

So much to live for.

So much to lose.

It was then you finally relaxed, after Jinwoo cut his daughter's cord, after the twins were wrapped up in their corresponding swaddles and straight into their incubators. The after birth left your body like you were allergic to it. 

You laid there still enough, your breathing beginning to even out. Jinwoo kissed you and never let you go, he whispered how proud he was, how much love he had developed for you and the twins. He never left your side, holding on to use the bathroom for the last hour because he didn’t want to stop looking at those precious little babies.

He couldn't hold them either, being a week early, the specialist stated that a week in their incubators should be enough. Then you and Jinwoo could take the twins home and start a life together. His heart overflowed with love, calculating and making plans to relocate out of the city, take small time raids to stay close to his family and prevent the risk of an altercation with something similar to that spider ever again.

He couldn’t afford to ever lose his memories again, not with the new, irreplaceable ones he made today.

Levelling up came second for the time being, and looking at the system screen, his quest had officially been completed. He received a significant boost in stats and hie was that much closer to levelling up. Still, it could wait.

“You did so well, baby. I couldn’t be prouder.”

For the first time being in the hospital, you smiled. “I’m proud too. Y’know, at first I wasn’t sure if I could do it, to look after them and be there. But after doing that… I think we can do anything.”

“We can, baby.” Jinwoo grinned, his heart overbrimming with joy. “We have one more hard task to overcome now, though.”

“What is it?”

“What are we calling our babies?”

Two of the most beautiful babies in the world, and they were yours and his only.

Part 28 <- Part 29 -> Part 30

SUMMARY - Jinwoo threatens the doctor that he'll kill her if she keeps acting up. Reader gives birth to a little boy and girl 🤗

Okay, okay! So this will be the last chapter now before I go away, see ya! 🤗🤗🤗

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Thank you for reading and all of the support on this fic! ❤️ Likes, reblogs and comments are appreciated and I appreciate you all! See you next time 🤗

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DISCLAIMER - Crossposted from my AO3 - I do not own any of the characters or anything from the anime or manhwa. This is a work of fan fiction and is absolutely not representative of the views or intentions of the original creator(s).

Also please don’t post any of my work, thank you!

[ovaryacted]

I love the concept of Girl Dad!Pope. I feel like he would take play time really seriously. Fully invested in the tea party, or bringing stuffed animals to his daughter’s “vet clinic.” He buys her so many toys, books, etc. and probably stays up late after she’s gone to bed to organize them 😂

─ Girl Dad! Pope Cody x fem! reader || WC: 1.4k

CW: FLUFF. Pope is a good dad! Daughter at different ages (months old to 4 years old). Daughter is unnamed. Daughter has Pope's hair, freckles, & eyes (carbon copy). Reader & Pope are in an established relationship.

Thank you for sending this in for a blurb idea, anon! This initially started as something silly and playful and it got real emotional towards the end, my eyes got watery reading it through lol. I hope you all like this little piece on Girl Dad! Pope cause talking about him means a lot to me. <3

It started with the whale plushie he got his daughter when she was just a couple of months old, spotting it in the toy section on a shopping trip, grabbing it along the way. As she got older over her first year of life, Pope carefully watches over her for things she might be interested in, to try to figure out what are the things that bring her joy, not including her own parents.

She was fond of sea animals, he soon figures out, and whether intentionally or unintentionally, Pope ransacks an entire toy store with all of the sea creature toys he could find. He doesn't overdo it of course, he leaves some things behind for customers for the next day, that's as considerate as he was going to get anyway. But when you walk into your daughter's bedroom and spot the wide selection of sharks, turtles, and jellyfish laying around the floor, you only squint at Pope.

"Andrew...where on Earth did these come from?"

"That toy store along the strip." He says it so calmly with a shrug, currently categorizing the plushies in order of importance based on how much his daughter smiled after he showed them to her one by one.

"Andy, she's not even a year old yet, you know?"

As if she knew she was the topic of conversation, your daughter's head pops up from her crib, her hands keeping her steady on the railing, staring between the two of you in curiosity.

"At least now we're prepared. Nothing wrong with that." He hides his smile, not an ounce of remorse or guilt on his face, not that he had anything to feel guilty about.

You don't argue with him, there's nothing to argue about. You simply plant a kiss on his cheek and reach to hold your baby girl for a little while, who was more than excited about all of the new joyful faces in her bedroom.

As she gets older, Pope's spending habits don't really stop. Well, he doesn't really "spend" money necessarily, you just end up finding new things around the house that you knew are because of him.

A new doll house. A kitchen playset. A mini doctor's set. A mini pink electric lamborghini.

You never got angry about him doing this, about spoiling your little girl because you know it's more than him just getting her things. Whatever she wants, it's a yes from him, when most of his life he was so used to being told no. No, you're not enough. No, you're not wanted. He's remedying his troubled past through his daughter, so you let him fill your house with toys that your child is more than happy to use on a daily basis.

Andrew becomes even more dedicated to his daughter's playtime once she knights him as an active participant.

You've caught him a handful of times sitting at her too-small tea table, thick fingers holding a plastic cup as delicately as he could. His broad figure looked utterly squished in the small chair he managed to fit the rest of his body into, and you'd laugh if you didn't know how much this meant to him. He wasn't the only one sitting at the table, several of your daughter's plushies that she's collected over the years make up her party of elite guests. Leaning against the doorway, you simply watch the two of them interact, how your daughter refills all of her patron's cups, and hands her father a plastic muffin for him to munch on.

"Having fun without me?" You question out loud, mirroring your daughter's smile when she stands up to run towards you.

"Mommy! Me and daddy are playing!" She says to the best of her ability, her fourth birthday just creeping around the corner. You run a hand through her auburn curls, straightening the tiara on her head and the superhero cape trailing behind her.

"I can see that, baby. Is daddy being a nice guest?"

"Yes. He's eating the muffin. Look!" She turns her head to point at Andrew, and you bite your inner cheek to suppress your chuckle.

He pays you no mind, fake-munching his muffin and humming in satisfaction at the taste. His face was as serious as ever, wearing the same signature scowl he fell in love with, but you could tell from the way his shoulders slouched he was calm, relaxed, safe.

"Do you want tea too, Mommy?" You hear your daughter ask, holding one of your hands and pulling you further into her mess of a room. You knew Andrew will have a fun time cleaning all of this up.

"The tea's good." Pope says in the light monotone voice you were familiar with, drinking in his hazel eyes as he fondly stares at you. "You should join us for the party." He holds out his big hand for you to take, and you gladly did, giving him an upwards quirk of your lips.

"Alright, alright. I'll stay for some tea. Where do I sit?"

Your favorite things to witness must be Pope being so devoted to your baby girl’s bedtime routine. It always started with a bath, one he was a part of since his daughter was young enough to be near running water. He made sure to use the bubble bath mixture that instantly calmed his daughter down, a mix of lavender and oatmeal filling the tiled room. He ignores the ache in his knees digging into the tile below him as he splashes water over his daughter’s head, wiping the water away from her hazel eyes, dryly chuckling when she dunks her rubber duck under the bubbles that surround her.

Drying her down, moisturizing her skin, and dressing her in some light green pajamas, he brings her to her toddler bed, setting her down and drawing back the sheets to let her get comfortable before tucking her in. Pope grabs one of the books in her expansive bookshelf, picking up Goodnight Moon, her personal favorite, and he sits on the opposite end of her small bed, mindful of the weight he puts against the frame.

His daughter stares at him as he repeats the words on the page, one open palm holding the book open while the other rubs her feet, squeezing here and there so she feels his presence. Pope’s calm words swirl in the four walls of her bedroom, keeping an even cadence after every passage.

Goodnight stars. Goodnight air. Goodnight noises everywhere.

It doesn’t take long for his daughter to fall fast asleep, her breaths slow as she falls deep into slumber. Pope takes a second longer to just look at her, to take in the way freckles were already appearing over her round cheeks and the bridge of her nose, the dark red curls he had as a child now coiling over her head in wild patterns.

She was so much like him, and yet different in every sense of the word. A part of him, a part of you; all of the intricacies that made you as humans mixed together in one final act of love to breathe new life to the world, birthing a new reality he never thought he could have.

Andrew stands up with a shaky breath, bending down to quickly plant a kiss on his daughter’s forehead, turning off the lights after double checking the baby monitor and nightlight were still on. He closes the door to her bedroom with a soft click, striding into your bedroom where you were waiting for him dressed in one of his baggy t-shirts and sleep shorts.

“She’s asleep?” You ask him, to which he nods. You don’t jerk away when he comes towards you, wrapping his strong arms around your waist, resting his head along the side of your neck and simply breathing you in.

Your hands rub over his shoulders, kissing his temple and breathing with him, whispering those three words over and over again for as long as he needed to hear them. He’ll never fully declare the amount of gratitude he has towards you for loving him this way, for giving him a family that wants him, for saving him.

But you knew Andrew, as much as you knew Pope; you knew him. He didn’t need to tell you how much he loved you, you see it every day with how he worships you, and how he pours so much of himself in the child you created like that was all he knew, what he was born to do. You wouldn’t trade him or this life for anything, and holding him like this as he listens to your pulse flutter underneath him is all the declaration of love you needed.

©️ ovaryacted 2025. Please don’t repost, copy, translate, or feed into any AI. Support your fellow creators by reblogging, commenting, and liking!

Dividers by @/saradika-graphics

[truerhearts]

astarion is sprawled elegantly across his blanket, somehow managing to look effortlessly put-together even in his simple camp clothes. one hand is draped dramatically over his forehead, the other gesturing wildly in the air as he regales her with some ridiculous tale about pickpocketing a drunk noble's prized ring off their finger during a dinner party.

the fire had settled into a steady burn, orange light dancing across the quiet camp while the other's slept. and she's watching him again.

not in a creepy way… well, maybe a little creepy, but she prefers to call it 'observational fascination'.

there is something she noticed a while ago that's been bothering her for weeks: his chest. it rises and falls with perfect rhythmic precision. in and out, in and out, like clockwork. like… breathing. which is weird because he's dead. very dead.

"-and the fool had the audacity to accuse me of being a lowly waiter. can you imagine? meanwhile, i'm standing there, looking innocent as a lamb, but little does he know i'm twirling his precious ruby ring between my fingers in my coat pocket. this very one right here-" he points to the jeweled ring on his pinky finger. "see, this is the ring - darling, (y/n), are you even listening?"

she blinks, snapping back to attenion. "sorry, yes. nobles, rings, you really fooled him."

he sits up and presses his back against the log they were using as a makeshift bench. he narrows his crimson eyes at her, suspicious. "you're staring."

"no i'm not,"

"yes you are."

"i was merely… observing."

"ah, yes, merely observing." he sighs, then tilts his head like a curious cat. "if i didn't know you better, i'd have taken that response and left it at that. but i know that look, this is your 'i'm about to ask something weird stare'. i've learned to recognize it."

she grins, caught. "okay, fine. i have a question…"

"shocking."

"do you fake breathe?"

he pauses, mid-gesture, blinking slowly. "i'm sorry… what?"

"breathing," she says, sitting up straighter, suddenly animated. "you do it constantly. right now, even. but you're… you know." she gestures vaguely to all of him.

"i'm… what?"

"dead." she says flatly. "vampires don't need air, they don't need to breathe. so do you do it on purpose? like is it a performance thing? to make sure people don't suspect you're a vampire?"

astarion stares at her for a long moment, his expression cycling through confusion, realization, and then something that might be embarrassment if he were capable of blushing.

"you've been watching me… breathe?"

"it's been very distracting since i've noticed," she defends. "because… you're dead."

"i am not dead," he huffs, though there is no real offense in it. "i'm undead. there's a difference. namely that i'm still able to be this unbearably attractive while putting up with your questions."

"astarion."

"fine, fine." he shifts, looking oddly caught out. "it's… camouflage, obviously. breathing makes people comfortable. no one questions a man who breathes."

"so it is fake!" she exclaims. "you fake-breathe!"

"well, yes," he says, and suddenly he’s sitting up straighter, looking rather pleased with himself. "but I’ve refined it, obviously. had to relearn the whole thing after I was turned.

he gestures loosely, like it's obvious. "there was a time, early on, i was seducing some poor soul and they stopped mid-kiss to ask why i wasn’t breathing." he grimaces, teeth flashing. "awkward, to say the least. so i’ve been doing it ever since. without pause."

she stares at him, a slow grin spreading across her face.

"what" he asks, still looking proud.

"you relearned how to breathe on purpose." she says, clearly delighted. "that's… that's actually really sweet..." she pauses for a moment, picturing astarion practicing his breathing on his own, it was an endearing thought. "kinda... cute."

he freezes, like the word has physically stunned him. "cute?" he repeats, voice climbing. "cute? i am not… that is not—" he sputters, looking genuinely bewildered. but he quickly tries to compose himself, eyes lowering, and smirking, but he doesn't entirely mask his flustered tone. "darling, i am many things. dangerous, alluring, devastatingly handsome, but cute is not—"

"you tried so hard at something most people never think about once in their entire lives. you had to practice it, and you did!" she points out, grinning at his obvious panic. "that's adorable."

"it's professional!" he protests. "it's survival! it's—"

he stops mid-sentence, noticing the way she's still grinning at him, clearly delighted by his flustered state.

he makes a strangled sound of protest. "most people don't have to think about it because they're not vampires trying to blend in with the living!"

she's still staring, and his usual wit is abandoning him.

"what?" he asks defensively.

"you haven't stopped fake breathing this entire time," she says, eyes sparkling. "even while panicking about being called cute. it's automatic now, isn't it?"

he makes another strangled sound of protest, but there's fondness hidden not very well beneath it now. "you're going to be the death of me."

"you're already dead."

"undead," he corrects automatically, then gives one of those perfectly calibrated sighs - too smooth to be real. he pauses for a moment. then, almost like the thought escapes him before he can swallow it: "gods, how do you even notice things like that?"

she smiles, settling back but still close enough to watch the gentle, purposeful rise and fall of his chest. "you're more careful than you need to be. there's no one here that you need to convince."

their eyes meet and he pauses, his expression shifting slightly. for a split second, a forbidden thought enters his mind...

he makes a soft, noncommittal noise — not quite a sigh, not quite a laugh. his fingers curl slightly against the edge of the blanket.

"i'm not used to that," he says at last, quieter now. there's no performance in his voice. just honesty, small and startling.

she doesn't press. she just watches him a moment longer, then lets herself relax into the quiet.

after a while, he speaks again, softer than before — like the words aren't entirely for her: "for the record… i still don't like being called cute."

"sure you don't," she murmurs, smiling. she then pushed herself to her feet with a stretch. "well, that's enough vampire lore for one night. we got another horrible day ahead of us tomorrow. i'll see you in the morning." she began walking to her tent. "goodnight, astarion,"

"goodnight," he replies, his voice softer.

he watches as she retreats into her tent, leaving him alone with the fire that's now been reduced to embers. his chest rises and falls in that pointless rhythm again, and this time he catches himself.

he stops… but it feels weird.

so he continues, in and out, in and out, the cool evening air and the scent of the smouldering coals filling his lungs.

for once, he doesn't mind being seen.

and maybe… he liked being called cute.

a/n: vampires and breathing

[azzifudd10]

Somewhere To Land

Chapter 21: Us

7:48 a.m. — Paige’s Apartment

The morning was lazy in the best way. Eli had taken his bottle like a champ and was now sitting in Paige’s lap, squishing the buttons on the TV remote and laughing every time the volume bar moved.

Paige, hoodie-clad and one-hand functional, just grinned and let him live his best life.

“You’re too powerful,” she said seriously. “They should make baby-sized remotes.”

From the kitchen, Azzi snorted. “You just want control back.”

“No,” Paige said, “I just want to change it off ‘Cocomelon’ before I lose my mind.”

“Don’t slander classics,” Azzi called, pouring coffee.

Paige tilted her head back to smile at her. “You’re beautiful when you’re caffeinated.”

“You’re just saying that ‘cause I made you muffins.”

Paige smirked. “And because I’m in love with you.”

Azzi went still for a half-second — that familiar softness blooming in her chest again — then crossed the living room and kissed the top of Paige’s head. “I love you, too. You big baby.”

“Hey, that’s his title.” Paige pointed at Eli.

Eli blew a raspberry.

8:10 a.m. — Hallway Outside Azzi’s Apartment

Katie and Tim stood in front of the door, holding coffees and a small stuffed animal for Eli.

“She said she was off today, right?” Tim asked.

Katie nodded. “Yup. And she told me if I ever don’t call ahead, I’m ‘insane’.”

“So this is insane?”

Katie grinned. “Absolutely.”

She knocked.

Nothing.

Then knocked again.

Still nothing.

Tim glanced down the hallway. “Maybe she’s out with the baby?”

Katie looked at the doormat. No packages. No shoes. No stroller.

Then she noticed the slightly cracked door across the hall. The one with a hoodie hanging on the knob.

“She mentioned a neighbor. A ‘friend,’” Katie said with a knowing smile. “Maybe she’s there.”

And with zero hesitation, she walked over and knocked.

8:13 a.m. — Paige’s Apartment

Paige rocked gently on the couch with Eli in her lap and was about to steal a bite of muffin when someone knocked.

Azzi frowned from the kitchen. “You expecting someone?”

Paige shrugged. “Nai maybe?”

She got up — slowly — and cracked the door.

Two strangers stood there. Middle-aged. Warm eyes. Familiar cheekbones.

“Hi?” Paige blinked.

Katie tilted her head. “Sorry to bother you — we were looking for Azzi?”

Paige hesitated. “She’s—uh—she’s right here. Come in.”

Katie and Tim stepped inside, immediately clocking Paige’s bandaged hand, the baby in her arm, and Azzi poking her head around the kitchen wall looking confused as hell.

“Mom?” Azzi said, eyes wide. “What are you—?”

“I told you we’d visit!” Katie said, walking over to hug her. “Just… didn’t say when.”

Azzi hugged her back, stunned. “I thought you meant, like… next week.”

“I like surprises.”

Tim came over and pulled Azzi in next. “Hi, sweetheart.”

Azzi laughed in disbelief. “Y’all are insane.”

“And yet,” Katie said, turning to Paige, “this must be Paige.”

Paige stood awkwardly, shifting Eli in her arms. “Hi. Sorry I look like a mess.”

Katie stepped forward, ignoring the awkwardness entirely, and gave Paige a soft hug around the shoulders. “You’ve been taking care of my girl. Thank you.”

Paige blinked. “I think it’s the other way around.”

Tim chuckled. “Nice to finally meet you. We’ve heard good things. And bad ones. But mostly good.”

Azzi groaned, face in her hands.

8:35 a.m. — Living Room

Eli now sat in Tim’s lap, chewing on the ear of a stuffed bunny while Paige and Katie shared the couch, a little more relaxed now.

Azzi, next to Paige, kept stealing glances between them like she couldn’t believe this was real.

“You really didn’t know she lived across from you?” Katie asked.

Azzi shook her head. “Not until I told her I was moving and she was like, ‘That’s literally across the hall.’”

Tim laughed. “Fate’s funny that way.”

Katie looked at Paige. “And you’re recovering alright?”

Paige nodded. “Azzi’s been taking care of me. I’m… not good at asking for help. But she doesn’t really give me the option.”

“Sounds like someone I raised,” Katie said with a smirk.

Azzi nudged her mom. “Hey now.”

“No complaints,” Paige said softly. “It’s been… really nice. Being with both of them.”

10:20 a.m. — Quiet Moment on the Balcony

Katie stood beside Azzi, both of them holding mugs as they looked out over the street below.

“She’s lovely,” Katie said. “And clearly loves you.”

Azzi nodded slowly. “I’ve never had something feel like this before.”

Katie leaned into her shoulder. “You deserve it. After everything… I’m glad you’ve got this. That little boy, too.”

Azzi looked back through the glass door at the couch — at Paige laughing as Eli grabbed her cheeks and babbled at her.

“I think he loves her.”

Katie smiled. “Then I’m not surprised you do, too.”

11:47 a.m. — Back Inside

As they packed up to leave, Katie turned back to Paige. “We’re in town for a few more days. If you ever want a break, or just someone to hang with while she’s at work, we’re around.”

Paige smiled. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

Tim shook her hand carefully. “Take it easy on that finger. But I hope we see you on the court again soon.”

Azzi followed her parents out into the hall, giving them each another hug. “You’re crazy for just showing up.”

Katie winked. “Yeah, but it worked.”

Later That Night — Paige’s Apartment

Azzi lay with her head on Paige’s shoulder, Eli curled between them. The soft hum of a lullaby app played on her phone.

“I think they liked you,” Azzi whispered.

“I was terrified.”

“You didn’t seem it.”

“I had your mac and cheese in my system. It gave me power.”

Azzi laughed. “So you’re saying I should keep cooking for you?”

“I’m saying,” Paige said, kissing the side of her head, “don’t stop doing anything you’re doing. Because this… us... it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”Azzi turned her face toward her. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

[shdrum]

UNSPOKEN

choi beomgyu x male reader

summary: where you express your feelings for him through small gifts.

it started with a keychain.

a soft, cute plush bear.

now hanging from his bag, serving as a reminder. that voice still rang in his head.

'it reminded me of you.'

you and beomgyu had been sitting side by side on a lone brick wall near the college building, sipping cheap vending machine drinks and store-bought snacks.

you jolted up right— suddenly remembering something— dug into your bag, and held out the little bear.

beomgyu looked at it. then at you. then back at the keychain.

"... that for me?"

you nodded. shoving the gift into his hands.

"thought you'd like it. reminded me of you"

he tried to suppress a smile, but the small twitch of his lips betrayed him. "you think i look like one?"

"yeah. soft. kinda dumb," a teasing glint in your eyes.

"hey!" he said, giving you a playful shove.

"you do know you can just compliment me, right? no need to insult me."

"dunno. have to balance it out, i have a nonchalant persona to maintain." you replied with a smirk.

that set him off giggling, "you're so stupid."

he clipped it to the zipper of his backpack, deciding not to think too hard about it, but his chest felt a little too warm for a late fall morning.

it became a habit.

a small box containing a silver bracelet inside with a little guitar charm.

a leather-bound notebook for him write lyrics in— once you noticed it was a hobby of his.

a pack of cookies left on his desk when you realized he often forgot to bring lunch.

each time, you said the same thing.

he never made a big fuss, playing it off with playful jokes and teasing smiles.

but he kept everything. you noticed.

—

"you know," beomgyu said one day, while he laid under a tree, finding shapes in the clouds drifting past. "most people flirt with compliments."

the boy beside him stretched, arms crossed behind his head. "you think my method’s inferior?"

"i think you're oddly consistent," he replied, still gazing at the sky.

you turned to look at him. "consistency is romantic."

"...and kinda annoying." he retorted back, teasing.

you smirked. "still carrying the keychain?"

beomgyu said nothing.

he didn’t need to.

the cd came next.

it was a quiet friday night when you knocked on his dorm door, holding a plastic case with a cracked corner and messy handwriting on the front.

'soft hours. play me when...'

"you made me a mixtape?" beomgyu asked, genuinely surprised.

"don't make it weird," you mumbled. "they're just... songs for different occasions or ones i listen to when i think about you. it's whatever, really."

beomgyu's heart was doing flips. he turned over the cd, reading the tracklist, smiling to himself. "this is... really sweet."

"shut up. just play it already."

both of you sat cross-legged on the dorm floor, leaning against the edge of the bed. listening to the soft hum of acoustics and the occasional pop beats— just enjoying each other's presence.

beomgyu started returning the favor.

little things.

a tea bag labeled 'for your stress.'

a note on your desk: 'don't stress yourself out. drink water and take a nap.'

phone stickers of silly little animals.

then came winter.

snow dusted the courtyard. every student bundled in scarves and mittens, hands buried in jacket pockets.

your nose turned red. beomgyu's hands were always cold.

you didn't talk about what you were, didn't put a label to it. not yet.

but you shared more time, more space.

so when you handed him a box one late december evening—grey paper, black ribbon— beomgyu didn’t even question it.

the same gentle routine, the same phrase.

inside the box there was a small handmade ceramic parrot, imperfect. a crack in the glaze, lopsided head.

beomgyu stared at it for a long time. holding it like it was fragile, sacred; something to be preserved.

"...did you make this?"

you nodded. "took a pottery class. you said i needed a hobby,"

"why do you keep giving me things?" his voice was softer than usual, eyes searching your face for something real.

"because i don’t always know how to say things." you looked down, shrugging like it was nothing.

beomgyu took a breath. then—

"say it now."

you looked up, wide eyed. a flicker of vulnerability crossing your features.

finally you gained up the courage.

"you remind me of warm things. the kind of things that make you feel less alone, secure. i like myself when i'm with you. i don't know when i started thinking about you this way, but i did. now i can't stop."

he took a step closer. "you forgot to say something."

you blinked. "what you mean?"

"say you want to kiss me."

you stared at him. then laughed—breathless, nervous.

"i want to kiss you."

so you did.

that was the final gift.

not a mixtape. not a bracelet. not a plushy bear.

just the quiet, slow burn of feelings that had been building over time.

this moment— right here, just the two of you, felt like the most important thing you’d ever hold onto.

notes: thank you for reading! english is not my first language and feedback is very much appreciated.

[cherryfcola]

Operation: Baby Shadow

I saw a video of baby shadow on tiktok and I thought I might write a little something.

Baby!Shadow x reader (not in a weird way shoo shoo)

Pure fluff!

The day started normally enough—if “normal” meant Rouge dragging you out of bed with zero warning and a pair of sunglasses that screamed I’m here to cause problems on purpose.

“You’re coming with me,” she said, heels clicking against your hardwood floor like it was a runway. “Emergency.”

You groaned, shoving your face into the pillow. “What kind of emergency?”

“The kind where Shadow got hit by a Chaos artifact and now he’s…a baby.”

You sat up.

“What.”

Rouge smirked. “Glad I have your attention.”

⸻

You expected a chibi version of Shadow brooding in the corner, arms crossed like a pouty anime character. What you did not expect was a literal toddler-sized Shadow the Hedgehog sitting in the middle of Rouge’s living room, glaring at a juice box like it had offended his entire bloodline.

“Is that…him?” you asked, stepping cautiously into the room.

“Yep.” Rouge popped a bubble of gum, hands on her hips. “Found him in some ancient ruins. He touched a glowing orb—big mistake. Now we’re here.”

Little Shadow glanced up at you. Same red eyes. Same emo scowl. Except…his proportions were tiny. His gloves barely fit, his chest fur was fluffier, and his little feet kicked at the carpet in a way that was almost—dare you say it—adorable.

“He looks like a Build-A-Bear with trauma,” you whispered.

Shadow narrowed his eyes. “I heard that.”

Rouge’s laughter was immediate. “His attitude is still full-sized, thank Chaos.”

You knelt beside him, lips twitching into a smile. “Hey, Shads. You okay in there?”

He looked at you, and for a second, something softened in his gaze. “You smell like home.”

Your heart did a triple backflip into a pile of warm laundry. “Oh my god.”

⸻

Rouge was having way too much fun with the situation. “Alright, baby bat. Let’s try some talking. Say Rouge.”

Shadow blinked up at her. “…Roosh.”

Rouge clutched her heart dramatically. “That’s close enough! He loves me.”

Then she turned to you. “Your turn. Bet he calls you Y/N like a champ.”

You knelt down again, putting on your most encouraging smile. “Okay, Shadow. Can you say Y/N?”

He tilted his head. Thought about it.

“…Babe.”

Rouge dropped her gum.

You blinked. “I—what?”

“Babe,” Shadow repeated, like it was the most obvious word in the world. “Mine.”

Rouge was wheezing. “Oh my god, he’s still simping for you! In toddler form!”

“I do not simp,” Shadow growled.

You were blushing so hard you were about to become a fire hazard.

⸻

The next few days were wild.

Shadow, now stuck in his chibi form, refused to wear anything other than his own gear, which Rouge had to custom-tailor smaller. (There was a tiny leather jacket involved. It was glorious.) He also insisted on sitting in your lap anytime you were within five feet of him.

“Shadow, I need to make dinner.”

“I assist.”

“You can’t reach the stove.”

“I supervise.”

Mostly, he just clung to your shirt and pointed at things like a princely cat demanding tribute. When you handed him a carrot to gnaw on while you cooked, he called it “primitive” and asked for chili dogs.

“Who even taught you that word?”

“Knuckles.”

“Of course.”

⸻

One afternoon, Rouge left you alone with him while she tried to find a Chaos-reversal expert.

“Don’t break him,” she warned, sliding on her shades. “He’s already emotionally unstable.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

After she left, you looked at Shadow curled up on your couch, swaddled in a blanket and watching Looney Tunes like he was studying enemy tactics.

“You doing okay, baby hedgehog?”

He nodded solemnly. “You are warm.”

You chuckled. “You’re clingier like this, you know.”

“Still me,” he said, staring at you with deadly sincerity. “Just smaller. Still want you.”

That sentence would’ve knocked you flat if he hadn’t followed it up with: “Also, I request spaghetti.”

⸻

There were definitely highlights to babysitting Baby Shadow.

• When he tried to fight a Roomba.

• When he climbed into your laundry basket and called it “a tactical pod.”

• When he threw a tantrum because his juice box was “too weak.”

And then, the moment that took the cake:

You were trying to brush his head quills—because he refused to let Rouge do it—and you gently told him to “sit still, babe.”

He turned around and said: “You called me babe. I win.”

Your soul left your body.

⸻

By the fourth day, Rouge returned with a glowing crystal and a look of triumph.

“Alright, hedgie,” she said. “Time to undo the baby curse.”

Shadow crossed his tiny arms. “I like being small.”

Rouge arched a brow. “You like not being able to reach the bathroom sink?”

“…Less so.”

He looked at you, eyes softening. “Will I still be yours when I’m big again?”

You knelt in front of him, brushing a hand through his ridiculous quills. “You were always mine, Shadow.”

With a glow and a whirl of Chaos energy, he transformed back—taller, sleeker, the same broody edge, but now with slightly rumpled quills and a faint blush on his cheeks.

You blinked.

He blinked.

You both said, “Hey.”

Rouge rolled her eyes so hard you could hear it.

⸻

Later that night, the three of you sat on the couch—Rouge sipping wine, you nursing hot chocolate, Shadow leaning with his arm draped behind you like a middle-schooler on a date.

“I remember everything,” he said suddenly.

You glanced at him. “From when you were tiny?”

He nodded. “Every word. Every cuddle. Every time you kissed my forehead.”

You blushed. “Well, you were adorable. I had to.”

“You still do.”

Rouge groaned. “Get a room.”

“You’re the one in my apartment,” you shot back.

Shadow smirked, smug and a little dangerous. “She’s just mad she didn’t get more cuddles.”

Rouge nearly choked on her wine. “Excuse me! I coddled you!”

“You tucked me in once,” he said, raising an eyebrow. “And called me a gremlin.”

“That’s called affection!”

You laughed so hard you nearly dropped your mug.

⸻

That night, curled in bed with the fully-grown Shadow pressed against your back, he murmured something into your shoulder.

“What was that?” you asked sleepily.

“…Still think you smell like home.”

You smiled.

“You too, babe.”

He groaned, but didn’t correct you.

[hinge]

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

[sos-gone-deeper]

I Could Be A Good Mother (Travis Martinez x Reader) (Part 4 - Final Part)

Part 3

Winter is gone, and spring brings new beginnings, new people, and new memories in the wilderness. Post rescue, you and Travis adapt to your new life together.

Notes:

- More talk of childbirth in this chapter

- Takes place during season 3? or maybe a little bit before it, and also a larger time jump towards the end.

- I've said it once but this isn't accurate to the plot at all lol

- I didn't name the baby because I literally did not know what to choose lmao

-------------------------------------

Winter was harsh. There was no denying it. After what had become of Jackie, everyone worried for the day that the cold got to them. Especially when the cabin burned down.

But winter finally left, and when it did it left you with a new purpose. A new purpose that only came after tireless pushing, angrily yelling at Mari who was joking too much for your liking, and squeezing Travis' hand until you were sure you'd broken it. You'd nearly done the same as Shauna did and passed out. You didn't let yourself slip away until you heard the baby cry, and even then you were afraid that in this scenario, passing out could lead to you dying.

So there you laid on the floor of yours and Travis' makeshift hut, feeling the worst you ever had but also somehow the best. Javi was waiting outside somewhere, and you'd only let a few of the girls come in. While Misty tended to you, you tried to stay awake by listening to the girls talk to your baby in an effort to soothe it. Travis was holding the baby, but his eyes weren't leaving you.

"It's a girl." Misty said. "She looks like you."

She was beautiful. You remember that being your first thought when Travis put the baby in your arms. And she really did look like you, just so much more tiny. You were so in love.

And so was Travis. All the restless nights and blood that had been shed melted away, and for a moment it was just him, you, and the baby, not a care in the world.

Everyone loved her, especially Javi. He got over his whole 'I wish it was a boy' mindset the second he held her. He carried her all over, showing her the people, the surroundings. Van and Tai would help by taking turns holding her on the nights where it felt impossible to calm her down. Akilah would hold her bunnies up to the baby, smiling at the giggles that escaped as her tiny hands grabbed at the bunny's ears.

Travis was obviously the most in love, other than you. It was hard for you to connect this Travis back to the grumpy Travis that was always sitting in the bleachers, either watching with a grimace or studying the ground, the Travis that claimed to hate the Yellowjackets. He was constantly asking if you were okay, if you needed him to take her. He carried her everywhere in the sling he had made from some old clothes, patting the top of her head every now and then. He'd splash with her in the lake as you washed clothes nearby, watching and laughing. And on the off chance that he wasn't completely engulfed by her, he would be clinging to you, kissing all over your face, following you as you did chores, practically stuck to you.

You were really starting to enjoy yourself out there. Sure, it was dirty still, and you were still hungry and desperately waiting for rescue, but you were starting to enjoy life again. Being postpartum meant you couldn't do much heavy lifting, and you couldn't stray far from your baby, so you helped Akliah with the animals. It felt nice to have something to keep you busy. You really started to appreciate the little moments of the life you were starting to build: midday naps in the hammock where all 3 of you managed to sleep at once (a rare occurrence), Javi playing with her the best he could while you and Travis tried to get stuff done around camp, watching her laugh as Lottie gently baptized her. Lottie insisted, much to your dismay. "I don't want the wilderness freak dipping my baby in the lake." You'd said to Natalie at dinner after Lottie brought the idea up.

One night, after a particularly good day, Travis was holding the baby while you worked on stitching a hole in a blanket. The sun was starting to set, and you two were the only ones currently around the campfire.

"I want to get away from this." Travis said out of nowhere.

"Me too." You said, still working at the blanket.

"She deserves a real home in the real world. You deserve that."

"Well so do you." You were quick to say. You turned to face him, and tried not to melt over the way his big arms were so gently holding your tiny daughter.

"Well, when we get rescued, what do you want? I mean, where do you want to live? What kind of house?" Travis asked.

"I don't care how big it is, just enough room for the three of us. I want a dog- no, two dogs. And a farm with lots of animals. And I want to be close to home." You knew these things were probably unrealistic to want. Neither of you had finished high school, and your return to the real world was surely gonna be a lot harder than anticipated. But in the moment, you just let yourself think about what you really wanted.

Travis decided that night that he would make it happen. And he did.

The following years were strange, to say the least. Cameras following you everywhere you went. Trying to relearn how to fit in with society while also learning how to be parents. A lot of the Yellowjackets lost touch. Lottie was in the hospital, Nat was in rehab, Shauna got married (You and Travis attending, of course), and the rest of the girls were out there, somewhere, struggling. But you never forgot them, never forgot the pain you all went through together.

The stormy weather was done and over with, and you realized that sitting on the porch one night. The sunset was painting the sky purple and pink, and Travis was in the chicken coop, pulling a baby chick up into the pocket of his overalls. Your daughter was waiting patiently next to you on the porch swing, her legs kicking back and forth. Javi and Travis' mom had left at the same time your parents did, thanking you for the Friday night dinners at your house that they hold so dear.

"Hold your hands out." Travis said, sitting on the other side of her. The chick spilled out of his pocket and into his hands, helping your gentle toddler hold it.

You spent a lot of time admiring your family, especially in moments like this. Travis was glowing, strong from finally having a balanced diet again, and you could see his personality being lit up again the longer you were away from the wilderness. And your daughter, who was growing up faster than you had anticipated, was the light of everyone's life, always reminding you that there was good in the bad.

You were so used to being just content that you often were worried this wasn't real, and you'd wake up in that cabin, afraid and sullen.

But this was real. And both you and Travis were perfectly okay with this. Just the three of you, in this big house with a farm, filled with constant laughter and love.

That night, after the whole farm was asleep in their pens and barns, Travis came inside to find the downstairs empty, but the nursery lit up with the dim nightlight. You were pacing back and forth in your daughter's room, patting her back and singing Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. The song brought Travis back to that fall night, watching you sing to Javi. He stood in the doorway, smiling gently, watching as you gently laid the girl in her crib.

Travis often found himself thinking that his first dream about you was some sort of prophecy, and in a way, maybe it was. The house. The baby girl. Everything had come true, in some way.

You nudged him out of the doorframe, quietly shutting the door behind you.

"I always liked hearing you sing that song." Travis said, taking your hand in his. He ran his thumb over your knuckles, catching on the wedding band you wore. It wasn't the biggest diamond, Jeff had pointed out at his and Shauna's wedding, but Travis knew you never cared about those material things.

"Oh, believe me, I know." You said, kissing him.

--------------------------------------------------------

Yay final part! So sorry for how long it took me to write this my life got super hectic and I also hit writers block lol. I also don't rlly know how I feel about this chapter, but I hope you guys enjoy!!

[silkieluv]

Found my old notebook from seventh grade and it has a full page dedicated to headcanons I had/have for Jay……. You know what that means!!

*First I’ll state all the headcanons, then I’ll comment about them

Deliberately did a poor job whenever it was his turn to clean to manipulate Zane into doing it instead

Isn’t the biggest fan of sea food, yet frequently pretends to like it (specifically in front of Nya)

Frequently oversleeps

Terribly afraid of spiders and giant animals

As a child was incredibly energetic and restless, often exhausting Ed and Edna

Still, nobody is aware of his adoption for the sole reason that he’s scared of having a meltdown if anyone asks ‘how do you know?’

Picked up driving faster than the others

Feels the need to make any serious situation/predicament into a joke, otherwise getting severe panic attacks

Bought a silly pajamas for 3999.99$ (aka got scammed), and isn’t allowed to shop at all (offline/online)

Has a collection of shiny stuff that Maya threw out, mistaking it for trash

Mild anger issues

Used to brush his teeth 5 times a day or -9 times

Bawled when watching Lion King. *After finishing the movie, Kai compared Jay to that crazy monkey

Star is his favorite shape

Shiny colors? Shiny colors!

Keeps handmade gifts

And now for my opinion….. if you have a different opinion of mine (like something I don’t/vise versa) and want to comment, but feel like you shouldn’t, you’re totally welcomed! Don’t listen to me, speak your mind!

Stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. He doesn’t need to ‘manipulate’ Zane, and Zane is smart enough to pick up on it. And if not, Cole and Kai will pick up after maximum two days (if you have siblings you know that you always search where your sibling is, to see if they’re also doing a chore to make sure they’re (God forbid) resting while you’re working) and tell Zane and get revenge on Jay. That scheme will not last for more than three days. Bonus: Jay confesses he just doesn’t know how to do it and Zane warmly offers to teach him

Somehow even more stupid? What led me to think about this? I would’ve agreed if only we would’ve known Nya was the water ninja before Possession. I can totally see Rise of the Snakes through Legacy of the Green Ninja Jay doing this, but it makes no sense if nobody knows about Nya’s powers. So, just no. (*because it’s out of character for Possession Jay to pretend, and I really want to believe Skybound Jay isn’t this pathetic)

Gyatt dammit. Funny how I wrote that then yet today I headcanon that he ‘never fully sleeps’ and even if he does hit the deep state, it’s never for long (I won’t elaborate about why, I think I reblogged some smart post talking about this and have been obsessed since)

Love the reminder I’ve always been a Skybound fan. You know what, Sure. I’ll humor you, younger, silly me. Sons of Garmadon with that crab? Yeah. Jay had a panic attack behind a giant rock. Adam from Master of the Mountain? Jay couldn’t sleep for two days.

Totally. Great headcanon! Lightning never sleeps. Enough said, your honor!

I wouldn’t say ‘nobody’s aware’… I’d like to think Nya has a vague memory of him screaming about his adoption back at the island (I headcanon that post-turning back from losing herself and her memories, she forgot most of Skybound thanks to my wonderful moot). I’d like to think he told the team, but keeping it a secret seems cute. Surely, Ed and Edna knows, as well as Wu

Sure. Why not, honestly. He had knowledge from video games, most likely travelled using a bicycle/motorcycle he built as a kid/teen, and is a fast learner. Seriously, cool

Way to state the obvious. Are we Joppy from seventh grade or Nadakhan from that one scene, am I right you guys? Plus I think a ‘panic attack’ is a little of an exaggeration of his situation. I would like to say that in stressful situations he often has the need to crack a joke. In case the situation isn’t fit for a joke, he plays in his head self-degrading jokes

NO. JUST NO. SHUT UP. He’s a very intelligent, smart, and most importantly, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED man. He would NEVER IN A BAJILLION YEARS fall for a scam. He probably programmed that scam if anything!

Uh…. Sure? I’d like to think of Jay as a hoarder (he literally grew up in a junkyard), and one day he was like “So pretty…” and started collecting. Probably stuff from their adventures! (Like stolen a little something in Legacy of the Green ninja, the last episode (I think) WHATEVER THE BEQUEATH EPISODE, got himself a golden tooth from Misfortune’s Keep, stole Morro’s remains— there’s a lot of possibilities!)

Again. Canon. Get original dammit.

Makes no sense, not sure what I meant by that. I probably meant that he either brushes his teeth 48 times a week (double than the required/normal/advised amount), or he brushes his teeth nine times a whole month. Uh…. No….? The ninja probably have a routine of doing things like that together (probably as a competition to start the day with a punch), and as a kid I believe his ma always reminded him of self-care (based on her screaming for water in Hands of Time)

I never watched the Lion King. Idk why I felt the need to headcanon this, but now I headcanon the whole team secretly hate that movie and agreed to never see it. something about it being ‘overrated’ (Kai secretly watched it) (he was ignored for a day) (Zane and Pixal secretly watched it together) (their crime is still unfound)

Superstar Rocking Jay based. Love.

Okay that I have no idea. I think I meant neon colors or something, but I think I was referring to something about Superstar Rocking Jay?? I don’t know what to say since I have no idea wtf does it mean

Cute. I’d like to think he has a special drawer/place to put everything he got as a gift that was handmade (it’s mostly full with things from his ma)

[sadboyeddie]

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐞

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨: 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤-𝐈𝐧

Summary: Introducing: You!

A/N: I took dialogue straight from the movie so kudos to the writers, thanks for the help. I haven't taken my meds in a few days and I'm feeling pretty dizzy so hopefully this makes sense. Enjoy!

WC: 1.2k

You let out a soft sigh as you place your duffel bag on the bench by the entrance, slowly rolling your shoulders once, twice, three times to get the tension out from driving for so long.

As you stretch your legs a bit you take note of the familiar tune coming from the jukebox and the faint smell of something baking which causes your stomach to let out a soft grumble, you haven't eaten since the last truck stop and that was miles ago.

You take an inquisitive look around the room taking in all the details, large and small; the large line down the middle signifying the two States, the large fire pits dangling from the ceiling and the stone work on the floors and walls.

Even though the El Royale was way beyond its prime, no longer having the casino and half the lodges being closed down, this was still the fanciest place you allowed yourself to stay. 

You had made the decision to leave your home town and take a trip to Reno, to get away from the hum drum monotony of daily life. You've sadly never really been the type to make impulsive decisions, always having to overthink and make plans about plans about plans. 

You brush aside how eerie you feel, despite the music playing in the background and the warm lights the empty lobby is making you momentarily second guess your decision to stay.

There were no cars in the parking lot but that doesn't necessarily mean there's not guests. You make your way towards the check-in counter, taking note of the stuffed animals in the display case behind the desk. That bear seems far too small.  

You ring the small metal bell in rapid succession, the shrill sound slightly echoing around the room, and wait for any sign of movement - you assume whoever is manning the front desk is probably behind the large, blue, wooden "Employees Only" door. 

After waiting a generous amount of time you ring the bell again, this time tapping a little louder and a little longer but still you're waiting alone. 

You let out an irritated sigh, the exhaustion from driving for far too long finally taking a bit of a toll on you, before calling out to the empty lobby, "hello?" 

You look around and contemplate banging on the door but the manners drilled into your head as child seem to hold you back. 

"Is any body there!" Your voice gets slightly louder and that's when you hear a faint crashing sound coming from a room behind you, followed by soft cursing and rushing footsteps. 

"I-I'm so sorry!" The sight of the awkwardly disheveled man makes you briefly forget your irritation as he makes his way to the counter, continuing with his rushed out apologies, "I couldn't hear you." His little grimace brings a soft smile to your face, your sour mood vanishing at the sight of the handsome concierge. 

You take in his appearance as he makes his way around the desk to put on his maroon coat, taking note of the white powder on his cheek and shirt, if you had to guess you'd say it was flour but you are in Nevada after all so who knows. 

He tries his best to straighten his slightly crumbled jacket whilst quickly brushing of the mysterious powder, all the while still mumbling apologies, you quietly wait for him to gather his composer before stepping closer to the counter and making a note of his name tag, Miles. 

Now that he's deemed himself acceptable he looks at you for the first time since he came into the lobby, you try to ignore the way his eyes go slightly wide and a warm crimson colours his cheeks, clearly he must be feeling embarrassment. 

He opens his mouth a few times trying to formulate a greeting, you've obviously caught the poor guy by surprise. Biting back a small laugh you decide to help him out a little.

"Do I get the tour?" You ask, rocking slightly on your heels, your eyes slightly looking around the room. 

"Oh! Uh, yeah! Of course," He can't seem to keep eye contact with you as he nervously lifts up the desk and makes his way to the front of the room.

Straightening up slightly and letting a small confident smile grace his features he begins the well rehearsed speech.

"The El Royale is a bi-state establishment, you have the option to stay in either the great state of California," he makes a gesture to his right as he slowly moves across the floor, "or the great state of Nevada," he smiles proudly as he gestures behind him. 

He watches you brightly as you hang on to his every word, slightly surprised with how genuine your expression seems to be. 

"Warmth and sunshine to the West," he nods to his right as he continues, "or hope and opportunity to the East," he takes a small breath before asking, "which would you prefer?"

You tip your head to the side and think a second before asking, "whats the difference?"

His faux confidences drops a little as he nervously replies, "between California and Nevada?" 

"Between the rooms," you let slip a small laugh as you watch him fidget with his hands.

"Oh, uh for starters the rooms in California cost a dollar more," he steps forward a bit, his nerves seeming to calm a bit. 

"What makes them a dollar extra?" you ask, genuinely curious.

"They're, uh, in California," he shakes his head slightly, not really understanding the price difference himself. 

"Hm," you hum, nodding your head a bit, watching as Miles clenches his jaw still avoiding looking directly at you, "fair enough," you shrug.

He lets out a breath and the tension that was building up in his shoulders releases, although his hands are still twitching; a nervous tick perhaps?

He makes his way back behind the counter, tearing a paper map from a pad and placing it in front of you, "only the main lodge is available in the off season." 

You take a quick glance at the map, not really caring what room you have. As long as it has fresh sheets and warm water you couldn't care less. 

"Room three in Nevada will do, Thank you Miles," you say softly as your eyes flicker up to his face.

You bite back another smile at the the brief shock that crosses his face. You've worked in hospitality so you know he mustn't be used to basic kindness.

He turns quickly and opens a wooden cupboard on the back wall and grabs out a key with the number three and a tag that resembles Nevada, he places it on the desks avoiding your outstretched hand completely.

You try to push back the confusion and small amount of hurt? offence? and wait as he places a large leather bound book on the counter in front of you.

"That will be $8 and I'll need the first night in advance," he clenches his jaw again and waits patiently as you dig your purse out of your pocket. When you place the money on the desk he opens up the book and taps the blank page two times, "please sign the ledger."

You quickly scrawl your signature across the page while mumbling a quick "thank you," before grabbing the key and turning on your heel to head towards your bag near the door, as you go to leave you risk one last glance at the awkward man but he already has his back to you as he exits through the 'Employees Only' door. 

This is going to be an interesting stay.

[nebytou]

HONEYYY! I'm home! [WIP]

Inspired in that one scenes from Madoka magica :)

[hinge]

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

[nixotinix]

plese please please pretty please a Btas Scarecrow?

BTAS scarecrow is so silly billy. like yeah he put fear toxin in the water supply but like. he's just a little guy <33

thank you for the request anon!! DC character requests are still open to those interested!

[cinnamon-flame]

I'm trying to figure out a Winter design that I like, this one is okay but I feel like I can do better

[fictionadventurer]

August: Day 8

Adventures

Went to a thrift store and the library's used bookshop.

Bought a copy of Around the World in 80 Days that looks more readable than my current copy (so long as it's not an abridged children's edition). May make a new cover for it.

Bought a book about the basics of astronomy. If I'm going to write about an astronomer, I need to know a tiny bit, and this looks like it's written for idiots with short attention spans, so it'll be great for me.

Bought the coolest pop-up book I've ever seen. For a quarter. I'll have to show you guys pictures.

Treated myself to Youtube videos about Victorian literature. Indulged in a few Gutenberg downloads. Read the first chapter of Lady Audley's Secret and this may derail all my reading plans until I finish.

Accomplishments

Read a few chapters of Heretics. Am now halfway done.

Tire. Twice.

Signed up for a CPR refresher course

[hinge]

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

[official-lauchzwiebel]

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