#side a chapter 💚💙

[peachy-skies-writings]

Stardew Valley - Sharing a Bed with the Bachelors - Headcanons (SFW)

Pairing: SDV!Bachelors x GN!Reader

A/N: this is the first time I've done a headcanon so let me know what you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

💚🏈 Alex 🏈💚

Falls asleep so quickly my gOD IT'S FRUSTRATING. Maybe it's all the working out he does but as soon as his head is on that pillow, he's gone.

Alex snores. Loud. He's not as bad now you've got him those nose strips though.

This man runs laps in his sleep. So much for a relaxing sleep and trying to recover from the days exercise. Gains are gains.

Big spoon. Will cuddle (and is actually still if he cuddles so that's a plus for you).

Alex wakes up early - his training means he gets up around the same time as you do on the farm. Definitely will wake you up in other ways if you catch my drift.

🧡📖 Elliot 📖🧡

Elliot doesn't fall asleep straight away, he'd sit up in bed for a while reading a chapter of a book or doing some journaling.

It's not really snoring, more like breathing heavier than he does during the day. It's not noticeable really unless he has his nose against your ear.

Occasionally turns over in his sleep but mostly stays in the same position and is laid on his back, he's got to make sure his hair doesn't frizz (he also has a silk pillow, you're welcome)

He'll let you cuddle into him but as he's laid on his back, he's not really a spoon - more like a spatula. You can put your head on his chest though and snuggle in and he'll wrap one arm around you.

Gets up later than you but wakes up around the same time. He'll give you a good morning kiss and let you get on with your work.

🤍🩺 Harvey 🩺🤍

He's quiet and tends to fall asleep quite quickly unless he's had a stressful day or he's worried about a patient.

Harvey doesn't snore much, only if he's had wine. He has the decency to turn away from you and be the little spoon if he's had a glass or two though.

He stays pretty still in his sleep but doesn't that weird jerk thing occasionally as he's falling asleep. Y'know the one?

Other than after the wine, he'll be the big spoon - he likes to protect you as much as he can. He's also definitely not correcting your posture as you sleep - what are you talking about?

He gets up earlier than you on a weekend so that he can bring you breakfast in bed, telling you that it's healthy to stay in bed longer sometimes.

💙🎸Sam 🎸💙

Just yaps until he gets too tired and falls asleep. Talks about nonsense with you until his eyes start getting tired and he begins having his sentences interrupted with yawns. Then it's lights out.

Sam doesn't really snore, more like talks in his sleep. Just nonsense though. Although occasionally he comes out with something funny that you tell him about in the morning.

Tosses and turns, you'd think he was awake with all the sleep talking and moving. He's not violent in the way he moves though, he's quite fluid so it barely disturbs you.

Sometimes you wake up and Sam is basically laid on top of you cuddling you. He just loves feeling close to you and sleepy Sam just loves to snuggle.

Sam is already cuddling you when he wakes up so he just snuggles in further - trying to get as close as he can (and probably trying to get a few more minutes of sleep). Will grumble when your alarm goes off.

💜🎮Sebastian 🎮💜

Sebastian doesn't go to bed until he's actually tired so usually it's lights out as soon as his head hits the pillow. If he's had a bad day though, he's wide awake reliving everything he's ever done wrong (A/N: same lol) and you'd have to comfort him to get him to drift off.

He doesn't really snore, only if he's laid on his back (and even then it's only gentle). He knows though, so he tries to sleep on his side so that he doesn't disturb your sleep.

If you didn't see him breathing, you'd think he was dead. That's how little Sebastian moves.

At first he's a bit apprehensive about cuddling you, worried that he'll get too warm (boy is a furnace) but he starts to really enjoy it, especially when he's having those bad days - they really help him relax. He doesn't mind if he's big or little spoon, he just enjoys being close to you.

Wakes up pretty sleepy still and will move over to your side of the bed for comfort and warmth when you get up to begin farm work. He'll go back to sleep for a little but will wake up and make you a cup of coffee for when you're out of the shower.

🖤🐓Shane 🐓🖤

He plays on his phone for about an hour before he falls asleep - either on social media (doomscrolling) or on whatever the SDV universe's version of tiktok is.

Depending on how much beer he's had or if he's now sober, his snore will be louder than Grand Central Station if he's been drinking. If he's not been, it's still there but it's manageable for you to sleep.

Barely moves in his sleep. He's used to animals in the house so has trained himself not to roll over onto them. He used to not-so-secretly let Charlie (his chicken) sleep on his bed.

He's either big spoon or you're laid with your head on his chest. The only time he's little spoon is if he's poorly and needs some extra lovin'.

Shane wakes up with you in his arms and he's just so damn happy. He's a bit groggy from sleep but he holds you just a little tighter.

[baudouinette]

Baudouin IV et Lunette ⚜️ Le Mariage Royal (page 1)

I did not spend like 3 months on this (I did). There are still two pages left, where Baldwin makes a cute little gesture to ease Lluna’s tension 🥹

Baldwin wears an eastern gem tablion like in his seal, and a crown that I made up, but also inspired by eastern crowns, and mixed with the Fleurs de Lis. His mask here is ceremonial, and has a golden nose guard, because a military look is common in noble and royal weddings (hence the sword at the hip too). Lluna’s wedding gown tail is made of peacock feathers 🦚💙💚 and her face has Amazigh henna tattoos.

And flower crowns because they were sometimes tradition in medieval Christian weddings and I just think it’s too cute and Lana del Rey coded lol

William is the one to marry them, and crown her, not Heraclius (as seen in the latest chapter I published). Wanted William to have an upper hand over Heraclius, and besides, he deserved to be the one to officiate Baldwin’s wedding, being like a father to him 🥲

I had them kneeling down for the initial blessings (not yet the nuptial mass), as is customary too, but wanted to include the “knot” over their hands in the scene too. The church doesn’t look like the Holy Sepulcher, bc I used my imagination. I also made part of it resemble the arches and frames in medieval art

I know it’s way too overloaded… too many things going on heh

Without the texture, and the very base sketch (I’m bad at sketching, and Lluna’s face was all wrong, so I had to correct it when painting over).

Side note: while the veil is supposed to be covering Lluna’s face, I didn’t want to cover it up for the art, so just imagine it is lol

(Commissions open! 1/3 slots available) inquire on DM

[carlos-in-glasses]

Thank you for the tags @henrygrass @carlossreaders @paperstorm

@lemonlyman-dotcom @strandnreyes @everlastingday @whatsintheboxmh 🧡

This is from my fic for Anne's birthday - @lemonlyman-dotcom's is linked here because it's part of the same series! I can't wait to share this one - with chapter 1 of 2 coming on Sunday!

“Carlos?”

“Hm?”

“Why didn’t you want to go in and see Sam yesterday?”

“I didn’t want to intrude.”

“But you always intrude. You both do. When you were in the hospital because of the nunchucks thing, he walked in on us kissing and sat down like he owned the place.”

Carlos laughs helplessly, remembering the way Sam removed his hat, sat down with a sigh, and drolly said, “Don’t mind me, boys.”

“That was a lot different.”

“Or the school bus hijacking,” TK goes on, “If anything, that was more serious, right? You barely left his side – not even when Ash and the kids were there.”

“That was different too!” Carlos protests.

“Why? How?”

“Because that wasn’t my–” he shuts his mouth.

“Your what? Your fault?”

TK gives Carlos a moment to answer.

When he stays silent, TK says, “Okay – that’s enough,” and twists around in Carlos’ arms so they’re eye-to-eye. “Babe, please. What the hell actually happened yesterday?”

Open tag and tags below

@thisbuildinghasfeelings @goodways @lightningboltreader @bonheur-cafe @reyesstrand

@firstprince-history-huh @cold-blooded-jelly-doughnut @alrightbuckaroo

@welcometololaland @rmd-writes @ladytessa74 @pimento-playing-hopscotch

@eclectic-sassycoweyes @herefortarlos @afiendishthingynisba

@heartstringsduet @laelipoo @tellmegoodbye @emsprovisions

@ironheartwriter @sapphic--kiwi @anactualcaseofthetruth

@annoyingcloudearthquake @neversleepuntilfive @rangersoup

@my-beloved-lakes @theghostofashton @chicgeekgirl89 @ssealie

@butchreyes @literateowl @kiwichaeng @freneticfloetry - If you want to share/haven't already! No pressure ever! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

[avianoutcast]

[MASTER POST]

(LIST & LINKS DOWN BELOW)

(Still too lazy to change the master post cover lol)

Outcast: Sup fellas. Outcast!Sans here! Me and my partner, Avia, would like to welcome you all to our lil' side of the multiverse.

Avia: For this post, we'll be creating a 'Master Post' documenting all our progress (and shenanigans) in the creation of this AU.

So if you're interested, please like, follow and stay tuned for further updates!💜

And If any of you have questions either about the lore or characters, please feel free to Ask!❤️💙

Outcast: Aaannd if ya just wanna chillax, you can always ask good ol' Sans for some 'rib-tickling' jokes! Heh

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

About [Asking]

About Ships // pt.2

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

[MY AUs]

PROMISEDTALE

REFERENCE SHEETS

Chara ref sheet // pt.2

Alphys & Papyrus

Promise!Gaster Color Palette + character references

Age ref

AU INFO

Soul Modes

Data Collection // pt.2 // pt.3

Gaster's Ability

Outcast's Soul

Soul Synchronization

Scrying Poppies

Height.lol

Crashing

Error Confrontation

Bad Sanses // MTT interaction

SNOWBY SHENANIGANS pt1, pt2, pt3

British Gaster XD

Brotherless

Core.Frisk Encounter

File not found

Gaster's friends

Hobbies

Nightmare Encounter

A Blessing or A Curse

COMIC

File_01—Gaster (Chapter 0)

Cover-p. 5, p. 6-8, p.9-10, p.11-13, p.14-15, p.16-17, p.18-21, p.22-24, p.25-28, p.29-31, p.32-35, p.36-38, p.39-41, p.42 (extra), p.43-44, p.45-46, p.47-49, p.50-51, p.52-53, p.54-55

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

DREAMLESS AU

Creator's ramblings

More ramblings TwT

Besties XD

The Skele-boys Gang XD

Nightlight outfit design! (Line art)

Finding Dream

Dreamless

Height

Meeting with the OGs X3

Dreamless' Last Letter

Dreamless in color (still too lazy to make a ref sheet TwT)

Inevitable Fate

Training // Success

A Dream or A Nightmare

------

[AU SPECIALS]

(just for fun and art practices)

Outcast!Sans zine cover

12.22♑

Christmas Special X3

New Year 2025!

Promise!Gaster Art

Outcast color practice

Avia color practice

The Skele-boys Gang XD

250+ Animatic Special💜🎉🎉 // script

Favorite/theme songs

Special Cake by Mama Star!✨

Human versions X3 // pt.2

Gaster doodles

Valentine's Special❤️💙💚🧡✨✨// + SNOWBY

MafiaAU.lol // pt.2

Swapped out XD ft.Epictale (lol)

Kun1 DTIYS X3

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

[TAGS]

#asks

#au info

#PromisedTaleAU

#PromisedTalefanarts

#DreamlessAU

#avia

#Outcast!Sans

#Dreamless!dream

#undertale

#undertale comic

#utmv

#utmv au

#reblogs

[loveandleases]

Hi Lea, Hope you're doing well! 😌

I don't know if this has been asked yet, but here I go: What do the ROs smell like?

Additionally/Alternatively, what kind of incense stick, candle or scented oil aromas do they like the most?

Every time I read that an RO smells of sandalwood, I can't help myself. Olfactory writing is just the peak satisfaction for me, imagination-wise. 🤭

Holding my breath for the next chapter.

Much love, Lee

Hiya Lee ~

I'm doing well, thanks for asking!

I just found a new perfume that has sandalwood mixed in with cocoa and I have to say amazing scent. I'm going to try and match their scents to their personalities.

❤️Cam - His scent is a blend of spiced citrus with notes of vanilla and warm sandalwood.

Candle/Essential oil - Spiced vanilla or citrus and sandalwood.

💙 G - They tend to have the slightest smell of green tea on them. (due to their love of it). Their scent would be a blend of green tea/citrus with notes of lavender and musk/sandalwood.

Candle/Essential oil - green tea and jasmine or lavender and green tea

💚 Kara - Her scent is spicy citrus/bergamot with a blend of peony and musk.

Candle/Essential oil: Black orchid (Tom Ford). It's sweet yet spicy with floral notes.

💛 M—Their scent is soft cashmere and vanilla. A slight almond or warm sandalwood note would further round out the scent. M gives the coziest vibes.

Candle / Essential oil - Vanilla bean with cashmere.

💜 Isaac—Their scent is a mixture of citrus: grapefruit, with notes of violet and black pepper. Last but not least, smoky leather or patchouli. ( I like to think dark and smoky, with something romantic mixed in.)

Candle / Essential oil - Mahogany Teakwood

🖤 Ardent—His scents are a bit on the bold side. They are rugged, smoky, and earthy, a blend of leather, amber, and cedar or sandalwood. His scent tends to linger, clinging to the air.

Candle/ Essential oil - Leather & Artemisia (it's a mix of leather, amber, and a bit earthy.)

[hanafubukki]

So how we feeling about book 7 finale?

Hello 💚🌺💙

Sorry for taking so long to answer this, I wanted to wait a little bit because if I answered back then, you would have probably ended up with an endless essay 😂💞🙏 (and I was on vacation, screaming in my room about the update lol)

Not saying that you won’t end up with an essay now, but it won’t be as long…hopefully 😂😆 no promises though hahah (I haven’t rewatched the last part because ohhhh the emotions, I’m not ready to do it over and over again like the other parts 😭💔)

In summary, I was clawing at the walls, screaming, crying, laughing, crying (yes, again), and cheering + a bit of “Wtf? That’s it?”

For a longer answer, below the cut 💞💚

I’ll focus on part chapter 13 part two mostly, but might sprinkle in part 1 stuff occasionally.

The Good

It was a happy ending 🙏🙏💞💞

Lilia lives

Lilia lives

Lilia lives

Did I mention that Lilia lives?? 🥹🥹💞💞

Lilia gets awoken by true love by Malleus and Silver, which is what I always wanted. Malleus and Silver who loves Lilia. The two who Lilia loves so wholeheartedly. Woken up by them. I was so happy. By both of them. True Love. (Felt a little vindicated because omg, I remember those days people pitted one against the other or saying lilia loved one more than the other arghhhh I was so disappointed in fandom and some people back then absjsjs) 🥹🥹🥳🥳

Malleus cries. Man, this scene broke my heart. But I was waiting for him to cry. I wanted people to see why Malleus is the way he is. His emotions and reasoning. Why he’s seen as the “powerful” who is “evil” I wanted people to understand Malleus and his pain. His suffering. His kindness and how much he loves but can’t show it. 😭😭🙏🙏

We got a cute kid Malleus scene and Lilia, his laughter awwww. 💞💞

Silver in the knight of dawn armor!!! Ahhhh!!! Ahhhh!!! My wish!! It became true!!! The symbolisms!!! Ahhhhh 🥳🥳💞💞

Sebek and his arc in book 7 is so good. I love how he’s so?? Human. Emotions like all of us. Someone brave and yet fearful. He’s changed so much and I adore it.

We saw the knight of dawn again. Yessss. Hello sweetie 🥹🥹💞💞

We got a princess Leah reveal!

I love how Silver got to meet his bio parents and thank them. How he’s thankful to meet his current family and he knew it was because of them, he was able to do it.

Silver got his last name! Yay!! 🥳🥳

The dance party was so nice.

We got to see malleus on a new fit. Hello sexy dragon. 💞💞💚💚

Malleus who genuinely seems happy. My heart.

Lilia popping up!! Upside down!!! I missed him doing that ahhhhh 🥹😭💞💞

Sebek crying happy tears. I want to smother him with love.

Malleus saying I love you to Lilia ahhhhhh ahhh after 200 years in the egg and almost 200 years outside of it. He finally was able to express his love to him ahhhhh

Lilia hugging malleus and apologizing.

The group hug. The reunion!! I WAITED OVER TWO YEARS 😭😭💞💞💞

Lilia waking up and making that joke about Meleanor, KOD, and Baul. ABSJJSJS ITS SO LIKE HIM THAT I WAS IN DISBELIEF ABSJJSDJ BUT ALSO CALLING HIM AND IDIOT.😂😂💞💞 WHY DO I LOVE YOU?!?? YOU LOVABLE BAT!!

the twstune at the end is so precious and beautiful

The PARALLELS!! THE PARALLELS!!! ABSJSJSKD THEY MAKE ME SCREAM BUT I LOVE THEM ABSJSJSJDND

Silver saying he has two dads and he’s proud of them.

Maleficia wasn’t there. Despite my mixed feelings of her (more on the negative side than positive), I’m glad she wasn’t there and it stayed with only the four of them.

The Bad

Lilia died

Lilia died

Lilia died

Lilia di—absjsjs 😔💔

What I hated the most besides the tonal whiplash was the quickness of major events. Ooohhhh my god. They could have extended some of these major events a few more parts. It would have been killer cliffhangers but it would have been better pacing because what do you mean?! That Malleus transforms into dragon -> lilia wakes up and puts himself in the middle -> lilia dies and malleus horn gets damaged -> flashbacks to malleus childhood -> lilia talking to him -> malleus is back to normal with Lilia dead and cries with the others -> Lilia lives. All in a few parts?!? What?!?! These scenes could have been extended. They would have had an even bigger impact. 😭😭💔💔

The flashbacks right after defeating OB malleus seems to come out of nowhere. And then the rushing into lilia death kind of had my head spinning. Because?? Hello, I’m not done with one life altering scene and WHAT DO YOU MEAN HES DEAD AND SILVER HAIR TURNED GOLD. NOW MALLEUS IS CRYING AND HIS MAGIC DOESNT WORK?!?😭😭💔💔

The timeskip between OB and then the party. I would love to know what happened in the middle? What happened at Styx. Don’t just leave me hanging?

The pacing for part 2 was…not my favorite. I loved the update don’t get me wrong. But…they couldn’t have made it longer?? And focused on dia a bit more before giving me a heart attack??

Then that brings me to the lack of malleus in this part and book 7 as a whole. Oh booyy. Besides his OB?? And the flashback?? And his emotions being expressed. We…got nothing on him. He was not the focus even until the end.

I love silver and sebek. But?? Where is the malleus moments?? More of a focus? Everything was focused more on the others than him. He got the bare minimum of an OB boy. After Lilia’s dream, we got nothing either with Lilia too. I have soooo many questions. I know the focus was to get to know them all. We learned so much about Lilia’s past. We got to know Sebek and Silver more. But Malleus?? He barely got the bare minimum. Yes, he had high impact scenes but?? Half of those scenes were rushed. They could have made a whole part focusing on him. Like part 5 focused on Silver, part 6 was egglleus, but it was majority Lilia and his change because of love, overarch of book 7 is Sebek, but Malleus?? I believe chapter 13 part 2 should have focused on him at the very least. And then all the questions and communication with Lilia that was implied/should have taken bf place…we barely saw anything. OTL I WANT TO SEE HIM EXPRESS HIMSELF AHHHH DOES HE NEED ANOTHER LIFE ALTERING EVENT?!? I GET HES ONE TO KEEP CLOSED OFF BUT THE TALK?! I want the talk!!!

I would have loved to see the scene where malleus confesses that he knew about silver’s parents. I think it would have been a great bonding moment. But I can also understand it being left in ambiguity because of the potential?? In story telling is there. If malleus knew since silver was a child gives meaning versus if malleus knowing recently. You can make so many interpretations about it.

We didn’t get malleus dream world 😭😭

…and this is all that comes to mind right now as I type. Lolol there’s probably more but I’m blanking.

I loved the update to bits and pieces. But pacing wise I think it could have been better and it left us with so many questions and an ominous feeling as players because?? Oh boy, it ended there with no clue to what’s next hahaha

Also I really hated the dream arc lolol it had its fun moments and everything and I enjoyed certain dorms like hearts but many of them…did not feel needed. I feel ignihyde, hearts, and Leona’s dream was the best and provided info and relevance. At the very least they could have given us scenes to the malleus and lilia game within the dream world and how Lilia was put to sleep/what kind of dream he got. (Cough, soooo much angst potential heheh)

That all said, I have hopes for book 8 because diasomnia should be the focus along with whoever the next OB or villain is. Dia moments with Yuu my beloved 💞💞🙏🙏

I believe that they’ll do with diasomnia what they did with the shroud brothers in book 7. That they’ll have more focus and you’ll see the change in dynamics and more bonding moments with them.

The shroud family had amazing development and focus in book 7, so I think the same will happen with book 8 for dia. If they did what they did in book 7 with igni with dia in book 8?? I will be very happy.

I also think malleus will be more focus next book as well given his limits now and how he’s more free. And given a certain someone was missing at the party, that might be a clue as well. Hoping a certain theory isn’t true

I think we’ll also get more lilia moments because??? There’s sooo many questions left unanswered but also?? -shakes him- speak! To them! Tell them!! Why!!!

Thank you for the ask 💞💞 lolol it became long whoops. 😂💞💞 it was more of me rambling randomly lolol

[quietnade]

Is it really over?

So… is it really over? I’ve been asking myself that question a lot lately. Liam’s passing has left a mark on me that will never truly fade. I know this stab at my heart will take years, maybe even a lifetime, to heal. I tried to gather my thoughts and find a little comfort by writing the following down, and I hope you’ll find some comfort in it too.

🩷 The boys may no longer make music together, but does that mean the impact they made on us is gone? Of course not. The connection we have with their music and the memories we made will always be part of the “story of our lives.” Instead of seeing it as the end, let’s think of it as moving into a new era. We’ve grown, the boys have grown, and our love for them has grown in new ways too.

🩷 Yes, it’s true that the years won’t come back, but we can revisit them anytime through their music and memories.

🩷 We can immerse ourselves in the nostalgia without guilt. Maybe we’ll rewatch This Is Us, scroll through Tumblr pages, watch their video diaries, fan edits, or interviews.

🩷 One Direction wasn’t just another boy band, they were a feeling. They shaped an entire generation without even realizing it, while the boys were just having fun. In many ways, they taught us how to laugh, dream, and connect with a community. That energy is larger than life and still lives in us.

🩷 We can always celebrate their anniversaries. The boys’ birthdays, their X Factor debut, album releases, and in doing so, we’ll always feel how big a part of our lives they still are.

🩷 We can treat the boys’ solo careers as a new chapter in their One Direction story. Their voices and essence are still present in each of their solo projects. The boys are living happy lives, still living the dream they worked so hard for, and we’re happy for them with all our hearts.

🩷 This fandom will always be a part of us. The joy, hope, and excitement we felt as Directioners shaped who we are today, and that part of us is never gone, it never will be.

🩷 Not everyone gets to experience something as powerful as being part of a fandom like this. We’ve been part of something magical, and we’ll always wear it as a badge of honor, a kind of talisman of comfort, joy, warmth, and hope.

🩷 Yes, we love the boys, and yes, they were a huge part of our lives. But we have to remember that life goes on and we have to participate in it, finding new joys and interests. Our love for them doesn’t have to fade just because life moves on.

🩷 In our own little ways, we can make this world a better place, maybe for just one person, making their day slightly better than it could have been. Just like how Liam always tried to. Even the “little things,” small acts of kindness, can honor Liam’s legacy.

🩷 We can create art, write poetry, blogs, poetry, we can journal about how much One Direction meant to us growing up and how Liam’s passing has stirred these emotions.

🩷 Embracing our fangirl or fanboy side unapologetically is another way to honor them. We can dive back into our passionate ways of fangirling while connecting with other Directioners in spaces like this. Without judgment, we can share how we feel in these little 1D communities. We can even contribute to fan projects to deepen our connection with this wholesome fandom.

🩷 Personally, I wrote a letter to Liam in my journal, talking about how much I love him. I even confessed how guilty I felt for not following his solo career as closely as I could have. I’ll always carry Liam’s memory with me.

🩷 Instead of “holding on to heartbreak,” we can hold on to hope. Maybe the boys will reunite someday, but even if they don’t, we need to remember that, every time we listen to their songs, relive old memories, or talk to another Directioner, they really ARE reunited, in our eternally Directioner hearts. 💙💚❤️💛🤍

[jadedwolf18]

Joke’s on You!

Hi! Don’t shoot! I have gifts!

I put Jokes on You on AO3 so you can find the full fic there, if this is the first time seeing this fic, otherwise you are welcome to try and find my original chapter posts by combing my Blog Archive. Here’s the latest two chapters if you’re up for if you’re up to date. Otherwise I recommend clicking the link to get all the chapters in on place!

Ok, enjoy you Beasties(affectionate)!

🤍🖤💚💙💚🖤🤍

Chapter 8: Bats and Stalkers

Red Hood watched as his newest subordinate flittered around their current base, the kid had shown up two weeks ago and had slowly integrated themself into his gang. Hood still didn’t know if he should trust the kid or not but other than a strange buzz whenever they were near, he had no reason to mistrust them. The kid was… strange but seemed to genuinely want to help despite having admitted to practically stalking him for weeks before approaching. He huffed as he thought over their first encounter.

*****

Jason sighed as he leaned back, legs dangling over the edge of the abandoned theatre's roof. It was a slow night and the semi-peace had him on alert, calm in Gotham almost never bode well for anyone. He'd removed his Hood, Domino in place as he looked over Crime Alley, smoke trailing from his lips as he took a drag from his cigarette.

The usual Gotham smog clouded the sky, obscuring the stars from view. It was nearing early morning when a scuff from behind had him instinctively grabbing his guns as he got to his feet and spun around to face the intruder. Pausing to take in the figure in front of him. They had their hands up in a show of peace and remained calm under hoods scrutiny. "who are you?"

Instead of a verbal answer, they slowly began to sign. "I want to join you. I'm new in Gotham, been following the bats and rogues the last few weeks. Thought my skills and goal lined up best with yours"

'Huh, that's knew.' Jason leaned down to pick up his Hood and put it on before replying. "Why'd you think that? If yah know who I am, what's your goal?"

The kid? they looked about Duke or Tims age, not that he could tell much from the full head and face mask they wore. Similar to Black Bat. 'A copy cat?'' He took the chance to look them over more thoroughly as he waited for a response. Their outfit covered every inch of skin and was mostly black with thin hacker green and screen blue lines running along the seams and crisscrossing their chest, almost resembling the motherboard of a computer, the area covering the eyes glowed faintly and was the same screen blue, there was also a neon red X over the mouth area that looked to have been painted on rather aggressively over a silver grin.

The boots they wore were strange, they were similar to Nightwing's skintight suit but in place of the thin flexible soles, they had thick heavy silver platforms that resemble combat boots. 'how'd they sneak up on me in those?' he wondered. Tucked into the boots was a pair of loose cargo style pants, held up with a silver belt. The top once again bore resemblance to Nightwing's skin tight suit with the sleeves continuing on to cover the hands, each finger tipped in silver claws.

Movement from their hands caught his attention, he paid keen attention as they signed. "1-Personal investment in taking down the Joker. 2-Need help, you were the best bet in letting me get my shot, others would try talk me out of it. 3-Don't feel like being a Rogue. 4-I'm good at gathering info unnoticed."

They let their hands drop to their sides but kept them in sight, head cocked to the side as they waited for a reaction. Hood thought it over. "Prove the last one and I'll let you in on a trial run. Once you do that we can go over house rules and the types of jobs you'll get."

Jason had fully expected the kid to agree and leave to gather information on some gang or something. He was not expected for them to slowly reach behind them and pull out multiple folders, from seemingly nowhere and toss the stack onto the floor between them. Giving them another once over, he saw nowhere they could have possible hid the stack. Looking from the stack to the kid in question, he tilted his head in silent inquiry. They gat the message and began to sign. "That's all the info I gathered on the other Bats during my time observing them, as well as information I gathered on various Rogues and factions in Gotham"

Jason's brow rose under his hood as he slowly moved to pick up the files. flipping through the stack, he could feel his brows clime higher and higher as he did before farrowing when he got to the folders on the Bats. The files were incredibly detailed, describing each of their patrol routes, rotations, preferred routes, habits, favourite rest stops and they even went into detail on their relationships and who paired best with who for fights and recon missions.

He glanced up at the kid, who was currently staring up at the smog filled sky. 'I'll have to leave soon, the sky is already started to turn pale.' He quickly skimmed through the rest of the files, almost snorting as he came across a picture of Nightwing face planting a window at Wayne Enterprises Tower. 'It's a good thing Bruce had all the windows reinforced'. His humour quickly turned into a scowl when he came across a picture of Red Hood dangling from his ankle after being caught in a trap set by Spoiler. "What's your plan if I say no?"

"Black Mail you into letting me join." Jason's brows shot up at that.

"And if that fails?" Jason was curious, what would this kid do?.

"Help you any way. You just wont see me." Jason resisted the urge pinch the bridge of is nose.

"Fine Kid, I'll let you in for a trial period of a month, if you double cross me in any way you're out. Got it?"

Jason received a nod and salute from the kid. "Alright, come here tomorrow at 9pm and I'll lead you to the warehouse we use for debriefs. We'll start on one of the gangs we've been onto for awhile, you got some good tips here. From there we'll test your skills. Now, What do I call you kid?"

"Not a kid. 18. You can call me Hex." With that the kid stepped back, spun and made a running leap to the next roof top. Quickly disappearing into the distance.

"Hex, huh." He'd have to keep an eye on them, they were good, if they could keep tabs on the Bats without being caught. he bit his lip as he looked through the files again until he found the one on Black Bat. 'I really hope this kid doesn't turn out to be a budding Rogue... this is Tim level of fuck all stalking and the fact they manage to make a file on Black Bat... She hadn't mentioned anything, so either she felt there was no threat or she did not detect them at all.'  With a heavy sigh, Jason gathered the files and stuffed them in to the bag he used for collecting shit from the dealers or thugs he came across during patrols. Stretching out, he slung the bag over his shoulder and made his way down to his bike. it was time to get back to his safe house and sleep before tackling whatever the hell that encounter had been.

*****

Danny yawned as they stretched out on their couch, it had been two weeks since they got themselves an in with Hoods gang, things were going well so far. They were still doing grunt work being a runner, but Danny found it fascinating. It reminded them of watching his sperm donor's operations but at the same time it was the complete opposite. Where before they were always wary, now they were at ease and confident in their safety. Back then there was always screams, crying and fights in the background, with the current Red Hood? There was a camaraderie, a deep understanding that they work to help those in Crime Alley.

Hood ruled by respect, fear and protection. It settled something in Danny to see the Red Hood title so far removed from their childhood memories. It was also a surprise to find that Red Hood was the source of the Angry/Hurt tugging they had felt here and there since entering Gotham. Red Hood was a Revenant, a sick one at that. Danny had slowly been filtering the corrupt ectoplasm via proximity and was happy to feel the Anger slowly drain away. They couldn't do much about the other emotions but the Anger was defiantly a direct result of the corruption.

"Oomph!" Danny's thoughts were interrupted by a weight landing on their back. "Hello to you too. Why are you trying to suffocate me, this fine afternoon?"

"I Know" There was something smug in her voice.

"Know what?" Danny gave a half hearted attempt to dislodge the Little Shadow but she only readjusted and they gave up with a huff.

"Hex." Danny stiffened and made to sit up, Cass easily slid off them and sat next to them.

"How?" Danny observed her, she was calm and didn't look or feel upset, they were rather confused about the Happy/Smug/Mistchief she was unknowingly giving off.

"Was following Red Hood, He was acting strange. Good strange but strange. Saw Hex use Sign for Me. Only you use Swan sign but Hex used Swan and Hood say Black Bat!" She really looked proud of herself. They had figured out the Bats were the Waynes almost immediately after seeing Nightwing do a quadruple flip and Black Bat's Liminalty gave her away as Cass.

"Ok, fine I'm Hex... What now?" They looked at her curiously. 

"Keep secret. Not tell Bats, yet." Danny watched as she seemed to hesitate before continuing in sign. They froze as they watched her hands. "Bats found the Ecto-Act, Big bat is not happy and is investigating how no one found it before. He also wants to know why he was not told and if calls to the Justice League was made."

Danny sighed and flopped back into the couch. turning to look at Cass they decided to tell he the parts of their story they left out the last time. Seems help was coming sooner than they expected. This changed a few things but over all? It was good. They felt Cass snuggle into their side. Danny glanced at her and smiled before grabbing their phone and ordering takeout. Seems they were having a stay in day. They might ask for the nigh off from Hood if Cass doesn't have patrol, they could watch movies and dance. Yeah, that sounds good.

Chapter 9: Stalker meet Stalker

Hex hid in the shadows, ever observant as they waited for their chance to make an appearance. During their observation and information gathering, in order to guarantee a way into Hoods gang, they had noticed the source of the main reason they were in this Cursed city was coming from the Red Bird. So every chance they got, Hex would go out and follow the Red Bird to figure out if the tugging was coming from him specifically or from an object he was carrying. The Red Bird was currently wrapping up an attempted robbery. Hex leaned back on the ledge, rubbing a hand over their chest where they knew their core rested. The tugging was more frantic now that they were so close to figuring it out. A click got their attention and they realised all the thugs had been secured and the Red Bird was getting ready to continue his patrol.

'There!' Hex jumped to the next roof, landing just as Red Robin swung over the ledge. Hex watched as the Bird paused and settle into a well hidden ready stance as he took notice of the fact he wasn't alone.

*****

"Who are you?" Tim kept his focus on the unknown as he subtly clicked the alert on his belt. It would let the others know he had encountered an unknown but to hold back until they are confirmed to be hostile. The unknown tilted their head to the side as they slowly lifted their hands, Tim watched as they began to sign.

"They call me Hex. You have something I've been looking for." Hex leaned against the large vent, hands still visible.

Tim waited but when they didn't continue, he shifted into a more relaxed stance. "And what would that be?" 

Tim watched as they slumped slightly, giving the impression they were sighing. "I don't know."

"You don't know?" Tim raised a brow at that. "Then how do you know I have what you want?"

Hex straitened a little before signing. "Something... Something lead me to this city, something was tugging me here. If it wasn't for that feeling, I never would have stepped foot in this Cursed City. But... certain circumstances left me a lot of free time and the tugging grew near painful. So, I followed it, it lead me to this city, it lead me to you. I had no idea if it was an object or a person." Tim watched as they stretched and straitened fully, shifting to face Red Robin straight on. Tim tensed, as he straightened up himself. "Now standing so close, I can tell the pull is coming from you, you directly, not something on your person. Now, I'm left with the question. 'Why?'."

Tim flinched at the sudden sound of Hex's voice. It was distorted and sounded like it was overlayed by static. He was quick to fall into a more ready stance. "So what now? You going to try capture me to figure it out?"

"No." Red Robin watched as Hex took a step back. "I know what, or rather who, the pull is coming from. Now, I need to figure out Why and How but it's clear you know nothing about it."

With that Red Robin watched as Hex flipped back and over the edge of the roof. Tim gave chase slamming into the roof top barrier and peered over the edge but there was no one there. Hex had vanished. A click from his comms had him snapping to attention. Tapping his comm once he connected to the private channel. "Red, Report."

"The unknown has left, they are apparently in Gotham because something lead them here. They were following it and, according to them, it lead them to me. They don't appear hostile, just someone searching for answers." Tim unlatched his grapple hook. "I believe it would be best to observe but do not engage in case that changes."

"Hn, can I leave this to you Red? Or should I put one of the others on this?" Tim took aim at the next roof. 

"I'll be involved either way." Tim shot his grapple. "But I'll take a back seat on this one, do the paperwork and research, if they make contact again, then I'll put it on a higher priority. O.G.J.J. takes precedence."

"Don't push yourself Red. I'd rather you stepped back from anything involving the Joker." With a tug to insure it was secure, Tim stood on the ledge and swung through the Gotham night, landing on the buildings gravel top. 

"I know B. But it's my case, I'll see it through." Silence fell on the comms. Aim, shoot, check and fly. Red robin soared though Gotham, watching out for any petty crimes or signs of trouble as he did a final lap of his patrol route.

"We're here, I'm here if you need help. Don't forget that Son." The Comms clicked signalling Batman had switched back to the main channel.

Tim's breath hitched as he drew in a deep breath. "I know Dad, I know."

Tim shook himself before making his way through the city and towards his bike. His thoughts on his current case and the new mystery. It would seem he'll be needing a new Pin Board.

*****

Danny narrowed their eyes as they watched the Red Bird fly away. Their Core gave a particularly hard yank as they watch him disappear behind the taller buildings. 'Just what is your connection to me Birdie.' Danny sighed as he thought of just Who the Red Bird is behind the mask. Slinking further into the shadows, Hex vanished into the night. 

*****

"And just where have you been?" His tone was light but the hint of accusation was clear in Hoods voice. Jason watched as Hex slipped into his office and made themself comfortable on one of the couches, stretching out like a particularly satisfied cat. Giving the kid a once over, he gave a mental nod of satisfaction, noting they had no visible or obvious injuries. The kid sat up and began signing.

"Here and there, I got the information you wanted." Hex once again pulled a file out of nowhere and tossed it at him. Jason caught it and was quick to open it and go over the information. Remnants of the Black Mask gang had been seen gathering recently and Jason didn't feel like waiting for them to become a problem. 

"What else were you up to?" Jason looked up from the file to pin Hex with a look. Though the Hood hid it. Hex sat up and pulled their legs up to sit cross-legged, staring right back at Red Hood.

"Bird watching, the red one has caught my interest, seems he has a connection to what I'm looking for." Hex sighed and slumped back into the couch. "After observing him and having a little chat... I have an idea as to what it is but not the how or the why he is connected."

"Whatever it is, it's not gonna cause trouble or put the Bird in danger." It wasn't a question, the threat was clear.

"I don't know. I hope not but with the way my life is going..." Jason observed the way Hex had hunched in on themself. The kid was good at what they do and Jason new the kid truly wanted to help more but something was haunting them, following them from wherever they came from. Jason waited for them to continue. "I have a few theories but I'm not liking any of them or the tapestry they are threading because if I'm right. Then if it weren't for my mother dumping me on my Donor My life could have gone so differently. And I would never have wished my life on another I would have died of guilt if I ever found out."

"Just let me know if you need help, or at least give a heads up if you think things will go south. I may be on the fringes but the Bats and Birds are still allies, nothing better happen ta' Red, yeah hear." Jason turned and headed for his desk, he had plans to make. As he sat down he heard a scuff and looked up. Hex was standing in front off his desk, rocking on their heels. "Ya' need something?"

"I'll be taking the next two nights off, I'll be out of town for a date" Jason felt his brow raise at that. The kid has partner? Huh, would you look at that.

"Oh? Where ya' goin' and who's the unfortunate soul?" Jason smirked at the offended huff he received from the kid.

"1st, None of you business Boss and 2nd, Black Bat." Before Hood could react, Hex had vaulted over the couch and slipped out the door. By the time Jason had gotten up and to the door, Hex was gone.

"Get back 'ere ya' Rat!" Hood yelled down the hall, even knowing it would be useless. "Damn Brat!"

*****

Cass paused in her packing when her phone started blasting 'I'm a Barbie Girl'. Tilting her head in curiosity, she set down the shirt she was folding and went to pick it up. Jason? Why's he calling so late? Sliding her finger over the screen to answer, she quickly held it up to her ear, only to yank it back as Jason's voice blasted through. She stared down at her screen until silence returned before holding it back to her ear. "Done?"

"No, but I've calmed down enough to talk." She hummed as she moved back to her bag. "Are you dating Hex?"

Cass blinked, Did Danny tell him? "Yes."

"Okay, okay. So how do you know my informant?" She could hear Jason shuffling things around and the faint clicks of mental against each other. Probably cleaning his guns. 

"Met them first. became friends." She picked up the shirt and another, as she held her phone to her ear with her shoulder, and held it up to compared the two. "Followed them, learned about Hex. Went on date. Been together 3-4 weeks, more if you count hiding feelings."

"Does anyone else know?" Cass thought about it, she hadn't told anyone, neither had Danny, until now, as far as she knew. she shrugged and packed the green shirt. She noticed Danny liked seeing her in their colors.

"No." Silence fell and she went about packing the last of her things, just as she was zipping up her bag, Jason spoke up again.

"They treating ya' good?" She smiled at the very obvious and familiar tone of protectiveness in his voice.

"Yes, very good." She bit back a giggle at the resigned sigh. She fell quiet for moment before whispering. "They are good. Grew up like me, like you. They are hiding but fighting. They are strong."

She could hear Jason's breath hitch. "Okay, I won't ask. I'm happy for you Cass. You think they'll open up more and start interacting with the other Bats and Birds?"

"Yes, they are searching for something. Something will happen but we will be on their side." They were silent for another moment. "They are willing to ask, to trust but need time."

"No pushing, I got it. Bye Cass, have fun on you date!" The line went dead as Cass blushed only for it to deepen as she felt arms wrap around her and fluffy black hair tickle her neck.

"Big brother being over protective?" Cass nod, a shiver ran down her spine as Danny's lips brushed the skin off her shoulder. "You think he'll try to kill me when we get back."

"No. Make you work more." She felt their breath as they let out a groan but giggled as she felt their lips tilt up in a grin.

"It's worth it." Danny spun her around and started leading her into a dance as 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' began playing softly from her speakers. She let them twirl her around her room before pulling them onto her bed.

"Shouldn't be here." She giggled at their pout. "Brothers, dad, grandpa Alfred and Steph are here. Steph doesn't knock. Dick knocks but will get suspicious if I take too long to answer.

Danny sighed as they flopped back onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. "Hood knows, the others will find out eventually."

"True." She flipped over so she hovered over them."Brothers will give chase if they find you here. Damien is stabby, Dick will hunt. Tim... depends on sleep level. Dad will try to lock me away and will hunt. Alfred will be disappointed."

"So they are fine with you being at my house but not me being in your room?" They raised a brow at her in amusement and she huffed before letting her full weight full onto them. "Oompf! Oi! There’s nothing to worry about. I'll just turn invisible until they leave."

Before she could reply her door was flung open and she found herself face planting her bed. "Hey Cass... What're you doing?"

Cass rolled over and sat up to see Steph in her doorway. "Resting."

"Ah-huh... I was gonna ask if you want to watch a movie and hangout. Since you're leaving tomorrow?" Cass watched as Steph looked around her room, poking at random things as she went.

"Ok, be down now." Cass made a show of picking up the things that didn't make it into her bag, Steph made a sound of agreement and left, swinging the door shut behind her. A minute passed before Danny blinked back into visibility.

"You weren't kidding when you said she doest knock." Cass thew a shirt at their face, which they promptly phased through. "OK, ok. I'll see you tomorrow."

Danny pulled her towards them and places a kiss on her forehead before drifting to the window and fading into invisibility with a wave. She shook her head, a small smile on her lips.

*****

Tim stared at the fifth board, then at the other four and groaned as he slumped into his chair. Hex was an unknown but asking around and looking up sightings he found they're working with Red Hood and showed up a few weeks after Daniel Napier. Tim stood and dragged the new board over to the others. It would seem that Hex was just another identity for one Daniel Napier.

"Just who are you? And what do you want?!" Tim ran his hands through his hair in frustration and sighed. Looks like he's going to be more involved than he thought.

[notyourmamasdeerbat]

Last Line Game! 6/1

Happy Pride Month!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 I'll have to start cranking out some reps, that might be nice. Just in celebration. Not that I don't do that anyway. But yeah it's June! I was tagged by the lovely and talented @jenn2d2 (read their stuff I stg I wasn't a Neve/Illario truther until Crow Parties Are Murder and now I'm going down with that ship. o7 see you, cowards)

Here's what I last wrote in Chapter 6 of Carry the Dagger!

Rook jerked to one side, presenting their profile to him in a fencer’s salute just as Harding’s glittering arrow found the eye slit of his helm. The Antaam gurgled, falling backwards gracelessly. He did not move again. 

You guessed it! More combat! Welcome to Treviso! We got Crows! We got Antaam! We got... late night heists to stop the occupying army from mass producing brain poison? That's fine. Who needs sleep anyway. Not like we've got to go out and meet a Grey Warden and hike the Anderfels in the morning. Don't look at Rook. They get fed twice a day, and watered. They're fine. Mind- yeah, mind your own business!

No pressure tagging: @fenrelmercar @draco-illius-noctis @redheadsramblings @the-bear-and-his-sunbird @davrinsleftpectoral @blackwall-my-tiny-husband @hedwigoprah @sunny374940 @nevarrantorte @caughtnyact @seaglassmelody @strugglinggranola and YOU!!! <3

[chickycherrycola]

snippet sunday, first of june edition 🌈

thanks @worldismyne for the tag! in honor of pride month, today i'll share a special sneak peek from a future chapter of KOMH (this one's for all my fellow bisexual Soul truthers out there):

“And what about you?” Maka says. Even though it's just the two of them, she feels the urge to get closer to him– though it's the end of a long night and they can finally drop the couple act, she finds she… doesn't really want to. Her fingers itch to reach for his hand, mere inches from her where it rests on the balcony railing. She swallows down the urge with some difficulty. “Have you ever… felt like you had to hide who you truly are?”  His expression turns pensive, and there's something almost bitter in the small smile that curls his lips. “It's complicated.”  “How do you mean?” Soul averts his eyes then, dropping them to the nearly-drained champagne glass in his left hand. He gives it a gentle swirl and regards it with an expression that makes her feel like he's far, far away from here.  “I'm an escort, Maka.” He laughs, but there's no humor in it. “And I'm bi, but I'm really only out at work when I'm with my clients. I feel like I'm always wearing a mask.”  She recalls that information from his profile— the night all of this began, weeks and weeks ago on the other side of the world— the section that read Interested in Male and Female Clients, but hearing him say it out loud is different. The pain in his voice makes something deep in her chest ache with an intensity that surprises her.  “I'm always playing a part. Always acting in some role— the perfect boyfriend, the charming wedding date. The hired lover that always satisfies and never complains, never shows any emotion beyond what they pay me to show.” He shakes his head. “Even now, the only reason I'm here with you is because I have a role to play— the bad boy who seduced a princess, the American scoundrel marrying royalty and pissing off as many people as he can along the way. Sometimes I–” his voice breaks. “Sometimes I don't even know who I really am, beneath it all—” She doesn't know what has her reaching for him— whether it's the acidic tang of guilt rising in her throat or the sharp sting of tears pricking the corners of her eyes— but his hand is impossibly warm and pleasantly rough as she curls her fingers around his.  “I'm sorry.” 

For the rest of the year, I've decided I'm going to lock in on King of My Heart, and try to get as close to finishing it as possible. 🤞And beyond that, I'd like to try to branch out to other pairings, other fandoms, and more original work. Expand my horizons a bit, so to speak.

Tagging all the usual suspects - @mellancholy-morose @vautour-coccinelle-serpent @silluuuu @blackbloodteeth

Happy Pride Month y'all!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[mah-t-wordblog]

Hi! Can you accept a Lee! Muichiro, Lers! Tanjiro and some hunters?

Referring to the last chapter, it could be that when Tanjiro asks Muichiro to be kinder to others and challenges him to a tickling competition, replacing the paper airplanes, and with the help of the others, they defeat him.

Please and thanks

I think I made some changes to your request, but nothing that affects the whole story, I hope you like it anyway!!!

You need to be kinder!

Lee: Muichiro Tokito

Ler: Tanjiro Kamado

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Ships: NONE

Warnings: This is a tickle fic, if you don’t like it, just scroll down

This fanfic is originally in Portuguese, my English is translated using an automatic translator, if there are any big errors you can tell me so I can fix them

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Tanjiro ran to Muichiro, they were in the hashira’s mansion

“Muichiro!”

“Yes, Tanjiro?”

The redhead looked at the other

“My friends asked me to ask you something…” Tanjiro pointed to the other swordsmen who were hiding behind some trees for fear of Muichiro

The youngest didn’t understand

“What?”

“They wanted you to be more careful with your words, maybe if you spoke in a kinder way”

“But… am I not already much kinder than I used to be?”

Tanjiro smiled “that’s what I told them”

The other hunters sighed and thought they had no chance

“I don’t think I can solve your problem Tanjiro, I’m sorry” Muichiro was about to leave, but he felt someone tug on his sleeve

“Oh, you can’t? I’m sure you can” Tanjiro said in a more threatening voice

“Oh no, don’t you dare!” The blue-haired boy exclaimed in fright

The swordsmen hidden in the background of the scene began to get even more scared of Tanjiro, what was that boy up to? What was he going to do with Tokito?

“Come here!” Tanjiro jumped on top of the other

The hunters thought they would start fighting

But… did they hear laughter?

Muichiro was laughing out loud, they had never heard the Hashira laugh like that

“T-Tanjiro?” One of the swordsmen asked

“It’s okay, don’t worry, I always tickle Tokito to get what I want”

“TAHAHANJIROHOHO” Muichiro tried to stop him, he was blushing and very embarrassed that the others were seeing him like that

“Come on! Come on! You can help me, don’t worry, Muichiro won’t get mad, right?” The redhead asked his victim, he really wouldn’t mind but he was too embarrassed to admit it

A hunter had the courage to do what Tanjiro suggested, approaching to help

Then there were two more

Soon there was a person on each of Muichiro’s sensitive spots

“PLEHEHEAHAHSEHE”

“How about being more gentle?” Tanjiro teased

“I’LL DOHOHO ANYHYTHIHIHING”

Tanjiro asked with his hands for the others to stop

Muichiro covered his face

“You’re embarrassed Mui” Tanjiro asked “no need to be”

“We all feel ticklish” a hunter said “for example…” that boy tickled a friend next to him

The same one retaliated

A little while later two more started to fight

After a while, those people turned into a giant ball of tickling

Thousands of loud laughter and screams coming from all sides

“We can all be friends, right Tanjiro?” Muichiro said, smiling

“Of course we can!”

“I hope all these people live long lives, and can laugh always”

Tanjiro smiled and pocked Muichiro, the youngest laughed

“Hey! Your turn!” He jumped on Tanjiro

Soon the two had already joined the great tickle fight

The laughter was contagious and it was very good to hear

After that day Muichiro really was kinder to the other hunters, he felt more comfortable with them, and Tanjiro fulfilled the desperate request of his friends

❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜❤️🧡

Thanks for reading 💛💛

[coloradocharmiegirl]

Chapter 45-New here 11/22/24

Summary:

It's Armie's come down to base day, but in the meantime, they both have lives to lead and jobs to do. Things don't go exactly to plan, though, and as the hours tick by, Timmy starts feeling the stress of the continued silence.

Excerpt:

AH: THAT’S your idea of a PG selfie?? JFC babe. Do you not SEE yourself? Timmy’s hand flew to his mouth as he stifled a giggle. He didn’t do anything! He swiped up to the selfie, trying to see what Armie saw. All he’d done was look at that selfie Armie’d sent him, and… Oh. There it was. He saw it now. That look–that come-hither, longing look in his eyes and the little lip nibble he hadn’t even known he was doing. In his head, all he’d been doing was looking at that selfie. Oh, he had it bad.

Or start from the beginning here

Hi all--how are you? Taking care of yourselves, I hope. I really, really wanted to have this ready before the US election, so it could be a good distraction for anyone who needed it--but it just wasn't meant to be. Even though it took a little extra time, I hope it's still a good distraction, if you need it. If not, I hope you enjoy it anyway! This chapter doesn't forward the story much, despite its length. It's mostly an indulgent look (on my part) into the daily lives of Fire Captain Armie and Doctor Timmy, and the stress of heavy responsibilities and distance on both sides.

Since my posting schedule is drawn out and erratic, I'd appreciate reblogs, just so that anyone still reading has a chance to see there's a new chapter.

Thanks and much love! 💙💚 CCG

[carlos-in-glasses]

Thank you for the tag @henrygrass @pimento-playing-hopscotch @annoyingcloudearthquake @paperstorm

@carlossreaders @heartstringsduet @lemonlyman-dotcom 🧡

It's a Work is Published today because don't want to share toooo much from the upcoming chapter 2 of My Sweet Boy, You Can't Stop Time, so here's something from chapter 1, now on Ao3!

“Jonah!” he screams, “Jonah Morgan Strand-Reyes, come here right now!”

In the four years since they adopted Jonah, Carlos has only full-named him two other times. Usually, when he’s got himself into a pickle, he’s Jonah Morgan, with Morgan said in a tone that suggests Papa Carlos is not going to tell him twice. Both times the full naming happened were thanks to Logan Wayne – of course! – who since the Gymboree days has followed Jonah around like a bad smell. Last year, TK and Carlos were disagreeing over whether Jonah should switch schools because of Logan, and Jonah became so distraught he yelled, “Leave me the shit alone!”

“Jonah Morgan Strand-Reyes! We do not use that language!” Carlos scolded, even though Jonah had almost-certainly heard Carlos say shit two evenings prior because he dropped a carton of noodles. 

The year before, when Jonah was a pre-schooler, Logan kept grabbing hold of Jonah’s nose during the Easter recital to make his singing voice come out like a kazoo. The next day, Jonah retaliated by putting a sharp rock he’d found at recess on Logan’s chair. Logan sat on the rock and screamed, which was the intended effect, but Lacey Roberts who sits next to Logan and has a stupid crush finked on Jonah immediately. Carlos did the pick up, which meant being confronted again by a furious Kimberly Wayne. On the solemn walk to the car, Carlos gently asked Jonah for his side of the story, at which Jonah shrieked, in front of everyone in the parking lot: “Papa! Shut up!”

It was one of the worst moments of Carlos’ life, Jonah’s anger and let-downness being turned on him like that. 

“Jonah Morgan–” Carlos swallowed, the rest of it a pained whisper, “–Strand-Reyes…we do not say shut up to each other…”

Jonah burst into fresh tears, covering his face like he couldn’t bear to look at Carlos or be looked at in return.

Carlos got down on his knees and took Jonah into his arms. “Mijo.”

“I’m sorry!” Jonah wailed.

“I know. It’s going to be okay,” Carlos soothed, “Let’s talk it out over a milkshake?”

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@chicgeekgirl89 - If you want to share/haven't already! No pressure ever! ❤️🩷🧡💛💚💙🩵💜

[idontknowreallywhy]

Resurface 34 - Redux

What went before - Tumblr / AO3

Previous chapter

Also if you never saw my short fic Composition which I snuck in between Presence and this one, it’s only 2,700 words in total but as the below references it a fair bit, you might want to have a quick look there.

Anyway, Earth&Sky in the storm time.

Um, second time’s a charm?

💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙

Have you got a plan?

Scott’s run had lasted just over 135 minutes so far. According to EOS, he had achieved three new personal bests over some of the steeper segments of the Island’s well-worn tracks despite the relentless downfall making his footing treacherous. He laser-focussed on the familiar path ahead, compensating for the slip risk. He wasn’t a fool, well aware that he was likely to fall and turn an ankle or sprain a wrist or something similarly irritating if he didn’t concentrate and he didn’t have time for that. So he concentrated. Because stopping wasn’t an option. He couldn’t even ease up the pace yet. Because if he did, he’d have time to think and… and… no.

He couldn’t let that happen.

He’d let too much happen already today.

He hadn’t even tried.

Scott! Have you got a plan?

Not yet. But I will in a minute…

What if he’d said yes? What if he’d been quicker to think? Was there something he’d missed? Some way through…

Wait, Scott! We need more data. Wait?

If I can just get down there…

Please, Scott, listen?

He spluttered as a gust of wind blew the deluge directly into his face.

Could you listen?

He’d promised he would, so he had.

He had. He’d listened and he’d done nothing and…

Aaaaaaagh.

He growled, shook his head and pushed harder, trying to drown out the memory of his brother’s voice, of all the other desperate voices, with the harshness of his own breathing.

Just… run. Uciec.

Every life he’d failed to save since the very first, clawed at him from the sides of the track. So many of them now. He pressed on, trying not to step on their hands.

Listen!

Wait?

RUN. It was the only plan he had for now.

His pulse thundered in his head as, predictably, the brother he least wanted to see right now joined the trail just ahead of him and jogged easily alongside. The only surprise was that it had taken so long.

Scott pushed his speed up a notch and his quads screamed at him. Good. Focus on that. The rain provided enough white noise that he could almost ignore the sound of the second set of feet pounding along the track.

He counted his own steps under his breath:

Onetwothreefourfivesixseveneight…

His pace slowed a little as the path sloped upwards more steeply, his breath little more than gasping now… nine-ten-eleven-twelve-thirteen. Thirteen. Thirteen families torn apart. He staggered a little and immediately noticed but ignored the hand brushing his elbow. He pushed on.

Fourteen-fifteen-sixteen-thirteen-thirteen-thirteen-thirteen-thirteen…

All those people had believed in International Rescue. Believing for a miracle in blue.

Believing in him.

And he’d stood there… waiting… USELESS… and then it had all come down and it was too late and they were gone.

He hadn’t even TRIED.

“Scott, slow down. Please?”

No.

Can’t.

Uciec…

“Did that already. Didn’t turn out so well.”

“I’m sorry. But can we…”

“I need a minute.”

“You’ve had plenty, Scott it’s been…”

“You know best of course.” He regretted the snarling tone as soon as it emerged but he’d just have to add ‘being a good brother’ to the list of other stuff he’d already failed at today.

And when Scott Tracy started failing he really went to town.

His breath caught painfully in the back of his throat and his eyes blurred in a way he couldn’t blame on the rain streaming down his forehead. All those people. He hadn’t even tried… he hadn’t even…

With a hiss he shook his head and tried to blot it out. Something twinged in his thigh and he weaved slightly as he tried to shake it out. Of course little brother would have seen but he didn’t mention it and Scott ploughed on. The path turned and began to climb the shoulder of the caldera. Thunder grumbled away in the distance but he hadn’t noticed any lightning amongst the deluge.

“You know I was right, Scott!”

“THEY DIED! THEY ALL DIED, VIRGIL! GONE! JUST LIKE THAT!”

“AND YOU WOULD HAVE TOO!”

The unexpected volume finally brought him up short. Virgil didn’t shout…

But Virgil’s expression wasn’t angry. Scott turned away again, unable to process the agony in his brother’s eyes just then.

“Maybe I wouldn’t… there might have been something I could have done.”

“Sometimes there is nothing that can be done, Scott. Even by us. Even by you.” Virgil’s voice was small now. And it shook.

Scott keened quietly and hugged himself in an effort to control the muscle fatigue shivers that were beginning. He slowly shook his head from side to side, as if denial might yet change the outcome.

Virgil’s arms appeared around him and held on tight. The rain continued to slam into the earth around them.

“Sometimes there is nothing that can be done.” He repeated softly.

Scott had already parroted these exact words to the GDF officer who had, as usual, turned up too late to be of any use. His heart hadn’t been in them. Where his heart had been at that very moment was in the clenched fists of the woman he could see over the uniformed shoulder. Whose eyes had pleaded with him to make it untrue. The wife of one of the local first responders who had been trapped in the mine as it collapsed. The raw agony on her face as she hung limply over the linked arms of two friends and howled was too familiar.

A freak avalanche obliterated all in its path. A sabotaged fighter jet exploded on the runway. A prototype spaceship exploded into atoms.

The second solid hour of pushing past his limit wandered over and presented its bill and Scott folded at the knees.

Virgil caught him and held him up, like he always did. Even when Scott was unwilling to admit it was required.

“We can’t save everyone Scott… you know that. Dad always said so.”

“I didn’t even try.“

“You would have if there’d been a chance. So would we all. That’s why we flew all the way there. That matters!”

Scott blinked the sweat-rain-weakness out of his eyes and glared at a rock.

No, not weakness. She always said so.

He kicked at the rock and missed.

He wrestled back control of his limbs and straightened up and but continued to avoid Virgil’s eye which took some doing because his he could feel his brother eyeballing him as determinedly as the amply muscled arms were holding his torso hostage. Scott pretended to himself that this was why he was struggling to catch a breath. The rainfall increased in intensity and the sound of it filled his ears with fuzz.

“One of the wives… she just looked at me and I… I had nothing. Nothing to say to her. Nothing.” His thoughts sped away from his control even as his brother restrained his body from chasing them. “But what could I say? We’re supposed to stop it happening! I’m supposed to try… Can… can you even imagine…” he dragged in a breath and tried to stop his head swimming as the nausea rose “… how they feel when we fail? To know the person who made their life make sense… who they exist for, is gone? Just like that?”

“I don’t have to imagine.”

Virgil’s voice was quiet and flat, but cut through the air like a scythe.

Scott‘s racing mind ran smack into a wall. The chill of the rain was nothing compared to the ice that suddenly crystallised in every vein.

He swore, silently - he had no breath left to make a sound.

How could he have forgotten?

Already?

It hadn’t even been two months since he’d held his tormented and terrified brother in his arms and sworn he’d do anything. The reason he’d stopped today, for the promise he’d made was the knowledge of what he’d driven Virgil to. And yet somehow as soon as the path between he and the trapped ones had disappeared, the guilt had driven it from his mind. He’d lost his way. Again.

The thunder rolled more insistently. This time the flash was bright enough to penetrate his scrunched up eyelids.

Even if he had the breath he didn’t yet have the words. So he dragged an arm out of Virgil’s vice grip and hugged him hard. Virgil sagged into the embrace and Scott shifted the angle of one leg such that he was better able to support his larger brother’s weight. He had nothing left for anything more. The fury was gone, leaving only a gaping chasm where the pent up energy had been.

Scott’s breath deepened and slowed as they stood there, propping each other up. Even here, even like this, his brother’s presence was soothing. Grounding. It always was. It was why Scott had been avoiding him… he hadn’t felt he’d earned that comfort today.

The storm was right on top of them now, the roaring and the flashing almost synchronous. The palm trees creaked and groaned, the rain slammed into their skulls and gushed down the rocky track. The sea howled and tore itself apart on the shore.

And yet all Scott could hear was Mom’s song. Not with his ears, he heard it in his bones as Virgil hummed quietly into his chest. Suddenly he was in the deepest pit again, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to hold on to anything but his brother’s voice calling him home.

Only this time, he could answer.

And so Scott sung her lullaby to his little brother as the storm raged its way over their island and out across the Pacific:

You’ll soar through the sky

Or sail on the sea

And when you get home

That’s where I shall be

Go find your adventures

So fearless and free

I’ll wait for you always

As proud as can be

And if there is darkness

No hope you can see

My heart holds you safely

You’ll always have me

At the last line Virgil was gripping him so hard Scott could feel the skin bruising under his brother’s fingers.

“I am such a fool, Virg… I don’t deserve you.”

Virgil huffed a sigh.

“I’m sorry.”

“S’ok.”

“It’s not.”

“Was never gonna be easy. Thank you for stopping.”

“Thank you for asking me to.”

Virgil looked up at him, doing an impressive impression of a half-drowned puppy. But for once Scott’s heart didn’t melt at the sight of an adorable younger brother.

Instead it clenched with dread. Pale, heavily shadowed and his eyes dilated to almost black in the fast-fading light, Virgil seemed almost wraith-like.

This had to stop. He couldn’t keep doing this to them. He could see it so clearly now. The empty space in his chest where the hurt and the guilt and the rage and the despair and the fear had resided began to fill with a steely glow of determination:

He would burn the world to protect his family.

He’d do it without a second thought.

So why was he risking hurting them every time he tried to save it?

He kissed Virgil on the forehead then stepped out of the embrace to take his brother’s shoulders in his hands. Blue met brown and held them steady.

“I will get better at this. I promise. I… I don’t want to leave you guys. I swear it, Virg, please believe me. I never have. The only reason I didn’t give up and die back… back then was because I needed to get home to you. Because you called me home. I knew you were waiting for me. That hasn’t changed. It has never changed, not for a second.”

“Then… why?”

“I don’t knooow.” The bewildered schoolboy inside Scott betrayed his presence with a faint whine. “I don’t mean… It’s not… It’s just…” He took a shaky breath. “It’s hard for me to choose NOT to act. It’s hard to not TRY. It feels… I… I think I’m scared of the what if? What if I had done more… pushed a little harder and… it had turned out better? It’s hard to see the line where it isn’t worth the cost to try.”

“You can see it well enough when one of our lives are in the balance.”

“True… True. I guess because its the opposite? I’ve spent all my life worrying about how I can protect you all, so I have to restrain myself from stopping you going out there in the first place and… yes I know, I know…” Virgil’s single raised eyebrow said it all. “I’m the world’s biggest hypocrite.”

Scott sighed. Then shivered. His leg muscles sent a polite three-second warning.

“Could we sit down? I might have, um, overdone it a touch.”

“Who could possibly have predicted that?” There was a welcome undertone of humour in Virgil’s snort.

They landed inelegantly but side by side in the mud. Scott took his hand again and they rested a while, their clothes steaming gently in the warmer evening breeze that had pushed the storm ahead of it. A sprinkling of early stars peered through a gap in the diminishing cloud cover.

“I can see the line for you so I can learn to see it when it’s mine too. I’m going to keep listening, ok? Until you don’t need to tell me anymore.”

“Thank you.”

“But…”

Virgil stiffened.

“I need you to do something else for me too.”

“Anything.”

Scott considered his words carefully. He didn’t want to make the same mistake he had ten years prior and shackle his brother with an impossible vow.

“I need you to change your mission.”

“I don’t know what you mean?”

“The task you gave yourself when you were small… to show me that… that I’m worth more than I thought. You have Virg, you always have been doing that but now I see things more clearly… well… I have to take that one on myself.”

Virgil’s hand shifted in his as the younger brother sat up straighter, Scott could sense rather than see the shoulders being squared.

“That makes sense. I can’t be your self-esteem for you. But I will make damn sure you keep making progress on it. Weekly mission status updates, minimum!”

Scott laughed quietly at the grin in his brother’s voice. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. And you have your own now too.”

“And what is that, Oh Great Commander?”

“If I’ve let Dad’s shadow shape me too much, you’ve let my… issues… shape you. I need you to find yourself again.”

Virgil tensed as if he was going to speak but no words came. Scott pressed on:

“You are so very much more than my keeper, Virg, but I’m worried you’ve pushed a lot of yourself to the side for me and I didn’t even see it happening. If I give you a break from being Scott’s 24/7 bodyguard and cheerleader, can you use it to give Virgil time to shine instead? I’d really love to see what might happen if you did.”

It was too dark to see his brother’s face but the happy relief in Virgil’s voice was light enough for both of them:

“I’ll see what I can do.”

💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚💙💚

Your honour, I finally fixed them.

3 more (shorter!) chapters to go by way of epilogue because I promised fluff and bunny ears and they will definitely happen. After all this progress I think they’ve earned it.

Oh and here’s the beautiful art by @lenle-g showing our boys in the rain 💚💙😍

Next chapter

[forest-falcon]

The Butterfly Effect

Chptr 17

It's been a while since I've last updated this fic, but here it is - the next chapter of The Butterfly Effect. Hope you enjoy! And thanks for everyone's lovely support with this story. Hopefully it won't be as long before the next chapter is out 🤞

No major tags for this one - minor angst, whump and a bit of family fluff thrown in!

💙💚🧡💛💜🐦‍🔥🚒

John was torn. Torn between all those who needed him. Torn between duty and love. But, in the end, the choice was easy. His place was on the GDF carrier headed for Auckland, at the side of his brothers and Grandmother.

The post-mission clean up (if it could indeed be called that), the press, and the rest of the world waiting on them, would simply have to manage. God knows, he was having to.

Hauling himself aboard, he gently touched the painted name of the carrier, before finding a vacant seat next to Tam.

"Welcome aboard!" Colonel Casey greets, over the sounds of the engines, and flicking of buttons.

Val had been good to them. As soon as she had a functional comms line up and working, she'd taken the initiative to pull strings with a number of contacts. Phoenix would be allowed the time off from their regular civilian jobs back home to help with getting International Rescue back onto their feet, if they so wished.

It was a unanimous 'yes.'

"We're here for as long as you need us," her words held a warmth befitting her honorary Aunt status. She'd squeezed his shoulder, before brushing a stray lock of hair out of Scott's face.

"Thanks," John sighed, with a gratitude that somehow furthered his exhaustion.

Although it was in the world's best interest to see International Rescue functioning again, as swiftly as possible; it was good to know that people had their backs when the chips were down.

Val made her way to the front of the carrier and a flutter of garish Hawaiian fabric filled the seat.

Gordon peered over the eldest brother.

"Hey there, Bird Bath! How's the head?"

A groan, but Scott's eyes remained shut.

"Gords..."

"The one and only!"

Scott could hear his brother's Cheshire Cat grin.

"As your brother, I feel it's my duty to tell you that that landing was...*raspberry* stinko, awful...I've seen Rigby land better!" He gave a thumbs down.

"Ah, save it! Yours is the one Thunderbird that doesn't fly," Rigby deadpanned, from the cockpit.

"Make him stop," Scott's hoarse whisper is mainly levied at John, but entreats any and all who can hear him.

"Gladly. Just tell me how," John smirks, finally letting his shoulders drop a fraction.

"Ah, don't be like that... Hey, I know what'll cheer you both up!"

"No."

"A good ole sea shanty!" Gordon whips out his pocket device.

"Veto."

"Aww, really John? Not even, 'Leave her Johnny, leave her?'"

"Especially not that."

"Fine. I've got you..."

A moment passes as Gordon scrolls, then taps; and the hangar bursts into song.

"Eurovision!"

Virgil reopens his eyes to the sounds of...wait, is that Conchita Wurst?

Oh God, Gordon - Rise Like a Phoenix...really? Phoenix. This was definitely Gordon's taste in music - and humour.

Virgil doesn't remember being hover-stretchered to the hangar, but it's good to hear the voices of his family once more.

"Stop your fussing. I'm fine,"

"I'll be the judge of that Mrs. Tracy."

"Matthew Eric Jones!" Grandma starts.

"She middle named me! Did y'hear that Mac? She middle named me!"

"Oooh! Now you're in for it!" Gordon's chimes in, clearly enjoying his inflight entertainment.

"I was a doctor-"

"-And now you're my patient. So, unless you're going to sign an AMA form, you'll sit back nicely, and let me do my job."

"Oooh, I like him." Grandma's voice concedes. "Fine. But if they keep me in, you're bringing the treats! And none of this basket of grapes rubbish. I'm talking chocolate and brandy - neat."

"It's a hospital, Grandma." John's voice reasons.

"And?"

"And you should know - better than most, that they're not gonna let us bring that in for you."

Grandma goes to fold her arms, then winces, with a concealed hiss.

"John. Kid. I'm old! Just stick it in a sippy cup and call it apple juice - they'll never know the difference!"

"Stop tryna...get John...into trouble."

It's a wonderful sound, hearing the deep rumble of baritone. Sally can feel a secondary tightness - one she could not attribute to her injury, leave her broken ribcage.

"Eh. Twas worth a shot." She offers up a warm smile, knowing he cannot see it - both her eldest grandsons sporting large foam trauma blocks; but she hopes he can hear the sentiment within her voice.

"Nice to have you back in the land of the living, kid!"

[q1mblrrd]

In The Eyes of God

Castiel x Dean (Destiel, Fantasy AU) 💚💙

Word Count: 3,436

Cas and Dean are forbidden lovers, prince x peasant. PART TWO!! SMUT!!

Part one:

Part three:

Warnings: oral sex, masterbation, slight violence (a single slap), hints of an eating disorder

Seasons changed, leaves fell and winter came, bringing bitter cold and light snowfall. Shirts turned to layers and elaborate designs of lace on thick capes and coats. Picnics turned to long dinners in a grand hall lit by a big fireplace. Castiel still remained forever uninterested in the meetings with his potential wives, which only angered his Father more by the day. The only seemingly good thing brought about by the winter was that Dean spent more time inside than he did in the stables.

 Tonight Castiel sat at the grand table staring down at his food. Nothing looked appetizing anymore, and he’d only started to eat less the longer the days ran. Dean had noticed from his post standing silent by the door, but he refrained from commenting. He couldn’t, not in front of the entire Royal family. They weren’t even supposed to know each other, much less be acquainted. Nobody noticed that Castiel didn’t eat, nobody besides Dean. The plates were cleared away and Castiel was dismissed back to his chambers. He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his clothing and letting his mind wander. 

What was in store for the next day? More meetings with young ladies, fencing lessons, if he remembered correctly he had some studying to do for an exam. He slipped his feet from the boots, resting them against the cool stone, shivering slightly at the difference in temperature. His sleeping clothes had already been laid out on the bed, the soft silk running smoothly through his fingers and over his shoulders. It was a deep solid blue, silver embroidery along the sleeves and collar. He felt he didn’t deserve such lavish things, all of these belongings, not after his sins. They seemed to only grow stronger by the day, impossible to wash clean no matter how long he scrubbed at his skin or how many hours he spent in the chapel. 

A knock on the door drew him from his thoughts. 

“Coming.”

Castiel called over his shoulder, finishing the buttons along the front of his shirt as he walked over and opened the door. He stilled being met face to face with Dean, who gave hints of a smile in his eyes to hide it from anyone else but Castiel. 

“Dean.” Castiel let out a breath, his arm slowly dropping to his sides. He lowered his voice, checking down the hall to make sure nobody else was around. “What are you doing here? You can’t be here, this is dangerous.”

”You didn’t eat at dinner.” Dean replied quietly, seemingly unbothered by his words. “Are you feeling alright?” 

“Yes, I’m fine, still—why are you here? You can’t be seen with me,”

Dean pushed himself into Castiel’s room, ignoring as the other sputtered for a moment, and quickly shut his door, locking it. 

“I just wanted to make sure you were alright. I was worried.” 

“Well, I’m perfectly fine, so you can go.” 

Castiel stepped up to him, turning his head up slightly to meet the other’s eyes. Dean didn’t move or speak for a moment, taking a deep breath and watching the other. He didn’t want to leave, and in all honesty, the words he wanted to say felt stuck in his throat. Castiel felt too close, too warm, like the sun. Dean was nothing in front of this beautiful person in front of him. He could see the other talking, speaking to him, trying to get his attention, but he couldn’t listen. Those gorgeous blue eyes, pulled him under, drowning him in a way he hadn’t been before. 

Castiel slapped him. Dean’s head jerked to the side, pulling a gasp from his chest as he put a hand over the forming red mark on his cheek. He knew he should be angry, but for some reason it only made him want to kiss him more. 

“What the hell are you doing here like this? You know you’re not supposed to be—”

Dean grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, yanking him forward but meeting his lips gently. Castiel gasped, his eyes widening as he froze. Surely he’d thought about this very moment endlessly for weeks, months even, but now that he was living it? It wasn’t supposed to happen. All that work he’d put into trying to forget the other, and now it was gone. He felt Dean’s hand on his shirt, his warm breath, the way he could’ve easily tossed him around but he didn’t. This sort of sweet serenity lasted only a few moments before Castiel came to his senses, breaking the kiss and shoving Dean away so roughly that he tripped over the rug and fell to the ground with a hiss of pain. 

“What the hell is wrong with you?! Do you even—“ Castiel started shouting before he realized he was far too loud, stumbling back a half step as heat flushed through his whole body. Dean just looked up at him with wide eyes and bated breath. Had he fucked it all up? Had he been misreading this whole time? Castiel lowered his volume, bordering on anger. “Dean, you can’t just— We can’t. Do you understand that? Fuck, why would you…” He trailed off, running his hands through his hair as he shut his eyes and tried to get his mind to work properly. All his work, all his progress at trying to force the other into a box he could lock away was gone. Useless. 

“I’m sorry,” Dean said quietly as if his words might shatter a very thin plane of glass. That’s what it felt like, walking on glass, knowing if he fell through he’d only get cut. Part of the danger was what made it so appealing though, the risk, the looming knowledge that this, whatever this was, wasn’t right. Or so they say. Carefully he pushed himself to his feet, hesitating before moving a step forward. Castiel moved back in tandem, dropping his hands, and tilting his head away in shame. He wasn’t supposed to like it, it was wrong and bad, he was broken. “I’m sorry, Cas—”

”Don’t.” Castiel brought a hand up, whether it was to shield himself or hit the other again he couldn’t remember, “Don’t call me that. You shouldn’t.”

”I shouldn’t, or you don't want me to?”

Castiel cursed under his breath, scoffing and lifting his head only to glare at Dean. Now it was his turn to move forward and grab his shirt, yanking him close enough he could smell that familiar aroma of burning wood and ash. The way his eyes widened a fraction, showing those gorgeous forest green eyes. No—

“What— Why? Why are you doing this?” Castiel started sharply, forcing down those other thoughts. “Why are you making this more difficult for me? You must like it, seeing me suffer. I wonder if you might be the devil himself, tempting me like this. How— How?” His breath caught, a strange feeling pooling in his gut. Dean remained quiet, somehow only more and more attracted now that the other was angry with him. “You know this is wrong. You know it in your head and you know I can’t. We can’t. Imagine what they’ll do to—“

”To me?” Dean interjected, daring to push himself just a little bit closer. “I know what they’d do. I know, and yet I can’t bring myself to care. You say it's a sin, but you don't believe it. You know you don't, so stop lying to yourself. Let me in Castiel, please, it only hurts because you— you force it away! Let it happen, let me help you, please. I don’t want to hurt you.” Castiel struggled to figure out what to do, tossing the idea of shoving him away and pulling him closer back and forth in his mind. He didn’t want him closer, Dean being closer made him feel hot and flushed, and it made it impossible to think. It made him anxious and scared and somehow so weak he felt like he couldn’t stand anymore. Dean being close made him get lost in those eyes and in his own head, planning all the ways the other would probably make him beg. But Dean being away meant Castiel was left to suffer on his own. It meant the thought lingered, it meant he was left with nothing but a sense of pain deep in his chest, something that wouldn’t go away no matter how many times he pleaded for forgiveness from God or no matter how many times he touched himself hoping that just one more time might make things go back to normal.

“We can’t Dean,” Castiel started quietly, shaking his head, the fear pulling him further and further away. “You know we can’t, it’s a sin.” He fell into a pained whisper, Dean’s expression only becoming more determined. He was tired of pretending like he didn’t care, he was tired of Castiel forcing the truth away. He could make the other understand, he was sure of it. He knew Castiel would listen, he knew because he recognized the way he would watch Dean’s eyes. He knew the way the other cast glances over his shoulder, the way his fingers would linger just a little longer than they were supposed to, and he knew because Castiel still hadn’t let go of his shirt. 

“Why then?” Dean spoke up, grabbing onto Castiel’s wrist with one hand. “Why is it such a sin? Why does God bid me to love you if it is such a sin? Why does the world turn if not for love? You and I, only exist because of love. Why is ours different? It shouldn’t matter if the world hates our love because it is ours! It’s ours, not theirs Castiel! I shouldn’t care if they strung me up tomorrow for loving you, because even as my neck breaks I would still love you!” Tears were in his eyes, even if he hadn’t meant for them to be there. He wanted to be strong, that’s what this was meant to be, something solid, not shaky.

 “I will die before I should walk away from you and from this, and if God says our love is a sin, then I curse him. I curse God, and I curse his angels, and I should curse the world before I ever turn my back on you. Do you understand that?” By now his hands were on Castiel’s shoulders, shaking him slightly to prove his point as a single tear slipped down one cheek, and then another on the other. His voice had cracked, trying his best to get through to the other. It wasn’t bad, Dean could feel it in his soul. Castiel was struck into stunned silence, the internal conflict causing more turmoil than he would’ve liked. 

“I— I understand.” Castiel stammered softly, managing a nod. He couldn’t understand how Dean said everything he wanted to say with such ease, just letting the words fall from his lips like a smooth liquor. He couldn’t get enough, of listening to that voice, letting it soothe him. Dean was right. Who needed the world when the world was standing right in front of him, holding him, begging him to understand? “I understand,” Castiel said again, this time softer, firmer. He did understand. He knew it just the same as Dean did, and that knowledge was what pulled his gaze down to the other’s lips.

They had been so soft and gentle, so kind to him. Did he deserve that kindness? Dean made him feel like he did and for a moment he could force that little voice yelling at him down, put the voice crying it was wrong into a box, and shove it somewhere dark and quiet. Dean let out a soft breath, carefully letting go of Castiel’s shoulders to bring one hand to his cheek, holding his face steady, tilting him up just slightly. For a while, they just looked and admired what they’d been missing. Finally, it was at their fingertips and not just imagination. This was real. 

Castiel let out a gentle breath, closing the gap between them and pressing his lips against Dean’s. Dean didn’t hesitate to kiss back, the hand on Castiel’s cheek shifting to the back of his head, making sure he stayed close as his eyes closed. They pressed together and Castiel moved his hands to Dean’s waist, holding him steady. It felt like months of waiting came crashing down over him all at once, and Dean could feel it against his leg. Not that he was complaining. 

Dean's other hand moved to the front of Castiel’s shirt, fiddling with the buttons and slowly undoing them as their kiss deepened and he tilted his head to the side to let them be closer. Castiel could’ve stopped breathing, the heat making him want those hands to move much quicker. It was tortuously slow, and it frustrated him. Dean was taking his sweet time, savoring every moment he got to taste the other, every second that their skin was together felt like lightning in his veins. He broke the kiss to watch as he slipped the garment off Castiel’s shoulders, running curious fingers across his skin. It was dusted with light freckles, untouched by work or weather, the softest thing Dean had ever felt. There were no scars, no bruises, no burns or cuts, nothing Dean seemed to sport every few inches.

Castiel was beautiful. 

Dean’s lips connected against his neck, kissing his skin in what could only be described as worship. Castiel felt choked of air, shivers racking up his spine as the other pushed him back until his calves touched the mattress, then pushed him further until his bare back rested against the cool fabric. He couldn’t think, eyes closing as hands ran over his body, guiding him to relax, to trust Dean. Dean was beyond lost, lapping at Castiel’s neck, holding him steady when he whimpered or gave those perfect little shivers. He didn’t know such a drug existed, but listening to the other when he tried to keep quiet might as well have nailed his coffin right shut. It took physical effort to continue, so utterly paralyzed with emotion that he didn’t know how to go slowly. His breath came in heavier and heavier, panting and moaning into his shoulders, down his chest, greedy hands pulling away the rest of his clothes. 

By now Castiel was trembling, it was hard to stay still when each wet print left a burning cold sensation on his body. He had to stay quiet, nobody could hear them. It would mean death, he knew that. It made him harder than he’d ever been. He struggled and gasped for air, gulping it down between suppressed whines and mumbled apologies for one reason for another. He knew his cries for mercy would fall on deaf ears once more, but as Dean’s lips ran down his navel and his tongue slipped under the band of his underwear he didn’t think it mattered anymore. His fingers threaded into his own hair, trying desperately to avoid reaching down and forcing the other to just do it already. He didn’t know if he could stand this much longer, sitting in this burning heat. 

Dean was on his knees at the edge of the bed, hands against Castiel’s knees before slipping up his thighs. He was thoroughly enjoying every sound, every little squirm, the way he had to hold Castiel’s legs open. It was amazing, keeping him waiting, watching as he looked away, either too scared or too embarrassed to look down and meet his eyes. Eventually, he didn’t have the heart to tease the other anymore, running cold fingertips along the length of his dick, salivating at the moan it ripped from Castiel’s chest. He was clearly struggling so much, it felt mean to deny it any longer. Dean’s tongue met his tip, taking him down carefully inch after inch, running his tongue up and down. It was like music to his ears, the sounds Castiel was making. It was completely involuntary, but Dean’s other hand slipped beneath his trousers, gripping himself and moving in tandem with his mouth. 

At some point Castiel had the sense to grab a pillow and bite down, muffling every low moan that fell from his lips before he could bother stopping it. His hand had threaded into Dean’s hair at some point too, but he couldn’t remember that either. All he could think about was the warm, wet feeling of Dean’s mouth all over his cock. It was painful, and the only antidote was the way Dean’s tongue ran along that one little vein. It was beyond addictive, the sound of short breaths growing shorter, soft whines growing higher. His whole body felt as if he were on fire and suspended in heaven all at once. Nothing he’d ever done to himself even came close to this, gripping Dean’s hair and pulling when it felt like too much but all he wanted was more. 

Dean wasn’t much better, panting against Castiel’s heated flesh, whimpering quietly as he ran a thumb around his own tip. It wasn’t his turn yet, Castiel had to go first, that’s what he’d decided. So he worked harder, going deeper, forcing down the urge to gag, shutting his eyes when his hips jerked into his hand. He had to calm down, but how could he when the most responsive, needy excuse of a man was lying right in front of him, squirming around all because of his tongue? Dean would’ve done this much sooner if he had known Castiel would be arching up like that, his chest rising and falling in quick gasps, his skin dripping with a thin sheen of sweat. 

Castiel tried to say his name to warn him, but the pillow muffled too much and he couldn’t even think straight. His eyes rolled back, the grip on Dean’s hair tightening to hold him in place as his hips rolled up instinctively. Warm liquid exploded on Dean’s tongue and he was quick to swallow, the hand that wasn’t jerking himself off rubbing against Castiel’s thigh in hopes of communicating it was alright. 

Castiel felt like he was on another plane of existence, stars exploding in his vision, white-hot tension like a knife cutting up his spine and making it impossible to stay still. After a minute or so of helpless rutting into Dean’s mouth, he managed to catch his breath, the body slowly stilling as he let the pillow fall away from his mouth and panted heavily for air. Dean pulled his mouth away gently, the sensation forcing out one last soft whimper from Castiel’s lips. Dean kisses along his twitching thighs, his hand moving faster, pre acting as his own lubricant. It didn’t take but another minute before he was groaning into Castiel’s skin, a tight feeling causing him to tense before the glass roof shattered and he came. He caught his breath, wiping his dirtied hand against the side of his pant leg. 

“Are you alright?” Dean asked the other as he stood up and looked down at him. Castiel was a mess. A very attractive mess, one that Dean was sure he’d be fucking again very soon. Castiel just nodded, starting to calm down. Dean waited a moment to be sure before leaving to find a square of fabric and dip it in a bowl of water. It was cold, but it was the most he could do. He came back over, whispering soft phrases to Castiel as he cleaned him up to his best abilities. Once they were both clean and calm exhaustion set in, pulling Dean into bed beside Castiel. These sheets felt so soft against Dean’s body, something he wasn’t quite used to. It felt out of place, but Castiel under his arm didn’t. Years of sleeping on piles of hay and cobblestone had taught him to be grateful for the bare minimum.

He pressed his nose against the back of Castiel’s neck, feeling the soft strands of hair against his cheek, smelling the hints of eucalyptus and lavender in whatever lavish soap the other probably used. He wondered how he was this lucky, fingers tracing patterns on Castiel’s side, his mind wandering back to when his mother used to do the same thing for him. He wondered if it brought the same comfort to Castiel. For a man who had sworn he’d never find a home again after being sold away from his own, he sure felt at home right here.