#Big eyes and long silly limbs haha

[sysig]

Old habits die hard all the way around (Patreon)

[dopscratch]

My Slugcat Designs

gaze upon the glory of my slugcats, i have gone full mollusk :)

feel free to use with credit! also show me if you do hahaha

fun design details/headcanons under the break

edit: find out why they're all tubemammals instead of felines here

All of them are mostly Smooth Creatures, no fur in sight. Also all of their limbs can be retracted into their bodies because slug. They each have a maximum of 3 fingers and 2 toes, though some have none at all. They are all toothless and instead possess radulae. Some have beaks and some don't, but I haven't decided which ones. The hunter is the only one with a confirmed beak. Beaks are all dark in color.

Monk is Tall because I said so. Lonk. Also I noticed its tentacles are slightly larger than survivors. Also I like the tall little sibling thing because it's funny to me.

Survivor is very average all around. Maybe slightly on the short side.

Hunter is squid. That is all (Not really). Hunter is an absolute beast and I really liked the idea of rotating colossal squid hooks instead of claws. Also squid worked really well for its long legs form :) Edit: As its rot progresses, its orangey color fades (read: parts of its skin start peeling off) and it becomes pinker like its ingame sprite until it becomes that sickly pink of Hunter Long Legs!

I thought the Spanish Dancer really invoked the tattered ribbons of the explosion spears. Also I know it's an aquatic slug and Artificer is terrible in water but I think the flailing to swim around really fits it haha. Also its a skunk because of the whole chemical weapon theme.

Gourmand is an absolute unit. It is very round. I don't have much else to say about it.

I love axolotls but they're overrated, so instead of having the gills of everyone's favorite neotenic Mexican salamander, Rivulet is an octopus. It can use the pink tentacles around its face to hide its big silly eyes if its scared. It can also stretch them out to look bigger. the space in between is webbed, just like in an octopus, though the webbing is not always visible when the tentacles are folded back or in a relaxed position. It has suckers on the back edges and can twist the tentacles around if it wants to use them to grab or hold something near its face. Its arms and legs can extend to great lengths but they cannot support Rivulet on land very well so they usually stay short then (or will only push it up a short height). A siphon on its underside lets it move faster underwater and it may spray water with it playfully.

Spearmaster is also very long like Monk. The spears are pulled from underneath the shell rather than straight out of the tail.

Saint is a sea sheep, complete with the silly closely placed eyes. Its "tongue" is just a tentacle. Also it's short. And a raccoon because I just felt like it fits.

Nightcat is a scaly-foot gastropod because I said so. I think that since it's a pretty mysterious creature it can get a pretty mysterious feature, though with a generally basic silhouette.

Enot/Inv/???/whatever you wanna call it is just cuttlefish. A wild, crazy creature whose colors, shape, number of arms, and texture are never consistent. It is dense and will not float well. Usually its tentacles and limbs have a bit of a curl to the ends.

I think a flamboyant cuttlefish was perfect for its design, and I chose a yellow mongoose because a) silly creature and b) it's not actually a mustelid so it kinda fits how incredibly weird this guy is.

and that is all, hope you enjoy my slugcats.

[slamminslamminmcgill]

got silly goofy high and had an epiphany 😌 (had this cookin in my drafts for weeks yk how it be)

warning: breeding kink, piss kink, spit kink, intox, degradation/slurs

anatomical terms: pussy/cunt, t-dick

“Oh, god, you feel so good… Feels so fucking good, you little whore… You do this often? Spreading your legs for any old man who buys you a drink? Betcha have some real daddy issues, don’tcha, boy?”

Lalo grabbed your chin and spat in your face as he fucked you up against the bathroom stall.

“Slut.”

In response, you reached out and pulled him in closer, sobbing with pleasure into his shoulders. You squeezed him as tight as you could, inside and out. Your chests pressed together as your vice of a cunt milked him dry.

Lalo growled, stabbing his coke nails into your hips and viciously thrusting into you, his balls slapping into your t-dick, the two of you jiggling the flimsy lock on the stall that threatened to give way. “Oh, te pinche putito… Ngh, voy a venir… Voy a venir dentro de tí… Voy a llenarte y poner un pinche bebé en tí, joto… Mmm, te vas a estar tan lleno… Tan lleno de mi leche… (Oh, you little fucking slut… Ngh, I’m gonna cum… I’m gonna cum inside you… Gonna fill you up and put a fucking baby in you, faggot… Mmm, you’re gonna be so full… So full of my cum…)”

You had no clue what he was saying, but it sounded fucking hot. He wasn’t talking to you, moreso at you. This wasn’t a balanced exchange; you were just a hole, one of many he could’ve picked to empty himself in. Your limp body dangled in his arms as he used it, a lifeless sex doll for his sole pleasure. He jerked himself off with your pussy until he came with a loud-

“Fuck!”

And boom goes the dynamite. His hot cum spurted inside you, filling you up just like he said he would. As he flooded your hole, both of your brains flooded with dopamine. That physical satisfaction came alongside mental gratification, reinforcing this debauched behavior. You’d surely seek it out again.

Lalo laughed in delight as the relief washed over him. “Oh… Hah… Haha… Phew, you’re incredible, kid. Best fuck I’ve had in a really long time.” He swept your hair out of your face and tenderly kissed you on the forehead. “I’m gonna pull out now, okay?”

“Nonononono, keep it…” you whined, your limbs locking around his back, “K-Keep it iiin…”

“Aww, you’re precious, honey…” He cooed, peppering kisses along your neck. “But I have to piss, so I kinda have to take it out…”

For some stupid reason, maybe it was the cocktail of substances and the myriad levels of pleasure you were dealing with, or maybe just the immaturity of “haha piss funny”, you started snickering. A lot.

”Oh?” Lalo inquired, “What’s so funny, chiquito?”

The haze of goofy laughter dissipated, and what cast it away was the bright light of an idea. A sick, sinful, salacious idea. “Do you… Do you have to take it out?”

That made Lalo snort. He chuckled, shook his head, and replied, “Oh my god, no. No, baby, you don’t want that. I can’t do that to you… You’re too cute for that…”

You mewled with disappointment, hiding your face in his neck out of shame and praying to whatever god may be that you didn’t make this weird.

Lalo sweetly stroked your hair and sighed. “Look at me.” He commanded, snapping his fingers and you obeyed, picking your face up from the shadows. “You really want it?”

You nodded, your big puppy dog eyes bulging with need.

“Say please.”

“P-Please…”

“Please, who?”

Shit, what was this guy’s name again? He definitely told you… Oh, yeah. “Lalo… P-Please, Lalo…”

“Please, Lalo, what?

Oh, god, he was gonna make you say it? Beg for it, even? …Eh, whatever. Fuck it. “P-Please, Lalo… P-Pee inside me…”

“Good boy.” Lalo pressed his lips to yours. “I will, since you asked so nicely.”

For a few moments, everything was still. Nothing outside the bathroom stall existed, let alone mattered to you right now. All that mattered was Lalo’s cock throbbing inside you. You waited, and waited, you weren’t sure for what. Then, the signal came.

Lalo grunted, “Here it comes, baby.”

And so it did. The most prominent sensation was the intense heat pooling inside your debased hole, filling up what little space there was around his cock. You squirmed and squeaked, gripping his floral shirt in your fists.

“Fuuuck, Lalooo… so waaarm…”

“I know, right?” Lalo dotted more wet kisses along your jaw and neck. “You like it?”

“Mhmmm…”

“Good boy…” He praised, petting your hair while he pissed inside your pussy. You were so full. It was so hot. The pressure was becoming too much to bear. “I’m almost done, honey. You’re taking it so well. You ever do this before?”

You shook your head. “N-No…”

“Well, get ready. It’s about to get even better.”

You were left pondering the meaning of that remark for maybe a second, until his still-hard cock slid halfway out of your hole. His hot piss gushed out and splashed onto the floor. The release of pressure and heat felt like nothing you had ever experienced. You trembled, moaned, and drooled as he slammed his cock back in, picking up where he’d left off: fucking you stupid.

Lalo hissed obscenities in your ear as he fucked you with renewed vigor. “Ngh, qué asco… No creo… No creo que me dejaste hacer eso… Ahh, Acabo de mear en tu chocho, te pinche puto estúpido… Qué un… Mmm, qué un cerdito sucio que eres… (Ngh, so gross… I can’t… I can’t believe you let me do that… Ahh, I just pissed in your cunt, you stupid fucking whore… What a… Mmm, what a dirty little piggy you are…)”

Dripping with piss and cum, you spared a thought for the janitor who’d have to clean this stall later. Hopefully, they wouldn’t know it was you.

[sardonic-the-writer]

Hey Sard! I just had an oral surgery and was hoping to get an imagine/headcannon to help me cope! I was thinking a Charlie and Ted poly (or just one of them will work haha!) Where the reader (preferably he/They or amab they/them) just had their wisdom teeth removed and are saying the most random and silly shit ever (example- I was convinced I was d_@d in the car home). And Charlie is trying to calm them down, while Ted is just provoking the Reader's drugged state 😂 Anyway, thanks! Love ya :D

this is such a fucking hilarious idea. one problem. im not taking requests so stop sending them please unless you're mutuals. im only doing this for comfort right now since my nights not doing so well

"Okay, say that one more time again for me (Y/n)."

Ted's grin was poorly contained, eyes filled with amusement as he leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Th' fffucken seagulls. Coming to kill us all with their baby carrying beaks!"

"Storks carry the babies. Not seagulls."

"What!? Noooooooo."

You were currently laying on your back on Ted's couch, mouth swollen and brain essentially mush.

It was expected of course. You had just gotten done with getting your wisdom teeth removed after a few months of pain, something that was long overdue.

You had known you would be coming out of the dentist's office drugged and high as a kite, so you'd asked—read: forced—your friends Ted and Charlie to take you home afterwards, making sure that you didn't talk too much so you could heal.

Yeah. Only one of those things happened.

"Leave them alone, Ted." Charlie's words were serious as he awkwardly maneuvered his limbs to keep the ice pack in his hands on your face, but Ted knew he was just as entertained by your lunatic ramblings as he was. "They trusted us to make sure they would heal afterward. And I personally don't want to explain that the reason their mouth is bleeding again was because you wanted to hear about how seagulls are coming to kill us."

"Come on, you know they'd do the same to us if we were the delusional ones." He responded with a chuckle. Charlie rolled his eyes but silently laughed all the same, knowing he was right.

"Charles." You suddenly gasped, knocking the mans hand away feom your jaw and scrambling up to grab his arm woozily. "We're in grave danger. You must hide."

"..what?" He sputtered, halfway between laughing and scolding you for rushing up so quickly.

"Seaaagullsssss."

"Sit down (Y/n)."

"But the sky demons!" You cried, dramatically throwing yourself into him. He just caught you before pushing you back and looking at Ted, as if to signal for help.

The other man sighed, realizing that Charlie was right, and you probably did need to rest. And as much as he wanted to keep picking apart your brain in this state; he opted for getting up to walk over to the couch you were still on.

"Listen. If the seagulls come, I'll—" Ted paused a moment before continuing, remembering something he would say to Schlatt as a joke sometimes. "—I'll get the big fist to shoot them out of the sky."

You stopped mindlessly rambling at that, peaking open one eye to look at him skeptically. He nearly cracked a smile at your silly expression, knowing full well he would never let you live this down.

"Are you sure that will work" You slightly glared at him, dragging out the sure in suspicion.

"Very sure."

You didn't say anything for a moment. Ted's brows furrowed together as he waited for you to respond to him. It took the soft snores drifting out of your mouth for either of the boys hovering over you to realize that you had fallen dead asleep right in front of them.

"Oh thank god." Charlie sighed deeply before falling backward onto the floor with his arms and legs out. Clearly very happy that you had gone to sleep. "I thought I would have had to tie them down and force them to stop talking."

"Now that would've been funny."

"Shut the fuck up Ted and let me have this moment."

He just laughed.

[pondsphuwin]

for the ao3 wrapped: 1, 6, 12, 13, 20, 29, 30 and and and!!!! alright, i'll stop here for now haha. if that's too much, you can also just answer the ones that seem the most interesting to you 💙💙💙

my sea!!! 🥹🥹 you didn't have to send more, but thank you <33

How many words have you written this year?

according to ao3 i published 130,131 words this year but i've written a lot more since i don't post everything i write and i still have WIPs.

2. Favorite title you used

'i can't lost when i'm with you' since it's from a song i associate with gunwoojin. i listened to it on repeat to write the fic and i think it fits them perfectly!

12. How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year?

at least five but tbh idk if i'm gonna finish even half of them. it all depends on my fickle muse lol

13. What’s your longest work of the year?

i want your fortress next to mine - started posting it in 2022 but i finished it this year. it's 44k words long and it's one of my fav fics i've ever written.

20. Which work of yours have you reread the most?

to be honest, i have no idea. i remember reading over the first chapter of 'a juxtaposition in fate' too many times until i was finally satisfied with it though.

29. Favorite line/passage you wrote this year?

from you need a big god:

"Without wasting any more time, Seungho picks up a machete, stained with blood, off the floor and stabs the back of the nearest man. He does it again to the second man that’s directly on his way, tearing through them like they’re just obstacles. One after the other, Seungho slices through their flesh, stabs limbs and backs and slits throats. He punches and kicks when necessary, but he doesn’t care for etiquette right now.

He has to keep Euijeong safe. And Gicheul... He has to keep them both safe, his brain supplies. 

Blood splashes on his clothes (the white suit he knows belongs to Gicheul) until there’s no more white left. Everything is red. His clothes, his hands and, without a doubt, his face too. He can smell the blood, its pungent, almost sweet scent. And taste it too - thick and metallic on his lips, invading his mouth. 

Seungho’s left eye hurts from a punch he was too slow to dodge, but he doesn’t care. All he cares about is getting to the two people he needs to protect. 

He leaves a trail of bodies behind him as he enters the main office. He can’t see neither Euijeong or Gicheul. All he registers are the men, these strangers, turned into foes by posing a threat to the woman he loves and the man he’s sworn his loyalty to.

Seungho hacks away at the thug's back with the machete over and over until he’s lying on the floor motionless. He doesn’t feel anything as he watches the men bleed out for a moment before moving on to the next. Later he’ll surely ask himself what has become of him. 

The answer precedes the question when he sinks his teeth into another thug’s flesh, ripping off part of his ear: an animal. 

A beast. 

And for what? He doesn’t even know anymore.

His job, sure. The one thing that he’s clung to since he was a teenager, while he watched his junkie of a father ruin his family. He didn’t want to be like him, he wanted to be good. And now look at him.

His body moves like it was made for this: maim, kill, tear through flesh and break bones. He’s a killing machine. He’s transformed into the very thing he’s vowed to fight against. Right in front of Euijeong’s eyes.

The cut on his hand doesn't hurt nearly as much as her look of utter shock. It's like something shatters between them and the shards cut into the deepest parts of him.

When their eyes meet through the glass, that’s when Seungho finally stops. And for a moment, finally, he’s Junmo again. He is the man that proposed to Euijeong inside a police car, who stumbled over his words as he asked her to date him instead of a ‘Seoul guy’. The man who made her laugh with his silly jokes and brought home her favorite dessert every Friday to cheer her up after a long week of work.

But this man, standing behind the glass, is no longer that man. He realizes that now. Even before Gicheul is by Euijeong’s side, in a way better state than Seungho is, holding her as he says something Seungho can’t make out.

That’s his wife. And Gicheul is touching her, looking at her like she is his. He notices the necklace around her neck and the fabric soaked in blood tied around her hand, and he thinks,  maybe she is . Maybe she belongs to him just as Seungho does."

this was easily my fav scene from the show so writing about junmo's thoughts here was really fun and i love how it turned out.

30. Biggest surprise while writing this year?

that i can actually write canon compliant(ish) fics if i put some effort into it haha. still not my absolute fav thing to write but it's not as difficult as i thought it'd be.

[roukabi]

As of today I have over 45 characters that I want to make reference sheets for, and I want to get most of them done in time for ArtFight, which is... wishful thinking haha

So, here are my gals Wolf and Lapi for a silly story about hybrid animals and growing from trauma :)

[Img IDs: Two digitally-drawn reference sheets of hybrid animals. The first one is of an anthropomorphic wolf (creatively named Wolf) with owl wings and talons. She is mostly gray, with darker fades on the eartips, muzzle, hands, talons, and tip of the tail. Her wings are a pale yellow with owl-like bands on the ends. Wolf has dark scars on her chest and shoulder, as well as her arms and neck, but the latter have bandages around them. She has fatigue-induced shadows under her eyes, and looks worried. Next to this full-body illustration of Wolf is a sketch of her face from the front, displaying the neck scars and a handy way to construct her head: One upside-down triangle is placed on top of a smaller, rightside-up triangle, with a diamond underneath. Also shown are references for Wolf’s golden eyes, paws, and khopesh. A small comic in the top right has a crude doodle of Wolf and a fanged vulture, with Wolf saying, “Father, when can I leave to be on my OOOWWWNN?”. The reference has been labeled “STORMSPINNER - WOLF”. 

The second reference sheet is of a Asiatic lion and rabbit hybrid (creatively named Lapi). She is mostly lion-like, save for a stockier frame, long rabbit ears, and a bobbed tail. Similarily to Wolf, her muzzle, limbs, tail, ears, and eye patches are black, but she is tawny instead of silver. Lapi’s eyes are completely golden with black limbal rings. They also have eye bags, barely noticeable on Lapi’s eye patches. A scar streaks across her hind leg, and a bite mark is carved into her forelimb. Over Lapi’s fluffy chest hangs a big red scarf. Her pose is more confident than Wolf’s, and she smiles, somewhat. Next to her is a profile view of her face, a sketch of her eye, and her paw pad. A doodle above Lapi’s head shows her with more apparent eye bags, but she grins and makes finger guns. An arrow points to her, labeling her as “Depressed”. The reference has been labeled “STORMSPINNER - LAPI”. End IDs.]

[artvaultz]

Hi just came here to ask you what should a beginner artist focus on. i currently have no money to afford an art education which means i have no structure to how I learn. So what should I do in self practice terms I feel like I am all over the place and when I draw I draw for three days and take weeks without drawing. what should I do please help 😌

Hello!! thank you for asking! I know I'm probably not the best resource or model, so anyone that is also seeing this: please feel free to chime in in the replies/reblogs if you have helpful/constructive advice as well!

(apologies in advance for the long post, and! really big apologies for the late reply!! ;o; I hope this is still helpful)

So, as far as learning resources, it depends on the type of things you wish to draw, but there are luckily tonnns of videos and tutorials online which are free, and which i feel have helped me and seem to help others! :D a few that come immediately to mind are tutorials and advice from proko, aaron blaise, toniko pantoja, eyecager, yen yen, lexin yuan, and ethan becker, who give really helpful breakdowns of the basics or insights or tools to study on one's own. if you are the type of person who enjoys learning from books, one that it seems to have helped some of my friends is michael hampton's figure drawing: design and invention textbook.

if you are more interested in drawing characters, perhaps trying to observe and practice drawing the structure of the body is a good place to start? likewise with character animation---for both, watching videos or observing in real life people doing things, and noticing how the body moves and how the different limbs connect. sakugabooru is a reeeeally awesome resource of animation clips, where one can step through frame-by-frame and see how the animators decided to handle different actions. and this video is a great starting point for understanding the basics of movement in animation. if backgrounds are more your thing, perhaps understanding perspective, and doing really simple black and white thumbnail studies of films can help get started, where you try to take note of the choices of composition, and where the eye is lead?

And as far as sticking to it, from what i've gathered based on what i hear from others and from my own experience, i feel that when getting started, trying to setup some sort of super easily accessible routine for drawing, and also drawing things that really interest you (as opposed to solely just grinding specific things that feel very tiresome and unamusing), are what seem to help get the ball rolling? i think it is important, especially if it is something you are trying to do on your own, that it should be at least a little bit enjoyable, right? then one would be more likely to continue. i think it can help a bit to carry around a small sketchbook of some sort, something easily portable, so that you can doodle whenever inspiration strikes! all one really needs is a writing tool and a piece of paper (don't worry about getting a super specific software!)

when I was sort of learning to draw growing up, i spent loads of time in middle school drawing fan art of naruto on random pieces of paper as i watched it, and i also drew silly caricatures of my classmates, and sketched while people-watching because strangers passing by look really cool and interesting to me. all of these also sort of helped my observation skills, as did life drawing classes in high school. but yeah, finding something that inspires you can be great! and i believe that fan art is one of the really great ways to learn haha, and there are so many different and exciting styles of shows/films and graphic novels/manga/etc.

i think also trying to find a community of people that are trying to do the same thing as you, or who have some people that are willing to offer advice or critique or mentorship in some way, might be helpful as well, and can provide an external source of motivation. discord seems to be a big place for those types of communities these days.

i was super lucky to have had a program that offered life drawing in high school, and i went to a uni that offered life drawing sessions that were also open to the public---right now it is safest to make use of online resources, but if things lighten up in the future with the pandemic, try to find someplace nearby like a school that offers open life drawing sessions, and try to make a habit of going there every week with a sketchbook. a couple online resources for now are line of action, and senshistock!

also please remember to take it easy, and don't stress! keep your hands relaxed. stretch your back. drink water. it is also totally okay to draw "crappy" sketches, just keep drawing and doodling! go go go! :D

[terrm9]

24, 36, 44 - I know I know 🙈🙈🙈 again Lina and Tatum I’m so soft for these two idiots in love 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 also Six Sentence Sunday? 🙈

Thank you so much and I am so sorry it took me so long! Here’s some little silly, a bit spicy L&T super mega domestic fluff <3

How much mystery, this love of mine (Lina x Tatum)

Rating: M (some tiny spicy themes & suggestions, but nothing graphic or explicit), maybe I would get aways with a T rating but I want to be sure

Prompts: whispering in their ear, lips touching the skin; lifting the other one up; sitting on the other’s lap

Again, this happened in the middle of my crazy studying to take my mind off geomorphology for a while - therefore, it took 40 minutes and there is not proofreading done. Please don’t look too closely haha I think these prompts being written on a weekend as a distraction is going to be officially a thing. Anyway. Thanks for reading! Enjoy <3

It has become a habit – one Tatum cherishes deeply, one he hopes they can keep for a long time – to spend their evenings like this. Not all of them, although he wouldn’t be opposed to the idea, but three or four times a week, they end their day this way and it’s something to look forward to at the end of a difficult day.

Their apartment is not big at all – quite the opposite, the place is small (cosy, Lina would grin), with a small kitchen and a small bathroom and a bedroom with only a king sized bed in it and literally nothing else. Everything is small („cosy!“) except for the large, dark grey couch and a bookshelf in the living room. Without any special conversation, they both knew they would spend most of their time there and well, all those books need to fit somewhere.

True to their words, their evenings are almost always spent here – tangled on the couch (and isn’t it a bit ironic, that they did all that hard work stuffing the enormous couch into the tiny apartment only to always, with no exception, end up tangled together, limbs an interwined mess, shoulder to shoulder, sharing a blanket, sharing the air around them?), books in their hands, each swallowed by a different story and when they lie down into their bed that night, they will share everything they liked and everything they hated about the parts they have read tonight.

One of Lina’s long legs is resting in his lap, Tatum‘s arm curled up around it, his thumb drawing slow circles on the inner side of her calf. The other one is lazily hanging over an edge of the couch, her toes occasionally tickling his own leg in a featherlight touch.

The room is silent. Calm and peaceful. The only sounds breaking it are soft rustling of the books‘ pages and Lina’s amused chuckle here and there – Tatum definitely doesn’t remember White Fang being that funny, but then again, Lina has this special talent of finding the most inappropriate of things hilarious, so he is hardly surprised.

Their eyes meet over their books. Randomly, at first, accidentally. Just a second of an eye contact before they return to the stories, accompanied by soft smiles sometimes.

After an hour of the mundane comfort (that Tatum knows he will not get enough, ever), Lina’s eyes on him become more frequent. When Tatum looks up to meet her gaze, she holds it for several seconds before licking her finger to turn the paper page of the book. She looks straight into the dark brown of his eyes (and it feels as if she was looking straight into his brain, as if she was reading his thoughts instead of her book) and bites her lower lip, seemingly unaware of her actions – but Tatum knows better.

She is done with reading for the evening. She is trying to distract him.

When she starts skating her feet up and down his leg, Tatum must admit to himself that it’s working.

Lina has always known how to distract him, years of their life together doing nothing to change that.

Tatum raises an eyebrow at her, an unspoken question in his expression. Must you?

He gets the sweetest, most beautiful smile in return and he supposes it’s meant to be innocent, but is anything but.

The moment Lina closes her book, slowly, carefully putting it on a table, he knows he is done with reading for the evening, too.

(He won’t admit it, though. No, he keeps his eyes on the words he has lost the meaning of some time ago, pretending he cannot see the way her eyes sparkle with mischief and a plain want.)

It’s when the couch creaks under her movements, her hands appearing on his thigh, that he knows he is doomed. Tearing his eyes off of the book, he looks up at Lina already hovering on her knees over him, smiling that sweet, devilish smile before dipping her head all the way down – and for a moment Tatum believes she is going to kiss him, infecting him with those sweet, devilish lips – until those lips, not covered in burgundy tonight, touch his ear and her hot breath tickles when she asks: „I am not distracting you, am I?“

Tatum’s book is not discarded with the same care hers was, the poor tome falling off the couch and were it any other situation, Tatum would pick it back up without a second of hesitation, putting it on a table with care it deserves. But it is not any other situation, it’s the situation in which Lina’s breath still tickles his ear and her nails still caress his thigh and who could even care about something as meaningless as a book when Lina, his Lina, is right there?

Not waiting any further, Tatum’s hands land on her waist and he feels her shudder under the touch, only to let out a surprised squeal when he lifts her up from the couch with an ease and positions her into his lap.

„Are you done with the chapter?“ she has the audacity to ask, knowing perfectly well that Tatum hates leaving a chapter unfinished.

(Lina would argue that Tatum hates leaving everything unfinished, which is obviously working to her advantage.)

„Maliit na halimaw,“ Tatum whispers against her thorat, his grip on her waist tightening before his lips land on her collarbone. „You know exactly what you are doing.“

A loud laugh leaves Lina, bubbling from the depths of her chest, a sound so joyful, so beautiful, so loud it has Tatum stop in his movements and just watch her as her eyes crinkle around the edges.

(He knows this laugh, he remembers it from their childhood. Lina has always had the most beautiful, the loudest laugh of all the people he has ever met.

She has only started to laugh this way again lately – after the five years of not hearing any sound coming from her throat, he couldn’t wait to hear this particular laugh again. He found out very soon that the Lina he came back to didn’t know how to laugh anymore.

Three years.

It took three years for them to be together again, three years of his presence in her life after five of separation, for Lina to let out that sound he missed more than he has ever missed anything.

It took him by surprise every time. He fell in love with her again every time she laughed like this.)

Lina doesn’t know much of Tatum’s language, a word here and there, some phrases. Basic grammar. Often, when he uses Filipino, she is lost – not now, though.

Little monster. How often did he use those words when they were kids? She has always been his maliit na halimaw, his little monster.

She cups his cheeks and kisses his nose softly, grinning widely as she speaks again.

„And would you like me to change?“

„You know I wouldn’t,“ Tatum whispers before finally capturing her lips.

It has become a habit – one Tatum cherishes deeply, one he hopes they can keep for a long time – to spend their evenings like this.

***

again please this is very raw if you see a mistake, pretend you don’t

[willoryn]

Jumping into puddles!

Takes place during season 3 ep 11! Why did Jyushimatsu show up at the house soaking wet?

"Are you not cold, Jyushimatsu-kun?"

Jyushimatsu turned his head to see Homura looking down at his legs, worry on her face as she walked beside him. Jyushimatsu wore his shorts today as usual despite the rainy weather. It might have been smart to wear something with a bit more coverage. But he was far too excited to see Homura to really think much about anything else. At least he remembered to bring an umbrella.

Jyushimatsu shook his head in spite of the chill. "Nah! I'm okay! I'm very resilient to cold weather, haha!" He fibbed. But then again, he'd rather she not learn of his sordid past with the bitter cold. "And I love the rain! It smells so nice and it's fun to jump into the puddles on the street!"

She giggled and nodded. "Oh Yeah! I remember I would do that all the time as a little girl. I even made a cute little song about it as I would jump from puddle to puddle."

"Really? How does it go?"

"Oh, that was so long ago. I can't remember."

"Ah! Let's jump into some then! Maybe you'll remember!" Jyushimatsu suggested, looking around for some nice sized puddles around them.

Homura laughed and shook her head. "That sounds fun, but I'm not sure it will wor- ah!"

Jyushimatsu was far from joking, and Homura realized this when she was suddenly pulled with him towards a puddle just big enough for the two of them to splash into. And another one, then another. They repeated this as they walked down the street towards the canal, jumping, splashing, and laughing through every puddle they came across.

Once they reached the bridge, Homura was in a full laughing fit as Jyushimatsu's heart soared at the sound of her beautiful giggles. He made sure to be at the ready if she ended up passing out from laughing too hard again.

"Do you remember yet?" He asked, hopeful.

She collected herself and wiped a tear from her eye. She shook her head. "Hm, no not yet!"

Jyushimatsu put a hand on his him, feigning a determined huff. "Then we'll just have to find more puddles to splash into! Don't worry, I'll help you remember your song, Homura-chan!"

Homura smiled brightly and her cheeks dusted with red. She opened her mouth to speak until a rather heavy gust of wind yanked the umbrella out of her hands and blew away into the patch of trees beside the canal. "Ah! Oh no!"

Suddenly, Jyushimatsu's umbrella was in her hands and he was sprinting away from her towards the patch of trees, determined to get her umbrella back. However, seeing Jyushimatsu now umbrella-less made her worry more about him than her silly umbrella.

"Jyushimatsu-kun, it's alright you don't have to-!"

"I'll be right back!" He called to her before disappearing into the tree line.

It didn't take long for Jyushimatsu to return with her umbrella... or rather, what was left of it. Unfortunately, it got caught on a tree. Its limb punctured and ripped the nylon, rendering it unusable now. Jyushimatsu held the broken umbrella out to her sadly, as if he was presenting a pitiful offering to her.

"I'm sorry! I tried to catch it before anything bad happened to it. But it kinda-"

"Forget about that, Jyushimatsu-kun." Homura said so suddenly he flinched. He worried for a moment that he might have angered her until she moved closer to him and shared the coverage of the umbrella with him. He stood up straight and watched as she pulled out a handkerchief from her bag and started patting the front of his wet hoodie. He blushed at the close proximity and contact of Homura. She was so gentle with her actions as she tended to him. It made his heart swell. But when he saw her frown, his smile dimmed a little bit.

"You really didn't have to do that." She said, sadness in her tone. "Now you're soaking wet because of me..."

Without a word, he took her hand in both of his. Making her heart skip for a brief moment before she met his chocolate brown eyes that looked at her with determination.

"Don't blame yourself for that, Homura-chan! It was the wind, not you. Besides," his bright smile returned. "Remember, I'm resilient to the weather! Hahaha! HUSTLE HUSTLE! MUSCLE MUSCLE!" He chanted, seemingly unbothered by his soaked state.

Homura's sad frown turned up into a small smile. It was just like her Jyushimatsu to be strong for the two of them. To seem unbothered by the world and to be her warm sun in a rainy world of grey. Without a word, she moved in, closing the gap, and pulled Jyushimatsu into a hug using her one available arm. Jyushimatsu stiffened and almost objected against the hug considering his currently soaked state. However she didn't budge and there was no way in hell he was going to object to this. Jyushimatsu relaxed, melted even, against her embrace. Wrapping his wet sleeves around her. Hugging her tight against him.

"I love you, Jyushimatsu." She said against his wet hoodie, making his head pound so hard against his chest he swore she could hear it as clear as a beating drum. He hoped she could. It beat for her anyway.

"I love you too, Homura."

He pulled away from her, though he really didn't want to. If he had his way, they would be there for hours just holding each other here, alone with nothing but the rain around them. They walked the rest of the way to Jyushimatsu's house hand in hand. Staying close together to remain under the umbrella. Although it still didn't stop them from jumping into a few more puddles on the way.

Once they reached the Matsuno house, Homura held Jyushimatsu's umbrella out for him to take but he shook his head.

"You keep it, Homura-chan! I'll apologize to mom and say I accidentally lost it. I can always get another one, anyway." He said. She frowned a bit. She didn't want him to get into trouble.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "Oh! Did you finally remember your song?"

Jyushimatsu didn't think he'd ever seen Homura look so sheepish before. But seeing her cheeks redden a little and her head turned away so as to avert her eyes was such an adorable sight he almost grabbed her up into a tight hug right then and there.

"Oh, I remembered it a while ago. Before we got to the bridge and we were jumping into the puddles. I was having so much fun I was afraid that if I told you, then we would stop."

Jyushimatsu could have collapsed dead right where he stood. She really was just too cute. He shook his head frantically and bounced in excitement where he stood. "No no no! We can keep jumping to puddles forever, Homura-chan! And we can sing while we do it! How does the song go? Tell me, tell me!"

Homura smiled and gave him a little wink. "It's supposed to rain again tomorrow right? If you promise we can jump into more puddles, I'll teach it to you!"

Jyushimatsu beamed and jumped with joy. "AHAHA! I can't wait! Yes, I promise, Homura-chan!"

She giggled as she watched her boyfriend jump around in the rain with excitement before she jogged away toward the street, waving goodbye to him. He watched as she disappeared into the rainy distance and turned to walk inside.

All that jumping around gave him a sudden craving for Chinese food.

[fanficshiddles]

God of Lies, One shot

Thanks for the prompt: delicioustar submitted:

Reader is part of an infamous criminal group (especialized in stealing), they had an amazing offer from an Unknow client (could be Loki himself or not actually), asking them to steal Odin’s crow (after his depart, it was safely kept inside the castle), baby reader is sent to Asgard to infiltrate the palace and gather information… turns out it was impossible to trick the master of tricks… reader was blinded by greed and to proud on her skills to see, until it was to late… 👀😨 haha i know is silly, but if you feel like writing (and is not to much to ask) could it be dark!? Hoho 🌚

WARNINGS: I went dark. Some blood play/cutting/permanent marking/non-con/Implied rape.

-

‘I’ll do it.’

‘What?’

‘I said, I’ll do it.’ She said determinedly, standing tall and proud.

The leader of her group sighed and rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. No one else was stepping forward to volunteer for the job, they were trying to avoid looking at him.

‘Alright, you can do it. A woman may be less conspicuous.’ He nodded and handed her all the information she needed, along with plenty of gold. ‘Don’t let me down, this is too big of an offer. If you do this, it will set you up for life.’

‘No pressure then.’ She laughed, but she was certain she could do it.

She was given a week to plan everything through, come up with what she was going to do. Instead of just breaking in one night, she decided to try a different approach. Granted, it would take longer, but she thought it would have a higher chance of success.

Arriving on Asgard after leaving her home, Vanaheim, she made her way to the palace. She had heard rumours that Loki was the new King, how the heck that happened she had no idea. Odin disappeared, nobody seemed to know where. And Thor didn’t want the throne, so it was left to his adopted brother.

She was met at the doors by guards, they took her in to see the King.

King Loki was much more intimidating than she had expected, sitting on the throne with Gungnir at his side. His horned helmet large and made a terrifying shadow behind him. She took a deep breath and stepped closer, to the bottom of the steps of his throne.

‘My King.’ She bowed politely to him and put her fist to her chest. ‘I am from Vanaheim, here to ask for refuge in your realm.’

‘Why?’ Loki asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

‘I was only just able to flee from an abusive relationship, My King.’ She lied. ‘I heard about how welcoming Asgard was, so was able to find a gateway here.’

Loki tapped his lower lip as he eyed her up carefully. Inside, he was amused because she had clearly forgotten whom she was speaking to. He could tell clearly when one was lying. And it was as if there was a huge sign above her, saying she was a liar.

But he was in a good mood, he was in the mood to play and toy with her.

‘And what can you bring to my Kingdom? If I decide to allow you to stay?’ Loki asked.

‘I can cook, or I can clean. I’m a quick learner, could turn my hand to anything that’s needed.’ That wasn’t a lie, she was good at taking in new information, learning new skills quickly.

‘Hmmm.’ Loki thought for a moment. ‘Alright then. You’ve caught me on a good day. I shall give you shelter here, in the palace. You can have your own chambers down in the maids quarters, one of the guards will show you there. You will share quarters with some other maids. Speak to Agra. She will assign you some jobs to do.’

Her face lit up. ‘Thank you, my King. Thank you so much.’ She said gratefully, putting on a great act. If it had been anyone else but Loki, she would’ve had them fooled for sure.

She settled into the maid’s quarters, glad she had her own sleeping chambers. It wasn’t very big, but it was cosy enough. She wasn’t planning on staying long anyway, so it didn’t really matter.

As the days went on, she settled into her disguise as a simple maid. Doing well, finishing her jobs quickly and efficiently, so she would have time to scope out the palace. It didn’t take her long to figure out where all the rare items were kept, and she discovered where Odin’s magnificent crown was being kept, in the same room.

She was making her way along the corridors one day, heading back to her chambers when King Loki came gliding down towards her. She moved in to the side and clasped her hands at her front, bowing her head in respect as he passed by.

But he stopped when he got to her, raising an eyebrow at her.

‘What are you up to?’ He asked, turning to face her fully.

‘My King.’ She curtseyed to him and kept her eyes down at his boots. ‘I was just finishing cleaning the stairs to the treasury.’ She lied quickly.

Loki gave her credit where credit was due, she was a good liar. Quick at thinking. But still not quite good enough for him.

‘Oh really, that’s good to hear. I don’t think they’ve ever been cleaned.’ He said in a slightly surprised tone. ‘Are you settling in well?’

‘Very well, thank you, My King.’ She nodded, briefly glancing up at him.

If she had been more focused, she would have noticed the mischief in Loki’s eyes. She was so sure that she had him fooled, but Loki would never chit chat with a lowly maid like this. It was actually unheard of that he would’ve allowed an outsider of Asgard to live in the palace in the first place.

He dismissed her and she scurried back to her chambers. She did some planning, deciding how to take the crown without being caught. Over the following three days she did her best to hang around near the treasury, taking note of times for when guards were near.

She finally decided on a night to pull out the plan. She wanted to get home, get her pay and get on with her what would be her new rich life…

Once it was the middle of the night, when most of Asgard was sound asleep in bed, she quietly packed her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She crept quietly out of her chambers and out of the maid’s quarters. Being careful to avoid any night guards, she made her way to the treasury.

Tiptoeing down the steps, she took out her lock picking tools and popped a small torch in her mouth to see better. She slipped the tools into the lock and with a few wiggles here and there, she soon had it opened with ease.

‘Bingo.’ She whispered to herself as she entered the room. With a quick glance around, she saw Odin’s crown in a glass container at the back.

Being careful of any triggers on the floor, she cautiously made her way across the room. On the way, she passed by a stunning broach, that would definitely be worth a lot. So she carefully plucked it from its stand and slipped it into her bag.

She figured if she was stealing the crown, why not take some extras too? She would be long gone before anyone discovered items missing in the morning.

Feeling brave, she grabbed a few other small items that fit nicely in her bag. Then she got to the crown. She hadn’t been able to figure out if the glass was alarmed or not, it didn’t seem to be as wasn’t hooked up to anything. She checked the stand it was on and there was absolutely nothing there to be found.

She took a chance and got out her laser, cutting into the glass carefully. Just removing enough of it to get the crown out.

‘Oooo, now this is a beauty!’ She grinned in triumph, eyeing the crown carefully.

‘It certainly is.’ A voice drawled from behind her.

She let out a squeak, spinning around. Her eyes widened and she felt her stomach drop when she saw it was Loki.

Shit.

He was standing with his arms folded over his chest, looking at her intently. Without making it obvious, she tried to figure out an escape route. But the only way out was past him…

Pushing off as quick as she could, she made a bolt for it and did a wide berth past him. Running as fast as she could, she felt slight hope when she reached the bottom of the stairs and started running up them, taking two at a time.

She quickly shoved the crown into her bag while she kept running. But she had only gotten halfway down the corridor when she ran right into a solid body and fell to the ground on her bum, yelping.

As she looked up, her eyes widened. Loki was there. He had tricked her, allowed her to think she was getting her freedom.

He bent over and hauled her up to her feet, she tried struggling against him but he was too strong. Just with one arm he managed to carry her into the nearest room, it was spare chambers. There was a fire going and the bed was made up, as if expecting someone...

‘Let me go!’ She snapped and tried again to get away.

Loki chuckled darkly and clicked his fingers. Her bag was taken from her and her hands were suddenly hauled behind her back and tied together with some rope that appeared from nowhere. He grabbed her neck, squeezing hard to get her attention as she started spluttering for air.

‘I knew as soon as you walked into my throne room that you were up to something. Did you really think you could lie to me? Of all people?’ He laughed into her ear, pulling her flush against him, hand still clamped around her neck.

‘You should’ve done your research properly.’ He snarled.

In a flash of green, she was suddenly on the bed, naked and spread eagle. Unable to move as invisible bonds kept her limbs tied and stretched. Loki stood at the bottom of the bed, twirling one of his daggers around as he gazed down at her.

‘You will tell me who you work for. My little thief.’

‘Never!’ She snarled, shaking her head back and fore.

Loki narrowed his eyes at her. ‘Very well. I shall have great fun making you change your mind.’

He climbed onto the bed and started the torture. He dragged the blade of the dagger up and down her inner leg, making her tense up in fear. Then she screamed when he pierced her skin, just below her knee. He dragged it down, enjoying the blood that came from her.

‘NOOOOO! STOP!’ She shouted, the stinging pain too much.

‘Tell me who you work for.’ He demanded, moving the blade further up her body, deciding where to pierce next.

‘NO!’ She was determined to keep quiet.

Loki chuckled and started carving into her inner thigh. She hissed and cursed at him while thrashing her head back and fore. But she would be damned if she ever told him. She was stubborn and was determined.

Loki carved his name into her inner thigh, he was pleased with himself and chuckled at his art. He leaned down and licked at the blood dropping from her thigh, he sucked hard, making her yelp in pain. But then he surprised her when he moved his attentions to her cunt, breathing hotly across her.

He was watching her reaction and taking in every little noise that came from her. Suddenly he clamped his mouth over her cunt, his tongue delved between her folds as he sucked and licked her. When he latched onto her clit, he sucked as hard as he could, making her howl in pleasure and pain as it was too sensitive.

While she was distracted with Loki’s silver tongue, he started cutting into her abdomen with his dagger. The pain mixed with the pleasure, grounding her a bit more but it had the desired effect as she came on his tongue.

Loki laughed evilly, leaning up he licked his lips as he gazed up her body at her. He pressed against the cut on her abdomen, making her cry again.

‘I am a benevolent God, as you can see, I can give great rewards for good behaviour, just as I punish for bad behaviour.’ He slid a hand up and tweaked her right nipple harshly.

‘If you tell me who you work for, I will reward you, pet.’ He purred, his tone seductive. ‘And I will release you afterwards. You cannot take the crown, but I shall let you go with the broach. So you can sell it on, and start a new life wherever you choose. While I take care of your boss.’

She was panting hard, unable to take in the mixture of pain and pleasure, especially at the same time. She was torn.

‘N… No.’ She whimpered.

Loki brought the dagger down towards her cunt, he tapped her clit with the flat side of the blade, making her gasp.

‘Ok! Ok! I’ll tell you whatever you need to know!’ She cried out, hoping he wouldn’t cut her there.

The God smirked and took the blade away. ‘Clever girl.’ He sat back on his heels, between her legs and looked at her expectantly. ‘Come on then, tell me what I want to know.’

Swallowing hard, she couldn’t believe she was about to tell him who she worked for. But she did. She opened up and told him everything, answered his every question. Loki watched her intently and nodded once he had what he needed.

‘Very well.’ He grinned and got off the bed. He gathered her bag with the stuff she’d stolen.

‘Hey… You said you’d let me go!’ She said in a panic when he started heading to the door.

Loki stopped and turned to face her, the wickedest of looks on his face.

‘You may not be good at lying. But I am the God of mischief and lies.’ He winked at her. As he headed out the door, his words made her blood run cold.

‘GUARDS! Come and sort this thief out. Have your fun with her if you wish, then throw her in the dungeons.’

[shapes-den]

Art Prompt Competition Entry

(I had to cut down my submission for the WD competition, by a lot, to match the maximum word count, but I thought I'd post the longer version (that's been spell-checked, haha) for anyone who wanted to read it. I had a lot of fun writing it, and I'm enjoying going through everyone else's submission so far!

Content warning for: Hallucinations/visions, themes of death and mortality, body horror, animal death, mind-altering substances, blood, other horror themes)

.

.

“My name is Bu’ha.”

 “Bu’ha?” Ourkan squinted. “I can’t see you to tell if the name fits.”

“How rude of me, elder.” She stepped forward to allow the old wolf to sniff her.

“A yearling?”

“Yes, I’m a trainee healer, my parents suggested I go on this journey to gain confidence in myself.”

Ourkan huffed. “You seem old for a yearling.”

“Well…” Bu’ha paused, laughing nervously. “I was planning to get over my fear of corpses first.”

Ourkan laughed. “A wolf afraid of food? Well, I won’t ask the real reason.”

“It sounds stupid, but it’s true.”

“Strange.”

“Yes, that’s what I’m doing this for. Mother says I should gain enough life experience that silly things like that won’t upset me”.”

“I’m tired,” Ourkan cut her off, slowly stretched out his front paws and scratched at his ear, looking pained, “You should go find my grandson. Big red wolf, you can’t miss him.” He turned away and curled up, tucking his nose under his tail tip. Ignoring her.

"Goodbye... Elder."

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

Bu’ha plodded up the winding path she had found just past the rude elder's resting spot. Perhaps this pack might help her get over her embarrassing phobia? Ever since she was small the thought of death and dying had terrified her. She even sympathised with the prey her pack caught, apologising before eating, but her mother said this was a good quality in a healer. Compassion. Just… maybe not this much. Catching her own food had already driven home the message, the necessity of prey death, but she simply couldn’t rationalise predator death. They fed no one. It seemed so... senseless.

Sniffing out the presence of other wolves, Bu'ha picked up the pace. Ferns, damp from the mid-morning rain, grabbed at her forelimbs as she brushed past them. Chalky-smelling rocks crumbled into a slurry beneath her toes, but she didn't mind, her thoughts were focused on the two wolf pups who were passed out on a bed of sweet-smelling herbs ahead of her, blocking the path.

Smiling to herself, Bu'ha nosed the closest pup, but the smile soon turned to a deep frown. These poor pups were freezing in the cold autumn wind! Angrily she looked around for either parent, before realising that the pups hadn’t moved an inch.

An icy feeling went down her spine. Could they be…?

“What are you doing?!” Her thought was interrupted by the harsh bark of a middle-aged female. “Get away from my nephews!”

“They’re… alive?”

“What a rude, unobservant yearling! My sister’s twins are just sleeping. They happen to have been born with gifts that make them tired.”

Bu’ha took another look, feeling foolish as she saw that both pups were breathing deeply. How could she be so stupid? The two wolves were joined at the hip. Every healer knew that unusual puppies like that were often colder than normal wolves. It was their connection to dead things that made them that way. That same connection meant that they didn’t live long, and she had just been the most ignorant she could possibly have been. Not a great first impression.

“I’m so terribly sorry, your healer and their parents must be amazing at caring for them. Your nephews seem very happy and healthy.”

“Of course, our healer’s the best in the valley!” She said, with a cunning glint in her eye. “In fact, you should go and see her, perhaps you might learn a thing or two about etiquette.”

“Oh! I would love to; I’m planning to be a healer.” Bu’ha wagged her tail, happy to have found an excuse to leave. Meeting the medicine wolf would be a bonus to her learning too. 

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

The pup’s aunt had given her very precise directions, seeming to enjoy making her stay and listen for an uncomfortably long time. It served her right though; she had disrespected the poor female’s family members. Bu’ha took a deep breath as she picked her way delicately through puddles and sharp rocks at her feet. It was slow going, but it gave her time to think about her manners at least.

The air was getting colder, but through the damp and moss, she could smell that the healer was close. Herbs and poultices had a distinct leafy smell, that seemed almost bitter to her, and she could've recognised it from a mile away.

Trailing plants hung down over a rocky cliffside at the end of the temporary stream, but there seemed to be no wolf or den in sight. She put her nose to the floor, hoping to pick up a scent, but all she could smell were puddles and an odd metallic tang that made her gag. Probably some rare type of medicine or plant, not that it made the stench of it any less disgusting. Maybe there would be a path on the cliff somewhere? Bu’ha stepped forward and nosed at the sodden, dripping vines. The revolting scent was stronger here, but so was a much sweeter smell of dried flowers, that seemed to be carried on a breeze blowing out of the rock itself. Of course! The medicine wolf must have a den hidden behind the plants. How clever, she thought, to keep any sick wolves where they would be undisturbed. Good for recovery. Now if only she could remember what the healer’s name was…

“Hello?” she whined, “Is a wolf name Huth here? Your packmate Auru sent me.”

A nose suddenly touched her own, causing her to jump at least 10 feet into the air in surprise.

“A visitor!” said the greying muzzle poking out from behind the curtain of greenery, “I never get visitors, come in!” Just as quickly as the nose had appeared, it vanished again, back into whatever cave or crevice it's owner lived in.

“Do… Don’t you want to know why I’m here?” Bu’ha asked, both curious and confused.

“Of course not! It’ll be obvious enough when you get in here, hurry up!”

The yearling laughed, it seemed like learning from this wolf might be fun. Thank goodness this pack’s healer wasn’t as abrasive as the rest of them. She pushed her way eagerly into the cave, taking in her surroundings as her eyes adjusted to the dim light.

An elderly wolf with large patches of fur missing here and there, greeted her with a wagging tail.

“Don’t worry, I’m not contagious if you were wondering,” The old wolf sized her up, almost jealously despite her warm smile “As we get older, healing comes much slower.”

“Oh, of course, I didn’t mean to stare.” This wolf, Huth, was clearly old enough to be envious of the yearling’s youth, but she sounded friendly, and all those years of wisdom would be fascinating to hear about.

Bu’ha fluffed out her fur, not wanting to appear judgemental. Old wolves aren’t dead wolves, she thought to herself, though, she didn’t really believe it looking at Huth.

“You look half-starved. Did my cranky relatives bother to feed you?”

“No, but I- “

The older wolf cut her off by shoving a chunk off meat under her nose.

“Eat up!” She said cheerfully, not pausing for a response.

“… Thank you.” Bu’ha sighed, knowing she couldn’t refuse the hospitality of a shared meal, and whispered a quick apology to the unidentified creature she was eating.

“Custom of your pack?” Huth enquired. The elder was sharp, she hadn’t missed Bu’ha’s quirk. Should she lie? “No, you seem touchy about it. Don’t worry, I won’t judge you. Spirits aren’t just superstition, you know.”

“Oh?”

“I can show you, after your meal. Spirits make the herbs more potent, full of nutrition. Good for growing wolves.” The elder gave her a kind, almost pitying look.

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

Both wolves padded softly over snow. Mist rose from the surroundings, but Huth had told Bu’ha this was the magic of the place. Tall, slender trees were silhouetted against the early evening light, in an eerily beautiful way. Bu’ha was enjoying herself, she had already learned a few things, and the air was cool and pleasant to her nose.

“How do you feel?” Huth asked softly.

“Hm? Cold, mostly.”

“Good… Good. Tell me when you can see it.”

The young wolf tilted her head, looking around. Now that she mentioned it, the trees seemed to be swaying in time with her breath, each exhale blowing condensation into the still air. The ground was breathing with her, glistening dewdrops shining with life.

“Do… You mean… spirits?” For some reason her words were slow to reach her mouth. Each step was becoming harder, and yet Huth seemed unaffected by the energy of the forest.

“Shh, shh, you tell me when you see. Tell me what it says.”

“Huuuth…?” Bu’ha felt nauseous, her blood rushed in her ears. Everything felt darker than before. The tree (… were they trees?) moved with greater intensity, with purpose. “What…?”

Black blood dripped down blacker bark, each tree a twisted limb that uprooted itself to crash forwards towards her. Moss melted and bubbled underfoot. Howls of air almost knocked her down as she cowered before a mighty beast. Ragged breaths, bright dead eyes, its ribcage heaved as hers did, sucking the air from her lungs and forcing it back down her throat with no care for her mortal whims.

Each inhale brought a wave of sickness; each brought a tide of death. Small critters curled up and died before her, plants withered and rotted to nothing. All consumed by the black, black blood.

That corpse-like, canine face, an emaciated grimace that pulsated with an air of indifference. Urine soaked into her tucked tail. The slender spirit did not care.

“Tell me what it says!” Her vision was blocked as Huth let out a ragged screech. “I need to know what to do!”

Bu’ha stared up in fear at the mess of flesh that was the older wolf. Every inch of Huth's muzzle throbbed with open yellow pustules, bubbling like molten fat, barely clinging to her rotting bones. Her jaw hung loosely, teeth gnashing at nothing as strangled sounds of desperation left her throat. Her eyes were no more. Instead, her sockets poured forth dark, sticky liquid, that fell down her cheeks and hit the ground with a sickening squelch. Her cries were getting louder. Her head was twitching violently. One paw held Bu’ha pinned to the ground. Her empty sockets remained focused on the yearling.

Not to be ignored, nor constrained by the mere laws of physics, the tall, twisted sprit passed through the medicine wolf, it’s head almost comically small compared to its sinewy neck. Both wolf and spirit blended into one as a strange sense of calm overtook Bu’ha.

How idiotic she had been. Death was inevitable. Death did not care. Death was not…

Her vision faded into

nothingness.

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

Pitiful.

Useless.

Pathetic.

Huth kicked her back legs with each contemptuous thought. What a waste of time. The twisted corpse behind her had showed such promise, and yet…

“Too much mountain toad?” She pondered. What a moron. If only she hadn’t been so focused on the approaching winter, she wouldn’t have messed things up for the twins. Might even have cured them before the snow drifts got too deep.

The old wolf’s muscles ached as she bitterly kicked a clump of large icy earth at the yearling.

“Help…” A soft whine came from behind Huth... had she imagined it? Excitement overtook rationality as she turned sharply towards the ‘corpse’. There! Shallow breaths, despite the lifeless eyes.

“Perfect!”

Perhaps she wasn't so useless after all.

[markwrecksmysoul]

Got7 reaction to getting teased by the group members the morning “after”

Jaebum

The morning light nearly blinded you as you slowly opened your eyes still groggy it was to be expected considering the very long night you had. A deep vibrating sigh reached your ears from the man lying next to you. You smiled and looked at his face. So peaceful, his bare shoulders peaked out from underneath the covers and you let your eyes wander his features. It was a perfect night and this was a perfect morning. Jaebum grunted his hands coming up to rub the sleep out of his eyes.

“G’morning”. You leaned in planting a short kiss on his forehead. “Morning”. All was well, until you heard his bedroom door open. The last face you needed to see popped in.

“Ayeeeeeeee there’s the loud couple! You have fun?” Jaebum groaned. And you squeaked hiding your body underneath the sheet.

“Jackson! Get out!” Jaebum yelled tossing a throw pillow at him. Jacksons laugh rang through the hall as he ran out to dodge the hit.

“Haha! Be a little quieter next time and I will!”

Youngjae

You chomped down on your lip watching as youngjae tugged his pants up, buttoning them. Your eyes traced every curve, dip, and nook of his toned torso. Your fingers itched to touch him again. Last night the two of you had finally had sex, and to put it mildly you weren’t disappointed with his performance. You could’ve woken the dead last night.

You finally rolled out of his bed yourself and put on your own clothes to grab some well earned breakfast. You both walked out into the living area hand in hand grinning like two crazed lovers. You were surprised to see the entirety of Youngjae’s roommates already sitting out there as if they were waiting.

Bambam spoke up first. “Did you two have fun last night?” Immediate embarrassment washed over you. So you really were loud.

Youngjae snickered , “sorry we got a little....carried away, did we wake you?”

Jinyoung grumbled, “wake me! I’ll show y-“. Before jinyoung could launch himself at the two of you mark held him back.

Youngjae who was red in the face at this point held back a laugh and formerly bowed to them.

“Sorry we’ll be more quiet next time”.

Jinyoung

“No I don’t wanna go out there baby what if they confront us?”

You said the butterflies manifesting into bats inside your stomach.

The feeling was due to sheer embarrassment and possibly the after effects of you and Jinyoung going at it particularly hard last night. You could hardly walk let alone endure a teasing from the boys this morning. You knew damn well you were loud . Very loud.

But jinyoung was having none of your skittish behavior this morning. “They won’t come on let’s go out there”.

Against your pleadings he dragged you out and your legs could barely hold you up let alone resist the strong tug. You stumbled after him. Mark, bambam and Jackson sat in the living room watching some random morning show. They abandoned the show to see the two of you come in. Mark blushed hard and cleared his throat. But Jackson and Bambam grinned at one another and at the same time shouted the most embarrassing thing you could hear.

“OH GOD JINYOUNG”.

Your jaw dropped and marks eyes widened. Before jinyoung could say anything you had already launched the tv remote at their heads. And jinyoung could only watch as you hunted the two trouble makers down and whacked them senseless with the couch cushions.

Yugyeom

Last night you had seen a different side to yugyeom he was nothing like the sleeping angel lying next to you now the morning after. You grinned your entire body still throbbing like an exposed nerve from all the attention you’d received. Yugyeom didn’t let up even as you were screaming out for him to. You were sure his poor roommates had heard it all. Yugyeom hummed rolling over as his eyes slowly opened.

“Morning sleepyhead.” You say with a halfway giddy smile.

Yugyeoms bed head stuck out in all directions as he popped his head up to smile at you. “Good morning baby ugh I’m starving let’s get some food”. He hopped up to get dressed.

“Right”. You tugged on your own clothes feeling your stomach growl. As you both walked out you ran smack into Youngjae who’s eyes were puffy and mouth was set to a frown.

“Hey! You know I’m a light sleeper how could you betray me like that man”. You snickered as yugyeom looked embarrassed. He knew what Youngjae meant.

“M-my bad sorry”.

He bowed and gripped your hand hightailing it out of there.

Bambam

You felt like you were on cloud nine. Last had been a perfect anniversary night and the morning after was currently living up to the standard Bambam sat at the edge of the bed prattling on about the two of you going out for breakfast while putting on his clothes.

You weren’t really listening, you were too busy admiring the way the muscles in his back moved as he bent and tied his shoes. Bambam was a skinny guy but what he lacked in bulk he made up for with what you called “secret muscles” you chuckled to yourself at the silly name.

Bambam turned to you buttoning up his shirt. “Babygirl? Are you listening?” You snapped out of your daze and stared up at him. “Sorry no.”

Bambam laughed. “I must’ve knocked a concussion into you when your head hit the bed frame huh?” You grumbled roughly throwing a pillow at him as he broke down laughing.

“Shut up idiot!” You got up stomping over to the bathroom to showeand change. After a good hour, you came out dressed tossing your shower cap and damp towel and wash cloth into your bag before moseying over to the living room.

“Oh there she is! The squealer!” You gasped at the comment that came out of mark of all people. Fully embarrassed you kept over the couch like a trained parkour specialist to pummel him.

“Mark you rat! I’ll get you!” Bambams laughs doubles him over as he watched.

Jackson

You woke to the feel of soft kisses on your face then moments later a heavy weight on top of you. “Y/nnnnn wake up”. God, morning people. You rubbed your eyes glaring up at the smiling boy. Still you loved the big rascal, the weight on you gave way to memories of last night flooding in. It was scary how quickly Jackson could switch from sexy to fluffy.

You sighed. “Alright I’m up now get off you weigh a ton!” You say pushing against his chest. He pouted not budging. “Are you calling me fat babe?”You grunted pushing against his chest some more.

“Yes now get off so I can get dressed!” Jackson’s hands snapped out and caught your wrists pushing your arms down. You looked into his eyes they screamed mischief. His lips touched along your jaw traveling to your lips. You hummed as his lips pressed against yours. Then as if he had drawn out exactly what he wanted he sat up and got off.

Your mouth fell open. That little- you growled low in your throat and gathered your clothes yanking them on. By the time you’d dressed most of your annoyance and arousal had dissipated. You both waltzed out of his room into the living room. There sat Yugyeom and jinyoung sitting cross legged waiting for you. “Well look Yugyeom if it isn’t the siren and her mate. Did you two have fun waking me up at two am?” Jackson grinned ear to ear clearly very proud.

He pulled you closer to his side by the waist. “Yup I make her scream like a piggy every night”. You thwacked the side of his forehead. “That’s not something you brag about you big idiot! and I’m not a piggy!”

“Ouch baby your love hurts”

Mark

The morning light shined on Marks closed eyes. You watched his nose twitch cutely while he slept. He looked like an angel. He wasn’t. There was no way an angel could pull off what he’d managed last night. You’ve had sex a few time but none of those experiences could top his performance. You were sure youd probably woken everyone within a ten mile radius. You were actually a bit nervous to look Marks roommates in the eye.

A grunt fell from marks lips as he woke up his brown eyes shining like honey as the lights hit them. “Goodmorning”. You said swiping a stray strand of hair away from his forehead. He sat up stretching his long limbs out. “Mornin”. You watched him shamble out of bed to get dressed for the day. You watched him tug on a shirt and fasten the button of his jeans before finally tearing your eyes away to change yourself.

You and mark stepped out of his room dressed and walked hand in hand into the kitchen to grab something to eat considering you two had worked up quite an appetite. Instead of greeting breakfast item you saw each and every one of marks roommates sat at the kitchen island and waiting for you.

Jinyoung was the first to speak up. “Whatever you did to make her scream like that don’t do it again”. You couldn’t help but chuckle.

Jackson spoke second. “I think you woke the neighbors!” Yugyeom frowned. “I’m too young to hear these things.” He screeched.

You were keeled over with laughter at this point mark could barely hold it together trying to keep the smile off his face. Until the boys all joined in your laughter of the situation. “I’m...aha.....I’m sorry it won’t happen again.” Mark choked out between chuckles

Masterlist

[kyoujurous-eyebrows]

Pillars x Tall!S/O

Haven’t seen anyone do this kind of scenario/headcanon before so I thought I would take a stab at it despite being short myself haha

Rengoku Kyoujurou

He loves to come up behind you and pick you up, burying his face into your back

He’ll often look up at you with his big wonderful eyes with a mischievous smile on his face, meaning he wants you to bend down and kiss him; it’s freaking adorable-

When cuddling or just chilling by yourselves he loves to sit between your legs with his back against you and lets you run your hands through his fluffy hair

You both switch who is the big spoon and little spoon at night neither really caring as long as you’re close to each other

Uzui Tengen

It’s honestly kind of nice for Uzui to not be the tallest person in his relationships for once

He doesn’t have to lean down to hug or kiss you so it saves his neck and back which he is grateful for sometimes

Uzui is still the big spoon unless you’re somehow more assertive than him

Hugs between you two are the absolute best because not only was Uzui seemingly built for hugs, but neither of you have to bend awkwardly for it or pick each other up unless you’re feeling extra silly

Muichiro Tokito

He’s short already but you make him feel even shorter haha; still loves you though

You tease him a lot by resting your arm atop his head while he’s spacing out and when he finally notices he gives you this small pout and it’s adorable

Sometimes you’ll parade him around on your shoulders or give him piggybacks so he can feel like the tallest person around

Often will pick him up to give him a kiss or he’ll pull you down when there are no eyes around. You are definitely the big spoon in this relationship

Shinazugawa Sanemi

He totally playfully glares at you all the time; he may have the better bara tiddies and muscle mass, but you got the height on him and it irritates him to no end

Will aggressively pull you by the neck to kiss you just to prove he’s still the dominant one (mostly to himself tbh)

He tries to be the big spoon most of the time but he honestly enjoys feeling your whole body wrapping around him; he feels safest during these calm moments

You love to rest your head on top of his when you’re cuddling; he fights it at first before settling in comfortably. Loves when you absentmindedly runs your fingers through his hair too

Himejima Gyoumei

You’re tall, but I’m not sure that you’re as tall as Himejima (he’s a beast I love him); he was quite surprised when he first met you since, other than Uzui, you’re the closest to his height

Loves to give you bear hugs since you can return them pretty well, it’s really comforting for him to feel you so close

You both sleep facing towards each other and end up tangled in each others long limbs, your face usually in his chest or crook of his neck

You both love to place kisses on each others faces, mostly the forehead and cheeks

Tomioka Giyuu

He doesn’t seem to have any particular reaction to your height, especially around others, but the first time you sneaked up behind him and lifted him up slightly to kiss his cheek he wanted to die from embarrassment

When sleeping you’ll typically start apart but your long limbs will eventually end up over on Giyuu’s side and get tangled with him; he says it gets annoying but he’s lying, he thinks it’s cute

He tends to get shy normally when it comes to asking for intimate interaction so he’ll lightly tug on the sleeve of your haori, looking slightly up at you with a totally straight face when he wants affection

You’ll casually rest your head on top of his randomly which usually end up with you getting playfully smacked in the face

Kanroji Mitsuri

OMG SHE ADORES YOU to the point that she loves to ask for piggybacks and shoulder rides and will sometimes just climb up you without warning

You’ll literally sweep her off her feet sometimes and she’ll get big heart eyes and cling onto you for the next hour or two

Because it’s Mitsuri she’ll run up behind you and pull you into a crushing hug lifting you a couple of inches off of the ground despite the clear height difference

Will make you wrap your whole body around her during cuddle time and will shower your face with kisses and play with your hair since you’re too tall for her to normally

Iguro Obanai

(I’m bad at writing him sorry)

Everyone is surprised, but sometimes Obanai will just casually hang off of you in different ways (like a snake from a tree); from your arms, your back, even just your side sometimes. It’s a very odd sight

He’ll act intimidated by your height sometimes since he is quite short himself, but he honestly doesn’t care

His snake, Kaburamaru, tends to get lost in your clothing so when Obanai can’t find him he’ll always go to you first; you won’t give the snake back until he lets you kiss him on the head

Much like his breath style, he’ll snake his body around you while sleeping, despite him being much smaller; he enjoys burying his face into your back

[the19thduckpotato]

The Ties That Bind Part 7 (MHA Fanfic)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

In which things get extra fluffy and Inko has her say.

"...Dad?"

Toshi's eyes widened at that and for a moment, he forgot to breathe.  His heart nearly burst with feelings he couldn't describe.  Feelings that ached, but what an ache.  An ache that bespoke of a desperate need to be wanted.  An ache on the verge of being fulfilled ...but he teetered on the edge. I don’t deserve it. But I want it. Please. Please I want it very much. Does he mean it? Am I ready for it if he does? He took Izuku's face in his large, dangerous, protective hands:  "...is...is that what you want?"  His eyes searched for any hint of denial, terrified of finding such but needing to be absolutely sure. Izuku's eyes were quickly filling with tears. His limbs felt weird, like his skin was buzzing-- kind of like when he'd had way too much coffee. Adrenaline? Am I scared? What am I scared of? That he didn't mean it after all. All he could manage was a whisper. "...Do you?" Do you want me? For real and for always? As... as your son? The word suddenly felt so big. A position he may never be able to properly fill. But I'll try. I'll give it all I've got! ...If you really, truly want me.... Is it possible? Part of him couldn't believe it. You know how much I've failed you. The other part looked at the events of the past two years, at the long days and the late nights and the help with big things and small, at the reassurances, at the complete forgiveness for seemingly any mistake he could make that left him in awe, at the hair ruffles and the Very Stupid Puns and the times Toshinori just held him while he cried At the events of the past night, at the indescribable fury only brought out when someone wants to harm what lies at the core of your heart At the irrefutable, unignorable fact that Toshinori was here, right now, cradling his face in his hands and looking at him with so much hope and fear and love And believed.

"Of course."  Tears welled up and he let them.  Then, apologetically:  "it could be dangerous, you know."

He closed his eyes, letting two fat tears spill over, and leaned his head forward, connecting with Toshinori's forehead again. Shaking hands came up, carefully coming to rest on Toshinori's face, just like he was doing for Izuku. "...So is everything." The world isn't safe. I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, and then where would we be? "So is... Not." He shrugged slightly. He would still come for me. Would still come for you. He hates us, both personally and what we stand for. "And even if it were the only thing that was..." Izuku smiled, big and wide. Voice warm and absolutely certain. "Worth it."

And now he was laughing, joyful laughter that bubbled up from a heart that swelled to absolute fullness.  And now he was crying, rivers running down, gratitude immeasurable and almost unbelieving that he should be gifted rather than punished for the deeds of the previous night. And now he was sobbing laughter and giggling tearfully as he pulled Izuku close, arms about him not too tight, don't scare him. Was it real or imagined, that shadow of a smile cradled by raven hair?  Something broke open within and a new strength rose up. Same DNA. Same Quirk. Same goal. We're family in every sense of the word. He knew it was a double edged sword.  He wasn't sure if he was making things better or worse for his boy--his son. He trembled as he held Izuku.  Not out of fear but from the overwhelming power of emotion flooding through him. "And so long as this battered form draws breath, I'll protect you with everything I have and am." He drew back and brushed a tear from Izuku's cheek.  "Maybe even beyond that.  You've...  you've seen me in One for All.  If I can, if I'm able, I'll fight for you there as well."

Izuku nodded and tried to reply, his smile now drenched in tears, but all that came out was a weird noise. He tried again, but found the same result. Then gave up on it, burying his head against Toshinori's shoulder and nodding again. Gripping on tight for dear life.

Toshi rested his head atop Izuku's, tears quietly running down, smile true and honest. "I'm here.  I'm here because you were here.  And are here.  And will always be here." I love ya, kid.

"Uh-huh--!" Izuku nodded again, still clinging and crying. "Love you too--!" The words were mixed in with high, gasping noises, different from the distressed cries of earlier. A vague thought in the back of his head warned him that he might be in danger of hyperventilating if he kept this up for long, but he brushed it off for the time being.

Toshi froze for a moment, his eyes comically large.  He resisted the urge to hold Izuku out at arm's length.  "Whoa, hang on a sec, sorry what??"

"Y--" gasp "--you said?? That??" He sniffled loudly, stopping hugging with one hand to scrub at his face. "A-aand I agree--" sniff "--with it... and so I sa-aid...." Another squeaking sob came out almost of its own accord. Izuku smacked his hand onto his chest in an effort to stop it from happening again, unfortunately aware that he'd now cried so much from various reasons that it was now going to be rather difficult to quit. "--And so I said it back...."

"Hey, easy now... breathe for me." Did I....?

"Y--y-eah, hang on--" Izuku hiccuped and coughed roughly, smacking his chest again in annoyance. "I'm working on that," he croaked. "Hang on--" He tried taking a gulp of air and holding his breath, cheeks puffed out like a frog.

"Uhm, speaking as a newly dad'ed dad," Toshi said...then blinked in fond amazement. I rather like the sound of that! "What should I be doing, exactly?"  He watched Izuku with equal parts curiosity and mild concern.

Eh, Izuku thought, sitting back a bit and trying to communicate his thoughts with his eyebrows and hands while he held his breath. He did a 'so-so' wiggle of his hand for 'Eh'. Not much to do. I'm okay! He pointed to himself, then gave a thumbs up, crinkling his eyes for a smile while his mouth was still puffed up. He turned away a bit and let the lungful of air out, coughing. Then turned back and have a silly grin with the thumbs up, saying with a slightly rough voice, "I'm good!" As a newly... what should... do? What... oh no, what's gonna change?? He was suddenly intimidated by everything a father could tell him to do, like go to bed at a certain time 'and no playing games on your phone, young man!' or tell him to finish his thick stack of homework before doing anything fun or eat liver which basically tastes like smooshy brown chalk with extra bitter added in, and he'd have to do it all, and absolutely immediately and without arguing at all, precisely whenever he was told to do it because you had to obey parents, and not doing something when they told you to was disobedience, and disobedience was bad and wrong and and oh no, I can't even talk to him freely anymore, what if I say something rude by accident and  it means I'm talking back, what does that mean? Is he gonna be mad at me? Have I lost the capability to say things and ask things that I would have if I hadn't asked him to call himself Dad? Is he going to try to punish me? What's he gonna do, I don't even know what his parents were like or what he thinks is a good punishment for a child, and now I've just let myself in for all kinds of crazy new rules and things I'm not allowed to do that he's just now going to be figuring out, and what if he goes kind of overboard at first, I wouldn't blame him with how new everything is but I'll still have to follow all of them and I don't even know if I CAN, he was a lot like a father before and that was good, why did I have to go and mess with a good thing, now everything's different and I don't even know it it's gonna turn out okay, what if the increased authority just makes him upset with how careless and reckless I still am when I should be being a Good Son and he's telling me to do better but I'm not, what's gonna happen now-- He realized he'd been staring in the vague direction of the mattress for a while. He looked up, clearing his throat and smiling apologetically. "As a... newly-dadded dad..." he motioned in the air. "What would change?" he asked lightly and casually. "I mean, I really liked what you were doing already, haha...." The sheepish smile widened, his eyebrows furrowing a bit. "What, ah..." he let his expression turn more serious. "What were you thinking about that?" Tilting his head, he looked up at Toshinori. Waiting to see what his new life would be like.

Toshi looked a little lost.  "O-oh," he stammered.  "I meant... for... you looked like you were having trouble there and I wanted to help and..." He trailed off and looked awkwardly to one side, revealing that his ears (usually lost in the explosion of his hair) were turning an interesting shade of red. "I don't..."  his eyes flicked anywhere but Izuku, hoping to find the answer the kid wanted to hear.  Realizing he was stalling too long and in essence answering Izuku by that, he turned back to his kid; the embarrassed  flush started to streak across his face. "If that's good enough, if that seems right, then I'll trust your judgment.  I don't really have much experience with--" Opposite of Master had  been her closest friend, Gran Torino.  A gruff man, stubborn, difficult to please.  If she was the mother he had always wanted, he was the father that Toshi never wanted to be like.  He was sure Gran Torino had a good heart buried in there somewhere but Toshi was too scared of the man to really find out.  And maybe he had calmed down since;  Izuku had seemed to like him ok.  But Toshi still didn't care for Gran Torino's methods.  He wasnt sure if fathers were supposed to be like that; all he knew is that he didn't want to be like that.  Granted, his training under the Jet Hero had only began after Nana died so perhaps he had been altered by her death and-- Like son, like dad. Toshi blinked --  "I think I just pulled an Izuku" --then gazed at the kid.  In that gaze, a very young, pre-All Might Toshi looked out: a little shy, a little scared, and a lot of I have absolutely no idea what I'm supposed to be doing but I am going to try. "--i don’t really have much experience with parents.  Myself," he added the last word in a low whisper. The flush blazed across his whole face now.

Izuku gazed back, the vulnerability and openness in Toshinori's eyes making his breath catch in his throat.  Then blinked, looking down, embarrassment at having asked the wrong question at the wrong time making his cheeks flush pink. "I... I don--" Why are you trusting MY judgement on what a dad's like? "I mean I only have the one, so." He shrugged, then suddenly looked back up. "And she's good! So good, I-- I'm not-- I'm not dissing her or anything, I just...." His voice got quieter and quieter as he kept talking, fiddling with his fingers and looking farther and farther down. "I don't. Know. What a dad's like either." Not for years. Why were his hands shaking? He stared at them. "But this--" He looked up, voice still soft. "This is good." He nodded, carefully reaching his arms out and pulling himself closer, resting his face against Toshinori again. "This is good," he whispered.

He tousled his son's hair again.  "To tell ya the truth," he murmured.  "I haven't the faintest idea what a dad is supposed to be like, either." Everything I learned, I learned from her.  So...does that make me a mom instead?  He chuckled softly at the thought. "You seem to be turning out well, from where I'm standing.  And I have no idea if that means I'm already doing good as a father figure or being the worst example possible."  He thought again to Gran Torino, the only example of a father he knew of.  Winced.  Not like him.  No matter how well meaning it was. "So why change what we know is already working?"  He grinned down at the kid, brimming with pride and love. Mine. I'm so glad I chose you to pass my legacy on to.

Izuku nodded and grinned. "Sounds good." He stayed where he was, clinging to his mentor... father. My dad. ...Woah. His hands were still shaking. "...I'm scared," he whispered, incredulous laughter bubbling up. "Wh... hahha-- why?? I... it just...." He shifted a bit, but still kept himself pressed against his father, gaining and giving support. "...Wow. That's big. That's a big thing." More breathless laughter, the air being knocked out of his lungs with every moment he thought about it.

Toshi rumbled pleasant laughter, more felt than heard as it shook his slender frame.  "It's a pretty big step.  But nothing you cant handle.  Hey," he added with a comical pout, "are you saying you're more nervous about this than when I first offered you One for All?"

"Hah!" Izuku lifted his head and grinned up at Toshinori, smile so bright it was crinkling his eyes. "Yeah, we can do it! And, ah, well..." For an instant, his face fell slightly as he remembered what it was like to accept One for All. Learning about it and thinking 'this is my purpose, like a destiny from a storybook.' How he knew that those often ended with heroic sacrifice, and accepted that immediately with 'if I die, I die.' ...But that doesn't always happen, he thought hopefully. Sometimes people live, and things are happy at the end. "Well, I didn't have to think too hard about that one." He crinkled his nose. "It was... something I could give my effort to do, and... either I could do it, or I couldn't." He shrugged, somehow ending up staring at the mattress again. "Living as a person is different from living as a mission. Harder." Did that just come out of my mouth? His eyes widened slightly. I did Not plan to say that.

Toshi drew one hand away to scratch at his throat reflectively.  "Living has proven.  Interesting."  More rumbled laughter.  "Unpredictable.  Exciting.  But it's easier when you know you've got someone waiting for you." His gaze adopted a faraway look, hand paused in midscratch.

Izuku leaned his head against Toshinori again, smiling softly. "Mm. Yeah."

Toshi draped an arm about his kid, knowing Inko would be arriving soon to take her son. But this moment was his. Was theirs. He held on to it like he held on to his kid.

Izuku breathed deeply and shuddered from pure emotion, too much to hold. ...Wow....

The door burst open and Toshi jumped guiltily.  He regretfully broke his grasp on Izuku and scooted away as a tearful Inko ran in, her arms wide open. "Oh my baby!" she wailed, fear and relief mixed in her trembling voice.  She took Izuku's face in her hands, kissing his cheeks, his forehead, all over his face, just to make sure he was really there and actually ok.

Izuku jumped and spluttered as Inko burst in and started raining kisses on him, eventually laughing and relaxing a little bit. "Hi Mom...." He grinned widely, but still squirmed and flailed anyway. "Heyyyy! Ticklessssss!!"

"Let me look at you!"  She stepped back and fussed over the bandages--"your ankles!  Sit back down, get off them!"--then inspected him for bruises--"why, there's barely any here, they said you were all sorts of colors!"--and finally brushed his messy mop of hair. Beside them, Toshi tried not to shift or draw any attention to himself.  If Inko noticed, she gave no sign. "Oh Izuku, let's get you home and into some normal clothes!  Your bed is freshly made and I'm ready to cook whatever you're hungry for, ok?" She tried a watery smile then dissolved into a storm of tears.  "Oh b-b-baaaabyyy!!" she sobbed.  "I was so scared for you!"

Izuku smiled softly, closing his eyes and saying quietly, "I'm okay, Mom." He put a hand on either side of her face, trying to comfort her. I will not cry, I will Not cry again!

Toshi for his part felt extremely awkward and, wanting to give them some privacy, tried to veeeeery quietly s c o o t. His way. From. The room. "Stop right there, mister." Oshi-- She hadn't even turned around.  Her hands were still soft and nurturing but her eyes glittered dangerously. Toshi froze in mid-stride, eyes wide, not even daring to look at Izuku now.  A very tiny "meep" might have leaked out.

"Mom." Izuku's voice was soft, and a bit sad. He moved a hand from the side of her head, placing his fingertips on her cheek instead. Look at me. "No."

"Izuku," she replied in a stern tone.  "We had an agreement.  An understanding."  Her chin quivered at his touch and more tears ran down to meet his fingers.  "He was supposed to keep you safe, remember?" One finger jabbed in Toshi's direction and he started to hunch down between his shoulders. "You were so supposed to be careful!" Inko continued, anger giving way to fear for her child.  "You promised!"  She gripped his hospital gown at the shoulders as her head sank against his chest.  "Baby, you promised me..." Toshi stared at his feet, twisting one bang between his long fingers.  He couldn't meet Izuku's eyes.

"I know," Izuku whispered. "And I'm sorry." I truly am. "But it's not his fault." His hands brushed over her smooth hair. "He protected me. He saved me. He didn't even know I was fighting at first, that was all me. I didn't even..." He growled at his own lack of foresight. "I didn't even call for backup when I should have." He bowed his head, remembering the desperate call sent out almost too late, addressed to any hero who could hear him. Temporarily forgetting that I had a comm link in my mask set didn't help... oops. "But when I did, he came for me. He helped me." Izuku wrapped his arms around his mother and hugged. "Please don't be mad at him...."

((to be concluded))

[upinthestarsx3]

Aromantic (m)

Genre: Jaehyun x reader|one shot|mostly angst|smut|fluff (but not much)

Word count: 2.7

Warnings: Very mature language, mature content, the depiction of an aromantic may or may not be exaggerated- but remember, just fiction.

a/n: finally my first nct related one shot. Okay so, I actually wrote this for another idol but I thought it would fit him more. It was only posted for like 5 hours, but if it looks familiar- that’s why haha. So much fun to write. Enjoy!

Morning kisses, good sex, cuddles, and secrets; everything you craved and received from Jaehyun. But he refused to offer the one thing you wanted most- his love. Morning after morning, you’d whine like a child when he’d unwrap his limbs from yours to head to the bathroom; and today was no different.

“You have to leave? Now?” You ask in a small voice. Your eyes glued to his naked frame that he never bothered to cover up,

“Yeah.” He replied in a nonchalant manner, turning his back and adding,

“I have work-“

“You don’t have work until 3pm, Jaehyun. It’s 7am! Can’t you stay for a while?” You plead, pathetically. How many times does one guy have to reject you before you get the hint?

“No, y/n, I can’t. I also told Mark I would meet him, he needs help with a research paper.”

“..but you’re not even good at school papers.” You respond, sounding like a stubborn brat once again, but he just rolls his eyes and ignores the insult.

You pick at your nails while he washes up, listening to how he rants about needing to go home and get ready because he never brings fresh clothes to change into.

When he emerges from the bathroom you take a deep breath and tell him, “You can keep things here if you’d like.”

He looks up at you with a confused face, he opens his mouth to speak and quickly closes it; you give a little smile at his flustered appearance but then he frowns,

“Why would I leave things here?” There it is, the feeling of your heart breaking, just a little.. once again.

“Well, you’re here all the time, so I figured.. I don’t know. I’m sorry, that was stupid to suggest.” You shyly apologize, ashamed you even suggested the idea in the first place.

“I-it’s not stupid, it’s just-“ he rubs the back of his neck and looks away from you.

“It’s just what?” You question, placing a hand on your trembling leg, something it did in all anxiety inducing situations,

“It’s just that I don’t want you to forget that this is supposed to be casual.” He finally blurts out, motioning between the two of you.

It takes all of your strength to hold back tears and nod your head,

“Of course! No worries- I was just trying to help out.”

He offers a small smile,

“Great. I’ll see you later? Don’t forget we are all meeting at the club at 11pm, I’ll see you then.” He walks over and gives you a light kiss on the lips, before leaving you alone.

Work dragged as usual, your thoughts occupied as you scanned the grocery items for customers who never even bothered saying hello.

“Oh my god, y/n! Are you even listening to my crisis?” You jump a bit, glancing over to the owner of the high pitched voice, before handing change to the last customer and telling her to have a good day.

“Do you always have to be so rude when customers are around?” You belt, rolling your eyes and walking to the door to lock it shut.

“I’m sorry! I’m just excited for tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve been out. We’ve all been so busy with work and school.”

“You go out every weekend, Suzy.” You trail off rudely, scrolling through your phone and dismissing her as you look through notifications to see if Jaehyun called or texted; which he hasn’t. Letting out a deep breath you speak up again,

“It’s already 10pm, lets go change and pregame before we meet up with everyone.”

***

You were drunk before you even got to the club, walking in with a stumbling Suzy as you tried to find the friends you were meeting with. Mark is the first to greet the two of you, taking Suzy’s hand from yours and helping her into the booth and then sitting right beside her. Love birds.

Jaehyun spots you and gives a small smirk with a wave, and you flash a smile so wide, you were sure he had gotten a peek of your molars.

“Come here.” He says over the loud music, and you listen, as usual.

You walk over to take the seat next to him, but he grabs your hips and places you onto his lap, wrapping his arms around you.

“How was work?” He questioned,

“It was a super long day, but I’m glad I’m finally free. I’m off until Monday, are you free? You can stay at my place for the weekend.”

“Y-yeah we can do that.” He breathes, letting his hands run up and down your thighs. Sighing in content you allow your body to lean into his, turning your head slightly to give him a kiss.

“I missed you,” you say with a cheesy smile. Although you know he must have heard you, he lets out a breath and playfully rolls his eyes,

“We were together this morning, y/n. You’re just drunk.” He laughs it off, holding you tighter against him as he leaves soft kisses below your ear,

“Yeah, I know,” you trail off, “but I always miss you. I always want to be with you.” You drunkenly admit, earning a shady look from him.

“Stop talking like that.” He asserts. You quickly shut your mouth and cast your eyes downwards. Even in you drunk state, you’re aware of the happy couples that surround you, and the content singles who came here with friends. Their happiness leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, or perhaps it was the one too many shots that were trying to find its way out of your system.

“I’m going to be sick.” You cry to Jaehyun. He quickly springs into action and brings you into the single stall bathroom, placing you near the toilet.

“Give me your hair tie,” He huffs, taking it from your wrist and placing your hair into the worlds messiest bun.

“Thank you, JJ.” You laugh with tears in your eyes. You’ve always been an emotional drunk and Jaehyun was still in the process of getting used to that.

“Ugh, stop calling me that. I hate that fucking nickname.” He deadpans, “And didn’t I tell you to stop drinking this much? It’s almost like you enjoy hangovers.” He continues to reprimand, walking to the other side of the toilet to sit against the wall.

“Just because you don’t drink doesn’t mean I should suffer with you. Those are boyfriend privileges.” He doesn’t say anything afterwards, but he doesn’t leave you there. Once you’re done he helps you up and washes your face with warm water.

“Here you go,” he blurts, handing you a little bottle of mouth wash, “You always get a little too drunk- which is something you’ll definitely have to work on, but in the meanwhile I figured I would bring this on our outings.” He laughs loudly, lightening up the mood as he usually did. Sure it didn’t seem like a big deal, it was even a little silly; but more than anything, it was thoughtful.

You left without as much as a goodbye to everyone else, knowing you’d have to apologize to Suzy in the morning. You sat in the passenger seat of Jaehyun’s car as he took you on a drive, something he always did when you didn’t feel like going home right away.

“My head is starting to feel better already.” You whisper, trying hard not to jinx yourself,

“Good.” He replies, eyes glued to the road; one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gearshift. You take a glance at the side of his face and peel his hand away from the gearshift to hold it in yours. You feel him stiffen and slowly try to pry his hand from yours,

“Please. Just- just let me do this, only this once, okay?” You plead. He lets out a quiet sigh and leaves his hand to rest in yours. Pathetic? Sure. But you were in love, and you’d do anything for that feeling to be reciprocated, even if he didn’t really mean it, even if he was incapable of feeling it.

***

You wake up to the feeling of your head thumping, and you instantly begin to start whining,

“Oh my go-“

“Stop complaining, here’s your water and some advil.”

“Jaehyun?” You wonder in an incredulous tone.

“I promised you I would stay, didn’t I? You fell asleep on the drive here and have been sleeping ever since. It’s already noon.” He tries to remind you, eating the dinner you left for yourself from yesterday.

As promised, the two of you watch movies and talk for hours. He talks about his estranged parents, and you talk about your struggle with finding a good balance between work, school and life. Conversation came so easy between the two you, kind of like how you would imagine conversations between two lovers. You wondered how he could hold you at night, and wake up in the morning as though it didn’t happen. How he could tell you he loves you, only to backtrack and say he only meant in a friendly way. How he could continue to sleep with you, knowing you were giving him all of you, only to receive less than half of him in return.

“Y/n?” He speaks up, squinting at where you stood, frozen in thought by your window.

“Yeah, Jae?” You answer, walking towards him with a lazy smirk as all of the thoughts that occupied your mind scurry away at the sight of his pearly white smile.

He doesn’t answer you, though. He just sits at the edge of your bed and pulls your standing frame closer to him, so you’re standing between his legs. The two of you stay quiet for a moment, your fingers get lost in his hair and he continues to rest his head on your hip.

You jump when you feel his smooth palms rub the back of your thighs. His hands continue to travel up until he reaches the curve of your ass, his hands squeezing at it roughly causing you to moan and tug at his hair. You hear him hiss and he looks up at you with hazy eyes, tugging your shorts down just a little to reveal your hips. You shut your eyes tight when you feel his hot mouth suck at your skin. He knew your body like no other.

You let out a low moan when you feel a hand slide between your legs while the other stays groping you from behind.

“Can I take this off?” He looks up at you, motioning to your shorts, and you quickly nod yes in excitement. He pulls them down and removes your panties soon after. You feel his slender fingers sneak to your pussy as he feels his way through an area he is already so familiar with.

You legs continue to give out at the feeling of him rubbing your clit while listening to him whisper about how much he adored your body. Suddenly he drops to his knees in front of you. You clench around his fingers each time you feel his breath hit your heat.

“Look at me.” He demands,

When the two of you make eye contact he trails wet kisses down to your cunt. You feel him poke his tongue between your second lips, prompting a loud moan from you. He slides his body the rest of the way down and lies on his back, pulling you by your legs and positioning you so that your pussy is hovering over his face.

It feels as though an eternity passes as the two of you just wait in silence, your hips gyrating on their own as you try to run yourself on his face; finally he gives in. He wraps his arms around your thighs and spreads you open for access, giving quick kitten licks to your clit and you grunt, “M-more, Jae. Please more.”

He pulls you down so you’re sitting directly on his face, you begin instinctively circling your hips and moaning loudly as he kneads your body. You can feel your stomach tighten when he wraps his lips around your clit.

The sound of him slurping your juices as you cum, only encourages you to keep going.

“Let me ride you.” You breathe. He looks taken back but he doesn’t stop you when you begin pulling down his jeans along with his boxers. You wrap your hand around his cock and lazy begin to move it up and down.

“Come on, babygirl,” He teased, placing his hand over yours, forcing you to jerk his cock at a faster pace; only letting go once you’re keeping up with his preferred speed.

“F-fuck, okay, stop stop stop.” He moans, grabbing your hand to remove it from his manhood.

You climb over him and quickly lean down to kiss him, allowing him to bring two palms to your breasts as he plays with your nipples. Soon enough, sinking onto his dick.

“You take me so well, baby.” He gushed with red cheeks. He kept steady hands on your hips as you continued to ride him; you staring into his eyes, as he stared into yours. But the look in his eyes was not one of love- not like yours at least, it was lust. Your thoughts are interrupted by,

“I’m s-so close.” He stammers from beneath you. He pulls you down with him, wrapping his arms tight around your body and allowing you to wrap yours around his neck. Without warning he begins snapping his hips to yours, creating a disturbing sound in the room; one that is drowned out by heavy breathing and worldly moans.

It takes a few minutes before the two of you are able to talk again. Usually that meant you were trying to soak in the moment; since sex was the only way for you to be as close to him as you wanted. For Jaehyun, that meant figuring out a way to leave without making you upset.

“I- um... I have to go.” He mumbles, standing up and walking to the bathroom to grab the both of you a towel,

“What? You’re off today, I know you’re off, we talked about this yesterday.”

“Just because I’m off doesn’t mean I don’t have other things to do..” He trails off, avoiding your eyes; refusing to see that same sorry look in them.

“Please-“

“Don’t beg.”

“Sorry-“

“Y/n,” he takes a deep breath, “I think we clearly have two different views on what this is.” Pointing between you and him.

You tried your best to keep your tears at bay- but even your best try wasn’t good enough as you began to sob, “Why did you make me fall in love with you just to break my heart?”

“That wasn’t my intention. It’s just- I warned you. I told you that I am not the relationship type.”

“Literally every guy says that, Jaehyun.”

“Yeah, but I meant it. I wish I could feel differently because any guy would kill to be loved by a woman as great as you; but that guy just isn’t me, y/n.” He finally looks up at you, guilt weighing on him heavily and you can see the sadness in his eyes. Was it you that had been selfish all this time?

You walk up to him and playfully grab the towel from his hands that he failed to give you before your unwanted heart to heart.

“Are you giving me one of those ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ talks?” You joke to lighten the mood, though it did nothing to ease to pain you felt.

“Is it working?”

You look up at him and shake your head no, blinking away nuisance tears.

“One more night.” You announce.

“Huh?”

“Stay one more night; and let’s act like nothing has ever changed. In the morning, we can talk about where we stand, okay?”

He seems to be gathering his thoughts together as he stands there silently,

“Okay. One more night.”

You’d tend to your heartbreak in the morning, and use this night to love a man, who would never be able to love you the way you wanted him to. Why? Because you would rather have him fake it, than not have him at all.

a/n: I’ll be posting chapter 7 of Off Limits on Sunday and a Jin scenario tomorrow night. Requests are opened. You can find my masterlist here ❤️

[crimsoncobaltblue]

A Dream Come True

It had been several years since I had managed to return home to my family after being stuck on the moon.

I still remembered that day so well. I had completely botched the first words I had said to them, and they were basically the stupidest possible words I could’ve said. It made me laugh to think about that. Basically every part of that memory makes me happy.

Because that’s when I got to meet the boys for the first time. My boys. I smile just remembering how it felt to hug all three of them. Just being able to do that had been my goal for so long that I almost hadn’t dared believe it was actually happening at the time.

And gosh I had wanted to achieve that goal more than anything in the world. I did whatever it took to get me to the boys, including cutting off my own leg! But that had been the issue lately.

I actually was missing my leg. Which is stupid! I would’ve given up all my limbs to have gotten back to my boys! I should be glad it was only one limb.

I sighed before I plunked my head down on the table. Dumb emotions making me feel bad. Wish I could throw them off a cliff.

“Uh, mom?” I heard Dewey say, sounding concerned. “You alright there?” He was always so sweet, they all were.

I lifted my head and looked around the breakfast table. Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby all were staring at me and I don’t blame them.

“Oh yeah! I’m fine! I’m doing just great! Just a little tired I guess.” I said yawning exaggeratedly. They all looked at each other, obviously not buying what I’m selling.

Gosh I have such smart kids. And besides, I’m glad they aren’t buying lies, even mine.

“But you’re never tired,” Huey stated, pointing his cereal spoon at me suspiciously.

Louie leaned on the table, nodding. “Yeah, tired and you don’t belong in the same sentence.” I’ll be honest, how quickly they all saw through my lies, knowing something was up is just the best feeling.

I took a breath, figuring since they caught me, I should come clean. This wasn’t going to be very fun though. “You got me. I’m not tired. But I just... haven’t felt like myself for a few days now. And it’s over the dumbest things too.” I started and they all listened intently.

“It’s so weird but I’m actually missing my leg. But I gave up that leg to get back to you so I shouldn’t miss it! I would’ve given up all my limbs to get back to you so it’s... it’s silly I miss it.” I finished, staring down at my pancakes that I had pushed off to the side. My usually large appetite had been absent lately.

I looked up again and saw the kids all staring at each other again. It made me laugh a bit. It looked like they were having entire conversations without even saying a thing. But they all seemed on the same page.

Huey spoke first. “A lot of people when they deal with something traumatic, sometimes they won’t deal with that trauma right away.” I nodded as he talked, showing him I was listening.

“That could be what’s happening. I imagine crashing on the moon and cutting off an entire limb would be traumatic,” I wanted to say I wasn’t traumatized but Huey kept going. “But just because you’re suddenly dealing with that trauma now doesn’t make it bad thing. Just the opposite! It means your body and mind finally feels safe enough that it’s allowing that event to be processed properly.” He nodded to signify that he finished.

I was proud he knew all that stuff. But I also didn’t know how to react to it. How do people get over this? I hoped they got over it quick because that’s how fast I want it to happen to me. So I just nodded, indicating that I understood him.

“Well, alright then! I guess I’m going to just have to let this feeling run it’s course!” I said, and Huey nodded in agreement. “Great. Then I’m going to go and start letting that happen.” I said, getting up from the table and hugging each one of my boys and Webby before I leave.

I sure hoped letting this run it’s course would help.

———————

Huey, Louie, Webby, and I all started talking as soon as mom left the room. Poor mom. She was mourning her leg. I would too if I were her. Legs are kind of pretty important, especially for running and adventuring so of course she would miss her real leg.

“Okay guys,” Huey said, using his we-need-to-make-a-plan voice. He used that voice pretty often. I myself like to just wing it, it’s way more fun that way! A little more dangerious which is just how I like it! But for this, Huey was right. A plan was needed. Not that I’d ever tell him that. “What are we going to do?”

We all stopped talking as quickly as we had started before Webby jumped in with an idea! “Oh! How about we serve some meals to her in bed?”

Louie piped up. “We have Duckworth for that, so that’s not really anything special besides mom doesn’t like to stay in bed all the time.” Louie had a point.

Webby’s face looked crestfallen and so I spoke up. “That was a good try though, Webs!” I smiled at her and she smiled right back.

“Thanks Dewey!” She chirped and Huey cleared his throat.

“Maybe we could organize her room? Straighten it up?” He offered but I shook my head. I would hate having my room cleaned without my knowing. My room is a mess yeah but I know where everything is! And I’m willing to bet mom is the same way!

“Her room is crazy but she knows where everything is.” I protested and Huey rolled his eyes.

“Like how you swear you know exactly where that toy robot is?” He said sarcastically and I glared at him. Really? He’s bringing that up now?

“Look I already told you! It either in one of the closets, under the bed, in a dresser somewhere in the mansion-“ I counted off the places on my fingers before I got interrupted.

“Yeah alright, we get it, it could be anywhere on the entire earth pretty much.” Louie said and I frowned.

“Not the entire earth! Probably just this continent!” I defended myself.

“Come on guys, mom is like mourning her leg. What’s something we could do to cheer her up?” Louie said, and we all went quiet, the gears in our heads turning.

I looked around the dining room, at all the Halloween decorations up for, well, Halloween. Duh. That made me think of candy. Would candy help? Probably not unless it was an entire truckload.

Entire truckloads of candy would help anyone! Except people trying to lose weight. But other than them yeah, pretty much anyone.

Candy was out though for this situation. So my next thought went to costumes. Maybe we could pick out costumes that she would like to see us in? It’s a small thing but maybe it might cheer mom up a bit.

“What if we dressed in Halloween costumes she’d want us to wear?” I asked. I saw Huey open his mouth to immediately shoot my idea down but then he said, “Actually, that’s not a bad idea.”

Ha! Take that older brother by three seconds! I just had a great idea and you knew it. Haha, that’s how I Dewey it! I grinned smugly and Huey rolled his eyes.

“We could all dress up as pilots!” Webby said and we all shushed her. We didn’t want the entire mansion to hear our plan! Besides Duckworth would let the secret slip out somehow. The gossiping ghost could ruin it if we weren’t careful.

“Good idea, and what if,” Louie trailed off, looking down. “You know what, never mind.”

“No, come on Louie. What was it?” I ask, deeply curious.

“I just thought maybe we could have fake prosthetic legs or something. So we could be like “you may have lost your real leg but we love you and are glad you’re our mom, or something like that. That could’ve been worded better.” Louie explained and I nodded.

“Yeah, it could’ve been.” Since Louie sat right next to me, he reached over and slapped my shoulder and glared at me and I fought the urge to laugh.

“That’s actually genius. It’d show we support her and that she’s still a really great mom, whether she has a prosthetic leg or not.” Huey explained and we all nodded along. Huey was the brains here so normally following his lead is a good idea.

“Guys,” I said standing up with a smile. “Time to go...” I had all of their attention. “TO THE COSTUME SHOP AND LAST ONE THERE IS BIG DORK!!!” I yelled before racing out towards the front door.

I knew Webby would be right behind me and Louie and Huey would be in a competition of who cared less about winning my little race challenge.

———————

We all came back from the costume shop with our costumes which was pretty much the same cheap pilot’s costume but we each bought a little thing to go with it so we’d be different from each other. And we all got scarves that looked like mom’s.

Huey had a compass, Louie had an aviator’s cap, Webby and I had goggles but they both looked different. I had kind of wanted an aviator’s cap but then that’d mess up my zoosh! And that would be a tragedy. I have to look my best for our little idea!

Huey looked at the time. “Alright guys, it’s almost dinner time. Change into your costumes and remember your lines.” Huey ordered.

“Uh, we didn’t make a script?” Webby asked, looking at me as if to check that we hadn’t made one without her. I shook my head to indicate we hadn’t.

“Just make up one for yourself but make it good.” Huey said with a smile. Me and Webby looked at each other and shrugged.

“We can work on ours together!” Webby said and I smiled. “Yeah! And we’ll have the greatest script ever!” Me and her immediately started up the stairs to get started on the script. Huey and Louie did the same.

———————

Dinner time came and, for once, we were the first ones in the dining room. We all had our costumes on and we had asked that Duckworth change the original idea for dinner to mom’s favorite.

“Everyone has some semblance of a script, right?” Huey asked as he set his compass on the table, next to his plate.

Me and Webby nodded. Our script was awesome!

“Don’t need one.” Louie replies after having finished taking a sip of his Pep. We all looked at him and he gave us finger guns.

Huey put a hand to his forehead, looking tired. “Alright then, just stick to the plan of cheering up mom and we should be good.” He said right as mom came in, looking down.

She plopped down in her seat near mine. She looked up and only just then noticed what we were wearing. “What..?” She asked, trailing off.

We all stayed quiet for a few seconds but it was Louie that spoke up. “We’re trying on our costumes! We’re all going as one of the greatest pilot’s ever!” Louie said and I looked at him. He took another sip of his Pep but I was impressed! He winged that! He learned that from me!

Mom looked at us all, confused. “But why are you all dressed up as them? Wouldn’t some of you want to be something different?” She inquired and we all shook our heads. Sometimes I really wonder if we all share a brain because we seem to do a lot of things in synch.

“No way!” I exclaimed, remembering what kind of stuff me and Webby thought out. “They’re awesome! Not only were they like the best pilot ever, but they were really cool too!”

“And nice! They really cared about their family!” Webby piped up enthusiastically, grinning widely.

“Really?” Mom asked, looking both curious and deflated.

“Really!” Huey spoke up. “She was more devoted to her family than anything, even though piloting was what she loved. She’s incredible.” Huey spoke his part well, now it was Louie’s turn.

“Plus, she has a prosthetic leg because she loved her family so much, she was willing to do anything to get back to them. And that makes her nothing less than a hero to us.” Louie said seriously.

We all looked at mom. There were tears in her eyes and she was covered her beak with her hands. I hope that was a good thing.

“Just to be clear, we mean you.” Webby said with a grin.

“I didn’t want to be conceited and think you were meaning me but I hoped you were.” Mom said jokingly before a few tears escaped her eyes. She came up to me and hugged me since I was closest. But I heard the others get up and hug mom as well.

I was in the middle of it all too so that was nice. But what was even nicer was that what we did made mom happy.

After a good few minutes of hugging did mom pull away. “When did you kids plan all this?” She asked, still smiling softly.

“This morning after you left.” I said.

Mom immediately hugged me to her again, petting my head, and I wasn’t about to complain either. I don’t think I’d ever really not like hugging my mom. “You kids are the best ever. No one could possibly be better kids than you. I love you.” She said, making sure to include Webby in that as well.

“We love you too,” Louie said, wiping away a quick tear but I saw. I wasn’t going to get him for it though. Not when I understood exactly how he feels.

We all hugged a bit more before Duckworth finally brought out dinner.

We all sat back at the dinner table and we all started talking. “Oh mom! Did you notice our fake prosthetic legs?! Aren’t they cool? They look pretty realistic, huh?” I asked her and she grinned, nodding.

“Heck yeah that looks cool!! Realistic, not so much, but what’s important is that it looks cool and that you like it!” She said and I smiled. I was just glad we helped mom.

I know this wouldn’t completely cure her of what she was going through but I’m just glad it seemed to help her get closer to overcoming this.

And we would overcome this. We’re a family and these ducks most definitely don’t back down!

———————

(Ok so I forgot I had this but apparently Soph had a dream where HDLW had dressed up for Halloween with prosthetics to make Della feel better about her own and I was gonna write about it but I forgot. Until now that is! Happy birthday @sophfandoms53 you super cool person you! Hope you like this lil present and I’m sorry it’s late!! Also I apologize for the cheesy title lol)