#I don't Want a job sitting in an office for ten hours a day

[katarascape]

How goes the job hunt you ask? Backwards, I reply.

[fuwushiguro]

Hi love! Your content is great and always makes my head spin🤤 I was wondering if you could maybe do fitness trainer Toji with a plush reader? Like you go to the gym wanting to slim down and ask for a trainer and before any of the other loser trainers can get to you, Toji steps in. He is constantly reassuring you the entire time And at the end of the session he just can’t resist from not touching you🥺🫶🏼 thank you in advance and I hope you have the best day possible!

I can literally imagine Toji quoting this in his head as he hears you talk negatively about your body (not proofed I'm lazy) warnings: chubby!reader, body issues, raw sex, slightly public, praise etc etc lmk if i missed any

"Huh?"

"I literally need a gym trainer who's going to help me look like a rake."

"I- what? A fuckin' rake? What are you talking about?"

"My boyfriend cheated on me, and of course the girl he slept with is tiny. He left me for her... I don't want him back but I want to prove a point!" you explain, looking at him with hopeful eyes, desperate for him to help with your mission.

He stared at you, and it scared you a little. You aren't sure if you've said something wrong or if he just had no interest in your tragic love life. But you can only assume he doesn't get many clients with this attitude.

"Fine, kid. But listen, I'm not helping you 'look like a rake'." he tells you.

"B-But..."

"I'll help you train. If you lose weight, whatever. If you gain muscle... I think that'll be a better revenge body to make your ex regret leaving you." he explains.

"O-Oh... really? Okay, I trust you."

He smirks at that.

It's not often he's trusted by women.

"I hate sit ups." you pant, breathlessly.

"It's your last set, just do it 'n then you can go home." he tells you, as he sits beside you drinking some water from his comically large bottle. By the size of it, you'd think he'd be the one who had been working out for the last hour.

"C'mere." he shuffles his body so that he's closer to you, positioning your legs and hips like you're weightless. "You might find it easier now. I'll stay here, gimme ten more."

"Ten?!"

"Do it."

You sigh, lying flat as you mentally prepare yourself for how bad your stomach is about to ache. Your cheeks fill as you blow out a puff of air. You're painfully aware of his eyes on you, and honestly, you're embarrassed. You begin to sit up again and again as you think about his incredible physique. About how he surely thinks the same way as your ex boyfriend.

Your eyes lock with his with ever sit up you perform, his hands grabbing your knees to keep you in place. Your noses almost touch and his eyes are filled with what you can only assume is disgust. You're humiliating yourself trying to make yourself appear more attractive to the male species.

"Aaaand done, good job, kid." he smiles at you, his small mouth scar pulling slightly as he does. "So, wanna make this a regular thing?"

You hold up a finger as you catch your breath, eventually nodding. He holds his hand out to you, helping you to your feet with ease. He walks away from you, tilting his head and indicating for you to follow. You aren't sure where he's taking you, but you follow mindlessly.

"My calendar is in my office, I'll get you booked in for a few sessions this month and then you can just give them your card details at the fron desk." he explains.

"Sure, sounds good." you smile, he walks into his office first and holds the door opening, closing it right after you come in. Your ears prick when you hear the door lock, but for whatever reason you don't feel alarmed.

The air is knocked from your lungs as you feel his hands on your waist, lifting you into the air and practically slamming you onto his desk.

"W-What are you doing?!" you gasp.

"Can I kiss you?" he asks, it's almost polite but not really. He's expecting one answer, and luckily for you you're nodding before you can think of declining. He hikes up your leg and squeezes your plush thigh as his lips connect with yours. "You're so soft... so fuckin' perfect."

"Shut up." you laugh, you try to kiss him again but he pulls away.

"I'm serious." he lifts your up your sports bra and tosses it aside, grabbing a handful of your large chest. He pushes you backwards so that your spine is flat against his desk, tugging off your leggings with no hesitation. He peppers kisses across your tender skin. Your thighs, your tummy, your heavy tits. "There's nothin' wrong with your body, y'know? Your ex is a fuckin' pussy."

Your body tenses up, feeling horrendously aware of how exposed your figure is and how he's examining you.

"I- I was too heavy for him." you pant, unsure whether to try and chat casually about it or make a run for your clothes and the exit. "I don't blame him."

"You weigh the same as paper to me, darlin'." he smirks, picking you up and making you wrap your legs around his waist. He slams you against the wall as you makeout heavily. "You want this cock? F-Feel how hard I am for ya?"

"P-Please. You're so big.. please fuck me." you beg. You paw at his shirt, desperate to feel the muscles that you could clearly see beneath.

His facial expression is almost menacing as he knows he's won, he's got you exactly where he wants you and you're begging for his cock. Thick fingers dig into malleable flesh, bruises of his name signed into your skin like a binding contract that you're his new favourite play thing.

"You're so fuckin' perfect, sweetheart. Love cute bodies like yours..." he tells you, staring into your eyes to catch your expression, grinning at the way your cheeks flush and a bead of sweat forms in your hairline.

"Aah! Ah, fuck.. 'h my god..." you moan, the embarrassment overwhelming you and the feeling of his heavy cock splitting you open making your heart race.

He begins a brutal pace, easily holding your body up with one muscular arm as he slams into you, his free hand tweaking your pert nipple. The way your eyes cross dumbly as he ruins your insides almost makes him blow his load on the spot.

"Too— mmmnn.." you moan, unable to form a coherent thought.

"Too what?" he laughs a little, "Too? Have I fucked you so stupid you already can't think? Oh sweetheart... think I'm in love." he tells you as he kisses your neck.

Your fingers scratch his back repeatedly and he can only his from the pain and pleasure of it all. He's happy to be marked by you, he's going to do the same to your insides after all.

"'m gonna cum, I'm— ah—!" your cunt tightens around him as you finish, and soon enough he's pressing his body as much as he can into yours, pinning you between him and the wall as his balls tighten and he paints your desperate, wanting walls.

You pant against each other, neither of you moving for a while. All you can bring yourself to do is catch your breath and stare into his jade coloured eyes. And eventually, he helps you down and offers you a towel before sitting at his desk and checking through his calendar.

"Are you free Friday night?" he asks.

"O-Oh, Toji, I'm too exhausted from that workout to even think about my next training session." you chuckle a little, wiping yourself down before collecting your scattered clothing.

"No, baby, I'm takin' you on a date." he smiles at you earnestly. "Perfect body, perfect pussy, and newly single. You're crazy if you think I'm not taking full advantage of the opportunity to make you mine."

© 2023 fuwushiguro

[ponyosmom35]

don't ever talk to her like that again

Simon Ghost Riley x reader

Liability chapter ten!

synopsis: Ghost forgets to come by and get his wound checked and the reader confronts him in front of 141, who make fun of him. he goes to her and catches a soldier yelling at her.

warnings: FLUFF FLUFF FLUFF, cursing, angsty ghost

Liability masterlist:

https://www.tumblr.com/ponyosmom35/733401347573088256/simon-ghost-riley?source=share

The next day was busy, she worked at least 16 hours, hopping between the soldiers, tending to their wounds. All of them were kind except for one. James was the young man whom she saved with Ghost the day prior. For whatever reason he seemed to dislike her. He made comments the entire day that had been slowly upsetting her. She tried not to think about it, and even asked to switch with another medic. She didn’t want him going around to others and telling them that she was an awful caretaker. 

Things settled down around 5 pm, most of the soldiers were fast asleep. She sits dwon for the first time that day after 12 hours of work and runs her hand over her hair. Her legs were on fire, as was her neck and her back. Yet you could never tell just but looking at her. She looks down at her files and goes over them all. She updated the treatment they’d received that day. She picks up the last file, noticing that it was the partially filled-out page she had for Ghost. She was unable to find his file without knowing his name. She huffs as she remembers that she’d told him to come visit her today. She leaves the files on her desk and walks through the dining hall, she spots him sitting at a crowded table with 141 and many others. Deciding to take a break she grabs a plate and sits down next to Soap and across from Ghost. 

“ankle biter! My god it's great to see you” Soap exclaims 

“Good to see you too suds” she says pushing his shoulder, the table chuckles at her cute nickname for him.

“How you been today? Haven’t seen you take a break once” Price comments “Yeah its been busy, everyone seems to be settled now” she nods

“You’ve done such a great job here, Ghost briefed me last night. You’re a real asset kid, thanks for the hard work, hope you know its appreciated” 

“Thank you, captain, that means a lot” she nods happily, as her cheeks turn pink

“Any of em giving you a hard time?” Gaz asks “sometimes we can be stubborn after gettin hurt”

“Just one, he’s fine though, doesn’t bother me”

“Who is it?” Ghost asks roughly, his intense gaze on her. Everyone turns to him in surprise, as he hasn’t said a word the whole time. 

“Doesn’t matter, but I am curious why you haven’t stopped by today, I need to check your stitches” she says crossing her arms, eyebrows raised as she waits for his explanation. The boys exchange glances, smirks on their faces as they await his response. 

“I’m good, don’t need anything else” 

“You are on the brink of an infection, I need to clean it out again”

“It’s fine-”

“If I don’t see you in my office before lights out I’ll drag you in there myself” she warns, pointing her fork at him. 

“Better not test her mate, I hear gingers are crazy” Soap murmurs 

“Shut up Johnny” Ghost snaps 

“You have three hours Ghost, don’t push me” she half-jokes “alright boys, I better get back to it, enjoy your dinner”

“You barely ate!” Price comments 

“No time, I’ll grab something later” she smiles before leaving the table.

After she’s out of earshot the men erupt into laughter, slamming their hands on the table as they cackle. Ghost sits there with his arms crossed and his eyes narrowed at Soap.

“she got your ass LT” 

“I’ve never seen a bird talk to you that way, my god I love that woman” Gaz exclaims as he wipes his tears 

“She’s got you good doesn’t she eh Ghost?” Price asks slamming his hand on Ghost’s back. 

“What makes you say that?” he questions angrily, causing them to laugh loudly once more.

“You’re killing me LT, I can’t stand it” Soap says wiping the tears in his eyes

“Let me put it to you this way mate, I’ve never seen anyone speak to you like that and walk away unharmed. You didn’t even say a word! Never would’ve thought a bird would hold you by the balls like that, I’m glad to see it though” Gaz says sincerely, Ghost shakes his head and stands up holding his empty plate. Soap and Gaz continue to giggle and he glares at them intensely, both shut up and cover their mouths to hide their laughs.

“Fucking idiots” he comments

Ghost walks over to the food and makes a plate of food, he grabs a napkin and silverware before walking to the medical bay. He could hear a loud voice yelling and frowns. He walks closer to the source and sets the food down. 

“You fucking bitch! You don’t know what the fuck you’re doing, get me a new doctor!” a voice yells

“James, I know it hurts but I have to clean it out, you don’t want an infection trust me” he hears her voice explaining calmly. Ghost stays outside, knowing that she could handle herself. He knew she’d be upset if he came in and defended her. Though every part of him was itching to rip that kid’s throat out. 

“No I don’t fucking trust you! You’d rather bounce on Ghost’s dick than actually do your job!” he yells

His eyes widen at that comment and he can’t control the rage that fills his body. Ghost storms into the room, his heavy footsteps causing them to turn and look at him. 

“Ghost-” James starts, in the blink of an eye he’s standing above the wounded soldier gripping his collar and holding him up. His heart rate spikes on the machine and he ignores it. 

“You fucking insignificant bastard, how dare you speak to a woman like that?!” he demands 

“Ghost it’s fine-” she starts 

“If I hear you speak to her like that ever again I will fucking kill you. Do you understand me? I don’t give a fuck if you’re in a hospital bed, only makes it easier” he threatens 

“okay man!” James says with tears in his eyes

“This woman saved your life! You’d be rotting six feet under if it weren’t for her. Show her some goddamn respect!”

“I’m sorry!” he cries out

“You will be once I’m done with you” Ghost drops him on his back forcefully. She places a hand on his forearm, instantly catching his attention at the touch. 

“Come on, lets clean you up” she says pulling him out of the room “someone will help you soon James, hang tight” 

She leads Ghost into a spare room and closes the door behind her. He doesn’t say a word as he breathes heavily, his hands clenched as he tried to keep himself from going back and finishing the kid off. 

“Can you take off your jacket?” she asks, her voice gentle. He looks up at her, her eyes were red and she was visibly exhausted. He does as told and unzips the thick fleece provided by the force. He reveals the tight black tee shirt he’d worn underneath and she inhales a sharp breath quietly as she stares at the way his muscles pop from the shirt. This was the second time she’d seen his bare arm, and she was still in shock. Fuck he was so sexy.

“besides what just happened, Have you been keeping yourself on light duty?” she asks, seemingly trying to move past the incident that just took place. 

“Yes”

“Oh at least you followed one of my instructions” she comments sarcastically 

“Are you okay?” he asks as she begins to slowly unwrap his wounds 

“Why wouldn’t I be?” 

“James-”

“James is a dick but you could’ve really hurt him” she says disapprovingly. 

“He can’t talk to you like that”

“Unfortunately that’s a part of the job Ghost, angry soldiers need someone to blame, often times the person in front of them trying to help”

“Still gives him no right” he grunts, she begins to clean out his wounds gently as she sighs. He says inherently apologizing for the way he treated her when she tried to help him months back.

“Then he would’ve blamed me for that too, made the rumors worse” 

“If you want me to apoligize its not going to happen” he responds 

“I don’t expect you to apoligize, I actually think it was really sweet what you did for me. Nobody’s ever defended me like that before” she muses 

“Never?” 

“No”

“You let me know if he opens his mouth again, I’ll make sure those are the last words that rat bastard ever speaks” he says, watching as her face lightens and she laughs. The sound is like music to his ears, the tense feeling in his stomach dissipating. 

“I think you’ve scarred him straight” 

“Fucker” he murmurs under his breath. 

“I’m a big girl ghost, I can handle my own” she says 

“I know you can, but I didn’t ask you to” he responds causing her to snort. “What would you have said to him?” 

“I probably would’ve warned him not to threaten the person trying to help him, sound familiar?” she asks, he laughs and nods his head. 

“very” 

“Okay you’re all set” she says, fixing his sleeve “do you want anything for the pain?”

“No” he says, standing to his feet, his large stature once more towering over her. 

He moves to the door and opens it, gesturing for her to walk in front of him. She smiles and walks into the common room, noticing a plate of food on the table. She frowns and walks over to it. “I wonder whose this is” 

“I brought it for you” he comments, watching as she looks up at him in surprise “probably cold now”

“That was really sweet, thank you” she says taking a seat as she picks at it. 

“Thank you for…” he trails off gesturing to his arm

“Anytime” she nods, watching as he turns to walk away, her eyes widen and she stands calling after him. Ghost turns, staring down at her in confusion. 

“So I know you go by Ghost but I need your real name so I can update your file” she says, his body tenses and he glares down at her, she notices and shifts uncomfortably “Its protocol, legally I can’t keep using a blank form” 

His mind races as he thinks of a way to get out of this situation. She seems to notice his distress and shakes her head. 

“You know what, I’ll talk to Price and figure it out, no problem” she says, watching as he sighs in relief. 

“Have a good night Ghost” she smiles before walking away.

-

Later that night she walks into her room, fresh out of the shower. She opens her door and notices it catching on something. She frowns and opens it all the way, noticing a file on the ground. She picks it up and opens it. At the top it read ‘Lieutenant Simon Riley’. Her heart swells as she nearly drops the file on the ground. A large smile spreads across her face as her cheeks turn pink. Simon, his name was Simon. He trusted her enough to reveal his name. 

She spends an hour filling out his medical report, unable to keep the smile off of her face. As she finishes she sets the file on her bedside table and crawls under her covers. She lays on her back, staring up at the ceiling with a smile. Her heart racing at the thought of him. Simon Riley had her wrapped around his big ass fingers. 

a/n: giggling and kicking my feet rn! I am losing my mind at this, ugh how sweet.

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

I'll crawl home to you II

Previous chapter

a/n I welcome you all to the part two. Thank you so much for all the love and reading. 🤍✨

summary: having a fight with someone you care about right before the mission might be the worst idea ever especially when you don't know if you'll make it out alive.

warning: fighting, guns, past trauma, injuries, blood lots of it, mentions of death, needles, IV's, bruised veins, heavy mention of hospitals, death nr.2, choking, nudity, mentions of sexual intoxications this one packs a punch so be weary.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

"Right, what's on your mind?", you muttered, pushing the cigarette closer to Javi, which he happily took into his fingers before dragging in the smoke. Allowing the warmth of it to go down his lungs. Javi was sitting by the tub in his apartment. The tub that he used as a shower at best. He hated baths, hence his naked, sprawled-out form, right beside the bath and not in it. Not behind you. Even if he wanted nothing more than another handful of moments of holding you. But it was enough to just watch you like this for now. More than enough. Well, Javi was convinced that he was still riding the post-orgasmic high.

"Work", he muttered, dropping his head back before puffing a cloud of smoke, "That fucking lead is on my mind". Your eyes scanned him for a moment. Today had been one of those days where, besides the unbearable heat, so much shit went south that the screaming in the office didn't ease till 3 in the afternoon. A new record of everyone being pissed off at one another was achieved.

"And how many fucks does it usually take you till you forget about work?", you asked, leaning your head at the edge of the bathtub. Not caring about covering yourself up. Javi had already seen everything more than once. Although you are being pressed against his bedroom wall, with him deep within you, growling in your ear as he edged you closer to your orgasm now felt ages ago, your skin was already missing the feeling of his fingers.

"One", Javi muttered, and you couldn't help the chuckle that escaped your lips. "Shit, agent, I'm doing that bad of a job?". Just what Javi truly meant was that it took one carelessness. Chaotic fuck with you. For him to come back to his senses. If he was fucking a random whore, his head wouldn't settle at all. And it's not even about the sex here. Fuck that, even if it's good. It's you. The smell of you. The way you trace your fingers down his back while he's still deep inside you, panting as he catches his breath. It's the way Javi can feel your heartbeat beneath him. The way your warm skin is pressed against his own, and he finally feels it Feels what calmness feels like. What it feels like to stop and just be.

Javi splashes his face with cold water, shoving that moment as deep as he possibly could. Not now. Not like this. His hands are still stained pink. Fuck knew the blood didn't budge like that. But then he had never been covered in so much blood before. Your blood. His body stagers again. The hours spent in the hospital had been brutal. Javi's eyes fall on the bandage covering the place where they had punctured a needle only a couple of hours ago. Had it only been that? A couple of hours? Javi runs his hand through his hair.

"Get a doctor in here! Quick!", A pair of nurses rushed out; Javi jumped up, and Steve was right beside him. You had been in that room for no longer than thirty minutes. It was all okay, they said. Under control. This didn't feel like something that was under control. "What is going on?", Javi's voice sounded weak. Gone were the confidence and snarl. No, Javi doesn't remember the last time he felt so many emotions. He did not know that he was capable of them.

"What the fuck? Is. Going. On. ", Javi swiftly yanked a nurse rushing to go back inside by the collar. Steve moved to step in, but at that moment, even he knew that interfering meant finding your head in the wall in the next ten seconds. "She's rapidly losing blood and the hospital…", the woman took a moment to swallow, and Javi quickly shook her, "Our blood supplies are low, sir".

And just like the moment the bullet pierced your skin, Javi's world stopped spinning. Halted. Shutting down all of his senses before he's thrown back into the waiting room once more. No. This can't be the reason you die. Fuck all of it. He'll pay for every drop of blood. He'll get you the blood himself if he had to. Get you… "It's the same…", Javi gripped the nurse's hand even tighter, "Tell them it's the same. Put me in there".

And that whole procedure was a blur. Until you're only a hand's reach away. The machines were clacking all around. The number of wires and tubes sticking out of your body was crippling to the core, and the first time Javi's eye landed on you, he had to fight the bile rising in his throat. Then the shock faded, and the need to protect you rose. To hold you. The machine that Javi too was hooked to started beeping, indicating the rapid increase of his heartbeat. His head jerked up; suddenly he was scared it would disturb you too much. But your eyes don't shoot open, and you weren't grumbling at him for being too noisy, like some mornings.

Javi clenches his jaw. Tears now once again threatened to spill over his cheeks. And they do. But Javi doesn't brush them away. Who cares. No one is here. Just you. He can be venerable in front of you. "You will wake up, right?", he muttered, his hands reaching out to touch your limp fingers. The angle was awkward. And the nurse had strictly informed Javi not to move his hand too much. But fuck that. Fuck rules. Were they getting you both anyway? So Javi laces his fingers through yours, "You will wake up and snarl at me, will you? For being an ass", Javi bites down on his lips, suppressing the sob that is now right there at the peak of his throat, "And yet I won't tell you; I told you so this time. You just woke up, okay?"

Javi rips the bandage off, right as another wave of tears blurs his vision. The vein raptured, and the purple bruise was already forming. But he didn't care; he couldn't bring himself to care. It had been static nothingness after they walked him out of the room. Out and away from you. Javi clenches the sink angrily. The old thing rattles beneath his grip. He should have pushed harder. He should have never walked out because his stupid, manly pride was hurt. And he knows that if you don't… No, Javi chases that thought away. We manifest our thoughts. His pope always said to him growing up, Be careful of what you think, Javier.

"I was a pinch away from blowing his balls right there and then", the back door shuts with a bang as you stride towards Javi, who had been leaning against the wall for the past ten minutes. "Did you pull your gun?", Javi asks casually, as if that were a normal procedure for a Thursday night. "Pulled? It was up his nutsack," Javi snickers. Poor fuck crapped his pants for sure. Now he's almost upset that he didn't stick around to see that.

"What are you smiling for?", you snicker angrily, snatching a lighter from Javi's back pocket. Your left hand is shaking. With a mix of anger and strength, you probably held your gun. Javi takes the lighter back. The last thing he needs is for you to burn your hand now. "You amuse me", he admits when the cigarette finally catches the heat.

"Don't fuck with me, Pena. I might just pull the same stunt on you", you warn him, now feeling the shaking seep into your whole body. No matter how many times you went through the waves of adrenaline. The aftermath was never pretty. Javi pushes his cigarette against the brick wall and says, "Come here", You don't move, but his hand laces behind your neck, bringing your body closer to his chest. You don't fight it.

Letting the warmth of him envelop you. Your free hand clenches his shirt. It's such a small gesture. Simple one too. But it's all that you need. All it takes is for your body to budge, and you're not shaking anymore. It's like Javi just soaked up all of that bubbling within you in seconds: "Next time you pull a gun at any of them, keep me around", and Javi can hear your muffled laugh against his chest. And he's smiling. Truly smiling with you pressed tightly to his chest.

"The nurse said she'd be transferred soon", Javi nearly jumps at the sound of Steve's voice, which snatches him out of his head. Javi lost track of how many times he had told Steve to go home. Everyone did. Everyone left. Not that many stuck around for the hospital run in general. But Steve didn't budge. He was there. He stuck to very few or none of the comforting words. Connie hadn't even managed to drag him home. A part of Javi wanted to shove Steve out the door, but then again, he was glad that he wasn't alone.

"You know what that means?", Steve speaks up again. Pulling the neatly wrapped-up sandwich from behind his back, "I think it's time you eat just how you were instructed to". Javi glares at him before turning his attention back to the door. The door that leads to the room they were keeping you in: How were you doing? Did your body push through the transfer? Had they checked that you were stable? Double checked? Did triple-check?

"Come on, Javi, you don't want her…", Steve tries again. His voice is gentle and soft, and Javi hates it. His hands banged on the plastic chairs, sending a sharp sound down the empty hallway. "Stop fucking talking, Steve", Javi snarls; now his glare is all for his partner. "Shut up…", though the last words didn't sound even half as convincing. And Steve catches the crack. He catches sight of every tiny piece finally falling apart.

So Steve brings Javi closer into an embrace, and Javi is quick to push back instantly. Steve just doesn't let go. He's keeping Javi in a tight grip until the agent stops the fight; his shoulder's sagging and only the uneven breathing gives him away. "She will pull through", Steve states quickly, trying to keep his own emotions at bay. "You want to know why?", Javi only grips the back of Steve's jacket tighter: "Because she would crawl from hell itself for you. Because she loves you and she hasn't told you yet, and we both know our tiny girl is a farce".

And then he's back in your apartment. And he's walking back to you after using the bathroom when his eyes catch a glimpse of the picture. Multiple. But all of them have the same boy in them. Big eyes. Curly hair. And he's so similar to you. It's almost disturbing. Javi had seriously considered that you had a child there and then, and he knows it is noisy, but he snatches one of the frames as he heads back to the living room.

You're sprawled out like a cat on your sofa. Soft music is playing. Dirty dinner plates are still on the table. You're humming under your breath. Fuck, Javi doesn't remember the last time he heard someone hum, and a part of him wanted to keep that moment just like that. A part of him had shouted at him not to say anything, but… "Who's this?", the words slip past his lips, and your head instantly turns towards him. And he should have listened to his gut because the lazy smile fell from your face and you suddenly looked so small. So fragile.

"Michael", you mutter as you step closer to Javi, taking the frame from his hand, fingers skimming over the image frozen in time, "My brother. The only couple pictures I have left". The frown suggests that it's something that still hunts you. That still aches. "You don't see your family much?", Javi asks as if he can judge, as if he flies back home often or even calls. Yeah, no. Javi avoids home like the plague, and then the said home returns the favor. "Nothing to visit", the sad chuckle that follows your words strikes Javi.

"I'm…", he starts, but you had already turned towards him. "Sorry? You pity me. You're surprised I'm still here? Or maybe you're disappointed?". Javi crosses the distance between you and quickly catches both of your elbows. "No…", his words die down, and you're laughing again, just this time your eyes are full of tears. You sure?", you say bitterly before dropping your hands over your face, salty tears still streaming down the side of your face.

"Y/n… carino…", And Javi doesn't remember the last time he called out to someone in such a soft manner. He doesn't remember the last time his own heart dropped to his heels for someone. And you're crying, and Javi can't stand it. Because you shouldn't be, because instantly he wants to make it better. "Hey, come here; you're not alone. Shh…" And equally as much, Javi almost doesn't know how to comfort you because Javi never does that. It's always others who do the comforting, who splatter encouraging words.

"But I am. I'm so alone", The sob that slips past your lips makes Javi close his eyes for a moment because the shared agony of it rips through his own heart. Javi wraps his arms tighter around you, fingers running through your hair as you wrap yourself around his neck. Holding onto him as if your whole world now depends upon him. If Javi chose to move, you would crumble. Crumble beyond repair. "You have me", he mutters, but then the anxiety of commitment kicks in and he finds himself adding, "And Steve, and Connie", he doesn't mention Carillo. At first, he's not sure why his tongue doesn't twist to say it, but does it matter? It would be for selfish reasons one way or another.

"They killed them", you rasp out in between catching your breath. Javi pushes away the strands of hair that are now stuck to your face because of the tears. "Dad fucked up a deal, so they came to butcher them all in front of my eyes", you continue, looking up at Javi with desperation. Did no one believe you when you told them what happened? Did anyone ever listen? "I hid in the closet and then…", another sob slips past your lips. "I just saw him, purple face, big eyes, they choked…", and you crumble, legs bucking beneath you, but Javi is there with you. Bringing you even closer as he sways from side to side. Your nails are digging into his flesh, but he doesn't care. Whatever he can do to ground you and calm you down, Javi is willing to do it. "I've got you, carino", he mutters, pressing his lips to your temple, trying to keep his composure, to keep strong because now you need him. And he'll crawl out of his own grave if he had to, just to make sure that you are okay.

"Sir", the voice that doesn't fit the memory cuts through his head. "Sir", it rings, and Javi snaps his eyes open. An elderly woman is standing in front of him, her hand braced on his shoulder, as she attempts to wake him. "It's past 3 a.m., and the visiting hours are long over", she starts, and Javi is once again filled with rage. Try, he thinks, you just try to walk me out. "They transformed her into room 337; I can let you in. You can rest there", Javi blinks a couple of times, convinced that he had heard it wrong. It's against the hospital rules, and the confusion on his face tells the lady that he's trying to find a catch for this.

"Is your name by any chance Javi?", she asks right as Javi stands up. How does she know? He had said his name when he handed you to the sea of doctors and nurses. They had marked his name for the blood transfer, but he hadn't seen this woman in any of the rooms. "Miss. Y/L/N had called out for Javi a couple of times", and he has to both keep himself up so he doesn't sink to his knees and stop himself from running down the hallway. Are you awake? Have you been fully conscious? Why were you calling for him? Is it because you hate him? Or do you want him to be there?

"She's stable; however, with a blood loss like that, I'm sure she will be out for a couple of days", the lady says, and Javi only nods. He probably looks like a maniac there. He is barely managing to stay still, trying not to overstep as he constantly slows his pace to match the nurses.

She walks straight through the door, but Javi halts. You're a door away. You're there, and he will get to see you. But can he see you? Will he be able to look at you without hating the whole world? And most importantly, himself? Yet he does, and you are in there. Still pale as a sheet of paper, but it's only the wires and IVs that surround you. Someone had neatly brushed your hair, and it's not an absolute tangled mess like it was in the emergency room. No, it almost looks like you're lying in… Javi closes his eyes.

"You can talk to her. She should be able to hear you. It'll calm her anxiety and give her something to hold onto", the woman either doesn't notice that Javi is slowly losing it or is great at hiding it as she checks over the machines before turning back to him. "Just catch some sleep yourself, son", she says softly, patting his shoulder just like she did in the hallway. "The emergency button is here, but her heartbeat is strong and steady. I doubt you'll need to use it", that soothes some of Javi's worries, but there are so many of them that it almost feels like nothing. Javi keeps standing till the nurse slips out the door, and then he reaches for the chair, pulling it closer to your bed.

"Hey", Javi mutters, his fingers carefully brushing over your hand. There are so many needles and things poking you that he's almost hesitant to do so. So scared of hurting you more. Making it worse than it already is. Javi let his eyes settle on your face, then down to your chest, watching it move up and down. Up and down. Up and down. Steady. He brings your knuckles closer to his lips. There's still blood under your nails, but he doesn't care. "I miss you already", Javi admits, waiting for an answer he knows he won't get. He nestles his head on your legs, takes your hand into his, and just hopes.

[miyuhpapayuh]

two.

“It's about time somebody tall, dark and fine stumbled your way,” Zora’s best friend, Nique, chats into the phone.

“And in the flower shop of all places?? Sounds like heaven to little miss botanical girl!”

“You know, I could really hang up.”

“Who else would you spill your bullshit to, Z?”

“My mama.”

“Girl, please. Pam ain't listenin’ to you blab about another man, and I can bet on it.”

“Did you just call my mama by her first name?” She laughs.

“Don't tell her, she'd skin me.” Nique snickers.

Sparking up her blunt, heavily pulling and exhaling, she laughs at her friend. “I should tell her, especially since you tryna clown.”

“Okay, alright. But for real, he seem cool?”

“Yeah, he might be alright. We’ll see.”

“You ain't ever too excited,”

“Cause why would I be?”

“Cause this could be different, Zora Jean.”

“I told you to stop calling me that, and if it's different, then my excitement will show. I mean, he has my number. What else you want from me??” She huffs, placing the blunt back between her lips.

“Alright, I'll quit before you start yellin’,” Nique sighs.

“I'm two seconds from heading your way and kickin’ ass, Nique. Ain't nobody yellin’.”

“Put your guns away, jeez. I hope his fine ass makes you eat your words.”

Me too.

“Like I said, we'll see! But I gotta go, Shaun got me covering her shift in the morning.”

“When you gon leave that place in the dust, chile?” Nique asks, referring to The Pub, a family-owned restaurant with its own list of problems.

“Nique, please. We talk about this all the time. The pay is great and my boss loves me. Her dickhead of a son is the least of my worries, cause if he don't back up off me, he'll meet my pretty little taser. It's juiced up at all times.” She smiles, ashing her blunt in the red, heart-shaped tray.

“I wish I would put up with some shit like that.”

“What you suggest I do? Ain't nobody hiring right now.”

“I could get you a spot here at my office!”

“As much as I appreciate that, I couldn't be in no office. Sitting still for too long makes me antsy and you know this.”

“Yeah, you right.” She laughs. “Well, have a wonderful day at work, hopefully you won't have to shank nobody.”

“Thanks, Nique Nique. You have a wonderful day, as well!”

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

Pulling into the parking lot a little before ten-thirty, Zora takes the extra time to gear herself up for her six-hour shift.

She dryly blinks at her screen, her thumb steady scrolling and stopping, and scrolling again through twitter, tiktok and the like.

The sound of her ringtone jolts her slightly, as she stares at the top of her screen, Leon's name making the left corner of her mouth lift.

Letting it ring for a beat, she answers and watches his face come into view.

Damn, he was fine.

“Good morning.”

“You're bold for wanting to see my face this early, but I'll let it slide.” She laughs, making him do the same.

“I had to take a chance. Who wouldn't wanna see such beauty, first thing in the morning?”

She hums, fondly shaking her head.

“I see you also follow directions.”

“Of course! I told you no worries, right?”

“Mhm, you did.” She nods; the hint of a smirk still ghosts on her lips.

“You heading into work or?” He asks, referring to the jacket with her job’s logo on it.

“Yeah, I've got like twenty minutes before I head in.”

“Gotcha,” he squints. “The pub… a bar?”

“There's a bar inside, but it's more of a restaurant.”

“Oh cool, I gotta check it out. Good food? Be honest.”

She smiles, nodding her head. “The best. We've got these cheesy potato bites that are to die for. Same with the wings, those are my favorite.”

“Sounds good. I might swing by on my lunch break.”

“Where you work at?”

“A warehouse out in Midland. It's a bust, but it pays great.”

“Yeah, I know how that goes.”

“The life, amiright?”

She chuckles, giving him another nod.

“Well, maybe I'll see you later.”

“What time are you out?”

“Five.”

“You'll see me later.” He flashes that smile, making her sigh.

“Alright, til then,” she smirks, waving him bye.

“Til then,” he responds, returning the gesture before they hang up.

Another ten more minutes of aimlessly scrolling, she's heading into her beloved job, being immediately greeted by her boss and pulled to the side.

“Zora, dear! Good morning. I'm so glad you're here with me this morning.”

“Of course, Linda. You know I love to help out.”

“Yes, such the sweetie pie. I know Shaun appreciated it, too.”

“Yes, she definitely needed a day off after the way her week started off.”

“I know, but don't worry, those rednecks aren't welcome back in here.”

“Good.”

“Now, all I really need you to do is ring ‘em out, we got the rest.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, no worries. The cooks are good, my boys are gonna be out on the floor, running the food so just stand here and look pretty, kay?” She requests, making Zora laugh.

“Gotcha boss lady.”

As soon as she walks to the back, it's as if Cory sniffed her out and made a beeline towards her, disregarding her don't-fuck-with-me expression.

“Sup, beautiful. I thought I heard an angel's voice in here.”

“You layin’ it on like molasses, and it's making me itch. Go away.” She says, her expression unmoved.

“Oh come on, Zora. I just be tryna–“

“-get on my nerves, yes. I know. Go find a table to wipe down and leave me alone.” She glares at him now, and he backs away.

Once he's outta sight again, she sighs and rolls her neck, shaking his sliminess away.

✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿ ... ✿°•∘ɷ∘•°✿

A few hours, many to-go boxes and a small meltdown later, Zora was finally on her break, munching on those potato bites she raved about earlier.

She was back to scrolling on her phone, silently laughing at the tweets that got more and more bizarre as she went.

The chimes on the door continued to go off as people came and went, but once that woodsy scent flowed through the air, coupled with that deep voice, she'd turned her head before she could stop herself.

There he was in his lanky glory. A toboggan covering his hair, his thick sweatshirt still showing off those cut arms from all the heavy lifting he does, and the polite smile he flashes at her coworker makes her weak in the knees from where she's sitting.

He'd ordered what she suggested, and she doesn't know why, but it made her smile. She turned back to her phone, knowing how mortified she'd be if he caught her stare.

He'd seen her when he first walked in, unbeknownst to her.

Her head was buried in her phone and he got a chance to glance at her once more, unable to get over how beautiful she was to him.

Her hair was still up in a bun like earlier, the gloomy day wasn't taking away from her natural glow at all.

He'd really convince someone that she was a goddess, if he had the time.

After grabbing the to-go bag from the bar, he headed in her direction, giving her a warm smile as she looked his way.

“Hey, Leon.”

“Hey, Zora. Mind if I join you?”

“Course not, have a seat.” She offers, secretly loving the way his scent wafted over her as he did so.

“How's your day been?” He asks, tearing into the double-knotted bag for his food.

“Sorry about the knots, Claire kills me.” She snorts. “But it's been chill, still ready to clock out and curl up on my couch. How about yours?”

“I'm just about ready to do the same. I lifted a box full of glass lanterns and the bottom fell out.” He sighs, making her gasp.

“Really?? I know that was a bitch to clean up!”

“You shoulda seen it. I mean, glass everywhere. It took me about an hour or so, so I'm definitely ready to turn in for the day.”

“Nobody helped you?”

He shakes his head. “I prefer to work alone, most of the time. People like to unnecessarily make things more complicated than they have to be sometimes, so I'd rather do it myself.”

“Huh, you sound like me.”

He smirks, finally opening the styrofoam container. His eyes widen as the golden, cheesy bites stare him in the face.

“Wow, these look so good!”

“Eat one,” she laughs, popping another in her mouth.

Obliging, he grabs one off the top of the pile and bites into it, his eyes briefly closing. The cheese pull was excellent.

“Good, yeah?”

“Hell yeah,” he says with a hand over his mouth. “There's bacon in these, too??”

She laughs all over again, nodding her head.

“Magical, aren't they??”

Dipping them in the chipotle ranch, he wholeheartedly agrees, pulling another one apart.

Like a creep, Cory was watching their interaction play out and he was seething, wondering why a girl like Zora didn't wanna be bothered with him, but yet here she was, giggling up a storm with some man.

“There's this kid when I walked in the door, started mean muggin’ me. Like he knew who I was or something.” He cracks, making her shake her head.

“About your height, curly hair, looks like a douche?” She asks to clarify.

“Yup,” he nods. “Who is that?”

“Cory. He thinks we're meant to be together or whatever bullshit he tries to spin. I'm sure he's around the corner, scoping us out, right now.” She rolls her eyes.

“Need me to handle that for you?”

“I got a taser with his name on it, and a kitchen knife if that don't work,” she sighs.

“Zora,”

“I couldn't ask you to do that, Leon.” She shakes her head.

“You didn't ask, I offered.” He quips.

“Ooh, you got me there.”

“I'm just saying, you don't have to deal with that bullshit and I can take it off your hands.”

“Don't kill him, please.”

He scoffs. “I'm too pretty to be in prison, girl.”

She lets out a hearty chuckle, thanking god water was within her reach.

“Plus, if I lay him out, he won't mess with you again.” He blinks.

“One good left hook, huh?”

“That's my good hand too, girl. How'd you know?”

“I'm good like that.” She flashes him a smile of her own, catching him for two seconds too long.

The way his tongue swipes over his bottom lip, making them look even more kissable, has her crossing one leg over the other.

The alarm on her phone goes off, making her sigh heavily.

“My break is over, unfortunately.”

“Damn, and I was just startin’ to like you.” He cracks, shaking his head as she stands up.

“Ima have Cory kick you out, how bout that.” She cracks back.

“Working with the predator? How low can you go.”

“To hell.” She blinks.

He stands from the table as well, easily towering over her five-three frame. Her gaze shifts above her glasses again, but she can see everything she needs to.

Adjusting them on the bridge of her nose anyway, she tugs on her jeans and slides her phone into her jacket pocket.

“Thanks for coming in and killing time with me.”

“No problem. I had to check it out, and after eating these babies,” he taps the box, “I'll definitely be back.”

“Next ones are on me.”

“You don't have to do that.”

“I know, that's why I offered to do it.” She mocks his earlier sentiment.

“You got me there.”

They share another laugh, stalling for another fifteen seconds.

“Would it be inappropriate if I wanted a hug?” He asks, not missing how fast she shook her head.

Engulfing her in his warm embrace, she giggles as he rocks side to side before letting go.

“You smell good. What is that?”

“One of them Armani fragrances. It's expensive as hell, but if it attracts a beauty like you, I'll keep it on me.” He winks.

“You are too much.” She says, fondly shaking her head.

“That a bad thing?”

“Not in your case, no.”

“Good to know.” He says, before rebagging his food. “It's always a pleasure, miss Zora.”

“See ya later, Leon.”

They reluctantly part ways, but not before he catches eyes with the freckle-faced bonehead that is Cory, glaring at him something awful on his way out.

“The fuck was that?” He cluelessly asks.

“A warning.” She mumbles, heading to the back with her empty dish.

Ch 3

@thegifstories @twistedcharismaaa @cecereads209 @nayaxwrites @blackerthings @blackpinup22 @prettyisasprettydoes1306 @nahimjustfeelingit-writes @soufcakmistress @sheabuttahwrites @blowmymbackout @mauvecherie-writes @unfriendlyblkhotti3 @abeautifulmindexposed @awerkofart @neewrites

[sweaterkittensahoy]

What if I go full romcom on this Chick/Minnie (OFC) story and bring DB into it? Like, early on in knowing each other, Chick's suddenly just carrying gosling in his pocket like it's nothing, and Minnie does not know what to do with this information. I mean, yes, it's adorable. But also, what the fuck.

Okay, I actually love this enough I'm going to throw something together right this second:

Minnie sits at her desk and reviews reports, wishing one of the girls was sick so she could have an excuse to be on the floor more than once an hour. It's the day after another mission, and there's so many boys in the beds. She'd agreed to a Head Nurse position originally because her years of actual nursing gave her the option with the Red Cross. It'd seemed an easy decision back when she agreed, a way to test out if she wanted a job so high up the chain.

As she signs her name at the bottom of a patient report, she knows with certainty she never wants this job again. Too much paper, not enough patients.

There's a knock on her open office door, and she glances up. It's Colonel Harding, which means it's ten-thirty. He comes every day they've got boys in the beds to get a personal update. The first time she'd seen him, Minnie wouldn't have guessed him the type. But she's since learned he's got a big heart for these boys, same as she does. It's part of what makes them friends.

"Please, come in," she says, standing and smoothing her skirt. "Coffee?"

"If you've got extra," Harding says. "And could I get a bowl of water?"

Minnie pauses, coffee pot hefted halfway to pouring position. "A bowl of water?"

"I'm babysitting," Harding says and reaches into his leather jacket.

Minnie stares in mild shock as he pulls out his cupped hand and shows her a tiny gosling she already knows too well. "Oh, don't tell me the ground crew suckered you into letting them keep it."

"I thought you loved babies," Harding replies, bringing his other hand up so the gosling is fully cupped against his chest.

"Babies, yes," Minnie says, walking around her desk and sticking her head out the door. Charlotte is in the hallway sorting bandages. "Nurse Thorton," Minnie says, "Could you get me a large bowl of water? Lukewarm."

"Of course, Ma'am," Charlotte says, the question in her eyes very clear.

"Thank you," Minnie says rather than answer. It's been a long morning for all of them. Charlotte will appreciate the surprise of the little gosling. She turns back into her office, and Harding is sitting in the chair in front of her desk, still holding the gosling. She goes back to pouring them both coffee. Black for Harding, one sugar for herself, then sets the cups down on her desk before sitting herself.

"You were saying you love babies, but not this little man," Harding says, rubbing a finger across the gosling's head.

"I grew up with geese. They're monsters," Minnie answers. "They lived by our pond and would chase us all around. They bite. A lot."

"Here's the water," Charlotte says as she walks into the office. She stops short at the sight of the gosling and smiles. "Oh, is that the one Winks found?" She asks, then stiffens slightly. "Corporal Hermann, I mean."

Minnie lifts some folders to clear a space for the bowl. "It seems to be," she says. "You haven't been filching supplies to help with the bedding have you?"

Charlotte shakes her head. "No, Ma'am. I've only given them scraps from my own rag bag."

Minnie doesn't ask if the other nurses have been filching supplies. She knows the answer. She just signed the inventory sheets, and they're slightly low. She'll ignore it this once. "That's nice of you, Nurse Thorton. You may go."

Charlotte nods and gives Harding a quick smile, then leaves the office, closing the door behind her.

Minnie watches Harding place the gosling in the water with slow, easy movements. "Has he swum yet?" she can't help but ask.

"A few times, the boys tell me," Harding replies as he lifts his hands away. The gosling kicks its legs and makes a small circle, then nips at the water. "But only in bowls so far. I promised he'd get his exercise on my watch."

Minnie shakes her head, watching the gosling nip at the water and make a wider circle. "You're really going to let them keep it?"

"Winks looked for a nest, but he couldn't find one."

"If he'd gotten within ten feet, the angry mother would have gotten him first," Minnie says.

"And I figure, if he ends up being a problem, we'll take care of it right around Christmas dinner time."

"Colonel!" Minnie admonishes, though she has to cover her mouth to hide her smile.

"Well, Nurse Green, are you for or against the goose?" Harding asks, eyes bright with amusement. "First, you're disappointed I've got him, and now you're acting like it'd be bad to eat him."

Minnie gives in and laughs a little. She watches the way Harding's eyes crinkle at the edges as he picks up his coffee. The gosling makes a small noise and does another circle in the bowl.

"Perhaps your boys can teach him more manners than the geese at the farm ever had," Minnie says. "Something-something, the sins of the father and all that."

Harding leans back in his chair and sips his coffee. "We'll see. I heard them trying to pick a name today, and none of them were repeatable."

Minnie snorts and reaches for the reports Harding is here to discuss. "I'm sure I've heard all the words they're wanting to use," she says. "I've probably said a few myself."

"Haven't we all?" Harding agrees, and he leans forward again, elbows on his knees, a sign he's ready to get down to business. So, Minnie does.

[toxicanonymity]

Aisle 39. Ben's Hardware

5250 words / Ben Solo x Rey

Warnings: I8+ mdni. Sexual tension, dubcon (via uninformed use of force connection but she wants it), dry humping. I 🖤 Dry Humping. Hardware Store AU but more than meets the eye.

A/N: posting my first fic in any fandom since I never posted it on Tumblr aside from the AO3 link and Tumblr is home now 🖤. I'm resisting the urge to improve it 😅 I'm not even gonna reread before posting. It was originally reader insert but @dark-scape translated to reylo. Lmk if you want the reader insert version instead and that can be arranged.

Rey visually undresses him.  He inhales through his strong nose, meets her gaze, and cocks an eyebrow: “Now that’s an idea."   He sinks all the way back into the cushions, his huge palms on his thighs, as if to take in the moment with a subtle, satisfied smile.  He then abruptly sits back up and starts unbuttoning his shirt.  As if on command.

Rey drives through the streets of Jakku. It's a chilly day, but bright for mid December. The sun is in her eyes, but the drive isn't long enough to commit to finding her sunglasses. As she turns into a parking lot, she sees the cafe next door is open and realizes it will be the perfect day to grab her favorite nutmeg butternut squash soup with their signature green tea bread if she can make it out of the hardware store before the lunch rush really picks up. This is a rare opportunity because the cafe's hours are aligned to typical office job hours when she’s normally across town.

Rumor has it the hardware store is locally-owned now, and she wonders how much it’s changed. She's taken a vacation day to finish some holiday shopping and errands, and thought of an easy home improvement project last night to spruce up Finn and Poe’s house while she housesits and takes care of their cat Bebe. She wants to fix the dimmer for the light above their kitchen table. The knob has been missing for awhile now, and even when you twist the naked peg, the lights don't dim, so she assumes the bulbs aren’t the right kind. She figures she can fix this with a new plastic knob, a 4-pack of dimmable LED lights, and five minutes of labor. She can finish it off with a little red bow on the new dial. This will be a nice surprise and will also give her an excuse to procrastinate her other errands.

Turns out, not much has changed. She clip-clops through the sliding doors in her warmest boots and still sees orange aprons with names hand-written in sharpie. She immediately locates the light bulbs and spends a few minutes longer than necessary deciding which pack to get. She looks at her phone and sees she has about ten minutes until the lunch rush, so it's time to find the other item she needs, the knob.

She looks up and sees a worker. He's wearing a dark gray jacket over his apron, and what looks like a lighter gray hoodie under it. It isn’t that cold in here, she thinks . She almost leaves him alone, but something on his apron catches her eye. She can't see the name, but barely sees the edge of an expertly doodled death star. Bold choice.  

He's got a nice head of dark hair, chin length, tapered around his face, but out of the way enough to see his eyes are brown. He runs his hand through his hair over the top of his crown as though slicking it back, then some of the strands fall back down. His face is a mix of heart and square shaped with a masculine jaw and strong nose. He has the stubble of a mustache and soul patch but no beard.

He has beauty marks, so many. How many? Are they just on his face or all over? He has an enviously clear complexion and looks like he tans easily. He's kind of tall, but not looming, maybe because his head is bowed slightly as he lifts a crate of lightbulb boxes and begins to unpack it. He seems athletic, hard to tell with what he's wearing. He has a youthful vibe but isn't exactly boyish.

He carries himself like he knows more or less what he's doing, but doesn't take the job too seriously. Rey imagines he wouldn't be the best candidate to tell her how to do a project, but he must know the aisles at least. She doesn't like to be a bother, but hopes it's an easy enough question, and he's standing right there. He can tell she’s about to ask him something and looks up. The whites of his eyes are clear and sparkly. Rey wonders if hers would be like that if she blinked more, which leads to her unintentionally fluttering her lashes.

She finally says, close to a whisper, “Can I ask you something?” I asked… if I can ask him something. She groans inwardly.

She isn’t prepared for the gentle baritone voice he responds with, "Yeah. Sure."

"Uh, where can I find the light switches and dimmers?"

"AISLE 39. I think. Here, I'll show you." He sounds about twice as old as he looks. Those few words he speaks are enough to flip a switch in Rey.  Her heart is melting at the same time her mind is racing. She can't tell for sure because he’s so bundled up, but she imagines he has strong arms and is in great shape based on the vascularity of his hands as he holds his barcode reader. He's working in the middle of the school day so he's got to be at least 18, not that he looks any younger, but Rey tends to think in worst case scenarios. Realistically, she would peg him for mid-twenties, but his voice sounds at least two decades older.

He walks her to aisle 39 and stops. She thanks him for his help, and as she turns to walk in the direction he pointed, she realizes she’s slightly blushing and she’s been silent. She doesn't want her shyness to come off as cold, so she makes eye contact and lets a little smile sprout from the left corner of her mouth across her lips, small but beaming. She hopes it doesn't come off as a smirk or make him self conscious. She can't tell whether he's the self conscious type.

She figures she can find the item herself from here, and doesn't think to ask him about the specific product. She wanders nearly all the way down the aisle, but after several minutes of searching (albeit distractedly), Rey is relieved to see him come back with another customer. He's helping a man find a specific thing, not a whole aisle. She’s jealous, even though it was her own fault not to ask. She hopes he sticks around and asks her if she found everything okay, but when he's done with the other customer it seems like he's about to leave.

She quickly approaches him. “Can I- can I ask for your help again?” Asking to ask again. Do I always sound this ridiculous? She tells him about the dimmer she’s looking for, which is apparently called a rotary switch.

To her surprise and delight, he talks far more than he needs to about rotary switches. His dark velvet voice is lulling Rey half into a fantasy while she struggles to continue listening to his words. He repeats almost every word she says back to him coolly and casually. And these aren't complicated concepts. She isn’t sure if he's practicing an active listening technique from sales training or is simply aware of his effect on women. Or his effect on her. She stands inches from him and looks into his eyes. She wonders to what extent her white cheeks have bloomed into roses under her freckles and given her away.

"You need a dimmer?" He looks her in the eyes, but she’s transfixed on every flex of his jaw and twitch of his lip as he talks.

"Yes, but just the knob, not the whole thing,” she says.

He nods thoughtfully then confirms, "So you just need the plastic part?"

“Right, there’s still a stick you can use to turn it, but it’s naked,” Rey confirms. She pulls her phone out of her back pocket to show him what kind of set-up the panel has and what part she needs.

"So on the panel there's an up-down switch, and a rotary dimmer."

“Yeah." She shows him the knob on the store's app and says, "I think the dimmer part is in stock.”

He replies "Oh, it says aisle 2?" He looks in that direction like he’s trying to remember what’s in aisle 2. He must be new.

"No, we’re in the right aisle. It's wrong on the preview page, but if you click into it you can see," she explains.

"Oh, ok. This is what you need though?" He locks eyes with Rey.

Just like that, she’s imagining him taking off his apron and hoodie at the end of the day, revealing meaty biceps that want to burst out of a black, soft washed t-shirt. Running his large hand through his hair. Flexing those beautiful arms as he peels off the shirt. A smooth torso with hard pecs, scant chest hair. At the thought of this, the left half of her bottom lip starts to creep under her left front teeth, and he cracks a smile for the first time, from the right side of his mouth, almost like a mirror image to Rey’s. His teeth are pretty but unassuming. They're close to white and not overly straight.

Her cheeks grow warmer and she looks away, responding to his question with a slight nod, which she hopes doesn’t read as hesitant, before resuming eye contact. “Yeah,” she quietly confirms.

"But you don't need the regular switch, right?" He speaks with a relaxed beat, not rushing the conversation to its end.

"Uh-huh."

He's speaking low and soft and looks back and forth between Rey’s eyes, not at the screen they’re both supposedly studying. "You just need the dimmer."

"Yeah." She feels like this is being drawn out to the point of overkill, but she’s not complaining.

"And you only need the plastic part." Every time he speaks is like music.

"Yeah," she confirms, barely audible, with a smile.

He continues to search her eyes and she repeats, "Yeah."

For a brief moment, he seems to gaze at Rey as lustily as she knows she is looking at him before he gathers his thoughts. She feels self conscious and suspects by the amount that he’s talking he must know the spellbinding effect his voice has on her. But if that's the case, she supposes there’s no harm that could come from him knowing it.

"Okay, let’s go over here," he says as he leads her back to where she started at the front of the aisle. "I think I see it.” He crouches down to get something from the bottom shelf.

"That’s it!" Rey says with a grin.

She feels bad for not crouching down with him. She’s always self conscious of making people do too much work, but then she also doesn’t want to make it awkward by taking over. So it's not that she expects him to serve her, she’s just frozen. He starts to pull the small product off the metal rods. It's the exact one she’d shown him on her phone, but she notices a better color next to it. Rey squats down and as she looks at the package to the right of the one he's holding, he almost looks disappointed that he didn't pick the exact unit she needed.

She says, "This one is even better, it'll match the old yellowed white." As she slides the package toward her, her right thumb almost imperceptibly brushes his left hand which is still holding the other package. She hasn’t even thought about his package yet, but the lightest brush of his skin is enough to short Rey’s circuits. She gets nervous and stands up, thanks him twice with a genuine smile and that's all she can do.

"No problem," he says, and that's all. As Rey watches him walk away, she feels an odd desperation to hear his voice again. She thinks about making up another question and recording him with an app. Is that creepy? It’s a little creepy, but not full-blown creepy, right? It isn't an option to never hear his voice again. She briefly glances around and he's nowhere in sight. She gets a hold of herself and makes her way to the self checkout line and pays.

Scanning the parking lot as she leaves, Rey wonders which car is his. When she gets to her car, she realizes she doesn’t have her keys. She sheepishly walks back inside and grabs her keys and receipt from the self-checkout terminal she just used. She looks at the receipt - “Ben’s Hardware”. So it did change ownership. She feels someone watching her from the aisle straight ahead, but tries to play it cool. She smiles and shakes her head in disbelief as she turns around and leaves, heart pounding.

Rey forgets all about the soup she was going to get and drives on autopilot to the house to install the dimmer and bulbs. What was that back there? When did I become so shy? It’s been a long time since she’s felt a visceral longing for someone, too. She can feel the animal inside of her awakening from a years-long slumber. She isn’t worried about it, she welcomes it. It’s tame. She has the maturity and experience to stay in control.

She pulls into the broken driveway and parks under the carport. Bebe runs to greet her and Rey bends down to pet her when she opens the car door. This should be an easy but impactful little project. She enters the kitchen, and takes the rotary dial out, dismissing a ridiculous passing thought that she should have bought the white one, too, because he touched it.  She tears the packaging open and holds the off-white plastic rotary dial in her hand, smiling as she remembers all the ways he described it.  

She raises the cream plastic dial to the light switch panel and glances at its underside, confirming it’s compatible.  The unsheathed rotary peg juts out from the panel in anticipation. She holds the dial by its outer edge, aligning its hole with the peg, and gently eases the peg inside.  The dial slides all the way on and snaps into place. It sticks out a little far from the wall, but it works.  Then she unscrews the light bulbs in the cheap chandelier one by one and replaces them with the dimmable ones she bought. 

Finally, the moment of truth - she presses the rotary dial, which turns on the lights, but when she rotates the dimmer, it dims nothing. The dimmer wiring itself might not be LED compatible. Of course. It looks like she’ll have to go back to the store, but not today. She does her shopping and begrudgingly runs errands, and finishes off her day with a warm cup of rooibos.

When she gets in bed, her mind drifts back to Him. She’s dying to hear his voice again. He was so calm, aloof, but somehow radiating power. She interprets it as sexual energy, but she wonders if she’s just seeing what she wants to see. To keep his voice in her mind, she imagines him narrating, “So. This is your bed… we’re going to use an extra blanket tonight, because it’s cold.” She feels ridiculous. But when she drifts off to sleep, there he is.

*** 

Rey is in a living room, but not hers.  It’s a subtle mid-century style with huge windows and modern touches.  It’s dimly lit with a fire roaring behind a glass.  He’s slouched on a stool at a wet bar, drinking something on the rocks.  He’s wearing black slacks, a form-fitting charcoal button-up shirt, untucked, with the cuffs unbuttoned.  He has one foot on a rung of the stool and another with its heel on the ground as he looks at his glass. 

He looks at Rey and puts down the glass.  “Drink?” he asks, standing up to go around the other side of the bar.  Rey watches him.  “Whisky? Wine? Water?” he asks, while filling a glass of water.   “I’m fine,” she replies.  He puts the glass of water down on the smooth granite in front of a second stool that’s still tucked under the bar.  As he walks out from behind the bar, he lets his fingers graze the leather seat of the closest stool.  Rey notices he’s shoeless, wearing black and gray argyle socks.  Why is he so quiet? 

Right on cue, he says, “Well, you’re here.  What do you want to do?” It’s so vivid.  Rey is frozen and says nothing.  Her heartbeat quickens.  He paces patiently.  There’s a teal sectional facing the fireplace.  The living room has soft carpet that feels new under her bare feet.  He walks across the living room, crossing into It a breakfast nook with an oak table.  Behind the kitchen table, he reaches for the wall and lightly touches a conspicuously cheap looking dial that dims the room further.   He comes back toward Rey, and pauses between the breakfast nook and living room. There’s a cabinet separating the spaces, about the same height as the kitchen table.  It has a record player and a box of records sitting on top of it.  

He approaches the record cabinet, which is about hip height to him.  He’s facing Rey, with the cabinet and the entire living room in between them.  With a casual stretch of one leg, he spreads his feet to lower himself a little and look at the records. He rolls up his sleeves, glancing up at her with his tan forearms flexing.  He thumbs through the vinyl records, which appear to have no words on the covers.  He has his head down, his hair has fallen slightly in his face, and he’s glancing up at Rey every few seconds as he thumbs through the box. 

He starts reading out the names of records, and her butterflies intensify at the low rumble of his voice. “Led Zeppelin III,” “Some Girls,” “Get Behind Me Satan,” “Ocean’s 11,” “Travis” “John Wick 2”  The foliage outside rustles gently against the window.  The next time he looks up at her, he doesn't look back down.  It’s an expectant gaze as though to see if the sound of his voice was effective.  She squirms a little and blushes.  He holds her gaze, squints slightly, and smiles a little.  He’s finished going through the records.  He doesn’t put anything on the record player, but a song she likes starts playing anyway.  Think, by Kaleida.  

He gives Rey a mischievous, inquisitive look, and runs his hand through his hair as he walks over to the sectional. He takes a seat and hinges forward at the hip, putting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together.  She admires the shape of his forearms.  He raises his clasped hands upright and sets his chin on them playfully, his biceps straining his sleeves as he meets her eyes.  He says, “Well, here we are at my place,” which she doubts.  Rey doesn’t know what she expects his place is like in reality, but it isn’t this refined.  He chuckles, removing his elbows from his knees and resuming a more grown-up posture. With arched brows and an otherwise straight face, he says, “Really.” His brows relax again.  “What do you feel like doing?”  His voice floods every inch of her body with a yearning to be touched.  

She doesn’t know how to answer him.  She doesn’t know how she got there or what’s going on, but the combination of his voice, eye contact, and arms are enough for Rey to begin visually undressing him.  He inhales through his strong nose, meets her gaze, and cocks an eyebrow: “Now that’s an idea."   He sinks all the way back into the cushions, his palms on his thighs, as if to take in the moment with a subtle, satisfied smile.  He then abruptly sits back up and starts unbuttoning his shirt.  As if on command. . . Holy shit, Rey thinks.  She realizes this is a dream. She’s lucid.  It’s like a 5-d game where she can feel everything.    In theory, she can do whatever she wants.  What she really wants at this moment is to straddle him.   

He glances down between his legs and coolly says, “sit anywhere you want.”  She feels observed, even though he isn’t real.  She walks over to the sectional and perches next to him on the edge of its velvet cushion. She feel herself getting wet.  She’s wearing a gray stretch miniskirt–something she wouldn’t have picked out for herself–black leggings, and a green cardigan with no undershirt.  He finishes unbuttoning his shirt and discards it on the floor.  She sees exactly what she’d pictured earlier - a strong physique, his lightly bronzed arms straining against a soft washed t-shirt.  “What’s your name,” he asks, and she feel a warmth growing between her legs.     She tells him, “Rey.”  “Rey,” he repeats, and she fruitlessly responds, “What’s yours?” 

He sighs and gazes around wistfully, “Her name is Rey.”  Then his eyes are back on her.  He places a large hand softly on her knee.  Electrified, she reciprocates.   It’s not real, she reminds herself.  She can do anything.  The guy from the store will never know.  She dares to run her hand a few inches up his quad and give his muscle a light squeeze.  He exhales with the slightest little groan,  “yeah,” and moves his hand to the small of back to urge her closer.  She’s sitting next to him but facing him now, left leg folded under her, working her right hand up his quad. 

The expanse of his thigh dwarfs her pale fingers on his black pants as she leans forward and lets her heel nestle between her legs to relieve some tension.  A tsunami of tingling deep inside her spreads through her breasts.  She grips his thigh for support, and lifts herself just barely,  intending to bring the inner crook of one knee up over his closest leg in a cuddly way while remaining seated on the couch.  A tent in his pants catches her eye and her skin starts to burn with urgency.  If she moves too quickly, she wonders if she could startle herself awake.  

As Rey raises her leg, he brings his far hand to it, gently coaxing her to move all the way onto his lap.  Her skirt rides up over her ass as she follows his lead.  He seizes one buttock in each hand, gives them a gentle squeeze, and takes a deep breath.  She is overcome with arousal and takes her own deep breath, shuddering and blinking slowly as she exhales. Her legs are now spread wide open straddling his lap, but she’s hovering and hasn’t put her weight on him yet.  Her head is a little higher than his in this position.  He bows his head and nuzzles his nose into her cardigan between her breasts, closing his eyes and taking in her scent.  

Rey’s modest chest is heaving against his face and he cradles her with both arms as she breathes.  She places her hands gently on his shoulders, and slowly moves them inward to fondle the hair at the nape of his neck.  She twirls a lock around her finger contemplatively, but she’s still hovering.  His arms are under hers with his face still in her sweater.  He drags his nose up to her neck and she feels her cardigan unbutton, exposing a lace bra, which is fastened in the front.  He looks up at her and reiterates in an intimate whisper, “you can sit anywhere you want.”  

Rey could tell from his breathing what would await her in his lap.  Her leggings were already soaked.  One by one, she scooted her knees closer to the back of the couch on either side of his expansive torso and let her weight down.  She is now truly straddling him, her inner thighs and the intimate seam of her warm, moist leggings fully embracing his arousal.  Her wetness spread through her leggings and into his pants.  His lumber swells against her, pulsing into her aching nub.  “Yeah,” he breathes.  “Right here.” She leans forward to feel his full length, which spans from her privates to her belly button as he thrusts against her. 

Over the course of a few blissful seconds, she feels his erection press harder against her, slide upward, then come back down, and repeat.  His mouth finds her neck, then her mouth.  She accept his lips hungrily and grinds back in rhythm.  Her lips pull away as pleasure shoots through her gut and breasts.  She leans her head back and gasps.  He moves his way back down to her heart, nuzzling his nose along her neck then planting a kiss on her collar bone, another kiss on her breast.   

Then his teeth lightly pinch her skin as they find the front of her bra.  He looks up at her as the clasp flies open and her breasts are free.  Her hard nipples are framed loosely by her dangling bra and the top half of her cardigan which is still buttoned, only at the bottom.  She’s still wearing leggings, but his cock feels too good to leave it for even one moment to undress further.  She continues to slowly grind against him as he moves one hand to her breast, keeping the other behind her for support.  He palms one breast, lightly at first, grazing her nipple with the heel of his palm, then softly cups the whole breast, enveloping it in his large hand as he continues to slowly thrust into her warmth  He uses his free hand to bring her close enough to kiss her other breast. 

Rey is burning up now.  He undoes the last two buttons of her cardigan and she lets it fall off her shoulders, discarding her bra at the same time.  She reaches down to the hem of his shirt and slides four curled fingers underneath it.  He helps her take it off, and she takes in the sight of his shredded torso.  His right pec has a scar.  She traces it with her thumb.  His pecs are so hard.  As she explores him, they continue grinding, then he gives a more emphatic thrust, like his cock cannot physically get close enough to her.  She reaches between their loins and strokes his arousal through his pants, tracing the outline of his cock in detail.  His pants are damp and shiny from her leggings and with a wetter spot of his own.  

Rey needs him badly.  He isn’t wearing a belt.  She frantically searches for his button and zipper and carefully frees him. She holds, and beholds, the glorious, veiny shaft that lands in her hand.  She savors the feeling of its soft skin as it throbs in her hand.  “You. . . are a vision,” he murmurs into her chest, which is exactly what she was thinking about his package.  She moves her thumb to the head of his cock, collects a bead of precum, and swirls around the head affectionately.  Her brows furrow with want.   He holds her tighter, closing the gap between them.  He begins thrusting again, hard and slow.  Rey grinds her throbbing warmth against his lower shaft while her hand is still in between them.  

She feels the spine of her groin twitching and knows she’s close.  She takes a deep breath and lets a sharper pleasure overtake her chest and groin.  Her breath quickens as she nears her peak.  She still has her leggings on. He reaches his broad hands into the back of her leggings, taking one buttcheek in each hand and moves her up and down against him.  “I need you,” he breathes. They look into each other’s eyes and there’s something wild in his pupils, something dark, like a warm, black hole, drawing her in.  “Take me,” she says.  He reaches a hand behind her neck to cradle her head, and they gaze at each other, breathing, grinding.  Then he pulls her face decisively to his.  

Rey inhales through her nose as their lips meet hungrily. He kisses her hard, too messily to  seal their mouths together, leaving his lower lip between her lips as he draws in a deep breath through his mouth.   He then closes his lips on her upper lip, his teeth and tongue slightly grazing it.  Half his mouth opens into hers, the other halves of their mouths still breathing heavily. 

He shifts her slightly upward, wraps her around his waist, and she feels the head of his rock hard cock aggressively nuzzling her clit, up and down.  His tongue finds hers and she lets it brush against her teeth.  When she pulls away for a moment, he looks her in the eyes. They’re both moving faster now, and  as they’re about to come, she folds herself into him, sliding her lips down his chin to his neck and opening her mouth, breathing against his skin. 

His thumb finds her most sensitive place and one touch sends her over the edge.  The pleasure is almost too much to bear.  Her ass clenches as ecstacy blooms from her groin, her nipples, her ears, and deep within her gut.  Muscles she didn’t even know she had shudder in release, and he wraps his arms tight around her, thrusting to the beat of her orgasm.  She rides wave after wave, pulsating against his cock, and as another wave swells he groans, and she feels his cock begin its own contractions, intensifying hers.  

Rey’s mouth is open against his neck and she’s breathing into his skin and as he unleashes a huge lode of cum, between them, soaking through her leggings, and gluing their clothes together.  Her canines dig harmlessly into the side of his neck – she can’t resist –  then she brings her lips to the flesh and seals it with a kiss.   She collapses into him, loosely hugging him with her legs, and the two of them just breathe.  Then he tightens his arms around her in a hug, and she looks up. She sees the mark of her teeth on his neck, and remembers no one else will see it.  This isn’t real.  

She nuzzles her head into her mark and blinks her eyelashes against his skin.   He sighs slowly through his nose, then she feel the vibrations of his voice against her face as he says, “You are… remarkable.”  She lies there breathing for a few minutes and he wraps them both in a cream, cable-knit throw.  She falls asleep in his arms and wakes up in her own bed, marveling at how a dream can make one feel like they’ve experienced someone so intimately.  She hadn’t had a lucid dream in years.  She absently scratches an itch between her breasts and wonders how she can be sure to dream of him again tonight.  Was it the rooibos, or the sheer will of her want?

[faceless-mirror]

CHAPTER 2

Ship: Hozier and Farren(ONBC)

Andrew and Farren have been traveling through the centuries. Andrew remembers each time, when each of their times together ended in horrible tragedy. Farren never remembers, but their hearts call to each other in every life time, even if it brings pain. Andrew is breaking now, just needing one happy ending where they don't die crushed to death- sacrificed to old gods- hunted for their love- or torn apart in battle.

All he wants is to have Farren and live in peace. Hopefully, the Gods will grant mercy at last for his past transgressions that led to this cycle.

Taglist: @rowanballard @likehipsters @darkcloverme @holy-shitposting @cwooley1999-blog

(If you'd like to be added or removed please let me know)

Farren woke the next morning to golden rays burning across their face, causing them to hiss softly in pain, rolling over trying to throw the bed cover over their face grumbling softly and angrily at the sun for daring to wake them, even if it was their own fault for not closing the curtains.

It was a moment of quiet contemplation, eyes held shut, breathing in and out easily. Finally when their brain decided that it did, in fact, want to be alive and awake, they slipped out of bed steadily, bare feet hitting the floor. After going through their morning routine, they sat down at their desk, ready to get started on their projects for the day. Though upon opening the laptop, it was an email that caught their attention. 

An interview for the bartender and artist position. Responding quickly they decided that if they could interview today they would. Starting by the next week would be divine. It didn’t take too long to get started on their commissions, though they were anxiously awaiting to hear from the venue.

Almost two hours later, they got a phone call, offering an on the spot interview. 

***

A few hours later, Farren was there in front of the building, dressed in a white button down shirt and bell bottom stretch pants, wearing platform shoes. Looking around they were a bit shocked, it was a nice large venue, with some historic undertones. All they could think of was hoping to be a candidate for the job.

Stepping in, they couldn��t help but appreciate the red brick walls and the hardwood bar that greeted the doors. There was a man sitting and waiting, for them it seemed. The way he jumped to his feet, moving close hand extended, blond locks tied back neatly. “Avira Swan- It’s lovely to meet you- Farren was it?” he questioned warmly, gently pressing a hand to their back guiding them to an office with a smile. 

“We just came under new management- and we’re determined to put in a beautiful mural-” he explained. It seemed this man had visions for the venue and was insisting upon it. Already pulling out a contract. “Feel free to sign, Mx. Doven.”

“What about the interview-?” Farren started to question, reading through the contract curiously. It was fairly standard. Some things were… odd. Riches and prosperity for as long as they obeyed, if contract is broken, owned by one (1) Avira Swan for ten years. That was the line that stood out.

“Don’t worry about the interview. Your art skills are exactly what I want for the mural- Absolutely beautiful.” he said reassuringly, devilishly green eyes watching them like a hawk, except focused on the pages in their hands. 

They hummed softly, they’d be stupid to turn this down. It paid so well… but the one line worried them. “What does this mean… can you clarify…?” Farren questioned, “I would love to accept so long as i can understand this or have it removed-” they said licking their lips nervously. Something felt wrong with this- but the money they couldn’t refuse.

Avira frowned in concern and looked over, and sighed, “Oh- I can have that removed. My lawyer must have taken a joke too far- I apologize.” He took the contract away and the feeling subsided, “Thank you that could have been a lot of paperwork later on.” he chuckled.

The beautiful man smiled fondly, “Let me get that taken care of.” he said softly, standing and moving to a filing cabinet throwing out the old contract and bringing over a fresh one and offered it to Farren. They looked through it firmly, humming softly as they did. A melody that haunted their head. “That’s an old song, dear,” Avira commented thoughtfully, elbow on the table his fingertips supporting his chin as he watched them. “Take care of what it may summon, my dear.”

“You know it?” they questioned, attention diverted.

He smiled softly, “It’s an old song… very old. Legend says it was written by a fae who fell in love with a mortal despite the warnings that he shouldn’t, that he would be cursed as they would be. Whenever the song is hummed or sung… played… he shows up searching for his love. Destruction follows him…”

Something… something itched in the back of their mind at the story. It couldn’t… it wouldn’t be real. They hummed running their fingers through their black and blue hair. “It sounds like a tragic love story… but just a story.” Their lips quirked, eyes returning to the contract reading through it. Nothing was jumping out this time at least. 

“If it is just a story its a story that’s unfinished, dear.”

They didn’t know what to say to that, so they asked a different question. “What is the mural to be of?” they asked.

“I’d like it to be a mural that depicts the fae… and music of course. Just whatever feels right to you. I’ll show you the spot for the mural.” he added as those almost glowing green eyes focused on her hands signing the contract. 

“Of course. Can I get a copy of the contract please? For my own records.” she clarified.

“Of course.” Avira said warmly, pulling out a contract from the same folder passing it to her, letting her glance through it before standing. “Now… let’s get you that tour to the place for the mural.” he purred, a sound that seemed to soak into her mind.

- - - - -

Andrew had been getting ready to perform feeling a tremor along the red cord coming from his chest making his throat tighten. They remembered the song. It had vibrated many times over the years. It always happened at odd intervals but… that was a sign. His long fingers touched the cord lightly. “Beloved… I’ll find you. I’ll find you no matter where you are.” he breathed out, muddy green eyes focused on the translucent cord. “My beloved.”

[devisopod]

Levity Creek!

Chapter One (?)

Grammar? I hardly know 'er

I really need to brush up but we're going right for it instead. Don't know how often I'll update this, or if it'll get any reception at all. Here you go, folks! Don't expect too much to happen right away.

____

Entry 1.

You know, I'm not even sure I could tell you the last time I spent three hours on the phone with someone. Let alone someone I felt growing further from my touch each year, but it was like the connection never really left as soon as we spoke. Hell, it felt like a blessing to hear from Fiddleford — some kind of proverbial spark reignited. Sounds silly, but I swear it's like we were kids all over again.

He always was as friendly as they come, and damn it if I didn't looked up to him for it. The guy could make a friend quicker than I could get my mouth open. Then again, I hardly ever did open it.

Fiddleford's still everything I knew him to be, actually. I guess I'd just been afraid that we were too different nowadays to be as close as we were. After all, he's got a kid now. Tate. How about that?

In his fashion, he forgot why he called me until the very end. He landed a freelance job up in Oregon that he wants my help with. I don't think I've ever agreed to anything quicker. If it'll get me outta here for a while, it's a gift.

I'm heading for Oregon tomorrow. Hope my van makes it.

___

If it weren't for the obnoxious rumble of the engine and the undeniable need to keep the vent windows open to accommodate it, I might have been able to hear the radio. Every now and again, I manage to hear the static of leaving and entering broadcast range — sometimes a dull guitar riff, but nothing satisfying. The speaker nestled in the driver's side has been busted for as long as I can remember. I think I've started to enjoy complaining about it, so I reckon that's why I never fix it. No, instead, I get to sit with my thoughts and a rattling doghouse. In hindsight, it was a miserable choice to make for such a long drive.

In fact, driving from the East Coast to the West Coast in a metaphorical brick, which reaches fifty-five miles an hour on a good day, is undoubtedly one of the stupidest decisions I've ever made. Sure, I could have flown, but then I would have left this marvel of machinery behind. And what am I without my office?

From floor to roof, I'd turned the back of my van into a space as comfortable as my apartment back home. More often than not, I spent my time in it. As long as I could hook it up to a power source, I could relax on the beanbag chair and type for hours. I've gotten better sleep and more work done in the back of this van than anywhere else to tell you the truth. At least, that's been the pattern so far. I'm starting to hope that Oregon changes that. I could use a change.

While I'm excited for the job, it's bound to be a big adjustment. From what I understand, which isn't a lot mind you, Gravity Falls is the town sending out contracts for the construction of the software service. When Fiddleford mentioned the name, I thought he might have been joking, but then I got the document in the mail. It looked incredibly legal, not to mention formal, for such a small job in a place that can only be described as "nowhere". Then again, most places were keen on adapting to new systems so they don't get too far behind.

It sort of made me wonder if the whole "nowhere" front has a purpose. After all, I did sign something that effectively mirrors an NDA.

By the time I reach Oklahoma and park, I recount that I've stopped about ten times for one reason or another. I had stayed in Memphis last night, which wasn't much of an annoyance, but the stops prior had been. A flat tire, the engine stalled, I suddenly really had to use the bathroom. Though that last one seems more like a poor lunch decision, I could almost swear that it was like the universe telling me to turn around and go back home before I got too far. I'd considered it while cursing over the carburetor as it hissed at me.

The only reason I still lay here in my motel with the intention of continuing tomorrow is for Fiddleford if nothing else. I called him when I first got here, half ready to let him know that it's just not a trip I can make, but he sounded so excited that I couldn't bring myself to crush his enthusiasm. He was already planning things we could do and prattling on about places he wanted to take me. The thought of disappointing him seemed wrong.

Pushing the covers of the stiff bed down toward my ankles, I roll onto my side and stare out the window. Each time I shift it feels like I'm getting further from sleep. Either the matress springs make an unholy creaking noise, they press into my back, or the people in the next room over get rowdy.

Eventually, I decide it isn't worth it. If I can't sleep, I may as well get going. So, I grab up my keys and my bag and sling everything into the passenger seat. Slamming the driver's side door shut behind me, I gas up the engine while it whines and protests before it finally relents. It isn't until then that I actually let some relief wash over me.

"I know you're tired," I mumble, "but I gotta get the hell outta Oklahoma."

I started hearing the radio a little more clearly after that.

NEXT

[landwriter]

Are you doing the Spotify wrapped thing as well? If so, could I ask for the Nr. 4? If not, just ignore this, it's just that I have resigned myself to appear as the greedy being I apparently am and figured I'd just ask.

greedy beings unite <3

this is the incredible, perfect, flawless Hot Knife by Fiona Apple. i would write a meta/personal history on it

originally i was going to sort of throw up my hands and say it's just oaths - it is so incredibly oaths: two people who are very much a bit unhinged by one another, both hot knife and butter at once, hearts made cinemascopes etc.

BUT - butter, okay, hot knives, ok, perhaps - Hob is a scruffy professional baker who owns a little patisserie and Dream is a miserable IP lawyer at his family's law firm, which is incidentally located only two blocks away on the other side of a small city park.

Perhaps - one day a harried Matthew bursts in to Hob's bakery and says, since it's empty, and he has a flair of the dramatic, "I need all of your croissants for my lawyers." The caterer hadn't shown up and Matthew had actually been jogging down the street in his dress shoes and panicking when he saw Hob's storefront. The meeting starts in ten minutes.

"How many?" asks Hob.

"Lawyers, or croissants?"

And so Matthew leaves three minutes later with two dozen croissants, muffins, and a couple palmiers for good measure, as well as a sympathetic grin. When Dream, who is hanging on by, and I cannot stress this enough, an absolute thread, absent-mindedly shoves a blueberry muffin in his mouth, he pulls out his phone right in the prep meeting and texts Matthew at his desk: Who made these

Matthew writes a very hot dude who had flour on his face and then decides he likes his job, actually, and texts Dream the name and address of Hob's shop.

Dream means to go, but work comes first, and he keeps finishing long after they're closed. One day he finishes so late it's actually close to the bakery's opening hours, so, exhausted, he decides to show up.

Hob normally wouldn't answer the door except anyone who can knock loud enough to be heard over his music is probably the cops or the fire department - which is enough to get him out of the kitchen, and then when he sees Dream, he decides to open up anyways. He can tell this man isn't up early at 6 AM, he's up late, Hob knows the look - and also, well, he's beautiful, so he unlocks the door while Exodus' Toxic Waltz is blaring from the back, is halfway through apologizing for the mess and music (Why is apologizing? He's not even open yet.)

Dream blinks once, slowly, and when he opens his eyes again he understands he's fallen in love. He puts this knowledge aside for the moment, and stiffly offers his hand to shake (Oh, shit, sorry, yeah, let me just - oh god I've gotten flour on your suit) and introduces himself. "Do you have any more blueberry muffins?"

Hob, even though he has a thousand other things to do, for some reason hears himself saying, "For sure, yeah. I mean. Not right now. But I could. If you want to come in and sit?" and then mortifyingly continuing to say, "I have a coffee machine - I mean, I don't use it, but I have it, I'm pretty sure it works - do you want a coffee, are you going for the full 24 hours thing, or if not, I do also have a shitty couch in the office, you can nap?"

Then he realizes he needs to let go Dream's hand.

And so begins our love story, in the liminal hours between night and day, when Hob wakes up early to bake and Dream finishes work late. They make a routine of it, and although Hob is a little freaked out by Dream's apparently work-life balance and sleeping schedule, he doesn't mind the company, doesn't mind it either when Dream just shuffles to his back room and curls up on his sofa, because at least he's sleeping sometime.

They both try and impress the other - Dream by requesting increasingly obscure confectionery, Hob by nonchalantly making it perfectly. (He thinks he's found the culinary history book Dream is using and is staying one recipe ahead, in secret.) They both challenge each other and get under each other's skin, and think about the other person far, far, too much than appropriate. I think this one would be mostly sweet (ha) but with some proper actual We Can't Be Together Because of X or Y obstacles. I think this is the sort of story where they actually have a huge blowout argument in the second act about, like, the protestant work ethic, because they might be nursing massive crushes, but they also both are nursing massive proprietary feelings as a result, and have very different values surrounding work and hedonism and a life well-lived etc. Do they work it out! I think so! I don't think they can stay apart! And every chapter would be titled after a thematic baked good.

(p.s. alternative song mood for this fic: The National's Fake Empire) (p.p.s. i do imagine dream in this as one of those lawyers who makes buckets of money and drops a LOT of it on his version of therapy, which is gradual progress on like, an entire gorgeous tattoo bodypiece, some gorgeous hyper surreal cosmology thing, and i do think hob accidentally walks into a post one day when he glances into a tattoo shop where dream happens to be having his monthly session)

[zilabee]

John: I have a complaint as a director of Apple Paul: Mm? John: No bog paper! Paul: Oh yeah? John: Terrible disgrace. Paul: They've got pink upstairs. John: Have they? Paul: Yeah.

- They're so happy listening back to themselves playing old rock n roll numbers. It's disgusting. Having a fucking dance. George grinning his stupid face off. I hate them.

- George suggests they do a 'Beatles' Dance Album' of oldies, and John says 'Yeah, the Beatles' Fab Faves'. (how even dare they suddenly work out what the whole project should have been on day 18 ffs. Gather for a few weeks, work out great versions of the songs they fucking love, and then do a show of them. Either to a lovely dance hall with a happy audience, or - if george threw a mood - something arty where you play them all in different places with different weird setups. Anything. God it would have been everything.)

George: It was really swinging yesterday! Glyn: Oh, it's beautiful!

- In the audio today Paul admits that he doesn't know how to drive on motorways and just stays in the outside lane all the time, which is just a weird normal bit of thing that I'm happy to know about him. I love that he knows he's obnoxious to the police but doesn't care. And then his tax disk was out of date, and John is confused because surely the office sort that out, but no they don't apparently. The lovely bits of Get Back are worth dying for.

- All of the thing totally justifies the way fic writers have been writing music sessions for decades. They're literally never saying anything more meaningful than "It does work that bit, the bit before that bit, y'know, but then this bit's a bit-" "yeah" and "It needs to be flatter, you know, a bit hand gestures" or "It's just very ploddy."

John: It's such a high when you get home... I'm just so high when I get in at night. George: Yeah, it's great, isn't it? John: I just - you know, that bit like on acid, where you see a little hand miles away. I was just sitting there listening to the last takes: 'What have I had? What have I had today?' You know, I ask her, 'Have we had anything?' Yoko: You're just high in general.

(the acid bit of this is missing in the book, with no indication they missed it. so thanks to @amoralto for that bit.)

- It's nice when they do talk about the ways that being together so much and playing every day is really working. Like George saying a bit ago how he can feel his fingers getting loose. And he's obviously writing loads, and sometimes things are starting to resolve even. John's really getting into it too, and not wanting to leave at night. There's loads of it that's really good for them. (I do think office hours is a mistake, but if they were doing sort of two to ten each night, it might be finer. Or if anyone was just well enough to cope with themselves.)

- George quizzing Billy about what chords are what. Paul really getting into Old Brown Shoe. George's smile when it's all lovely.

- I know I said so just yesterday but still and again I so much love how much Billy responds to Paul responding to music.

Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a cleaner, but she was a frying pan.

- I love the little shot of John helping people move furniture.

- When they start getting all fussed about the setup and the mics and the PA and the sound and they can't hear it right and it's all a disaster, a dreadful disaster, but they've got George Martin. Who just very calmly tells them what's wrong, and tells them he'll fix them. And then when they start a new thought, he very calmly tells them what's wrong and tells them he'll fix it. Then he gives them little jobs to do - let's open the piano for a start. Amazing. Impeccable. Pure. Imagine how much we might all achieve if George Martin was there to calmly tell us what was wrong and how to fix it.

GM: It doesn't matter particularly about Ringo hearing the piano does it? John: No it doesn't matter about him, we never take any notice.

- John working with Paul on how to phrase the 'I guess nobody ever really loved me' bit in Don't Let Me Down. Fuck off, both of you.

Beatles: [playing nonsense] Glyn: You do realise this tape is costing you two shillings a foot? George: Costing EMI. We're EMI artists, man, no?

- <33333 All the tech staff having their little jam while the Beatles are off at lunch. HEAVEN. Best bit of the entire thing. They could have their own little spin off show, where they just sit in small rooms and talk about (a) how awful and difficult the Beatles are, (b) how there's still too much bass and (c) how nice it might be to kiss Paul McCartney just theoretically.

- Okay so Paul playing Strawberry Fields on the piano in the most beautiful voice he has, and John not looking at him… that happens, that's something that happens, and which I have no feelings or words about.

- You see now today they're pretending they couldn't possibly edit anything and GM is laughing at them when he ought to just stab them and let them bleed out. They're so impossible. I have genuinely no idea what any of them want this thing to be or why they want it, or if they all think someone else wants it.

- PLAY SOMETHING ELSE. If I was the control room I would have just switched them off.

- If they want to record everything in one take, they need to go back to the top ten club and rehearse the numbers for seven months and then come back and grin at the cameras. George is allowed in Germany, and they wouldn't need a boat.

[Paul worrying they don't have a good take of Long and Winding Road yet] Glyn: I think it's very tasty - tres tasty in fact Paul: Oh, the little version we had? George Martin: He's so good for your morale, this boy. Paul: SHUT UP GEORGE MARTIN, LET HIM TELL ME MORE THINGS HE LIKES ABOUT HOW LOVELY I AM.

[pbandjesse]

Today was a pretty full day. I am feeling really good about it. Physically I am not feeling amazing but that is okay. I am working hard go make some organs. I can be gentle with myself.

I woke up a ton last night. Have to pee. Dehydrated. Uncomfy. But I got to sleep in so it evened out. I don't remember James leaving for work. But they did check in a out making me breakfast and I requested my hashbrown dish with scrambled eggs but all deconstructed so I could put it together when I did wake up. They are so good to me. Love my husband.

I woke up around 9. I laid in bed for a while. I had a half a plan. I was going to make the bed. I was going to shower. I was going to wear my new dress. I would have breakfast. And fix the froggy that was dropped off at the teddy bear hospital. And I would edit my sticker file to send to the printer.

And I did that and more! I got up and after the bed was made and I was showered, I tried on my new dress. And it has. Issues. Mainly that the straps are elastic and just a little bit to much. I am going to try and shorten those soon. But more the issue was the shoulder ruffles. My neck is just to short for how big they were. So after breakfast I would take scissors to them and I cut the shoulder ruffles off and I like it so much more. Still have to shorten the straps but I felt super cute in it.

I warmed up breakfast on the stove. And it was a nice breakfast.

I would gather my one rumpl blanket to put in its stuff sack and that's when I noticed that it has big holes in it? I think it got eaten by mice during summer camp. So I added that to the list of things for me to do.

I went outside to sit and drink ate for a bit. I needed to drink a whole bunch before the appointment. Eventually I would go back inside and fixed the frog. Which I think went very well. His butt was ripped in the weirdest way but I think I did a good job keeping his shape.

I would also start working on the embroidery weaving to create the patches for the stuff sack. I chose a pretty robins egg color that I thought went nicely with the colors in the bag. And I would spend a good amount of time working on this because I wanted it to be nice.

My hands would hurt though so I went and worked on the sticker design. And send that off to James to send to the printer.

I didn't want to leave here until noon. I would lay outside and tried to drink my whole big stupid mug of water but it was hard. I did my best. And would leave a little early because I was nervous.

I felt really cute though. I really liked my outfit and it made me feel very cool.

The hospital is not even ten minutes away. So it did not take long. I found the other parking garage which ended up being easier to park in but I did get lost inside and had to circle around again to get the spot. But it was easy enough. I walked the two blocks to the hospital and texted James.

They were going to arrive at 1230 so we decided I would figure out how to get to the office and tell them the steps. First up, information desk. I got a wrist band and let them know James would be coming. And then got the elevator downstairs. Accidentally went up to the 7th floor first but I made it down eventually and found the office pretty easy.

Even though I was told to be there a half hour early the receptionist let me know that all the techs were at lunch so we wouldn't be starting early. Which honestly was better because I was nervous about James arriving.

But soon James was with me and I felt better.

We got taken back a little after 1. The tech was so nice. I was very nervous but she was great.

The whole ultrasound was about a half hour. It was my first real belly scan so that was new for me. And she pushed very hard which hurt at times because I have a stitch in my side from a sneeze gone wrong a few weeks ago. But I was so focused on the screen that it didn't matter at all.

Not only did we get to see baby and all their organs, she was flipping and stretching! Not exactly cooperating with the tech but I was just having so much fun seeing her swimming around. It was great. I had lots of questions about what I was looking at. Seeing the organs and being told oh that's her brain! That's her spin! That's her foot! I got a little teary eyed.

James was half watching and half live texting updates to their parents and other family. They said if they focused just on the one thing they would have cried and they were worried they wouldn't stop. I thought that was very sweet.

Once the ultrasound was done we had to wait in the room while the tech checked with the doctor to make sure the images were good enough. I started feeling really hungry and we decided when we were all done we would go to five guys. I was looking forward to that.

But that was still forever a way. We had a second appointment right after with a lovely nurse practitioner about my risks and medication.

I was nervous. But she was so good. She made me feel very heard. I went through everything and my concerns and weirdness my body is doing. She made me feel like we had a handle on things and my research was good. But because of my medicine she wants me to get more ultrasounds. So after 20 weeks I'll get at least one every 4 weeks, and then as we get closer to when they are due I think more often I'll get checked. I have to get some blood work done too. But I felt like we had a good plan. And I am excited. Especially because they said baby is looking good and has all their proper organs and fingers and toes. Incredible.

Thag was probably my favorite part. When her little hand spread open like she was waving. It was great.

We checked out. Got my next appointment set up. And thanked them for being so nice. And we were off.

James had biked to the appointment. So they would walk me to the parking garage and would meet me over in Canton crossing. I would get stuck in some traffic so when they got there first they would order for us. Which was great because when I got there the food was already ready! Thank you to my husband.

We had our late lunch. And it was very good. And we decided that we would go over to the grocery store for a few things before we went home.

The food helped me feel better but I still wasn't feeling amazing. We would stick pretty good to the list. Green onions. Rice sides. Cake. We couldn't get more hashbrowns. But it was all good. We paid and headed home.

I beat James home but we would be neck and neck a few times. It was funny to be driving next to them biking

When we got back I was not feeling very good and would lay down. I would finish my weaving embroidery and was very happy with it. I tried drinking some water but I just wasn't feeling great. So I headed upstairs. James was recording their podcast. And I just tried to rest.

But I didn't feel great. When James was done recording they brought me veggie pepperoni and crackers and a zofran. And when I still felt bad I went and took a bath. Which helped a little bit my stomach still hurts.

I am considering having a Popsicle. And then going to sleep. I am planning on going to camp tomorrow. I really hope there is stuff for me to do so I don't feel so bad just sitting there. I am going to bring my tablet and work on a drawing idea I have. I just hope it's a good day.

I hope you all have a good day too. Sleep well everyone.

[kqysukii]

NEVER ENDING CHAPTER

chapter 1 ~

tw!; swearing, slight grief, couple arguments, lmk if there’s anything else!

~~~~

Chapter 1: Bittersweet Latte

__________________________

Thursday, 11:03am

Momma's home.

"I love you, baby.." My mother said wiping tears from her eyes.

"Ma', I'm only gonna be a couple hours away. I promise I'll visit every holiday, and I'll call you every day.." Chantelle says voice cracking, pulling her into a tight hug.

Chantelle Levines, a 21 year old girl who had just bought a new house in Atlanta. She had lived in Tennessee for most of her life, so this was a big step for her. She had got a job offer for a writer in Atlanta, and her family thought it was best if she moved there.

My mom smiled. "You're such a big girl now!" She said with her hands on my arms. My mom pulled me in for another hug, sniffling. "I love you baby.. please be careful. Make me proud."

"I will momma, don't worry." I say holding my suitcases walking towards the door. I open the door and turn around looking my momma in the eyes. She was such a strong woman. Raising me as an only parent, working multiple jobs to keep a roof over my head, she was my role model. There was a comfortable silence before I walked out the door, closing it behind me. Leaving the cinnamon flavored air, yellow and brown home, that the same woman raised me in.

I walk towards my car looking at what used to be my home. Leaving this place would be leaving all I've ever know behind. But I got this. I'll make my momma proud. And when I make her proud, I'm gonna buy her anything she wants. I'll repay her after all these years. And I just know my daddy's watching me from above. And I know if I have both of them, I can do anything. And with that, I pull off, and head for the airport.

Monday, 4:09pm

"Turn to the left on Main Street to reach your destination" My GPS says. A few minutes later, I'm staring at my new home. Not bad.

I open my car door, locking it behind me as I walk up to the front door of my house. My house is pretty big. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen, and dining room. I would probably end up making one of the bedrooms my office.

A couple hours later, I start to unpack some of the things I had with me. The moving van was supposed to be coming that Wednesday. Maybe I could go out for some coffee? I had nothing better to do.. why not?? I thought to myself. I put my shoes on, and pull my hair back. I try to lay my edges down, and I quickly put on some light makeup. Nothing special, just going to pick up coffee...and maybe some guys too. I laugh at myself, as I pick up my car keys. I need to calm down, I literally just moved here..

In the coffee shop..

Butterscotch Café

6:32 pm

I open the café doors as a little bell rings in sync with the door widening. It looked really cozy, if I do say so myself. You could tell all different types of people from college students typing on laptops, elderly reading newspapers, music producers, writers, and so much more. As I looked around studying my environment, I make my way to the counter where several workers look ready to go home. To be honest, I don't blame them.

"Hello, can I take your order?" The worker asked.

"Hi! It's my first time here, what would you recommend..?" I say holding my arm.

"Actually, our drink of the day is our French Toast Latte. Me personally, I think it's pretty tasty."

"Oh, then I'll have that!"

"Great!" He says tapping the digital screen. "That'll be $6.23"

Damn, Georgia EXPENSIVE.. I wince at the price, but it's whatever. "Alrighty.." "I say taking out a ten dollar bill and giving it to him.

I sit down at a booth to drink my coffee. The dim light from the sun makes it way through the giant window next to my booth. The reddish-brownish seats I sit on with slight coffee stains, and the fabric ripping. Nice. I take a sip of my drink, and it was pretty good. I was very picky when it came to drinks, so I was shocked I enjoyed it. While I was here, maybe I should try socializing; I don't know anyone here.

I look around for anyone I might find friendly, but I cant find anyone, really. Everyone is either staring at a computer, or already talking to someone. But there's a guy in the corner, he looks nice. As I'm building up enough courage to go over there, there's another girl. Shoot, well there goes my shot at meeting someone. The girl walks over to him, hastily. She looks mad. She starts to talk to him, and it looks like they're arguing. I cant really hear much, but what I do hear is

"Goddamnit, Mason! You always fucking do this. You know what, I'm done. I'm done with this— I'm done.." Her voice cracks. "I'm done with you. We're over."

Damn.

"What the hell, K'yana? What did I even do? You're fucking overreacting!" The boy states.

"Oh, I'm overreacting? You sure weren't saying that when you left me because you were mad! Then hooked up with that ho? Hell no." She yells.

"Yeah. Cause' you thought you were too good for me. Don't forget, Ky, I was the one who fucking helped you when nobody else did." He shouts back.

Every word of the argument seems to get louder, while I'm over here sipping my latte, watching. It gets so heated, that they get kicked out of the café. Outside, you can see her throwing her coffee on him, and storming off.

"This could be my chance to go over there.." I think to myself. I throw what was left of my coffee away, as I make my way to the door. He has his hand over his head as he sits down on the sidewalk. Poor guy.

I act like I'm just now seeing him, to make it look more casual. I don't want to just sit next to him and freak him out or anything.

"Hey.. you okay?" I say softly.

"I...who the hell are you?!" He snaps back.

Oh! I guess this is what I get for trying to help a stranger.

"My name is Chantelle. You are..?" I say reaching my hand out to help him up.

"None of your damn business." He snaps back again.

"Oookkayyy..." I say as I awkwardly step back from him. "Just..uh. Keep safe, I guess."

He turns his head to look at me. He squints his eyes in confusion. Before I could look back at him, I quickly walk to my car and start it. As I sit in my car, I think about the previous interaction. What the fuck was that. "Keep safe I guess??" I bury my face in my hands to muffle my scream because, what the fuck was that? So much for Atlanta.

a/n

tysm for reading!! this chapter is also on my wattpad that I wrote like a year ago😭 I hope this gets attention because it’ll give me motivation to finish this. Sorry if there’s any grammar mistakes! I copied and pasted from my wattpad without changing anything so idk. anyways, tell me any thoughts or requests you have!! I’ll write more series along with requests!! byeee !

[onceuponaloonatic]

hi everyone! sorry this took me so long, i got super super busy with school 😭 i'm on break right now for the next few days and am planning on hopefully spending it working on fic stuff! anyway here's the misatzu picnic + baby sai i promised!

Mina sighed as she sunk into her office chair. She had just finished a long surgery, and while the patient had made it through, Mina was still exhausted. The day had started with a long meeting at six am, then Mina’s surgery had lasted pretty much the rest of her day. Now with only about an hour left, she was more than ready to leave. 

“Doctor Myoui?” Mina held back a groan when she heard a voice followed by a knocking on her door. “Come in.” Mina muttered, holding back another groan when she noticed it was the newest surgeon. While she was a talented, well trained individual, she was always nervous running her own surgeries. Since starting, any cases assigned to her ended with Mina running the surgery and the new surgeon “observing”. Mina had been fine with it at first, but now six months in, Mina was tired of doing someone else's job. 

“I have a laminectomy tomorrow morning, but I have never done one on my own, could you possibly assist me with it?” Mina remembered “assisting” with a laminectomy three weeks ago, and during the entire procedure, she was slow and made an effort to make sure the new surgeon understood everything she was doing. She would be fine observing and making sure that mistakes were avoided whenever possible, but she didn’t want to do another surgery that wasn’t actually her responsibility. 

“Yeah sure.” But Mina was too tired to argue with the woman. Even if it meant they would probably end up in the same position next week. 

“Thank you! It’s at five.” Mina wasn’t planning on coming in until around ten the next day, but  she guessed now she had to come in early. If she wasn't exhausted before, the now looming early morning made it even worse. 

Once she was alone, Mina slumped back into her chair. Thankfully, she was finally done for the day, all she had to do was log her time and then sign off, and she could leave. 

When she opened her computer, Mina couldn't help the little smile on her face at the little picture sitting next to her computer. The picture showed Sana and Tzuyu holding hands, Sai on Tzuyu’s shoulders after a long day at the local amusement park. Sai was half asleep on Tzuyu’s shoulders, a tiny smile on her face, Sana had the biggest smile, and Tzuyu had that goofy little smile she would give whenever someone said something funny. Mina had gotten the photo sent to her by Momo, as she had been working the full day of the trip. Even if she hadn't been there, seeing her family so happy made her happy. They had plenty of photos together, given Sana’s proclivity towards taking photos, but Mina was particularly fond of that particular photo. Mina was interrupted when she heard her phone buzz. 

hi baby, we're at the park 😊 tzuyu got us a super nice spot, it's by the pond near the entrance closest to our house! can you pick up a little treat for sai-chan on the way? she was being so sweet and adorable earlier 🥹 i'll send you the video i took! see you soon 💟 

Mina didn't even need to look at the called id to know that it was Sana. Sana always sent tons of silly emojis, no matter how old she was. Mina would never tell her she found it really adorable. 

we can't just give sai sugar for being cute, i don't think that's responsible parenting 

please 🥺 she promised to pick up her toys in the living room! 

Mina giggled at the response, especially at the next text she got from Tzuyu. 

do not get sai sugar, sana gave her cookies after lunch, she's just trying to spoil her

so i shouldn't stop at that bakery you like right next to the hospital and get two chocolate breads on the way home?

Mina giggled at her tease. Even if Sai had already gotten cookies after lunch, Mina was going to get her a little treat. She was already planning on getting a little dessert for Sana and Tzuyu, she tended to do that on days that were hard, and it would be evil to not get something for Sai too. 

… fine… 

Mina giggled at the response. Truthfully, they probably should be more strict with Sai’s sugar intake. Sai, like most four year olds, adored pretty much anything sweet. And while the occasional little treat was fine, they had been caving into her demands a little more than usual lately. Not the best example to be setting, but it was hard with the circumstances. 

Finally logged off of her computer, Mina took off her lab coat and slipped on the warm jacket Tzuyu had gotten her for her birthday. The weather was starting to get cooler, and as Sana and Tzuyu always teased her about, Mina got cold easily. She tried to make a beeline to her car, politely waving to anyone she saw on the way out while trying not to engage. She ended up in a conversation with her supervisor, which did bring back all of her previous annoyance as he talked about giving her even more patients than she already had, but she finally was able to make it to her car a little while later. After a quick stop at the bakery, she swiftly made her way home, sipping on a nice warm coffee as she went. After parking at home, and grabbing another jacket for Sai (Mina was always worried Sai would be cold) she made her way to the park by their house. After work picnics were normal for them, Sai loved getting to run out her post-preschool energy while the adults enjoyed just watching and de-stressing after work. Usually, around dinner time, Sai would be a lot calmer and would ask to be carried home while Sana tended to any cuts or bruises she may have gotten while playing and Mina and Tzuyu discussed what they would do for dinner. 

Unfortunately though, today’s picnic could not end as well as many of their others. While the sunset was likely going to be gorgeous next to the little pond, Sai might not be their biggest fan by the end of the night. 

Sana and Tzuyu had reassured Mina it was going to go great, that Sai would be happy to be told she was going to be a big sister, after all, all of her friends had little siblings, and she always seemed a little jealous of them. Even Ai, who was two years younger than Sai, was already about to become an older sibling. Sai always seemed fine when the younger kids were around, but that didn't stop Mina from being a little nervous. 

Three babies were a lot of babies to have at once. While she was great at holding it together in front of Sana (she was not), sometimes the stress would hit Mina in the quieter moments. Of course she had been on board with having another baby in the first place. Sai was perfect, and completed Mina’s life in a way she never could have prepared for, but they had always planned on having another eventually. Sai was at the perfect age to become an older sibling, old enough to listen and understand directions, but still young enough that it wouldn't be too weird for her. It's just, three more kids were a lot more, more than they had planned on. And of course these sorts of things just, happened, but Mina couldn't help but be a little stressed by the whole thing. Mina would love all three of the new babies as much as she loved Sai, but that didn't stop her from feeling the pressure of being a good sire to three more babies. 

“Mitang!” Mina was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard Sana calling for her. Mina instantly put a small smile on her face, and made her way towards her wife. Sana was alone on their well used picnic blanket, a half opened book sitting next to her. Mina smiled as she sat next to Sana, immediately leaning her head on Sana’s shoulder before wrapping an arm around Sana’s waist. “Hi.” Sana giggled. 

“Hi.” Mina breathed in Sana’s scent, the comforting smell of warm vanilla and marshmallows. Mina could smell Tzuyu’s influence in Sana’s scent, hiding behind Sana’s sweet smell. She had always loved how her partners' scents mingled together. 

“How was work?” Sana asked, kissing Mina’s head as she picked her book back up. 

“Mmm…” Mina grumbled, lightly squeezing Sana’s waist as she continued to let her partners comforting scents consume her. 

“That good huh?” Sana giggled. Mina grumbled again, moving her face towards Sana’s neck for a playful nip. “Mitang!” Sana erupted into giggles, setting her book down once more and wrapped both arms around Mina. 

“Where are Sai-chan and Tzuyu?” Mina asked, pulling away from Sana’s neck. She playfully scrunched her nose up when Sana gave her a short kiss, but it quickly faded into a smile as she laid her head in Sana’s lap. Sana grinned, put one hand in Mina’s hair, and resumed her reading.

“They went to go feed the ducks,” Sana responded. “Don’t worry, Tzuyu made her promise to throw the food this time.”

“That’s good.” Mina smiled. “How are you doing today?” “I’ve been a little tired all day, but otherwise, I’m fine.” Sana tangled her hand in Mina’s hair. 

“I’m sorry. Maybe we can go to bed a little early tonight?” “But my favorite drama is on tonight.” Sana whined. 

“Mm, well how about we just plan on watching it in bed? Then going to sleep right after?”

“Mmm, maybe. Knowing how up and down my energy has been lately, I might be completely fine after dinner.” Mina grabbed one of Sana’s hands and squeezed it. “Hey, what days do you have off next week?” “Mm… I think I have Tuesday and Sunday off. I’ll be on call on Monday, but if all goes well I shouldn’t have to go in.” Mina remembered.

“Okay. Can you pick Sai up on Tuesday? I have a photoshoot.” “Sure, of course. Nothing too stressful right?” “No, don’t worry. It shouldn’t take the entire day.” Sana let go of Mina’s hand to turn the page of her book. 

“Okay.” Mina took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air. It felt nice to be outside after a ten hour shift. “I have to go in early tomorrow.” “Didn’t you go in early today to go in late tomorrow?” “Don’t remind me.” Mina grumbled. “Okay love.” Sana giggled. “If you want to talk, just let me know.” “It’s nothing new.” Mina complained. “Just, work.” “I know, I’m sorry baby.” 

“Ka-san!” Their quiet conversation was interrupted when they heard a distinct screaming. Mina couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she sat up, immediately spotting her daughter. Sai was running as fast as she possibly could towards Mina, Tzuyu following behind her. Mina immediately opened her arms, catching Sai in a somewhat painful embrace as the toddler jumped into her arms. “Hi Sai-chan.” Mina whispered, holding back a giggle when her daughter scented herself. Sai loved her scent, in her own words Mina smelled ‘the bestest in the whole world’. Sai moved into Mina’s lap with her sire’s scent now wrapped around her. “Hi Mina Unnie.” Tzuyu gave Mina a small smile as she sat next to her. Mina smiled, kissing Tzuyu’s cheek while Sai got herself comfy. “Are you cold Sai-chan? I got you a jacket.” 

“No.” Sai nodded, wiggling a little more on Mina’s lap to be comfy. “Mommy.” “Hm?” Sana turned her attention to her daughter. 

“Duri.” Sai demanded. Duri was Sai’s favorite stuffed animal, and they knew better than to go somewhere without it. 

“What do we say when we want something Sai-chan?”

“Duri,  please?”

“Good job.” Sana smiled, grabbing Sai’s little backpack and pulling out  the only thing in it. Sai’s face lit up as she cuddled her stuffed animal. 

“Hey Sai-chan, I got you a treat.” Sai turned to Mina when she said that, a hopeful look on her face. “Treat?” Sai asked, her eyes wide as she set her stuffed animal down. “Yup.” Mina laughed at the adorableness of Sai’s expression before grabbing the treats she had gotten earlier. She passed one chocolate croissant to Sana, one of the chocolate bread to Tzuyu, and the final bread to Sai.

“Choco bread!” Sai smiled. “Thank you Ka-san!” 

“Thanks love.” Sana kissed Mina’s cheek.

“Thank you Unnie.” Tzuyu grinned. Mina nodded, grabbing the bread from Sai before opening the package for her. “Don’t eat it too quickly, okay Sai-chan?” Sai nodded slowly as she started eating.

“Hey Sai-chan, we need to talk to you about something…” Mina was surprised when Sana interrupted their quiet moment, but this is what they had discussed. Ripping the bandaid off seemed like the easiest way to do it, and even if Mina was incredibly anxious about the whole thing. Mina was infinitely grateful Sana volunteered to be the one to explain everything to Sai.

“Hm?” Sai looked up at Sana, her mouth covered in breadcrumbs. Mina giggled, grabbing a napkin and wiping Sai’s face. Sana took a deep breath, Tzuyu grabbing one of her hands and squeezing it for support. Mina silently sent her support to her partner. “How would you feel about maybe getting a baby sibling? Like how Kihyunie has a baby brother?” Sai looked down at the question, taking a couple more bites of bread as she thought. “I would be a big sister?” Sai looked between all of them.

“Yeah.” Sana let out a breath. 

“Mm… Okay.” Sai nodded. 

“Okay?” Mina was confused how easily Sai seemed to accept everything. 

“Yeah. Can I get cookies instead of chocolate?” 

“What?” Mina asked, already confused.

“Yeah, Kihyunie gets chocolate when he helps with baby Dae. Can I get cookies instead?” “Sai-chan…” Sana looked towards Mina for help. Mina was just as lost on how to handle it as Sana, and a quick glance to Tzuyu showed she was just as lost. “We’ll… Think about it.” “I’m okay with choco too.” Sai nodded, going back to her bread.

“We have one more thing to tell you Sai-chan…” Sana started. 

“Hm?” “Well, so remember how we told you that baby’s come for wishes mommies make when they are ready to have a baby?” “Uh-hm. Then they go into their tummy. Is there a baby in your tummy mommy?” “Yeah, well about that… So mommy, mama, and ka-san made their wish and instead of just one baby, mommy was lucky enough to get three babies in her tummy.” “Three babies?” Sai seemed extremely confused by Sana’s description as she finished her bread.  “Do mama and ka-san have babies in their tummies too?” Mina stifled a laugh. Tzuyu didn’t even bother, laughing freely at Sai. “Sorry baby, it’s just- wishes only work with omega mommies.” “Oh. So there’s three babies in mommy’s tummy?” “Yeah.” Sana nodded. “We still love you very much, but we might have a little bit less time to spend with you when the babies come. We will try and keep everything as normal as possible for you, but there might be some small changes.” Sana moved closer to Sai, opening her arms for Sai to crawl into her lap. Sai crawled into Sana’s lap, resting her cheek on Sana’s stomach. “How do three babies fit in here?” Sai whispered to Sana, who giggled.

“Well, they are really little at first, but they’ll get bigger over time.” Sana laughed, threading one hand through her daughter’s hair. “Are you okay Sai-chan?” “Uh-hum.” Sai yawned. “Three babies means lots of cookies.” “Sai…” Mina trailed off, looking at both her wives. “We’ll discuss it baby.” Sana answered. “You're going to be a good big sister Sai-chan.”

“I will?” “Yes.” Sana kissed Sai’s head. “We love you sweetie.” Mina cleaned up some of the trash, lacing one of her hands with Tzuyu. After a bit, Sai moved away from Sana, crawling back to Mina and situating herself between Tzuyu and Mina.

“Ka-san?” “What’s up kiddo?” 

“Can we go home now? I’m hungry.” “Sure Sai-chan.” Mina giggled. “Are you two ready to go home?” “Of course.” Sana smiled, accepting Tzuyu’s help when she stood up. “Ka-san.” Sai whined as Mina tried to put her down. Mina was surprised with the clinginess, Sai always insisted on walking by herself.

“Oh sorry Sai-chan.” Mina picked Sai back up, holding her tightly as she tried to help Tzuyu clean up with one arm. Sai cuddled her stuffed dog, her face pressed against Mina’s scent gland. Mina kept herself from laughing from the ticklish sensation as she held her daughter. Once they were ready, Sana immediately moved towards Mina and Sai, lacing one hand with Mina’s while Tzuyu moved to her other side. By the time they got home, Sai was fast asleep, cuddled with Mina’s scent gland. “This is new.” Mina laughed as she balanced Sai in her arms, being careful not to wake her up. “She had a big day at school apparently.” Sana giggled. “She was telling me all about it earlier. I’m surprised she didn’t talk your ear off when you got here Mitang.” “Honestly, me too.” Mina adjusted Sai one more time. “Well, that went better than I expected.” “I feel like she hasn’t really processed it.” Tzuyu mentioned. “She is four, I think the implications of being an older sister to triplets hasn’t fully sunk in yet.” “Do you think she will be okay?” Sana looked at their daughter, a little bit of worry on her face. “I tried to word it in a way where it was kind of a choice for her, but I am already pregnant.” “We probably should have talked to her before we started trying.” Mina commented playfully. 

“It just felt a little weird to ask my four year old if we should have unprotected sex.” Sana whispered, a smirk on her face.

“Sana Unnie!” Tzuyu blushed. Mina felt her own face heat up, looking at her daughter to ensure Sai was still asleep. 

“Well I would have worded it differently.” Sana laughed.

“I’m sure you would have.” Tzuyu rolled her eyes. 

“It’s too late now.” Mina smiled as Sai muttered something incoherent in her sleep. “Aww.” Sana whispered. “We have the most adorable kid in the universe.” “We do.” Mina whispered, gently squeezing Sana’s hand as she lightly moved her head towards Tzuyu. “I love our little family.” Sana commented after a couple moments of silence. “It won’t be that little for much longer.” Tzuyu commented as their house came into sight. “I think four kids classifies us as a big family.”  “Maybe.” Sana giggled. “Anyway, what should we do for dinner?”

As the discussion kept going, Mina took a deep breath. She never would have imagined her life the way it was now when she was younger, but as she looked at the loves of her life and felt her daughter’s gentle weight in her arms, she knew that this was way better than anything she imagined as a child.

[gizzardscrolls]

God of Machines: Wayland's journal

Chapter 1: Butterfly's Dream

“Wayland, wake the fuck up! It’s past dawn!”

     The booming voice of my father Boromir blew through the once-silent house, 

“Twenty-four, and still sleeping through the day?”

      I tried to think of something to say against him, but I finished my hunt last week. I needed to get another request, or worse, become a gunsmith like him.

 I retorted, “How many men have you had to pull out of the guts of beasts?” 

He said “You chose to be a hunter! I chose to be a gunsmith so I don't have to fight! You could have been a farmer…” 

 “Then I wouldn’t have to worry,” He mumbled.

 I couldn’t argue with that, “but fighting’s all I’m good at pops, ‘sides… you know why I do this.” 

     I didn't hear what he said if he said anything at all. I want to get my own place, but moving into a city and dealing with the risk of cult attacks or getting shot in an alley? 

Fuck that. 

Maybe I could get some guys and build my own house in the village. The beasts are better than cults any day anyways. That’d have to wait until after my next few jobs at the very least. 

     Finally awake enough to get out of bed, I slide forward and shamble my way to the wardrobe having yet to recover from last week's stint of pulling some Carn soldiers' tags out of the mouth of a venir. I start by putting on the usual tan linen undershirt, pants, and thick leather hiking boots, sighing as yet another week of fighting demons and beasts alike all without properly healing from the last fight. 

The new rune carved into my back just finished healing, the scars of magic being put into a human body are a relatively cheap price to pay for the power they provide.

 “How unfortunate that I couldn't be a caster," I think to myself as I walk over to the mirror.

     As I sit in the worn chair of my mother's old vanity, the same black hair and bright red eyes she once held are looking back at me now, features of the eastern countries that sealed off their ports and borders over a century ago... These are a rare sight to see on this side of the ocean. My mother was the only person of Eastern heritage I have seen. I tie my long hair in two sections at the base of my head with the tiny gold hair clips my mother left for me upon her death. A constant reminder that death does catch up to all.

 Yet another sigh later, and I'm putting on my holsters, one on the back of my waist for a dagger and one on the right side for my handgun. A custom-made .45 by my father, I bring with me two mags, the chances of being attacked in the village are low, but never zero. 

     Stepping out of the longhouse I'm greeted with the smell of sulfur and molten steel, thanks to my father being a gunsmith even in winter it wasn't that cold. It appears he was already working on a gun no later than ten in the morning, I guess work never ends for some.

 “Father, I'm going off to the post office!” I shouted. He merely grunted and went back to hammering. 

     After a week there was sure to be an emergency request, if not I could always go to the city, it's not a long drive. A few hours in the old engine wouldn’t be much trouble considering I have to pick the new one up anyway. The post office was run by a nice old lady.

 “Hello Wayland, it's always nice to see a young man still in the village.” Mrs. Paige said, a sweet older widower with ash gray hair and dark skin.

      Her son is what could be considered my boss, Eddie Paige, a pain in my ass with the amount of work he gives me. Being the busiest bee is not a good thing in this line of work. Some days I think that ball bastard wants me dead, but he’s always nice so counts for something right?

 “Hello Mrs. Paige, before you ask, your son is doing fine, even if he does bust my ass at work.”

 She smiled “Oh you know my boy, Eddie, always took a shine to you as if you were his brother. I wouldn’t mind having a kid like you”. 

Chuckling, I replied, “Tell that to him next time I end up with a broken arm, any letters for me?” 

“Yes, just one second.” 

     She rummaged around through the post boxes, most were empty at this point as people kept moving from here to Ullya or a Carn city.

“you know Wayland, I heard something interesting back when the trains were still around there were creatures called deers, like venir but less vicious, their horns weren't straight or too sharp, their mouths didn't open like a hound’s, here’s your mail”.

      As I look through the letters I don’t see an emergency request, looks like Eddie actually does want to give me a break. 

“Mrs. Paige, you really believe that?” 

     She looked a little sad. “Honey, I just want to believe at one point this world actually wanted us human’s around.”

 She paused for a moment “You make sure Eddie is eating well, okay?” 

“Yeah Mrs Paige, I got it. I gotta go in today anyway.”

    She told me to take care and go on with my day. I returned home to finish getting set up for a trip to the city. Going outside the small village and its log walls was always a gamble if a beast was close enough to the wall to be my problem. At home my father was still hammering away at some custom order, the factories' large-scale productions in recent years made guns and bullets easier to obtain, but there was something better about the private from-scratch craftsmanship, perhaps it's because the gun is truly meant for you. 

“Wayland, I took a look at your armor, you should get to an armorsmith sooner than later, it's starting to rust. I swear you don't know the first fucking thing about metal” 

Yet another sigh from me, his worry was admirable for a grown man who kills for a living. 

“Yeah yeah, it's just the bracers, nothing to worry about.”

    This made the old man a bit upset, to say the least.

 “Nothing to worry about? Boy, that's how you lose an arm. You should know better than me how much armor you need, and if you didn't need it to be in good shape you wouldn’t have bracers.” 

     It seems everyone is right but me with how little I can say against them, perhaps it's because it’s my hometown. I entered the longhouse barely big enough for 2, let alone the 4 that once lived here. Leaning out the door I yell so he can hear me over the hammering and roaring engine that is his forge.

 “How come you never worry about Jacob this much?!” 

“That’s because he takes after me, boy! Smart enough to be a merchant and not dumb enough to put his life on the line for a few coins! His job doesn't require him to stick his hand in the mouth of a howler!”

Before Jacob was a merchant he was just the guard for a caravan who worked his way up, good at fighting and good with numbers, but I'd still beat him to the ground in any fight. I walked back to my wardrobe, put on my padded leather on top of my undershirt, then rest the chainmail on top of that. I had been warned the new rune on my back was experimental strength magic, I don't know what’s so experimental but this armor doesn't feel nearly as heavy as normal. On top of all that I put on my kevlar vest, bullets don't get stopped by chainmail after all, then slip my chest rig atop to carry the many mags for my three carrying weapons. 

The pistol my father made has a fairly long slide and square profile, a slightly angled grip, glow in the dark sights and the rather large mags give this black handgun an imposing profile to the average bandit in our little ‘negotiations’. On the other side of the coin the average beast doesn't care about looks and most demons won't be taken down by a smaller cartridge. A modded factory-produced lynx, made primarily for the Empire of Carn’s soldiers, a sleek, fully automatic firearm that feeds from a helical mag with a large capacity. It had a thumbhole stock I removed and replaced with a more conventional one but not the grips, so they’re still curved. Firing a high penetration round it’s perfect for dealing with many humans at once. The last of my weapons is Thunder, it’s based on a widely available blueprint so my father recreated and improved this one for me when I was first starting out as a hunter. Almost 4 feet long and weighing 20 pounds, this thing puts demons and beasts down alike, it’s 20 round mags angle downward at the bottom, and this thing isn’t pretty. A large chunk of steel and wood with a sound like actual thunder, and can shoot through 3 or 4 men. 

I put on my helmet. It's got one large horizontal slit where my eyes are, the rest of my face is covered though, leaving just the bright red of my eye and the very top of the bridge of my nose. On the one hand, my eyes are less protected, on the other what’s the point of having eyes if you can't see? I put on my unremarkable knee and elbow pads, you would be surprised by the amount of things I have elbowed that make those worthwhile. As I put on my shin guards and bracers I take a look at the left one, deciding that yeah the old man’s right, this thing’s not worth very much right now. It's got chunks missing and bad rusting, probably because it's the first thing I offer to shove into the mouth of whatever the hell is trying to eat me. 

The last piece is surprisingly important: a rather large and thick black cloak made from linen and cotton, it’s one large piece of keeping you warm and hiding you from the men and monsters that lurk in the forest. No grenades or potions left, but it doesn't matter, after all, I'm heading to Ullya, one of the few non-Carn cities that actually have civil protection that isn't secret police breaking and gunning you down. 

Grabbing my keys and emergency bag I head out the door, Father is still working as usual. I make my way to the first gate. The way my hometown Argarth is set up, we have a normal center where we all live, it's the heart of the village. Surrounded by a log wall that’ll keep most things out. Farmsteads have the best fencing they can but are usually relegated near the coast to keep the costs of making full surrounding walls down since nothing too bad is in the water. Livestock farmers are marginally luckier as they usually live in the center, there are two entrances, one that leads to the cold northern seaport, and one that leads to a smaller wall that covers a decent portion of the wall with its second half, it even has an enclosed ceiling, how nice. This is the garage where most vehicles reside.

The guard at the gate recognizes me and tells me to stay safe as he opens the first gate,. I walk up to my rusted-up shitbox, or Cobblepot as I call it, (because it’s cobbled together out of metal barely better than what you’d find a pot made of), but it does get me from place to place. The lightweight metal lets the powerful engine in this thing loose. My car is rounder than most. Instead of the usual rectangular shape with sharp angles throughout the entire thing, my car has a rounded pipe frame at the top that continues to the back exposed engine. Except for the side doors, the front trunk, and the windshield, the frame of this piece of crap is simply exposed to the elements. 

Though it’s a shitbox through and through, it does have two seats so I can do some escort missions. I mostly ride solo, however, I think it might be the eyes that scare people off, or maybe the fact I'm always wearing a helmet. I get it, I wouldn't trust a guy with no face either. I put Thunder and the emergency bag in the front trunk next to the airbow and gas can. Grabbing the top bar and climbing through the window I get in the front seat, the passenger seat is a normal door but with the number of gunshots that go through the driver's window and door, it was smarter to make it one piece of strong metal and not even bother with the glass. I turn the key the first time. Absolutely nothing. I turn it a second time and the engine growls. The third time it finally kicks off. 

“Sorry old gal, you’ll get a new engine soon I promise.”

The guard opened up the final gate, I make my way down the dirt path. We were going to get gravel before the factories started offering good pay and ‘safer’ working conditions. Now the town sits still, not quite a ghost town, but it’s not quite alive. A few too many monster attacks and people would rather choke to death on the smog of the city. A few miles out of Argarth, I look at my fuel gauge. 

Fuck.

  The rune carving hurt so bad I forgot to get gas on my way out. Beyond a rookie mistake, ten taels if you guessed what comes next, I sigh. Luckily I'm about to pass by a hunting trailer and no one uses this road. I pull over, hiding the car with tree branches, and in a hard-to-see spot, I grab the emergency bag, air bow, bolts, and gas can. It's time to hunt. 

I make my way down the trail, although it’s quiet it's always foreboding. No matter how long I've been in these woods, it never gets any more comfortable. The constant fear of something coming to get you only gets worse when your job makes you encounter worse and worse monsters. There are enough trees to block out the sun almost as if it was night. 

I take a look at the airbow, the giant tank full of air on the left side, the monstrous piece of steel and iron with a wind magic crystal ensures the tank is always full and always silent. The grip on the right side has a button on the top that fires the bolt, pulling the grip towards my chest to prepare the mechanism for firing. I pull out a bolt from the quiver and nest it securely in the opening, luckily or rather unluckily Argarth is next to a large population of venir. I walk for a while before I finally find the tracks, with footsteps bigger than my head. I know an alpha venir is nearby.

Pulling out the jerky I have in my bag, being a carnivore, venir are always looking for meat, and the easier the hunt the more likely it is to go for it, it’s why they attack humans so often. I wait and wait, and wait. A few hours pass and finally, I see it, nearly 7 feet tall, with a skull that looks nearly skinless, and 4 horns sharper than swords that point forward. It goes in for a bite. Shouldering the large air bow as best as I can, I take aim, it looks directly up and at me, and as its cat-like yellow eyes pierce my soul I press the fire button without a second thought knowing damn well this thing’s going straight at me. The airbow releases with a sound like a missile flying overhead, the airbow continues its hissing for merely a moment but it feels like forever. 

Since it decided to look at me instead of going for the jerky I wasn't able to hit its head. the arrow Instead went through the big bastard's shoulder and through the large oak tree behind it. As the hissing of the airbow was finishing up, the venir took a deep breath in, I quickly rack back the air bow and put another bolt in as fast as I can. The Alpha venir screams like a dying child, it rushes in to attack as best as it can, thankfully missing one of its shoulders I narrowly jump out of the way, and with a thud I land on my back, the quiver of bolts and the bag digging into my back through the armor that split second of discomfort reminds me that I'm alive, I half-ass aim the airbow as the venir’s horns got stuck in the oak behind where I was standing, and fire another shot, this one pierce’s the chest probably hitting a vital organ as it starts moving and kicking every last muscle in an effort to get loose. I rack another shot, and this time finally hit my target, blasting through the skull and brains of the sorry creature.

I hurry as best as I can to get up and grab the rope and the bowl from my emergency bag to get as much as I can. tying one end of the rope to the legs of the no longer struggling alpha venir, I tie the other end to the bolt I loaded in the air gun, firing high into the tree the venir was lodged in, I take out the dagger on my waist and get to bloodletting. Unlike the normal venir, the alpha venir’s blood is straight gasoline, while factories can process oil, natural gasoline is good for emergencies even if using a gun would cause it to blow up. 

Thankfully the meat of an alpha venir and other creatures with the same gas for blood is inedible, to all creatures. So I don't have to worry too much about another venir or a howler to get me as I wait for the gas to finish filling the bowl to funnel into the gas can. After about 3 hours I get the last of the gas out of the venir into the 5-gallon can, this is enough to get me to the nearest carn checkpoint 130 miles out. I start my way out of the forest I came in from, the sun had already set, it's pitch black. I turn on the light mounted to my chest carrier, an unfortunate beacon to whatever the hell is lurking, but better than being lost here all night without shelter, as I turn on the unnatural light, behind a tree I see a tall shadow figure that the light goes through, fuck. Fuck. Demons are out. I fire a bolt at it, it darts behind a tree almost faster than I can see. 

I hear a weird noise, that sounds like laughing, I hear scuttling and shifting of leaves branches whatever else is on the ground right now all around me. I start sprinting. Tallmen can only be hurt by magic weapons, and if you recall I never once mentioned fucking having one. The cost of a new airbow greatly outweighs my desire to rip the wind crystal from it to use on the Tallman. I decided to use the strongest solo hunter technique I know, I run as fast as I can. I need to get to a more open area to try anything against it, running won't let me survive but it does buy me some time. I still hear its odd cackle and the kicking up of leaves, nearly through the most dense part of the forest. I can see my car all the way at the end. Just a little farther and then the blurry shape of its featureless face peeks out through the trees next to my car. It grabs some of the branches near the car and throws them at me, unable to stop my momentum and dodge properly, I try to lean back and lose my footing. Another laugh from this fucking thing, and as I'm almost on my feet, a tree branch crashes into me with the force of an avalanche. I go flying through the air and slam into an oak tree, what hurts worse than getting thrown into something is the fall, a heavy thud as my large mass of iron and steel hit the ground, my vision is blurry I struggle to move, I have fractured ribs and most likely some hairline fractures in my legs. I see it stand over me. The fresh strength rune in my back starts burning as the use of my limbs returns, berserk as the shaman called it. Now close enough to use the magic wind and with no other option, I use my right arm to lift and aim the large air bow. I press the launch button, and the loud hiss of the air bow is drowned out by the screech the Tallman let out. It looks like someone took a bite out of its shadowed body. It quickly brings its arm down and blows a hole through the air tank and shatters the crystal into smaller bits. It clearly didn’t think about the consequences of doing so, as now its hand was gone too. I get up as fast as possible, it’s wailing sounding like a strange mix of a dying child and a kicked dog, I have a few seconds before it refocuses on me. I grab the shards of the magic crystal a faint draft can be felt from the leaking magic, the only idea I can manage to think of in the little time I have, I plunge the shard’s into the palm of my left hand, I can only manage a few in the right hand due to the restriction having long shards in my left. The feeling in my body is numb, I assume because of the berserk rune I close my hands into fists as best as I can. I hear the cracking of the shards and the tearing of the flesh in my palm but that’s much better than the Tallman ripping my body in two. I punch at its leg with my right hand. At first, my finger goes through but the crystal shards pull at the demon’s shadowy leg. It stumbles down onto the ground

 “Aw, what’s wrong the little baby can't handle it?” I shout at the demon, it no longer screamed in pain, but instead in anger.

 It attempts to strike me with its right arm, the severed one, I counter back by using the back of my palm to stab into its forearm, the wind crystal thankfully throwing its limb back immediately allows me to easily recover without having to rip my hand’s back out. Its left arm and large clawed hand come at my head, and it starts crushing my helmet, The flesh in my palm and fingers tearing more as I open my hand’s again I grab the arm, my fingers and hands slipping into its shadow, the magic crystals stab into its arm I start pulling with all the force I can muster. Its scream sounds like a man burning alive as I start to pull its arm from where the socket would be on a human, I can hear the wind from the crystal stop howling as the magic dissipates the crystal shrinks I pull even harder than before and, it sounds like velcro ripping as I pull off the Tallman’s arm. The shadow figure starts to fade as if it was never there, all that’s left behind is a shadow crystal. My hand is full of holes from where the crystals punctured. I can feel the strength from the rune going away, I grab the emergency bag torn from the sliding down the tree, grabbing the health potion with my right hand using only my fingers as the palm is thoroughly destroyed. I chug it down. It tastes foul as if it were mold, a single potion costing 4 silver taels the average price of one request from the hunter’s guild, and enough to feed one for a month, it will fully heal any injury over time, depending on the severity it can take a week, what it doesn’t stop is blood loss however. With the last of my strength, I bandage my hands as best as I can, the strength from the berserk is gone I can tell I have a concussion, and too many injuries to count. I pass out. 

I briefly woke up to two men dragging me, “oh shit he’s alive” I heard from one of them, the other said probably the worst thing you can hear when being dragged half-conscious.

 “Good, put him with the others, maybe the camp will reach its quota.” 

They throw me into the back of a transport truck and before I pass out I see some other’s get a winch out and secure my car to the back of it. I get a good look at my savior's before I pass out, Reavers.

 “Fuck,” I manage to mutter before slipping back into my dreams.

[mydarlingdearestdead]

Veritaserum. James. whatever

Sirius Pov, genderfluid Sirius

Sirius honestly thought it was a good idea. Slip a little Veritaserum into James drink at dinner and see what happens.

She was just going to ask what he wanted for his birthday.

It wasn't until after that had been answered (A special edition copy of Alice in Wonderland) Sirius realised they had a problem.

As Remus dutifully reminded her, the effects of Veritaserum last for four hours.

Thankfully not much attention was on the Marauders that night as two Ravenclaws, Benjy Fenwick and Caradoc Dearborn, began very loudly protesting the rules against couples sharing a room- they'd been separated the previous morning. In the end their head of house decided it wasn't worth the headache and allowed the boys to remain together.

They snuck James back to the doom quickly while the ruckus was dying down. Nobody payed them any heed as they left. Save maybe for a few first years who idolised them above anything else.

They didn't tell James, of course. Peter didn't know either, but that was for convenience. Telling him would mean leaning across the table to whisper and risk James, sitting beside him, would find out anyway.

So, when Peter asked what was going on Sirius motioned to Remus to fill him in, choosing for herself the infinitely worse job of informing James.

At sixteen Sirius desperately hoped James had matured too much to curse her for her stupidity.

James sat on his bed and Sirius took a spot across from him on Peter's. "I have to tell you something." James blurted out, just as Sirius said, "We need to talk."

James smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, do you want to go first?"

Sirius nodded. Something told her James didn't need to tell her anything.

"The floor is yours, Mx. Black-Potter," Despite herself, Sirius grinned. "go ahead."

"Thanks." Her grin fell, "So me and Remus-"

"Don't bring me into this." Remus called harshly, cutting her off.

Sirius swore, "Fine. I learned to brew Veritaseum with Remus' help, but I swear, he is innocent-"

"She's not." Sirius scrubbed a hand down her face.

"We're getting there." James narrowed his eyes, "I slipped Veritaserum into your drink during dinner. Surprise!" Sirius closed her eyes in anticipation- surely James was going to hit her?

After what felt like forever, James grabbed Sirius arm and shook her gently. She opened her eyes and saw he was kneeling on the floor in front of her, "Sirius?" She nodded, "I'd never do that, okay?" Sirius blinked, then nodded slowly.

"However," He said, and Sirius knew she wasn't getting off scot-free, "I do want to know what in Merlin made you think that was a good idea."

"I came up with it on a "male" day?" James laughed,

"That'll do it." He shoved her shoulder. "Maybe run these ideas past Remus next time, huh?"

"Good idea." Remus called and they all laughed. Peter, who was oddly quiet until now perked up,

"What did you want to tell us before, James?"

Sirius clamped her hand over James' mouth, shooting Peter a death glare. "Is this something you actually want us to know?" She asked.

James considered it for a moment, then shook his head. Sirius nodded as she slowly took her hand away.

"Sorry James." Peter grimaced. He came to sit beside Sirius on his bed.

James chuckled, "It's no problem Pete, nothing important. Just private."

Sirius stood up, she dug in her pockets for the vial she nicked from Slughorn's office earlier in the day. Once she had a hold of it, offering it to James seemed like the most logical option. Remus was most likely to choose revenge and put it in her drink at the earliest chance and Peter would probably lose it within ten minutes.

So James.

She held it in the palm of her hand, "Here." Sirius held it out to him, "Better with you than me." James smiled as he took it. He slipped it into his cloak pocket.

"We just had a very domestic moment there, didn't we?" Sirius snorted, Remus laid a hand on her shoulder as he sat down, grinning.

James stood up, "Sorry but I'm very late."

Like the rabbit, Sirius thought.

"Late?" Remus asked. "For what?"

Sirius realised first, before James. "Wait-"

"I'm going to go to the astronomy tower and debate existence. Regulus might be there, he is sometimes. Most of the time." James face fell as soon as the words left his lips. He slowly began to back away from Sirius. She didn't move, or say a word for quite some time.

"Sirius?" Remus tried.

Then Peter, "Sirius, are you okay?"

Eventually James tried his hand. "You're freaking us out, Sirius."

It was then she just started laughing. Cackling almost like Mary when she's had too much to drink.

"It took Veritaserum for you to finally admit it?" She asked in between bouts of laughter, "I almost wanted to see just how long it would take you."

Sirius had known for weeks. Ever since Christmas- you couldn't stay in the same house as those two and not hear the creaking floorboards in the middle of the night, or hushed whispers in the shadows. She was hurt at first, because they didn't tell her.

It had been four months, Sirius didn't have it in her to be bitter anymore.

When she looked up James was still there, gaping. "Well? Don't keep my brother waiting Prongs."

James ran. Actually sprinted out of the room.

Peter looked like he was on the edge of fainting. Remus simply had an amused expression on his face, "How did you know?"

Sirius shrugged, "Darling, Sherlock Holmes is nothing compared to me."