#I fiddled with so many ideas and shapes before getting frustrated and slapping in the squiggle

[causeimanartist]

Carrie Kelley Robin for art request!! :)

This is either Carrie Kelley or Velma in cosplay, who could say

[anntidote]

:club room keys - sawamura daichi

back to: series index || ann’s playground

pairing: sawamura daichi x fem!reader

word count: 2.6k

warnings: timestop!au, TW!!dubcon, smut, angst, pwp, blowjob, deep throating, penetration, i still don’t know if this counts as somnophilia (?), mentions of kageyama, michimiya, and oikawa

summary: rain comes down heavy after student council duties, but you still have to drop off a set of keys. luckily, daichi helps you out- and there’s only so many ways that you can repay him.

a/n: dedicated to @ceo-of-daichi simply because lydz deserves a different daichi D word than drought. so here’s some dick LOL. 

the ring of the intercom and the bustling life of students. the clatter of shoes against the blue tile and chatter of passing conversation, definitely fell on deaf ears. your form slumping against the desk, and the weight of your face leaning into your palm. 

it'd been a couple days since your last run in with tobio, and the whole ordeal of the bathroom incident. the thoughts of him still living rent free in your mind-- at how his eyebrows scrunched up. pursed lips and the weeping tip of his cock, almost blushing the same shade of rose that graced his cheeks. 

wait. you shook your head. no. you told yourself you wouldn't think of him like that anymore. 

 tobio doesn't deserve to be a rebound. he deserves to be treasured, and loved correctly. your job was to keep that awkward, wobbly smile on his face when sipping on his milk straw. you were to worry about his studies, and whether he goes straight home after practice.

the last thing that should be bothering you is the voice at the back of your head. tethering your mindset elsewhere, and questioning why he was jacking off in the school bathroom in the first place. 

what made him so frustrated that he went during class?

did he like someone that much? was it someone you knew?

was that someone perhaps you?

"so will you do it?" hands slamming down on your desk, you bolt upright in shock. snapped out of a day dream, you're met with the sight of michimiya, captain of the girls' volleyball team. a crumb or two still on her face, her lopsided grin holds hope when she stares down at you. 

"h-huh?" you barely register her words to respond, still alarmed. "i asked if you were willing to drop off our gym's keys after practice. i need to hurry home to do something-- but…" she retracts her hands and props them on her hips. "... are you doing alright? you've seem out of it these couple days. it's not like you." 

"if i could turn back time and fix what i did, i would."

your nose scrunches up a bit at the impromptu flashback. "just peachy." 

"oh really?" a tinge of sarcasm sprinkled into her reply, you luckily miss the flash of pity in her eyes when you finally look up at her.

 almost as if she knew.

 "well, i hope things get better for you."

"yeah, yeah." you wave off the topic. "but you said you needed me to drop off keys or something?" 

"ah, right!" her usual go-lucky smile making an appearance. "sawamura asked if he could borrow our gym after practice for the last couple days, but i have to promised to run some errands back at home. i was hoping you could swing by the club room after student council, and drop off the keys for me?" 

you bit back a laugh, trying to keep the best poker face you could- as the pleading expression on her face looked like something out of a cartoon. "i don't know…"

"oh my goodness, please! i already promised sawamura, and it's already hard enough, trying to get all the members to get to practice and-" 

you grab her shoulders, halting the blubbering, and frantic look in her eyes. "calm down, yui! i was only joking- of course i will."

…

rain was something tooru despised. 

his complaints were one of a child, as it ruined his hair. it made everything sticky, and smell like wet dog. being out too long would make him sick, and if there was too much of it- it would turn into a storm. it could turn into a hurricane. or even a typhoon. 

and it's honestly ironic, even as you hold your bag over your head. your rubber sneakers hitting the mud and pavement, rushing to get under the roof of the club building. much to your luck, the reminiscent squeak of rubber isn't heard, as the gym doors were shut. letting out a huff, the sheer amount of relief that pours over you when the familiar screech of the metal door opens is a blessing. 

"hey! you made it-- oh my gosh, get inside!" he cuts off his warm greeting, as he grabs your wrist, pulling you into the room before the door slams behind you. "holy crap, you're drenched."

"thanks for stating the obvious, daichi." you snarkily remark, but still giving him a small smile. 

you knew daichi for a lot of reasons. being the karasuno boys' volleyball captain, he's been noted as one of dependability. a solid rock in a foundation, and everything the student body says about him is relatively positive. 

but even as a third year, you can still remember his shenanigans like it was yesterday. how he dashed past you whilst racing the basketball team's captain, and accidentally hitting the fire alarm. you couldn't even count how many times he'd had a run in with the principal's toupee. 

but even now, in his plain tee and black shorts-- there's this responsible look in his eyes. a quality only built up by experience, and you mentally applaud him. especially when you learn the sheer amount of siblings he had. 

"here's the keys for the other gym." you drop the keys into his open palm.

"ah, thanks." a hand moves to the back of his neck, a tell tale sign of his nervousness. "but i thought michimiya was dropping these off."

"yui had something to do today, so she asked me to. hope you don't mind it being me instead of your girlfriend." 

his eyes widen, beginning to frantically shake his hands in front of him. "n-no! that's not what i meant at all! she's not even my girlfriend, i-" he cuts himself off at the sound of your laugh, as you clutch a palm on your mouth. a grin peaks through his annoyance. "hey! why're you laughing so bad?"

"i'm sorry but what the heck is this?" you push past him to point at the poster at the far right corner of the room.

"bikini girls? really?"

the blush that comes over his face is absolutely hilarious. "t-that was-!"

"man, who knew sawamura daichi, captain of the volleyball club was a boob man! wait until yui hears about this!" you almost double over in laughter, watching steam puff out of daichi's ears in utter embarrassment. 

"don't you have somewhere to be?" he tries to divert the subject, only to hear a crack of thunder beat you to a response. the onslaught of rain beginning to hit the window panes at full force, and the lights flickering. "... nevermind." 

"i meant to ask, is it okay if i'm in here?" looking down, you fiddle with the hem of your skirt. "this is the boys' club room after all." 

unfortunately for daichi, the implication doesn't go over his head. and the fact that you're confused about why his face seems to flush a further shade of red seems to seal the deal.

that man, does daichi hates being a guy right now. 

his initial intent was to simply shield you from the rain. the simple connection that he didn't want you to get further drenched, and fall sick because of the favor he asked for. but now?

he feels guilty when his eyes draw lower, the tune of your laughter and friendly banter playing like background music. he swallows at the translucency of your uniforms while dress shirt. how the faint blue shape of your bra cups your chest, and how the damp fabric seems to cling to your skin. the jealousy of the water droplets that run down your neck and into the divet of your collarbones. 

you're in the boys' volleyball club room right now. clothes and gym bags strewn about, the smell of teenage cologne, and all alone. 

"t-the rest of the club is in the gym with the coaches." daichi stutters, before coughing to clear his throat. "we can just wait until it lightens up and make a dash for it." 

"sounds like a plan! how's tobio doing with sho-- achoo!" you start, only to sneeze mid way. 

"crap, your clothes are soaked from the rain." you hurry to wipe your nose, as daichi hands a set of spare clothes toward you. "here."

you raise an eyebrow. "why do you have another set of gym clothes?"

"after hinata puked at our seijoh game, i'm not taking any more chances-- oh shit, wait!" he explains, before his eyes widen at your fingers undoing your blouse buttons, and hurriedly turning the other direction. 

you giggle at his panic stricken face, before proceeding to peel the dampened cloth off your body, and your mind still processing the fact he had to have mentioned seijoh. but then a voice chimes in from the back of your head, crying out desperately. 

"if i could turn back time and fix what i did, i would." 

it's truly unfortunate. and you genuinely sorry for daichi, as you dig into the pocket of your soaked blazer, and pressing the lone button on the stop watch. the pattering of the droplets against the window, halting in its path. the swirl of winds silencing, and the thunder strike through the air, simply pausing at your fingertips. 

you're not stupid. you knew where daichi's eyes trailed, especially as you drop your underwear and skirt to the floor, altogether. stepping out of the clothes and bounding toward the captain, sinking to your knees, and staring up at the frozen crimson tint of his face. 

you knew the moment you were pulled into this room, that this was a bad idea. and right then and there, your entire consciousness told you that this was your chance to be a good person. 

… but was tooru ever a good person? 

you let out a small gasp as you grab at his clothed bulge, already half hard through the cloth of his shorts. feeling yourself salivate, you begin to slowly pump. pawing at his size, coaxing him into a full erection. 

and honestly, you wonder what would go through daichi's head right now. what would this man think as you pulled down his athletic wear, and how you stared at him in pure wonder. what would he do when his cock lewdly slaps against his abdomen, and falls shy of your lips? what would he do when you swirl your tongue over hips tip, lapping up the weeping cry of arousal, and savoring his taste? taking him deeper, peering back up through fogging vision, as your struggle, and choke around him. coating him in spit, saliva dripping down your chin, and making an utter mess. 

you coo at how responsive he is, even when unconscious. the frozen look of his face is one of guilt, but the tips of his ears are the same shade of his cock. you wish to tell him that it's alright, as you were definitely more of a sinner than him. popping off of his length and heaving a full breath, you stand. cupping his face by the cheek, and gently nudging his face to meet yours. 

"sorry." your whisper fans hotly against his face, as you continue. moving his limbs almost like a doll, laying him against the floor, and having your legs on either side of his hips. 

but if you were going to have fun, it's only fair you'd share it. 

the thunder strikes far from where you are, and the heavy breeze makes the windows wobble. but daichi doesn't seem to care- as everything hits him like a truck. 

the slick of your mouth, and the choke of your throat. the pumps of your soft hand against his shaft- and how you brutally sink your weeping cunt onto him. the ungiving clench and sheer heat of your pussy had his hands flying to your hips. his eyes widening at the sight of your hands against his chest. fucking yourself onto his cock, moaning his name like a mantra, and lust blown gaze staring right back at him- his eyes roll back as everything becomes too much. 

he cums. rope upon rope of milky essence spills from him, legs shaking and earth shattering. daichi almost screams, as the pleasure is borderline painful. the sight of you was too much to handle, and undoubtedly made him double over. "ah shit-!"

daichi doesn't know how you paused time once again, just to make sure he doesn't cum inside you. he doesn't know how quickly you dropped to your knees, mouth wide open, and how he releases down your throat. how you milk every single drop out of him before freezing the world at will. 

all daichi knows is confusion and the fuzziness his head pounds with. when suddenly, you're not on top of him anymore. his form is turned, facing the wall again. shaky legs, and not laid against the floor. 

"daichi? are you okay?" you call out. 

he coughs, turning toward you. "y-yeah…" his confusion etching even more as you're wearing his spare shirt, still in your skirt, and a tilted head facing him. "... i think."

you laugh, hitting his shoulder playfully. "goodness, does the lightning scare you so bad? you look like someone just sucked the soul outta ya!" 

he thinks you don't know a thing. the sight of your walls sucking him in fresh in his mind makes heat, and guilt simultaneously pool at his gut. he thinks you're the most innocent soul on earth when you lean in toward him, pressing your palm on his forehead, and giving him an eyeful that makes his breath hitch, before taking a step back. 

"don't get sick on me now, captain. you take care of everyone else, so who's going to take care of you?" you tell him off with a wink, only for him to hum an incoherent response, and his mind still buzzing. 

was that all his imagination? 

"oh look! it's lightening up!" you snap him out of his train of thought when you smile, grabbing his hand, pulling him forward. "let's make a run for it!" 

"w-wait!" he stops your other hand from turning the door knob. 

you turn toward him, eyebrows raised. "huh?"

it definitely catches you off guard as daichi leans in to look into your eyes. you feel your heart pound in your ears when you stare back. the caramel shade of his skin and the dark pupils trying to analyze you- trying to figure you out. "d-daichi?" you stutter out. 

"a-ah… sorry." he pulls back before muttering something under his breath. something about it feeling real. 

and it almost hurts as you facade innocence, letting go of his hand and racing toward karasuno's second gym. bags over your heads as you pound against the door, and laugh heartily as kageyama messes up a serve in your presence. it almost hurts as your cunt weeps arousal, and ruins your new, navy blue set of panties. 

because it's ironic at how much you told tooru how much you loved the rain. how fun it was as a child to jump into puddles, and dance. how the pattering felt like the knock on a door and a call out to play. how easily rain covered for all the moans that daichi never got to hear when you came around him, walls creaming him in your slick. how the wind howls loudly so that no one could hear you babble your gratitude, and at how thankful you were. and how rain was the best excuse for your tears. the most viable excuse of why your face was an utter mess the other day. 

and how it seemed to rain the same day tooru broke your heart in two. 

[thatdragonsdrabbles]

[I was struck with an idea the moment I read the ask, and I've been fiddling with it in my head until I finally sat down to write it. It got a lot longer than I had originally planned. I took a bit of liberties with the prompts (and skipped one oops)—but hey, that's half the fun! Also decided to swap between POVs some. ...RIP mobile users.]

[And yes, I was partially inspired by that one post on tumblr. You'll know the one.]

Gramm/merfolk reader, nearly 200 writing prompts “ I can’t stand the thought of loosing you. ” , 90: “ Catch me if you can! ”, 95: “ Give it back! ”

Life flowed gentle and free, just like the waters surrounding the den in the lake.

Your community wasn't large, especially not compared to the distant ocean-dwelling cousins your family met with every year... but it was home. It was calmest at the depths, a cozy blend of darkness and murk, that never failed to make the merfolk living there comfortable and safe. Lessons were led by the eldest, and even at their most strict they would never end the lesson before getting a laugh out of the students. You learned to sing, to weave, to defend, to dance.

Every new moon brought a celebration, of being one with the world around you and teasing out its greatest treasures. The waters would glow all through the night, as if the moon had trapped the sun below before hiding in shame. And every full moon, a time of reflection and inviting water sprites to visit their homes. It was a peaceful, yet lively existence, at the bottom of the lake.

Even by merfolk standards, though, you were a bit of a wild spirit.

There were very few rules to be followed in the community. Participating in the moon festivals was heavily implied, though that could be as simple as designing the decorations. Never insult a visiting sprite. Singing the fish into a frenzy was prohibited. And no one, under any circumstances, was to go upstream.

Well, you'd already managed to weasel out of your father's costume designing, tail-slapped a sprite, and you were grounded from the festival anyway for setting the eels loose to wreak havoc. (An accident, you swore. Your friends begged to differ.) And that was just this month. What was one more broken rule?

Finding an opportunity, of course, when your sister left her “troublemaker-watching” post to dance, you snuck out and darted to the northeast side of the lake.

Thanks to your many years of living in the murky depths, and the soft glow of your pendant, the darkness didn't stop you. What nearly did were the shapes that undulated like eels, but were far more massive and had extra wiggly bits. Curious, you followed them from a distance. Their scales were larger than you! Wait, no, those were plates.

After a time, you were too daring and got close enough to brush a hand across one's belly. As you thought, it was smooth and hard, like stone. But it immediately retaliated, twisting in the water to turn sharp pincers on you. You were lucky to be so nimble, as those snapped through the spot you had been. Not willing to stick around and see what it could do, you swam past them and further upstream. You hardly cared about that, distracted by adrenaline—and that was why you smacked into something so suddenly.

Shocked, you spluttered and pushed it away, heart still racing from the previous close encounter. But it was merely a frog, albeit one decently larger than you'd ever seen before. You could cradle it in your arms like a child! So many big things were upriver from your home. It swam away before you could examine it further, its belly glowing softly.

All right... now that you were away from those large things, you could admit that maybe this had been a bad idea after all. You pressed a hand to your chest, checking the flutter of your heart.

That was when you noticed the pendant was gone.

.

It was another quiet night on the river, and Gramm really wasn't supposed to be here. But he was looking for something. Something very important to him.

Wringing many hands, he gently poked the riverbank with the branch he'd picked up on the way. He had to be quick, but, how was he supposed to find anything in the dark? Without the moon to guide him, and unable to bring a light in fear of being caught, he had to rely on luck and the pity of the river.

Fortunately, it seemed the waters were merciful tonight, for a glimmer in them finally brought his attention to a familiar face. Chelicerae shifting, he tossed the stick aside before throwing a lasso to tug them back onto shore. He knelt on damp soil to pick them up, bringing them level with his many eyes.

“Kevin. I have been looking everywhere for you,” he scolded. “Do you know how much trouble you are in?”

“Ribbit,” said Kevin.

“By the look on your face, I doubt it.”

“Rib ribbit.”

“You are particularly chipper. I would bet, you wouldn't be so smug if I put you in time-out, would you?” Whatever frustration he had finally melted away, a free hand resting gently on the frog's head. “I can't stand the thought of losing you. So please, no more diving off the side of boats.” He decided to examine his slimy friend. His eyes were drawn to a faint glow in Kevin's belly. “What's this? Have you eaten another firefly light?”

“Hey!”

Gramm leapt to his feet, fangs extending in fear. He had been caught! Glancing about, however, proved the riverbank was still empty, save for him and his frog. Unless they were hiding? He clutched Kevin to his front, wincing as it immediately became damp.

“Give it back!”

That was much closer. He looked out to see if a boat had approached, but instead was startled to find something poking out of the water barely a leg's length away. A person? There was a person in the water! How was that possible? Hardly anyone around here could stand getting wet, let alone diving straight in.

Seeing they had his attention, they suddenly lunged forward, fingers clutching at Kevin's hindlegs, and tugged him away with surprising strength. It was all he could do to hold onto the thread lasso, nearly falling into the water before he dug some hands into the ground as anchors.

“Ah! Let—go!”

“You first!”

This person was as slippery as Kevin! They twisted with such ferocity, he was terrified he was going to be dragged in as well! But he wasn't going to lose his friend a second time today. He threw another lasso in desperation, wrapping it around the offender, and heaved—to bring something much larger than a fish flopping onto the bank. He then snatched the frog away, earning a startled squeak from him and a frustrated cry from the stranger.

“That little toad stole it!”

“Kevin is not a toad, he is a frog!” Petting the frog with one hand as others checked him over for injuries, Gramm took a few cautious steps away. “Why would you steal him?” And what was this frog-thief? They had a fish tail, but their upper half was devoid of scales or chitin.

The person wriggled until they could sit up, tugging at the thread trapping them. “He stole my necklace!”

“Necklace?”

The two of them stared at the frog's glowing belly.

There was a commotion somewhere to the northwest. Stiffening, Gramm decided to cut the thread and make a break for it. Maybe he could escape before any guards asked him what he was doing out here. The stranger called for him to wait, but he didn't pause. Swinging on silk, the tarantula left the river, swearing that he would never return.

.

You were sure as fish spawn getting your necklace back.

It had been an ordeal to get back home without bumping into anymore trouble, and you were chided for sneaking out. But the punishment of collecting discarded scales was the least of your worries. No one suspected you had gone so far from the lake, so at least that secret was safe. (You had your strong tail to thank for that.) Though it was only a matter of time before someone asked about your missing necklace.

It took time and patience to find chances to escape again, but at every one, you power-swam up the river to scour the bank around the spot you had run into that criminal frog. You sang in the hopes of drawing it out, but didn't find the one you needed. You kept trying, but you were afraid you'd never get it back...

And then one night, your song was interrupted by a splash.

Ducking underwater on instinct, you examined the rock sinking to the bottom. How rude! You rose once more and shouted, “That nearly hit me!”

“Quiet, quiet.”

Frowning, you watched as something came out of hiding. He certainly looked like the same individual you had witnessed run off last time: Dark short hair covering his body, a few orange markings around many limbs. And held in two of them was the offender, “Kevin.” Still glowing, and staring at you with those patterned eyes. Come to taunt, had they?

“Give me back my necklace,” you demanded. You kept a safe distance from the shore, not wanting to get tangled up again.

“You can, can have the thing, I don't want it.” His voice was barely audible, as if he were trying to keep this a secret. “Just—help me get it out of Kevin.”

You frowned, eyeing the frog. You were not getting close to that thing again. What would it steal next?

“Please. He's, he's not well, keeps spitting out this foul gas and water, and... he's going to be taken, away, if they think he keeps eating our lights.”

Common sense would say not to trust him... but even as you watched, the frog bulged, then croaked loudly. Water sloshed to the ground, which the individual stepped sidestepped with quiet chittering. You couldn't read him well, but he did seem sincerely worried.

“...all right, fine,” you huffed. “But none of that net stuff!”

“O-okay.”

You warily came onto the bank, once again disturbed by the lack of water to support you. The person was just as cautious, but eventually he was convinced to part with the frog, barring the string he had attached. Bringing Kevin up, you were subjected to another of these “burps,” and made a face at the smell.

“Oh, that's definitely saltwater.” You couldn't help gagging. Even the diluted water used for cousin-meeting made you ill.

The stranger fidgeted, using all six of his arms on various parts of his person. “Why, is there salt in the water? And, why is it in Kevin?”

You rubbed the frog's belly, feeling for the tingle of magic. “The pendant. It was a gift from my cousin.” And a prank. The memory made you snort. “Said it was the closest I could ever be to the ocean.”

“Ocean?”

His tone made you look up, searching his alien features. Was he kidding? “Yeah. The ocean. You know... The gigantic world lake?” Your cousins hated it when you called it that.

“I... no, I do not.”

“What?” You hefted the frog up, turning him around to face the stranger. “Have you never gone down the river?”

“No. I hardly touch the water, except to find Kevin...”

Now that you were in conversation with him, his voice was getting quieter and meeker. He angled his head away as you stared. But you couldn't help it! He sort of had pincers like that large creature in the river, but he also had several eyes, and was much softer with his hairs. In a way, he reminded you of the crabs your cousins had brought as gifts. You didn't think he'd taste as good, though.

“What's your name,” you finally asked, after some silence.

“...it, it's Gramm.” Then his head whipped to you as you hugged Kevin tightly. “H-hey, what—”

“Incoming!”

Splat! Gramm was rewarded with a faceful of seawater, and you, the pendant that you sought. You clutched the small twisted shell, watching it glow between your fingers. Success!

“Kevin!”

His volume returned, albeit directed at the frog instead of thanking you. It seemed that was where Kevin inherited his rudeness. You made a face, then scooted backwards on the dirt. Someone needed to be taught manners. When Gramm asked what you were doing, you flashed an impish grin. “Catch me if you can!”

And then you dived backwards into the water, frog in your arms and laughter in your throat.

What had prompted you to start this game is unclear, but you enjoyed every moment of it. The fuzzy-crab ran up and down the riverbank, following every slap of your tail, until finally he managed to craft a net to snare you in. But this time, you were practically bubbling as you were tugged onto shore, only pouting playfully as he wrenched Kevin from your grasp once more.

So you tugged them both in instead.

.

Gramm will be the first to admit that he never would've expected to willingly return to the river. At first it had only been his worry for Kevin, since the stories that sprung up of the haunting melodies on the waters had spooked him. And the scare you had given, tossing him in after that, almost made him swear off the river forever, again. But, you were unique, and playful, and with the pendant returned you now glowed in the waters like a firefly. And Kevin seemed to like you, so he figured you must be all right, if a bit of a pain.

...no wonder Kevin liked you.

In the end he was glad he did return, because you had such interesting stories to share. He sat as close to the water as he dared (bringing an extra set of clothes, just in case) to listen to your tales of an entire community hidden at the bottom of a lake, and the many animals that lived there. The pendant you had was apparently once home to an ocean creature, and you let him examine it and listen to the ocean breeze trapped within. You brought him an eel once. He admired it until it slapped him in the face. Of course you laughed at that.

Honestly, he liked to hear you talk, and not only because he liked animals. You were much nicer than the people he served, and you didn't view these creatures as simply livestock or ornaments. You appreciated each individual one like a neighbor—even the troublesome Kevin.

So one day, he decided to bring you a gift. Of course that was the day Kevin went for round two of Eating Things He Really Shouldn't.

Offering the frog to you, he was quiet with embarrassment as he asked you once more for help. Your laughter reminded him of the bells that rang alarms in the manor, but yours at most were a warning for your pranks. Thankfully, this was not one of them. You finally convinced Kevin to give up the goods, and found yourself with a lapful of garment.

“What is this?”

“It's... spidersilk.” Gramm held it up, shaking off the slime. Presenting it to you, he admitted, “I had to, tailor it a bit, because of the... arms... thing.”

You accepted it, looking shocked. “Wait... for me?” He muttered nervously... then nodded. Would you like it? He hoped he had remembered your favorite color right. Or maybe the dimensions were wrong. The uncertainty grew until you had finished staring at the tunic to throw your arms around  him, trapping Kevin between you two. “Gramm, it's wonderful! No one at the den has anything this gorgeous! Thank you!”

Now he was wet again! He could never leave without you splashing him somehow. At least this time, he had gotten splashed from your gratitude. If he'd had a mouth like yours, he would've been beaming as he watched you shimmy into it. It wasn't like your usual attire, but you didn't seem to mind.

“What is this for? I love it,” you reassured him, “but, you didn't have to get me anything.”

He began wringing his wrists and avoiding your gaze—here was the really embarrassing part.

“I... Well. Well, there have been some, rumors about invasions from the river, since that's the only place we can never, fully defend... And you are so, fleshy.”

“Hey, we can't all be hairy crab people,” you shot back playfully. His chelicerae squeaked together.

“I just... The spidersilk, it, it's soft but it has strength to it, and... and it'll keep you safe.” You stared at him, seeming at a loss for words. He took a deep breath and admitted, “I... I can't stand the thought of losing you, to... well, whatever is in the river.”

Carefully, you picked at the fabric, testing its give. But even your roughest tugs couldn't split the threads. Your gaze met his again, understanding the gravity at last. And though he still didn't understand everything you did, there was no mistaking what it meant when your smile became brighter than even the pendant beneath your new tunic. Or the gentle touch to his leg.

“Thank you,” you told him, saying so much more with your soft laugh.

Seeing an opportunity, Kevin wriggled out of his grip to try to make another daring escape. But you and Gramm both leapt to grab the leash, creating another splash.

The tarantula may have been soaking wet once again, but being able to sit here with the two individuals most important to him... It was a secret joy he hoped to keep revisiting for the rest of his life.