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thesunisatangerine · 6 months

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against all odds (to wait for you is all i can do) – part twelve (final part)

alexia putellas x photojournalist!reader

warnings: mentions of grief, suggestive content

(a/n in the tags) [parts: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve]

word count: 5.2k

This wasn’t the first time you caught yourself thinking how difficult it was to have two professional athletes in your life, and it also wasn’t the first time you wondered how their bodies could store so much energy.

“Princess, slow down a bit. I think your mom needs to rest again.”

Even with the distance, you could hear the teasing cadence in Alexia’s voice, made prominent by the use of her mother tongue, and you watched as the both of them slowly came to a halt, turning their heads to look at you over their shoulders. At the extra attention, your cheeks heated with more than the exertion and, as pride urged you to save face, you pushed yourself to pedal quicker so you could lose the distance between you and them, stopping with a relieved wheeze when you finally arrived at their tail. Although amusement graced their features with a lightness, their ever-present disquietude–try as they might to hide it–shone clear in their eyes for you to see.

“Mom, are you okay?” Came Elisa’s question and, upon removing her cycling sunglasses, you found her brows furrowed.

You only managed to give her a thumbs up as your breath still eluded you, but when it returned, you added, “Yep. Just–just need a minute to catch my breath.”

“Seriously, Mom, you don’t have to push yourself too much.” Elisa placed a gentle hand on your back, rubbing circles as if she was trying to expel the malaise there.

“Ladybug, I appreciate the concern, really, and I may be no athlete but I can do this, thank you very much.”

Elisa raised her brow at you, clearly unconvinced, before she muttered deliberately loud enough for you to hear, her tone excessively dry. “Yeah? At this rate, by the time we get to the beach, the sun will be gone.”

Despite your state, a laugh bubbled from your throat when Alexia flicked Elisa’s arm who yelped dramatically, scaring a couple of birds to flight from a nearby tree, before she grinned and stuck her tongue out at Alexia.

“Be nice,” Alexia reprimanded but the quirk at the corner of her lips betrayed the seriousness of her tone, clearly amused.

Elisa grumbled as she rubbed her arm, “I’m not the one who’s making her laugh! If she passes out, it’s on you.”

Ignoring Elisa’s point, Alexia reached out and rubbed your arm in a soothing manner, speaking softly, “But really, love, if you can’t go on, we’ll just Uber there.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, I’m fine.” You grunted, letting a bit of your annoyance bleed in your tone, but you appreciated the thought behind their concern nonetheless. It was just, Alexia and Elisa’s protectiveness exceeded that of Derek’s–a feat in and of itself–and no matter how much you tried to assuage their doubts, they still hovered. And the only way to stop it was to let them know you were vexed. Then you added with a huff, “You two just have such ridiculous stamina. It’s not fair.”

“Alright, as long as you say so.” Alexia said, taking your answer in stride by putting her hands up as if in surrender. But then she smirked, adding in a low tone, “And it’s well earned, my love.”

Your brows raised, both surprised and pleased with the innuendo, before you smirked back and spoke in the same tone as she did. “And so you say.”

The moment was broken when Elisa let out a mixture between a sigh and a groan.

“No offense, but if you guys are done flirting, could we please get a move on? We’re about to lose daylight.”

At that, the three of you started again, Elisa taking the lead as Alexia fell into pace beside you. Then Alexia turned to you, mischief clear in the gleam in her eyes, and she muttered, “Remind me to tease her the next time Camilo comes over, hm?”

“I heard that!”

Much to Elisa’s delight, the three of you arrived at the beach with just enough time to spare before the sun began to set. You got off your bikes and began to lead it by your sides as the three of you began to walk the length of the shore.

Apart from a handful of people strolling about, the beach was barren today, and the lack of a crowd made the place more peaceful to you. And as buried your toes further into the pleasantly lukewarm sand, as you took in the breeze delivered home by the waves which carried a breath of freshness and a promise of another good day in the morrow, you regarded the sun, in her blazing glory, painting the skies with one last glimpse of her radiance.

Enraptured by the sight, you stopped and rested your bike against your thigh, rummaged through your bag for your camera to capture it. Once done, you turned to Alexia and Elisa who were farther along now, seemingly so immersed in their conversation that they hadn’t noticed you’d lagged behind. You watched them, their figures half bathed in the titian brilliance of the setting sun which made their shadows stretch long along the shoreline, and the sight stirred emotions in your chest that you felt compelled to capture them as they were: Alexia with her arm across Elisa’s back, one hand on Elisa’s broadening shoulder, while both of their bikes rested on their outer legs. As you were looking through the viewfinder, you saw Elisa’s bike fall to its side as Elisa wrapped her arms around Alexia, alarming you at first before you saw the scene as it was. You didn’t dare approach them; the moment, you perceived, was too tender for such an intrusion so you remained where you were, capturing the scene with your camera for safekeeping.

Shortly after, they walked back towards you in silence. Alexia’s gaze remained casted down as she tried to subtly brush her tears away with the back of her hand but when she caught your gaze, she knew you knew, but instead of asking about it, you only gave her an understanding smile–she’d tell you when she was ready. But Elisa, much as she tried, had always struggled with keeping her countenance free from emotions–a stark contrast to Alexia who, from years of practice, could school her features to faultless stoicism in a moment–and couldn’t deter the somberness from showing on her face for when she smiled at you as if to pacify you, her lips remained crooked with telltale signs of her affliction, chin trembling. The sight tugged at your heart, as it always did whenever you saw any of them this way, so you reached and cupped her cheek, brushing your thumb under her eye to try and soothe her. Elisa closed her eyes at your touch and when she opened them again, the weight in them looked lighter, and you smiled.

As the last traces of the sun sank under the horizon, you loaded your bikes on the rack attached to Elisa’s car which you parked there earlier that day, and Elsia drove up the mountain you just rode down on so she could drop you both off at Alexia’s car. Once there, Elisa helped you unload your bikes from her car and transfer it to the other car, and then it was time for goodbyes.

Alexia had to crane her neck up slightly so she could rest her chin against Elisa’s shoulder as they hugged. Alexia kissed her cheek, then patted her on the back as she said, “Drive safe, love. And don’t be late tomorrow.”

“I will and got it, Coach. I love you.”

You stepped in next, kissing Elisa, too, on the cheek as she stooped down to wrap her arms around you.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, ladybug. I love you. Be safe.”

“See you, Mom, and I love you, too.”

With that, the glow from the taillights of Elisa’s car receded into the darkness while the both of you got into Alexia’s car, heading for home. The ride was quiet except from the music that came from the radio, the volume so low it was almost like a hum, as Alexia drove with a steady hand, her face impassive but her eyes disclosed she was anything but serene.

Still, you held your tongue.

You had chipped away at Alexia’s emotional wall over the years you’d known her, enough that she now allowed herself to be vulnerable around you without being prompted to open up, but there were still instances which required patience, moments that asked for time until she was ready to come to you. And this was one of those times.

It didn’t worry you too much, though. The both of you had agreed to never let anything go unsaid–to never let things fester–until the next morning, so you gave her space now to mull things over.

Later that night, as expected, after spending the majority of the evening in her office, she greeted you with a soft murmur of your name, taking your hand and kissing the back of it as she settled on her side of the bed, drawing your attention away from the book you were reading.

“Are you ready to talk about it now?” You asked softly, putting your book aside on the bedside table, shifting against the pillow you were propped on so you could see her better. The angle of the light casted shadows on her face and made the lines that time etched on her face more prominent, and it made her look more inviting; her earthly beauty made more resplendent.

The question that came was spoken with the faintest of air.

“What do you see when you look at me?”

At first, the question confounded you and for a moment, you were at a loss for words to answer her. But as you continued to regard her with an even more careful eye, you found a silent vulnerability in her eyes, so heartrendingly delicate, a rare look you only saw whenever she talked about–Oh.

Oh, Alexia…

Emotions surged through you, chest tightening as it ached with your lover; as it ached for the pain and grief that will forever live with her–for the love in her that had nowhere to go, permanently in search for a beloved soul.

Gently, you cradled her face in your hands, soaking in every feature, every freckle, every blemish and every line. You carded your fingers through her hair, consoling, then you traced her brow with the pad of your thumb before you kissed her temple and lingered there, then the skin just beneath her eye, then the bridge of her nose, and then the corner of her lips.

“I see… everything that makes you,” you breathed out, voice trembling under the weight of your emotions. “Your mother’s brows and the color of her eyes… the shape of your father’s eyes, his nose, his smile. Their love lives in your skin and it’s all you, Alexia. I see you. Oh, how I see you.”

At your words, Alexia’s face broke: her lips trembled, brows furrowing, while tears streamed down her cheeks. Then she dropped her head to your shoulder, a sob leaving her throat as she clung to you and you held her just as tight.

“I miss him.” Alexia choked out, “God, I miss him so much. It’s been so long and yet it still feels like I only just lost him today.”

Oh, the familiar paroxysms of grief. Most days, you remained untouched by their shadows but the intensity by which they instill the pain of loss when they did get you, how they stretch that empty space in your heart into an abyss filled with teeth, was something else entirely. Agonizing, yes, but it was also a bittersweet repose for it served as a reminder of who loved you and who you loved.

The moment that followed was spent in silence, apart from the soft stutter of Alexia’s breaths.

“I told Elisa that her parents would be proud of her, that I wish I could meet them and tell them all about how their daughter turned out to be this wonderful person. And you know what she said?” Alexia laughed, teary and voice hoarse. “She told me she wished she could meet Papá but at the same time, she felt like she already had. She told me I look just like him.”

“You do. And he’d be so proud of you, you know?” You whispered as your own tears fell while you gripped her hand in yours. “And I wish I could’ve met him, too, and Elisa’s.”

Alexia lifted her head so she could look at you, murmuring softly, “And I wished I could’ve met yours, too.”

Through the night, you exchanged whispered stories of the past as you held each other, shedding tears at Alexia’s recollections, laughing at the memories. But how sad it was that loss made your shadows long, all three of you? And how beautiful it was that one’s capacity for love–though at times could stray or waver–could never truly be lost even after a deprivation from the loss of a source? But wasn’t that how lives intertwine? Through shared suffering? Through the bitter grief and the sweetest joy? And wasn’t it where lives intertwined that love bloomed? And in this world of shadows–in these long, seemingly endless nights–warmth and light were all the more precious, and love… Love was both of those things and more: it was an enduring flame, so quintessentially human, an evermore of the sublimest kind.

Love was never lost, you knew this. Life would end but love would always remain; it did long before you, and it would continue on long after you.

But you were here, in love, loved, and alive. Could you ask for something better than this state of grace?

The answer echoed in clarity in your mind long before Alexia’s comforting warmth and the gentle beat of her heart had lulled you to sleep.

No.

Nothing could ever come close to this.

Tomorrow came with a splendid radiance, casting everything in a golden tone likened to that of a developed photograph which made the colors vibrant and inviting; the kind that promised that the memories made today would be looked fondly back on in one’s recollections. Waking up to the sight of Alexia in your arms made today all the more brighter for she held the vision to what the world had to offer; all the beauty and warmth in this world began and ended with her.

True to her words, Elisa appeared on the porch first thing in the morning. You opened the door for her, which also revealed her hand intertwined with Camilo's, who looked on devotedly at you daughter as she stepped into Alexia’s embrace, and then yours.

The three of you had prepared most of the things yesterday before you went cycling, but there was still much to do before the hour came for the others to arrive. So, the four of you paired up and went to work. Alexia and Elisa were delegated to setting up outside, while you and Camilo set up inside.

Your attention flitted to the two of them outside as you cooked but before the end of the hour, they’d finish installing the extension roof over the open gazebo, had moved and arranged the tables and chairs, and finished spreading a light blue linen over the tables before laying a strip of folded fabric of a lighter color in the middle. As for you and Camilo, you’d about finished with the arròs negre and the fideuà when Alexia and Elisa came in.

They stepped into the kitchen to grab the plates, glasses, and utensils laid on the counter–but not before Alexia snuck in a sweet kiss on your cheek, a diversion, you thought, so she could steal a spoonful of the fideuà; Elisa, too, grabbed a bite to eat which was fed to her with gentle affection by her lover–which they then arranged on the table.

After a moment of tending to the food, you looked through the opening that gave a view outside and saw the two setting up the party games for the kids. In an act true to their professions, they’d began setting up Elisa’s old folding goal posts, the backyard expansive enough to accommodate them, even sneaking in a couple of juggles and shots after they’d inflated a handful of balls.

(When Alexia caught your eye, she rubbed the back of her neck, putting a hand up in apology–Elisa laughed but she immediately shut her mouth to a bashful smile when your eyes flitted to her–before the both of them returned to their task.)

You watched Camilo in awe as he worked on the coca bread, empanadas, and ensaimadas all at once while you started on the esqueixada. Although you’d seen more of his intricate works, it wasn’t the first time you caught yourself amazed by the skills and work ethics of the aspiring patissier. After the last batch of pastry was put in the oven, the first of your guests arrived.

To your surprise–but not really for you had held enough family gatherings to expect it–you and Alexia’s immediate families came first, more than an hour early, and Elisa was greeted and congratulated as Eli, Alba, your mom, Derek and Robert, and their two-year-old daughter, Olivia, passed the door Elisa had opened for them.

And in typical fashion, their maternal instincts kicked in and Eli and your mom gathered around the kitchen, looking over the food, and you couldn’t help but roll your eyes at them as they fussed over you, not with malice, until you playfully shooed them away.

“Honestly, we can hold down the fort here. Right, Camilo?”

Camilo, bless his shy and gentle soul, flushed, darkening the olive complexion of his cheeks, as he just nodded in agreement.

You stuck your thumb to the direction of the back field and said, “The two outside, however, might need a little help.”

At that, you heard an offended, “Hey!”

(It was Alexia.)

But your mom, Eli, and Alba proceeded to the back, placating the pouting Alexia with a hug, and they chatted and caught up while they helped Alexia with the grill.

About half an hour later, Mapi and Ingrid arrived with Anton–their toddler of one and a half years old–asleep in Mapi’s arms. Alexia’d welcomed them in, embracing her old teammates, which roused Anton from his sleep. When Mapi set him down, he blinked around, taking in his surroundings with his big eyes, and when they settled on Olivia, he giggled and stuck his tiny hands out, recognising a familiar, friendly face.

Olivia and Anton played in the living under Ingrid and Derek’s supervision, the two of them chatting on the couch, while Mapi and Robert came over to check on you and Camilo. They then headed out into the back and shortly after, laughter filtered inside and when you looked through the yawning, Robert was gesturing wildly in the air, and, you believed, he’d started telling one of his intricately conceived comedies to his audience.

When Ingrid and Derek brough Anton and Olivia outside, Eli and your mom–as was the tendency of grandparents presented with children–fussed over the little ones, cooing and awwing at their slightest movement. You stopped what you were doing to take in the warm scene, so distracted were you that you didn’t feel Alexia’s presence until she’d wrapped an arm around your waist as she placed a kiss on your temple.

You sighed, leaning into her touch, but you remembered you’d been in the kitchen for the last couple of hours. So, you pushed her away gently with your shoulder, whining, “Stop, I smell like food.”

To your chagrin, Alexia turned you around with enough force to make you squeal, before she made a show of burrowing her nose in the crook of your neck, breathing in loudly, and the movement tickled a giggle from your lips.

“Alexia!” You smacked her shoulder playfully, still laughing. “Stop, seriously, I smell horrible!”

“Oh, really? I can’t really tell. You smell delicious all the same.” She muttered against your ear, a hand splayed just over the bottom of your right rib. The statement made you flush in spite of yourself, your body too in tune with her wiles and you found yourself stepping closer to her before you remembered where you were.

“Alexia, our mothers are literally right there, don’t start.” You warned her under your breath, glancing where said persons were sitting beneath the shade of the gazebo, doting over the little ones.

“Fine,” sighed Alexia, pouting, but she took the ladle from you anyway, kissing you on the cheek. “Go freshen up and I’ll look after the food.”

“Thank you. I’ll be quick so you can shower before the rest gets here.”

You pecked her on the lips, grateful, and just when you thought she’d finally stopped with her shenanigans, a mischievous gleam glazed over her eyes and Alexia said with a suggestive half-smile.

“Or I can always join you? You know, to save water and all that.” She spoke it in a smug way, like someone who was pleased at having said the last words. And you were about to reprimand her again until you remembered something. When Alexia got like this, there was only one way to go about it: to play her game.

So you looked at her, making sure you dropped your lids just enough–the change in your demeanor instantly noticed by the way she stilled, staring at you with wide eyes and bated breath–and you stepped into her space, trailing a finger from her chest to her collarbone before you wrapped your arms loosely around her neck, going on your tiptoes and craning your neck forward until your lips brushed her ear.

“Keep that up and you won’t get any tonight.” You whispered low. You didn’t miss the way she shivered against you and you relished it. “You do want to take me, don’t you?”

Alexia nodded, as if on autopilot, her figure stiff.

“Okay. So, play nice until I get back, yeah?”

Alexia croaked out an agreement and, satisfied, you pulled back, taking in Alexia’s appearance, her pupils now blown and a delicious crimson streak had painted her cheeks, lips now slightly parted. With one last peck to her lips, you fled the kitchen.

When you passed the living room to get to the stairs, you saw Mapi and Derek sitting on the couch, and, upon seeing you, their lips curled into a knowing smirk, and Derek–the jerk–had the audacity to wag his brows at you.

“I think you broke her.” Mapi wheezed out while Derek clapped a hand on his thigh as he laughed. Your cheeks flushed and you ducked your head as you flew up the stairs.

After immersing yourself in a much needed cold shower, you headed down to the kitchen and relieved Alexia–who was still more than a little dazed when you got back to her– from her kitchen duty with a placating kiss on the cheek so she could freshen up herself. Half an hour later saw you and Camilo, and with a little help from Derek and Alba, finished with moving most of the food to the table outside, just in time as most of your guests arrived.

One minute there were only a handful of people lounging in the backyard, the next the space was lively with music and the sound of amiable company; the chatter from friends and family. The lunch commenced and after the toast for Elisa’s recent signing under Barçelona Femeni’s First Division, Elisa stood to thank everyone for coming. And then, she turned to you and Alexia, who wrapped an arm around your waist, steady and strong.

“To my mom and Coach,” Elisa’s deliberate emphasis drew laughter from everyone, while Alexia raised her brow, lips quirking in amusement at the light jibe.

“To my mom and Mamá,” Elisa corrected herself, and she proceeded with a choked voice, eyes reddening, “I am forever grateful for what you’ve done for me. For all your love, your continued support and comfort, and for believing in me. I love you. I love you so much.”

You clasped a hand over your own lips in fear that a sob would escape them but tears spilled down your face all the same, and you gripped Alexia’s hand on your hip as your chest filled with love. When you turned to Alexia, her lips were pressed in a thin line, chin trembling, as she tried to keep the tears at bay, her eyes, like yours, shone with pride.

And so there you were, much later, under the shade of one of the trees in the backyard, nursing a glass of something stronger than champagne–Mojito to be exact–regarding the scene before you with a warmness that, you knew, transcended that of the sun’s.

Elisa was in jovial conversation with her friends and Ingrid–football related, you supposed, by the way Ingrid gestured in the air and the way her juniors were listening attentively; Camilo engaged in what seemed to be an interview by your mom and Eli–for recipes, most likely–while Derek and Lucía–Irene’s wife–looked on them with amused expressions as the both of them talked; Mapi and Robert partook in a game of football as goalkeepers on opposite teams: Mapi, Mateo, and Olivia against Robert, Gabriel–Irene and Lucía’s second son, Mateo’s junior of three years–and Anton; Alexia and Irene, meanwhile, stood to one side, their hands clasped behind their backs, as they stood a vigilant watch over the children, commenting on the game with a light tone, exclaiming and clapping their hands every now, true to their profession.

The air was filled with glee, painting the atmosphere with a lightness of not only of the physical sense, but also of being that you couldn’t help but reminisce.

Alexia retired from football about two years prior but, as expected, the sport was never really done with her–or her with it. So, the Number Eleven jersey may have been put away, but Coach Alexia Putellas was very much involved with the growth of new Blaugrana bloods, involving herself with–and quite capably–developing and guiding Barça’s youth team. Although she was called to lead the Spanish Women’s National Football Team, after their years of continuous fighting for reform, Alexia rejected the offer for–in her own words–her heart belonged to Barcelona, leaving the responsibility to fall on Irene’s shoulders who had accomplished plenty in the short time she’d managed the team.

You, on the other hand, flourished in sport photography, accompanying Alexia or Elisa in most of their matches as per your contract with the club. But you were still very much part of the firm you and Derek built, larger now, involving yourself in its internal affairs and, if necessary, partaking in the journalistic side of things.

Speaking of, after Derek and Robert moved in together somewhere in your home city–even more so after Olivia was born–he gave you this Barcelona house despite your deep insistence that you’d buy it from him, but not without saying a little side remark, ‘You guys did the nasty there already. Keep it.’

You’d always wondered where home was, but now, as you took in the scene before you, and even more when you beheld the woman walking towards you, you knew, in your heart, where it was.

When she got to you, Alexia took your hand, lifted it, and she twirled you around gently, taking your glass from your other hand and placing it on a nearby surface. And as you stopped, she stepped into the space behind you, wrapping her arms around your waist as the both of you settled to a gentle sway in time with the music.

“What are you doing back here all by yourself?” She asked beside your ear but not before she pressed a chaste kiss on the side of your head.

“Just thinking.” You murmured, closing your eyes for a moment to better savor the feel of her body, strong and gentle.

Alexia hummed, you felt the rumble of it from her chest before you heard it right beside your ear, melodic, before she pressed a kiss on your bare shoulder. “About what, my love?”

“This. Us.” You lifted one of her hands, brushed your lips over her knuckles. “You.”

“All good things, I hope?”

“With you? Always.”

The both of you swayed and simply watched the scene in silence for a moment. Then a thought occurred to you but as you were about to voice it, Alexia beat you to it.

“The kids, they grow up so fast.” Alexia said in a wistful tone.

“They do. I still can’t believe Elisa turned 18 this year.”

Alexia sighed, “Oh, to be young again.”

You snickered. “You make it sound like we’re so much older. And it’s not that bad, is it?”

“No, not really.” A pause, then, “But that’s less time left loving you both.”

The softness of her answer wasn’t lost to you and your mind went to the conversation you had just the night before and your heart ached, so full with your love for this woman. You leaned back, enough that you could feel the way her heart beat through her shirt, and you squeezed her hand.

You turned your head so you could rest your forehead against the line of her jaw, closing your eyes as you sighed, “You know, you say and do these things that make me fall in love with you all over again.”

“Good. I’d like to keep it that way.” Alexia murmured. “And I will never stop loving you. You’re my person, always. I did tell you, didn’t I?”

The memory of white fabric, white petals thrown in a line between the pew chairs, trembling hands; the way the sun light shone on Alexia’s light brown hair and spun gold in them, her hazel eyes glassy and earnest and filled with so much love, and then, her words of promise; of always and forever.

She’d taken your right hand into the open palm of her left, a twin set of silver bands that rested on the fourth finger of each hand glinting in the late afternoon sun, as she pressed further into you, her cheek now resting against your temple. With your other hand, you cradled hers, tracing the coolness of the metal on her finger with your thumb.

Then you whispered, “I love you, Alexia. So much.”

“And I love you, my wife.”

And just like all the times you’d heard it, you shivered all the same.

“I’ll never tire of hearing that.” You admitted as you turned in the embrace, immediately wrapping your arms loosely around Alexia’s neck after, fingers gently playing with her hair as you looked into those resplendent and doting eyes. And you asked just barely above a whisper, “Can you say it again?”

She brushed a strand behind your ear, tracing the line of your brow before her hands settled on your hips, eyes now lidded with even more affection.

“Ask me who I am.” Alexia said in the same tone, leaning close that you could feel the brush of her lips over yours.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Alexia,” she whispered, and then she added with a smile.

“Your wife.”

And then, you kissed her.

#ap11 #not proofread #mine #my writing #a/n:#weve finally come to the end and i just want to say thank you all for the love and support #i hope you stay safe this new year's eve and i hope 2024 will treat you all kindly #again; thank you #woso x reader #alexia putellas x reader

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c-oswinwrites-x · 8 days

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Hermitcraft/life series zombie apocalypse au based on this post by @saphushia (reblogs irrelevant I just wasn't bothered to find the original post)

This is Doc's journal. He's keeping track of everything he knows about everyone. What they're good at, what they're not good at, can he help them with that? As to why his name is marked ??, it's been so long he doesn't remember. Some of them have their real names marked down because he already knew them before the apocalypse, some of them are because he heard them screamed when their loved ones thought they were dead. He won't talk about those. Not talking about his patients helps him cope with the ones that have died.

Ladders

Named Ladders because of his knowledge of every single ladder in the city.

Real name: Etho

Species: Arctic fox

Skills: Knows the city inside and out. Agility. High stamina. Night vision.

Hindrances: Blind in right eye. Issues with breathing.

Notes: Ladders is constantly wearing a gas mask, even though we've confirmed the virus is not airborne. He tends to run ladder to ladder, rather than any sane method of transport.

Stitches

Named Stitches for their skill in first aid, particularly stitches.

Real name: Cleo

Species: Human?

Skills: Physical strength. Good at first aid. Smooth talker.

Hindrances: Low stamina.

Notes: Stitches seems more tired lately. We think they might've been bitten...

Gemini

Named Gemini for her ability to get from one place to another as if she was already in both places.

Real name: Taylor

Species: Fox?

Skills: Close-range combat. High stamina. Night vision. Speed.

Hindrances: Long-range combat.

Notes: Gemini and Pearl are very close. Possibly siblings?

Impulse

Named Impulse for his extremely impulsive behaviour.

Real name: ??

Species: ??

Skills: Long-range combat. High stamina. Night vision.

Hindrances: Empathy. Impulsive. Insomnia.

Notes: Impulse appears human, but I've seen him when he thinks he's alone, and I... Don't know what he is, and I don't think I want to.

Skizz

Real name: ??

Species: ??

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Night vision.

Hindrances: Empathy. Low stamina.

Notes: See Impulse.

Beans

Real name: Joel

Species: Tanuki

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Night vision. High stamina.

Hindrances: Attachment to Shadow. Ego.

Notes: N/A

Pearl

Real name: ??

Species: Moth

Skills: Flight. Night vision.

Hindrances: Insomnia.

Notes: Pearl and Gemini are very close. Possibly siblings? Pearl has expressed disinterest in romance.

Grian

Real name: ??

Species: Avian?

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Night vision. Flight.

Hindrances: Struggle with sudden change. Attachment to Scar. Insomnia. Can be a control freak.

Notes: Grian appears to be a parrot hybrid, but he has also hinted at other hybrid features. And he definitely should not have such good night vision.

Bdubs

Real name: ??

Species: tbc

Skills: Knives. Speed. Camouflage. Finding/setting up bases.

Hindrances: Empathy. Long-range combat. Low stamina. Constant injuries.

Notes: Bdubs is some kind of moss creature. We just don't know what it's called. He is also a walking accident, with a concerning amount of scars and scrapes all over him. Not to mention the black eye that never seems to go away.

Scar

Named Scar for the slew of scars practically covering his body. He chose it himself.

Real name: Ryan

Species: Vex

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Night vision.

Hindrances: Empathy. Low stamina. Impulsive. Unpredictable. Mobility issues. Overworks himself.

Notes: Scar claims he's fine, but we've all seen him stumble over nothing and continue to run with a heavy limp. He leans against the walls a lot, and holds on when he thinks we're not looking.

Tango

Real name: ??

Species: Blazeborn

Skills: Smooth talker. Explosives. Computers.

Hindrances: Empathy. Insomnia. Water.

Notes: Tango can't get wet. Due to his species, even a single drop of water touching his skin puts him at risk of hypothermia.

Doc

Real name: ??

Species: Creeper, goat

Skills: Medical. Physical strength. Low empathy. Speaks German. (According to everyone else, that's a skill. I don't see why it's useful. Zombies don't speak German.)

Hindrances: Low empathy. Insomnia. Survivor's guilt. Aggressive. Impulsive.

Notes: I'm the person everyone comes to for medical stuff. Sure, Gem and Stitches can do it in an emergency, but they can't do big things. Doc misses Ren more than he likes to admit. He won't say it himself, but he pretends he's still alive sometimes. He talks to him.

Shadow

Named Shadow for her ability to hide. It's almost like she becomes a shadow.

Real name: Lizzie

Species: Human?

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Aggressive. Confidence. Camouflage.

Hindrances: Empathy. Aggressive. Impulsive. Insomnia.

Notes: N/A

Solidarity

Real name: Jimmy

Species: Avian

Skills: Physical strength. High stamina. Flight.

Hindrances: Combat. Unpredictable.

Notes: N/A

Major

Real name: Scott

Species: Human?

Skills: Smooth talker. Combat. Physical strength. High stamina.

Hindrances: Empathy. Insomnia.

Notes: N/A

Author's notes: I'm not saying empathy is inherently bad, just that those people have trouble killing things because of it. And Doc having low empathy both as a positive and a negative is for that same reason. He has no trouble killing, but he has trouble reassuring his patients.

Pearl is aromantic. She just doesn't have a word for it. That's what the 'Pearl has expressed disinterest in romance' comment is referencing.

Anything on Doc's profile in blue is because he refused to write it himself and someone else put it in. Likely Cl- Stitches.

Anyone without a reason for their name is just that. They don't really have one, or at least, not one anyone remembers.

#hermitblr #trafficblr #ethoslab #zombiecleo #geminitay #impulsesv #skizzleman #smallishbeans #pearlescentmoon #grian #bdoubleo100 #gtwscar #tangotek #docm77 #ldshadowlady #solidaritygaming #smajor1995 #hermitcraft au #life series au

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blayresmuses · 2 years

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how the tables turn

summary: you’ve been trying to catch ser harwins attention for weeks and are on the verge of giving up until he shows up in your quarters unannounced.

warnings: targaryen!reader who is also a tiny bit manipulative, brat tamer vibes from harwin, degradation and humiliation, sexual themes.

the moon had risen when your handmaiden came knocking. you’d been fed and bathed, your hair brushed out into soft waves. it was dull being so confined and the one thing you wished for as you looked out at kings landing was something to do.

‘ser harwin strong is here to see you princess,’ your maid announced. your heart leapt, a wicked grin already appearing. you’d been trying to catch the commanders attention for weeks, something you thought would be easy. he flirted along, even sending you cheeky winks at court but you were on the verge of giving up, sick of being the instigator.

‘send him in,’ you answered, doing your best to sound normal. you watched from the corner of your eye as her expression grew shocked, her eyes taking in your barely clothed form. your silk chemise was perfect in your opinion, it would do exactly what you wanted it to. her mouth opened, ready to object no doubt. ‘quickly, please. he shouldn’t be kept waiting.’

you fluffed your hair as you waited, posing yourself in your window seat. your body came alive as you listened to his heavy footsteps, growing louder as he neared. you were on the edge of your seat, anticipation thrumming through you. you looked him straight in the eye when he finally appeared through your doorway, his body taking up the whole space. harwin strong sucked the breath from your lungs, it was a dizzying maddening high you’d never get used to.

his own eyes slid down your body, his jaw tightening as he drank you in. it was highly improper, something he could be severely punished for but you were basking in the attention. you had so many eyes on you at all times but harwin was the only one who made you feel truly seen. after a long silence, harwin bowed. the feeling of power flowed through your veins as you watched, a soft smile taking over your features. pretty, feminine, you readjusted yourself, hanging your legs over the edge of the seat. ‘how can i help you, ser harwin?’

‘i’m sorry for visiting at this late hour princess,’ harwin replied. the formality vexed you but you kept your features soft with your doe eyes and fluttering lashes. ‘patience isn’t a trait i possess, i’m afraid.’

you resisted the urge to roll your eyes. you wanted him so desperate to see you he would have climbed up the walls and in through your window, you wanted him panting, worked up, so eager to declare his feelings, to claim you. you nodded in response, urging him to continue. ‘the watch is growing stronger every day,’ harwin ventured on. ‘i can’t help but feel like my job there is done.’

the admission left you confused, you had to admit. ‘i’m not sure what exactly you’re asking me.’

‘for a favour,’ he announced, a glint of pride glistening in those eyes. ‘i want to be a part of your personal guard.’

‘my personal guard,’ you deadpanned. your excitement fizzled out in your stomach, even as you looked at that cheeky grin. he hadn’t moved much further from the door, it grew more irritating to you as the seconds passed. why wouldn’t he come closer?

he never would, you realised. especially not if he was your guard, sworn to protect you. he’d be around more but would you physically get anywhere with him? not if he wanted to keep his honour. it rattled you, how difficult it was to get through to his man. you knew he’d been with women, you’d watched him flirt and dance plenty of times but he seemed oblivious to your true desires. your cheeks burned, rejection sitting heavy in your stomach. ‘why would you want that? forgive me but it sounds like a downgrade to me.’

a raspy chuckle escaped his mouth as he took one minuscule step towards you. his hands were crossed behind his back and you wanted to see them, wanted to imagine how big they were compared to yours, what they’d feel like against your skin. ‘where’s your usual confidence, princess? any man would be lucky to have the privilege to protect you.’

‘who says i need protecting?’ you countered quickly. you stood up, not bothering to fix your slip where it had risen to expose some of your thighs. ‘i have a dragon.’

‘i don’t see her.’ harwin looked around as if to prove his point. ‘i didn’t even see a guard at your door, seems dangerous to me - to leave something so precious so unguarded.’

you gave him a genuine smile, letting the subtle compliment boost your ego again. you loved it when he was like this - open, promiscuous, dancing around you the way you so often did him. ‘there was trouble at the gates,’ you explained. ‘the city seems riotous tonight.’

‘oh, i’ve heard,’ harwin said and there was a certain implication in his voice that made your blood run hot. he wouldn’t - would he? the way he was looking at you was devious, thrilling and you knew in that moment that he’d been the cause of the trouble, clearing the way to come in here for you.

‘so this is a ruse then?’ you pondered, you batted your lashes, your face a mask of confusion. you looked like the perfect princess, the damsel in distress so perpetually innocent. ‘you’ll forgive me if i’m a little afraid. you’ve made your way in here, we’re alone, you could do anything you wanted to me. there’s no one here to stop you.’

you dangled the bait and waited to see if he’d finally pounce. it was silent in your chambers save for the hammering of your heart under your pretty silk. finally harwin grinned, a fire alight in his eyes that made your facade drop for just a second. you desired, obsessed over him even but he also never failed to infuriate you. he never fell into the traps you laid so carefully for him, he would never make it easy. ‘drop the act, princess,’ harwin urged, his voice rough. ‘i’m a smart man. you think i haven’t had women trying to seduce me before?’

you took your bottom lip between your teeth, buying yourself some thinking time before you wandered over, slowly, letting him watch your hips sway, your breasts move beneath the silk. you purposely brushed into his side, feeling the toughness of his arm against the softness of yours. ‘careful ser, you wouldn’t want to make me jealous,’ you warned as you closed over the door. you leaned against the heavy wood, letting it cool your flushed skin. harwin turned, always chasing you, following you where you went, it should disturb you but you liked that you had him somewhat wrapped around your finger. ‘i’m curious though, what gave you the impression that i was trying to seduce you? that’s a dangerous accusation to make of a princess.’

‘an accusation? really? you can play dumb if you like princess but i can see right through you.’ you were burning up, a heavy feeling of anger on your shoulders and you stared up at him, not bothering to hide your glare. he wasn’t playing along, wasn’t playing his part in the fantasies you dreamed up at night. he was supposed to be falling at your feet, begging for you, your hand, your touch but here he was, in some sort of battle with you about the games you’d been playing.

‘if you’re so certain of that, ser harwin,’ you began, crossing your arms over your chest. of course his eyes followed the movement, taking a step towards you that you weren’t sure he meant to take. ‘then why are you here? to tell me to stop? or maybe you’re here to teach me a lesson, show me that i shouldn’t play around with big, bad men in case they have their wicked way with me? is that it?’

‘i told you why i was here.’ harwin ignored your comment entirely. the man was a brick wall, unmovable, unyielding and he was crowding you in. like a predator hunting his pray harwin stepped towards you, past your personal space until he had you pinned to the wall with his size alone. he didn’t stop, not until your body was flush with his and he was looking down at you. his cock was hard, digging into your lower stomach but you kept your expression neutral, bored even. the smell of him overwhelmed you, his body enveloping you. it was hard to concentrate, to remember what had been said.

‘it seems you like my efforts plenty,’ you commented, giving him the most coquettish look you could muster even though your breathing had picked up, your cunt pulsing and aching for him. this was better than your dreams. you had to admit you liked that he was trying to put you in your place, to show dominance. being in such a position of power it was hard to find a man that really stood up to you, most of the men who begged for your attention were simpering fools doing their best to lure you into traps of their own, hiding their lust for power beneath their pathetic acts.

‘no princess.’ the words were practically growled at you, you could only watch in adoration as he lowered down to your height, taking your face in his hands. some of his curls tickled the bare skin of your shoulders, making you shiver. ‘it’s not the innocent act that gets me like this. it’s the fact that underneath it you’re just a little brat, begging for my attention.’

words failed you, you couldn’t even shake your head due to the harsh grip he had on you. your brain was going fuzzy, your wit failing you as you looked into his eyes. how was it possible for him to have come out on top, to have you a desperate mess against him and have not done anything. you’d put the effort in, exerted yourself to get even a morsel of time with him and he’d done nothing. how was it that you were the one panting for him, falling apart at the seams whilst he stood composed and arrogant, the only sign of his true feelings the hardness that pressed into you.

with a gentleness you didn’t expect harwin ran his thumb along your bottom lip, pulling it down and watching it bounce back into place. a groan met your ears, then he was pushing it into the orifice. you weren’t going to be outdone, you blinked at him before slowly hollowing your cheeks, sucking on it, giving him a show. ‘you like this don’t you?’ he asked hoarsely, his hot breath hitting your cheek. ‘that for once you’re not getting what you want. this is why you need me princess, to protect you from the people who’ve made you this way. they all run around after you don’t they? they’d do anything to please you.’

you moaned in protest and harwin pushed his thumb in further, once, twice before dragging it out, spreading your spit down your chin. it trailed down your throat to your chest, down over your breast until he reached your nipple, hard and pebbled against his movements. his thumb rubbed over it, torturously slow. ‘see?’ the words were soft, given to you in false pity. ‘you’re greedy. i bet if i picked this so-called dress up i’d find you soaked, wouldn’t i? it’s driving you mad, you thought i’d be down on my knees worshiping you by now didn’t you?’

‘what about you, ser,’ you threw back, you moved towards his mouth, your lips a breath away from his. you moved impossibly closer until you felt his against you then moved away, teasing, luring, desperate for the upper hand. ‘i’m not naive enough to think that’s just a knife in your pocket. doesn’t it shame you, doing something so improper to your princess? you should be on your knees, begging for my forgiveness, my mercy.’

‘you’re at my mercy now,’ harwin murmured, giving your nipple a pinch so hard you yelped. ‘command me to stop. you’re right, you’re my princess so if you truly hate this then command me to unhand you.’

‘this isn’t like you ser,’ you said gently in avoidance. you couldn’t stop, wouldn’t give up the need to have the power. you wanted to affect him the way he did you, to drive him positively insane in every way. ‘you’re gentle, a soft man. you wouldn’t hurt a fly-’

harwin growled and before you could stop him he bit down on the plush skin at the top of your chest. roughly, he grabbed the top of your thigh, hooking it around his waist. ‘fucking lies,’ he groaned, rutting into you forcefully. his words were true, you knew, you’d seen it yourself what happened in the training grounds but getting him angry was the key to your success. ‘if i was a lesser man, i’d fuck you right here. you’d let me, you’d let me make a mess of you, ruin you. you should be glad princess that i’ve got such self restraint because i swear to you i’d find much better use for that smart mouth of yours.’

you were losing your grip on reality, with every dirty word he spat at you you fell deeper into his grip, like he had some mental hold on your brain. subconsciously you began grinding into him, rubbing your cunt against him. you whined, your fingernails digging into his thighs. he laughed, a harsh sound that was designed to humiliate you but it didn’t. ‘i wonder what people would say if they could see you now,’ harwin whispered, he nipped a trail along your neck but his eyes were focused on your movements, his fingers were digging into your flesh so hard you were sure he’d leave bruises. ‘they think you’re so pure but look at you now. a needy, desperate mess. i’m surprised you haven’t started begging.’

‘would that make a difference?’ you asked breathlessly, moaning when you found the right spot. ‘if i beg you to touch me, will you?’

‘no, my spoiled little princess,’ harwin tutted and in rage you gripped his hair, pulling with all your might. ‘i’m here to teach you a lesson remember? i would say i’m doing my job pretty well. how could you ever think this would be a downgrade when we’re having so much fun here.’

‘and if i command you?’ you snapped but it was futile, the enjoyment he was getting from teasing and mocking you was evident.

‘you wouldn’t.’ he sounded so sure than you almost wanted to just to prove him wrong. ‘you like that it’s out of your hands, that i can do whatever i want. call this a punishment, for parading yourself around in front of me these past few weeks, for torturing me. that’s what you feel right now isn’t it? torture?’

you nodded immediately, tears gathering at the corner of your eyes at the sheer urgency you felt. harwin hushed you and you would have fell into the comfort of it if you hadn’t been smarter. ‘it’s okay princess. you’ll get through it like the good girl you are.’

he untangled himself from you and you felt the ridiculous urge to cry and fall at his feet and beg him not to leave. your saving grace was the wet patch on the crotch of his trousers, a reminder that he wanted you as well. you let that fact soak through you, let it build you up until you knew in your heart that the next time you crossed paths you’d be in control, you wouldn’t just tease you’d make him writhe and beg until he was on the edge then you’d leave him there. ‘tomorrow ser,’ you said to his retreating form. ‘i plan to travel to the dragon pit. you’ll make yourself available i’m sure, it’s your job now after all.’

you’d have him in the palm of your hand if it was the last thing you did.

#harwin strong x reader #harwin strong smut #harwin strong #house of the dragon fanfic #house of the dragon fic

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caedmonfaith · 2 months

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I have, once again, failed to promote my current project here. Let me rectify that.

Whickber Street is a human AU, enemies to lovers (but only one of them is an enemy), grumpy x sunshine (and Crowley is the sunshine), in which many of the side characters we all love are getting a little more attention than usual. I’ve tried very hard to balance a lot of emotional topics, including grief, bias, and parental trauma, with a healthy dose of comedy. It is also a love story (bc it’s me), but not solely a love story for our Ineffable Husbands! There are multiple other couples who will find love! Features Tracy as a sex shop owner, Shadwell as an aging rock star, Fergus as the bartender, and Jim as…Jim!

Summary:

Anthony J. Crowley doesn’t think he’s ever been so happy. He’s finally quit his old job and is opening his childhood dream: a comic book shop. All of the neighbors are great, but the bookseller seems to hate him…

Aziraphale Eastgate grew up in his great grandfather’s shop. Now he runs it and lives above it. He loves everything about his life on Whickber Street…. but the new proprietor down the street has him terribly, terribly vexed.

Sparks fly when these two meet, and Aziraphale vows to hate him forever. Fergus, meanwhile, sets a timer.

Looks like Cupid has come to Soho.

Writing this has been a personal journey for me, and it’s been very healing. I would be deeply honored if you would give it a look. Updates regularly on Mondays and Thursdays (and I have only missed one scheduled posting day since early 2017! You can trust me!)

Thank you for your time! 🥂

#good omens #ineffable husbands #aziracrow #aziraphale x crowley #ineffable idiots #my writing #I am so bad at promoting myself and this feels incredibly awkward #I’m sorry if this is weird

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angelbunny-arts · 9 months

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Behold,,,,. Every hermit design I’ve created over the past year and a bit: with heights and chibi versions of wings included>:D

Species, fun Details and height sorted version under the cut !!

- Grian

A parrot avian in some universes, a shapeshifted watcher in others, it’s a 50/50 which one I decided to go with

Avians in my mind take on the wing patterns of a bird they connect with, which usually happens at around 18-23. Instead of facial hair they grow feathers around their cheeks and in their hair.

His earring is a present from mumbo ^^

The gold detailing on his wings have the watcher symbol and suns on it, and his shoes have suns too! (why suns you may ask? “Grian” is the Irish word for sun, and according to my myth/history nerd friend there was an Irish sun goddess named Grian)

-Mumbo jumbo

An albino enderman

He dyes his hair because it looks cool, you can see a bit of his natural roots

A feather keychain on his belt from Grian

- GtwScar

A half-allay

He’s got heterochromia with the HOTGUY colours>:)

His ears and canine teeth are rounded! In contrast to half-vexes who’s features are sharper

Him and cub have matching vex magic earrings

His design is probably the one that keeps to the original skin the least, but it also happens to be one of my favourites to draw so

- Cubfan

A half-vex

I don’t have much to say here, he’s just kinda silly? I suppose there’s the fact that I decided that convex gets a diamond as their shape, so he’s got some of that detailing

He was originally supposed to have glasses however I am terrible at remembering glasses even though I wear them so they just kinda vanished

His hair is probably one of the most fun to colour too:D

- Geminitay

An elf (the antlers are accessories)

She’s got a whole bunch of little leaves everywhere:DD and some cute gold detailing too, otherwise a pretty simple design with not much to say on it

-impulse

Just a regular dude tbh he’s just a guy/pos

He’s got five visible places where I’ve snuck an “i” on him (but there’s one more on the bottom of his shoes)

The yellow In his hair also matches with my skizz, who has blue in his hair

- Pearl

Either a human or an avian, it’s another 50/50 and depends on what I went for with Grian as well if I have him included

If I go the avian route, her wings are small and usually kept under her jacket.

The moon detailing changes with the moon phase! Her hair also gets more floaty depending on how full the moon is

The knot on her shirt is in the shape of a moth

- Tango

A soot fairy, they’re known for working with and manipulating fire and creating machinery.

He’s got heels and he’s absolutely slaying. That’s really it I can’t pick my favourite detail it’s all fantastic. Look at it

I looked at fire/firemen vests for his jacket? That’s a fun fact

- Docm77

A creeper/goat hybrid

There’s like.. so many butterfly motifs on this man it’s fantastic. I also love the horizontal pupil

He looks like a mix between a tired dad and a mad scientist, which was initially not what I was going for but I’m keeping it

————

And, as promised, the height check (for people that are the same height I put whoever looked taller first)

(also disclaimer I made most of these heights up and are not accurate to the ccs)

#art #mcyt #hermitblr #hermitcraft #grian #mumbo jumbo #goodtimeswithscar #cubfan135 #geminitay #impulsesv #pearlescentmoon #tangotek #docm77 #bun art!!#apologies for the random avian lore infodump it will happen again<3

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sweetanidreams · 1 year

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Oneshot: Vexed | Raihan x Reader

Rating: Mature | **NSFW**

It was supposed to be just another match with another challenger looking to scrap their way to the top. Raihan was well acquainted with the rigorous pace of the season and was rarely ever fazed in battle, win or lose. Though he did take pride in the prior far outweighing the latter on his battling record.

The dragon type gym leader was reclined against a wall in the locker room leading to the Hammerlocke arena, his long, tan legs sprawled carelessly across the wooden bench. He idly scrolled through Pokegram, 'liking' messages of encouragement under his most recent selfie and responding to every other DM in a friendly, but generic fashion — his publicist says it's always better to stay neutral. All of a sudden, he hears some kind of commotion coming from the front-facing parts of the gym. He recognizes the exclamations of his trainers - someone's gotten through them. "Heh," he thought, straightening out his hoodie as he hopped up onto his feet and started to roll out his shoulders in preparation.

****************************************************

Raihan had approached you as he did all challengers, casting a notably towering shadow over you as he took your hand and shook it, flashing a grin for the crowd and the Rotom cameras buzzing about. He exuded his usual confidence, sneaking a wink at you. Just before he turned to walk towards his side of the battlefield, his hand covered his lapel mic as he made a comment about taking you out for a drink after he won. You could've sworn you felt a vein violently bulging from your temple, but you held your tongue. Fuck this guy.

The battle ensued in classic Hammerlocke form, doubles throughout, sprinkled with some variations of weather manipulation, as was the trademark technique of the highest ranked Galar gym leader. Tensions quickly grew as it waged on, each of you calling out moves to your Pokémon with every ounce of strength you could muster, a visible sheen forming over your skin. You were fueled by not only your natural determination, but also how livid you were he had the balls to say those things to you. Your opponent had definitely noticed. He was amused at first by the scowl painted across your features, figuring it'd be all the more satisfying to take someone on at full force. There was something about the fire that blazed in those eyes of yours though. Even from across the expanse of the arena, he could feel the heat in their depths - and it tugged at something inside him.

Pokémon had been felled on both sides, and it had come down to a final blowout between your Altaria and his Flygon. Once the swirling waves of sand and debris had cleared from the playing field, the two dragon Pokémon came into view, both worn from the exertion of combat. Flygon's bright red orbs slowly shuttered, its sharp red-trimmed wings loosely flapping against its sides before it collapses onto the ground beneath it. Altaria's Ice Beam had landed. In that brief moment of silence, you could feel your blood rushing through your entire body, your heart racing so fast you could hardly process the roar of the crowd or the officiating Rotom's booming, robotic voice proclaiming you the winner.

Raihan recalled Flygon into its Pokéball, offering a soft thank you under his breath for a job well done. His expression was difficult to read as he made his way over to meet you in the middle. Adjusting his thick orange headband with one hand and extending the other to you, this time with... the slightest sense of humility. Your eyes locked and you gripped his hand firmly, your lips drawn into a peculiar smile as you pulled yourself closer, pushing up onto your toes to be within his personal earshot. "Enjoy that drink for me, dragon boy."

Not giving the gym leader a chance to properly react, you grabbed the Rotomphone at his waist and tossed it up for a selfie: you grinning at the camera with a cutesy peace sign up and Raihan with what must have been the absolute, most dumbstruck expression of his life. And at that, you walk off the field, giving a friendly wave at the crowd behind you.

****************************************************

That night, Raihan was plagued. By all of it. He kept replaying the events of the day in his head, over and over and over again. Why was he stressing this? He'd lost battles before. That's why he started taking the selfies in the first place - so he'd never forget the feeling of defeat, so he'd always be motivated to become better. But this, this one was driving him mad. He heaved a sigh, gulping down the last of his whisky before setting the empty glass down on the counter. He just needed to sleep and he'd be fine in the morning, that's it. Stripping down to his boxers, he slipped under his silk sheets, relishing in how smooth and cool they felt against his bare skin. Raihan let his eyes close and sank his weight into the mattress, doing his best to slow his breathing. Despite his efforts, his mind flashed with memories from the battle with you. He remembered how flushed your skin got from the heat of the fight, just the subtlest touches of pink brushing over your cheeks. How your brows furrowed in concentration, causing a small crinkle to form. How the shorts of your uniform began to cling to your frame from the sweat you worked up as you threw almost just as much of yourself into the battle as your Pokémon did. The dragon groaned in frustration, flipping over onto his stomach, his face burying into his pillow.

"Why the hell am I thinking of her right now?," he grumbled, his voice muffled by the bedding. "Who does she think she is, anyway? With that stupid... smug grin." Your voice echoed in his head, and regardless of the taunting manner it was intended to be delivered in, it sounded... he couldn't put his finger on it. But for whatever reason, he wanted to hear you say his name. He wanted to have you pinned up against the wall, his fingers digging into your hips as he held you there. He wanted to leave a trail of bruising kisses down your neck and shoulders, leaving you whimpering his name. Raihan rustled around, his body growing unbearably hot. He could feel himself struggling, pulsing, against the confines of his boxers, and finally reached down to slide the waistband off his hips. His fingers wrapped around his length and began to stroke, his voice rumbling deep in his throat, head strained against the pillow supporting it.

Your body writhed underneath him, needy for his touch. Fingers trailed up the broad muscles of his shoulders, the tips massaging small, tender circles along the way. Your gaze still burned like it did on the battlefield, it was intense and wanting. It begged for release.

Raihan turned onto his back, his hand quickening in pace as his mind went over every curve of your body, imagining your softness, your warmth pressed against him.

He held you flush with one arm at your waist, the other hand cupping the base of your neck. You were straddling his hips, your foreheads resting against each other, only the panted breaths between you. Your bodies moved in tandem, quicker and quicker with each thrust. The soft, yet wildly lewd sounds of him driving deeper inside you made him shiver. And Arceus, you were so fucking wet for him. So hot and tight — it was sinful how good you felt wrapped around his hard cock. "R-Raihan, fuck..." you gasped, losing yourself in the euphoria. You begin grinding harder down on him, barely able to choke your words out against his lips.

"Cum for me."

His body tensed and his breathing grew ragged, his strokes following suit until his orgasm shook through him, waves of pleasure washing over every inch as he rode out his high. After a moment's recovery, he glanced down at his hand and thigh, now covered in milky white cum.

".... Shit."

#pokemon #pkmn swsh #pokemon sword and shield #pokémon #raihan x reader #raihan #pokemon raihan #pokemon swsh #smut #headcanon #pokemon headcanons #oneshot #fanfic #galar #swsh #anime #kibana

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cloudedgalaxies · 1 month

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Two Nights Remain

Leona Kingscholar loves sleep more than anything else in Twisted Wonderland. So he is determined to continue sleeping all through the night when he has to host two freshmen crashing in his dorm for taking a rather stupid deal he had nothing to do with. It wasn't his problem.

Yet for some absurd reason, the three nights that the prefect stays in Savanaclaw, he doesn't get a wink.

Carnivore, Herbivore

(part one) (part two) (part three) (read on AO3)

Word count: 7k | Warning: Yuu has her period

Leona yawned, feeling his eyes droop as the stars started to appear. “Give yourself a break,” he found himself saying, despite how it was almost entertaining watching the herbivore question his life choices over a few measly pieces of paper. “You’re just going to make yourself dead on your feet if you keep goin’.”

“One more page,” Yuu bargained, keeping his eyes glued to the textbook in front of him. Leona couldn’t help but roll his, tail flicking in something he couldn’t quite call annoyance at the prefect’s stubbornness. It was a little vexing, how someone that small and meek could still have enough persistence to almost make Leona wonder how the Dark Mirror didn’t say he could fit in at Savanaclaw.

Then again, maybe he couldn’t. Leona had to rethink that when he caught the scent of blood, stinging his nostrils and making his senses snap to attention. Now where was he hurt? The hints of a scowl started to pull Leona’s lips down, especially when he caught himself trying to look over the herbivore for anything he might be able to see that his uniform didn’t cover. It wasn’t his problem.

“Patch yourself up, at least,” he grumbled, the growl in his voice more directed at himself than his new servant. “I don’t want to be smellin’ your blood all night.”

For some reason, that got the prefect’s attention, a crease appearing in his brow. “You can smell it?” he asked, more curious than anything else. “But I—” and then he stopped, some strange revelation making him freeze and the sickly tang of worry wave off him. “I’ll get right on that.”

His sudden and total attitude change was enough to make Leona raise an eyebrow, but he said nothing as Yuu shot up to dash into his bathroom. He closed the door behind him this time, hopefully learning from last night that it took more than carefully quiet movements to muffle sounds from his ears. Leona just sighed, lacing his fingers behind his head.

In his newfound boredom, he caught himself looking at his second freeloader. How was it that out of the three of them, Grim was the only one asleep? Whatever madness they’d gone through that day had seemed to take a toll on him, if nothing else, because he’d been out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow. Leona decided that he should fix the grave mistake in the world as soon as he could, closing his eyes to doze off, too.

But before he could get very far, the sound of a door tentatively opening caught his ear, pulling him back into consciousness. He almost scowled, but kept his features neutral, trying to feign being asleep when he realized that the prefect was trying to sneak back into his room. He pinned his ears on him, trying to pinpoint just exactly what was happening while his eyes were closed.

What was he doing? What was Leona doing, trying to listen in like some stupid kid at a slumber party? He couldn’t frown, but he could let his tail thump on his mattress, the only outlet he had to express his annoyance. It was so he could make sure the herbivore wasn’t trying to get slick and get away with stealing something, he reasoned with himself. After all the rumors he’d picked up about Yuu’s rather abysmal financial situation, he wouldn’t put it past him to try to make a quick thaumark.

But the prefect wasn’t like that, Leona found himself thinking. Out of everyone in Night Raven College, he would probably pick the herbivore as the most trustworthy student on campus. He was also the most trusting, which got him into many a bad situation like the one that had made him oh-so-kindly become Leona’s servant for two more days. After the big display he’d made out of Leona trying to cheat for the spelldrive tournament, he’d be shocked if he really turned out to be as twisted as—

What was he doing? Leona hissed at himself again, stopping himself mid-thought. He had no business with the prefect whatsoever. None of his problems were Leona’s issue, and he had no reason to care. His tail’s flicking became stronger with his increased irritation, now letting out an audible thud as it hit his bedsheets. Look at all the good rooming with the herbivore did to him after one night, with missed sleep and unnecessary annoyance. He wasn’t looking forward to sharing his dorm with the guy for two more nights.

Then Leona felt him gently touching his shoulder, and it almost made him just leap up and devour him right then and there. He kept to his facade of sleep, willing his tail to stop moving. “Leona,” Yuu called, and something in him stirred at the way he’d said it. His voice was practically a whisper, uttered with fear and worry and something that made Leona think that he was about to shatter.

Fine. He’d just keep bothering him if he ignored him, so Leona let his eyes open again. “You’d better have a real good reason for waking me up,” he growled, before he took in his expression. It made Leona pause just for a moment, and he wondered if maybe he really did have one, when he looked that nervous.

“I’m going to tell you something,” he said, still in that voice that reminded Leona of a terrified songbird, “and I don’t want you to freak out.”

“You’re tellin’ me that?” he couldn’t help but scoff back, even though he felt something strange and cool start to close around his stomach. It got just a little tighter when the prefect bit his bottom lip, glancing around the room as he took in a breath. “Spit it out already.”

He took his hand away, as though he’d only just now remembered that it was still on Leona’s shoulder, and breathed in again. “I’m a girl,” he blurted out, in a forced exhale of a sigh that was just barely words instead of breath.

Out of everything the prefect could have told him, Leona was not expecting it to be that. He blinked, trying to see if this was some sort of joke as his surprise faded. “What.” If this was anyone else, Leona would have thought that they were lying. But the way that Yuu’s face flinched at the unimpressed snarl in his voice made him think again.

And then Leona remembered that moment last night, when something in the air seemed to shimmer and change. Then the pieces suddenly all slotted into place, making everything strange make sense. The oversized uniform, the small wrist, the sound of a cork uncapping…

“You’re serious?” he asked, that snarl noticeably absent from his voice now. Yuu nodded, the faintest dip of the head as he—she—confirmed.

Leona fought the urge to swear.

He sat up now, making the prefect take a step back as he swung his legs to let his feet touch the ground. “The headmage gives me a potion,” she explained, sensing that Leona was about to start asking questions. “I have to take it every night, and it does…something. I’m not really sure what, but it keeps people from finding out the truth.”

To think it even worked on him. It must be some potion, Leona mused with bitterness in his thoughts. “You’re making it all useless right now,” he reminded gruffly, though not unkindly, trying not to think about all the ways that he’d been a complete imbecile to her. “Why tell me?”

She fidgeted with her shirt, and Leona saw that the tips of her ears were burning a furious red. It was extending to the rest of her face, he noticed, which she was trying to hide by tilting her head even farther down than it’d been already. “I-I have a problem,” she mumbled, and the only reason Leona could catch her words was because of the way his ears were fixed on her. “I’m…bleeding.”

It took Leona a moment longer than he wished it had to realize what she meant. Yuu had let her hair fall around her face all the more now, practically concealing herself from his view in either shame or embarrassment, or a cruel combination of the two. “You don’t have anything?” he asked, forcing his voice to lose the growl of frustration it almost had. There was no reason to scare her any more than she already was. Leona found he had no desire to anyway, when she was trying her hardest not to cower now.

He saw Yuu’s hair wave more than he saw her shake her head. “The twins were watching me when I packed. I didn’t want to risk it.” Leona ran a hand through his hair, trying to figure out what exactly he felt and who exactly it was directed at. “I’d go buy something, but if you can— can smell it, then…”

“Yeah.” He’d been pretty dense, but there wasn’t a guarantee that everyone in the dorm would be as blockheaded. Leona took one look at the herbivore and sighed. The sharp, bristling scent of fear was sticking to her skin like mud and musk. Even if Leona wasn’t able to smell it, it was obvious to tell that she was a hair’s breadth from trembling.

So much for anything not becoming his problem. “I’ll take care of it,” he told her, standing up to make it clear he meant it. “Sam knows?” Another barely-nod, making him go off how her hair moved more than anything else. Leona felt his tail swish, hesitantly bringing a hand up to lightly touch her shoulder. He hoped it helped to make her not want to bolt as much. At the very least, it didn’t make her want to run more, since she didn’t flinch at it. “Go take a shower. You—” smell like fish guts, he was about to say, then realized that what she smelled like was definitely a sensitive topic right now. “It’ll help,” he decided on instead, gently coaxing her to start walking back towards the bathroom. “I’ll be back when you’re done.”

Yuu nodded, a bit more brave this time as it finally got through to her that Leona wasn’t going to rip her to pieces. “I’m sorry,” she got out, as she took the first few steps with him.

Leona found that he wanted to shred whatever it was that made her sound so fragile when he heard her voice again, still just as timid. Maybe it was him, he realized, the thought making something sour and rancid fill his mouth. “Don’t be. It’s not your fault,” he said, meaning it as much as he could. He stopped when they made it back to the bathroom door, relieved that she seemed at least a little less flighty now. “No one else’ll find out. Take a breath, herbivore.”

She listened for once, filling her lungs with air that would hopefully help to calm her. “Thank you,” she told him, finding enough courage to fix her falling glasses. “Really. Between this and letting us crash here, I— thank you so much.”

He sighed, though it was not exasperated. “You’re not as big a hassle as you think you are,” he answered, trying to convince her that it was true.

And that was how the housewarden of Savanaclaw found himself trying to hastily make it over to the Mystery Shop in the few minutes he had before it closed instead of curled up in his bed. At this time of night, there weren’t many students awake and roaming campus—especially when it seemed as though the vast majority of them had taken a deal with the cephalo-punk, like the fools they were, and were trapped working in the Mostro Lounge.

Leona walked with a scowl on his face and a swishing tail, scaring the handful of students he did end up passing into a silent stupor. Why did the layout of campus make it so that they had to walk so far to get to the Shop? He had never minded it before, but it just made his mood all the more dour now. At least it wasn’t at the very end of the path, like Ramshackle was. Leona was honestly surprised that Yuu was on time to class most days. He wouldn’t have the resolve to wake up as early as she no doubt had to if he wasn’t forced to by Ruggie.

The doors were miraculously unlocked when Leona got to the Mystery Shop, much to his relief. Leona found that he had to take a little moment to calm himself before opening them, quelling his irritation and fixing his expression to not be so immediately hostile. He fought the urge to cringe when the bell rang, announcing his presence to everyone inside—which only seemed to be himself and Sam, thankfully, who peeked his head out from the back when he heard the chime.

“If it isn’t the Kingscholar imp!” he greeted, a disbelieving grin on his face as he saw who had come in so late. “What can I do for you?” Leona didn’t know how he felt about the way his ears swiveled before he’d consciously known they were, confirming without a shadow of a doubt that they really were the only two there. Sam seemed to realize what he was doing, thanks to the way Leona had grown silent just before he’d come to the counter. “You’re my only customer. Just about closed the doors before you came in.”

Good. Leona looked at him with a gaze that didn’t leave any room for arguments, making Sam pause for just a moment from the intensity his emerald eyes burned. “I know about the stuff you keep in stock for the herbivore,” he told him, deciding it was a night where he didn’t feel like mincing his words and dodging the truth. “She needs some of ‘em.”

Any reluctance or deception Sam was about to spew on him immediately vanished when he heard the pronoun Leona used. “You found out, huh?” he asked, his smile turning a little sour.

Leona recognized that look instantly. He wouldn’t hesitate to make the housewarden shut up if he needed him to. That unexpected streak of kindness almost surprised him, but it only made his job harder right now. “Quit it. I ain’t telling anyone,” he growled, making Sam raise his hands in a sign of peace.

“Heard about the deal the imp made with Ashengrotto. Looks like she made it over to you, huh?” Leona barely stopped his lip from curling back to reveal fangs that would no doubt make this go faster. But he had to remain civil, if nothing else than to not have to deal with the lecture he’d be in for if he didn’t. “What is it she needs?”

It was then that Leona realized he’d forgotten to ask. What even was there? Did Sam have everything, or just a few select things? It was only after a few seconds that Leona remembered he had to answer the question, when he noticed the way Sam was waiting for a response. His ears flattened to the sides of his head. “She’s swimmin’,” he answered, hoping that was enough of an answer to let him do the rest.

Thankfully, it was. Sam flashed him a thumbs up before ducking into the back room again, leaving Leona to be the sole person in the entire shop. He couldn’t help but run a hand through his hair, pushing his bangs up as he sighed. The silence made him think, both about what had just been revealed to him and how he hadn’t possibly found out before now. He still couldn’t believe how he hadn’t noticed until now, when everything was made so painfully obvious that even a toddler could figure it out. Pieces of memories and overheard conversations ran through his head, only helping to emphasize how foolish he’d been before.

A plastic bag being placed on the counter snapped Leona out of this thoughts, making him look down at it instead of the random wall he had been fixated on. It was already tied shut, making sure that no prying eyes got a glimpse of what was inside. “How much?” he asked, thankful he’d remembered to get his wallet back from Ruggie that evening.

“Nothing. The two of us have an agreement.” Leona’s eyes instantly narrowed, finding his choice of wording all sorts of suspicious when Yuu was already in another soul-sucking deal with a student Sam seemed to take to a bit too much. But he laughed, making Leona’s eyes all the more darker. “It’s nothing shady. You can ask the imp if you’re curious,” he offered, before giving him a grin. “Guess my friends from the shadows were right when they said she’d gotten a new buddy.”

Leona didn’t know what to do at that, much to his dismay. He decided to play his turbulent emotions off as annoyance, flicking his tail as he scowled. “What’s the crow’s role in all this?” he asked, slipping two fingers between the bag’s handles and taking it off the counter and into his hold.

Sam’s grin faltered, much to Leona’s curiosity and true irritation. “He gives her something to hide in plain sight with. That’s all I know, I’m afraid.”

He highly doubted that, but Leona didn’t have time to question him, when he’d already spent enough time here that Yuu would be waiting for him to get back at this point. “Come back soon,” Sam called, as Leona turned on his heels and started back out of the shop. He just let out a sound between a hum and a grunt in reply, halfway out the door already.

The walk back was just as uneventful as the walk there. Leona supposed he’d scared off any students still awake and foolish enough to get in his way, because he made it back to his dorm without any issues, relying on all his useless lessons as a royal to somehow look presentable to those of his dorm that still prowled the halls.

When he finally got back to his room, not sure whether he should scoff or laugh at how Grim was still somehow asleep, Leona thankfully still heard the constant hiss of the shower. He’d gotten back just in time, he realized, because not even a second after he got closer, it shut off. He lifted the hand carrying the bag to rap his knuckles on the door twice, hearing the herbivore make some sort of noise to confirm she’d heard him.

“I have your stuff,” he said, catching the faint hint of something rustling in the bathroom beyond. Maybe he shouldn’t be listening, Leona realized, and he promptly spun his ears away. “It’s by the door. I’m goin’ out to the balcony.”

“Okay,” Yuu called back, muffled through the door and the way that Leona was trying not to hear everything else that went on behind it. “Thank you.” He hummed back, deciding it was better to be quick than to spend more time tempting an unfortunate accident to possibly happen.

Much more noisily than he needed to, Leona walked out to the balcony off his room, resting his elbows on one of the fence posts. He caught the soft noise of the door’s latch unlocking, and fixed his gaze on whichever star caught his eye, staring at it with such intensity he almost thought it was going to go supernova. They were the souls of past kings, he remembered despite himself, recalling the night the royal scholars taught him that. Or at least, that’s what the old prides thought they were, before they ended up learning enough science to understand that they were balls of gas millions of miles away.

Leona had never been taken with the idea of there being souls up in the sky—why would there be, if they didn’t seem to be around to help out those still living? Maybe there were, even despite the evidence proving otherwise. There had been days when Falena seemed especially lucky, in situations that Leona would have been hard pressed to get out of unscathed. He hadn’t been blessed, if his entire past spoke anything about the subject. Perhaps they just thought that Leona was too unremarkable to spend their energy on, when he was only the second-born.

He must have spent more time looking up at the sky than he thought, because the next thing Leona knew, Yuu was at his side, gazing at them right alongside him. “You got everything you need now?” he asked, making her blink and glance up at where he’d started to look at her instead of the night.

“Yes. I took my potion for tonight too, so I should be fine. Thank you again,” she said, for the umpteenth time in the span of one night. Any other time, any other circumstances, Leona would have thought she was trying to stroke his ego. “Sam didn’t make you pay for anything, right?”

“No. Said you had an agreement.” Yuu nodded, looking a little relieved at that. But that only made Leona feel more of the opposite, eyes narrowing. “He isn’t making you do anything weird?” he asked, watching her carefully to see if she would lie. At the very least, he hoped it wasn’t as much work as Crowley seemed to give her.

When Yuu shook her head, he didn’t catch anything to make him think it wasn’t the truth. “I just help out at his shop twice a month to pay for it. They’re regular shifts besides that.” Leona hummed, not entirely sure he believed her anyway. But he supposed that was something he could look into later, when everything had cooled down and it wasn’t way past his bedtime. “If you wanted to ask me about…this, you can,” Yuu told him after a few moments. “You deserve that. I lied to you, after all. And I’m making you share your room with us.”

Had she, though? Leona couldn’t recall a time when the herbivore had explicitly stated that she was a guy. She just went along with the others, and didn’t correct them when they just assumed she was another average student. “Who knows?” he decided to ask, even though she owed him nothing. She didn’t seem to be the type who liked making anything go unpaid, he’d found.

“Just you, Grim, a handful of staff, and a few guys in Heartslabuyl, so far.” It didn’t take much thinking to know who those students were. Leona couldn’t help but frown when he thought of the two froshes in that dorm she ran with knowing, the possibility of her secret getting spilled to half the campus just one idiotic slip-of-the-tongue away. “None of them have said anything to anyone,” Yuu told him, somehow sensing his distaste. “I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it’s been okay up until now.”

Leona hummed, running a hand through his hair. “Jack hasn’t figured it out?” he asked, more musing to himself than a question for Yuu. “Or Ruggie?”

“No. But honestly, I kind of think they suspect something,” she admitted. “As long as they don’t say anything though, it’s fine.” Leona hummed again. He could help make sure of that.

Yuu sighed, the tinge of nerves in her breath. She looked down, and Leona’s eyes followed curiously, watching the way she fiddled with her fingers anxiously. “I hate to— can— am I good now?” Yuu asked, finally getting the words out after a few tries. “You can’t tell anymore, right?”

If anything, Leona was actively trying not to figure that out to not make her revert to the way she’d been before he’d returned. But he stilled, taking in a breath to let his sense of smell kick in. It was a bit of a jolt to realize that she smelled like him, after washing her hair with his stuff and wearing one of his shirts for the past two nights. It was even more of a surprise to find that, for some strange reason, Leona didn’t mind it.

At least it wasn’t the salty tang of the sea and the stench of fish, he decided. “No. Nobody’ll bother you,” he told her, truthfully. Especially not when she was silently protected by the aura of him, the one that he hadn’t even realized he’d given to her until now. Despite it all, Leona realized he didn’t find it in himself to really mind. “Sorry I pointed it out.”

Yuu shrugged, lacing her fingers behind her neck. “It’s better you said something now than half the dorm finding out later.” The prefect let out a sigh much more relieved than her previous one, the musk of stress radiating around her lessening somewhat. “One night left after this,” she mused, giving him a sheepish smile when Leona looked over. It fell flat a moment later as she glanced away again, breathing in deeply to steady the nerves that were starting to wrack even him. “I’m sorry for being such a problem.”

Out of all the things Leona felt, he was surprised it was not annoyance. Especially when the prefect’s still-healing injury was as visible as it could be to him then, as she gazed out at the sky. He just sighed softly, flicking an ear. “Wasn’t ‘cause of you. This time, at least,” he had to add, feeling something light inside him flutter softly when he caught how that made her smile just the smallest bit. “You could stand to cool it a bit, herbivore. The rate you’re goin’, anyone can tell you’re about to burn out.”

He almost frowned at how that made her anxiety spike again, attacking his nose with sharp daggers of it. “Seriously,” Leona continued, watching her carefully as she busied herself with braiding her still-damp hair. “You’re makin’ me stressed just by being next to you. That ain’t an easy thing.”

She looked surprised at that, her eyes widening just a bit as she looked over at him. Leona almost wondered if he should have said that—both for her sake and his. It wasn’t his problem. “I am?” she asked softly, something in her voice making Leona know that there was more than just one question in those two words.

Leona sighed, feeling how his tail swished behind him. He didn’t have the energy to dance around a half-answer or a mostly-lie so late at night. “You’ve got a spine and a brain that isn’t the size of a peanut. I know you do, ‘cause I’ve seen you use them,” he said instead. “Start using ‘em outside of fights, too, and you’ll be fine.”

That made her flush, much to his amusement. “You’ve seen me— In the gardens,” she realized, with a bashful exhale and the pinking of her scarred ear he could see. But then she stopped, looking up at him again with a glint in her eye he almost wanted to call amusement if it wasn’t just curiosity. “You were watching me?”

“When you were causin’ such a racket that you woke me up?” Leona almost chuckled at the way Yuu frowned at him, looking everything like a pouting cub. “Not my fault you decided to duke it out on public property.”

“You could’ve helped,” she huffed, but even as she said that, Leona could tell that she was realizing why he didn’t.

Just in case she was getting to the wrong outcome—what was the wrong outcome? he asked himself—Leona smirked, making something in her starry eyes flicker. “You had it handled,” he told her, enjoying the way that made her unoffended frown deepen. “‘Sides, by the time I could’ve gotten up, it was already over.”

Even now, knowing what he knew, Leona wasn’t sure that he would’ve rushed up to help her. She was tough, even if she didn’t look it—even if she hadn’t started out that way, when she’d first tumbled into the Mirror Chamber like a newborn gazelle. But she’d gotten stronger, through playing with all the unfair hands the school dealt her. Leona had to say, she was doing pretty good for herself so far. It wasn’t the worst thing in the world for her to flaunt that sometimes, if that was in the form of persevering in the face of assailants to make them leave disappointed and defeated.

“If this is how you compliment people you think are dull and dimwitted, I can’t imagine what you say to people you admire,” Yuu teased, surprising Leona at her sudden bold streak.

He wouldn’t admit it, but something in his smirk became a little more warm at that. There was that spine. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” he purred, watching as her frown turned into a little huff and a grin. A yawn caught him off-guard, reminding him just how late it was and how he was not in his bed. And yet, for some reason, Leona was not nearly as aggravated as that knowledge should have made him. “Guess you’ll have to see if you’ll find out tomorrow.”

Yuu didn’t argue this time before she went back inside, Leona found. Good. At least she was making some progress in that aspect. But he still had to let out the softest growl he could when she started towards the couch, making her look back at him in confusion. “What’re you doin’?”

She blinked, her brow furrowing as she looked back at him. “Sleeping?”

“Not there you aren’t. Take the bed.” Yes, his sleep might suffer from the couch’s less-quality surface. But Leona thought it was the least he could do to give her his bed, especially given the circumstances.

But the prefect—the stubborn, headstrong part of her that only seemed to rear up when he least wanted it to—fought him then. “What? No, it’s yours. I’m okay on the couch. I’m not making you give your bed to me, too.”

“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t fine with it,” Leona told her, feeling the hints of annoyance creep into his voice. It was too late for him to want to argue. “Take the bed. It’s yours now.”

Yuu frowned, looking down at the couch Leona was already starting towards. “Grim’s already asleep,” she pointed out, making Leona scowl to himself at how she was still trying to stop him. “You won’t have much room.”

“I can move ‘im.” But Yuu was still following him, so Leona sighed, turning around to face her instead. “When’d your respect come back, huh?” he asked, the gruffness in his voice not entirely irritation, he found. “Or maybe it didn’t, since you don’t seem to listen.”

She opened her mouth, about to say something back to him that Leona had no doubt would make his scowl turn into a snarl. “Let’s share it then,” she compromised, making that rumble starting to prickle his throat immediately die out. That wasn’t what he thought she’d say.

“What.” His voice still had the faint snarl of how unimpressed he was, despite catching him off-guard.

But Yuu seemed completely set on this idea, even though she had only thought of it just a second ago. “Let’s share. You’ll be happy because you were a gentleman, and I’ll be happy because I wasn’t a total jerk to you.”

Leona just glowered at her. “No.”

“Why not?” There were a million answers to that question. Leona had not the patience or the energy to list them, so he settled to give her a smoldering stare instead. She was smart enough to think of at least a few of them on her own. “If this is because I’m a girl, I don’t care. You can’t treat me any differently than before, or else people are going to catch on,” she reminded, making his eyes glint sharper at how he hated that she was right. “Or we could just settle with both of us sleeping on the ground. Your call.”

The sigh that was building in his throat tapered into a growl as Leona pinched the bridge of his nose in his irritation. He was too tired to deal with this. “When I said to use that spine of yours, I didn’t mean on me,” he grumbled.

“You didn’t specify that at the moment.” He had the sneaking suspicion Yuu was grinning at him while his tail lashed behind him. Leona fought the urge to bare his teeth. So he just gave her the most smoldering glare he had yet, when he saw for certain that she indeed had the faintest of smiles on her lips. “If you’re fine with it, I am,” she added, a little less stubborn and a bit more serious.

Even though he knew he should deny her, Leona found himself caving. “You better not kick in your sleep, herbivore,” he warned, finding the way that her eyes lit up at her victory against him less annoying than it should be. It wasn’t his problem. He was just trying to get the least work out of this.

He turned his back to her the moment he laid down, careful to keep his tail curled onto his leg. “Good night,” she called softly, making Leona hum in a half-scoff as he finally turned off the lights. Finally, he could close his eyes and sleep. He did exactly that.

Until he felt the mattress start to rise again, telling him how its second user was trying to get up. “Stop movin’,” he growled, not bothering to open his eyes this time. She didn’t. The mattress lifted more. “Herbivore.”

“I didn’t finish my paperwork.” Leona didn’t have the willpower to even scoff. Before Yuu could fully get up, he turned over, slinging an arm around her waist to make her stay down. “Leona, let go,” she huffed, struggling against him. It only made his grip tighten.

He opened an eye then, peering at her with an emerald flame hot as the savannah at its most blistering. “Stop movin’,” Leona told her again. This time she did.

Yuu looked back at him with a gaze every bit as unamused as his, ghostly blue as the moon and stars outside. “Fine.” That satisfied Leona, so he let his eye close again, content to go to sleep. “You can let go now.”

“Are you goin’ to get up?” he asked, more a rumble than anything else.

“No.” Leona hummed at that. They both knew that was a lie. But still Yuu sighed, gently tugging on his arm in one last futile attempt. “Leona.”

“Good night,” he drawled, chuckling silently at the way that made Yuu let out an angry noise and pinched his arm in response. And yet, he still did not move, even when he found that he’d stayed awake long enough to make sure she’d fallen asleep.

It wasn’t his problem, he reminded himself one last time, as he drifted off to the faint sound of her breathing.

Leona groaned when something called his name, too busy sleeping to wake. It called to him again, and his ears flattened this time, trying to drown out the voice to instead stay asleep. But then something hit him, pummeling his side with harmless attacks, and he finally had to wrench his eyes open, a snarl rumbling in his throat at whoever it was that dared to wake him in that manner.

“Paws off my minion!” Grim exclaimed, though he cowered when Leona set his gaze on him. He darted behind the leg of someone else, who, when Leona followed it up to their face, found to be Ruggie.

He was his assailant, he found, baring his fangs at the pillow in his hands. “Rise and shine,” the hyena chimed, grinning down at his housewarden. “Borrowed this ‘cause it didn’t seem like you needed it, what with your new one there.”

It was then that Leona remembered about the second person in his bed, when he glanced down to find her twisted around to face him, the hints of a crease in her brow. Then she noticed his gaze, and it disappeared, replaced with a twitch of the corners of her mouth that made Leona realize her face was pink. “Will you let go of me now?” she asked, though her voice seemed a touch amused underneath the hesitant exasperation in it.

Leona lifted his arm away as though she’d burned it. “My bad.” shooting Ruggie a glare as the hyena snickered. “You think you’re off the hook for that?” he asked, words now meant for him instead of just the herbivore.

“Not really.”

“Good. Start runnin’.”

“How come my hench-human gets a bed, but I hafta settle for a couch?” Grim seethed, grating voice getting on Leona’s already worn-down nerves.

Yuu laughed before Leona could fully get up, getting his attention. “You had more space than us that way,” she reasoned, either unaware or ignoring the way the housewarden was shooting him a look. “I thought you’d like that better than having to share with me again.”

“Oh. You got a point, I guess.” Leona turned his stare to the prefect instead when she nudged his shoulder, before getting up with a yawn. Ignoring it, then, he decided, when he saw the way she was looking back at him, too.

What luck he had. So many people to teach a lesson, and the perfect way to do so was in just a few minutes. “You’d better be ready to have your tail handed to you for interruptin’ my sleep,” Leona growled, scowling at the way Ruggie laughed.

“Looky here, guys, we made Leona mad.” He was just about to make Ruggie regret that then and there, but then the herbivore laughed again. And Leona just sighed instead, running a hand through his hair as he found his annoyance seep out of him. It was too early for this. “Chop chop, everyone. The rest of the dorm’s waiting on us.”

Another day of getting swept up in spells and tossed around like a toy had come and gone. Yuu’s prospects were looking dim at this point—nothing was working, everything was going wrong, and the infuriating Leech twins were always around every corner, just waiting to ruin any hope of progress she had in sight. Yuu had tried to keep her face as neutral as she could, but Ruggie must have seen how grim she was when he walked them back to Leona’s dorm.

“Bad day, huh?” he asked, and Yuu was almost a little surprised at the absence of any taunting in his voice. She looked up to see that he was giving her a small smile she would almost call sympathetic. “Those Octavinelle guys are something else.”

“No kidding.” She sighed, wincing a little as she moved wrong to make a new spell-given burn throb with hot pain. Yuu wasn’t able to keep track of what injuries were from who anymore, what with Floyd slinging most of her friends’ magic right back at them, but it didn’t make them hurt any less. “I never got to thank you for convincing Leona to let us stay, by the way.”

Ruggie shrugged, that grin turning a bit more playful. “If it gives me a couple days off, I’d take it.” Yuu rolled her eyes at that, especially when Grim started to pipe up with his own objections. “Honestly, it didn’t take as much pushin’ as it normally would,” he admitted. “Guess he has a soft spot for ‘ya.”

“How can you call any of what he’s doin’ a ‘soft spot?’” Grim yowled, totally unconvinced. “The guy’s hardly done anything ‘cept give us even more work to do!”

And yet, Yuu found herself silently wondering if Ruggie was right. Leona loved his sleep more than anything—that was something that would be undeniable until the end of time. But for two nights in a row, he’d sacrificed it for her, even if it wasn’t entirely willing. He’d helped her more than she could ever repay in the span of last night alone, in so many more ways than one.

So Yuu found herself wanting to defend him, even though Leona would hardly care what was said about him behind his back. “I don’t know. He’s been nice, in his own way,” she tried to reason.

Grim was not impressed. “You’re just saying that ‘cause he let you sleep in his bed last night,” he grumbled, giving her an unamused stare. “I still don’t know how you pulled that off. I’m jealous!”

Ruggie gave her a look that was much more entertained than Grim’s, which she tried to ignore alongside the heating of her face. “You had more space,” she reminded. “I think we were all happier last night.”

“I’m sure you were.” Yuu gave Ruggie a look, who just snickered right back. “Come on. Leona has a messy room and it’s your job to fix it.”

Grim and Yuu both groaned at that, not very willing to go do even more labor after an already arduous day. But Yuu found that she didn’t really mind it, despite that it would make her keep going instead of resting. And what more, when the three of them got to Leona’s room, she also found she thought that the room didn’t seem as messy as it did yesterday.

Maybe it wasn’t just her imagination, because Ruggie whistled. “Are you picking up because you have guests, Leona?” he teased, making his housewarden shoot him a smoldering glare and flick his tail. “What a nice guy you are.”

“Keep talkin’ and I’ll stop giving you the favor of slacking off,” he promised, deciding to make a show of getting comfortable to just taunt Ruggie all the more.

Yuu couldn’t help but grin a little. Savanaclaw certainly wasn’t as strict and uptight as Heartslabuyl, that was certain. “I’ll work on the bathroom,” she offered, not wanting to leave anything to chance. Yuu was pretty sure that she’d hidden everything well enough, but just in case either Grim or Ruggie decided to do a deep clean, she didn’t want them to find anything.

And while the second sunset of her three-day deal concluded, Yuu spent it cleaning. Then singing, albeit in the worst voice she could possibly use, in hopes of getting the two beastmen to aid her in the final confrontation to come.

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