#and they grow a better understanding of each other and dare i say change a little based on shared interactions

[urdepressedslut]

You’re Mine, Sunshine ❝part two❞

♡ Pairing: Grumpy!Bodyguard!Bucky Barnes x Sunshine!Fem!Reader

♡ Summary: Bucky takes you home, and later finds you in the library. You both get to know each other better, but Bucky is hesitant.

♡ Warnings: daddy issues, angst, mentions of parent death, fluff, bucky being a grumpy boi

Trope ⇢ Grumpy x Sunshine | Mob!Au Bodyguard!Au

Part 3

Italics are flashbacks

Your nails bit into your palm, crescent shapes left on your skin in attempt to hold your emotions back. The stare of your Father only made you feel small, the disappointment evident in his eyes.

“You know why this has to happen, right?” He asked you, annoyance laced in his tone.

You scoffed, trying to focus on the pain from your palms instead of the whirling emotions that threatened to escape.

“Father, you don’t have to lie to me. I’m a big girl.” You answered with some bite.

You were sick and tired of this sudden shift from him, he had changed after your Mothers passing. You understood completely, the death hitting him hard. But it wasn’t an excuse for him to be treating you like this, you lost your Mother too. Instead of both of you leaning on each other, he shut you out almost completely— leaving you to attempt to heal on your own.

He was acting as if buying you a house would fill the hole in your heart— acting like he was doing this for you. In reality, he just wanted nothing to do with you.

You didn’t need a house, you needed him.

He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, exhaling loudly.

“Don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be. You know why.” He repeated, refusing to meet your now glossy eyes.

“I don’t want to live in a house all by myself! I want to stay with you!” You shouted, scared of being alone— in need of your Fathers comfort.

Your Father had called you in to talk with you about your new living conditions. To which, you were upset about the idea of living alone— away from your only family.

“You’re old enough to live on your own. I’ll provide you with everything you nee—”

“I don’t give a shit about any of that! I need you! I can’t do this alone!” You cried finally, the tears finally making their way down your cheeks.

“Don’t you dare use that language with me! You’re going to do as I say and shut your mouth, understand?” He boomed, and you flinched back from the loudness of his voice.

Your cries died down, only small hiccups here and there. You couldn’t help feeling your heart twinge in pain, his want to get rid of you hurting you deeply. You needed your Father more than ever— and he just didn’t care. You stared mindlessly at the floor, the familiar numbness starting to form in your fingertips, the tightness in your chest growing more intense.

He was willing to provide you everything you needed, except for the one thing you needed the most. His love.

You felt unwanted. You felt like a burden to him.

“Do I make myself clear?” He repeated, his voice sharp and angered.

You swallowed through your tight throat, knowing you wouldn’t be able to word any verbal response. You chose to nod weakly instead, keeping your eyes trained to the ground.

Pierce sighed in frustration, sitting back in his chair. He was stressed about your reactions to his plans, and decided that this conversation was over for now.

“That will be all, you can go.” He dismissed you.

You wanted to laugh in embarrassment, he didn’t even talk you like you were his daughter. He spoke to you like he did with his workers— like you were nothing.

Right now, that’s what you felt like. Nothing.

~

The car’s engine shutting off had woken you up, the drivers door shutting having you perk up in your seat. You straightened yourself in your seat, wiping the little bit of drool off your chin. You didn’t even realize you had dozed off.

You watched from the inside as Bucky moved swiftly to your door, opening it for you.

You swung your legs over the edge, hopping out of the car. You gave Bucky a smile, nodding in appreciation.

“Thank you.” You spoke to him, making your way up the concrete stairs to your house.

He only grunted in response, closing the door— and scanning the area. After the area seemed clear, he followed you up the stairs. The exterior of the house was quite impressive. He was aware that your Father had bought you the house— seeing as he was one of the richest men alive. But he wasn’t expecting the house the be so… you.

Again, he barely knew you. But your light presence seemed to match with this house very well.

He watched over your shoulder as you fiddled with your keys, finally unlocking the door and walking in— to which he followed close behind.

He quickly shut the door, turning and taking in the new environment. Your house.

It was a beautiful home inside as well as the outside, the walls intricate in their carved designs. The floors polished— free of any smudges. The only thing he found a little off, was the fact that there was minimal furniture.

Yes, there was a couch and some side tables here and there, but other than that— it was quite bare.

“I assume you’re going to be staying here?” You guessed, your assumption confirmed when Bucky nodded his head. “Where’s your stuff?”

“Will be delivered eventually.” He answered quickly.

You nodded in understanding, keeping the warm smile on your face.

“Well, help yourself to anything in the house. Its yours now— as well as mine.” You told him so kindly.

Bucky nodded in appreciation, but otherwise didn’t try and make any more conversation.

“Pick any room you’d like. Mine is the farthest room down the right hallway.” You informed him, pointing up the staircase.

He nodded again, staying silent.

It was going to be different having someone lurk around you at all times. But Bucky was so silent sometimes, you wondered if he was even there in the first place.

You took a deep breath, deciding to head into the library. Reading had always been the one thing that could calm you down, let yourself escape from reality for a little while. Your personal library within the house, was one of the things you were most proud of. It was grand and had so many selection of books to choose from. You smiled to yourself just thinking about it.

“I’m going to my library, please make yourself at home.” You told him.

“Very well ma’am.”

“You don’t have to do that, (Y/n)‘s just fine.” You corrected him politely.

“Okay (Y/n).” He tested out, watching your smile grow wider at the sound of your name rolling off his lips.

Giving him one last warm smile, you turned and headed to your library.

Bucky watched as you walked away, leaving him alone with his thoughts. Which was never a good thing. He still didn’t know what to think of you. You just seemed too… chipper. There was a catch— there had to be. He didn’t know when he’d see the true you, but he was prepared for when the moment came.

So far, you were polite and overly kind. It just didn’t make sense— your Father had described so differently. Made Bucky wonder why?

Bucky had walked around the house, curious as to what the rest of the house looked like— along with picking his room out. He decided to pick one in the same hallway as yours, he assumed it was the most practical option— in case of emergencies.

After choosing his room, he made himself comfortable on the couch downstairs. He oddly enjoyed the silence, the only sound being his breathing.

The house was so quiet— too quiet. He furrowed his brows, deciding he should check up on you.

Making his way towards the library, he was amazed as he walked through the doorway— taking in the walls of books. He was quite the book worm himself, just never showing it off. He couldn’t argue with himself that he was obsessed with this room.

He found you quickly, letting out the breath he didn’t know he was holding in. You were curled up on a loveseat, nose buried into a book. You were so lost amongst the words— you hadn’t realized Bucky standing there.

He cleared his throat, making you jump— holding a hand to your chest in fright. He definitely enjoyed spooking you a little too much, as he fought down the urge to chuckle.

“Oh my god— Bucky! You scared me!” You breathed out, trying to calm your racing heart.

“Sorry (Y/n), was just checking on you.” He informed you, turning to head out of the library.

But before he could make it too far, you called out for him.

“Wait! Bucky!” You shouted, making Bucky turn back around to face you, eyebrows up— waiting to see what you wanted. “Sit with me?”

He squinted his eyes, about to remind you that he was working a job. But your soft, desperate voice struck a chord within him.

“Please?” You pleaded, your smile dropping just slightly. Enough for Bucky to notice.

He’d let it pass this time, but he was going to hold himself accountable. He would not slack off, he would not fail at this job.

With a huff he nodded, sitting on the couch across from the loveseat. You were smiling widely now, shimming in excitement in your seat.

“Um… I thought it would be a good idea to get to know each other better.” You suggested with a hopeful smile.

“No.” Bucky shot back.

You flinched slightly back, not expecting that harsh of an answer. Your smile faltered little. You were starting to see your Father in Bucky— with the mood swings and all.

“Why not?” You asked him.

He squinted his eyes at you— something he seemed to do a lot towards you. He was trying to think of a reasonable excuse, but his mind came up empty. He just simply didn’t want to get to know you. He wanted things to stay professional— keeping his distance. For his sake.

“No.” He repeated.

You rolled your eyes with a light chuckle, a sound that had Bucky’s chest all warm.

“We are going to spending a lot of time together, it’s only fair that we trust each other— and I can’t trust you if I don’t know anything about you.” You explained, making a good point.

Bucky clenched his jaw, knowing you were right.

“Fine.” He gave in, leaning his arms on the back of the couch.

You smiled to yourself, pleased that you had convinced him— yet again.

“What’s your favorite color?” You asked him, causing him to scoff.

He tilted his head in amusement. He thought it was a silly thing to know about someone, but he also was stalling because he didn’t have one. He wondered for a moment what was wrong with him, everyone had a favorite color. Even if not a favorite— there was always a color people were drawn to. But not him.

He glanced around the room, his eyes landing on a book cover with a withering tree, the background lavender.

“Purple.” He revealed finally, hoping you wouldn’t notice his lie. Was it a lie? Purple could be his favorite.

You smiled, setting your book down to the table next to you.

“Like a dark purple or a pastel purple— a lighter purple?” You pried, fully serious.

Bucky felt the corners of his mouth twitch, and he had to fight the smile down. He couldn’t help it, seeing your serious face. Interrogating him about a color. It was cute.

“Does it matter?” He asked genuinely, and he watched your mouth open in an O shape. Your eyes staring at him like he just said the most ridiculous thing.

“Does it matt— Bucky. Of course it matters, a person’s favorite color says a lot about them. About what type of person they are. About their secrets.” You whispered the last part.

Bucky squinted his eyes again, this time defensively. Your words were playful, but he couldn’t help but feel self conscious. Your stare all of a sudden felt like you could see right through him.

“Really?” He asked seriously, and you couldn’t help the laugh that escaped you.

He genuinely looked freaked out for a second there, and you couldn’t contain the laughter. Bucky on the other hand, didn’t find amusement in the situation. He was slightly embarrassed that you were laughing at him, but kept his features neutral.

“No, I’m just messing with ya!” You told him, breathless from laughing. “Seriously, what kind of purple?”

He rolled his eyes, genuinely annoyed. But he couldn’t help but feel so carefree around you, he felt lighter. It almost felt like he wasn’t working a job, and just letting go.

“Light purple.” He told you, watching you nod. “What about yours?”

He dared to ask, knowing you’d probably go on a full tangent about your favorite color and why it was your favorite.

You thought for a moment, looking up to the ceiling in thought.

“Red.” You answered quickly.

Bucky waited for a moment, waiting for you to begin rambling— but you never did.

“Light… dark?” He mirrored, just as you had asked him. But he found himself genuinely curious.

You shook your head, fiddling with your fingers.

“Just red.” You said blankly, readjusting your legs so they were crisscrossed.

Your words from earlier rung through his head, and he knew you were obviously joking— but he did feel that someone’s favorite color said a lot about them. He just didn’t know what yours, said about you.

“What made you wanna be a bodyguard?” You asked him, catching him off guard with the question.

He thought hard for a moment, seeing if he could even come up with an answer. He had done a lot of things throughout his life, each moment having meaning behind it. Each path having a story of why he ended up there. But being a bodyguard? Sure, he had experience but— it wasn’t that easy of an answer.

“Your Father needed someone for the job.” He answered. “I have years of experience as well.”

His answer was quite pathetic, but you didn’t seem the type to judge. You simply nodded along, listening intently like he was saying the most interesting things.

“Well, I’m sure he was very happy that he found you.” You told him with that warm smile of yours.

“You have a nice home.” He pointed out, deciding to change the conversation.

You smiled, looking around your library in pride.

“Thank you. My Father gifted this place to me.” You told him.

“How nice of him.” Bucky thought out loud.

You let your eyes drop to the floor, trying your hardest to keep the smile from dropping. You wished more than anything that you could associate good memories with your Father. All the good memories you had left, were beginning to vanish.

“Yes, he’s a wonderful Father.” You expressed, hating that no matter what went on— you’d always love him.

Bucky listened to you answer him, while he also watched as your face would drop at the mention of him. It was a flash of happiness that looked trapped within this dull expression that would take over your features. You spoke about him like he was only a dream, something of your imagination.

He wanted to pry— but he knew he shouldn’t.

“It’s been uh… hard for him since my Mother passed.” You revealed solemnly, while attempting to keep your features light.

Bucky grew tense at your confession, his own wounds throbbing from the mere mention of your Mother. Despite his discomfort, he stayed silent.

“He tries to put on a good face but— I know he’s hurting. He’s a powerful man but, even he needs a break.” You explained, picking the skin around your nails.

Bucky noticed the way you’d talk about your Father, and your Mother’s passing. The way you were trying to act unbothered. Truthfully, you were good at hiding how you truly felt— but he could still read people well. He knew you were hurting deep down.

You weren’t sure why you felt secure around Bucky. He was a man of few words, and rather let his presence do the talking. He was a reserved guy from what you could tell, but along with that— he was also a good listener. You were also lonely, deprived of human interaction. You didn’t care if he was being paid to be around you, you’d take advantage of the company. Even if it hurt that it wasn’t really real.

“Sorry— he’d probably kill me if he knew I told you that. He’s all about his image, being the tough guy and all. Just forget I said anything.” You rushed out, realizing what you were exposing.

“Don’t worry about it.” He assured you, knowing he’d never utter a word of anything you said.

“So, what about your family?” You shot at him, and Bucky felt attacked.

He squinted his eyes, glaring at you slightly. He knew you didn’t mean any harm with the question— but he couldn’t help the the way his mind filled with dark thoughts.

“No.” He huffed, watching you shrink back back into your seat.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I—”

“I need to get back to work.” He lied, there was nothing for him that needed to be done.

You watched as he got up quickly and stomped away, a scowl etched on his face. You assumed his family was a sensitive topic, and you respected that. Although, you didn’t mean to upset him.

Bucky was mysterious and it made you want to bring him out of his shell, unlock the deepest parts of him. His presence lured you in, making you want to learn everything about him.

Bucky made his way out of the library, angry with himself. Your question was surprisingly not what had him upset, it was the fact that he started to feel comfortable enough to answer it.

There was something about you that had him slowly melting, the walls that he’d built starting to crumble in your presence. He wouldn’t allow that, he couldn’t.

☀️A/N: pls let me know if i forgot to put you on the taglist, and i’ll add you for the next one!

TAGLIST: @winters1917 @unaxv @sebastianstansqueen @casa-boiardi @sonatabee @nytzirhk @almosttoopizza @erinallene @daddy-dotcom @h0nestly-though @beautiful-loserr @gloriouspurpose01 @lesleurs @justherefortheficandsmut @floralwsloki @dottirose @madi-be-buggin @navs-bhat @happinessinthebeing @ximi1315 @buggy14 @dancer3205 @neeezza101 @rovckwells

[rinbowaman]

THE BUTLER

Warnings: Unprotected smut, slight voyeurism, secret smut, secret love, heart break, Y/N is a rich girl, not at all spoiled, slight Cinderella vibes, stepmom and sisters, they don't really like y/n, and death. MDNI content is for 18+ only.

Something for you guys as I finish the last chapter of DT. I started this a while ago but finally decided to finish it, as you can see, I was inspired by the release of "Criminal Love" so enjoy. I enjoyed this piece quite a bit. Part of this is proofread, so sorry if the ending of it seems a little sloppy.

“Oh! She’s here sir!”

The house nanny calls out, informing your father of your expectant arrival. Your mother and stepfather told you that this was a great opportunity to travel overseas, leave home, and expand your horizons as a prospective student. And lucky for you, your father’s work as the country’s Ambassador afforded you said opportunity, and you wish you could be just as excited about it as everyone else. Truth of the matter was, it devastated you to leave. 

Of course, growing up in a proper household, one with many manners and strict etiquettes in place, only meant that naturally, you were groomed to put on a mask to conceal your true emotions, among other things. 

You loved your family, and respected your father dearly, even when only seeing him every summer. Yet there was something back at home that caused this change of pace; something that you knew you had to get away from, even at the cost of your goals and happiness. 

It was hard for anyone to understand, since you and your former companion had only known each other for a year. To others, it appeared only as a fling, a swift love that left as fast as it came, but for you, it was a whole other matter. Unbeknownst to everyone around you, promises of a tight future we’re made, all initiated by him. He told you he loved you, cherished you, and that you both would be together forever. So was it a surprise to you, or him, that you fell into the abyss of depression and had clammed up after he exposed how he didn’t think much of your relationship;  that it was just something to look back on, as “experience” for real love. 

“Real love?….”

How could he use those words put together? How dare he? After all the times that you gave up to be with him; the sacrifices you made, and not to mention, the countless hours you made up to maintain your grades while still being there for him whenever he needed you. Such as the time when he lost a beloved family member, and you were the only one there to console him. One thing led to another and in a blink of an eye, you were no longer a virgin. You never minded, after all, he did tell you that he saw a future with you as his wife, and you responded each time by giving him your flesh and sweat….you did all of that, yet he didn’t see it as real love. 

Your mother and stepfather could never know the degree of your breakdown. How could they? They probably suspected it, but never confirmed that you lost your virginity to the man. After he told you that he no longer wanted you, he moved on to another girl, one that you used to call ‘friend’. How despicable. Guess that was college life for you, though you would have never braced for something so heartbreaking to happen, even at a prestigious university. 

After all that, you stopped talking and dropped all of your classes. You fell lower than ever before, and perhaps your mothers words, “It's not a big deal, he’s not worth it. You’ve only known him for a year, forget about him.” Was said, only to try and bring you back from the ground you found yourself graveling on. You know your mother better than anyone else, she loved you more than the world and would do, and say, anything to bring you back to a sound mental state of mind. She always did before, only this time….it didn’t work. 

That’s when the idea of sending you to live at your fathers estate came to discussion. Your father was a very noble man, not in a literal sense of course; the man had built himself up from nothing, growing up from such a poor family. Through his elaborate military career and his continued service in politics, he earned his lavish lifestyle. The driver opens the door and gives you a hand, helping you out of the backseat as you are immediately greeted by the house nanny, and your father following suit. 

“Papa!” 

“There’s my girl! Come here, it’s been too long since I last saw you. Look at you, just as pretty as always.” 

Holding you in a warm embrace, you felt free from the pain of heartbreak as you hugged your father; you missed him so much and it was always good to see him. Aside from being with him, his estate was something that you always cherished. He had acres of land, manicured with a few guest homes on the property. There were large floral gardens and orchards that decorated the entire estate with the main house stationed at the center of the acreage. Maybe coming to live here for a while wasn’t such a bad idea after all. And who knows, if you had ever found a reason to go back, you could always get up and go ... .just as much as you could settle down and stay, so long as you had found meaning behind that decision. 

During your embrace, you caught the eye of the trio that made their way over, though they seemed less excited in greeting you. 

“Well, you could have called when you were nearby. We were just about to have lunch. It would have been embarrassing to begin eating and to take a pause because of your arrival.” 

When it came to your father, mother, and stepfather, they were all a delight and you couldn’t have asked for better parents. However, when it came to your stepmother, that was an entirely different story. Of course, your fathers marriage to her wouldn’t be complete without your two stepsisters…

“Oh my gosh! Look at her hair! See mom! I want my extensions to be as long as her hair, the same length.”

“Y/n, where did you get your outfit? It’s so pretty, I want one just like it but in pink. Don’t I look good in pink?” 

Your father takes a moment to jest, yet you had a feeling by the tone he took with your stepmom and sisters, that he was more on the serious side at hinting on their lack of manners. The ‘joke’ was him remaining tactful, as always. 

“Well, usually it’s customary to say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you?’ whenever you’re greeting family, but I guess talking about lunch, hair, and outfits is just as welcoming.”

Looking up at your father, he gives you a small wink before placing a kiss on your head, much to the obvious dismay of your stepmom. “I was only trying to point out that it would have been more considerate of her to call, that’s all. But, I guess you do have a point.” 

Your stepmom quickly took the hint, and rendered obedience in her own manner, before ushering the girls to come up and greet you properly. Pushing boundaries with your father is never a smart idea, for anyone. The man was rich, had close connections with the government, and didn’t feel the ‘need’ to have a wife as much as he merely enjoyed having one for companionship. Your stepmom knew that, just needed a reminder from time to time that he would drop her quickly, along with your stepsisters. You’re not entirely sure what had gone wrong, you never did anything to your stepmom nor did you ever go out of your way to offend her. Yet somehow, she acted somewhat distasteful to you. As for your stepsiblings, it wasn’t quite their fault. They were spoiled, had everything beyond the world given to them, and only acted out based on the initiative of their mother. Nevertheless, you were always pleasant and did your best to make them feel welcomed. You even gave up your room, the largest suite of the household, all to accommodate their ‘needs’ shortly after your father married and brought them in. Since you previously had only come for long visits in the summer during your college breaks, it wasn’t a huge deal to give up your room, or your favorite guesthouse, which was once your getaway for whenever you wanted to paint and do pottery. What was once your soaring heaven had now become a playhouse for the girls…to depreciate and throw their large parties for whenever they wanted to have their friends over. Guess that is what it means to be the elder and the matured one out of the brunch. 

“Come on sweetheart, let’s get you fed. I imagine you’re tired and hungry from that long flight, did you have any trouble finding Bitterman?” 

“No Sir, I found her with no trouble. It’s quite easy to find a girl as pretty as her.” Bitterman, your fathers driver, chimes in, earning a chuckle from the latter. “Thank you my friend, be sure to get yourself fed as well, Louis has the kitchen smelling delightful.” 

Your father was always admired and loved by the staff, and it wasn’t hard to see why. He wasn’t just wise, rational, and a thoughtful type, he was also benevolent and selfless. Indeed, he was just as good of a master as he was a father and husband. 

“Oh, Bitterman, no need to get the bags, I’ll get them.” Your father exclaims as he goes to pick up one of your luggage. “Oh um….I can get that Papa, it’s actually kind of heavy—“ 

You were cut off when a shadowed figure appeared out of nowhere and grabbed hold of the leather strap, just before your father completed his reach for it. “I got it sir, please allow me.” 

The tall figure was dressed in a black suit with a fitted designer trench coat to match, paired with fine leather gloves; the right one being fingerless. His hair was swiftly combed to the side, with a few pieces dangling above his eye and brow, yet it only enhanced his suave appeal. There was a slight bit of royal purple hue to his strands, yet it was tasteful and neat. He effortlessly picks up the luggage and swings it over a shoulder, and picks up another large carry-on before making his way inside the house. “The Nénuphar suite, correct?” 

“Yes, thank you Ethan.” 

Confused, you looked at your father as he took note that you hadn’t been properly introduced to his newly acquired staff member. “Oh! Ethan, this is y/n.” Turning back to you, your father completed the introduction as he took your hand and guided you closer to the mysterious man in black. “Y/n, this is Ethan. I’ve told him all about your arrival and if you need anything in my absence, come to him. He is the head of my household staff and is my personal butler, second to no one, except myself.” 

“B-butler?” You were caught off guard at the label, the man did not carry the appearance of a butler. That was when your father somewhat clarified. “Well, butler in an abstruse sense. All you need to know is that he is my right hand man. So if you ever need anything, come to me or Ethan.” 

‘Abstruse? What is that supposed to mean—‘

“It’s nice to meet you y/n.” 

“Oh…it's nice to meet you too. Thank you...for taking my bags, I can get the rest of them.”

“No need, I’ll have it taken care of.” Turning his head to the side, he raises a hand and snaps his fingers. Upon the crisp sound echoing among the grand entrance of the estate, a series of maids and butlers come in and grab the remaining of your belongings. You raised a brow before peaking a questionable gaze at your father, in which he replied with…

“I told you, he is my right hand man.” 

…………………………..

The next morning, you awoke in your beautifully furnished room. After carrying out your hygiene routine and dressing yourself, you walk down the lengthy staircase to find the girls at the base, dressed primply with jewels and broaches decorating their hair and outfits. 

“I want to re-do my nails.”

“You just got yours done yesterday, it’s been three days since I got mine. I want to add more jewels.”

“I want more flowers.” 

“I wanted them with a sharper point.”

“I wanted them longer.”

Walking through the foyer, Ethan takes stride with his hands clasped behind his back, as if he was taking a walk of leisure. Breaching the girls, they immediately dropped their topic of nail decor and called out to the handsome butler. “Oh Ethan!” One of the girls calls out. “I just got this dress yesterday, what do you think? Do you like it? Doesn’t pink look good on me?” 

Ethan gave a faint, side smirk as he paused in his steps. His hands remained behind his stature as he stood comfortably, not responding. Your other sister butts in, trying to vye for the man’s attention as she shows off her manicure. Again, he remained silent, yet the girls seemed to be used to it. 

“Oh, trying to be silent like always?”

“That’s so hot.” 

“Come on, won’t you say anything about my outfit for once?”

“Or my nails?” 

Pouting their faces rather flirtatiously, the girls flutter their lashes as they bite their lip, only to get nothing out of the man. You continued walking down during the entire entourage and once you reached the base, Ethan’s eyes sparked up. He glanced up and beyond their heads, watching as you made your way down. You pause as your sisters remained standing on the last step, seemingly oblivious to what the man was staring at. 

“Ah, young lady, you’re just in time. Your dad wanted to see you first thing this morning.” 

Extending his hand and shooting it between your sisters, the girls part ways as they watch you take Ethan’s hand as he guides you down the last step of the staircase. “I’ll take you to his study.” You felt his fingers subtly pinch your hand as he firmly established his grip. As he started to take you away, he suddenly paused with you remaining closely behind. His masculine scent was befitting with the dashing designer suit he had on; he looked more like a businessman than a butler, perhaps that was what your father meant from yesterday's conversation. Turning his head halfway, he glanced over to the girls and spoke in a low tone, all with a dashing smirk decorating his side profile. 

“Oh…about your outfit and nails….it is not in my place or station to remark on such matters. Please consult your designers and seamstresses if you ever feel confused.” With a slight tug, he pulls your hand and leads you away while the girls stood confused with hurt feelings. There hadn’t been many interactions between Ethan and the girls, but from what you heard by the house nanny, the few times he did exchange words with the two, it was far from what they ever expected or trying to achieve. Aside from his laconic smirks, the man was stone cold towards the two. 

Reaching the double doors of your father’s private office, another butler stands by. “Please inform the master that his daughter is here to see him.” Ethan calmly states. The other butler nods before knocking on the glazed wooden doors, before peeking in upon hearing your father responding from inside. The elder butler steps aside and gives a slight bow towards Ethan as the latter bars the doors wide open, gently dragging you behind. 

“Sweetheart, did you sleep well?” Your father immediately speaks out, while Ethan takes you over to a tea table, surrounded by lounge seats. Pulling the seat back for you, he guides you over and pushes you in towards the table, where a lovely tea set and tiered tray filled with all sorts of snacks and finger sandwiches were nicely laid out as your father makes his way to join in. “I got all of your favorites.” Your father says proudly, shooting another wink over to you. 

Ethan finishes scooting you into the table, his hands gently caressing the back of the seat. Before pulling away, his hands gently graze over your arms and shoulders as he walks out with one hand in his pocket. The man certainly walked with a sense of authority and carried out a superior presence, more so than even your father, even though he was the master. 

“I am sorry for how your stepmom and sisters behaved yesterday, that shouldn’t have happened.” 

Your fathers words caught your attention, causing you to turn your head away from Ethan’s backside, making eye contact with your sympathetic parent. “I had words with them yesterday and will make sure that doesn’t happen again, they need to be more mindful especially since you’re going to be here for a while.” 

You shook your head and waved off his concern. “It’s fine, I’m not worried about it.” 

Your father smiles at your reassurance and chuckles. “Good.” Adjusting in his seat, he takes a cup of tea and begins to sip on it while carrying the conversation to a different direction. “Did you sleep well?”

You nodded as you took your own cup and delicately sipped from it. Your father kept adjusting in his seat, appearing to find it difficult to gain comfort within the chair, not that it wasn’t hard to see why. The chairs were beautiful and carried a regal vintage design, but were very much too stiff for someone like your father, who required more softness to accommodate his back. No doubt he had so many strains from all the years he served in the military. 

Just as you were about to ask him if he needed something for his chair, you hear the doors from behind open. Turning halfway in your own seat, you watched as Ethan entered with a silk and plush pillow in hand; he didn't say a word, instead, he walked directly over to your father and handed it over to him, obviously flaring his familiar knowledge of your father and his routines. 

“Oh thank you so much Ethan, you do know me too well.” your father chuckles out as Ethan smirks. “Sweetheart, you want a pillow for your chair?” Your father asks you while Ethan stands by his side. He crosses his arms and gives a slight tilt of his head, establishing a rather dominant and assertive stance, yet your father seemed to be quite used to and didn’t mind at all, in fact, he seemed to embrace that wholeheartedly. You shook your head and politely declined the offer, to which Ethan issued a slight nod before exiting the study, turning back once more to pull the doors shut. 

“I like Ethan, he’s super cool. Good guy too.” Your father spoke rather comfortably. You furrowed your brows confusingly, while nodding in agreement, sort of. “Is he…really your butler?” You asked as your father took a finger sandwich from the tier stand. 

“Mmhmm.” Your father issues his response as he bites into the sandwich, and chews it while sipping on his tea. Looking back up, he gives you another wink. You chuckle and take one of the finger snacks and enjoyed it, along with a conversation that took up the entire morning as you caught up with your father and told him about college, your mother, stepfather, and even the young man that broke your heart, though one day at your father’s estate seemed to have done a lot of healing, more than you expected. You didn’t know why, but that would unfold as the days continued to swing by. 

………………………

A couple of weeks had passed, and you didn’t see much of your sisters or stepmom, they weren’t really around at the house so much, instead, they liked their constant outings and partook in continuous shopping trips. You laughed and cringed internally as you watched the girls make their attempts in gaining Ethan’s affection, much less his attention. Half the time, the man would ignore their teasing and flirting words, but the times when he did entertain small talk, it was always a major shutdown, at least that’s what it looked like to you. But to the girls, it was something else. 

…….

‘Oh that’s just how he is, trust me, Ethan likes it when I talk to him.’

‘I think he likes talking with me more.’

‘Shut the fuck up! He likes me more, bitch!’

‘You’re the bitch! You fucking rude bitch, who the fuck do you think you are?’

…… 

Now you were by no means a saint, but for the most part, using vulgar language was something you considered to perform only when the situation called for it. An outburst of anger perhaps, or…when you had your heart broken. A flashback of when the man informed you that you were just ‘practice’ for his real and true love came to mind, and the image of you screaming out and lashing every cursing you could imagine in his direction. Yet the girls were using it so freely, over a man that didn’t seem to take interest in anything other than his duties. 

You politely excuse yourself from the room, allowing for the girls to bicker in peace while the seamstresses customized their designer gowns for the upcoming event. You gently shut the doors behind as you take your stroll outside, loving the sound of the doves that hummed their tune in a nearby Magnolia tree. You walked over to the massive gazebo, lavished with wisteria vines and overlooking the flat fields that extended past the lines of the property. A stone rail surrounding the gazebo stands at chest height, it was perfect for you to rest your forearms on as you leaned in and took in the beautiful sight of nature and tranquility. You watched as the staff members from afar tended to the private livestock, and harvested the fruits from your father’s orchard. In a peaceful state, you stare off with nothing in mind other than the happiness you witnessed as the staff members conducted their duties from afar, not at all realizing that you were watching them with a smile on your face. 

“Enjoying the view?” 

You turned your head and saw Ethan entering through the hanging vines of purple flowers from the Wisteria plant. “Oh–yeah…sorry, you caught me off guard.” Chuckling, you turn your attention back to the staff members. Ethan comes by your side, and as you had done, he leans against the stone rail while resting his forearms on the smoothed top surface. “Yeah, I seem to have a habit of doing that from time to time.” He calmly tells you, it almost seemed like it was his way of joking, yet you didn't really know whether to laugh or stay silent, so you gave a delicate chuckle instead. 

“How are you enjoying being back? It's been the previous summer since you’ve last visited, correct?” 

You nodded. “Yes, last summer was the last time I came over. At first, I’m not sure if I was thrilled about living here, not that I don't love my father, I do. I just…it was an abrupt decision and I didn’t really have a whole lot of say in the matter. But I’m glad I did…I miss my dad so much and I always did like this place.” 

You confide as Ethan stares off at the orchard, nodding gently at your words. “When did you start working for my dad?” 

Ethan lets out a light and airy chuckle of his own, dashing a side smirk as he continues to stare off at the fields. His hands were decorated with the leather gloves, with the right one being fingerless, as always. “Next week makes it six months.” 

“You like it here too?” 

“I do.” He pauses as he clasps his hands together before him. “Your dad is a good man.” 

“Yeah he is.” you chuckle out, flattered by the compliment. 

“Did you finish with the seamstresses?” he inquires. You turn to glance over to him with a faint, sweet smirk before looking back over to the distant orchard. “No, not yet. I figured I’d let my sisters do their thing and I’ll get my dress made after.” 

“Hm. So you’re just wanting to get away and enjoy solitude in the meantime then.” his voice was deep, calm, and soothing. There was a tone in him that brought the image of a placid lake and  gentle wind to mind. You could side with your father’s opinion on Ethan, he was a gentle and good man, and he was very fond of your father. 

“Yeah…I love to get away.” you responded back, lifting your nose into the air as you relished the soothing wind blowing against your skin and through your hair. Ethan tilts his head over. “You love to get away?”

“Yeah.” you chuckle out as you flinch a quick glance over his way. He smiles in return. 

“What do you like to get away from?” 

“Everything. Sometimes I just like to get away from people, and be only in the presence of nature and wind.” 

“What else?” Drawing your secrets out, he inquires for you to continue, and you confide fully without giving it a second thought. “I like to get away from responsibility and duties, and experience freedom, even if it's just for a second.” 

Remaining in his leaned state, Ethan adjusts, shifting his weight over to one arm as he turns to fully face your direction. “So, you’re an escape artist, in a sense.” He smirks out. 

“Yeah.” you chuckled, loving the feel of the wind picking up pace, roaring through your hair. 

“You’re a runner?” his voice peaking a sense of interest as he remarks your habit of ‘running away’ or getting away from the things that burden you.

“I am.” 

“You’re a runaway that likes to daydream?”

“I am.”

You both laugh in sync. He licks and bites his lip as he turns his face away and stares back off at the orchard. “Neat.” is all he says. Just as you were going to inquire about his unusual leather gloves, a dainty voice comes in from behind. “Y/N, we’re ready for you now.” You turn to see the personal seamstress. You smile and bid Ethan a goodbye before leaving him at the gazebo, not realizing that your smile flashed a charming sense that became permanently ingrained in the man’s memory. 

……………………….

The night of the event, you sat in your room for a while before deciding to finally make your appearance at the ballroom. Your father’s residence was massive, with four floor levels and a grand ballroom on the main floor; despite frequently visiting every summer, it took you a while to remember your way around. Now, you know the entire house like the back of your hand. 

You walk down the staircase, listening in on the laughter and small talk of the large crowd residing in the ballroom. The tail of your dress slinks down each step behind as you drag your hand against the smooth rail. You opted for a simple, plain and form fitting gown, with a high slit reaching your upper thigh; you’re not entirely too sure why you felt the need to look sexy, but why not? You only live once. 

Your sisters also opted for a sexy look, though their plunging necklines screamed of desperation rather than seduction, but you kept your opinions to yourself. Tonight was a night for celebration, not for bickering. 

You enter the grand room and earn a wave of stares. Your father stands at a distance and smiles proudly as he watches you make your way to one of the floor length windows. You gaze off at the moon, it looked so full and pretty tonight, shame you had to be inside. 

The lights dim down, and the band plays a gentle piece that initiates the guest to slow dance. That was your que, one that you always looked out for, so you could…

“Get away…” 

Snaking through the crowd, you make your way over to one of the outer doors that lead to a stone corridor that wraps around the entire base level of the mansion. You found solace in a secluded corner that overlooked the moon and stars, and was closed off to guests. The area wasn’t at all separated distinctively; it didn't have any walls, yet the four large pillars that surrounded it provided enough cover and seclusion for you to remain undisturbed, at least from the guests…

“Getting away again?” You turn to the side and notice Ethan entering the outdoor sitting area. 

“Yeah…just for a little bit.” 

He walks over and just as he did before, he stands by your side and admires the view of the full moon. His appearance wasn’t anything out of normal; he had on a fine black suit and tie, his leather gloves, and black shined shoes. His hair was styled just the same, and roared out a purple hue under the moonlight. In all actuality, he looked like one of the prestigious male guests inside the ballroom. Taking note of the privacy you both shared, you finally had the courage to ask him about his unusual choice of gloves. 

“I was wanting to ask you…”

“Hmm?”

“Your gloves…I dont think I’ve ever seen anyone wear gloves like yours, especially a butler.” 

“Oh, these? It’s just for comfort when I carry out some of my tasks.” He puts out nonchalantly, pretty much in the same manner as your father responded whenever you breached the topic of Ethan. 

“Oh, I see. A butler that just likes to wear leather gloves then.” you chuckled out, with his own laughter following closely behind. 

“Yeah, just a butler who likes to wear leather gloves.” he gently repeats as he switches his gaze from the moon, and looks over to you. Had you not been admiring the moon yourself, you would have taken notice of his unyielding stare. His eyes travel up and down, noting that this was the first time since your arrival to your father’s estate that he got to see the reality of your form. It was beautiful. 

Admiring the curves of your body, the length of your hair traveling down your backside, and the complexion of your glowing skin, the man found himself in awe….again. 

“So what made you want to get away this time? The people? The politics?”

“The moon.” you jest, slightly biting down on your lip, though you did so harmlessly. Yet Ethan couldn’t help but see the sultry beauty behind it. “I like the moon.” You claim. 

“Oh yeah? What else do you like?” he punctures your way, unbeknownst to you, he takes a step closer by your side. 

“I like animals. I like food, and the stars, and–”

“To run away…” he finishes, earning your sudden attention, allowing for you to see that he had migrated closer. 

“...Yes. I like to run away.” You calmly state, issuing a faint nervous chuckle upon noticing the feasting hunger that glared in his eye. It scared you…but you were liking it….and you wanted more of it. 

Reaching up, he takes a bit of your hair and glides his fingers through the length of it, allowing it to fall back on your spine. “Now tell me again…what else do you like, pretty girl.” 

Your breathing was less steady and deep, you suddenly found the tone of his voice so alluring, and the way he ran his fingers through your hair brought out a tight feeling from within your gut. Tingling and numbness chimes in your womanhood, it was a sensation you were familiar with, yet this time it was much stronger and vivid. You whisper out your response, taking the plunge and the chance to tell him, without being so direct…

“I like….you…” 

So much for not being too direct. At least you could say you tried to keep it somewhat discreet, which was much more than what you could say about your stepsisters. 

“Yeeeah…I  like you too…” his voice grew deeper and the shine in his eyes grew fierce as the hungry sense raged wildly, he looked different. He looked almost frightening, with how starving his eyes looked, yet the moment he gripped a handful of your hair while saying his piece, you could care less that he had the look of a hungry killer or a sadistic maniac, you were willing to feed him, and he sensed it. 

With the grip of your silk strands, he pulls you in, sucking in your breath as he fully envelops your lips in a deep kiss. Oh to be kissed by this man….it was something else. 

He explores your body and rubbed your hips, his fingers digging into your waist as a hand rides up your back and cradles the back of your scalp while taking in the sensation of your soft strands. The first moan you release against his tongue, he instantaneously rushes you against the pillar nearby, the force of his weight pushing you back until your shoulders meet the cold marble. Your rear and spine is plastered against the surface, yet he continues to push as his body melts into you. Without breaking the kiss, he keeps pushing, rubbing, and grinding, feeding off those sweet moans you let out. 

Finally, he allows for the both of you to take a breath as he abruptly breaks his lips away. Softly gripping your neck, the fine leather squeezing against your skin, he whispers before placing a gentle kiss on the tip of your nose, his eyes staring down at you and never breaking contact. “Be a good pretty thing…and try to stay quiet for me.” 

“Mm..mmhmm…” you moaned. 

“Yeah? Can you do that?”

“Y-yes….yes…”

“Yeah?” he lowers his head and buries his face into your neck, ravishing you with kisses as he smothers his saliva on your smooth skin. “Say you’ll be good for me.” 

“I-I’ll….I’ll be good…I’ll try to be good…mmm…Ethan.” 

“Heeseung.” 

You moaned out of both, pleasure and confusion as you winced your eyes shut upon feeling his kisses becoming rougher, his teeth nibbling on your neck. “H-Heeseung?” 

“Mmhmm…my real name.” He lets out just before he gives you a sharp bite. “Ah! Uggghhhhh!!’ you jerked up upon feeling the stinging sensation, with him easing it out as he licked over his teeth mark. “Shhhh….you gotta be good, remember?” he mocks as he gives you another bite.

“Ugh! Fffffffffuck….ugh!” you lengthen out your moans as you feel your body tremble. You really thought you could be quiet, that wasn’t hard to do with the last guy…but with Ethan…no, Heeseung….it was impossible. 

“I…I can’t…I can’t….please…please let me scream….oh God I wanna scream…” 

Looping his hand under your thigh, he lifts your weight as your back drags against the pillar, his lips sucking and kissing your breasts, which have now become exposed as he pulls the straps down from over your shoulders. With a mouthful of your plump areola, his free hand trails upwards and makes its way to gently cover your mouth. “Then scream baby.” 

His finger digs into the skin of your upper leg as he sustains your weight, while his free hand shoots up and gently holds you by your neck. It was all happening so fast, you hadn’t realized that he had already snaked his member out from his trousers until you felt the warm skin of his hard bulge probing your clothed entrance. He fingers your panties and scoots them off to the side, where the probing became more intense as you felt his hips bucking upward. He enjoyed teasing you with it, poking you a few more times as he wasn't focusing on entering, until you let out a whine that indicates your desire for him to do it to you. “Please…..” you moaned out. He kisses you as he finds himself, slipping through your tight walls. The both of you breathed out deeply and simultaneously upon feeling the initial penetration. He breaks the distance just slightly between your lips, so that he could take a better look at you while he continued to thrust all the way in, slowly. Sloooooowly. 

There was so much friction, roughness, and pressure, but it was all divine. He stared down at you, looking directly into your eyes with his feasting ones, while his grip on your neck tightened ever so slightly. His thumb reaches up, and grazes over our gasping lips as you pant out your moans. 

“Shh…” he waves his index over your lips, hushing you tenderly before the base of his groin meets with yours. You felt full, stuffed, and complete. He gives a slight nudge, imploring for you to respond that you were ready, and you were. With a slight nod, your eyes glistened as you gave him his que, to which he took, along with a kiss on the tip of your nose before he started to pull out. He didn’t have to say it, you could hear it within his growl that you were tight. Your walls squeezed every ounce of precum out of his throbbing length as he drew it out from the immense pressure your cavity created for him. Your squelching walls squeezing him, cradling him with a tight ring of muscle that made it almost seemed impossible for him to penetrate a second time. His breathing escalates yet each exhale becomes prolonged as he groans out the pleasure he felt upon breaching you. He exits out fully, his bulbous tip barely lays nestled in your cavity, with only the very tip that carried his exit laying inside, but it wasn’t for long. You clenched uncontrollably when you felt him plunge back in, harder, deeper, and faster. He bellows out in the depths of your gut while shoving his nose and mouth against your skin, still holding you by the thigh and neck. His hips thrust, starting off at a slow tempo, but taking no time to pick up the pace. In just a few seconds, you found yourself being lunged upwards in a jolting motion, all at high tempo. 

In and out, his thrusts were graceful yet demeaning as he goes in each time with the intent on tearing you apart, feeding you the immense thickness of his length and girth. The sound of the bustling guests exiting and mingling outside of the house could be heard, all unaware of what was happening behind the large pillar that Heeseung had you pinned against. You so badly wanted to scream, it all felt too good. The way he had you bouncing upwards at high momentum, your hair draping and decorating the marble backing as he continued to shove and lift you to accommodate each thrust. Biting your lip, you couldn’t take it anymore and yelp out in desperation, only for him to shoot his hand up and cover your mouth as he did before. 

“Shh….that’s my good girl.” Whispering against your forehead, his thrusts become harder and tighter as he reaches the areas of your body that you never knew could be obtained by a man. His length repeatedly hits a spot that causes you to yell out into his palm in a repeated motion as he goes in with so much ferocity. Your body goes limp, and you could barely contain yourself. Sensing that, he flings your thigh upwards and catches it, adjusting his grip as he scoots in closer while penetrating deep inside, leaving absolutely no distance between your heated bodies. 

“Good girl…good girl…take it….keep taking it…..fuck!” 

Feeling your walls pulsate did him in. You felt his cock throb with violent twitches as he buried it deep inside, releasing his warm, silky seed into you. The way you felt his length bend and flicker against your muscles, with the hot temperature of his children entering invigorated you, causing you to experience your orgasm. Your walls leak, vibrating out your ecstasy while he stays put for a few minutes; leaning back, he stares down at you with fulfillment in his eyes, they are no longer hungry. Satisfied under heavy lids, he reaches up and takes from his internal breast pocket of his suit, a silkened handkerchief. He pinches the corner, before whiplashing it to unfold as he slides out, inch by inch. Once you felt hollow, you felt the warm ooze of his labor dripping down your thigh. It was thick and white, mixed with the clarity of your body’s own solution produced from your orgasmic high. Keeping your thigh elevated, he takes a knee and  drags the smooth silk against your skin as he delicately wipes up the residue, leaving a trail of kisses against your inner thigh upon cleaning you up. Dragging his tongue upwards, he leaves your skin spotless before standing straight up, placing a tender kiss on your lips. No words were exchanged, just acts of affection and softness to conclude the lovemaking. Throughout the night, Heeseung danced and kept you company, flashing a smile your way every so often, much to the dismay of your sisters. 

“Why is Ethan dancing with her? I want to dance with him too!” 

“After me first.” 

Your stepmom subtly scolds the girls under her breath, pressuring them to focus on the more eligible bachelors that roamed the ballroom, no doubt heirs with big money behind their names. Yet the girls had a hard time shaking off the handsome Ethan from their minds, and only grew more frustrated as they watched him court you. Your father sips from his fine glass, and reassures your sisters as he issues a firm look over to your stepmom. “I’m sure it’s nothing girls. Go and mingle with all these other handsome fellas, I’m sure they’d love to dance with you two.” 

“But dad! I’ve been telling you how long I’ve had a crush on Ethan, it’s not fair!”

Your father slides his stern look over to the girls; “I’m sure Ethan is being polite, after all, it's the first time your sister attended this event, he’s more than likely trying to make her feel welcomed since she doesn’t know anyone here. I’m sure it’s nothing.” 

Glancing over to you and Ethan, your father smiles softly upon admiring the way you both flowed with the course of the musical piece being played. Whispering to himself, he quietly tells himself, “I’m sure it’s nothing…but love.” 

…………………………….

The following week, you spent more time with Ethan. For a butler, he didn’t seem to be as busy as you would expect, especially considering the house was massive. Then again, your father did mention that he was the head of the house staff, and second to only him as the master of the household, so perhaps his duties were strictly supervisory with high authority. Either way, you didn’t mind that he was free to be with you the majority of the days, it was exactly what you had needed to recover from your previous partner. Ethan had heard about him, yet never brought him up, he never felt the need to. As far as he was concerned, you had him now, and that was all that mattered. 

One day, you went out with your sisters to do some shopping. You took interest in the local food vendors that sold fresh produce, while your sisters were enchanted by the local boutique of their favorite designer brand and the release of the new collection. You interacted with the sellers, buying simple ingredients to prepare a nice meal tonight, for you and Ethan. You were surprised that your father hadn’t become curious as to your frequent absence at dinner, since you were spending each evening in private with Ethan, dining at the gazebo or at one of the guest houses. Perhaps he knew? Or maybe he just trusted you to care for yourself, after all, he never restricted you to a strict schedule, allowing you the freedom to provide for yourself whenever you needed. 

As you walked the row of street vendors, a mysterious figure from afar eyeballs your movements. Stationed at the peak of a nearby tower, he aims and observes through a scope, attached to a sniper rifle. Being the only legitimate daughter of the Ambassador came with some ups and downs, and it would appear that your father had enemies that intended to cause you harm, perhaps as a warning for money or secured and private information that would affect national security. Blindly unaware, you continued on with your shopping, just seconds away from getting pierced through the chest with a stray bullet. A bullet…that was shot in silence, not a sound heard by the crowds. 

Hunched over, bleeding, and choking out his last breath, the mysterious assassin slowly fades out over his rifle; a single hole in his chest leaks out the last of his vigor as his vision blackens. Across the tower, on the roof of a neighboring hotel, another rifleman kneels perched with his own weapon and silencer. Ejecting the casing out from the ejection port, a leather gloved hand catches the steaming hot brass; with his trigger finger is exposed, he releases and activates the safety switch on the weapon. Peeking through the scope, he watches the mysterious figure die out, then switches his aim over to you. Watching over you, his scope follows your every move, until Bittmerman pulls up. 

“Miss y/n, it's time to get back. Your sisters are already in the car.” 

You nod and smile happily. “Okay, thank you.” 

Taking Bitterman’s hand, he guides you in the backseat where you are reunited with your spoiled sisters. He shuts the door and looks up to meet the eye of the scope, emitting a nod that implies your safety behind bullet proof glass and steel. Smirking, the rifleman lowers the gun and takes it apart. Chuckling to himself, he places the components of his rifle in a fine case before standing and watching Bitterman’s car drive off. 

Taking his index, he bites the tip of the leather glove and pulls it off his left hand. Taking the brass casing, he flicks it up in the air before catching it with his strong hand, adorned with the fingerless leather glove. Rolling the brass in between his fingers, he admires it for a second before he preps to take his leave. Chuckling once more, he whispers under his breath, growing excited in seeing you upon his return home, knowing you'll be waiting for him.

“I’m just a butler… who likes to wear leather gloves, pretty girl.”

Taglist: aiden2001 , heeseung-min , lathan1510 , rayofsunshineeee

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[gayassbish]

Girlfriend Furina! Highschool AU

Continued From: Genshin Girls and Crushes on Each Other!

Genre: Fluff (a little angst? mention of miscommunications)

Reader: Gender Neutral

Character: Furina! (duhh)

A/N: This is from my first ask. Thanks again anon!

Furina-

Would say something like “I dont need you,” or “you’re the one whose lucky to have me, NOT the other way around,” while cuddling the crap out of you and burrowing her face into your neck.

She likes feeding you and watching your reactions to the variety of sweet shops she frequents. Notes your most pleased facial expressions to certain sweets and always buys those for you later!

Spoils your rotten but won’t admit that she does. If someone calls her out on how she spend money like it’s nothing on you, she’d just tell them it’s money well spent to see you giddy. Would never say it in front of your face though.

Changes her lock screen of you every 2.5 days. Has pictures of your cheeks full while eating, sleeping on her lap, playing with roadside cats and so many more secret ones that she doesn’t want others to see.

Fights with you when you guys kiss. Has to be the one in control or she’ll get all fussy. She’s kissing you, not the other way around so what she says goes! If she wants to kiss for an hour, you will have to sit there while she kisses you for an hour.

Always has to have something of hers touching you. Her hand on your waist, arm drooping over your shoulder, her hand just actually holding yours, or her feet touching yours when your sat across from one another. And when she’s not there beside you, you better be wearing a hoodie than smells like her or all the matching necklaces and bracelets she bought you.

The biggest hurdle you guys go through though is how Furina gets scared to how deeply attached she is to you. You quickly become someone she cannot invision without in her life. She question the normality of her feelings and asks herself if all high school relationships feel this way? And this attachment scares her so bad she feels like running away before she gets hurt.

She’s never felt the need to be so close to someone before. The fear of her losing you eventually leads to her pushing you away or her growing distant sometimes. It causes some miscommunication between you two.

Furina does this by picking fights with you over the stupidest things to test how much you like her.

Fighting over, “you didn’t text me goodnight last night,” and “how dare you look at another girl,” but when Furina sees how willing you are to deal with her bratty catty attitude, she calms downs. Her puffed up cheeks and tense body language, relaxes when you tell her that you’re not going anywhere.

When she eventually realizes that she is not someone who you just put up with, but someone you love and someone you think is worth being with, all those silly thoughts she has goes down the drain!

Besides the rough patches of insecurity, Furina is a really good lover. She may not naturally express her feelings for you with words, but she does with actions. It can be a bit confusing in the beginning but you get the hang of it!

Like she’s always contradicting herself! Tells you she doesn’t love you that muchhh in one moment but then is all over you in the next.

The easiest way to get her to tell her true feelings is pretending you’re hurt or mad. Ask her, “You really don’t love me?” with a pout and puppy eyes and Furina breaks.

Starts stuttering, (would never apologize) but accuses you for hearing her wrong and that you’re too stupid to understand her jokes. If you press on however, and continue to ask if she really loves you or not Furina will get up from wherever she is, walk over to you, sit on your lap, and hide her face in your neck as she whispers shyly the words “I love you.” … Then she quickly gets up and runs away.

P.S. Furina’s favorite past time is imagining your future wedding <3.

A/N: Have y’all read ‘I love Amy’? BECAUSE OMFG BIBI is so Furina.

[gabessquishytum]

Dream's a software developer (I could see either as an architect for that large-scale view mentality or as the Senior level dev that keeps getting asked to move into management type positions and just straight up refuses because he's been doing code happily for the past fifteen years and doesn't plan on changing that now).

He enjoys his job enough. He likes computers and code. It functions exactly as told (for better or worse) and appreciates the straightforwardness of it all. He's a bit insufferable to work with, but if you have an issue, he'll readily help (just be prepares for critiques on your code in the process).

Hob works at the same company as Dream, but as a front-end dev. The work he does for his day job is kinda boring. All standard corporate style web design. No fancy scripts or fun colors. But in his spare time, he weaves Javascript and CSS like a wizard and creates magical, animated scenes across the page. Would it be easier to just make a video and play it on the page instead? Sure, but where's the fun in that?

Dream and Hob get paired together on a small side project for work. Hob does the front-end work, Dream does the back-end. They get on each other's nerves at first, until Dream spots Hob tinkering with his personal code on their lunch break and is honestly a bit in awe. He's found code beautiful in its own right (the way one appreciates a well-oiled machine) but he's never seen it wielded in such a fashion before. This is the moment he falls just a little bit (read: a lotta bit) in love with Hob. He was already starting to fall for that endless charm and wit of his anyways.

The company hits the first quarter of the New Year and with it come layoffs. Hob gets fired along with some other devs from Dream's same team (a younger pair of devs: Matthew and Jessamy). A fellow named Will comes along to help Dream finish the project in Hob's stead and Dream hates every moment of it. He misses Hob, more than he ever thought he would.

So, in an impulsive rush of anger and longing, he quits the company because how dare it toss someone as good as Hob Gadling out the door without a thought? He's halfway to the café he and Hob had started frequenting together when he realizes that he's just thrown away a career fifteen years in the making. But when he finally gets to the café and sees Hob tapping away on his laptop, he knows he's made the right choice.

Dream slides into the seat across from him and proposes that they build something wonderful together. So they create a small business of their own. They become a freelance web dev team (and steal Jessamy and Matthew as well) and with their skills combined, they take off. It's not huge, but for their size, they're incredibly popular. And Dream's certain he's never enjoyed his work more than when he's working beside Hob.

Later on, Hob proposes to Dream via a custom website with the most beautiful web animations he's ever seen before. And of course, he says yes.

(If you're curious about what inspired this, here's the website: http://www.species-in-pieces.com)

This is such a good concept for a story!!! I really really love aus where Dream and Hob are coworkers. Dream being the grumpy, awkward guy who hides behind his coffee mug while Hob is the popular, chatty one who tries to get Dream involved in fun office activities or socialising after work - it makes so much sense to me.

And Dream quitting his long-term dream job because he's mad that genuinely talented people have been laid off? I love it. Dream just has this inate appreciation for hard work and good art, and that's exactly what Hob (and Jessamy and Matthew) do. How dare the stupid company not understand that they're firing people who deserve to thrive and grow in an environment which actually appreciates them? Everyone is shocked that Dream has quit (not only that, he sends around an email to everyone in the company from the ceo all the way down to the work experience guy, outlining exactly why he quit) because he seemed to be the type to play by the rules and never leave his comfort zone. Apparently, Hob has really helped him bloom into a much more confident person, able to express his principles and strive for better.

And Hob isn't surprised, because he always knew that Dream had the courage, talent and ambition to strike out on his own. Maybe he just needed a bit of love and understanding. Which Hob is only too happy to provide.

Their work together sometimes involves long hours and stress, but Dream wouldn't ever want to go back to the slightly soulless corporation where he used to be. Even if he's tired and a little frustrated by Hob’s disorganised workspace, Dream is perfectly content. There's nothing better than curling up in Hob’s lap while he taps away on a line of code. Plus, he has a great time building their wedding website. Hob got to propose, so Dream gets to celebrate their upcoming marriage with his own expression of love through code. The theme colours are, of course, black and red <3

[fletchysohot]

Bonus fic

The big move

Lil cheeky anon request: Hey a request for mason falling in love with reader who’s from London and him not wanting to go it can angst fluff anything

This one is gonna hurt like a mf

Words: 1.4k

Mason's living room is warm, windows open to the warm summer showers outside drowning out the world around the two of you. The two of you have spent the last hour or so lazily making out on his couch having nowhere to be. Both of you feel the comfortable heaviness in your limbs from the lengthy laying on the couch and doing nothing. 

“I could just stay.” Mason runs his fingers through your hair murmuring softly against your neck.

“You have somewhere to go?” You chuckle softly.

“I meant in London…” his voice muffled against your skin, making the spot where his lips meet your throat tickle lightly.

“Masey…” you breathe mindlessly as you run circles with your thumb against the light stubble on his jaw.

“At Chelsea…” he finishes, the words coming out soft and quiet almost like a whisper told under street lights and starlight. “You could do none of that! I'm not letting you throw away your future in Manchester or Liverpool just because of me.” You lean back, looking him in the eyes, anger and annoyance evident. “But my future is where you are…” he coos again, making his voice seem sweet as honey. You see him reposition himself trying to get you back against his chest. “Your future is where you have the best option to be yourself, to play football and to feel appreciated.” You don't waver, your words short and serious. Your body now rigid and unwavering like a marble statue.

“But Chelsea loves me and I love Chelsea.” You can hear the annoyance in his voice grow with each syllable. “You and Chelsea have become a toxic relationship, Mase.” You say, now softer, with more care. Maybe he will listen if you coddle him, maybe being this way will make this conversation easier. Maybe it will hurt less. Maybe the two of you will get through this unscathed if you just keep your cool. He looks at you,his eyes big and glistening with tears threatening to spill at any moment, taken aback by your statement. You watched the cracks appear in the facade that Mason had crafted over the years inch by excruciating inch. He would never let anyone see the stoic image waver even for a second, and now here you were making it fall and crumble, exposing Mason bare. Forget getting through this unscathed, this will be painful.

“Oh, don't dare look at me like that! You know I'm right!” You say almost helplessly, still trying and hoping to make this as painless as possible  “You are so ready to just throw away your happiness and career, to sign away your soul, be payed less-” “It's not about the money,” he interrupts you, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Painless? Painstaking. “It's always about the money Mason." You almost plead for him to understand where you are coming from, “there is never such a thing as it's not about the money for a person in your situation. You can't tell me it's not something that played a huge impact when you decided to leave and explore other options!”

“Yes but things change!” His eyes are full of fury, voice loud like a clap of thunder. This isn't your Mason anymore.  

“Yes! But I refuse to be the catalyst of you blowing up your life by staying!” You scream, trying your best to keep your voice from breaking. You know better than anyone that if he even for a second saw you were hurting like he was, he would sense your weakness. Mason would call your bluff. He was trained to see weak spots his whole life. You have to stay strong.

“What are you saying?” He asks, not believing what you are implying. Of course. He wants to hear the words leave your mouth.

“Mason you know what I'm saying,” your voice is small, pleading. You know you don't want to say it and you know he does not want to hear the words.

“I want you to say it out loud." Each word comes out slow, calculated, cold.

You swallow hard, looking at him. Begging him to let you not say it out loud. Nausea crawls up your throat like the cold hand of death. 

“If you're telling me you have to choose between your career and me…” it feels like a high speed train coming to an instant stop, the air in the room freezes as you mull the last words in your mouth. The moment they will leave your mouth everything will change.  “I'm taking myself out of the equation.”

“So it's that easy for you?” He says coldly. You can see how much it hurts to hear those words. You feel as if you have dug a knife in his chest.

“You know it's not.” You finally let the tears escape your eyes, screaming. 

“I think it is!” He screams back.

“I'm doing this because you are about to ruin your life for me!” How does he not get it! How does he not see you are right?

“Because I love you!” The way his voice breaks as he confesses his love for you makes something in your chest shift, like a shard pressing against your lungs.

“Mason, that is not love! That is not something you do to a person you love! You cannot expect me to live with the knowledge that I'm to blame for you staying at Chelsea!”

“I want to stay.” You are not sure who he's trying to convince more - you or himself.

“You don't! Stop!” 

“I love you!” You see him break, his body threatening to give out. 

“I love you too but I have to do this!” you try to say it as calmly as you can, but you know you sound like a banshee. 

“You mean walk away?” he asks calmly, hiding the tremble of his voice. You know mason well enough to see the way his eyes dart around the room as if to ground himself. You hate being the reason for the panic in his body.

“I mean make sure you make the decision best for you.” As the words leave your mouth you know there is no way back. You can't backtrack anymore. Your hands twitch, ready to fly to your lips as if able to catch the words you've spoken.

“Then leave! Go!” he shrieks. Tears finally spill down his cheeks. Suddenly he's a child again, helpless and hopeless.

“I'm sorry," you plead. Part of you wants to fall to your knees, tell him you didn't mean it. Maybe part of you didn't. But you know you have to carry it through. You and Mason are gonna get through this. It's just a fight. He's going to forgive you. 

“GO AWAY I SAID!” he pushes you lightly, to put distance between the two of you. It's not like Mason to get physical, you know he didn't mean to hurt you by the way his movements are still careful. You hate yourself for putting him in a place where he reacts like this..

“Mason-” you look at him shaking your head in disbelief. 

“If you walk out that door I never want to hear from you again." His voice shakes as he gives you the ultimatum. He points a shaking hand to the door. You know he doesn't mean it. He can't mean it. But you love him and you have no choice.

You are laying on your couch when the announcement drops on your phone. Mason is grinning at the camera holding up his shiny new red shirt and the text above talks about how excited both player and club are to have made the deal happen and how they cannot wait to have a fruitful future ahead. A mix of pride and sadness fills your chest seeing him happy at a new club, but the knowledge of the price the two of you paid still feels like a shard of glass you will always carry in your heart. 

You consider texting him, to congratulate him on the move, but something in the back of your mind tells you to stop in your tracks. You know the pain that the change came with, it would not be fair to either of you to open up the wound again. There is no sense in prying it open and seeing what is left. So you slide your phone back in your pocket and try to bite back the tears.  Even though you miss him like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky, but you know he's not yours to miss anymore. And again you tell yourself you did the right thing, hoping one day you will believe it yourself.

[falkarph]

DRAGON'S DOGMA 2 STARTERS

rp prompts taken from the video game dragon's dogma 2 by capcom. some have been edited.

❛ a good sleep will ensure we’re prepared for the morrow. ❜

❛ i shall go to the grave with a smile on my lips, for i have no regrets. ❜

❛ this is the second time i’ve watched over you like this, isn’t it? ❜

❛ as i understand it, 'tis boorish to speak when you’ve naught to say, so i shall hold my tongue. ❜

❛ we‘ll see each other again, you can count on that. and when we do, you’d best be ready for the fight of your life. ❜

❛ i had nearly given up on myself, yet 'twould seem i am not without talent after all! ❜

❛ i learned the words but this is the first i use them. ❜

❛ don't bring trouble to my door, you hear? ❜

❛ 'twas never my intent to deceive you. i simply feared that if i spoke the truth, none would wish to involve themselves with me. ❜

❛ i dare not enter the palace. but i would fain escort you to the castle entrance. ❜

❛ pray visit me if you’ve the time or inclination. ❜

❛ all is preordained. even my death at thy hands. ❜

❛ there’s no shortage of ne'er-do-wells out there, willing to claim their medicine the only cure that they might inflate its price. ❜

❛ what are you doing? unhand me this instant! ❜

❛ love is as twin to madness, they say. they are bound fast, as night is to day. ❜

❛ oh, unwring your hands, you fool. as if anyone in this palace would dare say a word against me. ❜

❛ i find myself on edge when you stray from my line of sight. ❜

❛ save your honeyed words, traitor! ❜

❛ you would leave one of your own to die? ❜

❛ my efforts led only to my own ruin. ❜

❛ i believe i cautioned you to keep your drunken revelry in check. ❜

❛ they say you should be thankful for your life, but simply being alive isn’t the same as living, eh? ❜

❛ 'tisn‘t the first time i’ve taught an unseasoned whelp the meaning of betrayal. ❜

❛ my vision’s growing worse by the day i fear. ❜

❛ if i had but better known your heart, i could have shared in your burdens. ❜

❛ 'tis not my conscience that called me here, oh no. i simply cannot stomach acts of cowardice. ❜

❛ doesn’t seem like you and i are going to share a drink anytime soon. a shame, really. ❜

❛ and what business have you here, in the nobles' playground? ❜

❛ we’re lost, plain and simple. ❜

❛ 'twould seem my time here has reached its end. can’t say i‘m happy about it. ❜

❛ i possess no ill intent, i assure you! i merely wished for a closer look. ❜

❛ alas, though he was a just and goodly ruler, there is not a single person alive who remembers his name. ❜

❛ it can be a blessing to forget—and to be forgotten. ❜

❛ the flesh may rot, the soul, fragment. yet power—power endures. ❜

❛ no one has any care for me beyond my title. ❜

❛ another dogged adventurer, come to take my life? many have tried, and, as you can plainly see, all have failed. ❜

❛ naught can be achieved without sacrifice. ❜

❛ follow me. and, pray, take care not to fall behind. one can easily lose their way here. ❜

❛ if e'er you’re in need of a hearth to return to … then let it be mine. ❜

❛ i may be past my prime as a fighter—but i can still teach. ❜

❛ s‘pose it must make you feel a hero, seeing the person you caught yourself sitting behind bars. ❜

❛ do you think you can exact change in this world through good will alone? ❜

❛ reckon your road‘s been a long one. ❜

❛ i so hoped you’d visit. is that strange? ❜

❛ such knowledge has been known to cost a man his head. ❜

❛ shall we hunt a few monsters to start the day off? ❜

❛ the world shall not change with my death. ❜

❛ wilt thou slay me, or be slain? ❜

❛ 'twas all a farce and i the fool, exulting in my wooden crown. ❜

❛ do as you will. i care not what befalls me now. ❜

❛ i never knew how vast the sky was ere i left home. ❜

[stuffymcstuffsworld]

Tell me your story

You loved books. There was nothing better. They were your passion. You've read thousands. Dare you say they were your first love.

Your fingers caress the spines of your ever growing collection. You cherished each new addition. Not willing to part with a single one.

☆I know a thousand tales. To fill a thousand nights, but now another story comes to mind.☆

You smiled as you rounded the corner. Poking your head out, you watched your favorite gargoyle writing a new book. How cute!

A demon who seems like a timeless story. Maybe that was why you fell in love with him. Why you feel the constant need to be with him.

☆A nobel young scholar ascends to wonderous heights. He's brilliant as he's handsome and handsome as he's kind.☆

Everything about him was wonderful. His kindness, his brains, his body... no wonder they say the devil is tempting. How can a man, well demon like him exist?

☆He is at once familiar and unknowable, to the frightened imp he meets along the way, and to that imps surprise something in his eyes beckons them to know him and inspires them to say~☆

You walked over and sat on the desk. Your feathered companion looks up at you warmly. Another thing you loved. He was always happy to see you.

You took one of his hands and pressed it to your cheek. Hoping to offer a fraction of the warmth and affection you constantly receive from him. You smiled softly.

☆I want to know your story. I want to know your past. So tell me slowly from the start. Leave out no detail, savor every part.☆

You were greedy. You wanted to know everything and anything about him. You often wished you had met him sooner.

☆I want to know your story. So make the story last. I want to know each twist and turn. Tell me all I've missed. I've so much to learn~☆

You could see the slightest hint of a blush behind his mask. The pure happiness in his eyes as you gaze at each other. Truly, he made you feel adored. Worthy. Loved more than ever thought possible.

☆For when it comes to stories, I thought I knew them all. Now I'm face to face with one I can't seem to recall~☆

♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆

Balam stroked his thumb against their cheek. So lucky. How did he get so lucky? To have such a perfect and impish human by his side.

♡The young student had come. To help inspire change, but fate had planned an unexpected twist. Within the schools halls, he discovered something strange, and found the missing part of him he didn't know he missed♡

He had never really fit in amongst his peers. Even Kalego and Opera had trouble understanding him sometimes. But you, well... you were everything.

You had come crashing into his life like a meteorite. Never once did you think his habits were strange. Never once had you been scared of him.

♡They are at once a comfort and a mystery to the shy demon they meet that fateful day.♡

You had brought him out of his shell. You made him feel warm. The constant affection you gave to him made up for a lot of his touch-starved youth.

♡They're beautiful and wise, and something in their eyes beckons him to know them and inspires him to say~♡

The avion pulls you closer. His wings engulfed the two of you. Your own private space. You grin, wrapping your arms around his neck, gazing at him lovingly. Nuzzling your face against his clawed hands.

♡I want to know your story. I want to know your past. I want to know your future too. Fill my days and nights with the tale of you.♡

☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡☆♡

Days turned to weeks and weeks into months. The two of you seem inseparable at this point. As if there was never a time you weren't together.

♡I want to know your story.♡

You take off his mask. Carefully stroking his scared face. Your soft fingers traced his jaw like it was a work of art.

☆I want to know your story☆

The lingering touches. The soft kisses on rough lips. The warm breaths against each others skin. A private moment between the two of you within his wings.

♡☆So make the story last, linger over every part. Tell it till I know, every bit by heart~♡☆

Clawed hands combing through your hair gently. The whispered words of affection. The quiet laughter.

♡I've always chased stories, and then you entered mine~♡

He had always been chasing fairytales. Imaginary creatures. Yet here you were, really in his arms. Really there with him.

☆♡and now my only wish is that our plots may intertwine.~☆♡

You wanted to stay in the large demons embrace. His wings are a curtain between the two of you and the world. In this moment, all was perfect.

"I'm not sure what happens next." His low voice fills your ears. You look up at him, confused. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean."

"Tell me how you'd answer... if I asked you for your hand?" He says hesitantly. Looking at you with nervous eyes.

...

"YES! I'D SAY YES!" You practically topple him over as you rush to give him more kisses. You felt like you were on cloud nine.

☆♡A thousand and one nights with you is not enough to spend. So let's make ours a story with no end. So let's make ours a story with no end.☆♡

[worriedvision]

His first love - Tighnari

Fluff to angst, an argument happens. Gender neutral reader. Landed up being mostly angst sorry lol

--

You had always found Tighnari to be attractive in your eyes. Not only because of his ears, but he had such a kind heart. He never mentioned having a lover, so you decide to ask him out. The worst thing he could say would be no, and Tighnari wouldn't be rude with such a response.

"Im quite flattered." Tighnari responds. "This is the first time someone has approached me for a date."

No way, you think to yourself. Tighnari's definitely boyfriend material, and anyone would be lucky to have him. You see this as the chance to win his heart, finding out what he does and doesn't like to do. You already knew loud areas weren't ideal for dates, so it was a matter of finding out how else to treat him.

You do picnic dates a lot, as Tighnari doesn't have much time for dates. You didn't mind, though, as it also meant you got to work more closely with him. He cooks up mushrooms he picked himself, and you didn't know it was possible to love him more. You find out once that he cannot handle spicy food, and you both laugh about the way he just blanked out, trying to get the spicy taste out of his mouth by eating more of the food. In hind sight, he should have remembered the food itself was the cause of the spice.

You were getting on so well with each other, and you were celebrating your first month of dating. Instead of going outside, however, you both opt to stay inside - well, Tighnari insisted on it.

You should have realised that it would have been a serious conversation he wanted when he requested it, but you can't change the past.

"Why are you dating me?" He asks, looking at you. You furrow your brows, not understanding the meaning of this. "What do you get out of it? Is it a matter of being able to be the person I'm romantic with, or is it maybe the idea of getting to touch my ears and tail without asking first?"

"I don't know what you mean by that." You respond, beginning to reassure him you loved him. "I love you, honey."

Tighnari shakes his head, growing agitated by the response. He was wanting to find out your motive for dating him.

"My name is not 'Honey'. Are you doing this so you don't have to call me Master?" He starts again, going to cross his arms. "Because if you weren't comfortable with calling me master for all the time you've been a forest ranger, you could have told me without dating me." He huffs out, squinting his eyes at you.

"I know you aren't called honey, it's a term of endearment." You correct him. "Are you uncomfortable with me calling you that?"

Tighnari nods, and you tell him you have no problem with going back to his name.

"It's Master Tighnari to you." Tighnari raises his voice. You didn't know why he was getting so upset at you calling him Tighnari. "I know you're doing this for your own benefit, and I'm fed up with you treating me like you have feelings for me. It's cruel, and I thought better of you." He roars, you standing up to yell back at him. He gets up, daring you to say something snarky back at him to prove him right.

"I love you because you're kind hearted and anyone would be lucky to have you!" You yell back, Tighnari not expecting you to still go on with this façade you were interested in him.

"And what makes you think you're lucky enough to have me then?" Tighnari growls out, catching you off guard. Tighnari didnt even register what he said until you respond by asking him if he meant it.

"...Are you breaking up with me?" You hush out, tearing up. On your first month of dating to the day, Tighnari breaks it off? You don't throw in the month fact, however, knowing it wouldn't have been a factor. It was merely a coincidence that it was today of all days he did this.

Tighnari looks at you, and he seems uncertain.

"Get out of my room." He turns his back on you. You reach out to touch his shoulder, and his head darts back quickly, scaring you more. "I said get out! I've had enough of you, don't you get it?"

You're speechless, that look of disgust in his eyes haunts you as you leave. The forest rangers that heard all of the shouting spot you running out crying, but they know better than to check on you right now. You had just been broken up with for a misunderstanding that Tighnari refused to communicate with you about, and everyone knew both of you needed space.

[shipsgaysfordays]

daylight

(@wolfstarmicrofic)

“I hurt you in unimaginable ways, and I don’t think that can be fixed…but I don’t know what to do without you,” Remus whispered the last part. 

“I’ve hurt you too, we’re-we’re even now, we can be happy, let’s just be happy,” Sirius begs with pleading eyes.

“You hurt me when you were a stupid kid who wasn’t thinking…I-I really hurt you, and I can’t say I didn’t mean to. I didn’t know, but I can’t say I didn’t mean to.” 

“I don’t know how to stop loving you.”

“I’m trying so hard to let you go, please just let me, you do deserve better Sirius, you need to know that by now.” 

“Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?” Sirius sings.

Remus’ mouth drops open, “Don’t do this to me, don’t convince me with the combined forces of Queen and Bowie.”

“Why can’t we give love that one more chance?” Sirius holds both their hands.

“Why can’t we give love,” Sirius begins swinging their hands together, in rhythm, “give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love–” Sirius looks at them expectantly. 

“‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word,” as Remus sort of sings, maybe a bit more mumbling, Sirius beams brighter than the sun ever could, “and love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night…and love dares you to change our way of–”

“Caring about ourselves,” Sirius joins in, “this is our last dance,” Remus spins them around, “this is our last dance, this is ourselves, under pressure,” they stop locking eyes with each other, Sirius with a shiteating grin, “under pressure.” 

“So…Mx. Bowie-Lover, can we try again?” Sirius asks. 

“I, you know you can leave whenever you want. If you change your mind when daylight comes then I would understand entirely.”

“As would I.”

Remus thinks back on the past few moments, they’re blushing quite a bit, “Oh kiss me, you foolish bastard.”

And they do. And maybe a bit more, *a shrug from our narrator who happens to be on the ace spectrum and doesn’t wanna write smut*

(y'all wanna hear a secret?)

This was what I originally intended to be the ending of although i am broken, my heart is unchanged still

By this point I don't think it works as well with the tone of the story, plus I'm kinda done with that story. My passion for it is growing dry and I'm getting busy.

I still think it's a pretty good read though<3

[rebelrainfall]

Hello @imsfire2, here’s a short fic for your rebelcaptain trees prompt “Jyn and K-2 caring for Cassian or bonding over their loyalty to him” 💕💕

***

“Jyn Erso.”

As always, K-2’s voice is entirely too loud for the space, and Jyn glares at him as it echoes in the room, the handful of other rebels working near her looking up at them both in confusion.

“K-2S0,” she says, imitating his intonation as she looks back down at the text on  the datapad in her lap. She doesn’t ask why he’s here. If he needs something from her he certainly won’t hesitate to tell her.

“Please come with me.”

Yes, there it is.

“Come where?” Knowing K-2, this could mean anything, from a summons to the council room for an assignment not unlikely to kill her, to a tool that he needs having rolled under a table he’s too tall to reach under. (And if it’s that second thing, again, she’s not unlikely to kill him.)

“Cassian’s quarters. It’s important.”

K’s concept of importance can be rather relative, but Jyn sets aside her datapad and stands up anyway. Even if it turns out this isn’t truly important, she’s more than ready for a break from her work and Cassian’s bedroom in, after all, her favourite place to spend an evening.

K-2 has much longer legs than she does, forcing her to take two steps for each of his to keep pace with him as they make their way across base toward the sleeping quarters, but Jyn manages.

“What’s so important, then?” She asks as they go.

“Cassian is under a high level of stress. You have to come and kiss him.”

“He’s always under -- what?”

“I said, Cassian is under a high level of stress. You have to --”

“No, I heard you, but I don’t understand. You came to get me, because you want me to kiss Cassian?” He’s hardly seemed to appreciate it before, making loud, passive-aggressive remarks every time she and Cassian have dared to be affectionate in his presence in the few wonderful months since the nature of their relationship changed. Jyn had assumed it made him uncomfortable.

“Yes.”

And he seems to consider the matter settled, but -- “Why?” 

“I told you, twice. He is stressed, and I am concerned for his well-being.”

When Jyn only continues to look at him, awaiting further explanation, he gives some approximation of a disappointed sigh. He seems to think that’s all the explanation she should need. Clearly, Jyn is behind somehow.

“Cassian is in a bad mood,” he begins, slowly like he’s explaining something to a child, “And when you kiss him, his mood improves. Therefore, you should come and kiss him.” 

Well. That does make some measure of sense, in a very K-2 sort of way.

“You’ve been keeping track of this?”

“It is a clear and consistent pattern. You make Cassian happy. I can appreciate that.”

The words make something warm grow behind Jyn’s ribs. She knows, of course, that Cassian enjoys her company, that he likes her affection. But it’s something different to hear it from K-2, K who couldn’t tell a lie to save his life, who knows Cassian better than any other being in the galaxy.

Before she can come up with some way to answer, K-2 turns off from the main corridor and into the almost-empty mess hall. Jyn’s confusion only lasts a moment before she realizes he’s on his way to the kettles at the back of the room.

“It’s very cold in his room, and he hasn’t had enough to drink today,” he explains as he pours hot water into a thermal cup, ignoring the pot of caf that would only further aggravate Cassian’s stress levels. 

“You’re a good friend, Kay,” Jyn says, smiling slightly at the wave of affection she feels for this ridiculous, aggravating droid. So, maybe they don’t always get along, but she can’t help  but be fond of him, if only for the love he has for the man she loves.

When they arrive at Cassian’s room Jyn can see immediately that K-2 was right. Everything in Cassian’s expression and posture speaks of exhaustion, both mental and physical, but still he’s sitting at the desk that’s so terrible for his back, staring at documents in a language Jyn can’t understand like they’ve personally hurt him. Really, they may well have.

“I have brought you hot water,” K-2 announces as he lets them into the room.

“Thank you, Kay, that was thoughtful of you,” Cassian says, though he doesn’t look up from his work.

“Jyn Erso is also here.”

At that, Cassian does look up, and his expression softens a shade.

“Hi,” he says. “Did Kay really go out and fetch you? I told him you were busy…”

“I’ll be going, now,” K-2 says abruptly, and Jyn huffs a laugh. He still isn’t a fan of their affection in his presence, then. He shuts the door on his way out, leaving the two of them in the quiet room.

“I heard you needed some attention.” Jyn reaches a hand out toward his datapad, and Cassian lets her take it without resistance. She sets it on a shelf out of his reach, and drapes herself unceremoniously across his lap in its place. It earns her that soft smile that makes her heart stutter, and she nuzzles affectionately into his neck.

“That droids loves you so much,” she murmurs, reaching up to comb her fingers through his messy hair. “And so do I.”

“I’m a lucky man,” Cassian says, and presses his lips to her forehead.

She could melt into him so easily, but she hasn’t forgotten she has a job to do.

Pulling him down with her grip on his hair, Jyn does what she was told and kisses Cassian, deeply and lovingly because if K-2 thinks she can lower his stress levels, she’s going to do it.

An hour later, watching Cassian sleep peacefully in her arms, she’d say it worked.

K-2 really isn’t so bad.

[thedo0zyslider]

I Love You (I'm Not Supposed Too) - Chapter 3: Getting To Know You - 7k Words

Fwhip and Jimmy get to know each other more, through a surprisingly insightful talk one night.

A03 Link

Jimmy hums to himself, a thing of comfort, his boots crunching against the Grimlands’ gravely paths. It was a sound he was learning by now, a sound that was becoming familiar to him, just like the sound of muddy boots squelching against the swamp floor already was. The cod didn’t like that he was getting used to that noise, but nothing could be done about it.

Today, it is Gem who walks beside him. Lizzie had not accompanied her younger brother on this particular trip, and the Ocean Queen had had better things to attend to than to bother with all of this. As she herself had rather kindly put it. Jimmy was rather grateful for that, for his mother’s absence especially. And though he loved Lizzie, he did not like being dragged around to all her magic lessons. Fwhip was also yet to show up, so that was an extra plus.

Gem is rattling onto him about something that is surprisingly not her studies, today’s topic seems to be the dragons that are raised at the castle. And the blonde doesnt know much about dragons, other than the Cliff and the Grimlands were very connected to them, for obvious reasons, but he listened to his friend ramble on anyway. His friend, Gem was his friend. He quite liked her, the young wizard was very easy to get along with.

Eventually, as the two noble teenagers leave the outskirts of the town and pass into the main parts of it, the conversation gets a lot more fun for the both of them. Jimmy pipes up after one particular story, comparing some of the dragon's described behaviors to that of a cat. Gem, a cat owner herself, understands what he’s getting at near instantly. Her eyes light up, and they start comparing the Cliff’s wyverns to house cats, and maybe share plenty of stories of their own furry friends in between.

Slowly, the conversation once again turns into something Jimmy is happy to just listen to, as Gem is clearly happy to rant uninterpreted about something she likes for once. The two of them enter the more business focused area of the Grimlands, the one where most of the shops reside, and Jimmy is happy to just listen for once; no need to reply or argue back to make people listen to him. Outings like this are a nice change of pace for both of them, he thinks, and the blonde is sure he’ll be seeking some more out in the future. Though unfortunately, that change of pace will not be long lived, for a certain someone is hanging around the part of the empire. Because of course he is.

Jimmy catches a glimpse of Fwhip after a moment of weaving through the crowd, the future Count leaning against a doorframe. His back is to them, and he seems to be conversing with someone inside one of the nearby shops. The prince cannot see who he is talking to, exactly, but he can see the building his fiance is standing in very well. He recognizes the architecture well, having seen it dotted here and there around the Grimlands. He’d seen it far before he’d ever visited the eastern empire as well. It is the district architecture of salmonfolk, the very type of merfolk that had been exiled from his empire long before. The one fish and their magic that makes his own people so sick. Jimmy was to stop himself from making a face everytime he sees one of them walking around the kingdom.

A ball of spite starts to grow in him. Spite he’d learned to harbor for the salmon over the years, and spite at Fwhip for even daring to talk to one, whether they were his citizens or not. The cod can’t marry into this family, into the kingdom, not if they’re going to let the salmon run wild. Not if they’re going to talk and laugh with them after everything they’ve done to his people. He wonders what Lizzie would say if she saw this. Jimmy also briefly wonders what his mother would say too, then realizes she probably wouldn’t care, as long as the war threat is taken care of and she gets a grandchild out of it, the Ocean Queen couldn't care less of what her son is marrying into.

Gem notices his staring, because of course she does. The wizard stops rambling about whatever she’d changed the topic to, and gives the young cod a playful bump of the shoulder. Jimmy bumps her back, slightly puzzled at the sparkle in his friend’s eyes. She laughs quietly at his face, which has to be rather crushed up by now, and the wizard turns away from him and back towards the salmon owned shop.

“I think he fancies you, ya know.” Gem says, giving a pointed glance at her brother's backside. Jimmy notes the use of fancy , and figures his kingdom’s slang has finally started to rub off on her. Or she’s just using it to feel closer to him or something, an option he doesn’t mind either. Though if she starts saying bloody hell , then they’ll have a real problem on their hands. Especially with an accent.

The cod follows her gaze, his eyes landing on Fwhip’s broad shoulders. He notes how the future Count’s hair is starting to get longer, and soon it will be long enough for a ponytail. Or a manbun. And oh god, Jimmy's going to have to marry someone with a manbun , isn’t he? The blonde watches Fwhip for a few seconds longer, the other not noticing. His tail starts flicking, whoever he’s conversing with clearly getting some sort of rise out of him, and Jimmy finally looks away.

“Do you really think so?” He mutters, hoping it sounds believable, like he actually has any interests in the asshole a few feet away from him. Jimmy has to sell this, he has to. For both their sakes, for his people’s, for his. Lord knows what his mother will do if he doesn’t. Plus, Gem is scarily smart and perceptive, and she knows them both pretty well. So if he can’t sell this to Gem , then he can’t sell this to anyone . Let alone his future people.

Fortunately, he seems to be selling it, for if he wasn’t doing so she would confront him right then in there, in her own way. But Gem does not confront him, the wizard just smiles up at her friend, and Jimmy has never been more pained by a friend’s smile in his life. “Yeah. I think he does.” The half dragon continues, her own tail starting to swish happily. “He talks about you sometimes, more than he talks about anyone else.”

All Jimmy can do in response is nod, for something is choking him. Fwhip talks about him, and it has to be in a good way, based on his sister’s reaction to it. The cod finds quickly what’s choking him is sudden fear. Because what if Fwhip is actually …falling in love with him? What if he actually wants this marriage, and to…kiss each other and all that. What if?

Fwhip must feel them both staring, because after a moment he turns around. The half dragon sees the two of them, clearly controlling his expression once his eyes land on the young cod; presumably unaware of Jimmy’s visit that day. Until just now that is. Fwhip seems to excuse himself, and the cod finally catches a glimpse of who he’d been talking to. The salmonfolk sees him as well, and they make eye contact. The salmon glares, and Jimmy has to hold back a snarl. The shop owner turns, and slams the door behind them.

When he reaches them, Fwhip gives the prince a puzzled look. Gem must have noticed the brief interaction too, but both of the twins thankfully decide to say nothing of it. Jimmy averts his gaze from them, and the shop, and lets Gem do the talking for the two of them. Just for a moment, until the anger starting to build has calmed and he can function normally again.

The wizard pulls her brother into a short conversation, asking about what he had been doing in the shop. A conversation Jimmy also has to tune out, for he wants to hear nothing about that shop full of salmonfolk. He tunes it out by focusing on the crunch of the dirt and gravel under his feet, the three of them starting to backtrack a little. Not even an hour ago he hated this sound, yet now it is the only thing keeping him sane. 

The conversation moves on, but Jimmy still stays silent unless he is talked to. The three of them head towards the Grimlands’ manor, since lunchtime is rolling around, stopping here and there to show the cod prince around some more. They do a pretty good job of staying together too, despite the growing crowd as working citizens are let go for their lunch breaks. That is until a certain wizard seems some people she knows form the Crystal Cliff’s Academy, and then she is keen to ditch the two boys in favor of her more magical friends. 

“I’ll leave you two alone now~” Gem teases, and bumps Fwhip closer to him as he leaves. Her brother stumbles, and finds himself near chest to chest with the cod prince. Likely his sisters plan the whole time. If this were some cheesy romance novel, the two of them would be blushing. But it isn’t. Instead Fwhip moves away, a frown already starting to form on his features. Jimmy feels his own self mirroring the look, especially as his mind goes back to his earlier wonderings.

The prince found himself over-analyzing everything about the other now, to see if anything was seemingly out of the ordinary. To see if Gem was right, and if Fwhip did indeed like him a bit more than he was letting on. And maybe the cod watches what he himself does as well, to see if maybe he’d been lying to himself this whole time. Both of them being in love would make the whole marriage thing a million times easier than it currently is…

He’d never really thought about it, if he likes boys or not, but now Jimmy was kinda being forced to think about it. He knew he liked girls though, in some way at least, even if he’d never dated a girl; or anyone really. His love life was a little sad, the blonde had to admit. 

The cod looks at Fwhip, and wonders if this guy's gonna be the reason he has an awakening. He wonders if he, of all people, is the reason Fwhip himself has had one. For the briefest second, Jimmy wonders if the two of them could...maybe be something one day. Those thoughts are squashed rather quickly, and soured by every single memory of Fwhip he has. None of which are particularly pleasant. He doesn’t like Fwhip, that’s for certain, but who’s to say if the other likes him. Regardless, he can’t imagine them together under any circumstance, and doesn’t really want to.

"Codboy." Fwhip sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm and dislike as they began to walk, side by side in the rather busy market place. "Good to see you again."

"Don't call me that." He snapped, suddenly remembering the point of this visit. It was to “get to know” the future Count better, his mother said. Like she said about every recent trip to this godforsaken empire. Jimmy’s starting to think she’s just using it as an excuse to get him out of the house, something he usually wouldn’t complain about. Unless getting him out of the house means sending him to the worst place on earth.

"Make me. We know you won't.” Fwhip keeps walking, as if trying to lose him in the crowd. Jimmy doesn’t dignify that with a response, and keeps following him anyways. Mainly because he has nowhere else to go, other than wherever one of the twins is. Also, he doesn’t want to be lost in what is still a decently unknown empire to him, especially one crawling with salmon . 

“Why’re you even here?” Fwhip says with a sigh, once he realizes he cannot lose the cod trailing him. They walk shoulder to shoulder now, being quite the sight to behold. People had been staring before, when Gem was with them, but now it seems to have gotten worse. The blonde has to wonder if it has anything to do with a certain half dragon possibly fancying him, and any sorts of rumors their parents might start to be spreading.

“To ‘get to know you better.’ Whatever that means.” Jimmy responds, shuffling closer, until they’re practically touching. He feels a few stares lingering on his back, some friendly, some not. Fwhip must feel them too, to not pull away from him immediately. Or maybe the crowd is just getting too tight for the half dragon to try and run anymore. 

“Haven’t we done that enough already?” He grumbles, reluctantly slipping a hand into the cods. Jimmy feels his breath hitch in surprise, but Fwhip’s hold on him is rough and uncaring, not welcoming and soft like Lizzie’s normally is. He wonders what he would do if it was.

Jimmy’s next response is exasperated, wincing as the hold on his hand tightens unpleasantly. “Tell that to our mums, not me.” Fwhip weaves through the crowded main roads, and manages to duck into a quieter side street. Which is extra good, because the cod had caught a glance of the guards trailing them in the crowd. The two guards he and Gem had successfully ditched by the river about two hours ago, feeling like they couldn’t talk openly while being supervised. There was also a third one wading through the mass of people, presumably ditched by Fwhip, earlier. He figures as long as the three of them get back inside the manor safe, then there won’t be much to grumble about.

Fwhip holds back another sigh, his home now becoming visible in the distance. “Whatever.” He says, letting go of Jimmy’s. The cod tries not to long for the contact too much. “Let’s just get inside, and maybe this visit will go faster?” The half dragon walks forwards without him, leaving the other boy bounding to catch up again. He can be surprisingly fast when he wants to be.

“Yeah, maybe.” Jimmy agrees, and starts to wonder about a lot of things, since Fwhip seems determined to stay silent for the rest of the walk. He wonders when these visits will let up, and he can finally have some more free time back, instead of spending most of it with that asshole in front of him. He wonders how Gem is going to tease the supposed love birds when they get back. He wonders about both of their true feelings, and the hand hold, and what that had meant. The prince wonders why he wasn’t just ditched in the crowd, other than Fwhip stopping himself from getting in trouble over it. 

The cod keeps wondering, and knows a lot of those questions can’t stay unanswered for long, lest the possibilities overwhelm him and burst through at the seams.

_________________________

Fwhip sighs, his tail thumping against the floor unhappily. It is the same day, and Jimmy has not left yet. He was supposed to leave hours ago, but no one from the Ocean Empire had come to get him. The blonde had muttered something under his breath, something Fwhip thinks he wasn’t meant to hear. Something about the Queen forgetting him, either on accident or on purpose, and how she won’t remember until Lizzie pipes up. Whenever that is.

Regardless, it is getting far too late in the evening to travel home safely, the risk of mobs having become too great. And sadly, the future Count couldn't just throw this idiot out into the woods to fend for himself. No, that would start a war or something. So instead Gem, before retreating to her own quarters for the evening, had notified the guards. A guest bedroom was currently being readied, and dinner would be brought up soon.

Another day when dinner is brought up, because there will be no eating at the table tonight. The manor staff knows about Jimmy’s presence, but he’s not sure his parents even do. Well, his parent , his father, the only one still here. Gem was probably supposed to go back to the Cliff’s with their mother, but she had been forgotten as well. Which is why she was still here in the first place.

Jimmy doesn’t seem to mind, or care. The half dragon doesn’t know if he's even noticed the tense air that's been hanging around since before lunchtime. The cod’s own familial matters seem to be taking up his mind, which is better than him inquiring about the ginger’s own any day. And he’s had time, considering they’ve been in this room for hours upon hours now.

Fwhip holds back a sigh, and hides his face in his hands. He hates being stuck in a room like this, but it’s the best choice. It’s also so weird for him, especially when Gem visits. Normally, when she is allowed time to come over, she’s busying herself in the manor’s library. Her favorite library, his sisters told him that so many times. Told him that the books are always somehow better than what the Cliffs have, and maybe that's because Fwhip himself sneaks in books he knows she hasn’t read before or whatever. And he’s usually in there with her, pestering her or tinkering on one of his smaller inventions. 

But today was a bad day, so the twins, plus Jimmy, and probably a fair amount of the staff as well, are huddled up in their rooms. Because it’s safer. Because it’s better than facing whatever shit went on between the Count and the Head Wizard, and it being taken out on them or the staff. It’s just…better this way, helps Fwhip keep his sanity a little longer. 

He should've gone to the forge when he has the chance. Or the farms. Maybe he could've hung out there all night instead. Maybe he could've distracted himself by doing things he liked, instead of moping in a room with his least favorite person behind him. 

Jimmy hasn’t asked why they’ve been in here, why Fwhip seems reluctant to let him go even across the hall into Gem’s bedroom, something they would both greatly prefer. He has a feeling, if the cod did ask, he would understand whatever vague answer he was given. His mom just seems….like that type of parent, in her own way of course.

For the second time that day, the future Count can feel someone staring at him. So reluctantly, he removes his face from his hands, and braces himself for whatever look his poor excuse of a fiance is currently giving him.

The cod sits on his bed, legs dangling off the side. Fwhip had sat down in his desk chair, a futile and failed attempt to try and sketch something, to be somewhat productive that day. He wasn’t very fond of Jimmy being in here, but it was too late, nothing could be done about that, and the prince could certainly sense how he was feeling. The air was heavy with tensions between the two, so he was almost glad when the cod broke the silence.

“Bad day at home?” Jimmy asks, surprising Fwhip at how empathetic he sounds. The cod had picked up on everything then, he was just being polite about it. He doesn't know if he should be grateful or annoyed at this guy being nice to him right now. 

“Yeah…bad day.” He mumbles, turning his chair to fully face the other. Jimmy pulls his legs onto the bed, and crosses them, getting into a more comfortable position. Though the look on his face still remains decently troubled. Fwhip keeps one hand on his desk, so he could fidget with whatever he finds in the mess atop of it.

“Don’t worry, I get it.” The blonde says, his brown eyes seeming to follow the other’s every moment. Like a cat or something. It’s unsettling and more than a little weird to him, so Fwhip isn’t too fond of when he does that.

“I knew you’d say that.” The half dragon puffs, keeping his tail from flicking in slight annoyance. If they're gonna be stuck in here for a little while they need to…. not fight for once. As challenging as that sounds. 

“Really?” Jimmy’s tone is curious, yet also cautious as well. He watches the half dragon carefully, with those stupid cat eyes, and he tries not to squirm under the cod's gaze. 

Fwhip shrugs, his gaze darting to the nearest wall. Maybe he should send this guy to Gem’s room anyway, if he's going to be all stiff and awkward the whole conversation. “Your mom just seems like the type.”

“You don’t even know the half of it.” Jimmy seems to hold back a laugh. One that sounds strangled and broken. He crosses his arms over his chest for a small moment, clearly something done out of habit, before quickly moving them back to his sides. Fwhip cannot help but wonder what goes on in that ocean. 

“Same to you.” After that, the two of them fall into silence. Until one of them decides to break it again. The future Count is the one to do so this time, but only after several more agonizing minutes of tense silence. It could have been five minutes of half an hour, neither of them would know. He hopes the guest bedroom is ready soon, for his sanity.

“You got taller.” Fwhip notes, properly looking at Jimmy for the first time all day. For the first time in a while, actually. He tries not to look at people he hates much, and the cod is no expectation to that rule. Future husband or not.

“I've been growing, yes.” The prince says, meeting his eyes. It's the first time they've done that today as well, looking each other in the eyes that is. It's something he thinks they both try to avoid doing, lest either of them see something they don't like in their fiance's gaze. 

“How much taller are you gonna get?” Fwhip asks, able to tell how tall the blonde is, even when he's sitting down. Before, Jimmy had been significantly shorter than him, only going up to the half dragon's chest. Now, nearly two years later, he is an inch or two taller than the future Count; who is getting close to six feet tall at this point. 

“Eight feet, at least. Maybe seven.” The cod shrugs, surprising the other at how nonchalant he is about it. But then again, being freakishly tall seems to be normal for his species. 

“Great.” The half dragon grumbles, trying to imagine that. He can't really, seeing as the only other merfolk he sees regularly are Lizzie and the Ocean Queen, who still towers over her children by quite a good amount.

“Don't worry, Lizzie will be much taller.” Jimmy adds, like that's any better. So they're both gonna be stupidly tall. Not that has much problem with Lizzie but, well, her brother is clearly a different story. If he were in a better mood, the half dragon's sure the prince would be gloating over his height right now. 

There is silence. Again. They better not do this after every conversation, this lapse into awkward silence until someone tries to fill it again. Because this sucks and makes everything a million times worse than they currently are. Yet still they sit there for a few minutes, Fwhip not knowing what to say despite the silence being crushing. He turns away, assuming nothing more will come of that fleeting interaction. Which is a fairly wrong assumption, with hindsight.

“Fwhip, can I ask you something?” Jimmy speaks again, hesitantly filling the quietness. The half dragon turns to look at him again, already feeling uneasy about where this is going. Absent-mindedly, he starts fiddling with an old pen on his desk, the action familiar and maybe slightly calming. 

“What?” Fwhip allows him to ask whatever it is, but doing so just hesitantly as the other had asked. He feels like it's going to be quite the earth shattering question, whatever it is.

Jimmy takes a breath, like he's gaining confidence, and then gets it over with. “Do you…erm, like me?” “No.” He faces Jimmy fully again, his head whipping around. The ginger can only imagine the look, the alarm, on his face at the question. “Do you-”

“I don’t, don’t worry. It’s just…..” Jimmy trails off for a second, biting his lip again out of anxiety. “Well Gem seems to think you do, says you talk about me.”

Fwhip is silent for a minute, fingers gripping on the pen tighter. He doesn't know where his sister got the idea, that he thinks anything good about this guy, but it's not…the worst thing in the world. “Good. We’re selling it.” He mutters, looking away from the cod. 

“I don’t want to sell this. I don’t want you.” Jimmy says harshly, his fingers curling around the bedsheets he sits on. He doesn't look at the ginger when he speaks, and won't for the next few minutes. “I know, believe me, I know.” Fwhip holds back a sigh, and runs a hand through his hair. He hasn't wanted a lot of things in his life, too many to count probably, but this has managed to top the list. He doesn't want any of this, this marriage, whatever agreement their parents had set up, he doesn't want anything, and especially not Jimmy. 

“Well that’s one thing we have in common. We both don’t want this.” The prince says, that cat-like gaze boring into Fwhip again. Like he’s being studied, watched and inspected for something, something he doesn't know. He hates when the cod does that.

“Yeah. one thing.” The half dragon grumbles, feeling his earlier bad mood return. Or increase tenfold. He has no idea if it had actually left or not, and didn’t care too much to go and find out. Jimmy was around, so his mood was bound to be rather low no matter what.

“Oh shut it.” He snapped, and the silence threatened to resume again. It was back for what had to be the third or fourth time that evening, and it was threatening to press down on each boy like a heavy weight once more. Until Jimmy broke it, for the third time in a row, because he was so damn determined to be chatty. Really, Fwhip would prefer if he was gone and he could mope around in silence, but when was the world ever that nice to him?

“Can we make a truce? At least until we’re married?” The cod sighs. Looking at him again. But in the normal, no cat like and no creepy way. The half dragon swears this guy is straight from a horror movie sometimes, with the way he acts.

“A truce?” Fwhip asks, getting a little curious despite himself. What might a truce between two horrible assholes possibly entails, he has to wonder… “To be civil with each other, so this all a little more bearable.” Jimmy explains, his tail curling around himself. Like he needs comfort or something. “And then when we get married, we can act like we’re so busy at home that we never have time to see each other.” The cod sounds like he needs this truce, needs one less person giving him a hard time. And honestly, Fwhip could do with that as well. He already has enough on his plate, and mindlessly beefing with some dumb fish guy every week or so isn’t helping it. It’ll only make it worse, once the visits get more frequent and the marriage gets closer, and they both need to be sane enough to keep lying when that comes around.

“That sounds…great actually. The one good idea you’ve ever had.” He admits, giving an approving nod. The only approval he’s ever given the codfolk, and the only shimmer of it he’ll probably get too. And Jimmy knows it, by the way he looks mildly surprised. “What did we just agree on?” The cod scolds, once his surprise has passed. Because of course Fwhip has praised and insulted Jimmy in the same sentence, no one else was around to do so. That was part of his job, after all.

“Sorry, reflex.” Is the rather lame apology that slips out. The only one he cares to give, the one with the smallest amount of effort put in. Because the prince will get nothing but his bare minimum, and always will, Fwhip had made that promise to himself the first day they’d meet.

Jimmy gives an annoyed snort, before realization seemed to smack him quick and hard in the face. “Oh cod, I just agreed with you on something.” He groaned, burying his head in his hands momentarily. The usage of cod instead of god did not escape the ginger’s notice, or his annoyance, like it did everytime the blonde said it.

“New thing for both of us, isn’t it?” Fwhip muttered, taking a moment to process that himself. That was a very new thing. One of those new things you thought would never happen in fact, it was that new and unexpected for the both of them. 

“Well, there's a first time for everything, as they say.” Jimmy removes his face from his hands with a shrug, placing them back on the bed beside him. A calmness seems to be unfolding between them, and the earlier tension feels like it's vanishing: now that they’ve moved past all the hard questions that is.

Fwhip hesitates for a second, then segways the conversation into the next phase. This had been lingering on his mind for a while, the smallest amount of guilt eating away at him. The brief thought of their first meeting had brought it back, and it felt like there would be no other time to say what the half dragon needed too. Tonight's vulnerability between them was only temporary, after all, and business would resume as usual the next time they were to meet. “Speaking of new things, I do wanna say sorry for attacking you when we first met. I wasn’t doing good at the time, and I know that was uncalled for.”

“....Apology accepted.” Jimmy was more than a little stunned, but nodded his head. He was looking at Fwhip weirdly again, but not like a calculating cat, more like he had two heads. Honestly, the half dragon wouldn’t be surprised if he’d truly sprouted another one, with how the evening seemed to be going now. “At least you have the guts to admit it.”

“I’m not a coward.” Fwhip growls, suddenly defensive, another reflex. The tension returns just a bit, and this time it won’t dissipate. Not even with the easygoing attitude the cod prince seems determined to keep for now.

“Fair point.” Jimmy mutters, and returns to their original point once more. The point that they were still doing a horrible job at remembering, though doing so would probably take some time. “So, truce? For now?”

“Yeah, for now.” Fwhip agrees, scooting the chair closer so he can reach out a hand. The cod leans forward, seemingly holding back a smile as he reaches out to shake it. “Then I can explode you all I want once we’re married.”

“Can’t wait for that.” Jimmy huffs, both of them returning to their original positions. And a safe, comfortable distance apart from each other. It is where they will remain for the rest of the night, the handshake being a temporary and one time break in that.

“Hphm, good.” The future Count can’t believe it, but he actually has to hold back a smile. A genuine one. It’s not anything the prince did, no, not at all. Couldn’t possibly be. It was probably just the idea of getting to actually blow something up that made him so giddy. Especially when that thing was the stupid codboy.

The next topic breaks that earlier calmness, a calmness that was truly never going to last. Not with the two of them. This topic seems to be something far more serious, indicated by the way Jimmy’s expression turns troubled once again, and that cat-like observation returns. “I saw you with the salmon, earlier today”

“And?” Fwhip asks, back on the defensive in an instant. The salmon in town are friendly, perfectly fine citizens. He would even go as far to say some are his friends, or at least friends of the family. Whatever problem the cod has with them, the ginger is likely not going to stand for it. “Is there a problem with that?”

“Yeah. To me.” The blonde’s response is curt and short, frustratingly so, even if the topic seems to be a sensitive one to him. For whatever dumb and probably incorrect reason it was so.

“Why?” Fwhip prompts again, and lets his wings and tail twitch with impatience. The cod’s gaze flicks to it, and he seems to hold back a sigh. What he starts to explain is far too long and windy, even in the first sentence. Stuff the half dragon is not in the mood for, and something they also probably don’t have time for. Thankfully.

“Well…the different kinds of merfolk have always had problems with each other-”

“I don't want a history lesson. Get to the point.” Fwhip cuts him off, tail lashing again. Jimmy tries not to glare at the future Count, and goes back to talking. The half dragon wonders if he has an off button anywhere on him, for it would save him a lot of headaches and lost time spent listening to stuff he doesn;t really want to hear. Like this history lesson he’s being given.

“Well, long story short, the salmon and codfolk have never gotten along. Ever.” Thankfully, the history lesson has been shortened to a summary, Jimmy’s voice somber as he tells it. “And then one of them killed my dad, so they got exiled.”

“Oh….” There is momentary sympathy in Fwhip’s tone, and he is about to apologize for the prince’s loss. But then his brain processes the rest of it, and he is quick to catch onto the rather unfortunate aftermath of the situation; for the salmonfolk at least. “Wait a minute, you exiled a whole race because of what one of them did?”

“Well, it was a mystery. It could've been one, it could've been multiple.” Jimmy shrugs, like the whole thing isn’t as big of a deal as it truly was. Which he was probably taught to think, if anything, and knowing how the Ocean Queen tended to be ninety nine percent of the time. Which was horrible and controlling and genuinely just not pleasant to be around unless she really really liked you. “It didn't matter, mum was gonna exile ‘em no matter who did what.”

“She likes doing that. Getting rid of the people who don't agree with hers.” Fwhip notes with a dissatisfied snort. Welp, this had gone exactly as he thought it would, in the end. He has sided with his salmon friends, and still disliked the cod just as much as he did earlier. Nothing Jimmy said was ever going to change that fact, he was afraid. 

“Yeah. The cod are just getting a better hand, I guess.” The prince says, sounding thoughtful. As if whatever was happening to them was okay. And it probably wasn’t, something Fwhip could admit even despite his dislike for the people.

Coruisty and need to learn getting the best of him, the half dragon pops another question. A genuine one. It’s supposed to clear up the marriage arrangement, is what he tells himself, since the cod seemed to understand it all better than he did. “What are the cod even getting anyways?”

“Well, they're gonna get an empire. In a year or so I'm going to be made the Codfather, and I'm gonna help my people start an empire in the swamp.” Jimmy tells him things he already knew sadly, but it is still good to get some extra clarification on it he supposes. “The marriage is just extra insurance. So the Ocean can't be dragged into a war between the cod and the salmon, basically. Since you guys house so many of them.”

“The Queen doesn't want to deal with the people she got rid of, basically.” Fwhip notes. A very fair assumption, based on all that knew information he’d just been told.

“Yeah.” Jimmy huffs, his tail flicking in what seems to be contemplating. The ginger can’t possibly guess what such an airhead would have to contemplate, but whatever.

“Why does she even hate the cod anyways?” Fwhip asks his last question, hoping it will satisfy any confusion he’d previously had about their arrangement, And surprisingly, but also thankfully, the answer he gets does just that, and he has a better understanding of it than he ever had before. Also surprisingly, since his information is coming from Jimmy of all people.But he is also one of maybe five people with knowledge of all this, so maybe Fwhip should not be so surprised.

“Cultural differences mostly, ones that a lot of people won't try to understand. “The cod don't like all the palaces and fancy stuff, and prefer farming and rural activities. Different religions and stuff too” Jimmy explains, and that is the most he does. Probably because Fwhip had said he didn’t want a history lesson, which he was starting to regret. The Ocean Empire’s history was surprisingly interesting, but he was sure he could just ask Lizzie later, counting on the princess to be a bit more studied than her brother. And also way less annoying to be around, even if she was still a fish.

“And what would you inherit normally? Without this deal?” The future Count inquires, out of nothing but that lingering curiosity. Curse him and his stupid brain that likes learning and knowing things.

“Nothing really. The Ocean Empire has Queens, not Kings. And the oldest daughter is always the Queen.” Jimmy hums, his thoughts likely flying back to his sister, and all the stuff she gets to have. His sister who’s role reminds Fwhip very much of his own siblings. “I wouldn't get much, besides maybe a bit more say in politics…even if I was a girl.”

“And what are you getting out of all this?” The cod returns the question, out of what is probably nothing but the fading courtesy between them. And maybe some shared curiosityas well, buried somewhere deep in his tone.

“Well, I was already going to become Count of the Grimlands.” He shrugs, having started to fiddle with the pens on his desk again. It’s a good distraction really, keeps him grounded and in the moment more often than not. “So mostly just a husband, and not paying for a war I guess.”

“Huh.” Is all the cod responds with, something short and thoughtful. But Fwip is not quite done with all this marriage talk. Not just yet, but he will be soon, after this one last little thing.

“I thought it was a bit weird...that it's a same-sex marriage.” The half dragons mentions, and it is truly something that had crossed his mind. But he had noticed how some of the adults acted around and referred to Jimmy. So this was a little bit of a test, to see if what he was thinking was indeed correct. Even it could be a bit upsetting, which he would make sure to say sorry for later. If he was right, that is. “They traditionally just arrange straight ones…”

Jimmy stiffens at that, and his fingers tighten around the bedsheets once again. Fwhip pretends not to take notice of it. “Yeah, yeah. A bit weird.” Well, the observations he wanted to do are done, as well as the conversation. Mainly because the cod looks too troubled to speak again, not that the future count particularly cares too much about whatever they’d been talking about before. Minus all the marriage stuff, of course.

There is a quiet knock on the door, one Fwhip knows to be one of the manor staff, thankfully. He yells softly to come in, and a well dressed man with slicked back hair slinks his way into the bedroom. “The prince's guest room is ready, sir.” The man says with a respectful bow, and a glance between both of the young royals.

Fwhip nods, feeling his tail flick against the floor idly. “Thanks. And drop the sir.”

“Right.” The staff member nods in response, before giving Jimmy an expectant look. But he does not wait for the young cod, and steps out of the room. He is allowing the two to finish whatever business they have before the Ocean Prince is whisked away for the night, and luckily for the man, they don’t have any business left. The surprisingly level and insightful conversion between them is over, and it is back to business as usual. Just like the half dragon predicted it would be.

“Well, go on.” Fwhip huffs after a minute, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone. There is someone else around, after all. Jimmy has stood from the bed, and is halfway too the door, but has stopped for some reason. A stupid reason too, probably, knowing him and all the stupid things he does.

“Right, um.” Jimmy looks like he wants to say something, but is stopping himself. He bites his lip again, and fixes a troubled look on the propped open door. The door he is meant to be leaving out of right this second. 

“What?” The half dragon asks, keeping the bite out of his voice vest he can. Jimmy still says nothing. Not verbally at least, but his uneasy body language is saying more than enough right now.

The cod crosses his arms over his chest for the second time, like he’s hiding something. It’s a gesture he does decently often, Fwhip finds, and can’t help but be curious about it. It’s….a very specific thing to do, and combined with how some people talk about Jimmy, the ginger has a few guesses. But that’s not any of his business, not unless the other chooses to make it his. If his guess is right, anyways.

“....Nothing. Nevermind.” Is what the blonde finally says, his back now fully towards the future Count. He takes a few more steps to the door, seemingly eager to finally get out of the room. “I'll tell you another day.” 

“I hope you're gone by morning.” Fwhip huffs in response, wondering what the cod has to tell him. He's not even sure if he cares enough to hear it, whatever it is. Unless it will affect the marriage, then he cares very much about it.

“I do too.” Jimmy says back, and then he opens the door. Someone, Fwhip thinks it is the same person who made the prince's room, goes to escort him to it. The door is shut behind them with a sad clicking sound, leaving the half dragon alone for the first time all day. 

He turns back to his desk, and fiddles with a pen again. He's got nothing to do really, but think and wonder about what the hell that conversation was. And also hope that Jimmy will truly be gone by morning, for both of their sakes. Even if his home is no better than this one, he hopes the cod is long gone when he next wakes. 

[red-elric]

okay so like. theres a part of me that wants to say smth like 'after all his promises and morals, vash just kills knives? whats the point then!' but. ive been left FLOORED and still think its really good so lets think about this some more. like its not unsatisfying at all; let me figure out why. this might get a little stream of consciousness

i think the penultimate episode where vash struggles to come to terms with having killed legato is crucial here. he comes into the episode shaken; no one has the right to take the life of another, regardless of what they do, he's stopped living up to rem's ideals, he's killed a man and even though legato was a killer, even though milly and meryl and the townspeople would have died if vash hadnt killed him, theres smth in vash thats screaming out that its NOT RIGHT. that its a mistake. but then vash ackowledges that, and its through making the mistake that he finds his peace with what he's done; everyone makes mistakes, and as long as you keep trying to do better next time, youre still okay. and like.... that on its OWN still doesnt sit right w vash killing knives, but hold on! theres another layer

because whats REALLY important here i think is that vash is acknowledging that hes ALLOWED to make a mistake. and i think something much much deeper clicks here; this is the point where vash shifts from 'plant/superior being who preaches kindness, can always find another way out, and refuses to break his morals' to 'human who can and does make mistakes, and isnt any better than anyone else.' for as much as vash loves humanity and has tried to live among them, theres been heavy themes that hes NOT one of them throughout the show, even before its more explicitly revealed. humanoid typhoon. angel. plant. act of god. knives is so clearly out of touch with humanity, and embraces it, but vash is just as bad; hes just trying to pretend hes human. half his smiles are fake. his haircut is one rem gave him. one of his arms is a prosthetic and the other turns into a plant gun that destroys cities overnight and puts a hole in the moon. he doesnt BELONG.... until he does!

going back a step further here. wolfwood is absolutely crucial. he's an ideal example of the worst kind of human (and theres some deep heavy symbolism of him being a priest, the ambassador to a higher existence that speaks with the angels on behalf of humanity), he has killed time and again, he shoots a child to protect his own. vash cant understand him, until after he's already dead and vash has to shoot legato. wolfwood was a crutch for him, making the hard choices so that vash didnt have to, but he also becomes the model that vash follows, because even after everything else, vash FORGIVES him. vash recognizes that wolfwood was following his own morals, protecting his own people, and was able to grow and change and love in ways that prove that he was still, to the end, a good person. and if vash can offer that forgiveness and salvation to wolfwood without question, then it follows that he can offer it to himself, as soon as he stops acting like he should somehow be better than the rest of humanity

and all that on its own, with just the death of legato, is a very very good arc. so why does vash still need to kill knives afterwards? well..... because trigun is also a story about abuse. its about brothers who love each other so so much, but one of them uses that love to convince the other that the two of them are special, that the whole world besides them should die, that if vash would just sit tight and LISTEN to him then everything would be okay. a brother who cries like a child when vash dares to rebel against him, who insists vash is a fool playing games for leaving him and trying to save everyone else. vash spends the series following rem's final command: take care of knives. he cant kill knives, cant even hurt him, cant do anything to stop him when knives has been wiping towns off the map, because deep down knives MUST be good, there MUST be something worth saving, and vash is the Only One Who Can Stop Him. who can protect him. who can take care of him. and thats.... vash's way of seeing himself as the special little boy, the protagonist of the story, the Superior Being he keeps pretending he isnt. so OF COURSE when vash acknowledges his humanity and the fact that he just... cant do everything, hes able to see that actually, he cant fix knives. maybe no one can. and even if someone could, it would be a long time of people hurting before it happened. and vash can do something now to save those people and free himself from the cycle of abuse, so he does

and man. fuck. the shows been telling us from the beginning that vash is just some guy. we spend four or five episodes with no confirmation that he actually IS vash the stampede. he acts like a side character in his own story. its only when meryl starts to believe he's someone special that the audience starts to see it, and fittingly, its meryl speaking in his defense with the words 'no one has the right to kill anyone else,' as if shed say the same thing about anyone else, as if its not just that its VASH that drives her to defend him; thats when vash's humanity becomes real

anyway good show

[thegayhimbo]

Stranger Things Rewatch "The Vanishing of Will Byers" (Part 2 of 2)

Disclaimer: This is NOT a traditional review/analysis, but a collection of observations, brief commentary, favorite moments, and so on that I'm noting as I go through these episodes. All of these are just my opinions and/or theories, and can be subjected to change as the rewatch continues.

Observations:

I was under the assumption Brenner used food as a means of getting El to act the way he wanted her to, and would starve her as punishment if she dared to disobey him (hence Benny's comment here about El not being fed enough). This is the same guy who was willing to deprive Kali/Eight of sleep in Suspicious Minds when she refused to tell him something he wanted to know, so I wouldn't put anything past Brenner when it came to the abusive way he treated these kids.

It's hard to tell how much of El's behavior with Benny here is because she's having a hard time processing and understanding what's he's saying, if she's reluctant to trust him because he's the first person she's met outside of the lab, or if she's been conditioned so thoroughly by Brenner to not talk about who she is or what she does with other people who aren't him (or the Orderlies/Lab Staff) that she still can't overcome that mental block despite having escaped.

Also, major props to Benny for being the first adult to show El any kindness. I like to believe that when El killed Connie Frazier in the season finale, she was thinking of avenging Benny in that moment.

The idea of Lonnie dating girls who are underage (or that Joyce seems to think he would) is just.......🤢 🤮 As if this show didn't give enough reasons for why he's a loathsome creep. 😒

I'm curious if the dog was able to sense the presence of the Upside Down, or if it's continuing to bark at the shed because that was the last known location of Will and the Demogorgon. Or maybe he can sense that Will is there somehow, but not physically present, which is confusing him.

Canonically, from this conversation, this is the first time Mr. Clarke and Hopper introduce themselves to one another. They apparently had the same science teacher growing up (Ms. Ratliff), but never interacted with each other while going to school. Hopper explains his distaste for science that Mr. Clarke doesn't share. There's also the implication that social status during their school years played a part in why these two didn't interact prior to this point. Mr. Clarke would likely have been a nerd growing up, and dialogue indicates Hopper was a ladies man and likely popular during his heyday (similar to Steve).

Speaking of Steve.......

This entire interaction between Mike and Steve speaks for itself. 😂

RIP Benny Hammond. You deserved better! 😢

I've questioned the logic of Connie killing Benny, especially because of how it drew unwanted attention (especially from Hopper of all people) when that's likely the last thing Brenner and Hawkins Lab wanted. At this point, Benny was fully cooperating with Connie, and was about to give El to her since he believed Connie was from social services. There's nothing in his conversation with Connie prior to his death that would've made her suspicious that Benny saw something he shouldn't have, or that he believed there was something abnormal about El.

It's also notable that El doesn't run when she first sees Connie at the door with Benny. She runs AFTER Connie shoots Benny. That implies that Connie was someone El hadn't seen before, meaning Connie could have gotten El to come with her without fuss (and without arousing Benny's suspicions) and then later hand her over to Brenner before El realized what was happening. If Connie had been ordered to kill Benny just for seeing El and wanting to keep her existence a secret, then at the very least, she should have waited until after they had El in their custody so that she wouldn't be able to run away. Connie really screwed up here.

I love the song choice of "White Rabbit" by Jefferson Airplane for the scene where El escapes Benny's restaurant. The lyrics to the song were inspired by the book Alice in Wonderland, and the natural curiosity Alice has when she explores Wonderland (similar to El's curiosity about the world outside of the lab). However, it was also about the type of drug-induced "trips" you take when you get high on psychedelics. Grace Slick, frontwoman for Jefferson Airplane, argued Alice in Wonderland contained metaphorical drug references, like the catepillar on a psychedelic mushroom smoking opium, or Alice eating something that causes her to become "too big for the room." The song itself was written and released in the 60s when psychedelics like LSD were being used, and those same psychedelics were taken by El's mom, Terry Ives, during the experiments she did at Hawkins Lab while pregnant with El. This factored into El obtaining the abilities she has. Symbolically, the song does a great job describing El's situation and how she came to be.

Another song choice I liked was "Africa" by Toto for the Steve and Nancy scene. There's always been a debate about what the lyrics mean (and from what I've heard, the band meant for the song to actually be about the continent of Africa rather than as just a metaphor), but when I first heard the song years ago, I interpreted it as about a man being enamored by a woman, anticipating the moment when they get together, and wanting it to be a special moment. Given Steve's interest (and flirtation) with Nancy in this scene, as well as his insistence to her that he doesn't just see her as another notch under his belt and is truly invested in her, both he (and Nancy) want it to be a special moment as well.

For the people who complained in S4 about how OOC it was for Joyce not to notice that Jonathan was high, they establish from the first episode that Joyce can get distracted when she has other stuff on her mind. Whether it's working to provide for the family, or trying to come up with a convincing cover-story for her kids so she can go to Russia to rescue Hopper. It doesn't mean she doesn't care for Jonathan or Will (not that I should have to say this to anyone who's been paying attention to this show).

Finally, this iconic moment still stands out after all these years:

The moment Mike claims he fell in love with El. And the moment where El met the first people she could truly call her friends.

On an unrelated note, today it rained, similar to how it rains in this episode. That detail is irrelevant to this discussion, but I thought it was a nice coincidence! :)

Thank you for reading my thoughts on the rewatch! :)

Coming Soon: Stranger Things Rewatch "The Weirdo on Maple Street."

[dragonfly0808]

Some of my Top Ships for Valentine’s Day!

This was supposed to be like 5 ships but shit got a little bit out of hand…

In no particular order:

Helia x Flora (Winx Club): they were my first OTP, it’s a classic, we know it, we love it, they invented the word adorkable. They are just… chef’s kiss

Callum x Rayla (the Dragon Prince): they are… my everything. From their very first interaction I was like… oh. They just balance each other out so well and it’s so much fun to watch them fall in love and grow together even if there have been a few… bumps in the road recently… they are my babies.

Runaan x Ethari (the Dragon Prince): WHERE IS MY SPIN OFF?! I NEED TO SEE HOW THESE TWO FELL IN LOVE! They just… the second Ethari was introduced these two had my heart and I just… I can’t even describe what it is about them that just gets me right there.

Lizzie x Daring (Ever After High): I said what I said. No regrets. Should’ve been endgame. You don’t get it, they get to be their real selfs when they’re with each other! The fucking potential! We only got 5 min in the webisodes and like a few dialogues in the books but they will forever live rent free in my brain.

Zuko x Katara (Avatar): …was this one predictable? I feel like this one was predictable, it just made so much sense with their respective characters, story lines and everything about them was just set up so perfectly but just never paid off. But yeah… these two were PERFECTION, up until they didn’t end up together somehow.

Percy x Annabeth (Percy Jackson): Come on, this is THE ship. I apologize in advance for the person I will become when the show comes out cause I’ll only be talking about them for a very long time.

Luka x Marinette (Miraculous Ladybug): You don’t understand how much I mean it when I say that I will go down with this ship. Luka is just… the cutest? And like… Marinette? Being supported? Being loved? Getting to have someone on her side that doesn’t feel like she owes them anything? Is this a potential OTP? Yes, yes it is.

Inej x Kaz (Six of Crows): I don’t think I have to say anything here. These two are just… wow. They would both kill for each other and… I love that it’s not an ‘I can fix them’ relationship, it’s a ‘I will change and be better for them’ relationship and I just…they are the pinnacle of romance.

Raven x Beast Boy (Teen Titans/Comics): Come on… do I have to say anything else? These two were made for each other! They understand each other in a way that almost no one else can, they both have dark sides that could take them over but they fight it, be it in different ways. And I just… they deserved so much more.

Mateo x Rufus (They Both Die at the End): If you haven’t read this book… it’s one of my faves but you shouldn’t read it unless you’re in a somewhat stable mental place ajajjajajja. But these two were just… ugh. I usually despise insta-love with every inch of my being but it worked so well for these two I just- AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH

Sophie x Gideon (Shadowhunters: Infernal Devices): These two I feel like are underrated in the fandom. Like, come on! In my personal opinion, they have the best love story in Shadowhunters. I’ve loved them since I was 9 and they are just so… they are just so good with each other? I love them. Every single moment of their relationship slaps.

Ron x Hermione (Harry Potter): They invented hesitant friends to friends to best friends to lovers. And they were done so wrong in the movies. Can anyone recommend me fics with them as the central focus? The Harry Potter part of AO3 is a fucking mess and I’ve found like two and I need more!

Luz x Amity / Hunter x Willow / Eda x Raine (The Owl House): How the fuck did a single show give me 3 new OTP’s? I’ve got no fucking idea but somehow they did it. I adore this show, I cannot wait for the finale. All the love stories are just… top tier just… wow. Lumity are the perfect enemies to lovers arc, Huntlow are just… so cute and perfect and of course we have Eda and Raine who are just iconic and IF I DON’T GET A KISS I AM GOING TO-

Wednesday x Tyler (Wednesday): COME AT ME BRO (please don’t), I love when people say they shouldn’t be together cause *SPOILERS* like… this is Wednesday Adams we’re talking about, if anything it makes it better! I love this ship. Their dynamic is just superior to me. Crazy x different kind of crazy? Perfection.

Charles Xavier x Erik (X-men): X-MEN WERE FUCKING COWARDS. That’s all I’ll say about that. I deserved so much better.

Rarity x Apple Jack (Equestria Girls): My fave sapphics, they were girlfriends. Farm girl x fashionista? Fucking genius. The aesthetics and dynamics are just perfect. The heavens open up and you can hear the choir when there’s a plot line revolving around their… ‘friendship’.

Nam-ra x Su-hyeok (All of us are dead): They are just… so fucking precious? He runs towards zombies to protect her and they are both crushing on each other from a distance, trying not to be obvious and it is so cute and so precious and just… I can’t wait for s2.

Stiles x Lydia (Teen Wolf): I’m not watching the movie. I refuse to. These two had 14 year old me in a choke hold.

Barry x Caitlin (The Flash): yes, I’m that person. Seasons 1-4 I still held on to hope. I love these two, just two nerds supporting each other and being THE team. This was truly so much potential.

Sarah x Leonard (Legends of Tomorrow): *sobs* they were just… so unexpected but they also made so much sense?

Hiccup x Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon): They were my obsession for a good while, Race to the Edge gave me way too much serotonin. I cried violently watching the last movie I just- they were so good. Their whole character development in Race to the Edge? Absolute fucking hold.

Winter x Jacin (The Lunar Chronicles): These two are just… childhood best friends to lovers, I’d kill and die for you, we know we love each other but we’ll never admit it and just be teaseful and then when they finally kiss it’s just so intense I was fucking fainting. I love them.

Dominick x Erika (Barbie, The Princess and the Pauper): They invented romance and they are the only insta-love love story that I will accept.

Robin x Regina (Once Upon a Time): I will die angry. Srly, they were just… perfect for each other? The definition of true love and they understood each other, Robin was so good for her and he believed so much in her and they loved each other in such a pure way and just… also they were just hot as fuck together I mean, they had me questioning my sexuality.

Starfire x Robin/Nightwing (Teen Titans/DC Comics/DC Movies): I don’t even know how to describe the amount of serotonin these two give me, they just make sense to me and I love them.

Kid Flash x Jinx (Teen Titans): They had 1 episode and they made history.

Artemis x Kid Flash (Young Justice): …I’m still waiting… fuck me… THEY WERE JUST SO FUCKING GOOD AAAAAAAHHHHHH- The way they annoyed each other but slowly grew to trust each other and then became friends and you can’t even pin point the exact moment they start falling in love because it just happens so naturally and so organically and it’s just- AAAAAHHHHHHHH

Impulse x Blue Beetle (Young Justice): Bart is in love with Jaimie and he is not subtle about it at all. Jaimie is a bit oblivious but you know that he is just as much in love if not even more

Jonathan x Nancy (Stranger Things): I swear yall’ if they really redo the triangle next season, I’m going to riot cause these two, their story is so well done in the first 3 seasons and it’s just like… what the fuck ya know?

Mike x Eleven (Stranger Things): I don’t care what anyone says, I still love them.

Lucas x Max (Stranger Things): …ow? I honestly don’t know what else to say.

Ben x Evie/Harry x Uma (Descendants): YOU KNOW I’M RIGHT, DID YOU WATCH CHILLIN LIKE A VILLAIN/WHAT’S MY NAME?! THE CHEMISTRY WAS LITERALLY DRIPPING OFF OF THEM. HE WAS SO HAPPY EVERYTIME HE SAW HER AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GOLD TOGETHER.

Lucas x Maya (Girl Meets World): I am so tired… these two were just… so good together, the chemistry, the story line, Maya accepting the ‘bad’ side of Lucas in a way that Riley never did and him just being there for her no matter what ‘I could never hurt you’ I just… why?

Veronica x JD (Heathers the Musical): Listen… hear me out… I know that he was kinda crazy but… they were kind of an iconic duo okay? Freeze Your Brain? Dead Girl Walking? Our Love Is God? Seventeen? Meant to Be Yours? I Am Damaged? Sorry was I… not supposed to ship them after listening to those? I love them. I’m allowed to have at least one kinda-toxic-if-you-think-about-it-ship.

Juliette x Warner (Shatter Me): They created sexual tension. Every single scene slaps and their arc is just perfect and I love them and they are just… they are so intense but in the best way possible.

[thatsmyassbrostop]

TOLKIEN ASK THING. also stan. mayhaps a kyle or wendy if ur feeling daring

There was another ask for Kyle too so I'll do em at once Tolkien

Sexuality headcanon - Cisgender Bisexual (Female-leaning but a strong bond or strange attraction will do it)

OTP - Stolkien, ofc

Brotp - Crolkien (Craig/Tolkien) or Tolkyle

Notp - Cartkien (?? Cartman x Tolkien)

First headcanon that pops into my head - Tolkien has a light sway when he's standing or hugging or anything and it's super calming for people, especially anxious ones

Favorite line from this character - "I'm out"

One way in which I relate to this character - Underrepresented token black friend who people tend to chalk up to stereotypes and presumptions

Thing that gives me secondhand embarrassment about this character - As a black guy, Tolkien embarrasses me for finding Tyler Perry hilarious. Shame on him.

Cinnamon roll or problematic fave - Cinnamon roll but I think those labels only go so far in South Park lol

Stan

Sexuality headcanon - Nonbinary Bisexual (Definitely not cis but he's afraid to question it)

OTP - Stolkien

Brotp - Style/Stenny

Notp - Canon Stendy (Bi4Bi/Nb4Nb Stendy is cool)

First headcanon that pops into my head - Stan wants everyone to care so hard when he comes out and nobody fucking does

Favorite line from this character - "Hey Tol-KEEN"

One way in which I relate to this character - Facing lots of expectations to lean more toward trying to live like some alpha male when in reality there's a lot of underlying emotionality and queerness. Also messy behaviors I've since moved past and sympathize with

Thing that gives me second hand embarrassment about this character - He's literally the worst boyfriend ever

cinnamon roll or problematic fave? - problematic, NEXT

Kyle

Sexuality headcanon - Cisgender Demisexual (Female leaning)

OTP - Style I guess? I'm just really flexible with Kyle, and I enjoy K2 and Tolkyle a lot

Brotp - K2 and Tolkyle

Notp - Kyman, but I actually don't rly care that much, I'd say "NOTP" is a bit strong

First headcanon that pops into my head - He and Stan are better for each other when they're older, I tend to think of him pretty separately from Stan as they're growing up bc they're both really messy and have shit to work on

Favorite line from this character - "I'm poopies, Ma!"

One way in which I relate to this character - I spent a lot of time being passionate about being right but not enough about *doing* right, which led to some hypocrisies. I never resent Kyle, really, for being a mess intellectually

Thing that gives me secondhand embarrassment about this character - The way he won't get over Cartman even into his middle age, like I *get* it to a certain degree but buddy it gets embarassing

cinnamon roll or problematic fave? - he's just a guy to me. just. just a little guy.

Wendy

Sexuality headcanon - Genderfluid Polysexual (Bc of Call Girl, and I enjoy Wendyl a lot)

OTP - Tolkiendy/Bi4Bi Stendy

Brotp - Kendy/Stendy

Notp - Canon Stendy

First headcanon that pops into my head - Wendy's gonna spend time after breaking up with Stan experimenting with who she is, it'd be a little resentful but it's also natural to that really emotionally tumultuous teenage stage in life

Favorite line from this character - "Don't do that, Tweek"

One way in which I relate to this character - A strong emphasis on visibility and social equity, as well as sympathy to a fault at times. I'd want her to learn as I did that it's okay to not take care of some people who won't take care of themselves.

Thing that gives me secondhand embarrassment about this character - She keeps trying to fix Stan without understanding that he's naturally codependent and NEEDS to be taken care of, there's nothing she can do to change that herself and she's dragging herself down.

cinnamon roll or problematic fave? - problematic cinnamon roll. She's sweet and I love her but she's also lowkey sadistic and fucked up. I love it too.

[sentinelpri]

Wanted You

It’s a cool summer day when Gohan turns twenty one and decides to ask Piccolo the question that’s been bothering him since he was a teenager.

The two of them are sitting on a cliff’s edge that overlooks the long river by Gohan’s home on Mountain Paozu. The grass is green and lush, blowing in the wind that’s just light enough to be comfortable so long as Gohan is wearing long sleeves. Piccolo is in his usual attire; purple gi, blue sash, brown shoes, white cape and shoulder pads, purple and white turban. Gohan is dressed in a black sweatshirt and matching pants, an outfit that Chichi accused of not being nice enough for his birthday celebration. He wore it anyway in preparation for his time with Piccolo- just in case the Namekian wanted to train with him.

It’s his twenty-first birthday and his mom threw him a small celebration. Initially, she insisted on throwing a huge party with everyone she knows, but Gohan pushed back enough until the guest list was narrowed down to her, his dad, all of his dad’s friends, Goten, and his friends from high school; Erasa, Videl, and Sharpner. It was still far larger than Gohan really wanted it to be, but it was better than last year. After the party started to dissipate, Gohan snuck out to find one of the only people he actually wanted to see today; Piccolo, who didn’t attend the party because of the crowd.

They’ve been talking for hours. Gohan has his head on Piccolo’s shoulder. It’s a gesture of affection that Gohan got in the habit of doing a decade ago, but it’s different now. It means something other than what it used to mean, something less pure. Gohan remains just as baffled by his ever-changing feelings as he has been since his sixteenth birthday when the realization came crashing down on him. They did the very same thing they’re doing now that day, and a lot of other days, too. Gohan sighs and snuggles into Piccolo’s shoulder, not daring to speak his thoughts out loud. His romantic love for Piccolo grows stronger each day and he doesn’t know how to tackle the subject.

Does Piccolo even feel romantic love for others? He’s never talked about it, and Gohan has never asked. But, he figures now is better than never.

“Piccolo, can I ask you something?”

“You can ask, doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll answer, though,” The Namekian shrugs and crosses his arms, which makes Gohan’s head shift in a way that’s uncomfortable.

The half-Saiyan sits up straight and stares down into his lap as he fidgets with his fingers.

“Have you ever thought about dating?” 

“Dating…? Yes, I’ve thought about it, but I don’t think I’ll ever partake.”

Gohan’s heart shatters into tiny pieces right then and there. It’s a very Piccolo-like answer. Part of him expected it. Still, it stings like stepping on one of Goten’s legos. 

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to date earthlings, they die too fast and couldn’t possibly understand me… And they’re most of this planet’s population. Your father and Vegeta are taken, not that I’d date them anyway… Buu is just weird, and I have no interest in going back to New Namek for the sole purpose of finding a partner when the few people I love are all here. Then, there is one person who’s an exception to all of it, I suppose, but I wouldn’t dare say anything to them about my true feelings… I expect to be alone for the rest of my life in that sense.”

Gohan sits quietly for a moment. He supposes with the whole ‘earthling’ thing that he himself is out of the running since he’s half earthling, so who is it that Piccolo could possibly be in love with? Another Namekian? A full-blooded Saiyan? 

“Oh… Who is it that you do like?”

A pause, and then, Piccolo shakes his head and stands up with a sad, far-off look in his obsidian eyes.

“...I can’t tell you that in good conscience, Gohan. It’s complicated and I don’t want to burden you with it.”

“Okay, um, do you want to spar now?”

“Sure.”

~

A few days pass after that. The issue of Piccolo’s secret love bothers Gohan every second he has the free time to think about it outside of his college classes and familial obligations. He can’t clear his mind of it no matter how hard he tries. He’s jealous, and he wants Piccolo all to himself, but at the same time, he wants Piccolo to be happy. Even if it’s not him, he wants Piccolo to be with who he loves, so he’s determined to figure out who that person is. 

If Piccolo won’t tell him and if he can’t figure it out, he’ll inquire with those they both know to see if it gets him anywhere.

The first person he goes to is his father, Goku, who usually gives some pretty solid advice and offers good insight despite his dense nature.

It’s a hot summer day, hotter than it was on his birthday. Gohan stumbles upon his father training outside after some searching around Mountain Paozu.

“Hey, dad?” Gohan asks, a little awkward since his father is smack-dab in the middle of swimming laps around the local lake. 

He feels like a nuisance for daring to interrupt. Upon seeing him, however, his father surfaces from the water to flash him a smile. The younger of the two stands by the water’s side and waits for his father to swim over to him. 

“Hey, Gohan! What’s up? Did you come to swim, too?”

“Uh, no, actually. I have lab in an hour on campus, but I wanted to talk to you before leaving… Can I ask you something?” 

“What is it, Gohan?” Goku questions with a grin as he bobs up his upper half out of the water and rests his elbows on the edge to hold himself up while Gohan talks.

“Do you know who Piccolo might like?”

“Well… Hm…” Goku pauses, thoughtful. He contemplates for a moment before breaking out into an even larger grin and speaking up like he’s just solved the world’s hardest math problem. “I know he at least likes you!”

“W-What!?” Gohan exclaims with wide charcoal eyes and bright red cheeks.

“Well, you two are friends, right?” Goku shoots back, clearly oblivious.

“Oh…” Gohan responds upon realizing what Goku initially meant. The half-Saiyan lets out a sigh of relief, then nods his head. “Yeah, we are. You’re right.”

“What, is that not what you meant or something?” His father tilts his head in that dumb, innocent way that so endearingly reminds him of a puppy, and Gohan suddenly realizes that this is not the person he should be discussing the issue of Piccolo’s love-life with.

“No, no, it’s fine, uh… I’ll see you later.”

Gohan recovers just enough to walk off, leaving his father to return to Mount Paozu’s clear waters. He’s anxious about it now… Well, then. Next time he asks someone about it, he’ll just have to phrase it differently. His father probably wasn’t the best person to go to in the first place…

~~

Gohan’s next stop in his journey to find Piccolo’s true love is Capsule Corp. It’s been a day since he tried to discuss the issue with his father and after some reflection, Gohan has come to the conclusion that he needs to talk to someone more familiar with romance than his father is. Bulma is a logical and intelligent woman with plenty of life experience and a couple relationships under her belt. Surely, even if she doesn’t know who it is that Piccolo is in love with, she’ll have some good insight about his situation. 

Gohan braces himself to knock on Bulma’s front door. It’s hotter than it was yesterday. West City is sweltering with no wind in sight to ease the heat. Gohan is stuck in a white tank-top, grey shorts, sandals, and an assload of sunscreen with his few stray locks of midnight-hued hair clipped back by Videl to keep them from sticking to his forehead with sweat.

Instead of knocking on the door, Gohan catches himself in time to ring the doorbell. He always forgets that they have a nice one installed when his own home back on the Mountain just has its plain wooden door that’s constantly on the brink of falling off its hinges.

He’s unsurprised when Bulma opens the door quickly, her short cyan hair perfectly combed and a red dress on her small frame as she flashes him a bright smile. 

“Bulma,” Gohan greets with a nod and walks in when Bulma holds the door open for him to enter her home. 

Bulma’s top of the line air conditioning hits him so hard that goosebumps raise on his warm skin. The half-Saiyan lets out a sigh of relief. Despite the hot weather outside, the Briefs’ home is ice cold, no doubt so that Vegeta doesn’t get overheated when training. Gohan can hear the familiar noises of the gravity chamber that’s built inside the house just down the hall as he’s led to the living room.

“Gohan, it’s been a bit, how are you?” The scientist says and sits down on the living room couch.

Gohan sits in the chair across from her. As much as he’d love to sit and catch up with Bulma right now, he’s a man on a mission. He averts his eyes and gets straight to the point.

“I’m good, but I actually came over to ask you something. Aside from me and my dad, you’re the closest to Piccolo,” He starts, and it’s true. Piccolo and Bulma aren’t exactly friends, but aside from Goku, she’s been the only one out of their friend group to really embrace and try to socialize with Piccolo, even giving him a cell phone and a capsule house after the defeat of Frieza. “So I was wondering if you knew about his, er… Love life?”

“Love life?” Bulma places a finger on her chin. Gohan watches with a gulp. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea… Bulma sounds totally confused. Gohan suspects that he may be the only one out of all of their friends and family that has actually stopped and thought about Piccolo’s romantic interests. It makes sense that the others don’t see Piccolo engaging in such things. He felt like that at different points, too. Now, he’s in love with Piccolo. Things are different. He feels like an idiot for thinking about it in the first place, let alone asking both his dad and Bulma for answers as if they’d have any idea. “I don’t think he really has one of those, but Gohan, why do you want to know?”

“Well, um, I just worry for him and-...” Gohan tries to come up with an excuse. The first and easiest one that comes to mind is that he’s concerned that Piccolo. His teacher and father figure (and nothing more, of course) is lonely and needs to start dating someone. That sounds believable, doesn’t it? Before he can get through that thought, however, he senses Vegeta’s ki heading their way and is proven correct when the compact Saiyan enters the room. “Oh, Vegeta, it’s nice to see you…”

Neither Bulma nor Gohan say anything. Bulma shifts on the couch and stares down at the floor like it’s suddenly become the most interesting thing on the planet.

Vegeta walks to the couch and sits close to Bulma with an arm over her shoulder and his brow furrowed. Gohan doesn’t look him in the eye, simply eyeing his outfit instead. Vegeta is dressed in a sleeveless spandex suit that only goes down to his knees, so there’s a lot visible that he’s sure he honestly never wanted to see.

“Why’d you get so quiet all of a sudden?” Vegeta demands, then continues with a sarcastic edge to his tone. “What, are you throwing me a surprise birthday party? Come on, now, don’t let me ruin your little chat.”

“Huh? It’s nothing like that,” Gohan feigns obliviousness. “I just, um, I-”

“What were you two talking about?”

Bulma turns to face Vegeta with crossed arms and a clear glare of disapproval that the other ravenette only slightly slouches at.

“Vegeta! How rude, it really isn’t any of your business!”

Vegeta doesn’t reply to Bulma, simply talking to Gohan once more.

“Just because you’re a man now doesn’t mean you get to come into my home and play these games of secret keeping-”

“For starters, Vegeta, you don’t pay the bills around here. This is my home, not yours,” Bulma chews out her husband (?) and grabs him by the ear. Vegeta lets out a noise of discontent when she pulls at it. “Second of all, Gohan can do whatever he wants. We were just talking about Piccolo, anyway, it’s nothing for you to be concerned with.”

Vegeta huffs, pulls away from Bulma, and lowers his voice.

“What could be interesting enough regarding the Namekian for the two of you to be in here whispering to each other about?”

“Ugh, why are you so nosy all of a sudden?” Bulma snarks. “Not like you’ve ever given a damn about him, Vegeta.”

At that, Vegeta crosses his arms and looks away with a light blush. Could it be him…?

No. No way. Gohan sits there awkwardly, trying to put the pieces of this puzzle together. For a moment, he thinks he senses Piccolo’s ki in the midst of it all, but then the feeling vanishes. He must be so bothered by this debacle that he’s imagining things…

“We’re… Comrades, in one way or another,” Vegeta answers after far too long of a silence. ”Are you really surprised that I’m concerned?”

“Look, Vegeta, it’s a little complicated,” Gohan rushes to explain in an attempt to clear the tension in the air. His intuition tells him that Vegeta’s hiding something, but he refuses to interrogate the older man to find out what that something is. He nervously drums his fingers against the arms of Bulma’s living room chair while trying to find the right words. “It’s more of a personal issue, but Piccolo is fine, I’m just… Inquiring about something.”

“But Gohan…” Bulma interjects before Vegeta can say anything. “Back to the subject of why you came here in the first place, why do you even want to know that about Piccolo? Isn’t it weird for you to think about your teacher’s love life? I think it’d almost be as awkward as you thinking about Goku’s.”

Vegeta’s spine straightens within the same second that his eyes shoot wide open. His cheeks flush pink as he looks at Bulma and speaks with a peculiar sense of urgency.

“Bulma, if this is what it’s about, let the boy figure out his feelings on his own.”

“O-Oh, no, it’s not like that!” Gohan insists with a dismissive wave of his hands and a stutter.

Vegeta only rolls his eyes.

“Bullshit.”

Then, the Saiyan is up and leaving, presumably returning to his training. Another awkward silence ensues. Bulma is the first to break it.

“Uh, Gohan…”

Gohan shifts in his chair and offers an anxious chuckle, followed by-

“Don’t tell anyone? Please?”

“Sure, I promise. It’s not my business, anyway… Sorry about Vegeta, too. You know how he can be. I’ll see you later, okay?” Bulma, seemingly flustered by the whole ordeal, stands up. She straightens out her impeccable dress and looks at Gohan with a guilty sort of smile. “Sorry I wasn’t able to help you out with your problem.”

“That’s alright, thank you for your time…”

~~~

Another week passes after that. Gohan teeters between the line of giving up before he gets too deep in the shit and continuing to pursue the mystery that is Piccolo’s lone love interest. After dealing with his father’s obliviousness, Bulma’s confusion, and Vegeta’s… Well, whatever label could be put on Vegeta’s behavior was last week, Gohan isn’t sure he wants to take the risk of asking more of he and Piccolo’s shared circle of friends about the Namekian’s non-existent love life.

The more people he tells, the higher risk of it getting back to Piccolo. It’s true that Piccolo keeps to himself and doesn’t seek out social interaction, but with Gohan’s luck, he wouldn’t be surprised if it happened after this, hence why he’s now headed toward Kame House to speak with the one person he knows won’t tell another soul. 

Gohan is unsurprised to see Krillin firing Kamehameha waves at the ocean when he lands feet-first in the yellowy sand. Immediately, the shorter man stops and rushes to give Gohan a hug. Gohan quickly reciprocates and grins down at Krillin, who’s the first to speak.

“Gohan! It’s been forever since I’ve seen ya, buddy, how are you?”

“Oh, I’m good, how about you?” Gohan responds with a slight tilt of his head as Krillin pulls away and puts his hands on his hips.

“I’m great! Did you just come to visit, or…?”

“Well, I suppose so, yes, but there was something I was wondering about… Could I ask you something?”

“Sure, Gohan, what is it?”

“I know this is a little bit of an odd question, but you’re good with romance, right? I mean, you’re married and all, and…” Gohan trails off and makes his way to the porch with Krillin following him. They both sit on the top steps, Gohan with his head in his hands and Krillin staring at him worriedly. “Well, to get straight to the point, do you know if Piccolo might be interested in anyone? Like, romantically?”

“I’m not gonna lie to you, Gohan. It’s pretty hard to imagine that guy having the hots for someone. If anyone had a chance with him, it’d be you.”

“W-What?” Gohan shoots straight up. A glimmer of hope flashes in his chest. After two instances of it being insinuated that Piccolo isn’t interested in anyone at all, finally having someone tell him that he has a chance is reassuring… Not that it makes his anxiety about their age difference and everyone’s opinions any better. That’s a whole other can of worms that he has yet to open with himself, let alone with anyone else. “Don’t you think that’s a little weird?”

“Why would it be weird?” 

“The age difference!” Gohan exclaims with a blush.

“...You know you guys are only four years apart in age, right?”

“What!? But- but he was an adult when-”

“Namekians age differently, Gohan, he was only eight when he killed Raditz and took you.”

And that’s a whole lot of information that Gohan doesn’t know how to unpack. Neither of them speak for a moment as Gohan processes. He had always assumed that Piccolo was his father’s age if not older. 

“...I see,” Gohan murmurs after a moment and fidgets with his hands in his lap. “So, you think he likes me?”

“Well, I’m not sure about that for certain, but if anyone has a chance it’d be you.”

“But- but don’t you think it’s still weird? I mean, he was my teacher for so long and-”

“Gohan,” Krillin interrupts with a firm, reassuring hand placed on Gohan’s shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s been a long time since then, you’re an adult now. Do what your heart tells you to do and I’ll be behind you every step of the way, alright? Whether you tell Piccolo or you don’t tell Piccolo about your feelings, I’m here for you to talk to. You can come visit me any time- I know Eighteen and Marron would be happy to see more of you around here, too.”

Choked up with emotion, Gohan nods and manages to force out a reply.

“Yeah… Thank you. I’ll be sure to take you up on that.”

“Sounds good. You’ll be fine, okay? Now come inside, I’ll cook us something to eat.”

Gohan lets out a sigh of relief and follows the older man into Kame House, where Master Roshi is passed out on the couch and where Eighteen and Marron are sitting at the coffee table reading a book. Maybe Krillin is right about all of this… He’ll be just fine.

~~~~

Later that night, Gohan finds himself lounging on the living room couch of the Son residence with a pen and notepad in hand. The only light is that of the lamp on the nearby table. Normally, he’d be at his college dorm, but since summer break has started, he’s been staying with his parents to spend some more time with them and Goten.

It’s half past midnight when Gohan hears feet shuffling in the hallway. He hurriedly tucks the notepad (which is filled with a list of pros and cons of telling Piccolo his feelings) between two couch cushions and tries to make it look like he’s just relaxing. Goten is the one who comes into the room, though, and even at only twelve years old, he’s able to read Gohan better than both of their parents. 

“Gohan, what’s wrong?” Goten asks from the doorway, dressed in a t-shirt and pajama pants.

“Oh, Goten, it’s nothing,” Gohan attempts to wave Goten off with a forced smile. “I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine, are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“You know you can talk to me, right?” Goten insists. Then, he sits next to Gohan on the couch and looks at him with a concerned expression. “You’ve been acting off since your birthday and I’m really starting to get worried. I won’t tell Mom and Dad if it’s something that bad.”

“You promise?”

“Of course!” Goten agrees with a hurried nod and puts his hands in his lap to nervously wring them together just like Gohan is doing.

“Hm… Okay, well, I’ve fallen in love with someone, but I’m afraid to tell them. Other people seem to think this person loves me back, but I’m not so sure that they actually do.”

Of course, Goten being Goten, gets to the main point and asks the one question that Gohan doesn’t want to answer.

“Who is it?”

“I can’t believe I’m telling you this, but…” Gohan takes a deep breath to calm himself down before confessing the truth. He closes his eyes, almost scared to see Goten’s face contort with disappointment or judgment or whatever it is that he’s going to react with. “It’s Piccolo.”

“You’re in love with Mr. Piccolo!?” Goten shouts, to which Gohan pushes his shoulder and whisper-yells back.

“Goten! Lower your voice before Mom and Dad wake up and hear what we’re talking about.”

“Oh, right, okay,” Goten chuckles and lowers his voice to a whisper as well. “Sorry, Gohan!”

“It’s fine, I just… I don’t know what to do. If I tell him and he reciprocates, it’ll be worth it, but then if he doesn’t… It’ll ruin everything between us.”

“Well, yeah, I’ll give you that,” Goten says casually, as if Gohan’s entire world ending because of his feelings isn’t that big of a deal. Then again, Goten has always been like their father, dense about social cues and far too light-hearted about everything… But maybe that’s what he needs right now. “It’ll definitely be awkward if you spill the beans and he rejects you, but I think things being weird between you two for a bit is better than you sitting around miserable like this.”

“God, you’re right… I need to tell him. Okay, I’ll do it later today.”

“Great! You know, we should go catch a movie in the meantime. That twenty four hour theater in West City is still open,” Goten suggests.

Gohan quirks a brow.

“Are you sure we should go this late? Mom will be pissed if she finds out…”

“Eh, who cares? We’ll be back before she wakes up,” Goten argues and stands up to stretch his arms and legs.

“Fine, fine, we can go… You’re such a bad influence.”

~~~~~

The trip to the movie theater with Goten ended up turning into a shopping spree and sparring as well, resulting in them not returning to the Son home until roughly five in the morning. Thankfully, they were able to slip in without waking up either of their parents, with Goten practically collapsing on the couch to sleep upon their arrival. Gohan, unable to even think about sleeping, goes to the lookout to find Piccolo.

He has to deal with the awkwardness of greeting Dende and Mr. Popo, making small talk with them despite the odd time of day. He’d normally be there to visit Dende. This morning, however, is different. He manages to excuse himself to go sit in front of Piccolo’s door, but he can’t bring himself to actually knock on it for a bit. He wastes half an hour sitting in front of the damn thing.

It’s nearly six in the morning when Gohan musters the courage to knock on the door. He doesn’t know why he bothers doing that. He’s sure Piccolo must’ve sensed his intense ki coming from miles away, as he’s so emotional right now that he can’t make so much as an attempt at hiding it.

Apparently, he’s correct. The moment his fist comes into contact with the wood of the door, Piccolo opens it for him, almost as if he’s been waiting on the other side for Gohan to make his presence known.

The Namekian is as gorgeous as he was on Gohan’s birthday, and every other day, too; dressed in a large purple sweater and matching joggers. It’s different from the usual attire, but it makes sense that Piccolo is wearing it. He’s at home, after all, and was probably either asleep or just waking up when Gohan arrived. 

Gohan’s eyes trail up and down Piccolo’s body. It’s large, lean, and a hue of jade green that Gohan would drown himself in pools of if he could. Part of his mind shifts to more unsavory thoughts before he shuts it down and forces words out of his mouth.

“Piccolo, I need to talk to you.”

“Actually, Gohan, I need to talk to you first.”

Gohan freezes. He is standing in Piccolo’s doorway, feeling so very vulnerable. He shifts nervously and raises a hand to rub at his bicep. He can’t look Piccolo in the eye.

“O-Oh, um, okay, what is it?”

“I don’t know how to say this or where to even start, so I’m just going to come out with it. I heard you when you were at Bulma’s last week,” Piccolo admits. The sudden onslaught of emotion is so dizzying that Gohan has to grip onto the side of the doorway to keep himself standing up straight. So, Piccolo knows about his feelings, and Piccolo has known about his feelings for days now. Even worse, Piccolo knows that Gohan was running around probing their mutual friends for information about Piccolo’s love-life. “I was there training with Vegeta in his gravity chamber… I stayed behind when he said he was going to talk to Bulma about something, but as you know, my hearing is leagues above that of the average earthling, so-”

“You heard everything I said that day…?” Gohan asks just to be sure before he lets the well of tears building up in his eyes flow out.

Piccolo nods. Gohan manages to look up at him just long enough to see it and to see the purple blush that’s consumed Piccolo’s cheeks. 

“Precisely.”

“God, Piccolo, I’m so sorry. I hope this doesn’t make things awkward between us…” Gohan apologizes and uses the sleeves of his shirt to wipe the tears from his eyes before they can pour down his cheeks. The crying doesn’t stop, though, so he has to keep wiping his eyes while Piccolo stands there awkwardly, probably waiting for an explanation that Gohan doesn’t know how to give.  “I- I know you don’t want me, you don’t have to say it. I should’ve just taken the hint when I first asked you about it and-”

Gohan can’t finish the sentence. A choked sob tears through his throat and takes him over so he’s sitting on the ground with his head in his hands and his knees pulled to his chest. Part of him expects Piccolo to slam the door shut and leave him there. The other part of him expects Piccolo to berate him, to call him disgusting for having such feelings for his former teacher, to tell him that he’s never had a chance and never will. What Gohan doesn’t expect is for Piccolo to get down on his knees, pull his hands away from his eyes, and force him to make eye contact.

“Of course I want you,” Piccolo swallows and lets out a heavy sigh- whether it’s from stress or relief, Gohan can’t tell. Gohan sniffles and cautiously stares at Piccolo’s face. As per usual, he’s unable to read the expression on it. Piccolo shakes his head and holds his arms out. Gohan, frantic, buries himself in them and cries even more when Piccolo picks him up and carries him inside. The door is shut behind them as Piccolo asks- “Why wouldn’t I want you?”

“It’s like you said, you’re not interested in earthlings, and you could do so much better-” Gohan starts to ramble again as Piccolo sets him down on his bed and sits down next to him.

“You’re all I could ever want, Gohan,” Piccolo effectively ends Gohan’s rambling with his reassuring words. Gohan stares at him, half-convinced that this is a dream. It must be, right? Because the way that Piccolo is so tenderly wrapping an arm over one shoulder and using his spare hand to wipe Gohan’s tears off of his face feels unreal. It can’t be real. “You’re not just an earthling- you’re Saiyan, too, and even if you were completely human… I misunderstood what you were saying when you asked me about it and thought you were going to try to set me up on a date with one of your friends or something. I don’t want anything to do with anyone if they’re not you, so I tried to throw you off by making it clear that I don’t want to date anyone on this planet. I was hoping you’d drop the subject, but I guess you’ve never given up that easily… Stubborn brat.”

“You really want me…? You don’t have to say stuff like that just to spare my feelings, Piccolo. Really, it’s okay, I can take rejection-”

“Gohan, if you don’t shut the hell up and come here right now I’m going to special-beam-cannon you into the next stratosphere.”

Gohan blinks. Then, in a rare moment of shared vulnerability, both of them laugh. Gohan listens to Piccolo’s words and falls into the older man’s arms, relief flooding him like hot water when those arms are wrapped around him. He buries his face in the crook between Piccolo’s neck and shoulder. 

“I know you’re gonna get agitated with me for this, but are you really sure you want me like this…? I just- I just need to hear it one more time,” Gohan says with a nervous chuckle, all of it muffled by Piccolo’s shirt.

“Of course I’m sure,” Piccolo responds, and though Gohan can’t see Piccolo’s face, he can feel the Namekian rolling his eyes from the way the air in the room changes just a tad. “Why don’t you stay here and get some rest? You look like you haven’t slept at all, and I haven’t either. We can talk more when we wake up.”

“I… I think I’d like that,” Gohan agrees and lays back on the mattress with Piccolo lying right next to him. “I love you.”

Gohan dares to glance at Piccolo, who is already staring back at him with that fondness in his gaze that Gohan has never seen him have for anyone else. Piccolo reaches out and pushes Gohan’s hair out of his face with the slightest hint of a smile.

“I love you, too.”