#but i always keep note of them and genuinely do my best to honor requests

[tekkenenjoyerblue]

Howdy! Got an interesting idea for ya, how about a crossover? How about Hol Horse from JJBA and M. Bison from SF?

Maybe M. Bison being like all spooky, and Hol Horse is scared of him? M. Bison is somewhat like DIO in a way, villains who can teleport in their own way haha.

Thank you! Love your art as always, pal ✨ And take your time!

Oooooohh what an interesting request! I love the idea a lot actually for a fun crossover (and any excuse to draw M. Bison is always a plus)

And thank you for the kind words!! I’ll be sure to tag you when I finish the art <3

[httpsserene-main]

‧͙⁺˚･༓☾　late night flying　☽༓･˚⁺‧͙

notifications ☽︎: feelings of inadequacy, stress, near death experiences, na'vi body descriptions, fem!na'vi!reader, sully's being teases

developer's notes ☽︎: hey i did say it would be out around this time :/ i'm doing my best. first work on tumblr since like 2016 be kind i'm supplying my thirst. i was just checking the word count to paste it here, and i genuinely thought lo'ak's was shorter than neteyam's, i was wrong 💀 prepare yourself, it's a novel lmao and yes this is a reminder that i consider these drabbles. also if you find yourself loving this work send me an ask for a request and i'd be thrilled to fulfill it!

much love, <3 kirby !!!

⋆☾ NETEYAM SULLY - 1.8k words

it’s difficult for neteyam to have the time and energy to be an impulsive and disobedient kid like his brother. he spends most of his time shadowing his parents learning how to lead or chasing after his younger siblings and making sure that in their shenanigans they don’t get hurt. so, most of the time he’s only disobedient when he’s making sure his siblings are safe, which is honorable and cute. neteyam is also disobedient when he finds himself wanting to spend more time with you.

the fifteen years neteyam has been living, he’s constantly had people tell him that he’s a perfect son. that he’s smart, compassionate, strong; that he's going to be a great warrior–and a great olo’eyktan. however, he hasn’t heard that he’s the perfect son from his parents, but he doesn't have to hear it to know that they’re thinking it. he sees in how they scold lo’ak after another stupid stunt he pulled, “why can’t you try to be more careful? or, better yet, less reckless?” his dad would ask. neteyam knows the only thing lo’ak heard is, “why can’t you be more like your brother?” and it’s starting to be the only thing neteyam hears too. when he was younger he probably wouldn’t care so much about the jealous and now defeated looks lo’ak throws his way, but recently, neteyam is feeling every molecule of pressure from the village, his siblings, and his parents to continue being perfect. it doesn’t help that lo’ak has seemed to become resigned in his role of irresponsible-impulsive-brother, too, it only magnifies the pressure on neteyam to be better.

spider, lo’ak, kiri (and even tuk!), tease him for being a “goody-two shoes,” an english phrase their father had taught them. and today neteyam has had enough of hearing it. he woke up early with his father to prepare their ikran for patrol, sparred with him for hours, had his bow and flight technique nitpicked by his mother, and now he has to supervise his siblings scaling the mountains to make sure they don’t die exploring without the permission of their parents. and when they all tease him for being a “goody-two shoes,” for not wanting to venture further, he snaps. neteyam hisses and stalks his way over to the edge of the mountain, “whatever. go ahead and get involved in some dangerously stupid situation that you can’t get yourself out of and when i’m not there to save you, like i always am, have fun calling mom and dad to save your ass! and i’ll make sure to be back to enjoy seeing your dumbassess getting yelled at for your lack of brain cells, as usual.”

he calls his ikran, initiates the bond, ignores the calls apologizing and telling him to stop, and takes off into the sky. neteyam flies for what feels like minutes to him–feels the wind cascade through his braids, the cool air rushing across his skin, the sun battling the breeze to warm him, the complete understanding between him and his ikran, not needing to a single word or thought to guide. as he’s gliding through a spattering of small mountains and makes out your form and ikran ground atop of one, his curiosity gets the best of him this time, and he lands next to you. 

you’re on the ground leaning against the body of your ikran, it’s wing shielding you from the strong rays of the sun, keeping you cool. the freckles on your smooth blue-toned skin are glowing a soft white under the shade of the wing, a false replication of night. your legs are comfortably stretched-out and crossed in front of you, along with your arms crossed over your chest, your head and back resting on the warm ikran. as neteyam walks closer he sees your chest rising and falling slowly, eyes gently shut, and a look of bliss on your face. he sighs, relieved, greets your ikran with a bow of his head, and gets a welcoming coo of acknowledgment and a head shake in return, jostling your body and causing you to rouse. 

a soft groan leaves your lips, ears and tail flicking in displeasure, before your eyes flutter open and drowsily make contact with his own. you blink a few times, making a small sound of confusion, “huh?”, and your hands come up to rub at your eyes, as if seeing him here is a figment of your imagination. neteyam smiles, a warm laugh escaping him, amused by how adorable you are, even though he disturbed you from your little nap. his amusement lets you know he is in fact real, his laugh awakens the butterflies in your stomach, and your tail hides in embarrassment at being caught hiding (by him, of all people) away from everyone else, as your cheeks darken into an indigo-tinted blush. 

you shyly make an effort at eye contact and fail as you try to explain your situation to him. “i was just–”, he waves off your voice and states with a small smirk, “no need to explain yourself, it’s not like you’re in trouble with me.” you shrug, muttering a few deprecating words to yourself and are about to stand, when neteyam sits next you. he pulls his knees to his chest, arms wrapped around himself, chin resting on his knees, sighing deeply, eyes fixed ahead on the skyscape, his strikingly handsome faced furrowed with anger? stress? hopelessness?

your eyes widen, shocked at how small he manages to look. it’s incredibly rare that he allows anybody to see him this vulnerable; he’s usually impeccably composed–attractively confident and sure of himself–but the idea that he’s allowing you to see him like this is a privilege you will not take advantage of. you scooch closer to him and place a gentle hand on his shoulder and softly ask, “are you feeling okay?” there’s silence for a while before his lips parted and shut, hesitating, before he shook his head, so faintly it was almost unnoticeable. you nodded, “ do you want to talk about it?” and received a verbal response this time, “no.” with a light rasp to his voice. with another nod, you delicately squeeze his shoulder and offer comfort, “then we will not talk about it. but, if you ever find yourself needing someone to talk to, you can always come to me. the circumstances do not matter. if you want advice, i’ll do my best to advise. if you want me to simply listen, my ears will be open. if you want to sit in silence, ill sit silently with you so you are not alone.”

neteyam turns to you in disbelief at the sincerity within your words, and surprises himself with how close you are, faces only inches apart. your eyes widen and you lean back a little bit, hand slipping off his shoulder, but the earnest look in your gaze remains, trying to gauge his response to your pledge. neteyam shakes his head at you, a happy scoff escapes his lips, and he calls you stupid for resigning yourself to a one-sided promise. you put your hands on your hips and tilt your head at him, not falling for the insult. “all that matters to me is that you have someone to speak your true feelings to and not allow them to eat at you from the inside out.” neteyam observes the seriousness in your eyes, the way your ears are turned towards him, the way tension coils in your tail, the way your eyes shift from his to the ground as if you’re just now considering the possibility that he may reject your offer.

neteyam stands, and nods affirmatively, tail flicking, “okay. i do not wish to talk about it. but now as my newly designated comfort person, you have to fly with me.” he offers you his hand, and gently raises you to your feet. you giggle at him, head tilted up to meet his eyes, “there has to be a better title besides ‘comfort person’ but i’ll take it! uh…are you going to let go of my hand so we can get flying?” neteyam drops your hand, and scratches at his head, now it’s his turn for his cheeks to turn indigo. you mount your ikran, and call down to him with a smirk on your face, “trying to race?” neteyam laughs at you, goading, “when i win, don’t hurt yourself trying to eat my dust!” you kick-off getting a head start, and neteyam is quick to mount his ikran and follow you into the sky.

the challenge you had set began with adrenaline-pumped blood, heavy breathing, sharp turns, dives and peaks, free-falling, frivolous chasing after one other, the lead switching between the two of you often, screams of glee and awe when one of you pulled off an unreal maneuver–and turned into cruising instead of racing. eclipse had long since passed, somehow going unnoticed by you and surprisingly, neteyam. your gliding had turned into intertwining flight paths–swirling, flipping, mixing, turning, all synchronized as if it were a dance you two had practiced many times before. neteyam finds himself distracted from guiding his ikran, as his whole thought process becomes consumed with the image of you.

the bioluminescent freckles twinkling on your face in an unknown pattern, and he wonders if his match yours. the way you let your eyes drift shut, how your head is tilted back, how your arms raise and spread into the air as your ikran coasts through a flip in the air. a soft smile remains constant on your lips as you fly, and grows larger when you open your eyes again and turn to him. you pick up speed to overtake him, and set the path through a few cliff sides, while neteyam raises his hand to his face and realizes that he’s been grinning like a madman the whole time he’s been with you. when you two escape the maze of terrain, he coasts right next to you and sees the moonlight hit your lithe body at the perfect angle and allows himself to accept the fact that he’s falling in love with you. and then his heart drops into his stomach, his ikran shrieks and comes to a sudden stop, wings flapping frantically to remain in the same space– sending you and your ikran into a panic, as you quickly turn back to him, and worriedly question him, scared at the paled look on his face.

neteyam buries his face into his hands and silences your bewilderment by pulling a hand from his face and pointing into the sky, finally bringing your awareness to you guys messing around way past eclipse. you eyes widen and your mouth drops open, a groan of despair escaping you, and you look at neteyam, and both of you say,

“we’re so dead.”

and as you two start to race home, debating whether or not to lie about how you guys ended up losing track of time this badly, neteyam can’t help but think that any punishment he receives from his mom and dad wouldn’t matter, in light of the discovery he made today. the fact that he’s falling in love with you, and the fact that he doesn’t want to do anything to stop it.

⋆☾ LO'AK SULLY - 2k words

lo’ak’s just finished being scolded by not only his mother and his father, but also his grandmother after his latest stunt of nearly killing his younger sister, tuk, unintentionally of course. how was he supposed to know that she was going to sneeze and fall off the vines connecting the mountains plummeting to the ground only to be saved by neteyam on his ikran…again. in his anger of being banned from patrolling and flying for two weeks he sulks into the jungle and comes across you.

lo’ak retreats into the jungle after being dismissed by his father, angered and simultaneously exhausted. it’s like his parents think that he purposely tried to kill his little sister–why would he want that?? and at the bare minimum, why don’t they scold tuk for tagging along and blackmailing him all the time? “if you don’t take me, i’m going to tell” she’d singsong at him. even though he’s breaking rules anyway, they should at least tell tuk not to partake in it with him. 

he wasn’t even planning on getting in trouble today! tomorrow,he was supposed to join his parents and neteyam on checking the borders of their land, and he just wanted to share the news with his ikran. so when tuk wanted to come along to see the ikrans, he thought nothing could possibly go wrong, they’re all grouped next to their main dwelling in the mountains. he helped tuk climb to the top, and they both greeted the flock and made their way to his mount. he bring his hand to his forehead and gestures towards the animal, and tuk does the same. the ikran leans towards tuk and snorts at her gently blowing stray grass on to her face. she shrieks and giggles freely–happily, and lo’ak gently laughs at them as he bring his hand to pet the playful animal.

tuk mimics her older brother and gently pats the ikran on the snout a few times before she becomes distracted at the others milling around uninterestedly. she goes off to examine a few juvenile ikrans and lo’ak prods her, “hey! make sure to stay where i can see and hear you!” tuk nods vigorously and begins to play with the babies. lo’ak watches over her quietly for a few minutes, trying to determine whether or not any of the birds are going to try and swallow her whole, and nods acceptingly after witnessing the mature ikrans grumble and waddle away from her instead of attacking her. 

with his sister’s safety secured he turns around to face his ikran (his ears still pinned in her direction) and forms the tsaheylu with his ride–amber pupils blown wide as the bond is initiated. lo’ak loses himself in his thoughts, illustrating them for the animal, and is only shaken from it when he hears his sister sneeze, which is quickly followed by a bone-chilling shriek. his body snaps around so quickly that his braid rips from the bond, and he see his little sister fall in what seems like slow-motion. lo’ak screams her name as she falls over the edge, and instinctively reconnects with his ikran and flies over the edge to try and catch her. he’s diving straight down, gaining on her but not quickly enough for the panic and fear to subside in his chest. he’s reaching out– his hand a few feet apart from tuk’s, and he misses the first grab, the second grab, and then her body is snatched out freefall and into neteyam’s arms. 

lo’ak levels out and speeds towards them, tuk clinging onto their brother–head buried into his chest, sobs wracking her tiny form. neteyam’s hand cradles her head, and he turns to lo’ak ready to yell at him, but the expression on his younger brother’s face stops him. there’s fear in his eyes, tears running down his cheeks and he keeps trying to wipe them away but he can’t seem to stop himself from crying. neteyam smoothly guides his ikran right next to lo’ak and gently detaches tuk from his body and into his brother’s who hesitantly accepts her onto his saddle. she clings on to him crying erratically, broken “sorry’s” falling from her mouth in between sobs, and even as lo’ak comforts her pulling her close and rubbing his hand down her back in a soothing manner, the look in his eyes betrays him; that’s he's feels undeserving of her apologies. neteyam gently rubs lo’ak on the back, and does nothing besides giving him an understanding nod, and coasts in front of him to lead them home. 

“my parents only heard the fact that tuk fell, and not the fact that i feel like shit for letting that happen to her!! it’s like they genuinely think that im putting her in dangerous situations on purpose! like i find some sort of satisfaction in it! i’m not a psychopath, i’m her brother! i care about her safety more than my own! i’d literally die for tuk!” he rants to you. he stumbled across you sitting on a river bank sharpening your knife, and as soon as you saw him you cringed at his expression and asked a simple, “you going to tell me what happened this time?” and now hear you are, listening to lo’ak repeat the same argument against his parents’ for what had to be hours. you glance at the sky and see the sun beginning to bridge the horizon, eclipse will fall upon you two soon. 

for the first time you interrupt and ask, “did you tell your parents that?” lo’ak throws his hands up in the air and begins pacing back and forth exasperatedly claiming, “i tried!! multiple times! and they just spoke over me–they didn’t want to hear it! even neteyam came to my defense trying to explain for me, and they dismissed his words too!!” your eyes widened as you said perplexed, “they ignored what neteyam had to say?” lo’ak screamed, “yes!” in complete disbelief. 

“and now you’re banned from flying,” you clarify.

“yes!”

“and patrolling.”

“yes!!”

you nodded at him, “well it could be a lot worse—”

“what??! what do you mean a lot worse?! this is terrible!” he cried out.

“they could’ve banned you from flying forever,” you smirked at him.

he sighs, a petty little “not funny” escaping from him, and you laugh, letting him know that you thought your joke was funny enough. you watch him continue to pace, his body language still unsettled (you just can’t determine if it’s from his punishment, or not being enough to save his sister), his fingers rake through his braids tugging and pulling at his scalp frustratedly, and you’ve had enough when you see the deep blue skin on his hands start to lighten with the force and grasp he has on his hair. you intercept his path, place an unyielding hand on his chest holding him in place, and with a firm look on your face you demand, “stop tugging at your hair like that. you’ve spent so much time growing these pretty braids it would be a shame to see you rip them out of your own skull.”

lo’ak freezes, eyes wide and locked onto yours, as he releases his braids and his arms fall limp at his sides. he’s not sure if he stopped because he was listening to your instructions, or if because he short-circuited when you called him pretty (okay, you called his braids pretty–it’s a miniscule difference). you state confidently, “if you are not allowed to fly for the next two weeks, that does not mean that i am not allowed fly. which means that you are allowed to fly with me.” lo’ak balks at your bold statement, “uh…” hesitantly calling out to you as you step away from him (your hand just now falling from his chest, yes he noticed) and summon your ikran. he goes, “uhhhh, no! nope! i do not think that is what that means at all!” you climb onto your saddle, and plead, “lo’ak, please let me try to make you feel better. they won’t be wondering where you are until eclipse, and we only have a couple hours left before we lose daylight. fly with me one last time until you really can’t?”

he shifts his weight, battling with himself before he sighs and allows you to help him onto the back of the saddle, “alright, but only until eclipse, okay?” you cheer, and commence a quick take off, causing lo’ak to shout and hurriedly wrap his arms around your waist, and how is this the first time he’s noticed how small you are compared to him. you continue to direct your ikran upwards and into the clouds bringing him further away from his troubles on the ground.

your waist is enveloped completely by just one of his arms, and in order to make the ride more comfortable he pulls his hands backwards and just grasps carefully at the sides of your waist instead, his fingers almost close enough to touch across your stomach. it seems you’ve just become aware of the situation and he feels your breath catch, and stomach tense, but you say nothing, content to avoid addressing it and let him handle it. he sees the deeper shade to your cheeks and smiles boyishly and he knows that you know that he’s cheesing at you, but you refuse to acknowledge his amusement, keeping your eyes fixed forward but the blush becomes noticeable on your ears, and begins to spread to your chest, and he can’t stop himself from audibly laughing. in retaliation, you command your ikran into a sharp flip, and lo’ak’s gasp interrupts his laughter, and he tightens his grasp on your waist to stop himself from sliding.

when you level out it appears that night has finally overtaken day, but the both of you are too busy squealing internally at the fact that his agile, strong, trained, veiny hands are gripping your waist. the bioluminesce begins to sparkle over your body, and he merely leans back to get a better look at you. you turn to look at him and see a soft smile on his face, his eyes overflowing with feelings he has yet to speak with you about; and nevertheless, you understand completely, and you’re sure it’s reflected at him in your own gaze. you shyly face frontwards again, recognizing that you embarrassed yourself enough around him today with bold words and touches, but lo’ak does not let you hide for long. he scoots forward completely, no longer worried about maintaining the space between you. his chest envelopes your back and he leans forward to gently place a fleeting kiss on your cheek, your breath catches again. instead of teasing you as before, he pulls back–dropping one hand to the body of your ikran and allows the other to wrap across you more firmly, his hand pressing against your abdomen encouraging you to rest against him, and you breathe deeply, allowing yourself to be embraced. his chin goes to rest on your head, and you allow your ikran to guide you home, fully at ease in lo’ak’s arms. 

lo’ak gently offers, “let’s spend a little more time out here. just you and me, together.” you begin to half-heartedly reject, reminding him of the circumstances of his punishment and curfew. he waves you off, “it does not matter, you said it yourself. they can’t ban me from flying forever, what’s another week of grounding to the two i have already?” you twist to make sure of his decision, before nodding and turning around again, settling yourself even deeper and more comfortably in his hold.

you suggest to your ikran to take the longest path home.

© killakirby - piracy and plagiarism are not allowed. no reposts on any form of media.

[nighttime-horrors]

Maybe Stu Macher with an autistic significant other? Gender neutral please! Drabble or head cannons. If you aren’t comfortable with this I totally understand. I love you’re work and I hope you can keep it up :)

☼︎ Autistic S/O ☼︎

⊹ฺ Requested by a lovely Anon! ♡

⊹ฺ Characters: Stu Macher (Scream 1996)

⊹ฺ Contains: Gender Neutral! Reader (No use of (Y/N); Fluff; Simple headcanons; One (1) mention of murder; One (1) partial/vague mention of nudity; SFW

⊹ฺ Note: Hi, thank you so much for requesting and the compliment!! I really hope you enjoy these! (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)

—

✧ Stu Macher

⊹ฺ He is as understanding as he can be, but admittedly doesn't always handle things the best, haha.

→ As seen in the movie, he lacks subtlety– he doesn't think about his words a lot before saying them. He might not even actually care about what he says. For you, however, Stu tries to be more mindful.

⊹ฺ If you have an issue with any kind of fabric, Stu always suggests that you strip.

→ Despite the teasing smirk and mischievous look in his eyes, he is mainly kidding/genuinely suggesting it for your own comfort. He likes you being comfortable and he loves being able to look at you.

⊹ฺ Is so ready and willing to do what he has to in order to keep you comfy.

→ Stu doesn't do it to infantilize you or anything, he just likes being able to help you. He's willing to do literally anything for you, including murder. Cutting tags from clothes or touching something like cardboard so you don't have to is no big deal to him. (He likes being your knight in shining armor, I can feel it in my soul.)

⊹ฺ Is one of the best people to be around if you need or want pressure at any time.

→ He will gladly do whatever you need/want him to; Hugs, handholding, laying on you, whatever you need, he is there. (He views it as a way of showing affection.)

⊹ฺ While it might occasionally bum him out a little, Stu is very understanding when you need time to yourself.

→ He knows that he can be a lot and knows that the world in general can be a lot to handle. If you need time alone, he will give you the time you need. He will miss you like crazy and periodically check in with you, but he honors your request for as long as you need him to.

[la-folie-a-deux]

Force of Gravity (Din x Reader)- Chapter 1: Birds of a Feather

A/N: Hey everyone! I am so excited to finally share this little story with you! This was originally supposed to be a miniseries to be the companion of Shatter by my bestie, the incredibly talented @kyberblade but I have lots of ideas and I already love our main kiddos more than words can say so please be prepared for probably lots of these two. I also want to thank Kristen for all of her help throughout the writing process and editing. She is the reason I got the courage to write my first ever story and I can’t express my gratitude to her enough. You’re the best 💖 I also want to say a big thank you to @firefly-graphics for making the dividers I use. They are so pretty, I can’t stop looking at them

NOTE: I do not own the Star Wars franchise, the dividers, the gifs, or Ti Jyrr, I just love them and wanted to make something with them. Please support their original creators.

Word Count: 3,862

Masterlist | Next | Spotify Playlist

Now listening to: Gravity/Run to You and Wildest Dreams

As far as the eye could see, there were nothing but extravagant twirling gowns and sharply dressed gentlemen. A beautiful melody playing set the mood, or maybe it was the lighting, even the quiet murmurs of the members of society that were mingling on the sides of the ballroom could’ve been the cause of such a lively and exciting event.

You hated it.

But of course you couldn’t decline Cara’s request of joining her at the Queen’s annual ball to celebrate the beginning of courting season. Well, you could but you didn’t think that having to face the wrath of your lifelong best friend nor the society’s endless gossip was worth it so here you are.

Standing behind a pillar with a glass of too tart lemonade in a white dress that was much too formal and your hair carefully piled up with too many hairpins digging into your scalp, you were trying to keep all attention off of you. You were perfectly content to have not a single name on your dance card for the entire evening, in fact it was your goal. Maybe if Cara stayed distracted dancing with every handsome suitor that she drew in with a bat of her long lashes then she wouldn’t notice you slipping away into a much quieter space in the palace. Anywhere was much better than being here. Of course, you would not be so fortunate to have those goals met tonight.

Her mother fretted over both of you finding a man with a good title and family to settle down with since you were taken in after your parents met their untimely deaths when you were the young age of ten. Every time you two would return home from another ball with no callers the next day, you received quite the earful of lamenting and scolding remarks about how you'll both end up spinsters. Oh, how Lady Dune couldn’t stand the very idea of that happening to her girls. Not that she would be deterred from doing as she pleased when left to her own devices.

That’s definitely not to say that Cara would allow you the luxury of participating in the same freedoms. That was just a silly thought.

“Ti, I know you think you’re being sneaky hiding behind there but I know every single one of your hiding spots. Come out from there,” she demanded softly as to not make a scene or draw her gentleman friend away from her side. Always the proper lady she was even if technically you had a higher title to your name and bloodline. With a quiet sigh, you rounded the pillar to look at your friend. Cara cleared her throat delicately before looking up at her partner, “Lord Vanth, this is my closest friend, Duchess Ti Jyrr.”

With a slight curtsey from you and a polite bow from this Vanth fellow, he spoke with a friendliness that few people use in normal conversations. “Your Grace, it’s an honor to meet you. Cobb Vanth at your service.” Cara gave you a look that spoke volumes. She absolutely loves how people speak to you upon hearing your title during introductions but this was more genuine than all those other times so of course she thought this was the best entertainment in the world.

“Please, just Ti would do. I’m not a fan of the pomp of titles.” That was not something the Lord had expected to hear. It was so casual in terms of society norms. It was as if he’d known you for years and accidently slipped up by calling you strictly by your peerage instead of your name. Most would find such a thing improper, but Vanth believed in being more laid back instead of formal every second he existed in a space. That’s probably the thing Cara liked about the man most.

Cobb sent a warm smile at you. “Okay, ‘Just Ti’. My friends just call me Vanth so since I get to call you by your name, you can use mine too. Fair?” You nodded with a grateful smile. It’d be a good idea to make more friends in society especially since this was only the very start of the season and it’s already insufferable. Maybe more companions could make the balls and parties not nearly as dreadful. Maybe you’ll actually want to go without having to be forced to join.

Maybe you’ll find someone-

You took a sip of your lemonade to drown the very thought your adoptive mother drilled into your head your entire life. You weren't going to go looking for “the one”. You are realistic in your fantasies of courtship and marriage. If you found “the one”, it’d happen when you least expected it and that was a big if. You know how rare it is for people to enter a marriage of love. People typically participate in a marriage of convenience where it’s more of a transaction than a union of two people. Oh how you loathed the thought of being stuck with someone you couldn’t stand the sight of much less someone that thought you were merely property instead of a human being.

“-friends with the Prince.” Cara’s voice slowly started to filter back into your head drawing you out of your thoughts and back into the present. You looked at her with a raised eyebrow, lowering your cup from your lips. The Prince?

“I’m sorry, I missed part of what you said. Would you mind repeating it please?”

Cara knew she got your attention even if it was all based on some subconscious curiosity about the mysterious Prince of Mandalore. This was interesting. You didn’t typically find other people very captivating. You stuck to your general solitude and your fencing practice instead of going for a promenade around town like the other ladies. You liked your swords and your bow and arrows way more than you liked humans. With a sly smile and gleam to her eyes, she responded, “I was just saying that Vanth told me that he happens to be close personal friends with the Prince.”

You sent a curious glance to Vanth, as if asking if your friend was telling the truth. “She’s right,” he answered cheerfully. “He actually stayed a few days at my manor to help with a dilemma we were facing not long ago. If it weren’t for him, my manor and all its people would be in ruins. I owe him a great bit.”

You nodded along to the story, a thoughtful expression gracing your features as you thought about what your new friend told you. Reservedly, you asked, “What’s he like?”

Cara looked back up at Vanth while he met her gaze. With a slight nod in his direction, Vanth gathered all of his thoughts. “He’s quiet. Almost intimidatingly so. Well, maybe not almost. He likes to observe more than interact with people unless he needs to. But he’s incredibly thoughtful and loyal. He’s also a fantastic swordsman and archer.”

That piqued your interest even more in this man you’ve never seen, much less even know. He was like you. Almost identical to you. Birds of a feather and all that. Cara felt like she was witnessing a new side to her friend but all you could think about was the possibility of yet another new ally and one that was like you. Someone that wouldn’t drag you places you didn’t want to go because he also didn’t want to go, that’d do archery and fencing with you, to hide from the throes of society with… Oh, what a pleasant thought.

“Can I meet him..?” Your voice was small, almost shy.

Vanth nods enthusiastically. “Of course! I was actually planning on looking for Mando after this song. I’ll lure him over to meet you.”

You give him a grateful nod as he bows and makes his exit. You go to take another small sip before your friend reminds you of her presence during all of that.

“Who are you and what have you done with my Ti?” Cara asks incredulously once she’s sure that Vanth is out of earshot. “You, Miss ‘I don’t like anyone except my amazing and perfect best friend’-”

You interject quietly, “I wouldn’t go that far, Cara.”

“‘Except your spectacular and stunning best friend’,” she says over your comment, “are actually interested in the Prince! This is groundbreaking!”

“I think you’re being completely over dramatic over this. I’m not looking to use him as a plaything like you do with every new guy you spend the night with at every ball we attend,” you say exasperatedly. “I just think we might have a lot in common and I’d love to have more than just one friend to spend time with at these things, Cara. Is that really so wrong?”

With a soft sigh and a shake of her head, you get a response you weren’t actually expecting from her. “Of course it’s not wrong. But it is odd for you to want to have conversations with anyone outside of me, even more so is it odd that you want to do that with the Prince of all people.”

“How so?” You ask with curiosity. “You heard how Vanth described him. It sounded like what I imagine you say to people that ask you to describe me. How could I not be intrigued to get the opportunity to meet him?”

“I hate when you make a valid point,” Cara grumbled under her breath, stealing the half drunk lemonade out of your hand and taking a sip. Her face screwed up at the taste for a split second before she carefully schooled it. “Maybe you can convince the Prince to talk to his aunt about adding more sugar to the lemonade next time.”

You laugh at her comment before thinking about the detail your friend brought up. “His aunt? Isn’t the Queen the one that planned this whole ordeal?”

“Yes Ti, the Queen is the Prince’s aunt. The commonly told story is that when he was just a young boy, his parents were visiting the village when it got attacked and sadly they didn’t make it. He was taken in by the King and Queen as their sole heir to the title since they didn’t have any children themselves. I would say that you must be deaf since you didn’t know all that if I didn’t know the truth that you just don’t pay any attention to gossip.” Cara rolled her eyes in the most unladylike fashion she had showed all night. “This is such common knowledge. It’s genuinely perplexing to me how you can avoid such things when everyone speaks so freely on these topics so often.”

“I just don’t care to eavesdrop on the conversations people around me have. It’s none of my business unless I’m being referenced during it.” You shrugged which caused her to huff quietly into the cup she was holding to her lips. There was the sound of footsteps coming up behind you which gained Cara’s full attention, her eyes lifting up and the glass lowering slowly as she took in the sight.

“Ladies, I hope you don’t mind me returning with a companion.” The voice you were starting to easily recognize as Vanth carried out behind you as you turned to face him and your eyes land on his all knowing grin before traveling to this companion he spoke of.

Oh.

You didn’t know what you had been expecting but he was not it. Your wildest imagination couldn’t have conjured up anything like the man in front of you. He was fairly tall but not too tall, endearingly messy and wavy brown hair falling across his forehead, scruff on his face that really suited him well, a broad and strong build to his body that’s covered in a clearly expensive suit, warm brown eyes that were taking you in just like you were with him-

A throat cleared shakes you and seemingly also shakes the gentleman from your investigation of one another. Who’s throat? You couldn’t say but it was enough to bring you back to the bustling ballroom and remember your manners. Dipping down into a proper curtsey that you know Lady Dune would weep happy tears over, you know for a fact that Cara’s eyes are wide and calculating. She will without a doubt talk your ear off about the motion for the rest of your life or until you do something even more noteworthy.

The gentleman returned it with the most graceful bow you’ve ever seen someone achieve in all your life. Your mind was racing in a million different directions for a brief moment whilst in the back of your mind, you could make out Cara speaking. “Your Highness, this is Duchess Ty Jyrr."

Meanwhile, you could also hear the voice of Vanth speaking but it was all background noise until it was clearly directed towards you so you made sure to pay attention to the Lord. “Your Grace, this is Prince Din Djarin.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Grace.” His voice was even better than you could imagine. Rough, yet somehow smooth. Quiet, yet still demanding attention. Charming. Strong. Addicting.

Not the time. Not the place. Not the Prince, for Maker’s sake.

“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness.” You keep your voice steady to not give yourself away to your audience. Cara is already seemingly onto your curiosity and attitude towards the man you were just introduced to, you don’t need her to think you’re a goner already after one sentence. Keep yourself together. This is a new possible companion, nothing more.

“You know,” Vanth interjects, smirking impishly, “Mando here is a big fan of dancing.” The Prince turns his head as quick as a bullet towards his friend incredulously.

Before he has a chance to open his mouth, Cara’s melodic voice cuts in, “Ti is as well! You two should go dance together! Run along now.” Now it was your turn to try to glare at your best friend but she’s already shoving you in Din’s direction without hesitation. Din catches you before you can think about stumbling, not that you would’ve since if there was one thing Lady Dune couldn’t scold you for, it was how light you were on your feet. Never clumsy or stiff, it was finally something you were known for your gracefulness in.

As the duo of tyrants you and the Prince called your respective friends made their way onto the ballroom floor themselves to dance the night away as they were before you were spotted and ambushed, you were left in the arms of the stranger who you wanted so badly to get to know. Sure, the man was handsome and his voice was like music to your ears but he was meant to only maybe become a confidant to enjoy spending time with while stuck at all the balls you were expected to attend this season. Strictly a friend, nothing more. You weren’t going to mess this up.

You look up at him while taking a small step back to put a respectable distance between the two of you again. You didn’t want to cause a scandalous topic of gossip by being held close to him, his arms around you. You knew they’d spin the story into something unfavorable and you couldn’t possibly want to put yourself in the pathway for such a thing, nor could you possibly think to put the Prince in that situation either. Curse Cara and Vanth for being so careless in their actions.

“We really don’t have to dance together if you’d rather not, Your Highness. I won’t be offended.”

A hand reached out to delicately take the dance card hanging from your wrist, the other reached into his coat pocket to procure a beautiful ink pen which he used to write his name elegantly in not only the first slot of the card, but every single empty slot. In a softer tone than he used to offer his pleasantries to your first meeting, he responds, “It could be fun, plus we could avoid other people if we stay busy together. We could even avoid Cara and Vanth if we danced together the entire time.”

“I like the way you think. Though, what would the Mothers and everyone think of us dancing in front of the entire ball? What about the King and Queen? Surely people will talk.” The King and Queen could find you unworthy of the companionship of their nephew and ban you from speaking to him ever again. You didn’t want that.

“They’ll talk no matter what, so let them.” He then looked slightly hesitant. “Unless this is your way of telling me you don’t want to dance with me, that is.”

“No!” You deny, almost frantically, but not enough so to draw attention to the both of you. “Of course that’s not what I’m saying, Your Highness! I’d love to dance with you. I just didn’t want you to feel like you were obligated to ask me in the first place.”

“I don’t feel obligated,” he says with a slight chuckle. “I’d like to dance with you. It gives us a good opportunity to actually talk without the chance of anyone coming over and interrupting. Plus I do like to dance when the partner I’m dancing with is good company.”

“Well, you’re in luck because I happen to be great company.”

A laugh escaped him. A real one too, not just a small chuckle. It caught you off guard and startled a giggle out of you at the sound. His hand reaches out smoothly, palm up in your direction for you to take (and who were you to deny him that) so you place a hand gently on his. He smiles at you, all charm and warmth, and you’ve never felt more at home than right in this moment with him.

“May I have this dance, Your Grace?”

“You may, Your Highness.” You let him lead you to the dance floor as the last song comes to an end and the band starts a new one. You both do the obligatory bow and curtsy to each other before engaging in a nimble waltz. The two of you spin around in a flurry of softness. There’s decades of shared practice between the two of you and it shows. But since the dance is ingrained in both of your bones, you can have a conversation without worrying about fumbling a step. “It seems like you have done this a few times,” you say with humor lacing your voice.

“Perhaps just a few times,” he responds in a similar jest. “It’s been quite a while since I did it last though, I must confess.” He takes a step forward, causing you to take one back to follow his lead.

“What a shame. I’m sure your last partner was quite charming if you’ve not danced with anyone since then. It’s a great honor that I, of all people, get to be your companion during your return to such a thing.” You step out into a small twirl before returning to him. “What were they like?” You can’t help but utter the question almost silently, as if your subconscious was scared of the truth he might befall upon you. Who is this person that means so much to the man in front of you that he’d stop dancing at every society ball for who knows how long and why wasn’t he dancing with them instead of you?

His hand gently squeezed yours in what you could only assume to be a comforting and grounding way, as if to bring your mind back down to him from wherever it had wandered off to. Another small thing that made you feel like he actually saw you and understood you when no one else ever tried to. “Well, my last ‘partner’ is indeed the epitome of charming but also is a child and stood on top of my feet the whole time. Other than that, any adults I’ve danced with aren’t what I’d describe as ‘charming’, though dull and insufferable could be more aptly applied to their characters.” His soft words reached you as if they were the song you two were dancing around to, wrapping your brain up in smooth warmth and unsuspecting hilarity. A small, unladylike snort escaped you at the verbal jabs he dealt to the unaware ladies surrounding you. He smiled at the noise, stepping a smidge closer to your body but not enough to be considered indecent should anyone look your way. “Thankfully, it seems that my curse of drab dance partners has been broken by you.”

“Oh hush, you’re just saying that. I would dare say that plenty of people would use the word ‘insufferable’ to describe me, including my dearest friend and her mother. Not that I take it to heart, I prefer to be insufferable than to be, what did you call them..? Oh right, ‘dull’ and ‘drab’. So maybe you were correct that I broke that curse. I should like to tell you that you owe me some gratitude but that might be an awfully large thing to ask of Your Highness.” You look up into his eyes, challenging him. Of course, he doesn’t step away from such a blatant dare.

“Should you like me to shout it out for all to hear, or maybe get on my knees to give my appreciation to you, Your Grace?” He teased, making you crack a smile.

Oh, how that would be quite a sight to behold-

You clear your throat, and your thoughts with it. “Just a simple ‘thank you’ should suffice well enough. I see no need to stop our lovely dance to make such a spectacle.” His eyes lock onto yours and you instantly drown in the warm chocolate pools of his irises. Being this up close makes you realize the height difference between the two of you, your head having to be inclined a fair bit to actually look at his face and all the agreeable features it possesses.

“Well then, thank you from the bottom of my heart for making tonight already a million times more tolerable than the last few seasons worth of evenings have been. I am eternally grateful for your company and I look forward to what else the night has in store for us.” And if that doesn’t seal your fate for needing him to stay present in your life, you don’t know what possibly could.

“I could say the very same thing myself.”

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[evelestrange]

hi!! i absolutely loved "enough" omg i can't get enough (😉) of protective bf!ekko, he deserves more love ;_; can i request for some pre-relationship ekko, like maybe the moment when he finally confesses his feelings for reader after hiding it for so long? tysm and keep up the great work 💚

i am combining this and @halypoty requests! (romantic ekko x reader)

another reminder that if either of you don't like the fic or it wasn't what you had envisioned, dm me for a prioritized request

are we too young for this?

my arcane masterlist

┊spoilers: act 2

┊pairing: Ekko x fem!zaunite!reader

┊warnings: mentions of death,

┊word count: 1.2k

┊genre: hurt/comfort

┊summary: Being with Ekko in the firelights wasn't easy, but it's worth it.

┊notes: trying out something new by making the a song fic !

song: softcore by the neighbourhood.

personal preference here, but i wholeheartedly believe that angst-fluff hits so much harder than just fluff (i'm also just a sucker for hurt/comfort where there is some genuine backstory and epilog instead of an awkward cut-off.) Therefore, most of my posts will have some sort of angst, including this one <3

you've been my muse for a long time…

His gray eyes seemed to glitter under the sunlight. His smile is beaming against the rays. His head turned to face you, his smile somehow glowing even brighter at the sight of you. The small gap in his teeth is still present after all these years.

You were sitting in the grass, your legs crossed as your sketchbook was open in your lap. The charcoal in your hand dancing over the parchment, using your sleeve to smear the shading, bleeding his cheekbones into the page. You bit your lip in concentration, trying to get his eyebrows just right. One arch needed to be lower than the other.

His heart seemed to swell at the sight of you.

you get me through every dark night…

Your hands covered your mouth in a silent sob, your hands trembling under the weight of your fear. Your shaking was constant, but with no definite pattern.

Ekko shifted in his sleep next to you, his brows furrowing and contorting in ways you couldn't seem to understand. The man pulled you closer to him, subconsciously. His hands are firm around your back, splaying across the base of your neck and intertwining his fingertips onto your hair, an irritating but comforting pressure.

Your breathing slowed and your racing heart calmed as you were laid beside him, admiring his features in every way to ground yourself. A small smile settled into your expression, eyes closing as he brought you into the crook of his neck.

You didn't notice the kiss he pressed to your temple as he followed you to sleep.

i'm always gone, out on the go…

You squint your eyes, the sun blinding you as it poured into your bedroom. You rolled onto your side with still closed eyes, lifting your leg to drape over your best friend.

The sheets were cold with his absence.

i'm on the run and you're home alone…

You sighed, as this was nothing new. He got paranoid sometimes ; it's understandable with the work we do in our...field.

It didn't make waking up alone any easier. With another sigh you rolled out of bed, your feet freezing against the cold wood. The curtains swayed, dancing with the wind. You pulled brown cargo pants from your closet. A tight, black, long sleeve shirt following closely behind.

You slipped the material over your head and around your hips, messing with the hems for comfort.

i’m too consumed with my own life…

Reality seemed to fade away, disappearing into the fog of a simulation as you applied pressure to the nuzzle in your hand, the rich paint spreading across the tree bark. Your eyes stung as you filled and smoothed the magenta hair into the splitered ridges.

are we too young for this?

She was nineteen ; a child, when death had taken her by the throat, dragging her into the depths of wherever the afterlife resided. Tears fell down your face, your sleeve rehoming them into the fabric of your shirt as you continued to honor her memory in a portrait.

feels like i can’t move…

You look a step back, the full picture in view. A force seemed to slam itself into your chest, your mind returning to your body from its far away state.

Yet, you couldn’t seem to move as pink joined pink on the tree. Your feet were planted to the ground, phantoms of the tree’s roots wrapping themselves around your body and preventing your movement.

sharing my heart…

As terrible as it was, the girl was a substitute for Vi in sorts. Just a bandaid over a bullet wound that was ripped off with her death.

it’s tearing me apart…

Your heart ached in your chest as you studied the art you created.

“Firelights!” Mirio’s shout was verbose, echoing throughout your home as you turned your head, your heart lightening as you spotted platinum locs in the distance, quickly coming closer as you raced to meet him.

but i know i’d miss you, baby, if i left right now…

“I missed you,” you whispered in his ear, your arms tight around his neck. His arms only tightened, a silent reciprocation to your claim.

doing what i can, tryna be a man…

Your nails scratched lightly against his neck as his heart pounded, trying to go through his chest and into yours.

His posture was stiff and tense with emotional barriers. He was trying to stay strong for everyone here, he was a leader.

And leaders don’t show weakness.

Because look where that got Vander.

and every time i kiss you, baby…

His lips lay on your neck, but not in a kiss.

Never a kiss.

You knew he must have lost someone on the mission, taking it hard. He breathed you in as a comfort, a reassurance that you were here. You were alive.

i can hear the sound of breaking down…

He was trebling, ever so slightly. Your arms loosened, your hand slipping into his as you pulled him along.

You entered your shared dorm, pulling him down onto the sofa and holding him close to you as his tears started to run, dampening your neck as his arms snuck around your waist, eliminating any space between the two of you.

You were all he had.

“Please don’t end up like them..” he begged. You shook your head, your own tears spilling over as you clutched him to you.

“I will never, ever, abandon who we are and what we stand for, Ekko,” you reassured.

i’ve been confused as of late…

He shook his head and confusion enveloped you.

“Please don’t leave me like they did.”

Your heart broke, not because of his fear, but because what you said next could turn into a lie.

“I won’t leave you.”

watching my youth slip away…

He had crows feet around his eyes, the stress of the past few years getting to him. Watching the death of the man that took him in, and watching his brothers and sister drive them selves into a suicide mission, only to not come out the other side and the only person that survived sided with their enemy and abandoned them.

Then he had to watch the people around him be ravaged by shimmer and die.

you’re like the sun, you wake me up…

He looked up, eyes meeting yours, bloodshot and slightly swollen.

“I’ve been in love with you since we were kids,” his voice was rough, the side effect of his tears. “You’re the only constant I’ve had in my life since Benzo and Vander died.”

He was pouring his heart out to you and openly trauma dumping.

but you drain me out, if i get too much…

“I can’t let anything happen to you, I wouldn’t survive that.”

Your hands came up the cup his jaw, running them along the edges.

“I promise you, I’ll try as hard as I can to never make you feel like you’ll lose me,” you swore to him, holding his eyes to your gaze.

i might need you or i’ll break…

“I need you.” Within seconds his lips were pressed to yours, a long and sweet kiss he had planted onto you. You losened your grip, favoring having your arms tightly swung around his neck.

He pulled away, only just.

“I love you so much,” he confessed. His gaze was locked on you, waiting for a reaction.

An answer.

“I love you, to the stars and back.”

-

-

-

-

-taglist: @bitchylittlejellyfish @1-danid @holysmokesblog@brooks-lyanna

[miekasa]

random boyfriend levi hcs (modern au)

↯ pairing: levi ackerman x (fem) reader

↯ genres and warnings: modern au, fluff, i feel like he would honestly just be a quiet, gentle soul if given the opportunity to relax for once in his life lmao

↯ notes: i was planning to do some levi hcs, and then i got a request for them so yay! here you go, enjoy!

Has a carafe and fills it every morning (because he finishes it every day). He also absolutely does get his 6-8 glasses of water in on the daily thank you very much.

Oh he likes bubble baths. Not into lighting a thousand candles around him (altho he does like candles). Maybe one or two. Doesn’t stay for very long, but does like to get a good soak every once in a while, after he’s already showered of course.

Likes showering with you. A lot. Not necessarily for sexual antics, but he just likes it. Likes it a lot when you get all soapy and then hug him. 10/10. Although shower sex is always a welcome added bonus.

Fluffs your pillows for you in the morning behind your back. Not sure why it’s a secret for him, but it just is.

He’s like a fucking VIP member at SoulCycle or some shit and enjoys taking you with him to the classes just to see you sweat and suffer LMAO

Doesn’t mind doing things late at night with you, actually prefers it to some extent. Just don’t ask him to do anything dumb.

“Do you wanna walk to McDonald’s and get a McFlurry?” “No. I fucking hate McDonald’s and it’s 2am.” ....... “Do you want to drive around and maybe get some chinese food on our way back?” “... I’ll get the keys, let’s go.”

Surprisingly, likes to bake. It’s somewhat relaxing and therapeutic for him. He’s not the best at things like brownies and cakes and icing and decorating and all of that, but is really good at smaller, I suppose more refined desserts.

Think things like little fruit tarts, lemon squares, creme brûlée. Things that might not require a lot of ingredients, but are very particular in technique.

He doesn’t mind cooking though. But he likes cooking for other people best, not to mention he can be picky about his take-out. It can become a chore to him otherwise (and you can miss him with that meal-prepping bullshit), but he doesn’t mind cooking dinner if he knows it’s for you and him to share. And is willing to honor any particular meal request you might have.

Not exactly a wine connoisseur, but he doesn’t mind having a glass with you when you ask. He keeps bottles you and his friends get for him, but he doesn’t know shit about tasting and pairing and all that. If he needs to know or needs a recommendation, he’ll ask Erwin.

Into niche home design things like lighting fixtures, finding the perfect handles for his furniture and drawers, and things of that nature.

Very much a DIY kind of guy, and your fixer-upper. Need to assemble furniture? Fix a broken TV? Re-tile your bathroom floors? Levi’s your guy.

Loves candles. Not super sweet smelling ones like birthday cake and vanilla bean, but loves lighter, fruitier scenes like eucalyptus mixes, lemon, even sage. Always has candles on hand and never misses a single Bath and Body Works sale.

On that note, yes he does coupon. Why wouldn’t he? Capitalism already sucks and everything is so expensive, he’ll take a bargain where he can get it.

Never owned a speaker because he never saw any use for it, but one day, you coerced him into having a mini-karaoke session while you were cooking together and he found out he enjoyed it quite a bit. (The music playing a loud, not the karaoke. Even though he’s a pretty decent singer).

So when you bought him a record player for his birthday, it easily became one of his most valued possessions. And he’s really enjoyed collecting vinyls.

Other than that, he’s open to most kinds of music, and likes it if you make playlists for him—otherwise he’ll just listen to whatever you have made.

Levi and Erwin are presidents of the Beyhive but you didn’t hear that from me. Nothing but respect for THEIR Queen Bey.

Enjoys taking walks and going running when the weather is nice, and likes having you along with him. It’s actually on occasion on which he prefers to hold your hand in public. You don’t always talk much, but it’s still nice and Levi really relishes in it.

Genuinely laughs out fucking loud whenever you put a face mask on and cannot take you seriously for the next 20-35 minutes LMAO

“Hey, Casper, did you want me to get you a glass of water on my way back.” “FUCK YOU MY SKIN IS GLOWING LEVI!! GLOWING!!”

Despite that, he still fucking steals your other skin scare!! Like retinol isn’t expensive as hell!!

Likes getting massages from you, and may or may not have feigned or exaggerated soreness form his workouts a few times to get one.

Fucking hates pumping gas, but doesn’t trust the little brats at the gas station to do it for him, and would rather eat a pair of jeans than let you get out and get gawked at, so he does it himself.

If you’re in public doing something/looking at something and taking too long, Levi will just start nudging you to get you moving. Like if you’ve already spent 10 minutes looking at different pasta shapes in the grocery store, he’ll put a hand on your waist and slowly usher you back to the cart so you can actually finish your shopping (and go the fuck home).

On that note, he pulls you/grabs at you quite a bit, usually to out the way of other people or harms way (or so he claims). For example, pulls you back further onto the sidewalk while you’re waiting at the crosswalk; further away from the lines on the ground near trains and busses; away from Hange.

Really likes kissing you. Not in public, but doesn’t mind having you all over him in private. And honestly, when he wants it, he doesn’t mind being all over you either.

He’s a particularly big cuddle bug in the morning bye.

Likes it when you drive. Mostly because he can just chill in the passenger seat and take a nap.

LMAO he can’t ride a bicycle. If you taught him, he’d probably pick up pretty quickly, but nobody ever taught him so he doesn’t know how yet.

(When you find this out, you’re VERY eager to teach him and Levi feels like he might have finally met his demise). “Do you want some training wheels, Levi? I saw a pretty pink pair in the toy store on the way here.” “No, fuck you, I just need to find my balance—hey, don’t let me go! Do you want me to die???”

Despite not liking having his photo taken, he’s a pretty good photographer and doesn’t mind taking pictures of you.

Keeps a picture of you and him inside his wallet. You don’t know that it’s there.

Despises the dentist with every fiber of his being and would not fucking go if you didn’t force him to. Seriously, you have to book the appointment for him and everything or else he’s just not make one or go.

And it’s not even like he has bad teeth?? They’re fine, maybe just in need of the regular professional cleaning. He just hates people prodding inside his goddamn mouth.

Which is very weird and you tease him very loudly about because he’s fine with the doctor?? And the ophthalmologist?? And everything else but the dentist LMAO

Quite spontaneous with dates in all honesty. Sometimes he just sees shit or has an idea and asks you if you’d be down.

Not one for cliche coupley items, but you do have matching sneakers. (They’re his favorite pair of sneakers).

Picks up things you’ve left laying around and puts them in their proper place. “Levi have you seen my—” “It’s on your desk. Where it belongs.”

Museum dates! Not that he cares for the pompous air of museums, but objectively they’re nice. Quiet, pretty objects, clean. Overall, not so bad. Just don’t take him to a fucking history museum.

Has a habit of kissing the palm of your hand. It’s his silent way of telling you he loves you.

Lays his head on your lap when you’re sitting on the couch. Claims he’s not keeping up with your shows but secretly is. Curls up into a ball and takes a nap halfway through tho.

[fruitcoops]

Accidental Family

Hey folks! This is one of two fics for the six month celebration of this blog! Woohoo! Blood on the Ice is one of the most popular series I've written, and expanding it into Josie’s (@prohibitionincurls ) Winging It world with her was unbelievably fun. Disclaimer: one of the OCs has ADHD and it is a central theme of the story--while Josie based some of his characteristics on her own experience, we both recognize that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Thank you again for six amazing months, and I hope you enjoy!

Lots of love,

Eve <3

TW for mentioned injury

“Oh my god, they’re gonna kill me,” the kid whispered in a wavering voice, sounding much younger than he actually was as he left the penalty box.

“They’re not going to kill you,” Bowie soothed, still watching the tunnel where Remus had disappeared mere minutes earlier. From what he saw, there had been a bit of blood, but the bruising didn’t look too bad. Then again, there had barely been enough time for anything to visibly swell before he was whisked away.

“Can I just stay in the box?” Felix cast a look toward the Lions bench and his voice cracked. “They can’t yell at me in the box, right?”

“Hey. Look at me, Marty.” Bowie took him by the shoulders and gave him a gentle shake. “The Lions are good guys. They’re not going to hurt you, but you did just fuck up one of their best friends. What would you do if someone hit me in the face?”

“Come on, man, I’m a terrible fighter. I don’t know how well I’d be able to defend your honor after something like that. It was an accident. Do you think they know it was an accident? Should I go tell them?”

“I know. They know. Loops definitely knows. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re a little cold at first.” He ruffled the rookie’s hair and turned back to the game; the Lions were moving fast and brutal, slicing right through their defense for yet another goal. Shit. Felix clearly felt bad enough already--losing the game wouldn’t make him feel any better. 

They ended up losing the game.

Bowie had figured it might happen; he would have had the same fire if it had been his teammate that got clocked like that. Hell, he used to have the same fire when he and Remus had played together, so he completely understood. 

That did not change the fact that once they got home, Felix was still borderline inconsolable. The 18-year-old wasn’t technically billeting with them, but the apartment he was renting just so happened to be in the same building, on the same floor, and right across the hall from his and Simon’s. This led to an informal adoption of the rookie and he was around their house at least five times a week, if not more. 

Felix Martin was a good kid, and that idea was confirmed when Kronk immediately took a liking to him; the cat loved nobody but the three of them. Bowie was grateful that he and Simon were there to quell some of the homesickness that came from moving out to a new city on his own for the first time. The transition was always tough, but they could provide a little support.

They parted ways from the team when the bus got back from the rink and drove to their building in silence. Once they made their way up the stairs and down the hall, Felix moved to go back to his apartment. 

“Nope,” Bowie said immediately, placing a hand on his shoulder and steering him through the door to his and Simon’s place. It wasn’t a good idea for Felix to be alone right now--there was nothing to do alone after a loss aside from beat himself up about it, and Bowie would be damned before he let that happen. 

Simon and Kronk were perched on the couch, but they both moved into the kitchen as soon as the door clicked closed. Simon took one look at the pair and carefully wrapped his arms around Felix; the kid practically melted. The three of them stood there for a moment until Simon pulled back a bit and tilted his head toward the living room. Felix nodded and Bowie followed the two, sharing the couch with Simon while the rookie curled up in the large armchair diagonal to them. 

He...well, if Bowie was being honest, Felix looked like hell. He chewed his lower lip like an anxious beaver and fiddled with the loose threads of the closest armrest; everything about him screamed discomfort. Bowie caught Simon’s worried glance in his periphery and let out a slow breath, trying to relieve at least a little of the tension in the room.

“You don’t have to relive it if you don’t want to. I saw the game. But if you want to talk about it…” Simon trailed off with a significant look.

Felix sighed and his shoulders caved in a bit. “It was just one of those moments. All of a sudden, I didn’t really have a grasp on what was going on, which feels like shit because I’ve been doing pretty well so far. I dunno. It was just...bad.” 

That was it. Bowie knew Felix had seemed a little off. When Felix mentioned he had ADHD at the start of the season during one of their ‘getting to know your neighbor’ chats, Bowie hadn’t thought much of it. But as they grew closer, he began to notice when Felix forgot to eat or drink, or got overwhelmingly excited about something, or when he suddenly spaced out. It wasn’t just Felix being Felix.

The whole team stepped up and became intensely protective, of course. They not only helped him remember meal times, but also scheduling, directions, and everything in between. Bowie felt especially responsible for reasons he didn’t entirely understand--there was just something about the kid’s sweet heart that struck a chord.

He also knew that Felix was highly emotionally intelligent, but had no concept of whether people liked him or not. He was someone who assumed the worst, all the time. So, Bowie decided to do the only thing he knew would work: after a few more beats of uncomfortable silence, he pulled his phone out, tapped a few buttons, and pressed ‘call’.

“Hey, Remus, are you alive?” 

An amused snort came from the speaker even as Felix blanched. “Hello to you, too, Bowie. Jeez, you’re worse than Sirius.  I’m one hundred percent alive, just a little swollen. Your rookie’s got a helluva shot, but maybe tell the kid to hit the puck and not my face next time.” 

Felix flushed red and put his face between his knees, though hearing the laughter in Remus’s voice and knowing that he was okay clearly took some of the weight off his shoulders. Bowie whooped internally and shot him a quick, reassuring smile.

“Yeah, the kid’s got spirit, but he’s also got ADHD. He’s great most of the time, but sometimes under extreme pressure he can’t figure out where the fuck he--or anything else around him--is. Something about focusing or neurons firing the wrong way, maybe? Either way, it’s why he’s a terrible fuckin’ driver.”

Felix flopped back against the chair with a groan. “How the hell am I supposed to know how far away the cars around me are based on the mirrors? And how am I supposed to park?!” 

Remus’s laugh echoed once again. “Don’t ask me, kid, I’m not allowed to drive, either. Not because I’m ADHD, but because I’m terrible at it.” 

“You can say that again!” a muffled voice called from behind Remus. 

“Please excuse my fiance,” Remus said politely. “He’s a jackass who’s trying to make me lay down again.”

Felix smiled, though it was a bit pained. “I didn’t get a chance to apologize earlier. That stick was totally on me. And--I mean, I heard some of the guys talking afterward and it sounded like you got pretty banged up, so I’m really sorry. Like, really sorry.”

“Hey, woah, you’re fine,” Remus soothed. Bowie recognized his ‘talking to newbies’ voice and hid a smile in the cuff of his hoodie. “It’s the name of the game, after all. Did Bowie ever tell you about the time I accidentally checked him into a wall? Or when I broke his visor with a puck? For context, this was when we were on the same team.”

“Or that time you kicked my legs out from under me and sent me sprawling across the ice during practice.”

“That one was on purpose.” 

Bowie glared at the phone, but Felix was snickering and his grin was genuine. It calmed him a bit. “Thanks, Loops.”

“No problem, kiddo.” Remus paused for a moment, then mumbled something inaudible to someone in the background before clearing his throat. “Bowie.”

“Yes?” Remus had never been a wild card, per se, but he certainly had a knack for asking strange questions out of the blue.

“Did you accidentally adopt a child or do my ears deceive me?”

Bowie was about to laugh at the absurdity of it, but then he took a moment to think, looking back and forth between Simon and Felix. “Fuckin’--maybe I did, Re, but he’s ours now. And if that’s the case, I’m going to formally request that you tell your fiance to quit being mean to my son.”

Remus laughed on the other end of the line. “Will do. Felix seems like a sweetheart, I’m glad he’s got you two.” 

Bowie nodded with a slight smile, even though Remus couldn’t see him. “So are we. I can practically sense Sirius hovering, so go let your boyfriend fuss over you for a little while.” 

An offended noise came from Remus’s side, followed by a lower laugh and the click of the call ending. 

Simon looked Felix dead in the eyes. “I’m seconding the ‘kid’ thing. You may just barely be a legal adult, but it doesn’t mean we can’t adopt you. Congrats on your new gay dads.” 

Felix’s bright laugh sent a wave of relief through Bowie. “You guys are only, like, eight years older than me.”

“Silence, spawn,” Simon said, pointing a playful finger at him as his grin widened into something sweet and lopsided. “Now both of you need to come eat something. I made cookies while you were getting pushed around for a living.”

Bowie was still worried about Remus’ face--he made a mental note to call the next day to check in--but all his concerns disappeared as Felix scooped the cat up for a snuggle and followed Simon into the kitchen. They may have lost the game, but he would lose a million Cups to keep that moment forever: his Simon fussing over them both, his cat purring in pure bliss, and his kid settling into place at last.

[shoichee]

I JUST FOUND UR BLOG AND WHEWWW UR AKASHI HC'S ARE SO CUTE AND WELL DETAILED!!! i literally love the complexity of his character and he's just a perfect human being omg and u write him so well!

ok so if it's not much of a hassle i was wondering if i could request a F!reader and she's shorter than akashi (we're talking like 4"10-5"0 or so?) and i think it's be cute to imagine how he'd tease her and such :) thank u!

EEEEE THANK YOU ANON, IM SO HONORED TO HEAR YOUR WORDS <33 detailed hcs coming RIGHT UP -- short and sweet, and I hope you enjoy this!

f!reader x Akashi

as the shortest player in the Generation of Miracles, or even basketball in general, he definitely understands the struggle of being underestimated at first glance… well, until they suffered an ankle breaker on the courts

that being said, he’s slightly more protective over you (or at the very least, keeps an eye on you) because he knows how some people can be nasty or judgmental, or maybe they’d take their comments too far about your height

why do I feel like he has the subtle vibe of “only I can tease you and no one else can?” it’s VERY subtle though, he’s exceptional at keeping that sentiment to himself

how much he teases you depends on how well and how much you can take teasing… are you sensitive? equally teasing? pouty mad? he observes to see where his boundaries with you are at // however, it’s important to note that his teasing is either mixed with such gentleness, amusement, and/or genuine concern

if you’re sensitive and soft: expect lots of fond teasing and gentle muses… like every time he’d kiss your forehead, temple, nose, cheek, WHEREVER he chooses to peck, he’ll slightly exaggerate his movement of bending down by the knees or dip his head to your level while giving that… all-knowing glint in his eyes and a slight curve of his lip

if you’re more of someone who’d roast Akashi equally hard or also like to participate in banter, he’d say things like:

“Hmmm? Did you say something, dear?”

“I got something for you, my love, since I noticed you haven’t eaten breakfast yet… I do worry for your health.” but he gives you a carton of milk? you’re not sure if this was intentional or not?????? but if you ask him, he’d probably go, “Is milk not the best thing to digest in the morning? I heard from the maids that it’s paired very nicely with cereal and oatmeal…” LITTLE SHIT LMAO

his overall comments and teasing regardless of your personality might be things like these:

“Are you having trouble with that, my love?”

“Careful. Don’t stretch yourself too much… allow me, darling.” and he would make a little show of getting something out of a high shelf for you

“Hm? Yes? You’ve left yourself quite vulnerable…” as he tries something funny behind you or trying to slink up to where you were at… “My love, I do worry about how anyone can easily overpower you so. After all…” he’d either whisper in your ear or peck the ear’s helix… “look how little you are in my arms. Though you belong only here by my side. Please don’t hesitate to call my name if anyone dares to treat you with anything less than the respect you deserve.”

HE’D DRAPE YOU IN HIS RAKUZAN JERSEY JACKET, NO ONE CAN DISAGREE it’s just… he finds it heart-melting that you’re drowned in the fabric and he just sees it as another part of himself hugging you when he isn’t around to hug you himself, if that makes sense

that jacket ironically repels any chance of you being picked on in school, because seeing that #4 on the jacket sends them running for the hills

lots of headpats, but they can be either fond and/or teasing depending on how you respond… bonus: they’re often paired with his comments

ALWAYS approaches you from behind to just RELISH IN THE FACT THAT YOU FIT IN HIS ARMS PERFECTLY, AND THAT LITTLE SURPRISE YOU DO EVERY TIME HE COMES UP TO YOU S E N D S him to HEAVEN

private moments with him entail him insisting you to be the little spoon, and it makes him feel like he’s protecting you please—

I’M CALLING IT RIGHT NOW, when you want to give him any kisses back, especially after he just kissed you, he’d stand a little taller and turn away his head at just the right moments while staring at your face out of his peripheral vision… before he’d say either:

*SAY NOTHING, JUST HIM DOING THAT LITTLE CHUCKLE*

“Oh? You wanted to reciprocate my affection? I’m truly touched…”

“Sorry, sorry. Of course I was teasing… you’re so adorable that I just couldn’t help myself.”

*ALL OF THE ABOVE… IN THAT ORDER.*

in public, there wouldn’t be as much teasing (surprisingly) as he would do behind closed doors or in the vicinity of trusted close friends

so in the eyes of the public, he’d only give a subtle huff of amusement or a grin when he sees you having trouble with something because of your height… or he’d say something about whether or not you can “see” or need any “help” LOL

honestly, if you roast him back about his height, you just declared war on the Rakuzan captain… HE ISN’T STOPPING HIS TEASING UNTIL YOU GIVE IN AND CONCEDE; HE SEES THIS AS A CHALLENGE AND WOULD APPROACH IT LIKE HE WOULD WITH SHOGI

You’re FLUSTERED about how he teases you? prepare yourself for EXTRA entendre comments about that too, merciless Akashi mode (especially if you try equally hard to make him “embarrassed”)

stop, he’d LITERALLY have a heart attack seeing you try to view his games from the front row but you can’t because of all the TALL reporters and cameras blocking the way and you’re just stretching your neck and trying to jump but without bothering the people behind you omg—

“How was the game, (y/n)?”

“Uhhhhhh… well.”

“I’m certain the flying cables were more entertaining to watch than the game, yes?”

“SEI—”

and he’d interrupt you with his usual chaste peck and say: “Forgive me. I didn’t realize that the courts would be that crowded. I’ll be sure to save you the best spots for future games. Just keep your eyes on me, my empress.”

[twiceinadream]

“Don’t test me.”

Requested: Yup

Request: a smut where alpha jihyo gets jealous of her omega girlfriend at a work party and gives punishment in the car

a/u: Hey, everyone! In honor of the Jihyo’s birthday I decided to write a little something before my blog becomes full of Valentine’s prompts, so I hope you enjoy and @very-lost-adventurer here’s your fic where you get railed by Jihyo. I love you guys!

Category: NSFW and Smut

Word Count: 2.7k

“Happy birthday, Jihyo-nim!” The lights of the conference room flicked on as streamers hung from the ceiling and a banner with the bold words, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, was tacked on the wall. Members of Jihyo’s staff and close friends stood around the room with party hats and noisemakers as she noticed all their faces along with a giant pile of presents that sat in the center of the table. A smile spread on her lips as she was crushed in a hug from one of her best friend’s, Nayeon, while she attempted to waddle into the room practically dragging the older woman as Jeongyeon just shook her head, before finally pulling the brunette off her before shooting her a soft smile and cocked her head in your direction.

Jihyo whipped her head to the side as she finally caught sight of you, her mate, the reminder of her deep bite mark on your neck made a part of her stir in her pants before shaking away the thought as she spotted the cake you were holding. A beautiful tiramisu with her name and “Happy Birthday” written in perfect cursive decorated the top as she took it from your hands to place it on the table before bringing you into a soft kiss, and for a second you both forgot where you were. Till Nayeon not so quietly cleared her throat, making you and Jihyo reluctantly pull away from each other as you noticed the light blushes on her staff’s faces and you had to admit you felt a little bad.

However, that didn’t last for the rest of the night since after that moment it seemed that Jihyo was anywhere but with you. She had excused herself to go and mingle with some of her staff an assistant or a receptionist you weren’t really paying attention to who it was only how the other Omega’s hand kept touching Jihyo’s arm and how she was clearly flaunting her scent towards your mate, but you decided to clench your teeth and ignore it not wanting to create a scene over nothing at Jihyo’s birthday party. Deciding to just continue chatting with Jeongyeon till you saw it happen again in the corner of your eye, this time the Omega wasn’t being as discreet as they pretended to drop a napkin then immediately bend over to get it, lightly brushing against your Alpha’s front as you swore the glass you were holding was going to break in your hand at any given moment with how hard you were gripping it.

But, you just let out a deep breath and continued milling around till you saw it happen a third time where the Omega who was clearly nearing their heat by the smell of them leaned down to Jihyo’s ear to whisper something that made the Alpha blush before brushing her hair behind her ear and winking at her did you finally have enough of your mate’s either obliviousness or her sheer will to make you jealous. And knowing that sadistic little Alpha you were completely sure it was the latter so you decided to play a little game of your own. ‘If she doesn’t want to pay attention to me now, then I’ll give her a reason to watch me.’ You smiled evilly to yourself as you shook out your shoulders before taking up the facade of a sweet and innocent Omega, ‘Two can play at your game Park. Let’s just see who plays it better.’

And you set your plan into motion, moving to the most obvious Alpha in the room other than your mate, a shy new assistant from Japan named Mina who looked as though she had presented as the wrong dynamic but you could tell she knew how to handle herself or even better, let your mate think she could handle you better than she could. You expertly weaved your way through the crowd till you stood in front of the Japanese girl, a sly smirk on your face as you greeted her and struck up a conversation about video games of all things before making your move. You placed your hand on her arm and squeezed as she told a joke - she was actually very interesting and you considered asking her out for coffee after this game was up but you had all the time in the world to do that afterwards - as you laughed louder than necessary, drawing Jihyo’s attention to your direction as you let out a bit of your scent towards the blushing Alpha in front of you as your could see Jihyo’s jaw clench. She was always so easy to rile up, but you knew you couldn’t stop at Mina as you politely ended your conversation before directing your course to a partially tall Alpha.

She was taller than the rest of the women in the room and she carried an intimidating energy that just screamed, “Alpha!’ as you approached her. You learned that, like Mina, she was foreign as well but instead of Japan she was born in Taiwan and her name was Tzuyu. A very unique name that brought an easy conversation of genuine questions about her homeland that she seemed all too happy to answer as you could feel Jihyo’s gaze boring holes into the back of your head. A smirk grew on your lips as you sent a teasing wink towards your mate before trailing a hand up Tzuyu’s arm and squeezed her bicep before directing a large wave of you scent towards the poor girl before Jihyo’s control snapped and she was on you like a heat seeking missile. She smiled politely at Tzuyu as she excused the both of you as she grabbed you by the arm and dragged you off, her scent was sharp and practically nipped at your inner Omega as you could see that your scent had been affecting her and the proof was practically straining against her dark pants.

The heavy material was now doing next to nothing from hiding her obvious erection, the second you noticed it Jihyo wanted to rip the shit-eating-grin you had painted on your face off as she growled low in her throat. Pulling you closer to her to the point you could practically smell her rage rut building inside her as you moved in front of her to block the movement of your hand sliding down to cup the bulge in her pants as she bit her lip to suppress the groan that threatened to tumble out if she didn’t. You raised a suggestive eyebrow at her before she grabbed your wrist, “Don’t test me, Y/N.”

But you shrugged innocently as you leaned down to nip her ear, husking into it as you asked, “Whatever are you talking about Jihyo-ah?” The brunette growled, and if looks could kill you would surely have imploded on the spot.

“I’m not kidding Y/N, knock it off.” But her words didn’t hold water as you ran your tongue along her bottom lip, but pulled away before she could kiss you, making her frustration grow.

“Yeah?” You purse your lips in mock thought before moving to kiss along her jaw as you husked, “Or you’re just mad I played you at your own game.”

That seemed to be your mate’s breaking point as she let out an audible outburst, “Okay, now you’re gonna get it!” As the words left her mouth it felt as though time stopped since everyone’s attention was now drawn to the both of you, and it looked like Nayeon was gonna pass out from how hard she was holding back a laugh. Noticing how loud her words were and how much innuendo it implied made a dark blush grow on her cheeks as you held back a laugh. Quickly saving the situation Jeongyeon cleared her throat to bring the attention to her as she looked to the both of you before speaking.

“Y/N actually had a surprise trip planned for Jihyo’s birthday so I think it’s best if you get a move on, Nayeon and I will take everything back to your guy’s place and clean up here. Have fun you two and happy birthday Hyo!” The blonde Alpha said in the most convincing tone as you and Jihyo both made mental notes to thank her later.

“Yeah, thank you all for coming and celebrating my birthday, but we should probably get going. Feel free to stay as long as you’d like. Thank you all again!” Jihyo bowed before you and her made your escape, giggling like teenagers as you could barely keep your hands off each other in the elevator before getting to the parking garage and stumbling around to get to your car.

But before you had a chance to open Jihyo’s door, the Alpha pushed you against the car as she connected your lips in a heated kiss her hands grabbed any piece of clothing she could find as she pulled you closer. A surprised moan left your throat as you did your best to match her intensity, which was pretty easy considering the amount of tension that was building between the two of you while in the party, but you were able to hold her off long enough to open the back passenger door and the two of you tumbled inside. Thanking your past self for driving an SUV to the party as you both pulled down the seats to create a bigger area before continuing the kiss. But this time clothes began coming off as Jihyo had enough of the teasing and needed you. Now.

And who were you to deny the birthday girl.

Jihyo deepened the kiss as it seemed as though her life depended on getting your clothes off as she practically ripped your outfit in her haste. Removing any article of clothing that separated the two of you till you were both naked when she went back to attacking your neck in bruising kisses and nips before you eventually pushed her away, “Hold on, I want to do something.”

Jihyo cocked an eyebrow, “Really? Because I was under the impression you were going to be punished.”

“I was just thinking, we could do something we both enjoy.” Your tone was innocent but your mate could see right through you.

The Alpha guffawed as she crossed her arms, “Like you wouldn’t enjoy letting me make your ass red.”

You rolled your eyes playfully as you brought a hand down to your mate’s shaft, pumping it in your hand till it grew hard before letting it go. Inwardly enjoying the way your mate glared at you, “As tempting as that offer is, you can do that when we get home. But right now,” You smiled wickedly as you ran your hand down your mate’s abs before gripping her shaft in your hand again and pulling it towards you slightly, “this cock is mine.”

Jihyo let a soft whimper at the pull, her tip oozing beads of precum before she cleared her throat, “You’re in so much trouble.” The Alpha’s words made you laugh slightly as you leaned forward to capture her lips in a kiss.

“Sure I am.” You put a hand on her chest as you pushed her down till she was laying on her back, “Now, shut up and let me give you my present.” As the words left your mouth you sunk down onto Jihyo’s cock, letting out a strangled moan at the stretch as you took her alpha-hood in one thrust. Your mate’s girth caused your walls to flutter wildly as she too cried out in pleasure, her hands immediately finding their way to your hips as she let you set the pace. Enjoying the sight of you rising and falling in her lap as you impaled yourself on her shaft.

She moved her hands down to your thighs as she rubbed the soft skin, “You look so pretty Y/N-ah.”

You blushed at the compliment as you continued riding your girlfriend’s cock, a low moan leaving your throat as you felt her knot growing at the base of her shaft, “P...push it in.” Your breathing came out in clipped pants as Jihyo quickly flipped your positions so that she was on top.

Her hips moved at a blinding pace as you could have sworn she was shaking the entire car, as the sound of skin meeting skin was the only thing you could hear as the Alpha leaned down to connect your lips in a kiss. Before moving down to your neck where her teeth grazed over the fresh mate mark, “Mine.”

You whimpered as your nails scratched along Jihyo’s back, “Yours. Only yours.” The Alpha grunted as she pulled out from your tight heat before shoving back inside, your walls practically gripped onto her alpha-hood as you could feel her knot pressing into your entrance, practically begging to be let in, “Do it. Please, knot me Alpha!”

Your pleas brought a smile to Jihyo’s lips as she pulled out so that only the tip remained inside, “Are you sure baby girl? After all that teasing back at the party? You think you deserve my knot?”

You squirmed under her gaze as you tried pushing her cock back inside, which she avoided, “Please, I’ll do whatever you want.”

Jihyo raised an eyebrow in amusement, “Anything I want?”

You nodded earnestly as you could feel your orgasm beginning to fade, “Y...yes, any...anything.”

The Alpha nodded, “Then you better make good on that promise once we’re home, Princess.”

“I will, I swear.” You bucked up in frustration before your mate finally relented.

“Then get ready for the best orgasm of your life.” With that, Jihyo took off thrusting into you with a force you had never felt before as it ripped a loud scream from your chest, her fingers trailing down to your clit as she pinched the bundle of nerves making you cry out.

“Oh god.” Your hands flailed for anything to hold onto as you felt your orgasm approaching, a sly smirk of the brunette’s lips as she winked.

“That’s what they call me.” Before shoving her knot inside you, the stretch made your walls flutter as it dealt with the large intrusion as you felt your climax come crashing down on you. The waves of raw pleasure wracked your entire body as your pussy contracted around Jihyo’s shaft, as your inner walls milked her for everything she had.

Hearing a low grunt escape her throat as she jogged her hips forward, “I’m coming.” The words barely left her when she felt her balls tense and a sudden spurt of warmth shot inside of you as she came. You could feel her orgasm ripple through her as she collapsed on top of you, unloading rope after rope of cum into you till her balls were emptied.

A soft sigh left her throat as she rolled over so that you were both on your sides, her knot keeping the two of you together for the time being as you cuddled into your mate, “I hope you liked your gift.”

Jihyo laughed lightly as she wrapped an arm around you, “Don't get me wrong, it was amazing. But, I think I like this a little more.”

You smiled softly as you placed a kiss to her lips, “Me too. Happy birthday Jagi, I love you.”

The Alpha returned the kiss as she nuzzled into your neck, “Thank you, I love you too.”

-Outside the Car-

Nayeon and Jeongyeon let out a relieved sigh as they finally made it down to the parking garage, bags and boxes full of Jihyo’s presents in their arms as Nayeon noticed that your guy’s car was still in the lot. “Hey, Jeong. Isn’t that Jihyo and Y/N’s...oh my god!” The Omega nearly dropped everything she was holding when she noticed the violent shaking of the car.

“Are they seriously…!?” Jeongyeon said in disbelief as the sound of what you and Jihyo were doing reached her years, “Ew, I think I’m gonna be sick.” Nayeon nodded in agreement as they threw everything into their car before Jeongyeon jumped into the driver’s seat, disgusted looks on both their faces. “I could go for a drink, how about you?”

The Omega hummed in response, “Whatever makes me forget I just saw and heard that.”

Jeong nodded as she started up the car, “On the bright side we have enough blackmail material to get Jihyo to buy us that fish tank we always wanted.”

“And dinner.” Nayeon added, chancing a look back to your guy’s car to see that it was still very much shaking, before shuddering, “A lot of dinner.”

Jeongyeon nodded as she pulled out onto the street, “Agreed.”

[merminns]

Peaceful dreams

Levi Ackerman x Reader (The pain in your eyes Pt.2)

❧ Content/Warnings: angst, slight fluff, mentions of death

❧ Word count: 1.7k

❧ Notes: this is a repost from my old blog

❧ Part 1

It’s been months since your brothers’ death and things have changed. You thought that after their death you’d have no more reason to fight, but it appears they left you a reason before they were gone.

Most of the survey corps members did their best to get closer to you in an attempt to help you get over the incident and everyone was surprised to see that you didn’t reject their advances, not right away anyways.

Whenever you thought of completely pushing everyone away, a voice within you tells you that it won’t be fair to your brothers, they loved these people, you should give them a chance.

So you started spending time with your comrades, you started helping Hanji with their experiments whenever you could, and you joined them and the rest of the squad leaders during meals, and even though you don’t speak much, people started enjoying your presence as much as they enjoyed your brothers’.

You also came across Levi’s squad; they’re a lively bunch, and despite the ache in your heart you still found yourself smiling and chuckling at them whenever Sasha and Connie are up to something idiotic or when Eren and Jean start bickering.

You couldn’t help but grow a soft spot for them, and the feeling was mutual. It seemed they were close to your brothers, but they thought you were hard to approach before they started talking to you.

Your train of thought was cut when you heard Erwin calling your name. “Can we talk?” his attitude was very professional, you knew this meant business.

You abandoned your spot by Mikasa and Armin, leaving them to watch the rest of the new episode between Eren and Jean as you followed after Erwin.

“You have progressed greatly the last few months,” Erwin said as he sat down on a table away from the rest of the survey crops to give you some privacy.

You only replied with a small nod, how could you not progress? Every time you thought about giving up on training, your duties or anything in general, you remember your brothers. They wouldn’t want you to give up. Whenever you think that it’s too much, you will yourself to think about the books and teddy bears waiting for you in your room, and all of the new books and other stuff that still appear at the door of your room every morning.

The mere thought of the comfort they bring you every night makes you train harder and take on more work. They make you want to improve as much as you could.

“It appears that your progress landed you a spot in the special operation squad,” Erwin said slowly waiting for you to give any outward reaction to his words “Captain Levi requested for you to become a member of his squad.”

If you were being honest, this piece of news shocked you. You were doing your best and working the hardest you could but you never thought you’d make it into Levi’s squad. You were part of the scouts before he lost his old squad, in fact, you were part of the scouts even before his new squad made it into the scouts. Does that mean that your effort was paying off? Did you really make that much progress?

“I… I’d be honored to be part of the squad.”

“Are you sure?”

You were taken aback by Erwin’s question. What does he mean if you were sure? Your confusion was visible on your face. Erwin’s eyes softened slightly and it seemed like the professional air was no longer present as he thought of how best to explain what he meant.

“Look, I can tell that you’re still haven’t gotten over that incident,” Erwin started slowly trying not to hurt you unintentionally “I’m glad of the progress you’re making, but Levi’s squad takes most of the hard work. Are you sure you can take that?”

To say you were touched by Erwin’s concern would be an understatement. It always amazed you how others seemed to care about you and your wellbeing even though the only thing you did before was push them away. It seems like you always had friends around the survey corps, you just never allowed yourself to acknowledge them.

“I’ll be okay, Erwin, thank you.”

That simple reply wasn’t enough to express your gratitude for his concern but it seemed enough for him.

“Then please inform Captain Levi that his request is approved,” he said with a smile as he stood up to leave, patting your shoulder and congratulating you for making it into your new squad as he left.

You went to look for Levi to let him know. You passed by the spot where his squad was, it seems Eren and Jean were done with their argument as Eren, Armin and Mikasa were nowhere to be seen. And Neither was Levi. You looked for him everywhere and after asking the members of his squad who were still present in the Mess Hall, you got a quick reply from Jean telling you he last saw the captain walking outside with a drink.

You spotted Levi sitting in a spot near the stairs, leaning his back against the wall listening silently to Eren, Armin and Mikasa’s conversation as they sat on the stairs not noticing their Captains presence.

You left to grab something from your room and came back. Levi was still sitting on the ground leaning against the wall, his head thrown back and his eyes closed, still listening to the trio’s conversation.

Levi opened his eyes quickly when he felt a light weight against his body. He looked up to see you standing in front of him, then his eyes shifted down to the blanket that you draped over him.

“It’s getting cold” you explained quietly as you sat down beside him.

His tense body relaxed again after he realized that there was no danger. You sat beside him in silence for a few minutes. It was a silence that you both welcomed, it wasn’t uncomfortable, just relaxing. Levi knew that you didn’t just approach him to give him the blanket, but he waited patiently, enjoying the silence. It was only after the trio had left to bed that you broke the silence.

“Does it still hurt?” were your first words to him.

You could tell he didn’t understand what you meant by your question so you continued, “Does it still hurt you now? when you think about Isabel and Furlan, I mean.”

“How?…” Levi’s eyes widened slightly, he had no idea how you would have known about his friends.

You gave a small chuckle “You thought I was asleep didn’t you,” you turned to him and his stunned look was enough to confirm your suspicion, he did believe that you were asleep during his visits.

“I don’t know if you realize this Captain, but if it weren’t for your visits, I don’t think I would have ever been able to get out of the state I was in.”

Levi was speechless, he was sure you were asleep when he visited, he didn’t intend for you to hear anything about his past and know you know everything about him. He didn’t even know why he said anything to your motionless form when he visited. He willed himself to be angry at you for not letting him know then that you were awake, but he couldn’t. For a reason completely unknown to him, he thought it was ok for you to know, he trusted you with his past.

After a couple of minutes of silence that passed, Levi finally opened his mouth to speak.

“It will always hurt,” he started staring straight ahead, knowing the intention behind your question was to know whether the pain that you still held in your heart after your brothers’ death would ever go away. “But it helps to remember. The pain is what drives you forward. The memories keep you sane, they keep you on your feet.”

You didn’t really expect him to answer your question at all, but this was the answer you needed. Your pain would never go away, but the memories will keep you sane, they will keep you standing tall, they will push you forward and allow you to fight.

The memories, and the people that you still have now, the friends that you never acknowledge before. They are enough reason for you to fight. They are enough for you to smile. And so as you stood up you smiled. The very first genuine smile ever since your brothers’ death.

“Thank you.” You whispered, the smile still on your face, your eyes slightly watery.

You were about to leave when you remembered why you came in the first place. You turned back to Levi, him looking up at you expectantly.

“The Commander asked me to inform you that your request to have me in your squad is approved.” your statement only got a nod from him and you turned to leave but stopped and turned around again.

“And Captain,” you started “Thank you for the books and bears, too”

“Levi” He corrected.

“What?”

“You can call me Levi, at least in private.”

This drew another smile on your face “Levi, do you think we could read one of those books together sometime?”

Levi’s only reply to that was a maybe, but a maybe was good enough. You turned around for the last time walking to your room. Levi watched your retreating figure as he pulled your blanket tighter around himself, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

That night you slept better than you usually did. There was a pain in your heart that you’ll never be able to explain, but there was also hope, happiness and love. No matter how little of them was present, they were still there, and that was enough.

You finally understood why you choose to move back into your room that day, why you decided to fight again. You finally understood that your memories with your brothers didn’t just give you pain, they also pushed you forward.

That night your sleep was filled with memories of your brothers and scenes of your friends, but they didn’t come as nightmares. They were nothing but happy, peaceful dreams.

Masterlist | Share thoughts with me ☺

[winterscaptain]

constellations.

Aaron Hotchner x Gender Neutral Reader

a/n: as usual, an ajf fic that requires very little context. i’m so sorry this took so long!! i was busy thinking about how to quit my job this week and then KIRA CAME TO VISIT ME (we’re being safe and covid-conscious!) so this took a couple of days longer than expected. also - i see your beautiful messages! i will keep chipping away at them :)

you can expect the route 66 fic on tuesday at 11pm pdt!

words: 4.4k warnings: canon-typical discussions of violence, some mention of canon-typical sexual assault, language

summary: as hotch recovers from the explosion in new york, you find yourself more concerned than you expected. (au!2008)

masterlist | a joyful future master list | requests closed!

“The Angel Maker. I remember the case.” 

It’s a fairly normal start to the week, with a case packed and ready for you at 10am. Aaron was out of the field for a week or so with his injuries, but his presence at the round table and the go bag you spotted beside his desk this morning warms you. 

He’s back. Not completely, but that’s better than not at all. 

“They caught that guy.” Reid’s flipping through the case file, but you know he’s got one ear open. 

Rossi’s on the same page, and finishes Reid’s thought. “And executed him.” 

“That’s right,” JJ says. “He was put to death by lethal injection a year ago yesterday.” 

You release a little breath you were holding. “Yesterday?”

That’s a clear enough trigger for a fanatic. It wasn’t the first time you’d seen something like this, either with your tenure at the BAU or in previous case studies at the academy. It was always a little shocking - the lengths people go to complete the work of the devil they romanticize...

Derek throws a finger at you as if to say Exactly. “So we’re looking for a copycat.” 

“Honoring the anniversary of his hero’s death.” Dave sits back in his chair, almost satisfied. You smile a little. 

The confidence of a seasoned profiler. 

Aaron catches your smile, and his lips pull just the barest amount. You shake your head, suppressing a wider grin. 

Funny, isn’t it?

His brows tug. What?

It’s so...normal. And so predictable. You sit back, peering at Aaron over your copy of the file. He huffs (you recognize it as a laugh, though the rest of his face remains exactly the same) and turns his attention toward Reid, who’s still flipping through the file. 

“It says here they found semen at the crime scene. Perhaps locals will get a DNA match through VICAP?” When you follow Aaron’s gaze to Spencer, you’re not surprised to see him already absorbed in the latter half of the report. 

“See, that’s where things get weird.” Her face screws up. “They already ran it, and got a match.” She throws the file toward you, and you open it. 

“If they already have a name, why’d they call us?” Emily’s confusion is swallowed up in your own. 

“You’ve got to be kidding.” You look over at Hotch, who takes the file from your hands. “The match they got back on the DNA is to Courtland Bryce Ryan -” 

Hotch lets out a sharp huff. “The Angel Maker.” You meet his gaze again. 

This is going to be a weird one. 

“Wheels up in thirty.” 

+++

You lean against the back of Hotch’s chair, peering over his shoulder as ideas bounce around the cabin. He’s focused on Reid along with the rest of you as the younger agent spins a theory. 

Derek’s the first one to question his particularly amusing line of thought. “Reid, you’re not seriously floating the idea of an evil twin, are you?”

“No. I’m floating the idea of an eviler twin.” Reid looks dead serious, and Hotch glances up at you. You shake your head a little, and he shrugs before restoring his attention. “Traditionally the concept is good twin and an evil twin. But in this case, it’s evil twin, eviler twin.” 

You swallow a laugh as both Derek and Emily look at him like he’s grown three extra heads all at once. 

Before any of you can say anything, Aaron’s hand rises to his forehead and his face scrunches up in pain. You place a hand on his shoulder from over the seat, patting him for his attention. “Hotch?” 

He hums something that sounds like, “Yeah?”

“Are you cleared to fly?”

He sucks in a breath to cover a wince, and you take that as a no. 

You sink your hands into his hair as he tips his head back against the seat with his eyes closed. The tips of your fingers find the little pressure points around his head, and you lean forward, keeping your voice soft. “Does that help?”

He nods, just a little, and you’re satisfied. You look at Derek over Hotch’s head, and he looks just as concerned as you feel. 

+++

“I give you a legacy. A breath of life from the Angel Maker himself. Those who prayed to forget me will one day see my face and shrink in fear.” Reid recites aloud from the letter, and you listen with your head propped on your hand. 

The sheriff sighs and crosses his arms. “That’s the last thing people need right now.” 

“Reid, how does that compare with the original correspondence?” Derek ignores the sheriff, redirecting his attention to the letter and the genius holding it. 

You jump on Derek’s line of thinking. “It can’t be authentic, can it?” You drop your hand from your chin and lean toward Spencer, feeling Aaron hover over your shoulder. 

“They share some compelling characteristics. I’d obviously like to look at it under a magnification under a better light…”

Obviously.

Hotch’s voice almost startles you, right by your ear. “Best guess, Reid?”

“I’d say it’s authentic.” Rather than looking at Hotch, he looks at you. Your furrowed brow speaks for everyone present. 

“How can it be authentic if the guy’s been dead for over a year?” Looking over at Hotch, you hope he has something better than paranormal speculation. 

He doesn’t disappoint. “It could be an elaborate forgery.” 

“Or,” Reid adds, “it could be a genuine article, just written before his death.” 

You hum. “That's my favorite of the theories so far.” 

The sheriff shakes his head, coming up on your other side. It’s almost comical the way you’re all crowded around the letter. “Mail here isn’t that slow.” 

Derek’s the only one who hasn’t joined you. He’s still happily posted up at the desk, leaning against it with his arms crossed. You glance at him before offering, “Could have been released through an intermediary.”

“You mean the copycat?” Reid asks. 

Nodding, you suggest, “He could be buried in those visitor logs - we’re checking them out now to see who visited Ryan and how often.” 

Derek finally joins you. “That’ll narrow the suspect pool.”

Hotch flinches again and his fingers press to his brow as the front door opens, allowing the rush of a truck to sound through the room. 

“Hotch?”

He waves you off. “I’m fine.” 

Liar. 

There’s nothing you can do. 

+++

You’re with Derek in one of the interrogation rooms, going through letter upon letter from Ryan’s time in prison. “What happens if Hotch actually loses his hearing?” You can’t help the overwhelming notes of concern coloring your voice. “I mean, what are we going to say to Strauss? ‘Excuse me ma’am, if our unit chief goes deaf because he won’t fucking slow down, can he still be our unit chief?’ I mean - “

You shut your mouth as Hotch walks into the room. Shame floods through you. It was more than unkind to talk about him behind his back as it was, and here you were - broadcasting your worst fears about his condition to one of your closest mutual friends. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean -” 

Aaron once again waves you off. “It’s alright.” He comes to rest beside you, and you reach for his arm in apology. 

“How are you feeling?”

He shakes his head, and Derek leaves the two of you alone, closing the door behind him. Hotch looks over his shoulder, satisfied that you’re on your own. 

“Dizzy. Nauseated. Tired.” It’s like a checklist - matter-of-fact and without bias. 

You take stock of him. The cuts on his face are healing nicely, and the bruise on his cheek is fading. The bags under his eyes, though, betray the lack of sleep. “What can I do?”

He shakes his head with something that isn’t a smile if you don’t know him. “Nothing. Just keep doing good work.” 

“I’m sorry,” you blurt. “I didn’t mean to be insensitive earlier.” 

“I know.” 

“I’m just worried, is all.” Your voice tapers off at the end of your thought, just a little embarrassed. 

A little breath leaves his nose, and you know it’s sort of a laugh. “I know.” He presses a hand to your shoulder for a moment before diving into one of the boxes himself.

+++

Hotch walks quickly, and you keep up as best you can as he informs the sheriff, “I have to advise against this.” 

“All due respect, this isn’t your town. I have to convince them that Courtland Ryan is dead and buried.” 

Hotch glances back at you, and you shrug. 

Small towns. Serial killers. What are you gonna do?

The cemetery is relatively quiet, the sleepy town waiting for something to happen with bated breath. It’s not like anyone would be taking late-night walks anytime soon. 

His head tips, and you know he agrees. Nevertheless, he turns back toward the sheriff. “You’re indulging the killer by perpetuating the ruse he’s created.” 

Nice. Five dollar words for the two-bit sheriff. 

“He’s right. It may embolden him. Prompt more murders.” Emily says, watching the proceedings with a discerning eye. You can only agree. 

The sheriff shakes his head. “Celia lost her only daughter to that murdering bastard. We met when I was working the case and had gotten close. I thought we were past all this, but...I guess I was kidding myself.” 

The crane starts up, and there’s a sinking feeling that you’ve forgotten about something as the chains tighten and begin to lift the coffin. All at once, you remember and turn as Hotch steps away, his hand over his ear and the other pressed against his brow again. 

You hover beside him, not sure what to do. Pressing your hands to his forearms, you do your best to shield him from some of the sound with your body. 

He makes a weak attempt to wave you off, but his voice startles you. It’s so small as he insists, “I’m alright. I’m fine. Just -”

“Hotch -”

“I’m okay I’m okay I’m okay. Yeah.” 

You don’t believe him for a second, but as the noise decreases, so does his agony. He removes his hands from his ears for a moment. He’s blinking rapidly, looking simultaneously dazed and far too aware. 

“Aaron…”

He shakes his head. “Don’t. I’m fine. I’m okay.” 

Your lips press into a thin line and you remove your hands from his arms. “Take it easy. I can’t make your life hell if you can’t hear me, alright?”

Your teasing has the intended effect, and he levels you with his signature glare that’s only halfway playful. 

+++

“The victim is Maxine Chandler. The neighbors say she’s lived here her whole life. All twenty-eight years of it.” 

The house is infused with the presence of children - play structures, toys, the whole nine. Aaron voices your thoughts. “How many kids does she have?” 

“None of her own. She runs a daycare. The guy who called 911 came here to drop off his toddler and found Maxine in her bedroom.”

That’s an eventful morning. 

“Well,” you note, “now that we have more than one victim, we can compare victimology.” 

Hotch nods, and you meet his eyes for a moment. “Different data points should help us significantly narrow the profile.” 

“I’ll get JJ to bring us the files on the first victim.” Morgan says, his phone already in his hand. 

“What did you find?” 

The coroner runs you through his findings, and they’re not much different from the first murder, but there is one notable difference. 

“Nine puncture wounds,” Emily notes, her dark eyes roaming over the body. 

You’re close to Hotch, watching them bounce off each other. It’s always inspiring to watch them. As close as you and Aaron are, you were deeply impressed but his professional relationship with Emily. There’s part of you that chalks it up to your age - they are only two years apart. They form their own little age bracket on the team while you, JJ, and Spencer make up the younger strata. 

More often than not, the three of you were able to keep up with each other just like Emily and Aaron. 

“Can I have your pen?” Emily asks.

“Yeah.” Hotch pulls the pen from his inside pocket, handing it over into her eager hands. “What is it?” 

You wait as she doodles something into her notepad before her head whips up. “She did this.” 

“What do you mean?” You’re not following, and you can tell Hotch isn’t either. 

“The unsub. She made this before she made the puncture wounds.” 

Hotch tips his chin, understanding. “That’s why the coroner found paper in the wounds.” 

“It was a template. The Angel Maker did it from memory, but she needed a guide to get it right.” 

You pull your phone out, already dialing Reid as Hotch says. “We need to go back and re-examine each of the patterns. Where’s Reid?” 

“Spence. Hey. We have something for you.” You pass the phone and a little smile to Hotch, who takes both with a grateful look. 

Emily watches the exchange, feeling suddenly like an outsider - almost an intruder. There’s something between you two, always has been, but this moment is such a clean-cut outline of it. You’re constantly anticipating the needs of the other, ready with a warmth and fondness at a moment’s notice. 

She sees it again when he presses your phone back into your waiting hand. You take it and brush past him as he turns over his shoulder to follow you out the door. It almost looks choreographed. In fairness, you’d both done it what feels like thousands of times before. 

When you pause in the living room, both turning at the same time when Derek calls for Hotch, a shadow of a thought crosses her mind. It’s gone before it’s truly there, and she lets it go. 

+++

Reid’s finally cracked it, and you’re all crowded around him again as he explains what he’s found. He profiled the author, figured out the cypher used by the Aryan Brotherhood, and generally made use of his insane brain. The patterns themselves are constellations, woven into every aspect of their relationship. 

You find a smile breaking out over your face as you listen to Spencer spin. Hotch leans over and whispers, “He hasn’t let loose in a while, has he?” You’re standing on his left, of course, just in case. 

Shaking your head, you laugh a little. Emily’s looking at Spencer like he’s from another planet. She pokes him and voices the thought you’ve all had at least once. “He’s so lifelike.”

Her comment gets a laugh out of you and a smile out of Aaron. You’re warmed by it. 

+++

You clear and search Chloe Kelcher’s house, staying firmly attached to Aaron’s seven o’clock position, right off his left shoulder. 

“Alright. We all know what the endgame is. She’s looking for her final victim. She may have already chosen one.” Hotch looks around, suggesting assignments with the flicker of his eyes around the house. “Let’s tear this place apart, look for anything that might tell us who she’s targeted.”

You follow Hotch and Derek into the nursery, noting the stars on the ceiling. The crib captures your attention - the carefully placed onesie indicating the pain of a woman in denial. Your brow crumples, and Aaron steps up beside you, nudging a couple of stuffed animals out of the way as a cursory search. 

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just...thinking.” The trigger is as clear as a neon sign, and you’re sure much saner people would break down like this at the loss of a child. There’s a silent prompting as he stands beside you, waiting for you to elaborate. “I dunno. I can just see how someone close to reasonable would be in bad enough shape after something like this, not to mention someone as unstable as our unsub.” 

He sighs. “It must have devastated her to think that she could hold on to Ryan by having his child and then lose the baby.” 

Derek hums from across the room, joining the conversation. “Completing his murders became the only way she could hold onto him.”

Something strikes Aaron then - something intangible. He turns and opens the trunk in the corner of the room. Its contents pull your upper lip up in disgust.

With a dubious pair of eyebrows, Aaron notes, “Not the only way.” 

“Guess that answers that.” 

+++

You reach the final victim’s house, and you can only hope you’ve made it in time. Hotch immediately assumes authority, leading collaboration between the BAU and local law enforcement. He assigns Derek to find an opening into the house, while he directs the sheriff to bring all the cars to the front, no lights. 

He finds a megaphone for Emily, and you take your place at his left side, crouched to take the low firing point through the car’s open window. 

“Hit the lights,” he directs, and they do. 

All at once, it’s bright - nearly daylight. Emily starts talking, and you’re singularly focused on the front of the house. The windows, the door, and the curtains are all within your purview. You glance up at Hotch, who glances down at you. He unholsters his weapon, and you bump his hip with your elbow and return your attention to the front of the house

“Go into the pouch next to my extra magazines.” 

You can sense rather than see his frown. 

“Just trust me. Open it.” 

His left hand finds your belt while he continues to scan the area, unclipping the pouch without looking. You hear a huff of laughter as he finds what you left for him. 

“Put one in your right ear and don’t argue with me.” Your voice is still low, but you dropped into the tone you learned from him, only half-joking. 

He rolls his eyes and stuffs the foam earplug in his bad ear before unholstering his weapon. 

“Door,” you warn as the front screen opens.  

“Chloe. Drop the gun.” Aaron’s voice is heavy with authority, and the sheriff backs him up. 

The world slows down when she raises the gun toward you all, and the sheriff fires. Despite the earplug, Aaron immediately collapses, dropping his service weapon at your feet and covering his ears with his hands. You holster your weapon and turn toward him on sheer instinct. 

You retrieve the gun, checking the safety and slipping it into your waistband. When you return your attention to him, he’s almost folded completely into himself, pained groans leaving him. Rossi beat you to him, half-holding him up, but he shifts Aaron to you when you reach them both. 

“Aaron.” You wrap him in your arms and he takes some of his weight as his feet get back under him. He leans into you, and you do your best to support him. “Hotch, are you okay?”

He reaches out, finding your arm and gripping tight. You stay steady, almost in tears. It’s agonizing to see him in pain. 

“I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Liar.

+++

The next day, it’s decided he’ll drive one of the cars home, instead of taking the plane. 

You laugh as Derek throws the keys at Spencer. Hotch steps up beside you, throwing his go bag in one of the cars. Going out on a bit of a limb, you ask, “Want any company?” You keep your voice low, just in case anyone’s listening. 

First of all, you don’t want to out yourself in front of your colleagues - they all know how much you care about him and you don’t want them getting any ideas. Second of all, you know how Hotch gets when he’s alone too long. 

He raises his eyebrows for a second, but Dave interrupts his thought before he can share it with you. “Why don’t you two drive together? It’ll be a better trip with some company and you can’t stand the rest of us for more than three hours at a time.” 

Hotch snorts. “Fine.” He looks over at you and you shrug and throw your go bag in the backseat with his. 

“I’m good with that. What are you thinkin’? Straight through, or are we taking a the scenic route?”

Dave pipes in again. “I think a couple of days could do you both some good. It’s been a long few weeks.” 

You and Hotch look at each other. You look back at Dave. “Good idea. See you Tuesday?”

He nods and joins the rest of the team in the other car, slipping into the passenger seat. 

+++

The car is quiet for the first half hour or so. You’re driving - it’s the only way Aaron can hear you in the car, so you’ll probably nap or post up in the backseat when it’s his turn to take the wheel. 

You glance over at him before you hit the state line. “You’re thinking very loudly over there.” 

A smile pulls at his lips. The heel of his hand supports his cheekbone as his elbow rests on the window ledge. “Am I?”

“Mhmm.” 

He shrugs a little. “It’s weird not driving.” 

“Ah. So that’s why you’ve been silent for the last…” you check the clock on the dash, “thirty nine minutes.” You’re teasing him and he knows it, but it’s also loaded with questions. 

There’s silence, and you wait for him. It’s another thing you’ve learned about him in the last year. Sometimes he’s quiet, but he never avoids you for long. 

“I’m thinking about Kate.” 

There he is. 

You prompt him a little, intrinsically knowing he needs a direction. “Did she have family?”

He nods. “An older sister. She’s flying in from London for the service, but their parents are gone and she wasn’t married, so...that’s it.” 

Still looking at the road, you reach out, wrapping your fingers around his forearm. “I’m so sorry, Aaron.” 

His hand covers yours for a second. “Thanks.”

You pull back, adjusting your grip on the wheel. A question pushes at your lips, but you roll it around in your head before you really consider asking it aloud. 

“You can ask.” 

Your head whips toward him for just a moment. “What?”

“You can ask,” he repeats, the shadow of a smile crossing his face. “I know you want to.”

You concede with a little chuff. “Fine. What happened between you and Kate?” 

“In what sense?” He’s totally fucking with you, and you shove at his shoulder. 

“You know exactly what I mean.” 

He shakes his head. “Alright, fine. There was…” he searches, “a moment when she and I were finished working together on the Scotland Yard case that something...happened.” 

“Something?”

“Well,” he amends, “nothing actually happened, but let’s just say she had a couple too many and made her intentions very clear.” 

Can’t blame her for that one. 

Yeah, and that’s why we don’t get drunk with everyone else. Shit happens. 

You glanced at him, suppressing a smile. “So what happened?”

He shakes his head, and there’s a sort of dry humor in his voice when he answers,“Obviously, she was pretty out of it, so I took her back to her place and made sure she was settled for the night with a glass of water and some aspirin.” A smile cuts through his huff of laughter. You’re not surprised to hear mourning in it, too. “She was miserable in the morning, and called me to ask what happened the night before. I may have...very loosely implied that something small might have happened, just to save her the embarrassment.” 

He pauses, and you know he’s a little reluctant to be this vulnerable - you’re almost sure he never expected to tell this story to anyone, let alone you. 

“The attraction was mutual, so I didn’t feel too bad about omitting the consequences of her…” he searches for a word again, “forwardness. It was - is - something I respect about her both personally and professionally.” 

“Did you ever tell Haley?”

He shook his head. “I told her the truth - that she needed some help getting home, I set her up for the night, and came right back. She wasn’t thrilled, but she and Kate got on well enough that she didn’t mind too much. I think she was more annoyed that I got home so late even without a case, now that I’m thinking about it.” 

You laugh a little. “That sounds like her.” 

“She wasn't always like this, you know.” His voice takes on something a little more pensive, and you settle deeper into your seat to let him know you’re listening, even if your eyes hardly stray from the road. “We had a ridiculous amount of fun together when we were younger - first married, I was fresh out of law school, everything ahead of us, and all that.” He heaves a sigh. “It’s really only since Jack was born that things got...bad.”

He pauses, thinking for a moment. “I wish I could explain the work to her - I sometimes wish she could see it, even though I never actually want her to see the things we see every day.”

You keep your voice light, understanding. “I get that. It can’t be easy knowing that we’re your family, too, and even that’s difficult to explain.” 

There’s silence, and you know there’s a tacit agreement in it. 

His next comment comes a little from left field, but it makes you smile. “She likes you, by the way. She really does.” 

“Good.” You glance over at him. “I’m glad.” 

There’s something he wants to say, and you raise your eyebrows expectantly, knowing he can see it in your profile. 

“Would you want to come over sometime and spend some time with Jack? I -” he exhales, and tries again. “It’s sometimes...weird to have him all to myself.” He laughs a little. “I almost don’t know what to do with him all day when it’s just the two of us.” 

A real smile breaks across your face. “I’d love to.” 

He nods, satisfied with himself. “It’ll be nice for Haley to see you as well. I know she feels a little cut off these days.” 

“Understandable.” 

Another bout of silence fills the car. It’s comfortable. Safe. 

“Thank you,” he says, after a long while. 

You look over, letting your eyes wander down his profile for a moment. “Of course.” 

+++

You stay at a little motel off the highway, pulling over after about four hours on the road. It’s only a little ways back to Fairfax, where you’ll drop him off at home before returning the car to Quantico, but Rossi’s right - it’s nice to take some time. 

In two separate double beds across the room from each other, you wish each other good night in the dark. 

+++

tagging: @arganfics @quillvine @stxrryspencer @agenthotchner @wandaswitxh @hurricanejjareau @ange-must-die @ughitsbaby @rousethemouse @criminalsmarts @shrimpyblog @genevievedarcygranger @ssaic-jareau @good-heavens-chris-evans @davidrossi-ismydad @angelsbabey @gublergirls @writefasttalkevenfaster @venusbarnes @hotchsflower @micaiahmoonheart @ogmilkis @marvels-agents100 @hotchslatte @risenfox @mrs-dr-reid @captain-christopher-pike @joemazzello-imagines @pinkdiamond1016 @pan-pride-12 @lee-rin-ah @sunshine-em @word-scribbless @jdougl-love @sageellsworth05 @nohalohoseok @giveusbackourbucky @writerxinthedark @bauslut @yourlovelynewsbian @dreila03 @forgottenword @aaronhotchnerr @ssa-morgan @hotchnersgoddess @buckybau @sana-li @tegggeeee @abschaffer2 @ssacandice-ray @dontkissthewriter @ellyhotchner @lotties-journey-abroad @mrs-joel-pimentel-23-25 @laneygthememequeen @ahopelessromantic @violentvulgarvolatile @andreasworlsboring101 @mooneylupinblack @ssareidbby @violet-amxthyst @bwbatta @roses-and-grasses @lcvischmitt @capricorngf @missdowntonabbey @averyhotchner @mandylove1000 @garcia-reid-lovechild  @cevanswhre @qvid-pro-qvo @jeor @spencers-hoodrat @infinity1321 @zizzlekwum @katiejuliana @popped-weasels @evee87 @nuvoleincielo @this-broken-band-girl @sapphicstars 

[svnflowervol666]

Fried Rice and... Kiwi? (Harry Styles x fem!Reader)

Word Count: 2.5k

Author’s Note: Happy third birthday to HS1! Here’s something short and sweet in it’s honor. I came across this gif earlier today and all I could think about was lying on Harry’s tummy and listening to him talk about the album. Hence, this fic was born. Obviously, I had to turn it into dad!Harry, because that’s all I can manage to do ever. Like, literally ever. But, regardless! Enjoy, take care, and TPWK. gif by @stylesinthewild​!!!

Three sequential knocks on the weighted, wooden door broke up the playful banter occurring in the studio. It wasn’t a request to enter, more so a signal of arrival and a warning - she was coming in whether they liked it or not. 

“Delivery!”

Smells of grease and soy sauce filled the nostrils of everyone inside as she cautiously maneuvered her way around discarded instruments and cords and towards the coffee table with a both arms full of enough take out to feed a small army.

“God, thank you! You’re the best! Been starvin’ all day,” Jeff piped up from the armchair he’d been sitting in.

“Genuinely! You didn’t have to come all the way across town to bring us dinner,” Sarah added, hair aloof and sticking up around her head as if she’d been running her fingers through it incessantly over the past few hours.

“Well, someone,” Y/N sneered, cutting her eyes back to Jeff, “keeps stealing my man away from me and I’m tired of waiting for him at home, so I figured I’d just pay him a visit here instead.”

“A simple, ‘You’re welcome, Jeff,’ would’ve done ya just fine!” he sarcastically fired back as the rest of the room doubled over in laughter.

Harry was up and out of the cushion he’d been slumped back in to grab the paper bags that were balanced on top of his girlfriend’s arms so he could take her hands in his and guide her towards him.

“Tip your driver?” she cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips down at him when he sat back down.

“Hmmm,” Harry toyed with her comment, pretending to pat down his pockets in search for change, “‘Ve only got my undying love and affection and an endless amount of kisses. Will that do?”

“I suppose,” Y/N huffed, leaning in to press her lips chastely against his.

“Okay, let’s see if I got this right,” she directed her attention back to the group as she fished around the bags of food.

“Beef and broccoli for Mitch?” The long-haired, almost-resembling-jesus brunette smirked and nodded as he leaned over to take the white carton from her hands.

“Kung Po chicken with extra sauce for Sarah,” Y/N stated confidently. She knew that one for certain.

Sarah bowed graciously as she swiped a handful of duck sauce from the bag after taking her order from Y/N.

“Hot and Sour soup for Adam and Jeff.” 

She handed Adam the plastic tub of hot liquid as if she was presenting him a sacred piece of treasure and cast Jeff’s soup away dramatically as if to say she was still fake-mad at him for keeping Harry holed up in the studio for long hours and couldn’t care less if he spilled the damn thing in his lap or not.

“You’re too kind,” Jeff scoffed, earning a pointed middle finger in his direction from Y/N.

“And last but certainly not least,” she grabbed the two remaining cartons by the thin metal handles and presented one to Harry, “Veggies for the boy.”

“Thank you, lovie,” Harry responded earnestly as he grabbed utensils for the both of them, chopsticks for him and a fork for her (he’d tried to teach her more times than he could count to use chopsticks properly but she could never quite get the technique down successfully) and dug into the steaming heap of vegetables packed to the brim of the container.

It was peacefully quiet as everyone chowed down on the takeout Y/N had brought in, everyone coming to the realization of how hungry they’d gotten after spending the entire day writing, composing, and recording an album. Harry and Y/N sat on opposite ends of the couch, her feet resting comfortably in his lap.

“Wha’ did you get?” Harry asked through a mouthful of food.

“Rice.”

Harry frowned.

“Just rice?”

“Wasn’t that hungry,” Y/N shrugged, “Plus, I might have eaten the leftover pizza from the other day right before I came.”

“Still. ‘S not good f’ you. Need t’ be eating better than tha’,” the newly short-haired brunette (Y/N may have shed a tear when he told her he was cutting it) gathered an assortment of sauteed vegetables with his chopsticks before leaning over the couch and dangling it above her lips, waiting for her to open her mouth and accept the bite.

She managed to catch it all, sans a thin strip of onion that she quickly slurped up before it fell and wiped the remaining sauce from the corner of her mouth with her knuckle.

“You two disgust me,” Jeff called out from across the room, a scowl adorning his features.

Harry smiled that obnoxiously cheesy shit-eating grin that he had become infamous for having in his manager’s direction, being sure to push the chewed up broccoli to the front of his teeth to only add to Jeff’s so-called repulsion.

“I think you’re just jealous that the attention’s not on you,” Y/N stated matter-of-factly, “I’m carrying precious cargo. It’s part of the job description now.”

She gave a snide and over-dramatised rub over her swollen belly where hers and Harry’s unborn child was nestled conveniently on top of her organs, making it harder and harder to move around and have any kind of energy as of late.

“If I recall correctly, I’m carrying his career. ‘S pretty precious if you ask me.”

With a roll of her eyes, Y/N plopped her half-eaten side of fried rice onto the table in front of her and shifted her body so that she was lying in Harry’s lap, her head resting perfectly where his thighs met his toned, yet somehow still soft tummy. Harry acclimated to her new position with ease, freeing one his hands so he could pet her hair gently.

“What did you guys work on today?” she asked, her fingers slipping under the hem of Harry’s shirt to absent-mindedly rub the sparse strip of hair that trailed down from his navel and disappeared into the waistband of his boxers that were just barely peaking through the top of his jeans - similar to how he stroked her bump when they cuddle in bed at night.

“Finished up the master for Two Ghosts and added the keys to Woman, but tha’s about it. Started playin’ with another one, but I’m not sure that it’s gonna go anywhere.”

“Yeah? Was it the one you were playing for me the other night?”

Harry shook his head through another bite of his food and swallowed.

“Think we’re gonna do tha’ one next week. We were just messin’ ‘round w’ this one. Doubt I’ll ever go back to it after today.”

“Well, can I at least hear it before you scrap it?”

Harry bit the inside of his cheek and peered around the room, trying to locate the hard drive that held all of their practice runs and demos.

“Did they take the laptop when they left?” he asked.

“Nah, it’s still here. Let me go get it,” Jeff promptly shimmied out of his seat, stuffed to the brim with tofu and bamboo shoots that were mixed into his soup, making him move a bit slower than he had earlier.

Whilst Jeff was digging around in the back room in search of the song Harry was almost certain would get lost deep down in the numerous files of unfinished songs and melodies, Y/N tapped Harry’s stomach with her pointer finger to get his attention and opened her mouth, signaling she wanted another bite of his food. He dropped the veggies into her mouth gingerly, making sure to avoid staining his shirt or accidentally dropping a carrot on Y/N’s nose.

“Thank you for comin’. Missed ye’ all day,” Harry spoke in a whisper so that only Y/N could hear him.

“Missed you too,” she mumbled through her chewing, “She doesn’t move much when you’re gone. Think she misses you more.”

In that moment, he was thankful she wasn’t lying on his chest, because she most certainly would have heard his heart combust and scatter like confetti into his gut at the mention of his sweet baby girl that was set to arrive in a few months time.

“’S she kickin’ right now?”

A wide grin appeared on Y/N’s face and she nodded, taking the chopsticks out of Harry’s hand so she could move it down her waist and press it against the underside of her belly where their daughter was seemingly doing summersaults in the presence of her father. 

It always amazed him, each and every time. How there was a human being growing inside of her and he had a hand in creating her. Although he hadn’t met her just yet, he was postive she was the most precious and sweetest creature he’s ever known.

Bursting the sugary sweet bubble they’d trapped themselves in, Jeff arrived promptly with the laptop tucked under his arm. He brought it to life, skimming the dozens of folders within the drive until he found the one he was looking for. 

“Found it!” he announced to the room.

“Alright, let’s hear it.”

As if it would allow her to hear the song more clearly, Y/N lifted her head from Harry’s lap and sat up beside him instead. She leaned against his shoulder, letting her fingers intertwine with the ones attached to his arm that was pressed against hers.

The beginnings of an electric guitar and Harry’s voice filled her ears, Y/N immediately clocking the sound as something unlike anything he had previewed for her thus far. It was heavier, more akin to the style of an actual rockstar that graced stages across the country in tight pants and ooze sex appeal from every pore in their body (not that Harry didn’t already do that). 

Next, she heard the heavy pounding of drums, to which she gave Sarah a raise of her brow and look of approval for her skill. She had absolutely no explanation for the way this song Harry had been so pertinent about tossing in the trash was making her press her thighs together to mediate the heat rising within, but it was there. The dull, persistent throb that made her wish her and Harry were the only ones in the room so that she could straddle him right there on the couch and have her way with him.

Pregnancy hormones. Yeah, that’s what it was. Well, at least that’s what she was telling herself.

And then she heard the chorus.

I’m having your baby. It’s none of your business.

She cut her eyes to Harry, who was undeniably blushing and had his face buried in his free hand as if he was scared to see her reaction. He was smirking underhead his palm, knowing good and well that she was staring at him as the lyrics repeated themselves over and over and over again. When he finally decided to peak through his fingers, he was met with her wide-eyed and stunned expression, to which he burst into a fit of giggles that shook his belly and made his sides ache. Y/N couldn’t help but join in on the laughter, shaking her head at his bluntness, for lack of a better word. 

The song wasn’t long at all as it was clearly choppy and unfinished and a product of Harry, as he’d said in his own words, messing around with his friends. Sure, it needed some cleaning up and could use a bit more substinance, but it was by no means bad or anything worth chucking in her opinion. It was very much a song written about her, so she felt like she could stand confidently by that opinion.

“Well, shit,” Y/N huffed as the instruments came to an abrupt hault and all that was left of the recording were dwindling laughter and shuffles in the background while whoever was in charge of the sound board moved to cut the microphones, “That gets right to the point. Doesn’t it?”

“That’s what we said,” Sarah managed to get out in between wiping the mascara from under her eyes that ran when she was laughing at her dear friend’s reaction.

“I mean, I don’t think it’s bad at all. Needs some cleaning up, but I think you should keep working on it,” Y/N said honestly, prying Harry’s hand from his face so she could kiss him on the cheek.

“Oh, gee. Thanks. Didn’t know you were on payroll as a producer too,” Jeff called out contemptuously.

“Umm, without me, you wouldn’t have half of this album. Think I can say whatever I want about the matter. Thank you very much.”

Harry pressed his lips together and pointed at her with his fingers shaped like a handgun as if to corroborate what Y/N had just said.

“Yeh actually liked it though?” there was a hint of surprise in his voice.

He hadn’t expected that. He’d expected a smack on the chest or a scold, not praise.

Y/N smiled at the bashful boy beside her, picking a piece of fuzz from the collar of his shirt and flicking it off to the wayside.

“’S gonna have everyone’s panties in a bunch, that’s for sure.”

She picked up Harry’s arm and draped it around her shoulder so she could properly snuggle into his side.

“That damn kiwi,” she said with a playful sigh.

“Pardon?” Harry looked down, bewildered, to see Y/N busying herself by gently poking the taut skin of her tummy in attempt to get their baby to poke her back with her tiny hand or foot, there was really no way of telling which was which.

“That’s when I said that to you,” Y/N yawned, “I was craving kiwi and fuming mad because you ate the last one and when you asked why I was so worked up about it, I told you it’s because I was having your baby, but it wasn’t any of your business.”

The recollection immediately dawned on Harry, making him smack his forehead with a closed fist.

“That’s where that came from! I couldn’t remember what happened, but I’ve always thought that was the funniest thing you’ve ever said t’ me.”

“Ehhh, it’s top ten for sure. Wouldn’t say the funniest, but it’s up there.”

Harry rolled his eyes at her indifference, but he won’t lie and say that it wasn’t one of the things he loved about her the most. How even though she can be the biggest pain in his ass, she always finds a way to bring light into his life and make him smile even it seems next to impossible.

“So yeh think it should stay in the running?”

“Definitely. If I wasn’t already pregnant, I’d beg you to put one in me right here in this studio after hearing it,” she said nonchalantly.

Jeff mocked a gagging noise, “I think I’m genuinely going to hurl.” 

“Oh, be an adult for once in your life, Azoff!” Y/N quipped.

Harry stiffled his laughter into her neck, tickling the tiny hairs that rose to goosebumps with each breath he exhaled onto her skin. 

“I don’t think you understand, Y/N. I hear about you two every damn day in this studio. ‘S just like you said, the whole bloody album is about you two not being able to keep your hands off of each other for five seconds. ‘M surprised it’s taken you this long t’ get knocked up.”

Harry remained tight-lipped, having reduced his giggle fit to a minimum as he watched two of the most important people in his life bicker back and forth like children fighting over a toy. He supposes, in this case, he is the toy in question, but it was entertaining nonetheless.

“Gonna make a damn good album, though. Isn’t it?” Y/N’s haughty smirk answered that question all on its own.

[markoslostgirl]

𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏' 𝑼𝒑 (𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝑺. 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏, 𝑬𝒔𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒓𝒆)

Requested by: @ringa-starr

Pairing: Bill S. Preston, Esquire x fem!oc

Word count: 2,110 words

Warnings: none, I think? Unless you count fluff

Summary: Bill’s girlfriend, Deidra, is sick, so Bill takes care of her

Author’s note: I feel so honored to write this for my friend, and I had a fun time writing it since we love the curly-haired angel, Bill S. Preston, Esquire. I’ve been working on this for 5-6 months, but I honestly think I could’ve done a better job with it so don’t come at me. Deidra, I hope you love it, and that you enjoy reading it. GIF isn’t mine, and it holds no significance to the imagine. I just couldn’t find one suitable.

Deidra sat up in her bed, letting out a sigh as she glanced up at the ceiling in boredom. She was sick, feeling miserable beyond compare. It wasn’t allergies, or even the flu. No, it was just a measly cold. Okay, so maybe she had made the most foolish decision of falling asleep with her hair wet while the air conditioner was running full blast.

Saturday had been a particularly hot day in San Dimas. Of course, it was always hot, but the one day on the weekend was uncomfortable. So, Deidra, her boyfriend—Bill S. Preston, Esquire—and her best friend, Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan, went to Waterloo to beat the heat.

Bill and Deidra had been dating for months now, and it had gone incredible. The first time Deidra had met Bill, she instantly became captivated by his sweet demeanor and charismatic personality. She gravitated toward him as if it were like a magnetic force pulling her in. Deidra didn’t know what it was, but there was just something about him she found so...alluring. Bill was boisterous and endearing, as well as goofy. He never failed to make her smile or laugh at his goofy jokes.

Deidra also had become entranced by the way he spoke every word with such genuine innocence, and it made her heart flutter. His beautiful, forest green eyes held such optimism, always sparkling with excitement. He had incredibly golden, curly hair, and cheeks dusted with a naturally rosy blush. His bright, cheeky grin was adorable, and it made Deidra’s soul lift up out of her body every time he flashed his Cheshire grin whenever he spoke. She was convinced he was the Greek God Apollo.

Since Deidra had been holed up in her room for days, she was about to go insane due to the palpable tediousness. While she kept herself busy watching reruns of “I love Lucy” and “The Brady Bunch”, or listening to music, she could only tolerate so much in order not to grow lack of interest.

Deidra hadn’t been able to see Bill, since she spent half of her time with him at Ted’s house watching them practice. She missed hanging out and spending time with them outside of school. The trio were a tight knit group, always together as they kicked around having the time of their lives. Other than spending time in Ted’s garage, Deidra spent the other half of her time at her house with Bill or going on dates with him on their own time. So, the time she had to stay away from him was the most heinous thing ever.

Bill was incredibly charming—always planning the most creative, romantic gestures for Deidra in his own special ways with the help of Ted, of course. It never failed to make Deidra melt at just how much of a gentleman Bill was. He always took her on cute, simple dates—whether it’s to the mall, Waterloo, or even McDonald’s. They spent time together as much as possible since they always had the most fun of times.

Deidra let out a yawn as she laid back down, stretching her aching limbs out wide at her sides. A loud sneeze erupted from her nose, causing her to groan and let her head fall back on the pillow due to the heavy weight on her head from lifting it up. She reached over and grabbed a tissue out of the box on the nightstand, blowing her nose before tossing the tissue in the small bin beside the nightstand her mom had placed there.

Deidra sniffed, staring back up at the ceiling with watery eyes as Elvis played faintly in the background. The sound of the front door closing echoed through the house, filling her with panic. Both of her parents were at work, and if they were home, they would let her know as soon as they stepped foot inside the house. All of the sudden, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway, filling her with relief.

“Greetings, my most bodacious babe Dee!” Bill exclaimed, his arms full of what appears to be food, games, and medicine. Bill had rushed over, filled with worry once he heard how sick Deidra was over the phone, and he wanted to take care of her instantly. “I brought some things I know you’d enjoy during your time of need.”

Her whole face lit up, her eyes twinkling. “Bill!” Deidra croaked, her voice raw from the amount of coughing she had been doing. “What are you doing here?” She asked. “I’m sick, which means you’re not allowed to be here,” she told him, a frown on her face.

“Dee, babe, I haven’t been able to see you for days,” Bill reminded Deidra. “I’ve really missed you, and I know you must be going insane trapped in your room. I figured I’d come cheer you up,” he admitted as he stepped inside the room.

Deidra smiled at his sweet confession. Bill always went out of his way to do things like this for the people he absolutely cared about, including Deidra and Ted. This was just the kind of guy Bill was, and it made her fall in love with him even more.

“I really appreciate it, Bill,” Deidra told bill, honesty in her voice. “I’m sick. I would hate to have you in the same situation, especially because of me. It’s most egregious,” she tried to convince him.

“I’m not going to get sick, you baby” Bill denied with a playful glare, causing Deidra to roll her eyes with a fond smile at his humor. “Just let me take care of you until you’re a hundred percent better again,” bill insisted before placing the items on the bed.

Deidra felt a stinging itch radiating from her throat, causing her to hack violently into her arm. The sensation of her throat feeling like it had been ripped to tiny shreds by a chainsaw was searing in waves of splitting pain. Once the coughing ceased, she squeezed her eyes shut as a sigh escaped past her lips.

Shrugging off his shoes in a lethargic way, Bill sat down beside Deidra, a concerned look etched on his face. He couldn’t help but notice her pale skin, the dark circles underneath her eyes, or her nose red with irritation. The look of pure misery vanished once bill placed a feathery, soft kiss on her forehead.

“Dee, you’re burning up!” Bill voiced as he pulled away, placing a cool hand on Deidra’s forehead, causing her to shiver due to how warm her body felt. Bill brushed the stray, baby hairs away from her forehead. “You stay here, babe. I’m gonna go and make you some soup,” he stood up from the bed with a smile before retreating downstairs to the kitchen.

A small grin graced Deidra’s lips, finding how adorable and sweet it was for Bill to become worried, especially whenever it came to her. Even at his own risk, Bill was a deeply compassionate person by helping when Deidra was in distress. She couldn’t help but feel naturally content, delighted, and safe in his presence.

Deidra crawled out from the warm cocoon of her bed, moving toward her record player and turning off the music of Elvis. She plopped back down on her bed and pulling back the covers closer up to her neck. It didn’t take long for Bill to finish making the soup, as he made his way back into the room, carefully holding a bowl of soup and a spoon. Deidra sniffed the air, the delicious smell of the soup wafting through her nose.

“Here you go, babe,” Bill softly spoke, carefully handing his girlfriend the bowl of hot contents and a spoon. “You need to eat a little bit so you can take your medicine.”

Deidra settled the bowl on her lap, the weight of the bowl full of soup feeling heavy in her hands. She placed one hand around the bowl, her index finger resting on the rim to keep it steady on her lap. Timidly, she took a spoonful of soup, bringing it up to her mouth and carefully blowing on it before taking a bite.

Deidra shivered at the warm feeling flowing through her body from the hot soup. Bill took his place beside her as he watched her continue to eat the soup. Noticing his beloved was almost finished, bill took the spoon and guided it to her lips.

Deidra blushed, eyeing the spoon bill was holding up to her lips. Bill often fed her from time to time, whenever they went on dates, but this time it was obviously under different circumstances. She was more vulnerable. Of course, neither of them seemed to mind, as it was a loving gesture bill did with patience.

The curly-haired angel pushed the spoon past the girl’s lips, letting her finish the last bite of soup. She leaned over, placing the bowl next to the cup of tea she had made a while ago, already sure to be cold now. Deidra glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand, knowing it was time to take her medicine once again.

After she finished taking her medicine, Deidra grabbed the bottle half full of water and took a big sip of it to wash the horrid taste down. She eased herself back under the covers in order to lie down, sighing in content from the warmth the soup and the covers provided her with.

Bill outstretched his arms for Deidra to envelop herself into his embrace, causing fear to cross her face as she shook her head in protest. “Bill, no, I don’t want you to risk yourself more than you already have.”

“I don’t care,“ Bill excused. “Just let me hold you.” Deidra bored her eyes into her boyfriend, biting her lip as Bill fluttered his eyelashes with an expectant smile before shuffling closer to him and curling into his chest. He gazed into her eyes with such fondness, causing a flush to creep up her face as she knew he was thinking of her.

“I’m only doing it because you’re cute,” Deidra commented, causing bill to form a smirk on his lips once he took notice of her sticking her nose in the air.

A moment of silence passed before bill spoke up. “Do you feel a little better, Dee?” Bill asked, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. The warmth from the blankets combined with the heat from cuddling up to Bill enveloped her with a blanket of comfort. “Are you warm enough?”

The brown-haired girl hummed, nodding her head. “You’re soft and warm,” she murmured. “I don’t want you to move.” Bill did manage to make her feel a little better than how she was feeling before. He lifted her spirits once he showed up, so needless to say, she wasn’t feeling as miserable as she had been. “I’m so glad you came over. Any time without you is far too long.”

Her voice dripped with exhaustion from the medicine, the state of drowse sinking in as a side effect. Bill’s mouth lifted up into a smile as he played with Deidra’s hair, tracing through her long, wavy locks softly with his fingers.

“Don’t stop...” Deidra mumbled in a languid tone, causing bill to hum in question. “Your fingers in my hair,” the girl clarified. “Feels really nice...”

“You’re adorable,” Bill crooned, his mouth curving into a soft smile. “You know I’ll always be here, right?” Bill quietly vowed in a gentle tone, causing Deidra to hum in content. There were times where Bill struggled with expressing how he felt about the green-eyed girl, but they both knew he loved her so much.

As the day progressed, Bill made sure Deidra consumed her medicine regularly when she was supposed to. After watching Lady and the Tramp and playing board games, Bill and Deidra started reading together. Bill absentmindedly tangled his fingers through the dark tresses and down her back as he reads to her in a soft voice.

Bill peered down at Deidra, only to see she had dozed off once he noticed her eyelids flutter shut. The corners of his mouth twitched up as he gazed down at her, before closing the book and pulling her closer to him. He nuzzled his face into her hair, before placing a tender kiss on the crown of her head.

“I love you,” Bill whispered softly into her ear. “I hope you know this.”

“I love you, too,” Deidra declared, her voice just barely touched of a whisper. It nearly would have been too silent, yet bill had heard it loudly by the tiny grin curving on the corners of his lips. It just reminded how in love he fell with her more everyday.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。. .・。.・゜✭・.・✫

So, that’s it for this imagine! Bill is so cute, and as a Bill girl, I wish I lived in a universe where I was sick so he could take care of me! What do you think? Like I mentioned before, I really think I could have done a better job with this. I’m honored my best friend Deidra came to me to write this, and I hope I did it justice!

With love, from Audrey <3

[fuchsiagrasshopper]

Tall Tale

Author’s Note: I’ve been reading for this fandom for a long time, but was never inspired to write for it until @blah-blah-fuckit-shit and I talked about our frustrations with the direction of the show. This is just me moving forward with an idea, and I might continue to write one-shots should inspiration strike. Enjoy!

Pairing: Ivar x Reader

Word Count: 4555

Warnings: Some NSFW content, language

Ivar sat alone, away from the crowd on the dock as the twin ships coasted into Kattegat. In the absence of his father, the town had thrived as a hub for trade, and merchants from all across the seas were arriving for a chance to show their wares. Today was an Earl from Denmark, visiting with his family to discuss trade agreements with his mother.

Steps sounded behind him, and he felt a large hand come ruffle through his hair. Ubbe gave a laugh as Ivar shot him a petulant look.

"Come to catch a glimpse of her, have you?" He asked, leaning up against the pier with his arms crossed.

Ivar frowned while he patted his hair back into place. He pretended the juvenile gesture was something he'd outgrown, but admitting only to himself he knew he liked the brotherly affection between them.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Earl Alfarr's daughter," said Ubbe. "You must have heard the stories. They say he has a daughter of terrible beauty, who can enchant any man and give him the power to lord over all the lands he could ever want."

Ivar let out a scoff of indignation. "No woman is that beautiful unless she is Freyja, reborn a mortal. These stories are getting more ridiculous."

"Perhaps," Ubbe agreed. "But I wouldn't want to pass up the chance regardless of some baseless tales. If she's pretty, that is enough."

Ivar had seen some of the women his brother had bedded, and pretty didn't always seem to be in the criteria. He let out a breathy laugh for his thoughts, and returned his focus on to the family emerging from their ship.

Earl Alfarr was the first to set foot on the dock, a large man with a flat nose and iron grey hair. He held his hand out to his wife, assisting her down the plank. She was a slight creature, all sharp features, and flaxen hair held together in braids with leather cord. The Earl wrapped her up under his protective arm, and it was clear to see his wife was no shield maiden. 

The fabled daughter was last to follow, and when Ivar spotted you for the first time, his heart raced with exhilaration. None but the Gods could say who the most beautiful woman was to walk the land, but you certainly were striking. It was in your hesitant smile. Your eyes spoke adventure,  but not without the self awareness to be cautious. You laughed at something your father said, and Ivar longed to be close enough to hear what it sounded like.

"Well, what do you think? Is this a woman who can enchant Kings and Earls from their lands?" Ubbe asked him, his eyes gazing at the same sight. 

Ivar forgot this moment wasn't private, and whatever fantasies his mind had been about to conjure had ceased. "She is fair," He reasoned.

Whatever feelings he'd been attempting to hide had not gone unnoticed by Ubbe. He looked down at him with a knowing grin. "I'm glad you approve."

"Approve of what?" Hvitserk asked, coming up behind them while crunching loudly on an apple. Sigurd was with him.

"Earl Alfarr has arrived with his family," said Ubbe. "We were just discussing his daughter."

"The temptress?" Hvitserk spat out his mouthful of apple and leapt up next to Ivar, jostling the dock with his weight.

"Ivar said she's fair," Ubbe said, clapping his hand on Ivar's shoulder.

Ivar knew his eldest brother was attempting to be helpful in including him, but when the conversation swayed towards women, he'd rather be left out.

Hvitserk let out a snort. "I wouldn't get any ideas brother. She'd be too much woman for you."

"What do you mean by that?" He snapped, shaking Ubbe's hand off.

"You've never even been with a woman," Sigurd piped up. "You wouldn't know what to do with her."

"Yeah, best leave her to one of us. A woman like that knows what she wants." Hvitserk rubbed his hand over his mouth looking hungry for something other than food.

The bickering started between them, a fight over who this woman would choose when they hadn't even met you yet. Ivar began to crawl away, none but Ubbe taking notice of his departure. When disagreements like this began, he was always ignored because they didn't consider him a threat. Sometimes it was sparring, but recently the affections of women had been added to the docket. As far as Ivar was aware, they had all been having a taste of the blonde thrall from the hall, but Earl Alfarr's daughter was a free woman, and you wouldn't be passed around like a plate of salted pork.

He dragged through the market on his way back home. Many of the stalls were empty, and most of the people had congregated to the wharf. It made his journey short, and he pulled himself up the steps of the Great Hall in search of his mother.

She always had a smile for him, and it put his mind at ease. A part of him knew his mother's love for him was misplaced since her failed marriage to his father, but it was the only sentiment he was allotted, and he took what he could get with the greediness of a dragon. 

"Mother," he greeted as he hoisted himself over to the large fire burning in the pit.

"Ivar, you are back early my love." She glided her way over to him in delicate steps. The light of the fire made her hair look like it was spun from gold, and rose petals. 

"Your guests have arrived, the Danes. The Earl is fat, and his wife looks like a bird."

"And what of his children? Earl Alfarr has many daughters," said Aslaug. "One is said to be a treacherous beauty."

Ivar shrugged as he threw pebbles into the fire. "It's just a story."

"Stories are what keep us alive after we've gone to Valhalla. Even fables have a stretch of truth in them, like dreams and visions."

Ivar sighed. He'd heard this all before from Floki. Despite always wanting to know more about his fate, he avoided going to the seer. There was always a whisper in the back of his mind, afraid to know that a useless cripple was all he'd ever be.

"Do you think I will marry one day?" He asked his mother.

The spontaneous question seemed to catch her off guard, but she switched to a smile that wasn't so genuine. "Of course, any woman would be lucky to have you as a husband. But why such talk of this now? You are still young, and I would prefer if it was Ubbe or Hvitserk coming to me with such news."

Ragnar had not been much older than him when he first married Lagertha, but Ivar didn't dare say as such to his mother. As much as he coveted for her attention, she in turn clung to him. It was difficult to imagine her taking to another woman in his life. He felt trapped, like a carriage sinking in the mud, doomed to be the forgotten son of Ragnar with no family or titles to his name. 

"Well," His mother said, breaking the silence. "We should have the feast prepared for our guests. They will have rooms prepared here with us. No more talk of wives or dreams today my son."

She leant down and placed a kiss on his temple before leaving to gather the thralls. The hustle to set the hall began all around him, but Ivar remained in place, staring into the fire as if it held the answers to his future.

When his brothers returned, Ivar had already claimed his seat at the table beside his mother. The rambunctious chatter of his siblings settled as they assumed their own spots at the table. Ubbe leaned over to get his attention.

"You left before getting a chance to speak to the Earl and his family."

"They're staying with us, I'm sure I'll get my time," Ivar murmed into his horn of mead.

His eldest brother was quick to realize he was being brushed off, and he righted his position in his chair just as the doors to the hall opened. Earl Alfarr was with his family, being led by a thrall who presented them to the Queen.

"You are a gracious host, Queen Aslaug, and a personal greeting by your sons was most appreciated," Alfarr boomed, his voice deep like a war drum.

"I am honored you've traveled this far to treat with me. We have prepared rooms for you and your family. I hope they will be to your liking, as I know Kattegat is far colder than your home," Aslaug spoke as she sipped on her ale. She beckoned her thralls forward, and they prepared seats for the Earl's family. "Please join me and my sons for your first meal."

Ivar kept his eyes down on his plate, picking at the food with little appetite. The warmth of the mead going down his throat was the only comfort that could satiate him. He snuck glances when he could at you as you spoke amicably with his brothers. Your mother would lean over every so often and would whisper something in your ear that had you smiling. It got Ivar curious as to what was being said, but more than that, he wondered what it would feel like to press his mouth near the crook of your neck and whisper words to turn you red.

The calming presence your family brought settled over the rest of the hall, and it was one of the first meals that didn't end with the brothers shouting. Aslaug invited you and your mother to weave with her in the morning, and Alfarr requested Ubbe to accompany him through the market to educate him on trade in Kattegat.

As the thralls began to clear the table of empty plates and food scraps, you stood from your chair. "Thank you Queen Aslaug for the food and shelter, but the journey was long, and I am exhausted."

"Of course," Aslaug said as she signaled for Margrethe. "Please take (Y/N) to the room we have prepared for her."

"No (Y/N), don't go so soon," Hvitserk begged, reaching for your hand.

"I have a song prepared for you," Sigurd added.

You smiled while pulling your hand out of Hvitserk's grasp. "Tomorrow, there will be time for you to entertain me, but for now I need rest."

Before you left the table, Ivar raised his head to catch one last look at your face. You were staring back, a coquettish grin turning your mouth upwards. A wave of heat washed over him, and he flicked his eyes away. His gut clenched, leaving him unsettled and curious. What did you want from him?

ooOOoo 

Ivar was one of the last to turn in for the night. After the meal he had wandered down to Floki's, unaware he had done so until he had arrived at the boat builder's home. He'd been in search of another voice to help him unravel his thoughts about the future, and who better than the staunch believer of the Gods?

With Floki, sometimes his cryptic responses and blithe giggle left more questions than answers, and Ivar went away frustrated. In his heart he felt he was destined for greatness, but he didn't know how it would all come about. He hated the uncertainty of the unknown. If the Gods had already decided his fate, why couldn't he know now?

He made his way through the hall, the fire now low, and with just a handful of thralls cleaning away the remains of the feast. Sometimes an eye would float his way, but they paid him little mind. Ivar often retired later than his brothers, the pain in his legs keeping him awake at odd hours. Tonight it had been his racing thoughts. 

When Ivar came to his room, he thought he had entered another's chambers by mistake. There was a lump occupying the center of the pallet of furs, and as he dragged himself around the corner, it was your head poking out among the covers.

He wasn't sure if you had been feigning sleep, but your eyes shot opened the moment he came near. A coyness fell over you, and the furs fell to your waist as you sat up.

"Hello handsome," You greeted. Your hair was now loose and wild, a far cry from the tight braids it had been in at the feast.

"Woman, did you get lost along the way to your room?" Either that or Margrethe had done this on purpose, but he doubted a thrall could be so bold.

"So you can speak," You said, throwing the furs off as you slid to the edge of the bed. You were dressed in a pale blue gown, with white rabbit fur trim on the sleeves and collar. Apparently you had gone to your room at a time to change, and had made your way back down the hall with his family's rooms. "You hardly said a word during the feast. I was beginning to think your tongue didn't work."

Ivat scowled for what you said. "Just because I choose to use my words more carefully than my brothers. I don't babble about like an idiot."

"No, I didn't think so."

"What are you doing here?" His eyes narrowed, wanting to come across as intimidating even though he was distracted by the light tapping of your bare feet on the floor while you dangled on the side of his bed. "Did you happen to mistake my room for one of my brothers?"

"I'm exactly where I want to be," You said with your sweet smile. "And I did not want one of your brothers to come to my room, especially the one with the funny looking hair."

Sigurd. Ivar couldn't stave off the grin at your assessment of him. "What do you want then?"

"I'll confess I did not come to Kattegat with my family for an interest in the trade of goods." You came up from the bed, only to kneel down before him on the ground. Ivar swallowed thickly as you brought a hand to his face. "I am the youngest of six daughters, and all of my sisters are married. There are few men of worth or importance left back home that aren't already married. I'm looking for a husband."

"Ubbe is the oldest," Ivar hurried to say as his heart raced. "You should be with him."

"Ubbe is kind, but he is not ready for a wife if he is still playing under the skirts of thralls," You said as your fingers danced their way up into his hair. "And neither of your other brothers are fit to be leaders, not like you, Ivar."

"Stop," he said, grabbing your hands in his to stop your tantalizing teases. "You don't know anything about me. Just because you're beautiful you think you can charm any man, but I won't be a part of your game. Go find another Ragnarsson to use your spell on."

All the confidence went out of you like the passing of a storm, and you slid your hands from his grasp. "That ridiculous rumor again, and here I thought the sons of Ragnar would be above all of that."

Without a word you gathered your skirts, and headed for the door with your eyes downcast. Ivar's face twisted into confusion, and he held up a hand, as if reaching for you. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"I'm sure you're well aware of the story of Earl Alfarr's daughter, a woman so beautiful that she can have any man and his lands. The woman in that story is not me, it's my eldest sister, Saldís. It was just a tale, spread by my father and her husband to gain clout amongst the other Earls." You crossed your arms while looking guarded. "That stupid lie has followed me everywhere I go."

His first assumption about the rumor being false had been correct. Ivar flushed like a fool. You had come to his room, seeking him out because it was what you wanted. The only threat to him not winning the favor of a beautiful woman was himself.

"Don't leave yet," He mumbled, hating the taste of failure. "I'm sorry...alright."

"Maybe I overstepped as well," You replied as you pulled away from the door, striding back to the furs where you took a seat. "Fortune favors the bold, or so I've been told, but you probably didn't want a strange girl intruding on your room."

You were the first woman to come to his chambers willingly. Not a thrall, and not his mother. Ivat felt a sudden shyness, which he tried to overcome by climbing onto the bed beside you. 

"You called me handsome."

Your head spun to face him, and you let out a laugh for his jest. "Yes, and you called me beautiful. There's a boldness in you as well."

"Is that why you think I'd make for a good leader, and husband," He prodded, longing to hear more of your compliments. 

"Maybe, and I'm sure there's more about you waiting to be uncovered," You said, your eyes searching his face. "I didn't mean to come across as desperate with the whole husband business. It's just...all of my sisters are married, and it's lonely for me. It's horrible being alone."

Your words were his. He had thought them a thousand times, wondering if the Gods had made him to be the loneliest mortal on midgard. Now he was sure you were fated to meet.

"Stay with me tonight," He spoke the words fast, afraid he'd hold them in otherwise. 

You made a sound of delight, and your soft hand fell over his. "Yes, but only if you promise to come back to Denmark with me when I leave. I want to show you my home."

Ivar had never left Kattegat, but a yearning for adventure was what he had been seeking. This was the Gods way of guiding him to his future. 

"I've always wanted to see new places," He said, his fingers intertwining with yours. "I will go with you."

You lit up with surprise. "I'm happy to hear you say that. I didn't think you would accept."

"Never offer anything you aren't willing to lose," Ivar advised as his hands started to trace up your arms.

You pulled away, and for a moment he was afraid he had become too forward, but you did not go far. You stood before him, your knees touching his and trapping him on the bed. Ivar felt like twitching. He did not want you to feel his frail legs.

"I feel like the victor, so please allow me to be bold once more and offer something else."

You paused, as if toying with an idea in your mind. Abandoning reserve, you reached for the large collar of your gown and slid it down your shoulders. The heavy fabric dropped down your body with haste, and pooled at your ankles.

Ivar had seen women naked before, but always by mistake. Usually it was catching the thralls with his brothers, moments that were not meant for him. Standing before him bare in the night, with nothing but the flicker of the low fire light dancing across your skin, you were there to be admired by his eyes only. He leaned forward, lips parting. One of his brothers would have said something arousing, but all of his quick wit left him as he drank in the sight of you.

You took a step, raising your leg free from your dress, and bracing it up on the furs beside him. Ivar didn't know what to do with his hands as you lowered yourself onto his lap, so he fisted the soft material between his fingers. He wanted to touch you, but everything he had seen in those stolen glances at Margrethe with his brothers was forgotten. It was you on top of him, the warmth you gave off reminding him of that.

"I've never shown myself to a man before," You whispered, pressing your forehead against his. "Touch me, Ivar."

You were a free woman, and daughter of an Earl, choosing to come to his bed. In his mind, he had made peace with the idea that any woman who would come to him would be a thrall. But you, a woman of high standing, was draped over him and begging to be touched. When your hands laced together at the back of his neck, he reached for your breasts, and gave them a soft squeeze. 

You shuttered and gasped, causing Ivar to let go. "No, don't stop. I've just never had a man's hands on my body like that, and yours are rough and strong."

Feeling more reassured, he brought his hands back to your chest. Your nipples cut to points under his palms, and the soft flesh was pliable beneath his fingers. His cock grew half hard at your moans, and you brought your lips down on his. His hands were trapped up against you as you pressed tight to him, and he struggled to keep his mouth closed until you bit his lip. Your tongue plunged into his mouth, and Ivar finally gave way to his first groan. 

When you pulled back, Ivar tried to follow with his mouth, but you pressed a finger to his lips. "I want to feel your flesh on mine."

Your hands pulled at the hem of his tunic, and he helped you slip him free from the garment. Just as soon as the night air touched his skin, you had pressed your front up against his chest. Your breasts squeezed together, forming a thin cleavage between them that he wanted to press his face into. When your hands started for his hips, it was like being thrown into the frozen fjord, and the spell broke.

He latched his hands firmly on your wrists, halting you. "Don't," He said, breathless and angry.

"I'm sorry," You said, and there was no animosity in your words. "We can stop for now. I just want to stay beside you."

His cock was starting to go limp as his heart slowed and the disappointment began to ascend. The feeling was not unfamiliar. He had never pulled on himself like most men would do when unable to find female company. Whenever his cock had stirred to life, he would wait until it receded. Having you perched on his lap, a wet and sticky spot forming on his crotch from your rutting, he felt ashamed. 

"I won't know how to please you," He confessed, his voice small.

"Yes, you will," You retorted. You reached down between your thighs, gathering your slick on two of your fingers before bringing them up to his lips. As you smeared your love on his lips, Ivar opened his mouth for a taste, and sighed with contentment. "We will do everything together. There is time for us, and I don't want it to be a quick and meaningless hump."

"It won't be," Ivar said, his eyes locking onto yours. You let out a yelp as he suddenly pulled you down on the bed with him, your body still held firm against his. "You will stay?"

You had already started to drape a large fur over the both of you before settling with your face pressed into the hollow of his throat. Your tongue was hot as you traced it through the divot. "That is my promise. I won't go until you tell me to."

Now that Ivar had you, it seemed unreasonable to conceive the idea of ever letting you go. He had you, and you would always be his. While you fell unconscious beside him, his fingers traced up and down the skin of your back, only coming to still once he joined you in sleep.

ooOOoo 

"Where could she have gone so early?"

Ivar awoke to voice just outside his door, a cascade of quarreling that he recognized as his brothers. They had managed to wake you with their ruckus, as you stretched and shifted with a groan. You smiled down at Ivar, remaining above him as you were when he had taken you to bed.

"They are like a gaggle of geese. Are they always like this?"

"They never stop."

You were about to say more, when Hvitserk's shouting broke through the air.

"Ivar!"

He came in through the door without so much as a knock, stopping short as he spotted your naked back. Ivar pressed his fingers deeper into your flesh, possessing you.

"Umm...what?" He stared at the both of you, his brows high on his forehead and his mouth opened. "I found her, Sigurd."

"No, don't call him--" Ivar started, but it was too late.

Sigurd came in with Ubbe following, and they appeared just as astonished at the sight of you. 

You didn't seem to mind the attention, rather you played into their surprise by caressing your hand against Ivar's face.

"I suppose I'll have to join with our mothers soon. They are looking forward to weaving," You said aloud to no brother in particular. 

Sigurd was the first to react, letting out a huff while blowing passed Ubbe to the door.

Hvitserk's face broke out into a grin, and he let out a barking laugh. "Well played, little brother. I hope she earns you many lands."

"I will," You said, turning to Ivar as your breath tickled his skin, and your words rattled his heart.

When it was just Ubbe who remained, he kept a respectable distance by the door. The look on his face was one of contentment. "Tell me Ivar, do you still think she is fair?"

Ivar felt the heat rise to his face, and it was difficult not to seem bashful as you watched him with curiosity. "Go away," He grumbled, throwing his head back and closing his eyes.

Ubbe chuckled. "That's what he said to me when he first saw you on the docks. You are fair (Y/N), and I hope you keep each other happy."

He shot out of the room after, but not before Ivar lobbed a mug of stale mead at him as a parting gift. His reaction had you laughing, and you sat up with the furs falling down to your hip.

"Perhaps I cast a spell on you after all," You teased.

Ivar's eyes shot open, and you let out a shriek as he pulled you back down beside him. "And how are you planning on winning me these lands? You aren't the woman in the story, remember?"

"I know that, but your brothers don't. Why not have a little fun first?" You said as you ran your hand over his arm that held you.

There was something devious in your smile that Ivar loved to see. He kissed you again, slow and patient in his victory. His future might have remained clouded, but the Gods had fated him to you, and that was enough to give him the courage to face the unknown.

[silvanable]

OMG I'M SO HAPPY I SEE U AGAIN ON MY FEED AND NOW YOU ALSO TAKE REQUESTS FOR TWST💞💗💕💓❤️❣️🧡💙💚💗💕💕💞💘💝Uhmm... i need to calm down🥺. Can i ask for a hc for Leona, Jamil and Ruggie with a gn s/o who is basically the twst version of mulan? Sorry if i ask for too much🥺 Love you and take care of yourself❤️

bless you, you wonderful doll! please don’t calm down. i found twst right before halloween and by the following morning it had consumed what remained of my soul.

i’m so glad you’re coming with requests and i absolutely adore this idea. mulan was one of my favorite disney ‘princesses’ as a kid because she was absolutely badass.

i’m literally taking this as is, so the boys’ s/o is mulan 2.0 with a twist wink wonk.

and a bonus at the very end for all you lovelies about twst mulan!

↪  GUIDELINES

— JAMIL VIPER

jamil never honestly paid them much mind in the beginning, mostly because he was babysitting watching over kalim.

he probably started to notice them more when they started participating in club sports and the magishift tournaments.

the reason they start interacting because one of their lizards, their asian water monitor to be exact, ended up getting out and saving jamil from a beetle.

queue them running up, heaving a massive lizard in their arms, and apologize for starting jamil mistaking his yell of fear for the beetle for their fear of their scaly baby.

the two strike up a conversation and sort of hit it off after that point, more or less because they constantly come up to him when they see him and start talking afterwards.

jamil has the underlying inferiority after constantly having to put himself below kalim, therefore doesn’t do well with those who look down on him or challenge his worth.

with his s/o, they understand that feeling because everything they have done in life was to fight and prove themselves of being someone worthy.

knowing about each other’s pasts and how each of them has to fight to be even glanced at as someone worrying is part of what brings them together.

the both of them have a lot of untapped or unrecognized potential but it would get better.

the two of them compliment each other in many ways and tend to be the leverage the other can use to bring out the best of themselves.

jamil is the type to actually train with his s/o, while he might not be trained in the same swordsmanship art as them, it’s an enjoyable moment for him because it’s just him and his s/o.

most time it happens he just stumbles upon his s/o practicing and joins in, as much as he loves watching it feels far more intimate to participate in their training because it’s almost like a dance between opponents.

jamil braids his own hair with magic and having a s/o who also has long hair, he would offer to do their hair for them rather happily, be it with or without magic, but he does enjoy running his fingers through their dark hair.

if his s/o asks him if they can braid his hair, he might just pass on to the next life right then and there. catch his s/o decorating his hair with unique trinkets from their home too.

jamil has grown up at the constant service of other people, so his s/o offering to do something for him is not only surprising but extremely heartwarming.

and sharing similar backgrounds he and his s/o would do small services for each other as a sort of show of their affection for one another.

as a person who keeps lots of reptiles, they introduce all of their scaly babies to jamil rather early on, if only to say they have a special fondness for even their beloved viper.

— LEONA KINGSCHOLAR

of course he found them annoying at first but it’s also not every day someone dares to square up with him. he’s used to submission and compliance from others out of fear.

he finds them overly annoying but they always seemed to run into each other until one day they actually got to talking.

turns out they were quite dedicated to their family.

leona has never had a great relationship with his family, so he doesn’t quite understand how someone could be so devoted to their family to put themselves in harm’s way for them.

is not always the most respectful of his dearest s/o but when he steps too far out of line you can bet they’re setting him straight again.

leona is extremely impressed with his s/o skills, particularly their swordsmanship.

these two are literally yin and yang when it comes down to it, opposites but they perfectly balance each other out to keep each other in check.

he likes to watch them practice on the ground after classes when he’s lounging and napping. they always have such an adorably serious expression and appear almost as if they’re dancing.

absolutely will drag his s/o from their practice to nap with him in the gardens.

other times he just plops in their lap while they’re reading or studying.

is actually very impressed, if not a little jealous, of their defensive magically abilities.

leona’s specialty is ancient curses. his s/o specialty is defensive magic, particularly against curses.

not that he would ever throw a curse at them but his s/o has already proven to break more than a few of his little testers for them.

learns about their background somewhere down the line of being together.

his s/o was very reluctant to talk about it given that he was a prince, so trying to explain the work and hardships they had to endure to support and protect their family, particularly their father, seemed like a bad conversation.

leona is actually very attentive when they finally open up and it makes more sense to him the more he hears.

he understands to a degree, but again he never had to struggle with wealth or safety, nor did he have the same dedication to his family due to childhood complications. 

— RUGGIE BUCCHI

found them interesting right off the bat. they were peculiar in ways he couldn’t quite place.

really started to like them when they told leona off one time. ruggie expected them to back down from the savanaclaw dorm leader when he started growling but they did not.

much like leona and his s/o— these two are a balance of each other, yin and yang, and his s/o often likes to remark.

his laid back and carefree nature does clash with their dedicated nature though. it’s a problem sometimes, especially when it comes to why his s/o works so hard.

it’s times like those that ruggie finds he doesn’t know a lot about his s/o, particularly their past. which he understands, as he’s sensitive about his own too, but still his s/o is a mystery to him.

it does take a lot for his s/o to open up about what they’re so focused and determined to become a great mage. and it turns out it’s all for their family, particularly their father.

that brings a new side of them to light for ruggie, brings him to admire them that much more because all their goals were never really for them.

genuinely sees a lot of similarity between him and his s/o’s pasts, sure they’re different but both of them had to learn and adapt to survive—whether it be for themselves or for those around them.

loves his s/o unique magic, being quite a prankster himself, ruggie has thought of 101 uses for his s/o magic that does not involve its usual purpose like roasting marshmallows.

however he does not like being in it’s path as he has been singed by it before ( of no fault of his s/o since they did warning him ).

in awe at his s/o swordsmanship and talent at defensive magic but doesn’t admit it.

he likes to watch but tries to be sneaky about it. getting caught causes his cheeks to tint pink and he will absolutely brush any and everything his s/o says about him staring off.

his s/o culture is vastly different from the one he knows from the afterglow savanna. so he’s curious.

will absolutely ask his s/o to prepare him tea or cook a dish from their home, whether or not they are a decent cook he will eat whatever the offer.

— HEADCANONS ABOUT THIS TWST!MULAN

dresses rather ambiguously leaning masculine but can absolutely slay a skirt and heals.

everyone at night raven college actually thought they were a guy for the longest time until a conversation struck up and they mentioned they were actually nonbinary.

everyone swears their unique magic is shapeshifting because they change their presentation, style, and outfits so beautifully but literally everyone never knows what they’ll look like next.

luxurious, soft hair that’s darker than a starless night. often tied up to keep it out of their face.

red is their signature color.

their father is very frail and was deemed medically unfit to preform his job, so his dear child took his place to support their family.

the only reason they’re even a nrc is because their family persuaded them to go & eventually they agreed if just to have a way to support their family and make them proud.

from an ancient line of warriors in the war against dark magic, users were renowned for their skill with a blade and their magic against curses.

best class is obviously defense magic, more grounded in combat against curses, but no one has beat them on the defense yet anyways.

also exceptionally skilled with a sword. practices daily before or after classes to keep those skills sharp.

floyd calls them “sea dragon” ( shīdoragon-chan ) after the leafy sea dragon.

reptiles freaking love them. is constantly being stalked by some scaly friends. and yes, they absolutely do talk to them all.

on that note they also have so many reptiles in their room. whoever their poor dorm leader is, better pray for them, because it’s not uncommon for a scaly friend to get out of their enclosures and wander around looking for their master.

is a member of the horse riding club.

unique magic would be called dragon’s guidance and it’s incantation is: “ancestors hear my plea, bring honor to my family and watch over me. dragon’s guidance.” 

the magic brings to life a chinese dragon made from the sparks of fireworks from their hands. ( if you’ve ever seen the fellowship of the rings, imagine the firework dragon merry and pippin set off. or a similar firework dragon george & fred weasley from harry potter set off in the fifth movie ).

it acts as a sort of ‘guide’ towards their goal ( for example, finding the way out of the woods if they are lost ).

however their unique magic also has other purposes, as it can act like a signal flair, works well for parting thick crowds ( no one wants to get burned after all ), or a light source briefly before the sparks fizzle out.

[chibinekochan]

How to become a Demon Ruler 110

Part:   01 I 02  I 03  I 04 I 05  I 06 I 07 I 08 I 09

GN. Reader insert

taglist:  @ayesha95    ;  @nomnomcupcakesworld ;  @fex-phoenix   ; @depressed-bixch ;   @kitsune-oji

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I wake up slightly exhausted. 

  At that moment I remember I have some shopping to do. I instantly feel energized. 

  I stand up and do my usual morning routine but instead of the outfit that Barbatos prepared for me, I decide to venture into my closet. 

 I feel like I'm on an expedition. Barbatos has been very busy with acquiring whatever he could find in my size. A true wonderland of clothes. 

 I'm very impressed and overwhelmed. 

 At long last, I find an outfit perfect for a shopping trip. 

 I hurry to meet Barbatos at the breakfast table. 

 Instead, I find Diavolo waiting for me. 

"Good morning Diavolo. I didn't think I'd see you this early."

"Good morning, what a lovely outfit. I sadly bear some bad news. Some demons caused a massive problem, and Barbatos had to go and resolve it." Diavolo looks very distraught. 

"Oh no, is he going to be okay?" I'm mostly concerned about Barbatos' safety. 

"He is an immensely powerful demon. We don't need to worry about him. I feel just bad that we have to scrap your plans." Diavolo looks honestly stricken with grief. 

"It can't be helped. Undoubtedly I can get to enjoy the town another day. Even when I was honestly looking forward to this." I feel disappointed, despite everything. 

 Diavolo seems to be more hurt than I am. 

 Then suddenly his eyes light up. "I will just go with you." 

"What? Don't you have responsibilities and didn't Barbatos say it's dangerous since you are the prince?" I can't imagine that this is a good idea. 

"I can surely take a day off? And I'm not worried about my safety at all. I merely want to make you smile." Diavolo has no concerns at all. 

"I will be fine. I can probably find some nice gifts in the castle, and can always order something with express shipping." I find his offer very sweet, but Barbatos’ possible reaction makes me very worried. Mostly for Diavolo. 

 "Nonsense. I will simply wear a disguise and will take all the blame from Barbatos." He waves me off. I somehow start thinking that Diavolo just genuinely wants to go to the city. He seemed pretty excited about going. 

  "What if you get attacked?" I still can't shake the bad feeling in my gut. 

"I'm touched that you worry about my health but I assure you that there aren't many demons that could hurt me. In addition, I will gladly protect you with my life." He says this so casually that my mouth almost drops. 

"Please don't do that. I would never be able to be happy if you would get injured because of me." I somehow feel very sad thinking about this. 

Diavolo looks at me with gentle eyes and places his big hand on my head. "I won't let that happen." 

 My heart beats like a drum. 

Suddenly I have forgotten any argument that I could present. 

 "So does that cover all of your concerns?" Diavolo looks at me with his nonchalant eyes. 

"Not really... but I trust you." I somehow can't resist him at all. Truly dangerous. 

Diavolo nods with a beaming smile. "Then let's go." He holds his big hand out towards me. His eyes meet mine. I have absolutely no way of saying no right now. 

 So I take his hand. It's just as pleasant as it was the last time. I smile at him. "Yes, let's go." This is very charming and thoughtful of Diavolo.

 Maybe there is nothing to worry about? Honestly, who could be stronger than the demon prince? Well, maybe his father. 

 I will just enjoy this day with all my heart. 

 With this decision made I feel much better. 

  So we head into town. I'm pretty surprised to find it looking pretty normal. Other than that everybody is a demon. 

 True to his word nobody seems to take note of Diavolo. 

 I kinda just look at everything for a while. Everything seems new and exciting while being strangely ordinary. 

 There is a clothing store with some very nice stuff. I find something I like and want to show it to Diavolo. I turn around, just to find Diavolo is no longer there. 

 He is so tall it's a mystery how he just straight-up vanished. 

 I don't know where I am right now. The best option I have is to call Diavolo. 

 Just before I get my phone out a man with curly flaxen hair and striking eyes. If I had to recipe him in one word it would be gorgeous. 

"Sorry dear, but would you mind telling me where you found that shirt?" He asks me with a seductive smile. 

"Right over there. If you get it for yourself, you should get it in pink." I blurt out without much thought. 

"Haha, I see you possess a sense of my style. Would you mind helping me for a little moment? I promise I will make up for it." He looks at me in a flirty manner. I feel flustered about someone so pretty hitting on me but I can't get distracted. "Sorry but I just got separated from my Ummm brother. So I need to find him." I almost slip and call him Diavolo. I can't let a stranger know who I am with. 

"So your umm brother can't even wait a single moment longer?" He smiles at me with his flirty gaze, somehow it fills me with an abnormal desire to follow along with his request. It's the strangest sensation. 

"Well… I mean…" I don't know why, but I can't seem to refuse him.

"Pretty please? I know you won't regret it." He lulls me with his eyes. Like a hunter eyeing his prey. 

His hand nonchalantly grazed my arm, a shiver followed his touch. Such a mysterious feeling. Then suddenly an electric spark flows between us. "Ahh." I yelp in pain and jerk my arm back. Whatever happened between us is suddenly gone. "I should go now." 

"How very interesting of you to break my charm like that." He looks at me very amused. 

I look at him in confusion. "Are you an incubus?" 

He giggles. "I might be to some but no." 

"Asmo what are you doing?" I hear someone speaking in a harsh tone. 

"I was just passing time." Asmo shrugs. 

I look at the tall raven-haired man that has just called out to him. He seems very impressive. 

That name, though. "Wait, are you one of the seven demon brothers?" 

"Do you want an autograph?" He flashes me a sparkling smile. 

"Not at all. The name was just familiar." I couldn't care any less to be honest. 

"There you are, I was looking everywhere." Then I hear Diavolos familiar voice. 

 I feel immense relief. The tall black-haired man looks at Diavolo with some sort of annoyance. 

"Sorry, I just saw something nice, and then you were gone." I feel ashamed that I got lost like a small child. 

"That was on you Diavolo. Lucky it was only Asmo who ran into you. Has he done anything to you?" Initially, he looks at Diavolo and then at Asmo and me. Asmo seems utterly amused by the whole situation. 

"No." I don't think I should mention him trying to charm me. 

"Asmo did you try anything?" The tall man sternly looks at Asmo. 

Asmo shrugs. "I might have tried to charm them, but it wasn't working." 

 Here I tried to assist him but he just straight-up admits it. 

"So your charm wasn't effective? That's pretty impressive." Diavolo seems proud of me. I don't understand it but it feels nice. 

"Well maybe impressive, but still having a human running around here will only cause trouble." The black-haired man doesn't seem to hold back in front of Diavolo. They must be close. 

"Especially such a delightful one." Asmo chimes on from behind me. I'm not sure what to feel about his comment. 

"Right? I haven't even introduced you probably yet. Let me fix this. Meet my new sibling." Diavolo goes over to me and introduces me in a genuinely friendly and proud manner. 

"I see so that's the one I heard so much about these past days." The dark-haired man looks at me with seemingly conflicting feelings. I can't tell at all what they are. 

I'm unsure what to say to him. 

Diavolo then turns to me. "And these are Asmodeus and Lucifer." He points at them with his typical smile. 

Somehow I feel very mingled emotions now myself. So this man is Lucifer. I stare at him with awe, fear, and curiosity. 

Then I gather a small breath. "It's an honor to meet you." I politely bow for him. 

I can hear Asmo laugh behind me. 

"You could use some of their humbleness." Lucifer reprimands Asmo and then offers me a slight smile. 

"Well, they are cute. Now I look forward to that party." Asmo seems very cheerful. 

"First of all we have to finish our business here so come on now," Lucifer speaks to Asmo like he is a small child. 

"But I wanted to purchase this." Asmo sighs in an overly dramatic way. 

"I'm sorry we have to cut our first meeting so short. After everything I have heard, I'm very curious about you. I can't say I'm disappointed." Lucifer seems to look right into my core somehow. I'm not sure how to feel about him. 

"I hope we will have a delightful conversation soon." I bestow him a courteous smile.

"I hope we can continue where we left off." Asmo winks playfully at me. 

Diavolo raises an eyebrow at him, Lucifer shaking his head. 

They then walk away. Leaving me and Diavolo behind. 

 "Are you alright?" Diavolo looks at me, searching for any injuries. 

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm sorry I just let go of you." I had promised him to keep holding hands too. 

"It was my fault. I got distracted when I saw Lucifer and wanted to introduce you, but when I turned back around you vanished." Diavolo is feeling guilty. 

"I got distracted by the clothes here too. So I guess we are both bad." I offer him an encouraging smile. 

"You can't be bad, so I accept the full responsibility." Diavolo is pretty adamant about this. 

"I wonder what you even told Lucifer about me." This is bothering me. 

"Umm just about everything. I guess you could say I was bragging about you." Diavolo seems very pleased about this. 

"But I'm just an ordinary person. There isn't much to brag about." I feel a bit embarrassed. 

"Maybe you just can't tell how amazing you are, but anyway have you found something nice here?" Diavolo seems to want to change the topic and since it's pretty embarrassing I let him off. 

"I kinda liked this top but now I think it would suit Asmo better, especially in pink." I can't imagine wearing this after all. 

"I think it would great on you, but let's get it for Asmo." Diavolo takes a brief look at the top and then hands me the pink-colored version. That is one present down. 

 I then spot a rack with very stylish-looking sunglasses. "Oh, those would look on Mammon. What do you think?" I hold a pair out to Diavolo. 

"I can see him wearing them, so I'd say it's a great choice." Diavolo approves right away. "You took a liking to Mammon didn't you?" Diavolo seems to ask nonchalantly, but I can tell it's somehow bothering him. 

"He is pretty okay, but I don't think I'd ever date him." He just isn't my type. 

Diavolo nods with a smile, it looks like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. "That's good then." 

Mammons reputation must be very terrible if both Barbatos and Diavolo disapprove so much of him. I can't imagine any other reason for their behavior. 

 "Where should we go now?" After paying for the items we stand outside again. 

"I think Satan's favorite bookstore is right around the corner here. Lucifer once showed me." Diavolo once again takes my hand. 

"You are very close to Lucifer aren't you?" I can't tell why but it bothers me somehow. 

"It's complicated, but he is someone who I'd like to call a close friend but I fear he perceives it differently." Diavolo has a complicated expression. "I understand him better now. He is very close to his brothers. I never fully understood that. Ever since meeting you that changed, though. A lot of his actions make now sense to me. Maybe we can overcome the rift between us one day." Diavolo looks wistful at me. 

 It sounds like their relationship is very complicated. I can't imagine what kind of feelings Diavolo might have hidden deep inside of him. 

 "I hope that I can support you even more in the future." This surely is the best course of action. If Diavolo truly harbors secret feelings of some sort I want to be there for him. Even if I can't completely ignore my pain. 

 "That is very sweet of you. This is one of the things that I love very much about you." He gives me a shiny smile. Strangely it hurts today. Especially since his words of love have a different meaning than romantic love. 

Maybe it is for the best if I strive for a purely sibling-like relationship with him. I feel uneasy about this, but I can't think of a different way to protect my heart. 

 I conceal my feelings by turning away and noticing the entrance to the bookstore. "This must be it." 

"Oh yeah, good catch." Diavolo was seemingly lost in thought. 

 We go into the store, and I head directly to the counter. 

"Hello, I look for a picture book with a lot of cat pictures. Preferably cute ones." I know exactly what I'm looking for. 

"We have a few of these over in the picture book section right over there." The store clerk gives me a normal customer service response. 

"Much obliged. I wonder if you know about a customer named Satan. I want to buy the book for him, and wonder which of them he already has." I decide to flat out ask him. 

The clerk gets an uneasy expression. "I can't just give information out like that."

"I know but it's a present. Imagine I'd gift him a book he already has. He would be extremely upset. I just want to make sure he is happy." I smile at him, knowing very well that Satan is the avatar of wrath. A person well known for his anger. 

The clerk's expression darkens. "He has every single one of the ones sold in the devildom." 

So he is aware. "I see thank you so much." I smile, well of course it wouldn't be this easy. 

"It seems like I have to ask Barbatos for help with this one then." I turn back to Diavolo. 

"It seems he is pretty obsessed with cats." Diavolo seems unsure what to say. 

"It's not an issue at all. I somehow think he probably owns every piece of cat literature that he can get his hands onto. Lucky enough I own something that he doesn't own. A massive collection of VHS with adorable cat videos. These were gifted to me. All homemade and very cute. I will also ask Barbatos to bring me some of my old Manga for Levi." I smile at Diavolo. I somehow expected this. 

"That only leaves a pillow for Belphie but more difficult will be to find something for Lucifer. I heard he likes classical records and other rare collectibles but I'm sure you know more about that."  I look hopeful at Diavolo. 

He nods. "It's very hard to find something for him. He owns almost everything that he wants." He sighs. 

I feel terrible for him. 

"Maybe it would be better to give him something like concert tickets." I try to think of a way around this specific issue. 

"That's not a bad idea, but he rarely gets to enjoy them due to his fame. Trust me I relate to that issue." Diavolo looks down. 

"How about tickets for a human world concert then? Or we could reserve him a private concert. Well, that might be too pricey, but that would be a good option for a future present from you." A human concert would at least solve the fame issue. 

"A brilliant idea. I will also keep the suggestion in mind for his birthday." Diavolo smiles happily. I'm delighted I could help, but it's still hurtful. 

"So should we look for a pillow now?" I change the topic. 

"Yes, there is a luxury bed store around here that just opened. I remember cutting the ribbon myself just a few weeks ago." Diavolo doesn't seem to notice my shift in topics and just goes along with it. 

 So that is where we are heading next. 

 The bed store is very high-end. I grab several pillows. None of them seem good enough. 

"Do you know what kind of colors Belphie likes?" I think this will help me to narrow it down. 

"Hmm purple? He likes cow patterns." Diavolo thinks about it for a bit. 

"Cow pattern hmmm." I look around and see one with that pattern. "Let's see." I squish the pillow. It's very pleasant. "I think this one is pretty nice. What do you think Diavolo?" I hold the pillow out to him. 

He touches it. "Indeed, this will be perfect for him."

I nod in agreement when an overly eager seller approaches us. "That is a lovely choice. We also have a matching couple’s bed set for a very memorable time." They are desperate for sales. 

"Oh, we aren't…" I want to correct the clerk. 

"This is a very cute set. I think we should take it." Diavolo seems to have no clue that the clerk thinks that we are a couple. 

It's certainly a cute set, so I don't have the heart to correct him. "It's absolutely lovely. Should we purchase one for Barbatos too?" I find one that is the same style but a different color."This one would match." 

"What a lovely idea. We get these three then." Diavolo hands it all to the slightly troubled clerk. They know better than to question a customer.

  So we pay and head outside of the store. 

-

 I hope you enjoyed today’s surprise guests.