#but on the other hadn tell me all of them so i can Fix It lmao

[tremendouscreationperson]

Logan x Reader pt.7

Not this chapter distracting me at work

I hope you can't tell that I'm really not American in this 🤣

<< Part 6 Part 8 >> Masterlist

“James Logan Howlett!” 

Shit. 

He jumped up from lazing on the bed - he'd need to buy a new mattress due to claw marks, you'd both got pretty carried away - and peaked his head into the bathroom. 

You were standing there, gloriously naked, staring at your reflection in the mirror. If there was a god he thanked them. You had to have been handcrafted. 

“Baby?” 

Your eyes met his through the mirror and you gestured to your neck. “What is this?!” 

He wanted to sass you by explaining what a neck was and that it held your esophagus but he didn't. His urge to claim you might've been dialled too high. Your neck and chest were marred with darker splotches, a reverse vitiligo. “I didn't hear you complaining at the time.” 

You humphed and prodded the marks. “I don't own enough clothes to hide these.” 

“You can wear mine.” He was sure there was a hoodie somewhere in his closet you could use.

“Lo, this is like hardcore shit.” You tried to reason with him. “They're gonna think you abuse me.” 

“Sorry.” He offered, really not sorry at all. Logan took a step into the bathroom and settled himself behind you, hands grazing your hips.

You huffed a laugh and rolled your eyes, head falling back onto his chest. “No you're not.” 

“No, I'm not.” He pecked your head. 

“Keep your lips away.” Swatting at him as you pulled back. 

Logan laughed at you but let you slip out of his grasp. You swivelled and leaned against the counter, folding your arms. “Very intimidating.” 

“Fuck off.” Eyes squinting. “But-” You sighed. “I may have to venture out and actually purchase some clothes. Hopefully I don't go crazy again.” You extenuated that with wavy hands and a funny voice.

Logan's eyes softened. “You're not crazy.” 

You shrugged, casually. “Eh, maybe a little.” 

He fixed a piece of hair that was more wild than the others and let his hand fall to your shoulder. His thumb rubbed a little circle. “We'll go together.” 

“Okay.” You smirked up to him, clasping his forearm. In a not so subtle move, you pulled his hand to your neck. “Maybe in a couple hours?” 

Logan's palm nestled on your neck, squeezing lightly. “I thought you were worried they'd assume I abuse you.” 

You mock-thought and then answered with, “You're allowed to abuse certain parts of me.” 

The twinkle in his eye and twitch of his jaw went straight to your core. Logan flexed his fingers then resettled them and pulled you in for a kiss. 

He made quick work of plucking you up from the floor and nestling you on the counter top. Your hands explored his chest, pulling at the hair. Logan purred into the kiss as your hands trailed down to his half hard dick. 

“Hmm,” You panted, “I want that in my mouth.”

Logan’s smile could be felt against your cheek as he nibbled at your earlobe. “Maybe later.” 

You humphed biting him back. Logan's whole body shuddered as you sucked his neck. Lapping up the bruised flesh before biting down again. 

He was quick to raise your legs, pushing your knees to your shoulders, and laid you onto your spine. The counter was cold and thankfully the side you were pretzeled on was bare of necessities. 

Logan had been fucking you all night, you didn't need to be 'wined and dined' before he fucked you but he still played with your folds. Teasing you by tracing a line from your clit to your entrance, he played with your slick and slid back upwards to the bud. He noted the marks on your thighs as he watched your hole clench around nothing, your chest rising and falling with every hitch. 

He loved watching your neck extend as you threw your head back, he could see his marks, see who owned you. Who fucked you right. Who kept you safe. He could - had - watch you in the throes of pleasure all night, he loved working you up. Having you spasm under him, shaking until you begged for more. 

You'd mumbled the words ‘fuck me’ a few times but they hadn't registered, he'd been too preoccupied with watching your pussy gush. It was so wet it practically dripped onto the countertop. 

“Lo-gan.” You whimpered. “Logan fuck me. Fill me. Use me. Just st-stop teasing me.” 

The position he had you in wasn't the comfiest but when he rubbed his dick between your folds you were too blissed out to care. He thrust into you and immediately bottomed out. 

“How are you still so tight?” His tongue caught between his teeth in a smirk. 

You groaned out a response but neither knew what it was. 

He was slow with his thrusts, drawing out your pleasure as one of his hands wrapped around your leg and began playing with your clit. 

His slow motion meant you felt everything, every ridge, every vibration, every circle of your clit, every hitch of his breath. Everything. And he loved giving you it all. Your brows were pulled upwards, eyes crossing and your mouth was hanging open in a silent moan. It was so good it silenced you. 

He noticed the slick he had used on your clit was drying so he angled himself and slowly spat onto it. And fuck me that was hot. 

He swirled his spit coated thumb and you felt your body convulse with the biggest orgasm of the night. 

You clamped down so hard he couldn't move, your hands flung to clutch his biceps and you stuttered out a moan. 

Logan smiled genuinely at your blissed out face and almost forgot he was inside of you. Once your pussy had released his dick he picked up the pace. He pounded into you with abandon, his thumb vibrating against your clit. You shook your head, still unable to form a sentence, and tried to get him to stop. It was too much. Too good. You were so overstimulated. 

“I can't-” The words were mushed into one singular noise.

“Yes, you can.” He itched to bite you, his jaw clamped to hold himself back. 

“Too much.” 

“No it's not.” 

“P-ple-” You cut yourself off with a yelp. Your body cumming again. 

“There we go baby.” He kissed your crown, finally releasing your bud.

Your brain completely short circuited and when you returned to your body you were nestled in bed, still panting. 

“Lo?” Your eyes scanned the empty room. 

He wasn't here. Where did he go? You should probably check but you physically couldn't move. 

You closed your eyes and sighed into the pillow. He'd come back and if this was fake - if you were still in the Void - you were okay with it. Cassandra might be the one fucking you but god it was good. 

“Baby?” Logan's voice made your eyes open, they were heavy but you forced them. “Drink this.” 

You frowned at the offered glass but did open your mouth. He tipped the water and watched you swallow, a droplet sliding passed your lips. He pulled back and placed the glass on your bedside table, wiping your chin with his thumb.

This was the Logan you remembered. Your Logan’s love language was acts of service. He’d help with taking your makeup off, carrying you to bed when you fell asleep on the sofa, saving you a plate and forcing you to eat properly, making you little whittled figures of birds for your desk. 

You missed him. You really did. 

“I ‘ove you.” You mumbled into the pillow. You did. You know he's not your Logan but he is your Logan. 

“I love you, too.” He spoke from behind you, his arm wrapping around your stomach as he kissed your cheek. 

~~

Clothes shopping was okay. It wasn't quite as intense as food shopping because despite there being just as much - maybe more - choice, you could immediately see what you liked and what you didn't. 

You'd brought a whole wardrobes worth of  clothes. Picked up a couple of oversized shirts - one with the scooby gang on - and a few ‘cycling’ shorts. There were a few pairs of jeans in your basket and some vest tops with Hawaiian-style shirts and co-ord sets - You only picked these up because the mannequins pulled them off, you had no sense of style after all these years - you'd grabbed two nighties and one pj set as well as underwear. 

Logan was happy to watch your little fashion shows in the dressing room. You, Laura and El had awkwardly displayed each outfit - you refusing to remove the scarf he had let you borrow - to him nodding or wide-eyed nodding. The latter meant he didn't like it but was supporting. 

"Is this nice enough for Wade's party?" You exited the changing room, fighting with the curtain and deciding to leave it closed.

You were wearing a simple, lilac dress. There were no patterns, no frills, nothing but a comfortable fabric.

Logan whistled lowly. "You look beautiful."

El stopped complaining about women's sizings being different depending on the store and popped her head out of her curtain. "Oh, you do!"

You thanked the two and retreated back into the curtain.

"Wait come out again." Laura's voice stopped you from pulling the fabric over your head.

You replaced the dress and stepped out again.

Laura was standing in black shorts that met her thighs and a Metallica shirt. She observed your outfit, her eyes scanning your body, and nodded. "I was going to wear this but you look nicer. Lighter colours."

"There is no dress code. Just wear what makes you feel good."

She considered. "I like the dress. The colour is nice against your skin and hair."

El picked up jeans and some ‘gym-wear’ as she had discovered one down the road and was now a full time member. She, and the others, seemed remarkably well adjusted. In fact, you know Blade had gone on a hunt! A real-life Vampire hunt. 

Gambit had discovered the Playstation and was enjoying his time with Wade playing online. 

Laura had taken up art, she'd drew with you in the Void and her attempts were better than yours but now she was really starting to show potential. 

“She has colours on her fingers.” Laura commented about the cashier; a young woman with piercings and dyed hair. 

“That's called nail varnish.” You supplied, swiping your card. 

The lady glanced between you two but didn't comment, instead telling you she had them done at the shop on the upper level in the mall. ‘Kole’s Nails’.

You thanked her for your items and the information, leaving to meet Logan and El. 

“I am starving.” Elektra told the group. 

“I guess we’re heading to the food hall?” You raised a brow and the group all agreed. The four of you headed west, staying on the ground floor, and found yourselves at the food hall. 

There was ‘McDonalds’ - burgers - ‘KFC’ - chicken - ‘Burger King' - more burgers - ‘Eds Diner' - hotdogs - ‘Chipotle’ - burritos - ‘Five Guys’ - even more burgers - ‘Panda Express’ - Chinese food. 

“We can go further in, find a restaurant.” Logan suggested. 

“I'm alright here.” You shrugged, plonking your bags down on a table. “Right here to be precise.” 

He shook his head. “What do you want? I'll get it while you wait with your bags.” 

“Oh.” You scanned the options again. “Just a burger.” 

“From where?” 

“Any of them. Just a cheeseburger meal, fries, a coke?” 

He could see you were becoming a little overwhelmed so gave you a big smile and nod. “One burger meal coming up, Laura, are you staying with Y/N?”

She glanced at you. “I can.” 

“Guys, I'm fine, go and get your food. Leave all your stuff here. I'm going to be really social and be on my phone the whole time you're away.” 

It took another ‘go’ for Logan to leave but he did and you made good on your promise. Your phone entertained you as you waited. 

Wade had taught you what mobile data was. It was internet but everywhere. 

You opened Instagram - which was basically Facebook but the younger kids used it - and scrolled mindlessly through before closing it and pulling Facebook up.

You had been fighting with yourself for a while. 

Did you search for your mother? Was that allowed? Would the illuminati know? 

You typed and deleted her name twice before pressing search. 

There were a few other people with her name but you scrolled down and found her, she was the seventh person. 

Her profile picture was her smiling with a man, you assumed her partner, and her cover picture was a pink building. It had a sign on i-it was a bakery. 

There was a linked page revealing that she owned the bakery. Your mother owned a bakery? 

Yeah, she dabbled and more often than once you had a cake to take into school but once your mutation started revealing itself you didn't see her bake. She worried more. She was stressed. She only seemed relieved when you were sent to Xavier's. 

Your mom wasn't prejudiced. She loved you despite the mutation but she was terrified. You could be attacked or sold or worse. 

To see her with this man and this job was surreal.

She had a good life. 

One free of issues. 

One free of you. 

“One burger meal, madam!” Logan set the tray in front of you and you quickly locked the phone, tucking it away.

“Thank you, sir.” You mocked his voice and stole a fry. 

Elektra and Laura were still waiting to collect their food at Chipotle as you and Logan munched. 

“You alright?” He asked, not looking at you. 

You stopped mid fry. “Yeah…? You?” 

His eyes flickered to your face, picking up his drink. “How you feeling about tomorrow?” He sucked the straw. 

Ah. Tomorrow. Therapy. Your scheduled therapy session. It was crazy to think you'd already been in this universe a week and a half but the majority of that was you recovering in Logan's bed.

“I think it'll be okay.” You said diplomatically causing him to quirked a brow so you added, “everyone else seems more adjusted than me.” 

“Don't be worried. You’re coping well.” He vowed. 

Letting that sink in you took a sip of your drink. "Do we need to look around the mall for a mattress store?"

"No, I ordered one online." You indicated for him to continue by making a face. "It isn't the first time I've destroyed a mattress." Your mind went to hot steamy sex and he could clearly see it in your eyes. "Less fucking, more PTSD."

Your cheeks were warm and, thankfully, you didn't have to respond because the girls returned. El placed the bag on the table and ripped it to reveal two burritos. 

She ripped the foil and sniffed. “It's been so long since I've had one.” You laughed at her, watching as she chomped. “Oh m-god, it's beautiful.” She spoke with a mouth full.

Laura watched the display and copied El’s movements, less dramatically, nodding in approval as she chewed. 

“What have you got?” You questioned. 

Laura quickly swallowed, listing the ingredients. “Chicken, coriander rice, pinto beans, cheese, guacamole. There's salad too. 

Your eyes flicked to Elektra. “Beef, tomato rice, salsa, guac.” 

The four of you ate and finished your food, sitting and chatting idly. There was nothing important or life threatening so you could. You didn't think you'd ever get over that, how you could do things because you wanted to now. 

It was easy living. 

“I think we're all done, right?” Elektra counted the shopping bags. 

“Yeah.” But then you recalled. “Oh, Laura and I were going to check our Koles nails.” 

Logan's brows rose as he collected the rubbish. “Koles nails?” 

“The lady had colours on her fingers.” Laura explained.

El glanced at her hands, she kept her nails neat and tidy. Fresh water was rare in the Void and now she had access she went overboard on cleanliness. “I wouldn't mind getting my nails done.”

So it was decided and you all meandered up to the upper level, consorting the map and finding Koles Nails. 

It was a small shop but had more than enough chairs. 

The noises and smells were intense but you pushed through. “Any space for three?” 

The man at the desk flicked through a book and then - in a language you didn't understand - called over his shoulder. Once he had a response he agreed. “Plenty space.”

He handed over a plastic box full of circles of nails, each of which had different shades of one colour. 

El pointed at a few reds and Laura nodded, showing the black glitters. You handed a few discs to Logan, telling him to pick a colour. You didn't have any preferences, anything would do, in fact you didn't really care for nail polish, only here for Laura's sake. 

“First person.” The man gestured behind his shoulder at the empty chair. 

Laura subtly shook her head. 

“I'll go.” Elektra spared her.  

El placed her bags by the waiting chair, then weaved her way through and sitting down.

“It's okay.” You encouraged Laura. 

“It's loud.” She placed the disc into the storage box. “What are they doing?” She tiptoed to see the closest nail tech using a Dremel to file. 

“They file the nail down.” You explain. “It doesn't hurt.” 

Maybe this wasn't the best move. What if they hurt her by mistake and her claws come out? 

“Purple.” Logan finally decided, it was a bit of a cop out because purple was your super suit colour but the shade he picked was pastel. It was very subtle almost nude. “I'm not even sure they can file her nails.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“The healing factor.” He dropped the discs into the box. 

That was something to consider. 

“Next person.”

Laura was still indecisive so you went next. You placed your bags next to El’s and worked your way through, the ammonia hitting you in the face as you walked further in.

El was sitting two spaces from you. The couple in between were cute, one girl was finished and waiting for the other. Both of them had very adventurous nails in length and colour. One was navy and lime green and the other was pink with little chains. The chains were setting under the UV light. 

You smiled politely at your nail tech and, after a brief glance, asked for ‘coffin’ shape. The lady nodded and began her work, cutting and filing your nails. 

The lady - Liu - was very professional and asked you casual questions as she went. 

“Hey, bub.” Logan sat down next to you, in the now empty chair, the women had left hand in hand and giggling. Laura sat next to him. 

You were confused, “Hi, love.” 

“The only way Laura’d get her nails done.” He heaved a sigh but his eyes were soft.

“Oh.” You chuckled. “What colour are you going for?” 

“She picked yellow and blue.” He shrugged. “My colours.” 

You smirked. “Good job Laura!” 

The girl shyly smiled as she presented her hands

~~

Wade was furious.

You don't think he's ever been this angry.

“Are you fuck knuckles serious?” He yelled. It was a little funny because he was wearing Hello Kitty pjs whilst fully screaming at you.

“Calm down.” Elektra ordered using her ‘mom voice’.

Behind Wade you could see the front door open and Blade slide in, the commotion drawing his attention.

The ‘mom voice’ worked because Wade’s voice was lower but the anger was still behind his eyes. “I cannot believe you four would betray me like this.”

“C’mon.” You tried. “It was a spur of the moment thing. We didn't plan it.”

“Somehow that makes it worse.”

All this was happening because Laura excitedly showed Wade a photo of the group's nails. She had everyone put one hand - Logan had to put both - doing a ‘peace’ sign to create a star. The picture was very creative and showed off your nails.

“Will you calm the fuck down?” Logan spat. “It was a good day out and your bitching and whining is gonna ruin it.”

“Says the almighty wolverine.” Wade flailed his arms. “You aren't the one with crusty dusty nails.”

“This is why no one likes talking with you.” Logan's voice was low but you still heard. “You overreact.”

“People love talking with me.” Wade argued. “I was on the phone with a telemarketer for two hours earlier!” Logan huffed. "Well, Lo' remember this little family of yours only exists because of me. Because of my movies doing well. Yours were alright but you were dead. I brought you back. I'm the reason your life is bearable."

You had placed a hand on Logan's arm as a precaution. Slightly, pulling him as you stepped a fraction forward. “Look, Wade, I am very sorry that we didn't realise this would hurt your feelings. Rest assured, next time you will be called and you better be present.”

It was hard to tell because of the scarring but you're sure he flexed his jaw in deliberation. It didn't take much time before he relented with an “Okay.”

“And you don't overreact that much.” You winked. “I swear Spidey loved it. Maybe you should find him in this universe.”

Wade's eyes left you briefly to glance at his fuzzy slippers. “I'll frequent more rooftops.”

~~

The therapist was a middle aged black man. He was from Ghana and had moved to New York when he was twenty. He was sweet enough, with a kind face and cheeky smile.

His name was Dave.

He was easy to talk to.

Easier than you imagined.

“So, how have you been adjusting?”

You were standing by the window. He'd offered a seat but you were too nervous to be still. “I think okay.” A father pushed his child's stroller, your eyes followed them until they were out of sight. Dave hadn't said anything else. The room was quiet. “I had a... wobble.” You filled the silence.

“A wobble?” His eyes flickered from the notebook as you turned to face him, perching on the lip of the wall.

“Yeah.” You shrugged. “I dunno what else to call it. Loga-Wolverine said it was a panic attack. I'm not saying he's wrong but is he right?”

“What happened?”

The room was very brown, reminding you of the TVA, it definitely hadn't been redecorated since the eighties. “I was shopping and it was a lot. Noises, smells, sights.” You tucked your hands into your jean pockets. “It was just too much, I found a corner and hunched over.” By the end of the sentence you realised how serious it was. “It's lucky I didn't create any forcefields. Imagine that? Me stuck without help because I'm forcing them away.”

He made a note and then asked, “Do you often push people away?”

Well, fuck me Dave. That was an accusation. “Uh, I don't know. I don't think so?” You didn't. In the Void you accepted anyone with open arms, most of the time to your detriment.

“Hmm.”

“What's 'hmm' mean?” You spoke casually, wanting to play it cool despite the intense need to know what he was thinking. What he was writing about you.

Dave sighed and scratched his chin. “I think you close yourself off.”

“Do I?”

“I think you aren't ready to accept that you are here. In this reality.” He turned his head to the side, pondering his next words. “I think you believe this is too good to be true. That this isn't real. That you have to keep that wall up in case. So the disappointment isn't as bad.”

Shit.

You'd met the fella less than thirty minutes ago and he had you pinned.

“I guess I am worried.” Your fingers strum along your thighs as he made eye contact. “But I'd rather prepare for disappointment and it not happen, than not and it does.”

“But if you do that, in both scenarios, you are disappointed. Either by your own mind or circumstance.”

He wasn't incorrect. But he hadn't lived the life you had. “Your world is different from mine.” You spoke after a few beats.

“I know your time in the Voi-”

“No. Your world.” You gestured all around you. “Mine was colder. Harsher. Mutants were lesser beings, we were beaten in the streets, used as slaves, sold. Mocked. W-we weren't even second class citizens, we were third or fourth. I was lucky enough to have a place at Xavier's institute. Lucky enough to be an X-Man. To fight for what's right. Jean-my friend was consumed by darkness and then the TVA came and I was flung into the Void. I've been fighting all my life, so if being disappointed is the worst this universe can give me. That's fucking brilliant.”

Dave was quiet except for the scribbling of his pen. Clearly hadn't been briefed on your world. TVA, tick. The Void, tick. Being an X-Man, half tick. Being a Mutant, tick. Being a Mutant in your world, nope.

“There is a lot that we will have to work through.”

“Yeah.” You had assumed he'd say something along those lines.

He finally put the pen down again and completely changed the subject. “Let’s talk about your mother.”

“My mother?”

“You've been researching her.” He informed.

Fucking Illuminati. “I was curious, sue me.”

He was slow as he did it but took a sip from his teacup. “How did it make you feel once you found her?”

You didn't really feel anything. Well, you had but you didn't now. How did you feel? “She has a bakery.”

“Did she have a bakery in your world?”

You scoffed. “No, she had debt and stress and a freak child.”

He hummed, swirling the contents of the cup. You'd been offered tea as well as your seat but refused both. “Were you jealous?”

“Jealous?”

“She has made something that isn't you. Did you feel jealous?”

Did you? No, not really. It's just something that happened. Just what your mother had done with her life. “I don't think so. Confused is more the word I'd say.”

“Did you see any children?” He took a final sip.

“No, she has a partner, though. They seem happy.”

Dave put the cup down and licked his lips, tongue just brushing his moustache. “She didn't have you which had led her to a thriving business and a loving relationship.”

Lay it on thick. “Well, I didn't say thriving.”

“You use humour to cover your emotions.” He commented before once again staying silent. Giving you the floor. It was your turn to defend yourself. Your turn to answer him.

You considered your options. Fight the therapist and get put in whatever prison the illuminati owned or just go with it for a couple months. You'd been honest pretty much the entire time anyway.

“I suppose it hurts? It's a little sore knowing that maybe she could've been happy in my world. If she didn't have me.”

“Why worry about things that could be?”

“We established that I like disappointment.”

“Yes. You do.” He said it so matter of factly that it took you aback. “It's been a companion all your life and you are loath to be rid of it. It's a safety net.” He elaborated.

“Right.”

Were therapists meant to goad you like this? Didn't they just sit and let you talk? Was this some sort of special treatment? Was he trained to break you down? Make you feel like shit just to see if you'd break?

“You do seem fairly well adjusted.” He allowed. “There's a few topics I would like to circle back on. We will tackle them.”

“Okay.” You agreed. Was that it? “Are we finished?”

“You have five minutes left, the majority of our session was spent in silence. The window drew your attention more than I.”

“Sorry.” You hadn't realised that, that was rude. So much for first impressions. “Thank you. I'll see you next month?”

“No, I'd like to do weekly sessions with you.” He heaved himself up, plodding over to a set of wooden drawers. He plucked his planner and scanned the days. “How are Thursdays? I can do 12 or 2.30.”

You refrained from making a dentist joke. “12 sounds alright.”

“See you next week.”

Part 8

@geeksareunique @lovelyvaderx @melissa-ashe @st1nkabutt @maximumchilddreamland @ravenmedows @vulgarfuckinvirgo77 @bisasterbisexual @tzurue @narniansmagic @seamlessepiphany @4ria790

I'm not 100% if the tags be working, pls let me know

[crescent-woods]

sprint fic - unconventional

[ hello hello i am not dead i still write. i think. this might actually be incomprehensible and stupid, but i’m still going to post it and edit it later or else i’ll forget i ever wrote it. this was written for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers sprint prompt  people don’t always say, “i love you.” sometimes it sounds like, “be safe.” “did you eat?” “call me when you get home.” “i made you this.” anyways, here u go please ignore the typos and mess-ups i  k n o w are probably in here :) ]

Marinette and Luka didn’t have the most conventional relationship, even before they were together.

Once Marinette started working at a small fashion studio across town, Luka made her call him when she left and when she got home, just to make sure she was safe. He knew her parents were asleep by the late hours she left the studio, and he didn’t want something bad happening to her. He offered to be one of her ICE contacts as well, just in case something happens or you’re in a dangerous situation and need someone there.

When Luka has breakthroughs in his writing, Marinette makes sure to stop by to bring him warm sandwiches. I mean, there were extras at the bakery! Your apartment is on my way home anyways, so why not bring you a sandwich? And I knew you were probably hungry since you’ve been so busy with your new album. Even though his apartment was definitely not anywhere close to her route, and he knew that the bakery neither had leftovers yet, nor did they make that kind of sandwich. But he didn’t let her know that he knew.

Luka always had a hairband on his wrist for when Marinette lost or broke one. Juleka always forgot hers so it was a habit he had picked up along the way. Just like the bobby pins stuck to his jacket pocket or the mini hairspray in the outer part of his school bag. Sure, it was a habit at this point, but if Luka could do anything to help the women in his life, he would do it.

Marinette had a designated Luka box in her bedroom. She had blue hair dye and all the tools necessary for dyeing, a small bracelet she hadn’t given him yet, guitar strings and a tuner, and a notebook of staff-lined paper. Who knows when he’ll be inspired! I want to make sure that he has whatever he might need if he gets something in his head. 

Luka had a matching Marinette box. Little spools of thread, needles, anything she would need to sketch out a design, and her favorite snacks. In the same way that Marinette understood Luka’s creative muses, Luka understood hers.

Little gifts randomly started appearing around their apartments, but nobody would own up to it. Luka found several items of clothing that he knew had been ripped and ragged, but were now fixed. Sometimes he could spot a small MDC sewn in. Marinette would find new spools of thread in her thread boxes, coupons and gift cards for shops in her wallet, and fancy spices in her cabinets. Things that she knew she hadn’t bought because she rarely had time to shop. Luka was too shocked that Marinette cared enough to fix his clothes to ever comment on it (he didn’t want to embarrass her into stopping). Marinette was so flustered by Luka’s attention to the brands she liked to use that she never asked him why he did it, either.

Both Luka and Marinette had alarms on their phones to check on each other. Reminders to send good morning texts, checking that the other had eaten or gotten up from their work, or to just text and see what was going on. It didn’t feel like an obligation to get that alarm, or like they were going to annoy each other. At some point they had alarms set a few minutes before they knew the other one would call, so they could beat the question and exercise, eat, or drink something before making each other worried. Despite the dangers it posed to her work, she even had a permanent drawer in her desk for snacks and water so she always had the necessities next to her if Luka called outside of their routine phone calls. 

Luka, after living on a boat for so long, knew all sorts of odd skills. Odd skills that he never let Marinette know about until he needed to use them. Like when Marinette complained about the terrible squeak of her work table a few times, until she suddenly came into work after a few days off and the table was as sturdy as if it had been bolted into the floor. No amount of falling, throwing, sliding, or dropping on that table could move it. What did Luka have to say about it? Well, Ma made sure Jules and I knew how to repair things, and it wasn’t that hard of a fix if you know what you’re looking for. As if he hadn’t just solved the biggest problem in her life.

Luka always knew when Marinette was reaching her limit, often before she did herself. He had gotten so good at recognizing her panic-state that he could use his guitar to calm her down. By matching her breathing with his own and playing speedy guitar riffs, before gradually slowing down until they were both breathing deeply and he was strumming slowly. It was a trick he learned when Jules was little; who knew it worked on Marinette, too?

Sure, neither of them had very conventional ways of saying I love you, but it still got the message across, so did it matter?

[oh-for-fic-sake]

The Stand In Chapter Fourteen

Masterlist

Summary: After your little adventure in the meadow henry has no issues with showing off the budding relationship. And you soon find that the closer you got the harder it was to ignore the attraction between you both. Henry was suffering just as much as you, so why not just ask to help?

Warnings: Adult Situations 18+, Smut, No Minors!!, Swearing, Hand Job, Slight Sounding, Ruined Orgasm, Horny Nerds Being Horny, Violence, Heated confrontation Fluff.

A/N: so ended up switching a few things around on this one. I'm proud of this though, I'm trying to make this realistic with their interactions with the anxiety and nerves but in the end love conquers all. I hope you all enjoy xx

wordcount: 21,000+ (sorry 😅)

Taglist- many tags aren't working and I'm unsrue why so I'm going to add them ass reblogs to try and fix it.

You shrunk into the seat of the car as henry pulled into set. He swung the car around parking it just between your and joeys buses. You saw Joey, Tee and Anya watching you both from the small tent awning Joey had on the front of his bus. They eyed you knowingly as they sat outside in the shade having a little break between takes.

"You know I forgot how fun these little Peugeots are! Shes like a little turbo go cart!" Henry said grinning ear from ear as he flicked off the ignition. And leaned slumping in the seat, then made you jump with a heavy hand landing on your thigh with a clap sound, his hand swooped down between your legs lightly smoothing the tiny swollen wound. You winced a little at the small sting but henry hushed you, pivoting in the seat to face you concerned, hand still smoothing over your leg, then patted as he spoke to you.

"Honey? You doing okay there? You look upset" he said slowly drawing your attention away from the others who were chatting away to one another stealing glances. And your not suprized, henry was driving topless and they could see it no doubt.

"Y-yeah I'm fine... I'm not upset just? Thinking is all?" you stuttered a little turning to face him pressing a hand to his curling your fingers around his thumb. Henry sighed, he could see the worry in your eyes. You were frightened of being judged, for some reason. He had to school his features as you bit your lip. He told himself it was because that had been the first time anything like that had happened. He was going to be your first everything. But you needed time to adjust to it, needed time to realise you were an adult and you were allowed to do these things. That it was okay- more then okay! Perfect even. You needed time to realise you were allowed to fall in love With him, and he had to give you a good enough reason.

"Hey its fine, please don't worry I've got you love, no one will know if we don't tell them... What we do is our business. We don't owe anyone any explanations and even if they do find out about our little naughtiness I doubt they will tell on us" he spoke up, trying to reassure you, he wanted you to know he had your back, that he understood and was with you every step of the way. He could remember his first ever sexual exploration. It was scary and new, but fantastic and rewarding. He wanted you to be comfortable. And you had been! You hadn't given him any indication you hadn't liked it. In fact your all but curled around him afterwards, blushing sweetly and littering his chest with kisses and soft caresses.  

You were both on cloud nine, it was only when he got a few hundred yards away you began getting quiet and shy again. You thought they would know. Mind racing, feeling more and more upset with yourself as he drove the car into the carpark along side the busses.

" y/n if you want to keep this... relationship a secret a little longer I don't mind, I will wait as long as you need love-"

"I-its not that- I'm not ashamed of what we did...or do! I don't care if they know we are... together?" Henry nodded slowly smiling more and more. He couldn't help feeling a small sense of pride, he had a victory! You were coming around! He was ecstatic, it was the first time you ever admitted you were going steady. The first time he had heard you call this what it is. You were together. A couple, courting dating whatever! It all came to the same end result.  

You were his, and he was yours exclusively. Henry was soo caught up in his excitement, the revelation that you were ready to be seen as his little lady about set 'officially' that he had almost missed your next words.

"I just I mean I'm not used to it is all... I'm happy with us though with how things are going...Like the dates and...Exploring and stuff..." you muttered squeezing his thumb in your hand trying not to sound whiney, or childish. But you were embarrassed.

"I just don't want you to feel that you have to let everyone know if you don't want to... if word got out, I don't want to embarrass you" you uttered quietly letting your fears come to light. You were uneasy and aware of what this could be seen as- people could mistake you for boyfriend and girlfriend and you didn't want them to until you knew yourself. For the time being you were just dating. Nothing was set in stone or official yet, and you wasn't going to press him and come across as a selfish, needy little virgin. Your eyes flicked to the others once more and a panic set in.

'what if they knew?- they could see it or smell it... And Henry isn't wearing a top- its fucking drenched! And... Oh my god I'm a fucking slag! They will know! Joey Anya- they would find out and then? Oh god no... This was a bad idea- he's gonna drop you now... Your a fucking slut! And ruined his tank... Because your a slut... OH GOD What is Tee gonna say? Would she judge you too? think your throwing yourself at henry? That you were too easy? Were you a whore? Slut? You'd let him do that in the middle of a fucking field? Wouldn't they all see that as something slutty?... What does he really think of me now?... I'm a fucking cheap slut, I should have stopped him, and... And then I'd? Regret it... could I ever regret it? He fucked me on his tongue?! HE FUCKED ME! OH GOD.. OH MY GOD , TALK ABOUT BAPTISM OF FIRE!... no no I'd  never regret that, never regret my first sexual encounter being with this gorgeous man, strong gorgeous experienced man who had me riding his face like a champ'

Your thoughts raged and you slowly began flushing reliving the way he had managed to have you come undone to thoroughly, but suddenly you were snapped out of them by a warm set of lips pressing sweetly against yours. A hand cupping the back of your neck possessively. You moaned a little as henry pulled you to meet him in the middle of the car, snogging you over the hand break. You shivered drinking him in as he invaded, conquering your mouth with teeth and tongue that had a slightly different taste. Your tummy flipped as you realised it was probably you... But it didn't gross you out? Not like you thought it would, if anything it gave you a rush. He tasted of you, you had branded him in a way. Claimed his mouth for yourself in a new and enticing way. It made you feel smug.

He groaned tightening his hand on your thigh that he still held and began a languid journey north. His hand finally settled twisting cupping your still damp centre makeing you whine and try to arch away from him, stupidly you didn't want him to feel how needy you was for him. Which was silly as he knew by now just how much he turned you on.

"You still there honey?" he purred against your lips smiling as you fluttered your lashes at him, revealing a dazed set of eyes. You bit your lip and nodded trying to ignore the huge possesive hand holding you intimately.

"Good, I'd hate to loose your attention again~ especially when your thinking yourself in circles, making yourself guilty for something you shouldn't." He muttered into your cheek pressing kiss after kiss along the smooth skin moving lower and lower teasing your jaw with a sharp nip. His hand stayed put not moving at all, instead it was you who moved, unable to deny your hips from rolling onto his palm despite your knickers still being wet from your earlier activities. You were weak for him, and you wont even deny it.

"I'm so happy, so happy to hear you say that you don't want to hide love. I want nothing more then to parade you around set, to kiss and cuddle you as I see fit, I find it hard holding back sometimes I just want to scoop you up and steal kisses... Do you really mean it? Can I? Can I love you openly?" He asked in a needy tone you'd not heard before. Your heart seized as the word love left him. 'L-love did he just? HOLY SHIT... OH MY GOD-HE LOVES ME?! I... no no no ... just no he didn't say he loves you... just that he could love you as in affection... but he didn't say I love you so... But... He wants people to see! To know you were... a couple? Or dating, he isn't ashamed or anything! so that must count! It must mean he has real feelings! This isn't a fling! FUCK YOUR NOT IN A FLING! YOUR BUILDING A FUCKING RELATIONSHIP! Fuck yes! That's my man.  My man. Henry Cavill, Mr thunder thighs himself- Geralt of mother fucking Rivia in the flesh- and what tantalising flesh it is... thick and fucking juicy'  

Henry held his breath cursing inwardly as you froze face morphing into shock as he asked his final question. The word love slipping out, he didn't regret it, it was the truth. But he did panic, it was too early for him to say that! Fuck he was only just making this into a semi-public relationship. Still trying to convince you that he wanted you truly and he goes and jumps the gun, saying too much too soon. But he meant every word. Henry was in love with you it was just that simple. He opened his mouth to try and save himself some humiliation of being called out on it, or turned down. God forbid. But a smile lit up your face and you tipped your head to the side becoming shy flushing and twiddling your fingers nervously then spoke sweetly.  

"I-yes Henry... There's no harm, I thought you didn't want to? Not in public anyway..." you uttered feeling light, you hadn't realised how much you had needed to hear him say the words out loud. That he wanted  to be affectionate in public. I mean sure he was a little handsy in front of your parents but that was different they were your parents. But in front of the others? On set?  

But then again you shouldn't be too surprised, the man had kissed you in front of the crew after 'that' scene. At the time you just thought... Well you wasn't sure what you'd thought. But you handt thought it was on purpose, it was an accident wasn't it? He hadn't meant to kiss you or hold you as he did.

"Of course I want to show affection to my girl~ I always want to kiss and hold you but.. I don't want to push you, don't want to frighten you away and screw everything up" he spoke into your jaw still lathering you with kisses then trailed further down, pressing an open mouthed kiss on your neck. You responded quietly groaning when his hot mouth captured your pulse point and his tongue danced over it swiping  across it in fast motions mimicking what he had been doing earlier between your thighs then he pulled back ,sucking hard on the humming vein below making you whine.

"I-I'm not frightened, and  and I don't think you can frighten me aw-ay... or s-screw up. I-I love the time we spend together and the direction we are heading in, I'm just shy and nervous your my-" You stopped the trembling in your voice and stuttering coming to an end. You didn't want to finish that sentence. He wasn't your anything, you went on dates but there was nothing officially said, he called you his but never his girlfriend or other half. So really you wasn't a proper couple quite yet. And honestly you wasn't sure how to approach the subject. Asking him to be your boyfriend seemed to juvenile but saying you wasn't a couple out loud could ruin what relationship you had with one another. It was a risk you didn't want to take.

"I just? I wasn't frightened okay?. Of any of that, I was just ah!~ wond-dering if they will report you for drivi-ing uninsured" you said with a small shy smile gasping placing a hand to his chest as he helped himself to your slim neck, gnawing gently before dragging his teeth over the now damp skin. You groaned as his hand on your crotch began moving slowly side to side fingers curling them, clawing at you teasingly as if trying to tear a hole in your wet knickers.

You gasped and arched at him dropping a hand to his thick wrist as you saw the others eyeing the car curiously. Wondering why you both hadn't got out of the car yet. Henry chuckled pulling away from you completely letting you slump into the seat with a slow breath.

"Oh yeah? Me too I mean me driving your car is technically illegal~ don't tell me your mind was in the gutter?" He said with a cheeky grin and bit his lip sending you an over exaggerated wink. Then opened the door slipping out of the car.

"I-you HENRY!" You called out to him flushing knowing damn well what he had meant! Henry just shook his head at you snorting a laugh and waved a lazy hand to the small group sitting out side joeys bus watching.  

"The one an only honey, now come on out of the car, I think Joey is gonna be sick she doesn't look to happy" Henry said pulling the seat forward releasing the hounds from their seat belts in the back of the car.

"I'm not surprized! Her second car ride and you drove like a mad man!" You snipped exiting the car the  faced henry looking at him over the roof as he scooped up a queasy pup who looked traumatised.

"I'm sorry love these are just too fun!" He said closing the door behind him as Kal darted out of the car, even he seemed to be happy once having all four paws on the ground.

You rolled your eyes and rounded the car taking the keys as Henry locked it then found yourself tucked up beside him under one arm. You tensed as henry directed you both over to the others. You did try to pull away, but it was a knee jerk reaction. This was the first time he had acted like a couple in front of them and honestly? You were nervous. You didn't know why you just were.

Henry squeezed you to him then handed you joey, which you were thankful for, it gave you something to do with your hands. You petted her slowly as she wriggled to get comfy.  

"So where were you two all morning?" Joey asked as you both stood under the shade wanting to be out of the sun asap. It was too damn hot!

Tee watched with a knowing smile, she could definitely tell something had happened but not what. The look she gave meant she'd be hounding you later. Joey was grinning up at you arching his brows the half naked man then you clearly enjoying you both being all snuggly. Then again he had a bet. Anya took a sip of her drink smirking eyeing you carefully, as if you were a puzzle to be solved.

"Well I went to my mums then-" you began with a small rosey tint on your cheeks but Henry added his own two cents.

"We decided to eat alfresco~" Henry piped up smugly, chuckling giving you a little hip bump. You faltered. Huh? What was he playing at?

"Isn't that right love?" He asked suggestively. You snapped your gaze to him shocked. 'Did he really? He wants them to know?! HOLY SHIT! HES FLAUNTING! is this flaunting?... Well he does seem to want them to see you all...Snuggly..Soo? He did mean to show you off? And he did mean to kiss you and hug and be all cosy? FUCK ME YOU LUCKY SLUT! GO GIRL- GET YOUR PUSS EATEN BY A GOD AND THEN HAVE HIM BRAG ABOUT IT?!....No no he is just ? Just?... Okay he is teasing about eating out...AAAAHHHHH YESH! FUCKING YES GET THIS MAN PUSSY WHIPPED! Or a whipped pussy~ fucking hell how did I get here? How is this happening? what if? Wait he is teasing... they wont really figure it out... would they?'

"Ohhoho! Really now? That is interesting~ tell me was it a wholesome meal? did Tinks let you have some dessert?" Joey started wriggling his brows as he spoke drawing you from your thoughts. You squeaked heart skipping a beat realising your mind had wandered into the fan-slut territory once more, she was a rabid fangirl currently squealing and convulsing inside the recesses of your mind foaming at the mouth and weeping from her needy slit reliving the incredible experience Henry had treated you too... And was now casually throwing in everyone's faces.  

As happy as you were to have him being so open about what was happening between you and not making you feel like a sordid secret. You could have died on the spot. Henry laughed boisterously and his cheeks tinged pink, but he nodded making to reply. You panicked dreading what ever was going to come out of his mouth, he seemed like he really had no qualms about letting people know what had happened... Or that you were a 'sort of couple' especially after letting him know you didn't mind being seen, that you wasn't ashamed.  

In fact you think he may have a thing for it with the way his hand dug into your side and his eyes began to darken as they did before he began teasing you. Before Henry could reply you managed to cut him off with what could be classed as a yip more then anything.

"PICNIC! a picnic.. we had a picnic in the meadow... and some lead training for Joey that's all. I want to get her walking nicely" you said quickly. A little too quickly from the looks you were getting from the small group.

"Oh yes! Look at my sweet niece! How grown up she looks with her harness! Was she good?" Tee piped up seeing you were uncomfortable. She could see that something had happened, not bad. But something had you on edge and she didn't want to embarrass you or knock your confidence.

"The princess refused to walk on the grass until Kal walked beside her" Henry added rubbing your side trying to give you a few moments to calm down.

"Y-Yeah, then she darted under him and stayed put!" You sighed rubbing the pup's ears she leaned into you then turned lathering your fingers with kisses before tucking her head down trying to get more ear rubs.  

"Ah yes that's all well and good but I'm more interested in this picnic?" Joey huffed peering at you curiously, but there was a glee barely hidden behind it. He was quivering ready to burst from  excitement.

"It was a little lunch date Joey there's nothing much to tell apart from that" you said slowly trying to wash over what happened.

"Okay Tinks, you had a romantic picnic date... alone in the meadow.. with a half naked Henry-hunk and he got no dessert" Joey clarified with a small smirk putting the pressure on you.

"Yeah err?..." you said quietly trying desperately not to look any of them in the eye as they eye you critically. Henry huffed a laugh and tipped his head to you then tightened his arm around you pressing a small kiss to your head with a chuckle then spoke. You held your breath seeing the teasing look in his eyes and your gut twisted, blood running cold. You made to intervene but this time he was to quick for you to avoid disaster.

"I wouldn't say that, I ended up being treated to peaches and cream love" Henry said mainly to you making the others all gasp and giggle as your face flamed and you blinked up at him dumbly. 'Mother fucker said what now?'

"And I'm sure you enjoyed it?" Anya added with a soft snort finding the little teasing comments funny. Henry beamed down at you and snuggled you closer ,winking down at you. You stood there stupidly blinking trying to figure out just what the fuck was going on. And more importantly what to say, a comment like that was bound to have given up the ghost.

"Very much so!" he hummed leaning down pressing a sweet kiss to your cheek and chuckling as he pulled back.

"Good for you Henry we could all use a treat now and then!" Tee added trying not to laugh too much. You hadn't cried or got upset so it would seem you were fine with a little teasing. Which was good, it meant you were comfortable with the whole thing... Well more comfortable then she initially thought.

"And what a treat it was~" Henry purred into your ear watching you glow for him. You whined and moved pressing weakly at his chest as he snuggled you dragging you around to face him and curling around you, crowding you with his huge mass. You tried squirming away but he was having none of it and poked your sides below your ribs tickling at you until you were arching into him. Then once you stepped closer he could around you properly ensnaring you in his sweet embrace for the world to see..  

The others looked on watching the two of you fawn over one another blissful without a care in the world. Henry growled playfully pinning you to him laughing at the weak protest, and then began rubbing his stubbled face into your cheek. You yelped between whines and small grunts pouting at him. He rolled his eyes then twisted his head pressing dozens of kisses to your cheeks until you stopped whining and began giggling. Giving into him finally planting a solid kiss to his lips making his heart all but burst with pride as the others watched you kiss him!

"So you visited your parent's how are they? I really need to go and eat all their food..." Tee said quietly almost hoping you hadn't heard her as she saw the sheer admiration and love as you gazed to one another. It was about damn time! She doesn't even care what happened on your date now! What ever happened, it seemed the penny had dropped and the both of you were now an item. Hallelujah!

"They are fine, dads back from fishing now" you said to her pulling your eyes away from Henry and rested your head on him winding an arm around his waist holding him sweetly. No one had said anything really, they hadn't been nasty or sent you judgemental looks... So it was okay? Everything was fine! Better then fine it was perfect!

"Yeah he said he'd broken his carp record" Henry added nonchalantly shrugging peering down at you once more. He couldn't stop, and neither did he want to. You were here, in his arms publicly kissing and snuggling without a care! And by god now that he didn't have to hide your relationship he would stare at you as much as he pleased!

"Whoa wait- you met her dad too?" Anya said leaning forward and blinked casting Tee a glace. Even she seemed taken back He had met your dad too.  

"Yeah I went round with Kal to take Tinks on the picnic... It was my idea" Henry frowned not finding it shocking... Was meeting your dad a big deal? He was nervous sure and it was another step forward, meeting your other halves parents. But they were acting like it was a huge revelation.  

"Well fuck me" Tee muttered snorting slapping her thighs.

"Sorry Tee but your not my type~" He quipped smirking prompting a chorus of sighs and scoffs. Henry may be a loved up puppy but he was still a teasing little shit... If anything he was worse, on his own little high as he finally got to parade his woman around~ 'his woman. His no one elses~ fuck and what a woman you were?! Funny sweet cute and sexy... The most adorable cock tease on the planet and all mine! Mine to fuck and kiss as i see fit! God yes! The way you quivered and grinded shy on my tongue~' henry though licking his lips trying to recount to sweetest cunt he'd ever tasted, fresh and wanton!

He wanted to do it all over again all day every day! He'd happily survive of your dripping slit if he could. He hummed deep in his chest eyes fluttering closed and he tucking his face back into the crook of your neck unable to stop his imps from finding your neck once more, perssing a chaste kiss to the bright mark he'd suckled onto the supple skin in the car. Images of just how he'd latch onto the mark later when laying in bed with you, tangle in the sheets as he caged you below him~ 'yes... Fuck yes just roll on top trap your tiny form below him and have his wicked way with you, make you needy and pliant~ maybe grind your hot little pussy until you cum again and again, until your begging... Fuck yes! Make you beg for his mouth on your hot delicious cunt again!' he truly couldn't wait to taste you again, force you to succumb to his pleasure over and over and teach your body to let go and just feel. No anxiety. No fear. No thoughts, just him all over your body making you feel like the sexiest most beautiful woman on the planet. Worshipping you like you deserved to be worshipped!

"Yeah get your own" you snipped playfully squeezing Henry tighter. Henrys eyes snapped open at that and he grinned, you were becoming possessive. Good. Tee burst out laughing as you scrunched your nose at her for a second then gasped covering your mouth and ducked back into Henry's chest shocked by your own little outburst.

"Now now honey. You know I have my eyes firmly set on you~" Henry soothed whilst chuckling and pinching your ass making you jerk into him yipping then huffed at him pouting. But he stuck his bottom lip out at you mocking you and cupped the small sore spot he'd pinched.

"And hands by the looks of it~" Anya spoke wriggling her brows at you. But you just rolled your eyes and held him tighter still hiding somewhat.

"Why you standing like that though?" Joey asked noting the way you were trying not to put to much pressure on one of your legs. Your thigh still ached and you didn't want to pull it.

"She got stung by a wasp" Henry said for you with a sigh. You flushed as the others all sighed heavily with an unsurprised look. As if they didn't even need to question it, of course you'd get stung it just made sense, you freaked out over wasps at one point you had even dived into Freya's bus to escape one... It had been a running joke for days afterwards.

"Oh seriously? You ran didn't you? How many times have I said not to fucking run... Jesus" Tee shook her head at you finding t funny and exhausting. Each time you saw a wasp you ran. Every single time! She can't even begin to count the amount of times in school you'd jump up and haul ass at lunch when a wasp got too close. She would always have to pack up your shit and move spots to a 'safe zone'

"Yes she did, but its fine all sorted isn't it honey" Henry spoke sweetly, biting his lip trying to stop his own chuckles. But it had been funny, the way you growled and attacked then bolted. Running as fast as your little legs could carry you and then dropped to the floor like you'd been shot. He swore he'd seen similar scenes in wonder woman.

"I yeah... He sorted it, its just tender an swollen" you muttered quietly feeling embarrassed. But even you had to admit it was funny... Looking back on it anyway. And it had worked out in your favour so you wont complain too much.

"Well I'm sure a damp cool cloth will help, here why don't you go freshen up and then we can all hang out?" Henry said slowly trying to usher you away knowing you'd probably want to freshen up after he'd made such a mess of you, not even his tank had managed to clean you up properly.

"Yeah we should really start talking about the press tour" Tee quipped eyeing each of you slowly.

"Press tour? I thought you sorted that this morning?" You asked quickly looking at Henry who nodded then tipped his head to the others.

"Well I gave my views it seems I was too late though this lot beat me to it"  

"Beat you-oh about Tinks?" Joey exclaimed cryptically making you frown. You? What did they mean? Had you done something wrong. You made to ask what had been said but Any grinned at you making you relax.

"You our sweet little fairy are not flying solo on any interviews" she announced and you slumped in relief. You'd admit it had begun to play on your mind a bit now that filming was only for another ten weeks or so... Honestly you wasn't even sure when that side of things started.

"Oh thank god really?!" your words came fast as you breathed a massive sigh, a breath you hadn't known you were holding.

"Yes we cant throw you to the wolves can we?" Joey asked rhetorically whilst wiggling his brows. The choice of words made everyone scoff and you rolled your eyes smirking. It was nice having this type of banter so openly for a change without the worry.

"Err... well? Depends on the wolf I guess~" You teased looking to the 'white wolf' who smirked at you quirking a brow at you and gave a fanged 'Geralt' smile.

"Anything you'd like to share with the class honey?" He teased slipping into character for a second eyes becoming hungry even though you'd just fucking fed him... Maybe it true what they said about canines their hunger was never sated! The voice made you shiver, the low octaves making your body melt. You couldn't help it he just had one of those voices... The type of voice that destroyed every females knickers within a ten meter radius, but then using his Geralt rasp like a weapon? Jesus Christ! It was just too sexy! Very unfair really, he was a glorious man there should be a compromise! Like surely this type of perfection should have a flaw! But you'd yet to find it.

"No?... No I err fuck" you stuttered as he smirked smugly and laughed at you then began stepping away from the others with you.

"Soon love. Very soon. I promise" he hummed into your ear making you all flustered again. And with that Henry waved the others off pivoting around and made his way to your trailer deciding it was just too hot for anymore excitement today.

Henry moved through the set, he was in a little mood. Filming had been cancelled for the day, one of the generators that powered the cameras had died due to the heat, so half of set had a power cut. And honestly he was thankful. He was sweating bullets in the armour and it was fucking up the shots!

It had just been a bad day. First he woke up alone in bed, which meant he couldn't snuggle with you as he woke up properly, or feast on your cunt like he'd been trying to for the past few days since finally having you withering on his tongue. Kal had an accident in your bus which wasn't to bad but... He felt guilty as you mopped up the pee. Then he'd burnt his tongue on his coffee, been late getting in the chair and late for the shoot.  

And he just wanted to relax... And have an ice lolly. And to steal you away and feast on you... Probably feast on you then share the ice lolly to cool the both of you... Then go again. Currently he was waltzing across set back to his bus... Well your bus, that both he and Kal had migrated to. It had quickly become his own home away from home. Kal had not been impressed when the both of you left this morning having work to do. The bear didn't like being shut away in the air-conditioned bus with his tiny sister but it was tough luck. The pups wont be able to stand this heat and sometimes you had to do what you had to do. But Henry will make it up to them, he'd sneak some sausages from the food tent as a bribe.

Henry frowned seeing something fly high into the air and then heard yells of excitement. Followed by some loud feminine... Sexy growls and grunts. Curiosity got the better of him and he turned making his way to the large open space.

He came to a halt next to the group of spectators Freya, Anya, Tee and Joey were there watching. He frowned looking into the open space not sure what everyone was watching, you were there chatting with wolfgang and nodded then tugged your headphones on and spun around dragging in a few deep breaths.

Then it happened, you burst forth with a speed he hadn't known you'd had and twisted. You flung your hands out and struck, both hands holding your staff prop. Henrys jaw dropped. You looked fucking magnificent! You twisted and turned roaring angrily in a war cry as your twirled the prop around fluidly wielding it like a blade, in feminine swooping motions and fast twists.

"Why does she have headphones on?" Henry asked slowly eyes still fixed on you as you ran and rolled halting in a crouch baring your teeth in faux anger and bolted forward jumping high and spinning in something akin to a gymnastic move. He gulped watching your tight lithe body work and stretch in ways he'd only dreamed of.

"She's treating it like a dance... The only way she can do it she didn't have the time to learn like you" Anya piped up watching you as you covered ground halting in a jolt.

"What's she listening to?" Joey quipped moving to peek at your phone that was in Tees hand.

"Extended version of Geralt's theme from the first season... Gets her in the right frame of mind... This is for your fight scene Henry..." Tee said showing Joey the screen. There was a collective his and wincing as wolfgang instructed a tall extra to run at you with Geralt's rubber sword prop acting out the fight in Henry's stead. You grunted and staggered back as you were hit and ducked spinning striking the sword tipping 'Geralt' off balance and then tried to retreat only to be hit with 'arrd' and knocked off your feet into a dramatic 'head over heels' tumble.

"WHAT THE FUCK HOW? How did she spin that around her neck?!" Joey cried jumping on the spot as you did a fast back neckroll with the prop whilst ducking from 'Geralt' Tee grinned and eyed you. You were still good.

"She did baton twirling for quite a few years as a kid... She was really good won a few nationals... Its why we gave her the rubber one to practice everything not just close ups" she explained to the group who burst into another round of oo's and ah's as you did another little trick. An angle roll to swap hands and strike.

"She did? You mean she doesn't now?" Freya asked still unable to look away as your practiced your fight scene.

"Nah after she broke her wrist it used to play up she did three more circuits and then had to stop it got to much. She twirls occasionally but she don't compete anymore"  the woman explained watching as the fight began to wind down. Geralt winning.

"Fuck me look at her go! She isn't going down easy!" Joey said leaning forward completely investing in watching his play out even though he knew the outcome.

"Those moves are pretty cool... They look like feminine combat moves." Henry murmured in awe, shifting on his feet eyes glued to your sweaty, panting grunting form. He licked his lips as he watched everything, taking in the erotic sight before him. It was surreal watching someone act out the very moves he himself had been mastering. Watching the way he was going to subdue Keira. Holding her and rolling her to the floor and wrestling her weapon from her. Fuck knows how he is going to manage that without a hard on!

"Yeah its why she did it, her brothers all did karate. She wanted to but aunt Terry wanted sparkles and hairspray so this was the compromise. Y/n got to pretend she was kicking ass when she twirled and her mum got the glitz and glamour of competition." Tees explanation was met with a course of hums in agreement.

"Hey look Henry? Almost the splits lucky boy~..." Joey teased craning his head around to see the giant man. Henry dry swallowed and nodded jaw locking. He could see. You had managed to right yourself only to drop to the floor again staggering trying to dodge the well aimed hits.

"...A very loose set of hips...So even with the size difference you'll be good to go to town henners~" Freya added giggling behind her hand at him. henry hung his head and sighed. His arms crossed and fingers dug almost painfully into his biceps, willing his cock to stop twitching from the sight before him.  

"Oh fuck me..." he muttered quietly shaking his head and took another deep breath composing himself before returning his gaze to the dirt covered growling sexy vixen working her ass off to try and perfect the scene.

"She probably would if you asked nicely like a good boy.. Maybe a pretty please with a cherry on top? Seriously you gotta hurry up and tap that Henry, she wont make the first move you know~" Tee snorted out making everyone laugh. Henry grit his teeth. If only they knew, when he had you spread eagle before him there was only one cherry one his mind... And it wasn't going to be from him begging.  

Suddenly there was a cry. A true cry of pain that snapped everyone's attention to you. You were on the floor alone, your leg at a painful angle. It had been a running scene and your training partner was nowhere near you. It was obvious by the skid marks your slipped, one leg had stretched from under you and you crumpled to the floor landing on the other leg heavily.

Henry froze for a second and then snarled as he saw Mathew race to your side and start pulling at you trying to heave you up off the floor. You pushed at him hissing and yelping trying to bat him away crying. Mathew didn't listen and instead crouched and pulled you up with his hands on your ass. Henry saw red.

You sobbed as one thigh locked, cramping from your skidding then falling. And your other knee ached, feeling close to popping out. God it hurt! You remembered now, why you spent extra time stretching before doing this shit. You'd halved your warm up because you just wanted this over with so you can get back to the cool bus.

Mathew raced over and began tugging and pulling at you but you were in pain! You knew you should stay down and just roll so your legs weren't so twisted and relax before even thinking about standing up. But you just couldn't get the words out. Instead releasing hisses and gruntle moans as your legs tensed and screamed at you. Finally he had enough and forced you up making you cry out as you felt as if your knee and hip needed to click. Finally after some struggling you sobbed and pressed at him tears rolling down your face.

It was as you tried twisting away from him you felt it, he had his hands on your ass trying to  support your weight. It wasn't an accident either, he squeezed digging his fingers in making sure to cop a feel. You yipped gasping freezing for a second. This was the first time someone had done this, that someone was touching you- groping you without your consent. This was the kind of thing your brothers had protected you from.

Your knees shock and you lashed out at him as he tried tugging you up on your feet trying to coax you to slump forward and lean on him, his own feet trying to move your legs below you and force you to stand. You batted at him trying to make him release you as he pulled you closer hands still firmly on your behind, but you were cut off by a furious roar.

"GET THE FUCK OFF HER" Henry shouted as he  launched himself across the space, long legs carrying him over to you. Your blood ran cold when you noticed no one was close enough to stop him this time. Joey had tried to grasp him but henry was deceptively quick and he managed the thunder across the open space ridiculously fast and seemed to be within arms reach in seconds.

Henry dived at him fist swinging already barrelling towards the man who'd just been groping you seconds ago holding you in a tight grip. You yelped as Mathew spun and dropped you in a heap on the floor once again.

"NO-HENRY NO!-" you shouted from the floor trying to get up slowly but winced crumpling to the floor with your cramping leg. You watched in slow motion along with everyone else as Henrys huge form arched following the balled fist only to frown as another form darted past him shoving Henry out of the way with a grunt.

"MOVE OUTTA MY WAY!-" you gaped as you recognised the voice then everything caught up with you as you realised just who had shoved Henry out the way and pounced on Mathew.

"What? Kane?-OH GOD OH MY GOD NO! KANE NO LET HIM GO!-" you shouted watching in horror as he managed to capture an unsuspecting Mathew.

"I HEARD YOU WERE FUCKING WITH MY BABY SISTER?!" Kane screamed holding Mathew by his collar pulling him off the ground. Kane was older then Henry slimmer but slightly Taller and just .as strong. And very very frightening when angry with his battle warn appearance. He shook Mathew who was by this point squirm in panicking in the grip of your oldest brother as Kane screamed at him. He looked over his shoulder to henry nodding to you.

"You take care of her I got this no need getting your hands dirty~" he grinned evilly and turned facing the boy who looked ready to piss himself.

"holy shit henry no fuck stop him!"  You pleaded as henry leant down next to you and began straightening your legs and help you sit on the floor properly.

"You wanna fuck with my little sister huh? You think it's fun fucking embarrassing her you little cunt? Wanna start shit with her you got to go through me!!" You trembled on the spot as Kane began shaking the smaller man by his collar growling at him.

"Wh-what no I didn't- I haven't done anything!" Mathew squealed like a pig trying to save his bacon but Kane wasn't buying it.

"Oi Henry this the little cunt whose been stalking her?" He said turning around both fists still holding Mathew still overcoming the mans struggles.

"Henry don't you dare-" you warned hands tangling into his loose t-shirt now trying to pull yourself, the need to try and stop your brother from beating Mathew to a pulp was absolute. The pain in your leg becoming the least of your worries.

"You hush and sit your little ass down before you pull that leg anymore, I'll have words with you later" Kane growled removing a hand from Mathews collar to point at you making you whimper and shrink.

"Yeah that's him" henry confirmed with a shrug as Kane looked back to the huge man fawning over you. Then he turned slowly back to you his face softened as he saw the tears staining your cheeks and he wiped them away before managing to scoop you up quickly and hold you to his chest.  

"Henry?! oh god KANE NO?! PUT HIM DOWN! HENRY DO SOMETHING?! HELP HIM!" You panicked as henry began walking with you over to the busses out of the sun so you could rest up for a bit.

"Who Kane?" He asked glancing at your brother who was screaming in Mathews face almost reducing the little prick to tears.

"NO NOT FUCKING KANE OBVIOUSLY HELP MATHEW! GET KANE OFF HIM FOR FUCK SAKE KANE!!?" You shouted turning in henry's arms craning your head to see what your crazy ass brother was doing whilst henry walked passed the scene.  

"HENRY?!" You pleaded as he carried you further from the volatile man still shaking your creepy stalker.

"What? I will...Just give it a minuet... I need to sort my girl out first~" he said unperturbed by your brothers verbal and quite possibly brutal beat down of Mathew. Henry was actually a little glad... and annoyed that he himself hadn't got to Mathew quick enough. He sat you down and placed a hand on your shoulder pressing you to stay seated as you tried getting up to wobble across the space and stop Kane. Instead all you could do was watch from afar as your brother did what ever he was going to do.

"The only one who I will allow to put his hands on my sister is her boyfriend... Are you her boyfriend?" You heard Kane as he roared into Mathews face holding him tight making the smaller man look him in the eye.  

"N-no no I'm not" Mathew cried feet still kicking up dust as he tried getting distance between him and your irate brother.

"That's right your not-I'd never let her date such a fucking weasel" Kane pulled Mathew even closer to his face and craned over him growling slowly.

"if I ever hear you've been stalking her again-she even utters your name around me or I see you fucking blink in her direction again then I will come back over here rip of your head and shit down your scrawny little neck? We clear on that?" Your brother snarled cruely with a smile. It had been a long time since he'd scared off a creep... he forgot how much fun it was!

"Y-yes I wont I'll stay away I promise" Mathew sobbed quivering terrified.

"Good make sure you do because there are fucking eight of us as we don't take to kindly to our little sister being harassed cunt." With that said Kane released him letting him stumble back before Mathew could get his Barings Kane had pulled his arm back and punched him as hard as he physically could.

"Oh my god?! Oh my god? Kane you cant just? Kane you fucking knocked him out!" Kane rolled his eyes a you and turned to Tee before approaching the group. The others were speechless, it was one thing to hear about your protective brothers... another thing to see one in action. who you'd thought was a little to dressed up today and held an arm out to her.

"Wait a minuet- are you two? Are you with my brother?!" You asked frowning pointing from  one to the other.

"Errr...Guilty?" Tee grinned and held out your phone to you.  

"I? you-wait? How long?" You asked slowly taking the phone from her blinking dumbly

"Like...A few months?...like five?" She said timidly tucking herself into Kane's side much like you do with henry.

"I started messaging her to keep tabs on you here and then...Well then tee got mouthy and things were said...Its why I came home on leave now...I wanted to see her and tell mum and dad..." Kane said pressing a kiss to her head making Tee beam and giggle. You smiled nodding finding it cute.  

"Your not angry are you?" Tee asked anxiously, almost like she ha been dreading you finding out. Your face softened. You understood, by god you understood her fear. But it was ridiculous!

"No of course not! You silly cow its just a shock I mean... Kane? No offence bro but your like....A hard ass" you loved them! They both deserved happiness and if it was with each other then you wasn't going to complain.

"Yeah...But she loves it~ well over long distance maybe not when I've got her tied up-" he teased making her flush and you laughed loudly. Well well looks like the shoes on the other foot now~ But then you pulled a face as you realised what was said and gagged.

"Okay okay ew no- your my brother just no....do not need that image ever" you snapped growling at him as he gave a boisterous laugh.

"Yes because your any better loved up with this guy?" Kane asked tipping his head to henry who shrugged before nodding.  He couldn't argue. Henry quickly sat down next to you slinging an arm around your shoulders as if making a point.  

"Well we are off before security come running and arrest me~" Kane said slipping a hand into the back pocket of Tees playsuit making her jump and flush. You giggled melting into henry's side. It was a nice change not being the centre of attention as the others looked on in amusement as Tee flushed and giggled like a giddy school girl, a far cry from the mighty woman you all knew and loved one embarrassed and loved up~

"Kane love no need to rush...Security were watching they don't give a shit" tee said trying to fend off her embarrassment but Kane wasn't letting her get off lightly. Tee had been telling him all about the teasing she'd been doing and this was time for a little payback. She may be his woman, but shed been teasing his baby sister.

"...I was making an excuse to sneak away and rail you as soon as I could" he said loud and proud shrugging not missing a beat. You all burst out laughing a whooping as the usually brazen woman began stuttering all flustered unsure what to do with herself. Finally she gave up with a pout and settled for tucking her head into Kane's chest trying to hide away.

"Oh my god Kane seriously" you heard her mutter into your brothers chest pitifully. Trying her best to scold him but couldn't quite make the words strong enough.

"Right well then we shall see you the day after tomorrow, Henry keep and eye on that little cunt for me? If he so much as breathes in her direction you tell me" Kane said tipping his head to henry. You growled crossing your arms as your brother who was speaking over you to henry who was still curled around you.

"No he will not! Ah hen?" You snapped leaning forward trying to stand up getting ready to chew out your brother with the old 'I'm and adult, I can handle it!' But Henry wound an arm around the front of your waist and dragged you back to sit in his lap. Your rant died on your tongue as your ass met his thick strong thighs. You squeaked and looked back at him flushing when both arms coiled around you and he rested his chin on your shoulder.

"I will look after her Kane, you have my word" he hummed before dipping down placing a sweet kiss to your shoulder making you melt into his hard frame below you.

"I glad, someone needs to" Kane said with a grin before turning dragging tee away from set for their... activities.

You moved slowly back to your bus, wolfgang had decided to leave it there today. No one needed you hurting your leg even more today as tomorrow you were meant to practice with henry in the gym to finalise a few moves.

You grunted trying to lift the leg high to get up the steps which prompted henry to intervene.  He curled an arm around you opening the bus door  and stood right up against you.

"Here love let me" he said quietly and pushed the door wide open before two huge hands were at your waist plucking you from the floor.

"Oh its fine-" you said wincing try to scale the steep steps on your own but it was no good and you hissed once more. The ache in your legs was just to much at the moment. You needed a hot water bottle, pain killers and probably a hot shower too.

"Its not, that was a nasty pull honey, just let me take care of you" henry muttered in your ear and stretched his arms up showing off the raw power he possessed. If you hadn't been so shocked or in pain you'd have swooned.... On second thought you'll swoon about it later.

"S-sure" you agreed unable to argue when he was being so sweet with you. Within seconds you were carried into the bus. He kicked the door shut and still held you managing to dodge both excited pups as they came running to greet the two of you. But henry continued to the bedroom and placed you on the bed.  

"Now you stay right there until your legs sorted... you got any painkillers?" He asked stepping back hands on his hips looking like a big mother hen. You giggled at him and nodded finding him cute in that moment. It was sweet seeing him so worried it showed he cared.

"Err yeah paracetamol in the cupboard and maybe some biofreeze too" you informed him then preened as he grinned nodding before praising you.

"Good girl at least your prepared" he smiled impishly at you as you rolled your eyes and shuffled up the bed fluffing your pillow before flopping back on it.  

"Ok baby just stay right there no moving about you hear me?" He warned pointing an accusing finger at you.

"I wont love." You promised  crossing your heart making him scoff and look down only now paying attention to the hyper active howling sausage dog and her eager brother bear tapping and jumping about.

"Good. Kal, Joey watch over your mama. But be careful she's hurt" he added clicking his fingers coaxing Kal up onto on the bed and quickly scooped up Joey placing her on the pillow next to you. You didn't even have time to register the fact he'd called you Kal and Joeys mama. Because suddenly you were pinned by two happy pups trying to get cuddles and kisses.  

Kal laid ontop of you and began kissing your cheeks enthusiastically his huge tail thumping the covers hard enough to make the mattress bounce a little and Joey was up at the side of your face lathering you with her own kisses and occasional over excited nips to your nose.

Henry came back over a few minuets later as the two pups had calmed and were now just lounging with you on the bed, Kal had retrieved one of his rope toys and was chewing one end sharing it with joey; who was digging and chewing the tassel... That was bigger then her.

"Okay come on now take these and get your kit off~" Henry hummed handing you two paracetamol and glass of water then uncapped the biofreeze squirting some in his hands and rubbed coating both palms eyeing you critically.

"What?!" You yipped  almost choking on the tablets as he spoke. You coughed making some unflattering retching sounds and gulped more water down and your face glowed. You could  feel yourself shrink under his gaze, his eyes both darkening and twinkling with amusement.

"Gosh calm down~ I'm gonna massage my little ladies legs...is all~" he said cheekily knowing full well what he was doing to you. Not that he had any issues giving you the once over, if he thought your leg wouldn't seize and lock hurting it even more he would be going down on you already. You were weak and defenceless it'd be so easy to just crawl ontop of you and get to work. But like he said, he didn't want to hurt your leg any more.

"I'm fine Henry" you said shifting wincing drawing your legs up and digging your toes into the bed below you. You tried avoiding his gaze and wriggled nervously.  

"Mm hmm fine you may be but your already starting to wriggle out of your leggings my sweet~" he cooed nodding his head to you with a chuckle.  

"No I'm not- oh?? Err okay" You frowned at him and began to protest only to look down and see you had began using your feet to drag the leggings down your legs slightly. Tugging the cuffs down your feet.

"Come on roll over let me get a look at those buns~" he preened eagle watching as you fidgeted with your fingers peeling your leggings off of you and letting them fall to the floor. Henry kneeled on the bed at you rolled on your tummy. You wasn't mad enough to pass up a massage from him, even if you was embarrassed and had doubt. Fears about him touching your legs feeling the extra pudge and ripple like stretch marks. Which was stupid because the man had burried his fucking face between them just a few days ago, wearing your thighs like ear muffs! He knew what your thighs felt and looked like-fuck he knew what they tasted like among other things~

You trembled gasping when his hands parted your legs and tugged you down the bed a little settling on his knees between them. You swallowed drawing slow calming breaths into your quivering lungs. His large thick legs pressing your apart wider and wider as he drew you closer finally pressing his palms on your tender leg. You moaned softly as his huge strong hands pressed the tight knotted muscle. He was gentle at first the usual warmth that he had naturally in his hands was lost under the cool tingle of the biofreeze, the cooling gel helping to soothe the screaming tired muscle.

"That's it love just relax I got you" he breathed calmly making you shudder and melt into the bed. He pressed in slow smooth motions slowly easing out the tight muscle with fluid strokes.

You arched and flicked a foot tapping the his back lightly, hissing as he worked the muscle tissue deeper in wide pinching motions, plucking and rotating the hard lump. You pressed your face into the bed making the blankets muffle your moan of pain panting as he pressed insistantly.

"Good girl I know, I know honey but if it don't press harder its just going to go up~" he said guilty, he didn't want to hurt you, but a pull this bad? It could lock your leg and cease it, which would be incredibly painful. Henry knew from experience just how brutal that could be.

"Yeah I-I know" you heaved out wincing as he worked diligently over the flesh chaseing away the tense knots. You flinched when he hit another sore spot but he caught your leg before repositioning himself to kneel between your calves and pressed on with the massage determined to get this over with now rather then let it build over the next few days.

"Shh shh just breath deep, its eased already... slow breaths, not much more to go now love, but I need to get rid of it if not its going to creep into your butt cheek. Not that I would mind massaging this little peach but it would be very uncomfortable for you~" he soothed you and made you chuckle at his little teaseing explanation. After a few more minuets your leg finally went lax and relaxed no longer tight or in pain and Henry began on the other one, which wasn't nearly as bad, but was still tender in certain spots.

"I cant believe they are together" you finally spoke up as your mind wandered. You never thought Tee would end up with your brothers, well not seriously, sure she kissed both of your triplets but you were what fifteen? So it didn't count! But she was dating Kane? Honestly you could see it! She was rash and a scatter brain. 'Act first ask questions later' kind off woman and Kane? He was a 'you'll sit down and answer all my questions or else' which in all honesty Tee needed sometimes.  

There were many instances you had got her out of shit because she'd run in head first- or in many cases fucking swan dived into stupid situations with out thinking. Kane would be good for her, and maybe he'd lighten up a bit. Being the oldest he always took on the role as second dad. He acted like the weight of the world was on his shoulders, he believed he had to be a role model for all of you.

"What? Are you?-hey you supposed to be thinking of me when I'm lubing you up!" Henry pouted and tapped the tiny portion of ass cheek peaking from your underwear making you jolt and pout back at him before rolling your eyes.

"Henry that's menthol if we used that for lube we'd both be out of commission" you replied trying to ease the worried look on his face. He clearly thought you were about to mouth off at him for playfully slapping your ass. You wouldn't it actually sent a little thrill through you. Something you'd explore at a later date... Alone with porn.

"You'll be out of commission what ever lube I use that little miss is a promise~" he hummed grinning wriggling his brows trying to be sexy, yet he came across more like a cheesy johny bravo.

"Oh god really? That was Cheesy" you snorted shaking your head and looking forward once more resting your chin on your palm. The leg massage had somehow crept up on to your butt and was now slipping up your back, not that you were complaining.  The power in this mans hands alone was fucking heavenly. He was rubbing away what felt like a life time of stress. You'd be a new woman by the end if he carried on. So needless to say you wasn't going to stop him, fuck you were debating rolling over and going the whole hog!

'Fuck yes~ his hand would be magnificent on my tits! Just fucking yes! His meaty paws can squeeze a boob anyday~' you thought and closed your eyes trying to imagine the slow circles being rubbed on your breast, rolling them about grazing and teasing your nipples until they were hard... Your mind wandered during your sex scene he paid attention, even when acting he was thorough. Using your nipples to draw you higher, fuck using them to guide you to him! Pinching and plucking, he'd even bit! Bit your boob and suckled lightly~

"What can I say? I get all twisted when your thinking of your brother when I'm giving you a massage" he purred and crawled up you straddling the back of your waist his weight pressing you into the bed and his hands dragged your top higher up to your shoulders still languid firm drags  manipulating the muscles turning you to putty one perfect stroke at a time.

"I'm sorry what can I do to make it up to you?" You hummed quietly fluttering your lashes at him trying look over your shoulder innocently. He grunted and peered over your shoulder with a smirk making your stomach flipflop, breath hitching at the playfully look in his eyes.  

"Well that's a loaded question~" he quipped with a light scoff, and thrusted his hips a little before leaning down pressing a kiss to your shoulder blade then smoothed his hands up under your shirt to your ribs. You gasped when he began rubbing up and down, his long fingers grazing the sides of you boobs in featherlight touches.

"So back rub honey?" he asked sitting up pressing the heals of his palms into your back making you pout as his touch was pulled from your sides just as you began loosing yourself to the teaseing touches of your breasts.

An hour later you lounged back on the bed with henry, your blankets pulled loosely over your legs warming them keeping the pain at bay. Henry's massage had been a God send. Both your legs were feeling much better and you could move them without too much pain. They should be even better tomorrow if you too some tablets and took it easy.

It had gotten dark out both dogs were sprawled on the floor each munching on their very own raw hide chew sent over from your mum. Well they were both munching on Kal's raw hide chew, Joey had eyes bigger then her belly and was gnawing a tiny corner that Kal had softened and broke free. You and Henry were scrolling social media with a show on the tv for background noise. Occasionally you would show one another a funny meme or video you came across.

"Am... Am I your lock screen?" You froze hearing his amused warm tone as you locked your phone and flushed. Embarrassingly enough he was... Well Geralt was.

"I err yeah... Well its Geralt but.... Fuck I'll change it sorry its probably creepy right?" You said anxiously kicking yourself for not changing it. 'Fuck if this doesn't scream stalker vibes I don't know what will! Oh god! Think! Think- you forgot? It was to remind you what you were working for?-HELL NO! That's worse...Why is he smiling? He... He's laughing at me? Fuck no-he doesn't take me seriously... fuck I really am coming across as a fucking stupid fangirl-' Henry pulled you closer smooshing you against him and nuzzled his light scruff against your face making you whine and try to wriggle away. But he wasn't letting you go.

"I'm flattered honey~ I really am... But maybe we could upgrade?" He added smoothly. Before you could even register what he meant he was tapping your phone and slid to the camera.  

"Smile honey~" he said and pressed his face next to yours snapping a few shots of the both of you. You grinned and posed for a few giggling having fun then faltered as he dragged you in for another kiss locking lips with you whilst still snapping shots slowly he pulled back kissing your cheeks making you giggle a little.

"Now you set one of those as your background I'm not competing with my own characters little miss" he said snuggling you once again littering your face with kisses.

"Do you want one?... Like for your phone?" You asked in a small voice nibbling your thumb nervously. As he leant his head on your shoulder watching your phone over your shoulder.

"Well I will have a few but... Here take a peak" he said thrusting his phone at you. You gasped grinning seeing that the photo Joey had posted all those weeks ago was his background, resized so that you and him were the main focus dead centre.

"I'm... Your background?" You breathed out finding it surreal that you were here. You wanted to pinch yourself, somehow your life felt like a dream.  

"Yep since the day Joey posted it. Its the only photo I have of us so close you know? The one on the first day of filming you were so nervous, this one is just... Well its us you know? I'm going to get one of both my girls soon to replace it with" he said in a chipper tone not really seeing how the tiny detail had made your heart burst.  

"Both?" you said swallowing the excitement of realising he liked you enough to replace Kal as his background.

"You and Joey nugget of course" He reassured watching you scroll trough the photos setting one for your background, it was of the both of you grinning into the camera. You loved his smile, blue eyes glowing with happiness and handsome face soft and sweet! You just loved him happy... You just loved him.

You moved placing your phone down trying to lie comfortably but growled sitting up and shifting, beating the pillow fluffing it. Henry moved hitting your pillow and pulled it up trying to help frowning, he could see you were uncomfortable.

"Are you okay honey? Any pain?" He said worriedly the biofreeze was brilliant but sticky. And you were uncomfortable.  

"Er yeah I'm fine... I just... I'm just thinking about having a quick shower... The biofreeze is sticky Is all..." you trailed off, you really were uncomfortable, your blankets sticking to you making you feel gross.

"O-oh... right err yeah fine do you...I mean should I...Go out for a bit then and come back or?... I should probably get back" he muttered quietly pulling away unsure if you were hinting he should leave or not. He shuffled off of the bed and stretched, you sat up following eyes wide not wanting him to leave you but halted. Were you being selfish? You couldn't expect him to be with you all the time. But that's what you wanted.

Henry glanced at you he was becoming nervous worrying that he was overstaying his welcome. He supposed he was anxious you were both so very close now to becoming the couple he knew you could be. The single family unit but he wanted to let you make the decision's. He wont linger, no matter how much he wanted to stay.

"Oh no! No don't go!...Unless you want to err go or stay? Fuck you know you want to I mean I- you don't have to stay" you paused flushing when you realised how clingy you'd sounded. You had to admit you liked having Henry and Kal around. It made you feel safer having the both of them with you, the bus seemed empty without them.

"I don't... I-I'd like to stay. I... Can I stay? In the bed room of course! I will find something to play with" Henry froze holding his breath then cursed realizing what he had said and panicked stepping forward waving his arms about shaking his head.

"Fuck no that didn't sound right! I meant I can play with my phone! Or-or Netflix?!" He scrambled stumbling over his words as he cried them out hastily trying to undo the damage. You laughed watching him flounder about like proverbial fish out of water. Even Kal snorted at Henry unimpressed by his humans embarassing display.

"I know what you meant love... I wont be to long just a quick rinse okay? You can get changed while I'm in there and get comfy" You reassured with a smile. He turned to you slowly before clearing his throat and nodding he was pleased if not still embarrassed he thought he was over those pesky nerves but it seemed you just managed to make him crumble and forget himself.  

"I haven't got any clothes. I did bring another few bags over but they're gone." He said scanning the room quickly looking around for the bag he had stuffed away beside the bed again... Just incase.

"I.. They are in the top drawer... I found them when I was having a sort through and unpacked... I don't like the idea of you living out of a plastic bags" you said sweetly at him nodding to the drawer you'd folded his clothes into... You'd admit to taking your time folding them, his scent smothered them and you couldn't help but be drawn to them. You folded and refolded them each day. You said it was just to have something to do but you were lying. It was an excuse to smell him on the rare occasion he wasn't here with you.  

"Thank you love, that's really thoughtful  I will... Be in here just... yeah have a nice shower" Henry mused quietly reversing into the bedroom pointing a thumb behind him with a nervous chuckle then switched tactics ushering the pups into the room trying to distract himself.

You grinned and pulled a towel from the small pile of fresh laundry your mum had let you do yesterday morning. She had been a saint and most of the people on set were making frequent visits to your childhood home for showers and to use the washing machine. She didn't mind, in fact she loved it. And they had begun taking her chocolates as thanks, Anya had even made a point to find out what her favourite chocolates were.

You spun around slipping into the tiny bathroom trying to ignore the fact henry would be just the other side of the thin wall... where you'd be naked... and wet... and naked... completely starkers! You were a little on edge as you stripped and managed to step into the shower under the warm spray.  

It was then that your mind began wandering conjuring up scenarios of him bursting in on you. Unable to contain himself as he heard the water running. Images of the both of you standing below the spray tangled up in one another's arms kissing and rubbing~ rutting one another in the tiny space finally giving in to one another and making love.  

You slapped a hand over your mouth as you panted louder and closed your eyes. Knees weak and knocking against one another as you imagined him towering over you, fingers wandering over your form and settling at your nape pulling your hair until. You were angled up, lips parted moaning breathlessly as his magnificent blues bore into your own bright eyes. Then without warning he'd dive forward kissing you like never before and pick you up. Huge meaty paws holding your ass coaxing you to wrap your legs around his hips. A single hand would wander and with one small flick of his wrist he'd rub the weeping head of his cock along your clit, teasing you, wetting you with the creamy head before finally sink home! You could almost feel it.... Wait? WHAT WAS THAT?!

You gasped and slammed a hand to the side of the shower snapping your eyes open panting in shock. You whined looking down and flushed seeing your fingers had crept over your frame. Two deft fingers were nestled between your petals rolling your erect bud between them. You pulled them away slowly whining in both embarrassment and disappointment. You flushed lost yourself in the fantasy and he was just the other side of the fucking wall!? Jesus Christ! You just hoped you handt moaned outloud... if so you could try and say the water temperature changed or something. With any luck he would buy that. In the end you quickly shook your head deciding it'd be safer to just wash, rinse and get out asap.

You moved quietly out of the bathroom wrapped in a nighty,  a small towel around your shoulders catching the drips from your hair. You walked into the bed room and saw henry lounging back on the bed. The man was watching the small tv one arm behind his head stretching out his chest and abs he had shead his top and shorts... He always ended up half naked in here for some reason.

You eyed him appreciatively from the door he wasn't alone, Kal was laying along side the gorgeous man, the dogs back against his masters wide set of ribs. Joey was sprawled out flat on her back all four legs in the air on your pillow, and had Henry's hand supporting her snoring form as she teetered head first on the edge. You noticed it had been fluffed lightly, Henry spoiling the pup no doubt. His whole hand swallowing her and one finger curling rubbing the side of it against her tiny pot belly.

"Any room for me over there? You know? It being my bed and all~" you quipped making him turn to face you grinning eyeing you up and down.

"Well I can think of a few places to seat you my love~" he said and licked his lips making you go all bashful laughing at him before throwing the small towel from your shoulders at his chest making him chuckle and throw it on the floor beside the bed and hold out a hand.

"Come here you~" he said with a soft look he was far to hot to look this sweet! He was a huge built like a brick shit house, an insanely buff man.  And buff men were supposed to be meat heads, carnivorous manly men all 'fuck yeah testosterone!' Not sweethearts laying on a bed supporting the weight of a sleeping tiny sausage pup.

He moved over making room beside him letting you sprawl out cuddling up to him snuggling throwing one leg over him and settled, his hand around your waist breathing you in. You tipped back trying to avoid laying on him too much when your were still damp. You tipped your head back head to see what he was watching, and to your surprize he'd settled on a nature documentary narrated by David Attenborough.

Henry nuzzled into your neck groaning quietly littering your neck with kisses and sweet nips. It wasn't long before he'd rolled over managing to pin you to the bed below him with nothing kore then his huge frame. Two huge palms pressed either side of you taking just enough weight so he wouldn't crush you. Not that, that had any change to the way your breath hitched, pausing then laboured harder, lungs fighting for air and you heart thundering to life in your rib cage. You whimpered and moaned softly, mewling whilst feebly stretching out your legs then clenched trapping on of his own thighs between yours.

He chuckled then moaned into you, his barrelled chest vibrating against you with the low timbre of his groans. You huffed and grunted weakly below him. Henry continued mouthing and dragging his teeth over your neck before pressing on with his assault. He sucked and began biting harder and rocking over you. Rubbing his crotch on your thigh hissing and crying out, the godly sounds muffled by your neck that stayed securely between his mighty fanged jaws.

"Hen! Ah god~ I'm all wet stop!" You said and began giggling uncontrollably and he blew a raspberry on your neck tickling you.

"I thought that was the point?" He grinned cheekily at you then leaned forward pressing the gentlest of kisses to the bright red mark he'd left. He couldn't help feeling a sense of pride, in the coming days the red would become a bruise... Not that he wanted to leave bruises on you but this? This was different~ a love bite full of his passion and devotion, a little mark to show everyone you were spoken for. He smiled at you as you whined still trying to pull free from him and the bed that you were getting damp from your shower.

"Wetter is better love~ And trust me when I say you can drench me any day~" henry said pulling away from your neck and resting over you with a Cheshire grin and huffed a deep laugh at your flat look.

"Its not better on the sheets" you deadpanned at him tipping your head back watching him curiously, waiting for what ever mischief he had planned next.

"I beg to differ" he said winking then froze. He jolted and got up from you slowly sitting back on his ass. You frowned and shuffled to sit up beside him. But he wouldn't look at you instead shied away face burning red.

"H-Henry are you okay?" You asked watching as he pulled back and sat up awkwardly. He seemed to get uncomfortable and shy trying to cross his legs but you still didn't understand.

"Yes! Yes I'm fine I'm just fuck... It err I mean he..." henry breathed out quickly becoming more and more flustered.  He looked panicked.  

"He? What? Who Kal?" you frowned looking to the dog who was sleeping soundly at the bottom of the bed after moving over for you to lay beside henry. You scrunched your nose and followed the line of henrys huge muscular legs over his knees and fussy massive thighs then to his... oh.

"Oh err that shit I'm sorry did I? I mean I..." you stuttered looking away shyly as his boxers were straining against a huge lump, pulled tight over the hidden erect cock that had... popped up. You pulled back sitting up giving him some space and began apologizing saying sorry over and over as your face reddened, but you couldn't help staring at the bulge. It was just right there.

"No no its not you-well it is, but you couldn't have...You just drive me wild love" henry said unsure what to do, the man was embarrassed-mortified! He couldn't belive kissing you... Making out like a fumbling teenager would have made him this hard! Normally he had it under control, or managed to hide the half erect cock by tucking it into the waist band of his bottoms. But it had and now the question was what was he gonna do about it? If he left you'd know he would be at his bus whacking one out over you... And if he stayed? Well... he cant exactly just sit here with it can he?

"Well atleast I'm not the only one...you err I mean its..." you chuckled nervously trying weakly to make this a small thing and laugh about it. But that was not small! And there was nothing laughable about it!

"Fuck er... I'm so sorry god this is embarrassing!....shit love I, you just I really am sorry fuck... I was fuck I should have a cold shower it'll go away" he stuttered one hand dropping to cover the huge bulge in his boxers that had drawn all of you attention. Before you could even think you stopped him, moving a hand to his bare thigh tentativly. He froze and snapped his gaze to you as he felt your quivering fingers press lightly into his revealed thigh. You swallowed and placed your hand on the fuzzy thigh and drew a deep breath. You stared at him as he opened and closed his mouth, trying to speak but couldn't. He was far to shocked and finally closed his mouth and gulped as your hand smoothed small circles on his leg inching higher and higher you were eyeing him to see if he'd let you explore or stop you in your track.

"I Err... I'll do it-get rid of it" you all but whispered to him, your voice was weak and breathless as you battled yourself. You really did want to help him, as he helped you but... You'd never done anything like this before... never touched or played with someone before. You were a tad frightened that you were pushing it, that he'd say no and laugh... that he'd shoot you down and crush any confidence you had gained with him. It took a lot of courage to push yourself like this, to ask if you could explore a little... It was courage or stupidity, one of the two.

"What you? Oh god you don't have too love. I don't want to force you" henry said trembling in excitement, he couldn't help it. He wanted to jump for joy and drop his cacks. He wanted to smother you in sweet adorable kisses and tell you hat it was okay, there was no need to be shy. He wanted to let you do as you pleased and watch you as you innocently toyed with him and played with his cock! Your first ever cock!

He groaned and tilted his hips forward chaseing the image with his cock. Imagining your doe eyes looking at him in shock and wonder as you saw him for the first time. He smirked at the look on your face. Perfect pouty lips forming a tiny o, and your cheeks flushing. Your dainty hand trembling as it gripped him... just a little too tight making him cry out and rut up into your hand-

Fuck! he had to stop. He couldn't let you know how eager he was, how much he wanted to christen your hand with his cum and drench it. He grunted and bit his lip the image of him releasing over your hand, seeping through your fingers and lacing your wrist. Marking you for the first time in, marking you for himself. He had to calm down, otherwise you could feel to pressured, he didn't want you the feel as if you had to do anything.  

"... I know that.... But? What if I...Wanted to?" You said shyly looking away from him twiddling the downy hair on his thigh with your fingers. Twisting and stroking it making him shiver. You were still unsure of yourself but wanted to make him feel good, it was also a way to prove to yourself you were... Well an adult woman. As silly as it sounded you just wanted to please him and prove to him you wanted him and that if... If he did want to take this whole relationship further it wouldn't be once sided. You'd give as well as take, you didn't want to be a pillow princess and be more hassle then you were worth.

"You want to? Babe I don't expect anything-you don't owe me you know that right?" Henry said trying to temper his excitement. He placed his hand over your palm that was still resting on his thigh teasing him unknowingly.

"I-I'll help... If I can... I want to" you stuttered your face burning brightly still downturned not wanting him to see how embarrassed you were. You didn't want him to think you were forcing yourself, because you wasn't it was just? This was the first time you'd asked to... Wank someone before and you wasn't really sure how you were meant to ask. And you were probably making a hash of it. Plus this was Henry the sweetest, incredibly gorgeous sexy man who you had a crush on for years. The man you could whole heartedly say you loved.

"Oh okay well you can I just didn't think... I don't want to push you honey, this is a big step for you and I never want you to feel pressured" he continued making you swoon. He was so caring and thoughtful. How anyone could ever let this man slip between their fingers was beyond you. Because he was perfect, chivalrous and polite but cheeky and funny. He managed to put you at ease and make you feel invincible all at once. Even now when you quivered and flushed brightly, when you are an anxious mess one beaming grin is enough to wash away all the fear and doubt. He gave you a strength and confidence you'd never had before.

"Can I help?... I won't if you don't want me to-" you said a little jittery but he laughed cutting you off then pressed a sweet kiss to your cheek shutting you up in the most gentle of ways making your heart melt. He didn't pull back instead resting his head on yours looking you in the eye.

"I want you to, trust me I fucking want you too! Just be... careful I kinda need him" he chuckled slowly leaning back giving you some space then nodded to you slowly finally giving you permission to touch him. You gulped flushing brighter taking a breath but faltered freezing. It was one thing saying you'd touch him, but a completely different ball game actually doing it. Henry saw the hesitation and acted quickly, moving to you kissing your lips hard prying your mouth open whilst sneakily guiding your hand to his cock giving you the little nudge you needed.

You snapped your eyes open and squeaked into his mouth trying to free your hand as he moved making you cup his erection. Henry met your eyes smiling against your lips, but he didn't pull away instead pushed against you harder licking into your mouth and nipping at your lips every few seconds.

He rolled his hips up into your hand guiding you to pet his crotch heavily. He moaned when a few seconds later you took over testing him in your hand.

He was large and for a better word. Meaty. Thick and hard yet soft and pliable. You felt silly you'd expected his cock to be almost solid like the few toys you had! But no, he was stiff and thick, much more pleasant then any toy you had.

"whoa... That's err...swollen...hard.. Never err fuck sorry" you berated yourself as you realised you were speaking outloud.  

"No no, don't apologize honey... Its the first huh? Your fine.. Perfectly fine" he said softly  in a whisper almost frightened that if he were too loud you'd get spooked and run off locking yourself in the bathroom... He moved a hand to your outer thigh and rubbed slow circles ready to capture you should you try to make a hasty retreat. It was up to you how far you wanted to go, but he didn't want you running off scared. No. He would rather you said enough was enough and then everything would stop.  

Well maybe not everything, depending on how far you got he would have to make a quick trip to the bathroom to quickly rub one out. And if it came to that he wouldn't mind, it wouldn't be a loss. He would make it the loudest and most erotic hand job of his life. Moaning and grunting making sure you can hear just what you did to him, he'd cry your name over and over until he painted his hand with his cum and only be thinking of you. He wanted you to know just what you did to him, and it was you that did this to him. No one else.

"I… Yeah I've never.. Touched one before...  Sorry I should just shut up.. You don't need me narrating" you muttered the apology quickly still cursing yourself for being such a virgin. Fuck he must be getting sick of it, you felt like you were becoming too much work. That you were too new and inexperienced that you'd be a shit fuck and you'd chicken out at the last minuet. henry Squeezed his fingers around you ushering you to hold him tighter but didn't move, he let you lead but helped you along.

You gasped as his huge hand curled around yours and snapped your fact to him gulping slightly before wetting your lips and dragging your bottom lip between your teeth. he chuckled at you before groaning the low purr like sound shaking you to your core and you trembled analysing him as his eyes fluttered closed and he grinned at you.

"Its cute~ I find it very enticing, something about being your first just makes me wild! I love it when your exploring... The fact you trust me to share this with you makes me so happy~" he finished with a small chuckle which did make you feel better if you were completely honest it made you feel special.

"I just... Its? I don't want to be all pathetic and stuff over it, I'm not your first-" you prattled on nervously looking down once more only to pause and flush when you saw your hand dwarfed by his and felt a the throbbing in your hand. Him. His large cock trapped between your fingers that where still curiously testing him, pressing and prodding at him absentmindedly.

"Your my first virgin, its why I'm going so slow I want to go at your pace love. You can do what ever you want to do" he finalized and released your hand dragging his fingers across your wrist and arm in a feather light touch. You had to say you were shook by that, you had thought he'd popped someone's cherry... I mean look at him! He was stunning any girl would jump at the chance for this huge hunk to be their first. But he hadn't? So?  That would make this even more special? Wouldn't it?  

"I want to... Please you and... Play a little?" You cooed rolling your tongue around your mouth behind your teeth. You avoided looking at him, missing the beaming thousand Watt smile that lit up his handsome face.

"Then you do just that, no complaints from me. None at all"

"O-okay... Just tell me if I'm... Rough o-or hurt you okay?" You stuttered drawing in a deep breath steeling yourself for this new and hopefully pleasurable experience.

"I will love. I promise"

With that you moved twisting him in your hand and rubbing him drawing soft moans and keens from him. You flicked your eyes back to him. Your pupils dilated as you soaked in the sight. His brow was slightly furrowed and his pink lips parted, lip darting out lapping at them in concentration. His eyes fluttered, almost like when he was fighting sleep. He seemed unwilling to look away from you but couldn't help closeing the lids hiding the deep blue pools. You got more adventurous pressing your fingers a Tad deeper into the fleshy shaft and roaming him with your thumb drawing circles on the underneath. His reaction was a jolt, his hips swayed rolling up into you trying to chase something.

Henry tensed at the feeling of you delicatly holding him, tight yet at the same time soft, so soft as if he'd break. It was breath-taking to have your hands on him finally without him guiding you either. This was you ad you along, you were touching him because you wanted to! His head tipped back and he groaned unable to stop himself from arching his hips up, feeding your hand a little more of his cock. You gasped as he did and tightened your hold as if frightened he would slip free of your grasp.

"Y-You know? You can get him out love, he wont bite~" Henry said hands moving the lay flat on the covers either side of him his head lulled back  

"I wasn't... sure if that was okay..."

"There's nothing I want more then to have your tiny hands on my cock, I don't want to scare you is all... I'm not small and... it... I just don't want you to get worried" he said with a genuine look of concern. Your heart soared as the reality washed over you that he was more worried about you and how comfortable your were then just getting his rocks off. It was proof of just how much he cared about you, proof that he knew how big of a del this was for you. It almost made you believe he loved you back.

"... I wont be, I have seen cocks before, just not... touched is all... I want to I want to make you feel good but... don't know how" you muttered twisting your fingers a little more. For now you were content to just hold him, you wanted to take baby steps curling them around him through the boxers your eyes cast down at the admission but continue to play with him.

"O-Oh Fuck~ shit babe- that's it~ugh ughooofuck!" Henrys ground out, trying to remember to cry out rather then just grit his teeth and fuck into your palm with a quiet determination. Henry was a quiet lover for the most part... Well atleast during foreplay groans and grunts mostly until he was inside a soft wet cunt. Then he'd be as loud as he could! He loved the danger, the risk that someone might hear him having his way with a sexy little minx. And you were the only one he had eyes for now. And he wants nothing more then to let everyone know it.

Henry squinted his eyes at you for a second, his blues were dazed, blurred even from the throbbing pleasure that came from just having your hand around him. He watched you as you bit your lip rising to sit on your knees and lean over him resting on your other hand. It was cute, your face flushing as you concentrated on his cock, trying to forget just what it was in your hand no doubt. you were shy and nervous as expected and he couldn't find you anymore endearing. You were so sexy to him, pure an innocent but a little vixen in your own right.

"I could show you?" he offered moving his hand over yours again making you move lower trying to encourage you further. But his boxers didn't allow much more movement. He sighed and pulled your hand free. You tried ripping your hand away worried you'd crossed the line, but he didn't release you.

"No... no your fine honey, perfectly fine, here I'm just moving this out of the way is all~" he reassured you holding your hand in his while using the other, hooking a thumb under he elastic of his boxers twisting around behind him and shimmied them down under his ass. At the same time he scooted back, sitting up on your bed leaning his back against the built in head board behind him. You followed, well you had to he refused to release your hand, far too worried of you scampering off and looseing your nerve, if that happened he'd probably never get another chance. He had to encourage you, push past the nerves and thoughts and just feel. He wanted to make you feel comfortable and confident... And to do that he had to let you know you were doing well, that you were pleasuring him.  

And quite frankly, you were. So much so his cock was already dribbling all over the place eager to have your hands on him. He wanted you like no other, he wanted to kiss and bite at you, press himself inside of you and share your body, take you for his own morning noon and night! You completed him in a way he'd feared he would never experiance and he hoped it was the same for you.  

You were two sides of one coin, two puzzle pieces that he was eager to come together, to collide with you in the most primal of ways and prove just how perfect you both were for each other.

As the days ,weeks and months had gone by he had realised that this truly was it. He loved you, completely in every way shape and form you could love another. And it was his greatest hope to one day finally have you, not just in his bed, but in his life, his home and his family. Each day he grew closer to achieving that, each day he could see a life with you more clearly. But he was still holding back, because one wrong move could ruin it all. And he was not going to ruin this, his mother always said good things come to those who wait, and by god henry had waited a long time for you and he wont wreck it because he moved too fast.

You moved up beside him almost sitting on your own pillow that Joey had been curled up on, instead she had nestled herself under kal's chin at the bottom of the bed. Henry grinned at you licking his lip once before leaning over to you pressing a single loving kiss to your lips. It was innocent but no less intense, but this time wasn't full of the passion from before. It was the love, the emotion he put into the single peck. It blew you away. You could almost say it was love. Like the burning all encompassing love you admitted you had for him. He pressed your hand flat to his lower abs.  

You gasped when he smoothed a palm over yours holding it flat to his skin then dragged the palm south. He keened softly not holding back the small shudder as your fingertips burying into a thick thatch of curls then you froze. Your breath hitched when he'd pressed your hand into his boxers that were hanging low, barley covering the root of his cock, some curls showing over the top. He moved you further still letting you feel him, caressing the thick tame curls until you were touching the soft skin of his cock.

Henry arched groaning breathlessly as you cupped him instinctively, slowly pressing your fingertips in soft lines over the thick fleshy rod. He was warm to touch, unlike your toys that were cold... And the skin had a little movement as your slowly touched him managing to twist your fingers around him. Finally after what seemed like and eternity you had you hand wrapped around him in a loose fist. Fingers and thumb still pressing and rubbing at him trying to get used to the feel of him. He was weighty? Heavier than you'd thought he would be, and you couldn't tell just how long he was but your hand wasn't at his tip... Or touching his pelvis.

You eyed him biting your lip trying to watch him for any displeasure or tell tale signs that he wanted to stop. Consent went both ways and you didn't want to do anything he didn't want to. Even with all his praise and reassurance you still wanted to be mindful. You knew you could accidentally hurt him. Henry noticed you were eyeing him knowing at your lip consciously. He moved his hand from yours and placed his fingers to your chin curling them then pulled your lip free from your teeth with a smile.

"Go on love, its okay I want you to. I want to feel you explore and you can stop whenever you like. Remember you don't owe me anything honey, you don't have to do anything you don't want to" Henry praised smoothing a thumb over your lip and pressing a little firmer, without thinking you kissed the digit. Swiping your tongue over the pad in soft shy kitten licks. He chuckled and pressed a tad harder only to gasp when you sucked his thumb in your mouth trapping it between your teeth and suckled lightly making him moan at the sight of your slightly hollowed cheeks.  

He let you do as you pleased, your hand still on his cock tentative strokes being added to the little massage you were treating him to. He suddenly pulled back needing to fist both hands in the sheets below as you squeezed his cock a little tighter once more, like how you had over his boxers. Henry remained like that grunting throwing his head back trying desperately to hold his hips still wanting to give you time and space to have your own little adventure.

You tipped your head to him slowly then cast your eyes down to the twitching muscles over his abdomen finding the way they moved enticing, each slow tiny pump of your hand had him reacting, grunts and keens small jolts and stretching his legs out below him. Your skin prickled as he opened his eyes, the blues half lidded and lusty gazing at you strained, full of need. A need you understood. Your breaths became quiet pants whilst watching him tremble, flicking his feet placeing them flat on the bed with his knees bent only to kick out and straighten them again with a grunt.

You hissed still working him, moveing faster finding a rhythm, you noticed you got the best reaction from him if the squeezed him harder near his tip and used your thumb to rub over his slit as you reached the crown. He widened his legs and tried closeing them at one point. But you didn't stop, your hand moved all the time just toying with him, trying different motioned and flexing your hand trying to find out what he liked and what he didn't. Slowly swaying from side to side yourself making your own lips rub against your now swollen clit. Your nipples peaked thought the cotton making him watch your heaving chest licking his lips and huff a broken chuckle. He was glad you were also enjoying yourself.  

You slowly twisted your hand taking hold of him firmer holding your wrist in a less uncomfortable position. He was hot and very thick, your fingertips couldn't meet around him. Henry grunted as you held him before sliding down, following the velvet twitching flesh searching for his base. Henry eyed you as your eyes got wider as your hand travelled the distance of his cock. Then after what felt like hours your hand hit home. Nestling into his curls.

You swallowed dryly and squeezed a little harder watching as his mouth fell open in a wordless cry. You would have pulled away thinking he was in pain but the uncontrolled buck of his hips told another story. You grinned and moved your thumb pressing on the underside of him, feeling a thick... muscle? That was flexing, straining and twitching below him. It throbbed faster under the small circles your drew with your thumb.  

"fuck uugh aah shit yes that's it-FUCK FUCK BABE~ AHAHAHAAAUGH!" you flicked your gaze to Henry watching him fist the sheets either side of him tensing and flexing his powerfull body and curling forward slightly, his hips rising to meet you in shallow thrusts.  

You pulled your hand up holding him tightly all the way. He yelped and tried to follow your hand hiding a red flush creeping up his chest. It was incredible, you could feel him quivering, see every mighty muscle in him come to life and tense. His ABS spasmed beautifully and the pectorals in his chest flexed, biceps tense and bulging as he gripped the covers in two glorious fists. Then his shoulders? God the were stunning, broad and rippling as he jolted tugging at the muscles in his neck, muscles that looked perfect for biting. Your eyes blew wide and mouth ran dry, the fist wrapped around him was now pumping him in short fast strokes on auto pilot, like you just instinctively knew what to do. You'd not really put much thought into tossing someone off, never thought this could be that erotic. Many friends said it was a chore. Boring and a pain in the ass... And the wrists. Honestly they must have been doing it wrong, because this was insanely arousing!  

Just watching him was causing the heat to pool between your legs, every gasp and whine he released was echoed by your own soft mewls. Your thighs rubbing ever so slightly. His pulse beating faster and faster and the mewls became louder until they were true moans, cries of pleasure that were just as deep and powerful as he was.  

You moved your hand all the way across his shaft watching his face, the needy look was something that would always stay with you. You held the crown of his cock and twisted your hand pressing down on it letting it wet your hand. His warm precum dousing it in proverbial fire. You slowly drew up higher only petting him with your fingertips and  massaged, pressing into the wet thick flesh in slowly drags and twists. Henry jerked up yelping as you did so making the elastic of his boxers ping and slip front your hand revealing the once concealed sight of his huge erect cock in your tiny hands grip.

"Oh god, I'm sorry did I hurt you?!" You breathed out panicked making to releasing him fearing you'd caught him with a fingernail or something. But Henry was quick amazingly so. His hands snapping you yours holding you still and he moved moaning louder as he rutted the head of his cock into you almost cage like fingers bumping the tip onto your palm wetting it with small drops of cum already.

"Fuck! I-no its no ones ever-UHGH FUCK AHA SSHIT~ please! Please don't I need!" Henry babbled grunting and moaning as you flexed your fingers.

"Fuck I need you love~ soo bad please!" You grinned feeling more and more confident and grasped his hand prying it from your own and held it sweetly. You tipped your other hand around fisting him again then began to stroke him whilst rubbing circles into his sensitive tip. He grunted louder panting and pleading with every breath he had when both your hands worked in tandem slow short pumps at first then gradually longer and faster.  

Henry went wild below you moaning as your hand moved with ease along him coaxing out more cum from his tip that dribbled down over your moving hand. You tried to concentrate, watching as the taught skin wrapped around his cock give way to a beautiful glistening tip, the mushroom head was pink, but quickly becoming deeper in colour as you moved along him.

You slowed once more watching fascinated by him, your grip tightened again, all the... cum was making him slip through your hand easily so much so you were worried he would slip free of your fist. He growled almost snarling at you his hands came up to grab your hands once more only to stop and clench into fists and pin them to his sides not wanting to take over but at the same time needing you to finish him. Your nervous exploration quickly became almost sadistic teasing. You were fascinated with him, his reactions and sounds that drove your own blood racing faster and arousal to pool between your legs.

Henry's patience paid of when you smoothed his wet cock with your fingers and curled your thumb over his head as you reached the crown once more and stopped stroking. Instead you drew the pad of your thumb over his slit, exploring still, acquainting yourself with him. He was now hot, very very hot in your hand and seemed to have gotten harder and dare you say thicker from your... playing.

You leaned over him trying to get a better look. He was magnificent it a strange way? You'd never thought that cocks could be anything more then weirdly erotic, never beautiful but his was. A pleasing looking curve to him, thick and powerful just like the rest of him and... veiny? The thick throbbing veins wound around him like lace. Coiling and pretty?

He was frightening to behold in his glory long, longer than you thought a cock should be if you were completely honest, it was the type of cock that would pop in a 'monster cock' search on porn. yet you wasn't frightened? Far from it! You didn't care that your small frame would barley take him as far as you were concerned he was welcome to rearrange your guts!  

Your eyes trailed over him as you teased his slit, rubbing it and prodding with the flesh of your thumb it was big enough to press the tip of your thumb into. You did so gently remembering a video of a hand job once. The man had loved it but you knew you had to be gentle. You mimicked what you remembered pressing the tip of your thumb into it, just so the skin parted and the flicked, rubbing the sensitive flesh.

Henry cried out a gruntle moan growling and tried fucking up into you muttering 'oh god' over and over closing his eyes and throwing his head back. He liked that then? His groans got louder as you rubbed at him then squeezed with the rest of your fingers trying to hold him still.

"I-is that? Okay?... I mean its err... not to tight?" You asked frowning but he just cried out and widened his legs rocking meeting your hand with shaky thrusts. You quickly added your other hand to him. This time curling them both around him and jerking him up and down as fast as you could making sure to press your finger is along the veins as you went. He roared and ached up not expecting you to go at it like that be was thankfull for it, a few tears escaped his eyes as you work him through both hands, his eyes snap open and a cacophony of unintelligible sound pouring from him as his body spasmed.

You grinned and leaned over him pressing a sweet kiss to his shoulder before resting your cheek on it looking down as you continued fucking him with your hands twisting as you reached his base drawing a delicious high yip from him. He turned his head to you moaning into your ear, one of his hands wrapped around your waist digging the strong fingers into the soft swell of your love handles and closed his eyes. You followed suit loosing yourself in his harsh sounds, imagining him holding you rutting up into you singing this new beautiful melody.

Then without so much as a warning he arched throwing his head back again jerking harshly into your hand, his cock was tensing tugging his balls up meeting your hand and began pleading desperately eyes wide and wanting. He watched you, nothing else his eyes didn't look at your face instead his needy gaze bored into yours you could see he was close his eyes glazed both with unshed tears and an addictive heady lust that you want to see again and again. You'd never get tired of that look, the needy sexy thirsty look pick tongue wetting his lips and a flushed sweaty face torn between a tight look of concentration and a serene happiness. Giddy and excitable.  

"F-fuck DONT STOP! PLEASE-oh goooooddd fuck fuck please-love I -don't stop I want you to! AhUGH!" He babbled rolling his he'd back trembling legs trying to fuck up into your hands. You moaned yourself watching him loose himself.

"Your doing perfect-FUCK SOO~ YES PERFECT! Just- please don't stop fuck OH-OHGOD! I-I'm gonna cum! Fuck fuck yes just-oh God fuck babe please?!" He roared loud and suddenly stilled arched high. You felt it, the way his cock jerked in your hand pumping his release from his balls. Then he was releasing thick dribbles of cum spurt from his tip. In a blind panic you tightened your hand just under his crown and slapped your hand over his head suddenly afraid of him getting your sheets messy. You wasn't sure why. It was irrational but it was a knee jerk reaction.  

"FUCK FUCK- BABE?! Yes- OH! God ple-please I need to- please please fuck let go please I can't?!"He swore at contorted bucking into you powerfully as you did so. The flat of your palm blocking his release, forcing his orgasm to last longer as his cumulative was trapped in his cock. Henry squinted and rocked up into your palm grunting and choking on his own moans almost unable to breath then you finally pulled away. Gasping as he finally growled cumming in thick ropes across himself. The force of his delayed release making his cock bob and sway under its own power. He grunted and thrusted his hips moaning breathing heavy still letting loose more cumulative dribbling from him even as his cock began softening and laid back on his abdomen.

You blinked eyeing him cautiously as he panted looking up at the ceiling groaning, bringing his hands to his hair and dragging his fingers through it wiping his sweaty brow. You flicked your gaze to your hand smothered in his release. Without even a though you brought you palm to your face and sniffed, there wasn't really a smell to it, just male but clean? Then you craned forward and tentatively lapped at it.

It was... strange a peculiar taste but not unpleasant, musty and male but not salty like others had lead you to belive. You lapped gingerly and paused hearing him growl a very low Geralt growl through some harsh pants the force of his erratic breaths rocking the bed.  

"Baby you really need to stop that~ because if not we will end up doing this all night~" You flushed wide eyed at him and  

"I-Is that such a bad thing?" you quipped popping a finger into your mouth and sucking feeling sexier then you probably looked. You quickly tore your hand away from your face embarrassed at the thought wiped it on the covers beside you.

"oh god you think you can just tease huh? Well if you get me hard again I may have to just roll you over and show you just how long in can hold you on the edge hm?" he teased making you falter the image of being below him thrashing as he held you on the edge of rapture, which you just knew he would be able to do effortlessly, the ache between your thighs deepen. But he didn't give you a chance to dwell on it as he grinned mischievously at you and pounced. You squealed as he dived over you caging you below him not caring that h was now fully naked over you, or that his now flaccid cock was dirtying your nighty. He held you dragging your lips to meet his in a deep kiss, tongue and teeth both ravaging your mouth biting your lips and nipping at your tongue as you prodding him with it trying to ease yourself into his mouth keening.

You whined feeling a wet patch form on your belly from his cock rubbing into it. He rocked over you grunting and claiming your mouth as his own once more, not caring in the slightest that you now tasted of him. But then again it was probably the same for him and it was you. There was a possessiveness that came with tasting of one another. He pulled back holding himself over you with one hand gazeing down at you still pinning you with his abdomen and waist. His heavy from wasn't  uncomfortable, in fact it was very nice having him over you like this, comforting in a strange way?

He breathed in deep trying to draw in lungfulls of the delicious coconut mango shampoo and body wash you used. His free hand smoothed over your cheek cupping it in his hand. You whined closing your eyes nuzzling into the gentle palm sighing and fluttered your eyes relaxing in your own skin for what felt like the first time on your life. Henry's face softened, settling into a warm smile, wide blue eyes staring at you adoringly.

"I love you Y/n" you froze mouth hanging open as he whispered the words at you. You blinked and tried to breath or speak or anything! But you were shell shocked. 'he... He just? Oh my- no but? Henry just? OH FUCK! FUCK HE DOES- HE LOVES ME? HE LOVES ME! Joey, mum Anya tee- they were right! He-henry loves me back! I'm... Oh god' tears gathered in your eyes at the thoughts, the realisation that you were in love and loved in return!

He held his breath biting his lip cursing himself as you went quiet, the room became tense as the seconds passed.  Somehow he just couldn't hold back this time. He just had to finally tell you premature or not. He loved you whole heartedly and you needed to know. It had just felt right but maybe he shouldn't have blurted it out in his afterglow like that. But he had and he couldn't take it back. He wouldn't.  

You managed to compose yourself and swallow the lump in your throat just as panic washed over you when he opened his mouth. He looked apologetic and as if he was about to start to take it back. You didn't give him a chance to and moved sitting up on your elbows diving in for another kiss trying to pour your feeling into it. He must have got the message, he relaxed and smiled against your lips making you pulled back as tears began rolling down your face and you sniffed quietly trying not to bawl like silly little girl.

"I l-love you too H-Henry" you wept quietly somehow giggling through the tears and admission. Henry rolled on his side and wound his arms around you dragging you to his chest snuggling you. He grinned his heart about ready to burst as you told him what he'd been waiting so long to hear. He tucked his head into your neck kissing you as you cried sweetly. Happy tears of his own slowly streaking his face wetting your neck as he nuzzled into it muttering over and over I love you almost like he was making up for lost time, all the instances he'd wanted to tell you now spilling from him. And the best thing? Was you uttering it back every single time.  

This was it. This is what love was supposed to be open, warm and unafraid. Freeing and all consuming. And now he knew what true love felt like he wasn't letting go. He was never letting you go. He summarized holding you tighter as you clutched at him. Now all he had to do was fuck you silly to drive home the message, but that could wait. For now he was going to enjoy this feeling of finally having the love of his life in his arms. No secrets. No wondering. No uncertainty. You loved him and he loved you and from here on out it was the two of you against the world. He eyes you as your breathing evened out your tears stopped and you watched him skimming a finger over his chest swirling the small curls.

"I think we should get some sleep love, afterall you are training with me tomorrow and I wont be going easy on you~" he teased chuckling as you pouted.

"B-but I hurt my leg" you whined at him

"Your leg was fine when you were rocking on it earlier... Why were you rocking anyway love? Have an inch needing scratching?" he quipped prodding your side making you squirm and whimper at him cheeks flushing. He definetly knew you had an inch needing scratching. It was just a shame you really did need to be wide awake tomorrow.

"I-I? Just shut up you!" you grunted and snuggled into his chest more hiding away from him.

"Aww don't be like that, I promise once I'm done throwing you about tomorrow I will tend to your little Eden~" he teased making your whole body glow bright red at his sweet yet tempting promise.  

"D-Don't call it that!" you squeaked out at him.

"But Eden is cute? Or do you prefer kitty? Cunny? Princess parts? Love box? Fanny? No your right I don't like that oh what about Quim? Peach... But your ass is more like a peach-" he started listing off more nicknames for your most intimate parts each one worse then the others.

"Fuck okay okay Eden! Eden it is! Jesus Christ just stop!" you snipped trying to stop this madness. He released a deep belly laugh at your flustered look and held you tighter.

"Never~ come on lights out love"

"fucking give you lights out if you carry on" you huffed pouting but snuggled into him making him laugh as he flicked off the tv and bed side light.

"Ooo feisty I like it~" he muttered into the darkness pulling the covers over the both of you getting ready to settle for the night.

"Oh go to sleep, aren't men supposed to pass out after popping one off?" you asked with a sigh.

"Most men but love you forget I am a Witcher we have inhuman stamina so another three should do it if your offering~" he said cheekily making you sigh loudly making him press a kiss to your head.

"Good night honey, I love you" instantly the slight irritation you had melted and you tipped your face up and pressed a kiss to his lips making him freeze obviously not expecting the kiss.

"I love you too now get some sleep, if your throwing me around I want you well rested and on your A game." with that you both fell into silence drifting off to sleep tangled in one another's embrace the prefect image of a blissful couple.

[albino-whumpee]

First mistake

In which we learn Albus can´t see anything.  

Taglist:  @castielamigos-whump-side-blog @giggly-evil-puppy @cowboysrappin @haro-whumps @burtlederp @neuro-whump @comfortforthepain @whumps-the-word @whole-and-apart-and-between @broken-horn @ashintheairlikesnow @rosesareviolentlyread​ @starnight-whump @just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi @as-a-matter-of-whump  @whumpasaurus101 @grizzlie70​ @twistedcaretaker

CW// Pet whump, dehumanization, defiant whumpee, migraines, whumpee as caretaker. Pretty mild one. 

Days later, Albus was having a headache.

It was getting harder to read the reports or even his own notes, and his eyes weren´t taking lightly the increasing strain.

“Are you taking anything for that?” Sasha asked with cards and papers scattered around their table on the cafeteria.

Albus grunted “I can´t take medicine” he said squinting harder at his excel document. Re-reading it for the tenth time.

“You allergic?” Tony asked scratching his head before showing the boy the piece he was working on “Hey, what do you think of this?” Albus sighed, giving up on trying to understand.

“I don´t need them” The boy took a look at the man´s tablet and was marveled as always. But the colors made him stare away. Too vibrant for him “It´s good” he said closing his eyes for a second.

“Dude are you sure about that?” Sasha asked stopping the sound of rushed typing.  

“I have gone through worse without them. I´m fine” he growled annoyed at her insistence “Why does this have last week´s numbers?” he showed her his tablet. She took a look and then directed an even more worried look at him.

“Because it´s last week report, Albus. I sent you the new version an hour ago” she explained making him look at her and then at the tablet.

“No, it´s version 8 right? It´s this one, look” he said feeling a tug on his chest when she shook her head and Tony stretched his neck.

“Ah, no it says right there it´s version 6″ the man said as Sasha pointed with her finger the number 6 at the top. Now more visible at the distance. “See?” the boy sighed before covering his face with his hand.

“Good thing you haven´t sent it to Zarai” Sasha tried to comfort him, but when he didn´t say anything both stared at him. “You didn´t…”

“No, not yet” he said making both sigh in relief. “I have two hours left at least” he said opening the mail app and downloading the correct document. Using index and middle to expand the screen and verify the file´s name.

Sasha looked at Tony and then back at the boy “No, it´s due in half”

“What?” The boy jumped and rushed to check on his notes. His breath growing quicker until he read the actual note and his heart skipped a beat. His eye trembled, before he let himself fall on the table covering his head in a quiet attempt to soothe himself from the anxiety.

He had had trouble reading back at the facility. They had partially erased that part of him before, only to reinstall it later as “costume training” as the handlers liked to call it. It had taken more than just a few hits on his right hand and on his thighs to learn to read and write again without passing out. Despite the white pain he had felt at the beginning, he had gotten used to the small burn at the back of his eyes.

His sight was blurry and even now making up letters up close was difficult sometimes. But he thought it would be fine as long as he squinted enough. He was slow because he always expanded the screen to read…

Was it really something so small, reason enough to get him fired? He shivered and hugged himself harder as he realized that it was enough. Ma´am had a long history of firing slow workers and he couldn´t let that happen.

He trembled at the thought of being returned to the white walls, with its freezing tiles and the muffled sounds of people screaming. The electricity ran through his limbs like a ghost´s caress.

Tony looked at Sasha and reached to tap on his shoulder. Only making him jump away “Hey, hey! It´s ok, Albus, hey, don´t worry man, let me help you with that” the words made Albus teary eyes look up at him at the exact moment Tony gave him his glasses.

The boy blinked a few seconds trying to accustom to the clear view. If just a bit blurry but definitely an improvement.

“Ah, just like I thought. Look here” he pointed to his tablet and he followed his finger to see the document with literal new eyes. “You can read them better right?” Albus nodded.

“Hah, welcome to the four eyes club” Sasha giggled as she went back to work “So you were cranky because your eyes hurt huh? You don´t need to go through pain if I can help it you know. I´ve got ibuprofen in my bag all the time”

“I´ve heard its normal for albinos to have poor sight, didn´t you use glasses before? Your eyes have that little...hm, tremble, you know?” Tony asked him, but he put the act as if he was too busy fixing the document to avoid answering. He didn´t know anyways and time was running out too fast for him to worry about the blinding pain from trying to summon memories kept under the fog.

“Thank you Tony, you´re a life saver” he said so meaning it more than the man could know “I´ll do anything to pay back the favor…just…need to finish this…” he wasn´t lying, but for his luck, he took it as a joke and allowed himself to focus in making his fingers fly on the screen. After Tony simply nodded and waited a few minutes, the man chuckled at the concentration face he put.

“You´re sticking your tongue out” he giggled taking a photo, just before he stood up to sprint to the printer down the hall. 

“You´re done?!” Sasha and him yelled, jaw hanging open. 

He took the paper and read it on his way back to the table “It took me an hour because I couldn´t see the numbers but now?” he smiled shaking the papers in his hands. “Thanks Tony! I´ll give them back later!” the albino shouted, trotting to his owner´s office.

“Good luck!” he managed to hear before he entered the elevator.

He recomposed as he entered the office. Only to find Zarai crying.

She quickly turned around to face the window wiping the tears off. 

“M-Ma´am?” he asked, stepping inside and closing the door. “Are you…?”

“Where´s my report, Albus? You´re two minutes late” she cut him out with a husky voice. Albus shifted the papers on his hands.

“I´m sorry, ma´am”

“Knock on the door next time” her voice shifted to that of anger. The boy stared at the documents for a second, before laying them on her desk.

“I´m sorry, ma´am. I´ll do better next time” he replied in a low voice. He stood there twisting his fingers anxiously, until she turned to face him. Her face looked older, showing some signs of fatigue that didn´t have anything to do with work.

“It´s not like you have a choice right?” she said taking the papers and quickly passed them over to let her prodigious memory work as Albus kept his head down in submission. She put the document down and stared at him. “Are those Tony´s glasses?” Albus hadn´t noticed until now that he still had them on. It was comfortable seeing clearly, but he quickly put them on his pockets. “Why do you have them?”

“I, uh…” he stuttered thinking how to string the words together “He lent them to me”

One eyebrow shot up, “I can see that. Since when do you need glasses?” she asked with her brows in a knot. Albus swallowed, fearing he might have become an inconvenience. Undesirable. But he couldn´t ignore her.

“I´m not sure ma´am…” He managed to say.

“They didn´t say anything about bad vision… its recent then?” she mumbled to herself “Do you see well on those?” the question left him frozen.

“…yes, ma´am” he answered after a second. She nodded absent mindedly before standing up.

“Well, check where there´s an optic store and we will go after work. You have to give Tony back his glasses before he stamps himself against a wall” Albus stayed still as he realized she had joked with him. She gave him a look “Yes, I can try be funny sometimes too. I´m not made of ice” she wiggled her hands in a Duh- gesture. “You´ll have to pay for them yourself though. You can do that now” She proceeded to walk out the office for her evening smoke. “Thank you ma´am” he managed to say before she made a gesture as if to close the door but regretted at the last second. “Yes, ma´am?”

“Do you need a pill for that?” she asked leaning on the door frame. 

“No, ma´am. I´m fine” he lied, putting a smile the woman didn´t fell for. 

“I have ibuprofen on my purse. Take one, please” she ordered him before turning on her heels and closing the door. 

The boy let out a sigh. 

She was so hard to read. 

—-

He stayed there for a while, searching for a place like she had ordered him to. But couldn´t stop thinking about her.

How he had found her crying.

It was true he had seen her gloomy and contemplative lately. More than usual. Definitely more emotional than normal. Hugging Momo and staring at the garden for a long time until she stood up and left to her room.

He wondered if it didn´t have anything to do with that weekend´s trip with Claude and Mister Robert. What was it? Why was she in so much pain?

Albus glanced at the photo on her desk. The one with the kids and Sann´s clone. He already had a hunch about what could it be, but… it wasn´t his place to ask and if she didn´t tell him, it wasn´t information he needed to know.

Browsing the internet the sudden realization he would be seeing Sann for the weekend popped on his head and made him blush. He looked at his hands and tried remembering the lady from the sign language video.

“My…” He pointed with his index at his chest and then pulled up both hands in front. Forming “H” with both hands and then ticking one above the other. “Name is…” then he formed each letter. Stumbling a bit between U and S. Sighing at the way he still needed practice to teach it to Sann.

He was breaking one of the most endorsed rule of the facility by thinking about him.

“Don´t get attached to the others”

But he wasn´t there anymore.

[feminaexlux]

All That Matters (Pt 1: I Got Chills)

Happy Valentine’s Day! This is my @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers exchange fic for @nobodyfamousposts. Find this on AO3 here!

Summary: What if Miracle Queen happened 6 months later in the dead of winter?

Part 1 of 3, probably.

⁂

"Ladybug?"

"Yeah, Chat?"

"I have a girlfriend."

"Oh! That's wonderful, congratulations!"

Chat Noir looked… confused, which was odd given the news that Ladybug just got. "I thought you'd be jealous," Chat said eventually. Part of him sounded chagrined, but another part of him sounded a little relieved.

Ladybug tilted her head. "Why would I be jealous? I'm happy for you!"

"Thanks," Chat said with a small smile. "It's new for me, you know? I've never done this before. I feel like I'm going to mess something up."

Ladybug laughed. "You're a good guy, Chat. I think all relationships are going to be hard and there will always be ups and downs. But I think you'll be fine if you work together on the problems." Ladybug then had a concern. "You're not dating her as Chat are you?"

"Pfft, no, no my Lady, the real me is doing that part," Chat laughed.

"Okay, good. Remember you can't reveal your identity to anyone."

"I know, my Lady, I know." Chat sighed. "I wish I could, sometimes. It sucks having to leave her without a good explanation, you know?"

Ladybug paused and considered. "Can I ask how you deal with that?"

"Luckily for me, my fath-- uh, family has a pretty tight leash on this cat. I say that they need me and… she understands." Chat leaned forward and pulled up his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "She's… sad whenever that happens so I try to make it up to her."

Ladybug laid a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "That's good. It sounds like the sooner we can take down Hawkmoth, the better."

Chat turned to her and nodded. "Yeah. Agreed."

Ladybug took her hand off his shoulder and rested it back on the roof of the building they were on. They had done some patrols and met back up again to report nothing out of the ordinary. They sat together watching the sunset as they did on the good days.

It was partly cloudy and chilly in the early days of winter. The freezing cold hadn't yet settled in but Ladybug knew it was coming in soon. She'd noticed in the previous winter that part of her felt sluggish and her body felt more lethargic in general, even in her powered up super suit. Tikki had said something about how ladybugs didn't do well in winter, and maybe that was why? Okay, sure. Ladybug didn't want to be any sort of liability to Chat or to the city of Paris when it got cold so she was able to convince Master Fu to lend out the other Miraculous on a semi-permanent basis.

Rena Rouge and Carapace were more than recurring heroes now. Ladybug had entrusted the Miraculous to Alya Cesaire and Nino Lahiffe after they promised to protect their identities, each other, the city of Paris, and to not misuse the Miraculous powers for personal gain. She’d done the same for Pegasus, Ryuuko, and Viperion. Ladybug didn’t know who King Monkey was so she had enlisted Fu’s help in tracking him down.

Queen Bee was… on an as-needed basis. Chloe Bourgeois was still an unknown. She had her moments of true selflessness but they'd been rare and unpredictable and that wasn't an ally Ladybug or Chat Noir could trust. They tried explaining that to Chloe once, but it ended when the mayor's daughter threw them out in a fit of tears. They still gave her another chance but the last time Queen Bee was used was with HeartHunter and Ryuuko had to bail them all out when Queen Bee stopped listening to them.

It wasn't going well.

"How are you doing, 'Bug?"

Ladybug snapped out of her thoughts and turned to face Chat. "I'm… okay. It's starting to get cold."

"Maybe you need to find yourself a boyfriend and get some warm snuggles," Chat grinned. "What about that boy you love?"

Ladybug closed her eyes. "He's found someone else," Ladybug said softly. She had a small smile on her face, remembering how it felt to see Adrien and Kagami together. Kagami fit in to his life so seamlessly and Adrien looked happier than Marinette had ever seen.

"I'm… I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Ladybug sighed, looking back out at the sunset. "I think he's happier now." And now Marinette wasn't feeling like the universe kept pushing back. It hurt a little bit to know nothing was going right with Adrien and there wasn't anything she could do to change it. She finally made the decision to stop feeling hurt all the time and allowed herself to let him go. "And I think I'm happier too."

"Okay," Chat smiled, sighing in relief. "That's great to hear. I'm sorry it didn't work out but I'm glad that you're happier. A happy Ladybug is always good news."

"And a happy Chat Noir is always good news as well," Ladybug giggled. "Thanks for letting me know."

"Of course. You're my best friend, Ladybug. I want to tell you everything, but…"

"You shouldn't tell me. It's to protect us," Ladybug stressed. "But… you know you're my best friend too."

⁂

One good thing about no longer obsessing over Adrien was that Marinette had less to worry about. The GirlSquad was no longer a pain in the proverbial butt about getting her to ask him out either. Instead Alya had fixed her sights on improving the LadyBlog and tracking down interviews with the other semi-permanent heroes, though (for obvious reasons) she had way more articles about Rena Rouge than any of the other Miraculous holders. It didn't seem like it was for personal gain as Alya had styled the interviews as asking the heroes advice to inform all of her blog readers how to defend against or prepare for akumas, so Marinette decided she'd let that pass for the greater good.

The only thing that felt a little weird about the GirlSquad sometimes was that Juleka seemed like she kept wanting to talk with Marinette and then backing out at the last second. That probably meant Juleka still felt confused about Marinette dating her brother.

Marinette knew it looked kinda bad to date someone else soon(?) after giving up on Adrien, especially since Adrien started dating Kagami(!), but it just happened so… naturally. Marinette had been the one to keep visiting Luka at the Liberty. Luka had kept inviting her to watch movies with him. They'd just felt like having lunch together often. After months of not-dating Marinette had finally asked, flustered and tripping over her words, if they actually were. Or… If he had wanted to.

"If you want to, I'm game," Luka had said casually, but Marinette had seen the faintest blush on him.

They had both been surprised when she said "Yes."

Their relationship was nice and easy. They had taken it slow. Most of their "dates" were just hanging out, low key chilling around each other, listening to music or working on Lycée homework. He would lend an ear to whatever she wanted to talk about and offered his thoughts and commentary. She'd given him small gifts here and there. They'd gone out ice skating and met up with other friends a few times. She had been worried that she'd been a pretty boring girlfriend overall but he said "If you wanna be here with me and I wanna be here with you, that's all that matters."

Whenever she and Luka were together during an akuma attack Luka did have the penchant for staying with her for as long as possible. He did eventually give an excuse of having to check up on Juleka or his mom and left Marinette to run out as Viperion… and then she would transform into Ladybug and follow after him. If anyone caught on that Ladybug always came in right after Viperion, the other heroes were smart enough to not comment on it. Nor comment on how they always left at the same time. Luka had, after sprinting back to her, breathlessly apologized the first few times for leaving her but Marinette had said it was so brave of him to look out for his family's safety and that'd been enough. Marinette did have to admit to herself that dating another superhero was actually pretty convenient. Chat would never let that go if he found out.

On the bad days it'd been so good to melt into his hugs when she felt the weight of the world press down harder on her. He'd been the calm in her life she so desperately wanted. It hit her like a ton of bricks just how much she needed him when he got taken from her.

⁂

Marinette and Luka were hanging out at Place des Vosges having coffee together after defeating yet another akuma. It had gotten much easier dealing with Hawkmoth most of the other heroes helping out, and the fight was over in practically no time at all. Just when everything calmed down again she and Luka heard screaming nearby and saw people running away from… a swarm of wasps?

They got up and started running, but they were too slow and the wasps were catching up. "Aw crap," Luka yelled. "Marinette watch out!" Luka pulled her into his arms and shielded her from them, getting stung in the process.

"Luka!" Marinette felt his arms drop from her shoulders and she looked up to see his face devoid of any emotion. His eyes turned a weird shade of yellow and he wasn't responding to her shaking him. "Luka!" For one tiny moment he blinked and looked down at her with concern, then his face went slack again. "Oh no, what happened to you?" He turned away from her and started walking off. "H-hey! No! Don't go!" She took his hand and tried to pull him into the bakery but he resisted and kept walking. Another swarm of wasps was closing in on her and Marinette cried out in frustration, letting Luka slip out of her grasp.

Wasps… wasps? Was this Chloe?! Oh no, Marinette thought, turning on her heels to sprint toward the Seine. She transformed while diving in, making sure to use her aqua powerup. She plunged into the river and then looked back up to see the swarm hovering above the water and eventually disperse away. She pulled out her yoyo and slid the cover up, checking if any of the other Miraculous holders were active.

Oh no. None of the other heroes were showing up on her communicator. At least not yet. Oh no. Ladybug let the communicator close and swam in circles, wondering just how she'd be able to handle this on her own if she had to. Suddenly she got a ping and Ladybug whipped out her yoyo, franticly checking which of her allies was nearby. Oh thank goodness Chat Noir was alright. Okay. She swam to meet him as he was heading in her direction and they met up halfway. "Chat! I'm so glad you're okay!"

"Yeah, I'm definitely glad to see you, 'Bug!"

"Th-this is… this is Queen Wasp again, isn't it?" Ladybug fretted and pulled her hair in a mix of frustration and guilt. "I… I thought…"

"We beat her before and we can do it again," Chat said, squeezing her shoulder with his hand. "And… and I have this, if we need it," he said somewhat sheepishly, pulling out what looked like a necklace. It was a choker… a very familiar choker. One she had given to Kagami Tsurugi to keep for the time being. What was Chat doing with the Dragon Miraculous? "I… found this near… a girl after she got stung by one of the wasps."

Ladybug blinked at the choker a few times. All she could think of was the dread she felt when the wasps were after her and Luka. What had Chat Noir gone through? And he had been conveniently nearby Kagami and the Dragon Miraculous and recognized it fast enough to grab it? "We might be able to use this." Ladybug closed Chat's hand over the choker. "You keep this for now, let's make a plan. None of the other heroes show up as active on my locator yet--" As soon as she said it she got a series of pings on her yoyo that indicated that most of the other Miraculous holders were becoming active, all but Ryuuko, and all at the same time and location.

Even Viperion showed up on her locator… she knew that Luka had been taken. Which could only mean…

"This is bad news." Ladybug bit at her bottom lip. "I personally saw that… one of the holders got stung. This means they've captured everyone else with a Miraculous and we're on our own. We'll have to use the Dragon and get any edge we can." Chat nodded at Ladybug and she sighed. "This is going to be tricky. We need to take Viperion out first."

"How are we going to do that?"

Ladybug and Chat Noir looked at each other in silence for a bit. "We have to split up and you have to use the Dragon Miraculous. You can't be caught by the wasps or Pegasus if you're in Wind form and I don't think it's safe to do a frontal assault with Viperion working against us."

"And what about you? What are you going to do?"

"I'm… going to use the Mouse. They can't capture all of me that way… hopefully."

Chat looked pained. "This sounds dangerous, 'Bug."

"Do you have another idea?" Chat shook his head. "Then let's do this for now. We'll have to play this by ear." Ladybug called her Lucky Charm and got a scarf, now waterlogged with Seine water (ew). "A scarf? What the heck am I supposed to do with a scarf?!"

⁂

To be continued (insert Jojo music here)

Actually j/k it's right here

[cantteachanoldguardnewquotes]

Trich

Special thanks and much love to my beta readers @energievie @thebiggestnaturaldisaster @god-of-narcissism @haniawritesthings they were a Delight to work with and my story was very much improved 💕💕💕💕💕

Read on ao3

Warnings: Trichotillomania, emotional hurt/comfort (please let me know if I should tag anything else)

It was still unbelievable. It had been four months and Andy still couldn't believe Quynh was back with her. Most of the time when she had to remind herself this was real, that she wasn't only dreaming, she would have to find Quynh and tell her again how much she loved her. This time, as she mulled over the miracle of Quynh's return in her mind, she only needed to whisper it in her ear.

"I love you." Andy murmured, stroking Quynh's hair.

Quynh was already half-asleep but she still smiled and managed to mumble it back.

Quynh was still getting used to the twenty-first century. She loved the modern conveniences and how simple many things had become, her favorites being a toss-up between showers and how easy it can be to make food, but everything was so new and different it was still a lot to process, still a lot she needed to catch up on. She would excuse herself from the group frequently, still feeling the need to rest a lot. This meant ample time for cuddles and Andy was not complaining.

Andy continued to stroke her hair as the two of them drifted off. She was surprised when her hand ran across a smooth patch on the back of her head. She ran her hand over it again, wondering what it could be. It was covered by the rest of her long hair. She tried to look but couldn't with how Quynh was laying on top of her. She shrugged it off, since it hadn't been bothering Quynh enough to mention it and quickly joined her love in slumber.

Quynh woke up early that morning to make coffee and brought it back to Andy. She sat quietly, waiting for Andy to open her eyes, letting the smell slowly wake her up. Of course if you asked Andy she would argue that with all the sugar and cream Quynh added it couldn't even be called coffee.

Andy looked up at her and smiled a half smile letting her eyes drift closed for a few more moments before she stretched and sat up. She took her cup, taking in a long slow breath to smell the wonderful aroma and then let it out in a contented sigh. "Did you sleep well?" It had become something of a habit to ask Quynh how she'd slept. Andy tried everyday to ease the pain in Quynh's heart, but she couldn't chase away all of her nightmares. It was her way of gauging what pace to set for the day.

Quynh took a sip of her coffee. "It was alright. I slept most of the night and this time it actually feels like I did." She gave Andy a soft smile.

Andy smiled back. "I'm glad to hear it." She then set her cup down. "Can I fix your hair for you?" She never tired of brushing and fixing Quynh's hair, but she was also thinking about the spot she'd found last night.

Quynh didn't need to be asked twice, nodding happily and moving to the edge of the bed so it would be easier to sit without putting her drink down.

Andy grabbed a brush and an elastic and started gently working the knots out.

"Will you tell me a story?" Quynh asked sweetly. She loved hearing about all the things Andy had done while she was gone and Andy had a way of making her feel almost as if she was there too.

"Anything in particular?"

"Something nice."

Andy racked her brain for something light and smiled when she thought of just the right story to tell.

"I was the first person to introduce Joe and Nicky to skydiving. It's an amazing rush and I've been hooked since the first time I did it, I'll have to take you one of these days. I did it often enough that I got some training and became certified to jump with someone strapped to me. Naturally, I picked Joe to go with me and Nicky was strapped to another dive instructor. They weren't really scared, I mean, with everything we've been through we've all jumped from things under worse circumstances but the first time is always intimidating. I told him I would jump on three and the noise that came out of his mouth when I jumped on one is going to be something I cherish forever. Thought he might kill me when we landed because I pretended the chute was broken and only pulled it at the last second. Told him to come up with a cover story while we plummeted for why we weren't dead and everything. I don't think he fully believed me but he was still mad." Andy was laughing too hard at the memory to keep fixing Quynh's hair and had to take several deep breaths before she could continue.

Quynh was laughing too, how could she not when Andy's was so contagious?

That was another thing that surprised Andy. Her laugh came so much easier now that Quynh was back. Sure, she had laughed and joked with the guys plenty of times but she felt so free now, so unburdened and her laughter showed it.

Andy began fixing her hair once more and rediscovered the spot, parting her hair to get a good look at it. She frowned, slightly when she saw that it was actually two spots, both about the size of a dime, though not perfectly round. "Does this hurt?" Andy asked, gently running her fingers over the spots.

Quynh seemed surprised. "No, I don't feel anything. Why?" She reached her own hand back to feel where Andy had touched.

"There's just some hair missing but it's small and if it doesn't hurt I'm sure it's nothing."

Quynh shrugged. "Yeah, it's probably nothing."

Andy finished braiding her hair, giving it a playful tug to signal she was done.

*****

A few days had passed and Andy was still thinking about the spots on Quynh's head. She didn't know how concerned she should be since Quynh didn't seem concerned herself and she didn't want to overreact to nothing, so she didn't bring it up again.

It was a quiet day around the house. Joe and Nicky had gone for a hike, Nile and Booker were checking out the farmers' market and she and Quynh were relaxing at the safehouse.

Quynh had the TV on, watching some murder mystery show. Andy had missed the whole beginning despite Quynh's attempts to wait for her, so instead she was working on fixing the wobbly side table.

At a particularly intense scene she looked over to see Quynh's reaction and noticed she was messing with her hair right where she had seen the bald spot. "Does it itch?"

"Hmm?" Quynh put her hand in her lap and looked at Andy, confusion written on her face. "Does what itch?"

"It looked like you were scratching the spot I found the other night." Andy gestured to her own hair as a reminder.

"Oh no, it doesn't itch."

Quynh got sucked back into her show and didn't say anything else about it, so Andy went back to fixing the table.

*****

The next time Andy noticed Quynh messing with her hair was when she took her to a very busy mall. Sometimes she still struggled with the hustle and bustle of twenty-first century life. Andy had made sure she actually wanted to come and wasn't just doing it for her sake and Quynh had insisted she would be alright.

Quynh was not alright, though, it was too loud, there were too many smells and too many people. She should have taken up Andy's other offer to go for a bike ride instead.

Andy was holding her hand, taking great care not to get separated and add more unnecessary stress on top of what her love was already experiencing. She knew Quynh was trying to put herself out there, being the fearless spirit that she was but Andy also knew it was overwhelming and she was still healing emotionally and mentally from being isolated for so long. Andy tried to get her to take things easy but Quynh refused. She wanted to feel like she fit into these times now, not in a few months or even worse, years. Andy both admired her for it and worried about her. Most days she wasn't sure which emotion was stronger. In the end, she always let Quynh set her own pace.

"We can leave anytime you want." Andy reassured her, pulling her in close and linking their arms together, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Quynh smiled gratefully but ultimately shook her head. "I want to try that ice cream you've been talking about."

Andy chuckled at her undying love of sweets. "Alright, it's right this way."

Andy noticed when Quynh was trying to pick a flavor that her hand went to the back of her head again. She found herself wondering why that spot in particular if it didn't hurt or itch? She made a mental note to check on it again.

They enjoyed their ice cream and bought some new clothes, then went back to the safehouse. Booker and Nile had dinner ready for everyone and they all had a good time catching up on everyone's day.

When they retired to their room after helping with dishes, Andy asked. "Can I braid your hair before bed?"

Quynh looked about ready to fall asleep as soon as where head hit the pillow but it had been a while since Andy had done her hair and after such a long day it was an offer she couldn't refuse. She hummed her agreement and they both sat cross-legged on the bed.

Andy carefully brushed her hair but before she began braiding it she checked the spots again. To her dismay they were bigger and there were a few more spots near them. She looked more closely and could see that some of the hair was starting to grow back but it was so short you couldn't even grasp it yet.

Quynh was too tired to notice Andy had stopped, so she finished braiding her hair, wondering the whole time what was going on. She knew Quynh was still healing, she had watched a paper cut heal just this afternoon.

After Quynh had fallen asleep, her head resting comfortably on Andy's shoulder and one of her legs thrown over her, Andy decided to see if the Internet had any suggestions for the hair loss. She hated using her phone for anything other than talking into it but it was a practical way of getting information.

She saw plenty of reasons why someone could be losing their hair and it was a little tricky factoring in their healing abilities. Trichotillomania kept coming up and it seemed to fit. Usually caused by stress, PTSD or anxiety. Andy knew just how much Quynh was suffering from all three of those despite trying to hide it. She decided she would keep a closer eye on her to see if she could tell whether or not Quynh was doing this to herself.

*****

A few days after that night Quynh wanted to go with Nile and help with the grocery shopping.

Andy double-checked that Quynh was sure about going out again but she insisted it would be fun, even telling Andy she could stay home and relax if she wanted.

Of course, that was the last thing Andy wanted to do.

Driving there Andy watched Quynh out of the corner of her eye and noticed her hand going back to that spot. Andy felt her heart break a little when she saw that Quynh had plucked a piece of hair from her head. In that moment she desperately wished she could take all of her troubles away with just the sweep of her hand or a gentle word but healing always takes time. Andy decided to simply place her hand on Quynh's knee and give it a gentle squeeze. She smiled when Quynh used both of her hands to cover Andy's.

*****

Andy continued watching Quynh. She was waiting for the right moment to sit down and talk to her about what she thought was going on but she was also trying to figure out if there were specific times Quynh was pulling so that she could find a kind way to distract her. She was worried it would only stress Quynh out more if she talked about it.

"Can I fix your hair before bed?" Andy asked one night. She felt like they could both use a little help with unwinding.

"That's ok, I can do it." Quynh answered.

Andy nearly got whiplash from turning to look at Quynh so fast. "What?"

Quynh shrugged like it was nothing. "I can do it."

Andy just stared at her. Of course there were plenty of nights when Quynh would braid her own hair, even a handful of nights when Quynh had told her no, for one reason or another but Andy instantly knew this was different.

Still it had been a long day, so she kept her voice light and teasing as she said. "I know you can do it but don't you want me to?"

"Tonight I'll do it."

Andy didn't miss the guilty look that passed over Quynh's face, and Quynh knew it. She looked anywhere but in Andy's eyes and quickly started braiding her own hair.

Andy walked over to her, gently covering Quynh's hands with her own to still them. "Quynh, what's going on?" She asked softly.

Quynh still wouldn't meet her eyes, instead looking down at the carpet. "Nothi... Wha-?" She tried to say Nothing, silly, to ask her Whatever do you mean? But she couldn't lie to Andy, she wouldn't, but she also didn't have the heart to tell Andy what was going on, she didn't want her to worry. Instead she squeezed her eyes shut and just stood there.

Andy tugged lightly on her hand, leading her to their bed and Quynh followed, she would always follow Andy.

"Hey, hey it's alright, Quynh. You can relax, I've got you." Andy murmured as they sat down and Andy gathered her into her arms, laying Quynh's head over her heart, kissing the top of her head and then resting her cheek on it.

"Please, Quynh. Please talk to me." Andy pleaded as the silence stretched between them. She couldn't stand the thought of Quynh feeling like she couldn't talk to her, like she needed to hide anything from her.

Quynh couldn't refuse, not when Andy held her like she was scared of losing her again. "I..." She trailed off with a shuddering breath and then started again. "I don't want you to see how much hair I've lost. Because... It's me. I'm the one causing it. I... I keep pulling out my own hair and I don't know why and I don't know why I can't stop."

Andy felt Quynh's tear land on her arm and realized she had waited too long before talking about this. She hadn't thought Quynh would feel the need to hide this and carry it on her own. "Oh my heart, I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry, I should have talked to you earlier about this. I think you have something called Trichotillomania and it's when people pull their hair because of stress and anxiety. It's compulsive, you'll hardly realize you're doing it, but a lot of people have it, you're not the first."

"There are other people who do this? So many it has a name?"

"Yes and considering everything you've been through..." Andy's arms tightened protectively around her. "Well, I count myself the luckiest person alive just for having you back with me."

Quynh pondered her words and when she spoke it was barely a whisper. "But what if I pull it all out? I know how much you love my long hair, how much you enjoy braiding it."

Now it was Andy who had to squeeze her eyes shut to keep the tears at bay so they could keep talking. "Oh, Quynh, I hope you know that nothing will ever stop me from loving you and wanting to take care of you."

"I know, Andy, I do."

Andy believed what she said, but she had to make sure there wasn't a shred of doubt in Quynh's mind. She tilted Quynh's head back and kissed her soft lips, tasting the salty tears. She kissed her long and slow and Quynh kissed her right back.

"I love you, Quynh. You could have no hair, no limbs, your face scarred beyond recognition and I would still love you because those things don't define you, those are not what I fell in love with a millennia ago."

Andy saw her eyes relax some but not completely, so she kept talking. "I fell in love with your brave spirit that never puts up with cruelty, I fell in love with the way you laugh at every bad joke you've ever heard, I fell in love with the way you fight for what you believe in. Everything that makes you you, Quynh, that's what I'm in love with."

Now Quynh was crying even harder. She wrapped her arms around Andy's neck and sobbed into her shoulder.

Andy held her tight, slowly rubbing Quynh's back just the way she liked and she cried too.

They stayed like that for a long time, until both of them felt like they had cried out every tear they had.

"Hey, how about I get us some water? Are you as parched as I am?" Andy asked, placing a kiss to Quynh's neck.

Quynh nodded her head and squeezed Andy's hand, returning a kiss to Andy's temple.

She came back with two cups of water and they both drank them down quickly. "More?" She asked, taking the cup from Quynh.

Quynh shook her head. "No, thank you."

Andy put the cups on the floor and crawled back in bed, gathering Quynh close to her once more. They were both completely exhausted.

"I love you." Quynh whispered.

Andy nuzzled her neck. "I love you too."

*****

Quynh was up before Andy and went to make coffee and start the day.

Andy was awake when she came back into their room. "How are you feeling?"

Quynh shrugged. "Tired. Worn out." She handed Andy her coffee.

"You could have stayed in bed with me." Andy tugged playfully on her pajama shirt.

"I like bringing you coffee in bed, it makes your eyes light up."

"Oh, it's not the coffee that makes my eyes light up." Andy leaned forward and gave Quynh a kiss.

They fell silent drinking their coffee and staring out the window at nothing in particular.

Quynh cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "I got up early to look into Trichotillomania." She said it quietly, as if she almost sounded guilty about it.

Andy's eyes softened. She moved so they were sitting side by side and took her hand. "You are not alone in this, my heart. Please don't forget that."

Quynh laid her head on Andy's shoulder and stroked the back of her hand with her thumb. "I know, I know you're here for me. I just wanted to look for myself while the house was still quiet and everyone was asleep."

"And?" Andy felt like she wanted to continue.

"While I'm getting used to everything." She vaguely gestured." To being back, to adjusting to the twenty first century, I... I think I would like to shave my head. I can't stand the thought of pulling it all out, and even if I start to pull from somewhere else it should be better than this." She paused, tracing the rim of her mug with her thumb. "Then when I'm more adjusted to this new world I can try growing it out and work on getting help." She held her breath, waiting to see what Andy would say.

Andy kissed her forehead. "I have clippers with me, whenever you're ready. May I do the honors?"

Quynh let out the air she'd been holding. "Thank you, my love. Thank you for understanding, of course I'll let you do it."

"There's nothing to understand. I've been wondering what you would look like with a new do anyway. I think it will look incredibly chic and sexy."

Quynh actually laughed at the way Andy wiggled her eyebrows when she said that and it warmed Andy's heart so much she thought she might burst.

"I'm ready now, let's do it this morning." Quynh said with confidence.

Andy jumped up and grabbed the clippers from the drawer she kept them in. "How short do you want to go? Do you want to see skin? No skin?"

Quynh cocked her head to the side. "You pick, just make it short."

Andy placed a hand dramatically to her heart. "Your trust in me is touching."

Quynh grinned. "Drama queen."

They headed out to the kitchen and Andy began to set up just as Nile and Joe emerged from their rooms looking barely awake. Nicky was already in the kitchen making omelets for everyone.

"What's going on?" Nile asked, looking skeptically between the two of them.

"Quynh's getting a haircut." Andy flicked the clippers on and off once for emphasis.

"She's letting you do it?" Nile asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey, I can cut hair."

"Hmm, I'll have to see it to believe it."

"She's cut all of our hair before but she's not allowed to touch Joe's anymore." Nicky chimed in.

"Why can't she cut Joe's?" Quynh asked.

"She gave him a terrible mohawk and then hid the clippers so we had to wait days before we could fix it." Nicky explained. "I haven't let her touch his curls since."

Andy threw her head back and laughed. "He deserved it."

"I did not!" Joe interjected.

"He ate my baklava and didn't even buy me more." Andy explained.

"It wasn't me, that was Booker!"

"Booker didn't do it. I knew instantly you were lying."

Joe grumbled something about her having no proof.

Nile looked around. "Is he still in bed?"

"Most likely, I think he stayed up late watching movies." Nicky said.

"Sorry, my heart, for the delay, I'm ready now." Andy patted the chair and Quynh sat down.

"Hmm, I don't know, I think they've changed my mind about letting you do it." Quynh teased.

"Turning my own wife against me." Andy shook her head.

Nile rolled her eyes. "As if."

Quynh only laughed.

Andy studied her assortment of clips before selecting the number two. "It's gonna be short." She warned Quynh.

"I'm ready."

"A buzz? Oooh, that's exciting, Quynh!" Nile moved chairs so she could easily watch Andy work.

Andy turned the clippers on, took a breath and made the first cut. She worked the clippers around Quynh's head and made sure it was perfectly even before turning them off and admiring her handy work.

"I love it." Andy said, running her hand over the top of Quynh's head feeling how different it was compared to what she was used to. She had to resist the urge to kiss it until after Quynh could wash it and make sure all the little hairs were gone.

Quynh ran her hands over it. "It feels so weird."

"Good weird or bad weird?" Andy asked.

"It's good." Quynh reassured her.

"Wow, Quynh, you pull it off so well! It makes you look very elegant." Nile said.

Joe and Nicky chimed in with their love for the new look.

"I'm gonna go look at it." Quynh said.

"Wait." Andy said, causing her to pause. "You said you trust me?"

Quynh eyed her, trying to figure out what she had up her sleeve but answered immediately. "Yes."

"I'm gonna add something, alright? A finishing touch I think you'll like."

Quynh nodded and settled back in the chair.

Andy picked up the trimmers and got to work.

Nile came up behind her to watch what she was making. "Aww." She exclaimed once she realized what Andy was doing.

Quynh smiled but didn't say anything, waiting patiently.

"Done. This time for real. Go look, my love." Andy kissed Quynh's cheek.

Quynh ran to the mirror to see and was surprised by how much she liked the shaved look. Then she turned her head so she could see what Andy did to the side and saw she had shaved a heart just above her ear.

She ran back out to the kitchen, flinging her arms around Andy to give her a crushing and urgent kiss.

Quynh knew she had a lot of healing left to do, that none of it would be easy but if her heart remained by her side, she knew they could face anything.

[leia-organa-fics]

aftermath (part I)

Set after a reason to stay.

***

Shortly after, when Yavin base had to be evacuated, Han somehow ended up with the task of bringing the princess to Kowak, the Alliance´s new rendezvous point. Why High Command trusted him with her, he had no idea. It wasn´t as if he would do anything to her – for once, he wasn´t that kind of man and second, even if he was, she probably would be able to defend herself just fine even in her injured state. He would have thought though that they´d allocate some nicer quarters to a princess.

That should have been the first clue that maybe his perception of princesses wasn´t close to reality. No, actually, it should have been the third clue after the way she had rescued herself and hid her injuries all through the battle of Yavin. As it was, he just shrugged it all off, telling himself that not even a princess could be picky in the face of the Alliance´s lifestyle and scarce resources.

Therefore, he was completely surprised when he finally realized that during their trip, Her Worship had taken it upon herself to quietly ‘fix’ things on the Falcon that hadn´t even been all that broken and ‘optimize’ things that in his opinion, thank you, had worked just fine before.

It took three days and Chewie pointing it out for him to realize that somehow a full inventory of the Falcon´s supplies had appeared out of thin air, the dishes were cleaner than they´d ever been, and there was absolutely nothing lying around untidily on any surface. When he finally caught on what must have been happening during his shifts in the cockpit for the last three days, he felt anger rise in his chest. Who did she think she was to mess with his ship?

Chewie roared something to stop him, but he was already out of the door of the cockpit to give Leia a piece of his mind. He found her in the lounge, bend over the Darjik table doing force-knows-what. “What do you think you´re doing?” he demanded.

She didn´t even look up while replying, “There´s a stain.”

“Oh, I´m sorry my humble ship is not enough for your privileged tastes.”

“That´s not what I meant, and you know it.” Why was her voice so calm? And why was she still not looking at him?

‘Stop messing with my ship,’ was what he meant to say. What came out was, “Stop that right now. You´re still injured.” And where had that last part come from?

At that reply, she finally looked up. With her jaw set and brows furled, she looked the definition of stubborn. “I´m fine,” she gritted, and it was the first time she sounded like a petulant princess.

“You´re not. I know what the Empire does to its prisoners.”

Her stance softened. “Which end of the cell door were you?”

“Outside,” he admitted. “I was at the Academy … ´til I figured out that torture and genocide weren´t exactly my kind of fun.”

She nodded. “You´re a lot better than you try making people believe.”

“Sweetheart, hate to break it to you, but I´m not good. I´m not here for your pesky, little Rebellion.” He wasn´t, he really wasn´t. In fact, he didn´t know why he was still here … okay, that wasn´t true either. He was still here because of her and the kid, and it was ridiculous. He barely knew them! But somehow Leia´s fire and Luke´s fundamental goodness had drawn him in. He needed to free himself, as soon as possible. He´d have to wait until they reached the rendezvous point though. There, he´d make sure they were safe and then he´d leave.

“You´re doing it again,” she interrupted his thoughts.

“If that´s what you want to believe, suit yourself.”

“I requested the Falcon as my transport, you know.”

That took him by surprise. Again. She really needed to stop doing that. “Why?” he asked.

She just shrugged non-committedly and resumed scrubbing the table.

“Stop that,” he repeated. “It´s already clean.”

The princess, Leia, froze for a moment. “The bench isn´t,” she finally said and turned her attention there. Han watched as she put soap on the cloth in her hand and started scrubbing at a stain that might or might have been there.

Watching her work was fascinating. Her hands were soft. Just one look at them was enough to know that she hadn´t done much manual labour ever in her life. In stark contrast to that, her movements were steady and brimmed with efficiency. They betrayed the accuracy of someone who had learned how to move not gracefully but appropriately. They were the movements of a diplomat. Han wouldn’t be surprised if she had actually calculated the exact speed that she needed to move at to give the illusion of the golden mean between urgency and idleness.

She blended in with what seemed to be perfect ease, and still, everything about her screamed absolute control to Han. Leia Organa was a paradox. Strong but vulnerable. Seemingly invincible but oh so hurt inside. The embodiment of compassion and goodness, but at the same time her fury over Alderaan´s fate burned hotter than a supernova just underneath her skin. She was prickly, difficult and overall insufferable, but nonetheless, people gravitated to her.

After some minutes, it became clear to Han, that she wasn´t going to stop her needless task, until he had left. A part of him wanted to just do so, to leave her and the sadness that clung to her like a second skin behind, to vanish to the cockpit and plan his and Chewie´s next destination after dropping her off with the Alliance. The rest of him though – a far bigger part – couldn´t bring himself to do it. If he didn´t check on her, who would? She didn´t understand Shyriiwook, Luke wasn´t here and as far as he knew, everyone she had been close to had been killed together with Alderaan. Han was many things. Heartless wasn´t one of them. He couldn´t just leave her here alone. She was Leia.

He battered his brain for something meaningful to say, but came up blank, so he fell back on what he knew. “If you keep on doing that, you´ll scrub a hole into my bench.”

She stopped. “I suppose it is clean now.”

“Definitely cleaner than ever before.”

“That´s not hard, is it?” The hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, as she finally turned to face him.

“This is a smuggler´s ship and not the royal fleet, Your Worship.”

A frown crossed her face. “Don´t call me that.”

“Don´t worry,” he retorted. “I´ve got many more. How about ‘Your Highnessness’, princess?”

“Don´t.” Her voice turned icy. “I´m not. Not anymore.”

She looked away and he wanted to kick himself. So much for not being heartless. “I´m sorry,” he said sincerely. “Leia.”

It was the first time her actual name had crossed his lips. She seemed to realize it, too, because she faced him again and the anger was replaced by something else that he couldn´t place. They looked at each other for one sheer endless moment, studying each other. When the silence started to become awkward, Han desperately searched for something to busy himself with. In the end, it was her who ended it by putting away the cloth and the soap where she had taken it from.

“Where are we at the moment?”, she asked.

“Near Kashyyk. It will probably be around six more days, before we make it to Kowak.”

“Kashyyk.” She seemed to be lost in thought for some moments before a dangerous glint entered her eyes. “That´s the Mid Rim, isn´t it?”

“Yes,” Han answered warily.

“So, we´re not too far from the Core … “

“Yes, we are damn far away from the Core and it´s gonna stay that way.”

“I need to go there.”

“Where?” he asked, even though he thought he knew the answer. Knew and dreaded it.

“Alderaan.”

Just like he had feared. “It´s gone,” he exclaimed forcefully. “There´s nothing left.”

“Maybe.”

“Not maybe. I´ve seen it. You´re not going to find what you´re looking for.”

She closed her eyes. “I know.” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “But I need to see it for myself.”

“No.” Han shook his head. “Absolutely not.”

Leia raised her chin and shot him a determined look. “The Royal House of Alderaan had funds stored on Coruscant. It will take some time, but I can pay you.”

“You think this is about money?”

“You made it very clear that that´s everything you care about.”

Stung, Han took a step back. She wasn´t entirely wrong: He had declared very loudly that money was the only reason why he had helped them … but surely his actions spoke louder than those words. He had returned for the kid – without hoping for any reward. He had comforted her. And now she was throwing it back in his face. “You´re right,” he finally said angrily, “but the money won´t do me any good if I´m dead.”

“You escaped the Death Star, but you´re scared of a simple trip?”

“Simple trip? After our escape from the Death Star, the Imperials will be looking for the Falcon. Flying to the Core would be suicide.”

Her anger seemed to deflate as quickly as it had flared up and a defeated look crossed her face. “I need to go there,” she whispered. “Please.”

Han was still hurt, but Leia´s sad eyes bored holes into his resolve. After Yavin, the Imperials probably had bigger concerns than catching one single freighter … and after all, he wasn´t exactly keen on getting back to the Rebellion. Kriff, he was going to regret it. Still. He sighed. “We can´t stay long and at the first sign of Imperial presence, we´ll leave.”

“Thank you,” she said gravely.

Han acknowledged her thanks with a curt nod. “You better get a hold on those funds of yours soon,” he said bitterly.

“I will.” Was that disappointment in her voice? And why did that hurt even more than her earlier words?

Han decidedly did not think about that as he made his way back to the cockpit to change their course to Alderaan. Chewie noticed his gloomy mood and tried to get him to talk about it, but Han rebuked all of his efforts.

The next day was spent in stony silence. Leia seemed to sense his mood and kept away from him. Without Han to talk to, she and Chewie turned to each other instead. What ensued was a series of conversations that consisted of Leia completely misinterpreting Shyriiwook and a lot of pantomime. Unfortunately, conventions for the meaning of certain gestures were different on each planet, so that they didn´t particularly make their endeavour easier. The result would have been hilarious if Han hadn´t been so angry and hurt. In his current mood, it was only annoying. Why did Chewie get along with the princess?

***

You can now find part II here.

[statticscribbles]

Time Warp

Summary: Sweet Pea/Plus sized!Reader Request: Sweet Pea and Reader’s kids travel back in time to warn them about something and they don’t believe them cause the reader is into a Ghoulie; Sweet pea doesn’t think she would wanna be w/him and also it’s just a mess of y/n and S.P. Blushing and stuff cause their kids are so cute and they sort of act like parents.

You’re not entirely sure what you’re looking at. You’d been taking the trash out from Pop’s confused when you’d heard a scream and crashing. “HEY!” You shout into the still lit back area, confusion only growing when two young kids dart out from behind one of the buildings. “MOM!” You jerk back and the kids stutter. “Sorry you uh, look like our mom.” One of the two boys rubs the back of his neck and you chuckle, the same habit you do when you’re embarrased. “It’s okay, how about we go inside, get you two something to eat?” “oh yeah! Pop’s is the best!” “Good; you two live aorund here?” “Yeah we live on the southside with our parents; they have a house there!!” The smaller boy speaks up grinning. “A house, figures.” You huff under your breathe, anyone who can afford a house in the southside is either in a gang or knee deep in the criminal underworld and Hiram’s pocket. “Alright whatever you want; on me.” You laugh when you hand them menues and Veronica rolls her eyes. You shoot a text to your boyfriend asking him if he knows any of the gangs that have kids, he replies that the Serpent’s do and you groan before asking him if he’ll come with you; he responds that he’s on a job and you sigh. “Alright once you finish your burgers we’ll get you back homesound good?” “Uh yeah, just. We gotta find our dad!” “I’m taking you back to him.” “Oh. Thank you.” The smaller boy nods and you offer him a napkin when half the cheese from his cheese fries falls onto the counter. “Thanks mom.” “She’s not mom!” The older one snaps and you sigh hoping they won’t get into a fight. You’re debating offering them Ice cream when Jughead and the other Serpent’s walk in. “Hey do you guys know who-“ “DAD!!!!!” The smaller boy jumps off the stool but the older one grabs his collar almost choking him as he hauls him backwards. “Don’t kill him!” You snap and they both look gultily at the floor. “Sorry-“ “It’s fine just; don’t do it again. Which ones your dad?” “Just looks like him.” “Like I look like your mom right?” They nod and you watch Jughead chuckle when the smaller boy rushes past him and grips Sweet Pea’s hand. “Just cause I look like your dad doesn’t mean I am; although if that’s your mom I have no problem with playing pretend.” Sweet Pea grins winking at you and you roll your eyes turning back towards the counter face flushed. “See it is dad; mom makes that face at him all the time then they kiss a bunch.” The taller boy states and everyone laughs, you grin as Sweet Pea’s face flushes as much as yours and the two boys grin. “We have to tell you something really important. Like really really important!” They both stare dramatically and you croush down once you’ve changed from your uniform. “Okay, what is it?” “No! We have’ta go to the bunker, it’s the only place that’s safe!!!” “The Bunker? Doiley’s bunker? Okay, sure.” Sweet Pea shrugs nad you shrug back. “Might as well entertain them, they seem pretty fixed on it.” You mumble to Sweet Pea who laughs. “I mean I don’t have a problem playing babysitter for a couple of hours.” He grins back and you nod following the kids out of Pop’s and towards the bunker.

“Oh no you two are going in first; no way we’re getting locked in.” The kids eye’s widen and they laugh before almost dive down the ladder. “Okay what’s going on.” You sit down on the bed next to Sweet Pea the two boys lounging across the chairs. “You’re our parents!” “Sure kid. Is that it?” “No, you’re gonna go to jail unless we help!” “Jail? You two came from the future to prevent us from going to jail.” Sweet Pea looks unimpressed and the kids nod. “Yeah! Cause mom was saying if she hadn’ started dating you when she did her ex would’ve killed her like he killed that guy in Centerville!” “Your boyfriends a murderer?” “how the hell do you know about that..” You hiss and they grin. “Told ya we’re from the future!!” “Okay say I believe you; why not stop him from killing that guy.” “Then you wouldn’t get with dad.” “I don’t think anything you can say will get her with me, she’s too in love with her Ghoulie; convinced you can change him arent you.” Sweet Pea almost sneers and you roll your eyes. “Like you’d understand.” “Try me.” He snaps and you glare at the two kids who have now scaled up the top of the ladder and are trying there best to separate the bottome part from the top. “I have the crow bar we can lock ‘em in still; it’ll be fine!” It’s the last thing you hear before the heaviness of the lid from the bunkers entrance clatters into place. “Fucking christ.” “The Serpets know were here.” “Where we have no cell service to call them?” “Well I’m guessing they’re not going to let us out until we talk or some bullshit!” Sweet Pea shouts up and you can hear laughter from above. “Nothing to talk about.” “Maybe the fact your Ghoulie boyfriend murdered someone? And you’re still with him; knowing he can murderer someone.” “It’s nothing to worry about Sweet Pea.” “So you love him, or think you can change him still?” “Well I guess.” “You guess?” Swee Pea snorts and you roll your eyes. “It’s not like the guy I actually like pays me an attention.” You sigh and Sweet Pea pats the cot you’d gotten up from. “I know how that feels.” “You in love with some guy who ignores you?” “A girl; but yeah.” “Really? You of all people can’t get a girl you want?” “What like you think girls are falling at my feet?” “I meah yeah; half the reason I didn’t talk to you was cause I didn’t want to get written off as one of them.” “The other half?” You frown turning to him. “The other half of what?” “Why you don’t talk to me; unless that’s the whole reason.” “I assumed you wouldn’t like me.” “Half right on that.” “Really?” “Yeah I like you, a lot more than I should considering you have a boyfriend; a ghoulie, and a murderer at that.” “Wait you like me back?” “You like me?” You stare at him as he stares back. You cast a glance up to the doorway it’s closed and no sound comes from it. “You were expecting them to let us out after confessing a crush on each other.” “Yeah; isn’t that how it works in the movies!” You shout upwards to the door and there’s no response. “I think it’s more like we have to kiss.” “Oh cause kissing you is going to magically make us fall in love, my boyfriend will accept me breaking up with him and we can ride off on your motorcycle into the sunset and our house on the southside.” “We have a house?” “According to our kids we do; if you believe that.” “You rub your neck when you’re nervous, so does the younger one.” “You can’t base the idea of having a relationship with me on the fact our potential kid from the future might have the same traits as me.” “Should we kiss?” “I dunno ask them!” “Fine. Hey kids; should we kiss!!!” Sweet Pea shouts up and he hears laughter. “They can’t see you nodding idiot!” Sweet Pea can hear a faint smack. “Don’t hit your brother!” “Sorry dad.” “It’s fine just; dammit, I’m not your dad.” “Not yet!!” You laugh at the response going quiet when you realize what that means for you and Sweet Pea. “So kissing is good then?” “Yeah just a kiss.” -You wave goodbye to the two kids unsure if the kiss actually helped them or not. You don’t pay attention to whatever Sweet Pea is talking to the other Serpent’s about but you can tell by the way his arm drifts towards you they at least know about the kiss. “So are you two just going to hope into the time machine and vanish?” “Yeah; it’s how it is in the movies!” You narrow your eyes at the older boy. “Don’t make fun of your mother.” Sweet Pea laughs to himeself and the boys grin. “We won’t dad! See you later!” They grin before seeming to vanish around the corner. -“Oh my god.” “What?” “We Marty McFly’ed out parents.” “We did not- OH MY GOD WE DID.” “Least it’s not a futurama.” “They’re our parents, not our grandparents!” “Still you could have been your own dad!” “That doesn’t even make sense!” “MOM!” “I don’t want to hear it!” You shout back, laughing under your breath with Sweet Pea who looks unimpressed from the couch. “We should tell them we know.” “No this is hilarious. They’re freaking out; remember what they put us through, they deserve at least ten minutes of this.” “Babe, come on they’re gonna-“ “OH MY GOD WE MADE OUR PARENTS HAVE SEX!” “There it is.” Sweet Pea snorts falling from the couch laughing.

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[cynicalclassicist]

TURN BACK

Written by Chris Newton

This isn’t mine but was done by another of the Lockdown writers who very kindly sent it to me.

There it was again: that fluttering, rattling, scuttling noise. It sounded like grasping pincers, snapping mandibles and probing antennae. It felt like something was on her back. For some reason, it was an oddly familiar sensation. 

Donna Temple-Noble knew that things had not been right for a while. 

Things were fine in her life. After a decade of marriage, both she and Shaun were still very happy and very much in love. They had been determined that their big lottery win wouldn’t change them and, for the most part, it hadn’t. They lived in a ten bedroom mansion Highgate with two acres of land, owned a holiday villa in Spain, and had been able to afford to send Joshua and Ella to an incredibly expensive private school – but otherwise, they still went to watch West Ham every Saturday (albeit in their own executive box), still kept in touch with all their old friends (even Nerys), and eschewed fancy restaurants and glitzy parties in favour of Friday nights in on the sofa watching Love Island and eating Pringles. 

But something was wrong with the world. Her high school boyfriend, Mathew Richards, had always been going on about global warming back in the 90s, but as far as Donna had been concerned somebody was always banging on about the end of the world, whether it was the Millennium Bug, or Mayan calendars or Hadron Colliders… But what did that have to do with her life? She could hardly see which type of milk she put in her tea affected the wider world. 

But things began to get so bad that even Donna noticed. On her eighty-inch TV, she saw bush fires in Australia, David Attenborough showing the ice caps melting and an ocean filled with plastic. And then the Sontaran virus came – the lockdowns, the curfews, and the restrictions. But not even a global pandemic could prevent the USA from imploding in a civil war. The Zygon president had attempted to form a dictatorship when he lost the election and all hell had broken loose. 

Donna knew they were lucky, they were far away from the fighting and they could afford regular deliveries of fresh food, and had a huge garden with their own private swimming pool to occupy them in quarantine. The first lockdown had almost been like a holiday for the Temple-Nobles; the kids cannon balling into the water, Donna and Shaun sunning themselves on loungers, barbeques, cocktails. Their autumn lockdown consisted of bonfires and marshmallows, thick jumpers and flasks of hot chocolate as they told ghost stories on Halloween and twirled sparklers on Bonfire Night. It was almost perfect.

Almost… But not. Because for all the comfort their money could buy them, there was one problem wealth could not solve. 

Donna’s Grandfather, Wilf, was now ninety-one. A few years ago, after a fall, had moved into a care home. Donna made sure he received the best care possible, and paid for him to go to a lovely facility just near Hampstead Heath, that way they were practically neighbours. Before the virus, she had visited him every day without fail. His memory had been growing steadily worse; sometimes he called her Sylvia, and occasionally Louise, for some reason, but he never forgot that she was his granddaughter, and more than not greeted her by saying ‘Wahey, here she is! The Little General!’ which had been his nickname for her when she was little. 

But since lockdown, she had been unable to visit him. She knew it was for the best, for the safety of her grandfather and for the other residents in the home, but it didn’t change the fact that it felt as though a huge part of her had been ripped away. His dementia had worsened, the staff had told her over the phone, and he had been repeatedly talking about a spaceman in a flying blue box. 

She had managed to arrange a videocall with her grandfather, a favour from one of the nurses at the home. She sat waiting for him to answer, full of fear and trepidation. Always wondering which visit would be the one where he failed to recognise her entirely. 

“Wahey, here she is! The Little General!” Wilf’s face filled the screen of her phone. 

“Hiya Gramps!” Donna’s eyes welled with tears of joy at the sight of her grandfather. 

“Blimey, how’d you get inside this little tablet thingy?” he chuckled.  “Must be bigger on the inside,” he muttered with a strange, faraway look in his rheumy eyes, as though he were trying to remember something. 

“You don’t half come out with some rubbish!” she laughed. “We had a bonfire in the garden on the 5th. You know, jacket potatoes in tin foil, passing round a thermos of tea. Reminded me of the old days, up the hill at your allotment, remember?”

“Mmmm,” he smiled distantly, before his face crumpled in confusion. “’Ere, where’s the Doctor?”

“You’ve already seen the doctor, Gramps. Remember? He put you on those new pills.”

“No, not him. The skinny one. Isn’t he with you? He usually is.”

“Why would he be with me you daft old thing? I’m fit and healthy, thank you very much. Touch wood,” she tapped her head. “Don’t need a doctor.”

“I think you do,” Wilf mumbled. “I think we all do. He’d sort out this bleedin’ virus.”

“They’ll have a vaccine before you know it, Gramps. You’ll be round ours for Christmas dinner, just you wait and see.”

“That’ll be nice,” he grinned. “How’s Lance, then? He alright?”

“Shaun, granddad, I’m married to Shaun. Lance… had to go away.”

“Oh. Well, it’s probably for the best. I never did like him much.” 

Donna couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“The kids want these flippin’ animatronic Baby Yoda dolls for Christmas,” she changed the subject. “Honestly, it’s Star Wars this, Star Trek that… and that other one. You know, the time travel one? No idea where they get it from, I was never into any of that sci-fi rubbish.” 

“Donna…” Wilf cried, a sudden urgency in his voice.

“Yes, Gramps?” she swallowed nervously, it had been a long time since he had called her by her name. “What is it?”

“There’s something on your back.”

The words chilled her, although she had no idea what they meant. She felt her right hand darting involuntarily over her shoulder expecting to feel… what, exactly? Something creeping, crawling, insectoid… she shivered. 

“There’s nothing there. Honestly, what are you on about?”

“He was only trying to help, but it’s gone wrong again. It wasn’t a fixed point, you see? It was one of those… Temporal wotsits.”

Donna took a deep breath.

“I think you’re getting mixed up again, Gramps.”

“Hmm?” he looked at her, his eyes full of warmth, kindness and confusion. “So how’s Lance, then? He alright?”

“Yes, Gramps. Lance is fine.”

“Oh, that’s good. I always liked him. Oh, I’ve got to go. The nurse wants her tablet back. When are you coming to see me?”

“As soon as I can, Gramps. I promise. As soon as I can.”

“Well, I’ll look forward to it. Ta-da sweetheart.”

“Bye,” she stifled a tear as the screen became blurry, before Wilf’s face was replaced by a blonde-haired woman.

“Donna Noble!” the stranger grinned irrepressibly 

“Oh, hi,” Donna swiftly composed herself. “Are you the nurse? Thanks so much for letting me speak to him…”

“Yeah. Well, I’m a Doctor, actually. Although a lot of people assume I’m a nurse these days. Bit annoying, really. Not that there’s anything wrong with being a nurse, mind! If it’s good enough for Rory Pond, it’s good enough for me.”

The blonde woman was still grinning.

“Oh my god,” Donna’s mouth fell open. “I know you!”

“No! No – that’s not possible!” The Doctor’s face paled.

“I knew I recognised you.”

“Listen to me – you cannot know who I am…”

“You’re Leanne Battersby. From Corrie!”

“What?”

“Ha! Just wait ’til I tell Nerys, she’ll be well jealous.” Donna snorted.

The Doctor harrumphed. 

“Leane Batt… Actually, you know what? If it stops your neural receptors from combusting then fine. Fine! Yeah. Leanne Battersby at your service. If you think I’m just an actress from Coronation Street then it’s safe for us to talk. Well, I say safe… safe-ish. By which I mean not very dangerous. Okay, maybe it’s a little bit dangerous. Put it this way: your mind won’t burn, but you might end up forgetting your old mate Susie Mair.”

“Susie Who?”

“Exactly. Anyway, we don’t have long… I need to get back in Wilf’s wardrobe before the Sontarans triangulate my signal. I’m telling you, this has been a long eight months. But your grandfather’s right: there is something on your back. Again. Or maybe for the first time – it all gets a bit wibbley with alternate dimensions. But there’s something on your back, and I’m really sorry, but it hitched a ride on a lottery ticket.”

“What on Earth are you on about?”

“Not on Earth, actually, Shan Shen,” the Doctor said, and then winced. “Oops! Shouldn’t have said that. Might have deleted another scene. Remember that time you were one the phone to Veena in the kitchen and you heard that strange wheezing, groaning sound coming from outside?”

“No?”

“Probably for the best.”

“What’s going on? And why are you in my Granddad’s wardrobe? Do I need to call social services, ’cause don’t think I won’t, blondie!”

“I need you to trust me. What was the name of that TV show where the kid in the blindfold had to be guided through the dungeon by their mates?”

“Knightmare?” 

“Yes! That’s the one. I need you to be my Dungoneer. I don’t have a Helmet of Justice so you’ll just have to close your eyes.”

“Close my eyes??” 

“I know I’m asking a lot, Donna, but Wilf trusts me, and that’s all I can tell you. But be honest – you know something’s wrong, don’t you? You can feel something digging into your shoulders, can’t you?”

Donna nodded. There was no denying it, and for some inexplicable reason, she felt she could trust this woman, even though the reason seemed distant and out of reach. Donna closed her eyes. 

The strange woman on the phone guided her out of the house, past a row of trees and to the telephone box at the end of the road. Funny, Donna thought, she didn’t remember there being a telephone box there. She hadn’t seen a proper one for years. 

Following the Doctor’s instructions, Donna pulled the handle and the door creaked open as she stepped inside. Instinctively, she reached out for the mounted payphone, but her fingers met only empty air. Perhaps it wasn’t an operating phone box anymore? It probably housed a defibrillator instead. She was tempted to have a peek and find out.

“Don’t even think about opening your eyes,” the Doctor snapped, somehow reading her thoughts, “if you open your eyes, your brain will hyperpodulate.”

“Hyer-what-you-what? I want you to know I’m taking a lot on faith here, Battersby! And if this is a wind-up, then so help me god...” 

Donna’s threat was drowned out the VROOP-VROOPING of ancient engines that at once sounded utterly alien and distantly familiar to her, like hearing a half-remembered nursery rhyme from childhood. 

She heard the telephone box door creak open again, and a rush of cold air from outside. Strange, it didn’t feel like the smoky air of the November street she had come from. It felt crisper, fresher. She could hear the merry peal of church bells. There isn’t a church that close to my house, she thought, puzzled.

“You can come out now. Walk forwards but keep your eyes closed for a moment.”

Donna did as she was told. She felt grass beneath her feet as the VROOP-VROOPING resumed and then faded, drowned out by the sound of the bells. 

“You can open you eyes now,” the woman on the phone was now stood in front of her, but that was the least surprising thing to Donna. 

“But, how…” Donna looked down at herself. “I’m in my wedding dress. I don’t understand?” The two of them were stood by an old lychgate. Donna looked ahead – there was the church where she had married Shaun. Discarded confetti swirled about her ankles. There were guests milling about ahead – there was her grandfather’s friend Minnie Hooper. Minnie the Menace he used to call her! Although Donna was sure she’d heard that Minnie had died recently. Nevertheless, there she was, full of joy and life. And there was Nerys in her hideous peach dress! 

“What year is this?” asked Donna.

“2010,” said the Doctor.

“This is my wedding day. How is this even possible?”

“The time differential’s trying to reconcile there being two of you here at the same time. Hence the dress. It’s tricky with parallel universes. Anyway, ‘how’ isn’t important right now. What’s important is that somebody just gave you a lottery ticket as a wedding present.”

“I know, cheapskate.” 

“You’re about to win a triple rollover.” 

“Yeah, well…” 

“The thing is, Donna – the man gave you that ticket – he meant well, but he was meddling with things that shouldn’t have been meddled with. He was young – still in his Time Lord Victorious phase.”

“I don’t understand a single word you’re saying.”

“You know that theory that a butterfly fluttering its wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world? Well, time’s like that. Small, trivial things can cause ripples which alter the course of history. The truth is: you didn’t win that money. At least, not originally. You took one look at that ticket and ripped it up. Remember? The first dance at your wedding reception was Can’t Buy Me Love.”

“No… that’s not right,” said Donna. It couldn’t be. She knew that hadn’t happened. Their first dance had been 2 Become 1 by Spice Girls. So why could she remember dancing to The Beatles with Shaun?

“Nobody won the lottery that week – and the next week it was a quadruple rollover! A boy called Michael Finch won it. He was only sixteen. Imagine that! First time he’d ever played. Great kid. A friend of mine met his dad once. Long story. Anyway, I’m sorry Donna, but Michael didn’t spend it on cars and holiday homes and private pools. He invested in the future: green initiatives, healthcare, education… When the Sontarans released their virus, Earth was ready for it. Plus, the United States didn’t have a Zygon for a president. Well, they did actually, but she’s one of the nice ones. But shh, don’t tell anyone.”

“You know what,” said Donna. “I don’t think you really are Leanne Battersby, are you?”

“No.”

“But I do know you, don’t I?”

“Yes.”

“And that’s… bad? My head hurts…” Donna cupped her forehead in her palm.

“Yes. It’s very bad,” said the Doctor. “But it’s okay. Because if you tear up that lottery ticket and let Michael Finch win it instead, then you’ll change the future and we’ll never have met. Well, not like this anyway.” 

“This is crazy. How is any of this possible?”

“My fault, I’m afraid. A long time ago, you had an encounter with a Time Beetle – and this is the gross part, sorry – Time Beetles can lay eggs beneath the hosts’ skin. They lie dormant, sometimes indefinitely, until the host encounters a significant temporal junction – in your case a lottery win that could change the course of human history. You were never supposed to have this life, Donna. You were supposed to tear up the ticket.”

More non-memories were flooding Donna’s mind – the years of living on the breadline in Chiswick, living with the regret of their lost fortune. A bank holiday weekend in Blackpool with the kids, having her fortune told by the strange little woman in the kiosk on the pier… Voicing her regret aloud and wishing she could go back to the day of her wedding and keep that winning ticket. 

That couldn’t be right… They never took the kids to Blackpool. Their holidays had been in Cyprus and Malaga, they’d splashed out on luxury round-the-world cruises. But she remembered it so vividly: the rattle of the trams, the glare of the illuminations, the taste of the chips, the seagulls crying overhead. 

“But we’ll have nothing. I can’t go back to the way we used to live: hand to mouth, never knowing where next month’s rent is coming from. What about Ella and Josh? They’ll be born with nothing.”

“Donna Temple-Noble, listen to me,” the Doctor gazed at her sternly. “You’ll have everything. You’ll have each other.” 

Donna looked back over to the church – there was Wilf! – still spry at eighty and fighting off Minnie’s advances as ever. And there was Shaun – so handsome in his wedding suit! She couldn’t believe how young he looked. 

The Doctor was right. Donna thought of how happy they had been during lockdown, not because they were comfortable, but because they had each other. The tweet-a-longs, the virtual gigs, the walks in the woods, the disastrous attempts at baking, standing on their doorstep and clapping for U.N.I.T…. She hadn’t put two and two together until she’d been speaking to her grandfather: but it had been the first time in her married life – the first time as a mother – that she had somehow recaptured that magic of sitting in her grandfather’s allotment with a flask of tea and gazing at the stars. 

At the time Donna had felt as though she were longing for adventure, as though the stars held some inexplicable magic, but now she knew that the magic had been right there in the allotment all along. She no longer yearned for adventure, but longed instead to return to those simple days. She never could, of course. Wilf’s star was fading, but her own was rising. She thought back to the old world of financial hardship: rented flats, being plunged into darkness when the electricity meter ran out, payday loans and minimum wage temp jobs. There would be struggles but there would also be magic. There would be stories by candlelight, cartoons and warm milk before bed in the precious few years before Joshua and Ella became moody teenagers. There would be games in the park. There would be home cooked meals, and there would be telly and Pringles on the sofa on Friday nights. 

There would be family. 

Donna turned to speak to the blonde woman, but the stranger was gone, so she hitched up her wedding dress and hurried over to her husband. 

“Who were you talking to?” he asked.

“A friend,” Donna smiled.

“What’s her name?”

“I can’t remember,” she said. It was strange, the name was on the tip of her tongue, but it had gone. She decided it didn’t matter.

“Give us that lottery ticket, will you?” Donna asked. (She had entrusted it into Shaun’s safe keeping. There were still no pockets in wedding dresses.)

“Why, you got a good feeling about it?” he asked, taking it from his pocket and handing it to his bride.

“Yeah. As a matter of fact, I have,” said Donna Temple-Noble as she tore up the ticket, and a great weight lifted from her shoulders.

[seapandora]

Tranquility ｜One-Shot/Drabble

Tony Stark x daughter!reader

A/N: I kind of really neede to write this tonight. This is just pure Fluff, pure love between a father and his daughter. If you´re looking for angst this aint it, but send me a request and I´ll happily do it. GIF-cred to owner

Warnings: Fluff, other than that, none really. Maybe some mentions of stress and possible angsty situations, but none of that in this.

Words: 933

Movie night! Y/N loved movie nights. More specifically one kind of movie night. The one she got to spend alone with her father. Many people looked at her father and saw a tired, excentric, overworked man, but Y/N just saw a hero. Someone who had saved earth more than once.

Tony was a flawed man, that much was a given. What people didn’t know was that he gave up everything for his daughters Y/N and Morgan. The two were only half-siblings but they acted as any full-blood siblings would.

Y/N had been born in a different part of New York Y/A years prior and Tony had learned about it quickly. He had applied for custody of the child and the mother had never complained or objected. That’s how Y/N came to grow up with Tony as her only parent and eventually Pepper as her stepmom.

Roaming the halls, Y/N had learned the ins and outs of the tower quicker than anyone would have thought. Nothing had been off-limits to her. Tony didn’t believe in that kind of parenting, but rather made sure she knew the dangers of each area and that she could avoid them, should an accident happen. Y/N had quickly caught on that her father was happier if she announced where she was going in the tower and what she was going to do. She liked seeing her old man happy and it had become a habit. Even now at Y/A, she would still tell Tony where she was going and what she was going to do. It was just an easy way to keep him happy.

The tower wasn’t just inhabited by Y/N, Morgan, Tony and Pepper though, no no no. A number of the other Avengers lived there as well. Steve, Bucky, and Bruce lived in the tower. Natasha was gone most of the time but stayed at the tower whenever she was in New York. Y/N had special relationships with all of them. The supersoldiers trained her, Sam watched movies and series with her on the regular. Bruce taught her about physics and Clint had brought his kids over when they were younger so that Y/N had someone to hang with.

Y/N herself was indeed an Avenger. She was in the same line as her dad. She had her own suit and had a generally higher IQ than most, but more importantly a better understanding of how mechanics worked. She had done her suit mostly on her own, with help from her father every now and then. It worked very much the same as her father's. She had made a few small changes though and one of the big ones was her invisibility cloak. It wasn’t like Harry Potters, obviously, because magic like that doesn’t exist. It was in fact based on military science. Her suits material was highly reflective and with a simple command she could take on the look of her surroundings. And just like her father's suit, her own suit couldn’t be seen by radars.

Enough about work, tonight was movie-night, with dad. Y/N almost always got to choose the movie, at least when it was just her and Tony. If Morgan was joining she got to pick the movie. The perk of being the younger sibling.

“Y/N/N, Y/N/N, you have to come and say goodnight,” She heard her little sister call out. “Okay Morgs, I´m on my way.” Y/N said and walked towards Morgans room standing in the door as she watched Pepper tuck her sister in. She walked over to the bed and smiled. “Goodnight little monkey, I´ll see you when the sun is up.” She said and kissed Morgans' forehead before standing back up again smiling as she watched her baby sister fall asleep.

Tony patted her shoulder. “Let´s go Bilbo, movie-time.” He said and jumped out of the way as Y/N attempted to kick him. “Yeah, yeah. Can you go fix us some snacks and I´ll get the movie started? Roof as always?” Y/N asked and looked at her father. Tony frowned. “I don’t know if we can do that hun. It´s supposed to rain,” Tony explained and sighed.

“We´ll just have to occupy the movie room. I´ll get it started, don’t take too long with the snacks old man,” Y/N chuckled and skipped off to the movie room. She got it all set up and had the movie on the screen, just waiting for her go. They were watching Lord of the Rings, the first one to be precise.

It was just their thing. They would watch Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other fantasy movies. Either that or the National Treasure movies. It was just bonding time for Y/N and her father.

Tony came to the movie room after around 10 minutes with snacks and drinks for them both. He got comfortable besides Y/N and they cuddled up under their blankets and started the movie. Y/N wasn’t the kind of girl to fall asleep during the movie but Tony would insist on watching all the credits and say who was on his payroll and what not. That essentially out Y/N to sleep.

As Tony always had done he carried Y/N to bed, even if she wasn’t his little girl anymore. She had grown up too quickly for his liking and he always felt like he had missed vital parts of her childhood, even if he hadn´t. He would forever fight to not be the father he had as a kid, but better.

Y/N however, already thought he was the best dad ever. He was her dad after all.

[sulfurousdreamscapes]

My mother knew more about space than anyone I'd ever known, and she'd never even been to college. When I went to bed, she'd come into the room and turn out the lights and snuggle with me, and then she'd tell me about space. She told me the names of stars and planets, and she described galaxies and nebulae. I buried myself into her warmth while she told me about an astronaut floating in space, with nothing but stars in every direction she looked.

She told me about the ships that tread the vacuum, looking perfectly still from a distance, but travelling faster than anything on Earth. She told me about how the thrusters worked, and where the fuel came from, and the names of the different modules, the magnetic drives, the pneumatic systems, the banding tapes, the gimbal blocks, the turbines and heat exchangers and turbopumps.

In those days, I used to play outside a lot, on my friends' lawns and at the park nearby with the swings that were always occupied. I'd come home tired and muddy, and it wouldn't take me too long to fall asleep. Listening to my mother talk about space, however, I always tried my hardest not to sleep. I wanted to find out more, to learn where she was taking me.

Each time I managed to stay awake long enough, it was as if she was leading me to a place I never knew existed. I'd hear new words, new objects doing new things, and then I wouldn't be able to hold on any longer, so I'd fall asleep.

I got a little older, but mum would still spend her nights sitting by me in the dark, telling me about space until I fell asleep. She told me less about the parts now - all those devices and machines and components that would take people into space and back. Now she told me about the mountains on faraway planets, and what it's like to see the sun set four times in an hour. She'd tell me about what it's like to stand on a comet, and how deep the craters can be on some moons.

School was exhausting, and homework was also exhausting. I ended up spending less and less time with mum, until her stories of space were the only interaction we had, most days. Sometimes, we'd have fights and I'd say mean things to her and not apologise. But once I was in bed, feeling her warmth and listening to her talk, it was like nothing had ever happened.

She moved away from talking about places, and started telling me about the people. She told me how they wear their suits and the jokes they tell each other, and the families they have back home. She described the pictures of their kids, and the little souvenirs they'd brought from home. She told me how tears float in zero gravity.

The way she described it - it was almost as if she'd been there herself.

After she fell sick, it became difficult to manage things. I'd have to juggle college and studies with trips to the hospital to sit by mum, waiting for dad to come relieve me later. She used to be too drained to talk, and despite everything we did, her body didn't seem to respond very well to treatment. When I compared her as she was to pictures of how she used to look, it was as if I didn't know the woman on the bed at all.

It was night and I was preparing to go to sleep on the couch in the hospital room when my mother called my name. I got up and went to her. She had her eyes fixed to the ceiling, and she asked me if I want to hear a bedtime story.

I said yes.

She told me about a girl whose mother kept telling her stories about space. The mother told the girl about how it felt to be in space, and what parts made up a spacecraft that took you to space, and what it was like to be on the planets and comets, and the astronauts who travel so far away. The girl was so enamoured by space that she did everything she possibly could to join a space agency. With her knowledge and her passion for space, she was selected to become an astronaut after all.

The girl, who was now a grown woman, was given on a very important mission. She accepted it, and she got into her spacecraft, and she did a thumbs-up to show that she was ready to leave her friends and family and everyone she'd ever known or hadn't known, to be sent off into the depths of space.

The further the woman got from home, the less she could communicate with the scientists at the space agency. Eventually, she was cut off, before she could even say goodbye. Then, for years, she drowned herself in videos and music and books and games - anything that would distract her from the endless expanse of space outside.

She became bored of those things, and then she became tired of those things, and then she became sick of things, and she deleted all of them, so that she had nothing to watch or listen to or read or play. She sat alone with her thoughts, tending to the machines and the screens. She thought of her mother a lot. She missed her mother's warmth.

The woman only remembered her mission when she started seeing a shimmering blue dot out of her cockpit window. It became larger and larger as she approached it, and her mind, which she thought she had unravelled and jettisoned into space, came coiling back around her. She cried, and she tried her best to remember what she could of all the people back home.

It wasn't until she was crawling out of the ocean and onto a beach that she realised where she was. There was no one to greet her. No one who knew who she was, or where she had come from. The people looked just like the ones she had at home, but she could not recognise any of their names, their places, or their languages.

It was difficult adjusting to this new home of hers, but she did it. She had no choice, after all. She had to claw and tear for it, but she found herself a husband, and a family, and a child. And she told her child everything she knew - about space.

I never got to say goodbye to mum, but that night, after the story ended, I asked her if she missed home.

My mother closed her eyes. "Everything I could ever miss, is right here, with me."

[stattic-writes]

Time Warp

https://statticscribbles.tumblr.com/post/639099629845233664/masterlist

Support My Writing?

[freckledmountain]

But I can try for your heart

By @freckledmountain for @kirbywritesstuff

Rating: Teen and Up Audiences 

Relationships:  Peter Parker & Tony Stark

Characters: Peter Parker, Tony Stark, May Parker (Spider-Man)

Summary:  

“Tony becomes Peter´s guardian.

It doesn´t go as badly as Tony thought it would.”

Anthony Edward Stark´s life had looked at words like normal, nice, easy and said “how about no”.

For as long as he could remember, there´d always been something. Terrorists, kidnappers, giant worm alien things, gods, life seemed to throw in anything and everything in it, and he was left reeling every time. Domestic life? Heck if he knew her.

…and then existence did a 180 again, and gave him the one thing he´d thought he´d never have.

Someone to take care of.

He´d liked the kid, right from the start, but getting attached to him was definitely not an option for him at first. Tony swore Peter literally had cartoony stars in his eyes whenever he looked at him, as if Tony deserved even a tenth of that adoration.

He didn´t want to be there when the kid realized how much of a failure his idol really was, didn´t want to imagine the inevitable moment that brightness would leave his eyes forever.

But it just showed how he didn´t really know who Peter Parker was back then, or rather, how darn stubborn he could be. A few months later and he was running around rescuing the kid from every possible mishap, desperately trying to keep him safe, ready to do just about anything to make him smile.

He grew on him, scaled the 30 foot long walls around his heart with his endearingly dumb t-shirt puns, his incandescent enthusiasm for technology, his 3 am rants about how fluffy some cat he´d seen was, his willingness to go out there and do his damn best to help anyone who needed it. Because when life threw dirt at Peter he stared back and smiled, and grew kinder for it.

Maybe Tony´s universe wasn´t just some practical joke, waiting to see what would trip him up next. He was terrified of breaking Peter, but after a brief period of trying to drive him away he realized the kid would just keep coming back, worming his way gently but firmly into Tony´s life without even meaning to.

And honestly?  After dozens of frantic calls to Cho as he held an unconscious Peter in his arms, lazy saturday mornings spent laughing his head off as the kid tried to flip pancakes as high as he could (he ended up getting a little too enthusiastic but no one noticed the half cooked pancake stuck to the ceiling for three days anyway so-), he realized all his doubts could go screw themselves, because no matter how badly Tony messed up, that light in Peter´s eyes hadn´t left once.

Peter was just bright, and sweet, and kind and yeah, maybe Iron Man had a soft spot now, but he wouldn´t change it for the world.

Peter was worth every night spent worrying about him, every Star Wars marathon, every “borrowed” hoodie that never quite made it back to his closet, because the kid was good, and every time he smiled he made Tony want to make the world into something good too.

Life was way more nerve-wracking when you cared for a smaller human, but he couldn´t help but think maybe it wasn´t all that bad either. Peter would always be worth it.

 And then on a day like any other May Parker´s heart failed her, and without a single warning, both of them were hurled straight into the impossible.

 Grief was…

blurry.

It made everything around you fade into spots of either red hot pain or complete numbness, and whichever one it was, you couldn´t escape it some days. He would know.

Peter dealt with it a hell of a lot better than Tony himself had done when he was 21, but he could still see himself there, mad and lost and so achingly confused, filled with screaming questions no one could possibly give answers to.

Peter cried. He went out as Spiderman, returning later and later, screaming at Tony when he tried to get him to stay. He didn´t know what to do anymore, didn´t know how to get to him.

May´d loved her nephew above all things. If there was one thing Tony was absolutely certain of in this new swirling world of legal papers and sobs masked with yelling and mixed feelings, it was that from now on, he´d have to do the same.

He´d been sitting in that plastic chair for four hours, barely moving, when someone came barreling in.

He stood up quickly, knowing immediately who it was, trying to make enough sense of the half-finished speech at the tip of his tongue to say it out loud. “May.I´m-“

“Don´t.”

That shut him up.

Firm footsteps resonated on the tiled floor as she came up closer to him. He expected her to scream at him like she´d done all those months before when she´d found out about Spiderman, only now he´d gladly accept any other feeling that wasn´t the crippling guilt currently eating his insides. He´d fucked up, and Peter´d paid the price for it. He deserved every fragment of the storm coming his way.

Instead, May Parker stared at him for a long second, and the next she had her arms around him in a fierce hug.

“Thank you.”

Any coherent thought trying to find its way into his mind promptly disappeared after those two words. May spoke gently, but her stance was firm as she held him.

“You got to him in time. You saved him, and as soon as he gets better we´re going to go in and he´s going to see us and I´ll tell him off and it´s all going to be fine. Okay?”

“I didn´t-“

“You saved him. You did. I saw you running inside that building to get him, on the news. I know together you´ve got a guilt complex the size of Canada but Peter is going to be fine and what he needs right now is people who love him to be close, so we can save the misplaced sorry´s for when my nephew´s out of surgery, yeah?”

She pulled back slightly, and he could see his own fear mirrored in her eyes, but there was trust there too. And love. Love gentle enough to be all-encompassing. And for once, his guilt wasn´t enough to overpower how much he cared for the kid.

He loved Peter too.  

“How-how ‘do you even do this? How do you deal with wanting to protect him from everything, how do you just not- implode or something-?” He was a mess, but May just smiled through misty eyes and hugged him again.

“You learn. Welcome to parenthood with a teenager, where half of you wants to see him succeed and go further than you thought possible and then the other half thinks keeping him cooped up at home with fifty blankets and a gallon of ice cream is the best idea since ever”

Tony managed a short laugh at that. “But something tells me you´ll get the hang of it, Tony. Something tells me you´re going to love him no matter what, and that´s already the most important part done”

Those words came back to him whenever he felt he was doing more harm than good by deciding to adopt Peter.

It was a whole different level of delicate now, and his attempts at being a normal parent didn´t always end well, but Peter´s fierce hugs reminded him a little of someone else´s, and he held on to the hope everything could work itself out as long as they kept trying.

 Time runs strangely.

It can never quite mend the pain completely, but given it´s gentle enough, time can help.

The weird thing though, is how you can’t pinpoint the exact moment feeling okay doesn’t seem foreign to you anymore.

Maybe it starts when he takes the kid to school again and finds the note he packed in his lunch hung in Peter’s room a few days later.

Maybe it’s when he wakes up and realizes Peter slept through the night without a nightmare for the first time in weeks.

Or when he makes a particularly bad pun as he’s helping him with calculus homework and the kid laughs so much the tears running down his face don´t make him feel terrible for once.

…it could possibly be when Peter’s so sleep deprived one night he whispers a gentle “I love you” before drifting off, effectively making Tony blub like a baby once he´s sure the kid´s asleep.

And yes, there’re still bad days with screaming, and there’re still moments where he feels like the least capable human on earth for this job, but he just won’t give up, on either of them.

He vowed to try, didn´t he?  

It´s been 8 months since he took Peter in, and things he´d have never imagined doing are quickly becoming commonplace now. Packing lunches, helping with English essays, occasionally dragging his butt halfway across the city to save his kid from yet another weirdo in a tacky suit, not to toot his own horn, but he thinks he´s definitely getting the hang of it all now.

So it should all be chill when he finds out he´s going to attend the parent-teacher conference at Midtown in a few months, but oh look at that, he’s panicking.

As much as he tried sheltering Peter from it at first, word that Tony Stark had been seen with a teenager soon got round, and within a day every reporter in New York seemed just about ready to trade an arm and a leg for some more dirt on Ironman.

Fun.

Pepper´d dealt with the brunt of it, so it wasn´t as if the world didn´t know about Peter by now, but the thought of waltzing directly into the school when every pair of eyes would be fixed on both of them didn´t exactly make him want to skip in joy, see.

Then again, Peter was the smartest freaking kid in the whole school, and the thought of teasing him lightly in front of his teachers was…yeah, okay, he was pretty sure he could work something out.  

———————————————————————————

It was a beautiful Friday morning, they only had a few more teachers to go, and Tony was so glad he´d rescheduled three work meetings earlier this week to be here, because it was freaking glorious.

Peter was blushing bright red from all the compliments his teacher´s had told him all day. They were only allowed about 10 minutes to talk with each one, lots of kids and all that, but everyone had something positive to say about him.

Most teachers did a pretty good job of not letting a vein pop out of their forehead when they shook hands with Tony, but others seemed to have mini freak outs until they focused on Peter and regained their composure. He wasn´t at all surprised when they showed him Peter´s perfect grades, but God, he was proud.

He knew all the credit in raising Peter to be the wonder he was belonged to May and Ben, but he darn almost melted when Peter beamed at him as Mr. Del showed him a perfect test score in advanced chemistry for an exam he´d helped Peter study for a few months prior. Maybe he actually wasn´t screwing up at this parenting thing.

He knew the teachers were anxious when he asked questions (hey, he had no idea what a parent-teacher conference was like 3 months ago, he did his research), but they softened slightly whenever they turned to look at Peter.

He got it; the kid was pretty hard not to love.

Mr. Del was sitting across from them now, the man visibly nervous at being in front of Tony Stark, but smiling genuinely all the same as he talked about Peter´s work in class.

“There´ve been a few late assignments here and there, but nothing major in terms of academic development. I feel sleeping earlier could be a good idea though” Peter smiled sheepishly, probably remembering all the times Ned´ had to poke him awake in class after patrol got a little too long. Tony made a mental note to check up on it.

“His essay on analytical chemistry in an applicable field was particularly impressive” Mr. Harrington took out a thick cream folder, flipping through it until he came across Peter´s, “I showed it to some of my colleagues and it´s got some real potential. If you give some more thought to it, Peter, this could really make a difference.”

Peter´s ears were positively beetroot by now and he stuttered out a thank you, smiling. Tony felt about three seconds away from exploding with pride, but he just grinned at Peter, knocking their shoulders together gently. This, this right here was nice.

Peter´d worked hard for this, spending uncountable nights staying up late finishing projects or homework, studying for hours before an exam, still muttering formulas sleepily as Tony carried him up to bed.  

He might be Tony Stark´s adopted son (months of it and the word still made his heart go full on Speedy Gonzales when he thought about it, but in a nice way, in the best way), but he had no doubt in his mind Peter´s grades had definitely been earned by him fairly.

And later, when they´re having a celebratory pizza night/movie marathon, when he´s surrounded by a blanket fort and a kid that definitely does not have the right to make him feel as mushy as he does, he thinks back to when something like this seemed impossible, and smiles.

Life´s unexpected, alright.

Somehow, he thinks he loves it this way anyway.

(many virtual hugs to all of you!)

@friendly-neighborhood-exchange​

It´s also on my ao3

[snow-whiteandred-rose]

Imagine: You confess to him

A/N: TGIF!! Here is a cute Jimin fluff for you to enjoy the pre-weekend. Vanessa :) genre: fluff word count: 1k

Excited you walked down the hall. It was the first time Jimin invited you to visit him in the dance studio during practice. Even the other members weren´t there you felt really nervous. You were always nervous when you saw Jimin. When you remembered other dates you have with guys in the past you never felt like this. Sometimes you asked yourself if everything was right with you because all the feelings were really new, especially for you. You wouldn´t describe yourself as cold-hearted but you also weren´t the most emotional person. You don´t like it when everyone could see your feelings so you all hide them very well and just your best friend knew your thoughts because you two were like family and you knew each other by heart. She also noticed the difference on you. She couldn´t describe it but it was something in your aura what drew her attention. Somehow you seemed more positiv and more excited, not to mention the smile which brightened your face when you got a message from Jimin. So she added up one and one. “Let me guess... Jimin wrote you,” Y/F fixed caused you the blush. “Ehm... maybe...” “Don´t hide it, I know you! If you asked me you really fall for him.” “Is it that obvious?” “Totally! You never behavior like this before. But I`m so happy for you. You really need a lovely cute guy who treats you well and after all the stories you told me I have a really good feeling. I like him already and I haven`t even met him yet.” You sighed. “I really have feelings for him. OMG! I never imagined that I would ever feel like this. I don`t know what I should do now. What if he doesn`t love me back? What if he just want to sleep with me?” “If this was his intention he would have tried it already. You should tell him that you love him and that you want to be with him. You said that he’s also shy sometimes so maybe it´s the same what bothers him and he don´t know what you think about him. Self is the woman! You can do it!”Y/F cheered you up op. “You are right. I have nothing to loose and when he doesn´t want me then that´s the way it is. When I see him the next time I will tell him.” And as fait wanted it a message from Jimin poped up. Hey Jagiya, do want to come to the dance studio? The others have left and I would love if you join me. :-* “You see? He called you Jagiya already and he sent a kiss to you.” You rolled your eyes at your friends comment. Quick you answered him that you would be there in 20 minutes, said goodbye to your friend and took the next subway to the studio. When you came closer to the practice room you heard loud music. Quietly you opened the door and entered the room. Jimin was deepened in his choreography and didn´t notice you so could observe him unnoticed. He wore a tight pants and a long shirt. It wasn´t enough that his pants underlined his well-trained legs. Through his movements his shirt flew up and you also could see his abs. Why is he so perfect? And why is he dating me? You started to feel insecure but scold yourself. 'Don´t think something like that, you have a plan. You can do it.' you thought. You go further into the room. When he noticed you he interrupt his training and went to the sound system to turn the music of. “Jagi, you are here,” he said happy. “Of course I am.” He went towards you and kissed you softly. Immediately you felt the butterflies in your stomach and leaned into his kiss. After a little time he interrupted his kiss and showed you his typical Jimin smile which made you blush. “You are so cute when you blush. I like it.” He stroke softly with his thumb above your cheek. “You are ‪the lucky one‬ who gets a private performance today. So take a seat and enjoy the show.” You sat in front of the mirror and watched him fascinating. It was amazing how he moved with flowing movements through the room, his whole body tensed. Every step was considered and in his action you could see the passion to dance. At the end of the performance you felt a few tears in your eyes because it really touched you. ‘What is wrong with me?’ You asked yourself. And Of course he noticed it. “Oh Jagiya, is everything okay? I don´t want you to cry.” He sat near next to you and pulled you in a light embrace. “Everything is fine. I was just a bit touched. It was really beautiful.” “I´m glad you liked it. I was a nervous because I was scared that you don´t like it. It's not everyone's dance style, you know?” “Don´t even think about it. It was perfect and I really really like it,” you closed your eyes and took a deep breath, “as I like you.” He tensed up. “Like as a friend .. or..” he asked. “No like as more than that. I really fall for you Jimin. But if you don´t feel the same way, it`s okay. I will go right now. Maybe it was wrong fr...” You stopped you from ending your sentence when he connect his lips with yours. It was a tender kiss which showed you that you hadn´t had to be scared because he felt exactly the same. He leaned his forehead against yours. “I felt for you too. I was scared to asked you about that because I didn`t want to loose you.” “It was the same for me. You and I are pretty much alike in that respect.” “It's a wonder we got this far at all. But maybe it´s destiny, we will see.” And with that he pulled you back to kiss you until you could´nt remember your own name anymore.

[chubbyooo]

The Road to Redemption - A Blurred Lines Spinoff Chapter 4 - Syo Bakarn

hey all new chap literally nothing new to say XDDDDD

Kavaraa tries to convince her old Master to help Arcann

Master Syo Bakarn stood there in shock he seemed unsure how to respond “B-Barsen’thor w-what are you doing here you can’t see me I’m too dangerous” he closed the door before Kavaraa could respond

Kavaraa turned to Arcann “um don’t worry about that it’s fine he just needs a little convincing” she’d assumed Master Syo would be worried about himself as a danger but Kavaraa wasn’t worried

She wrapped on the door again until it was opened “you shouldn’t be here you’re both in grave danger as long as you-” Master Syo looked up at Arcann “t-thats the son of the Emperor I thought he was killed” it seems like Master Syo hd at least kept up with the outside world

Kavaraa nodded “former Emperor of Zakuul but more importantly someone who wants to come to terms with the mistakes they’ve made and the manipulations of Valkorion” Arcann frowned clearly confused

He spoke up “I don’t understand I have never met this man how was he manipulated by my father” Kavaraa wondered how best to explain that

Master Syo opened the door a bit more “he didn’t manipulate me as Valkorion it was back when he went by the name Vitiate” he sighed still looking frightened “he planted a seed of evil in my brain I became the First Son and betrayed the Republic” Kavaraa could see the pain in his eyes, they hadn’t seen each other since they fought on Corellia and clearly it still weighed heavily on him. He turned back to Kavaraa “seriously Kavaraa you’re not safe here I’m dangerous you shouldn’t be here” Kavaraa folded her arms doubting that

She smiled “I think I have it on good authority that the Emperor has moved on from you, to him you’ve served your purpose” as long as Valkorion didn’t suss out her plan they’d be just fine she couldn’t tell anyone where they were not even Theron “and either way Master Syo I beat you back then and I believe I’m stronger now” Master Syo seemed a little reassured but was still worried

He let out a small laugh “you’re as stubborn as ever, fine I’ll at least set him on the right track even if it just gets you to leave so you’re safe” Kavaraa smiled that was a result, Master Syo opened the door and let them into house

He spoke up “I live here ranching Blergs it’s a simple life but it keeps me busy enough” Kavaraa imagined he’d need a hobby to not go mad “I am kept secure on this planet in case the Emperor were to use me again” Arcann seemed very confused

He asked “what do you mean use you again? I don’t believe he’s here” Arcann did look around slightly suspicious

Master Syo explained as he began to brew tea, Kavaraa smiled he’d even remembered her love of tea “when I was young Vitiate or as you know him Valkorion implanted me with a second personality referred to as the First Son who he used to exact his will on the republic from the inside” Kavaraa noticed tremors in his hand as he spoke passing tea around “he used me to do terrible things and I sense he did the same to you” Arcann nodded taking the tea but frowning clearly the mask was in his way

He set it down next to him “he used me for his war but it’s worse than that, I’ve done things completely of my own volition Bakarn” he looked down as Kavaraa sat just letting them talk

Master Syo nodded “it may seem that way but I sense a great deal could have been due to subtle manipulations, you could say I did what i did of my own volition technically” he put a hand on Arcann’s shoulder Kavaraa was pleased Master Syo was so willing to help and trusted them enough to be here “but I sense a lot of pain in you still you’re letting it control you and I sense it’s partially due to this” he gestured to Arcann’s mask “what pain does this carry” Arcann winced thinking about it

But he responded “I was injured on Korriban in an explosion I could have died if my brother Thexan hadn-” he trailed off as Kavaraa could see him struggling

Master Syo nodded “it’s ok it’s ok don’t rush yourself I sense we’re reaching the real pain what does the mask actually mean” Arcann took a long deep breath before he continued

Arcann sighed “Thexan saved me without a second thought, the battle was still raging but he came to my aid immediately and I… and I…” he put his head in his hands “killed him when he protected our father, I can’t be forgiven for that he didn’t deserve it and just because i wanted that power for myself” Kavaraa could see him struggling she supposed he’d seen what the power was like now she doubted it had been worth it

Master Syo nodded “there are many things in life we may not be able to forgive ourselves for but we must learn to live with the guilt, this injury of yours was years ago I doubt this mask is still necessary and it only causes you pain” Arcann looked up at him frowning

Arcann seemed confused “but that won’t change anything I still did what I did and I can never go back” Master Syo nodded agreeing with him

He smiled “no you really can’t but do you want to wallow in the mistakes of your past or make things right for your future, we can only look at what is ahead I suppose you’d want to fix things but you can’t fix everything sometimes things just have to remain broken” Kavaraa was surprised this wasn’t what she was expecting she didn’t think it was bad just surprising

Arcann nodded “I think I understand” he put his hand on his mask and Kavaraa quickly rushed over to help him take the mask slowly off his face to reveal the burned and scarred side of his face. He blinked his voice no longer robotic but human and calm “this is a symbol of who I was but not anymore if I can never come to terms with my guilt I can at least move forward” Arcann looked to Master Syo expectantly, Master Syo nodded a genuine smile over his face

He gestured to Kavaraa “I think Arcann may want some time alone and I need to talk to you” Kavaraa nodded and they made their way out walking around the ranch in silence just taking in the the landscape

Kavaraa broke the silence “it’s a lovely ranch you have here” Master Syo nodded with a small smile

He folded his arms “he still has a long way to go, that moment may have been cathartic but to truly come to terms with your mistakes takes time” Kavaraa nodded she hoped Master Syo would offer that help “how did you find me Padawan” Kavaraa blushed she hadn’t been called Padawan in years but Master Syo had known her since the moment she arrived on Tython so she let it slide

Kavaraa shrugged “Well the Grand Master is missing so I had a little look in the archives, I wanted to visit you anyway before this whole thing got started” Master Syo smiled a unsurprised look coming over his face

Master Syo sighed “when the Eternal Empire invaded I couldn’t help but feel responsible, I laid the groundwork for a divided galaxy when the attack came, I’ve never gotten over my mistakes Kavaraa but life goes on we must live otherwise we let him win” Kavaraa could see the pain was still weighing on him heavily she had never seen him after their fight but knew he felt like a traitor to everything he believed in

Kavaraa put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off “Master Syo there were many things at play and none of it was ever your fault I promise” Master Syo turned around and frowned at her

He had a half smile on his face “why do you insist on calling me Master, I’m no longer a Jedi and I haven’t been for years I should be calling you Master Kavaraa” Kavaraa chuckled she’d never been one for titles but ended up with loads

She shrugged “It just feels right Master Syo you are still one of my mentors and I appreciate everything you ever did for me, just because Valkorion manipulated you doesn’t mean you weren’t one of my masters” she smiled at him “without you I doubt I’d ever have been strong enough to save you” she had an urge to hug him but doubted he was comfortable

Master Syo let out a somber smile “I...I thank you Kavaraa you don’t know how much that means, I’m still so sorry for everything but I’ll do my best to move forward like I said” he looked back to the shack “I’ll help Arcann he still has time to make things right” Kavaraa smiled she hoped today had been cathartic for the both of them

As they walked back they noticed Arcann had started a small fire in front of the shack and as they got close they could see the mask was in the flames not looking particularly burnt

Master Syo shook his head “Arcann that won’t work as symbolic as it is your mask is made out of stronger materials, we can melt it down in my workshop” Arcann nodded looking a little awkward as Syo led him to his workshop and hopefully to redemption...

[sulfurousdreamscapes]

The city got updated while I was asleep. I tried looking up what was new, but the only message there said "We've made performance improvements and bug fixes to ensure you have the best residential and professional experience!".

That was all nonsense, of course.

Truth is, I used to have a clear view of the square from my bedroom window. It used to be called Barrian Square, but then it became Chaudhary Square, and then Hemingway Square, and now it was probably yet another name. Or maybe the name change was queued for another update.

Either way, what I did not expect to see when I woke up that morning, were the grey-painted bricks of a building so tall, I couldn't even see how high it was from my window.

I called my manager to tell her I'd be late for work as I had to get used to the new update. The manager told me, between the sounds of crashing waves, that she no longer worked at Neumann Pharma.

Apparently, neither did I.

I could try and explain to her that I really needed my pay cheque, and that being out of a job at this point was not particularly great for me. I had to pay for my therapist appointment, too, and my groceries had run out.

I strolled down Narayan Square, which was owned by the crows and rented by us poor fools with no feathers. The gym was new. It had a swimming pool in the back, too, which was interesting. There were several new restaurants in the vicinity, and the shops had changed arrangement.

The maps were still being updated, and users from all across the city were furiously contributing to the unofficial wiki. They added new routes, shortcuts, alleys, bridges, flyovers, and so on. Apparently, they'd cut a new highway through the commercial district. That's great, I thought. Sorely needed feature.

The subway map hadn't been updated yet. A glowing red banner informed riders that it was currently outdated and that the city administration was working hard to bring it up to speed.

I got myself a ticket to the end of the green line. I knew that my station was Narayan Square, for when I needed to get back.

The train was empty until a couple stations down the line, at the Admin District. That used to be like, eight stations away from me once, but no matter. A pair of women boarded my compartment, both wearing grey suits and one of them sheltering a briefcase like it was a child.

I smiled at her, because I hate looking sad on a train. I also figured some conversation could help sweeten a sour morning.

"Getting used to the update, yeah?" I said. "Kinda wish we could roll back to the previous version. Hell, I'd roll back to 5.88 again. That one was perfect, if you ask me."

"Roll back, yeah," one of the women said, and they both looked at each other. "Have you filled the feedback yet?"

I shrugged. "Not yet, but maybe later. I haven't had anything break so far, and if it isn't broken, they don't like to fix it."

That caused one of the women to laugh abruptly, while the other placed a hand on her thigh.

"Oh," I said. "Oh no. You're on the dev team, aren't you?"

"Executive," the laughing woman said. "But thank you. We'll pass on your thoughts to the dev team."

They weren't going to do that, obviously.

"Well then, since I do have the attention of someone really important, I can't resist asking: what can we expect from the next version of the city?"

The women looked at each other again, and the more serious one answered my question with another question. "Would you like to join the closed beta? It's more volatile, and it's prone to have a lot of bugs. But that's also where you'll find the most cutting edge features."

I grinned. "Sign me up."