#but this is more like...gentle exploration. He's poking her in the eye right now. It's a little gross and squishy | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

paladin-of-nerd-fandom65 · 3 months

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Valentine’s Day, A Flying Graysons One-Shot

The following is a sort of one shot that’s just decided to come up to me on this lovely Valentine’s Day which seems appropriate enough. I don’t feel there’s really much a plot present, this is just some family based fluff for funsies sake.

It’s dedicated to my good friends @confusedhummingbird @spider-jaysart @lightdusk96 @camo-wolf @theredheaded-stuff @sbd-laytall @starlightbelle @adalineozie @discowingneckline @celaenaeiln @sillymanwithocs @mothnem and many more.

If you can leave a like, but especially reblogs and replies to this one, it’ll be greatly appreciated. I will address any to all constructive criticism and comments.

With that out of the way, on with the show….

Two pairs of feet, one clad in slippers and the other small one without anything on, very lightly padded on the carpeting of the trailer right outside the main master bedroom. Within said bedroom, was lying the third member of their troop, their little performing, their small family; she was peacefully snoring underneath the blankets draped over her, her two feet, bare with the red nail polished toes pointing upwards, mostly perfectly still, and most peculiarly a cardboard ID tag like one can find in the most morbid of places hanging off her right big toe, poking out of one end while her dark red unbraided hair was uncovered at the other. The two figures outside the room, a father and his 9 year old son, are quite prepared for such a day like this. It’s not every single day when people close to each other, like their small little family, can give each other heart shaped gifts or any other sort with that message that carries within them. The message being of “You are a person that’s always there for my heart and I cherishe you in the unique way we do”.

With Dick Grayson’s hands carefully holding the wooden dinner tray, packed with a plate covered up by the microwave bowl and besides it some utensils, napkins underneath them, and a plastic glass filled to the top with orange juice, he can jump in excitement internally as doing so for reals can risk accidentally spill that carefully prepared breakfast his father John and him have spent the better part of this earlier morning making. John though can see the excitement in his son’s bright blue eyes, the eyes of his mother, which cannot help but make him sport a gentle smile on his face as he tends lightly ruffles his son’s jet black hair, his own, to calm him a bit.

As John carefully peaks inside the bedroom with his sleeping wife, he realizes it’s time to finally carry out this little ritual he had been planning since earlier in the week. The peaceful sight of his beloved Mary ‘dead’ asleep must unfortunately come an end sooner or later. That breakfast isn’t gonna stay warm forever and she can sleep in maybe later afterwards, given it was a day off for everybody at the Circus. As such, with a tiny gesture for Dick to keep quiet until John gives him the all clear, he steps into the bedroom by himself, gently as to not wake Mary up that rudely, at least not with such loud noise.

After making soft footfalls on his slippers to the bed itself, John briefly explores a particular question; how should he wake Mary up? He can try lightly shaking her shoulder, though he can recall the many times he tried, she’d simply roll onto her side and still sleep. Stroking a free hand on her hair is another certain option though not without its own drawback of potentially Mary just further pulling up her blanket to further cover herself and resume her deep sleep. Then there’s the tried and true method of opening the blinds to their bedroom.

No, no. That’ll be rude as John can muse as both Dick and him have went through on some nights. Now that one is off of the table. Which leaves really only one option. An option, John would usually save for more very special occasions including anniversaries and Mary’s birthday. But since given everything that Dick and him had prepared for this very day, might as well go for it, which he does slowly making his way to Mary’s two bare feet poking out of the blankets with that tag around her toe.

As for explaining the mere presence of a tag meant for the recently deceased which can be found in the medical examiner’s offices and mortuaries worldwide being found here in this mere simple trailer bedroom, Mary having her father’s side of her family a majority of cousins, uncles and aunties being a friendly macabre collection of medical examiner, morticians and even the occasional grave digger would do wonders for her own sense of humor. After all, what better proof of someone being ‘Dead Asleep’ than the tags often associated with the most sincerely dead. The fact Mary writes down so many details on her tag from her date of birth, location and ‘cause’ being ‘Tending to a Son Motherly-Induced Exhaustion’ makes John chuckle very lightly underneath his breath. After all, she calls out in her motherly ways Dick and his antics, risks and quirkiness in public yet here she is with a Medical Examiner’s ID tag which came from her modest collection of tags from macabre souvenir shops across the world in a dead sleep. But John ain’t got no time for such playful calling out his beloved’s hypocrisy, he’s got to instead playfully wake her up from her breakfast.

As such, with firm yet gentle grip on the tag in his hand, John very lightly moves it not off her toe but back and forth, making the string on Mary’s toe brush up on the stem and space between it and the index toe. Soon enough, John hears the exact reaction he was hoping for as Mary began to giggle from that light brushing of the string, rather loudly. At least now John has a confirmation for his hypothesis on where Dick got such a sensitivity in his feet from. After slightly going faster and continuing for another five minutes, Mary sits upright, the blanket falling off her beautiful face and laughing up a bit. His work done, John lets the tag go, still attached to the toe while Mary catches her breath.

Once she’s finally relaxed and to her almost immediately surprise, John delivers a loving kiss to her lips, which Mary responds by fully committing to it. The two look into each other’s eyes right after finishing said kiss. Somethings like age and experience changed between them over the years but that one spark, a spark of trust, a spark of respect, a spark of love was present in their eyes and they two cannot help but admire so much, as had the years before.

Finally after a minute, Mary breaks the silence between them “I’ll admit, John, that was probably the best way to wake up to today” she says with an all too bright and gentle smile that can melt the heart of any cold roustabout. John’s heart melted almost instantly with delivering another kiss this time to his wife’s cheek.

“At least that’s something we can agree on”, John agrees with a sort of proudness and joy in his voice. It was then Mary spots a certain brush of black hair hiding behind their bedroom door. The owner of that hair giggles in excitement, his time had come.

With that, Dick lightly kicks the door open, doing a small sideways flip on both sides and finally some backwards walking before finally arriving at the bed next to his parents, tray of food perfectly intact. Such a gesture earns a hearty laugh from John align with a hair ruffle and from Mary a big side hug.

“Hey, gotta bring some flare and style into getting you from breakfast, Mom” Dick says as he puts the tray down on Mary’s laps with an absolute confident and probably to an extent a show off ish tone to him. But at least he has some right in being a show off. Finally though, that tray on her and the microwave anti-splatter bowl covering her meal, Mary takes her chance to lift said bowl off.

Even though it seems way too early for it, Mary cannot help but get slightly watery in her eyes for what was in the plate; a stack of three blueberry hotcakes, covered with maple syrup and blue cake frosting, said frosting spelling out ‘Happy Valentine’s Day! From John and Dick’ then to the sides of them, a clump of appetizing potato hashbrowns and finally a modest serving of Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Clearly, their little early waking up this beautiful morning had proved being what exactly she can enjoy. It’s a surprise sure but a pleasant one.

A sentiment she shares as while careful not to spill her food, Mary reaches over to give her two boys the biggest hug and kisses to them imaginable. A big hug the two in turn give back to her without any words needed. John and Dick look at each other with bright smiles and big wink of their eyes.

Mission accomplished. Now, time to actually eat the food since for the kitchen itself…..let’s just say they both know what Mary would have them being cleaning up for most of their day off.

#dick grayson #mary grayson #john grayson #flying graysons #valentine's day #my posts #fanfic #sfw

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kylobith · 5 months

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The Little Tiefling (Gale of Waterdeep x Tav)

Word count: 2,955

One afternoon, as Tav takes a nap, Gale seizes the opportunity to bond with their three-month-old daughter by reading her a story.

Clad in his purple robes, Gale closes the bedroom door as softly as he can, wincing as the hinges and the wood creak. Before walking away, he perks up his ears, awaiting any grumble or moan from the other side. Nothing.

Relieved that he was gentle enough not to wake his partner, he tiptoes to the stairs, only to be interrupted by a loud cry. Months ago, he would have pictured himself whimpering and sobbing along upon hearing this sound so often in a row. Still, now that he was in the thick of it, nothing could eff the smile on his face. Sure, some days are more demanding than others, but he is more than grateful to any deity above to have been granted the privilege to experience it. It is a second chance, one most craved and prayed for.

So, Gale renounces the little free time he planned for himself rather gladly. He slithers towards the nursery at the end of the hallway, careful not to cause any more ruckus than the baby already does. Once inside, his face illuminates at the sight of the squirming little thing in her crib, grabbing at the air while screaming her lungs out.

‘Hey there, sunshine,’ he coos. ‘Awake already, aren't we?’

He bends over the cot and picks up his daughter, pressing a few kisses to her cheek before cradling her in his arms. In a mere instant, he is a man transformed. Tenderness and affection radiate from his twinkling eyes while the most beaming grin burns onto his cheeks. As he has so often done since he first beheld his partner, he cannot help but think that his arms were designed for two things: for holding his beloved Tav and for carrying his child.

Gale caresses the thick, feathery hair on the child's head, kissing her forehead while rocking her. Sooner than he anticipated, the baby calms down, but a nose scrunch remains on her little face. He walks out of the nursery and heads downstairs, momentarily setting her down into her lounge chair in the kitchen so he can prepare a bottle. He sings to the two of them all the while, occasionally spinning on his heel to coo the lyrics at his daughter while making silly faces. She watches her father with round eyes, drooling over her knuckles.

With a giggle, he picks her up and takes the bottle to the living room, feeding her on the couch.

‘Sorry, little one, it's just us this afternoon. Mum needed a break.’

His daughter eyes him again, her face finally relaxing now that she is eating. He chuckles and extends his index finger to poke her tiny nose.

‘But that means that you and I can catch up a little! So, tell me, how's life treating you?’

Silence. Of course, there would be.

‘Oh, I see! Many new things to explore, huh? Don't worry, that never stops. That's what’s so exciting about life if you ask me.’

The suckling noises fill the air, and he could not be more elated to have this quiet moment with his baby.

‘You know, adventures will await you at every corner of the world,’ he speaks fondly, already imagining her growing up. ‘It will be up to you to accept challenges or to deny them. Of course, you won't always do exactly what you like every time, and that's quite alright. You'll need that to evolve and enlighten yourself beyond books. But when you feel uncomfortable engaging in something, know you have the right to say no. It’ll spare you much heartbreak and pain, trust me. Promise you'll do just that?’

He stares at his daughter briefly before laughing to himself.

‘That's right, you're just a baby. I'll take your silence as a promise for now, though. Sorry that your old man needs a little reassurance now and then. He'll need much more once you grow up, especially if you dabble in magic. Don't want you summoning a bloodthirsty creature and unleashing it on the city, now, do we?’

Gale grins and gazes at the girl, remaining silent as she drinks the rest of the bottle. Once he finishes the feeding routine, he carries her around the house on a whim, showing her the view from each window and pointing at everything to be seen. He tells her about the bustling streets of Baldur’s Gate, the sweet smells whenever he passes the baker and how he always needs to restrain himself from heading inside to buy several pastries. He reminisces about strange encounters with locals and foreigners alike, those noteworthy enough for him to still grin whenever they cross his mind. He describes the hammering in the smithy in intricate detail, portraying it loud enough to resonate through the neighbouring streets.

When the baby fusses, he shoots glances around.

‘Oh, of course! Where's your owlbear, now?’

Before the child cries, he finds the little stuffed toy in the dining room, probably put away on top of the cabinet when Tav was too exhausted to think about where to put it. He grabs it and playfully rubs the toy's velvet beak against his daughter's nose, producing silly sounds he never thought he would indulge in when he was still single. The baby laughs, warming his heart and softening his traits.

‘How I love you, little one. Never doubt that.’

With another kiss on her forehead, he takes her to his library, which they now partly use as a playroom for the girl. The bottom shelves are long cleared of any of Gale's books, instead filled with baskets containing toys, games, emergency pacifiers, and bibs. It has become a new thing for Tara to nibble on the pacifiers as of late. It happens so often now that Tav has considered dedicating a separate budget for them alone.

A quilted throw lays on the ground, already dotted with stuffed toys and rattles. So much love has been woven into this blanket, skilfully created and sewn together by Tav during the pregnancy. Each square represents essential milestones in their lives, a work still in progress. A purple and black hole in a rock with a hand sticking out of it is embroidered on the first square, a playful nod to how Gale and Tav met. The following one pictures a serene scene by a campfire between the two, then the third shows them connected to the Weave. Tav's favourite square of all shows them under a colourful starry sky, the moment when she understood that she fell in love with the quirky wizard.

Other squares show Gale's proposal, their wedding, their new house, Tara, and her pregnancy. Another one features the two of them holding their newborn daughter, doting upon her. Possibly the most joyful event in their lives so far.

Gale gently places the child on the throw and sits next to her, not caring whether the belt of his robes is undoing itself, leaving the hems to gape around his torso. He shakes one of the rattles in front of her, but she seems more interested in nibbling the stuffed owlbear gifted by Karlach. He chuckles, knowing she would melt on the spot if she knew about it.

As father and daughter play and bond, it occurs to him that life could not improve from there. This is it, the pinnacle of his happiness. Teaching on weekdays while having enough time to coddle his wife and daughter, to study and read while petting Tara… No, it truly cannot get better than this.

When he senses that the child grows sleepy again, he puts down the toys and takes her in his arms.

‘Dozing off already? Am I this boring? Ah, I guess. One day, you will think that your mum and I are the dullest people you've ever met, but if only you knew why we became so…’

The girl yawns, and he giggles. No matter how often it occurred, it always filled him with such warmth.

‘But I think that your mum would kill me if I told you the story when you're not old enough. Or at all, actually. You need not be burdened with such things.’

Sitting her up on his hand, clutching her against his chest, he walks her over to a specific section of his library, making her look at the books.

‘Any favourite for today, duckling?’

Another yawn. Gale kisses the top of her head and finds his attention caught by a particular book in his collection. A beautiful edition, bound in green leather with gold embossings. It is one of the first books he purchased when Tav was expecting, in one of his many children's books rampages in the city. He wished to ensure that his child would never run out of stories to escape reality to, that their creativity would constantly be challenged and encouraged, and that the world would come to them when they could not take them into the world yet.

Sometimes, when the excitement or anxiety of becoming a parent seized him at night and ebbed him away from sleep's shores, he would pick one of the books and read to Tav's belly, caressing it with his fingertips lightly enough not to awake or disturb her. And just like that, fear would drift away, enabling him to swim back to the land of dreams.

‘How about The Little Tiefling, mh?’

Tilting his torso back, he reaches for the book and paces towards the armchair in the corner by the window. He sits down, propping his daughter against him and letting her curl up naturally, letting the sun filter through the windows onto her angelic face. His fingertips caress the embossed cover and flip it open to the first page.

‘The Little Tiefling,’ he announces with a hint of pride.

He clears his throat and adjusts his position to make them both more comfortable before starting to read aloud.

‘Once upon a time, there was a little tiefling named Yalaia. According to her mother, she had the most beautiful auburn hair, but according to her father, she had the cutest button nose in the realm. But there was one thing that Yalaia wished for above all else: horns.’

The door creaks open, and Gale's eyes dart to it, only to find Tara nudging it open and rubbing against the doorpost. With a grin playing on his lips, he beckoned her over with a nod.

‘Oh, hi, Tara! Come to listen to the story, too? Come in!’

The tressym, understanding her friend's every word, happily hops into the room. She comes to rub against his bare calves for an instant before leaping onto the armchair and sitting on top of it. Emitting a loud purr, she nuzzles his hair, earning a chuckle from the wizard. He balances the book on his knee for a second to pet her on the neck and wings. When the baby fusses, he kisses the girl's forehead and continues to read.

‘Her mother had elegantly curved horns, reminding her of fauns. Her father had proud and sturdy ones, making him look taller than he was. But Yalaia only had nubs above her brows.’

The baby yawns, and he gently strokes her bent leg with his thumb.

‘One morning, as she headed outside to meet her friends to play, she found with horror that they all had small horns protruding from their foreheads. But not Yalaia. As they played, she stared, wishing her turn would come. As her parents tucked her in that night, she wished to wake up with horns. And she did so every night that followed. Sadly, she woke up every morning with nubs.’

Above him, perched up on the backrest, Tara tilts her head to gaze at the beautifully painted illustrations.

‘When she saw that more of her friends grew their horns as if it was the easiest thing in the world, Yalaia felt rather sad. She felt that she did not fit in and was different from other tieflings. Now, as she prayed for horns every night, she did so with tears brimming her eyes. But it was not enough.’

Gale kisses his daughter's forehead again, seeing that she is nodding off.

‘As her favourite uncle came to visit with her cousins one day, she was shocked to discover that all her younger cousins already adorned shiny horns. So, between lunch and dessert, she snuck out of the house and ran away. It seemed that she did not belong. Perhaps she was no tiefling at all.

‘Worrying as soon as she left their sight, Yalaia's family relentlessly looked for her, calling her name. Neighbours and friends, shopkeepers and strangers joined the search, hoping to find Yalaia safe and sound and bring her home. They went through every house, every garden, every shop, every cellar, every attic, every chest and every barrel. They combed the streets, the hills, the riverside. When her mother ventured into the forest, calling out for her daughter, her cries were met by a whimper.

‘Huddled up by a rock in the middle of the woods, Yalaia sniffled and wiped her tears, relieved to see her mother. After running for hours to hide, she lost all sense of direction in the dense forest. She had turned and paced forever until she decided to remain by the rock. Whatever she was expecting to come for her was not her mother, so the joy to be found was only sweeter.

‘Yalaia’s mother cradled her in her arms, tears dripping onto her hair. What a fright it had been! She told Yalaia of everyone joining the family to search for her and how everybody was so concerned that all activity had ceased. The blacksmith had climbed the hills to see the landscape better in hopes of finding her, while her friends had retraced their paths to every place they explored together.

‘“Mama,” said Yalaia, “why would they look for me? I am different. I look different. Why were they not happy that I left?”

‘Yalaia's mother was saddened to hear such words from her daughter. But then, with the brightest smile only a mother can bestow, she replied, “Because you are one of us. You may think you are different, but we all are in our own ways. The baker does not always see eye-to-eye with the guard, yet when celebrations come, they dine merrily at the same table and share the same wine. Everyone has a place among us, and so do you, no matter who you are or what you look like. You are one of us.”

‘“But Mama, I don't have horns, and all my friends and cousins do!”

‘Her mother smiled and pulled her locket from beneath her dress, opening it to reveal two painted portraits. On the left, a young tiefling with orange skin smiled at the onlooker, while on the right, an even younger one with a reddish complexion did the same. Their pose was not their only common trait. Both children lacked horns.

‘“Do you see the girl on the left?” Yalaia's mother asked. “It was me when I was a bit older than you. I did not have horns yet, which made me sad, too. But I came to learn that everybody is different and evolves at their own pace. There is no wrong way to grow, no wrong way to belong to your people. All you need is to be kind and accepting. Everything will come in time, with a little bit of patience.”

‘And so, Yalaia hugged her mother, reassured her that nothing was wrong with her. Together, they left the forest and happily announced the good news of Yalaia’s return. Everyone was merry that day to know that the little tiefling was found. That night, she did not wish for horns, only for her kin to fare well. And when she awoke in the morning, two little horns were on her forehead.’

Gale gazes down at his daughter and smiles from ear to ear as he finds her fast asleep.

‘The end.’

‘Don't you think it's a bit of a complex story for a three-month-old?’

His eyes dart towards the door, only to find a dishevelled Tav leaning against the doorpost with a grin. Even with deep circles underneath her eyes and knots in her hair, she looks as radiant as ever to him.

‘There you are, my dear,’ he chimes. ‘Didn't you want to nap longer?’

‘Couldn't bring myself to it. I missed you both too much.’

‘I see.’

Gale laughs and puts the book aside, carrying the sleeping baby to Tav.

‘She and I had a lovely afternoon. She was an absolute sweetheart.’

‘That's good to know. How long has it been since you fed her?’

‘About two hours ago.’

‘Mmh. It's almost time again, then.’

She takes the little girl from his arms and props her up against her shoulder, cupping the back of her head and kissing her hair. Tav’s attention is drawn to a pile of boxes in a corner, and she sighs.

‘You still haven't dealt with those?’

‘I meant to do it this afternoon, but I got carried away playing with her and all,’ Gale admits, scratching the back of his head. ‘Don't worry, I'll get to it today.’

‘At least return Astarion's gift first. That's the first one I want out.’

Gale follows Tav out of the library, lovingly holding her by the waist.

‘My First Wine-Tasting Kit. Who even gives that to a baby?’

‘The question is: who sells that in the first place?’

Both chuckle and exit the room, closing the door behind them to return to their cocoon and family life, leaving Tara to curl up on the warm armchair.

Tag: @emmanuellececchi

#This came from a conversation I had with a classmate where we both agreed that Gale would be an awesome dad #I started drawing the reading scene but I'm not satisfied with it #I'll try it again #Gale of Waterdeep #Gale Dekarios #Baldur's Gate 3 #Baldurs gate 3 #BG3 #Gale of Waterdeep x Tav #Gale Dekarios x Tav #Tav #BG3 fanfiction

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cegantheayugipi · 2 years

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Eternally Weak Chapter 5 (Various Genshin x Reader)

Looking for the previous part? Read it here.

Lost? Here's the Masterlist.

You had been traveling with Diluc and Kaeya across Mondstadt and Liyue in search of the strange appearances of monsters in places you would least expect them. You happen to meet Xiao, the reclusive adeptus, and it drags up memories you would rather forget.. Heavy emphasis on Xiao x reader.

Word count: 4.7k

Pairings: Diluc x F!reader, Kaeya x F!reader, Xiao x F!reader, mentioned Zhongli x F!reader

Warnings: Angst, unrequited love, graphic violence, near death experiences, hurt/comfort

~ Present Day ~

You looked down at your dinner; it smelled delicious. It was a shame that your appetite had completely disappeared. Your mind was too busy reeling from the encounter with the teal-haired adeptus. As you habitually ate each bite of your food, you couldn’t focus on the amazing flavors that Smiley had created. All that was on your mind was Xiao and the unbridled guilt from 500 years of abandonment.

You finished dinner. You waved goodnight to Diluc and Kaeya, but you were completely absent inside. You walked up the stairs to your room. Shut the door behind you. Then laid down in the bed.

Out in the hallway, Kaeya and Diluc exchanged a concerned glance.

“What’s wrong with her?” Diluc asked.

“It’s something to do with that Adeptus I bet.” Kaeya responded, shrugging his shoulders. “We can ask her in the morning.”

All you did that evening was stare out the window at the starry sky and the peaceful waters of the surrounding marsh and Minlin mountains to the west. Liyue was beautiful; over the past centuries, however, you tended to avoid it… Too much had happened in that beautiful country.

Once the moon was high in the sky and the inn was silent, the draw of the landscape became too great. You wanted to get away, explore more, perhaps figure out what was behind those strange appearances of monsters.

You swung your window open carefully, looking back to make sure you had packed everything in your bag. You eyed some boats tied up to shore, and climbed up on the ledge.

You looked down; it was a huge drop. Jumping from a quarter of the height would be fatal for you, but this fact didn’t scare you. You’ve lived like this for five hundred years now.

Without sparing another moment of consideration, you leapt from the windowsill and opened your glider behind you. You gracefully descended towards the boats, coming to a gentle landing next to a small one. With a flick of your wrist, you summoned your scythe and sliced away the rope that had tethered the boat to shore before letting it disappear in golden glitter once more. You pushed the boat out towards the lake, and set off.

You didn’t need a map. After all, you’ve had plenty of time to learn the landscape.

~~~

Xiao couldn’t believe his eyes when he first saw you from his perch on the rooftop. What he could believe even less, however, was the dainty “20” painted at the end of your status bar. His stomach dropped as emotions he never thought existed began to overwhelm him.

It had been five hundred years, and you were still suffering.

Xiao had your image burned into his brain; you were still just as beautiful as you were all those centuries ago. He thought about how you responded to him at dinner over and over, as the sun set and dusk turned to night. He had endured so much physical pain over thousands of years yet nothing felt quite as bad as this.

The only thing that roused him from the depths of his mind was the sound of a window opening on the far side of the inn. Xiao teleported himself over to the other side of the inn with a gentle gust of wind, and his eyes stared down at your head that poked out of the window. He wondered what you were doing, then he was immediately answered as you jumped from the window right before his eyes.

‘She’s going to die falling from that height.’ Xiao began to jump down after you, but he noticed how you opened your glider and descended to land gracefully. He watched you steal a boat, and row across the lake in silence.

He wondered how you could be so capable and fearless, when you were constantly crippled by unavoidable karmic debt. There was no doubt that you were in incredible pain at all times too.

Xiao followed you across the lake, silently watching over you as you hiked through the ancient and towering cliffs of Cuijue Slope. He kept his presence hidden from your senses as you crept past sleeping hilichurls and avoided traces of slimes. You eventually found the mouth of a worn down and unstable-looking cave, and gave a quick glance around your surroundings before descending into its dark depths. There were electro crystals that gave off a dim glow, and lit the path so you could at least see the ground beneath your feet. Xiao followed you, becoming agitated by how reckless you were being when it came to your own safety.

You even began to hum to yourself softly as you descended further underground, following elemental traces along what Xiao soon realized was complex and structurally weak cavern system. Occasionally, the surrounding stone would shift, sending Xiao’s heart racing yet somehow leaving you undisturbed by such danger.

“I wonder if…” You trailed off, reaching out at an odd looking ore deposit. Before you could even touch it, you heard the growl of a rift hound. “...Oh, there you are…”

You turned, and began to creep back up through the tunnels where you came from, as if you were not seconds away from discovery by the terrifying beast. As the rift hound began approaching your direction, and you caught noises of several others in tow behind it. Your eyes widened, although nobody could see your expression. You decided the best course of action would be to hide. You found a rock large enough to obscure you from sight, and curled up in a ball behind it.

Xiao could sense everything that unfolded, and was not about to sit there and watch you get hunted down by rift hounds. They were terrifyingly ferocious beasts, and one touch would drain every single health point you had. He crept closer to you, keeping his presence completely hidden from the monsters.

And then the rift hounds caught you.

With a growl, a rift hound leapt forward towards your hiding place, but Xiao was faster. With a quick swipe of his polearm, he knocked it away from you. He wouldn’t let these monsters even get close to you. The hound flew backwards into the cave wall, knocking even more stones free from the ceiling of the already weakening cave.

“Xiao! What the hell are you doing here?” You shouted over the noises of fighting in front of you. A small chunk of stone fell from the ceiling, and you managed to dodge it just in time before it could snatch a couple of health points away from you.

“There isn’t time to talk, let’s get out of here!” Xiao responded. “The cave is going to collapse!”

“Then don’t hit the hounds so hard!” You responded with a dark laugh as you leapt away from the fight and back towards the exit, knowing better than to ignore Xiao’s request. The adeptus let out a near growl at your response, angry at the way you never seemed to take your impending death seriously.

As if Xiao were clairvoyant, the tunnel began to collapse as soon as the exit came into view; rocks hurtled from the ceiling and threatened to crush you if you couldn’t speed up. As you raced towards the exit, your mind traveled to the thought that you hadn’t yet finished exploring the unusual elemental traces left by the hounds.

The tunnel was collapsing too quickly, and Xiao realized you weren’t going to make it. He abandoned his fight with the rift hounds, confident that the collapsing tunnel would kill them. In a gust of wind, he flashed towards you as you were in the middle of running to the exit. It seemed like you were running in slow motion as Xiao approached you, his movements as fast as an arc of lightning. He grabbed you just in time to shield you from the falling rocks.

You didn’t know what happened… One second, you were almost out of the cave and could see the night sky through the exit. The next, everything was dark and you couldn’t tell which way was up. Your head spun, and you tried to remember what day it was and where exactly you were. You felt a warm breeze fan across your face. You tried to sit up, but your forehead knocked against something.

“Ow.” You grumbled, bringing a hand up to rub your head.

“Don’t move” You heard Xiao’s voice from mere inches away. You realized that the warm breeze was Xiao’s breath, and the events from this evening came back to you in a painful flood. You were laying on your back on the floor of the cave, and Xiao was above you looking down.

“Are you hurt?” The Yaksha questioned.

“No…” you responded. “What happened?” you glanced around, your eyes trying to pick out details in the darkness.

“The tunnel collapsed.”

“No shit!” You responded, stifling a laugh because the situation had gotten so grim.

“Don’t move an inch.” Xiao responded, his tone still serious. You nodded, but then realized that he couldn’t see you. Xiao’s breaths were irregular, and you began to feel something drip onto your face. You could taste the liquid as it slid onto your lips; it was metallic.

You cast a small anemo spell, condensing the elemental magic until it gave off a faint turquoise glow. That was when you noticed the blood dripping down Xiao’s pained face. There was a pinch to the corner of his eyes, a tightness to the way his lips rested and it sunk like a rock in your chest.

“Those rocks behind you…” You murmured.

“I won’t let them fall.” Xiao spoke, his chest shuddering from the pain. His white shirt was now stained crimson, and you realized he must have terrible injuries from the thousands of tons of rocks weighing on him.

Xiao could see the horror that grew across your face in the glow of your anemo spell. He noticed the drops of blood that fell onto your face; that was his blood. He must be hurt.

Somehow, he barely felt the pain anymore after all, that pain was nothing compared to how bad his karmic debt sometimes felt when it nearly took control of him. Right now, all he felt was anguish in his heart.

“I…” You murmured, your lip quivering. “I’m sorry.” Your voice was so small; it made Xiao’s heart wrench in his chest.

“Shut up.” Xiao’s voice came out pained and harsh, his eyes blinking hard.

You froze, your eyebrows drawing upwards in a distraught expression. Your lips began to draw downwards into a frown and tears pricked at the corners of your eyes, when Xiao spoke up once again.

“Shut up and stop apologizing.” Xiao’s breathing was ragged, but his tone was determined. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”

“Wh-” You murmured, surprised by his response. “...But I left you.”

“But I cursed you first!” Xiao exclaimed, his voice suddenly loud. Your mouth dropped open in shock, and your anemo spell dissipated because you were so caught off guard.

“You saved my life.” You responded, “That’s a blessing, not a curse.”

“No, the debt that I gave you is a horrible curse. The pain is unbearable. I gave you a fate worse than death.” Xiao gasped out those final words, the weight of the rocks becoming greater and greater on his shoulders.

“Pain?” you asked, “I don’t feel any pain.”

“What?” Xiao blurted out. Your simple statement shocked him so much that he lost his balance and fell from his hands to his elbows. The weight of the rocks was wearing his body down, nearly crushing him against you. Now, your faces were almost touching, but Xiao was still determined to hold the weight of the mountainside up.

“Xiao!” You exclaimed, igniting your anemo spell once again and holding it above your head. The two of you were so close, your noses were almost touching.

“I’m fine.” He responded. “But…”

“But what?”

“Do you really feel no pain?” He questioned, his amber eyes staring intently into yours.

“I don’t feel any pain at all.” You responded, your breath blowing gently across Xiao’s face. “Did you think, after all these years, that I was dealing with karmic debt on the level of yours?”

Xiao was speechless. All he could do was hold his body above yours, with the weight of a mountain on his shoulders, as a completely different kind of weight was lifted off of his back. There was a long pause as you stared into each other's eyes, a new understanding washing over the two of you.

“I’m so sorry for leaving, Xiao.” The tears that welled up in your eyes began to spill over. “I should have at least called your name to let you know I was okay.” You hiccuped, the tears obstructing your vision. Xiao lowered his head, resting it on your forehead. He couldn’t bear to look at your heartbroken expression.

“Don’t cry.” He murmured, his voice hoarse. He never even gave himself the chance to think that you were okay. All these years, he believed you were suffering and that was why you never came back to him, why you never visited Rex Lapis again after he woke up from his 100 year slumber. He thought you hated him for making you suffer. He thought he would never see you again. Instead, you had left him for your own reasons, not because you resented Xiao for cursing you with karmic debt. You left him while still holding him dear in your heart.

And yet, he forgave you.

Xiao was just relieved to know you were okay.

You noticed Xiao’s torso was slowly getting closer to yours. You realized the rocks were too much for him to bear, especially after the initial impact injured him badly.

“We need to get out of here, before these rocks kill you.” you murmured, blinking your tears away.

“I can keep holding these for a couple more hours at least.” You felt Xiao’s chest brush against yours as he took a deep but raspy inhale. There was almost certainly blood gathering in his lungs.

“More?” You asked. “How long has it been?”

“Perhaps an hour or so.” Xiao spoke. He was not about to tell you about how he listened to your breathing as you laid unconscious beneath him, counting your breaths as a way of keeping his mind off of the insane amount of stress his body was under for several hours.

“We’re getting out of here.” You spoke, determined.

“No, stay still.” Xiao’s lips were almost touching yours as he spoke, his body so close yet so determined not to give in. “We can wait for the archaeologists to excavate the collapse.”

“Just trust me.” You murmured. “I can get us out of here.”

“You might be concussed.” Xiao spoke. “You shouldn’t try anything dangerous.”

“Have you seen the state of yourself?” You scoffed, your breath tickling Xiao’s face.

“Just stay like this.” Xiao remained stubborn, even as his chest was now flush against yours.

“Trust me, Xiao.” You spoke softly, bringing a hand up to cup his cheek that was stained with blood. He parted his lips to say something, but you cut him off as you pressed your lips against his.

Xiao’s whole being was caught off guard by the sudden kiss; this gave you the chance to cast your geo and dendro spells in quick succession, shifting apart the heavy rocks just enough to force yourself through. The momentary loss of control that Xiao experienced allowed you to grab his shoulders, bringing him along with you as your dendro vines pulled you through the opening created by your geo spell. It was by sheer luck that you two managed to escape before the rocks that Xiao had been holding up for hours shifted and collapsed in on the small opening you two had resided in.

A bright light blinded the two of you, and you realized you were now outside in the sunlight.

Xiao gripped onto you tight as you tumbled down the hill alongside boulders, dust, and rock. He tried to take the brunt of the impact despite being much more injured than you were. He didn’t care if he was crippling himself more and more, as long as you were unharmed. As you two came to a rest at the bottom of the hill, Xiao still kept his arms wrapped tightly around you.

“H-hey.” You wheezed. “You’re squeezing me a little tight.” Xiao blinked. He realized your face was beginning to turn red while it was pressed against his chest, and he quickly let go of you. You sat up, rubbing your eyes from the bright morning sun. Xiao’s eyes went wide as he realized you were covered nearly head to toe in blood.

“Are you hurt?” He reached out a bloody hand, and he realized he was covered in blood as well.

“No, but you are.” You responded, staring at Xiao. He looked worse for wear. “You’re really hurt.”

“I’ll be fine.” Xiao responded. “Your health is getting low. We should head back to Wangshu inn.”

You shook your head, sighing at the way Xiao put your safety before his. You looked up and noticed how high the sun was in the sky. “Did you hold up those boulders for the whole night?”

Xiao looked down, knowing how many agonizing hours he spent holding the weight of the mountain on his back. “I suppose so.”

You noticed how blood was seeping more quickly from Xiao’s back. The weight of the boulders must have prevented him from bleeding out previously by tamponading his back, but now that the pressure was gone, his wounds gushed blood readily.

“You need help.” You spoke, your eyes wide. You reached out a hand, but stopped midway. You didn’t know what to do. You didn’t have any healing potions, and you didn’t know how to stop him from bleeding out.

“No, I’m fine. Xiao tried to get up, his face turning white as he stumbled to his knees.

“You’re definitely not fine!” You exclaimed worriedly, rushing to hook his arm over your shoulders and stand him up. He was heavy, but you weren’t going to let that slow you down. Your legs shook as you began to walk while supporting Xiao’s weight.

You made your way back towards the lake, one step at a time. Each step, blood dripped from Xiao and spattered onto the dirt path.

Step after step.

Your feet scuffled on the ground.

Grunting, you shifted Xiao’s weight across your shoulders.

Just another step forward.

And another.

As the sun rose and rose, Xiao grew paler and paler.

One more turn, and the lake would be in full view. You were out of breath from carrying Xiao but you persevered. You were going to get him back to the inn no matter what it took.

As the lake grew into view, the glimmering surface nearly blinded you. It was a beautiful day today, but it was a day stained by blood and anguish. You were panting as you continued to take step after step, practically dragging Xiao with you as he became too weak to move.

There was still hope, but it was dwindling fast. It hurt so much to stand, the fatigue in your legs screaming and begging you to stop, rest, recover. You ignored all of this.

“Hang in there Xiao!” You exclaimed, gripping his torso tighter as you lifted him forward one more step. Each step you took was another splatter of blood and another HP lost from his health bar.

Xiao’s head lolled forward, and you realized he was beginning to lose consciousness.

“Xiao. Xiao!” You exclaimed.

“I…” Xiao’s voice trailed off.

You paused to listen closely to what he was saying, but you heard only weak raspy breaths.

“XIAO!” You screamed, panic overcoming you. Your legs found a new burst of strength, powering forward as you were now dragging Xiao.

In the distance, you heard a shout. Looking up, you saw two figures by the lake, moving quickly towards you. You instantly knew who they are. You smiled a little, realizing that they must have gone looking for you.

You heard them shout your name in the distance. You took another step towards the two, dragging Xiao’s weight with you. The image in front of you became wavy, and you strugged to stay on your feet with Xiao leaning completely on you.

“Help him! Please!” You exclaimed.

Both men looked horrified at the sight of you covered from head to toe in blood.

“Y/N, are you alright?” Kaeya exclaimed as he reached you.

“Help Xiao, not me!” You rasped out. “I’m fine!”

Diluc lifted Xiao off of you, and your knees finally buckled underneath you once his weight was gone.

“You’re obviously not fine.” Kaeya spoke, kneeling down to check up on you. Your health bar was nearly empty, and you looked terrifying drenched in blood with tears running red streaks down your cheeks. Your chest was heaving from the panic and the stress your body had been under from half-carrying Xiao for several miles. Kaeya reached out a hand towards your upset face, but you slapped it away.

“Get Xiao a healing potion!” You practically screamed, your eyes wild with fear as you gave him a crazed glare.

“I’m already on it.” Diluc spoke, and you looked over to see him holding the potion to Xiao’s lips. If Kaeya thought you looked bad, Xiao looked worse. His complexion was pasty white but he was also stained a sickly darkening crimson from the blood that had dried over several hours of bleeding. Xiao’s health bar began to climb, and he let out a groan of pain as he began to regain consciousness and his eyes blinked several times.

“Get him to the Inn now.” You spoke, your voice firm. Diluc began to lift Xiao up, but the Adeptus spoke up once again.

“No.” Xiao groaned. “I can walk on my own.”

Diluc highly doubted this, but let Xiao stand up on his own. He took one step, staggered, and then fell. Diluc immediately caught the injured Yaksha once again before he could hit the ground.

Everything passed in a blur as Diluc and Kaeya rushed Xiao back to the inn. You followed behind the two men, your stamina running on nothing but frenzied thoughts. Once you got to the boat, you slumped down in its hull as Diluc rowed it back to the inn and Kaeya watched after Xiao.

You must have passed out at some point; you woke up with your cheek pressed against something warm. Blinking your eyes, you realized that your face was resting on Kaeya’s shoulder, and his arms were hooked around your legs as he carried you piggy-back.

“Mmh.” You groaned, shifting your body. Kaeya almost lost balance with you, shifting a hand up your back and leaning forwards to make sure you didn’t fall.

“Woah there,” Kaeya spoke, slowing down his pace. “I don’t wanna drop you down the stairs.”

Your eyes darted around your surroundings and you realized Kaeya was carrying you up the steps of Wangshu Inn. You tried to lift your head, but you were simply too exhausted. You let out a groan against his neck, and felt Kaeya’s skin grow hotter from the sensation of your voice.

“What happened?” You murmured, your throat raw.

“You fell asleep for a little bit back there.” Kaeya spoke, “but we’re almost there.”

Kaeya didn’t want to alarm you, so he hid his panic well. His heart pounded in his chest as he delicately carried you, worried that you would lose more health if he held you too tightly. He didn’t dare look back, for fear that the number above your head had decreased even more – when he had picked you up, it was a mere “3”.

“Where’s Xiao?” You asked, beginning to get antsy from how slowly Kaeya was carrying you.

“Diluc is making sure his injuries get treated.” Kaeya explained, reaching the top of the steps. “Now, be careful, I’m going to set you down here.”

Kaeya turned around and slowly lowered you onto a couch. You had no idea why he was moving so carefully and delicately.

“Here’s the potion you asked for!” A maid ran towards the two of you, holding out the small crystal bottle.

“Thanks.” Kaeya took the potion from her, and opened the cap. “Drink this.”

He held the potion towards you, and you drank from it without question. As you felt the effects take over your body, strength slowly began to return to your limbs. Kaeya let out a deep sigh, slumping down into the chair beside you.

“You had me worried back there.” He spoke, his eyes closed as he leaned back on the soft cushions. The relief that Kaeya felt was incredible – he was afraid that the slightest nudge would send you to your maker. When he noticed you had passed out on the boat, both he and Diluc panicked. They had used their only healing potion on Xiao, who needed it first, and they had to rush to the Inn for more help.

“Worried?” You questioned, looking up at your health bar. It was full. However, even the weakest of potions could restore you to full health. You shook your head. “I’m going to see Xiao. Where is he?”

“I can show you.” Kaeya grunted, standing back up on his feet.

‘Man, what a tiring morning.’ He thought, stepping towards the stairwell once again to go down a floor. You followed behind eagerly, ignoring your exhaustion.

When you reached the room that Xiao was resting in, you eagerly stepped through the door. Diluc was sitting on the window ledge as he watched over a sleeping Xiao. As you came into the room, the image in front of you invoked memories that you wished you could forget.

All of those years you spent sitting by his bedside, in that hospital, ignoring everything around you. You ignored the passage of time, the bustling city, and you ignored your relationship with Rex Lapis as it slowly fell apart.

This was the same image you had run away from, the image that you left behind in order to start again somewhere new

You felt violated by these memories. You wanted to reach your hands into your skull and scratch them out, to tear these images from your eyes and burn them into ash. You wanted to scream, to tear your hair out, to cry and to escape all at once.

“Hey, are you okay?” Diluc’s words broke you out of the cage that your mind had created around you.

“Huh?” You felt yourself come back to the real world, finding yourself standing on your feet. Your heart battered against your ribcage, your palms sweaty. “I… I’m fine.” You weren’t.

“This Adeptus really did a number on you, didn’t he?” Kaeya quipped, but his words fell on deaf ears. Your body moved on its own as you sat down in the chair beside Xiao’s bed, reaching for his motionless hand.

Your head dropped as you stared down at your lap. There were too many emotions pulling your heart in too many directions. Anger, fear, love, regret.

“Let’s leave her be, for now.” Kaeya glanced over at Diluc, and jerked his head towards the door to signal his exit. The two men quietly left the room, shutting the door behind them.

Now that you were alone in the room with a sleeping Xiao, tears threatened to spill from your eyes. You blinked them away, knowing that tears only made you seem weaker.

“I hate that face.” Xiao’s raspy voice came from beside you. Your head snapped towards his direction, and met the Adeptus’ half lidded gaze. “That face you make when you try not to cry.”

“I hate you.” You smiled, a weak laugh escaping your lips as a tear finally slid down your cheek.

“You should.” Xiao responded.

“Except I don’t.” You shook your head, “You should be the one hating me.”

“Why would I ever hate you?” Xiao scoffed despite his voice still being weak.

“For leaving you.” You spoke plainly.

“Leaving?” Xiao spoke. “You never really left me.”

You tilted your head, confused.

“I could sense you everywhere you went. Even in the far reaches of Teyvat, I knew you were out there.” Xiao explained.

“You…” Words failed you.

“But, “ Xiao’s expression grew firm. “Have you spoken to Rex Lapis?”

Your gaze turned towards the floor.

“He’s the one who deserves an apology.”

~~~

Read the next part here.

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cosmos-coma · 2 years

Text

Prey of the Hunt- Chapter 3

A/N:

Pairing: Eskel x Reader

Warnings: reader with (temporary) amnesia, Non-verbal reader (also temporary), Traumatized reader, Game canon characters/lore.

Word count: 2k

Chapter Summary: You spend your first day of normal life at Kaer Morhen and get closer to its inhabitants, but are still plagued by faint wisps of your memory.

Chapter 4

______________________________

You woke up with the sun early the next morning. Your body was stiff and creaky as you rolled yourself out of bed, legs still sore with overuse. The sun streamed soft rays into the windows and spread out on the floor, giving the room a faint sense of warmth that the dead fire could no longer give.

You pulled a spare blanket around you and poked your head out into the hallway, feet quietly padding along against the cold stone. It was quiet and still, no one else yet stirring in the halls, so you began to wander the keep until you ended up in the library.

With a little effort, you managed to reignite the long-dead embers in the library’s fireplace. Your quiet humming meandered with you through the shelves as you went about, picking out a few books to try. Once you had a good collection you dragged a comfortable chair over in front of the fireplace and cracked them open, hoping one of them will have something to jog your memory.

What you didn’t notice was Eskel and Geralt standing at the door to the library, one watching you with a soft joy, the other with a cautious curiosity.

Eskel nudged his brother and spoke quietly, enough that he was sure you wouldn’t be able to hear. “What's with the look, Geralt?”

The white wolf frowned for a moment before stepping back from the door with his brother. “I’m worried you're getting in over your head, Eskel” Geralt finally let out. “I’ve seen how you watch her, and I’m glad you're happy. But I just-”

“You're gonna be worried until you know exactly who she is.” Eskel finished. “I know you, Geralt… You’re a good brother, but you’re not subtle.” he laughed a bit.

Geralt couldn’t help but crack a bit of a smile, “I know… and I know you can take care of whatever comes. But I know who they are. I just-....“ He paused and glanced back to where you were seated, searching for the right words. “To be associated with the Wild Hunt and also somehow know where Kaer Morhen is?” He shook his head a bit in thought, “It seems like too much of a coincidence… and I may be reading into nothing, but you can never be too safe,” he advised.

Eskel nodded with a gentle smile and clapped his brother's shoulder, “I get it…. I know you're just trying to watch out for everyone, but you can leave your Witcher duties on the path for now. We’ll be fine.”

Your ears perked up at the sound of the clap and you looked over at the two men standing in the doorway. A small smile spread across your face and you knocked on your chair to get their attention before waving.

The rest of your day came and went uneventfully, which you were thankful for. You spent more time getting acquainted with the library, exploring the grounds, and helping Vesemir here and there with the maintenance of the keep.

You suspected the older witcher rather enjoyed having someone like you around. You listened to his stories and advice with a nod and worked quietly. But you figured any dad to three rowdy boys with swords would like a quiet companion from time to time, and you enjoyed the meaningful work and conversation.

The sun had just fallen away from the sky when you finally saw Eskel again. You figured he must’ve been extremely busy because you hadn’t caught sight of him since the library that morning.

His red and black tunic was dusted gray with dirt and His body and eyes looked tired as he walked into the great hall, plucking hay from his hair.

“Eskel!” you mouthed happily and waved to him, setting your mug down as delight filled you.

His eyes filled with warmth and life as they took you in, shoulders raising from their slumped posture and lips tugging into a small smile. “Y/n…” he breathed in a way that made your heart flutter.

Eskel slid into the bench beside you, knees knocking against yours as he moved to a comfortable spot. “How was the rest of your day? I haven't seen you since the library this morning” He said, voice rumbling pleasantly from the broad body beside you.

“Good” you mouthed, using your hands and lips to try and explain your day, despite being met with difficulty. Your brows knitted together in frustration, struggling both to convey what you mean and to use your pained fingers so much in one day.

“It’s okay, I understand.” He said, an easy smile gracing his lips; they always seemed to come so easy with you. “You say you explored a bit and helped Vesemir patch up the keep? Your patience must be far greater than mine, and I'm the most patient of the bunch. Besides Vesemir that is….” He said with a short laugh.

You smiled, loving that he seemed to understand you no matter what, no matter how difficult you found it. You nodded with a tinge of pink gracing your cheek, happy at the compliment. “Where were you today?” you asked him.

“Why? Did you miss me?” He teased, feeling more confident with the blush he was able to produce from you, even more so from the way your cheeks darkened now. “I was just finishing up my chores for tomorrow. I figured since you’ll be staying here a while and it will be getting cold soon, that… maybe we should get you a few warm clothes from town?”

You blinked in surprise at the offer and placed your hand on his arm, raising your eyebrows to say, “are you sure?”

“I’m sure…. I made out with some extra coin this year and making sure you don't catch your death this winter will be more than worth it” He assured, his hand coming to rest over yours briefly.

An almost overwhelming wave went through you as your hands touched, making your chest tighten all over again. It was different than the last time you felt it, back when the Wild Hunt was chasing you; this tightness felt… almost exciting amidst all your nerves.

You nodded and smiled breathlessly, squeezing his arm in thanks.

“Of course. We can leave whenever you’re ready tomorrow, so just let me know when, alright?”

Your conversation was put to a pause as Vesemir and Geralt brought dinner out for the lot of you.

As you ate, you listened to the guys recount their many tales of the season; from katakans to werewolves to berserkers. They were all fascinating tales from various areas of the continent and the surrounding isles. They made you feel a sense of wonder to hear it all, but also an… almost sickening sense of familiarity as they described certain areas.

As they talked about parts of Skellige and White Orchard you found yourself silently disagreeing with their descriptions. Things that… just didn’t sit correctly with your foggy memory, yet you couldn’t focus on the details of it.

“Y/n?” Lambert asked as you were hit in the forehead with a small piece of bread, pulling you out of your swirling thoughts. “You alright? You look like you just got a mouthful of rotten meat and are trying to keep it to yourself.”

You flinched as the bread hit you and nodded quietly. “I’m fine” you mouthed. Though the way that the three younger witchers glanced at each other you knew they didn’t quite believe you. However, they decided to let it go for now and continue telling their tales, glancing back at you every once in a while to check-in.

You excused yourself at some point in the evening to go back to your room, figuring the guys would be up for quite a while catching up.

You fiddled with the flint and steel for a little while before you were able to get the fire going in your room. The weather hadn’t been getting too cold at night yet, but something inside you seemed to miss the way that fire warmed you deep within.

Without warning, a knock came at the door, causing you to jump and almost drop your flint in the fire. You quickly got to your feet you padded over to answer, relieved when you saw Eskel standing there.

“Hey, are things okay?” You mouthed out.

“It looked like your fingers were hurting you at dinner… I thought we could change your bandages and see how you're doing.”

You tilted your head a bit, not in confusion but in an odd feeling of fondness that came over you. With a nod, you opened the door a little wider to wave him in, closing it promptly behind him to keep the heat in.

You took a seat on the edge of your bed, watching with tender eyes as he took his spot across from you on the floor and began to set out his things.

It was quiet as he unwrapped your bandaged fingers, only the crackling of the fire and the breaths between you disrupted the silence, yet it was still comfortable.

Eskel smoothed a gel-like salve over all your wounds, instantly cooling the aggressive heat radiating from your wounds. He watched your face as you sighed happily, relief flooding your senses as your eyes closed happily and he realized he wanted nothing more than to see you like this for the rest of your life. It was a little jarring, admittedly, for his brain to jump to such emotions so soon, but the look of peace and happiness on your face now- it was something he knew he would work towards every day.

Eskel’s hands worked quickly and professionally and you soon found yourself savoring the feeling of your unwrapped fingers; tenderly touching the soft furs beneath you, the linen shirt that you wore, and the worn wooden bedpost. However, as you watched Eskel tenderly care for you and the fire’s glow dance on his skin… you found yourself reaching out to touch his cheek as well.

Just a faint and ghostly touch at first, testing the waters as he flinched ever so slightly beneath your touch. Though, as quickly as he flinched he relaxed once again, leaning into your touch where his breath came out hot against your palm.

You let out a breath you didn't know you were holding as you pressed your fingers more firmly against his skin. Letting your fingertips move through the valleys of his scars as a river moves through mountains. Your whole body hummed with electricity as you touched, a peculiar heat running from your head to your toes that only intensified as Eskels face slowly came closer.

His large hand came up to cover yours, hoping beyond hope to keep your touch there for just a moment longer, his lips even brushing against your palm amidst his swirling thoughts.

Bringing your other hand up to further cradle his face your movements were interrupted by the sound of Geralt and Lambert stumbling tipsily down the hall to their rooms. The sudden jolt of sound as they passed by your door caused you to unwillingly pull your hands back as you flinched.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” You mouthed as Eskel looked up once again, shaking off the touch-starved fog that had clouded him.

“No, not at all, I-” he paused and pulled his face back from your reach, gathering himself once again. “I should let you get some sleep anyways. It’ll be a long day tomorrow….” he finished and stood, picking up the remainder of his supplies.

“Wait-” You tried to get say, forcing your throat into cooperation, but it only resulted only in a squeak. A squeak that went ignored by the Witcher's ears as he swiftly made his leave with only a quiet “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight…”

And now you were alone once again, the quiet smoldering of the fire your only companion. You let a shuddering breath escape you as you finally laid back into the furs of your bed. The remnants of electricity still tingled at your fingertips where you touched him.

You lay awake for quite a while, your thoughts returning to Eskel no matter what. After a while of tossing and turning, your body finally found sleep and all the dreams that come with it.

_________________________________

Taglist: @writingmysanity @open--till--midnight

#you'll get your first actual memory in the begining of the next chapter!#eskel witcher #eskel #the witcher #the witcher fanfiction #eskel x reader #eskel x you #eskel fanfiction #eskel x y/n #eskel x reader fluff #a bit anyways #but youre interrupted

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twsted-princess · 8 months

Note

[ STARS ] For Melanie and Fennec

[ MORNING ] Eikichi Aldrich

pick one you wanna do

You fool! I'm doing both!!

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BE-

Eikichi heard a whine with something falling over before the accursed beeping stop, the sunlight peeking through the window causing him to groan. He pulled the covers over his head as another voice chuckled. "And I thought I hated mornings." The feeling of feathers tickling his face caused one green eye to open as the sun was blocked slightly by his pretty bird boyfriend. Aldrich smiled from his position being held up by his elbows, his red wings covering his sides as he looked at the lump in the bed. Eikichi grumbled "Not my fault my boss wanted me to work overtime for four days straight." The birdman patted where his face is as another grumble came out. "I know, but the robotics convention's this week." Right, the company was one of the venues and Eiki was going to be the main presenter. He heard the sheets rustled but he groaned. "Baaaaaaabe don't leave just yeeeeet....." He poked his head out as Alrich sat at the ledge of their bed, taking his glasses. "Sorry but someone has to teach today." The beastman placed his glasses on and stretched, now that he was working as the history teacher at Night Raven College he needed to get up bright and early. But something stopped him from getting up. Looking to the floor he saw it, a small black box. "Honey? What is this?" He asked picking it up as Eiki rose up and watch them hold it up. The tech genius's cheeks turned extremely warm "Oh! Well......it was suppose to be a surprise for later but......" Aldrich then opened the box and gasped as inside was a solid golden ring. 'My one and only' being written into the inside of the band.

From the lands of dreams the maiden heard a code. A series of quick door knocks in pattern before silence. Melanie woke up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she shuffled out of her warm bed. Louise was still asleep in his little homemade bed so she crept past him to escape. Slowly leaving her room before rushing off to the hall, the large windows illuminated the night sky as her bare feet hurried along cold marble to linen rugs until she met him. The towering man with his green hair often tied up was loose as he smiled, she returned the gesture as he took her hand and the two were off. Out of the castle, out of the royal gardens and down into Torrin Hall. The air was cool as little flickers of light coming from the many farms scattered along the green, the town below was still and sleepy. Melanie smiled, the grass soft on her feet as she watched Fennec come up the hill. "It's beautiful......" she said as she looked towards the sky. "Yeah......." The stars twinkled brightly creating a canvas with shades of blue. It had been so long since she saw them so clearly. Wonderland's stars were lovely but these felt right. She sat down, her nightgown pooling into the grass as she took a gentle breath. Fennec sat next to her before falling back into the dark green blanket. The two stayed there with the breeze, watching the stars. It seemed like yesterday when Fennec arrived in Genovia and met her again. After five years apart. They've both grown in features and maturity but they never forgot each other. The traveler looked at the queen, watched as her eyes reflected the little specks of starlight. She was......beautiful. She didn't change at all but time made her more beautiful. His emerald eyes soften as he pondered his thoughts. This has been the longest stay he's had, over a month. He's met her family, her people, watched her rule her kingdom with a loving heart and.....he wanted to stay. His heart longed to explore......but he wanted to be with her. He had the thought for the longest time. From the moment he knew she would be leaving Twisted Wonderland and he left Hourglass Station to travel he had that thought in the back of his mind. Maybe......this was the time. "Melanie?" She looked to him at the sound of her name on his lips. "Yes?" she watched him sit and looked up at the stars. "I've been thinking. I know I'm not the best, I know that at some point I'll leave you. That I'll make you worry and think I've fallen off the face of the world. But.....you've never left me. You've always been with me. Every time I've found somewhere new I wanted you to be by my side. But I also want to settle down, bring my brother here and......." Melanie's face flushed as he turned to look at her. "And......?" she whispered. Fennec then took the ring off his finger. His most precious treasure......and placed it on her finger. "I......want to make you happy. You're my world.....and I want to be with you for as long as possible. Will you marry me?"

#my work #twst oc's #twisted wonderland

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awyeahitsninokunitime · 1 year

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@kingoftheladybugs, here’s your (very) late Ni No Kuni Secret Santa gift! Or, if you prefer, an early New Year’s gift. I apologize for the lateness! This one’s a (mostly) fluffy short fic about Oliver and the gang having an impromptu camp-out after going on a ride on Tengri. This fic will be crossposted to AO3, and I’ll link that here:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/43932111

Please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors that might be in this fic, or let me know so I can correct them. I hope you enjoy, and happy holidays!

The sky was a bright, brilliant gold and lavender near the setting sun on the mountainous horizon. It was almost evening in the Barrens, and Tengri was hovering low above the treeline. No matter how excited all of them were, and how eager Tengri seemed to be to fly once more, even dragons were mortal, and all animals eventually tired. Oliver and his friends had spent the past few hours flying around the mountains of the Summerlands, exploring little hidden places they’d never even seen before, caught up in the thrill of flight. Now, they were all beginning to notice the aches in their muscles and tired eyes as Tengri flapped his great purple wings and slowly let himself down into a small clearing, hitting the ground with a surprisingly gentle thud.

“I guess even dragons have limits, huh?” Esther said, hopping off of Tengri’s back and patting his neck.

“Well,” Swaine grunted, “Dragons are animals too. Everyone gets tired eventually.”

Oliver giggled. “Tengri’s probably just tired because it's been a while since he’s flown. I bet Denny would be tired back in Motorville if he ran as much as Tengri flew today.”

Oliver’s friends nodded and hummed in agreement. They set to work unstrapping their bedrolls from Tengri’s sides - Oliver thought for sure he could carry it all in his bag, but Kublai’s crew had insisted. It turned out that the Sky Pirates weren’t so mean after all.

“What are you smiling at?” Drippy bounced up next to him. Oliver giggled bashfully.

“Nothing, I was just thinking about Kublai’s crew. They sure were nice to give us this gear, huh?”

Swaine scoffed, “Aw, sure, and he definitely won’t ask for anything in return for using his dragon, either.”

“That’s a problem for tomorrow. And tomorrow, we’d better get to thinking about those stones. It can’t be too far a flight to the Solitary Isle on Tengri’s wings,” Esther stroked Tengri’s neck again and he nuzzled her back. “Tonight, I think it’s time for dinner and bed.”

Everybody cringed a little at that (except for Tengri, of course). Lunch earlier that day had turned out to be jerky strips sandwiched between the stale white bread in Oliver’s bag. Anything tastes better with friends, that was Oliver’s philosophy. Still, he had to admit it was a little less than gourmet. As dusk fell further over the tops of the trees, Oliver made a little fire out of a fallen tree’s branches; maybe not enough to last the whole night, but they weren’t going to stay up the whole night, were they?

Being a wizard sure was useful, he thought. He didn’t need to bother with matches when he could summon a flame from the tip of his wand just like that! It was bright and warm and caught right away. Even Swaine looked begrudgingly impressed. The first time, anyway.

Oliver had brought out a few less stale provisions from his bag to share and was in the process of dividing his bread, yogurt, and old produce among the four of them (and if he ate half a carrot in the meantime, nobody would really notice). Beside him, Esther was watching the warm fire and Swaine was fiddling with something in his own bag while Tengri curled up around them like a living wall.

“Oliver?” Esther said. “Mm?” Oliver mumbled through a mouthful of carrot.

“About your world - how come the people from your world can’t see us, but we can all see you?”

Oliver opened his mouth, then closed it. Why was that so?

Swaine shrugged. “Well, I say if it’s not getting us into trouble, best leave it be. No need to poke our noses where they don’t belong.”

“But she’s right! You all shouldn’t be able to see me, should you?” Oliver mused, “And why am I able to use magic when nobody in my world can even see it?”

Drippy rolled his eyes and bounced down from Tengri’s saddle. “Is there something wrong with your memory? Do we need to find a doctor and get you checked? It’s because you’re the pure hearted one, of course!”

Oliver chewed thoughtfully. “Right, but I still wonder why. I was able to free you from your curse, Mr. Drippy, but I don’t know any spells that could do that. I didn’t even know magic was real back then.”

“Do I have to say it every other minute now? You’re the pure hearted one, that’s how you lifted my curse! Besides, not all magic does what wizards tell it to do, ain’t it.” Drippy’s lantern jangled as he spoke. “Now if you wanted moral support from your sidekick, a little reminder of your savior-ness, you could have just asked!”

Now Oliver was tempted to roll his eyes. “That’s not it, Mr. Drippy! But thank you, anyway.” Drippy huffed and reached for a bite of his carrot.

From across the fire, Swaine sighed. “How about instead of fighting over scraps, you two give me your bag so I can actually make us something proper to eat?”

“Something proper? Since when did you know how to cook?” Esther teasingly waggled a half eaten babana at him.

Swaine looked at her, then at the pot in his hands, then at the sky.

“You do know!”

“Listen, I couldn’t exactly be eating at restaurants all these years, could I?” Swaine hissed. “Well, Swaine, I think that’s a really useful thing to know. It’s not a bad thing,” Oliver tried to placate the two, but there was no need.

“Obviously it isn’t. Who do you take me for?” Swaine made to snatch at Oliver’s bag, “Now give me that.”

Esther clicked her tongue. “So you can steal our provisions?”

“So what if I did? You don’t need everything in there.”

Oliver frowned. “You know we share everything now, you two.”

Both Esther and Swaine grumbled at the same time. And ultimately, Swaine did get the bag, since Oliver wasn’t too good at cooking himself. He had always relied on mom for that.

The very thought left Oliver feeling suddenly bereft. It was tough to enjoy the night while thinking of his mother. She should be here with him. Or he shouldn’t be here at all, more like. Oliver remembered a vague promise his mother had made a long time ago, that maybe someday she would take him camping on a vacation. There was nothing like the stars on a clear night, she had sighed. It was amazing. Magical.

If only he had enough magic to save her.

“Ollie-boy, you’ve got that mopey look on your face again.” “Is everything alright?”

Oliver blinked the spots out of his eyes from staring straight into the fire. He hadn’t even realized he’d been zoning out.

Above the fire, Esther and Drippy were looking at him, concern clear on their faces. Swaine’s, too, no matter how he tried to hide it. Oliver sighed, meaning to defuse the tension, but even he could hear how unhappy it sounded.

“I was just thinking about mom.”

The mood around the fire became something more grim then.

“Oh, Oliver,” Esther put her arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug.

“Don’t be so glum. As soon as we find Mornstar’s stones, it won’t be long before we find Shadar and free Alicia,” Swaine stirred the pot of stew roughly.

Oliver sighed again. “I sure hope so.”

“Come on, have a little faith in yourself, pure-hearted one! You really should have asked me earlier about this motivation thing, mun…” Drippy pouted. Esther reached out to pat his head, but he ducked away at the last second.

“You know, Oliver, I was wondering something about your world too. I wonder where my soulmate is - if I have one, anyway.” It was clear that Swaine was trying to shift the conversation away from Oliver’s mother, and he wanted to be thankful for it. He really did. But every moment not thinking about her, moving towards freeing her - was it all time wasted, in the end?

Oliver shook his thoughts away. Thinking like that was no use either. He replied, “I’m sure you have a soulmate, Swaine. Everyone does.”

“We didn’t see him in Motorville, though.”

“Motorville’s a big city,” Oliver rebuked, “I only know my neighborhood. It’s kind of a miracle that I know so many soulmates of the people I’ve met here.”

Esther nodded. “Now that I think about it, if Oliver didn’t know Myrtle, maybe I would still be broken-hearted. Imagine if my soulmate lived halfway across the world from you.”

“Or halfway across Motorville, if it’s so huge,” Swaine snorted.

“Hey, it’s true! I’m not lying! There are almost two million people living in Motorville!”

Esther’s eyes looked wide enough to pop out of her head and Swaine’s mouth fell open. “Really?”

“Really! It’s true. At least, that’s what the census in the papers said.”

“Goodness.”

“Anyways, we don’t have technology that’s nearly as fast as a dragon in my world. We don’t have anything like cloudsweepers, either. Anything that can fly, anyway - they kind of look like scooters,” Oliver smiled again just thinking about it, “Phil would love them.”

“Phil?”

“Just a friend of mine. I wonder how he’s doing. Next time I got to Motorville, I ought to pay him a visit,” Oliver sighed for the third time. He wondered how Phil was doing. He had tried to visit him before he left for Ni No Kuni, but Oliver had been too down. Although, down was perhaps a bad word - drowning, more like, in his grief. He knew Phil had a sprained ankle. He hoped it wasn’t bothering him too much.

“Hello, anyone in there?” Swaine called.

Oliver snapped up - “Yes, Swaine!”

“You don’t need to be so familiar,” he scoffed, “Chef Swaine is just fine. In any case, dinner is ready.”

“Oh, wow!” Esther peered down into the pot, “That looks fantastic!”

“It smells great, Swaine,” Oliver added.

“Of course it does. I wouldn’t trust any of you children to cook something better.”

Esther let out an exaggerated gasp. “How can you say that?”

“With my mouth.”

Esther rolled her eyes but decided to concede, instead placing her coffee pot on the fire while Swaine ladled out soup. He clearly traveled prepared - the meal kit came with little tin cups, bowls, and spoons.

“Did you always have this stuff hanging around in your pockets?” Esther teased.

“Did you always have that coffee pot with you? Speaking of,” Swaie poked Esther in the arm. “What are you doing?”

“Improving our coffee,” Esther answered. “Say, Oliver, would you hand me those iced coffees of yours?”

“She always does this when we can’t find hot coffee nearby,” Oliver explained as he passed Esther three bottles, “She says coffee is better when its hot.”

“That’s how we serve it in Al-Mamoon. I’d brew it from beans or grounds with spices if I had them on hand, and have it with a babana split - or even fresh babanas, but i suppose overripe ones are still better than nothing.” Esther mixed the coffee gently with her stirring spoon.

“Wait, Oliver, you just drink your coffee cold?” Swaine was the one with the wide eyes now.

“How else are you supposed to drink it? It’s always cold after being in my bag for a little, isn’t it?”

Swaine gaped. “Yes, but you don’t seriously think that drinking it lukewarm is right, do you?”

Esther scoffed. “Oh, don’t bother. Oliver doesn’t have a taste for this sort of thing. I don’t understand why, which is why we have to teach him the right way. I’ve been trying, but it’s hard for older sisters on the road, sadly.”

“Right. At least now you have me to help.”

Oliver couldn’t help the blush that lit up his cheeks. “You think of me as your brother? Gee, really?”

“Oh, don’t think you’re getting out of this that easily. I don’t know how the people in your world do it, but outside of battle, coffee is to be drunk only while hot under my roof,” Swaine said.

“And,” Esther waggled the stirring spoon at Oliver, “When we complete Mornstar, defeat Shadar, and rescue Alicia, I’ll take us all to get some real Mamooni coffee - my treat.”

Oliver wondered why they were both so insistent on hot coffee. It made no difference to him - energy was energy, and he needed it for his spells. Ever since he had taken up wizardry he understood why Rusty and Miss Laila often carried a mug of the stuff with them to work, and why it was usually his mom’s first drink in the morning. Still, he wouldn’t argue too much. Or maybe he would, if it got Esther and Swaine to finally stop fighting and agree on something for a change. He accepted the offered coffee gratefully and sipped it contentedly in between spoonfuls of soup.

Oliver’s mother wasn’t saved yet, but if what Esther and Swaine said were true, he had gained a bigger family, and that made him happy enough tonight. He was always a little lonely at home, after all.

Soon the three of them were finished with their food and the fire was burning low. Swaine took all the tin and silverware and stuffed it into his bag (did he never wash that stuff, or was he just tired, Oliver wondered with a chuckle) while Esther dragged their bags closer to Tengri, with Oliver’s between her’s and Swaine’s. She herself cuddled up against the dragon’s flank while Oliver neatly tucked himself in and Swaine practically crashed into bed.

The fire burned lower. Soon, it would be barely embers.

“I’ll be thinking of Myrtle tonight,” Esther’s murmured voice still rang clear in Oliver’s ears. “I hope she sleeps well, too.”

Swaine grunted something that sounded like agreement and turned over, but said no more.

Oliver couldn’t sleep.

Mr. Drippy had tucked himself into Oliver’s arms like he usually did, and normally his weight would soothe him, just like he did when he was a stuffed doll, but tonight must have been an exception. He did everything he usually did - tried to clear his mind, breathe deeply, imagine someplace happy and warm (though tonight he didn’t have to imagine, with his friends by his side). Still, he felt restless and twitchy, his hands running up and down Drippy’s head and legs sliding over each over under the bedroll.

Speaking of whom, Drippy stirred slightly in Oliver’s arms.

“Oi, keep the petting to a minimum, would you? I need my sleep too, mun.”

“Mr. Drippy?”

He cocked his lantern-nose up. “Yeah, mun? Something bothering you?”

“Did Alicia ever have children?”

Even in the low light, Oliver could tell Drippy looked taken aback. “No, not that I know of - she went to face Shadar and got snared, then I was cursed and here we are now. Not much time in between that to go and have littlies, ain’t it?”

Oliver tipped his head back. “You’re right.”

“‘Course I’m right. Right back to sleep. You too, Ollie-boy, and don’t bother me any more.”

Drippy was out like a light, and Oliver was left alone with his thoughts again.

No children. That didn’t seem right, somehow.

Oliver gazed up at the stars. They were perfect. Out in the Barrens, they were as far from any city as they could be while still being on land. Even the pirates’ hideout was far away enough to not shine any light out here. They were all alone, and Oliver had never felt more like it.

He wasn’t worried about danger. He had his spells, Swaine his gun and Esther her familiars, and Tengri alone was fearsome enough to scare any stray animals away from their little camp. But he still felt cold looking at the night sky.

Did he have a soulmate in this world? He must have one, or he wouldn’t be alive now. Where was his soulmate? Alicia didn’t have children, so perhaps his soulmate still had his parents. But what if he was wrong? What if there was a child somewhere out in this wide world who lost their mother just like he did? Another orphan. Another child grieving, and can’t do anything about it, because they don’t know how. Another child just like him.

Oliver was reminded suddenly of the broken-hearted people he had met and helped. It was like losing a loved one, wasn’t it? He remembered how terribly despondent Rashaad had been, staring at a broken-hearted Esther with naked despair. At least, Oliver was able to bring her back for him. And he would bring his mother back, and Alicia too, and if his soulmate was out there, suffering like they had, maybe by helping himself, and even if not, he would surely help him too.

Oliver drifted off to sleep at last, peaceful and assured once more, wondering if he’d meet his soulmate soon.

#oliver #esther #swaine #drippy #nnk secret santa #this is so late and i apologize OTL #but i still hope you enjoy this!!!!

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thecandywrites · 2 years

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Zorroku and Peaches Part 8

And you may recognize this as the first part of the old part 4 which is now part 8.

Zorroku and Peaches

Part 8

But by the next morning, you were woken up by the sounds of Fang and Claw screaming as they circled above the village.

"What the hell?" You groused as you got up and opened your tent and glared at the sky before you groaned as you realized Shuzug was already here. You called Fang and Claw to you as you wrapped your arm in a blanket before they dove down to you and landed on your arm.

"Oof, good morning to you too," You greeted them sleepily before you heard Ori stir and put the pair on the stand with Razor and went and got your cloak on, even if it was a bit big, along with your shoes and your mother’s sling and put her sleeping and bundled form into it and put her under your cloak with you and invited the birds out and told them to find Shuzug before you followed them to the gate of the village where the guards had stopped Shuzug who was arguing with them to let him in as all three eagles came and landed on the mane of his horse.

"Hey! He's with me, let him in." You ordered them, still sleepy and a little irritated that your amazing dreams were interrupted.

"You know him?" They asked you.

"Yes, that is Shuzug, youngest son of Clan Chief Khagra of the Black Wolf White Rock Clan, who is coincidentally also your Clan Chief's nephew. Clan Chieftess Yotul and Shuzug's mother Clan Chieftess Bula are sisters. And he's my friend. I'm sure the rest of the family is only a few hours away, let him through." You vetted before they let him through before his horse practically pranced through the gate as you could see a few something’s squirm in his large bag across his chest.

"Did you really ride all night to get here?" You asked him as he strode his horse over you before he got off.

"Yes. I couldn't wait. I left the moment the crows came back, the rest will be leaving right about now." Shuzug answered a bit bashfully before he noticed you were holding a baby under your cloak.

"So who's this?" He asked curiously as he peeked inside as he gave you a gentle hug so as not to squish her.

"Kinda sorta my daughter?" You giggled as you opened the cloak up more to show her to him.

"Aw, how did you manage that?" He asked curiously.

"Dude, how did you manage that?" You asked as you gestured to the bag before three wolf pup heads popped out, a white, a gray and a red wolf pup before it continued to squirm and two mountain lion cubs who were the same age poked their heads out too.

"Well hello there!" You cooed to them as you pet them as they sniffed you.

"It's a long story." He ducked his head as you noticed he also had some fresh wounds on his head and body that you knew Lilly must have just patched up.

"May the gods have mercy." You snickered.

"Come on, my tent is this way." You nodded as you started walking back to your tent as he tied his horse next to the door and marveled at the tent and the little outdoor door mat in front of your tent’s door that you pulled the string to open the door for him.

“Wipe your feet and close the door after you come in.” You reminded him.

"Wow, this is really nice! You get this all to yourself? When the crows said 'big tent', I didn't think it would be this big." Shuzug praised as he got his things off of his horse and brought them in and he looked around after he put the pups and cubs down to explore your tent.

"Thanks and it is all mine. This little girl's father got it for me." You answered with a twinkle in your eye as you took your cloak off and hung it back up.

"Holy shit, what happened to your boobs?! Like when the crows said ‘big booms Bella’ I didn’t think they would be enormous! They’re bigger than your head!” Shuzug asked as he noticed the change in them before you smacked him upside the head.

"Really?" You deadpanned before you got back in bed just as Ori started to stir before you unceremoniously took out a breast and started nursing her.

"What the hell Bella?" Shuzug asked as he watched on in surprise.

"Dude, pull up a chair, do I have an epic tale for you." You began before you got comfortable and propped up by all the pillows on your bed and started telling him everything that happened from the moment you left his sight until that moment in time. All while the wolf pups and baby mountain lions explored your tent. Shuzug listened and watched you nurse Ori with awe as the pups and the cubs ate the already dead rabbit carcasses at the base of the eagle perch as Razor, Fang and Claw also ate rabbits too.

"So any idea of who you might want?" Shuzug asked you once you finished.

"Well, that's a tricky question to answer. Because clearly, I'm connected to Zorroku. And come to find out, he has no other wives right now. How does the first born, that handsome, his age not have like five by now?" You asked rhetorically.

"I mean yeah I see where you're coming from." Shuzug nodded.

"My only other viable option is the youngest Nar, not to be confused in any way, shape or form with Yar. He's 12, just now getting some whiskers and facial hair. He has no wives, no kids, and he's young enough that I might get him to myself for a little while at least and he's a lot like you and we get along pretty good. But I'm still getting little brother vibes, like I really gotta push myself to view him romantically." You shrugged.

"Well have you talked with any of them about what they want from you and what you want from them and see if you're compatible or can come to an agreement or an understanding?" Shuzug asked.

"Not yet, I've only been here for two days. And this will be my third day here. I'm hoping once everyone is together and once all your sisters and your mother especially get to meet all of them and get a feel for them, they'll give me some insights." You hoped.

"So are they really treating you well? Like really really?" Shuzug asked a little skeptically.

"Dude! I have more freedoms and rights here than I do at home. I am servant to no one. No one bosses me around and I basically get to do whatever I want which is actually cooking because I want to not because I'm expected to. Which is odd, but really nice. I'm cooking with joy instead of fear. And I'm finding myself wanting to make everything I make really good instead of feeling like I need to or else I'll face the consequences.” You firmly insisted.

“Like if Yotul and Crowthu aren't calling me Peaches they're calling me daughter and they really mean it. Like they have completely adopted me and accepted me and it really is like one big happy family that I'm a full fledged member of. Like I'm on a first name or even nickname basis with everyone. The moment I came into the village, Crowthu introduced me as his new daughter. Before I even got to his tent and practically showed me off to the whole village who greeted me respectfully and just accepted me with open arms, and ease, and had no issues with me at all. And it's weird but really nice. They have all completely upheld their half of the oath. But it's not that they have to really try or work against themselves and their own nature to uphold it. It's like that oath and those conditions are just the way they are. And it was a given that they'd be good to me. Even the little kids call me Auntie Peaches and adore me just as much as I adore them. Which the 'Peaches' thing took a little to get used to but Zorroku made a really good point on how it's a fitting name ‘because I'm sweet when I want to be but I'll be a poisonous killer like the peach seed itself when I want to be too’. Because I've gotten to hunt and fish since I've been with them so that was actually a really nice compliment.” You explained with a bright smile.

"Wow, I mean, yeah that makes total sense and you kind of look like a Peaches too." Shuzug teased you and you playfully stuck your tongue out at him.

"So no creepy rape-y vibes then?" Shuzug asked.

"Well, there is still two of your cousins that give me the creeps, Silug and Winug. But as long as I stay away from them, I'm good. Otherwise, there's four that are trying really, really hard to woo me and it's...again, weird." Is all you could say with another giggle and a shrug.

"And which ones are those?" Shuzug asked.

"The twins, Grushnug and Murnag, Yalak and Nar. The twins, a middle and the baby. Zorroku is, in comparison, really reserved and discrete about his efforts. He is just trying to see if there is any natural chemistry or affection that grows on its own, rather than forcing it or pushing it. Which I find I like a lot better and surprisingly easy and rather effortless to grow closer to him outside of taking care of Ori but I still feel like we’re on the precipice of being good friends to potentially becoming more, but I’m still just really weary to let myself go for him for the aforementioned reasons." You specified.

"Is there any beyond Zorroku you like back?" Shuzug asked.

"Not really, no." You sighed with a subtle shake of your head as you looked down at Ori and her baby blue skin and when you looked back up Shuzug was just grinning ear to ear.

“So tell me more about Zorroku.” Shuzug asked.

“Well it’s actually Zorroushku. His mother was none other than Sharnarrah the Magnificent of the Mountain Blizzard Clan.” You began.

“Oh shit, your adopted aunt?” He asked as you nodded.

“Yup. So he actually has three names, Zorroku is his name in the common tongue and Pregu, Zorroushku in Ragesh and he lets me call him Zushku for short, which is what the nickname for him would be if he was in that clan. Turns out Sharnarrah died giving birth to the twins, Grushnug and Murnag, or their Ragesh names are Grushnagah and Murnagah. And Yalak had been born like a day or two earlier. So Yotul, your mother’s sister, took the twins on and raised them and became Clan Chieftess because Sharnarrah had been Crowthu’s Clan Chieftess while she lived. So Zorroku, Glasha, which is short Glashnarah and Marnarrah, speak Ragesh the easiest. The twins not so much and Yotul never learned it. So any Ragesh the twins learned, they learned from Zorroku and his other siblings. Whereas Silug, Winug, Yalak and of course Nar know Yowl as well as they do Pregu- which is the Thunder Herd Clan native language. But Pregu is nothing like any other language I’ve ever heard, it’s like over a dozen of the common orc languages all got smashed together. And I can’t figure out how they got smashed together, only that they are. So I’m really only picking up one word out of every other sentence and I’m racking my brain trying to figure out the rest. It’s been really hard learning it because I haven’t gotten an alphabet yet.” You sighed in frustration.

“But apparently the reason they came and got me, specifically, was because I was “family found” to them. And that ‘family found’, was in the sense that I am both a daughter of the Black Wolf White Rock Clan with your mother and her mother and you and your siblings. So to Yotul and her children by Crowthu, that’s how I’m family found to them. To Zorroku and his siblings, because my mother is the adopted daughter of Jaseeneh and adopted sister to Sharnarrah and I speak Ragesh, that’s how I’m the family found to them.” You explained.

“Oh so it has nothing to do with…” Shuzug trailed off.

“No, it has nothing to do with those blessings. I've talked about them- with Zorroku as he was telling me about Ori’s mother. And he calls them my “spite blessings”.” You rev\ealed with a laugh which got Shuzug to laugh with you.

“Spite blessings, perfect.” Shuzug beamed happily.

“So what happened with Ori’s mother?” Shuzug asked as he gestured to Ori still nursing but giving him a skeptical look as she did so. Which was actually super cute and adorable to Shuzug.

“Ori’s mother was Medowne. I don’t know what clan she came from. But she was apparently very sickly. She had a very hard time conceiving. And had at least a few or maybe several miscarriages before she was pregnant with Ori. Ori was supposed to be born right about now. But she was born in the winter, in the mountains. Where the air is already super thin and hard on most. Ori was born so prematurely that she was covered in lagune. And Medowne died just as Ori barely got her head through. Ori had to be cut out of Medowne to keep from dying with her. So it was a super traumatic birth for everyone.” You revealed as Shuzug’s eyes got wide.

“And at the time YakYak was the youngest baby in the family so Grat, Yalak’s wife started to nurse her. But Ori is allergic to onions and garlic which are coincidentally a huge part of the diet here and Grat’s favorite foods. So that’s why Ori is still so tiny and sick. Because she was not only born prematurely, she never got her first milk and has been nursing from a woman past the first milk stage and who has been eating practically nothing but all the foods she’s allergic to. So I immediately offered that if there was a way to nurse her, I would and refrain from onions and garlic and whatever other foods she’s allergic to for her sake. Because you know I don’t like onions unless they’re sweet onions. Which this clan only really seems to have the wild, really hot ones here. So Crowthu’s mother Arob gave me a special drink to get my breasts to grow to size to make enough milk satisfy Ori and to give her milk that wouldn’t hurt her but actually nourish her. Thus the big boobs, thus, I’m her mother.” You recounted.

“Oh that’s sad for her but good for you.” Shuzug frowned as he looked Ori over again and really noticed just how tiny she really was. He had thought she was a halfling because of her small size. But she was way too small for a three month old.

“Plus Ori- is short for Oriannaregina.”

“Oh damn.” Shuzug’s eyes went wide.

“And the reason she has that name is that’s the name Sharnarrah was calling out on her deathbed. And no one here knew who that was and apparently no one in the Mountain Blizzard Clan would tell them either. So Zorroku simply named her I’m guessing as a commemoration to his mother who died when he was only 6, so still an adolescent himself.” You speculated.

“Yeah, so she’s literally named after my mom. But Sharnarrah never told anyone the truth about my mother. And neither did anyone from my grandma’s clan. And it wasn’t until Arob got a prophetic vision of me and it showed me on that mountain growing breadseed a few months ago. But all they saw was my back. My red hair and my red fox fur snowsuit with a peach in my pocket. Which is why they all yelled “Peaches!” when they saw the peach and why they call me Peaches. But in the vision that Arob got, I was in a Mountain Blizzard Clan hut. And come to find out- Crowthu’s sister, Cilanthe is the Clan Chieftess of the Mountain Blizzard Clan and they’re coming to meet me too. Which I hope at least one of my new outfits is done by today. Because I know Grandma Jaseeneh has always felt that your parents didn’t treat me or my family as well as she wanted them too. And with the past your parents have with the Mountain Blizzard Clan in general. I don’t know how things will go when they do meet. Because it’s going to very much be Crowthu, Cilanthe, Arob and Jaseeneh against your mom and your grandma. And poor Yotul will be stuck in the middle. And I hope it’s enough that my parents can finally get the freedom that your parents have denied them for twenty years.” You whispered to him after you gestured for him to come closer as he knelt next to the bed so you didn’t have to speak too loudly.

“Me too. Is that why Yotul asked for your family to come too?” Shuzug asked as you nodded.

“Well if this clan will treat your family the same way they’ve treated you so far, I hope they can finally be free. I mean, we will miss you. But heck, I just might consider moving here too.” Shuzug offered.

“Oh gods, I can’t imagine the shenanigans you and Nar would get into.” You playfully groaned and giggled as he laughed.

"Well I'm happy for you, relieved mostly, but happy for you," Shuzug grinned.

"Thanks, well when everyone gets up I'd imagine at least five of them will want to be your new best friend. And honestly you and Nar would be like brothers, if not practically twins, but he’s blue and you’re green, but otherwise twins. Like he may only be two years older than you but he's literally the same size as you and his personality is really similar. Did you get a chance to read my message about bringing the book of riddles?" You asked.

"Oh you mean this book?" Shuzug grinned as he reached into his other satchel and pulled it out.

"Yay!" You cheered.

"Peaches? You ok? Who's in there with you?" Glasha asked as she woke up and heard talking and didn't recognize the male voice coming from your tent.

"Yeah I'm ok, come over and meet your cousin," You invited.

"Well kind of, she's not a blood cousin. She's the eldest daughter from Crowthu and Sharn so she’s of no blood relation to you, that I know of at least. Glasha is awesome. She's my best friend here." You murmured to Shuzug as Glasha came over.

"Be careful, don't let the pups or the cubs out." You urged as she carefully came in and noticed three wolf pups and two mountain lion cubs chewing on what was left of their individual rabbits as all three eagles stood regally on the perch.

"Good morning, sorry to wake you up." You offered as she came in and made sure the flap was closed so the pups and cubs wouldn't escape.

“It’s ok. I just heard his voice and didn’t recognize it and got worried.” She admitted.

"Hi, I'm Shuzug, Yotul and my mom are sisters apparently." Shuzug introduced himself as he held out his hand for her to shake as she did.

"Hi, I'm Glasha," she smiled brightly as she shook it before she sat on the bed just as Ori got done lazily drinking her breakfast and finally woke up for the day and turned to fully stare at Shuzug as you put your breast back into your nightgown.

"Well good morning Ori." Shuzug cooed to her as she gave him a look that clearly said 'I don't know you. Who are you? And why are you talking to me?' that cracked all of you up before she looked at you questioningly.

"This is...your uncle Shuzug." You cooed to her as Shuzug nodded in agreement to that before you sat her up so that she laid against your stomach with your thighs and breasts propped her up kept her sitting up as you made sure she was completely covered up so she wouldn't get cold as you still laid on your side, propped up yourself. Shuzug got down on his knees next to the bed to get closer to her again.

"She's really small for being three months old, she’s smaller than most newborns. But she’s really cute. Almost like one of those super expensive porcelain dolls." Shuzug noticed as he reached out and gently let her reach out to take his hand before he got his face closer to hers and started playing with her and cooing to her and trying to make her laugh that she was not induced to do. She just stared at him with a speculative frown as she seemed to let go of him and wipe her hand on her blanket which made all of you laugh.

"Well that's because her birth mother died giving birth to her and she didn't get her first milk and started nursing from my half brother's wife who already had a three month old of her own and the milk is different as babies grow." Glasha explained from her spot next to her niece on the bed as she sat by your feet as Ori looked from you to Shuzug and then to Glasha and then back to Shuzug.

"And she's super sensitive to onions and garlic, and they eat those with every single meal here. And Grat, Yalak's wife- and the one who was nursing her, didn't want to give them up for Ori's sake. So Peaches told Mama Arob, who is a sorceress, that she would nurse her if she could. And that she was willing to give up eating those things for Ori's sake. And that's when Mama Arob made her that special drink." She explained.

“And that’s why I’m sort of her mom now.” You offered.

"You're not kinda sorta her mom, you are her mom." Glasha affirmed and you found yourself grinning and nodding along with that.

"Yeah I guess I am, but she's so sensitive to them she's borderline allergic to them and would have been for life." You explained gravely.

"If you hadn't stepped in." Glasha realized.

"Well thank you, very very much for stepping when you did. I know Zorroku especially is very thankful and grateful you did." Glasha thanked you graciously.

"You're welcome, I'm happy to help and she's a sweetheart, obviously." You gestured to her.

"Which before you came along all she did was fuss. Poor thing, now that she's drinking milk that's not making her sick and not hurting her, we finally get to see her for herself. She's never been so happy and content before." Glasha praised.

"Well Bella has always been great with kids, she's a natural mom and obviously a very good one." Shuzug praised, with a wink to you, which got you to smile appreciatively back.

"I wonder if Mama Arob would have a special spell or something for Yar since she was able to do that to you." Shuzug wondered as he gestured to your bosom and you and Glasha both burst out laughing as he couldn't help but laugh a long too.

"You told them didn't you?" Shuzug laughed.

"I may have gotten a little drunk, tipsy at least and may have let a few family secrets loose and I swore them to secrecy." You playfully accused as you nudged Glasha's back with your foot.

"You did, I'm sorry," Glasha admitted.

"It's ok, I'm not mad, I was just hoping there was something out there because he's done nothing but mope and complain about how he's lost his chance of finding anyone to help him on his quest. Because 'you were the only one who understood him and sympathized with him and was his only friend and he'll never find that again'." Shuzug snickered, imitating his older brother.

"Oh gods." You groaned as you rubbed your eyes tiredly which got them to laugh more.

"You mean I was the only one with enough patience to put up with him and his bullshit. I'm not going to ask Mama Arob for anything for him. It's ridiculous and not worth her time or energy. Like I don't even want him to know she's a sorceress just so that he'd leave her in peace. Not unless he learned to be more than his appearance and his muscles and be nice just for the sake of being a nice. And a good person and not because he's being a manipulative piece of shit. If he wants it so bad, he's grown, he can ask himself." You spat.

"Hey! Look at you speaking your mind so freely!" Shuzug congratulated you.

"This place must be good to you if you're being yourself so much." Shuzug smiled proudly.

"It is." You nodded with a grin as Glasha beamed so happily, she nearly became sunshine herself.

"Belladonna, are you ok?" Zorroku asked as he noticed a regular horse tied to a tent pole outside your tent and heard a male voice he didn't recognize and he instantly got worried. Especially when he had been unknowingly sharing such a wonderful dream with you only to be interrupted and then never coming back to it again.

"Zushku, I’m fine. Come on in, just be careful not to let the pups or the cubs out. Come meet your cousin Shuzug, he rode all night to get here this morning." You invited him as Glasha raised her eyebrows and gave you a meaningful look which you could do nothing but smile happily back at her which made her sit up straighter and prouder to see that development.

"Pups or Cubs?" Zorroku repeated in confusion before he came in and saw wolf pups and mountain lion cubs on the ground and stared in shock and a little bit of horror that they were so close to you and his daughter.

"It's ok. They're babies, they mean no harm. Close the tent flap please." You reassured him as he closed it and carefully came forward as Shuzug got up and turned to face him.

"Hi, I'm Shuzug, I came early ahead of the rest of my family." Shuzug offered as he shook Zorroku's hand.

"Oh, hi. Welcome." Zorroku greeted politely back before he sat down in the chair and noticed all three eagles before the wolf pups came over and sniffed his legs before he felt inclined to bend over and pet them as the mountain lion cubs climbed up the bedding that was spilling off your bed as he could have sworn he had seen these pups in his dreams. Especially this red one in his hands.

"Well hello there, aren't you such pretty kitties!" You cooed to the mountain lion kittens. You kept them close to you and your face rather than going near Ori. You pet them like they were normal kittens and started purring to them and nuzzling them as they curled up with you happily as Zorroku picked up another wolf pup and held it and started petting it, marveling at how soft the fur was and how adorable the pup was. Before one of the others went over to Glasha as she picked it up as Shuzug still was cooing to Ori who still wasn’t sure about him as she looked questioningly from her father to him.

You all continued to talk as Zorroku and Glasha got to know Shuzug more before there was another tap on the tent pole.

"Peaches?" Nar asked curiously as he eyed the normal sized horse curiously.

"Come on in, it's a party in here." You laughed before he came in and saw everything.

"Meet your cousin Shuzug, Shuzug, meet your cousin Nar, again." You introduced as he came over and sat down next to Shuzug on the floor before you handed him and Shuzug the mountain lion cubs.

"Oh my gods they’re so cute! And so soft!" Nar gushed as he held it to his chest and neck as he nuzzled it and pet it.

Shuzug told the story of how he stole these baby animals from their dens and you just shook your head at how positively foolhardy it all had been as Zorroku watched your reaction to Shuzug's story closely, greatly amused by your reactions.

"Ok so my question is why did you do this? What could have possibly possessed you to do this?" You asked him when he was done.

"Well I wanted to surprise you with gifts." Shuzug tried to smile charmingly as you just narrowed your eyes at him and gave him an unimpressed look.

"No gift to me or anyone else is worth your life Shuzug. You, very easily, could have died. You didn't take my advice and actually run any of this by anyone did you?" You leveled and he ducked his head a little out of embarrassment as his cheeks darkened.

“Did you?” You pressed again before he guiltily shook his head ‘no’.

"No." Shuzug admitted and you clasped your hands together like you're praying as you squeezed your eyes shut as your face showed a very wide range of emotion.

"Are you actually praying?" Shuzug asked in a chuckle.

"Yes, for the gods to give me strength to not strangle you right now because of how short sighted you're being." You said through gritted teeth as Zorroku, Nar and Glasha snickered a laugh. You opened your eyes and fixed Shuzug with a look.

"Shuzug, there are no cows here. Not even goats or sheep or even pigs, there is nothing to milk here, where would I get the milk to nurse them? They may be eating some meat now but they're still young enough they need milk still. And I sure as hell am not going to be nursing them. All my milk belongs to Ori and I am not going to be having her share it with anyone or anything. You're going to have to take them home with you and do what you can with them. Because you are trying to give me a gift I can not sustain." You pointed out as Zorroku blew out a breath of relief as he had worried about that.

"Oh," Shuzug realized.

"Well my family should be bringing those with them." Shuzug said hopefully.

"Yeah and they're still, by my estimate, seven hours away. These babies should be needing milk right now. It's not like I can take a wheel of cheese and miraculously turn it back into milk." You argued.

"Well we could try to milk the horses." Nar offered as Shuzug lit up at that.

"Yeah!" Shuzug agreed.

"Ok fine, go try, just try not to get kicked to death. And mares have two teets. If it only has one, it's a stud and do not feed whatever comes from "milking" that to anyone." You teased as everyone laughed at that before Shuzug and Nar got up and left the baby animals with you.

“Great, now I'm a mother of six. I’m going to need at least a litter box.” You sighed tiredly before finally sat up against the headboard for the bed and put Ori against your bent legs as you played with her a little.

"Your uncle is driving me so crazy, yes he is! Because he doesn't think things through. No he doesn't! He is so sense stupid, yes he is!" You cooed to Ori who cooed as you tickled her and laughed back at you.

Zorroku and Glasha chuckled too as you felt around Ori's tummy to see if she still had any issues and was surprised when she didn't have any at all. But you'd still be feeding her more medicine today just in case just like you had done the day before and the day before that.

"She looks so much better now that she's with you. Her cheeks and limbs are getting chubby now." Zorroku praised as he watched you softly as his heart swelled with so much pride and love and affection. His dreams and visions of you washing over his mind again as his instincts were to climb into bed with you and hold you and Ori.

"Well it pisses me off that once Grat found out Ori's sensitive to onions and garlic that she wouldn't give them up for Ori's sake. Like she flatly refused." Glasha admitted.

"Oh me too," you agreed as you played with Ori.

“Me three and Ori me four.” Zorroku readily agreed as Glasha was happy that you and he had at least talked about it since he seemed to already know about it.

"Ori probably would have died because she was not wanting to eat at all because she couldn't stand the milk." Zorroku realized as he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and ran his hands over his face before looking and catching your small nod of confirmation and he just felt like going on a rampage he was so angry. His sister in law had been so selfish and so opposed to being inconvenienced she would have killed his daughter.

"Hey, Zushku," you softly pulled him from his dark thoughts so that he looked at you instead of at the ground.

"It's ok, the good news is, Ori's ok. Ori's fine. See? Sure she's small now, but she's doing better today than she was yesterday and leaps and bounds better than she was the day before that. Three days ago was the worst she'll hopefully ever be. And as long as I draw breath, I'll take care of her. I know you're angry at Grat, I am too. But I'm not going to dwell on the past or torture myself with thoughts of what would have happened to her if I hadn't intervened. Thank the gods I was able to come and help when I could. Your grandmother said that the gods and that the fates themselves wanted me here. And I believe her and it's because I believe I was brought here for Ori's sake and I'm perfectly happy and content with that.” You softly but calmly insisted.

“Ori is obviously a wonderful baby. She's happy and she's getting healthier and healthier and better and better every day and with every meal she nurses from me. And I’m sure, once we get all of Grat’s milk out of her, she’ll be even better. Which should be by the end of today at the latest. I'm happy and grateful and thankful for the gods guiding your grandmother and your family to me. And I’m happy and relieved I came. Because I probably never would have forgiven myself if such a precious little one died just because I let my fears overwhelm me and cloud my judgement. And the gods have blessed me greatly with everything around me because I took a leap of faith and they and you and your whole family caught me. The very same gods whose sacred sculptures are on that table next to you. So don't think about Grat. Life has a way of giving selfish people what they deserve. I mean you'll be meeting the epitome of that in Yar later tonight. So let it go, it'll do you no good making a fuss about it now. Ori is happier and healthier right now and hopefully she’ll never stop from making progress.” You encouraged him.

“Thanks to you.” Zorroku smiled appreciatively.

“Thanks to us. Ori needs two parents doesn’t she? You’re still her father, nothing has changed that and hopefully nothing will ever change that either.” You insisted as Glasha nearly screamed in excitement that you practically proposed to her brother.

“You’re right. It could be worse. We could be something similar to Iron Mammoth.” Zorroku answered as he was hoping he wasn’t reading too much into your statement because he was ready to propose. But he didn’t want to get his hopes too high because the way you were in his dream was one thing, who you were in real life seemed to be similar but still different.

“Mammoth who?” Glasha repeated.

“Iron Mammoth is one of probably too many clans that, according to my Aunt Fusha, that if any wife gives a son of the warchief or heaven forbid the Clan Chief - daughters, the daughters are immediately given to the other families in the clan. Usually the lowliest families of the clan and the mothers never even get the chance to give those daughters their first milk or get to hold them at all. And if they put up a fight and actually want to hold, let alone keep their daughters who they spent ten months carrying, they're instantly demoted and replaced within seconds. To the point their fathers fuck their new replacements in the very same room right next to the birthing bed, as their former wives are still birthing the afterbirth. Or if their husbands don't want to demote their wives for wanting to keep the baby, the fathers then smash their daughter's head in so that there is no daughter and it's announced that it was a son that was still born to "save" the family honor because daughters are seen as a dishonor. That is truly horrific." You informed them as Glasha and Zorroku looked so horrified they could throw up.

"What clans do that?" Glasha asked.

"The Infamous Hand Clan, The Beserker Clan, and the Iron Mammoth Clan, that I know of at least. And those three clans are actually run by a set of triplets and the Infamous Hand Clan was the original clan and the Clan Chief's other triplets formed their own clans. Especially when orcs who get thrown out of good and honorable clans can find shelter and a place there among those ranks.” You specified.

“They’re the biggest three clans of the infamous twelve that we have nothing to do with. Where most of those who escape their clutches come to us.” Zorroku supplied.

“Oooh.” Glasha realized.

“To my knowledge, as of a year and a half ago, the top three, the ones I mentioned, none of them have Clan Chieftesses. All their kids are sons from slaves who are kept on literal chains. It's horrific. Even my Clan Chief Khagra will have nothing to do with them.” You revealed.

“Why?” Glasha asked curiously.

“Because the Nightmare Mammoth Clan’s Chief invited him and his eldest two sons there for an alliance a year and a half ago. Once Khagra and his eldest sons, Myles and Bullard saw the conditions there, they immediately backed out. And that's what started the last war that our clan barely survived. Khagra's eldest two sons died trying free those poor slave girls and save the baby girls. Because they had been invited to a birth and that's what happened because the slave could not be demoted any further and so when she weakly pleaded for mercy, the warchief killed her by smashing her own head in after he smashed his daughter's head." You revealed sadly.

"Oh I'm going to be sick." Glasha groaned as she held her stomach as Zorroku wiped his tears away discreetly.

"Yeah, so I'm just eternally grateful you guys are nothing like that. I mean it's a pretty good sign if the Clan Chief himself is playing with his own granddaughters and treats even the bedroom servants of his sons with care and respect and dignity. Even when those same sons won’t marry them. And their children are recognized as his own grandkids. And obviously if Ori has over a hundred silk diapers, about a dozen fursuits and even jewelry. That’s a pretty good sign too that girls are blessings and sons are gifts. Which is how all children should be viewed, in my opinion at least. And if the children are wanted by their parents that is." You allowed as you kissed Ori's cheeks before pretending to eat her little neck as she squealed in delight and giggled.

"Is that what you thought we were like though? Before you came?" Glasha asked carefully.

"Honestly I didn't know. I just knew that Khagra didn’t want the past repeating itself like it had with Iron Mammoth. And granted I'm one of those 'hope for the best but prepare for the worst' kinds of people. And three days ago, all I knew, all anyone in the Black Wolf White Rock Clan knew of the Thunder Herd Clan was that you were especially fierce in battle and that you rode draft horses. That's all. No one knows your customs, your eating habits, your traditions, nothing. Not even my uncle Justineh and his wife Fusha or any of their kids ever told me or my family about any of you either. I don’t know who and why that was, but I’m sure we’ll figure that out when they come. Because I have every intention of asking.” You informed them.

“Who knows, because they didn’t tell us too much about Black Wolf White Rock or you and your family either.” Zorroku shrugged.

“Well, Khagra has an old book that he’s made and that his father started. It lists all the original orc clans from before the convergence. And he updates it every time there's a new alliance or we hear news of new clans forming or old clans getting decimated. But all that is in the book on you guys- is a list of your conquests. And then where all the other clans estimate your lands to be. But that's it. There's not even a list of warchief family lines in it. So I had no clue what I was walking into.” You revealed.

“And come to find out, you're literally the best clan I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and actually extended family to me too. So hey, it's worked out great." You smiled brightly which got them to nod and smile in return as Glasha and her brother regained their composure.

You continued to love on Ori and got her to continue to coo and babble at you as she reached out and grabbed your face and tried to 'kiss' you back which was a very open mouthed slobbering kiss to your cheek. You laughed so hard as the feeling of her little tongue licking the apple of your cheek. Glasha and Zorroku watched on, their hearts warmed and their spirits lifted again as they took comfort in knowing how good they really had it and how downright lucky they were to have you.

Zorroku was making plans in his head, you were deserving of at least four horses for adopting his daughter as your own. He wanted to give you everything he owned, you deserved even more than what he could ever give you. You deserved to be completely and unreservedly and unconditionally loved and adored, And if you chose him, as his one and only wife, you would be- especially as his Warchieftess. You absolutely would be loved and adored by the whole clan before he realized what he should be giving you but it wasn't his to give, yet.

Then there was another knock on the door.

“Yes?” You answered as you pulled up the blanket to cover more of yourself.

“Hi, it’s just me, I have the first part of your wardrobe done.” Lazgar’s assistant, her own daughter Lazuli, greeted as she was carrying the trunk of Medowne’s clothes that had been quickly and easily taken in to suit your smaller size.

“Oh my goodness. You guys work fast!” You marveled as she put it down and opened it and took out some of the better pieces and showed them to you.

“Well these clothes were donated, and all they needed to be was taken in.” She answered as she looked to Zorroku who nodded his agreement to that that you still caught, especially from the scheming grin Glasha was wearing.

“I’ll leave so you can get dressed.” Zorroku immediately excused himself.

“Zushku.” You called after him as he stopped and turned around as gave him a meaningful look.

“Thank you.” You thanked him.

“For what?” He asked.

“Everything.” You answered as he nodded and smiled and left, his head higher and his chest puffed out just a little more than usual which made your smile bigger and more fond.

“Are these Medowne’s old clothes?” You asked Glasha and Lazuli who looked at each other.

“It’s ok if they are, I’m not upset if they are. I just don’t want any of her family who may be here to think I’m fully replacing her and trying to erase all memory of her.” You offered.

“No, no one would ever think that.” Glasha insisted.

“And Medowne was the only one from her clan who came here. Her clothes from her old clan were buried with her. These were just the clothes that she got to feel more Thunder Herd in style.” Lazuli reassured you.

“What clan was she from?” You asked.

“Yellow River.” Glasha answered.

“Ooh, I see. So when Yotul came into the Thunder Herd Clan, Medowne came too?” You asked.

“Not at the same exact time, but several years later.” Glasha specified.

“Did Yotul and Medowne get along?” You asked.

“Not really.” Glasha answered.

“Because Yotul is actually Great Typhoon Breaker and Medowne was a true Yellow River clan member?” You guessed as the two of them nodded.

“But we didn’t know exactly where Yotul came from before you said something the other night. So Medowne made sure to distinct herself from Yotul, as a true Yellow River Clanswomen vs. one that just got sold to them and then traded with another.” Glasha specified.

“Ok. So I’m seeing lots of Mountain Blizzard touches here.” You began as you gestured to the details on the outfits.

“Well that’s to show that you are of both Thunder Herd and Mountain Blizzard.” Lazuli offered.

“Well I love it. I’m grateful Zorroku did that, so that I could have something else to wear that could be altered to fit me easily and quickly. Especially when we’re expecting the Black Wolf White Rock Clan tonight.” You realized.

“And Mountain Blizzard should be here this afternoon.” Glasha supplied.

“So soon?” You asked in shock.

“Yeah, so we should probably go to the bathing tent after breakfast and get ready. And you should have plenty of jewelry to choose from in this dresser here, where the sacred sculptures are.” Glasha said as she pointed to the dresser in particular.

“Actually it’s empty.” You revealed.

“What? How can it be empty? Where did those boys place your new jewelry?” Glasha demanded.

“They probably didn’t take it out of its chest from the horde.” Lazuli offered.

“Stupid boys.” Glasha growled irritatedly as she got up and went looking for it before you got your undergarments and got dressed into those before you found an outfit that really appealed to you and put that on.

“How do I look?” You asked them.

“You look great.” They both smiled happily.

“And you’ll look better when Ori wears this.” Lazuli offered as she held up the matching outfit for Ori.

“Aww, she will.” You beamed happily before you changed Ori’s diaper to find that it no longer smelled like sulfur.

“Oh good, the sulfur is out of her system.” You sighed in relief when her waste, which looked like cottage cheese, actually smelled faintly of sweet milk and peaches before you got her redressed in the matching outfit just as Glasha found your trunk of jewelry, all haphazardly thrown into the trunk.

“Those boys just grabbed whatever and threw it in here. My mother would not have approved. My half brothers did this.” Glasha growled as she tried to untangle it all.

“Well and that’s where Zorroku exceeded. Because here’s all of the jewelry in the chest that was with the clothes.” Lazuli said as she showed you the special little jewelry box with separate chains vs. individual pendants.

“Aww, that’s so thoughtful.” You realized as you took something small and simple that matched your outfit and put it on along with a special bejeweled belt and put that on and had to put it on it’s smaller cinch to fit around you.

“Girls, breakfast.” Yotul reminded you as she passed your tent on her way to the kitchen tent to oversee that they would have enough food for the day.

“Glasha, leave it, I’ll deal with it later.” You urged her before the three of you left as you gave Lazuli an extra tip for getting the clothes to you so quickly before Glasha at least put the pieces she had untangled back before she closed it back up.

#Zorroku and Peaches #Zushku and Bella #medieval orc story #mediaval orc love story #orc love story #orc boyfriend #orc husband #male orc x human female reader #male monster x female reader

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nyotasaimiri · 1 year

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Arc Two (redux) 77

Arjun kept watch while Nyota reported back to the others; she and Lumen had already discussed regular check-ins before she left, so he was ready for her call. Safer to keep them informed.

“Those wispers sure are a nuisance,” Lumen agreed as Nyota finished filling him in. “We used to get them around the saloon on Mars from time to time. Sometimes they’re jus’ playful, though, so ya prob’ly did right in lettin’ them go.”

Nyota nodded. Movement caught her eye and made her stiffen, but it was just a small cloud of snow falling off a higher ledge. “Thank you, Lumen. I hope so.”

He hummed, just shy of a chuckle, as if he could see her being twitchy. “Now don’t let me keep ya. Got a whole big place to explore, right?”

She almost sighed. She wasn’t sure if it was a weary sigh, or a relieved one. “That we do. Have you managed to get anything close to a read of its size?”

“Not yet,” Lumen replied, “but we’re tryin’. Good luck out there, ma’am.”

“Thank you. I hope we do not need it.” The earpiece clicked as Lumen ended the call. Nyota looked up, and frowned slightly. “What’s wrong, Arjun? You look thoughtful.”

If someone could ever radiate gruff, Arjun certainly did. “Something have to be wrong for me to be thoughtful, ma’am?”

“Don’t start that.” Nyota knocked a little more snow off her spear and boots. “You sound like Hadley on her moody days.”

That got a ghost of a smile. “Right, fair.” He shrugged, scratched the back of his neck, searched for the words. “You mentioned your father there before we got to fighting. Just never heard you talk about your family before, ma’am.”

Nyota smiled, but gently. “I haven’t heard you talk about yours either.”

Arjun tilted his hat down. “Fair enough.”

Nyota studied the room for a bit, then finished knocking the ice off her spear. “So, would you be willing to tell me about them?”

“Eh?” Arjun looked up, offering a rare glimpse through his reflective visor and into surprised, for-once-unsuspicious eyes.

Nyota shrugged. “I like to learn about others. I was good at it once. I would not mind the practice if you are willing to share.” Her smile found a faint mirror at the corner of his mouth. “The way seems clear for now, and it is not often that we get the chance to talk, just the two of us. You tell me something, and I will do the same. Is that fair?”

He looked on the verge of refusing for a moment, but then he tugged his visor back into place properly, that smile fully formed and for once free of cynicism or doubt. “Why not, then. But save your breath a bit. We have a climb ahead.”

Nyota looked out ahead of them, but beyond the gentle rise of snow turning to frosted alpine rock and grass, she couldn’t see what he was talking about. “Were you able to scan this place earlier?”

“Not so much.” Arjun waved a hand at the passage ahead. “It’s the air here. It’s too still everywhere else.”

“So that is why it felt wrong,” Nyota murmured, mostly to herself.

Arjun nodded. “Right. So you noticed too. Stand here. You can feel a current. So there is something even colder up there pushing the air around.” He rubbed at the scruff poking out from under his hat. “Something you get used to, working in caves. Spent most of my life in one mine or another. Or smelting the results of mines.”

“Ah. You mentioned.” Nyota focused on the far end of the room and tried to feel the current. She was not sure if she was imagining the faint tickle in the fur covering the backs of her hands. “I spent too much time in artificial structures,” she admitted. “Or under the open sky. I tend toward claustrophobic.”

Arjun shot an incredulous look at her wry smile. “Not exactly a standard issue apex thing, is that? With the rebels in their little underground boxes. Where did that come from?”

“My claustrophobia? It might be genetic.” Nyota thought back, further than she liked. “Or it comes from reconditioning. It… isn’t rare among Miniknog soldiers.”

“Huh. Wasn’t what I meant, but alright.” Arjun started picking his way through the rocks again.

Nyota followed him. The room felt calmer now, and she knew that nothing else was going to bother them, at least not yet. Strange, but she was starting to simply accept it. “The information, then?” A thin pane of ice cracked under her weight; she used her spear like a walking stick to steady herself. “I did offer a trade. You shared something of yours.”

Arjun considered her, then nodded slowly. “Alright. We can play it that way. You start next.”

#arc two #repost

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juniperburns · 2 years

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Writer’s Month 2022: Day 8

word: heat | setting: enemies to lovers

Samantha Kaylin spun around furiously when she heard Ethan enter her tent. “You’re a sorry excuse for a Daemon,” she hissed. She was tired of hiding exactly what she knew about him. “Blood-bonded to a Hunter? Living as a human? Your ancestors would be so ashamed of you. A hired lackey for humans meddling in things he shouldn’t.” She took a breath and stepped closer. “Pathetic.”

Their eyes locked. She watched his nostrils flare, his eyes heated with anger and…something. For a moment she was sure he was going to throw her to the ground. But for what reason…? He looked like he wanted to hit her. He also looked like he wanted to tear her clothes off. The tension radiated between them, almost a physical thing that hung in the air. He was breathing heavily.

“I don’t think you’re any more human than I am,” he snarled. “I will figure out exactly who and what you are. You call me pathetic for hiding? It’s the reason I’ve survived much longer than you in this world. You’re a foolish girl playing with fire.”

“I don’t mind getting burned,” she said. His gaze dropped to her lips. Speaking of fire? Her blood was boiling, her heart pounding, a traitorous pang of desire making her wet. For him. It was one thing to play the seducer in this game of theirs. It was entirely another for her body and her mind to respond to his presence authentically. She watched as Ethan raised a hand, so slowly compared to the intense mood in the tent. His claws had come out. She held her breath as he traced a solitary black claw with silver streaks down her cheek. Across her lips. Samantha shuddered. The claw continued its gentle exploration, down over her jaw. She tried not to think of her own claws, willing them not to slip out unbidden.

“Come to bed with me,” Ethan whispered. His words broke her free of the moment. Samantha snapped back so rapidly that his claw nicked her neck. She could feel the tiny trickle of blood running down her collarbone.

“Does this work on others?” She asked, reclaiming her cold persona. “People want to know what it’s like to bed a Daemon?”

“If you gave me a chance,” Ethan said, “I would show you so much pleasure, you’d scarcely be able to walk for a week.”

She turned her back to him to hide her shudder. If she wasn’t looking at him, then she wasn’t thinking of him, wasn’t imagining him naked and moving above her. She could see it all in her mind: how explosive they would be.

Too bad explosiveness was the last thing she needed in her life right now. She remained with her back to him for what felt like hours. Until finally, he turned and left the tent without a word. And Samantha ignored the empty feeling he left behind.

The firelight brightened Lor’s face, drawing attention to the shadows encompassing the forest around them. Ethan stepped into the ring of light. Lor glanced up quickly, their look of alarm giving way to calm awareness in an instant.

Ethan stared into the flames for a few moments. The heat began to touch him, relaxing his body. Claws slipped out from his fingers. If Lor noticed, they didn’t remark. Makes sense, Ethan thought. He sat down across from the mercenary.

“How much of that did you hear?” He finally asked. Lor glanced up, meeting his eyes.

“She’s not a simple woman,” was their reply.

Ethan snorted in amusement. “Understatement of a lifetime. Fucking ice in her veins, that one.”

“That might be one of the nicer things I’ve heard said about her,” Lor said. A log in the fire crackled and gave a loud pop. Lor poked at the logs with a long branch, then turned their attention back to Ethan. “I don’t imagine people have many nice things to say about you either.”

Ethan shrugged off the comment. He wasn’t so frustrated by his ice queen’s words to not recognize that Lor was information gathering. They were a longtime loyal companion to Kaylin. And neither they nor she were precisely on his side. In spite of the day’s events. Of course, Ethan also knew that one had to give information in order to get it in return.

“I’m Daemon, I’m used to it,” he said. “But she’s the most confounding human I’ve ever known.” Ethan watched Lor carefully for any minute reaction that would confirm that Samantha Kaylin wasn’t actually a human. But Lor’s smooth face remained totally impassive. Not even a twitch of their eyes. Learned from the best, Ethan thought.

“I have found,” Lor began after a few moments of silence, “that we humans as a species live in moral grey areas. Even to the point of influencing the opinions of other species towards humans. Everything is black and white for the Fae folk and the Daemon clans. Humans try to follow suit, but we often fall somewhere in between the good and the bad.”

“I don’t believe that good and bad are distinct categories that never overlap,” Ethan said.

“Because you’ve spent decades among us,” Lor responded, meeting his eyes. “From what I understand. But at your core, you still find discomfort at what doesn’t meet your innate expectations. In case you were wondering why she frustrates you.”

“She doesn’t always frustrate me,” Ethan said.

“Of course not,” Lor said. “Half the time, you want to fuck her instead of fight with her.”

Ethan smirked. “Only half the time?”

Lor chuckled, even though there was no mirth in their eyes. “Just be careful.”

“Why?” Ethan said. “Are you going to tell me that she has hidden depths and I should be careful so I don’t accidentally break her heart?” Lor scoffed.

“Not at all,” they said. “Be careful, because she’ll eat you alive.”

#writersmonth2022 #writeblr #original writing #original character #writing wip #enemies to lovers #fantasy writing #writers month #writing #writing prompt #writing challenge #originalwriting

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occasionaloneshots · 2 years

Text

Just Between Us

Stan Uris x Fem! Denbrough! Reader

Song fic- All Too Well (10 Min Version) by Taylor Swift

Part 2 : But I Do is up now

CW: language, not the healthiest of relationships but I'm not sure if it's fully toxic, fluff turned to angst, small age gap, d**th jokes

Word count: 3.97K

Oh, your sweet disposition and my wide-eyed gaze We're singin' in the car, getting lost upstate

She couldn't quite place why but his voice had a calming affect to it. Right hand resting on her knee as he sung along to every song he recognized on the radio, the duo giggling each time he fucked up a lyric. Neither party could tell you when things changed between them. One day they were just hanging out when her brothers were around and suddenly he was taking every chance he got to get her alone. Curls falling over his forehead as his head bops along to the beat of the song. "Are you going to tell me where we're going now?"

The boy cuts her a look, turning, "Where's the fun in that?" It caught him a huff in response. "We'll be there soon enough, Denbrough." She pouts, though it's quickly replaced by an excited little look as Queen's "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" starts on the radio. Both teenagers singing along as Stan pulls off to a parking lot. The car stops, making her drop the lyric as she turns to look at him, "We're at a hiking trail?" The smile on the boy's face caught her off guard. It wasn't like Stan was unathletic, he was on the baseball team with Bill, but hiking? "Come on, get lost in the woods with me,” he's holding her hand, giving her widened eyes as if to beg. She's weighting the options, mind still entranced by the music as she stares at him. “It’ll be fun,” he smirks, turning off the car as he gets out. He makes his way to the passenger side, opening it for her as he leans against the body of the vehicle. “The woods?” He’s leaving down, poking a finger to her nose, “Yes the woods,” he pulls back, “We can find birds! Maybe, it’s getting cold, they don’t really like that. Except penguins.” She laughs, tucking the oversized jacket closer before reaching up to take his hand, “The birds of course. The only things you’ll ever love.”

He smirks at her, draping an arm around her shoulders, “You know me so well.” And it was nice, small talk and whispered nature facts that managed to make her happy in a true, gentle way she didn’t expect. Surrounded by yellowing leaves and his warmth as they explored together, leaning onto the other. “We’re going to get lost.” “We won’t.” She raises her brows, smiling up at him with a playful glint in her eyes, “Are we already lost?” It earns her a chuckle, the boy ruffling her hair, “We’re on a trail, (y/n). If we get lost out combined IQ is lower than Richie’s.” And she’s rolling her eyes, “Richie is actually smart when he wants to be. It would be lower than Bowers’.” “We’d be dead with an IQ lower than Bower’s,” Stan shakes his head, pulling her closer by the waist as they walk. “Yeah, we die when we get lost, duh,” she giggles, reaching up to kiss his jaw before leaning her head on his shoulder, “And our ghosts would have a lot of explaining to do.” “Bill would bring us back to life to kill us again,” he scoffs, but there’s a playful tone to it, as if responding to a joke you didn’t want to admit was funny. “No way, we’re Georgie’s favorites, he wouldn’t allow it.”

Cause there we are again on that little town street

You almost ran the red 'cause you were lookin' over at me

“Stan! Can you go buy more popcorn?” Bill’s voice comes from the Denbrough kitchen. The losers club and (y/n)’s friends gathered in the adjacent living room, the Denbrough parents were gone with Georgie, trick-or-treating. They watch as Richie and Bev stand near the TV, arguing over whether they should start the marathon with “Nightmare on Elm Street” or “Friday the Thirteenth”. “Candy too!” The bubbly sound of the only Denbrough daughter flies from the kitchen as she follows her older brother out.

He tuts, shaking his head, “If you want candy, you’re riding with.” The girl in fairy costume pouts, “But it’s so cold out there.” He shrugs, grabbing his keys from the coffee table, “I guess you don’t want candy that badly then.” Age huffs, grabbing her jacket from a hook near the door, “You’re the worst, Uris.” “You’ll live, Denbrough.” Bill and Mike fall quiet, watching the two playfully bickering. Bev dropping her argument to look too, a slight smirk on her face as if she knew something she shouldn’t. Stan shifts, noticing the way girl’s brother eyed him.

But once they made their way completely out of the house, her hand found it’s way into his larger, warm one, and it relaxed him slightly. “They’re getting suspicious of us,” his voice is hard to read as she squeezes his hand. “They’ll get over it.” And she could tell he wanted to say something else but he didn’t, opening the door for her to slide in and dropping the keys into her palm. “Turn the heat on before you get frost bite, it’s freezing.” “No shit,” she mumbles, cranking up his car as he closes the door. The heat smoothing over her chill bumps moments after he got in.

He holds onto her knee as he drives, eyes wandering over the exposed flesh of her legs and stomach. “Stan!” His eyes jump back to the road, slamming on the brakes as he notices the red light and the SUV that speeds past. “You’re trying to kill me, I see how it is.” He scoffs, “Personally, I think you’re trying to kill me.” Stan reaches back, grabbing a blanket to throw at her as he speaks.

A soft giggle escapes her lips and she adjusts it over herself, “Man whore.” He shakes his head, grabbing her hand to kiss her knuckles, “That’s Richie. He was totally staring at you. I bet Bill is tearing him a new one because he slipped up and said something.” He starts driving again now, eyes forced to focus on the road now. “So were you.” “I’m your boyfriend, I’m allowed to stare. She hums, rubbing her thumb over the back of his hand, “I guess you’ve got me there.”

Key chain on the ground, we were always skipping town

And I was thinking on the drive down, any time now

He's gonna say it's love, you never called it what it was

He tosses her the keys, they don’t quite make it to her though, hitting the concrete under the street light. “Sorry Babe!” (Y/n) simply waves it off, reaching down for them. Fingers brushing over the “Derry, Maine” keychain. It was nearly two in the morning, the two on their way out of Derry for what had to be the eighth time in the last two months. Both skipping out on respective sleepovers.

She was watching the streetlights light up his face, admiring the way he looked when focused. He was beautiful, tongue poking out slightly from between his lips as his eyes narrowed to focus on the dark stretches of road. She couldn’t tell what possessed her to say it. Maybe it was the way he would card his fingers through his hair every so often as he drove. It the way he looked, so focused as if nothing existed but the task at hand. But at him with a soft smile when she speaks up, voice gentle and adoring, “Hey, I love you.”

It doesn’t take a genius to know he wasn’t expecting it then again, she didn’t expect to say it. But she was expecting it would soon, (y/n) could feel it, she thought Stan could too. He licks over his lips, eyes cutting over to the girl in his passenger seat, “Oh yeah?” Her smiles falls ever so slightly, “Yeah, I do.” “A poor choice truly,” his tone is slightly playful but it catches her in an odd light. That wasn’t the response she expected.

'Cause there we are again in the middle of the night

We're dancing 'round the kitchen in the refrigerator light

Down the stairs, I was there

The Denbrough siblings all loved when Stanley Uris stayed over. He was one of Bill’s best friend since childhood and always sweet to Georgie. Of course (y/n) always liked when Stan came around before they were together, but now it have her a chance to be alone with him in her home. Bill always going to bed earlier than the other boy. So now, as she hears a soft knock on the bedroom door, she knows that her older brother is asleep. She giggles softly to herself, running up to the door. “You hungry?” It’s a weird way to greet her but he reaches out for her hand and it makes her smile. “Hungry?” “Yeah, let’s go make a midnight snack.” She smiles, looking up at him, “Race you there?” The girl cuts around him, the curly haired boy chasing her down the stairs to the kitchen.

She wins, just barely, socks sliding across the tiles as she grips onto the counter. His hands finding her waist to pull against him, setting her off into juggles as his hair tickles her neck, kissing her shoulder. He sways them slightly, the girl reaching out to turn on the small radio her father kept in their kitchen. Changing it to her favorite station, “Okay, so what are we making?” He hums, no looking up from her shoulder, “Eggs?” She shakes her head, “Not eggs.” “Okay, do you even want a breakfast food?” She nods, “Not something as big as eggs though.” “Fruit and toast?” She hums, “Yeah, you make the toast though.” “Of course, you always burn it.”

Releasing her, he turns to make the toast as she bounces over to the fridge. The room barely lit except for the soft glow from the over hood and the refrigerator lights. Slipping bread into the toaster, Stan pauses pauses, hearing her favorite song come on the radio. It was one that the losers would hate, poppy, full of love, and just as bubbly as she was. The song was unbelievably her and so soft in the lyrics that he understood how someone like her could adore it.

She lets out an excited little gasp, oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend was making his way over to her. Completely abandoning his work at the toaster, "Do you want to dance?" She looks at him in but nods all the same. The way that the duo didn't match the music in the slightest but it had a smile stretched across her face as she giggled and soon he was laughing along with her. Spinning the shorter girl around just to pull her to his chest and later spin her away from him again. The song came to a close as she stood on her toes to kiss him, the boy softly cupping her face as she did. "Okay so, oranges or strawberries?" The fact that she pulled away from him just to go back to the original task immediately actually pulled another laugh out of him which made her look at him in confusion. Shaking his head, "You're just, adorable. And both." She rolls her eyes, going back to the fridge, "Should have known." "Get the strawberry jam too!"

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath

The losers were never against having Bill's younger siblings around. But that was when they were at Bill's house, or maybe somewhere like the quarry. It was a little, odd for Bill's siblings to be at Stan's house before Bill himself got there. That was only to the loser's though as Mr. and Mrs. Uris saw the girl all the time. Of course, if you asked her house she was at Stacy's house while the two were snuggled up on his living room couch. And that's where she was supposed to be now, the moment being cut short as he heard the front door open, jumping way from her.

"Yeah, I agree, oil paint would be a horrible choice with us starting so late." He raises his voice from the normal volume he would use. Bill, Bev, Mike, and Richie making their way into the Uris living room and the sight makes her deflate. Of course, best not let the other losers know that Stanley and (y/n) had something going on. "Yeah, so are we thinking watercolor, gouache, or acrylic? Personally I'm thinking watercolor, but that's just because it's my go to for a landscape painting." "You have e-enough of those, don't you?" She smiles up at her brother, the first of the losers to speak. "Yeah, but they're so fun!" He shakes his head, ruffling her hair before falling into the seat beside her, "So this is Stacy?" She nods, trying to fins somewhere else to look to avoid his gaze but just falling under the amused look of Bev instead. "Yeah, we have an art final project due. I didn't think that mom and dad would let me go if they knew I was at Stan's."

"Is it fun?" Bev has an eyebrow raised as she speaks as if the words have a double meaning. "Yeah, I guess so. I'm not the biggest fan of the full prompt though." The redhead nods, looking between the couple, "So Stan is taking control here, huh?" She turns to look over at him, her face unreadable, "Yeah, I guess he is."

And you call me up again just to break me like a promise So casually cruel in the name of bein' honest

Bill had followed his sister up the stairs, the girl fleeing from her own party as she claimed she had to go grab something. She had her legs pulled up under her as she holds the phone to her ear, Georgie sitting perched on the bed beside her, his little hand on her shoulder. He had heard the phone ring on his way up, not thinking anything of it. Standing in his younger sister's doorway watching her in a teary eyed argument. "No, really I'm not mad, have fun with Richie and Eddie. I just wish you would have told me you weren't going to make it." It's quiet for a moment, Bill seeming to realize as he made his way to sit with her and Georgie. "No, I swear, it's okay, I'm glad you were honest about where you were. You at least called." She chips at the blue polish that she had brushed on that morning. "No, I didn't? Why would I?" She turns to look at Georgie who looks down, "I swear, I had no idea he called you." She leans against Bill's shoulder, the boy automatically wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It's not like you promised to be here or something, it's fine." Bill's head falls on top of he's as Georgie wraps his arms around her. Trapping the girl into a tight hug between the brothers. "If you two can't make it that's okay." "Yeah, yeah I'll see you then."

Bill take the phone from her hand, hanging it up and pulling her closer. "Stan?" She shakes her head, "It's not like that. He just mentioned that he might come by," then as if it just hit her she turns to the oldest of the boys, "Wait, you were probably invited too. You can go if you want to." He shakes his head, ruffling her hair, "No w-way. You w-were at my sixteenth, I won't miss yours." She shakes her head, laughing in the most pitiful way he's ever heard, "You were force to have me there." He shakes his head, "But we had fun, didn't we?" She nods, "Yeah I guess we did." Bill wiggles out from under her, standing up, "So, I'm going to tell them to fuel up that party game you hate." "Bill no!" "Bill yes, It's gonna be f-fun!"

But then he watched me watch the front door all night, willin' you to come

She felt stupid for it, but (y/n) held out hope that maybe he was going to show up. But she caught herself checking every window and door in hopes. And Georgie and Bill did too, more in hopes that Stan wouldn't let her down and yet there they were feeling their hopes fall. And all the Denbrough siblings knew, that after that day, nothing would be the same. It's supposed to be fun turning sixteen, and yet Stanley Uris ruined that for her. The two watching as she forced a smile at her birthday cake, hearing everyone sing happy birthday and yet, her eyes stayed glued to that stupid wooden door, not daring to meet that look on Bill or Georgie's face. Bev's either, the only loser to actually show up other than her brother that cared to be there, still worried about her after that incident at the Uris house. And Bill knew then, that it was exactly what he thought, and things would never be the same between them. And Bev knew too, her suspicions were right.

'Cause there we are again when I loved you so Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known

It wasn't the first time that Stan had gone over a week ignoring her. But something about this was off. The girl sitting wrapped up in that stupid jacket she had borrowed on their first date out in the woods, back to the bedroom door so she could just be alone. Stan had called her again, ending things over the phone. The first time he spoke to her in twelve days. And she realized that this was the last time she'd hear from him in the context of them, and she didn't even know what she did. He had mentioned something about age, as if 18 months was ever really that big of a gap to begin with. And then something about how she could never keep a secret, and she didn't understand, because he was the reason that Georgie knew.

"No, I'm being serious, I had no idea Stannie." He laughs, carding his fingers through her hair as he pulled her closer, "I'm serious, I barely made the team." She traces the veins in his arm, looking up to him from her place beside him, "No way, you're like on of our best players." He hums, a teasing tone taking over his voice, ""Oh yeah, how would you know?" "I've been to all of Bill's games, I paid attention." He smiles, moving his hands as he moves to hover over her, "I have fans, huh?" "Well, I wouldn't say that." And his hands are attacking her side, the girl laughing as his finger tips dig into her skin. "You wouldn't huh?" "I'm kidding! I was kidding! Stan I'm your number one fan please stop!" He leans down to kiss her, the two too engrossed in each other to hear the door open. "Woah!" They jump away looking to the door but it was too late to keep it a secret from her whole family now, Georgie wasn't an idiot.

"Just, don't tell Bill, okay?" "You can't buy my silence that easily, Stan." And he pauses, looking down to her with a sigh before looking back, "Ice cream?" "There we go."

And I was never good at tellin' jokes, but the punch line goes "I'll get older, but your lovers stay my age"

It had been a month by that point, and (y/n) was proud to day that she could finally feel herself coming back. That pre-Stanley girl who was always tied to the side of her friends, giggling and dancing. And it was nice, getting to feel like she used to. So now as she sat in a corner ten pm at a new years eve party, she felt alive. Truly genuinely like the girl she was before. And just as she got up to dance, she had the urge to look to the door. As if she had some sixth sense for finding them, there came the losers club, A whole club between Stan and Bill as if they wouldn't look to each other. And she felt guilty, wishing she could just turn out the door behind them and walk back home.

But her eyes caught the bright blue ones of Beverly Marsh, the senior dragging her older brother to make her way over to her. "(Y/n)! Why didn't you tell us you were coming? Bill, Mike, and I would have gave you a ride!" She wraps her arms around the younger girl, the warmth of her frame seeming to relax the girl in a way. "Oh," she forces her eyes from the face of one Richie Tozier to look back at Bev and Bill, "Well, I had no idea that this was the party that you were going to. It's not a far walk anyway." "Walk? (Y/n), it's freezing!" Mike had made way his way over now, throwing in his two sense.

And part of her was lucky, because his head forced her eyes away from the sight she had noticed. Stan's arm around one of the girls from her theater class, and that stung. Because he was a liar, she was older, than the girl he stood beside, by a whole six months. And their age never had something to do with it, she realized that now, as he spoke to her, (y/n)'s favorite hat sat on top his head. "Actually I just realized I have to go," she says suddenly, fixing her coat as she checks for her car keys. "Go? We just got here an hour ago." She waves it off, "I almost forgot, I promised that I would watch Back to The Future with Georgie tonight. He wanted to finish it before midnight. We all remember last time someone skipped out on a Denbrough for a party, " she lets out a pitiful laugh, "Wouldn't want that to happen again." Mike and Bill share a look as Bev rubs her shoulder. "Well, let me drive you then." "It's not a far walk, Mike." "Please?"

It was rare, you remember it

Stan got home late, not sure when but he knew that the street lights and his porch light were his only form of light. But he saw it on the door step, sitting there against the shining snow. A little pink envelope that left a sour taste in his mouth as he picked it up. Walking to his room with the paper gripped in his hands as he falls on top the fluffed white fabric. The handwriting was a slap to the face. "Stanley" adorning the top in a think black script. Ripping open the packaging in a

"This is the dumbest thing that I have ever done. I accept that now, if I was smart I wouldn't actually give this to you at all. But I think we already learned that I'm not the smartest, see our whole relationship. And this isn't some whole thing about how I miss you or want you back, I couldn't care less about getting back together. I see that now I just need to know. You know, just between us, did the love affair maim you too? That's stupid but I just, I need to know maybe that's the dumbest thing I've ever said, I just, did you lose yourself too? And, just between us do you remember it all too well? Because, if we're honest and it's just between us I remember it all too well, I always will. Goodbye, Stanley. - (y/n)"

@kindofokayimagines :)

#stanley uris #stan uris x reader #stan uris #it #it 2017 #it fanfiction #losers club x reader #the losers club x reader #taylor swift lyrics #all too well

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saturnsstufff · 3 years

Note

If your requests are open, could you maybe do a C!Techno x Reader? Like, the Butcher Army is there for Techno and Phil wasn't able to give him a\such an early head's up so he's not really prepared, and Quackity has the reader hostage when they show, cause maybe they were outside doing something... You don't have to, of course! -Sugar Anon (may I claim this Anon?)

Ooh! Most definitely! And of course you can claim it your my first anon!🖤

Warnings: Blood, swearing

Techno was a pretty well known man, lets face it. Maybe not in the way you hoped, and in this instance you mean he was wanted.

But you were not awhere of that because you lived with him out in the chilly Tundra. Phil would usally bring you two the new updates and anything you should be aware of. So when he didnt show for his morning tea you were a but skeptical to say the least. But techno had casually shrugged his shoulders, waving it off that he had gotten busy. This was true. Phil was a awfully busy man, he never seemed to stop moving, building, or exploring. So you joined techno on his assumption.

Techno was casually brewing potions that afternoon. Not a uncommon occurance to say the least. You had grown accustomed to seeing the towering man working over his bottles. His large but gentle hands gracefully, and carefully manuvering the glasses to where he pleased.

"Techno love? Im going to go trade these books nearby ok?" You mentioned as you took your cloak. Slipping it on so you could contain your warm. Techno hummed in agreement. Since you were so far from L'amanburg he didn't really mind you walking freely to the nearby village. He actually viewed your common trips as a large help.

"I have seven emeralds in that chest over there, could you see if any of them are willing to trade for a mending book?" He asked well he looked up to you. His reading glasses resting on his nose. You smiled brightly and nodded.

"Of course!" Anything you could do to help you were down to do. L'amanburg wasn't aware Techno had a lover, mostly because Techno didn't want you getting pulled into his rather volient affairs. He viewed them as his battles. Not battles that you had to fight.

Well collecting the gems into your basket he spoke up again, his hand coming to the small of your back. "Take Carl ok? I can't have my princess walking like the peasants do" he said bemused. Pressing a gentle but loving kiss to your forhead.

You leaned into him, enjoying the physical affection he gave you. Techno wasn't one to voice his love Rather, instead he would gift you, or make physical actions twords showing you how much he cared.

You walked out and hopped onto Carl the sturdy, and loyal steed waiting for the new adventure he would be taking. Edging your heels into him you began to head for the forest.

After a while of riding through the woods you began to grow weary. You felt like you were being watched. You were not a Hybrid like Techno so you couldnt smell or hear any abnormalities. But you just knew somthing was off. It was a harsh mental debate on whether to turn around or continue. Ultimately you decided it was best to just turn around. For how on edge you were you figured that telling Techno, and him laughing at you was better than lingering outside anymore.

You pulled the reigins, signaling for Carl to turn, however when you did, someone had jumped onto Carl behind you. Grabbing you tightly to prevent your flailing. You couldnt help the blood curdling scream you let out before your mouth was covered by a hand. You were panicking. You couldnt see your attacker but very well felt them behind you.

"Im gonna make you a deal. Your going to take us back to that nice cottage of yours, or I'll paint your blood all over the snow" the voice sneered next to your ear. "Im going to remove my hand. If you so as utter a word I wont hesatate to get rid of you. Am I clear?" The voice was slow, but threatening. They meant what they said. You could only nod slowly as he removed his hand from your mouth. "In case you get a wild burst of courage... I'll just leave this here" he had taken his sword out. Lingering it by your neck. You didn't know what else to do, so you just took the reigins and slwoly started back home.

When you got to Technoblade's Cottage you were forced off of Carl, the snow did little in softening your fall. You looked up praying thag techno herd some commotion.

"Technoblade get your ass out here!" The man Yelled, you looked up to him. He had black hair poking out from his beanie. Underneath his armor was a bloody a apron. All, in all, not someone you wanted to be around.

When the door opened you called out for Techno. Trying to make a run for him. But instead you were only grabbed by your ankle and dragged back to the raven haired man. The sword he held finding it's way to your neck.

"Let her go Quackity." Techno's eyes were narrowed and calculated. He wasn't pleased by any means for how Quackity was manhandling you.

"You think I'm going to listen to you? Your fucking delusional. Heres whats going to happen Techno. Your going to come with us. Or I'll kill her and give your front lawn a nice new red decoration." You whimpered. All you wanted was Techno. You wanted to be in his arms, you didn't like how This 'Quackity' man was talking or handling you.

"Your going to let her go first." Techno stepped closer. His hand drawing his blade. You could see Techno's breathing. He was angry, and so were the voices.

"I wouldn't step any closer." The blade pressed in more. Your hand coming up to try and push the blade away. "Your going to drop your blade and walk up to fundy to get handcuffed. Then I'll let her go." You watched as Techno weighed his options. In the end he did drop his blade. He valued your life above everything. Once his hands were tied securely, you were let free. The first thing you did was run to techno. Hugging onto him for dear life.

"(Y/n) listen to me. Your going to go into the house and wait for Philza. Ok?" You looked up at him with pain in your eyes, shaking your head.

"No! Im not letting you go alone!" You started to tear. You didnt know where they were taking him. But you knew it wasn't good.

"(Y/n) I said go in the house. I will be fine.." He manuvered his head to wrap around yours since his arms couldn't. "I don't want you involved ok?..." his tone was gentle, trying to ease your haywire nerves.

"Techno please let me come.." Your eyes begged, but he didnt budge. Quackity only took and shoved Techno further.

"Wait in the House!" Was the final thing he said as he was forced over the Hill.

Waiting for his return had you beyond restless. You could only look from the clock back to the fire. The raging 'What if's running through your brain. It was extremely late before techno had returned back home.

When he opened the door you rushed over to him. Almost tripping over your own feet. To feel him in your arms was the one thing you needed to calm your nerves. You gripped onto him for dear life. His arms gently wrapped around you. Rubbing a ligjt circle into your back.

"Thank god your home" you said. Your face buried into his chest. The lingering sent of dynamite and the iron smell of blood on his clothes. "I was so worried about you..." you felt his hand move to the underside of your thighs. Lifting you up into his arms so he could move inside.

"Come now princess... You didnt really think I would let anything happen to myself, now would you?" He mused. His eyes soft as he looked up into yours.

"I.. I mean" You looked down at him, the bit of worry still remaining. He sat down on his sofa. Leaning back into it as he looked up at you.

"Baby girl, you know Technoblade never dies" He said cocking a eyebrow up as his face went smug. You only smiled a little at that. Moving to rest your head in his neck.

"I still worried..." you said gently. Relaxing into his chest. Glad to see him home safely.

"I know princess... I know" He knew he would have to tell you about the execution. But for now he knew you were distraught. He may have been poor at comforting, but he knew right now the best thing was for you to just lay in his arms at peace. Let you try and forget what Quackity had probably etched into your memory for months to come. Because Quackity was only the start now. Now everyone knew, Techno had someone he truly loved.

#dream smp #dreamsmp x reader #fanfic #fanfiction #mcyt x reader #minecraft #minecraft fanfiction #minecraft x you #techno x reader #mcyt #technoblade x you #technoblade x reader #technoblade #tb

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writteninkat · 3 years

Text

Greed | Ushijima x reader

summary: "I didn't like how my teammates watched you a while ago." He admits, his hands clenching on the counter.

"I don't think they understand how you're mine and only mine." He whispers against the shell of your ear, his hot breath tickling shivers down your spine.

f!reader

word count: 3.5k

warning: 18+, name calling if u squint (???)

a/n: this is a reminder that you are amazing, you are loved and you matter. | masterlist for 100 followers event

The boy's volleyball team never paid any attention to the girls as they were always busy with their own training and the two teams played and trained in their own separate indoor volleyball courts. But today is a little different. The floor of your team's court needs changing so the girls and boys have to train under the same roof for a week, and it'll be the first time seeing each other play.

Toshi knew you play volleyball, he knows you were the ace, as a matter of fact, his whole team knows as well. But they didn't know you were this good.

You throw the ball up high in the air, jumping as high as you can and throwing your hand forward, slamming it at the ball. The impact of your hand at the ball always felt so good, the heat and sting of it always gave you some kind of adrenaline and you loved the feeling.

The ball is hit so hard your teammates at the other side of the net barely had any time to react before it hit the wooden floors, giving your side a point.

You smile widely, catching the ball the coach throws at you for a second chance at serving. "Y/n calm the fuck down!" Your teammate yells, "We're not playing for real right now have some mercy!"

"If you can't receive my serves, how are you going to receive the serves from other school who'll surely be better than me?" You yell back, doing another jump float, your form tricking the other team as if you're doing another hard serve, causing them to step away from the net. Your palm then simply pushes on the ball, resulting it to barely go over the net. The players at the other side dives in to try and save the ball, but it hits the ground a second before they do.

The whistle is blown and your side of the court wins. "Y/n! You're a menace to society!" Your teammate jokingly yells, fake-crying on the floor making you giggle. You walk over to your duffel bag on the bleachers and take out your towel, oblivious to the many pairs of eyes on you.

Your short shorts always rode up your thighs and sometimes even ass whenever you played, so you hated wearing the uniform but your long shorts were jn the washer right now, you didn't really have much of a choice. Your uniform hugged your body perfectly, every curve and every hill accentuated by the two pieces of cloth around you.

Your boyfriend's team are bewildered by your skills. They never expected you, so sweet, so gentle and so kind towards them being able to produce such monstrous serves and spikes.

"Y/n!" You hear Tendou call, creating an immediate smile across your face. You loved Tendou, after dating his best friend, the two of you became so close and it's as if you two are best friends too. You watch him run towards you, volleyball in hand. "I never knew you played so good."

"You guys are too busy to watch me play. Why? Wanna join me sometime?" Tendou smiles at your offer, immediately nodding his head. "Yes! Please! Let's olay at my hou-"

"There's no way Y/n's playing with you." Wakatoshi says involuntarily, his eyes widening at his words as his teammates give him questioning stares. He never raised his voice before, nor has he spoken without being spoken to. "Unless! Unless I play with her first." He covers it up, looking away with the faintest blush across his face.

You tilt your head to the side, putting two on two together before smirking. Ah, my adorable, jealous boyfriend. Whatever am I supposed to do with you?

When practice finishes, you go your separate ways from the team. Unlike them who had homes to return to, your home is three hours away from the school and no way in hell were you traveling a total of six hours a day just to get feom and to your house. Getting a dorm in the campus seemed a much better idea, plus, it helped you spend more time with your boyfriend.

A hand snakes its way around your waist and despite sweating for three hours tonight, you can still smell a combination of the scent of your boyfriend's perfume and his shampoo. He smells minty and fresh from his shampoo and at the same time he also smells of lavender and sandalwood.

He continues to wrap both his arms around you as he stands from behind you, his forehead on your shoulder. "Want me to give you a massage once we get back?" You ask, placing a hand on his forearm.

Wakatoshi doesn't speak for a moment and you were beginning to think he fell asleep, but moments later he lifts his head up and takes another step forward, your eyes widening as you feel him poke at your ass.

"I just realised I've never seen you in your uniform before," He breathes out, "You look so sexy baby."

Heat rises up your face, your boyfriend's never said anything like that before. Sure, he once complimented how good yer legs look in shorts or how he likes seeing you so 'comfortable' without a bra on, butbhe's never been straightforward like this.

You can feel yourself creating a pool of slick in your underwear. God, this can not be fucking happening...

"Let's go to my dorm." His voice is an octave lower and he sounds out of breath. "Girls aren't allowed in your dorm building."

"I know most of the people in that building and they know me, they won't tell. So come on," he pulls at you, leading you to his building. He looks back at you, neediness and lust filling his eyes. "I need you right now."

Toshi didn't need to sound like he was begging, you were still going to follow him, but now that he sounds like he wants you so bad he can't control himself anymore, it's making you wanna run to his dorm and rip his clothes off.

You bite on your lower lip, letting him lead you to where his room is.

As you pass through a hall, you smile and wave shyly at some of the familiar faces you see, they look as if they've just seen a ghost. But can you blame them? Ushijima Wakatoshi is currently leading a girl to his room. This is the first time, it should be recorded in the hall of fame or something.

Once the both of you reach his door, which is at the bery end of the hall, Toshi takes his ID card, about to swipe it to unlock the door until he stops midway. He turns around and looks at you straight in the eye, "You don't have to do this if you don't want to. I don't want to be force you."

You blink at him once, twice, thrice- you take the card from his fingers, quickly swiping it on the lock. You push your boyfriend inside the dorm before looking to your right where the boys in the hall still have their undivided attention at you. "It'll probably get loud, you guys play some music or something." You yell before entering the room and slamming the door behind you.

Immediately, you push your boyfriend onto the wall, leaning in to press your lips on his. Finally, being able to touch your boyfriend after a long day of tiring practice feels to freeing and good. A shiver runs up your spine when he licks your bottom lip, asking for entrance. When you grant it to him, he pushes his tongue inside your wet cavern, immediately exploring it like he's a curious speleologist.

His one hand grabs your waist, immediately being able to grab almost half of it given your size differences and his other hand cups your jaw, tilting your head to the side to gain better access.

Your hand travels down to the waistline of his sweatpants, pushing your hand inside, feeling strained cock from inside his underwear as your fingers skillfully stroke it.

"Mmmm-" You hum, pushing Toshi off lightly. "We need to take a shower first, we've been sweaty for hours." You tell him, your hand still going up and down his shaft.

He sighs, pulling your hand out of his pants before pulling you inside his bathroom. Inside, he pins you against the wall, his lips on yours as he begins to lift your shirt, only breaking the kiss when a piece of clothing has to come off from around your heads. He pushes your shorts down along with your underwear, letting them pool around your ankles. He pulls your body closer to him, the tip of his clothed cock pressing against your wet folds making you moan into his mouth.

With one hand, he clasps the lock of your bra behind you, letting it fall on the floor along with your other clothes as his other hand begins toying with your pussy.

"You feel so wet down there. Was it when my teammates were staring at you?" He growls, making you lift a questioning brow. "What... What are you talking about?" You breathe out, sucking in your bottom lip in between your teeth as you grind your hips against his hand, greedy for more friction.

"You like it when my teammates are watching you? Watching as those small fuckin shorts get caught in between your ass? Hmm?" Toshi pushes a fingers inside making you mewl, your walls clenching around it, wanting more. "You like it when people watch you?"

You shake your head, moaning out profanities as you dig your nails on the skin of his shoulders, still rolling your hips and still wanting more of him.

"N-no, no! I only want you to watch me, Toshi!" You whine, moaning loudly once again when he pushes yet again another finger. He scissors his fingers inside you as your walls clench around them hungrily, greedy for more. "You're fucking mine, you got that?" He grits, thrusting his fingers inside you, hitting the particular bundle of nerves again and again leaving you screaming in pleasure with just two of his fingers.

"Yes! Yes, oh yes! I'm yours, Toshi! Fuck!" Your eyes roll to the back of your head, feeling yourself shake as you cum around his fingers, your cunt squelching around them. You breathe heavily, rolling your hips as you ride out your orgasm.

Toshi takes his fingers out, causing you to whine unconsciously when your hole begins tightening around nothing. He places his hands on either of your lower thighs, pulling you up and hugging your legs around his waist as he leads you to his shower.

He puts you down, making sure you can stand by yourself before hooking his thumbs on either side of his sweats, pulling them down, letting them pool around his ankles. Your gaze is immediately on his member, it's looks so hard and red, the size much bigger than usual and precum is currently seeping out of it.

"Like what you see?" Toshi smirks, this whole side of him completely taking you off guard. You love it. You twist the shower knob on before getting on your knees before him. He steps forward towards you, watching you as you take his dick into your small hands.

You look up at him from below, opening your mouth as widely as you can, rolling your tongue out. You begin by giving his precum-covered head some kitten licks, cleaning it up beforetaking half of his length in your mouth. You hollow your mouth, pushing your head lower as you feel his tip already hit the back of your throat.

"Yeah, take that dick like you want it for dinner. My cockslut..." He hisses, taking you by the hair. He tugs on a fistful of your hair, causing you to roll your eyes back in pleasure and moan loudly, the vibration stirring your boyfriend up even more. He begins thrusting his hips slowly, throwing his head back as you play with his balls and the rest of him that you couldn't take in your mouth.

"That's right, lap up my cock so fucking good, angel. That's right- ah! oh god..." His breathing becomes irregular and his thrusts slowly become more frantic. The tip of his dick continues abusing the back of your throat and tears begin to pool on the corners of your eyes, your cunt dripping wet at the thought of your boyfriend face fucking you at this moment.

Your hand plays with your pussy, drawing circles around and on the clit, chasing after Toshi so the two of you can cum together. "That's right, you're mine. This mouth is mine, and I'm not fucking sharing you with anyone." He seethes, his thrusts getting sloppier and sloppier by the second until he thrusts particularly deep inside your mouth, the tip of his dick going down your throat as he cums inside you, hot liquid going down your throat has your pussy clenching around your own fingers.

He pulls out, watching as you swallow his load until your mouth is empty of his white seed. The corner of Toshi's hand twitches into a smirk as he wipes a thumb over your bottom lip, immediately you suck on it as you look up at him teasingly.

"Let's wash up, darling." He pulls you up, taking his shampoo bottle and squirting a small amount on his palm, wiping it on your hair continuously until it begins to bubble up. He then proceeds to pour his body wash all over your body, hands roaming around you.

He presses kisses on the shell of your ear as he massages and squeezes your breasts, pinching and pulling at your nipples before going down and washing your slippiery folds. He copies what he did to your breast down to your ass, kneading them like fine bread before guiding you when the water is hitting. As you wash off the soap suds, he pours the same kind of shampoo on his head, combing his fingers through his soap-sud covered hair before following it by lathering his soap all over his body. His hands go up and down his well defined abs and pecks, teasing you as he slowly trails it down to his shaft.

He watches you watch him clean himself, letting you pull him closer to you, letting himself be hit by the running water. Once all the soap is rinsed off, you step away from him and take a towel, drying off your hair infront of the mirror.

You watch in the reflection as Toshi walks out of the shower and towards you, his usual indifferent expression across his face. He runs his haze down your figure before pulling on your towel, setting it down on the counter.

He leans forward, trapping you between him and the counter as he places both of his hands on either sides of your body. "I didn't like how my teammates watched you a while ago." He admits, his hands clenching on the counter. "I don't think they understand how you're mine and only mine." He whispers against the shell of your ear, his hot breath tickling shivers down your spine.

"Why won't you make me yours?" You challenge him, looking at him dead in the eye. He looks at you for a second, two seconds, three- he spins you around, pressing his lips against yours.

"You're playing a really dangerous game, darling, and I'm not in the best mood tonight." He growls through the kiss, his tongue more aggressive and lips harsher than usual. "Show me how to play it, maybe I'll get to know the rules and it won't be as dangerous as you say it is." You shoot back, running your hands all over his naked torso, feeling ever elevation and dip of his sculpted chest and abs underneath the pads of your fingertips.

Toshi growls into the kiss, turning you around once again and pushing you down on the counter. He presses his tip against your dripping folds, slowly entering you as to not hurt you in any way. He lets you adjust to his size for a few moments and the moment you begin rolling your hips, he combs his fingers through your damp hair, pulling on it and forcing you to see yourself being fucked in front of the mirror.

He thrusts relentlessly into you, the tip of his cock hitting places your fingers never hit before. Your jaw hangs open as you moan loudly, taken in a trance at the feeling of your boyfriend abusing the certain bundle of nerves inside you.

Toshi lifts a leg up on your side, the feeling becoming more and more overwhelming as his thrusts become deeper, much faster and harder. Your walls clamp around him tightly, making him click his tongue. "Yeah that's it, this pussy is all fucking mine, isn't it."

He pulls at your hair, letting go of it before cupping your face, forcing you to look at yourself in the mirror. "Look at you. Look at how lewd you are right now. You feeling good clamping down on my cock like that?" He asks, his thrusts never once slowing down. The feeling becomes overwhelming to the point where you couldn't form words, and instead you nod your head as to not make a fool out of yourself.

Your eyes roll to the back of your head as you feel the knot tighten in your belly, your jaw hangs open as drool begins to drip out the corner of your mouth. Your boyfriend breathes heavily into your ear, "Wanna cum? You wanna cum right now?"

"Ye-yeah... yeah fuck...wanna...wanna cum... let... let me...cum...." You lose your capability to form coherent sentences and capability to talk. "I'm fucking you so dumb right now, aren't I?" Toshi smirks, shoving two of his fingers inside your mouth, pressing them on your tongue as he watches you make a mess out of yourself.

Your moans fill the bathroom completely and you feel yourself hanging by a thread, simoly waiting for a word, that one ward that'll have you releasing so hard your legs are for sure going to give out. Just one word-

"Alright my darling, you deserve this." Toshi growls into your ear, letting go of your face in the process. "Cum."

You cum all over his cock, your clenching walls trying to milk him of his own release. Your back arches and toes curl as your boyfriend continues thrusting inside you, thrusts becoming sloppy and uneven as well as his breath.

Once you finish, he pulls out, cumming all over your ass, hot white ropes of his release reaching all over your ass, back and some even on your hair. He moans loudly, throwing his head back as he presses his length on your ass. The two of you stay there panting for a good minute, soaking in what you just did before Toshi begins pulling away. He looks at his artwork on you, mentally patting himself and telling himself 'good job' before he snakes an arm around your limp body.

"Come on, I'll wash you up." He carries you back to the shower, once again going through the process of soaping your body to make sure you're clean before setting you down on his counter. You flinch and hiss at the contact of your pussy on his counter, it hurt.

Toshi kisses you all over you face, muttering apologies about being too harsh in return you tell him it wasn't his fault at all. He dries up your body and hair, letting you brush your teeth before carrying you to his bed. He dresses you up in his clothes and takes out your special kit- basically a box full of skin care products in case you slept over.

"I'll do your skin care for you, just lay down and relax yourself. He says, sitting cross legged on the floor as he rummages through the products inside the box. You look at him, smiling to yourself and asking yourself how the hell you got so lucky to score someone like him. "Do you want charcoal or a strawberry mask tonight?" He asks, holding up two of your favorite mask packs.

You place your hand on his cheek, caressing it softly. "I love you." You whisper out, his eyes widening as it catches him off guard. Toshi feels his heart sink to his tummy as butterflies flutter and dance all over it. He smiles, a faint blush across his cheek. "I love you more." He kisses the tip of your nose.

Toshi then proceeds to just stare at you for a few moments before looking like he snaps out of his trance. A deep blush takes over his face as he buries his face on your chest in embarrassment. You laugh loudly, asking him what was going on.

"You're too cute, I'm never sharing you or this side of you to anyone." He mumbles against your chest, making you smile widely. He turns his head to the side, eyelids halfway down, "I'm greedy for you and only you. Never sharing you with anyone, ever."

#ushijima x reader #ushijima x you #haikyuu ushijima #ushijima x y/n #hq ushijima #ushijima wakatoshi #ushijima smut #ushijima fluff #haikyuu smut

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kaepop-trash · 3 years

Note

i love unintended consequences and all those little snippets you’ve written for it 🥺 i hope it’s not too much to ask but i would really like to see how johnny would pamper her when she’s pregnant/deal with the pregnancy side effects and him as a dad 🧸no pressure tho, stay safe and drink lots of water!

I loved this ask so much because I think most people feel nervous talking about the more unsavoury parts of pregnancy. I've heard people talk about how terrible some stuff was, including the decisions that should be made. I always write keeping in mind that this is a predominantly young audience and if I'm going to write for them, I might as well try to give a more honest, mature perspective on these things. Thanks for letting me explore this anon!

You didn't mention it so I kept this more fluffy and didn't add any smut.🙈

I'd gladly write more of this anytime.

WC: 2.5k

___

(Y/N) got up from the couch immediately when Sooyoung came and stood in front of her. It was Johnny who grabbed Sooyoung's arm before she could, helping her sit down comfortably. She gave him a grateful smile before turning to (Y/N).

"I can't believe I'm having twins." She sighed, grinning nonetheless.

"You definitely look like you're having twins." She looked down at the space between them, Sooyoung's belly bigger than what Joohyun's had been at eight months.

"I feel like it too." She mumbled, turning to Johnny, "Have you seen my husband?" She asked.

"He's speaking to your doctor on the phone, trying to get a room. Should I go get him?" Johnny asked dutifully, already getting out of his seat. Sooyoung smiled in a way that (Y/N) could distinguish, but Johnny just cluelessly waited.

"No, that's okay, Johnny. I'm sure he'll find his way back. Why are you so nervous?" She chuckled, grinning wider when Johnny fumbled.

"You're about to go into a room to give birth to two children simultaneously. I don't know why you aren't nervous." He gave her an uncomfortable smile, rubbing the back of his neck when both (Y/N) and Sooyoung laughed.

"I've been having contractions for 16 hours now. The only thing I want right now is for them to just come out." Sooyoung groaned as another one hit her, reaching for the paper cup in (Y/N)'s hand with the now practically melted ice chips.

"I'll go see where Mark went with the ice." Johnny eyed the cup. "(Y/N) will be here with you." He pointed at his own wife, giving her a serious nod before walking away.

Sooyoung turned to (Y/N) with the same smile as earlier. "He's very sweet." She grinned.

(Y/N) gasped as a joke, putting a hand over her mouth. "It took you seven years to realise that? Motherhood is changing you already." She laughed when Sooyoung shoved her shoulder with her own.

"I've always known it obviously. Do you think I would have let you marry just anyone?" Sooyoung scoffed. "What I mean is, he's being very sweet about this." She pointed at her belly. "Makes me wonder why you haven't thought about it yet. You've always wanted kids." Sooyoung said a little slowly, trying to avoid her gaze.

"We've talked about it obviously." (Y/N) looked away, "We've talked about it a lot." She blushed, thinking back to all the “talking” they did.

"But?" Sooyoung questioned. "Is he scared or something?" She furrowed her brows.

(Y/N) scoffed, "It's not him.” She laughed, pushing her hair back. There was a pause as (Y/N) tried to put into words a sentiment she had been holding close to her chest for a long time now. "I think I need to quit my job before I think about having a child. It's–" She winced, "I don't want somebody else to raise my child while I'm at a job I hate. You know how I will about that.” She paused again, biting down on her tongue.

"So quit." Sooyoung shrugged, rolling her eyes when (Y/N) looked up at her with a tired look.

"It's not that simple." She fidgeted with her hands.

"Yes it is." Sooyoung put a gentle palm on her best friend's hand, "You already know what you want. You're afraid to stop working because you've done it your entire life and because it’s all you’ve seen growing up. But it's fine, we all have to move on from old things to make way for new ones."

"It's not just that." She sighed

"(Y/N)." Sooyoung's voice was stern, "I think at this point it's a little unfair to Johnny if you still think that you need to be a contributor for him to respect you. I don't say anything because I know that after everything you struggled through, being successful was important to you. I know." Sooyoung paused, the tightening grip on (Y/N)'s arm signalling another contraction.

(Y/N) checked her watch, "That was 10 minutes, you're almost there." She encouraged her through the pain, rubbing her back soothingly. Once it passed, she sat back with a sigh.

"Just quit. Spend a year with your husband, think about kids then. If later you think different, you're qualified enough to find a job anywhere. Make mistakes, (Y/N). But don't just sit like a lame duck. Life's too short to waste it between decisions." She spoke as the pain slowly subsided.

"You're already gaining your mom wisdom." (Y/N) smiled endearingly at her, grateful for having the most loving people around her.

"It's all the reflection I do between the late night tossing I do because my stomach is too big." Sooyoung groaned as another contraction hit her already.

Mark finally stumbled from the corner with a paper cup in his hands, curse words spilling out of his mouth as he approached till a passing nurse clicked her tongue at him.

___

“I want one.” She sighed, putting her head on top of the finally cooing baby. For an hour now, Johnny and (Y/N) tried their best to get the twins to stop crying.

Sooyoung and Doyoung finally went to bed a while back and Mark lay sprawled on the couch, passed out after his turn to watch the new members of the family.

"Yeah?" Johnny whispered, lips tugging. He rocked the other one in his arm, positively gleaming. It made her heart flutter.

She sighed a little deeper, hugging the baby closer to her chest, “Yeah.” She nodded. “But–” She stopped to lick her lips, feeling like she was shielding herself with the child. Johnny’s smile fell and she shortened her hesitation. “I want to quit my job.” She took a deep breath to help find courage, “My mom was always working and I love her, I really do. She’s taught me how to survive by myself, how to prioritise my worth over everything.” She paused when the baby in her lap cooed, gazing down to look at her with a smile. “But when I look back, my fondest memories involve Sooyoung’s mom. She taught me how to cook, how to care, how to be compassionate.” She felt a lump building in her throat.

“Sooyoung’s mom was the person I called when I broke my arm, she was the one who advised me when I had my first heartbreak.” (Y/N) closed her eyes, “I love my mom, I want to give my children her values.” She took a shaking breath, terrified of her own words. “But I want to be the person my children come to when they want comfort.” She hugged Sooyoung's daughter, thinking about the loving life she would have.

“You don’t have to justify yourself, (Y/N).” Johnny said tenderly. “But I appreciate that you wanted to share that. I know you don’t talk about your parents. You carry so much by yourself.” He slid closer to her, resting the baby down on his lap. “I know you never make a decision without beating yourself about it constantly. If you think it’s what you have to do, I’m always going to have your back. That’s marriage.” Johnny looked down when the baby reached his arms out, laughing and picking him back up to rock again.

“Okay.” She nodded, “I’m going back home and quitting. We can talk about this properly then.” She felt overwhelmed.

Johnny bit down on his lip, looking at his friend’s son and then covering his ears, “We can start trying now though, right?” He wiggled his brows.

She sat back and laughed as quietly as she could, “I don’t think he can understand you.”

“Let’s not risk it with Doyoung and Sooyoung’s kids, yeah? Doyoung nags and Sooyoung scares me.” He sounded serious.

She laughed a little more, earning a babble of approval from her friend’s newborn daughter.

___

Johnny woke up at the sound of the bathroom door shutting. He slipped out of bed, noting the time on the bedside clock and sighing. He rubbed the sleep out of his house and ventured to the kitchen.

He knocked on the bathroom door softly, smiling when he heard a grunt.

"Just leave me alone." He heard her say softly. Johnny grinned, opening the door.

"But you're so sexy when you're heaving." He spoke as he entered, frowning when he saw her on the floor trying to keep her head up, dizzy again. Johnny put the glass of gingerale he came with down on the counter, wordlessly coming to sit behind her. He pulled her between his legs, rubbing soothing circles on her back. She rested her head back on his chest and Johnny tried to pat off the sweat on her forehead.

She gave him a grateful smile, one he mirrored despite her eyes being closed.

"I'm so tired of this." She sighed, "Does that make me a bad human being?" She whispered reluctantly.

Johnny clicked his tongue, "It makes you human." He pushed more of her hair back, just in time for her face to contort as he leaned over the toilet again.

"Five more months, baby." Johnny tried to lighten the mood, chuckling when she sat back and elbowed his side.

"Don't make me hit you." She warned, earning a quick okay from him.

They sat there for a while, when she looked like she wasn't going to puke again he poked her cheek.

"You want to take a shower? It always makes you feel better." He offered. She gave him an exhausted nod.

"I'll do it, you go back to bed. You have work tomorrow." She started moving away from him but he stopped her, turning her gently to face him.

"We're in this together, (Y/N)." He reminded her, hand going to her slowly emerging belly.

"It's just a shower." Despite her words, her eyes were drenched with gratitude.

"It's just work." He countered, slowly helping her get off the floor. She tugged on his arm, making him look down.

"You're perfect, do you know that?" She told him with glistening eyes.

"A few hours ago you were blaming me for knocking you up." He tapped his chin.

"I'm more changeable than usual lately." She shrugged.

___

Johnny grabbed (Y/N)’s arm to help her sit down. It was one of the less comfortable days of her second trimester and the long car ride it took to get to the vacation home wasn't helping.

"Wow," Yuta laughed, sitting back on the couch. "Look at how big you've gotten. There's a whole baby cooking inside you." He sounded equal parts amazed and amused.

"Shut up." She frowned, "If you choose now out of all possible moments to talk about the magic of childbirth I will make you rub my swollen feet." She threatened him, making Yuta lift his arms in surrender.

As she said that, she turned over to put her feet in her husband's lap. Johnny didn't need to look down to start rubbing them.

"What did he do?" Yuta laughed, pointed at Johnny.

"Get me pregnant, for starters." She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "And it's already huge because of his giant genes too." She tried to re-adjust herself at the new angle. Johnny noticed her fumbling, reaching for a pillow and putting it behind her back.

"You love me." Johnny kissed the air between them. "She loves me." He turned to Yuta,earning a scoff from both of them.

The doorbell rang and Mark spoke from the kitchen saying he'd get it.

"Oh my god, (Y/N)" Jungwoo said when he walked into the room with Yeri in tow. "You've become huge!" He gasped, pouting when Yeri smacked his arm.

(Y/N) turned to Johnny, an annoyed pout already dancing on her lips. "I'm starting to believe that this weekend getaway was a bad idea." Johnny laughed, reaching one hand over to squeeze her hand.

"Haechan isn't even here yet." Johnny reminded her, eyes turning up with delight when she groaned.

"If one more person talks about how big I am, I'll sit on them." She warned.

Johnny grinned and almost immediately she regretted her words.

"Come here, big girl." He extended his arms and beckoned her to him. She threw a pillow with an annoyed whine.

___

(Y/N) woke up out of habit more than anything else, eyeing the clock on the table first and then realising that the monitor was uncharacteristically silent for what was feeding time. When she turned over, she smiled and understood why.

Before she even reached the door, she could hear Johnny cooing at their newborn. A tired smile of unabashed pride rising on her lips.

"You're going to get so big and strong." Johnny cooed, once she came to the door, (Y/N) saw him dangling a toy over the child's outreached arms. "You're already such a good baby, aren't you? You get that from your mom I can tell." Johnny sniggered to himself, "You don't to cry or fuss." He leaned down to kiss their forehead.

(Y/N) leaned against the doorframe, watching the exchange with an amused smile.

"But you're always reaching for your mom. Always looking around for her. You get that from me." There was a glow of pride in his eyes. "We're both a little lost without your mum around, aren't we?" He rocked up and down till he heard a small giggle, a short laugh leaving his lips at the sound.

Johnny put the toy down to reach for the bottle on the table and (Y/N)'s heart squeezed with more love for her incredibly thoughtful husband.

"I can't believe you're my little baby." Johnny grinned as eager, tiny hands reached out to grab the bottle. "I'm going to teach you how to throw a ball and give you your first beer someday. Maybe we can both learn how to make your mom's cake." Johnny laughed to himself, "I'm going to love you so much." Johnny scrunched his nose when a little hand wrapped around his finger. "I'm the luckiest man in the world and you're proof, you know that?" He whispered, eyes glowing despite the dim light in the room. "All this because your mom thought I was a hairy ghost." He giggled to himself.

"You need to stop talking about that." She finally gave in, speaking up. Johnny looked up, wide eyed before grinning when he saw her. "Plus, it was a witch."

Johnny laughed, tired but content. "Just know now. I'm going to tell our kids this till they're sick of this story. Then I'm going to tell their friends and their spouses. Even the other's kids are going to grow up listening to our story." Johnny stuck his tongue out at her before giving her a love struck smile as she came closer, "We're my favourite story." He leaned over to kiss her forehead as she stood in front of her husband and child.

"I thought that was Iron Man?" She raised a brow.

"Oh damn." Johnny winced, "Tough choice." He clicked his tongue. She rolled her eyes at him, reaching down to tickle the baby's belly.

___

Send me an ask about a character from one of my fics in a scenario and I’ll write a drabble.

Character from: Unintended Consequences

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