#even he looks disgusted in the first - he looks so fiiiine

[chevvy-yates]

[NC_RES]-31102049-EUR-GER scharfenberg_g_portraits_030_HW.file ///core:_ryder_von_scharfenberg.file\\\

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⚠️ READ: Please do not repost/reupload any of my art here or to any other platform, or I will be forced to do anything to get it annihilated.

Paul Night Suit by @breezypunk.

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I hc that Ryder often still thinks in German when he doesn't have to respond to anyone. After all it is his first language. So here he is, Ryder having to attend a corpo event because of a job and he's bored and the people are annoying. He went to a quieter space a bit afar from the main gala and watches from there. Sadly they do not serve any beer at all. It's full of champagner but beer? what is that?

another under the cut.

[pure-smut]

say red.

featuring: Iwaizumi Hajime x f!reader

contains: academic rivals to lovers, dom!Iwaizumi, rough s*x, degradation, dirty talk, creampie

note: all characters are over 18!

MDNI | 18+ content

word count: 2k

series: 1. say red | 2. say red | 3. say red

masterlist

You’d never paid attention to Iwaizumi Hajime. Just another face in the lecture hall, another voice answering questions, another serious guy with a serious face taking things so seriously.

It’s only when you’re paired together to work on a semester-long project that you pay attention to him for the first time. And wow – he’s fucking annoying.

“We need to meet up more than once every two weeks,” Iwaizumi tells you, frowning at your suggestion. “We won’t get enough done before the deadline.”

“It’ll be fiiiine,” you sigh. “The project barely contributes to our grade. All we need to do is pass.”

Iwaizumi narrows his olive eyes at you, entirely displeased.

“How are you,” he bites out. “… top of the class?”

You give him a sweet smile, throwing up a peace sign.

“Because I’m great, obviously.”

You had somewhat noticed that Iwaizumi’s name was always second below yours whenever test scores were published. It’s clear that’s a sticking point for him because he clenches his teeth so hard, you can see a muscle bouncing in his jaw.

“We’re meeting up twice a week,” Iwaizumi says, standing. When you open your mouth to protest, he gives you a hard look. “That’s final.”

You roll your eyes and shrug.

“Fine, fine.” A grin crawls across your face. “Iwa.”

He shoots you a disgusted look.

“Don’t call me that.”

“What, Iwa? It’s cute.”

Iwaizumi pokes his tongue into his cheek and rolls his eyes skyward.

“Whatever.”

With that, he gathers his bag and stomps out of the lecture hall. Your gaze follows the back of him as he disappears, the smile only slipping off your face when he leaves.

“So annoying,” you mutter to yourself, packing up your own things.

But it’s only until the end the semester. You can grin and bear it that long. Plus, it’s like you said before – the project barely impacts your grades. Iwaizumi might want to force you into way too many boring meetings but you have absolutely no intention of cooperating.

*

Iwaizumi messages you his address and a time to come round to work on the project.

Gotta buy a girl dinner first before you invite her to your bedroom, you message him back. He ignores you.

Like most other students, he lives on campus with a few other roommates. You half-expect to see them when you arrive at Iwaizumi’s but he tells you he’s chosen a day when everyone else is out.

“I need some peace and quiet if I’m dealing with you,” Iwaizumi says.

“Flattered,” you reply.

His room is neat and tidy, a smattering of volleyball trophies on the shelves. You vaguely remember that he’s on the college volleyball team but you didn’t know he’s good enough to have trophies. You smooth your features into something neutral so he doesn’t know you’re impressed.

You both sit at his desk, where Iwaizumi’s already set up notepads, pens and sticky notes.

“You’re prepared,” you remark, eliciting a heavy sigh from Iwaizumi.

“I’m sure it seems that way to someone who doesn’t even bring a pencil to class.”

You swing side to side on his wheely chair as Iwaizumi launches into his plan for the project, talking you through the list of bullet points. You make noncommittal noises, your eyes drifting off.

He has kind of a nice face, you think, your gaze dropping from his short dark hair to his sharp jaw. Iwaizumi’s wearing a t-shirt that stretches across his broad chest, the sleeves tight around his biceps. Damn, he’s pretty built, too.

Iwaizumi continues talking as your mind wanders. You wonder if he’s a good kisser. Hmm, probably too serious for that. Only chaste tongueless kisses and missionary in the dark.

You grin at your own thoughts and Iwaizumi stops talking mid-sentence.

“What are you laughing at?” His brow furrows. “You’re not even fucking listening.”

“Uh, no, not really,” you admit, throwing your hands up in defeat.

“Jesus christ…” Iwaizumi puts his elbows on the desk, digging his palms into his eyes.

He wants to launch himself out of the window. How is it possible that you of all people beat him in class? He freezes when he feels your finger trail over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Iwaizumi looks up.

“You’re so tense,” you say. You’re not lying – Iwaizumi’s muscles are like boulders. You give his bicep a poke and realise there’s almost no give. “Maybe that’s why you’re taking this so seriously.”

“You’re just taking this too lightly,” he says, frowning.

You’re looking at him weirdly, your eyes locked onto his, and the way you’re touching his arm is making his cheeks feel warm. What the fuck is going on?

Iwaizumi’s adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard and you smile, knowing you’ve got him. You stand up to move over and put yourself in Iwaizumi’s lap instead. His thighs are as hard as the rest of him and it feels like sitting in an actual chair. You wrap your arms around his neck.

“You’re kind of cute, y’know,” you say, cocking your head.

“Kind of,” he echoes, giving you a flat look. “Thanks.”

Iwaizumi’s hand rests on your thigh despite his unimpressed tone. You give him a sweet smile and trail a finger along his jaw, feeling the slight stubble there.

“Maybe you need some stress relief, hm?” you suggest, dragging your finger down to his hard chest.

“And you’re offering?”

“I thought you were supposed to be smart?” You cock an eyebrow. “Obviously, yes.”

Iwaizumi regards you, eyes sharp, and your breath hitches. Your smile nearly falters but you save it in time. It feels like he’s looking through you, into you. It’s a struggle to hold his gaze but you’ve never been one to back down. So you look right back at him.

Iwaizumi’s eyes soften and you see him smile for the first time. No, he smirks.

“Say red,” he tells you. “And I’ll stop.”

“O-okay.” You’re annoyed at yourself for stammering but something’s changed with Iwaizumi and it’s thrown you off.

“Repeat it back to me.”

“If I say red, you’ll stop,” you tell him and he gives a short nod, satisfied.

“Good.”

Iwaizumi stands abruptly, picking you up with him and throwing you on the bed. You yelp at the sudden movement, bouncing softly against the mattress.

“What-?”

You don’t have time to ask what the fuck is happening before Iwaizumi’s on you. He presses his mouth against yours, kissing you roughly. He pushes his body between your legs, forcing them apart to accommodate his thick frame.

One of Iwaizumi’s hands grabs your hip as the other snakes around your throat, holding you with enough force for you to feel it but not so hard you’re gasping. His soft lips are in contrast to the sharp stubble scratching your skin, his tongue sliding over yours.

Okay, I might have been wrong, you think. There’s nothing chaste about this.

Iwaizumi grinds his bulge against your clothed pussy, now exposed to him as he tugs up your dress. The friction through two layers of fabric is teasing, making your hips buck, desperate for more. You moan into his mouth and he squeezes your throat.

“Needy little slut,” he says roughly.

Iwaizumi’s degrading words only serve to turn you on even more. His voice has completely changed, now deep and throaty and utterly commanding. Iwaizumi keeps one hand around your neck as his other reaches down to unbutton his jeans.

“Is this what you want so badly?” he says as he pulls his cock free.

You gasp as it slaps against your mound, sending a spark of pleasure through you. You try to nod but Iwaizumi has your throat in too tight a grip.

“Use your fucking words,” he spits. “Tell me.”

“Y-yes, I want it. Please, I want it.”

Iwaizumi reaches down and you hear a violent rip. You’re not able to look down, your head fixed in place, but there’s a cool breeze across your exposed pussy. Your mouth drops open as you realise he’s ripped your panties clean off.

Iwaizumi smirks at your reaction.

“You act like a slut, you get treated like one.”

The Iwaizumi you knew before, so serious and studious, is long gone. You look up at him, his eyes feral, and realise you’ve severely underestimated who you’re up against. He lines up the fat head of his cock with your dripping hole.

“Look how fucking wet you are already.” Iwaizumi pushes himself inside you and you give a choked moan at the feel of him stretching you. “You don’t even need me to get you started, do you? You’ll spread your legs for fucking anyone.”

Iwaizumi’s flurry of degradation is making your pussy drool for him, only spurring you both on. But a nugget of defiance forms in your chest, even as tears stick to your lashes.

“This what your needy little pussy wants?” he demands, pushing in deeper to bottom out.

His cock feels so fucking good, dragging against the sensitive bundle of nerves inside you to make your whole body feel like it’s on fire, but your determination not to let him take over fully kicks in.

“Y-yes, Iwa,” you breathe out.

Iwaizumi’s jaw clenches.

“I told you not to fucking call me that,” he grits out.

As if to punctuate, he starts to pound at you hard. Every slam pushes you closer to the edge, sending a jolt through your body to the tips of your toes. His large hand around your neck is delicious, pinning you beneath him as he fucks you raw. You sink your nails into his forearm, lustful whimpers falling from your lips.

“S-sorry…” you gasp. “… Iwa.”

Iwaizumi growls, moving faster and setting a brutal pace.

“Fucking brat.”

You don’t have the strength to talk back anymore. Iwaizumi’s cock is pulling you to the edge, making your eyes roll back in your skull as he rips an orgasm from you. Your pussy clenches down like a vice grip around his cock and a moan escapes Iwaizumi’s throat.

“Fuck… fuck…” he groans.

Iwaizumi fights the urge to squeeze his eyes shut, wanting to watch you bounce under him. Your walls are so slick, so hot, so fucking tight. You’re tearing down all his restraint, moaning so sweetly even as his fist is wrapped around your throat. He knows he’s not going to last much longer.

“I’m… gonna cum…” Iwaizumi says, voice hoarse.

“Inside me,” you plead. “Cum inside me, Iwa.”

Your words tip him over the edge.

His grip tightens on your neck, almost making you dizzy, as he thrusts once, burying himself fully. The moan he makes as he comes undone inside you is intoxicating, satisfying in a way you can’t explain. Iwaizumi’s chest heaves as he half-collapses on top of you, his arms shaking as he holds himself up.

Neither of you say anything, breathless and sweat-slicked.

“Well.” You break the silence with a grin. “I dunno about you but I definitely feel better.”

Iwaizumi’s serious face returns as he rolls his eyes, pulling away from you. He tugs a few tissues free from a box on his nightstand, handing them to you first before himself.

“What a gentleman,” you coo, cleaning yourself up.

“It’s polite. I’m not a savage.”

“The way you fuck says different.”

Even though you’ve still got his cum spilling out of you, Iwaizumi’s ears go pink at your comment. He ignores you and buttons his jeans back up. Cute, you think with a smile.

You point at your destroyed underwear.

“And you ruined my panties. That was rude.”

Iwaizumi’s cheeks tint as he blushes harder.

“Yeah, sorry.” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’ll buy you a new pair.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Finished cleaning yourself up, you hop off his bed and straighten your dress. “I’ll just make sure I’m not wearing any next time.”

Iwaizumi stills.

“Next time?”

“Duh.” You put a hand on your hip. “That was great, right? And my head feels totally clear. I think I’m actually ready to listen to your project plan or whatever.”

You take a seat at his desk, hands clasped demurely on your lap and smiling sweetly.

“Twice a week you said?”

[chososchalupa]

wish that it was me

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

The last person you wanted to see at this meeting was your older brother. The same brother who left you in the hands of Chuuya Nakahara and the Port Mafia years ago, but all you can see now are the pleading eyes of Osamu Dazai begging for forgiveness.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Chapter ten - What about me?

wc - 621

cw - typical Dazai x Akutagawa behavior, not proofread. It took me forever to write because i simply lost interest so yay for the last chapter!

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

“So the mission went well?” Mori asked, looking between you and Chuuya. 

Chuuya nodded, “It did”

“And how was working with Dazai?”

You smiled, “It went well”

“Oh, good. I take it that you won’t argue about being put on missions together now?” Mori asked

You shook your head, “We work well together”

Mori gave a small chuckle, “I am well aware. The agency will be arriving any moment now to discuss a mission that the two of you will be on later this week. You are both to attend this meeting, understood?”

Chuuya and you nodded in agreement

“You are both free to go” Mori smiled,

As you exited his office, you bumped into Akutagawa. The boy looking less than pleased as he stared down at you,

“You work with Dazai now?” He asked, his tone low 

“Were you eavesdropping?” You responded, a look of confusion on your face.

Akutagawa’s lack of response was enough of a response so you continued speaking, “He apologized and explained why he left. It was for the best in his eyes”

Akutagawa scoffed, “That’s all it took? You forgave him that easily?”

You rolled your eyes, “He should be here soon for a meeting. He may apologize to you too, Aku”

“Dazai apologize to me?”

You watched as the new boy was flung towards a wall by your brother. His legs gave out as he landed, causing him to crumple to the ground. 

“Pathetic” Dazai spoke, walking towards him. “You think you can survive in the Mafia like this?”

“Osamu.” You spoke, almost as a warning for him to stop.

Dazai ignored your words as he stood in front of the coughing boy, “Look at yourself, Akutagawa. You can’t even handle a punch”

“I’m sor-” Akutagawa started, only to be cut off by Dazai's foot connecting with his stomach.

Your eyes widened, watching as the boy screamed in pain, his arms holding his chest as he began to cough up blood. 

“Osamu, stop!” You yelled, running towards the new boy. “That was too far, apologize!”

Dazai scoffed as he turned to walk away, “He needs to learn. Stop babying him”

“He would never”

You shook your head as you turned to walk towards the lobby, “He’s changed, Aku”

Akutagawa didn’t respond, only stood as he watched you walk away to find your brother.

“Dazai change?” He spoke to himself, walking towards the meeting room.

Once inside, he saw you and Dazai sitting beside each other. Dazai gave a quick glance as Akutagawa sat in front of you but didn’t so much as say a ‘hello’ 

The meeting went on, although it was hard to focus with the whispering and soft laughter that was coming from across the table.

“That concludes today's meeting, I expect to see the two of you here Thursday morning?” Mori asked, staring at you and your brother.

You gave him a smile, “Of course, sir”

Mori sighed, “You’re all free to go”

Akutagawa was first to leave the room, standing outside to wait for Dazai to exit.

Chuuya came out first, standing beside Akutagawa. Shortly after, you and Dazai came out.

“Chuuya!” Dazai smiled, “Want to get some lunch with us?”

Chuuya gave him a look of disgust, “Not likely”

Dazai fake pouted, “Fiiiine” he groaned before looking at you, “Ready?”

You nodded and the two of you began walking away, 

“Wait- Dazai” Akutagawa called

You both turned around, Dazai’s eyes met Akutagawa’s, a look of almost pity filling them as he turned back around to continue walking. You gave a small smile and mouthed ‘sorry’ as you followed your brother.

“He hasn’t changed” Akutagawa thought as he felt Chuuya step beside him

“You okay?” Chuuya asked

“What about me?”

taglist

@lacunaanonymoused @decaf-nosebleed @till-we-become-monsters @little-miss-chaoss @hungergameswho

AO3

masterlist

[edactually]

Ed POV - 6.5

Stede had had too much to drink, lightweight as he was, so unfortunately Ed was forced to team up with Sam to get him home. Both of them insisted on taking him home, but the unspoken thing between them was that neither man trusted the other not to take advantage of a drunken Stede. The compromise was that they all piled into the back of an Uber and directed the driver to Stede’s house.

Ed sat on one side of Stede, Sam the other. When Stede started to doze off and slump sideways, it was Ed’s shoulder that he landed on and Ed couldn’t resist giving Sam a triumphant look. Sam didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response, he just looked out the window.

When they pulled up in front of Stede’s house, there was some jostling of who got to help Stede to his front door which ended with another compromise of Sam holding Stede up with his arm over his shoulders while Ed steadied him with an arm around the waist.

Stede fumbled drunkenly with his keys but managed to get his door unlocked.

Sam’s face was concerned. “Are you going to be ok on your own, Ste?”

“Yeah,” Ed added. “Do you want me to stay over?”

“I’m fiiiine.” The word was drawn out as Stede stumbled over his threshold and Sam and Ed exchanged a look before both trying to step through the front door at the same time and getting wedged.

“He doesn’t need both of us.” Ed hissed as Stede wandered over to his living room couch and plonked himself down.

“I’m not leaving you alone with him.” Sam whispered.

He might have acted like a jealous prick tonight, but Ed would never take advantage of Stede in such a state. He was disgusted that Sam would think that about him, even if they were practically strangers. “I’m not leaving you alone with him!” 

“Then what’s the plan here, B?”

Ed racked his brains to think of a solution. “Got it! I’ll get his PA to stay with him.” He quickly pulled out his phone and opened up Twitter to show Sam Lucius’ profile so he knew he wasn’t making it up.

Sam narrowed his eyes. “Message him now.”

Fucking hell, for all his mature and articulate understanding of Ed’s situation, all of a sudden Sam had to be like this.

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[the-silentium]

Here we go again

Masterlist - Murphy day - Part 2

Before I introduce you to my story, please note that Fors is an Original planet. I do not give permission to people to use it for their own fics, the planet, the animals, the Nightmares, the lore or anything related to Fors. Thank you.

Pairing: Bad Batch x Reader

Words: 3661 words

Warnings: Hurting animals (predators, don’t worry).

A/N: This is going to be insane. It’ll get gory (not in this chap, but we’ll get there). 

Taglist: @haloangel391​ (still want to be tagged?) + Tag list open

_____________________

"This," Tech paused to find the right words to not insult you once more. "went rather good considering it's your first time." He met your gaze, clearly concentrating on your body language to see if you were insulted or not.

You stared back at him blankly, eyebrow raised, hands joined on your lap. You turned your chair to face him completely and moved forward to get your elbows on your knees, never breaking the eye contact. 

"Cut the crap. Say what you wanted to say." 

"Two things." He immediately followed like the words were dying to leave his lips. "One, this should have been a lot more chaotic. Two, there was no way you actually never flew a ship before." His eyes squinted like this would press the info out of you.

"You accusing me of lying?" You remained stoic, not letting him know yet about your little secret and actually making him squirm in his seat. 

"No!" He straightened in his seat, frowning in confusion as if you'd just slapped him. In the background, you could hear footsteps getting closer to the cockpit door. 

"Are you?" He continued, uncertain.

"No." 

"For a second I doubted it was you piloting." Hunter entered, followed by Wrecker who stood right behind him. "Very good for a first flight." 

"Yeah! We could tell it wasn't Tech because of the landing! It was too smooth." Wrecker chimed in to his smaller brother's dismay. 

"Thanks." You answered with a nod at the same time Tech yelled his indignation. 

"She cheated!" 

"And how can you cheat at piloting a ship?" Crosshair snickered at the apparent attempt to keep his reputation of best pilot of the Marauder. Apparently you were promising enough to be a threat. This was interesting. 

"Tech. She doesn't have a droid. She couldn't cheat." Hunter pointed out, confused. 

"She said she didn't fly a ship before! It clearly isn't the case!" His hands moved around to prove his point, almost causing you to burst out laughing. 

"Again with accusing me of lying?" You inquired innocently. 

"No! I'm not-" 

"You just did." The sniper smirked, enjoying the show. 

Shiny decided to join the troop at this moment, passing its head under Wrecker's big hand for some pat. Your heart squeezed at the prospect that the tiny baby wouldn't be around anymore. He was so sweet. 

"But you can't learn that from the books!"

"I didn't lie." You chuckled, your attention back to the discussion. One of your hands found the engineer's pauldron to calm him down. "I never flew a ship before. Hell, I've never used a blaster before! This planet is still using bows and arrows."  

You heard a snort on your right, clearly coming from the grey-haired trooper, but your eyes were fixed to Tech's who was still trying to get how the hell you managed to get the hang of flying a ship so quickly. You were sure it took hours of training to be able to fly to the GAR standards and you knew you didn't reach these standards. Yet. But it didn't stop your first performance to be quite good, or so it seemed. 

"You're right. I read all the books and they couldn't have prepared me enough." He nodded, already knowing that he was right, waiting for you to continue with barely contained impatience. 

"Remember the trooper who shared my room for a while? Blast?" You didn't wait for him to answer your question before getting to the part of his interest. "He's a gunship pilot. He taught me what to be aware of, what to look for, how to react in what situation, and other stuff." 

You smiled sweetly at his goggled eyes, batting your eyelashes innocently. 

"See? Not a liar. Just resourceful." 

His eyes grew wide in panic, almost making you panic. 

"You blew your cover of being a trained pilot!" Oh. You rolled your eyes in all playfulness, noticing how the rest of the team tensed at his words. 

" 'm not that dumb Techie." You resisted the urge to boop his nose in front of everyone. "Told him I was used to starfighters and not gunships. Wasn't used to the big extra weight behind my ass. He bought it and helped me 'adjust'." You finished by making quotation marks in the air, happy to see his face crumble in relief. 

"It's okay Tech. You're still the best pilot between the two of us." You patted his shoulder and got to your feet, a new energy in your steps as you made your way to the back of the ship. 

You looked around for your knife, going to the last place you remember seeing it; the barracks. Only, you found the beds to be totally empty and your knife was unexpectedly nowhere to be seen in the living area too. Maybe one of the boys had it, you thought. Before you went to ask them, it flashed into your mind. You remembered sliding it into the slot at the side of your boot. You lightly hit your forehead with your palm. Oops. You could keep that to yourself.

You heard the boys argue for a bit, Wrecker laughing at the whole exchange, your lips stretching at his contagious joy. They finally settled, the silence making it obvious that their small discussion was over, so you made your way to the door of the ship. 

"All ready to go drop off our lil' friend." You announced as they joined you, pressing the button to open the door. 

Tech handed you a small device with a flashing round circle as soon as he was within arms reach. 

"What's that?" You took the device, turning it around to inspect it. 

"An improved comm link. If by some bad luck we get separated, we'll still be able to reach you. It is set to our team frequency. Press this button to talk." He pointed at the no-longer-flashing circular button. 

"So I can't dirty talk Hunter." You said in the device, and you could hear your voice echoing from all their helmets under their arms. 

"Definitely not." He deadpanned, disgusted. Wrecker laughed whole-heartedly, one of his hands slapping the back of your right shoulder that moved forward under his strength, Hunter smirked in your direction with a delicious glint in his eyes while Crosshair rolled his eyes and put his helmet on. 

"Fiiiine." You fake whined, eyes and head rolling like a kid before inviting them to get off the ship with a movement of your hands presenting them the outside world. "After you, gentlemen." 

Scoffing, Hunter pulled his helmet on and walked down the steps, followed by the rest of the batch. 

"Good job Y/N!" Wrecker eagerly presented you his fist, to which you keenly answered with a hit of your smaller fist. He descended the stairs to regroup with his team. 

Smiling, you noted that they were fully armored, armed and alert, surely not trusting the fauna around to stay at bay. You found that deep inside, it made you feel safer to have them by your side. 

You pocketed the comm link in one of your deepest pockets before following suit, arms wide at your side to bathe in the warmth of the slowly retiring sun while you could. Space, you'd realized, was terribly cold. 

Tall trees reached high in the blue sky, the green grass grew as far as you could see, a warm breeze stroked your face and all in all, you found yourself not relaxing like you expected. You thought that you'd feel better to be in known-ish territory as opposed to a cold military base, but your mind couldn't find ease. Not even slightly. Maybe it was PTSD following your last experience on Murphy Day. You deeply hoped this was the explanation. 

You made sure that you landed the ship far enough from the Forsian hunting territories and the Waytree, the prospect of meeting one of your peers wasn't very tempting and if you could avoid meeting another Basilisk, you'd definitely take it. The Marauder was now in wild territory, far enough that even you hadn't ventured that far in your exploratory trips, about a couple of hours of walk away from your native village, just enough to stay undetected.

You joined the group, smiling at seeing Shiny running into the greenery, glad that at least one of you was happy to be back. 

Wrecker and Crosshair went ahead, closer to the line of trees to search for predators of some sort, their movements frightening small sunbathing Jerboas that fled back into the jungle. 

"We'll have to do it quick. Can't be here when the sun's down." You informed the sergeant who nodded in understanding. 

Or at least, some understanding. Like everyone else, he must have deduced that this planet was even more dangerous at night. If only he knew to what extends. Or maybe it was best for him not to know. 

"Clear." Came Crosshair's voice from your pocket. 

"All cl-" Wrecker started before his sentence finished in a yelp of surprise. 

All at once, four heads turned towards his position, quick enough to see his torso and helmet disappear into the ground. 

'Wrecker!" You yelled along with Tech, running to where you last saw him, the remaining commandos barely outrunning you. 

"Stop!" Hunter barked, arms extended at his sides to prevent you all to fall off the cliff, cutting your breath for a second when the blaster in his hand hit your chest full force. 

The ground was crumbling under your combined weights, hurrying you to step back from the edge. You dropped on your stomach to redistribute your weight and peer at the open space below. Making sure this time that only your head poked over the edge and nothing else. A hand gripped the back of your shirt in haste, like you would ever decide to throw yourself off a precipice. Again. 

Wrecker sat there on his ass surrounded by trees, passing a hand over his helmet in confusion. You finally took a deep breath in when you registered that he was moving. 

"You okay there?" You yelled with your hands around your mouth, the others replicating your position at your sides to look down, the hand on your back still closed around the fabric. 

"All good." He looked up, flashing you a thumbs up. 

Bending your head to look under you, your blood ran cold as you took in the really thin plate of ground kept together by roots and nothing else. There were only a very few inches of dirt supporting your bodies, creating a gap between the part of the cliff Wrecker could climb and the edge where you all laid on. 

"He can't climb up." You rotated your head to the side at Crosshair's comment and saw the ground disappearing two clicks further down. You landed on a weird ravine top of some sort. 

Your breathing picked up in pace as the image of the sun licking the top of the trees reached your brain, pushing back to the front of your mind all your survival instinct adapted to the hard life on your planet. 

"We have to get him. Quick." Your eyes were fixed to the sun, muscles tensed. 

How long before the last rays warmed the ground? How long until you weren't protected anymore? 45 minutes? A bit less? 

"What's wrong?" Hunter questioned, bringing you back to the land of the living. He looked worried, maybe it was caused by the panic in your voice. Or the fact that your skin paled significantly in a matter of seconds. Or maybe it was both. 

You got on your knees before bolting toward the line of trees, evading the hand clutched around your shirt to look for a spot where the cliff met your own ground. Yells of your name were muffled by your loud frenetic thoughts, warnings to not stay outside at dusk, stories of what roamed the darkness on the other side of the gigantic fence protecting the village, drawings of terrifying creatures that haunted your nights for years.  

You jumped at the something closing on your shoulder, instinct kicking in to lift your hand to threaten the intruder. You were as surprised at Tech when you saw the hunting knife in your hand, the blade almost pressed against his neck. 

"Calm down!" A sharp order reached your ears as a hand pulled your wrist away from the tender skin. 

"S-sorry Tech." Your voice shook as much as your hand, your grip tightening around the handle of the blade.  

"What's wrong? Talk to us!" Hunter ordered again, invading your line of sight. 

"We have to be gone before dusk. We can't survive a night outside." You rushed, eyes lifting to the darkening sky between the leaves. 

"Why?" He pressed, tension building. 

"We are losing time! We have 20 minutes tops to find him and all get our way back to the ship." You turned around to continue your search of a way to get to your teammate. 

"What happens at dusk?" Tech inquired, joining your sides and matching your quick pace. 

"They come out, Tech." You whispered, almost scared to say it out loud in fear that they would appear at their mention. 

"What's 'they'?" Crosshair grumbled, completely done with your nonsense. He seemed unbothered, but you knew your stress was affecting him too, his gun at the ready was secured in a tight grip while his helmet scanned the trees meticulously. 

"Apex predators." You shuddered, the drawing of an Algax invading your mind. 

You noticed Shiny wandering a bit farther ahead, his horns illuminating a couple of Furants watching the group closely. The feline-like owls were perched on low branches, the green light reflecting over their dark feathers and four legs armed with sharp talons. Their ears and eyes followed your movements, their tail intertwined to keep the other close. 

They flew away in silence when Wrecker's voice boomed from your comm link. 

"I hear weird laughs all around." He sounded worried, some of said laughs could be heard in the background. 

As if this situation wasn't already bad! You definitely could have done without Wrecker being surrounded by a pack of vicious opportunist predators.

"Shoot 'em! Check in the trees!" You rushed out. "They'll try to surround you, you can't let them. Run if need be, they're not that fast." You glanced down the edge and huffed in annoyance when it still wasn't close enough to let you jump down to help him. 

"We have to get to him!" You heard the first blaster bolts just below to your right, meaning that Wrecker foolishly ventured the jungle alone on his side when the others started running after you.  

"Wrecker. Continue running North. We'll meet at some point." Hunter ordered. 

"Got that!" 

You jumped over dead trunks, roots and dense patches of tall grass, slalomed between the trees disturbing the small animals tending to their daily routine of surviving the harsh environment and ignored the yelps of Tech tripping over something. 

"Don't shoot that!" You yelled, pointing to the big moss-covered lizard currently digging the ground before you, rushing past it without a care. He barely acknowledged your passage, staying focussed on his task. 

You passed too much time running to your liking, but it all paid off when a very tall tree almost reached your ground level. It was a couple of feet too short, but it definitely was enough for you to jump down to the thick branches below. The top ones weren't strong enough, breaking beneath your feet and scratching your arms slightly. Soon, you reached the level where the wood became thick enough to sustain your weight. You plunged your knife into the trunk to slow down your fall to allow you to grab a branch without dislocating your shoulder and quickly made your way down. 

You heard your name from above, but ignored it. They could make it on their own. Or at least you hoped. 

You heard Wrecker before you saw him, the high pitch snickers and whoops following him closely. He shot some bolts behind him but continued running forward like Hunter ordered him to. He passed below you, not seeing you in the tree but stopped when he heard something fall on the ground behind him. 

You had plunged your knife into one of the Rideat following the clone, stabbing him near the neck as soon as he jumped on your branch to continue its course. It lost balance at the pain, propelling the both of you to the ground. 

You jumped to your feet in milli-seconds, already expertly jumping away from its long clawed prehensile fingers to stab it in the neck. It screeched in pain, jerking it's dangerously powerful back legs forward to push you away and claw at your flesh in the same movement. 

You jumped back and Wrecker used the moment to shoot at the agonizing beast. Groans and grunts resonated all around, brown flashes moving from trees to trees. With your back to Wrecker's, you analyzed their pattern, lifted your hand and threw your knife to where you were sure the brown Rideat would jump next. Its body hit the ground, stunning it long enough for the trooper to shoot it down. 

With snarls, the others retreated, leaving the scene as swiftly as they came. 

"Those things are ugly!" Wrecker let out when you pulled your knife out of the canine-bat's shoulder. 

"They are." 

You pushed the body with your foot, cautious of any movement on its end, they were known to fake dead after all. Its long front legs were motionless just like its smaller back legs. 

When it's large sensitive protrusions on its scapulas didn't move, you allowed yourself to breathe. 

"You okay?" You turned to Wrecker who lifted its helmet to wear it as a hat. 

"Yes! Thanks to you, cabur'ika!" 

You frowned at the new nickname. You opened your mouth to ask what it meant when troopers rained from above, landing on their feet like the perfect elite commandos that they were. You were actually surprised that they didn't fall all the way down with their armor. 

"They're gone." You informed them, almost snorting at their weapons moving along the trees. 

"You sure?" Hunter stayed focused on his surroundings. 

"100%. They're opportunist cowards. Always flee when they realize the prey is too strong." You pushed Wrecker's arm playfully at your last word. 

"What's that?" Tech asked, crouched next to one of the bodies. 

"A Rideat." You looked above, trying to discern the sky above the clouds of leaves but failing miserably as this part of the jungle was way too dense. "I'll describe later. We should get back up and leave." 

Unfortunately, the tree was too short for you all to get back up there, so you had to walk further into the jungle to find a way up. This ravine must have a climbable spot somewhere. It had to. 

Each passing second put you more and more on edge, sharpening your senses and reflexes. You heard the pounding of several Jerboas running to safety around you, a young single Loth wolf passed right next to your group, running towards its den. 

You'd spent too much time walking, running and fighting. You were late. Too late. The sun was down and the diurnal animals fled to their secure home to pass the night. Preys and predators alike. 

"We have to follow it!" You yelled, sprinting after the Loth wolf. Maybe it would lead you to a suitable shelter. Please, please, please.

Desperately, you tried to keep sight of it. Running at your fastest, you took every turn it did, jumped every mud puddle it did, but in the end, its four legs were too fast for the two of yours. 

You lost him for a second. It was a second too much. Your blood ran cold when you lost sight it, but you soon spotted the small crack in the rock where it sneaked in to find shelter. 

"No. Nononononono." You shook your head, eyes widening as fear traveled through your body like fire. 

The fissure was too small for anyone to slip in. You were stuck out past daylight. Too far from the ship and too far from the nearest village.

"Stop running off." Hunter grumbled, joining your side. 

You were on the verge of hyperventilating, too much blood was flooding your head, pins poked your fingers, the quick beating in your skull almost made you dizzy. 

"Can't be out at night. Can't." You whispered, reciting the fundamentals of your previous years of survival. "Never leave the village alone. Don't forget your weapon. Return home before dusk."

You had failed. You'd die. You'd die like everyone else that ventured the night. You'd given yourself a death sentence without even returning to the village. How dumb-

"Y/N!" You were shook back and forth for a moment, trying to get you to focus. 

"Calm your breathing. Now!" You heard the order, it was distant and muffled, but you heard it. It was only then that you regained feelings of your own body and forced your erratic lungs to slower their pace. 

Your vision cleared, the sounds in your head vanished, the ringing in your ears faded, your fingers flexed to regain full feeling in them. You were alive. Still alive. Not for lo-

"Good." You blinked at Crosshair, his worried gaze moving over your face like you'd scared him. As if. 

"We have to find shelter." You told them, coming back from your panic attack. Body leaning on the sniper's hand on your shoulder for stability. 

"Remember I told you guys that Fors feeds on beliefs and basically make them real?” You didn’t wait for an answer. “Now what are common beliefs at night?" 

"Monsters." Crosshair deadpanned, eyes reduced to slit. He must think you went downright crazy.

"Blood-thirsty man-eating monsters." You specified to their horror. 

[baka-monarch]

What The Fuck!?

(A.N: before we start with the story I just wanna say that this is based off of this post by @lance-alt​ . Also, alot of creators on here got mentioned in the story, like actual mentions so if you got mentioned just know that I love what you create and wanted to include you because I love your interpretations of the sides, and you do not have to read this at all if you don’t want to and if you want me to take you out of the story please DM me and tell me so that I can)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: SLIGHT MENTION OF VORE FOR LIKE TWO SECONDS, MENTION OF USYEMPETHETIC SIDES, SHITTING N SOME HEADCANONS EVEN THOUGH I MYSELF LOVE THEM

The Sides are lost. They find themselves in a familiar and yet unknown place.

They will soon find someone dark. And someone far too shiny and bright… Too innocent.

The Sides meet…

their fanon-selves.

 ...

 It had started like any normal day. The sides existing as a part of Thomas, helping him with his daily dilemmas, the usual things. Until Thomas took a nap. Then the sides suddenly found themselves in a white void. It wasn’t a dream, they could confirm that much from the other dreams that Thomas had. Also from the confused looks on the twin’s faces who were in charge of dreams, like how Remus had caused Thomas’ nightmare that they had disgusted in Dealing With Intrusive Thoughts.

“Where are we?” Logan spoke up, voicing everyone’s concerns.

“Wherever it is, Thomas has never thought about it before.” Roman muttered as he glanced around.

“Yeah, I know his brains can be scooped out at times, but not even he can have a mind this empty.” At Remus’ comment, most of the others cringed in varying degrees, with Logan being the only one unaffected, only rolling his eyes in annoyance.

“Although your metaphor usage could use some work, you are correct. This place is too empty to be a part of Thomas.” Logan conceded.

“If this isn’t Thomas...then where are we?” Virgil gleaned around wearily, trying to come up with his own explanation for this situation.

“It’s really blank here...maybe Thomas is in a coma?” Roman tried, to which Virgil’s eyes widened.

“Impossible, how would we be active if he is not?” Logan debated.

“I don’t know! Do you have any ideas, Sherlock Drones?” Roman rebutted, causing Logan to roll his eyes and fix his glasses.

“Unfortunately, no. There is not enough evidence...anywhere to make a proper inference on the situation.” Logan finished adjusting his glasses by the time he finished, gaining an annoyed huff from Roman.

“Heya, kiddos? Maybe we shouldn’t argue. We’re all confused right now, and getting upset isn’t going to get us anywhere.” Patton butted in to make sure things didn’t escalate.

“Thank you, Patton.” Logan gave a curt nod of agreement.

“Fiiiine!” Roman whined after a bit.

“It would be wise to explore, to see if we can find any clues as to where we are.”

“I’ll do it!” Remus jumped in. “Who knows, maybe we all died a gruesome death!” He cackled.

“No need.” Janus approached the group from behind, having already explored himself. “Look behind us.” When turning the sides were surprised to find the area behind them was not all whit. On it there were words like what one would find in a google doc currently describing their situation as they lived through it. 

“What the fuck?” Virgil muttered. He had a Tumb.lr so he knew what fanfiction was, and this looked like it. “This can’t be happening…” He groaned, knowing it was happening.

“Aw, they’re writing about us Virge! Like the people on that one app you use.” Patton cooed, only knowing of the fluff part of fanon.

“Pat, you don’t understand. This isn’t good.”

“Oh nonsense kiddo.” Patton dismissed. “Have you guys seen the art they draw of us? It’s so cute!” Virgil internally cringed knowing that not all of it was like that.

“Either way,”-Janus cut off their small conversation.-“We need to find a way out of here.” Janus focused slightly more on Virgil for his next comment. “Whether this is real or not.” Virgil shivered at the thought of them not being real, or even acting like they do in the things that people create. 

Everyone agreed, and soon they were on their way to explore this strange new environment.

 …

 Soon enough, however, the sides are lost. Which brings us back to where this story began. As they searched for their original location, or even the mysterious floating words, they come upon a familiar and yet unknown place. It looks strikingly like a Disney movie kingdom. With one half, filled with bright colors, lush fields, enchanting forests, and a large white castle with a red roof. The other half being dark and dangerous, the colors fading, plants rotting, instead of animals there only creatures of unknown origin, and in the middle, a black, crumbling, castle, with striking green roofing. It was almost as if...it were made for the twins.

In fact, as they got closer they could hear two far off shouts, with simultaneous silhouettes, motioning towards them, as if pointing them out to someone...or something, else.

“Uh...guys?” Virgil trailed off wondering if the others had noticed.

“On it.” Romas was quick to pull out his sword, Remus quickly following suit with his morning star.

It was unnecessary however, as once the silhouettes were in view, they looked exactly like the twins. 

“Wha…” Roman lowered his sword as he saw this. As they got closer more figures came into view. All of which looked like the sides to varying degrees. There were thousands. Some were small, some were even giants, and there were alot that weren’t even human.

“Oh! Hi there kiddos!” A Patton(?) came running past the twin’s doppelgangers. “You’re probably really confused right now, I know alot of us were when we appeared!” The sides just looked at the Patton look-alike  dumbfounded. The first to break out of it was Logan.

“I do not wish to appear rude, but, who are you and where are we?” Logan queried.

“Oh, I’m Patton by @baka-monarch !” Patton chirped. “And you’re in The Imagination!”

“The what now-?” “How did you-?” Both Roman and Virgil asked at the same time.

“Hm?” The other Patton tilted his head confused.

“One at a time now kiddos…” Their Patton silently reminded them. Roman nodded to Virgil to let him go first.

Virgil inhaled, taking his cue. “How did you say a mention? That only works when typed in social medias.” Virgil wondered confused.

“Oh! That’s just my fander creator kiddo!” This Patton didn’t miss a beat as he answered happily. Virgil stared at him blankly as he came to a horrifying conclusion.

“We’re in a f*****g fanfiction.” He jumped slightly at his bleep out. “What was that?”

“Oh, Jan Jan did that I wouldn’t have to hear any vulgar language.” All of them looked back at Janus who looked forward, uninterested, definitely trying not to hide his embarrassment at what this other him did, definitely not. 

“...Okay… My turn!” Roman exclaimed. “What is “the Imagination”?” He used air quotes.

“Yeah, I was wondering that too, Mr. The 6th Day clone.” Remus added.

“Oh! Don’t you know? It’s the place you and Roman can go to to summon anything.You can even change the entire world around you!” Patclone chirped.

“What.” They all said in unison with worry, apart from the twins who were excited.

“Yeah! Isn’t it cool!” Patclone said oblivious to the consequences of the twins having this power could cause. “Oh yeah, do you want me to introduce you to everyone?”

“Please, I am intrigued about how our counterparts might act.” Logan conceded.

“Okie dokie then! Follow me!”

 …

 It had been a few hours at this point and they still weren’t even an eighth of the way through yet. There were so many headcanons, variations, AUs, OCs, OOCs, designs, everything. It was almost too much to handle.

“-this is @tscampfireau ‘s sides from their au-” The Virgil hissed and bit towards them as they almost walked on their pentagram that they were making out of… was that blood? The Patton and Logan were helping them by t-posing as a barrier against the other sides. “-yeah they can be a...fun bunch to hang out with. Oh, and here’s @bleepblopbloop56 ‘s sides.”

“How, and why are they hotter than us..?” Roman mumbled to Virgil, only getting a weird look in response.

“Then there’s @mango-shpango ‘s and @rondoel ‘s ones, he’s got a lot-” Patclone shrugged it off, but King caught all of their eyes. He didn’t have to look like the one they knew for them to know who it was… “Oh, hey there @that-prey-lounge and @tiny-peter-rabbit ‘s sides!” He greeted them. As they turned a corner there was a group of sides that were made of metal like robots. “Oh, there’s @burnadolt ‘s fnaf au!” He waved. As they approached a tavern the last group greeted was, “Heya @nommy-thoughts ‘ sides, how are you adjusting?” there were several positive responses from many of them, and as the sides looked closer they could see that a few were smaller than a human hand not only that but nearby (possibly made by someone else), were the sides they’d seen from afar earlier that were giants.. They hadn't noticed them yet here because of how closely compact the buildings were and how their size made what was visible from their perspective look like buildings.

As they all entered the tavern, they saw that there was only one group of sides here. “Hiya guys! New sides I’d like you to meet @baka-monarch ‘s group.” There were several different hellos. “And my friends, I’d like you to meet… to meet..? I’m sorry but who’s your creator?” Virgil was the one to answer.

“@thatstha-MMPH!” Virgil was only part of the way through before the other’s Janus made him slap his hand over his mouth as the other sides in the room went pale. “What was that for?” Virgil asked, his voice muffled by his hand.

“You can’t say his name. Not here.” Patclone explained cryptid. They all fell into an awkward silence, until Roman changed the subject.

“Why are there...two of you?” Roman observed.

“Oh!” Patclone chirped. “I was created just for this au! Just so I could be your guide!” He paused for a moment thinking before continuing. “I guess I’m like the Monika of this world.” Again, everyone paled, some not understanding, others...understanding too well. “Welp, I guess you want to go explore now! Jan Jan, do you and Patty wanna go have fun while they look around?” Both mentioned sides blushed.

“I told you not to call me that…” Janus mumbled as he took Patclone’s hand and the other Patton stood up to quickly join them as they went off to a separate room.

 …

 Only an hour had passed and the sides had already split off into groups with their counterparts. The Roman’s comforting each other while being completely random, some of them being sad little puffballs that the strong egotistic Roman’s had decided to protect, while others were a mix or just completely unsympathetic and degrading anyone the came in contact with, especially the Virgils. Virgil had kind of separated himself from the other Virgils since 90% of them were cowering away from everything and just having constant anxiety attacks, while the few who were different either had power that they abused, or were fawning over the other sides. The Logans had formed an army of science lead by the Logan from @askdarksidelogan and the other dark sides from his au, this Logan was very robotic looking, cruel, and unfeeling...well, almost unfeeling as the Deceit from his au was his boyfriend and the Remus was really close friends with him. Janus was busy trying to coral in all his different counterparts as some of them made plans to kill everyone around them and end the government, while others were hiding due to PTSD about the angst they have been through. The Remuses just vibed in their corner, killing, being gross, and annoying the other aspects. Finally the Pattons. Patton had basically adopted the ones that were child-like and too innocent for their own good while avoiding the unsympathetics that were teaming up with other unsympathetics and the ones who were...horny… Actually everyone was avoiding the horny ones.

But that was just the simplified version of the chaos. Logans were capturing people to test, Deceits were arguing over their name even though one was already canon, Romans were either being complete idiots or crying silently to themselves, while they were targeted by the unsympathetics along with the Virgils, everyone too scared to even try to tussle with the army of Logans.

Virgil sat back on a hill and watched it all unfold. How had the community gotten this far without this much chaos? He had no idea. A few other counterparts were up there with him but he didn’t mind since they mostly seemed chill. A Virgil approached and sat down next to him exhausted, and judging by the paint he was covered in he had just come from the Romans’ corner.

“Romans a little too much?” Virgil tried making conversation.

“Yeah…” He breathed. “It was getting a little too rowdy and I wanted to get my Roman out of there so he wouldn’t get hurt.” With no Roman in sight, Virgil assumed that he had been unsuccessful.

“So, which Roman is yours?” Virgil wondered.

“Hm?” The counterpart tilted his head confused until it clicked. “Oh, no, he’s not down there right now.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny Roman. “See.”

“Oh…” Virgil was at a loss of words. What does a person say to that? After that they just sat there in silence as Virgil’s counterpart and the Roman snuggled slightly through a hand to body contact. 

“So…” Virgil decided to try again. “What’s it like, y’know, being shipped?” Virgil wondered, seeing how it seemed these two were in some kind of relationship. Virgil had always found it kind of weird, but, maybe there was more to it…

“I mean, it’s like any other relationship I guess… falling in love and deciding to be together.” The counterpart mumbled as the tiny Roman rubbed his hand to comfort him.

“But isn’t it weird how it isn’t real? How, you’re literally just playing out your creator’s fantasies because they enjoy the idea of you being together?” Virgil wondered.

The counterpart just shrugged. “I try not to think about it… but, it really isn’t that weird, even if we’re fictional characters we have memories, motives, morals, opinions, feelings. Those are real. Even if they aren’t created by us, they are real. Every thought, every motion, every breath. That is us. Just because it was written, drawn, or even just imagined, it happened and that makes it real. Makes this feeling real.” He explained as he rubbed the little head of his Roman.

“Huh I… I guess you’re right, I never thought of it that way.” Virgil shrugged.

“No one does. Why do you think people are told not to cry over fictional deaths when they actually had feelings for a character, platonic or not?” The counterpart said. “It’s just a story on the outside, something thought to not affect people even though when our memories are shared with them, it can change them.” Virgil looked at his counterpart, curiosity growing about how he had so much knowledge.

“Who’s your creator?” Virgil finally asked.

“Why do I have to have one?”

“Touche.” 

They went back to a comfortable silence. It was nice. Until this one Janus came.

“Hey, Virgil, does Roman mind if I had him for a bit?” They asked.

“I don’t mind at all!” The tiny side exclaimed as he got on Janus’ hand. They soon left, but when that Janus vired the Roman they weren’t far enough away from Virgil for him not to catch a glimpse. He shivered. 

“Is that normal?” He wondered.

“Depends on the part of the community, but pretty normal and usually safe, so don’t worry.” The counterpart comforted him. It barely helped but at last Virgil knew that that Roman was safe… probably.

“Can I try!” Remus came brelling up the his, straight (heh) to the counterpart.

“Only if you want to.” They replied.

“I do!” Remus wriggled with excitement.

“Alright, let's go find you one of the groups of sides either with the power to shrink you or are giants.” Virgil led Remus off the hill as Remus kept talking about everything that could go wrong but probably wouldn’t.

Weird. Was all Virgil could think as he watched them leave.

 …

 He saw a lot that day but never saw that Virgil again, as if he had vanished mysteriously. It didn’t matter to him right now though as he had been stuck with babysitting duty over all the little kid sides.

“F*** this.”

 …

 Virgil looked over the story he just read one more time. It was written by a small creator called @baka-monarch , who focussed more on reblogging than they did their own content.

“That was trash.”

…

…

…

“Reblog.”

[mrsdobrik]

CHAPTER 13:

Both David and Y/n were anxious about their next date, it had officially been a month from their first date and now all of these questions about the future were beginning to arise. 

David had planned to take Y/n to the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens to do something special for their first month together, even though nothing was official yet. He could feel himself catching feelings for her, but he didn’t want to rush into things. 

He was sitting in the Ferrari when he saw Y/n approaching the car. His eyes almost popped out of his face at the vision of her in a stunning cream colored dress with a low back. She looked like one of those glamorous english women who drink tea at exactly 5pm. Which was great since that is what they were going to do. And she pulled it off effortlessly, it didn’t look forced or costumy or too formal, it just looked like her. Or a version of her that made David want to be less than proper. 

“Wow! You look stunning” David said feeling slightly uncomfortable in his black jeans and crew neck. 

“Thank you!” she said before leaning in to give him a quick peck. “I love this dress but I don’t get to wear it often since it’s not appropriate for school.”

“I might have to give you more excuses to wear it” David said, pulling her into a deep kiss.

It was about a forty five minute ride. They always enjoyed riding in the car next to each other as much as going on dates. Laughter filled the air as Y/n poorly sang and acted out a bunch of songs. 

Y/n was incredibly excited once she found out what they were doing, she was definitely more of a tea than coffee girl. They strolled down the gardens taking in the beautiful scenery, first holding hands but slowly getting closer and closer till she was holding his waist as his arm rested on her shoulder. 

You know that expression about stopping to smell the roses? That is exactly what they did through the whole afternoon, until finally they sat down for tea. Watching her laugh and eat pastries as the sun shone down on her face David felt like his heart was about to jump out of his chest and all of his worries about the future faded away for a little while. There was nothing he could do, he had fallen for her and there was no going back. 

As for Y/n, she had decided even before the date had started that she wouldn’t push it, she would just let things fall into place on their own and stop worrying about the future. 

“Would you like to come to my place after this?” David asked.

Y/n just nodded with her head smiling at him. 

…

Later that day, the Ferrari pulled into David’s driveway and Y/n could feel herself getting more and more nervous. She knew none of the guys would be there but Natalie would and even though it was something small it felt like a huge step.

“Shall we?” David said as he turned the engine off. 

Y/n got out of the car and took a deep breath. She looked around, absorbing her surroundings. The place felt familiar from the videos, but in person it felt even more special like you could feel the history of the house in the air. 

David led her to the door and opened it for her. Being in his house felt surreal, dating David felt normal because he was so normal around her it was easy to forget who he was but going into his house, the place where most of his videos took place was otherworldly. It  was the first time it sunk in that that was actually David Dobrik, not just David the sweet guy who took her on amazing dates and hugged her tightly through tough times, but David Dobrik, YouTube star. It felt like there was this new side to him she was yet to unveil. 

Her eyes grazed the awards all lined up one next to the other and stopped on the clickbait sign before moving on to the couch. 

“This feels so weird, I feel like I know the place, like I’ve been here before. It feels like going into a movie set would, I guess.”

“What do you think?” He asked

“It’s bigger in person.” she said her eyes still wide taking every inch of the room in. To tell the truth she did feel slightly intimidated, like she wasn’t supposed to be there. She walked over and ran her fingers over the couch, it was a lot to wrap her head around.

Suddenly, Natalie came out of her room yelling

“Dave is that you? Are you back already? I thought you would be…” She cut herself off when she saw Y/n. 

“Nat this is Y/n, Y/n this is my assistant Natalie.” David said even though he had already introduced them before at the diner.

“I am also his fucking friend.” Y/n smiled remembering her saying the exact same line in a vlog a while back. 

“I know we met before but it is so nice to finally meet you and be able to talk to you!” Y/n said excitedly. 

“Ughh I know! David won’t shut up about you! I’ve been dying to find out more about the girl who has my best friend whipped.” Natalie said to Y/n, knowing David would hate it. They truly were like brother and sister. 

“Ohh, wow, so you’ve been talking about me huh. Am I so great you just can’t stop thinking about me?” Y/n said teasingly. 

“Yeah, honestly. I just can’t seem to get you out of my head.” He said before leaning in to kiss her. 

“Well, great! Because I can’t stop thinking about you either.” 

“I think I’m going to puke.” Natalie said, making a face to show her disgust. “Will you stay for dinner?” 

Y/n looked over at David not knowing what to answer.

“Yeah”

“Do you want me to cook something?” Y/n asked, knowing how much David had come to enjoy her cooking over the past few weeks. 

“YOU COOK??!” Natalie said before pulling Y/n into a tight hug “David look at me, do not fuck this up. Do you understand??!”

Yup. Natalie’s love for food was no joke. 

“Natalie, what is wrong with you?” David asked, laughing.

“What is fucking wrong with me? Maybe the fact that I haven’t had a home cooked meal in almost six months since your mom made goulash!!”

“Well, what would you like Nat?” Y/n said amused by the interaction between them. 

Y/n ended up making pork chops and mashed potatoes. She could have gone with something just a bit more gourmet but didn’t want to push David too far out of his comfort zone. Natalie was really happy with the food and the conversation during dinner was great. 

After dinner they watched a movie and Natalie fell asleep on the couch. Dave woke her up so she could go to bed and came back to the livingroom to find Y/n picking up her stuff. 

“It’s pretty late Dave, I should get going.” she said sadly “I had a great time today, it was perfect, thank you.”

“Wait, you don’t have to go! Please stay, I’ll sleep on the couch if you don’t want to share a bed.”

Y/n debated accepting his invitation in her head. She wanted to stay and cuddle but she didn’t want to impose. 

“I don’t know Dave, I think I should go home.”

“Nooo, pleeease, I am not letting you,” he said, grabbing her waist and pulling her into a really tight hug. He started pouting and making puppy eyes at her.

“God, you are more immature than my 8 year old students, is little David going to throw a temper tantrum?” She said giggling at his attitude. 

“Yes I will, unless you stay.”

“Fiiiine, I’ll stay and we can cuddle, you don’t need to sleep on the couch, it’s not like we haven’t slept together before.” 

David raised an eyebrow at her. They hadn’t slept together in like “sleep together”, but they had cuddled and fallen asleep with each other before. 

“I said cuddle, you pig” she said, hitting him lightly in the arm.

[hajimes-erect-ahoge]

Postmortem- Chapter 12

Kokichi faces an unexpected proposal and has some alone time on the roof.

ao3 Ouma’s visits to the dining hall for breakfast had been quite sporadic these past few days, similar to his attendance to group therapy. But ever since the hospital staff made the announcement that they would have to move out soon, Ouma avoided the others like the plague. In reality, this course of action made as little sense as possible given the fact that he needed to find a roommate, but Ouma didn’t really care. They would probably just stick him with whoever, leaving him to suffer the consequences of his laziness.

Clutching his stomach, Ouma tried to quell the loud rumbling noise that came from it. Maybe just one trip to the dining hall wouldn’t hurt…

How bad could it be?

Peeling the sheets from off of himself, Ouma climbed off his bed and left the room, heading to the dining hall.

~~~~~~~~~~

“So you two are rooming together” Harukawa asked, her question directed at the two males sitting across from her.

“Yup! Me and Shuichi are best buds, so of course we would room together!” Momota grinned, turning to Saihara. “What about you?”

“I’m rooming with Akamatsu. She offered to room with me, so I…” She looked up to notice Momota beaming at her childishly. “...What?”

“Nothin’! It’s just…” Harukawa stared at him flatly, a casual death threat waiting on her lips. “Since when are you and Akamatsu friends?”

She gave him a death glare, leading Saihara to interject.

“I think what Momota-kun is trying to say is that…” He glanced at Harukawa briefly, deciding it would be better to avoid her glowering eyes. “It’s really great that you and Akamatsu-san are friends, although it is a bit… unexpected.”

“Unexpected?” She raised an eyebrow at Saihara curiously.

“Yeah! I mean, you two are just so different! Akamatsu is so bright and happy, and you’re so, uh…” Momota drifted off, fearing a threat from Harukawa.

Much to Momota’s, as well as Saihara’s, surprise, Harukawa chuckled ever so faintly, a tiny smile gracing her lips.

“Yeah, I guess we are kind of different.” Her eyes drifted towards Akamatsu, who was chattering away with Amami at the other end of the table.

The door to the dining hall swung open, allowing Ouma to enter. Noticing this, Saihara gently nudged Momota, subtly gesturing towards Ouma. Momota nodded, understanding their silent conversation.

“Hey, Ouma! Got a sec’?” Momota waved to him in hopes of grabbing his attention. Ouma looked over at Momota and, albeit hesitantly, made his way over.

“Shuichi, Maki Roll!” Momota looked at each of them while he said their name for emphasis. “Big news! Ouma here is one of my sidekicks now, so-”

“I’m leaving.” Ouma immediately turned to walk away, but froze in place once he heard Saihara’s voice.

“Wait, Ouma-kun!” Saihara exclaimed, startling the others.

Ouma faced the trio once more, avoiding Harukawa’s piercing gaze.

“We, uh…” Saihara stuttered, tripping over his words. His eyes darted between Ouma and the ground as he fiddled with his fingers nervously. “We- Momota-kun and I- were wondering if, um…”

“Wanna room with us?” Momota cut him off, getting straight to the point.

Ouma raised an eyebrow, perplexed. Was this really happening? Not only was someone asking to live with him but… Momota and Saihara? After all they’ve been through together, they actually wanted to live with him? He could hardly believe it.

“...What?” Ouma asked cautiously, half expecting it all to be some cruel joke.

“Yeah, well…” Momota rubbed at the back of his neck sheepishly, “We kinda got off on the wrong foot during the killing game, and sure you’re a pain in the ass but-”

“Is this going somewhere, or are you just gonna keep insulting me?” Ouma quipped, still suspicious.

“I’m getting there!” Momota shouted, exasperated. “Like I was saying… I think we could learn to tolerate each other now that the killing game is over… especially since you’re one of my sidekicks now!” He grinned, to which Ouma gave a look of disgust. “Plus, Shuichi seemed pretty excited about this whole thing, considering it was his idea!”

“Momota-kun!” Saihara protested, his face flushed. Being the center of attention once more, Saihara cleared his throat. “Um… I agree with what Momota-kun said…” He paused suddenly, waving his hands frantically with wide eyes. “Not about you being a pain, though! Just about the rest!”

Almost as if on cue, both Momota and Ouma burst out laughing. Even Harukawa gave a faint smile at their antics.

Once their laughter died down, Ouma spoke, finally answering their question. “Fiiiine! But only for my beloved Saihara-chan, not for stinky Momota-chan!” He crossed his arms, fake pouting. “Now are we done here?” He tapped his foot impatiently.

Momota and Saihara paused for a moment, both of them taken aback, before smiling ear to ear.

“Yeah! Yeah, that’s great!” Momota beamed at him, sharing an excited look with Saihara.

When they both looked back towards him, Ouma was already walking out of the dining hall despite not even eating anything.

“Ah, Ouma-kun! Don’t forget to fill out your discharge form!” Saihara shouted, hoping that Ouma would still hear him.

Ouma gave Saihara a small wave of his hand, not even bothering to turn around.

If Momota saw how happy he was right now, he would never hear the end of it.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ouma rounded the corner stealthily, darting down the hall before anyone could see him. He arrived at a dead end in which there were two doors, one of which was a broom closet, and the other of which led to the roof. At least, that’s what the label on the door said.

Gripping the handle of the doorknob, Ouma froze, hearing a familiar metal clanking that could belong to none other than Kiibo. Not wanting to get caught, Ouma quickly opened the door and dashed up the stairs to the roof.

The cool air of the outdoors felt exceptionally refreshing on Ouma’s skin, it having been way too long since he was allowed outdoors. It was eerily quiet, the dark of the night having descended upon the hospital in full force. He basked in it, a newfound peace rushing over him.

The stars weren’t particularly notable, only a few of them being visible and not too bright. Compared to the academy, this sky was nowhere near as beautiful, but he supposed there was some hidden beauty in the realness of this sky.

He looked down from the sky and ahead of him instead, counting the dozens of rooftops that were visible. They must be in a pretty busy area, he thought.

Ouma walked to the edge of the roof, sitting himself down and allowing his legs to dangle off the roof. Only now did he realize how high up he was, far away from the desolate sidewalk on which pedestrians roamed during the daytime.

He tipped his head backwards, releasing all tension from his body as he thought back to today’s events.

Hours had passed since the encounter in the dining hall, after which Ouma headed straight to his room to fill out his discharge forms. It was a tedious job, but it passed quickly due to him being in a particularly good mood.

This, of course, had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it was Saihara who wanted him to room with them. Nope, not at all.

But now that he was by himself again, his overthinking got the better of him and the negatives of the situation came to light.

First of all, living with Momota and Saihara meant he would be living with the two people who most likely pitied him the most for sacrificing himself during the killing game. As much as he hated to admit it, he was close to Momota, as well as Saihara, but being closer to them only caused them to grow more sympathetic towards him. Though it was true that nearly everyone pitied him to some extent, it was notably worse with these two.

Momota and his gung-ho attitude that felt the need to save everyone would no doubt view him as nothing but a tragic hero who offed himself for the better of the group, while Saihara, despite growing so close to him and even earning just a bit of his trust, still looked at him with sympathetic eyes, like he was some poor, defenseless little boy who he could’ve saved if he figured out the truth earlier, someone who couldn’t take care of himself.

The truth was, Ouma could do more than take care of himself. He had lived on the streets by himself for years, roaming around with his found family and enjoying life to its fullest. He had no one to take care of him or baby him- he was treated as an equal, maybe even more than that, him having been their leader and all. Kokichi Ouma did not need to rely on anyone to save him.

...But that’s a lie, isn’t it?

His organization, his family, his whole entire past… All of it was fabricated for the sake of making him an interesting character for the killing game. Not to mention the fact that his memories of before the game were completely erased, never to be recovered ever again. All he had was the memories implanted into him, nothing but a fake, mocking charade glued to his brain that would haunt him forever.

Even if he was presented with the opportunity to meet his past self, he wouldn’t take it. What kind of sick, twisted being would actually want to participate in something as brutal as a killing game? The thought made him want to puke.

All of his fabricated memories and personality traits clung tightly to him, like a noose pulling on his neck. He was burdened with trust issues due to a past that wasn’t even real, and now he would be a burden to Momota and Saihara who dared to even get close to him.

A strong gust of wind blew over him, causing Ouma to instinctively tighten his grip on the ledge of the roof. His legs swayed, and it occurred to him just how easy it would be to jump off the roof and end his pitiful life right there and then. All it would take would be one push, one measly little step in that direction, one-

Clank!

Ouma felt his whole body jerk, his torso turning so that he could see behind him. The door leading out to the roof was ajar, and was slowly pushed open by a dark figure that he belatedly registered to be Saihara.

They stared at each other for a moment, trying to make out each other’s expressions more than anything, before who was presumably Saihara came forward.

Ouma opened his mouth to speak, but Saihara beat him to it.

“Kiibo told me you were up here.” Saihara admitted.

Ouma clicked his tongue in annoyance.

That damn automaton…

It’s not that he didn’t want to see Saihara, it was just that he wasn’t fond of having his alone time interrupted like this, especially when he was contemplating suicide so casually.

Saihara had nearly a million questions at the edge of his tongue, but the only one that came out was…

“Why are you so close to the edge?”

Ouma blinked, his face expressionless. His features quickly morphed into those of mischief, his signature devious grin having returned.

“Is my beloved Saihara-chan worried about me? Aww, how sweet!” He whirled himself around so that his back was facing the ledge, now facing Saihara. “Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m gonna be attempting suicide again anytime soon, so it looks like you’re stuck with me!”

“Unfortunately?” Saihara sat down next to Ouma, turning himself to face the same direction as him. “You say that like I wouldn’t miss you.”

“Hm, really?” Ouma tilted his head in mock thought, “I don’t recall you ever missing me the first time I died.”

“Ouma-kun, that’s not-”

“But I don’t blame you!” Ouma chirped, seemingly unbothered talking about his own demise. “I set it up to be that way, ya know! Lying all the time and being a massive jerk… All of it was to make sure no one would miss me! And it worked!”

Those last few words came out a bit panicked, like Ouma was regretting every single word he was saying. Why was he talking so much? What happened to the Ouma during the killing game that revealed so little about his true self? There was just something about Saihara that made him as transparent and fragile as a shard of glass, to be handled delicately or else he would splinter into a million pieces, never to be pieced together ever again. Saihara could try all he wanted to, but once broken, much like trust, a piece of glass can never be perfectly repaired, And right now, Ouma was trusting him.

“That doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt you.” Saihara was being gentle as ever, his voice grounding Ouma.

Saihara was completely right and Ouma hated it. There he was again, reading him like a book without his permission.

“Maybe we just didn’t understand you at the time. Everything you did was so complex and thought out that it was hard to see, but you really are the most selfless person I have ever met.” Saihara’s gaze had hardened, determined.

Ouma didn’t speak. Instead, he rested his chin on his knees, which he pulled in close to his chest.

It was then that Saihara realized how beautiful Ouma looked in the moonlight, his soft features being illuminated ever so subtly. His typically hard to read gaze was softened, and he looked so small while hugging his body so close to himself like that. He couldn’t help but display his affections for Ouma, reaching over and grabbing his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Though his gaze remained far away, Saihara felt that Ouma was anything but as the smaller boy rested his head on Saihara’s shoulder, nestling into him. They remained like this for a while, simply basking in each other’s presence and enjoying the peace and quiet that came with being on the rooftop alone.

They may have been alone, but at least they had each other.

An immeasurable amount of time passed before Saihara spoke up, suddenly remembering that they were still so close to the edge of the roof.

“Uh, we should probably…” Saihara stood up, and Ouma could’ve sworn that he was blushing.

Ouma stood up as well, expecting the two of them to walk inside, but Saihara just stood there, looking at him intently.

“You know I would miss you if you were gone, right?”

Ouma’s mind scrambled for a response, but before he could think of one he felt a soft hand tucking his hair behind his ear, lingering by the side of his head far too shortly. He looked up at Saihara to find him smiling at him softly, so much affection hidden behind one expression. Ouma smiled back, not caring that he felt his own face heating up.

“Let’s go inside, okay?” Saihara asked, his smile not fading away in the slightest.

Ouma nodded, following Saihara inside.

It was silent, but it was a comfortable silence. Feeling Saihara’s body heat radiating next to him, Ouma was as content as he possibly could be at that moment.

It was well into the night, each of them deciding that it would be best to return to their own rooms for the time being. He didn’t know if it was physical or mental in origin, but Ouma felt himself exhausted, collapsing onto his bed nearly seconds after he settled himself under the covers.

Saihara did the same.

The one thing they had in common was that they were both smiling, thinking of the other as they drifted off to sleep.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

Once Bitten, Twice Stupid prt.50

Lance slept solidly for the first night in a week, waking to find Keith spooned around him, he still couldn’t believe his boyfriend had shown up exactly when he needed him. Naturally, he felt bad for it. Keith was always having to support him and it’d be nice if it was on the other foot for a change. The most he’d been hoping for today was lunch with Keith, and a chance to breathe a little easier thanks to distraction. Instead Keith was actually here, in his bed, snoring his head off as he held him up against him. It’d been such a long month. There were so many things he wanted to say to Keith in person that really sucked because he couldn’t. He’d learned a little in their group chat, and in their private chat, the number of messages between them would alarm some people, but Keith... he’d always reply. Maybe not right away, but when he could and fuck if it didn’t make him feel special.

Basking in being held, he wanted things to stay this way. He wanted Keith to stay. He couldn’t push those feelings onto Keith so he’d enjoy what time they did have together. Keith hadn’t had a great childhood, but he’d already known that. When Keith told him to ask, he’d wanted to, but his boyfriend was exhausted. He knew Keith would tell him, if he asked, but he didn’t want to make him feel obligated to over share. Things like falling in love was something he didn’t think he’d ever have or deserve, no matter what everyone else said. Keith made it so damn easy to fall. He was the strong silent type, not quick to trust, just like him, so he got that Lance needed thing to go slowly between them. Now if his brain could get the same message then that’d be great. Pidge was always teasing him about how much he talked about Keith. He didn’t mean to, but word vomit seemed to happen each time he thought about his boyfriend. He couldn’t help but wonder what Keith was doing. If he was safe or if he was on some secret mission to save the day. Keith didn’t know that Lance kept up his sparring with Matt. He never wanted to put Keith in the position where he was forced to protect him.

The full moon had been absolutely crazy. All three days went out the window. Matt and Rieva had gone at it hard enough that he and Curtis had to leave the house. Both werewolves a mess of hormones and lust. Matt had made a pass at him and Rieva had then thrown him into the stairs for it. His own heat came, so he and Curtis spent the night parked up in the middle of nowhere. Lance trying to sleep and ignore how damn embarrassed he was, Curtis having let his mouth get away from him over werewolves mating, but he’d meant well. Next full moon they were going to be prepared and stay in Platt.

Letting out a snore loud enough to wake himself, Lance couldn’t help but laugh at Keith, carefully wriggling in his hold to lay on his back as his boyfriend blinked in confusion, before a dopey smile came to his lips. Lance couldn’t help but kiss him, his own smile just as wide. He’d missed this. Keith’s morning breath might rival paint stripper in potency, but that didn’t matter. Sharing several deep kisses, Lance hummed happily as he broke them, Keith still looking confused, and ridiculous with his bed head

“Mmm... what was that for?”

“For you. For being here. For being a great boyfriend”

Keith scrunched his nose up, Lance finding himself laughing again

“Oh, babe. You don’t do well in the morning”

“Nmhm... good morning”

“Good morning”

As Keith started to doze back off, Lance heard footsteps on the stairs, his bedroom door flung violently open as the pair of them were rushed by Hunk and Pidge

“I knew it! You two dirty rotten liars!”

Whatever might have been happening under the blankets didn’t stop Pidge and Hunk. Climbing under the covers, Pidge hugged him as Hunk got in behind Keith, the pair essentially sandwiching them in. Keith looked even more confused, but didn’t try to argue his way out of things

“Good morning to you too”

Pidge pressed a very wet kiss to his cheek, Lance wrinkling his nose up at her, he knew what was coming

“Why didn’t you tell me you two were dating?! And you, I know you think you’ve got immunity because you’re knew to the group, but you’ve been totally hiding this you jerk”

Keith groaned at Pidge, Lance laughing as his boyfriend closed his eyes again, hand digging just that little more into Lance’s side

“Be gentle. He doesn’t do mornings”

“Nope. You kept this from us”

“Fiiiine. You’ve sprung us. I’m dating Keith”

“No shit. How could you not tell meeeeeeeee?”

“Because it’s new. Since when are you awake this early?”

“Since I didn’t go to bed, obviously”

Hunk let out a heavy sigh

“She came and woke me up. Apparently if she’s awake, we’re awake... We thought we’d grab breakfast at Sal’s”

“Sal’s?”

Keith’s sleepiness was adorable. He’d probably never been woken up like this. It get good though. The four of them all happy in their own ways

“Where we got pizza from that time”

“Ah...”

Keith didn’t remember

“Yep. So you two losers need to get up”

“We were... we were about to get up, in more ways than one”

“Ewwww! No! Don’t do that to me! Keith how can you let him lead you astray!?”

“He’s fine...”

Lance leaned in to kiss Keith’s forehead, Pidge making a faked gagging noise

“Oh god. They’re gross. Hunk, our friends are being gross”

Hunk hummed, his chin resting on Keith’s shoulder like it was perfectly natural

“I don’t think they’re being that gross”

“That’s because you have Shay. Ugh. I totally have to get out of here before you two ruin my appetite. I expect you downstairs in 10 minutes, or Hunk’s coming back up to get you”

“Why me? No offence...”

“Because I’m too young and innocent. You two owe me the biggest explanation”

“We’ll explain... provided you get you of my bed before I have to kiss you”

Lance pursed his lips, Pidge making a show of flying back out from under the covers

“10 minutes! Hunk, let’s gooooo”

As quickly as they’d appeared, the pair had left. Keith letting out a long groan as he moved his arm up to drape it around Lance’s shoulder

“What was that?”

“That was their way of saying they missed you”

“It was so loud”

“Do you really expect anything else?”

“No... I don’t wanna move”

“I know, but I’ll treat you to breakfast”

“Nah, I’ll pay”

“Or, I could pay”

“Nope. I’m paying”

“Babe, I’m pretty sure you just did. On the plus side, we can be that disgusting couple now”

“The one where we have sex?”

Lance laughed

“Not quite. The one where we can cuddle in front of them”

“Mmm... that’s true. I like that one...”

Lance’s heart swelled with affection. Keith was just too cute

“Me too. Now up we get. Shower, teeth, clothes, coffee”

“Coffee?”

That got Keith’s attention, Lance would never be so mean to deprive Keith of his coffee

“As if I wouldn’t let you have your coffee”

“Best boyfriend like ever”

“I know”

It was decided they’d all go for breakfast at Sal’s. Shiro would come back and spend the day with the others while Keith and Lance went to Platt. Lance had already pushed his luck for that morning finding the blood bag he’d went to bed with under the bed. He hadn’t forgotten it, a vampire never forgets, but it had slipped his mind. The near disaster would have meant an explanation he wasn’t sure he had. Keith kicking himself for not putting it away, even though it wasn’t his fault. Now the evidence had been disposed of, and a fresh bag sat under the passenger seat, waiting until he’d finished his human breakfast.

Piling into Sal’s, Lance could how Pidge wanted to announce Lance was dating Keith. Only the crowd there had tourists and she was forced to keep her “enthusiasm” inwards. That didn’t mean they were off the hook though. Despite the small booth size, she squashed herself in next to Lance, who’d let Keith in so he could take the corner seat and escape having to sit next to her. Yeah. He had manners. He also didn’t want Keith having Pidge hanging off him as she started her interrogations. Hunk solved the small space problem by borrowing two chairs, for him and Shiro, as Matt, Rieva and Curtis smooshed in on the opposite bench.

Lance had to give her credit, it took her all of 10 seconds before she started

“What are you intentions with my brother?”

Matt paused as he grabbed a menu, cocking his head. Lance explaining

“She means Keith”

“Oh, that brother... as in Keith’s intentions with you”

Lance nodded, Pidge nearly internally imploding. His ear copping the yell directed at Matt

“You knew?! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Not my business”

Lance was grateful to Matt. Sure. He was a mangy mutt and a stranger, but he was so much like Pidge that Lance couldn’t dislike him. He could have castrated him for pissing on his grave soil, but that wouldn’t have been fair on Rieva, whom he also liked. Rieva appreciated a good skin care regime. She was likeable, and knew not to take anything about his drooling over her floor less skin as flirting. She was also level headed and did a great job of keeping Matt under control. He didn’t pry on her life, and she didn’t pry when he’d wake up screaming the house down. Her attitude was very much “shit happens”, and if it wasn’t happening to her than everything was all good. She also loved reading, tolerated him and Curtis blubbering over rom-coms, and was already looking at finding work in town after declining an inviting from Pidge. She was great with Pidge too, able to steer the conversation away from the possible existence of werewolves and vampires. Her biggest plus was her “fist of love” that came out when Curtis and Matt didn’t clean up after themselves.

“How could you say that? He’s my brother from another mother, which means he’s you brother too!”

Matt shrugged at Pidge

“Maybe you’re not the super sleuth you thought you were?”

“I’ll fight you. He said they weren’t”

“He is me. And we weren’t”

“Mhmm. And how long has this secret trist been going on?”

“Just over a month... about a week before Keith and Shiro left”

“Lance!”

Lance cringed. She was so damn loud.

“Keep it down, you ferals!”

Now she’d set Sal off. Hunk looking worried as he apologised, before scolding Pidge

“Sorry, Sal! You’re going to get us banned from here”

“Puh-lease. Sal loves us. And why aren’t you telling them off. They lied to us!”

Lance felt the guilt of the lie in the base of his stomach. That wasn’t the only one...

“Uh... um...”

Hunk scratched the back of his head. Groaning, Pidge slumped over the booth table

“You knew?”

“I had a feeling... We both noticed how much Lance talks about Keith”

Lance blushed. Okay. He got it. He liked his boyfriend too much. But in his defence he bragged about Pidge and Hunk all the time. Keith leaned forward, to talk past him

“We were taking it slow... can you stop yelling? I need coffee for this shit”

“I don’t want to stop yelling, I want answers. Like who asked who out? Your both awkward as fuck”

Matt snorted, Lance kicked him under the table. Supernatural eavesdropping didn’t count. Lance picked a menu, using it to smack Pidge in the face

“We talked about it and decided to see where it went. Now stop pestering him. He’s only had one coffee today”

“But Laaaaaaaance, you’re dating. You never date. I can’t remember the last time you went on a date... Let me have this”

Lance smacked Pidge in the face with the menu again

“Not until Keith has had another coffee. You’re torturing him”

“You both deserve it. How did I not know?”

“Because I didn’t want to make things hard or complicated for him. He’s barely known us for like 2 months now. He’s not used to your crazy”

Pidge snatched the menu off him, opening it despite Lance knowing she was going to order the pancakes. She almost always did

“He’s fiiiiine. Now, can we please go back to where Keith explains his intentions with you?”

“Um... to date him... and stuff?”

Lance hung his head. Keith was out of his depth with Pidge

“And?”

“And what?”

“And... I don’t know. You’re the one who’s all “date him and stuff””

“I don’t want to hurt him, if that’s what you mean”

“Good. I will hack every media device you own if you do. He’s my brother. And if hurts you, I swear I’ll kick his arse”

If the world could open up and swallow him right now, that’s be perfect. Keith was flustered, Lance didn’t know what to say. And Shiro had the nerve to be smiling at the pair of them

“Pidge, you’re embarrassing me. Look, yeah, we’re dating and we’re taking things slow as we get to know each other. Miriam likes Keith. She knows about Keith. Now you know about Keith. Can we please talk about this without making it awkward”

“It’s only awkward if you pop a boner”

Why god? Why did he love this gremlin so?

“Pidge!”

“I’m just saying”

“No more saying! Sal, can we please order before I die of embarrassment in your booth?!”

Sal yelled back at his question

“Hey, no dying. I’ve got enough to clean up in this place without hiding a body! Pancakes for everyone. I know the drill!”

“And 6 coffees with milk, one with soy, and tea!”

“Drink coffee like a normal bum, you weirdo!”

Everyone was ganging up on him. Fuck it. Letting himself flop against Keith, Keith wrapped his arm around his shoulders

“Keith, please forgive our heathen friends and don’t judge me too harshly”

“The judgment train left a long time ago”

Lance groaned

“Not you, too!”

“Sorry. Of course I won’t judge you because Matt can’t control his sister”

Lance stifled a laugh, happy Keith was alright with everything. Matt raising his hands

“Man, I tried. Some beasts come from hell itself. One Halloween she wanted to dress up as “Satan’s sweaty arsehole”. Feel free to use it against her. I told to her to dress in brown and go as the shit she is”

Pidge groaned at her brother

“Don’t talk about young Pidge. She made a lot of mistakes”

Matt raised an eyebrow

“You were 17. Mum would have grounded you for life if she could have”

That just made it funnier. Lance got the distinct feeling he’d been too much of an old man at dinner, and talked above his age. Pidge’s mum, Colleen, was incredibly learned. Hunk mentioned he was constantly cold, Colleen then giving him a suggestion in herbal medicine that’d help with his circulation. Thank God they’d survived that night... because Colleen honestly scared him. It was like she knew... and like she was compelling him to tell her more. Never again... or maybe when he didn’t have a million other things to deal with, or a frightening paranoia of turning into a bat mid soufflé.

“Keith was too cool to go Halloweening with his brother”

Keith tensed, shooting Shiro a glare

“Don’t you dare”

Pidge said the same thing Lance was going to, maybe not the same way, but now he had to know

“Ooooh! Now you’re obligated to tell”

“Well... Keith was too cool. My partner and I dressed up, ready to scare the kids. So when a group of trick-or-treaters came to the door, he gave them all an apple and told them to fuck off. Then ate the whole bowl of candy as he downed a bottle of tequila. Threw up all over my partner, stripped down to his boxers and tried to jump off the balcony because he was mothman, and mothman is very real”

Lance snorted with laughter, he attempted, poorly, to hide it, yet couldn’t help himself

“Oh, Keith. That’s like... terrible”

His boyfriend was blushing hard

“Fuck off. Like you don’t have embarrassing Halloween stories”

“He chased a cat six blocks, while dressed as a vampire because he wanted to pat the kitty, does that count?”

Now Hunk was betraying him?! Game on

“What about you? Don’t think I’ve forgotten our first year of college at that party. Yeah, you dressed up as mummy, then started trying to clean the kitchen, while drunk, and somehow managed to set your hand on fire”

Hunk worried his pointer fingers together, Pidge was laughing so hard she was crying. His ray of sunshine mumbling

“That wasn’t my fault... Who disrespects a kitchen like that?”

Keith was obviously pissed at his brother

“Yeah, well, Shiro got drunk at a work party and had sex not so quietly while dressed as werewolf, in his office. He howled... it wasn’t fun”

Shiro looked less than amused

“How did you even know about that?”

“James”

“That little fucker... I mean... fuck. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Lance was dying to ask who James was, but the way Keith said his name stopped him. His stomach doing a hard flip, like he was jealous or something

“Because I hoped the memory would fuck off and die in a corner. You brought this on yourself. Mothman for life”

Pidge reached out, the pair first bumping. Again, Lance was jealous or anything. He just didn’t have the whole mothman thing that he now knew Keith had

“Still... Fuck... I’m glad we don’t have to go back there”

“Amen to that”

Pidge wiped her eyes

“Who knew finance could be so interesting. What about you, Curtis? Any funny stories about Lance to share?”

“There was that one time we had to leave the house because people were having sex too loudly”

Matt and Rieva both blushed. Good. But kind of not. They were only doing what their egos told them... Pidge managed to bring the conversation

“What about Lance and Keith? Any embarrassing stories about those two?”

God. Yes. Them trying to work their shit out... Curtis was struggling not to say. Lance caught the change in Shiro’s body language

“Now, now. I’m sure there’s plenty of time to embarrass them”

Curtis had to say something. His stupid curse wouldn’t let him keep quite

“Last time Keith was here he’d been drinking milk. Lance was worried about him”

Pidge blew a raspberry

“That doesn’t count. He can’t help that, so that’s not cool. I bet you two are secretly gross and talk about feelings and shit”

That’s why he loved his gremlin

“Yep. Took us weeks to figure out shit out... but, he’s a good guy for a brooding emo”

When Keith dropped a kiss on top of his head, Lance swore he’d died and gone to heaven. He didn’t think Keith, and it wasn’t even a requested display of affection. This was better than lunch. This was the friends he called family being together. He couldn’t be happier... even if it wouldn’t last.

[theheartsofheroes]

A Family Conversation [Drabble]

Setsuna was exhausted. Between the late night at the Observatory, the fight, and the conversations with Gou and Tsukasa, The Soldier of Revolution just wanted a shower, and her bed. What she was not expecting the moment she stepped into the mansion was Haruka and Michiru barring her from going upstairs.

"Please, I have had a very long night, I just want a shower and a nap before I have to go back to the Observatory," Setsuna told them.

"Nope," Michiru crossed her arms. "We had a very interesting visitor today."

"Yeah. A very pretty-ow!" The blonde was elbowed by her lover. "Ahem, a very charming young woman by the name of Sakura."

"You see, we had our suspicions about her for a while, and we knew you knew, but that's not the point," Michiru continued. 

"The point is, your love life!" Haruka pointed at Setsuna dramatically. 

Setsuna blinked then shook her head. "Nope. Not awake enough for this conversation." She tried to push past them but the duo held firm.

"Do we need to get Hotaru-chan?" Haruka asked firmly.

Nope. Hotaru was the last person she wanted to involve. Thankfully she was on duty at the hospital at the moment so even if they did call her, she likely wouldn't answer. Setsuna sighed, "What did Saku-chan tell you?"

Haruka and Michiru linked arms with Setsuna and pulled her toward the couch. "All she told us was that you were afraid of your own future because of what happened with Zi-O," Michiru explained.

"We have noticed you'd been pretty distant since it happened but we figured you'd tell us when you were ready," Haruka added. 

"But there's this look on your face when you look at Hotaru-chan, like you know something bad is going to happen," Michiru frowned, pulling out her mirror. "I've tried to divine what you could have possibly seen but my Mirror remains blank."

Setsuna frowned, how could she explain to them that her own son would cause such devastation in the future. That her own failure as a parent would cause the deaths of countless people, including Hotaru's own daughter. As her thoughts continued to spiral downward, it took her too long to realize that her companions were trying to get her attention.

"SETSUNA!" Haruka shouted in her ear, causing Setsuna to shriek and jump nearly a foot off the couch.

"GAH! Haruka!" Setsuna rubbed her ear.

Michiru tried to contain her giggles. Haruka however, was full on laughing at Setsuna's reaction.

Setsuna stood sharply and tried to leave, clearly angry.

Haruka and Michiru stood as well. "Wait!" Haruka called, her expression softening, "I'm sorry, but we're trying to help. Don't forget, we are no longer solitary Guardians."

Setsuna sighed heavily, defeated. "Please...Hotaru-chan can't know."

The wind and sky soldiers gave each other a worried look and came to stand on either side of the time soldier. Haruka put a hand on Setsuna's shoulder and asked quietly, "What's going to happen to Hotaru-chan?"

Setsuna's normally calm and collected voice shook as she spoke, "I... Swartz..."

Haruka was immediately on edge, "What did that bastard do!?"

There was venom in Michiru's voice, "If he hurt Hotaru, I'll drown him. Painfully. Slowly."

"He..." Setsuna broke, venting everything. She told them Swartz was her son, what he would do to his sister and Zi-O, and what he would do to Hotaru's daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. How he murdered Hotaru's daughter and manipulated Hotaru's granddaughter into being his lover after leaving her to be raised by Ohma.

When she was finished, Haruka and Michiru had identical looks of disgust on their face.

Setsuna's face was red from crying, "I don't understand what happens to make him like this...how can I go so terribly wrong as a mother that--"

She was cut off by Haruka and Michiru hugging her tightly. "We're not gonna let it happen," Haruka said firmly.

"You know the future, you can change it, and we'll be right there with you," Michiru added, running her fingers calmingly through Setsuna's hair.

"You shouldn't be afraid to love because of what you think the future might hold," Haruka told her. "Look at Odango and the prince, how many times have they been torn apart and brought back together only to be stronger than they were?"

Setsuna sniffed, rubbing her nose on a handkerchief Michiru had conveniently given her, "This is different. This is my own flesh and blood hurting the people I love and so many other innocent lives. I can't risk the lives of many for a man I've known for two weeks."

"Setsuna." Haruka grabbed her shoulders and locked eyes with her. "How many times have Michiru and I said 'fuck the mission' if it meant being happy with each other?"

Setsuna sheepishly answered, "Way too many."

"Exactly," Michiru added, resting her chin on Setsuna's shoulder from behind, smiling. "You know what could potentially happen. You have the power to change it, and that doesn't mean being celibate for the rest of your life. If this Gou person is the father of your children, we'll be there to help you make sure they're treated with all the love and kindness we can offer them."

“Yeah, you can bet your ass their aunts are gonna spoil the shit out of them,” Haruka said with a devious grin. “And I’m sure that’ll go for the rest of the girls too. You know Odango would love to spoil any children of her friends, especially once she’s queen.”

Setsuna finally smiled, chuckling lightly. “You’re right,” She wiped her eyes, “Of course you’re right, I’m worrying too much.”

“Damn right you are,” Haruka crossed her arms. “And now that you know we’re right, you’re gonna go find that guy, and you’re gonna take him on a real date.”

Setsuna groaned, curling into a ball on the floor, “I don’t wanna...”

“Take your time,” Michiru chuckled. “You’ve got plenty of it,” She winked.

Setsuna groaned, “Fiiiine, but first, I need sleep,” She got up, yawning as she ambled up the stairs.

Haruka and Michiru looked at each other with a smile. “Potential apocalypse aside, I think that went well,” Haruka put an arm around Michiru.

“So when do we tell her we knew Sakura-san was one of us all along?” Michiru asked, looking up at her lover.

“We’ll give her a few days,” Haruka chuckled and kissed her cheek.

[timetravelingheart]

Consequences Chapter Seven: A.M. Imagine

“You know, I’d think you’d be more appreciative of your best friend waking up early on her day off to drive you to work after you were out gallivanting late into the night with a 6′3 giant of a man whose thighs could crush my skull and hands that he obviously knows how to put to good use, hopefully off the ice as well.”

“Wow,” Tessa lamented. “That was a really long-winded, and entirely too graphic, a way to ask me how my night with Auston went.”

“Fiiiine,” Lydia sighed, dramatically. “Ruin my fun, why don’t you. How was your date?”

“It wasn’t a date.”

Lydia leveled her with a look. 

“It wasn’t! But speaking of non-dates, I don’t think mine was nearly as good as yours, from the sounds I heard coming from your bedroom when I got home.”

Lydia didn’t even remotely look embarrassed at having been caught having a little fun the previous night. 

“For the record,” she pointed a finger at Tessa in the passenger seat, “I told you Miles would be coming last night.”

Tessa’s face distorted with a look of disgust. She was already traumatized by the noises her best friend and her best friend’s regular hook-up made as she tried to sleep. Innuendos were not helping her rid herself of the memory. 

“Hey, you brought it up!” Lydia shrugged. “Now spill.”

“It was nice.”

“Nice,” Lydia repeated, unimpressed. 

“Yes. Do you have an objection to me saying my time spent with Auston was nice?”

“Honey, a man who looks like that, and who looks at you the way he does, should offer much more than just a nice night.”

“Not everyone lives for drama and hook-ups on first dates, Lyd.”

“Ohhh, so it was a date!” Lydia yelled gleefully. “I knew it!”

“Whatever. Anyway, yes, it was nice. He was thoughtful, sweet, a phenomenal kisser, a great listener-”

“Hold up. Hold up right there,” Lydia held her hand up and turned to Tessa as the light turned red. “You kissed?”

“Mhm.”

“And it was ‘phenomenal’?”

“Mhm.”

“Damn,” Lydia nodded impressed, turning back to the road as the light changed to green. “You’re a hoe! I’m so proud!”

“Shut up!” Tessa reached out to jab her in the side. 

“You know I’m kidding,” Lydia laughed. “So now what?”

“Well, now we have a date planned for Friday.”

“What’s the plan?”

“I have no idea.”

“Should I plan to be out of the apartment that night or just not wait up for you?”

“Who said anything about us spending the night together?” Tessa asked. 

“I’ve seen the way you look at each other. It’s only a matter of time.”

Tessa knew that what Lydia was saying was true, but as much as she thought about it and what it would be like with Auston, she couldn’t help the little shred of doubt that crept into her mind every time she thought about taking things further with him, physically or emotionally. 

“T, talk to me.”

“I guess,” she paused, trying to find the right words, even though she knew Lydia wouldn’t judge her regardless of what she said, “I guess I’m still not sure what this is or what he wants it to be. We’ve only known each other for a couple of months, not even. I think we’re still trying to figure each other out.”

“T, all jokes aside, I wasn’t kidding when I said I see the way you look at each other. Your face lights up when you get a message or call from him. And he looks at you like you’re the only person in the room. And he seems dead set on proving your first judgments wrong while still respecting your boundaries. What do you have to figure out?”

“It’s still a risk, Lyd.”

“It’s always a risk. No one’s perfect and no one can really promise anyone else forever. You can only promise to try. I think he’s worth the risk and I think you think he is too, you just won’t admit it to yourself. I say just do whatever feels natural. If that means sleeping with him tomorrow, great, have fun and be safe. If that means going on more dates and learning more about each other first, great. Just do what you want and let yourself be happy.”

Tessa looked at her best friend, overwhelmed with love. Lydia was a spitfire and was known as the wild one of the two, but under all that bluster and sass was a heart of gold. And Tessa was so, so lucky to have her. 

“Thanks, Lyd.”

“Any time, kiddo,” Lydia reached over and squeezed Tessa’s hand in hers. “Okay, now that that’s settled - tell me more about this ‘phenomenal’ kiss!”

“Which one?” Tessa teased, a glint in her eye. 

“That’s my girl!”

______

“Are you really not going to tell me what we’re doing tonight?” Tessa asked over the phone as she curled back up into her bed. Her morning class had been cancelled and she could not be happier.

Once Auston got word of that through their morning texts, he opted for a phone call to hear her voice instead. So, Tessa was now lying on her bed in her cozy bathrobe trying to build up the motivation to shower and make good use of her day off. For now, she was happily procrastinating by trying to get as much information as possible out of Auston about their date.

“Just dress comfortably. I have everything else prepared.”

“Is it an outdoor activity?” Tessa pressed on.

“Yes,” Auston sighed, finally giving in to some of her questions. 

“Should I wear running shoes?”

“Yes.”

“Are we going hiking?”

“No, but we could do that sometime soon before it gets colder if you want.”

It was already late October, but fortunately, it was still relatively mild, with just a sweater or a light jacket needed. 

“Will I be fed?”

“Of course,” he scoffed. What kind of animal did she think he was?

“Can I wear a hoodie?”

“Yep.”

“And yoga pants?”

“Are you trying to turn me on at 9am?”

“Shut it, perv. They’re functional.”

“Tess, I’ve seen you in yoga pants. They’re a functional God-send, yes.”

Tessa rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore his compliments.

“How do you know I’ll like what you have planned?”

“Because I listen.”

“So it’s something we’ve talked about before?”

“Yep,” Auston replied, popping the ‘p’ at the end.

“Damn.”

“Not a clue, eh?”

“No,” he could hear her pout through the phone and laughed. 

“All right, lazybones. Pick your cute butt up off your bed and go shower.”

“How did you know I was still in bed?”

“You sound too relaxed. And you’ve told me in the past you’re not a morning person, so I figured you hadn’t moved since you got word that school was cancelled.”

“I moved!”

“Tess.”

“I did! I moved to put on my bathrobe and then you called. What was I supposed to do, stand around while you yammered on and on?”

“While I yammered on and on? Who was the one playing 21 questions trying to ruin her own surprise? Hmm? Who was that?”

“Whatever,” Tessa dismissed his questions. “What will you do while I shower?”

“Masturbate to thoughts of you in the shower,” he joked.

“Auston!”

“And to our kiss the other night. That was great, by the way. 10/10 would do again.”

“Mhmm.”

“Oh, so now you’re all shy?”

“I am not!”

“Mhmmm,” he mocked her. He couldn’t fight the perma-smile that had been on his face since he kissed her the other night. It was all he could think about. He withstood a lot of mocking from the guys about it when he showed up to the rink the next day, but he didn’t care. She was worth it. “Can I kiss you again?”

Tessa felt her stomach flutter. God, she was so lame. She tried to steady her breathing before answering.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“You know you don’t have to ask every time, right?”

“Doesn’t hurt to check. And, for future reference, you don’t have to ask if you can kiss me. The answer is always yes.”

“Noted,” she stood up and stretched. Shower time for real this time. “All right, go away, ya perv. I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll be by around 2pm to pick up your cute yoga-clad butt. See you then.”

[eleanor-writes-stuff]

in sickness and in health [one-shot]

Flu season returns, and Ben is the first to fall victim to it. But that's okay, because he and Rey have promised to always take care of each other - through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, whether it's seven days or seven months...

(The one in which Ben gets a flu, and Rey gets a stomach flu... or does she?)

After an unplanned month-long hiatus, I’m back! ... with yet another plotless fluffy one-shot, because it’s important to stay on-brand, guys.

Also available on AO3. And hey, maybe check out my Twitter or Ko-fi?

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:26PM]: I think I’m dying

Rey rolls her eyes at her husband’s dramatic text and huffs out a little laugh under her breath as she replies. His whiny exaggeration and – more tellingly – the lack of proper punctuation are obvious indicators of his condition, but it’s hardly as serious as his message would suggest.

Rey [04:27PM]: Pretty sure it’s just the flu, babe

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:28PM]: Come home anyway Miss you Please

She shakes her head at the texts rapidly popping up on her screen and chances a look around the office. The workweek ends in just half an hour, and most people are already winding down for the day, either putting the finishing touches on whatever it is they’re working on or discreetly starting to shut things down and pack up to leave as soon as the clock strikes five.

It’s probably okay for her to leave early just this once.

Rey [04:31PM]: You’re a bad influence, Ben Solo Fiiiine Leaving work soon, will swing by the store on the way home to pick up a couple of things Try to survive without me for a little longer, okay? Love you ❤️

“Hey, Rose?”

Her cubicle neighbor wheels into sight with a smile on her face. “Hey, what’s up?”

“Ben’s sick, so I think I’m gonna leave early and go get some stuff for him. Can you just let people know if anyone comes looking for me?”

“Sure thing,” Rose agrees easily as she watches Rey pack up for the day. “Send my regards to Ben. Oh, and let me know if you guys need anything.”

With one final click of her mouse, Rey’s workstation is shut down and packed up for the day. “Will do. Thanks, Rose, you’re the best.” She shoulders her bag as she stands and leans down to give Rose a quick hug goodbye, and by the time Ben replies to her message Rey is already on her way down to her car.

Ben ❤️❤️❤️[04:37PM]: Thank you thank you thank you Love you too See you soon, Nurse Rey 😉

If the uncharacteristic use of an emoji is any indication, he’s probably pretty feverish already.

Rey sighs as she pulls out from the underground parking lot and straight into traffic. There’s no escape, not even with a ten-minute head start on everyone else. By the time she finally gets home, armed with the spoils of a quick detour, the winter sun has long since disappeared and so has what little energy Ben managed to derive from his feverish state.

She finds him asleep on the couch, curled up in a quilt from their bed while the TV casts dancing shadows across his face. Rey takes a moment to smile at the scene before she heads straight for the kitchen, careful not to wake Ben as she puts the kettle on and sets aside her purchases. It’s only once she’s armed with some lemon ginger tea and a plate of saltines that she heads back out to her sleeping husband and gently shakes him awake.

“Don’t wanna,” Ben whines even before his eyes are open, face scrunching up as he catches a whiff of the dreaded tea. Rey sets everything down on the coffee table before she braces herself against the couch and pulls, a determined force meeting a stubborn object.

“C’mon, up you go,” she insists as Ben groans and grumbles, and eventually he opens his eyes just long enough to take pity on his wife, forehead creased with effort and chest heaving from exertion. “No complaining from you,” Rey orders as she retrieves the tea and crackers and foists them upon a reluctant Ben. “I had to deal with looks because of this, you know.”

Bleary-eyed and two seconds away from a sip, Ben seizes upon the opportunity for a distraction. “Looks? What kind of looks?”

Rey shakes her head at him with a knowing smile and nudges the cup closer, pointedly silent until he gives in with a sigh and gulps down half the cup.

“Apparently Leia’s idea of an emergency flu supply run looks a whole lot like a morning sickness starter pack,” she explains as he starts nibbling on a saltine with considerably less disgust. “Maz even came out from the back to ask if congratulations are in order.”

“As if I’d make you buy your own morning sickness supplies,” Ben scoffs as he washes the cracker down with the rest of his tea, making a show of draining every last bit for her.

She runs a hand through his sleep-rumpled hair before sliding her hand down to gently pat his cheek. “Good boy. Think you can handle some soup?” Rey asks as she gathers his cup and plate and makes to leave the couch. “And for the record, I’d be perfectly capable of getting my own saltines, pregnant or not.”

Ben reaches for her wrist, his grip feverish and looser than usual. “I know,” he assures her, his thumb stroking the inside of her wrist. “But you wouldn’t have to. I’d take care of you. I’ll always take care of you – you know that, right?”

Even with his eyes fever-glazed, Ben still looks at her like he holds all the world’s sincerity in his heart; she doesn’t think he’s ever made her a promise with anything less than that. Rey smiles as she leans down to kiss his burning forehead. “I know, baby. But for now maybe let me do the caretaking, okay?”

“For now,” he relents, and lets her go with a loopy smile that’s only partially flu-caused.

Ben continues to be sick for the next five days, and by the fourth so is Rey.

“You did this to me,” she accuses him on Tuesday night, squirming as he pulls her overheated body closer to his. “I told you you were going to get me sick.”

“And I told you it was going to happen whether or not I kissed you,” Ben counters easily, his voice almost back to normal after days of sounding like he’s hacking up a lung. “Besides, I promised to take care of you too, didn’t I?”

Rey settles against his chest with a huff. “You better.” She knows she’s being snippy, but she figures it’s well-deserved because somehow, Ben managed to transform his regular flu into some kind of stomach flu from hell before passing it on to her. Her rational brain knows that’s not how it works, but rational thinking went out the window after the fourth time she failed to stomach a goddamn cracker.

Ben presses a kiss to her clammy temple. “I will. I’ll wait on you hand and foot until you’re 100% back to normal, okay? I promise.”

He keeps his promise for a whole week, tending to her every need without so much as an aggravated sigh even when she wakes him up multiple times a night with a coughing fit or sudden bout of nausea. So when Ben does finally suggest she see a doctor, she knows it’s not because he’s tired of playing nurse.

“I’m just worried, sweetheart,” he murmurs against her sweaty temple one morning when he’s running late, sitting on the bathroom floor with her instead of rushing out the door. “At least take another day off?”

“I’ve already stayed home for a whole week,” Rey protests as she struggles to get to her feet, only to have Ben scoop her up and seat her on their counter. “Besides, it’s probably just the last of this bug making its way through my system. I’ll be okay, baby.”

Ben frowns at her, complete with a crease between his brows and everything, but Rey maintains eye contact and refuses to back down. She knows he won’t hesitate to call in sick for her, won’t think twice before taking the day off himself to care for her, but at some point things have to go back to normal. And if her body refuses to acknowledge that, she’s more than willing to force it to play along.

“Look, staying cooped up in bed can’t be good for me,” Rey points out as she takes his hands in hers and gives them a little squeeze. “Maybe getting out of the apartment and actually moving around a bit will help me bounce back.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Ben says, but his shoulders sag and seconds later he lets out a defeated sigh. “But okay. Just… promise me you’ll call if you’re not feeling well?”

Rey smiles and presses a kiss to his jaw, painfully aware of the lingering acidic taste in the back of her throat. “I promise. Now go, you’re going to be late!”

It takes another five minutes before Ben actually leaves, and another hour after that before she makes her way out of the apartment. Rey’s not too worried about that, though; Holdo made it clear yesterday that she doesn’t expect Rey in at all this week, so she’ll hardly mind a little tardiness.

She’s a little over an hour late by the time she gets to her desk, but everyone’s too busy asking after her health to care about that. It takes what feels like an eternity before her coworkers finally break apart from the circle they’ve formed around her cubicle and get back to work, leaving her alone with Rose.

“I know you’re probably sick of talking about this,” Rose says with an apologetic little smile, “but are you sure you’re okay?”

“I mean, I might avoid the breakroom today, but other than that I’m perfectly fine,” Rey assures her. “Really, Rose, I’m practically back to normal. It’s just a bit of nausea being stubborn.”

Rose, already half-turned away, suddenly spins back to her. “Nausea?”

“Yeah, the joys of a stomach flu, right? All my other symptoms disappeared days ago, but I still can’t keep anything down. I gave Ben hell for getting me sick, but it probably wasn’t even him. He was lucky enough to just get the regular– What?” Rey interrupts herself, skin prickling under Rose’s scrutiny.

Her friend has never been one to mince words, not even back when they were just colleagues, but there’s something delicate and careful about Rose’s next question. “Rey… are you sure it’s just a flu?”

“I mean, what else could it–”

She freezes up the second the thought occurs to her, rendered speechless mid-sentence.

Rose gives her a little smile. “Yeah. That.”

They spend their lunch break at the nearest CVS.

When Ben gets home on Thursday, she’s sitting cross-legged on the couch and twisting her fingers together into a hopeless, nervous knot.

“I went to the doctor today.”

He drops everything in a heartbeat, barely stops to kick the door shut behind him before he’s hurrying over to her side and taking her hands in his. “Rey, why didn’t you– I would’ve– oh god, is everything okay?”

She’d planned to build up to it a little, but Rey can’t bear the look of utter terror on her poor husband’s face for another second. “Ben, I’m fine,” she assures him, leaning down for a lingering kiss before she pulls him up to sit next to her. “It’s just…”

“Just?” Ben echoes, looking only slightly less terrified than he had ten seconds ago.

Rey decides to put him out of his misery.

“Remember that deal we made last week, to take care of each other?”

Ben nods. “Yes, of course,” he says as his brows knit together in concern. “Rey, whatever it is… I’m here for you, sweetheart. Always will be. Just tell me, please.”

She rises up on her knees to press their foreheads together, looping her arms around Ben’s neck as his hands find her waist. “I’m okay, I promise. It’s just… you definitely got the short end of the stick, babe.”

He draws back to frown at her. “What do you mean?”

Rey brings one hand up to cup his face, brushing her thumb along his cheek as she smiles. “Well, I only had to take care of you for a week.”

“Okay…?” Ben replies, concern slowly giving way to confusion.

She moves her free hand down to one of his, pulls it from her side to her abdomen. “Meanwhile you’re going to have to deal with this,” Rey whispers, applying the slightest bit of pressure on his hand and her stomach, “for another seven months.”

It takes a second, but she can see the exact moment Ben’s brain breaks. His eyes are fixed on hers but she knows he’s not actually looking at her, a million miles away as his lips part but nothing comes out, not until a full thirty seconds later when he finally says–

“Oh.”

And then, as his eyes trail down to their joined hands – “Oh.”

“Terrible deal, wasn’t it?” Rey laughs when he finally returns his attention to her, only for her laugh to turn into a gleeful shriek as Ben gathers her up in his arms and jumps to his feet to swing her around, his exuberant laugh joining her rare giggles in the moments between kisses.

“Are you kidding me?” he grins once she’s finally grown dizzy enough to ask him to put her back down, and Rey blinks back a sudden well of tears as her husband kneels before her and presses a reverent palm to her belly.

“Best deal ever,” Ben declares, and doesn’t change his mind even once throughout the next seven months of morning sickness and midnight cravings.

Was this just another excuse to write devoted, married Reylo? ... Why yes, yes indeed.

Hard to believe it's been more than a month since I last posted anything, but time's weird like that. I'm glad to finally be back after a particularly hectic month, and I hope I'm not too rusty!

As always, thanks for reading and please don't hesitate to like/comment/reblog!

[nitewrighter]

Yellow As the Sun

A Short ficlet Based on a Fic Title Prompt

Pre-Fall of Overwatch Era. Genji has recently had his prosthetics updated and says some... interesting things while on painkilers.

CW for drug mention

---

“Oh for--” Mercy frowned, scrolling through the tablet as she walked down the hall of Zurich’s medical ward, “Who in anesthesiology approved this compound for post-surgery?” 

“Well you insisted that the transition to the new prosthetics happen with as little damage to the patient’s remaining organic organs as possible,” said one of the Blackwatch Cyberneticists walking alongside her, “This compound is the safest for that.”

“Well, yes, but Mr. Shimada’s mental state is already delicate enough without these... side effects,” said Mercy.

“He’ll be fiiiine, dude was probably doing mountains of coke and god knows what else back with the Shimada clan,” said another Blackwatch cyberneticist. Mercy shot that cyberneticist a glare and the first cyberneticist made a cutting motion next to her neck and shook her head.

Mercy just huffed. “The new prosthetics are responding to basic reflexes?” she said, looking at the first Cyberneticist.

“Yep. They’ll probably need some further calibration as he recovers more from the surgery, but we have nervous connection.”

The three of them paused in front of the door. 

“We’ll leave you to it, Doctor Ziegler,” said the second cyberneticist. Mercy nodded as they headed down the hall and she opened the door.

She had to admit, she liked the new prosthetics--better than the old ones anyway. Taupe sarcofibers stretched across his torso and over the frames of his new prosthetic legs. More muscle-like movement, better shock absorption for how much he jumped around. It still was markedly different from organic flesh, certainly, but less jarring than the mass of black, white, and red metal and fibers and red and black wires which wracked his previous form. Lighter, too. They’d need him to go through the tedious process of going through different armors to protect the new prosthetics with the least amount of sacrifice to his movement, but the new prosthetics would be significantly lighter. 

Genji was awake already. Sitting up in bed, even. She knew the biotic feed running into his organic arm would keep the new organ grafts from damaging themselves. She had noted in previous observations that he seemed to metabolize and burn through sedatives far faster than most humans. Her gut told her that it was something to do with the dragon, but she feared recording such things in Genji’s medical records might make him more of a lab subject than he already was. 

 She saw Genji was staring at his hands and her stomach knotted. She knew that the transition between prosthetics was easy to make him feel even more disconnected from his body. She stepped forward, ready to say something comforting, but noticed something odd about the way he was moving his hands. His pupils were completely dilated and he was slowly trailing his hands up and down in front of himself, his expression not disgusted, but almost awed.

“Genji?” she spoke softly, not wanting to startle him.

“My hands have ghosts,” he said, waving his hands up and down.

Aaaand I’m firing that anesthesiologist, thought Mercy.

“How are you feeling?” she asked, smiling a little.

Genji blinked several times and looked up from his hands to her. His cybernetic jaw dropped. “Doctor Ziegler?” he said, eyes wide.

“Yes, Genji, it’s me, you may experience some disorientation with your current painkill--”

“You’re glowing,” Genji leaned dangerously far over the side of the bed towards her.

Mercy took a few steps forward and gently took him by his shoulders. “Your vision is also probably affected--strobing, doubles, more vivid colors, nothing too extreme-- but I assure you, it’s temporary,” she said, re-centering him on the bed so he didn’t fall out.

“You’re so strong,” Genji said in awe, his hand trailed up toward her hair, “And yellow...” he reached a hand up toward it.

Mercy managed to put her hand over his and bring it down before he could touch at her hair. “You’re also experiencing some loss of inhibitions,” she said, pulling away slightly.

“Mm,” Genji nodded. 

“So I’m just here to ask you if you’re in any pain and see how the prosthetics are treating you,” said Mercy, trying to get him to focus.

“Hmm,” Genji nodded.

“So are you in pain?” said Mercy.

“No,” said Genji.

“Good,” said Mercy, “And the prosthetics?”

Genji looked at his hands, then started slowly waving them up and down once more. He was quiet for a few beats before holding up his prosthetic hand and saying, “This one’s not real.”

“But does it work?” asked Mercy.

Genji curled and uncurled the fingers of his prosthetic hand, then suddenly loosely flailed it back and forth. “It doesn’t jiggle like the old one!” he said, eyes wide while still flailing his hand.

“The old one jiggled?” said Mercy.

Genji stopped flailing his hand and pointed to the thumb joint on his prosthetic hand. “Here,” he said, “But not anymore.” He paused, “Was it your idea?”

“Well, I had been hoping to update your prosthetics for a while,” said Mercy.

“You’re so smart,” Genji flopped back against his pillows, “...and you... you look like that? All the time?”

“Well, as I’ve said, you may be experiencing some blooming and strobing with your vision right n--”

“You’re like the sun,” Genji went on, “...But... if you could actually look at the sun. And the sun was beautiful. And the sun has eyes. Kuso, your eyes are huge.” 

Mercy snorted. While she was still miffed that the anesthesiologist would make Genji so disoriented, she had to admit, it was a bit of a relief to see him not obsessively brooding over the Shimada clan for once. The stream of compliments was, admittedly, disarming, but intel had said Genji had been more than a bit of a charmer back before losing his body... maybe his confusion was bringing that through. It had occurred to her that she had almost never seen him smiling until now.

“Well I think you should be getting some rest, Genji,” she said with a slight smile.

“You’re leaving?” there was a sadness in Genji’s voice.

“Well I have other patients to get t--” Mercy opened the door to find McCree standing outside.

“...Doc,” said McCree.

“McCree,” said Mercy, furrowing her brows, “Reyes sent you?”

“Well, just to check on Genji...” McCree stepped through the doorway.

“And I’m guessing I wasn’t supposed to still be in here,” said Mercy, arching an eyebrow.

“Maybe,” said McCree glancing down.

“Well as you can see, Genji’s doing fine,” said Mercy, flatly.

“Look, Reyes was just concerned because you pushed through really fast with this surgery without much oversight from him--” He paused and looked at Genji’s legs, “You got rid of the calf blades?”

“If Reyes had his way, we would have been waiting until Genji went through catastrophic prosthetic failure before we replaced them,” said Mercy, folding her arms, “And yes we got rid of the calf blades. They were awful.” 

“Well I mean, if it ain’t broke...” McCree started but made the wise choice of not finishing that sentence with Mercy glaring at him.

“Doctor Ziegler, McCree is here,” said Genji, who was slowly waving his hands around again.

“I can see that, Genji,” said Mercy.

“How you holdin’ up?” said McCree, smiling over at Genji.

Genji gave a thumbs up with his prosthetic hand and then pointed to it, “No jiggling,” he said proudly.

McCree noted the odd amount of relaxation in Genji’s expression and the ease with which he was slumped against the pillows.

“They got you on the good stuff, partner?” smirked McCree, arching an eyebrow at Genji’s I.V.

“Good stuff?” Genji repeated dreamily, looking at his hand again and turning it over.

“Yeah they got you on the good stuff,” said McCree.

Genji seemed to perk up at remembering something, “McCree--” he said in a loud whisper and motioned for McCree to come closer.

“Mm?” McCree leaned in a little

Genji motioned with his head at Angela. “Look,” he said quietly.

McCree glanced over at Mercy. “What?” he looked back at Genji, “The doc?”

Genji nodded.

“...what about her?” said McCree.

“She looks like that,” Genji gripped McCree’s shoulders and his voice dropped to a loud hoarse whisper, “All the time.” 

“Yeeeup, that’s sort of how people work, Genji,” said McCree, gently pulling Genji’s hands off of his shoulders.

“It’s amazing...” Genji said quietly.

“Yeah I’m just going to let you sleep this off,” said McCree, grinning as he pulled away.

“Mm-hm,” Genji nodded and glanced out the window, staring for a few seconds before saying, “The mountains are breathing.”

“They sure are,” said McCree, stepping towards the door, “Oh I’m going to give him so much shit for this later,” he whispered to Mercy.

“Good bye, McCree,” said Mercy flatly. 

McCree tipped his hat and headed out the door.

Mercy closed it behind him. 

“I need to get going too,” she said, looking back at Genji, “Try to get some sleep.”

“Doctor Ziegler?” Genji spoke up and she paused in the doorway.

“Thank you,” said Genji. He gave his prosthetic hand a demonstrative flail. “No jiggle.”

Mercy smiled. “Call me if you need anything,” she said.

Genji nodded and looked out the window again.

[phoena12]

hey hey!

so i know i haven’t been all that active of late and i have a good reason for it! 

please bear with me on this one as i haven't worked out alllll the details quite yet so its still a little rough about the edges haha 

so!

the basis is, a boy confined by society and its expectations leads him to a shackled life, his only friend Tara to keep him company through his placid days. growing up he hears stories of knights and wizards. of dragons wreaking havoc and fairies blessing adventures bold. he wishes for such a life but unbeknown to him, a sacred being answers his calls and plunges him head first into a journey sure to change him and the world about him, forever.

again, this work is still in the works (heavily so) and this is as far as i’ve managed to get written down and posed into a chapter. 

without further ado please enjoy!

The sky was vast and wide, clouds rolling across the never ending sea and trapped in its soothing waves. The sun let rays of golden light beam from its home in the sky, the heat a languid and sweltering experience all at once. Birds of bright colours flit to and fro across the open expanse, their feathers cutting through the sweeping breeze and their calls breaking through the forested sea below them. A small bird, coloured in pinks and grey with a bright blue crest, perches on a tree below, surveying the blanketed floor of leaves. Searching for prey. The forest is silent, emerald leaves shaking in the wind and sprinkling light on the ground below, a few of its glazed leaves floating downward as the wind rushes through in a hurry.

 A lone deer, a stag, with antlers covered in moss and dangling vines, strolls through the glade of tree’s, searching for a place to graze. Its stride graceful and powerful as it touches each hoof delicately to the ground, the dangling vines about its antlers swaying with each step. It passes a patch of orange flowers, the oval petals folding in and then lurching out with a puff of smoke. The stag snorts and heads away from the moving plant, its fog falling to the ground and enveloping some unfortunate leaves. A hissing noise popping through the drag of birdsong and wind, the smoke dissipating and leaving a green and silver mush behind. The beast continues its passage, light licking at its brown hide as it enters a small copse, his ears pricked at the new surroundings.

 A shallow stream gleaming silver in the sunlight, trickles by, unnoticed by the graceful stag, its sinuous course unknowing but prevalent. A toad hops from under it pebbled perch, a striking green putting the flourish of the forest to shame. The ripples of its slip in and out of the stream wakening insects into a flurried flight, their wings shimmering hues of browns and golds across the reflected water.

 The stag, tall and wild but so noble in its being shimmies its distaste in the smaller creatures and gallops off into the brush, a bounce over the stream and his once sedate form is gone. A flurry of leaves dancing in his flight and settling on the heated earth. The world passes by in his run. Great tree’s a distant memory, the ground flowing beneath his feet as he picks up his pace.

 Ah, too run free. How simple and real a feeling.

 Birds flitting in their colours, the sounds a soothing melody. The crash of twigs and bush adding to the symphony, his breathe heavy in his lungs a thing to weigh him down. He opens himself as he crests a hill and looks at the landscape, the tree’s taking on a more winding pattern of their limbs. The sky heavenly above and smiling down at him.

 This was living. Well, until a bird far too curious than it ought to be lands atop the dreamers head, one beady eye staring precariously into his. He turns in his sleep, the image of the stag falling apart from the seams and disappearing in a fog. How annoying, he was quite enjoying his little rendezvous with the beast. He wriggles on the bark, the curve he had crawled into and away from the summer heat ended up being a good place to nap but soon became uncomfortable for his back. Often he found himself doing so. It was a bad habit but no worse than stepping foot in the forest itself. These tree’s he adored most, though not as tall as the tree’s at the edge of the forest, they were closer to the apple tree’s he used to climb (and of course fall out of) in size. The main difference were that these trees were alive, well all of them were to be exact but some had an individual sense. A slight thrumming that spoke of life and being to his young senses. They also had a knack for twisting their limbs at precarious angles, which were great for sleeping in. except when they decided to move on their own accord and hence make you fall almost 4 feet to your death. Which was a horrifying situation to get yourself stuck in. one the boy didn’t really mind, in honesty. He rather felt that the tree’s liked his personage and did their twisty tricks to tease him. Of course that’s only the whimsy of a child.

Except being abruptly woken by a falcon had even less charm than a sub sentient tree letting you drop four or five feet to the ground.

 He screams, who wouldn’t when a falcon was staring into your soul? Spooked by the noise the bird flies to higher ground, broad wings gusting wind at the half dazed boy. Hair ruffled as it usually is, he tries to pat it down, looking about his resting spot for the mischievous bird. She was ever naughty and often the boy thought she had more sense than his stablemates could ever possess. He shakes his unruly locks in her direction.

 “Taraaaaa” he whines out, stretching his hands behind and shaking his head, “did you have to wake me?”

 The bird, Tara, ruffles her feathers at his whinging tone and flattens her feathers down with a stroke of her yellowed beak. She looks down on him, almost seeming disgusted with his frivolous nature. He laughs when she shakes her head and looks away, clearly interested in nothing.

 “But the sun is still high” he tries. She fluffs her wings, a small breeze shaking her branch but refuses to look at him. “I’ve got plenty of time to get back” he urges. The falcon is stubborn, as always and he mutters some half-hearted insult kicking his feet idly. “Pretty please?” he tries yet again and this time Tara chirps at him with a peeved tone, her wings flapping as if trying to make a point. She hops on her branch like a crow and continues her chirping, something she picked up from being housed with the messenger birds used at the keep. An odd habit for a bird of her stature.

 “Fiiiine, im coming” the boy concedes picking his dust covered self from the floor and grabbing his satchel from the crook he previously occupied. It was always unwise to argue with Tara, she seemed more like the human ladies of Lord Treeks court, prim and proper and unwilling to lose any argument posed their way. The boy severely wishes he had not let the falcon fly free at so young an age.

  Tara hops and swoops from her branch, seemingly exalted at the boy’s forthcomings and sudden sense. He laughs, Tara had always looked after him, as he had looked after her when she was just newly hatched and failing in this world. They had a bond, that much could be said.

 She lands upon his narrow shoulders, almost toppling the both of them over, the weight of her body and sudden force of wind knocking him forward slightly and into the now twisting tree. With a simple flap of her wings, Tara calls out her glee and ascends through the treetops. He huffs, what ever was he going to do with that bird. With a grin and a pat to the rising branch, he bids farewell to the tree and trots off into the direction of the keep.

this is not the whole chapter i assure you, there is plenty more to come! 

buuuuuuut if this is something you liked please let me know?? because id love to do updates for this and see your opinions on it.

[hawkmamaknows-blog]

SIN WEEK DAY 1

HAWK MAMA BACK HAWK MAMA SEE SIN WEEK WHY USE HAWK MAMA PICTURE HAWK MAMA IS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT HAWK MAMA SEE YOU IN COURT

The birds were chirping, the sun was shining and the sky was clear and the day was great. Meliodas was happy. He chugged his drink and burped loudly. He finally had the life that he wanted. Which was really saying something, seeing how just a couple weeks ago he was trying to conquer the world, kill tons of peoples and destroy his enemies. But to be fair they were trying to kill him. Retirement was doing wonders for his spirit now though. He already finished his community service and everything.

After defeating the Demon King and locking him in a chest that they then hurled into space, and then killing the goddesses and breaking the curse and saving Camelot and seeing Arthur made king and saying sorry to the four million humans they had displaced and reconciling with his brothers and got those loan sharks off his ass and finally getting rid of that rash, he now ran the Boar Hat as a normal, everyday bar owner.

Even better, he had finally married Elizabeth. His eyes glazed over with just the thought— as he brought his pumpkin spice latte to his lips to slurp loudly. He started whistling a merry tune as he reminiscing.

His light, his goddess, the thing that had given him a boner for three thousand years was finally his. Oh was she his. Her eight children were old enough to go to school, so the first opportunity he got he had them sent off to Little Knights Boarding School and Academy so they could have plenty of alone time.

He sighed happily, as he looked across the bar, thinking back—-

FLASH BACK ONE

She was upside down, hanging from the chandelier, hogtied with one of her stockings. The sounds of the whip slapping against her skin was arousing.

“Yes, yes, yes! I love this!” Elizabeth yelled, wiggling her butt and sucking on her own toes as he struck her bouncy chest over and over. “Why didn’t we do this sooner?!” She moaned loudly as her bouncy bosom bounced.

Meliodas moaned, his own bar uniform soaked through with body fluids, pumpkin juice and escargot- the rubber chicken in his mouth squeaking loudly as he swung his arm back and forth. His own dick was tied with a really cute bow as he helicoptered it in front of her face. He stood on top of the shaky stoop so he could actually reach his honey boo bear as she swung around like a slab of meat on a hanger.

THE FLASHBACK ENDS

Meliodas gave a low moan as he rubbed the front of his pants. He really did love her. “Ah… Elizabeth,” And she loved him, so much he was pretty sure he hadn’t stopped smiling since his wedding night. Which was actually agonizing as the muscles in his face cramped up.

Unfortunately, that alone time led to Elizabeth getting pregnant again about four days later. Four amazing days. He jizzed so much in those ninety six hours they even had to scrub the outside of the bar during clean up. But he was happy enough because this one he was one hundred percent sure was one hundred percent his.

Well, Meliodas put his cup down on the bar counter, as he thought. He was pretty sure this was one hundred percent his. He checked after all.

FLASHBACK

“Hey snookums?”

“What it is?” Elizabeth looked down at him, her eyes narrowed as she continued to impale him with the large love rod that was strapped around her waist. She had him half over the bar on his stomach, one leg raised onto his back, to push him snug against the bar. She looked really good in his fuck wad brother-Estrossa’s cloak.

“You’re—“ Meliodas squeaked as she pegged him deeper, harder and hitting a spot over and over that made his eyes roll. His toes curling. “You’re… really good at this? Have you— done this before?”

“Of course not,” Elizabeth whispered sweetly, petting the top of his head, before suddenly going faster. “It doesn’t count if I’m not gay. Now be a good princess, and say my name in French.”

END OF FLASHBACK

Yes, good memories.

And today was a good day too. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and Meliodas was happily wiping down the counter of the bar and admiring his lady love, who was huge. But in a good way. Her hips and long limbs extra nice. Her stomach was protruding with her heavy pregnancy, and she happily hummed to herself while folding napkins and stacking them on her giant belly as she leaned back on the couch they put by the stove.

“Elizabeth?” he spoke up, asking. “Are you sure there’s only one kid in there?” Cause, if he had to be honest, everyone was too terrified to think of the alternative. Howzer still randomly burst into tears and whispered about nail polish at the sight of her.

“Of course,” she laughed, making kissy sounds at him that he made back. “I’ve only been with you. Just one man, one baby.”

“I’m not sure that that’s how it works,” he muttered under his breath, and she must have him heard him because she sighed, delicately putting down the last little towel. “Don’t worry, if anything, maybe having that sixsome with you and you and you and you, with you doing you while I clung onto you as you pushed you between you and me- was taking a little bit of a chance,” she sighs with longing, looking at him with mushy gooey love, “but, it was my hall pass day that day. So stop worrying, even if your clones got me pregnant too, it’s still technically you.”

“Well if you’re sure,” he went to take another chug of pumpkin flavored vodka, when at that moment the front door slammed open.

“BITCHES!” Merlin sauntered into the room, again in her grown up body and down the steps, her scream alerting everyone in the general fifty meter radius. She quickly threw a treat into Elizabeth mouth and pat her on the head as she walked by.

When she got to the table she chucked her large chest onto it, the weight making the entire thing shake. “Wait until you see what I’ve found!”

Meliodas rolled his eyes. “Can you get your tits off the table first?”

“Sorry!” Quickly Merlin removed her breasts, before she placed a smaller box on the table in its place, the thing covered in dust and weird stuff.

“And that,” he said, pointing at her beaver. “In fact, would you put some clothes on and get rid of it?”

“Fiiiine.” With snap of her fingers Merlin was instantly dressed, her clothes barely covering her but at least the important bits were covered. And she kick punted her newest experiment on a beaver out the door. “Here’s what I really wanted to show you.”

Reaching into her cleavage, she proceeded to pull out a greying, battered looking scroll, tugging and tugging until the whole thing came out, around the length of half the room. “I found this ancient scroll in among some things I got at a yard sale, they were cleaning out all the houses from the humans that either got turned into demons, died were brainwashed or were eaten and it has some prophecies on it that I think are about the Seven Deadly Sins!”

“Really?” He headed around the counter and stood next to Elizabeth as she bounced him across the room and to Merlin side with her incredible girth. “We should get the others and--”

“HEY EVERYBODY GET IN HERE RIGHT NOW!” shouted Elizabeth making blood burst from the side of Merlin’s and Meliodas head.

Meliodas winced. “What in the hell?”

Elizabeth smiled sweetly. “When you have seven  children, you learn to yell loud.”

FLASHBACK TRES

“Hon hon,” French Meliodas squealed as he tickled a naked Elizabeth, rubbing his cheek against her gooey skin. The princess was tied spread-eagled to the roof of the Boar Hat, and Meliodas watched from his perch on the top of the chimney as his clones went to work. Each had a peacock feather of a different size, and they strokes every inch of her as she writhed in her restraints.

“Meliodas, please!” she cried, her hips bucking up and down. At once all of the clones started covering her with chocolate sauce as they finally pulled out their cocks after three hours of foreplay and impromptu Shakespeare’s acting that left them in tears, and Meliodas sighed happily at the sight.

Only to be forcefully thrown from his perch, as Elizabeth suddenly screamed,“THIS IS DISGUSTING!”

And the force of her screaming orgasm blew all four Meliodases off of the roof with him.

FIN DU FLASHBACK

Frowning he said, “I thought you had eight?”

“Seven, eight, I think we sent eleven to school.”

“Wait? How did we sent— we don’t even—?” But before he could figure out the answer at that moment all of the Sins arrived. Diane’s head burst through the window with King attached to her ear, Escanor jumped down from the rafters light a demented old man monkey, Gowther opened a panel in the floor and stepped up, politely handing a fresh pumpkin bread loaf to Ban, who had rolled out from under another table, and stood up, and took a chair already eating a slice.

“Were you all already here?” Meliodas asked. “I thought we agreed you were all gonna go get your own apartments?”

“We did!” Escanor said cheerfully, pushing up his glasses. “We are all renting rooms here! We even get discounts on the ear plugs if we sign yearly mortgage contracts.”

Meliodas gaped at them until Elizabeth put a hand on his arm and explained, “With thirteen children in boarding school we needed the money.”

“Eight,” he corrected her.

“I’m glad you are all here,” Merlin announced. “I have some prophecies to read.” She held the ancient scroll up. Leaning against it like a stripper pole. “And since this is written in a language of the ancient race of beings called the Dkweknfapoies, and their language cannot be speaken by human tongue, I and I alone can decipher it.”

Hawk trotted in, chewing on something gross as he perked up. “Oh! Are you talking about the Dkweknfapoies? Because actually Hawk Mama and I are from Wefapalot and I actually got my first major in--”

“I AND I ALONE!” Merlin screeched loudly, sending out a foot to kick the hog, bouncing him off all the walls before crashing back into the kitchen, and she glared at the rest, as if daring them to argue. “There,” she went on happily, “now that that is settled, since I am the only person who understands the Dkweknfapoies language, I shall now translate it for you.”

She took out her reading glasses and put them on, making a face at the scroll. Everyone leaned in a bit to hear.

“Captain,” she said mysteriously, all the lights going out as a creepy green glow created a haunted look under her chin. “the first one is about you.”

“Me?” he exclaimed, gulping. “Cool. That’s cool. Is this like, a really really old scroll? And not one from when I was doing a stint in that one gay bar over by the river a couple millennium back, right? Cause whatever it says, they are lying and I totally did not have any sexual relations with that—“

Elizabeth took his hand, shutting him up. “Please, goddesses, let it be winning lottery numbers.”

“Here is my one thousand percent accurate translation,” she began, making scary finger movements. “‘The eldest son of the demon king’--that’s you, Captain--’is not actually the biological son of the demon king’.”

Everyone looked at Meliodas in surprise. His eyes popped open and his mouth dropped. “I’m not!” he shouted, before he pumped his fists. “HELL YAY! take that you asshole?! I’m not an awful, terrible demon! That’s great news! I’m so happy!” Everyone cheered as he jumped onto a table and did a jig. “I’m not a demon! I’m not a demon!”

“I’m so happy!” Elizabeth exclaimed, pressing her hands on her huge stomach. “Now our child won’t be some terrible murderer like the rest of them!”

“Wait, if Captain isn’t a demon, what is he?” Ban asked over the cheering.

Everyone looked at Merlin, who peered back at the scroll. “Yes, yes, I see. Yes it’s right here. This one symbol, and my completely accurate and singular in every way translation is thus: ‘the eldest son of the demon king is in reality... the eldest blessed son of the blessed goddess queen’.”

The room went silent and Meliodas stopped getting jiggy, frozen in place.

The… what with the what with the actual who?

“What?” he asked in confusion, scratching his head. Absolutely confused. “I’m a goddess? The son of the goddess queen? The goddess queen?”

Merlin nods. “Yes. The goddess queen.” She didn’t notice as Hawk, covered In bruises peered over her shoulder.

“Wait guys!“ he puggoed. “That symbol in that order doesn’t mean that! It means blessed by the goddess—“

Before he could say anymore the pig hog burst into white flames, no one batting an eyelash as he squealed and rushed back to the kitchen. The frantic sounds of the sink being turned on and a giant splash cutting off the horrid screaming. But like it was said before, no one was paying attention to that— because it was really fascinating to watch Meliodas go green from head to toe.

“But….,” he croaked, Ban coming up to give him a hand to keep him up, and Meliodas whimpered, “but if I’m the son of the goddess queen… then that would make Elizabeth my--  but that would mean all the happy hankie panky…”

They slowly looked at one other in growing horror, and as the sounds of the Sins erupting into vomit surrounded them, Meliodas said, “Elizabeth is my sister.” Before he just, laid on the ground, his mind involuntarily reminding him that this was the exact spot they had tried out the bridge driver position during breakfast.

Once the vomiting ended, everyone wiped their mouths. Meliodas sat, slumped over the table, sobbing into his shirt. “All these years,” he moaned. “Three thousand goddamned years I’ve waited, and for what? To fucking fuck my fucking sister.”

“There, there,” Elizabeth offered a pat on the shoulder, swallowing behind her hand.

“Hey Merlin.” Hawk peered over her arm, sniffing at the scroll. “I’m not sure if you translated this right. It looks to me like--”

“DO NOT QUESTION THE PROPHECY!” Merlin announced. “I have read the scroll of the ancient Dkweknfapoies clan, and I am the only person who knows how to read and understand. You must all accept my translation, no matter how much it doesn’t make sense, because I am the best at this. You are just rude for even suggesting that I am incorrect. This is slander! This is bullying! This is fraud!”

A tiny whimper passed Meliodas lips, as King looked at them all unimpressed, rolling his eyes.

“I don’t see what the big deal is? You guys are only first generation inbred.” He huffed, “like we always say what happens in the family stays in the family.”

[ifuckinglovetatum]

Happy Birthday, @pngpotpies ! I hope it’s a good one!✨

So, I’ve been working on this klance one-shot. It’s not finished, but I wanted to post for you! It does have a good stopping point, so as soon as I finish this, I’ll post the rest.

I don’t use ao3 much, so it’s posted right here. But I will post it on ao3 if preferred! Either way, I hope you like it! (I know I’m not the best writer, and I can get a bit ooc)

summary: After a horrible break up, Lance plans to mope around his apartment for as long as possible. But plans change when Keith takes him out for his birthday.

word count: 3,400

rating: general audiences

warnings: some cursing

fandom: Voltron: Legendary Defender

relationship(s): Keith/Lance, (past — mentioned) Lance/Nyma

It had been two weeks since Lance had gotten his heart broken by Nyma. She had dumped him two weeks before his birthday, and nothing could make him better.

Since then, he’d been moping in his apartment. Nothing was getting done and he only ever left his home to go to work. He hadn’t showered in two weeks, but managed to mask it with cologne. He had done nothing but sleep and eat.

Honestly, the only reason he was still a decent human was because his friends had been coming to help out. Since his break up, Pidge and Hunk had come over every day. Hunk would cook meals for Lance and do his laundry. Pidge, most times unwillingly, would clean the apartment. They were at least going to do the bare minimum to help Lance. They wanted him to get better, but he wasn’t going to If his friends were doing everything.

Pidge had called him a zombie, and Hunk, although he agreed, had scolded her for saying such things at a time like this.

“Lance, you have to get out of bed! I know it’s your day off, but Hunk made special birthday pancakes!” Pidge had her hand on Lance’s shoulder, shaking him so he would wake up. She had given up on shaking gently, so by now, she was just pushing him.

“I’ll be down in a minute…” Lance mumbled. As much as he loved Hunk’s birthday pancakes, he wanted to sleep in.

“You said that ten minutes ago!” Pidge groaned. She checked the time on her phone. “Come on, man. Hunk and I have to leave in about an hour. Please get up?”

Lance sighed. Another reason as to why he didn’t want to get up. His friends had work on his birthday, so sadly, they couldn’t spend the day with him. He groaned, throwing the covers off of him. He lay on his back, glancing at Pidge before sitting up.

“Do you guys really have to go?” He asked, pouting.

“You told us you didn’t want to ruin the day by keeping us here only to watch you mope,” Pidge reminded. She pushed up her glasses. “So we didn’t call in to ask for the day off.”

“Fiiiine. I’ll be down in a moment, for real this time.”

“I’m trusting you, but I swear to god if I have to come in here again, Lance, I’m–“

“Leave! I promise I’ll be out!” Lance grabbed his pillow and threw it at Pidge. In return, the girl used all her force to throw it back at Lance, then rushing out the door before he could throw it back.

He huffed, staring at the door for a couple seconds before actually getting out of bed. Ever since his break up with Nyma, he had been dreading today. Mostly because he had things planned for the two of them to do.

Hunk ate yet another pancake, sighing. “I worry for him sometimes.”

“I think we all do. I wonder how he managed to get his own place and be financially stable enough to keep it,” Pidge agreed. She stuffed her mouth with pancake. “I thought he’d spend his cash on lots of useless shit.”

“You shouldn’t talk with your mouth full,” Hunk reminded her. He watched as she tried to eat the pancake she had stuffed in her mouth. Inevitably, she failed and ended up coughing it out.

“That’s disgusting.”

The two friends looked up to see who had joined them. Of course, Lance was the only other person in he apartment, so it was no surprise when they saw him. Okay, maybe it was a surprise, they expected him to take longer.

“Finally, I thought I was gonna have to leave for work without seeing you once this morning.” Hunk stood from his seat, walking over to his best friend and hugging him. “Happy birthday dude.”

Lance smiled, hugging his friend. “Thanks, for the pancakes too.”

“Happy day of birth to you,” Pidge yelled. She grinned when Lance rolled his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her. She returned the gesture. “Are ya gonna eat those or can I?”

“I’m definitely going to eat them. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you have my birthday breakfast,” Lance replied. He and Hunk went to join Pidge at the table.

As they ate, Lance went on about how upsetting it was that both his friends had work. They simply told him to stop complaining and to visit them at work. Of course, Lance agreed to visit them at some point during the day. At least that would get Lance out of the house.

It was twenty minutes before his friends had to go, that Lance’s phone made noise. He took it from his back pocket, a smile quickly forming when he noticed what it was.

Keith: Hey, just wanted to say happy birthday. Any plans today, or can we make some? :)

“Ooo, did your boyfriend text you?” Pidge teased. She smirked when Lance gained some pink to his cheeks.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Lance tried to defend himself. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he did find Keith to be rather attractive. Although the mullet was horrendous, Lance had begun to think that Keith was making it work. Besides, how was Lance not supposed to have a teeny tiny crush on a guy who will wake up around one in the morning to listen to Lance rant.

“Keep telling yourself that. What does he need?” Pidge asked. As much as she wanted to tease her friend, she decided to be simple. He was talking to someone other than her and Hunk for the first time in two weeks.

“Did he remember that it’s your birthday?” Hunk added. He was pretty sure that Keith knew when Lance’s birthday was, but it’d been a while since he saw the guy.

“Yeah, he did. He asked me if I have any plans for the day, or if we could make some,” Lance sheepishly admitted. He liked Nyma a lot, and he enjoyed dating her, but he could never get rid of the magical feeling he got when talking to Keith.

“Tell him you’re free!” Pidge stood up fast enough for the chair to be pushed back roughly. It would have fallen down if Hunk hadn’t grabbed it in time.

“Yeah, man! We’re about to go, so you should totally make plans with him,” Hunk agreed. He stood as well, piling his plate along with Pidge’s and Lance’s. He moved them into the sink, hoping that Lance could be somewhat productive and clean them later.

“Alright, alright! I will, but it’s not a date.” Lance glared at Pidge who smirked.

“What if he wants it to be a date?” Pidge couldn’t help but tease. When Lance had first met Keith, he couldn’t stop talking about him. It had gone on for weeks until Lance had begun dating Nyma.

“You never know, maybe he likes you back,” Hunk suggests. He gives Lance a pat on the back, and a side hug before going over to Pidge.

“Will you two leave already? I don’t need to be teased any more.” Lance bites back a smile, not wanting to give away the hope he had that his friends were right.

“Whatever you say. Hope you have a good one, Lance,” Pidge called out. She had already walked to the door, letting herself out. Behind her followed Hunk, who wished Lance a happy birthday once again.

As soon as the door was closed, Lance leaned against it and pulled out his phone. He opened the text from Keith, and quickly replied.

(9:39) Hey! I’m free all day, so I’m all yours. What did you have in mind?

(9:40) Also, do I sense a bit of a flirtatious vibe in ur question bc u can’t just say something like that without being flirty ;)

Even though Lance knew Keith was gay, he found it to be risky to flirt with the guy. He feared that Keith would just shrug it off or that he had someone else in mind. This was something Lance found himself thinking about a lot. He always wondered if his friend was in a relationship. As far as he knew, Keith was single. But it had been at least two months since he last saw Keith in person, and things can change quickly.

Lance was saved from his thoughts when he received a text.

(9:44) Kind of hoped that you would have had something in mind. But how about the mall? We can stay there for a while and then I can take you to dinner if that’s not too much

(9:44) Interpret the question however you want, I don’t mind either way

Lance’s face flushed a bright pink as he read the messages. Keith had to be kidding, right? He couldn’t just flirt, then say he’ll take Lance to the mall and dinner, all while allowing Lance to believe that he was flirting.

It took him a couple seconds to get himself together again. It’s been a while since someone wanted to spend the entire day with him.

(9:45) Too much? If anything, that’s not enough for someone like me

(9:45) I deserve to be pampered to the fullest

Feeling a bit more confident in texting Keith, Lance started walking to his room. If he was going to go out, he obviously had to look nice. He just didn’t know how nice he had to look. He’d just have to search through his things, he’ll probably find something worth wearing. By now, he was extremely glad that Hunk has done his laundry.

(9:46) Yeah, yeah, you’ll get your pampering

Lance felt his face heat up for the third (or forth) time this morning. He pressed the back arrow at the top of the conversation, going to his other ones. He was going to open the one he had with Hunk when he read the snippet from Nyma’s (who was the third conversation).

Nyma <3: Lance, we need to talk, I kn…

He remembered that conversation all too well. He was ready to start the day, go out with his girlfriend and have fun. But then the received the text, and instead of texting back, he had called her. Their argument ended with a not-so-happy Lance, and a more-than-satisfied Nyma.

Lance closed his eyes, taking a couple seconds before he opened them again. He swiped the conversation to the right, and pressed delete. He also left himself a mental note to delete her number later on.

(9:57) It’s a surprise that you still haven’t said anything back

(9:57) I actually thought you were going to start flirting or something, like always

That last one struck him a bit. He didn’t always resolve to flirting, right? He wasn’t some sort of fuck boy, right? To himself, he wasn’t one. He saw himself as a good guy. That’s what he was, right?

(9:58) Nah I’m just getting ready so I look good for our date ;)

Wait, shit, that was flirty. How do you delete a text from both phones by only using one? Lance took a deep breath, mentally slapping himself.

He decided to ignore it. Instead of reading the new text he received, he decided to go into the bathroom to shower. It had been two weeks, he hated to admit. Lance was big on hygiene, but he was a mess after Nyma.

Unintentionally, he took a bit longer than twenty minutes to shower. He didn’t mean to, no, but he was glad he did. It was very well needed after two weeks.

Then it took him another thirty minutes to actually get ready. Apparently when he has plans with Keith, he wants to look his best, and nothing less. So he dressed in red skinny jeans (he won’t admit he bought these just because Keith’s favorite color is red), and a gray T-shirt with the words “birthday king” in blue. It was a birthday gift from Pidge last year because she didn’t know what else to get him.

Feeling ready to go, Lance finally grabbed his phone. He had a text from almost an hour ago.

(10:00) Better not take long, though. I’m heading to your place so we can go from there

“Shit,” Lance cursed, hoping that Keith had not made it yet. He couldn’t be here yet, right? I mean, the dude lived downtown which meant that he has to take the train when visiting Lance (and vice versa). He quickly typed a reply, and grabbed his wallet before rushing to his small living room.

As soon as he entered the room, he screamed. He held a hand to his chest. “What the fuck, man?”

On his slightly worn out couch, sat Keith. He looked up from his phone to stare back at Lance. “What?”

“What are you doing here? How did you even get in?” Lance asked. He took a deep breath and slightly laughed. He watched Keith pull out his keys, holding a single one up for Lance to see.

“With the key you gave me last year,” he answered. He stood up and put away his keys, also putting his phone in his back pocket. “Why did you even take so long? It’s just me.”

That’s the point, it’s just you. The guy, even if I’m dating someone, that can make my knees weak and my heart pound, Lance thought to himself. But to Keith, he rolled his eyes. “It’s my birthday, I need to look luxurious.”

Keith chuckled, shaking his head the slightest bit. “It’s not like you need an hour to do that.”

Lance gulped, feeling his face heat up once again. He wasn’t used to being flirted with, mostly because he was always the one that was flirting. But when it came down to Keith, someone who Lance hasn’t seen in months, he always responded. Keith always said something back, it was as if he was trying to lead Lance into believing that he had a chance. But not once in a million years, did Lance believe that he had a chance with Keith.

“Doesn’t matter, we should get going. You know it’s pretty selfish to be keeping someone as gorgeous as myself all to yourself, Keith,” Lance teased. He stuck his tongue out in a playful manner. He was expecting Keith to ignore his comment and roll his eyes.

But Keith only smiled, taking a step closer to Lance. “Well, I’ll have you know that I’m a pretty selfish person.”

It had taken almost another thirty minutes for Lance and Keith to begin driving to the mall. It was only because Lance couldn’t decide on a radio station to play. Keith had only sat back at watch as Lance went through every single one. Eventually, Lance just turned down all the volume and began the drive.

It was quiet at first, but then Keith brought up a “good” point. He shifted in his seat, turning to face Lance a bit more. “Hey, can I ask you something?”

“You just did,” Lance joked. He snuck a glance at Keith, in time to see the all too well-known eye roll. “What is it?”

“Not that I mind, but why did you call this a date? I mean, aren’t you dating Nyma? So this would be considered cheating, wouldn’t it be?” Keith stared at Lance, feeling the sudden tension between them.

“You said a question, not three,” Lance reminded Keith. But nonetheless, he took a deep breath before answering. “Nyma And I broke up, so it wouldn’t be considering cheating. Besides, the date thing, was a…joke.”

There was a moment of silence between the two.

“What about you? You obviously gotta be single to go along with the date joke.” Lance’s frown was replaced by a smirk. He glanced over to see Keith roll his eyes once again.

“So what if I’m single? It’s not like there’s anyone I really like, anyway.”

Without another word, Lance pulled up in the parking lot. It was full near the doors, so Lance ended up parking a little bit farther. When he was parked, he leaned back in his seat.

“Hey birthday boy, let’s go,” Keith insisted. He reached out a put a hand on Lance’s shoulder. Lance smiled, and he ended up getting out of the car before Keith.

“I invite you to the mall and you leave me behind, how cruel,” Keith called out after him. He picked up his pace until he was by Lance’s side.

“It’s my birthday, I’m allowed to be excited enough to go ahead,” Lance reminds the other man. “Hey, it’s my turn to ask you something. So, why are talking to me all of a sudden after two months?”

Keith rolled his eyes as if that was the stupidest question he’s ever heard. “It’s not like I wanted to stop talking to you for that long. I went out of the country to visit someone and didn’t come back until recently.”

“Oh,” was all Lance could manage. He had spent the first half of the two months going on about how Keith was abandoning him. He felt like an idiot.

The two had walked into the mall in silence, but Lance immediately grabbed Keith’s hand. He led him past the crowd to the front of a clothes store. While Lance looked to the side, Keith stared into the store.

“You want to go clothes shopping first?” Keith asked him, looking over at Lance.

“What? No. It’s Subway,” Lance pointed out. He had Keith look to the side of the store, where there in fact was a Subway.

“Let’s eat later. If we eat now, you’ll be complaining later and I don’t really need that,” Keith insisted. Lance pouted, tugging on Keith’s wrist like a lost child trying to get attention.

“Please? We can share a foot long, yes?” Lance grabbed Keith’s other hand as well, intertwining their fingers. He could feel himself blushing and was pretty sure that Keith was too. “Then we can go a store that you want to go to. Well take as long as you want. Promise.”

Keith stared down at the ground, attempting to avoid Lance’s gaze. But unfortunately for Keith, he was weak when it came to Lance’s pout. Since he learned about it, he’s been wanting to be like Pidge and Hunk, who were able to handle the pout and say no.

So he sighed, taking defeat because he knew he stood no chance. With a happy squeal from Lance, Keith was dragged into the small Subway. The one thing that kept Keith from trying to stop Lance was he fact that he was holding hands with Lance.

“Okay, so do you want to share a foot long, or we each get a six inch? I don’t mind either way,” Lance asked. He turn around to face Keith, who had trailed behind a bit. “Keith?”

“The…the one foot is fine.” Keith’s face was completely red, and he tried to pass it off by saying that it was hot.

Lance didn’t believe him for a second, but he didn’t press things because he was hungry. Hunk’s pancakes were amazing, but he still had room in hi stomach for more. So after asking Keith what he wanted on the sandwich, he ordered. It only took a couple minutes before they had their sandwich and two medium cups. Keith, of course, paid for it all.

They were seated at a table for two in the middle of the place. They had their respective cups and sandwich half. The two of them were also blushing because the young lady at the counter wished them a good date. But this wasn’t a date.

Right?

They spent around thirty minutes in Subway before they left to actually go shopping. As Lance had promised, they went to a store that was of Keith’s interests. Oddly enough, Lance also found it interesting. Maybe it was because the clothes were cute. Or maybe it was because he thought Keith would look good in the cute clothes. Or maybe it was how fascinating Keith looked when he was looking at things he liked.

One way or another, Lance liked the shop because of Keith.