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zamiecmunson · 2 months

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scooby snacks

eddie x reader

you accidentally eat some of eddie’s very special brownies

i love edibles. i love scooby doo. i love eddie. can you tell. warnings: weed obviously, vomit but no graphic description, wrote this a long long time ago been sitting in my drafts so not too sure what else sorryyyyy 🫶🏻

‘voila!’ eddie whispered to himself, beaming down with pride at his creation. he passed on doing a taste test as he knew the guys would get pissy if they turned up & he was already stoned. plus he didn’t know exactly just how strong they were. that was the purpose after all, stronger than usual. gareth had been complaining for weeks that he was ‘building a tolerance’ and wanted to ‘trip balls’ without taking the hard stuff. eddie scoffed at that of course but came through with some pretty sweet brownies anyway. he left them out to cool on the kitchen counter before jumping in the shower.

after knocking on eddie’s door and getting no answer, you let yourself in.

‘eddie?’ you called out clocking that the weird fuzzy noise was water running.

‘in the shower baby, i’ll be out in a sec’ he called back. both a pro and con of living in a trailer: thin walls.

‘ooh!’ you raised your brows excitedly at the freshly baked batch of brownies on the side. eddie bakes? who knew! you helped yourself to a small corner slice, after taking a bite you sorta understood why he’s never baked for you before. it tasted kinda funny. but the kind of funny where you had to keep taking another bite to figure out if it actually did taste funny or not. two and a half brownies later, eddie surfaced from the bathroom.

‘hey!- oh. oh god, babe!’ his face switched from a sweet smile to deer caught in headlights as soon as he locked in on the face full of brownie.

‘ ‘m sorry they jush looked shoh good and i’m tryna figure out what the shecret ingredient is’ you mumbled through heavy chews.

‘that would be pot’ his eyes stayed at full screen as he gently pressed his hands to the brownie, lowering the rest of it from your lips.

‘oh, i’ve had these before it’s fine! i thought they tasted kinda funky, i should have guessed’ you stayed blissfully unaware and calm, wiping the crumbs off the side of your mouth while eddie’s heart was going at 100 mph. his eyes darted from the tray, to your face, to the tray, to your face then back to the tray.

‘and you’ve had three of these?’ his nervous voice matched his face.

‘two and a half, technically’ you continued to grin innocently.

‘do you, by any chance, perhaps recall gareth complaining about how the usual stuff just wasn’t touching the sides for him anymore?’ eddie did this thing where he used a lot of unnecessary words when he was nervous. you chuckled at his little habit peaking through and answered with a subtle eye roll ‘yes’.

‘well… these were made with him in mind. extra strong. like, should probably just start with a quarter of a slice strong’ he delicately placed his hands on the side of your arms. there was silence for a while. a painfully long while. you focused on the feeling of it sitting in your stomach.

‘well this isn’t good’ you responded with a straight but calm face.

‘no, no it’s not’ you both continued to stand very still. you couldn’t tell if it was kicking in already or if you were just prematurely paranoid.

‘i should probably sit down’ you broke the statuesque silence, eddie guided you to his sofa as if you were his 89 year old grandmother.

‘i’ll get you some water’ he immediately sprung up again after sitting you down.

you probably should have been more nervous than you were. not eddie’s level of panic but somewhere in the middle. weed had only ever given you a slight buzz and the giggles, surely there couldn’t be irredeemably dire consequences. eddie was running around looking for a bucket just in case you were sick and anything else you might need while you stared into space.

after a while, you could hear eddie talking to you… but every other noise in the world appeared just as loud and 10x more important.

‘oh fuck here we go’ eddie caught onto your darkening eyes and droopy muscles. he’d looked after you when you were sick, drunk and stoned. this was about to be his ultimate test.

‘you know,’ you started but got cut off by how dry your mouth was. ‘your place has always smelled good. it smells like boy, but YOU boy. good eddie boy you’ you blinked what felt like 900 times but it really really wasn’t.

‘oh yeah?’ eddie smiled slightly, his panic dying down a smidge as he was amused. he handed you a glass of water recognising the signs all too well.

‘thank you that’s brilliant’ you took the glass and chugged.

‘slow down sailor you don’t wanna make yourself puke’ eddie suppressed a grin, pushing the bucket closer to your feet just in case.

‘do you think sailors get land sick? like, if they’re so used to being at sea would that make them get sick from not wobbling about on a boat?’ your brow knotted with concern as eddie’s shoulders bobbed up and down. ‘wobbling. wobble. wobbly wobbly wobble’ you started to amuse yourself with a slight slur of the pronunciation while eddie’s giggles turned into hearty laughter.

‘that’s an amazing question that i unfortunately don’t have the answer for’ he rubbed a brewing tear of laughter from his face and stared adoringly at your hazed state.

‘since when do you not know everything? you know everything ever, actually. you always have an answer’ you responded with upmost seriousness. on a normal day, that might have come off as condescending. but weirdly, it gave eddie a huge confidence boost as he could tell you were being completely genuine.

‘i know what goes on in your brain, not sailors i’m afraid. i’ll try do better in the future’ he petted your head like a dog and ruffled your hair. god, it felt amazing. like a head massage worthy of 10 million dollars.

‘what am i thinking right now?’ you continued to slur, smiling into his touch.

‘mcdonald’s probably, though it might be a bit early for that stage’ he continued to massage your head, fantasising about how good it probably felt from your perspective. you may as well have been purring like a cat.

‘mcdonald’s…’ you whispered not even almost comprehending what that word meant. until approximately 15 seconds after it sunk in. ‘MCDONALD’S!’ you attempted to spring up but in real time just un-slumped your shoulders and opened your eyes wide. eddie did his biggest grin yet and handed you back the glass of water.

‘i’ll get the guys to pick some up on their way over. stay right here’ he kissed you on the forehead and made his way to the phone.

‘uhhh gareth i’m gonna need you to bring one of everything from mcdonald’s on your way here’ eddie didn’t even wait for gareth to say hello when he picked up the phone.

there was a sigh.

‘…how many did she eat’ gareth’s spidey senses tingled.

‘enough. too much actually, i’m in for a long-‘

‘HIIIIIII GARETHHHHH,’ you appeared out of fucking nowhere. ‘NUGGETS?’ why use a full sentence after all? just saying NUGGETS at the man would obviously do the trick.

‘coming right up scoob’ eddie could hear his smirk through the phone. ‘and what would you like shaggy?’

‘drop dead’ eddie responded through a smile. ‘…cheeseburger and fries please’

by the time the guys reached eddie’s trailer, you were in silent mode. your vision was fuzzy, skin felt like velcro, cotton mouth was in full swing, there was a constant ringing in your ear and blinking was becoming an actual task. eddie was starting to get concerned but found comfort in knowing food was on its way. unfortunately eddie opened the door to an unwelcome surprise.

‘no’ was all he said when he met eyes with dustin & mike.

‘what?’ jeff asked holding 2 bags of mcdonald’s, slurping from a straw sticking out of one.

‘they can’t be here, they’re 12’ eddie spoke about the two as if they couldn’t hear.

‘we’re 15!’ they said in unison.

‘no!’ he said again, using his body to block the doorway.

‘nuggets?’ you attempted to shout from the couch but it came out as a dry whisper. only eddie heard.

‘hand over the food’ he compromised the barricade by putting one arm out.

‘idiot!’ gareth barged through the small opening using his bag of food as a battering ram.

‘nuggets!’ you said just as quietly but with a smile this time.

eddie clambered onto the couch you were sitting on to place the brownies on the top shelf before swiftly turning to dustin & mike, gripping their shoulders tight.

‘i’m not supplying class b’s to a bunch of freshmen. its bad enough that she’s out of action,’ without looking, he pointed behind to your melting body. ‘i actually wanna get out of this town alive and not shot dead by mrs wheeler, okay?’ dustin and mike stared blankly, wide eyed but blankly.

‘you do know i’m taller than you-‘ mike broke his gaze to point to the brownies on the shelf.

‘ARE WE CLEAR?’ eddie interrupted, gripping them tighter.

‘yes eddie!’ they stuttered together.

‘good’ eddie smiled, brushing them down.

‘NUGGETS?’ you actually shouted this time behind them, still slumped on the couch. eddie did an almost balletic 180 turn to face you, face softening immediately.

‘coming right up princess’

dustin & mike got a slap on the back of their heads for giggling at the pet name.

15 nuggets, a large portion of fries and half of eddie’s burger later, everyone was starting to loosen up a bit. gareth & jeff saved their food for later so they could feel the full effect, eddie wouldn’t even consider getting stoned before you’d got through the worst of it and the freshmen were just happy to be there. they thought eddie was soooooo cool, yet here he was. babysitting you. being responsible… he thought his street cred was over. but they admired him more, deep down.

‘feeling better scoob?’ gareth was starting to get giggly and watching you devour a milkshake without breathing definitely fuelled it.

‘who..’ you remembered to breathe. ‘is scoob?’ back to slurping with no remorse.

‘i don’t know lets ask shaggy’ he threw the screwed up bag at eddie.

‘does that make you velma’ eddie threw it back in return.

‘dustin is velma, i’m daphne’ he flipped his imaginary long ginger hair. dustin and mike shared a confused yet amused glance.

‘does… does that make me… fred?….’ jeff skipped giggle phase and landed straight in deep thought mode.

‘aww they’re girlfriend boyfriend!’ dustin and mike teased, making kissy faces at them.

‘OHHHH, SCOOBY DOO!! i get it now…’ you nodded into your milkshake. everyone laughed. you didn’t understand why. ‘dustin is totally velma’

everyone was arguing about lord of the rings when eddie noticed you’d gone quiet. not just staying out of it quiet, but not even going to laugh at how silly the situation was quiet.

‘hey sweet,’ eddie said quietly so only you could hear. you tried to move your head up to look at him but it didn’t work. ‘too many scooby snacks?’ he gestured to all the empty food boxes at your feet.

‘mmh’ was all you could manage. he then noticed you’d gone green. without saying a word he picked you up bridal style and carried you to the bathroom, telling dustin only with his eyes what the situation was. dustin suggested they all go to the park, gareth & jeff too gone to realise eddie had carried you across the room. eddie placed you down in front of the toilet and held your hair in a makeshift ponytail, rubbing your back. you were there for a while. eddie was impressed it took this long, he thought you were hard as fucking nails. when it was all out your system he hooked his arm under your shoulders and propped you up on the sink. taking your special eddie’s trailer tooth brush he cleaned you up with a smile. he always did everything with a smile when it came to you, no matter how gross it may seem from the outside. he knew you’d be mortified when you properly came round but seeing you this vulnerable, being your sole caretaker, was weirdly his happy place. you did it for him all the time, he loved, ADORED returning the favour.

picking you up bridal style once again, he carried you to his bedroom. after placing you down as carefully as possible and moving you onto your side, he ran back to the couch to fetch the bucket & water.

‘ez’ you attempted to call for him for the 0.5 seconds he was out the room. that was “ed’s” in your mind.

‘i’m here, i’m here’ he crouched down to face you after placing everything down.

‘ar ou g wa?’ you weren’t even sure what you tried to say then. but eddie deciphered it.

‘i’m not going anywhere sweetheart,’ he swiped his thumb over your sweaty brow. ‘close your eyes’ he whispered before kicking off his shoes and gently getting in bed behind you, tucking you into his frame.

‘ove ou’

‘love you too’ he kissed your ear and stroked your hair until you fell asleep.

the next morning you woke up to the smell of coffee right under your nose. opening your eyes, you discovered a steaming cup on the bedside table and a distant clatter that can only be eddie getting frustrated in the kitchen. rubbing your eyes you sipped from the mug and shuffled closer to the noise.

‘morning’ you muttered, feeling very groggy.

‘good afternoon!’ eddie popped out from behind a cabinet door, hair in a bun with a wooden spoon in his mouth. ‘do you know how many times i’ve reheated that? i kept having to check you were still alive!’ he giggled to himself, removing the spoon from his mouth to give you a big kiss on the forehead.

‘how long was i out?’ you grabbed eddie’s wrist to check his watch. ‘IT’S FOUR THIRTY?’ you tapped at his watch thinking it would tell you something different if you kept attacking it.

‘gareth woke up in the park today, you should be grateful you had a bed to sleep in!’ eddie tucked your hair behind your ears, laughing. ‘shit!’ he noticed his mac & cheese burning.

‘i’m never eating mystery baked goods ever again’ you thousand yard stared over the brim of your coffee

‘serves you right, doll!’ he winced at the too hot mouthful but continued to shovel more in. ‘anyway,’ placing the saucepan down, he climbed onto the couch to retrieve the brownies. ‘it’s my turn’ he grinned.

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson imagine

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valkyriexo · 25 days

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My Favorite Princess | Hyunjin

ᑉ³pairing; Husband! Dad! Hyunjin x Reader

ᑉ³genre; Fluff

ᑉ³warnings; none

ᑉ³Authors Note; Hope you all enjoy :)

As you prepare for your daughter, Areum's Cinderella-themed birthday party, the air is alive with anticipation. Your little princess has been dreaming of this day for weeks, and you're determined to make it a fairytale come true.

With Hyunjin by your side, you dive into the task of transforming your home and backyard into a magical kingdom straight out of a storybook. The party decor team bustles around, hanging shimmering streamers in shades of blue and silver, while fairy lights twinkle like stars in the night sky.

"Let's place the Cinderella carriage centerpiece right in the center of the table," you suggest, pointing to the elegant coach adorned with sparkling crystals. "And we can scatter glass slipper confetti around it for an extra touch of magic."

As you direct the placement of each decoration, you can't help but feel a surge of joy at the thought of your daughter's delight. This party is more than just a celebration—it's a chance to make her dreams come true.

"Mommy, Daddy, look at this!" your daughter exclaims, twirling in her blue tulle dress as she examines the decorations. She is dressed in a custom-made Cinderella gown. As for you and Hyunjin, you've opted for a more casual approach to your attire, both donning outfits in shades of blue to match the party's color scheme.

"It's like I'm really in Cinderella's castle!" she continues.

You smile at her enthusiasm, feeling a warmth spread through your heart. "It's all for you, sweetheart."

Hyunjin crouches down to his daughter's level, his eyes sparkling with affection as he takes in her excitement. "You look absolutely beautiful, just like Cinderella herself," he says, his voice filled with warmth.

She giggles, twirling once more, the skirt billowing around her like a cloud of magic. "Thank you, Daddy!" she chirps, reaching out to take his hand. In her other hand, she clutches Jiniret, dressed like one of the mice from Cinderella. "I'm so happy!"

Your heart swells with love as you watch the tender moment between father and daughter. Despite the stress of last-minute preparations, seeing the joy on their faces makes it all worth it.

Hyunjin takes her hand gently, his touch reassuring as he leads her out towards the backyard. The sun casts a golden glow over the meticulously decorated space, where shimmering streamers in shades of blue and silver dance in the gentle breeze. A canopy draped with twinkling fairy lights adds a touch of enchantment to the scene, creating an atmosphere fit for a princess's celebration.

Meanwhile, you continue to oversee the placement of decorations, your attention focused on every intricate detail. Each corner of the backyard and house is adorned with magical touches. Banners depicting scenes from Cinderella's story flutter gently in the wind, adding to the whimsical ambiance.

As the party guests begin to arrive, your home fills with laughter and excitement. The air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked treats, from cupcakes adorned with edible glass slippers to sandwiches cut into pumpkin shapes. Tables are adorned with bowls of fruit arranged artfully to resemble a majestic castle.

Areum eagerly greets each newcomer with a radiant smile, her eyes scanning the crowd in anticipation, hoping to catch a glimpse of the "real-life Cinderella." She can hardly contain her joy as she awaits the arrival of the enchanting princess she's been dreaming of meeting.

"Daddy, Mommy, when is Cinderella coming?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Hyunjin chuckles warmly, ruffling her hair affectionately. "She'll be here soon, sweetheart," he assures her.

Your phone suddenly buzzes with an incoming call. With a furrowed brow, you step away to answer the incoming call. You were eagerly awaiting the delivery of the cake, and were hoping it wasn't a last-minute hiccup.

"Be back soon," you murmur, offering a reassuring smile before stepping away. "Hello?" you answer.

On the other end of the line, you hear a hurried voice speaking, delivering the news you had feared. "I'm sorry to inform you that the princess performer has fallen ill and won't be able to make it to the party," the voice says, its tone apologetic.

Anxiety begins to creep up within you as you hang up the phone, your mind swirling with worry. How will you possibly break this devastating news to your daughter? And more pressing still, how will you salvage her dream birthday party now?

In the background, curiosity sparkles in your daughter's eyes as she turns to Hyunjin. "Daddy, what do you think Cinderella's like?" she asks, her voice filled with wonder.

Hyunjin grins down at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I think she's probably very kind and brave, just like you," he replies, his voice soft and reassuring.

Your daughter beams at the comparison, her heart swelling with pride. "Do you think she has a prince, like in the story?" she asks, her excitement growing with each word.

Hyunjin's smile widens as he considers her question. "I think so," he says with a playful wink. "But let me ask you something, my little princess. What do you like the most about Cinderella?"

Your daughter's brow furrows in thought as she considers his question.

As she nods enthusiastically, she reaches out to squeeze Hyunjin's hand. "I love that Cinderella's prince always finds a way to be there for her when she needs him the most."

Hyunjin chuckles at her observation, his eyes shining with affection. "Ah, so you're a fan of the prince, then?" he teases, a playful grin tugging at his lips.

"He's like a hero," she declares, her eyes shining with admiration.

As your daughter's excitement fills the air, your thoughts race, scrambling for a solution to the sudden dilemma. It's already an hour into the party, and with the festivities in full swing, so finding a replacement princess performer seems virtually impossible.

Hyunjin's laughter breaks through your frantic thoughts, drawing your attention back to the present moment. His gaze flickers briefly to you, sensing something amiss. A subtle shift in your demeanor doesn't escape his notice, and a furrow creases his brow as he registers your troubled expression.

"Mommy, are you okay?" your daughter asks, her concern mirroring Hyunjin's.

You force a smile, attempting to reassure her. "I'm fine, sweetie," you say, your voice catching slightly. "Just... thinking about somethin-"

But before you can even finish the sentence, he's already spinning a new tale. "Oh my goodness, look who's here! Your best friend Ha-ri just arrived!" he exclaims, his voice filled with excitement.

"Really?" your daughter gasps, her eyes widening with anticipation.

Without another word, she darts off towards the entrance, her Cinderella gown billowing behind her as she races to see her friend.

As your daughter bounds off to greet the guests, Hyunjin's playful demeanor fades, replaced by genuine concern. He stands beside you, his hand gently squeezing yours as he senses your distress.

"Is everything alright?" he asks softly, his eyes searching yours for any hint of what has occured.

You take a deep breath, trying to steady your nerves. "The princess performer... she's unable to make it," you explain, your voice tinged with disappointment. "I don't know how to tell our daughter."

Panic continues to bubble within you, your mind racing with thoughts of your daughter's shattered expectations. She had been so excited for Cinderella to be there, and now you're at a loss for how to break the news to her.

"She's going to be devastated," you murmur, your voice catching with emotion. "All she wanted was Cinderella... she didn't even ask for presents."

Hyunjin's expression softens as he listens to your words, his heart aching for both you and Areum. He wraps his arm around you, pulling you close in a comforting embrace.

"I don't know what to do, Hyunjin," you admit, your voice trembling with worry. "How do we make this up to her?"

Hyunjin's arms tighten around you, his touch a comforting anchor in the storm of your emotions. "Shh, love, we'll figure it out," he murmurs, his voice gentle and soothing. "We'll make her birthday unforgettable, even without Cinderella."

Your words hang heavy in the air, the weight of disappointment pressing down on both of you. "But we'll never live it down if it doesn't happen," you whisper, tears threatening to spill from your eyes.

Hyunjin's touch is tender as he brushes away a stray tear. "Don't worry about that," he says softly, his voice filled with determination. "You worry about greeting the guests and looking pretty. I'll take care of it, okay?"

His words wrap around you like a warm blanket, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkness of your despair. With a shaky nod, you lean into his embrace, finding solace in the strength of his arms.

"Okay," you whisper, your voice barely above a breath. "Okay."

As Hyunjin presses a gentle kiss to your forehead, you feel a sense of calm wash over you. With a shaky exhale, you reluctantly release yourself from his embrace, returning your focus to the tasks at hand.

As you make your way to the backyard to check on the guests, Hyunjin disappears into the depths of the house, determined to salvage the birthday celebration. Amidst the hustle and bustle of serving guests and attending to last-minute details, you lose track of time.

An hour passes in a blur, and as you glance around , you realize that Hyunjin is still nowhere to be found. A sense of worry hits you.

Where could he be?

Before you can dwell on your concerns any further, your daughter's voice interrupts your thoughts. She stands before you, eyes wide with anticipation, hope evident in her voice.

"Mommy, is the princess coming soon?" she asks eagerly.

You search for the right words to soothe her, but the truth catches in your throat.

"I... I'm not sure, sweetheart," you reply, your voice faltering. "But let's focus on enjoying the party, okay?"

As your daughter's questions become more persistent and her restlessness grows, you feel the weight of your uncertainty bearing down on you. Each inquiry chips away at you, until you're on the brink of revealing the truth to her.

But just as you open your mouth to speak, the sound of hoofbeats and the creak of carriage wheels cut through the air, stopping you in your tracks.

Your daughter's eyes widen in wonder as she turns to you, a spark of hope dancing in her gaze. "Mommy, do you hear that?" she asks, her voice tinged with excitement.

Before you can respond, the source of the sound emerges from around the bend, and there, coming into view, is a magnificent horse-drawn carriage led by a majestic steed.

Your heart skips a beat as you recognize the unmistakable look of a horse-drawn carriage. At the reins is Minho, dressed in regal attire from head to toe. And in the carriage, dressed in shimmering all-white attire, is Hyunjin, a dazzling smile gracing his features.

As the carriage comes to a stop before you, your daughter's face lights up with sheer delight. "I get to have my own carriage!" she exclaims, her voice filled with joy.

Hyunjin chuckles warmly, stepping down from the carriage and sweeping your daughter into his arms. "Of course, my dear," he says, his tone tender. "Why bring Cinderella when you are already a princess? My favorite princess, at that."

Your daughter beams at the compliment, her cheeks flushing with happiness. "And every princess needs her prince, right?" she says, her eyes shining with adoration.

But the surprises don't end there. Coming out of the the carriage is Chan, dressed in an elaborate costume that can only be described as the Fairy Godmother.

Chan, with an exasperated sigh, straightens his posture and adopts a stern expression. He clears his throat.

"Hello, I am Chanita, your Fairy Godmother," he announces in a deadpan tone, clearly not thrilled about his role. You watch as Minho snickers in amusement.

But before he can continue, Hyunjin elbows him so hard that Chan's tone changes abruptly, now filled with excitement. "And I'm here to grant all your birthday wishes!" he exclaims, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

As Chan waves his wand theatrically, a burst of glitter fills the air, and your daughter's laughter fills the space around you. "Fairy Godmother!" she cries with glee, running towards Chan.

Your daughter giggles with delight as Chan scoops her up in his arms, placing her gently inside the carriage. She squeals with excitement as he lifts her, her laughter echoing through the air as she settles into the plush seat.

Meanwhile, Hyunjin descends from the carriage and comes to your side, a grin playing on his lips.

"How did this happen?" you ask incredulously, shaking your head in disbelief.

Hyunjin chuckles, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I may have called in a few favors," he admits, his tone teasing. "You know, just to make our little princess's birthday extra special."

You raise an eyebrow, unable to resist pressing for more details. "And how on earth did you convince Chan to be the Fairy Godmother?" you inquire, still trying to wrap your head around the unexpected turn of events.

A grin spreads across Hyunjin's face as he leans in to whisper in your ear. "Well, let's just say Changbin wasn't available, and Chan and Minho both lost a bet and owed me a favor," he confesses, his voice laced with amusement.

As your daughter's joyful laughter fills the air, she calls out to Hyunjin, her voice echoing with excitement. "Daddy, come ride with me!" she exclaims, her eyes alight with anticipation.

Hyunjin's eyes sparkle with amusement as he glances at you, a silent question in his gaze. With a nod and a smile, you encourage him to indulge your daughter's request.

As Hyunjin climbs into the carriage, he keeps his gaze fixed on you, his eyes filled with so much love it's palpable. A smile blooms on your lips, and the warmth in your eyes doesn't go unnoticed by your daughter.

"You really love mommy, don't you?" she observes, her voice filled with curiosity.

Hyunjin's smile widens as he turns his attention to his daughter, his heart overflowing with affection. "Yes, sweetheart," he confirms, his voice tender. "Your mommy is my favorite princess."

Your daughter's eyes light up with understanding, and she snuggles closer to him, her small hand finding his. "That's why you're always going to be my favorite prince."

"Why?" Hyunjin asks, his gaze softening with affection as he looks at his daughter, waiting for her answer.

"Because you love mommy more than anyone else," she continues, her gaze unwavering. "And I want to be just like you, loving someone so much it makes magic happen."

Hyunjin's heart swells with pride as he listens to his daughter's heartfelt words. "That's right," he murmurs, his voice filled with tenderness. "Your mommy is the most special person in the world to me."

He intertwines his fingers with hers, holding her hand gently as he speaks. "And you, my dear, are the most precious princess," he continues, his eyes shimmering with love.

With a shared smile, they set off on their enchanting carriage ride, the gentle clip-clop of the horse's hooves accompanying their journey.

As the wind tousles their hair and the golden sunlight bathes them in its warm glow, Hyunjin leans in to whisper in her ear. "Happy birthday my sweet girl," he says softly, his voice carrying the weight of a thousand promises. "I love you."

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leviscolwill · 10 months

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glue song

pairing: trent alexander arnold x reader

summary: after going picnicking with your little cousins, you feel like your relationship with your boyfriend has taken a new step (wc: 1k)

contents: established relationship, talk abt having kids, so fluffy you might die in it, suggestive ending i guess ??

note: i'm in a trent mood lately, just look at him being so babygirl. i want to be his controversially young gf so bad (gasly core)

reblogs and feedback are very very much appreciated 🫶

now playing: glue song by beebadoobee and clairo

when your cousin asked you to babysit her kids for the afternoon, you immediately accepted. you were very close to your family but still felt like you didn't see your cousin or her twin daughters enough so you jumped on the occasion.

trent had already met your family quite a few times but when you told him the news, he was already planning the whole day ahead wanting to make the most out of the afternoon you'll spend with olivia and amalia.

he'd prepared custom sandwiches for them according to their taste and he forced you to bake cookies with him for them.

"come on it'll be fun." he practically pleaded.

"but trent you know that we can't bake to save our life."

"we ? who is we ? i'm a great baker." he replied side eyeing you while grabbing every ingredient needed. it was the truth, sort of. trent was not a great baker but he was definitely better than you, his cookies were edible (most of the time) and even good, sometimes.

but baking with trent was always a hustle, you tried to focus on the recipe while he wanted to wing it, saying it would taste better this way.

"you should listen to the real chef here love, it's not a big deal if we don't put the exact same amount of vanilla you know. now, be a good sous-chef and grab the whip for me please" he told you with a cocky grin, he knew how you would react to his words, exactly how he wanted you to.

you grabbed the whip only to playfully hit his shoulder with it while trent dramatically whined that you wanted him injured for the start of the season.

it didn't surprise you that your boyfriend was this excited about spending his day with actual kids, the way he was behaving like one right now.

after at least an hour of battling with trent, and cleaning your flour-maculated kitchen, your cookies were ready. and after tasting one (for research purposes, of course), you could say they were good, 'probably the best thing ever baked' in your boyfriend's words.

after a while, your shared house's doorbell finally rang, and trent nearly jumped out of his seat to open the door, you followed him and welcomed your cousin and her 7 year old daughters.

"thank you so much for babysitting them today, they're very happy to see their favorite aunty and uncle." your cousin beamed while giving you their bags, heavy with toys.

"we're also happy to spend some time with them, we have a great afternoon planned." you replied with a smile. trent who had his hand on your waist was quick to agree with you too.

after olivia and amalia hugged their mum goodbye, trent was already grabbing your bags full of sandwiches, sweets, and freshly baked cookies.

"uncle trent did you know my team won the school's football competition in may." amalia beamed at trent while she told him how she scored the winning goal for her team, thanks to her sister's brilliant assist. seeing trent and your little cousins get along this well made your chest feel warm at the scene, you almost wished for today to never end, although it was far from over.

once you settled your large blanket in the park, your boyfriend chose. you gave olivia and her sister their sandwiches with a kiss on their forehead. you turned around to take your own when you met trent eyes and his lovesick smile.

"why are you looking at me like that ?" you asked him with a shy smile as you felt the blush creep up your cheeks.

"do i need a reason to stare at my girl now ?" he answered, quickly pressing a kiss on your lips.

"ewww." olivia covered her eyes in disgust, while amalia pretended to throw up.

you laughed at their dramatic reactions and took a bite of the sandwich prepared by trent.

after the girls finished their sandwiches, they tasted the homemade cookies and absolutely loved them.

"of course they're perfect, they were made by liverpool's best baker." trent beamed pointing at himself. you rolled your eyes while olivia and amalia laughed at his ridiculous claim.

when it was finally time to go, you cleaned up everything while your cousins started walking to the car holding each other's hands.

"come on let's go home, my three princesses." he said, while bringing your hand to his lips to kiss the back of it and kiss the side of your head while you started walking, holding hands like teens.

after your cousin picked up olivia and amalia, and thanked you again, the house seemed oddly silent. not the awkward kind of silence but a comforting one, the kind of silence you often shared with trent when words weren't needed.

"i really had fun today you know." trent broke the silence, stroking your hair.

"yeah, i noticed that, i'm glad you get on well with them."

"i think you'd be a great mum." he said almost in a whisper. you did not expect this. trent and you have been together for over a year already, but you've never had this talk.

"are you trying to tell me something ?" you asked, looking up at him.

"i don't know, not really, i was just thinking that maybe-" you put an end to his suffering quickly when you noticed his stammering.

"i'm joking trent... i think you'd be a great dad, the best actually."

he looked at you lovingly and kissed you in a manner that was definitely different than when the girls were here.

his kisses started trailing down your neck as you moved your head to the side, implicitly telling him to keep going.

"should we start practicing then mmh ?"

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sanctum-of-ramshackle · 1 year

Text

Egg Waffles, anyone?

[TWST AU]: MC/Yuu sells waffles (and other desserts) to get by.

[Synopsis]: In this timeline, what if MC/Yuu starts selling the Hong Kong-styled Waffles and other delicious snacks from their home world? That way it can provide enough Madol for both Grim and themselves than whatever allowance Crowley has given them. (Cheapskate bastard-)

[Gender Neutral MC/Yuu]

[TW]: Little bit of Ace slander

[(A/N)]: I actually work at my mom’s dessert bar and we make fresh waffles with ice cream + toppings or just plain with the option of adding sugar powder. Another note is if you don’t know what it looks like. It’s something like this:

[Original Image Source]: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnn.com/travel/amp/hong-kong-bubble-waffles/index.html

[(A/N)]: There’s also a recipe I found that maybe anyone can try out.

[Egg Waffle recipe]: https://youtu.be/VNDvNUpT-f8

youtube

Ever since falling into Twisted Wonderland, MC/Yuu and Grim were the only ones staying at the abandoned building widely known as the Ramshackle Dorm at Night Raven College.

With money being tight and Crowley who probably is a stingy crow, the two need to find a solution for their financial troubles.

Then MC/Yuu remembers something: The Egg Waffles.

MC/Yuu: Wait! I have an idea to earn more Madols!

Grim: Really?! What?

MC/Yuu: Egg Waffles!

Grim: *Confused* What waffles?

MC/Yuu: They’re waffles that were sold back in my home world. They’re delicious. It’s like mini edible pockets: crispy on the outside, fluffy in the inside. I don’t think anyone around here thought of this. Come on. Let’s experiment.

For the next week, the Ramshackle Dorm is filled with the scent of freshly made waffles.

The smell even attracted some troublemakers: The ADeuce Duo.

You see, Ace and Deuce only want to visit their friends as someone wanted answers for Professor Trein’s history assignment. (Looking at you, Ace. You jerk /j.)

Deuce only came along to try talking Ace out of cheating- Taking advantage- purposefully finding answers without effort.

*Sighs* Who am I kidding? He will and always find shortcuts to everything- Little Bastard Boy…

Anyway, the two Heartslabyul students are heading to the ol’ dorm and when they arrived, the fresh smell of Hong Kong style-Waffles hits their olfaction receptors.

Ace: Prefect, we need your-

MC/Yuu: Ace, Deuce! Thank god you’re here. Quick, try these samples. *Shoves some waffles in their mouths*

Deuce: *Muffles* Mm! These are…delicious!

Ace: *KOFF!* *KOFF!* What was that for?!

MC/Yuu: Sorry. I needed honest reviews for these waffles. I’m planning to sell some so Grim and I won’t suffer in money troubles.

Deuce: They tasted amazing. What kind of waffles are they?

MC/Yuu: They’re called Egg Waffles that originated from a country back in my world. Traditionally eaten as plain, but they are trendy with ice cream and other toppings added inside. Anyway, there’s work to be done before it’s ready for everyone.

Ace: Wait. Before you continue these experiments, you did the assignment for Professor Trein’s class, right?

MC/Yuu: …Do you want another waffle shoved up your a-?

Anyway, the ADeuce duo left, with some waffles.

The following week, MC/Yuu asked Crowley if they can open a small business within their dorm so they won’t pester him every time for allowances.

Surprisingly he let them. (Not for their sake, but he also heard rumors within the school that the Ramshackle Dorm is scented of baked goods. He wanted to try them.)

Now, business is open!

[Waffle Joys Official Opening!]

MC/Yuu: I can’t believe this isn’t a dream. We’re gonna be okay, Grim.

Grim: You said it! Can’t wait for limitless tuna… *Salivating from the thoughts of tuna cans*

[Doorbell jingles, revealing the First Years as the first customers.]

MC/Yuu: Welcome to Waffle Joys!

Ace: Yo, MC/Yuu!

Deuce: We came by to congratulate you on opening day.

MC/Yuu: Aww thanks guys.

Sebek: What are the specials? I must know as I heard you can make some with ice cream inside. Not because of me, but for Waka-sama.

Epel: Yeah! I want one before Etiquette class.

Jack: Small snack after practice.

MC/Yuu: Coming right up! They’re based on familiar desserts.

[🧇THIS WEEK’S WAFFLE SPECIALS!!!🧇]

Cherry Pie Waffle

Purin Waffle

Cinnamon Apple Waffle

Sweetened Pear Waffle

Macaron Delight Waffle

[After waiting for their orders, they got their respective desserts and thanked their friend before heading out back to their usual routines.]

MC/Yuu: *Counting the money* You think this will start a successful business one day?

Grim: I think so? Whatever. As long as I get tuna.

MC/Yuu: *Sighs* You and your tuna.

[DING! DING! DING!]

MC/Yuu: Welcome to Waffle Joys! Wait, Azul?

Azul: Charmed to see me, Prefect~?

Jade: It’s a pleasure seeing you again, Prefect~

Floyd: Hey, Koebi-chan!

MC/Yuu: Azul, I’m not falling for another deal after what happened back then. What is the real reason why to came to Ramshackle?

Azul: Oh, how harsh of you to assume I would drag you into another deal.

MC/Yuu: Just spit out what you want.

Azul: I want your business to collaborate with the establishment of the Monstro Lounge.

MC/Yuu: *Wields up their waffle iron* Absolutely not. First of all, I started this business because Grim and I aren’t getting enough support from Crowley and second, how do I know I’m not trapping myself into another unfortunate end because of you?

Azul: I’m not making you a deal. I only decided to come by because, well…

MC/Yuu: *Realization hits them* I’m stealing your customers, aren’t I.

Azul: *Grasps on their shoulders* How did you do it?

MC/Yuu: Easy. I just remember something nostalgic and whipped them up with modern takes.

Azul: *Lets go* I need you at Monstro Lounge. Now.

MC/Yuu: No way. If you want your “precious regulars” back, how about advertising both our respective eateries and with a fair price on our ends. Is that fine with you?

Azul: Hmm…If it attracts more customers, then it’s a deal.

MC/Yuu: *Slams an unsigned contract in front of Azul* By my contract, not your Unique Magic.

Azul: *Taken aback* How long were you holding this?

MC/Yuu: Since I first experimented, I knew you’ll come around.

[DING! DING! DING!]

MC/Yuu: Welcome to Waffle Joys!

Crowley: Greetings, Prefect!

MC/Yuu: Crowley, this is surprising to see you as you’ll only come because of “favors.”

Crowley: Oh no no! I only came to try this Egg Waffle because some students were posting pictures on MagiCam and it’s trending.

MC/Yuu: Well, I did ask permission and you given in the idea. So what waffle would you like to order?

[10 minutes later]

MC/Yuu: Here’s your waffle, Headmaster Crowley! Enjoy your order!

[He ordered a Charcoal Black waffle with Black sesame ice cream and sliced toasted almonds, sprinkled with powdered sugar. On top of that is drizzled with condensed milk.]

[Now Crowley joined the Waffle Frenzy.]

Now I’m imagining that if an Overblot breaks out, MC/Yuu would pull out their waffle iron.

Then, “WHAM!!!”

Knocks over the person in despair, coughing out a Blot stone (Which they caught before Grim could eat it).

The Overblot victim comes back to their normal state, and MC/Yuu gives them a waffle as an apology since they “didn’t know their own strength.”

✨[Reblogging helps creators and creates more content.]💫

#disney twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland #twst #twst au #twisted wonderland mc #twst mc #twisted wonderland yuu #twst yuu #Waffle Maker!MC #Waffle Maker!Yuu #Dessert Master!MC #Dessert Maker!Yuu #twisted wonderland headcanons #twst headcanons #twisted wonderland scenarios #twst scenarios #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #Youtube

869 notes · View notes

joelsmochi · 5 months

Text

closer

rating: E 18+ pairing: tortured artist!Joel x black!girly!f!reader summary: Joel hits a creative block with a mural, leading him down a road of discovery and intimacy in ways he's never felt before. warnings: au/no outbreak, unspecified drug use + marijuana use, unprotected piv, sex while under the influence, consenting adults!!! age is not specified but we can assume joel is mid 40s, brief mentions of death + abusive relationships, ooc!Joel (he is not the same person he was 1/2 pill ago…), third person pov but most of it is from joel’s perspective, very fluffy sex they may have said i love you wc: 5.3k a/n: Happy New Year everybody! This was inspired by Closer by Goapele and Prisoner by The Weeknd & Lana Del Rey plus I was thinking too hard about the time I ate an edible that had too much THC for me to handle and I produced whatever this is. Hopefully tortured artist!Joel hasn’t happened yet because I felt creative with this one…

ᝰ

The frayed paintbrush relentlessly slapped against the concrete wall, coating the discolored brick in thick layers of different browns, reds, and whites. Opaque smoke blurred his vision, yet he only let it inspire the strokes of his hand, creating a beautiful image that wasn’t clear to him yet.

Before he knew it, the sun had set; he sat on his hard leather sofa, massaging the twinge that had settled into his wrist while his face wore a disappointed scowl. He was displeased with his progress, the blob that was already half dry on the wall of his loft.

A rumble snuck into his stomach, forcing him to stand up and absentmindedly walk into the kitchen area. However, his disappointment grew when he opened the fridge to find nothing suitable for a proper meal. As he glared at the half-eaten yogurt and scarce 24-pack of beer, he decided to go and get Chinese food.

He lit up a cigarillo to accompany his walk around the block and across the street, tossing whatever was left into a sewer drain just in time for him to open the door to the restaurant.

“Miller,” a worker greeted with a smile, “your usual?”

Unknown to him, the smell of his cigar caught the attention of a waiting customer. She waited until he was done chatting with the employee to ask, “Cream?”

He did a double take, unsure if she was talking to him at first. She was tall, maybe five foot nine or five foot ten, with big hair and brown skin, and dressed in something far too lovely for her to be eating Chinese for dinner.

“I’m sorry?”

“You smell like cream-flavored cigars,” she said, sounding amused.

He felt unsure of how to respond, not wanting to seem rude, watching her diamond earrings gleam from the low yellow lighting. He paid for his food and answered. “Yeah, just had one.”

“Black and mild or swisher?”

“Blacks,” he answered, growing a little uneasy from the stranger questioning him despite the mundane topic.

“My favorite,” she boasted, earning another look from him after he put his change in the tip jar. “They’re much smoother.”

The man didn’t respond, only offering a tight smile in return. The pair stood a few feet apart silently, listening to people chattering and utensils clanking behind the counter as they waited.

She smelled like expensive brown sugar perfume and cocoa butter, a sickly sweet combination that tickled his sense of smell. Her scent was reminiscent of a freshly baked cookie a kid couldn’t wait to dive into. She was dressed in a lovely skirt and a prissy top paired with a mix of gold and silver rings and necklaces and bracelets — two colors he usually hated paired together, but somehow, she made it blend beautifully.

Her makeup was soft, or so it seemed. It wasn’t too heavy, but her eyebrows were bold, as was the line drawn around her vermilion border. He noticed she blinked slowly but held her eyes wide as if she anticipated something to happen.

The employee’s voice brought the two adults out of their daydreams.

“Beef and broccoli and chow mein?” They asked.

The artist waited kindly for the woman to grab her bagged styrofoam container before reaching for his own; he walked a few feet behind her, suddenly feeling bad for his cold demeanor earlier once they were outside.

“You want one?” He called after her before she got too far away; she turned around with a frown, confused at his offering.

He reached into his pocket and held up a couple of fresh cigars. She grinned, secretly desperate for a smoke. Her heels clicked against the pavement as she strutted back towards him. She strutted like a cat, one leg crossing the other.

She allowed the man with the messy hair the privilege of placing the stick between her plump lips, keeping her eyes on his as he watched where he was lighting.

She took a long drag, waiting for him to get his cigarette lit before asking, “What’s your name?”

His eyebrow cocked up, and if she didn’t know any better, she’d say he was amused. But he answered anyway.

“Joel.” He sharply inhaled; she responded with her name and a smile, thick smoke spilling out from the spaces between her teeth as she gently exhaled. “You from around here?”

“No,” she said, “I like to travel. See new places. Find new things… Right now, I’m fixated on museums—art museums precisely.”

That piqued his interest. “Art? What kind of art d'you like?”

“Any art that speaks to me.”

Joel smirked at her answer as if it were funny. “Oh yeah? What speaks to you?”

Instead of her usual quick response, she pondered momentarily, trying to locate proper words to avoid rambling. “Suffering or excitement.”

He could only narrow his eyes at the vague response, but she spoke again before he could ask for an elaboration.

“You must like art,” she guessed correctly.

“I’m uh…” And there’s a long pause; the rhetorical shame of confessing what his job was had risen, but for what purpose? After a short internal debate, he finally admitted, “I’m an artist myself.”

Her eyes widened with excitement, which Joel found adorable. She asked him various questions: what kind of art he created, how long he’d been painting, his favorite creations…

He admired her interest in the subject and how she listened carefully and intently, clearly trying to understand as much as possible about him.

“How do you stay inspired all the time?”

Shit.

Joel’s mind ran blank for a few seconds, and he watched the woman’s face contort into confusion. She worried she’d brought up an unhealed wound and persisted that he didn’t need to answer.

“No, it’s nothing like that,” Joel assured, “I’ve honestly been at a block lately…”

“Oh.” She sounded relieved. “Do you do anything to help get over that?”

He sucked on his teeth as he thought of an appropriate answer, yet nothing came to mind. He couldn’t lie even if he wanted to. “Just wait for it to pass.”

“…Could... Could I see your art?”

For the first time, she seemed to be shy. Her teeth grimaced, and eyebrows crooked out of fear of rejection, but Joel was sure he was far more nervous than she was.

"Uh, sure..." He said hesitantly. "What I have at home is nothing special, but-"

"I'm sure it's beautiful," she interrupted. "I'm free right now if that works."

ᝰ

This was unlike him: inviting a girl he'd just met into his home. She had something that enamored him. What was it, he wondered with each passing minute, was it her beauty or curiosity? Was it the way she smiled or how sweet her voice sounded? He couldn't ponder for much longer as she had already begun complimenting his home.

"A loft," she said while taking in the brick walls of his home that were littered with several paintings that all seemed to be works in progress. "It's cozy." Joel watched as her painted nails gently trailed over the armrest of his stiff couch just before she reached up to feel a painting of what seemed to be a little girl.

His staring made the woman laugh, and while he could admit he was being a bit precarious, he just wanted to ensure she wouldn't mishandle that particular piece. She didn't. She just reached to stroke the texture meant to resemble the girl's curly hair; she touched it for only a moment before pulling away and turning around.

After realizing the painting was sacred to him, she asked, "Is that someone you know?"

His shoulders and chest rose as he sucked in a melancholic breath, and she couldn't ignore the sadness that swarmed his eyes.

The woman was satisfied with no answer and moved on quickly. "May I eat with you?"

Joel gave her a stiff nod, his thoughts still filled with the traumatic memories of the girl in the photo.

They sat quietly and slowly ate their food, the lack of heat from their containers making the meal invaluable. The silence comforted him as it felt much different than the cold silence he was used to. No. Her silence was warm and comforting... Like a mother caring for a sick or sad or sleeping child. She didn't offer any awkward glances or stiff smiles. She didn't hide her joy or her optimism despite his distant demeanor.

Her eyes weren't as big as they were just an hour ago. Perhaps the food made her sleepy, he thought.

"Where ya from?" He figured he should at least be a good host.

"Rockport. It's a small town in Massachusetts. You?"

"Born and raised here," he answered.

"Really?" She squinted at him while poking at broccoli with a fork. "Never wanted to leave?"

Shrugging, he said, "Thought about leaving, never needed to."

"Is that painting supposed to be the same girl?"

She pointed to the spontaneous mural partly done on the big red wall opposite to them. He looked at it, forming different opinions and thoughts on his work.

"No. Not entirely sure what that one is yet," he grunted. "Needed to paint something, but I can't quite figure it out yet."

"You should do a self-portrait," she suggested with a wide grin. "I'd love to see how you see yourself."

"Nah, if I did that, it'd just be a college-ruled notebook with a bunch'a scribbles in it."

She chuckled at his pessimism, gaining a confused look from him. "So? Maybe someone would see something between the scribbles."

"I don't like painting myself," he said firmly.

She couldn't care less about his seriousness; she saw his need for perfection and keeping busy with work. Seeing the distress on the average person's face wasn't unfamiliar to her; all she wanted to do was take it away.

"Your art is lovely, Joel," she spoke truthfully, "For what it's worth, I think you'd paint yourself beautifully."

He chewed on his bottom lip for a few seconds, taking in her warm smile and gentle words.

"You're very kind," he admitted, "thank you."

The temptress walked and stood in front of the mural to admire the thick blobs of paint that were still tacky. She saw the vision but just as quickly saw the block.

"You seriously do nothing to help the creative blocks?"

With a slight frown, he shook his head to confirm. "Just try working on something else until I find my rhythm again."

"Why not? Why not music or movies or going outside for more than Chinese on a Thursday evening?"

Feeling a bit antagonized, Joel scowled at her. "I paint what's in my head, not around me."

"Maybe that's the problem." She sat close to him on the floor and nudged his shoulder with hers. "Maybe you've painted all you know, and you're stuck right now because there's nothing new inside that pretty little head a'yours."

"Flattery only gets you so far, sweetheart."

"It got me in your apartment, did it not?"

His scowl grew, and he felt no need to hide his annoyance from her.

"Just tryna help," she smirked.

"I don't need your help."

"Clearly not," she simpered; she pulled a bag of ground weed from her purse and held it up for him to see. "Maybe you need Mary's help."

"You're fucking joking."

"It helps me," she said softly. "When I don't smoke, I'm a very anxious and shy person."

Joel's eyes fell to her hands, which were beginning to work the weed into a paper very carefully, watching her roll it precisely. "Really?" He asked incredulously.

"Mock me all you want, Joel, but I must say that even a couple of hits can make you feel ten times better."

"Not interested," he quipped.

"Well... If weed isn't your speed, then maybe..." She licked the paper shut and placed it on the table, then reached in her purse again for a bag containing different colored pills. "...ecstasy would be more fitting."

"You expect me to take drugs from a stranger?" He asked.

She leaned her chin on his shoulder and whispered, "I'm no stranger, Joel. I'm your inspiration."

He found himself laughing at her choice of words, not paying her any mind as she climbed into his lap. She placed a pill between the rows of her teeth and bit down to break it in half, offering him whichever half was smaller.

"You don't have to if you really don't want to... But it will help."

Her voice was so enticing that Joel was sure he was already high from the affection she persisted in giving him.

"Help me paint?" He asked, still not entirely convinced.

"Help you create."

Joel thought about it: he had nothing left in his life to live for other than his talent for painting, and he even felt that it was being wasted on unproductive days and constant disappointments.

For months, all he wanted was to create one last masterpiece and to feel proud of it. If all it took was to give in to some strange form of peer pressure, then that's just what needed to be done.

Almost an hour later, however, his worries about art were set aside.

With his head lying in the pretty woman's lap, he tried remembering why he had been so angry before. He let her stroke the curly hairs on his head and trace his lips over and over again.

"You're doing good," she cooed gently.

"You're very, um," he swallowed between his heavy breaths, "nurturing."

He noticed the woman's eyebrow shift upwards, and an amused hum left her mouth. "Hm. No one's ever said that before."

"Really?" Joel began to realize how dry his throat became. "Well, it's a compliment."

"Thank you," she giggled. "Thirsty?"

"Mmhm," he moaned.

Reaching over to grab the water bottle on the floor, she took a long sip as she felt parched before holding his head up to help him drink some. He felt her sticky lip gloss around the rim and found himself latching even harder onto the plastic container.

She let him drink as much as he needed before closing the bottle and helping him stand up, urging him to paint something.

He felt a wave of heat envelope his body, the hairs along his arms and neck dancing along his skin. He wanted to laugh, but nothing was funny, so he tried to hold it in. He followed her around the room and watched the ends of her hair bend and curl around her arms. She opened a few paint bottles, squeezing some onto his stained palette and holding the brush out for him. She couldn't help but laugh at the elation in his wide eyes; he was definitely in a much better mood than before.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, not bothering with the meaningless utterance of words and just giving into his need to kiss her. She wasn't surprised by the gesture, inviting his tongue into her mouth for more. She tasted the cigar on his breath and lips, ignoring how bitter it seemed.

The paintbrush smeared itself against Joel's elbow, causing him to jolt back in shock, only to laugh when he realized the purple-coated paintbrush was bending on its own. He took it from her hand and approached the wall, immediately getting to work.

While he worked and ranted about how the piece was "basically painting itself," she undressed slowly while prancing around the room and humming to some tune that found its way into her head. Joel saw the colors blend and separate, waiting for the wall to respond with where his next brush stroke should be.

The woman found herself looking at that painting of the little girl again. She was unable to quiet her curiosity.

"Is she your daughter?"

Her voice broke the string tying him to his work, and he stumbled around a bit before turning around and facing her with an asking face. He let his tools go and followed the sound of the siren, looking deeply into her wide eyes.

"She was my daughter," he admitted freely, something he refused to do as often as possible.

"Where is she?"

He noted how concerned she seemed and took it as an invitation to confide in her.

“She uh… She died ‘bout ten years ago.”

Joel felt her fuzzy arms weave around him, encompassing him with a sense of comfort. It was the first time he could talk about the tragedy without bursting into tears. Her lips pressed warm kisses into his forehead and temples as she attempted to bathe him in consolation.

He removed his head from the crook of her neck to look at her face. Her eyes, although appearing a bit lopsided, were still wide and curious, like she was still waiting for something. He tried to focus on just her, but all he wanted was to paint wanted was to paint wanted was to paint wanted was to pai-

A shriek broke him out of his trance: the woman seemed surprised about the splatter of paint that got on her bare chest and arms. Joel blinked rapidly and tried to decipher what had happened between talking about his daughter and... Now.

Had time managed to escape him? Was he too out of it to realize that? And who put on the jazz music?

The brown liquid dripped down her body and hid her nipples; he found the motion fascinating. How happy she seemed to be coated in the cold dispense helped him feel more at ease and join in laughing with her. Her hair, frizzier than before, somehow gave the illusion that she was underwater. It just flowed so freely.

"You are a mermaid in the most beautiful depths of the sea," Joel shouted dramatically.

"Wh-what?" She giggled before smearing a finger-lengths of paint onto his forehead.

His hand absentmindedly poked the paintbrush into her collarbone, tickling her in the process. "You are free... And kind... Did you turn the music on?"

And she's giggling again. God, he couldn't get enough of that sound. She was a siren, manipulating him with her songs of joy and laughter.

"You told me to," she answered; only Joel took a few minutes to process it. She covered her hand in yellow paint, cradled his cheek, and let the print of her hand stick to his face as if she were marking her territory. "I'm glad I met you tonight, Joel," she said quietly.

Instinctively, he beckoned for her to close the space between them. "Oh, yeah? Why's that?"

Her arms snaked around his neck as she looked at his aura and vented. "I was supposed to go on a date tonight with my ex-boyfriend. He wasn't the greatest guy. Abusive. Angry. But my parents love him, and they say he's changed, so... I wanted to try again."

Joel's drug-induced nosiness got the better of him. "Why didn't you?"

She sighed, a smirk daring to grow on her face. "I wanted to make him feel stupid."

He wrapped his arms around her waist at her wise words, holding her close as if she would blow away had he exhaled too hard.

"M'glad I met you too," he admitted. "Did I spill paint on you?"

"Just a bit, but it was my fault. You were in a daze," she admitted bashfully.

The pair took a few minutes to look at each other, feel their spirits, and soak up the serenity between the small gap in their lips.

"Do you wanna fuck?"

Those words would have left Joel speechless in any other scenario at any other time on any other day. But he was high out of his fucking mind, and once his brain had fully processed her question, he answered with a short and sweet "Yes."

He waited patiently as the vixen undressed him, and she took her precious time; her knuckles grazing the wiry hair along his pelvis sent hot shivers across his abdomen before his jeans pooled around his ankles. Lifting his arms to aid in the removal of his shirt, he flinched and giggled childishly when she placed a kiss or two along his collarbone.

She gasped at the nails digging into her sides, his hands begging for more because his voice was too weak to. The desperation grew in his eyes, and he wanted to feel close to her. To feel all of her depths and shallows and curves and grooves. Her essence rendered him helpless. The smell of her perfume was even more sickly than he recalled, but all the much more sweet.

Their bodies danced onto the floor, bending and curling around each other like snakes.

"I was always afraid of this," he spoke as she worked her hand around him, not that he needed it. "Feeling close with someone. After my last... You know."

She smiled at his words, telling him with her eyes: I know.

"I was so scared to feel close to someone..." She admitted. "After him, I wanted to be left alone. Untouched."

"What changed that- oh, fuck," Joel moaned, feeling her wetness encapsulate him.

"Someone found me, ha-ah, hmm... And took care a'me, just like I'm doing for you."

Joel clawed at her back, reaching for her hair, but his arms were too heavy, with the quick rushes of euphoria soaring through his veins. Her moans and pretty little sounds coaxing him into blindness. He couldn't see her face, covered in the universe of her bangs littered with stars and planets, until she leveled her happy face with his. The shimmer in her glossy eyes let him know she enjoyed this just as much as him.

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met, ever s-seen," he moaned.

Finally able to lift his arms, he used them to hold her face gently. He admired her refreshing beauty. She moaned something about how sweet he was, though it went unregistered to him.

All he could feel was her thighs flexing against his hips every time she rode down, and he felt his cock brush that sensitive sponge deep inside of her. Her hands pressed painfully into his ribcage, but he didn't mind. He loved that she needed him so much that it hurt.

She laid her body down on his chest, bringing her lips to his chin; he whimpered at the softness of her lips, his warm breath hitting her nose and making her body shudder. His mouth parted to stick his tongue out for her to lick and suck, which she did graciously.

He never knew his tongue could feel so ticklish or that having it licked would feel so damn good. It made his cock throb against her walls, forcing a moan out of the both of them. Her nails scratched his scalp tenderly, hips rocking back and forth, creating the perfect rhythm.

Her breasts dragged against the hairs on his chest, making some of the dried brown paint flake onto him; her nippled peaked, vulnerable from the friction.

Joel wrapped his forearms around the base of her spine and rolled over as carefully as his intoxicated body would allow. With hair splayed out, she looked so ethereal, like a walking painting herself.

Then, he noticed a bucket of paint sitting nearby and dipped two of his long fingers inside, dragging the white liquid down the valley of her breasts until he reached the peak of her belly. He noticed how her body reacted: all of the little shakes and shudders signs of appreciation made his heart swell.

His hand reached around her hip to grip her ass as he rested his body weight on her and enveloped her in more kisses. His hips rocked gently and slowly, careful not to hurt her. He wanted to feel her cum and hear her beg him to keep going.

To her, it felt like he pushed deeper with each thrust, begging her body to swallow him whole and allow him the grace of becoming one with her. Her eyes were so low, yet she was seeing more clearly than ever. Seeing his aura radiate off of his broad shoulders and tousled hair - it was a haze of blue and purple. But hers were shades of reds and oranges in his eyes, a fiery tyrant that bullied him with praise and adoration.

His nose tickled her chin while his lips made their way up to plant another kiss on her sweet, sweet mouth. The alcohol in her perfume singed the hairs along his face and nostrils, pilling the hairs on his arms.

"Harder, ngh- please," she murmured.

He saw her blown pupils roll gently beneath her eyelids as beads of sweat formed along her hairline. Her breathing was shallow and short. She was close.

Licking his reddened lips, he pushed her knees back until they were flush with her jawline and shifted his body weight from his knees to his toes, then changed the force of his hips without changing the rhythm.

She loved that he listened to her: harder did not mean faster, and he fucking perfected it. Almost like he knew just how hard to go.

Joel drove into her deep enough to make her cunt squelch and clench around his thick cock. He felt clumsy inside of her like he was tripping up over his own orgasm. He felt all of her ridges and curves, the smooth and the rough; everything intensified in a way that could only be described by the God he didn't believe in.

But she had him questioning that in the back of his mind. He would have believed that she was God herself if he wasn't aware of how high he was. She looked celestial, her mouth forming an 'o', and her hair sprawled around her shimmering face. Even with her mascara flaking and running slightly, she seemed so content, so pleased.

Joel's desperation to come inside of her was almost primal, instinctive... If her nails weren't digging so sharply into his forearms, he wasn't sure whether or not he would have been able to hold back.

He didn't ease up on her throughout her orgasm. Honestly, he didn't think too much about it. He never wanted right now to end. With a sense of ecstasy coursing through his veins, he managed to turn into something he tried so hard not to be. He craved her body, her kisses.

He pulled her into his lap before resting his cheek on her breast. He inhaled the musk of her sweat deeply, cherishing the divine woman she was. She felt as beautiful as she looked. She fucked just as sweet as she smelled.

His clammy hand ran over her flexed calve as she bounced on him. Her movements were sloppy from his tight grip, not that either of them cared. She was sure not to go too high or come down too hard, allowing her pussy to drip white remnants of her orgasm onto his balls. He licked and kissed and bit her tits as a submissive thank you.

She kissed the top of his hair, strumming her fingers along his scalp. "Joel," she moaned, "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby," he grunted almost instantly.

Raising his head to look back at her blissed out face, he pulled her even closer. His chin dug into her clavicle, but his neediness only made her laugh softly.

Joel's face twitched as his body proposed its orgasm, his dick throbbed roughly against her sensitive walls. She gasped, taking it as a sign to fuck him faster despite the burning in her legs. He winced at her arms weighing heavier into his collarbones but just clawed at her ass to power through the pain.

She placed a hand over his heart and pushed gently, forcing him to feel the thumping against his chest. He felt so much of his anger and pain dissipate beneath her touch, instilling love and peace in place of it.

"You're so precious," he whispered. A lovely smile rose onto her face, one that drove him crazy. He looked at her with big puppy eyes that threatened to fill with tears. She licked along her teeth and bit her bottom lip. "I love y-you..." He knew he didn't mean it and that she didn't either, but he missed being able to say those words. "Tell m- oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. Tell me you love me," he pleaded. "Tell me you love me 'til I cum, baby."

"I love you, Joel.”

His eyes screwed shut, face falling into the curve of her neck.

“I love you, baby. I want you to cum for me,” she moaned, breathless from exhaustion.

His nails dug deeper into her flesh, he was clinging onto his climax as much as possible, wanting to wait long enough for it to destroy him.

“Oh, Joel, fuck!” She yelped. “I love you, I love you!”

And he broke.

His nails scratched lines up her back whilst he screamed into her chest. Her pussy throbbed against his sensitive cock from the arrival of her second orgasm, heightening his sensitivity.

A few tears shed his eyes at the closeness; Joel felt like he was falling into the Earth. He was so dizzy and confused, cornered by the affection clouding his judgment.

“I love you,” she whispered into his scalp, placing one last kiss before climbing off of his lap.

He hissed at the last stroke of her cunt but helped her lay down, using his t-shirt to prop her head up.

“I love you,” he said before kissing her head.

“You should drink some water.”

As soon as she said that, he felt the itchiness in his dry throat. He grabbed water from the table a few feet away and chugged as much as his stomach could handle.

“Will you bring me the joint and a lighter?”

Joel fulfilled her request and sat the water next to her, immediately looking back at his work in progress while she got herself situated.

A few moments passed before she spoke again. “Are you coming down?”

Confused, he looked down at her but saw that the colors weren’t so loud anymore. “Think so…”

“Take a few hits. It’ll help.”

He hesitated but sat down and did as she told him.

“Thank you,” he said after briefly coughing and handing the joint back to her. “I think whatever that… Pill was actually helped.”

“If it wasn't the pill, it must’ve been the sex,” she teased, earning a laugh from him. She tapped his shoulder and pointed her head towards his mural.

ᝰ

A rough pounding woke Joel up from his slumber. He groaned, pressing the meat of his palm to his forehead and slowly sitting up before remembering the girl was still next to him.

He watched her sleep soundly, mouth slightly parted and a gentle snore creaking from her throat. The memories of last night flooded his mind, and while they were somewhat fuzzy, he remembered clear as day how it felt.

He felt most of his questions had been answered by something more complex than communication. It was frightening yet calming at the same time.

Her body stirring regained his focus, and he knew she must have been feeling the same tension headache as he was when she groaned before her eyes fluttered open. She squirmed from the cold air and looked up at the hungover man, smiling as she remembered the night before.

“Morning, Joel,” she said with a playful tilt.

“Morning, sunshine,” he said. “Your head hurtin’?”

“Yep,” she grunted while sitting up. “Ever been to that café on thirty-fourth street?”

He shook his head.

“I’ll take you there for some coffee and breakfast. My treat,” she told him.

Her eyes landed on the big, dull wall that had been taunting Joel for weeks, only to find it was a brightened, complete piece of art.

She admired the woman's beauty and asked him without looking away, “S’that me?”

Joel smirked and reached for his boxers, standing to put them on.

“She’s beautiful, ain’t she?” Joel kissed her head and walked away, leaving the woman alone to admire his masterpiece…

Her.

#pedro pascal #joel miller #pedro pascal fic #pedro pascal smut #pedro pascal fanfiction #joel miller fic #joel miller smut #joel miller fanfiction #joel miller fluff #tlou smut #joel tlou #tlou #tortured artist!joel

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borealbosmer · 7 months

Text

~ About dinner ~

Fandom: TESV: Skyrim

Pairing: Taliesin x Bosmer oc

Warnings: Suggestive comments

Summary: Some cultural habits really should be discussed early on when traveling together, yes?

-----

"Sooo..."

Sanyon waited for the other elf to continue over the relaxed clatter of eight hooves. ...Taliesin remained silent, as if he already knew that the Bosmer hated to have to worm something out of someone like this. From Peaches back he finally shot him a slightly annoyed look. "What."

Of course all he would get was an unnervingly patient expression instead of an answer - a chance to remember his manners perhaps. ...Slightly narrowed eyes seemed satisfying enough though.

"Do you follow the Green Pact?"

This caused a raised eyebrow once again. "Why? Afraid I might take a culinary liking to you and try some without your outspoken consent?", he asked back - inappropriately sweet, and with a demonstrative peek to the southern altmeri regions placed upon Naomi's saddle. He was sure the man would get what he meant.

What did he expect in return? An annoyed huff maybe, or a sour face from a freshly baked Ex-Thalmor who got badly flirted at by a lowly cousin without any decency ("no decency at all!").

The first thing of notice to Sanyon was the circumstance that he obviously felt slightly driven to pay back each and every comment that got under his skin so far. It was ... refreshing, to be honest.

The second thing made the Bosmers eyes shine. In his imagination the most 'positive' reaction had been a smooth comeback that would've left himself speechless again ... but not a flabbergasted and blushing Taliesin.

After a moment of recollection the green eyes narrowed significantly, voice a beautiful blend of both 'snobbish' and 'seriously impressive'.

"I'll just say this once, so you better listen closely: Before I even consider becoming dinner of any kind, I expect one myself alongside a bouquet of appropriate flowers. And just for you: They have to be self-picked." A short pause followed, accompanied by a quick look up and down the smaller elf. "...Or at least self-grown."

And there was the comeback. Sanyon felt his face shift until it fit the complicated mix of 'feeling sorry', 'being proud about successfully annoying someone who deserved it and probably will deserve it again soon' and 'trying not to grin and be more anoying than intended'.

The wood elf held the stern look over lovely flushed cheeks for a few silent moments. Naturally he didn't even think about telling the disgruntled mer that he might be content with him as breakfast too.

Soon Peaches got a soft pat on the neck, a quiet command to keep going, and gone was the redhead, down and through the bushes that framed Lake Ilinalta, ignoring the furrowing dark brows.

About a minute later the mildly grumpy looking Altmer got a snap against the boot. The stubborn glance down from Naomi's back revealed his companion walking alongside them - and not only offering an apologetic smile, but a single red mountain flower.

"The dish I missed the most while visiting Valenwood was actually apple cabbage stew", Sanyon stated in a calm voice, instead of just answering Taliesins previous question with a simple 'No'.

"Hmph." The sound seemed rather ungracious ... but the flower changed hands in the end nonetheless. "Remember that when you intend to ask me about my preferences. Regarding food of course."

"...Of course."

-----

((I laughed so hard after reading that apple cabbage stew is Tallys favorite food in Skyrim. Just days beforehand I thought about what 'Sanyon' would tell him when questioned about the Green Pact - the scene started with a casual conversation and the statement that exactly that dish was his own favorite, then changed to him making a demonstration out of eating a flower or other edible flora to nonverbally make his point. That, by the way, ended in Taliesin openly suspecting that Sanyon might try and poison him (because I imagined him not knowing about young spruce shoots being edible and actually tasting delightfully sour) and Sanyon replying that Bosmer may be somewhat resistant to poison ... but he never ever would risc Petrichor getting a belly ache from feeding on a poisoned corpse he himself had produced. Ahem. I like the final version a little bit better. ...But just a little. Maybe the bit about the shoots comes up another time.))

#skyrim taliesin #bosmer oc #flirting #annoying #dinner

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sweetarleens · 8 months

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Indulge Your Sweet Tooth: Exploring Cupcakes and Custom Cakes in Westlake Village

Nestled in the picturesque city of Westlake Village, you'll discover a delightful world of sweet treats and confections that cater to every palate and occasion. From mouthwatering cupcakes to exquisite custom cakes, this charming locale boasts a vibrant culinary scene that's sure to satisfy your cravings and sweeten life's special moments.

Cupcake Westlake Village: A Bite of Bliss

If you have a penchant for petite pleasures, Westlake Village has you covered with its local cupcake shop. These bite-sized wonders are the epitome of indulgence, offering a symphony of flavors and textures in every morsel. Whether you're a fan of classic chocolate and vanilla or crave adventurous creations like salted caramel or red velvet, you're in for a treat.

Local cupcake shops in Westlake Village take pride in their craft, using the finest ingredients to bake these miniature marvels. Each cupcake is a work of art, meticulously adorned with swirls of creamy frosting and charming decorations. Whether you're picking up a box for a special celebration or simply treating yourself to a sweet pick-me-up, these cupcakes are sure to delight.

Bakery Westlake Village: Where Sweet Dreams Come True

Westlake Village's local bakery scene is a treasure trove of delights. From freshly baked bread to artisanal pastries, these bakeries are a haven for those with a passion for all things dough and decadence. Step inside, and you'll be greeted by the warm aroma of freshly baked goods that promise to transport you to a world of culinary bliss.

In Westlake Village, a bakery isn't just a place to satisfy your carb cravings; it's a destination for creating memories. From the first bite of a flaky croissant to the last forkful of a decadent pastry, each visit is an experience worth savoring. The array of treats on display showcases the dedication and expertise of the local bakers, making every visit a delightful adventure.

Local Wedding Cake Shops: Crafting Edible Artistry

When it comes to celebrating love and commitment, Westlake Village's local wedding cake shops are artisans in the truest sense. These skilled cake designers understand the significance of your special day and work diligently to create wedding cakes that are not just desserts but exquisite masterpieces.

Whether you dream of a classic tiered cake adorned with intricate sugar flowers or a modern, minimalist design that reflects your style, these local wedding cake shops in Westlake Village can turn your vision into a reality. With a focus on flavor as well as aesthetics, your wedding cake will be a sweet highlight of your celebration.

Custom Cake Shop: Where Imagination Meets Baking

For those seeking a cake that's as unique as their celebration, Westlake Village's custom cake shop is the answer. These talented cake artists are your partners in turning your cake dreams into edible art. Birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, or any milestone you're celebrating, a custom cake from Westlake Village is a show-stopping centerpiece.

The possibilities are endless when you opt for a custom cake. Whether you have a specific design in mind or need guidance from the experts, these shops can create cakes that not only taste divine but also captivate with their creativity and craftsmanship.

In conclusion, Westlake Village is a paradise for dessert enthusiasts and those seeking delectable creations for special occasions. From cupcakes that tempt your taste buds to custom cakes that leave lasting impressions, this charming city is a sweet destination waiting to be explored. Whether you're a local or visiting, be sure to indulge in the culinary wonders of Westlake Village's vibrant sweet scene.

#cupcake westlake village #bakery westlake village #local cupcake shop #local wedding cake shops #custom cake shop

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heliotrope-journey · 1 year

Text

Rejoice in the Garden with Care

Good evening, vampire hunters.

Frederick and Eforie are getting ready to look for Clément, a wise red cat that hangs around Baudelaire City, but aspiring heroes cannot find him anywhere. The day may not be over yet, but if the wolves have gotten him in a previous attack, it could take ages for these heroes to know where to start, leaving the city vulnerable to the next strike. They’ll have to settle for these weapons, hoping they’ll at least keep the wolves at bay until dawn. I haven’t vectored them yet so the best that can happen is that they’ll walk away with nasty paper cuts. (Don’t tell Sidiyq Qadim!)

Meanwhile, in the present, our heroes of Waltz of Sepulchral Silence and The Heliotrope Chronicles are celebrating Frederick’s birthday in Esther’s secret garden. Ioana and Lucinda are occupying their time searching for a chocolate cake hidden in one of the bricks while their companions are chatting below them. Ioana expresses her concern that no one knows how long the cake had been concealed for and if it is still edible once found. Lucinda laughs it off and regales her with a tale of how during his quest to save his brother, Florentin Chinezu found a freshly cooked pot roast in a crevice after tearing a hole in a cavern wall with his handcrafted sword.

Ioana is baffled by Lucinda’s argument, suggesting that the roast was prepared moments before it was placed in the crevice, but the rebuttal heightens Lucinda’s expectations. She turns her head right and notices a gilded platinum brooch with an amethyst crested in the middle hidden inside a vase full of flowers. She forgets about the chocolate cake for a moment and believes the brooch would be a perfect present for Frederick. She reaches her hand inside and grabs it, but what the clumsy Lucinda didn’t realize was that the act summoned rogue elemental drones to the group’s location. Embarrassed, she tried to apologize, but Frederick, Eforie, Jay, and Ioana sprang into action to deal with the sentient crystals. Sadly for Lucinda and Esther, the sisters could only watch the battle unfold. They neglected to take the time to find weapons of their own when entering the garden and they possess no magic of their own. They inherited their mother’s belief that violence is never the answer, but never have they entered a world where it is common to kill or be killed yourself, specifically inside Dracula’s castle. Even the most serene, colorful areas in his domain is a battleground in the making. Lucinda and Esther will have to start looking for weapons if they hope to resume the birthday celebration quicker and just maybe, they’ll have to infiltrate the Caustic Cakery for ingredients in case the chocolate cake is nowhere to be found. Both have a knack for baking pastries so where there’s resources, there’s a way. Photo by Ukrainian photographer Kostiantyn Vierkieiev on Unsplash.

Our Valentine’s Day ad has, unfortunately, been delayed until the end of the month. The development process of Chapter 4 in both games have taken priority, but we are sorry for the inconvenience this late announcement has caused. You’re going to love the weapons Sidiyq Qadim cooked up, though. ;)

Have a good night and thank you for supporting Heliotrope Journey!

Sincerely,

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zhonglisteafriend · 3 years

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Kim Seokjin as Werewolf

Jin is a Beta

He cooks for the chaotic bangtan pack

These men eat so much (Especially Jungkook)

I totally see his Wolf form with light brown or caramel brown fur

He is a friendly and cute persona but when someone attacks his pack his family

Jeez u done for

He fights for his loved ones

He is not the strongest beta

But he will fight

He always gets seen as the Mother of BTS

He wasn’t the first member of the pack but he helped the two first members a lot

Also the maknaes

These three had a sad past and were so happy as Jin helped them grow up and took them in with a smile

He is the oldest and really wants to find his mate

He sometimes gets really sad because he feels lonely

That feeling comes pretty often when one of the other members finds his mate first

He wants that to but he would also be happy for the mated member

These boys deserve their mates

So when he goes to the nearest city to find new vegetable seeds for his garden were he grows his own plants the maknaes played fighting and rolled threw his garden and destroyed a few

(Man did he scold the three youngest they are grown Wolfs but still are like pups sometimes)

He smells a sweet scent that reminds him of freshly baked sweets

He follows that particular smell and then he finds the source

Y/N

His heart went wild in his chest and he would have jumped at her in the middle of the store but he could tell that she was human

Good for him that you’re standing in front of the seeds he needs

So he takes deep breaths to calm down

But in the end it just makes him more nervous because he smells you

So he goes up to you

“Excuse me but I need to get those”

He points at the seeds he needs and you go to the side

After he grabs what he needs he looks at you and goes

“You look a little confused, do you need help?”

And you explain how you just moved here because your grandparents died and you got the house that belonged to them

You just wanted to get a little peace and quiet and a little break from your life

(Basically the classic)

And surprise surprise you say

“The house is near the forest so it's a really great for peace and quiet”

And instantly after you said that you think loud

“Oh god I just told him that I live alone in a house that's a bit away from the city near a forest what if he is a serial killer and kills me tonight?”

Jin can’t hold it in and just wheezes

A few people look weirdly at him because he is laughing so loud

“I promise I won’t kill you”

“That's what serial killers say”

“Well now it’s too late isn’t it?”

“Yeah that's right now I can’t escape anyway”

Seokjin just looks at you with pure love in his eyes

But you don’t see it because you look at the seeds again

He loves you already

“So before the serial killer thing came up you asked if I needed help. My answer is yes. My grandma had a garden with herbs, flowers and vegetables and sadly no one cared for them after they both died and now I need new seeds to make it completely new”

“Well good for you that I am here because I have the knowledge and my own garden and I can help you”

So you guys just stand there for a whole hour while Jin explains what would be best for the beginning and what you can add later to the garden

Both of you just smile

Jin smiles because he has a passion for that stuff (Together with Namjoon)

And you smile because he talks about it with such a passion

“Can I ask you two questions?”

“Of course!”

“First what is your name?”

“Oh it's Kim Seokjin and yours?”

“I am (L/N) (Y/N)”

“A beautiful name”

“Thank you. Next question from where do you know that stuff?”

“Well Namjoon knows a lot about plants already and I knew a lot about growing your own edible plants so we combined it.”

“Well then I have a third question. Who is Namjoon?”

“I life together with my six friends we are like brothers and I cook most of the times”

“Must be cool having friends like that”

Seokjin nods and you both pay for your stuff and leave the store

“Thank you for your help Seokjin”

You already turn around to go your own way but Jin stops you

“Wait here is my number I would like to hear how your garden is going”

You take the paper with his number with a smile

“Okay see you later and thank you Seokjin”

“No problem Y/n. Next time you can call me Jin”

With a smile you turn around

“Alright, Bye Jin!”

Seokjin watches how you go your way back home with a smile and shining eyes

His wolf is whining to not let you go because he wants you near him 24/7

But Jin knows he needs to be careful because you are human and the most humans don’t know about Werewolves and he can’t risk losing you

So he goes home where the pack is waiting anxious because Jin just went out to get seeds for the garden this is not supposed to take that long

But the moment he steps inside the house everyone can see his big smile

And he just looks at everyone and goes

“I found her”

Everyone cheers and is so happy for him that he found his mate

Most of them know that you're gotta be a human already because since medieval times where werewolves got hunted down and they hid in the shadows of the forests of the world there are less werewolves than mates and since then it happens more often that humans became the mates of werewolves

Even if there is still a long way to go with you Jin is happy the whole freaking week

But at the end of the week he hasn't heard from you at all

So he worried if you were alright or if you didn’t wanted to talk to him

But in the middle of diner with the boys he got a text from an unknown number with an update about your garden and a little picture

This time Jin jumped through the house like a pup and not the maknaes

And the maknaes just watched and thought //Damn if that's love I want that too//

So Jin texted and met you for 3 months and was more and more in your life until you couldn’t think of one day without him

You figured he had his secrets because he disappeared for two whole day every full moon claiming that it’s fun days just with him and his best friends and that it was a ritual

Well you thought it was weird tho

What you didn’t found weird was that one month were Jin disappeared for a whole week because he said he was sick and needed the rest for his well being

(I mean could not be the best if he would tell you the truth that it was a whole week of hornynes where he would just gowl and wanted to fuck you into next week if he just got a text from you and that he was chained up in the basement for everyones well being)

You met his six best friends which he considers as brothers

They were so excited and happy to finally meet you

You told him about your family but the only family he talked about were his brothers

But even the boys saw that it got serious between you two

Friends nights became little dates and the dates became bigger

From a cute cafe date to a really beautiful restaurant

Until one day you two sat at the beautiful lake in the forest

“Y/n I need to tell you something. I am in Love with you. You are the best that happened in my life together with my brothers and I can’t imagine a day without you, but before you say anything back I need to tell you something really important. A secret I kept from you for a reason”

He stood up and brought a little distance between you two

“I am a werewolf and I am gonna show you”

He took his clothes off except his boxers and laid them to the side

“J-jin what are you doing?”

One second after she said these words the sound of breaking bones was heard in the forest

Jins body changed until there stood a big wolf on the place where he stood before

You hat a shocked expression and didn’t knew what to say

Jin slowly walked towards you almost afraid that you will disappear in a few seconds or run away

But you couldn’t run away Jin means so much to you

So you stretched out your hand and let it run threw his soft fur

“I love you to Jin”

Seokjin cuddled himself on to you and was happy than ever

The same evening you two returned to the pack house

The boys already knew that Jin wanted to tell you today and waited anxious for him to return

And as he returned in wolf form with you on his back they were so relieved and happy for Jin

Later in the night y/n and Jin laid together in bed and Jin explained a few things to her including mating, marking, heats and what happens on full moons

Yes it's a lot to take in but everyone was 100% sure that everything will go well with you and Seokjin

A/N this got a lot like an Imagine at the end but I like what I wrote and also I just wanted to do bts as werewolves headcanons but I think that develops into a story with the past and stuff but I ain’t complaining lmao

#kim seokjin #bts #bts headcanons #bts imagine #bts imagines #bts as werewolves #wolf bts #wolf!bts #werewolf!bts #seokjin x reader #kim seokjin x reader #kim seokjin x y/n #kim seokjin x you #jin x reader #seokjin X y/n #seokjin x you #bts x y/n #bts x reader #bts x you

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wristpockets · 3 years

Note

Can I throw some prompts at you? All fluffy but with potential for Deep Emotional Talks™ if that's what you're after. Anyway: 1. Essek and jester trying to cook/ bake for the first time (two rich kids who have never been in a kitchen while food has been made) lots of potential for comedy but also ways to explore the differences and similarities in their childhoods?? 2. Caleb and Essek teaching each other dances from their homelands, (I feel like Essek probably had to learn formal dances in his youth and absolutely despised them until he realized that dancing with someone you actually like can be fun) Anyhow, happy writing!

Thanks for the suggestions! Going with the first one!

(If anyone else has any fic prompts/ideas/requests feel free to send them my way!)

This kind of got away from me 😅 Ended up a lot longer than expected. Not going to spend too much time proofreading or editing bc this was supposed to be fun. Anyway

Essek is leaning over the railing on the Nein Heroez, a glass of wine in his hand. He can hear the party going on behind him - the rest of the Nein get together every month for dinner - but he needed to get away for a moment. He watches the moonlight reflect off the waves as he swirls the wine in his glass.

He doesn't notice Jester until she's right next to him.

"What's wrong, Essek?" she asks, her voice laden with sincerity and sympathy.

He sighs, takes a long sip of his wine, and says, "I feel inadequate."

"Oh no Essek," Jester says. She moves closer, until she can bump her hip against his. "You're so powerful. And!" She lowers her voice conspiratorially, "I saw the way you floated in Cognouza. You were faster than Caleb, which I think means you're even smarter than he is."

Essek actually smiles at that. Lets out a little laugh. "You're not wrong. But I'm not concerned with my power or intelligence."

"Then how do you think you're inadequate? In what way? Is it-" Jester cuts herself off, looking over at him while wiggling her eyebrows.

"No," he says quickly, his ears heating up. "Everyone else is so..." He looks for the word and comes up blank. "Caleb and I see Beauregard and Yasha for dinner quite often. Yasha will have freshly baked bread, or even cake. Beauregard works all day, and Yasha stays home and cooks."

"I think she's happy though," Jester says.

"I think so too," Essek says quickly. "Caleb works all day too, and I stay home and do nothing." He lets out a little laugh. "I cannot believe this is my problem. Feeling bad that I cannot cook dinner while my - while Caleb is working."

Jester's eyes light up. "Okay," she says. "Okay okay. For our next get together, we're making dessert. Me and you."

Beauregard and Yasha are hosting the next meetup. Essek had collected Jester, Fjord and Kingsley early that morning, to give Jester and Essek time to make dessert.

They sent Caleb and Fjord out of the house and set to work in Caleb's kitchen.

But when Essek takes the third batch of cupcakes out of the oven - burned on the outside, somehow raw inside - he's ready to give up.

"I don't understand what I'm doing wrong," Essek says quietly. He floats there, uselessly, staring at another failed attempt at a fairly simple baked good. "Is this how you normally make them?"

"Hmm?" Jester says, looking over at him. She dips her finger into the frosting she'd been working on. "I've never made cupcakes before."

Essek turns toward her. "What? You've never-"

"Nope," Jester says, matter-of-factly. She puts the icing-covered finger in her mouth, tasting the frosting, before scrunching up her nose. "This is awful."

Essek deflates a little. "So we are currently lacking both edible cupcakes and edible icing."

Even Jester's smile falls. "I'm sorry, Essek."

"It's not your fault," Essek says. "We still have some ingredients - what do you know how to make? What could we make quickly that's simpler?"

Jester looks down at the floor. "I don't know."

"Anything," Essek pleads. "Anything you've baked successfully-"

"I've never baked anything," Jester admits quietly.

"Oh," Essek says.

"Yeah."

Jester turns so her back is to the counter, then slides down, sitting on the floor. "I know how you feel. I feel like I should know how to do this."

Essek floats over, then sits down next to her. He can't bear the look on her face. "Two powerful adventurers, brought low by mere cupcakes," he jokes.

"I wanted to do this," Jester says, still quiet. "I wanted to bake something for everyone, something delicious! Something everyone would eat and say, 'oh Jester, your baking is so delicious,' and then maybe I'm not just the girl who draws dicks on things."

"You're a lot more than that," Essek tries.

Jester nods. "I know. I just feel bad."

"I feel that way too," Essek says. "All this power and knowledge and ability - for what? What good is it doing me here, now? And I know it's not an either-or thing. Caleb cooks. Even Beauregard does sometimes. I've never so much as fried an egg."

"Neither have I," Jester admits. "When I lived at home..."

"I understand," Essek says, and he knows he does.

"It's just embarrassing," Jester says.

"Yes," Essek agrees.

They sit like that for a moment, until they hear the front door open.

"Essek? Jester?" Caleb calls from the entryway. "Am I allowed in the kitchen yet?"

"Not yet!" Jester yells. "Almost done! Fifteen minutes!"

Essek looks at her in shock, and she just shrugs her shoulders.

"I do not possess the arcane ability to create cupcakes," Essek says blankly. "And I am unsure of how else we might make a dessert in that time."

"I panicked," Jester says apologetically. "Maybe some of the cupcakes aren't so bad-"

"They are," Essek says as Jester leans over batch number two, tearing off a piece of cupcake and trying it cautiously. After a few bites she scrunches her nose, then spits it out into the garbage.

"It looked good," Jester pouts. "I can't believe cupcakes would lie to me."

Something connects and Essek can feel his eyes widen. "I have an idea."

Several hours later, Jester and Essek are ready to present their cupcakes to the rest of the Nein. At the very least, they look nice - frosting is apparently close enough to painting for Jester to have some skill at it.

"These look delicious," Caleb says, smiling up at Essek. The compliment in front of their friends makes Essek's cheeks heat up, and he's grateful his complexion doesn't let it show.

"I might need to get some pointers from you," Yasha says as she carefully peels off the cupcake wrapper. "I wish I could frost like this."

"Don't eat that!" Beau shouts, quickly leaning over to slap it out of her hand.

Everyone stops to stare at Beauregard, Yasha's mouth still open, the cupcake discarded on the floor.

"What's wrong, Beauregard?" Essek asks nervously.

"They've been tampered with," she says. She picks up Yasha's dinner plate. "These plates are enchanted. They change colour if any of the food on it is fucked with. A few crumbs fell off of it." She points to a few speckles of bright purple on the plate. "I watched the plate react to the crumbs."

"Tampered with?" Fjord asks. "Tampered how?"

"I don't fucking know, man," Beau says. "It doesn't like, tell me."

"Um," Essek says carefully. "Would a magical alteration to the dish set off that reaction?"

"I should fucking hope so," Beau says, "since that's the whole point."

"In that case," Essek says, shooting Jester a worried look, "then yes, they were tampered with. But they will not harm you."

"Essek," Caleb says, looking at him worriedly.

"It's just prestidigitation," Essek says hurriedly. "We used it to flavour the cupcakes and the frosting." He takes a bite of his own cupcake. "See? They're safe."

"But why?" Veth asks. "Surely it can't be any worse than that fish stew Fjord made us all eat last time."

Essek looks at Jester again, who looks resigned. He waves his hand, dismissing the spell. "See for yourself."

Caleb is the first one that takes Essek up on that, tearing off a piece with his fingers and tasting it. Essek can see Caleb trying very hard to keep his expression neutral. He eventually - with some difficulty - swallows the bite of cupcake. "Ja," he says, eventually. "It's not that bad." He offers Essek a warm smile.

"Well that's obviously a lie," Veth says, pushing her plate a few inches away from her.

"Sorry guys," Jester says. She's looking down at the table and looks absolutely lost. "We just wanted to make something nice."

"Have either of you ever baked anything, ever?" Veth asks, picking up a tiny piece of the cupcake and trying it. "This is awful. I love you Jessie, but who taught you to bake?"

Jester looks too crestfallen to answer. "Both of us are, ah, new to this," Essek admits instead.

"Maybe cooking lessons are in order," Fjord says. "I used to cook on the ship, back when I was getting started. I could show you a few things, Jester."

Jester nods, still looking down at the table.

"And I could teach you," Caleb says to Essek.

"That would be appreciated," Essek says.

"Okay," Jester says. She sighs, then looks up at everyone. Forces a smile. "Okay. Me and Essek are going to learn how to cook, and then we'll make something for next time."

"Maybe not cupcakes," Beau says.

"Maybe nothing for anyone who complains about my baking again," Jester retorts.

"There are some desserts from Rosohna I'd like to recreate, if possible," Essek says. "If I can find a recipe."

"That sounds nice," Caduceus says.

"I am not much for sweets, but I do like some of the ones in Rosohna," he continues. "They're, ah, made with cinnamon. I don't think they do that here in the Empire."

"They don't!" Jester almost yells, smiling. "I know! It's crazy!"

#essek thelyss #jester lavorre #shadowgast #i guess?

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taskfocused · 4 years

Note

makoto sets a platter of freshly-baked, pink-frosted cupcakes down in front of akaashi. and unlike minako's porridge, these cupcakes actually WERE edible. "mina-chan tells me that you enjoy snacks as much as she does! i'm trying out this new recipe. care to be my taste-tester?"

@starbloomed

There was only a single answer Keiji could provide with food. “Of course.” He loved Minako, and part of that love was eating what she cooked even if it brought him on the brink of death. But he wouldn’t reject food that wouldn’t kill him. In fact, he could enjoy and savor it a lot more without anything to worry about.

Gazing down at the cupcakes, he resisted the urge to wolf all of this down right away. They looked beautifully scrumptious. Oh, he hoped he didn’t look like he was salivating over them. (In reality, he just stared at the pastries with a deadpan expression.)

“If there’s something me and Minako-san have in common since day one, it’s that we’re both gluttons.” Food was something that brought people together, and that notion applied to the two of them as well. If all their food escapades from high school counted, that meant they could have been dating since that time. “Are you sure that you want me to taste them before Minako-san? She could get grumpy that she didn’t take that first bite.”

#starbloomed #[ messages sent to: akaashi ]#『 ☾ ; galaxially fated || soulmates verse 』

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regulusirius · 6 years

Text

Masterlist

plot: People in the tower have been eating Y/N’s cookies all day and she has had enough. Steve tries to make the situation better by making her some cookies on his own.

pairing: Steve Rogers x female reader

word count: 1440

warning: fluff, a bit of swearing

a/n: feedback is always appreciated!!!

Y/N searched through every drawer, cabinet and even the entire pantry. She looked at the enormous communal kitchen in the Avengers compound in anger pushing the loose strands of hair from her ponytail out of her face. Someone had eaten the cookies that she had just purchased from the store not even a few hours ago.

“I’m living with wolves,” she mumbled to herself, unsure if she should go out and by some more of her favorite chocolate chip cookies. She looked around the pristine kitchen, seeing the new double steel oven, a top of the line mixer and all the other many appliances around not being used, and an idea sparked into her head.

“FRIDAY all this stuff works right.”

“All applications are fully operational, Miss. Y/L/N ,” the A.I answered her quickly.

“Well someone ought to use all this stuff then,” with that she made her way over to her phone and found a recipe for her favorite cookies. Sure, it had been a while since Y/N had done some baking, with mission and training taking up most of her time, but now was the perfect time to get back into the hobby.

A bag of chocolate chips and an entire Twenty One Piolets album later, the cookies were ready. She smiled down at the platter, her mouth already watering at the sight of them. Y/N was only able to eat one cookies before realizing that she was late for training with Natasha, leaving the large platter unattended too.

Not even a few moments later Steve and Sam walked into the kitchen after a long run around Central Park.

“I almost past you near the Alice and Wonderland statue and you can’t even deny it man,” Sam smirked as they entered the room.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep-,” Steve paused smelling the freshly baked cookies on the granite counter, “who made these?”

Sam followed Steve’s eyes seeing the chocolate cookies not looking away from them, “I don’t know, who can even cook here let alone bake?”

“I honestly thought you were the only one. Well whoever it was, they must have left them here for everyone right,” Sam nodded with him in agreement signaling them for the two to dig to the delicious platter.

Once the two of them started eating the cookies, they could not stop. When there was two cookies left, Tony walked in, stomach growling looking for something to eat, only to find Steve and Sam sitting around stuffing their mouths with the chocolate chip cookies.

“What are you guys doing,” Tony walked towards them, facing the two men who had crumbs all over their figures.

“Only eating the best cookies ever made,” Sam, announced grabbing another cookie to eat, “did you buy these?”

“No, but don’t mind if I help myself,” Tony smiled as he picked up the last cookie from the lilac platter and took a large bite out of it.

“ANOTHNOY EDWARD STARK,” Tony jumped, dropping the cookie, as Y/N shouted his name from across the room, “what the fuck do you think you’re doing,” she stomped over to the counter.

“What, I’m just eating a cookie-one cookie, unlike these guys,” he pointed to Steve and Sam who were attempting to slowly leave the kitchen without Y/N noticing.

“Oh no, STEVEN GRANT ROGERS, SAMUEL THOMAS WILSON you get your butts back here,” her anger frightened them as they slowly backed up back into the room, “why’d you think you could eat an entire plate of cookies without asking if anyone else wanted them?”

“They were out on the counter, and you know-“

“No I don’t know Wilson, when I see food out on the counter I don’t eat all of it without saying anything to anyone. Come on guys, I was gone for like an hour.”

“Wait did you make these Y/N,” she glared at Steve, “well they were really great,” he lowered his voice avoiding her piercing eyes on him.

“I know that Steve. I only had to make the damn cookies because someone ate the ones that I bought this morning,” it was Tony’s turn to slowly try to walk out of the room.

“Don’t you dare Stark or else I will trash your suits.”

“Now that’s just cruel and you know it kid,” he stopped and turned to face her, “you should label your food if you don’t want anyone one to eat it,”

“I don’t mind if you guys eat my food, just don’t eat all of it before I can eat some,” she huffed glaring at all of them once again, “I’m going to take a shower.”

The three men looked at each other in silence, unsure on how to fix the situation, only to hear Natasha’s giggles from the other side of the room.

“And how long have you been sitting there,” Sam turned to face the redhead who was on the sofa.

“Oh I saw all of it, nice job you guys on eating two things of Y/N’s cookies and it isn’t even one o’clock yet,” she smirked walking over to them to lean against the counter, “and now Rogers is never going to get Y/N to go out with him.”

“What, no I don’t want go out with Y/N. We’re just friends,” he avoided his friend’s eyes as they laughed at his embarrassment.

“Yea and I didn’t eat over a dozen cookies today,” Sam mumbled earning him a shove from Steve.

“Come on Rogers the entire compound knows you like Y/N. The sexual tension between you two, when she isn’t yelling at you, is actually getting kind of out of hand,” Tony pointed out as he went to sit by his friend.

“Fine, say I did like her, there is no way she would go on a date with me now, she’s angry at me.”

“You could make it up to her by maybe making her favorite cookies, oh look I just texted you the recipe,” Natasha smirked walking out of the kitchen.

“Have fun with that man. Hey Stark, want to show me the improvements you made on redwing,” Sam blurted out as the two left the kitchen quickly before Steve could ask them for help on the baking.

“Okay FRIDAY you’re going to have to somehow help me with this,” Steve mumbled as he pulled up the recipe.

He may have burnt the first batch, but eventually the cookies were made, even if it took double time to make, and they did not even taste that horrible. Looking down at the cookies, he told FRIDAY to ask Y/N could come down to the kitchen, as he sat on the barstool nervously waiting for her.

“What did you eat more of my cookies,” she joked as she walked in a few moments later.

“No, and I’m really sorry about that,” he smiled hoping she still was not angry with him.

“It’s fine, I may have over reacted just a bit,” she laughed, “I was just really excited to have some cookies; I have a bit of a sweet tooth.”

“Well, about that, I made you some of those cookies that I ate, Nat told me they are your favorite,” he motioned to the cookies on the same platter that Y/N had placed hers on.

“Oh you didn’t have to do that,” she bit her lip looking at the chocolate chip cookies.

“It’s the least I could do after this afternoon, so here’s a whole platter for yourself,” Y/N smiled at Steve thanking him for the cookies before taking a bite into one, “they probably aren’t as good as yours, but I hopefully they are edible.”

“No Steve they’re good,” she bit her lip again avoiding his eyes.

“You don’t have to lie; I know they aren’t that great. To be fair I don’t remember the last time I baked.”

“We’ll then these are really great for the experience you’ve had,” she giggled putting the cookie down.

“Let me take you to that bakery you love in SoHo so you can get some edible cookies,” his blue eyes met hers as he offered her a smile.

“I would love that,” she smiled back at him, picking up the cookie once again.

“How about tomorrow around noon,” he asked her.

“It’s a date,” she said and as soon as the words left her mouth her checks turned bright red.

Before she could say anything else, Steve agreed, “It’s a date.”

“Great, I’ll just take these, they aren’t that bad,” Y/N walked back to her room, with the platter of freshly baked cookies unable to wipe the smile off her face.

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bard-llama · 2 years

Text

Hard Reset Chapter 3 and 420 Fic

Hard Reset Chapter 2 (post-prologue)

Fic Summary:

At the Slaughter of Cintra, Ciri lost everything she'd ever had. Because she'd had no choice, she picked herself up from the ashes and started to build herself a new family with her Destiny. But when the world steals her new family away too? What is she supposed to do?

The answer, unexpectedly, is 'wake up in Cintra half a year before the Slaughter ever took place'. Problem is, she has no idea how this happened or if it's even real.

Chapter Summary:

Ciri comes up with a plan for how to stop the Slaughter of Cintra from happening again. A start to one, anyway. Unfortunately, it means making nice with someone Calanthe positively despises.

Read on AO3

Fic for the Stoner Witcher 420 event: These Edibles Ain’t Shit

Summary:

When Lambert returns to Kaer Morhen to discover freshly baked brownies sitting out, what is he supposed to do? Restrain himself? Yeah right.

Read on AO3

#ciri #cirilla fiona elen riannon #lambert #vesemir #420 #the witcher #my fics #hard reset

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loving-lovely-lance · 6 years

Text

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe

this was supposed to be a collab with my pal @caseydambro on ao3, but due to unforeseen circumstances, my invitation got extended far past december. i didn’t want my writing and her art to be abandoned, so i decided to make this blog to post this (and possibly other oneshots in the future). i pounded this out in two days to make sure that it would be finished in time, so i’m sorry if there are any mistakes. anyways, i hope that you all enjoy this, and make sure to check out the art that casey made for it as well. merry christmas! :)

Lance’s eyes scanned across various alien-shop windows displaying intergalactic tech and trinkets. The exciting, new giddy joy that the unfamiliar once brought him seemed old and outdated now, as uninteresting as wearing outdated fashion. Nonetheless, he returned smiles to the salesmen who stood outside of their shops, just trying to earn their pay. Coran walked (well, walked was an understatement) not far in front of him, voicing his cheery knowledge on the alien items as he passed them, and Lance tried his best not to tune him out. His head bobbed as he took long strides behind the aging man. Despite his age, his legs carried him a ways farther that brought tall, lanky Lance to short, quick breaths as he tried his best to keep his pace. Something about Alteans having more stamina, or something. He’s sure that Coran has told him about it once or more. Coran suddenly stopped abruptly, and it took all of Lance’s restraint to not barrel into him at the change of pace.

“Here we are, my boy!” Coran announced, smiling nostalgically at the aging shop with crooked wood. Without another moment’s notice, the two wandered into the quaint little shop, and Lance’s mouth opened involuntarily as he took in the environment.

The walls were covered with a strange alien wood, a dark oak color with beautiful blue flowers sprouting from the creases of the splintering material. Vines hung around the ceiling like a crown, fairy lights twisting around the vines and dangling like icicles, a magnificent blue and gold glow enchanting the charming shop. A humanlike alien sat on a small bench behind a counter that matched the walls, waving at the entrance of the two before returning to their book.

Lance was overwhelmed with a sense of homeliness. The little shop was reminant of the bookstore that he always visited with his sister, the way her eyes lit up brighter than the twinkling lights as she was drawn in by the smell of books and coffee, tugging on his hand as she set off to each bookshelf- Lance swallowed down the lump in his throat. He couldn’t let himself get emotional in public.

Coran must have noticed his change in attitude, and suddenly placed a hand on Lance’s shoulder. His aging eyes held much warmth, and Lance managed to pull himself together before he could let himself fall apart. Save his and Coran’s embarrassment. “Find something for yourself,” Coran said softly, and Lance nodded before shooting a grateful smile at his companion.

While Coran spoke to the owner of the shop about whether they still carried a book about “caring for the engine of a class A ship”, Lance found himself drawn to a collection of plants that were lined up on a table near the window. He recognized the the structure of some of the plants, familiarity striking him where it hurt him the most, and he restrained himself from getting emotional again as he placed each name in his brain.

Poinsettia. Hibiscus. Carnations, and-

He raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t fight the smile on his face. Maybe the tradition of love was a universal concept. “Coran?”

Coran turned away from his conversation with the cashier. “Yes, my boy?” He spoke, void of any irritation. The cashier simply twirled a pen between slim, blue tinted fingers. Ah. It wasn’t a book, but rather a journal.

Lance waved him over. Coran held up a finger to the cashier as he followed Lance. Upon his approach, Lance picked up the small plant between his fingertips, holding it out for Coran to inspect. His mouth quirked up in the corner. He briefly wondered whether Coran would know the implications behind the small plant. “Is this mistletoe?”

Coran inspected it closely, seemingly searching for something. When he found whatever it was he was looking for, his eyebrows raised, and his confident smile was back. “Why yes, it is!” He cried.

Lance’s smile grew. He didn’t even hesitate, dropping it in the palm of Coran’s hand. “I want this.”

Coran quirked an eyebrow. Lance shrunk slightly. It was a weird request, thinking about it. “Are you sure this is all you want?”

“Positive.” Lance nodded, regathering his composure and smiling sweetly as he would to his mother when he wanted something. It must have worked, because Coran nodded, guiding the two of them back to the cash register.

“We’ll take the book and this mistletoe.”

Lance’s master plan was all set later that day, as he found Pidge typing away on her computer. She barely even heard him approaching her, and he silently thanked the heavens that she’s not easily scared or he could have had a small fist in his face. He planted his chin on top of her hair, scanning his eyes across the rows of code that she typed at an un-human speed.

“How’s it going, Pidge-Podge?”

She shifted her head to try to nudge him off, remaining silent as his chin only rolled over her head of hair. She must have brushed it, since it had more volume than usual. He knows how much she hates having frizzy hair. She simply sighed.

“Fine. What do you want, Lance?” She mumbled, fingers never stuttering as the rows of text kept multiplying. He nuzzled his nose in her hair affectionately, and that’s all it took for her to softly backhand the side of his face until he let up. He laughed, rubbing the side of his cheek with his hand.

“Can’t I just be here to support my lovely little Piglet?” He grinned, but she was definitely not amused. She held him in a death glare until his smile cracked. Her eyes returned to the laptop in front of her.

“That’s what I thought,” she snorted quietely, blowing the bangs out of her face. To no prevail, they simply fell back in front of her eyes, and she let out a low grumble. Lance frowned, and suddenly he found himself seated behind her again.

“Here, let me help you with that.”

As if from no where, Pidge handed him a hair tie, but he wasn’t going to settle with just a small, stubby ponytail. He pulled the bangs away from her face with his fingers, combing her hair back the way he used to with his sisters and his niece. She leaned into his touch, allowing him to weave strands of hair into a cute little French braid while she continued to type on her computer. He took extra care in securing her bangs into the braid, but little tufts of hair still poked out in sections of the braid. As he knew that it could bother her while she tried to work, he poked along the locks of hair until they hardly stuck out.

“Do you have any bobby pins, shortstack?”

She grimaced at the nickname. “Shortstack? That’s a new one,” she pushed away her laptop, stretching her arms above her head. Running her fingers over her new braid, she smiled in satisfaction. “And no, I don’t.”

Lance snickered at the cute, stubby braid that he made, and took his opportunity to make his advance.

“Hey Pidge?”

She answered without looking at him, popping her knuckles before pulling the laptop towards her again. “Yeah?”

He was suddenly dangling a mistletoe leaf over their heads, trying to fight back the mischievous smile on his face. “We’re under the mistletoe.”

She turned to him finally, blinking unresponsively. “I am not kissing you.”

His smile did not fall, and he wasn’t suddenly pouting like an actual child. “What? Why not?” His offense was poorly masked, and it was clear that she noticed.

She rolled her eyes at him. “Because that would be weird?”

“Yeah? Well you’re weird for not wanting a piece of this.” He decided finally, standing up and glaring down at Pidge. She actually looked utterly confused. After a moment, her eyebrows raised, and she suddenly looked extremely amused.

“Is this seriously why you came in here?” She mumbled, her face reading a mix of amusement and irritation.

Lance scoffed. He couldn’t deny it, but it was most definitely the reason why he visited her. Not that he would ever let her know that. He changed the subject. “Maybe Hunk will love me!”

He stormed off without another word, but he definitely didn’t miss Pidge’s scoff of indifference. “Yeah, good luck with that.”

He found Hunk where he had expected to find him: in the kitchen. The aroma of chocolate chip cookies filled the air, and his sniff of delight surely didn’t go unnoticed.

“Hey, buddy,” he smiled as he planted himself on one of the stools in the kitchen. Hunk raised a mit-covered hand in response. The oven door shut, and Hunk turned around to greet his friend properly.

“Whatcha baking?” Lance asked, pointing a finger over Hunk’s shoulder as he washed his hands. Hunk glanced up at him, shooting him a small smile.

“Cookies. Ever since I found the replacement batter for those teeth-shattering teludav lense cookies, I’ve discovered new ingredients to create new, well, edible cookies. They taste more like the earth cookies we’re familiar with as well, which is really cool,” Hunk explained mindlessly, scrubbing at a pan in the sink. Lance put on his best puppy-dog eyes, and before he even had the chance to say anything, Hunk was already sighing. “Yes, you can have first taste.”

Lance cheered, and he didn’t miss Hunk’s small, fond smile at his outburst. He placed his head in his fist as Hunk set the timer, eyeing down the pan of freshly baked cookies that was left to cool on the counter. Hunk dropped a cookie in front of Lance, and Lance broke into a giant grin.

“Be careful, man, they’re hot.”

Completely ignoring Hunk’s warning, he immediately sunk his teeth in, opening his mouth and panting at the sudden burn on his tongue. The cookie fell back onto the plate as Lance took a large gulp of water to soothe the fire in his mouth. Hunk snickered. “Told you.”

Instead of waiting, he split the cookie in half, blowing on it and dropping into his mouth a little bit more cautiously this time. The chocolate (or whatever this blue substitute for chocolate was) melted onto his tongue, and he was delighted as he savored the flavor. He let out a noise that most definitely wasn’t appropriate for a cookie, but Hunk seemed pleased at his response.

“So they’re good?” He smiled.

Lance swallowed, taking another piece into his mouth. “Hunk, buddy, these aren’t just good. These are incredible.”

Hunk chuckled, but rolled his eyes. “What have we talked about? Eating with food in your mouth?” He mimicked the eyebrow raise of a scolding mother, and Lance stuck his tongue out at him.

Lance scarfed down the rest of his cookie, and then another, while Hunk monitored his next batch. Mouth full of chocolate, he seemed pleased, and he found the small plant in his jacket pocket. He stalked over to where Hunk was watching the cookies. Grinning, he spun Hunk around, holding the leaf over his head.

“Surprise! Mistletoe!”

Hunk’s eyes flashed from the mistletoe leaf in Lance’s hand to his face a couple of times, and Lance could tell that he was trying to swallow down his blush. “I’m not an expert on the whole bro-code thing, but isn’t this, y’know...against it?” Hunk laughed nervously.

Lance shook the mistletoe, smiling innocently at Hunk. “Come on, buddy!”

Hunk coughed into his fist, gently pushing away his friend. He refused to look at Lance’s devastated pout, instead seating himself on one of the high-top stools and watching the cookies rise from afar.

“Sorry, buddy. No-can-do. You’re my bro, I don’t want to do that to you.” Lance grumbled, but didn’t want to fight with his best friend. He pouted, knowing that Hunk wouldn’t take it seriously, and snatched up another cookie. Hunk spluttered random noises as Lance marched off with it. “Thanks for the cookies, anyways.”

The door shut behind him before Hunk could remind him to not get cookie crumbs everywhere.

He found Shiro and Allura in the lounge. The two were discussing plans for the coalition, and their heads both snapped to the door when Lance had walked in. Allura smiled sweetly at him, the type of smile she shared when she was busy but was too polite to say so. “Do you need something, Lance?”

Lance suddenly felt quite shy and insignificant. This was the fate of the future they were talking about, and he was here to ask for a kiss. It took everything in him to not walk out then and there. He steeled himself before nodding and walking towards the two.

“I’m actually here to ask for a kiss,” he announced as if it was something undeniably casual. Both Allura and Shiro’s eyes narrowed skeptically, and Lance took his opportunity to pull out the plant, hanging it in the air over where the two sat.

Allura was the first to respond. “Is that...mistletoe?” She mused, staring Lance in the eye as if what he was doing was some big joke. Which it was, he supposed.

“To be fair, I’m surprised that you and Coran actually know what it is, but uh...yeah, it is.” Lance laughed, and his face was surely red now. Allura snickered, and Shiro watched her out of the corner of his eye with his own amused smile.

“I’m sorry, Lance, but we’re kind of busy right now,” Allura spoke apologetically, and Lance tried to keep a steady voice as he spoke.

“So later then?” He grinned suggestively, and Allura’s huff of annoyance as her facade finally cracked brought just a little bit of familiarity and comfort to Lance.

“I think you already know the answer to that,” she laughed while rolling her eyes, shooing him off with her hand, and Shiro only nodded half-apologetically at him.

“What about you, Shiro?” He spoke hopefully. Truthfully, he would rather not have to kiss his leader, but he would damage his ego if he left without asking.

Shiro raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, Lance. You can have a hug, though,” he stood to pull Lance into a hug, and the two could hear Allura giggling into her fist at the uncomfortable atmosphere. Laugh all you want, Allura.

He pulled away from Shiro’s embrace, trying not to grimace. He then left without another word, trying to shake off the nagging feeling of something seeming off in that exchange.

He had two contenders left, and he was definitely not avoiding one of them. Absolutely not. So what if his heart skips a beat whenever he enters the room, drenched in sweat from training, or how his laugh is like bells to Lance’s ears, or how his smile sets the bird in Lance’s heart fluttering wildly.

Okay, scratch that, maybe he WAS purposely avoiding him. But it’s not because he likes him. Definitely not. If anything, it’s because his utter existence is the bane of Lance’s. Stupid mullet.

Which is why when Lance found himself outside of Keith’s door, he hesitated, and pulled himself far away from the door that would burn to the touch to stop Lance’s thoughts from spiraling into chaos.

So instead, he heard the beeping of the video game contraption starting, and frowned when he realized that it was coming from his room. Clicking open the door, he found none other than Matt, sitting on the floor with a game controller in one hand, desperately trying to pull a blanket around himself with his other. Lance let himself all the way in, pulling the blanket more firmly around Matt’s shoulders, and Matt let out an unholy shriek when he realized that he wasn’t not alone. Something that Pidge and Matt don’t share in common. He flailed his controller, nearly striking Lance in the eye, and Lance was grateful that his reflexes were strong enough to escape the wrath of Matt by just a hair. When Matt calmed down from his frenzy, he frowned in embarrassment.

“Lance? What are you doing here?”

Lance snickered. “Uh, you’re in my room.”

Matt pursed his lips. “That’s fair.”

Matt silently invited Lance to play, patting the ground next to him, and Lance happily obliged. He plugged in the extra controller, leaning against the wall as Matt started the game. He couldn’t stop his mind from wandering, thinking of soft, black hair, which was why it was to no surprise that he lost the game in the first thirty seconds. He stared blankly at the screen, while Matt only frowned in confusion and slight disappointment.

“Everything okay?” Matt asked genuinely, frowning at his friend.

Lance cleared his throat, trying to bring a cheerful tone back into his voice. “Yeah, just a little spaced out. Let’s go again.”

The level restarted, and this time Lance put all of his energy into trying to focus on the screen in front of him. He felt that familiar rush of adrenaline, and then he was in hyper-focus. He listened for Matt’s cues, assisting him when he needed it, and in no time, the two finished the level. Both cheering, both sharing a high five. Lance felt anxiety crawling up his spine, so he found the plant in his pocket and held it up without further ado.

Matt frowned at the plant, waiting for an explanation.

Lance snorted. “C’mon, dude. You’ve gotta know what mistletoe is.”

Matt only laughed. “Sorry. I’m saving these lips for Allura. I’m not giving you my kiss virginity.”

Lance opened his mouth in clear amusement. He tried not to snicker. Hence ‘tried not to’. “‘Kiss virginity?’”

Matt gave Lance his most serious look. “Well what do you call it?”

Lance laughed and rolled his eyes. Matt was ridiculous. “I don’t know, first kiss? What, do you call it ‘sex virginity’ too?”

Matt put his finger under his chin in exaggerated thought. After a long moment, he finally nodded. “Yeah.”

The genius who made it into the Garrison with an above perfect GPA, everybody.

Matt suddenly stood, dragging his blanket behind him. “Well, I’m off to bed,” he announced, stretching his arms.

Lance’s eyes were drawn to the clock with their fabricated time system on the wall. “It’s only seven-thirty,” he mused.

Matt stopped mid-stretch to peek at Lance through one eye. “Really? Oh. Then I’m off to go bother Pidge,” he corrected himself, smiling at him before turning around, leaving Lance with the mess of a game system.

“That’s the spirit.” Lance laughed.

And then there was one.

Saying that Lance was nervous was an understatement. Why he was nervous was a story for another day, but as he was reminded that this was his last resort, he hesitated outside of the only barrier between him and his utter embarrassment.

Which is why after almost a full ten minutes, Lance’s fist was still a few centimeters from the door, and frankly, his arm was getting tired. This is ridiculous. He’s just another person, he’s not above Lance (as much as Lance sometimes believes he is).

Cursing under his breath, Lance finally bit the bullet and rapped his fist against the door. His heart shot into his throat as soon as he heard shifting from behind Keith’s door.

“Coming?” Keith called, but it came out closer to a question. Lance tapped on the pocket of his coat once. Twice. By his third tap, the door slid open, and Lance swallowed down his blush as he was suddenly mere inches away from him. Warm, violet eyes reflected the glow from the lantern on the wall. “Lance? Is everything okay?” He questioned, concern painting his face and increasing Lance’s heart rate. Lance couldn’t find it in himself to speak, so instead, he sucked in a breath and pulled out the plant. He dangled the mistletoe over the two of them, and Keith’s eyes held nothing but confusion. No irritation, no disgust.

Lance tried to pull together his bravado, but it was short lived and crumbled more with every word. “It’s mistletoe,” he pushed, but Keith only raised an eyebrow.

“You know. It’s Christmas tradition to kiss under the mistletoe. Not that’s it’s Christmas, yet, and I don’t even know if we’re going to celebrate considering we’re in space, but-“

Keith cut Lance off, pressing a finger to his lips. Lance felt his heart stop once again. “-you want me to kiss you?” Keith asked softly, searching his face, his eyes, anything to give him an answer. Yes, he did.

Lance felt his face flush. “I mean, ‘want’ is an overstatement,” he tried to backpedal. His confidence melted into a puddle on the floor long ago, and he would surely be joining it if he kept up this pace. But Keith was patient, way more patient than he deserved, and he wondered for a split second if he should have just come out and told him the truth.

Keith snorted. And it was cute.

“Whatever you say, Lance.”

Without further warning, Keith’s lips were pressed against the flesh of his cheek, and Lance’s blush was back in full force. Lance felt his face flush and his stomach sink, the type you feel when you’re dropping on a rollercoaster. Exhilarating, but slightly terrifying. He felt Keith giggle against his cheek, before pulling back with a rosey face of his own. Lance dropped his mouth dumbly, physically restraining himself from bringing his hand up to his cheek which was currently on fire for more reasons than one.

Keith smiled at him sweetly, satisfied with his reaction, and then the door was being closed. Lance didn’t even notice as the mistletoe fell out of his hand and onto the ground.

Too many thoughts were swirling around Lance, too many to swallow.

His cheek was buzzing from the touch, and his mind was buzzing with the thought ‘oh god, you missed’.

And with that, he knew that he was totally and completely screwed.

This boy would be the death of him.

Lance watched curiously as the two Alteans scrambled around to find bins full of decorations, announcing to Lance that they had something to show him. The other Paladins had gathered at the commotion, and Shiro and Hunk were currently helping lift the different bins that most likely outweighed the older man trying to carry them. Pidge had even taken a break from her own tasks to Lance’s request, and the bags under her eyes suggested that she needed it more than she was letting on.

Coran let out a triumphant ‘ah ha!’, to which Lance had hurried over to see what Coran had been so excited to show him. If his widespread grin was anything to go by, he was hoping it was good.

“Don’t overwork yourself, Coran,” Lance said softly, touched at the thought that all of this effort was being put forth for him specifically.

“None of that. Now look inside!” Coran smiled cheerfully, and Lance cracked open the bin. A puff of dust emerged at the exposure, Lance coughed into his fist, before turning his attention back to what looked like a...tree? He cleared some more of the dust before-

“Coran, is this a Christmas tree?” He said with childlike wonder, a giddy joy overwhelming him.

“That it is, Number 3! Although we refer to it as a ‘Talyeugian tree’. After I bought you that mistletoe the other day, I thought that some more ‘Christmas’ decorations might be to your liking. It is officially ‘December’, as you call it, after all.”

“It has been over ten thousand years since we’ve had an official Talyeugian celebration, so why don’t we start up again now?” Allura said nostalgically, smiling with the same joy that Lance felt at the aged tree.

“Yeah. That...that sounds really great.” Lance said, feeling a new warmth in his chest.

“Perfect. Hunk and Shiro, you can begin setup on the tree with me,” the two nodded, carrying the tree over to a barren corner in the lounge. They may have dropped the tree a bit too abruptly, but if they did, Coran didn’t say anything.

“Princess, you and Number 5 can help hang ornaments.”

Pidge huffed. “I hate that nickname,” she muttered, but Allura’s excitement pulled the scowl off of her face as soon as it was on it.

“Keith and Lance, you guys can begin hanging the Talyeugian lights. There’s a bin over there,” Coran pointed to a large green bin, overstuffed with a variety of different twinkling lights. Lance risked a glance at Keith, and then the two set off to begin their task.

While they have spoken since the cheek kiss a couple of days ago, they haven’t brought it up. But to be fair, why would they need to? There was nothing in need of being talked about. So maybe the atmosphere was a little more awkward. Neither of them felt the need to acknowledge it, it wasn’t a big enough deal.

Maybe Keith pretended that Lance hadn’t sat closer to him on a couch meant for five people.

Maybe Lance pretended that Keith’s glares weren’t as venomous and were longer lasting than usual.

Because everything was fine between them, and there was nothing unusual.

But it was like the tension in the air grew thicker as they were not in the presence of others, just out of reach. Neither wanted to break the silence, silently afraid that they would somehow ruin the moment that they didn’t even intend to create.

But someone had to speak, and Lance knew it would be him first.

“Where should we start?” He asked quietly so that only Keith could hear. Keith finally met his gaze, and was his face rosier than usual?

“Wherever’s fine,” he mumbled, and if he seemed more closed off than usual, Lance didn’t notice.

“Here,” he dropped a cord of fairy lights around Keith’s neck like a necklace, flicking on a switch that read ‘on’, since apparently Alteans are too advanced for power sockets. The glow from the crystal blue lights shone Keith’s violet eyes a delicious indigo, the smaller boy’s eyes flickering dazedly between the lights and the Paladin in front of him. Lance couldn’t help it. He smiled sweetly at him. His smile was surely much too warm for someone who he supposedly hated, but after a moment, Keith’s smile was just as warm, and that made his insides fill with warmth as well.

Lance felt that warmth crawl up his neck, and his hand instinctively crawled up to stop it, as if that could prevent it. He had to tease Keith to save his sanity.

“Are you sure that you’ll be able to hang these without a ladder? You’re almost as short as Pidge is.”

Keith’s smile fell, quickly replaced with a scowl. “I’m not that short.”

“Sure.”

Lance led the two into the hallway, and if Keith shrunk in on himself while out of Lance’s sight, he didn’t say anything. Then Lance was struck with a predicament, and his eyes widened comically as he came to this conclusion.

“Realized that even you’re too short to hang these lights without a ladder?” Keith snorted into his gloved palm.

Lance narrowed his eyes at him. Maybe so, but there’s no way that he would tell him that. Keith clearly saw through his attempt at brushing it off though, and he giggled. He actually giggled into his palm as Lance glared daggers into the lights.

“What’s your amazing plan now, genius?” Keith spoke between laughs.

Lance huffed, switching his glare to the boy in front of him. Keith’s laughs stopped immediately.

“I have an idea,” he mumbled. “Do you trust me?” He asked, and Keith raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I guess,” he shrugged, but he looked skeptical.

Lance suddenly wrapped his arms around Keith’s waist, lifting him as high as he possibly could. Keith tensed noticeably, but he didn’t seem to protest. “What are you doing?”

Lance shifted his grip on Keith, his face flushing when his cold fingers met contact with Keith’s warm middle under his lifted shirt, and Keith shivered in his grip. “The lights are self-adhesive. If you can reach the ceiling, then I can carry you and you can stick them to the crown of the ceiling.”

Keith seemed to understand this, and he stretched his arms up to test his reach, pleased when they just barely reached. “Okay, start walking,” he ordered, and Lance followed.

Keith easily put up the lights, and Lance, well, Lance had a rather magnificent view. He knew he was blushing, but he blamed it purely on the strenuous effort he was putting in to keep Keith mid-air.

“Getting tired down there?” Keith questioned, hearing Lance’s strained attempts to hold down his grunts and groans from holding him.

“I’m just peachy down here. How close are you?” He said with a little effort.

“Mm, maybe two feet?”

This was music to Lance’s ears. Though he didn’t want to admit it, his arms were getting tired from holding him. He’d better have abs of steel after this.

A couple more moments passed by, and Lance’s arms were going numb from his blood flow being restricted. “I’m done with this side,” Keith announced, and Lance didn’t hesitate to place him down on the floor again. Lance shook his arms out and admired their handiwork. Well, Keith’s handiwork. Keith returned to the bin of string lights, and moments later, they were back in their previous positions.

Involved with the task at hand, the two didn’t even notice Pidge coming in to check on them, whistling (or as close as ‘whistling’ could get for Pidge. It was closer to blowing air through her teeth) “My Heart Will Go On” at the sight in front of her. Lance immediately dropped Keith, startled at Pidge’s interruption, and Keith groaned from the ground. Keith seemed irritated at Lance’s outburst and glared at him. Lance was going to kill that little gremlin. She was gone as soon as she appeared, faint laughter heard from the other room, and Lance frowned apologetically at the sight of Keith rubbing at his hip on the ground.

“Thanks for that,” Keith grumbled, and Lance offered a hand out for Keith.

“Sorry about that. I’m going to kill her.

Keith snorted, outburst forgotten. “I’ll contribute.”

After finishing up in the hallway, the two Paladins wandered back into the lounge, only to discover-

“You guys have already finished with the tree?” Lance questioned, a combination of surprised and impressed.

Hunk smiled, gesturing to the fairy lights that framed the room. They accomplished their job a lot faster than Lance and Keith had. They also had six people to help decorate, though. Matt had also joined the living at some point, to Lance’s knowledge.

“It looks great, guys,” Keith spoke genuinely, and it was always a treat to witness the rare, openly friendly Keith.

Lance arranged his fingers in an ‘L’ shape under his chin. “Looks like all that’s missing is the star on the tree,” he spoke nonchalantly, but no one missed his poorly hidden grin.

Pidge glared at him. “Lance, this tree was a pain to put up. If you jump at the tree and call yourself the ‘star’, I will personally evict you into the lonesome of space myself.”

“Too late!” He announced, and all of his friends jumped in front of the tree to attempt to protect it. What they didn’t know was that he wasn’t aiming for the tree.

He charged at Pidge, and her eyes widened for a split second before he was scooping her up by her ankles and placing her on his shoulders. Her entire body tensed, grabbing onto every piece of him that she could reach to prevent herself from falling.

“Lance? What the hell are you doing?! Put me down!” She shouted, surely glaring into his hair.

“Keith, help me out,” he sent a knowing look to him, and Keith simply raised his eyebrows, unsure.

“The star, man,” he mouthed. Keith’s mouth formed into an ‘o’ shape, and upon his discovery of the star, his face contorted into amused confusion before nearly breaking into laughter.

Lance didn’t have time to wonder what was happening before Keith slapped the tree topper in his hand. Lance nearly dropped Pidge in his outburst of laughter.

“Coran, is...is this you?” Tears nearly formed in his eyes at his laughter, and he was sure that Pidge could feel him shaking from his grip on her ankles.

Coran simply smiled at him, a confirmation if nothing else, and then Lance was passing the ‘star’ up to where Pidge still had a death-grip on Lance’s hair.

“Come on, Pidgey-Widge,” he cooed, and her tug on his hair resulting in a ‘ow’ told him she wasn’t impressed.

Nonetheless, she placed the ‘star’ on top of the tree, if not to shorten her stay in the air, and the orange glow from the mosaic mustache shone light across the room, causing everyone to let out a victorious cheer. It was a good family effort, after all.

It wasn’t a surprise to anyone when Lance suggested a sleepover the next night, void of the valid question (“We literally live next door to each other, Lance.”), and it definitely wasn’t a surprise when Lance was the first to settle into the living room. Allura followed suit, in a pair of long sleeved, silk pajamas with tiny crowns all over them. She was shuffling an impressive amount of pillows and blankets, and Lance was quick to help her lug in as many comfort items that they could find in the castle.

“Shiro’s very hesitant to join us, you know,” Allura voiced, throwing another pile of blankets onto the ground to create a big, fluffy pillow seat. “He’s really worried that we’re going to be attacked and we won’t be prepared.”

Lance huffed as he, too, threw a pile of blankets onto the ground, jumping on top of his pile. Even though the pile seemed thorough enough, he easily sank to the hard ground, and the air was knocked out of his lungs as he groaned into the fabric. Allura’s giggles could be heard from outside of his pillow cocoon, and they only intensified as he struggled to emerge from it. Instead, he popped his head up after his floundering-fish attempt at escaping. “We’ll be fine. Tell him that if he doesn’t attend my super amazing fantastic Christmas spectacular party, then he’ll be sorry.”

Allura snickered. “Sure, Jan.”

Lance’s eyes widened comically as he snickered. “Picking up on earth slang, are we?”

Allura grinned. “Matt’s been telling me much about your ‘memes’.”

Lance laughed loudly. It was like when your parents try to understand teen culture. It’s absolutely hilarious, but kind of excruciating at the same time. He loves Allura though, so he let it slide.

Matt, ironically, was the next to join them. “Telling Lance about our learning sessions, eh, ‘Llura?” he mused out loud, obviously proud of Allura for taking such an interest in such painful jokes.

Allura grinned brightly at their new member. “Earth culture is so fascinating, I always love to learn about it.”

Lance couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, because memes are ‘Earth culture’. The only aspect of Earth that really matters, really.”

“Definitely,” Matt spoke in all seriousness.

At Matt’s approach, Lance playfully sent a death glare in his general direction, watching him like a hawk as he settled on the pillow beanbag on the other side of Allura. Matt definitely noticed, winking at him, and Lance stuck his tongue out at him.

A couple of minutes later, Hunk came in, bearing a tray full of cookies and goodies for them to snack on, complaining about burning some of the popcorn. (“It’s truly alright, Hunk. The burned pieces will only enhance the flavor!” Allura spoke cheerfully, blissfully unaware of the cringes from the other three Paladins.) Nearly ten minutes later, all of the Paladins, including Allura, Matt and Coran, were squished together on the sofa and the makeshift bean bags in front of them. Pidge and Hunk squished together in the left corner of the couch with Pidge practically sitting on the arm of the sofa, Coran taking over two beanbags in front of them. Allura and Matt sat shoulder to shoulder on Lance’s left, and Lance restrained from making gagging noises every time Matt attempted a cheesy, romantic advance on her. Shiro, well, Shiro sat on the floor by Coran. If Coran had chosen to move he could have had a seat, but Coran seemed insistent on lying down. Horizontally.

That left Lance and Keith.

Lance had claimed the far right corner of the couch, his favorite spot, and he definitely didn’t miss Keith’s ‘I-want-to-be-included-but-I-don’t-want-to-intrude-or-feel-like-I’m-being-a-bother’ face. He silently invited him to the spot in front of him, the last beanbag, and Keith shyly planted himself right in front of him. He curled his knees in to his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around himself, and Lance knew that he felt unincluded.

“Let me know if you’re feeling left out, okay? We all want you here with us,” Lance whispered under his breath to Keith, and he saw his head bob slightly in silent acknowledgment.

“We are not watching Elf,” Lance heard Pidge muse from the opposite side of the couch. Lance frowned, leaning far forward, probably into Keith’s personal space, to respond to her.

“What? Why not?” He mumbled. Pidge simply raised her eyebrows, laughing the fakest laugh Lance had ever heard from her.

“Why not? Because it’s Matt’s favorite movie. And he makes us watch it. Every. Damn. Christmas,” she exclaimed through gritted teeth, glaring daggers at him.

“Elf is a cinematic masterpiece and you know it!” Matt fired back, and Lance was having trouble determining whether the irritation on his face was real or simply an act. From the way that his fist was clenched across Allura’s shoulder, he was assuming it was real.

“I’ll eject you out of the castle in your sleep if you even think about playing that cursed movie,” Pidge mumbled, and Hunk looked extremely uncomfortable at the exchange. Lance couldn’t blame him.

“Alright, settle down you two. Why don’t we let Lance pick? This is his sleepover, after all,” Shiro butted in, trying to prevent the two bickering siblings from actually killing each other.

Nobody missed Pidge’s dramatic groan. “Lance, please don’t play a rom-com. I think I’ll actually combust if you do.”

Lance leaned far over the three bodies in the way and flicked Pidge on the nose, reveling in the way that her hands shot up in defense and her frown intensified. “So I have the power, huh?” He smiled, and it was no surprise that all of the heads in the room turned to stare at him. He was known for having an awful taste in movies.

“Lance please. I’m begging you. Anything but those awful Hallmark Christmas specials,” she begged, and Lance took pity on her this time.

“How about... you’re a mean one, Mister Grinch,” Lance began singing the all too familiar song, and Pidge certainly released a sigh of relief. Allura and Coran looked confused for a good reason, but Keith’s frown suggested that maybe he wasn’t too familiar with the movie decision as well.

“You’ve never watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas?” Lance gawked at him, and Keith simply shook his head with a small frown. Lance puffed out his chest, watching as Pidge somehow managed to conjure up the earth movie on her laptop before hooking it up to the Altean tech.

“Well that’s going to change today.”

Hunk passed around plates of cookies, and Lance couldn’t help but smile at the warmth in his chest as his friends, his newly found family, all sitting together, smiling and laughing. Enjoying each other’s company. Pidge leaned against Hunk, using him as a pillow, and Lance nearly laughed as Matt attempted to do the same with Allura, earning a backhanded smack and a frown of disapproval. As the movie began to play, the snickers calmed down, and the lights were turned off to enjoy the movie in its full glory.

Having seen the movie multiple times before, Lance found himself becoming fidgety. While the others seemed involved and sucked into the movie, his eyes darted from body to body. Before he knew it, he found himself bouncing his leg, and he knew that unless he could control it, he would irritate the bodies around him. It always happened at the worst times. Lance wasn’t really the best company for movie nights, never able to sit completely still and pay attention.

With Keith’s eyes glued to the screen, his eyelids fluttering shut lethargically every once in a while, Lance let his hands rest on top of Keith’s head, running them through his hair like a comb. If the atmosphere was more tense, he would likely have felt more embarrassed about the action, but he was in such a calm state that he couldn’t find it in himself to be bothered.

Keith tentatively leaned his head back, giving Lance full view of his eyes. They were wider than usual, but not in a scared way. More of a curious way than anything. Like a confused puppy.

“Is this okay?” Lance mouthed to him, doing all in his power to not disturb any of the others. That would lead to a rather awkward conversation for sure. Keith nodded sheepishly, leaning further into the couch - Lance’s legs, more specifically - behind him. As he turned his attention back to the movie, Lance continued combing through soft, black tufts of hair, smiling to himself when Keith continued to curve his head into his hands.

It was nice to see Keith like this, with his guard down. The same Keith who held his dagger as his most prized possession was on the brink of falling asleep, something out of his usual attire. He was relaxed, and his body grew heavier by the minute. Anything that Lance could do to help him relax was a success in Lance’s book.

Speaking of relax-

Keith’s movements became more and more exaggerated, the result of his control over his body slipping with exhaustion. Before the movie was even halfway through, Keith’s eyes slipped closed, and he fell into slumber. Lance continued to run his fingers through his hair, supposing that the relaxing gesture helped him fall asleep in the first place. He didn’t mind doing it, either. Lance spotted Allura out of the corner of his eye, noticing her soft smile at the action. He felt his heart rate spike at being noticed, but she simply shook her head softly, her smile never faltering.

“He never sleeps, you know,” she told him quietly, trying not to disturb anyone.

Lance sighed softly, returning his attention to the peaceful boy in front of him. “I know.”

Could Allura tell?

Could she tell the way his lips turned up in the corners as he tried to surpress his smile as he ran his fingers through Keith’s hair?

Could she tell that he felt his heart flutter whenever he’d subconsciously lean into his touch?

Could she tell that he had fallen deep?

A part of Lance was screaming that she shouldn’t, that he can’t allow her.

But maybe allowing Allura in to see this new part of Lance, this part of him that he unknowingly, maybe even unwillingly gave to Keith, wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Maybe she understood that this whole time, he’s been chasing after the wrong one.

He was a wolf chasing after prey that could never be caught.

Allura was always just out of his reach. A hare with an extra spring in its steps.

He would chase after her for a lifetime, but the hare would always exceed him. His attempts were in vain.

But maybe he was being chased as well. Another wolf, with stronger legs, bounding after him. A wolf who didn’t belong to a pack. A wolf desperate for love, for belonging, who was a shadow chasing after sunlight. Maybe Lance didn’t mind it.

And maybe, just maybe, he would allow himself to stop running, and just be caught.

Matt was the first to talk after the credits began to roll. “Elf’s better,” he mumbled, yawning tiredly into cold hands. Pidge groaned. He stood, nearly tripping over Coran, who was currently fast asleep on the floor.

Lance noticed Shiro, still sitting on the outside of the couch, staring at Keith with tired, aging eyes. Lance met his gaze with a hesitant smile.

“Should we leave him?” Shiro asked, gesturing to the sleeping Keith for the rest of the group.

Lance shook his head. “I’ll take him back to his room so he can get some sleep,” he explained, crawling over the side of the sofa to pick up the sleeping boy.

“Are you sure you’ve got him?” Hunk questioned, offering his help. He watched as Lance scooped him up in his arms. Readjusting his grip, he simply nodded.

“Don’t worry about it. You guys can choose the next movie. I’ll be out in a bit,” he explained before leaving the lounge. Keith hardly stirred, and Lance was surprised that he had stayed asleep for this long.

Letting his legs carry him to Keith’s room, Lance simply watched him. He looked younger, more innocent, when he was asleep. He didn’t look like he had fought in a war. He didn’t look like he continues to fight in a war. Save for the six inch scar that racked across his right collarbone, exposed from the wide neck of the shirt, he looked like any other teenage boy.

Lance knew that he’d been through a lot, and it showed on his face whenever he closed himself off, crossed arms over a hunched chest.

He stirred slightly, mumbling random, incoherent noises. His eyes fluttered open slowly, staring tiredly at the boy carrying him.

Maybe if he weren’t so tired, he would have jumped out of his arms, or cursed at him. He would have called his names, anything to save his pride.

But sleepy Keith was wired differently than regular Keith, and he seemed content to just be carried. “We’re almost there, buddy.”

He turned his face into Lance’s shirt to shelter himself from the dropping temperature of the castle, and Lance smiled to himself as he buried his nose in his nightshirt. How adorable.

Lance activated the door to his room, carefully stepping in and avoiding anything that he could trip on, which was...nothing? His room seemed as empty as it was when they first claimed their rooms in the inhabited castle. He briefly recalled his conversation with Keith about leaving the team, and how empty it was then, too. Placing him on his bed gently, he pulled the covers over him. He looked peaceful. He took one last fleeting glance at the boy and began walking towards the door when-

“Lance?” Keith’s muffled question came. Lance turned over his shoulder.

“Yes?”

Keith’s response was delayed, and Lance nearly just marked it off as sleep talking. “Stay?” His voice was small and muffled, and Lance felt his heart skip.

Was Keith sleep talking, or was he rationally asking for Lance to stay with him? The better part of his brain told him to leave and never return, but his heart was urging him differently.

“Okay, buddy.”

Against his better judgement, he slowly approached the bed, pausing in front of it for any sign of hesitation from Keith. When Keith anticipated his presence, he pulled back the covers, sliding into the bed next to Keith. Keith’s eyes fluttered open, and he seemed embarrassed to say the least.

“Sorry, I slept better when you were rubbing my head earlier,” he mumbled as if he had to explain himself. Lance smiled, reaching a hand out to comb his hair out of his face.

“You don’t have to explain yourself. I don’t mind,” Lance explained, smiling at the way that Keith seemed to relax at his touch.

“M’kay.”

After a few more minutes of combing his hair, Keith’s breaths evened out, and he was asleep again.

Which left Lance to watch the sleeping boy take even breaths, wondering when he let himself fall so deeply for this boy.

Lance didn’t sleep as well as Keith did that night.

Lance has woken up to a lot of strange scenarios in the past. Living in a household full of boisterous kids led to a lot of bed-bouncing and early mornings of ‘get-out-of-bed-before-I-get-the-bucket-of-water’ occurred quite often. Lance clearly remembered the time where he woke to the electrician hovering over his bed. Lance, for a good reason, screamed, and it took his mom and two of his siblings to get through to him that he was simply trying to fix the broken light above his bed, and wasn’t, in fact, some psychopath. That was definitely an uncomfortable situation.

What wasn’t an uncomfortable situation was waking next to a warm body, arms wrapped around his torso just as he did to the other.

Opening his eyes only to reveal that said-body was staring unashamedly at him was definitely a bit uncomfortable, however.

As soon as blue was on violet, Keith corrected himself, recoiling on himself with pursed lips and guilty eyes.

“Morning,” Lance hummed, proud of himself for keeping a steady voice this soon after waking up. Keith cleared his throat, avoiding Lance’s eyes.

“Yeah, morning,” he mumbled sheepishly, wrapping his arms around himself, likely to warm himself. Lance frowned, reaching out to carefully grab one of Keith’s arms. Keith’s eyes finally met Lance’s, and Lance could tell that he was embarrassed. Placing Keith’s hand back on his hip, back to where it was, he urged Keith to relax again.

“I don’t mind, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he said softly, fighting back a yawn. It was a losing battle however, and he hummed into his yawn, unaware of the way that Keith was curiously gazing at him with an almost guilty face.

“I think that’s the longest I’ve ever slept,” Keith stated, sheepish and lethargic.

If having Lance sleep next to him was all that it took to help him get some sleep, then Lance would happily make that a part of his routine.

He smiled, surely way too soft for who it was directed at. “I’m glad I could help.”

The seconds ticked by as the two lay in bed. Keith was a well-known morning person and Lance knew that, which was why he was so curious as to why Keith was still laying with him. While Lance was more than content to lay with him all day, he was aware that that wasn’t the most productive option.

“We should probably go see the others. I kind of bonked out when you did, they probably want to know why I didn’t come back.”

Keith snickered at Lance’s choice of words, before nodding and sitting up fully. Stretching his arms, Lance couldn’t fight the urge to stare at the bare skin that peeked out from underneath his night-shirt, swallowing harshly. It was only when Keith cleared his throat with a faint blush and a raised eyebrow that Lance broke his stare. Lance timidly directed his gaze to anywhere but Keith. Stupid, pretty Keith.

His hair was wild, sticking out in every direction, and yet it only made Keith prettier. God, could this boy ever be anything but pretty? He was starting to believe that it was impossible.

“Go see the others. I’ll come in a few so it’s not as...obvious,” He said softly, waiting for a response, and Keith was quick to follow. He neared the door. A pause.

“Lance?” He hummed, keeping his attention on the door in front of him.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks,” he mumbled, but it was genuine, and that made Lance’s heart soar. Lance couldn’t help it. He smiled. Maybe he’d one day let Keith see it, see the way that he affected him, but for now, he was content for keeping that a secret for himself.

��Anytime, Keith.”

Nobody questioned their late appearances, but Lance definitely didn’t miss Pidge’s pointed snickers or Allura’s fond smile as the two emerged an hour later than they usually would.

Waking up next to Keith became a normalized part of their routine. Keith still distanced himself as he fell asleep, but subconsciously, he would almost always wake up half on top of Lance, or with his arms wrapped around him in a death-grip. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Keith was definitely a cuddler, and that was extremely endearing to Lance. He would gladly cuddle Keith for the rest of time if he would be allowed to.

The days passed as usual. No calls from the Blade, no emergency signals for the Paladins. It was almost like a true Christmas break for them, and they all definitely appreciated the break.

But nothing good ever lasts for very long, and one night after Lance had snuck into Keith’s bedroom out of the eyes of others, a shrill ringing came from Keith’s pocket. Lance’s head shot up at the commotion, interrupting his task of pulling down the covers on Keith’s bed. The poor boy’s eyes were saucers, and he looked distressed.

“Keith? What’s wr-“

“I have to go,” Keith interrupted, and Lance hated how stiff his posture suddenly became, setting his jaw and steeling his eyes.

“Are you getting called on a mission?” He already knew the answer. “I’ll be back soon,” he muttered, searching through his near-empty dresser for his Blade outfit. Keith couldn’t even care that he was stripping in front of Lance, desperate to tune everything out and set himself back into the fight-mode that he was so unnervingly used to.

“Keith-? Keith?” Lance questioned, but Keith was too involved with fighting with the hood of his Blade outfit to notice. “Keith- Keith!” Lance shouted, distracting Keith out of his frenzy.

Keith looked helpless. He looked determined. If Lance searched hard enough, he could even say that he looked scared. He had a good reason to be. He wanted to tell him everything that was floating around in his head, stirring up his thoughts like a fan blowing around a stack of paper. He could never organize them, they were gone as soon as they came. He could never put a name to all of the emotions that Keith Kogane made him feel. Not in the moments that were counting down with the shrill alarm still going off in Keith’s glove. He had to say something to him before he left. But what could he say?

Keith pleaded with him through a glance. There’s no time.

Lance sucked in a breath, letting all of his emotions and heartache out as he exhaled. “Stay safe.”

Keith searched his eyes for exactly three seconds. The first was terrifying. The second was exhilarating. The third was a goodbye.

“I will.”

Lance was alone again, the only sound louder than the ringing in his head being the fading sound of the alarm as the footsteps sprinted closer and closer to an open grave.

He was pacing and he knew it. Keith had been called on missions before this, hell, it felt like he was never not on a mission, but none of the previous have ever given him the anxiety that he felt this time. Something in the back of his head was telling him that something would go wrong, begging him to do something to prevent said thing from happening. But he was helpless. Nothing he could do could change the order of the universe, he could never be the knight and shining armor that he wanted to be. He could never be anything but useless.

No. Now was not the time for those thoughts.

How long had it been since he left? An hour? It felt like longer. His head snapped to the ticking clock on the wall, the clock that would drive him to insanity.

It’s only been two hours.

Anything could have happened in those two hours, and his anxiety constantly reminded him of this.

In his distraught state, he nearly didn’t hear Allura’s soft knocking on the door. Letting herself in, she sighed. She sounded so tired. Maybe she was just as worried as he was.

“I thought I might find you in here,” she spoke with a newfound softness. Meeting her eyes, she took in Lance’s face, his body posture, the redness of his eyes. She didn’t look nearly as awful, but she definitely looked tired.

“I feel so helpless, Allura,” he whispered, and even he was surprised by how hoarse his voice sounded. He wasn’t even aware that he had been crying. Allura frowned empathetically, placing a hand on his shoulder to guide him over to Keith’s bed. His and Keith’s bed, his brain provided. His tears nearly spilled over again.

“I know how you feel, Lance,” she began, rubbing a soothing hand over his shoulder. She wasn’t great at the whole comforting thing, but he appreciated her for trying. “That’s how I used to feel when I still piloted the castle. I couldn’t help but feel like something would go wrong, and I wouldn’t be able to-“ she cut herself off, pressing a fist to her mouth. She was trying to pull herself together for Lance’s sake. After a long moment, she released a slow breath, wiping away the tears that gathered in her eyes.

“-be able to do something to help,” she continued, her voice shaking nearly imperceptibly. “But sometimes...there’s nothing you can do. And sometimes, you just have to be able to accept that fact and let fate play out.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to him,” he said, completely ignoring Allura’s speech, but she only frowned again. Her hand fell from his shoulder to his back, rubbing soothing circles into his shirt. It reminded him of his mom, how amazing she was at comforting him and getting him to smile.

He was now sad for more reasons than one.

“I don’t either,” she spoke comfortingly. “But you know Keith. He’s strong and stubborn and he has thick skin. He’s survived a lot. He’s stronger than you know.”

Lance scowled. “But his stubbornness leads him into making stupid decisions. He nearly killed himself to save us, Allura. He’s so damn selfish. What would we have done without him? What would I have done without him? Does he know that his recklessness is going to kill him one day?” Lance broke, not even trying to fight off the fresh wave of tears. His cries became more and more broken and cracked, and Allura watched as he helplessly tried to pull himself together. He pressed the bases of his palms into his eyes as he processed his words. Does he know that his recklessness is going to kill him one day?

“I think,” he began, trying to will the words to form in his mouth. Let her know. “I think I love him, Allura. And I’m so, so worried about him. I don’t want to lose him,” he spoke through numb lips, ignoring the way that his entire body seemed to burn at his confession. Allura was silent next to him, and his mind was an endless array of ‘you messed up’.

“Maybe you should tell him,” she said after a moment of silence. She smiled apologetically at him, and then she was gone. Allura’s voice was the only thing that outlasted the endless ringing in Lance’s head.

Maybe he should.

Lance realized that Keith Kogane wasn’t as selfish as he once thought. Quite the opposite, actually. He was a fighter. He was empathetic, and brave, and willing. He was selfless.

That selflessness brought an ache to Lance’s heart.

Lance didn’t know when this new anxiety crawled into him. He didn’t know when he became more concerned about Keith’s well being than his own. He didn’t know when he fell in love with him.

But he came to all of these realizations as he watched the ticking clock, praying that he would just come home.

After what felt like an eternity, Lance felt the familiar purring in his head. A buzz of excitement ran through his veins as he tried to interpret what she was telling him.

“What is it, Red?” He whispered, pleading for Keith’s safety. A wave of comfort engulfed him as he remembered that if Keith really were in danger, then Red would have likely bolted out of the castle by now. Or maybe that comfort was just Red soothing him. Either way he didn’t mind. A pause.

Open the door. He’s back.

His heart skipped a beat, and he was charging for the door as quickly as his legs would carry him. A tired, shadowy figure came closer and closer into perspective. If Lance’s heart weren’t pounding so fast with adrenaline and hope, then he most likely would have assumed him an enemy.

But when the hood fell down, revealing a tired but very much alive Keith, Lance suddenly couldn’t speak. Their eyes met, both paladin’s holding in too many emotions to possibly let out. Lance opened his arms, and Keith couldn’t resist. He was suddenly barreling into him.

Lance was probably holding Keith too tightly, but he didn’t care. Keith was probably enjoying the warmth too much, but he didn’t care. Lance pulled away only far enough to place his thumbs on the apples of Keith’s cheeks, unexplainably overjoyed that he got to see those beautiful, violet eyes again. Keith let out a shuddering breath.

“I was so worried about you,” Lance began, breathless and on the verge of tears. He seemed like he was overreacting, and maybe he was, but in this moment he didn’t care. “I had this nagging feeling that something would happen to you and oh my god I’m so glad you’re safe.” He spoke breathlessly, and Keith laughed softly, but Lance could tell from the tattered material on his back that this was not an easy fight for him.

“Lance,” he mumbled, and Lance’s eyes were drawn to his like a moth to a flame. Keith looked like he wanted to say something, desperate to give an explanation or another empty apology, but then his eyes flickered to Lance’s lips, desperate for something else. Lance’s heart sprung in his chest.

And then they were kissing.

It began off desperate and rough, like Lance was Keith’s oxygen and he could never get enough to fill his lungs. Lance could feel Keith pouring out all of the emotions that he could never speak aloud into the kiss, and Lance felt a couple of tears stream down his cheeks as he put names to them, matching them with his own. Desire. Relief. Hopefulness. Love.

It eventually slowed down into something more intimate, more meaningful. Sadness. Uncertainty. Fear. Desperate kisses became slow declarations of love, and Lance discovered that Keith held more emotions than he could have ever realized. This was everything that he could have ever wanted. Keith was everything that he could have ever wanted.

Lance let Keith break the kiss first, willing to provide as much comfort as he needed, gently pressing their foreheads together. They were both gasping for breath, breathing the same air, and that alone was enough to send Lance’s brain spinning.

When Keith’s eyes flickered up to Lance’s his face contorted with guilt. “Why are you crying?” He asked softly, worried that he caused those tears. Lance noticed his poorly hidden fear, and he brought his thumbs back up to Keith’s face with a small smile, rubbing small circles on his cheeks.

“I love you,” he announced, and Keith’s face became a delightful shade of red. Pushing back the raven tufts of hair that curled in front of his ear, he smiled softly at the boy who he had fallen so deeply for in front of him.

Keith’s facade officially cracked, and he found himself smiling shyly up at the new red Paladin. “I...I love you too.”

That’s all that Lance could have ever wanted.

“Lance, I look ridiculous!” Keith shouted from behind the muffled door of the bathroom. Lance was curious as to why he was taking so long, but it was becoming increasingly clear as to what his delay was.

“Babe, it’s supposed to be ugly. It’s an ugly Christmas sweater,” he wouldn’t tell him that he put in a little extra effort to make Keith’s a bit cuter than the others, that’s for sure.

The door clicked open a minute later, revealing a half-irritated, half-embarrassed Keith. The red sweater that read “Mr. Grinch” was slightly too big for him, revealing his collarbones. Good. Just as he intended. Speaking of big, it was super long, landing mid-thigh on him. He could probably get away with wearing it without pants if he wanted to-... he ended that train of thought before it could even leave the station.

“How-? You look cute in it. You look cute in an ugly Christmas sweater. This is so unfair. I’m calling the police,” Lance muttered, and Keith snickered. Maybe his face matched the color of his sweater, but Lance wouldn’t tell him. Keith flopped back onto the bed, grabbing the back of Lance’s sweater (‘I’ve been mostly nice’) and attempting to pull him back to the mattress.

“Up-up-up! Don’t be a Grinch, Mr. Grinch. It’s Christmas, a day for family,” Lance scolded him, trying to free himself from the iron grip of his boyfriend.

“I have no family,” Keith mumbled, dropping his hand over his eyes dramatically.

Lance snickered then. “Calm down, edgelord.”

But Keith was relentless, dragging his feet even as Lance physically dragged him down to the lounge where the rest of the Paladins were. All of the heads turned as the two entered, barely noting that they entered together. Lance was more intrigued by Pidge’s total irritation and Hunk’s actually sunshine-radiating presence in his bright yellow sweater.

“I see you all found the sweaters I made you!” Lance clapped his hands together, grinning at each and every person in the room.

Pidge groaned. “Not to be rude or anything, but why?” She grumbled, pointing to her sweater that read “Do not feed after midnight”. Lance thought it was clever, anyways.

“Because you’re a gremlin,” he stated simply, enjoying the laughs from around the room, mainly from Matt. Allura and Coran seemed as confused as always.

“Yeah, and you’re a pain in the ass. What else is new?” She mumbled, earning a stern ‘language’ from Shiro.

The others seemed to enjoy their sweaters, at least. Hunk’s “I’ve been good” sweater. Allura and Coran’s matching “Merry Talyeugian” sweaters. Shiro’s “Father Christmas” sweater. Matt’s “I’ve been naughty” sweater.

Being in the vastness of space has its consequences. The tree was barren of any presents underneath, but they were all together, and that’s all that mattered in Lance’s book.

Lance felt warmth as he realized that he found a second family within his team.

Gathering his confidence, Lance slipped away from the team, allowing the music to hook up to the speakers. The familiar bells of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” began, and any conversation that the team was holding dissipated into thin air.

“Pidge? Is that your music?” Hunk questioned, and Lance couldn’t prevent his smile from overtaking his face.

Pidge laughed, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and index finger. “I wouldn’t play this cursed song if I had to,” she spoke in exaggeration.

“I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need~” Lance began, sauntering out back into the room, nearly breaking character at all of the amused faces that surrounded him. Lance definitely didn’t miss Pidge’s snicker before she herself started singing the lyrics. Coran and Allura looked positively intrigued, watching Lance’s exaggerated movement as he worked himself to the center of the sitting area. After scanning his eyes across the audience, he settled on staring at Keith with a mishevious grin. He certainly didn’t miss Keith’s widened eyes, either.

“I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree~” He sang, gesturing to the empty Christmas tree, resulting in a couple of chuckles around the room. He closed in on his target, never breaking character.

Taking Keith’s hands in his own, he held Keith in a soft gaze, pleased when Keith held him in his own mesmerized gaze. Lance would never get over how pretty his eyes were, a warm violet, now that he could look at them for as long as he pleased. He loves him so much. “I just want you for my own,” He sang, never allowing Keith’s eyes to leave his own, even as he brought one of his hands up to the apple of Keith’s cheek and rubbed small circles. “More than you could ever know.”

It was like they were alone, like there weren’t six other people all watching them curiously. Good. This was a moment for Keith and for Keith only. Keith’s smiled softly as Lance sang the next lyrics.

“Make my wish come true~” his voice quieted, a silent question, answer and a promise all in one as he meditated on the words from his own mouth. “All I want for Christmas~” he sang the exaggerated notes, trying to hit the same notes as Mariah Carey. Keith laughed softly, allowing Lance to hypnotize him with his somewhat-sad attempt at singing.

“...is you,” Keith is everything that he could have ever wanted.

As the bells and the piano started up, he pulled Keith away from the sofa and into the center of the room, Keith looking a bit confused and incredibly worried. Lance stepped back and took a dramatic bow, holding out his right hand for Keith to grab. Keith followed, still looking embarrassed and slightly dumbstruck. “Just follow my lead,” Lance hummed, smiling softly at his boyfriend. Before he could protest, the lyrics started up again. Suddenly, Lance was whisking him away in a dance.

“I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need~” Lance repeated the lyrics as he spun Keith. Hearing the chorused ‘And I’s from Hunk and Pidge, he had to pause to laugh.

“-don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I don’t need to hang my stocking, there upon the fireplace,” he began again, smiling as Keith followed his lead without hesitation, desperate to please him.

“Santa Claus won’t make me happy with a toy on Christmas Day.” Lance reached out a hand, hiding Keith’s hair behind his ear as he did after their first kiss.

“I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know,” he hummed, watching with a warm smile as Keith attempted to mouth the words that he didn’t know.

“Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you,”

Keith was flushed from dancing, a happy grin on his face as Lance continued to twirl him around the room in an almost-waltz. He looked so beautiful. How did Lance deserve him?

“You, baby,” he hummed, personalizing the words, enjoying how Keith fidgeted in his grip.

The rest of the song continued that way, and the two were completely oblivious to their friends’ reactions.

“I knew it would happen sooner or later,” Hunk hummed to Pidge, smiling at how overjoyed and naturally in love they both looked. “I knew something was up when he asked me to kiss him.”

Pidge’s jaw dropped as she turned to him. “Oh my god, he actually asked you? He asked me too. Please tell me that you rejected him.” She laughed, face glowing with laughter.

Hunk grinned at her. “Of course. I just wanted him to sort out his feelings on his own. Looks like he finally came to,” he explained, returning his attention to the two lovebirds who continued to dance around the room like nobody was watching them. Newsflash: everyone was.

“Yeah,” Pidge decided, smiling to herself. She was proud of them. “Looks like he did.”

If only Lance could see Allura’s overjoyed smile.

Before the song could close with the last chorus, Lance dipped Keith. Keith looked content, so incredibly happy, and that made Lance happy, too.

“Hey Lance?” Keith whispered.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

Keith smiled. “We’re under the mistletoe.”

Lance glanced up only to discover that yes, that was mistletoe dangling above their heads. In fact, that was his mistletoe that started this whole wonderful mess. He smiled. “Looks like we are.”

Pressing their lips together, they completely ignored the surrounding cheers, so utterly enamored with love that nothing else mattered to them. Lance pressed their foreheads together gently, ears tickling at Keith’s sigh of contentment.

Lance secretly wondered who put it up there, unaware of the small mice that secretly crawled along in the vent shaft, joyfully chirping among themselves.

“I’d love to kiss you for longer, and there will always be time for that, but this is my part,” Lance explained, pulling away from Keith with a mischievous grin and a laugh. Keith watched with such a fondness that Lance found his head spinning all over again, despite standing completely still.

“All I want for Christmas~” he sang, taking a deep breath, noticing all of his other friends doing the same.

“Is...YOU,” everyone screeched with horrible attempts to hit the high note. Keith had to cover his ears, despite laughing so intensely and so naturally that Lance’s heart skipped a beat, even mid-note.

Keith smiled. There will always be time for more kisses.

Lance laughed. Keith was everything that he could have ever wanted.

#voltron #klance #christmas au #i'd love to hear your feedback!#i'd love to write more oneshots and fics like this if you guys enjoy this :)

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