#full of energy and speed and instinct sure

[dakusan]

S U R P R I S I N G S K Z O N T O U R — B A C K S T A G E

stray kids ot8 x reader | post-show sweat. backstage chaos. and the person they missed more than sleep.

🌙 synopsis: they’ve been gone for weeks—sweating under stadium lights, screaming into mic stands, hearts beating to the rhythm of a thousand voices. they’ve given everything. every night. to everyone. and then—it’s you. standing in the hallway. soft smile. no warning. no cameras. just you. and suddenly, the lights aren’t the brightest thing in the room anymore. this isn’t just a surprise. it’s home. it’s you.

💌 a/n: welcome to Tender Tuesday™. yes i made sure it's tuesday this time not like last time!!! this was written under the influence of 1 delusional daydream in a dressing room mirror and the mental image of Han Jisung tripping over his own mic pack trying to hug you. p.s. reblog this like you’re the one showing up in their hoodie p.p.s. drink water or bang chan will fly home and force-feed you oranges p.p.p.s. do yourselves a favour and go listen to the song. it’s disgustingly cute. if you somehow haven’t heard it yet—first of all, how dare you. second of all, fix that. also. watch skz react to their own mv for it. it’s unhinged. they are unwell. you will be too. you're welcome ♡

📍credits: @cafekitsune for the dividers

🎧 » Your Eyes — Stray Kids « 0:58 ─〇───── 3:16 ⇄ ��◃ ⅠⅠ ▹▹ ↻

Bang Chan // 방찬

The show ends in a blur of lights, sweat, and deafening screams. Chan’s still catching his breath, chest rising and falling beneath the drenched tank top clinging to his body, mic still clipped to his jaw. The rest of the boys are collapsing into couches or toweling off, high on adrenaline and crowd energy.

Chan’s scanning the staff in the hallway with that ever-present leader instinct—checking on everyone, nodding at sound techs, offering quick praise to dancers. He turns the corner near the dressing rooms.

And stops. Like, full stop.

Because you’re standing there.

In his hoodie. Holding a bottle of water. Smiling like you belong here. Which you do. But he wasn’t expecting you for another week.

“…No way.”

He blinks twice. Looks behind him, like maybe you’re a mirage conjured by exhaustion. Then his whole face shatters into the softest smile you’ve ever seen.

“Wait—no, wait—no way.”

You laugh, arms opening before he even moves.

And then he runs.

No hesitation. No chill. Just full-speed Chan, sweaty, glowing, chest heaving, launching himself into your arms like gravity gave up on him the second you appeared. His arms lock around your waist instantly, head tucked into your neck, and he just holds you.

Tight. So tight it’s like he’s scared you’ll vanish if he lets go.

“You—” his voice cracks, and he laughs into your shoulder, breathless and slightly delirious. “You’re really here.”

You nod, arms around him. “Surprise.”

“Are you kidding?” he whispers, pulling back just enough to look at you, eyes wide, glassy. “That was the best surprise of my entire life.”

You brush his hair off his sweaty forehead. “You killed it out there.”

“I missed you out there,” he says, no filter, no hesitation.

And then he kisses you. Hard. Fast. Desperate. Like he doesn’t have time to say everything he feels and this is the only language he has left. When he pulls back, he presses your foreheads together and murmurs, “Don’t leave. Not yet. I need you right here.”

So you stay. In the hallway. Wrapped in each other. As the rest of the world continues spinning—but he’s only looking at you.

Lee Know // 리노

He’s calm. Collected. Leaning against a wall backstage post-show, sipping from a water bottle and nodding along as someone from staff debriefs him on the schedule. Typical Minho—quiet confidence, unreadable eyes, dancer precision. He just performed for 30,000 people and still looks mildly bored.

Until his gaze shifts. And lands on you.

For a second, he doesn’t react at all. Just stares. Like you short-circuited his brain. Eyes flicking from your shoes, to your hoodie (his), to your soft little smile like:

No. No no no. That’s not real. She’s not supposed to be here—

Then—

“…You’re kidding.” His voice is flat, but his ears are bright red.

You open your arms casually, like this isn’t the most romantic ambush of his life. He blinks. Slowly. Then glances at the staff member, mutters a distracted, “Sorry, I gotta go fall apart real quick,” and walks straight into you.

No running. No drama. Just quiet urgency. Hands on your waist. Forehead against your shoulder. Breathing you in like you’re oxygen and he’s been holding his breath the entire tour.

“I hate you,” he mumbles.

You smile into his hair. “No you don’t.”

He squeezes you tighter. “I really do.”

You laugh. “Why?”

“Because you showed up looking like that and now I have to pretend I’m fine when I’m actually thinking about skipping every stop on this tour just to drag you home.”

Your heart stutters. And then, softer—

“…I missed you.”

He doesn’t say it loud. Doesn’t need to. It’s in the way he won’t let go. The way his jaw’s clenched and his fingers are shaking slightly. The way he presses a kiss to your neck like it’s instinct. He pulls back just enough to look at you, and for the first time in a while—he actually smiles. That rare, real one. The one he only gives you.

“You could’ve warned me,” he says.

You shrug. “Wouldn’t have been as fun.”

He rolls his eyes. Then leans in, whispers in your ear, voice low and warm: “…You’re not sleeping alone tonight. Not after this.”

And you know. Under all the chill, the deadpan sarcasm, the perfect stage face—he’s shaken. And he’s so happy you’re here.

Changbin // 창빈

He’s pacing.

Shirt stuck to his back. Sweat dripping from his neck. Still riding the post-show high—wired, panting, glowing. He’s halfway through retelling a moment from the encore to a staff member, hands flailing, voice slightly hoarse—

Then he sees you.

And it’s over.

The world tilts. The noise dies. And his eyes go wide—like someone hit the brakes on his heart.

“…No way. NO WAY—”

He stumbles forward like his feet can’t decide whether to walk or run. His arms are already out. You barely get a breath in before he scoops you up into the most chaotic, all-consuming bear hug of your life. Your feet leave the floor. Your lungs get crushed. He spins you in a full circle before collapsing against a wall with you still in his arms.

“You—” he breathes, “I’m gonna cry. I swear. I’m not joking.”

You laugh into his neck. “Cry, then.”

“I might! I literally—what the hell. You were supposed to be in another country! You lied to me!”

You look up at him, grinning. “Yeah. And I’d do it again.”

He stares at you, eyes shining with disbelief and affection and something deeper that lives in his chest just for you. And then, he kisses your forehead. Slow. Grateful.

“I missed you so much it physically hurt,” he mumbles, voice cracking.

Then, a beat later: “You’re not leaving. You hear me? You’re staying with me ‘til tour’s over. I don’t care what we have to cancel.”

He presses his forehead to yours, and for a second, he’s not Changbin from Stray Kids. He’s just Binnie. Yours. Sweaty, shaky, and so, so in love.

Hyunjin // 현진

He’s sitting in front of the dressing room mirror. Still in his stage outfit. Still glowing. Still breathing fast. His head is bowed, fingers twitching over his knees, lost in the afterglow of a stage that nearly tore his heart out.

And then—

He looks up. Sees the door open. And sees you. Standing there. Wearing his hoodie. Eyes glassy with emotion, like you’ve been watching him the whole time.

At first, he doesn’t move. Just stares. And then—his whole body shatters. He’s up. Fast. But not loud. Not running. More like a storm gathering itself—slow, trembling, dangerous in how much it feels.

You whisper, “Hi, baby.”

And he’s in front of you before you can finish the breath. Hands cradling your face. Eyes searching yours like you’re not real.

“You—” he whispers, voice hoarse, “—you came?”

You nod. “I couldn’t stay away.”

And his lips part like he wants to say something profound, poetic, worthy of the art you are to him—but instead, all that comes out is:

“…I missed you.”

Then he pulls you in and hugs you like a drowning man grabbing the surface. One hand fisting your shirt. The other buried in your hair. His body shakes.

You feel his breath hitch once. Then again.

“Jinnie,” you whisper, “are you crying?”

He laughs through it, wet and shaky. “Shut up.”

You hold him tighter.

“You always do this to me,” he murmurs against your ear. “You always show up and make me feel like I’m seventeen again. Like love isn’t terrifying. Like I deserve it.”

You cup his cheeks, wipe the tears from under his eyes with your thumbs.

“Because you do.”

And he kisses you. So softly. Like a secret he wants to keep safe. Like he’s terrified this is a dream he’ll wake up from.

Han // 한

He’s still bouncing. Literally. Post-show adrenaline, sweat-drenched tank top, mic still clipped, rambling to whoever will listen about the crowd’s energy like—

“Bro, when the beat dropped in ‘Topline’? I almost exploded. Did you hear them? They were SCREAMING—”

Then he sees you.

You’re standing near the monitors. Hidden behind a stack of towels and staff gear. You’re just smiling, waiting. No cameras. No dramatic intro. Just you, soft-eyed and glowing in his hoodie.

He stares. And then? Absolutely. Freaking. Explodes.

“NO. WAIT—WHAT. WHAT—?!”

He screams. Actually screams. Everyone turns. Staff flinches. Someone drops a water bottle.

“YOU’RE HERE?!!” His voice cracks mid-yell. “YOU LIED TO ME!! YOU ABSOLUTE—ANGELIC—GENIUS—LIAR!!”

He’s running toward you now, full anime-level sprint, and crashes into you like a human wrecking ball. Arms tight, body buzzing, face buried in your neck like he needs to smell you just to prove this is real.

You’re laughing. “Hi, Ji—”

“Don’t talk to me,” he sobs. “You’re not real. I’m dreaming. I died on stage. This is heaven.”

“You’re sweaty.”

“I’m in love.”

You giggle and hug him tighter. He pulls back just enough to cup your face, eyes wide, pupils dilated, voice very serious: “Do you realize what you’ve done? You just caused an actual chemical reaction in my body. Like—my heart rate? THROUGH THE ROOF.”

“You okay?”

“No. Absolutely not. This is the most romantic moment of my entire life. I’m gonna need to sit down or I’ll propose by accident.”

You lean in and kiss the tip of his nose. He melts. Literally folds in half. “I’m keeping you,” he mumbles. “Like. Forever. Tour wife. This is happening. Don’t fight me.”

Felix // 필릭스

He’s glowing.

Skin glistening, hair damp, cheeks flushed from the encore. There’s glitter on his shoulders and stars in his eyes. He’s still catching his breath, thanking staff one by one with the kind of gentle sincerity only Felix knows how to give.

And then he turns the corner and stops breathing entirely.

Because you’re there. Backstage. In his hoodie. Hands behind your back. Smile blooming like spring.

He freezes. No words. No movement. Just a single, whispered—

“Angel…?”

You nod, eyes already brimming with tears. “Hi, sunshine.”

And that’s it. His body moves before his brain catches up. He walks toward you slow, almost reverently—like he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he blinks. Then suddenly you’re in his arms. Pressed flush to his chest, arms wrapped tight, face buried in your shoulder as he sighs. Not out of relief—out of pure emotional collapse.

“I missed you so much,” he whispers. “Like—so much. Like every night I looked for you and had to pretend I was fine.”

Your hand runs through his hair. “I know, baby. I know.”

He pulls back just enough to see your face, cupping your cheeks with both hands like you’re made of porcelain and sunlight.

“You’re real. You’re here. You’re mine.”

And then—he kisses you. Soft. Long. Like he has nothing to rush. Like he’s home. When he pulls back, he giggles through a sniffle.

“Okay. No one tell the others but… this is the best part of tour.”

Seungmin // 승민

He’s standing by the water cooler, towel around his neck, completely sweat-soaked and still glowing with that quiet Seungmin-brand confidence. He’s mid-sip when he spots you—half-hidden behind some gear cases, just… watching him.

For a full three seconds, he doesn’t react. Just blinks. Tilts his head. Tries to process. Then you wave. And he chokes on his water. He coughs. Clears his throat. Wipes his mouth on his sleeve. Then squints like you have some explaining to do.

You walk toward him slowly, smiling like you didn’t just shatter his entire emotional equilibrium.

“You—what? You were—” He frowns. “You weren’t supposed to be here.”

“That’s the point,” you say softly.

He goes quiet. Eyes flicking over your face, your outfit (one of his shirts, because of course), the little hopeful twitch of your mouth. And something in him just… cracks. “...That’s really mean,” he mutters, eyes glassy. “I could’ve emotionally prepared. Now I look stupid.”

You smile, stepping into his space, hands finding his waist. “You look perfect.”

He scoffs. “Sweaty. Smells like a wet dog.”

“Still perfect.”

And that’s when he lets out the tiniest, tiniest sigh. Like all the fight went out of him. He tugs you into a hug, arms wrapping around your back, his chin resting lightly on your head. “Don’t let go,” he mumbles. “I’m not doing the rest of tour without this. Just so you know.”

You smile into his chest. “Noted.”

Then, softer, a whisper you almost miss:

“...Thanks for coming back to me.”

I.n // 아이엔

He’s doing his post-show ritual—sitting on the dressing room floor with his legs stretched out, sipping his drink, cheeks flushed from dancing and screaming, trying to act cool even though his adrenaline is still going crazy.

He’s giggling at something a member says when the door creaks.

He looks up. And freezes. Because it’s you. Peeking in, eyes soft, fingers curled around the doorframe like you were nervous to interrupt.

“...Hi, baby,” you whisper.

His jaw actually drops. He blinks once, twice, like his brain needs buffering time.

“…You’re joking,” he finally says.

You step inside slowly. “Not a joke.”

You expect him to run. Cry. Scream. But instead—

He just sits there, completely still. Like his soul left his body for a minute. “…You really came?” he asks, voice small.

You kneel in front of him, taking his face in your hands. “Of course I did.”

And that’s when it happens.

His whole body slumps forward and he buries his face in your neck—arms wrapping around your waist in this desperate, trembling hold like he’s afraid to break you. “I missed you,” he says, so quietly it makes your chest ache. “So much. It’s been so hard.”

You stroke his hair. “You’re doing amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

And then? He starts sniffling. “Noooo don’t say that, I’m gonna cry,” he mumbles, voice cracking. “I was literally fine five seconds ago. This is so unfair.”

You laugh gently. “Cry, Jeonginnie. It’s okay.”

He pulls back, eyes watery, lips trembling into a smile. “I love you,” he blurts out. “A lot. Just—so much.”

And then he hugs you again. Tighter. Softer. Like now that you’re here, nothing else matters. Like home isn’t a place—it’s you.

[joaeriz]

you should write uconn!azzi surprising wnba!paige after one of her games!

📎 you always find me

🏷 pairing: azzi fudd x paige bueckers (uconn!azzi / wnba!paige)

📝 summary: after weeks apart, azzi surprises paige after one of her games — and reminds her what home really feels like.

⚠️ warnings: heavy fluff, minor angst (loneliness mentions), kissing, sleep cuddles, domestic softness, food mentions, extreme sapphiness, general yearning vibes (THE MOST FLUFFIEST FLUFF EVER)

📎 word count: ~1.4K

🧸 author’s note: hi anon! i love u for this req. this one made me so emotional to write because i love the thought of azzi being the kind of person who would fly across the country just to make sure paige feels loved 🥺😭 this is just full of hugs, soft kisses, and them being each other’s safe place. pls let me know if you liked it!!! my inbox is always open for screaming about them 💌💌

The late March air outside the Dallas arena was heavy and warm, the city humming under a velvet sky. Inside, the stadium buzzed with fading energy, fans lingering by the court to get one last glimpse of the night's stars.

Paige Bueckers barely registered any of it.

The game was a blur behind her — the points, the assists, even the standing ovation she got after a no-look pass that made the highlight reel. She smiled, she waved, she answered reporters’ questions like she was supposed to. It was automatic now — a mask she slipped on and off depending on who was watching.

But inside, she was lonely.

Bone-deep lonely.

The kind that made her chest feel hollow no matter how loud the crowd screamed her name.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love her life — the WNBA had always been the dream. She loved the grind, the speed, the stage of it all. She loved her team, her coaches, the fans. She even loved Dallas, most days.

But none of it was enough when she went home at night to a cold, empty apartment.

Home.

That word barely meant anything without Azzi.

God, she missed her.

She missed her laugh, the one that bubbled up from her chest and made Paige feel weightless. She missed the smell of her shampoo. She missed the way Azzi would curl into her side, stealing all the covers, mumbling nonsense in her sleep.

She missed having someone to come home to.

And tonight, after another long game, another exhausting performance, she felt the ache sharper than ever.

Paige trudged off the court, towel slung around her neck, ignoring the lingering flashes of cameras. She just wanted to shower, crawl into bed, and maybe FaceTime Azzi until she passed out.

She wasn’t ready for what was waiting just around the corner.

Paige slowed instinctively as she rounded the hallway into the players' tunnel. Something — she didn’t know what — made her glance up.

And froze.

There, leaning against the wall in her beat-up sneakers and her UConn hoodie, clutching a bouquet of half-crushed sunflowers, was Azzi Fudd.

Paige’s brain short-circuited.

It didn’t feel real. It couldn’t be real.

Azzi.

Her Azzi.

Her best friend, her favorite person, the girl who still showed up in every one of Paige's dreams no matter how far apart they were.

Azzi’s eyes found hers across the distance — wide, shining, nervous — and for a second, neither of them moved.

Paige’s heart slammed against her ribs, wild and desperate.

And then she ran.

The gym bag hit the ground with a heavy thud as she sprinted across the hallway, crashing into Azzi with so much force that the flowers went flying.

Azzi let out a soft "oof," but she caught her easily, wrapping her arms around Paige like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment.

Paige buried her face in the curve of Azzi’s neck, breathing her in — warm skin, vanilla shampoo, the faintest trace of airplane air. It was so Azzi it hurt.

"I thought I was dreaming," Paige whispered, voice breaking.

Azzi laughed, shaky and close to tears. "I’m really here."

Paige pulled back enough to see her face — flushed cheeks, shining eyes, that perfect crooked smile.

She cupped Azzi’s cheeks in her hands, thumbing away a tear she didn’t realize she was crying. "You didn’t tell me."

Azzi shrugged, ducking her head, suddenly shy. "I wanted to surprise you. We got a break after the tournament, so... I booked a flight. Almost missed my connection. The Uber driver almost killed me on the freeway. But—" She smiled, tilting her head. "Worth it."

Paige laughed wetly, the sound half-sob, half-joy. She shook her head, overwhelmed, and leaned in.

Their kiss was slow and tender, a thousand I-missed-yous poured into a single touch. Azzi melted into her like she always did, like they were two pieces of the same whole finally slotting back together.

Around them, the stadium noise faded into a distant hum. It was just them. It had always been just them.

They barely made it back to Paige’s car, hands tangled together like lifelines.

The drive to her apartment was a series of stolen glances and half-finished sentences. Paige kept reaching over to brush her fingers against Azzi’s thigh, like she couldn’t bear not touching her.

Azzi was still in her travel clothes — oversized hoodie, leggings, hair messily knotted — and Paige thought she looked like the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

"You’re really here," Paige whispered again at a red light.

Azzi smiled at her, sleepy and radiant. "I’m really here."

Paige wanted to cry all over again.

Inside the apartment, Paige dropped everything at the door.

Azzi wandered through the small space, taking it all in — the framed photos of Paige’s first WNBA season, the pair of sneakers abandoned by the couch, the lone sunflower stuck into a water glass on the kitchen counter.

Paige stood in the doorway, watching her nervously.

"It’s not much," she said, rubbing the back of her neck.

Azzi turned around, her smile soft. "It’s perfect. It’s yours."

Paige crossed the room in three steps and kissed her again, fierce and grateful and aching all at once.

They stumbled to the couch, laughing breathlessly. Azzi straddled Paige’s lap, her hands bracketing her face, her forehead pressed to Paige’s.

"I missed you so much it physically hurt," Paige whispered.

Azzi nodded, eyes glassy. "Me too."

They stayed there for a long time, tangled together, whispering nonsense and trading kisses so soft they barely felt like touches.

Paige traced lazy patterns on Azzi’s back, feeling the way her breathing slowed, the way she relaxed fully for the first time in months.

At some point, they drifted into the bedroom, barely managing to peel off their hoodies and jeans before collapsing onto the bed, wrapped around each other like ivy.

Paige fell asleep with her nose buried in Azzi’s hair, Azzi’s fingers tangled with hers under the covers.

She woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows, birds chattering somewhere outside.

And Azzi.

Still there.

Still real.

Paige watched her sleep for a long time, memorizing every little detail — the way her nose scrunched slightly, the faint smudges of eyeliner still clinging to her lashes, the slow, even rise and fall of her chest.

Azzi shifted, mumbling something incoherent, and tucked herself closer to Paige’s side, throwing a leg over her hip.

Paige smiled so wide her face hurt.

Eventually, Azzi blinked awake, bleary-eyed and adorable.

"Mornin’," she mumbled, voice rough with sleep.

Paige kissed her forehead. "Best morning ever."

Azzi giggled and buried her face in Paige’s neck. "You’re clingy."

"You showed up across the country," Paige said. "You’re stuck with clingy."

Azzi just smiled, pressing a sleepy kiss to her collarbone.

They stayed like that for a while, cocooned in each other, until Paige’s stomach growled loudly enough to make Azzi snort with laughter.

"Food?" Azzi offered, grinning.

Paige groaned. "I don’t wanna move."

"I’ll cook," Azzi teased. "You just sit there and look pretty."

Paige perked up instantly. "Marry me?"

Azzi laughed, shoving her playfully before dragging herself out of bed.

Paige watched her pad into the kitchen, stealing one of her oversized shirts to wear, her hair a sleepy halo around her head.

And for the first time in months — maybe longer — Paige felt whole.

Not because of the wins or the trophies or the fans.

Because of this.

Because Azzi had found her, across miles and airports and chaos, and she wasn’t letting go.

Paige grabbed her phone and snapped a quick, blurry picture of Azzi at the stove, flipping pancakes with her tongue sticking out in concentration.

My favorite view, she captioned it, sending it to Azzi with a heart emoji.

Azzi looked up, caught her, and winked.

Paige laughed out loud, heart so full she thought it might burst.

She didn’t know where the season would take her. She didn’t know what challenges were waiting. But right now — messy apartment, burnt pancakes, sunflowers wilting in a glass on the counter — this was home.

This was everything.

And she wasn’t letting it go.

Not now.

Not ever.

[squidsquidsquidsquidsquidgame]

Request for thanos x female reader setting before the games with reader has a 2 year old daughter and one of the songs from the famous rapper put her to sleep always, so reader jokingly said one time something like appas Musik always works and one day they meet thanos on the street and readers kid is like appa ! Super happy and wanna hug him etc and reader is like heeelp please 🥺? Maybe thanos has a soft spot for kids and falls for this unique duo?

yess!!!❤️❤️❤️

Appa's Music

Character: Thanos X fem!reader

Summary: Y/N’s daughter, Jina, mistakes rapper Choi Su-Bong (Thanos) for her dad after his deep voice puts her to sleep every night. When she excitedly runs to him on the street, Y/N is mortified—but Thanos is unexpectedly amused. With a soft spot for kids, he seems more than willing to stick around.

Warnings: none🦑🦑

You were just trying to make it through the day, balancing work, errands, and your two-year-old daughter, Jina. She was a sweetheart—energetic, stubborn, and far too clever for her age. But there was one thing that never failed to calm her down when she was cranky: a song from her favorite rapper.

It had started as a joke. One night, after her tenth tantrum, you had sighed dramatically and muttered, "Appa’s Music always works." And, just like that, Jina latched onto the idea. To her tiny, imaginative mind, the deep-voiced rapper she loved was now "Appa."

You hadn't thought much of it. That was, until today.

You were walking down the street with Jina, holding her tiny hand as she babbled about everything and nothing. The market was busy, the streets loud, and she was starting to get fussy again. You were about to pull out your phone and play her usual lullaby when you suddenly froze.

There, standing by a convenience store, was a man you’d only ever seen in clips and album covers.

Choi Su-Bong.

Better known as Thanos.

And before you could even process what was happening, Jina’s entire face lit up.

"APPA!!"

Your stomach dropped. Jina, all excitement and pure toddler energy, yanked her hand free from yours and ran straight toward him. Her little arms stretched wide as if she was about to launch herself into the arms of a literal stranger.

You bolted after her.

"JINA, WAIT—!"

But it was too late.

Thanos turned just in time to see a tiny human hurtling toward him at full speed. His eyes widened in alarm. "What the—?" And then—somehow—his instincts kicked in, and he caught her before she crashed into his legs.

Jina clung to him like a koala, giggling. "Appa! Appa’s here!"

You reached them, breathless, completely mortified.

"I—I am so sorry!" You tried to pry Jina off him, but she refused to let go. "She—she listens to your music every night, and she thinks—oh my god, please don't call the police—"

To your shock, Thanos didn’t look annoyed. If anything… he looked kind of stunned. Then, after a moment, a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest.

"Appa’s Music, huh?"

You groaned, covering your face. "Please forget I ever said that."

Jina, meanwhile, was still beaming at him. "Appa, sing!"

Thanos actually laughed. And—oh no. That laugh was dangerous. Deep, warm, and far too attractive for your sanity.

"Sing?" He tilted his head at her, a tiny, amused smile on his lips. "What, right here on the street?"

Jina nodded enthusiastically.

He glanced at you. "You sure she’s two? She negotiates like a full-grown adult."

"Trust me, I ask myself that every day."

He hummed, then looked back at Jina. "Alright, kid. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll sing next time, yeah?"

Jina considered this, then gave a very serious nod.

"Next time," she repeated, completely satisfied.

Your brain finally caught up.

Hold on.

"Next time?"

Did Thanos just—imply that he wanted to see you both again?

He must have noticed your expression because his grin widened slightly. "What? You didn’t think I’d just walk away after meeting my biggest fan, did you?"

You blinked. "I—I mean, I thought you'd be running in the opposite direction—"

"Nah," he said easily, shifting Jina slightly in his arms. "Kids like me. Guess I have a soft spot for ‘em."

Your heart did something weird in your chest.

Jina yawned and nestled closer to him. Thanos glanced down at her, then at you, raising an eyebrow. "Is she seriously falling asleep right now?"

You sighed. "I told you. Appa’s Music always works." His laughter was low and rich, sending shivers down your spine.

"Guess I really do have competition for the title, huh?"

And just like that, Choi Su-Bong—Thanos himself—had somehow stumbled into your life.

And maybe—just maybe—he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.

🦑🦑🦑

[alotofpockets]

Drunken confessions | Lucy Bronze x Lioness!Reader

5k celebration prompt: "I love you." - "Tell me when you're sober."

Woso masterlist | Words: 1.6k

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When you heard the final whistle of the Euro final, you ran straight to Lucy. It didn’t matter that your legs had felt dead for the past fifteen minutes, or that she was on the other side of the pitch. The whistle signaling that you had won the Euros gave you a boost of energy that you didn’t know you had in you.

You ran past everybody on the pitch, only having eyes for Lucy. When you made it to her, you jumped into her arms. It was a moment shared just between the two of you. Your teammates and the noise of the cheering fans all fell to the background when she spun you around in the air, both of you with tears streaming down your faces. 

The two of you had been dating for a few months now, but keeping it to yourselves. Not even your teammates knew yet. But that moment you didn’t care that someone might figure it out, you just wanted to celebrate this moment together. A moment that was definitely the highlight of your career. 

Once she put you down, the two of you shared a look that spoke a million words, but you said none as you pulled her towards where the rest of your teammates had started a group hug, well more of a pile of people at this point. Either way, you ran right into them and joined in on the group celebration.

The celebrations on the pitch were filled with hugs, screaming, and tears. Time seemed to both slow down and speed up at the same time. Before you knew it a stage had been built on the pitch and you were getting your gold medal.

You were admiring your medal when Lucy walked up and put her hands on your shoulders, while staring into your watery eyes. “We did it!” She said, shaking you back and forth gently. “We did it.” You repeat and pull her into another hug.

Then when everyone was gathered on the stage, Leah walked up with the trophy. The party started from the moment that trophy was lifted into the air, and the fireworks were going off behind you.

From celebrating on the pitch with the girls, to taking the party inside. The locker room filled with booming music, dancing, singing, and champaign being passed around. 

By the time you left the locker room, you were already quite tipsy. Just a couple of drinks at the bar where you were celebrating with the girls later, and you were full on drunk.

With your cup in hand, you were dancing with Alessia and Ella, none of you looked like you knew what you were doing, but you were having fun. 

“Watch this!” Ella said loudly. “Tooney, you’re shouting.” You laughed but watched her anyway. She raised her cup in the air and attempted a pirouette, with the focus on attempted. As she spun around she lost her balance, nearly tipping over. While Alessia reached to catch Ella, your hand had reached out to save her cup instead. 

“Good to know that alcohol is more important than my life.” Ella said once she was done laughing. “Always so dramatic.” You say as you cheers both cups together and chuck the contents of her cup first. 

Ella rolls her eyes as she sees her drink disappear. “Don’t worry Tooney, I’ll get you a new one.” The pair laugh as you pat Ella on the head and walk off to the bar.

On the way to the bar, you bump into Leah. She puts her arm around your shoulder, “Oh captain, my captain.” You say dramatically as you wrap your arm around her waist. Leah chuckles, “Oh you’re so drunk.”

“Pfft, I’m fine.” You try convincing her, but you stumble over your own feet at the same time. “Sure looks like it.” She jokes back, while helping you steady yourself. 

You order another round of drinks for you, Ella, Alessia, and Leah before continuing your conversation with Leah. “Fine enough to save Tooney’s drink from spilling all over her.” You say matter of factly, like you were the hero of the story and not Alessia, whose first instinct was to save her friend.

“So noble of you.” Leah chuckles. “I do what I must for my team.” With a shake of her head, she reaches for two of the drinks that the bartender set down. While you took the other two, Leah watched you intensely. You looked at her questioningly and asked her what was going on.

“You and Lucy?” She says with a glint in her eyes. Your heart skips a beat, and you could feel your cheeks heating up. “Me and Lucy what?” You ask as if you don’t know what she’s talking about.

Leah gives you a knowing look. “Come on. You sprinted across the pitch for her. Practically leapt into her arms. I’m not blind.”

“Are you sure you’re not blind?” Was the only comeback you could think of, and you regretted saying it instantly. That answer was not giving Leah any reason to believe that the two of you weren’t seeing each other.

“She was just the first person I saw.” Leah raises her eyebrow. Clearly not convinced that that was the truth. “Sure she was.”

“We should get moving because Tooney will start a riot if I won’t get her a drink.” Leah was fine with you moving the conversation along, she knew enough by your reaction. “Wait, I thought you saved her drink?”

You smile cheekily, and proudly say, “I did save it. Then I chugged it right in front of her.” Leah laughed at your actions, it was such a you move. Before Leah could respond, Tooney loudly greeted you. “My hero!” You looked over to Leah, “See?”

The four of you swayed to the music, having the time of your lifes. Then out of nowhere, you felt a pair of hands wrap around your waist. You instantly knew who it was, and let yourself relax into her hold.

“Having fun?” Your girlfriend whispered into your ear, the action bringing a shiver down your spine. “The most fun.” 

You swayed to the music together, your back pressed to her front. Once again forgetting that you’re supposed to be hiding your relationship. Luckily most of your teammates were already too far gone to even notice, not Leah thought. She watched the two of you with a knowing smile. 

The night went on, all of you having the time of your life’s. Each of you knowing the hangover tomorrow would be horrible, but so worth it. You were European Champions and that had to be celebrated well.

You didn't know what time you all headed back, all you knew was that Lucy was guiding you back towards your hotel room, because you were too far gone to tell left from right. Once you got into your room, Lucy followed you in and sat you down on your bed. She filled a cup with water and told you to drink up, before rummaging through your bag to find some painkillers. 

She found some and told you to take some. You gratefully took them with another sip of water. “Thank you for taking care of me.” You told her, while trying to hold yourself up. “I love you.” 

Lucy’s eyes widened, you hadn’t said those three words to each other before. A lot of emotions went through Lucy’s head, but ultimately she decided that you were too drunk to realise what you were saying. "Tell me when you're sober." She said in response. 

Your girlfriend excused herself to use the bathroom, and when she got back, you were sound asleep. She didn’t want to leave you in this state, so she texted her roommate that she’d be staying in your room instead. 

After putting her phone away, she laid down next to you. It took a long time for her to fall asleep though. Her mind kept going over the words that you had spoken, trying to analyse everything she could to try and figure out if you had meant it.

The next morning was a bit of a blur as you were rushing to get ready for the celebratory events that were planned for the day. Everyone showed up with their sunglasses, hoping to filter out the bright lights. You looked like a funny bunch, but despite all being hungover, you still had the time of your life.

On top of the open-top bus, you were waving at the thousands of fans that had flooded the street. It was incredible to see how much the support had grown over the tournament, and having this many people celebrating you after the win.

You felt Lucy’s eyes on you, when you looked over, you smiled at her. Her eyes looked at you expectantly, as if she was waiting for you to tell her something. Something she was afraid to ask you about, because she didn’t want to bring it up if you didn’t remember the words you shared while drunk.

With a smile you lean into her side, so only she would hear you. "Don't worry, I didn't forget. But you told me to tell you when I was sober, and I am definitely not sober yet." Lucy smiled and felt her heart start beating fast.

It wasn’t until the next morning that you deemed yourself no longer drunk. You headed to Lucy’s place with a bouquet of flowers. Once she opened the door, you smiled brightly. “Hi, I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Lucy said as she pulled you in for a hug.

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[quincys-world]

Sleeping My Way to Victory - Part 3

(Or: How to Win Without Trying)

Scenario 1: The Origin of the Rivalry (Flashback – First Year, First Sparring Match)

Bakugo had always been competitive. He was the strongest, the fastest, and the most determined in the class. No way was he gonna let some half-asleep classmate be better than him.

Except, you were.

The first time you fought him, you yawned, stretched, and somehow managed to dodge all his attacks without even looking awake.

"STAND STILL AND FIGHT ME!" Bakugo roared, sending a blast your way.

You sidestepped, rubbing your eyes. "Mmm... Too much effort."

The class watched in disbelief as you moved like you had ultra-instinct, effortlessly dodging every single attack.

"Dude," Kaminari whispered, "I think they’re on another plane of existence."

Aizawa sighed. "They're just instinctual. It’s a different kind of combat style."

"IT'S INFURIATING!" Bakugo exploded forward, trying to close the distance.

You blinked at him. "Oh, you're still here?"

He saw red.

Five seconds later, you’d knocked him flat on his back.

One move.

You yawned. "Mmm… nap time?"

The class erupted in laughter. Bakugo swore on his life that one day—one day—he’d wipe that smug, half-asleep expression off your face.

Scenario 2: Izuku Wants Answers (Or: How Does Your Quirk Even Work?)

"Hey, (Y/N), do you mind explaining your quirk to me?" Izuku asked, notebook in hand, eyes practically glowing with curiosity.

You stretched, blinking slowly. "Mmm… sure, why not?"

Bakugo, sitting nearby, scoffed. "Tch. Don’t bother. They don’t even understand their own quirk."

You raised an eyebrow. "I understand it. I just don’t like explaining things. Too much work."

Izuku, completely ignoring Bakugo’s grumbling, flipped to a new page. "So, what’s the full breakdown?"

You thought for a moment before lazily holding up a finger. "Okay, so imagine… your brain is a computer."

Izuku nodded eagerly.

"My brain is like a computer too, but it runs on low power mode all the time. Saves energy."

"...That explains so much," Jirou muttered.

Kirishima nodded. "Dude, they’re literally in sleep mode 24/7."

You continued, yawning. "My quirk is an enhanced reflex system. My body reacts to danger automatically, even when I’m not fully conscious. Like sleepwalking, but for fights."

Izuku scribbled furiously. "So your subconscious is in control most of the time, letting you move and fight instinctively without needing to actively process it?"

"Pretty much. If I think too hard, I actually get worse."

Bakugo twitched. "So you mean to tell me… you kick my ass WITHOUT EVEN THINKING?!"

You gave him a sleepy smile. "Yup."

Bakugo looked like he was about to explode. Kaminari and Kirishima immediately stepped back, bracing for impact.

Izuku beamed. "That’s amazing! No wonder your reaction time is so fast! Have you ever tested it in a controlled setting?"

You blinked. "Mmm… you wanna spar?"

Izuku nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I’d love to analyze your movements in real time!"

Bakugo immediately pointed at Izuku. "DEKU, DON’T DO IT! YOU WON’T WIN!"

You stretched. "Eh, let’s see what happens."

Scenario 3: Sparring with Izuku (Or: Why Does This Feel Unfair?)

Izuku activated Full Cowling and launched forward, aiming a well-controlled strike toward you.

You swayed slightly to the side, dodging effortlessly.

He adjusted, throwing in feints and quick kicks. You sidestepped all of them, eyes half-lidded like you were about to fall asleep.

"Man, this isn’t fair," Kaminari whispered.

"They’re dodging like they’re in a dream," Sero added.

Bakugo gritted his teeth. "Just WAIT! They’re gonna mess up!"

They didn’t.

Izuku kept attacking, increasing speed, analyzing your movements, but you kept avoiding everything like a ghost.

Then, mid-dodge, you caught his wrist.

"Huh?" Izuku blinked.

You yawned. "I win."

With a simple twist, you flipped him onto his back, gentle but decisive.

The class stared.

Kirishima whistled. "Man, that’s gotta be embarrassing."

Izuku sat up, dazed, but grinning. "That was incredible! You didn’t even tense up! It was like your body just knew where I was going to be!"

You plopped down next to him, yawning. "Mmm… good match."

Bakugo, meanwhile, was losing his mind. "HOW DOES NO ONE ELSE FIND THIS INFURIATING?!"

Scenario 4: Cats Hate You (Or: Why Won’t They Love Me?)

You loved cats.

Cats? They did not love you back.

The class found this out when you spotted a stray outside the dorms and immediately walked over, crouching down with an excited expression.

"Kitty!" You reached out.

The cat? Hissed.

You recoiled, looking betrayed. "W-what? But I love you."

The cat arched its back, clearly not a fan.

Kirishima snorted. "Aw, man. I thought everyone loved (Y/N)."

"Clearly, felines disagree," Momo observed.

Bakugo smirked. "Guess even animals can tell you’re a pain in the ass."

You pouted. "This isn’t fair. I want love."

You tried again with another stray the next day.

It ran away.

You tried with Aizawa’s cat.

It hissed and swiped at you.

You flopped onto the ground, devastated. "I have been forsaken by the feline gods."

Ochaco patted your back. "Maybe they’re just intimidated by how strong you are?"

"Or maybe they sense your chaotic energy," Jirou added.

Bakugo rolled his eyes. "Serves you right, dumbass."

You turned your sleepy gaze toward him. "At least I’m loved by someone."

Bakugo immediately turned red. "WHO THE HELL SAID I LOVED YOU?!"

You smirked. "Never said it was you."

The class erupted into laughter as Bakugo combusted in rage.

Scenario 5: One Last Match (Or: Bakugo Will Never Give Up)

"You’re fighting me. Again."

You yawned. "Didn’t you lose, like, a hundred times already?"

"SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME!"

The class gathered, watching in amusement as Bakugo once again attempted to beat you.

Explosion after explosion, you dodged effortlessly, still half-asleep.

Finally, he lunged forward—only for you to casually sidestep and trip him.

He hit the ground. Again.

You stretched, lazily leaning over him. "Mmm… guess I win."

Bakugo growled, gripping the dirt. "One day… I swear…"

You smirked, crouching next to him. "Mmm… if you wanna win, you should try relaxing. Maybe take a nap."

"YOU WANNA DIE?!"

You chuckled. "Nah. But you look cute when you’re mad."

Bakugo.exe stopped working.

The class lost it.

Denki was on the floor wheezing. "BRO—DID THEY JUST—"

Kirishima clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing too hard.

Bakugo, still red, pointed a shaking finger at you. "YOU’RE DEAD. ABSOLUTELY DEAD."

You smiled sleepily. "Mmm… wake me up when you can actually win."

He screamed into the void.

Part 4 coming soon...

Part 1

Part 2:

Part 4

[lizes-posts]

Title: A Rumble Night to Remember

Warnings: none , fluff

( side note I'm just starting this so it may be bad idk bro )

The energy in the arena was electric, the crowd roaring as the Royal Rumble match unfolded. You sat backstage in the quietest area you could find, your heart pounding with excitement. It had been years since you stepped into a WWE arena, but tonight wasn’t about you—it was about surprising your husband, Jey Uso.

Your five-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, sat beside you, each wearing matching Jey Uso merch, their little faces lit up with excitement. You had made sure to put noise-canceling headphones on them, knowing how loud it could get backstage.

“Mama, when can we see Dada?” your daughter pouted, adjusting the oversized hoodie she was drowning in.

“Yeah! I wanna see Dada too!” your son chimed in, bouncing in his seat.

You smiled, running a hand through his curls. “Soon, babies. Dada is still in the match.”

The twins had been asking for their father non-stop, and you knew there was no better time to bring them back than tonight. You had been watching from the monitors, heart swelling with pride as Jey fought his way through the Royal Rumble. This was his moment, and you wouldn’t miss it for the world.

As the match reached its climax, you held your breath. And then—it happened.

Jey Uso won the Royal Rumble.

The sound of the crowd’s eruption could be felt even backstage, and you instinctively hugged the twins. “Dada did it!” you cheered, lifting them up.

Their eyes widened with excitement. “DADA WON?!”

“He sure did,” you grinned, gathering them in your arms. “Come on, let’s go see him.”

You carried them both toward gorilla position, the place just behind the entrance curtain, where superstars returned after their matches. The excitement in the air was palpable as you stood there, waiting.

And then, through the curtain, Jey appeared.

Sweaty, exhausted, but victorious. The second the twins saw him, they squealed.

“DADA!!”

Jey barely had time to react before two tiny figures sprinted toward him at full speed. His tired expression melted into pure joy as he crouched down, arms wide open, catching them both in a tight hug.

“AYYEEE! My babies!!” Jey laughed, lifting them into his arms, spinning them around despite his exhaustion. “What y’all doin’ here?! This the best surprise ever!”

Standing a few feet away, you watched with a full heart, a soft smile on your lips. Seeing the love on Jey’s face, the way he held your children like they were his entire world, made every moment worth it.

Then his eyes lifted and met yours.

For a moment, it was just the two of you. Years of love, partnership, and unbreakable connection passed between you in a single look. He set the twins down and walked over to you, pulling you into his arms.

“You really here, baby?” he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to your forehead.

“I’m really here,” you whispered back, wrapping your arms around him. “And we’re so proud of you.”

Jey pulled back just enough to look at you, his hand still resting on your waist. “You got no idea how much I needed this tonight.”

You smiled, tilting your head. “Well, good. Because we’re not going anywhere.”

Jey let out a breath of pure happiness before leaning down to kiss you, slow and deep. The twins giggled behind you, making you both laugh as he pulled away.

“Alright, alright,” Jey chuckled, scooping them back into his arms. “Let’s go celebrate, my champs.”

With your husband holding the kids close and your hand intertwined with his, you knew this night would be one to remember forever.

[hoshifighting]

can i request sub!chan with cock praise?👉👈 like, you would say, "i feel so full" and suddenly, he would be begging for you to praise how big or thick he is inside you or something along those lines hihi

sub!chan x cock praise

WARNINGS: smut, penetrative sex, praising kink in general, big cock, submission x domination, dirty talk, whiny!chan

chan’s always been that guy who’s ardent to please, wanting to do everything right and make sure you’re completely satisfied. he’s got that puppy energy, all wide-eyed and attentive, and when it comes to being in bed, that’s amplified times a hundred. now, add in cock praise, and you’re looking at a completely different side of him. like, chan wants to make sure you’re feeling good—he lives for that, tbh—but deep down there’s a part of him that craves that validation. he needs to know he’s enough for you, that what he’s giving you is everything you want and more. so, when you start talking about how full you feel, how his cock is stretching you out just right? you’ll see it in his eyes, how much that messes with him.

he’d start off all shy about it. he’s not going to outright ask for it, at least not at first. chan’s the type to go all in—thrusting deep inside you, feeling your walls clench around him, and biting his lip to hold back his moans. but when you start saying things like, “god, you feel so good inside me,” or, “you’re filling me up so perfectly, what perfect cock” he’s done. he won’t be able to help the way his body reacts, his hips stuttering for a second, his breath catching in his throat. and you will know when he’s craving more, even if he doesn’t say it right away. but once he hears you say it? really say it, like, “you’re so big, baby, stretching me out so good,” it unlocks something in him. suddenly, he can’t get enough of it. he’s practically begging for you to say more, his voice wobbly, all breathless and wak. “please, tell me more,” he’d whisper, his hips grinding into yours, trying to hit that sweet spot inside you as you tell him exactly how much he’s fucking you up.

his hands are gripping your hips, his forehead resting against yours, and you can see the way he’s trembling, barely holding himself together. “do i feel good? tell me i’m filling you up, please,” he’s pleading, his voice breaking between moans. it’s like he needs the words more than he needs to breathe, and the more you give him, the harder he goes, thrusting into you like he’s got something to prove.

and when you give in, when you really lay it on him—“you’re so fucking thick, baby, stretching me out so good, i can barely take it”—it’s over for him. his head falls back, and he lets out this whiny/pained moan, his hips picking up speed like he’s chasing that high, trying to bury himself even deeper inside you. he’s not even thinking straight anymore, he’s just running on pure instinct, fueled by your words, by the way you’re praising him, telling him how good his cock feels. you’d see this shift in him—his body’s moving, but his brain’s short-circuiting, completely overwhelmed by the fact that you think he’s so big, that he’s the one making you feel this good. it’s like all he wants is to hear more, to keep you talking, keep you telling him exactly how much he’s ruining you with every thrust. he’d be whimpering by the end of it, his voice shaky as he begs for more. “please, say it again, tell me how full you feel, tell me how i’m stretching you,” his words coming out all broken between breaths.

and then, when you’re close, when you’re right on the edge, and you say something like, “i can’t take it, you’re too big, but it feels so good,” that’s it. end of the night. his whole body tenses, his thrusts getting inconsistent, and he’s moaning louder than ever, so caught up that he can hardly think. all he knows is that he’s filling you up, that you’re telling him how good it feels, and he’s doing everything he can to keep that going, to make sure you keep saying it, keep praising him until he’s completely spent.

in those moments, chan’s usually all about you—making sure you’re feeling good, that you’re taken care of. but when it’s about cock praise? suddenly, he’s the one who’s vulnerable, the one who’s craving your approval, your words. and the more you give it to him, the more he melts, the more he wantss, practically unraveling beneath you as he tries to live up to everything you’re saying. he’s the kind of sub who wants to be good for you, but when you start telling him how big he is, how perfect his cock feels inside you, it’s like his brain short-circuits. suddenly, all that confidence he usually has fades, and he’s just a trembling, moaning mess, desperate for more praise, more validation. “please… say it again. tell me how big i am,” his tone full of desperation.

[mrsvalentinefucker1]

Tight space

Sniper x f!reader

You and sniper were running at full speed looking for somewhere to hide as the opposing teams spy tailed you. Though there was practically nothing either of you could do considering you had no ammo and no one was around, you managed to find a small place to hide. It looked to be another spot sniper was familiar with, one he’s definitely been in while doing his job. You both bolted towards it, you tried to keep up with sniper as best as you could. When you two finally reached the door Sniper shouted for you to hurry as he held the door open waiting for you. Once you got in Sniper quickly jumped in and slammed the door. He slid his knife through the handle to make sure the Spy couldn’t pull it open.

Your breathing was uneven and heavy

Sniper motioned to you to quiet down as he head the footsteps around your hiding place.

You nodded and steadied your breathing.

You two were incredibly close with one another right now.. and you’d be lying if you said it didn’t kind of turn you on in a weird way.

You admired Snipers calm composure.. how he was so calm in this situation, you didn’t know.

A loud thud pulled you out of your imagination and you were slung into the man’s chest earning a grunt from him. One of his free hands instinctively grabbed you while his other held onto the small wall to hold himself up.

You looked up at him, your ear on his chest.. hearing his heartbeat was an indescribable feeling. You felt safe, even with everything going on outside of your shared hiding place.

“You okay?” He looked around and then down at you, locking eyes through his yellow tinted sunglasses.

You stood back up straight “yeah- sorry.”

“No worries.”

You looked the man up and down, stopping when you noticed a growing bulge in his pants.

You averted your eyes hoping he didn’t catch you staring

“Sorry about that- it kind of just happens yaknow?” Sniper whispered

You nodded as your face was heating up. The way he whispered sent chills down your spine. God the way he spoke.

You clenched your legs together.

“Can you see anything?”

“No, unfortunately not, Shiela” sniper looked down at your smaller form.

You unconsciously squirmed from his gaze

“You doing okay?”

You nodded “just- hot-“

“You sure?” Sniper smirked at you

“O- of course.. what else would it be?” You looked down at your feet

“I dunno, you weren’t acting all this weird before I caught you staring.”

You locked eyes with Sniper “I wasn’t staring” you rolled your eyes

Sniper chuckled. “We’re here all alone, no one can hear you but me” Sniper moves closer towards you and let his gloved hand tilt your face in his direction. “Come on bird.”

His hard cock poking your stomach as he nudged your face

Your face was burning “oh god.. you know I love when you say that.”

He hummed in response, dipping his lips down to leave small bites and hickeys down your neck and collarbone.

“Sniper..” you whimpered out

“Yeah, roo?”

You sighed “Please stop teasing me..” you whispered

“Sounds like someone’s more eager than I am.” He chuckled

His low chuckles always sent a jolt of energy through your body

“Alright then, be a good girl and turn around for me.”

You did what you were told. Sniper came up behind you, fiddling with your belt as he kissed and nipped at your neck more, leaving sharp, dark bites from his teeth.

His gloved hand made its way to your clothed pussy. Teasingly stroking your clit through your panties that seemed to get more wet through the second.

“Soaking through your panties already? Naughty girl, Y/n”

He slipped underneath your panties and started messing with your soaked, slick, sticky folds.

You moaned in response “please Mick.. just“ you attempted to grind against the man

“Oh y/n.. you know I can’t ever say no to ya’.” He undid his pants, peeled back the fabric of his boxers and allowed his cock to spring free against you.

He had to lift your smaller body up while he lined his cock up with your soaked hole.

He slipped the tip in and the used both of his hands to hold you just slightly off of the ground as you held onto the wall in front of you

He was literally using you as his own personal sex doll.

“Fuck, you’re so tight..” he muttered out as he began to fuck into you slowly. Gently kissing your shoulders and neck. His cock pressing deliciously against your cervix.

You bit your lip. Muffling your moans as he finally began to pick up the pace your legs shaking and dangling freely as he did so.

“No, don’t silence yourself. Be as loud as you want, baby.”

His cock pierced into you as you gripped onto the wall for dear life. Your orgasm was fast approaching and by the sounds of his uneven breathing and sharp, low moans, he was too.

You let out a loud moan as he continued to fuck into you. Your walls clenching around him “fuck! Harder! Please m-Mick. Harder! I’m so close oh god-“ you had a blissful fucked out dazed expression across your face as you felt his hard cock press against your tummy. A small bulge forming as he fucked harder into your tight cunt

“Good girl, this cunts mine, huh? Nobody else’s” his voice was low and oh god.. that accent could make a pornstar blush. You only mumbled at his words “fuck, oh good god, yes!-“

His orgasm crashed into him as he fucked into you, his hot cum leaving a heavy feeling inside of your lower tummy. It sent shocks down your spine as your own orgasm rushed over you. His grip tightened as you milked him for every last drop of his hot sticky cum. He groaned and held you there, pulling you back onto his cock harshly while you two worked through your orgasm. He loomed over you while the two of you stayed put. A loud bang fell onto the door. A bullet shot right past the two of you. You instinctively clenched around him as you gasped out of fear. Sniper hissing at the feeling

“I can hear you both. How disgusting, you filthy bushman. During battle of all times?”

[haveyouseenthisskeleton]

the skeletons try to sneak up and scare S/O, but S/O slaps them in the face out of instinct. how do the skeletons react?

Undertale Sans - He falls on his back like a dying sea star and refuses to move again. Deal with the consequences now. He will stay in the middle of the hallway all day long just out of spite and will be a problem for everyone who wants to pass. Patience is his thing, you will get mad before him.

Undertale Papyrus - He gives you the sad puppy eyes. But as you run to him to make sure he's alright, his expression suddenly shifts from traumatized to mischievous and he lunges at you to attack you with tickles. You are shocked. Papyrus is actually really good at manipulating people, that's a game you can't win. His acting skills are perfect.

Underswap Sans - You think your weak ass slap is going to stop him? Blue laughs at your pathetic attempt to stop him throws himself on the floor, and bites your ankles. You can't get rid of him! Never! He is way too excited right now and if he doesn't evacuate the energy he's going to be a pain in the butt all day out of frustration, so you resign to your fate and let him do his thing you guess. That hurts by the way.

Underswap Papyrus - He tries to dodge your hand by headbutting the wall at full speed, giggling. Well the giggle dies shortly after that because your idiot boyfriend just knocked himself out. You think he's shitting you at first, but, uh, nah, he's limp on the floor for real lol. When you look up, his three service dogs are judging you so hard you start to feel guilty.

Underfell Sans - He slaps your butt in response, also instinctively. Uh... Well, that's a bit awkward now, as none of you dares to look in the other eyes. He needs to deflect the tension, quick. His brain goes zoomies mode and he suddenly runs away on all four out of nowhere. You're just confused now. What's even going on?

Underfell Papyrus - He smirks, dodging your attack without any difficulty. He turns you around, still holding your arm and pins you against the wall with your arm stuck behind your back. He's taunting you as you're struggling and screaming trying to get at him. Apologize to him and if you're convincing enough, he'll let you go. Edge can be such a bully sometimes. You can't do anything to escape him though so it's time to accept your ego will be hurt in the process.

Horrortale Sans - He whimpers pitifully and gives you big sad eyes. He doesn't even know anymore why you're hitting him :( It hurts so bad :( You feel like a horrible person and immediately run to him to apologize for a cuddling session. Of course, Oak won't tell you he perfectly remembers what happened and that he's messing with you on purpose to win a free cuddle session. Willow is staring through his soul from the kitchen. Willow knows so bad, and he's not sure if he should call him out or not. Oak gulps.

Horrortale Papyrus - He stops your hand mid-air with surprising strength, then immediately lets go, looking guilty. You surprised him, and he didn't like how fast his old instincts kicked in to stop you. He doesn't say anything at that moment, but you notice he's a bit distant and agitated all day. He needs some time to calm down.

Swapfell Sans - He gives you an unimpressed judgmental long stare, in complete silence. Is that the best you can do? Damn, that was pathetic. How are you not ashamed of how weak that was? He's shivering from cringe for you. That's ok though, thankfully, in his great mercy, he will act like it never happened to avoid further embarrassment for you. You're so offended you're shaking.

Swapfell Papyrus - You dare to hit him? Him? The incarnation of purity and innocence? How dare. He's a sweet perfect angel and he never did something wrong ever in his life, and now look at him, dead on the floor with all of his bones broken and his soul shattered into a million pieces. You did that to him, you monster. You roll your eyes as he's rolling in agony on the floor, whining like a big baby. Nox screams at you to kick him in the pelvis to end his suffering and make him shut up for good. You're kinda envisaging it.

Fellswap Gold Sans - Coffee gasps so loud behind you as you slap Wine. I mean, he's not wrong. Do... Do you want to die? What are you doing? Wine is clearly offended, but he'll accept it was just a mistake in the end and that you didn't really want to kill him. BUT. Do that again, and he might start thinking you're trying to murder him, which he doesn't like. You're going to have a lot of suspicious side eyes all day lol.

Fellswap Gold Papyrus - He looks at you, so hurt. He just wanted to hug you as you came back from home. But, uh, that's not the only problem. Wine is definitely getting up from the couch as you're standing still in shock. You're in big big trouble. You grab Coffee's arm, opens the door and runs, dragging him with you. Coffee is so confused right now. Are you hating him or do you want his help? You're giving him mixed signals, he's not sure what's happening anymore.

[katyawriteswhump]

WIP Wednesday 🐰 'Bunny Race'

Here's a preview snippet of my @stmarchmm fic Bunny Race... hopefully, I'll have it ready later for today's 'collaring' prompt!

This spawned from a mention ‘bunny night’ in my omega cat café fic and I wanted to write it, because of the cuteness of bunny!Steve and bunny!Chrissy. Seeing as I might not have space for it in that fic, though… this happened. Whoops!  

ETA: fic is now up here on AO3

🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰🐇🐰

Chief Alpha Hopper approached with the starting gun, then stopped to talk with a couple of deputies.

Steve squirmed, glancing at Chrissy, who was fiddling with her bunny-ears and chewing her lip. Couldn’t Hopper see, let alone smell, how desperate all the Omegas were to get racing? To release all this nervous energy in the thrill of the chase, before their heats got so bad none of them were capable of running anywhere.

“Where is Robin catching you?” Steve whispered.

“We’ve built a nest near Skull Rock.”

“That’s so cliché! Everyone will be meeting around there.”

“Your heat mushed your brain already, you ditz? We needed somewhere even Robin can’t get lost finding.”

“Oh. Yeah. Fair point.”

Eddie was ‘catching’ Steve at a nest they’d laid near Eostre’s Spring, where they might actually get some privacy. He would’ve told Chrissy about it, had not Hopper swung his attention back to the ‘bunnies.’

“Form a line,” he shouted, and, as one, the bunnies obeyed. Then, in a softer tone, “If any Omega doesn’t want to be here, or has been pressured in any way, you can stay with me. You’ll have my full protection, for as long as you need.”

A nervy shimmer passed along the row of bunnies, who glanced at one another and shuffled their feet.

“All right,” he said, after it grew clear nobody was taking up his offer. “Anyone gets properly scared, or changes their mind, you find me or one of my deputies. We’ll look after you. Now, this gun is gonna be loud, Bunnies. Get ready, set…”

He fired into the air, and the BANG was echoed by a cacophony of piercing Omega squeals. Steve ducked and covered his head. By the time he realized he was squealing along with the others, instinct had propelled him forward, stumbling at first, then speeding up.

He and Chrissy sprinted, hand-in-hand, down a gentle slope toward a dark line of trees.

“Wheeeee!” she cried, literally skipping, “this is so fun!”

“Yeah,” said Steve, “it’s about to get serious.”

“Even better!”

Hopper would be making his way to the Alphas’ starting line—which was several hundred yards from the Omegas’ start point, for obvious reasons. The Alphas would be chomping at the bit, frothing to strike down their bunnies as arranged.

Sure enough, as the Omegas entered the forest with a few already peeling off toward their trysts, there was another loud BANG.

Steve and Chrissy stopped dead—her eyes were so huge they rivalled the moon—then he pulsed her hand and tugged her on. Soon, an aggressive wall of Alpha scent billowed through the moonlit forest, ahead of the charging Alphas. Yeah, the night might be chilly, but the forest was scorching.

🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰🐰

[fyrefrostanimus]

Doing a massive overhaul of my Voice designs, decided on not only the color theming (not changing the colors at all Cold will forever be purple to me) bur also each being a different bird species. I figured I might as well log it down here to not only keep a list for later but also receiving constructive criticism.

Hero: Crow, same as the player himself.

Paranoid: barn owl. Hyperaware of everything around him, especially sounds or visuals. Hunted also has this but Instinct Den forever changed how I see him. Also barn owl calls sound like screaming.

Cold: albatross. "Albatross over your shoulder" referring to numbness in this case (as far as I know that phrase just means something is weighing on you).

Contrarian: hummingbird. Hummingbirds have to be calculated to make sure they don't run out of energy, and that is exactly the opposite of Contrarian. But he still has that energy.

Cheated: cuckoo. Irony. He got cheated out of something (usually slaying The Princess), like how a cuckoo cheats another species of bird out of raising their own chicks.

Opportunist: lapwing. A group of lapwings is called a deceit, plus I decided to switch to him having the wing spur instead (he'd use it to win a fight in an unfair way once he gets an opportunity).

Hunted: loggerhead shrike. They're songbird that would normally be prey, but there's a reason this bird is called the butcherbird.

Smitten: lovebird. What else?

Skeptic: macaw. They're smart and I'm trying to avoid putting another corvid in so Hero is the only one.

Stubborn: eagle. He gives me the vibe of a bald eagle that will interlock talons with whoever he views as a rival (or lover, take this how you will) and plummet towards the ground at full speed.

Broken: dove. Pigeons and doves are closely related and doves works better with the theme of worship (often used as symbols in various religions).

[cool-fancier]

Unspoken Safety

Synopsis: You go against your bodyguard's advice, but she's always there to protect you, and a passionate kiss grows the connection between you.

The beginning of the night had been an exhilarating journey into the unknown, an opportunity to explore a new world away from the security of your daily routine. Anticipating a great time, you arrived at the party full of energy, ready to mix in with the drinkers and take in the energy of the place. However, you couldn't deny that Bada, your personal bodyguard, wasn't exactly happy that you went to the event.

You could sense the excitement in the air as you made your way through the lively crowd. People were mesmerised by the moment as they moved to the beat of the music that filled the arena. Smiles from others welcomed you, and you laughed and soaked up the party atmosphere as you joined in on their chats.

However, there was a faint discomfort in the background, knowing that you had ignored Bada's advise. She had brought up her concerns about your safety in a new place on several occasions, and she had cautioned you not to go to this event. She took her duty to safeguard you seriously. That was her job. Her only goal for the evening was to watch over you from the shadows, to make sure you stayed safe.

You had no idea that Bada was blending in with the crowd while her sharp eyes were fixed on you. She didn't like to stand out, and her amazing body let her fit in with the partygoers while keeping her instincts razor-sharp.

As the evening wore on, the contagious spirit of the party captivated you. You enjoyed the freedom of being free of your regular responsibilities and the spontaneity of the evening. You had become lost in the bustle and the excitement of the celebrations, unable to see Bada's messages.

Your phone vibrated with a new message all of a sudden. As you looked down, you saw Bada's curt text, "It's time to leave. I'm on my way. Stay put."

You realised that you had pushed the boundaries once more and ignored her caution. Now the party had gotten out of hand, much worse than you could have anticipated. You should've heeded her warning and stayed safe, but your impulsive side had won out.  Upon hearing her order, you responded with a straightforward "I'm fine."

But whether you wanted Bada to come or not, a feeling of shame tugged at your conscience, and you knew she was on her way. She never would have left you on your own, especially in strange and maybe dangerous settings, because she had vowed to protect you.

Shortly after, Bada's towering figure emerged from the crowd, her tenacity evident as her eyes locked onto you. You felt a wave of relief mixed with frustration. The guests couldn't help but look at her because of her obvious presence. The mood changed, as if a mysterious power had stepped into the space.

With steady purpose, Bada moved towards you, and you realised there was no use in resisting. With a firm but kind grip, she took hold of your arm and led you away from the crazy celebration.

Every stride you took with Bada was met with an abundance of emotions that overcame you. It was exhausting, but her protectiveness also showed how keen she was to keep you safe.

You were now following her, finding it difficult to match her quick speed. "Slow down! You begged, still feeling the affects of the earlier adrenaline rush. "I can't walk that fast."

Bada's pace didn't slow. Her need was steadfast and her grip stayed solid. As you were being brought away from the party's clamour, there was a noticeable tension in the air. Though Bada's annoyance was obvious, you could see concern lurking beneath her tough demeanour.

Bada let go of your arm when you arrived to a nearby car, but she still turned to face you. Her serious face was shadowed by the night, and her tattooed arms were crossed over her chest. "Did you enjoy acting like a wild animal?" she said,her voice laced with irritation.

You playfully but slyly hit her back out of defensiveness. "What are you so pissed off about? It was just a party."

Bada seemed to look right through you, her eyes narrowing as her attitude stayed unwavering. "It's not just about the party. It's about your safety. I can't let anything happen to you."

There was a pause as you understood how deeply concerned she was. Bada's constant devotion to your well-being was evidence of the special relationship you two had. It was more than just a work assignment; it was a verbal promise and an unwritten agreement.

That's when you made the decision to become closer to Bada. You took a step closer and gently met her lips with yours. A kiss that expressed the feelings that had left unsaid, a kiss full of a mixture of longing, impatience, and affection.

You two gave in to the passion that had always simmered under the surface, and the tension that had been building all night appeared to dissipate. The world around you vanished as Bada's arms wrapped around you and drew you closer.

Finally, your lips parted, bringing your foreheads together, and you said, "I get it, Bada. I'll take extra care. I swear."

Bada's thumb stroked your cheek, softening her expression. "Good. Because I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you."

Hand in hand, you and Bada left the party. You two had a relationship unlike any other, based on a special dedication and intense love. You couldn't help but think as you were leaving that, in spite of the difficulties, you would rather have no one else by your side to look out for and take care of you.

The evening served as a reminder that, on sometimes, you required protection against yourself—someone who loved enough to go above and beyond simple freedom. That someone was Bada, and her commitment demonstrated how strong your bond was.

[autisticshadowthehedgehog]

A Cluster of Burning Stars - Chapter Three

in which Sonic runs

(I realized I accidentally labelled the last post Chapter One instead of Two; you didn't miss any chapters dw!)

{ao3} {tumblr}

Sonic had been about twelve at the time. Or, well, twelve-ish. The Professor had later told them that they’d each come out of the pod at the equivalent of six years old. He barely remembered that, of course. There’d been so much testing to do after he was “born” that he didn’t have much memory of the first time he clambered onto the cold ARK floors. Apparently, the Professor told him later, he’d immediately started to run. Surprised the scientists with his instant agility as he began racing laps around the room. Sonic supposed that was in-character enough for him to believe. Running was really all he was good at. 

That’s what he’d been doing at the moment; running. The large track room was made mainly to capture the bits of chaos power that burst from the prototypes as they built up energy and adrenaline, and so it was where Sonic found himself most often, whether by choice or not. He supposed he liked it much better than the other testing rooms. He got to run as much as he wanted, after all, and it would take a very long time for somebody to tell him to stop. He had to build up enough speed on the floor first, before making his way up to the walls; Shadow could just teleport up there, but with Sonic, he had to be fast enough that gravity wouldn’t instantly yank him back to the ground. Once he was, he could race his way up, lock his shoes onto the track, and go as fast as his little legs could take him. 

He wasn’t really sure why he liked running so much. The way the air felt against his face? The euphoric feeling that nobody could catch him like this? Maybe he was pretending he was running on the Earth’s soil… but no, he’d liked running far before Maria had told him about the planet below. Maybe it was just instinct. Pure, animal instinct that couldn’t be trained out of him. 

Though maybe not. He didn’t like when they called him an “animal.” 

He was running, then, lap after lap in the circular space, when he heard the door creak open. He glanced down, face lighting up as he saw Maria wheel her way in– it was one of her bad days, where she couldn’t even walk without hurting herself, so she got a special wheelchair that her and Amy had spent quite a bit of time slapping stickers and marker-scribbles onto. Sonic waved, doing a few more laps to let her find a spot to relax inside before running down beside her. Still full of energy, he ran in place, pumping his arms as he spoke.

“Hey, Mari-ri! What’re you doin here?” 

Maria laughed a little, brushing a hand over his quills. Most scientists would be scared of chaos sparks with how much he’d just been exerting himself, but Maria always found an excuse to pet her friends. “Wanted to find you. Figured you’d be here.”

“Lucky guess.” Sonic laughed. As if he’d be anywhere else. He finally slowed his feet, beginning to stretch a little as his eyes darted around the room. “Where’s Shads?” 

“He’s doing a test for most of the afternoon. So’s Amy.” 

That was a surprise. Well, not that Shadow was doing a test– Lord knows the scientists liked testing him far more than they liked the other two hedgehogs. He was the success, after all. Prototype One, the Ultimate Lifeform and all that. No, the surprise was that Maria was here without him. Usually, Shadow stuck to her like… well, like his namesake, a little Shadow, clinging to her leg or arm. He was protective of her, yeah, always scared she’d have an episode if Shadow went anywhere without her, but Sonic could also tell that she brought him comfort in return. Usually, when he was doing a test, Maria would be sleeping, or in the hospital, or finding somewhere quiet to read. 

“Okay, that doesn’t answer my question. What’re you doing here?”

“Wanted to see if you were doing anything interesting.” 

“Oh, Maria. I never am.” 

“Of course you are!” Maria’s face brightened. “Look at how fast you were going! It’s really amazing.”

“I’m sure Shadow goes faster.” 

Her voice lowered, and she leaned in closer to him. “Hey, keep a secret?” Interested, his ears flicked for a second, before he nodded. “He doesn’t.” 

“Maria!” 

“Really! And he’s soooo mad about it, too.” 

Sonic kicked one of his feet. “You don’t have to lie to me.”

“Since when do I lie to you? It’s probably a trade-off– he can teleport, sure, but you’ve got more raw power in your physical movement.” 

Sonic laughed at the idea, crossing his arms. “Then what does Amy get?” 

“The hammer.” 

“Oh, yeah. Stupid question.” 

Maria rubbed his head again. “There are no stupid questions.”

“Only stupid hedgehogs.” Sonic laughed. After a moment, he clambered into Maria’s lap, purring against her chest as she put her arms around his back. “So. What do you want to do?”

“I dunno. I only know that I’m bored as hell.” 

Sonic considered for a moment, looking over Maria, and then glancing back up to the walls of the track. No, she wouldn’t be safe up there, but… 

“Wanna go for a run?” he asked.

She raised an eyebrow, and then gestured to her wheelchair. “Not a good day for that, pal.”

“Always a good day to go fast!” he said, and before she could respond, he zipped on behind her, grabbing tight to the handles of her chair. “What d’ya say? Up and down the halls a bit?”

For a moment, Maria was too stunned to respond. Then she turned, her face bright. “We’re gonna get in so much trouble.”

“So what else is new?”

“You sure you won’t, like, push me into a wall or something?”

“I know these halls like the back of my glove, Mari-ri. And my reflexes are too good to hit any pedestrians.” 

Maria turned away from him for a second, visibly considering. Sonic bounced on his feet, biting his lip as he waited for her answer. Then, she turned, a big smirk lighting up her face. “Let’s do it to it.” 

“Hold on tight!” Sonic said. He geared up as she gripped the armrests, and then took off at top-speed. 

---

“We should only be a few minutes from the plane. Do you think he can support himself?”

“I don’t want to risk it. He might still be in shock.” 

“You’re so overprotective of everything.” 

“Says the boy with eighteen defense systems.” 

The hedgehog seemed to be barely processing the conversation between the other two mobians. His eyes were glassy, unfocused as they stared ahead. His legs had started moving a few minutes ago, so Knuckles had lowered him from his back and started helping him walk along. Still, he shook quite a bit, and Knuckles kept a tight grip on his shoulder in case he started to fall. 

“Look, let’s just get him somewhere safe. We can swap him for the Chaotix’s emerald, if they managed to get their hands on it. You know Vec will take care of him.” 

“I don’t want Robotnik going after them again. Seira’s rich, she’s probably got some good security, right?” 

“I trust her with a lot of things. Not with being tactful towards a traumatized time-jumper.” 

“We could try Northstar.” 

“After the disaster that happened there, I don’t think we’re allowed to go back.” 

“Yeah, well, they won’t let Robotnik on, either.” 

The hedgehog’s ears perked slightly, and he blinked. Trying to refocus. 

“But then we can’t keep an eye on him. I don’t want him disappearing on us.”

Sonic glanced up, looking ahead at the distant shoreline. Shoreline? Yes, that looked like the pictures of the ocean he’d seen before. 

He stopped for a second, taking a deep breath. Knuckles quickly halted beside him. “Hey. You okay?” 

“Yeah, I–” Sonic shook his head, again trying to clear it from the haze that had come over him. He made a few rapid blinks, and then shook himself again. “I just. Need a minute.” 

“We don’t want to stay here too long,” Tails said. “It’s too open. If we get followed…”

Sonic didn’t really listen to the warnings. Instead, he slid out of the echidna’s grip and began stretching out his legs. They felt normal now. Maybe a little heavy,  a little tired, but none more than usual after waking up. He bent down, touching his toes, almost instinctively going into his warm-up routine. 

“What’s he doing?”

“Give him a second.” 

He stretched up his arms, then raised them forward, fingers interlocked. He dropped them back to his side, and then looked at the distant shore again. Slowly, he turned back to the other mobians… God, seeing other mobians was something he’d have to get used to.

“Can I…” he hesitated, then bit down on his lip. He shouldn’t ask, not this soon.

“What?” the echidna asked. 

“No, I…” he shut his eyes, and then, extremely quickly, spat out, “Can I just run a few laps around the island? Just for a few minutes. Just for a bit.”

“Around the island?” the fox raised a brow incredulously. “Gonna take more than a few minutes, bud.” 

“You’re still adjusting to Earth.” Knuckles said carefully. “And we don’t want you getting into trouble out of our sight.”

“Please. Please, I’ll be careful. I just need to run for a minute.” 

“Knuckles,” Tails’s voice dropped to a whisper, “I don’t want him getting away.”

“Look at him. You think he’s gonna be a threat?” Knuckles whispered back. Sonic wondered if they knew he could hear them. 

“Could be.” 

“That breakdown didn’t seem fake.” 

Sonic hugged himself, shutting his eyes tight and trying to hold back more tears. He’d cried enough on the ground by the pod, screaming and pounding his fists into the dirt, as if the earth below him was what had taken his family away. He didn’t need to break again, not so soon. 

“Please,” Sonic said again, his voice breaking a little. “Just for a minute. I need to clear my head. I need to think about… anything else.” 

Anything but the images that flashed in his mind whenever he closed his eyes. Of the pale hand reaching for him. Of the blood splattered on the ground, under the blaring, piercing alarm. Of the pod door closing in front of him, the rush of cold piercing his sides. 

Knuckles and Tails shared some kind of look, and Knuckles finally said, “Look, just pace yourself. Do a lap around the area–”

Sonic didn’t need to be told twice. Instantly, he was off, a shower of dirt kicked into the air behind him as he raced for the beach. He could hear Tails let out a shocked gasp, but Sonic was already going for the ocean. When he reached it, he spun, beginning to run across the sand. The sand felt different to the dirt; looser, less stable. But more crunchy. He liked the sound. He liked the sound of the waves beside him, too. He’d never seen so much water in his life. 

He turned, and began to speed around the edge of the island. When he said it would only be a few minutes, he’d meant it. Now that his legs were working, his speed was back, too. But the island was extremely different from what he was used to– there were rocks he had to dodge instead of regular obstacle blocks, any cliffsides were less stable and more bumpy than the walls that used to hold him safe. There weren’t any fluorescents, only a single, setting sun in the sky, and the air was warm against his fur, instead of the cool, conditioned breeze of the lab. It wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle. 

You can do it. He heard her voice in his head. He shook his head and tried to block it out. 

It was easier on the second lap, of course, once he knew where he was going. By the third lap, he’d pretty much memorized each rock and creek and shattered stump. As soon as he found himself back on the part of the beach he’d started on, he turned back, racing a few seconds inward before stopping beside the fox and echidna. He doubled over, hands on his knees, as the sudden stop suddenly shot an ache across his legs. 

“Man. I needed that.” he breathed. Even with the pain in his feet, screaming at him that he should have waited a few more minutes… he already felt clearer. 

“What.” came the fox’s voice. “The. Fuck.” 

Sonic glanced up, again twitching his ear in confusion. Both mobians were staring at him as he had suddenly grown a second head. He glanced behind him, making sure there was nothing else they could be looking at, before turning back.

“I’m sorry. Did I take too long? Sorry.” 

The fox and echidna shared a look, and then Knuckles slowly said, “How… how fast were you going?” 

“I dunno. Not up to par, really. I don’t know the area. Maybe a couple hundred KPH?” 

They kept staring at him. Suddenly, the fox looked very interested, and he began wagging his tails. “Fascinating. So you can run at supersonic speeds?”

“Ha-ha, yeah.” Sonic flinched as another pain came to his chest. “That’s where the name came from. It’s– dude, you can fly?” 

The fox had begun to hover a few feet off the ground, his tails spinning so rapidly they blurred together. “Huh? Yeah.” he suddenly flew over to the hedgehog, putting a hand on his heart for a moment. “Normal heartrate.” he then moved onto the hedgehog’s arm. “It doesn’t look like you exerted yourself too much.”

“Well, like I said. Don’t know the area well. What’s so interesting?”

“Your speed is impressive,” Knuckles finally said. 

“Not really.” Sonic laughed. “I mean, I know people who can do way cooler stuff.” 

“That kind of speed should be impossible for a living being.” Tails said. “And that’s not even your record?” 

Starting to feel a little uncomfortable, Sonic laid his ears back. “Let’s… let’s just forget about it.” 

“Sonic.” the fox pulled back, putting his paws on Sonic’s cheeks to force him to look him in the eye.

Sonic stiffened, waiting for the inevitable scolding.

“That was so cool.”

“It… what?” Sonic blinked. 

“That was cool as hell! When we get back to the lab, I need to find out how this is even possible. I mean, you’ve got some kind of connection to chaos energy, of course, but if we run a few tests–”

The tiny spark of happiness died at the last word. Sonic stumbled back, shaking his head. “No! No tests!” 

For a second, the fox looked confused. Then he said, “Right. Right, sorry. I got carried away. You came from a lab, right? Must’ve been… a lot. Sorry, no tests.” 

The slight tone of disappointment cut right through his heart. “I mean– I–” he stumbled. “I don’t want– I just– look, if you need to–”

“I think,” Knuckles said, coming between them and putting a hand on both their shoulders, “We need to get home and get some rest. It’s a long flight. Have you ever been in a plane before?”

Sonic shook his head. “I… haven’t been on ground before, either.” 

“Right.” Knuckles nodded. He glanced bitterly around the area. “Sorry this is your first view of Earth. This place is depressing.”

Sonic blinked. “Are you serious? This place is beautiful.” 

There was that confused stare again. And then Knuckles said, “Come on. We’ll do our best to explain things once we get to Tails’s workshop.” 

---

Getting Sonic to the workshop turned out to be a challenge in of itself. First, he tried to drink from the ocean while Tails was starting the engine, which caused him to cough so hard that Knuckles nearly gave him a heimlich. Then they realized both he and Knuckles were going to have to fit into one seat, which annoyed Knuckles to no end, but what was he gonna do? Complain in front of the guy who just lost his entire life? He shut his mouth and let the hedgehog squeeze in next to him. Even before they took off, he bounced his leg incessantly, and then once they were in the air, he kept leaning over the side of the plane to look at the ocean below, nearly falling off multiple times. Knuckles finally yanked him into a safe position, only for him to promptly fall asleep on his lap, and stay conked out until they landed. 

Knuckles hesitantly carried him out of the plane as Tails held open the door. “Didn’t he just sleep for fifty years? You’d think he’d be wide-awake.” 

“Like I told him, the pod’s settings weren’t entirely online. He didn’t get up as fully-rested as, say, Shadow did. The pod kept him alive and unaging, didn’t exactly do as good at recharging him.” 

“Well. At least the important stuff was taken care of.” 

“Right. Just set him on the hammock. I’ll check on the others.” 

Knuckles nodded and moved to the left wall, where Tails had half-heartedly hung himself a bed. He usually fell asleep at his desk, but Vector had once refused to leave until he convinced him that he was actually taking care of himself. Knuckles carefully settled the snoring hedgehog in the hammock, before stepping back. “He needs a bath, too. Went headfirst into the dirt and then kicked up debris from half the island.” 

Tails didn’t pay much attention; instead, he was checking through his computer. “No sign of any other pods yet. That’s concerning. And Seira’s forwarded me a– oh. Shadow’s got the chaos emerald from the museum.” 

“What?” Knuckles raced forwards, slamming his hand on the computer desk. 

Up ahead, they saw footage of a news report, showing what was clearly Shadow crashing through a window, a chaos emerald held tight to his chest. 

“Shit.” 

Tails tapped a few buttons, and then put a hand to his ear. “Vector, are you there? Vector! Come in!” 

It must’ve taken Vector a while to respond, cause Knuckles had time to reach up and turn his own communicator on by the time he answered. “Tails?”

“Vector, please tell me you’ve got a hand on that chaos emerald.” 

“Tails, where have you been? We’ve been trying to call for an hour!” 

Knuckles whistled. “That doesn’t sound good.” 

“I’ve been midair, Vector. What did you do?” 

“We didn’t do jack! We got your stupid emerald, only for GUN to swoop in and take it from us.” 

“What? Already?” Tails bristled.

“Yeah, and lemme tell you. They were not cool about it.”

“Okay, okay.” Tails took a breath, sitting back down into his swivel chair. “How ‘not cool’?” 

“Like… rude? Not sure what you want me to say.” 

“That’s normal.” 

“They seemed to be in a rush, too.” 

“Shit. Okay. Fuck. Have you talked to anyone else?” 

“Uh, no? Why–?” 

“I’ll call you back.” Tails flipped a switch on his communicator. “Mighty! Mighty, come in!” 

Knuckles shut his communicator off, shutting his eyes and rubbing his temples. This whole thing was giving him a massive headache. He heard Tails prattle on about something, and turned to the monitors again. Most were displaying text, one still showed the report of Shadow making a menace of himself, several showed flickering maps, and still others showed lines of code. Knuckles could read quite a few languages– there were a lot of ruins left on his island– but “code” was certainly not one of them. Apparently it was second-nature to Tails, though. He glanced at the maps again, before tuning back into Tails’s conversation. 

“...alright. Keep looking. We’ll head off GUN and get what we can.” he flipped his switch off. “Knuckles, did you get that?” 

“Absolutely not.” 

“For the love of– okay, listen. Robotnik’s got at least three emeralds now, maybe four. GUN just swiped the one near the Chaotix; looks like they already have a second. I’m going to track that energy to try and find where they took it, and we’re gonna grab them first.” 

“Why?” 

“Do you trust them to keep em safe?” 

Knuckles laughed.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. But more importantly, Robotnik’s clearly already in GUN’s systems. He’s gonna know they have those gems, and he’s gonna be after them, too. I’m setting my computers to track where they put it. Soon as they do, we’re getting there first.” 

“Mm-hmm. When are you planning to sleep, then?”

“On the way. I can put the Brontide on autopilot.” 

“You know I don’t trust those things.” 

“Do you want to fly it?” 

“Do you think I can?” 

“No, and I would never let you. I need to swap out my guns.” He flew over to a large cabinet, typing in a code to unlock it before completely climbing inside. His echoing voice called out, “Let me know if you hear an emerald detection!” 

Knuckles laughed a little, before hearing a crash in the other direction. He leapt to his fighting stance, turning just in time to see Sonic face-first on the ground again, the hammock twisted above him. 

“Ow…”

Knuckles carefully stepped away from the computer, making his way over to the hedgehog. “You okay?” 

“Yeah, I… had trouble getting out of there.” 

“Looks like you almost cocooned yourself.” Knuckles smirked, before kneeling down and holding out a hand. “Did we wake you up?” 

“No.” he shook his head as he stood, rubbing the back of his head. “No, actually I… look, I need to–”

Tails flew out of the cabinet, kicking the door shut, holding two different guns in his hands. “Knux, should I take the .38 or the .45?” 

Sonic’s eyes widened. Knuckles quickly said, “Put those away, Tails.” 

“Fine, I’ll take em both.” He shoved them into his tail fluff, flew his way down, and said, “Who woke up Blue?” 

“Hey, listen.” Sonic glanced nervously up at the cabinet, then to the floor. “Thank you for… everything. But I need to find my array.” 

“Your what?” Tails clearly was holding back a laugh. 

Sonic flinched. “My host? My prickle? My… Look, there were two other hedgehogs with me, Amy and Shadow. They got sent off at the same time as me, they should be in the same state I was. I need to find them.” 

Knuckles took a deep breath, while Tails let out a long sigh and put his head in his hands.

“What?” he paused. “Look, I know I don’t know my way around Earth, but if you don’t want to help me, maybe you could, I dunno, point me in the right direction? Or help me find someone who can–”

“So, here’s the thing.” Tails began. Sonic stopped talking, tilting his head in confusion. “Ugh, how do we even start with this?” 

Knuckles, who was always quite direct with everything, decided to try that approach. “Your friend Shadow’s a terrorist now.” 

“Not a good place to start.” Tails hissed, as Sonic yelped.

“Wait, you know Shadow? Is he okay?” Sonic raced to Knuckles, grabbing his hands, before doing a double take and saying, “He’s what?” 

Tails raised his voice slightly, so that Sonic’s attention drifted back towards him. “We managed to find your pod because Shadow’s opened earlier today. It sent out a signal towards any other escape pods of the same line, and we traced that to you. We’re working on finding any others, but so far it’s just you and Shadow, and unfortunately, someone else found Shadow first.” 

Sonic’s brow knitted with worry. “Who?” 

Tails went up to his computer, tapped a few buttons, and brought up a picture of Robotnik on the largest monitor. “Dr. Ivo Robotnik, also known as a massive pain in the ass. He–”  

“Professor?” Sonic gasped. 

Tails and Knuckles both stared at him for a second. “Doctor.” Tails corrected him. “He’s not that accredited.” 

“No, no. That’s the Professor.” Sonic raced to the monitor, putting a hand against it. “That’s Professor Gerald Robotnik. But… younger? Or maybe he just dyed his hair?” Tails gave him a strange look. “But, look, I know him. He was on the ARK with us. He made us.” 

Both Tails and Knuckles stiffened for a moment. “You’re Robotnik-made?” Tails asked, stepping back a second. 

Not noticing this reaction, Sonic nodded, before turning back to the screen. He pushed his face closer to it, the palm of his hand flattened farther, as if hoping he could phase himself inside if he got near enough. 

Tails considered for a moment. “Okay… Gerald Robotnik, that must be a relative. That would explain how Robotnik even found out about Project Shadow and all these encrypted files– he must have had a leg up with inside information. Did… did your ‘Gerald’ have any relatives?”

Sonic opened his mouth, closed it, and then blinked away tears. He stepped back, taking a deep breath and hugging himself. Knuckles watched as his claws dug into his own arms, before Sonic answered, “He had two kids. And a granddaughter. She was on the ARK with us. That was Maria.” he swallowed, and then backed up until he hit against the keyboard, before reaching behind him to tightly grip on the edge. 

Knuckles glanced around, before grabbing a chair from Tails’s wood desk and pushing it forwards. Sonic took the hint and zoomed his way over, hopping between the areas in the blink of an eye. It still made Knuckles bristle up, as his body tensed for an attack, but Sonic just used his speed to get to the chair before his legs could give way, and he curled his knees up onto the base, hugging them and burying his nose in his lap. 

Tails carefully made his way over. “What… what exactly happened up there?” 

“I don’t know.” he said shakily. “It was normal. It was a normal day. I mean, they…” he shut his eyes, then shook his head. “It was normal, and then GUN showed up from Earth. We thought they were just here to talk about something. They would come up sometimes to talk with the Professor. They funded the ARK, you know? But they just… started firing on anyone that moved. I was… I was by the window with Amy. And I just heard screaming.” 

He gripped harder onto his knees. Carefully, Knuckles reached over and put a hand over one of his. Sonic flinched at first, and then leaned into the touch. 

“I went to see what was wrong, but I was… they were dead, they were all dead. And they pointed those guns at me, and I just froze up. I froze up but Amy came in and knocked them all down. We started just running, trying to find Shadow and Maria. They were in the halls, they were running, too. Shadow and Amy were trying to fight back, I was just… I tried to run with Maria, I did, but she wouldn’t leave Shadow and Amy behind, and she didn’t want… she was trying to get everyone to stop fighting. And one of the soldiers…” 

Sonic began to curl in on himself; a defensive position for hedgehogs. Knuckles moved his hand to his shoulder, laying his arm against his back as he did so. 

“We tried to get her to the pods.” Sonic shivered. “But she pushed me and Amy in. Shadow tried to stop her, but she got him in one, too. She hit the button and we…” he took a deep breath. “The pod turned on. I froze over. And then I was asleep.” After a second, he uncurled, glancing up at Tails, whose face was stone. “We were supposed to help her. We were supposed to protect her. And we… I failed.” 

For a moment, Knuckles didn’t see Sonic; instead, he saw the claws of a giant machine, closed around the Master Emerald. He blinked, and it was gone, and he just squeezed Sonic’s shoulder. 

“I doubt it was your fault.” Tails said. 

“It was.” 

“Really, it’s GUN’s fault for being such little bitches. Not surprised they’d just kill anyone working on a project they didn’t want to fund anymore.” Tails scoffed, crossing his own arms. “They just nabbed a chaos emerald from us–” 

“You have the chaos emerald?” Sonic looked up, surprised.

“You had one?”

“On the ARK. I’m not sure where it went when everything… happened.” 

“Well, down here, clearly.” Tails huffed. “There’s seven. Robotnik and Shadow have three or four by this point. GUN has two. We need to get these things before they can get their hands on them.” 

“But, I don’t get it.” Sonic looked up to Knuckles. “Why isn’t Shadow here? Why did you say he…” 

“As we said,” Knuckles said slowly, “Robotnik found him first. We’re not sure what his plan is, but he has Shadow on his side.” 

“Gave us kind-of an ass-beating.” Tails shrugged.

Sonic cracked a small smile. “Heh. Sounds like him.” he shook his head. “But Shadow wouldn’t want to hurt anyone. He probably thinks this is the Professor or something, that he’s trying to help people.” 

“It wouldn’t be the first time Robotnik has tricked someone.” Knuckles crossed his arms. 

“What… who is this guy?” Sonic asked. 

Tails gestured to the monitor again. “Piece of trash. A few years back, he started trying to take over the planet with his advanced technology. Unfortunately for all of us, he’s not completely inept. He took over a good chunk of the islands before he hit mine.” Knuckles stiffened. “Blew the place sky-high trying to find the chaos emeralds. But since they’d arrived in my area, I’d had experience with assholes trying to swipe them before. I gathered the gems and stole one of his ships, but we both crashed on Angel Island, where Knuckles lived.” Tails then glanced at Knuckles, and smirked a little. “That didn’t go so well at first, did it?”

“In my defense, fox,” Knuckles said, “You did try to shoot me multiple times.” 

“I was also, like, four years old. You probably should’ve known I wasn’t a demon trying to steal your emerald.”

“I didn’t think you were a demon, I thought you were a kitsu–”

“Hold up.” Sonic held up his hands. “You were four? Stealing and flying a ship?” 

Tails shrugged. “I’m talented. Anyway, Robotnik tried to steal the Master Emerald, but we used the chaos emeralds to bring it back down, crash his first Death Egg, and survive the fall to Earth. Since then, we’ve had Angel Island under lockdown, and we’ve been trying to keep the emeralds as far away from the Doctor as possible.” 

“He’s made quite a lot of enemies with his roboticization methods,” Knuckles said, “So we have contacts across several islands and most of the continents.” 

“Our B-Team have been trying to undo the damage he’s already done to the roboticized areas, but it’s slow and incredibly dangerous work. We’re in charge of keeping him from doing more damage.” 

Sonic glanced over to the monitor again, then shook his head. “That doesn’t make sense. The Professor never wanted to hurt anyone. Neither did Maria. They just wanted to make the world a better place.” 

“Well, clearly they didn’t impart that onto Ivo over here.” 

“So… so what’s he doing with Shadow?” 

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out.” Tails said. He hit the keyboard a few times, and the monitors came together, forming a large map of Prison Island. “My trackers just let me know that GUN brought their new emerald back to Prison Island.” 

“The place Robotnik just broke in and out of?” Knuckles scoffed. “Not likely.” 

“It is a pretty stupid plan, but the military isn’t known for their brains.” Tails said. 

“It’s too stupid. Either that’s a fake–”

“There aren’t fake chaos emeralds, Knuckles.”

“–or it’s a trap.” 

Tails hmmed. “A trap isn’t that bad an idea. Still a bad place to put it, but maybe it’s their best cell. If it is a trap, we’re gonna have to be careful getting in before the Doctor does. They’re probably just as prepared for us as him.” 

“You’re…” Sonic shakily got to his feet. “You’re going straight to GUN?” 

Knuckles and Tails exchanged a long, quiet look. Then, carefully, Tails said, “We’re very, very used to going up against man-made weapons. We broke in there today, and we’ll do it again tomorrow when we reach the island.” 

“You’re leaving?” 

“We can’t let Robotnik get those gems.” Knuckles said. 

“But–” Sonic turned back to the screen, the green map and blinking, red dot of chaos energy reflecting in his wide eyes. 

“We’ll be careful,” Tails said. “And we’ll try to make sure Shadow doesn’t get hurt in the crossfire, either, if you think he’s really innocent in all this.” 

Sonic’s voice dropped, almost to a whisper. “You think he’ll be there?”

“He’s Robotnik’s new pet.” Knuckles said. “He’ll be there.” 

Sonic stared at the screen for several more, very quiet minutes. Then he said, “Then I’m coming, too.” 

“Yeah, I don’t think that would be smart.” Tails said. 

“I’m going.” the blue hedgehog’s fists curled. “I’m not letting GUN kill you and I’m not letting them kill him. Besides,” he released his fists, and then clapped his hands together. “I’ve got some anger to work out.” 

Knuckles smiled. “I can respect that. Are you prepared for combat?” 

Sonic shut his eyes very, very tight. “You could say that.” 

And that was that.

---

{ao3} {tumblr}

[whiteraven87]

Driven by Desire: Fire and Speed - 43. Unexpected meeting

The Unstoppable Series - Masterlist

Four parts. Two hearts. One love story.

pairing: Toto Wolff x Miriell Joschke (Original Character, female F1 driver)

Series warnings: long fan fiction/series, slow burn, age gap (23 years), woman racing in F1, boss/driver relationship, difficult and painful past, death, angst, recovery after trauma and loss, love after loss, sexual tension, sex scenes, illness, pregnancy, memory lost.

full series word count: 218k words of speed, scars, slow-burning love, and everything in between.

----------------

chapters until now of Part 4: Driven by Desire: Fire and Speed

Prologue

Return to Life

YES!

We are back

Third World Championship Title

The Night That Changed Everything

The Inevitable Conversation

Now and Forever [18+]

You Are the Reason

Our Place

The New Driver

Night Experiments [18+]

In His Power [18+]

Memories

The Royal Couple of F1 [18+]

New Era

The First Race of the Season and Rumors

Mercedes – Power, Style, and Authority

Triumph of a Young Champion

Shadows of the Night

The Sea, the Silence, Us [18+]

Unexpected news

Oasis of Peace

Loss

Emptiness

Painful Truth

Breakthrough [18+]

The Fourth

Liberty Media Banquet [18+]

The Austrian Casanova

The Calendar[18+]

Unmatched [18+]

Shared Moments

Her Path [18+]

Madness in the Bieszczady

Awkward Discovery

Christmas in Austria

Finally Alone [18+]

Birthday Gift [18+]

Observations

After the Meeting [18+]

Season Opener[18+]

previous Parts:

Part 1: Driven by Speed - A Diamond Among Stones

Part 2: Driven by Success - Golden Girl

Part 3: Driven by Love - Rebirth from the Ashes

-----------------------------

43. Unexpected meeting

The Encounter

London, April, Business Forum

POV Toto

London. A few days away from the chaos of racing. I should've been grateful for the breather, but the business forum's schedule left me little room to enjoy it. Speeches, meetings, dinners with influential people – all important, sure, but my mind was fixated on just one thing: Miriell.

At one of the networking cocktail events, while I was mid-conversation with a potential sponsor, I suddenly felt someone's gaze on me. I instinctively looked up – and saw him.

Marcus Elridge.

Former sponsor. Billionaire. A man with an inflated ego and filthy intentions. The kind of man who once believed his money gave him the right to everything – including Miriell. The kind of man I personally reminded how wrong he was.

His smile hadn't changed – confident, mocking, as if our last confrontation had never happened. But his eyes gave him away. He remembered. And he respected me for it.

"Wolff," he said, approaching slowly with a glass of whiskey in hand. "Didn't think we'd run into each other again."

"Elridge," I replied coolly, lifting my chin slightly. "Shame I have to disappoint you."

He chuckled under his breath and took a sip of his drink.

"Well, I'll admit, I'm impressed. I didn't think you'd actually manage to keep her around. But don't you think it's a bit of an... uneven trade? So much youth, so much energy... and you? Let's just say you're past your prime."

My jaw tightened.

"You might've forgotten, Marcus, but I don't let people talk about my wife like that."

His gaze darkened, but he held his ground.

"Ah, right. You already reminded me of that once – quite physically, I might add." He ran his tongue over his teeth like he could still feel the pain from that night. "But I'm just curious... Can you really satisfy her?"

That familiar tension spread through my shoulders, but this time, I wasn't giving him the satisfaction. I took a sip of my drink and met his gaze calmly.

"Marcus," I said quietly but firmly, "you and I both know she was never within your reach. And she never will be."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Confidence is one thing, Wolff. But a woman like her..." He leaned in slightly. "Doesn't live well with limits."

I gave him a faint smile, seeing how desperate he was to provoke me.

"And yet she chose me," I said, holding his stare. "Maybe because, unlike you, I don't need to buy someone's attention."

His jaw clenched, but after a moment, he added:

"Maybe it's exciting for her now," he said, feigning contemplation. "But how long will that last? A year? Two? Maybe three before she gets bored? Before she realizes she could have more? Someone younger. Someone who could meet her needs... completely."

My breath caught – shallow, deliberate. But I didn't let it show. Not here.

I leaned in slightly and said in a low voice:

"Marcus, if I weren't a reasonable man, I'd smash your face into this bar right now. But I know you're not worth another scandal."

His smile faltered slightly.

"I heard your ribs hurt for months after our last talk," I added, staring him down. "Say something like that about my wife again, and next time, you won't be lucky enough to have it swept under the rug."

He looked at me for a moment, then shrugged.

"Ah, Toto," he sighed. "Still so predictable."

I turned and walked away without looking back. My heart pounded like a hammer, but I knew one thing for certain – Marcus Elridge would never touch Miriell again. He'd never even dare get close.

Trash

London, April, Business Forum

POV Miriell

Business forums and meetings. Another speech, another round of questions about what it's like to be a female leader in a male-dominated sport. Routine.

I walked through the lobby toward the conference hall, drawing glances—not because I was a four-time world champion, but because I didn't look like the rest of the elegantly dressed guests. Leather jacket, fitted black jeans, combat boots. No compromises.

And then I saw him. Marcus Elridge.

He still had a faint scar on his jaw from my bite. I smiled to myself with satisfaction.

For a moment, my body tensed, memories rushing back—his disgusting hands, his breath, the way he tried to break me. But fear? No. Fear was a long time ago.

Now, I saw nothing but trash. Trash I should've hurt worse back then.

He stopped and looked at me with that smug grin.

"Miriell. You look... intriguing," he drawled.

"Marcus," I replied coolly. "I see you're still carrying my souvenir."

His face tightened slightly, but he quickly slipped back into arrogance.

"Ah yes, your bite. You know, it was actually quite... passionate. If you'd just given me a chance back then, it could've been really... exciting."

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Exciting? For you? Sure, maybe. For me? You're a pathetic piece of trash, Marcus."

His eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but then he stepped in closer, lowering his voice.

"And now you're with that old Austrian," he said with disgust. "What do you even see in him, Miriell? You really think he can satisfy you? You're a woman who needs... more."

His voice dripped with sleazy innuendo, and I felt the fury rising in me.

But instead of stepping back, I moved in closer—so close I nearly brushed against his arm.

"More?" I echoed with a smile. "Marcus, you have no idea what you're talking about."

He looked at me, confused—clearly not expecting that reaction.

"Toto," I continued slowly, deliberately emphasizing every word, "is the most wonderful, passionate, and dominant lover I could ever imagine. And you know what? I love being his. In every possible way."

His face paled slightly, though he tried to play it cool.

"I doubt a guy like him can really satisfy you," he muttered, but his voice lacked conviction.

I laughed.

"Oh, Marcus..." I sighed theatrically. "Such a shame you'll never know what it's like to be with a real man. Now if you'll excuse me—my passionate old Austrian is waiting."

I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving him seething and humiliated.

Toto stood nearby, having seen it all. His face was unreadable, but his eyes said everything.

"My Love, did you see that?" I asked, walking up to him and lacing our fingers together.

"I did," he said quietly.

"And?"

"You reminded him exactly where he belongs," he replied, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Oh yes," I smiled. "And you know what? That was incredibly satisfying."

***

As soon as we got into the car, Toto gave me an amused look as he started the engine.

"I heard everything," he said, his voice unusually warm. "Did you really have to say it... in such detail?"

I laughed, fastening my seatbelt.

"What? I only told the truth," I replied innocently—but the smirk tugging at my lips betrayed how much I'd enjoyed the whole scene.

Toto shook his head, a mix of amusement and mild embarrassment on his face.

"Even I blushed hearing you talk about me like that," he admitted, glancing sideways. "'Most wonderful, passionate, and dominant lover'?"

I leaned toward him, resting my hand on his thigh and gave it a gentle squeeze through the fabric of his trousers.

"But Kochanie, it's all true," I whispered—and his hand on the wheel gripped tighter.

I could feel the blush spreading across my cheeks as I recalled every moment he showed me just how deeply I belonged to him.

How effectively he made me lose my breath. How my body responded to every single touch.

Toto glanced at me, his lips curving into that half-smile of his.

"You're blushing," he noted with satisfaction.

I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat.

"How could I not blush, thinking about everything you do to me?"

His smile grew wider.

"Everything?"

I closed my eyes for a moment, heat blooming under my skin.

"Yes..." I murmured. "I am yours in every possible way."

Toto let out a quiet breath, reaching over to intertwine his fingers with mine.

"Your old Austrian, huh?" he teased, referring to my earlier jab.

I laughed, squeezing his hand.

"Oh yes. My old Austrian. But you know what? The sexiest, most indecent old Austrian I've ever met."

He looked at me with that deep, piercing gaze that made my whole body warm.

"Careful, Schatz," he murmured in a low tone. "If you keep saying things like that, I can't promise we'll make it to the hotel in one piece."

I laughed, but my body instantly reacted to the sound of his voice.

"Maybe that's exactly what I'm hoping for," I said teasingly.

Toto shook his head, muttering something in German under his breath.

"You're impossible, Miriell," he said—but his smile said he didn't mind one bit.

And just like that, that whole awkward exchange with Marcus didn't matter anymore.

Because I was here. With him. My man.

My old Austrian.

And nothing else mattered.

-------------------

NEXT -> 44. Sound of Dominations [18+]

-------------------

"I put my armor on, show you how strong I am."

Read the story here:

AO3 Unstoppable Series

Wattpad: Part1 I Part 2 I Part 3 | Part 4

🇵🇱 Dla Polskich czytelników [for Polish readers] [PL]:

Seria Niepowstrzymana AO3

Wattpad PL: Part1 I Part 2 I Part 3 | Part 4

[gooblecontrol]

Echoes of the Ark Part 8:

"Come on, Shadow, keep up!" Sonic called over his shoulder, his blue streak zooming around the beach.

Shadow, pushed himself to match Sonic's breakneck speed. Sonic had noticed that Shadow had started to tap into his chaos energy to increase it. Sonic knew it was time that the brooding hedgehog learned a better way to do things—one that didn’t leave him drained and vulnerable.

"Alright! Great warm up, Shads. Now, I also asked you here to show you something that might help you in a fight without leaving you running on empty.”

Shadow ran to a stop in front of him, his eyes narrowing. “What are you talking about?”

“Your Chaos Energy,” Sonic said, his tone turning serious. “You rely on it too much. Sure, it’s powerful, but once it’s gone, you’re stuck waiting to recharge. That's the part you hate, right?"

Shadow, sighed heavily. "It is a disadvantage I would like to avoid," he admitted. "but I already know how to fight, Sonic."

“Look, I’m not saying you’re weak. You’ve got speed, just like me. You’ve got skills. But you’re not using them to their full potential. Let me show you how to fight smarter, not harder.”

Shadow thought on it, "Then show me what you've got."

Sonic’s grin widened. “That’s the spirit! Alright, first lesson: speed and momentum. You’ve got the speed, but you’re not using it to its full advantage. Watch this.”

In a blur of blue, Sonic shot across the beach. His momentum building with every step. Then, he let out a burst of speed, spinning into a tight ball and slamming into a nearby boulder.  The rock broke apart, sending dust and chunks flying everywhere.

“See?” Sonic said, skidding to a stop. “I didn’t need Chaos Energy to do that. Just speed, focus, and some creativity.”

Shadow raised an eyebrow. “Breaking rocks is child’s play. I could do that in my sleep.”

“Then show me,” Sonic challenged, pointing to another boulder nearby. “But here’s the catch: no Chaos Energy. Just your speed and your wits.”

Shadow crouched low, and then took off. His movements were sharp, his speed was solid. But as he approached the boulder, he hesitated, his instincts screaming to tap into his Chaos Energy. Instead, he forced himself to follow Sonic's instructions. Moving into his spin attack before slamming into the rock. It cracked, but it didn’t shatter like Sonic’s had.

Shadow scowled, and then forced himself to except that Sonic was right...even if he would never say it out loud. "It's easy for you," he said, with a hint of resentment. "You've had your whole life to master your speed and strength. I was created for power."

Sonic chuckled. “It’s not just about going fast—it’s about controlling your speed, using it to your advantage. Here, let me show you something else.”

For the next hour, Sonic demonstrated every technique he had: using the environment to his advantage, creating distractions to throw off opponents, and making every move count. With each try, Shadow felt himself get more results with less effort and no Chaos Energy.

By the time the sun began to dip in the sky, Shadow was breathing heavily. But it did feel better that he didn't need to rely on the raw power of his Chaos Energy.

“Not bad, Shads,” Sonic said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re a quick learner. But remember, this is just the beginning.”

"It was a...productive session." Shadow conceded.

"Glad you got something out of it!" Sonic gave him a thumbs up. "So, whatcha you up to for the rest of tonight?"

“Don't know. I moved out of Eggman’s lair.”

Sonic blinked. Of all the things he expected Shadow to say, that wasn’t on the list. “Wait, really?”

Shadow nodded. “After what happened with…you know. I realized something. Spending time with Dr Eggman—it’s not getting me anywhere. I let myself believe he was some kind of… last link to my past.” His fists clenched. “But he’s not. You were right. About him.”

Sonic smirked. “Can’t say I didn’t tell you so. I know Egghead better than anyone.”

Shadow sighed. “You’re insufferable.”

“Yep, that’s me.” Sonic smiled. “So, what now? You got a new evil lair, or you still figuring things out?”

"I’ll figure it out.”

Sonic leaned on his heels, “You know, if you want, you can crash at my place.”

After a pause of consideration Shadow gave a small nod. "That might work."

Sonic grinned. “Cool. Just don’t hog all the hot water, yeah?”

Shadow scoffed. “That was one time.”

“And I never got over it,” Sonic huffed playfully. “Come on, roomie, let’s get you moved in.”

<< Part 7 | Master Post | Part 9 >>

[trans-duckling]

KakaGai Halloween 2024: Our Worst Nightmare

Promts: Nightmare & Memory Pairing: KakaGai Words: 3,528 Summary: There is one thing that becomes your biggest fear once you are a parent; to lose your child. Nothing compares to it. Nobody can prepare you for that feeling. You can just pray that the day never comes for you to hear such horrific news. ---------------------------------------------------- “We will find her” he assured against his husband’s ear. “And once we do, we’ll bring her back home and she will be safe.” “It feels… It feels like a nightmare.” Their worst nightmare.

The afternoon was slow and calm, just as Kakashi liked it now that him and Gai were retired. Well, technically speaking they could still be called for consults and of course in case of extreme necessity, but… For now it was just peace and quiet. Or as much of that you can get when your husband loves to be vocal while he exercises in the middle of the living room. While you try to read a book.

“Gai, could you count with your inside voice?” he pleaded.

“Of course not, rival! I have too much energy needing to be spent!”

The Hatake raised an eyebrow —even if his husband could not see him— and smirked under the mask. He was about to vocalize the much more desirable way in which Gai could use his energy when he heard the hawk.

Living in Konoha, the sound of the bird was not strange, but if you were —or had been— a shinobi, the call had a different meaning. No wild hawk would circle over a particular house for several minutes just for entertainment.

“Is that...?” his husband asked in mid-push up.

“Sounds like it” he shrugged.

Just to be sure, he closed his book and walked to the garden, holding a hand up to block the sun and check that… Yep, the bird was over them. Great. And just when he had come up with the perfect way to spend the remaining hours of the day.

“Let’s go, Gai.”

Nobody needed to accompany them to the Hokage’s office, the Hatake’s previous position being enough influence to pass through any security. By his side, his husband wheeled effortlessly through the corridor, always keeping his chair ready to speed up in case they started a competition. Kakashi was almost tempted to do so a couple of times.

He knocked on the office’s door out of respect, but didn’t wait for an answer before coming in. Naruto was able to perceive them from any point of the village, anyways.

His student was currently sitting behind his too-full desk, checking a report with an stressed expression on his face. The Hatake knew very well how he felt, having been in that position for way more years than he had intended. Still, Naruto had been the one asking for the job, so…

“Are we at war again?” he joked with a sigh.

The Uzumaki’s fingers trembled just so slightly.

“Of course not, Kakashi-sensei.”

“You should not joke about that, rival!” his husband complained. “I’m sure Naruto-kun has a very good reason to call us here.”

“I hope” he huffed. “Or should I remind you what the term ‘retired’ means?”

There was no annoyed comment following his badger, which definitely indicated something was wrong. Instinctively, Kakashi’s shinobi training came back, detecting each and every person in the building and trying to remember if there had been something going on while they walked to the office. Nothing stood out, which meant that whatever was going on it was still maintained a secret from the common public. Probably the reason why they had been called in, then.

“You’re not here as shinobi, Kakashi-sensei.”

Oh, well.

Wait.

No.

He felt a shiver running through his body. A dormant feeling coming back to life.

“Where is Rei, Naruto?” he demanded, his voice not able to hold back the threat.

The change in the atmosphere was immediate. He saw his student’s expression change and Gai’s body starting to vibrate.

“Two of her teammates were found an hour ago close to the border with Ame” Naruto stated. “One of them is critical, the other one died before they reached the closest hospital.”

No.

NO.

That was not happening. It couldn’t be happening. He had brought his daughter into a world of peace. It was not perfect, but death on duty had become very strange after the War. So that couldn’t be happening. It just couldn’t.

“Where is our daughter, Naruto-kun?” Gai beamed, teeth clenching.

“We don’t know” the Hokage admitted. “But before dying, Haoru was able to leave a message: Ambush. Fallen R. Escape.”

Kakashi’s world became silent for a moment.

Suddenly, he was not in the office anymore. He was inside the room he shared with Gai, his husband fast asleep in their bed while he looked through the window, a baby Rei in his arms. She was awake but silent, looking at him with the same intense glare he had on her. The mask that for years had covered the Hatake’s face rested now on his neck, not wanting to hide any part of his expression from Rei.

Kakashi’s lips moved calmly while he voiced a barely audible melody. He sang about the trip he had gifted his daughter. How life may not always be easy, but it will be worth it. There would be amazing adventures filled with colors. Eternal kisses and laughs. Animals and friends that would accompany her. And that, even if it was from afar, he would always be looking out for her. Making sure she was safe.

The clatter of Gai’s chair over the wooden floor brought him back to the present. He blinked his tears away.

“We’re going to find her” he declared.

“Kakashi-sensei, I understand how you’re feeling, but neither of you are shinobi anymore, which means…”

“It means you cannot order us to stand down” the Hatake growled. “And don’t you dare saying you know how we feel. I know that if Himawari was the one missing, you would be the first one running out of the village to look for her.”

The way Naruto was holding his gaze told him he was right. Of course he was.

“Even so, Kakashi-sensei, this happened in a border with another country, I cannot allow…”

The Uzumaki’s desk cracked at the half, Gai’s fist as quick and efficient as ever.

“SHE’S OUR DAUGHTER!”

The office was not acting as one anymore. Two ANBU guards stood with their tanto out behind the Hokage, Naruto’s hand lifted to stop their attacks. The air was charged with Kakashi’s electric chakra and Gai had acquired a fighting position.

In all his years alive, the Hatake had never thought he would be fighting his blond student and risking be named a rogue. Betraying his own village. But he was a father now. And parents would do the craziest things for their children.

“We won’t back down, Naruto” he mouthed. “If you really think that we’ll stay put at home while somebody else looks for Rei, then you don’t know us at all.”

“Hokage-sama…” one of the guards started.

Naruto let out an angry sigh.

“Tenten is leaving in an hour from the north gate” he indicated.

The tense atmosphere held for a few more seconds, until both Kakashi and Gai retracted enough for the ANBU guards to relax their positions and go back into the shadows. Afterwards, they just nodded, not even bothering with leaving the office. Instead, they shunshined out of it and into their house, supporting each other for it as they had been doing for years.

Neither Kakashi or Gai needed to share words as they moved efficiently through their home, bringing out their mission backpacks from dusty closets and filling them with everything they might need: medical kit, soldier pills, blanket, weapons. Once done, they went outside, to the small storage room Yamato had built for them several years ago. Before Rei, they had put all their shinobi clothes and training items in what was the gym/guest room. Now, that piece of the house belonged to their daughter, and they would make sure she was back in bed to rest from whatever had happened.

While taking his uniform out from the shed, the Hatake found his old hitai-ate, the Konoha symbol still shinning in the middle. He held it in his hands for a few seconds before throwing it away. Neither Gai or him would be leaving the village as shinobi that day.

As a dance they had been practicing since their chunnin years —once Kakashi started to let his husband get close—, they helped each other to adjust safely their clothes, uncapable of ignoring how the body changes they had suffered through the years made wearing them again weird. In less than half an hour, both men were completely ready to leave the house.

However, a hand closed itself around the Hatake’s, stopping his movements as he intended to take their bags.

“Are we forgetting something?” Kakashi asked, turning to face his husband.

He was uncapable of hiding his surprise at Gai’s expression. The other man was standing up, his wheelchair safely hidden in a scroll and his electrical orthosis ready to help him walk and fight again. The chances of such effort causing immeasurable pain in the next days were high, but the Hatake knew better than try to antagonize him. He would do the same, after all.

What he had not being expecting was the fear in his husband’s face, the tears barely holding in his eyes and the small tremble of his upper lip. He was not scared. He was terrified.

“Rival, what if… What if it’s too late?” he mumbled. “I-I can’t…”

Kakashi gave one step forwards to wrap the other man in a tight hug. That way, he was able to blink his own tears away without letting Gai see them. That way, he could fake being the strong one.

“We will find her” he assured against his husband’s ear. “And once we do, we’ll bring her back home and she will be safe.”

“It feels… It feels like a nightmare.”

Their worst nightmare.

“I know” the Hatake nodded. He left a soft kiss on Gai’s cheek before pulling apart, “but we have to leave, now. Rei needs us.”

His heart was beating fast. Probably faster than it had done since they were told their daughter could open the Gates. Faster than it was healthy. Nothing of that mattered, though. He might be anxious. Terrified. Angry. But he had to put all his energy on finding Rei.

Only then he could allow himself to cry. To rest. To breathe.

Gai swept his tears away with the sleeve of his uniform, nodding against the fabric. He pushed air in and out of his lungs before straightening up, a decisive expression on his face.

“Let’s go!”

Tenten found them about fifteen minutes after they abandoned Konoha. She didn’t bother with complaining about them leaving before she could join, almost the same amount of worry probably running through her veins at the moment.

The trio travelled in silence, not stopping unless it was extremely necessary and therefore reaching the border with the Rain Country in a day. Their first stop was the small village close to the post separating the lands, where Naruto had told Tenten she would be able to find the survivor teammate of Rei’s group.

“He woke up just a couple of hours ago” one of the nurses told them after demanding talking with him. “He is severely injured but should be able to answer a few questions. Don’t push him, though.”

Tenten nodded while Gai looked around and Kakashi pulled at his sleeve in a way nobody could notice, the movement necessary to alleviate his nerves. They followed the old woman into a small room with a couple of beeping machines and one lonely bed in the middle of it. The boy laying over the mattress was slightly younger than Rei, maybe about fourteen years old, but looked even younger tucked in like that.

“Rokudaime-sama!” he coughed, trying to incorporate at the vision of them.

“Ease up, young man” Gai said, one hand resting on the boy’s shoulder to force him down on the bed. “We don’t have time for pleasantries, we have to make you a few questions.”

“I… I am sorry” he stated, voice trembling. “We didn’t want to leave Rei behind, but my other teammate was badly injured, and she was our team leader, and she ordered us to go while she… while she bought time.”

Of course she did. Because Rei was her fathers’ daughter and had the Will of Fire embedded in her veins and brain.

“Do you remember where exactly did you separate?” the Hatake asked, tone neutral.

“Y-Yes” the boy coughed. Tenten offered him a glass of water, and he gulped it down before continuing. “It was about a kilometer after crossing the last bridge before the border. “

“And what was her condition?” the kunoichi pushed. “Was she injured as well?”

“A bit, and she had use a good amount of chakra, but not as bad as us.”

The trio exchanged a quick look, nodding in silence before starting to turn around.

“W-Wait!” the boy pleaded. “Don’t you… Don’t you want to know more about the mission and who attacked us? I don’t have a lot of information, but…”

“Worry not, young man” Gai smiled with a “good guy” pose, even if clearly off and unfocused. There was an evident amount of fury in his next words: “Whoever it was, we will make them regret their actions. Rei will be back with us in no time, you’ll see.”

Kakashi closed his hands into fists, holding himself back just enough to avoid drawing blood.

Rei had to be alive. She had to be fine.

And still.

Still…

Life as a shinobi had taught him that children also died.

And parents could be forced to face the unthinkable.

Finding the area where most of the battle had taken place was easy enough. The Alliance made it possible for them to cross the border without a problem, and from there to reach the bridge they had been told about was barely an hour. However, as it was common in the Rain Country, water was pouring from the sky and only a few tracks and destroyed trees and rocks had been left behind as clues to find Rei. Once those came to an end —their daughter probably opting to run away instead of keep fighting—, they had to resort to another method.

Over the years, Kakashi’s sense of smell had lost part of its edge, and especially under the rain he had difficulties finding Rei’s smell. Or rather, knowing in which direction she went. Angry and frustrated at the world and himself, he pulled his mask back up and grabbed a kunai to nick his thumb and summon his hounds.

“Hello, boss!” Pakkun greeted from the top of Bull’s head. “What’s up?”

Ninken aged way slower than common dogs, but his pack was old. They carried injuries and scars with them, and not even their senses were as good as in the past. Still, the Hatake knew he could still count on them.

“I need you to find Rei.”

That was enough to catch everybody’s attention.

“The pup? What’s wrong with her?” the small pug asked with a growl, his nose already moving.

“Her team was assaulted during their last mission” Kakashi hastily explained. “One is dead, the other is hospitalized. We need to find her.”

“Leave that to us, boss” Pakkun barked, jumping down to the ground and facing the rest of the pack. “Hounds, disperse!”

In a blink of an eye, the other seven dogs disappeared with a common and decisive growl. They all had seen Rei grow up, protected her as the newest member of the pack. The Hatake knew they wouldn’t stop until they found her.

The next few minutes were the most tense in Kakashi’s life, not knowing which direction to take and just waiting for a signal.

Finally, a long howl. Shiba.

“North-west!” Pakkun barked, starting to move just as he spoke.

The trio followed the small ninken without hesitation, and as they advanced more and more dogs joined the group until all of them were together again, following the same path. While they ran, a particular smell started to become more noticeable: blood. There were dark spots on some places of the ground next to the tall trees, where the rain hadn’t reached yet. The essence of Rei was equally strong.

The Hatake was not sure for how long they were moving, but the end of the trail became obvious just as he felt that no part of his body was dried anymore. About a kilometer ahead, the forest came to an abrupt end, meeting a stone wall taller than the trees. Just as the group reached the last available branch, the pack of ninken stayed put, not daring to come down on the ground.

Kakashi, Gai and Tenten didn’t think it twice. After all, their presence wouldn’t be as overwhelming for the creatures growling from inside the cavern ahead, as a group of eight hounds would be.

The way those growls echoed in the small clear, even when the dogs emitting them were not visible, indicated that the cave was long and narrow, possibly with only one way out. As they came closer, the aggressive display increased in volume, to the point that the Hatake had to bring a hand up to stop Tenten’s advances. She seemed about to protest for a second, but finally decided to stand back.

Entering the dark cavern could have been uneasy in another situation, but at that moment Kakashi was too worried about his daughter to give a fuck about anything else. That was why he kept walking even as the growls became closer, indicating that Gai and him were not the only ones moving.

It was still surprising to see them, sometimes. A couple of big ninken —Bull’s size—, but with a wolf appearance and well-known names across the Lands, both human and summon. One completely black, only his yellow eyes visible inside the cavern, and another full-white, her shiny teeth reflecting the little light available. Taiyo and Tsuki. The summons that had helped to create the legend of the White Fang.

Hatake Sakumo’s ninken.

They were both injured, judging by the smell they gave off and the dark spots obscuring Tsuki’s fur. Alongside the aggressiveness reflected in their eyes, both had their lips completely up, upper and lower canines in display as they continued growling.

It was endearing, to know they were trying to protect Rei.

Kakashi took down his own mask, showed his canines and growled back.

The action was enough to have them breaking out of the blinding mode they had set themselves on. Now that his eyes had gotten more used to the dark, the Hatake was able to see their tongues licking the still folded lips before their noses moved a bit, tasting the air. At last, their eyes showed some recognition.

“Where is Rei?” he demanded, still with a half-growl.

Taiyo and Tsuki didn’t need to look at each other to know what they were thinking, instead slowly starting their retreating at the same time. Just as Gai and him were about to follow them, a weak voice came from deep in the cavern.

“D-Dad? …Papa?”

Their eyes met in a second, open wide as if neither of them could really believe they had just heard their daughter’s voice. As if they had truly lost hope.

They ran.

The annoying sound that Gai’s orthosis made whenever it got too wet echoed in the wall as they advanced. And, at last, they saw the dim light of a small fire, the tunnel becoming just slightly bigger when turning to the left. There, in a corner sitting against a rock, Rei held her side with eyes that barely stayed open.

A quickly scan of the situation made the Hatake skip a beat. Her right leg was being supported by a hastily done sling, and a loose bandage went around her belly, blood coming from one of the sides and making a path to the ground. There were some other small wounds, but those two were the primary ones he could see and care about.

Gai and him moved with coordinated expertise, checking for more serious trauma and exchanging quick glances as they took in the situation. Judging by the amount of blood coming from the still open wound, how white Rei was and the fact that she was barely conscious…

“I… I’m… t-tired” the kunoichi mumbled, head just staying up with Gai’s support.

Kakashi’s heart beat faster. They were going to loose her. She was going to die in their arms and his worst nightmare would become true.

His breath caught. The image of a smiley baby flooded his mind. He blinked his tears away.

“Take her” he said to his husband. “Save our daughter, Gai.”

The other man held his gaze for a moment, as if needing that time to truly believe what he had said. Then, he nodded. His right hand went down to his orthosis, turning the electrical features off before coming closer to Rei and hold her up in his strong arms. His eyes set on Kakashi just for one second.

“Run.”

Gai disappeared.

The Hatake gave himself ten seconds to panic once he was left alone. Then, he turned around and ran as well, as far as possible from the image that would hunt him for the rest of his life.