#i almost forgot to add the cats to the scarf

[flea-eats-bugs]

"My name is Caleb... Widogast"

[lucyjay]

Silver (b.bh)

||You and Baekhyun have been friends for the past couple years. What happens when you both develop feelings for each other but no one has the courage to admit it?

Genre: smut (a bit of fluff)

Warnings: explicit language, alcohol consumption, teasing, unprotected sex ( balloon your baboons fellahs), dirty talk, oral sex, fingering, cum play, throat fucking, hair pulling, multiple orgasms

Words: 6.5k  

 You throw a final look at your reflection in the mirror and sigh. I look like shit, you think to yourself and make your way to the bathroom to finish straightening your hair. The last thing you are in the mood for is clubbing but guess who won’t take no for an answer?your friend Nat who borderline blackmailed you into either joining her and your friends tonight or finding all your embarrassing high school photos displayed on your insta tomorrow morning. 

 After managing to make your hair not look like you got out of a cat fight, you put on some make up which for you consists of 3 simple steps. Step 1, hiding the black shopping bags that jewel your under eyes, Step 2, some blush so that you don’t resemble a ghost and Step 3, mascara. The final result looks better than you anticipated when you started getting ready over an hour ago. 

A simple black baggie-t’shirt style dress, a pair of black boots, your straight hair naturally hugging your shoulders, falling all the way down to your waist and last your make up which thank god hides the fact that you’ve worked a total of 60 hours this week. It’s a nice, fresh spring night and you reckon you’d be okay without a jacket on. You throw your keys, phone and credit card in a small bag and make your way out of your apartment. Your find your uber already waiting for you outside the main entrance of the building, you jump in and decide to give your friend a call to check if they are already at the club. 

 “Hola”, her high pitched voice makes you chuckle, she still sounds like a 5 year old girl just like when you first met her. 

 “Hola. Sooo, I’m on my way, I should be there in like 20′ max. Who else is coming? Please tell me Sehun and Taeyong will be there? Taeyong promised he would make time if i joined you”, you protest already used to one of your best friends, Taeyong canceling on you lastminute.com because of work. 

 “They are already with me babe and we should reach the club in 10′ or so. Sara and Jaebum are coming as well, Bam is DJ’ing, oh and ahm”, she pauses and your heart starts racing subconsciously knowing what she is about to say. “..Baekhyun is coming”. You swear at her for not letting you know earlier and she mumbles apologies which leave you completely untouched. 

 “Nat, you did it on purpose”, you try to keep your tone calm only because your uber driver is already giving you some “lady keep your voice down” looks through the rear mirror. 

 “I didn’t but even if I did so what? We are all friends and it’s completely childish of both of you to put us in a position where we have to go out with each of you separately. Bam is worried and Sehun is having abandonment issues”, she whines dramatically and you hear Sehun in the background screaming, “I just want my friends back, oh god, please”, a fake cry following his oscar-worthy performance as you hear Taeyong burst into laughter a bit further in the background. 

 “Ok ok! I don’t care. I’m done playing his little games anyway. I wanna drink and have fun. See you in a bit”, you reply and hang up. The uber has reached the city centre and your gaze in boring outside the window looking at the people and the buildings but not really paying attention to anything. All you can think about is him. How things have completely gone to shit when they were so promising. You and Baekhyun met a a couple years ago when he started hanging out with Sehun who he met at work. The latest then brought him into your group and he clicked with all of you straight away. 

Fast forward to a a few months ago, you were at one of BamBam’s house parties chilling and chatting away when he confessed that he likes you and he has been into you since the day he met you catching you completely off guard. You, having been crushing on the boy since the moment you laid your eyes on him, did what no 26 year old, sane woman would do and just bailed. Literally left him there, drink in hand, mouth hanging open in shock and you just left the house, got inside a taxi and went home. You were so embarrassed over your reaction and disappointed in yourself for ruining the perfect chance to be with the biggest crush you’ve had since middle school, that you couldn’t even bring yourself to message an apology to him. A few days later you all met at a cafe and that’s when it started. He was so cold and sulky towards you and who could blame him? But he was overdoing it to the point that it started pissing you off. You couldn’t get him to talk to you alone and eventually managed to get you to not stand being with him in the same room. Every time you met since then, it was just a verbal war between the two of you, full of sneaky insults and hurtful jokes with a drizzle of swear words and some whipped sarcasm on top.

 “It’s just one night out. How bad can it get?”, you whisper only for your own ears to hear you. The uber slows down outside the club, you thank your driver and step out of the vehicle, gently closing the door behind you. The queue for the club isn’t too long and you can spot Nat,Tae and Sehun waiting on the left side where the VIP queue is forming. Sehun waves at you eagerly and you make your way to their direction. 

 “At least she is wearing a dress and not pyjamas”, Sehun teases and lifts you up in a hug that made you almost gasp for air. 

 “I am overworked, not lame. I now how to dress for a night out”, you spit back faking annoyance and the younger boy raises his hands in defence. 

 “Tough week at work?”, Taeyong asks as all four of you walk towards the entrance of the club. 

 “Everybody decided to get married at the end of summer apparently, so considering that I have to organise 9 weddings within the next 4 months, I would say tough year.”, you pause and your eyes follow the direction Taeyong is looking at and...there he is. Locking his car dressed like a bloody model straight out of a Vogue photoshoot. Black jeans, loose blue shirt, a silk navy blue scarf around his neck and a pair of black boots. “...and it’s not about to get better”, you finish your sentence. 

 Him being ridiculously attractive should have been something you were used to by now, but you haven’t seen him in almost a month and in all honesty you almost forgot how easily he makes your entire body go numb just by standing there not even looking at you. Too lost in your own thoughts you haven’t noticed him standing next to you greeting the others, ‘till he turns his attention to you. His hair is silver. Fuck him and his ability to look good in everything. Fuck him and his gorgeous face, you think to yourself. 

 “Your hair is longer”, he says in the most indifferent tone. Is this his idea of a greeting? Asshole, you think.

 “Your hair is bloody silver”, you reply, your eyes not leaving his. He serves you a slight side smile and you can feel the insides of your palms getting sweaty.

 “Looks good doesn’t it?”, he throws a rhetorical question not really waiting for an answer. You tsk and roll your eyes at him while quickly turning to get inside the club. BamBam was near the entrance to greet you and show you which table he reserved for you and your friends. You follow him and he leaves you shortly after to go and prepare his station for his set next to the man currently DJ’ing. 

 “I’m gonna go get drinks, what do you want?”, Baekhyun asks the rest of you.

 “Let’s just get a bottle”, Nat proposes and you nod. “tequila or Vodka?”, she asks. 

 “Tequila”, you and Baekhyun shout in unison and you turn to look at each other. Are the lights in here making him look even more attractive or is it just you being horny for him? You give yourself a mental slap. 

 “Tequila is good”, Sehun adds. Baekhyun makes his way to the bar and Nat moves to your side, leaning next to your ear so that she doesn’t need to scream on top of the music. 

 “Make a move”, she says and you almost choke on your own spit. 

 “Are you insane? Haven’t you been around lately? I guess not. Let me fill you in. In the last episode of Season 2, he hates me. End of story”, you reply and she chuckles. 

 “He doesn’t hate you. He is just still hurt by your reaction back then. And you are clearly into him. Like, it’s clear like the sun. Like, I can see you undressing him with your eyes. I could legit-...” 

 “That’s enough! I got your point”, you cut her off and really wish Baek could get his ass there already cause you swear you would love to down that entire bottle of tequila right now. 

 “Babe, talk to him. It’s a shame. You have had feelings for each other for so long. You can’t just..leave it.”, she says and her tone is soothing and understanding. You turn to look at her and nod causing her to smile widely and clap her hands like a little kid who just got her birthday gift. A minute later Baek shows up with two bottles of tequila inside a bucket and a waitress follows right behind him with a tray full of glasses and ice which she lays on your table. 

A few drinks down and you find yourself relaxed enough to be dancing with Taeyong like there’s no tomorrow, rocking some crazy moves  perfectly nsync with BamBam’s wild beats.  Taeyong’s hands are on your waist and you rest your head on his shoulder, your back against his chest as you sing every single lyric of the song currently blasting.

 “I need another drink”, he screams over the music. You nod and make your way to the table where you find Nat and Sehun talking to Jaebum and Sara, a couple Nat met whilst on holidays in Japan, who happened to be from the same city as the rest of you. You chat with them for a few minutes, sipping on your drink when you realise you haven’t seen Baekhyun since returning to the table. After scanning the area around you, your gaze falls on Nat’s who mouths a silent “outside” to you, as if she has read your thoughts. You excuse yourself and make your way through the intoxicated crowd, eventually reaching the exit of the club. You step on the pavement and look up and down both directions to see if you can spot Baek. On the left side of the doors, a few meters away you can distinguish a frame that looks like him. You slowly make your way towards the man and after a few steps you can see his face clearer under the dull lighting the lamppost covers the corner of the street with. He was staring at the ground, cigarette in between his index and middle finger. You clear your throat and he turns to look at you. 

 “Oh sorry, I didn’t see you”, he says calmly, taking a puff of his cigarette, quickly letting a line of smoke out of his nostrils.

“You smoke”, you say and it’s more like a realisation and less like a question. Your stare drifts off of his face and down to his feet as if his shoes are the most interesting thing to you. 

 “Yes, got a problem with that?’, he turns to look at you and you raise your head to meet his eyes. You can’t read him. You never could. He looks unbothered yet sounds annoyed. It’s so frustrating and you swear at yourself for even thinking of approaching him. You scoff and turn to leave, sure that you’re clearly not wanted there. 

 “That’s the second time”, he says and his voice is low but you can sense a weak scent of irony lingering at the end of his word. You stop in your trucks and turn to face him. 

 “What was that?”, you ask. 

 “It’s the second time you walk away from me. There won’t be a third”, his statement catches you off guard but you’re not planning on letting him see the affect his words have on you. 

 “I suppose you came out here to get some air, I wanted to check if you’re alright but you’re clearly not up for a chat. Am I wrong for thinking that the best thing to do was to excuse myself?”, you regret the slight sarcasm in your words which was completely unintended. His attention lands on your face. There’s at least 2 meters distance between yourself and him but for some reason you feel like you’re suffocating. His presence is so strong that you can’t even think straight. Without taking his eyes off of yours, he throws his cigarette somewhere to the side and with two steps he is standing right in front of you. You can smell the smoke on him but it doesn’t bother you; his cologne in combination with his addictive natural scent are enough to make your head hazy. He shouldn’t be able to affect you like this. 

 “Excuses”, his voice comes out like a loud whisper and you feel embarrassed at how it makes your entire lower body go numb and the sensitive area between your legs pulsate. His stare is so heavy that it almost makes you feel small. He moves a bit closer to you and you can almost feel his body touching yours.

 “Baekhyun, I’m...”, your voice fades out unable to complete the sentence. Your eyes still on his like magnets. You can’t see anything around you but him.

“Finish your sentence Y/N”, he says calmly. You gather all the courage you could before you allow the confessions that you have been battling all these months, come out. It’s so hard but you know you have to. You have to give it a shot.

 “I’m sorry. For that day.”, you say and his features rest in a slight shock which only encourages you to continue. 

“I’m sorry i left you like that and that I didn’t explain myself. I’m sorry that I never called you after what happened. But what I’m not sorry about is what happened afterwards. You were so mean to me and you refused to talk to me. Your behaviour was horrible and I don’t take back anything I’ve said to you every time we fought”. You swear your knees are about to give out and your breathing is so heavy that you can feel your chest rising and falling as if you were running. You heart beating in your head is making you dizzy and you pray that you won’t just faint right there and then. 

 “You don’t regret anything you’ve said to me all the times we fought?”, he asks and you feel a pinch of annoyance that this was the only part of your paragraph long monologue he chose to focus on. 

 “Nothing. You started every single fight”, your statement came out strong and your voice way too stable given your current state. You congratulate yourself in your head. As if that was even possible, Baekhyun steps even closer to you, now trapping you between his body and the wall. You can feel his torso pushing yours backwards only for the back of your waist to land on his right hand, his left one resting on the wall slightly brushing your cheek. 

 “I swear I would take you against this fucking wall just to shut this annoying mouth of yours”, his lips almost touching yours. You can feel his breath on your face and his words wake the butterflies in your stomach. You’re mad at yourself for feeling so weak under his stare. It takes you a few seconds to realise that you have been holding in a breath. You just stand there, frozen, eyes glued on his honey brown ones when the words roll out of your tongue without second thought. 

 “Why don’t you then?”, you speak in a low voice that even gives you goosebumps. Your boldness surprises him and he shakes his head.

 “I shouldn’t. I-..” 

 “Excuses”, you cut him off and you catch him so off guard that if it wasn’t for you being an absolute mess right now, his shocked stare would have had you chuckling. He raises his hand to caress your cheek and the way his knuckles softly touch your skin makes your entire body shiver. He doesn’t allow you to let the sudden skinship action sink in when he tilts his head only to rest his forehead against yours. 

 “I don’t know what to do with you anymore. Please tell me Y/N. Just tell me what you want”, he pleads and the entirety of your body heat is now resting on your face. You have never seen Baekhyun like this, basically asking you to take the upper hand. You rest your arms on his and connect your hands behind his neck. 

 “I want you Baekhyun. I don’t even remember how it was not to want you.”, you inhale and the air entering your nostrils feels too hot “...let’s go back to yours.Or mine, I don’t care”. The moment you finished your sentence Baekhyun’s hand was on yours, already guiding you towards the direction of his car. He open the door for you to get in and a second later he jumps in the driver’s seat. 

 Baekhyun’s eyes are glued on the road and his grip on the wheal is strong. You take a minute to examine his side profile and your eyes linger on each of his beautiful features. His beautiful honey-brown eyes, his straight nose and his soft, pink lips that are currently pressed into a thin line as if he is trying hold back a river of words threatening to fall out. Your hands are resting on your thighs which you’re pressing together in a desperate attempt to ease the buzzing in your lower area. You are already so embarrassingly wet, even though Baek hasn’t even touched you, which makes you realise how wrong all your past partners must have been treating you. Not able to stand the distance between the two of you, you place your hand on top of his right thigh, slowly dancing your fingers up and down the area. He shakes his head, momentarily closing his eyes only to open them a second later. His stare is intense but you can’t read it properly. 

 “Babe...”, he says and your hand movement stops at the sound of the nickname. Feeling more aroused by the second, you bend slightly over so that your lips are brushing against his ear. 

 “What...babe?”, you tease and he grips the wheel with such strength that it looks like he is trying to break it in half. 

“Finish your sentence Baek”, you continue and at this point you know you’re playing with fire. He turns to give you a look for a split second, his eyes filled with something unknown to you and a slight smirk is gracing his beautiful lips.

 “Sit back properly, take off your underwear and open your legs.”, you’re looking at him, eyes wide open in shock. His habit of bossing you around would normally have you ignoring his ass, maximum serving him an eyeroll as a response, but now it’s different. Your brain hasn’t even had the time to comprehend the possible consequences of his request, when you find your hands slowly sliding the sides of your underwear down your legs. Before you manage to even speak a word, his slender fingers are caressing the inside of your thighs and you throw your head back, eyes shut in an attempt to keep yourself under control. His middle finger and index travel all the way to your sensitive area and you let out a low gasp when you feel them on your heat. 

 “Holy fuck...”, he says and inserts one finger inside your throbbing pussy. You moan out his name as his digit is hitting you exactly on the right spot and you can’t see it but there’s a victory smile resting on his lips. 

 “Baek wait...”, you try to complain but it’s in vain. He adds a second finger and while keeping his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel, driving almost at 150 km/h, he is steadily bringing you closer and closer to your orgasm. You turn your head to the side, your eyes linger on his frame when you start feeling a knot forming on the lower part of your abdomen. You gather all the strength left in your body to lift your arm and tangle your fingers with his silver locks, slightly pulling his head backwards. He hisses and fastens the tempo of his fingers, his palm now coming in contact with your clit. You know you aren’t going to last long. Your walls start pulsating around his skilful digits and the car stops at a red light which finally allows him to focus his attention on you for at least a few seconds. 

 “I can’t wait to feel you clenching around my dick baby”, he says and you can feel yourself getting closer to your orgasm. 

“Does my baby like dirty talk?”, he teases you and you pull his hair a tad stronger than before. 

“I want you to come before the light turns green, you have approximately..”, he pauses to calculate the other traffic lights at the crossing, “...10-15 seconds?”, he adds driving his fingers in and out your pussy at a frenzy rhythm. You can’t handle the tension anymore. 

 “Baek, I can’t-...”, you swear you could cry with all this tension gathered on your lower body. You’re so close you can sense your orgasm. 

 “9..”, he says, his eyes piercing yours. 

 “Fuck, no I can’t”,  you close your eyes, trying to control your body. It’ll be too much, you don’t want to come here in his car. 

 “Open your eyes and look at me. 6″, he counts and you do as you’re told. His palm hitting your sensitive clit is sending vibrations all the way to your head and you swear you wouldn’t be able to spell out your own name at this moment if you had to. 

 “I’m so close, I’m- Baek please...’, you whine and you can feel your walls clenching like crazy, swallowing his fingers. He places his other hand around your neck, squeezing gently and you’re a goner. Your orgasm crushes through you like fireworks and you can’t stop yourself from grinding down against his fingers, greedily trying to ride the explosive feeling out. 

 “That’s my girl”, he flashes you a satisfied smile and removes his fingers from your pussy at once. You grimace at the loss of contact but you’re too occupied trying to gather your thoughts and get yourself together, to pay further attention. The car is already on the move and before you can fathom what’s happening, he is parking in front of a building. Your eyes feel heavy but only at the thought of what’s coming, you feel the knot in your stomach tighten again. Baek steps out of the car and opens the door for you. You take a second to put your underwear back on, and you step outside the vehicle likewise. He locks it and starts walking towards the entrance of the block of flats before you, his hand in yours as your steps shadow his. You walk up the stairs and stop at the first floor. He stands outside a door and takes out his keys to unlock it when he turns to face you for the first time since he had you coming all over his fingers in his car. 

 “Before we get in I need to tell you something”, he warns and his eyes are examining your face. You step closer to him, your arm brushing against his. 

 “What is it Baek?”, your voice sounds so sweet and the way you say his name has him melting. 

 “If we do this, there’s no disappearing in the morning. There’s no going back to how things were. If you don’t want to stay and if you don’t want to be with me, leave now. This can’t be a one-time thing for me. That’s not what I want.”, he takes a deep breath as if he just gave the most important speech of his life. Your mouth hangs open at his sudden confession and you feel a stink of guilt that you’ve made him so uneasy; scared that you would run away from him and disappear. You grab his keys and unlock the door which opens wide in front of you. You step inside his flat and turn your head to face him. 

 “Do you prefer eggs or pancakes for breakfast?”, you ask him while taking off your shoes. He steps in and shuts the door behind him. Walking backwards you start unbuttoning your dress, “...I prefer something sweet in the morning to be honest”, you’re teasing and you reach the last button. You take another step backwards and you can feel his eyes burning on you. He is following each step you take, mirroring your movements now taking off his shirt. You let the dark fabric of your dress fall down your body and pool around your ankles. Baekhyun stops in his tracks, half naked and the lust in his eyes could make you come right there and then. You are about to take another step backwards when he nods you negatively. 

 “Don’t move”, the words come out as a soft command and you listen, standing there only in your lace black underwear, looking at him basically begging him to do something. He hasn’t even kissed you. He is the only man that has given you an orgasm without touching you anywhere else, not even a peck on the lips. He takes his time roaming his gaze along your body, his eyes resting on your breasts a second longer. 

 “I want you to kiss me”, you let out before you realise the words leaving your mouth. He focuses his attention back on your face and your body is about to burst from the need to feel him closer in any way. He is slowly walking towards you while taking off his trousers, leaving his body now covered only by his black boxers. 

 “Your entire face is blushing, you’ve been squeezing your thighs together, your breathing is unsteady and you’re giving me blowjob eyes”, hie finishes his sentence when standing a breath away from you. “...you want me to do more than just kiss you baby”, you release a breath you didn’t know you were holding in  and he smiles. He is so infuriating standing there, laughing at the misery he has put you in. You can’t let him play you like this. 

 “If you think you can..-” 

 “Shut up”, he says and you can’t tell who initiated it  but his lips are on yours, kissing and biting as if your mouth is the last source of air and he needs it to survive. His right hand finds purchase on your ass, squeezing tightly pushing you closer to his body and his other hand grabs the back of your head, deepening the kiss. You can feel your underwear sticking on your dump heat and you squeeze your legs together trying to give yourself some comfort. Baekhyun breaks the kiss, bringing his lips next to your ear. 

“Is my baby wet?Again?”, he cooes and you wanna smack him across the face because he fucking knows you are. 

 “Yes I am, and if you don’t do something about it soon I’m gonna have to get myself off”, you lilt and turn to enter his room. It’s way cosier than you would have imagined, with a queen size bed in the middle. You seat at the edge of it and you open your legs as seductively as you can, covering the fact that they’re shivering in anticipation. He enters the room and his eyes are darker than before, his erection clearly visible through his boxers making your mouth water. You cock an eyebrow at him but he doesn’t move. That’s it, you can’t waste anymore time waiting for him to do something. You get up and get on your knees in front of him, removing his underwear with a single movement before you place your palm around his shaft. 

 “What the fuck Y/N”, he breathes out and his knees turn weak under your touch. 

 “I’m done waiting for you Byun. Took you 2 years to kiss me. I can’t imagine how long it’ll take you to fuck me”, he is about to protest when you lean forward, putting his dick in your mouth, your nose against his lower belly. His complain turns into a moan when he throws his head back, hands now landing in your hair, pulling slightly. Your lips move around his member, followed by your tongue, hand resting on his balls slightly massaging them. You lick a long stripe from the base of his dick, all the way to the end while pressing your lips around it and then release it with a slight ‘pop’.  A string of saliva connecting your mouth with his tip. You open your eyes only to find his intense stare already on your frame, cheeks on fire and mouth agape in an attempt to inhale as much air as he can. 

 “Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you look right now? I swear I would do anything, anything you want If I could only see you like this everyday”, his voice cracks at the last words and he is slightly releasing his grip on your hair. Your hand still working its way up and down his dick, you tilt your head onwards to give small kitty licks on his tip. You take his hand and while serving him a cheeky smile you place it so that his fingers are cupping the upper part of your neck, right under your jaw. It takes him a moment to understand what you’re thinking and when it hits him, he lets out a desperate breath. You move your chin in front of his dick, lips almost touching his slit currently dripping with pre-cum. 

 “Apologise for being an asshole these last few months”, you spit. 

 “Fuck you”. The moment the words slip his lips you open your mouth, taking him so deep that you can feel his tip touching the back of your throat. He moans out your name and you feel your pussy pulsating in the sound. It takes all the self control you can manifest in order to not sneak your fingers inside your knickers and relieve some of the tension. 

 “I can feel my dick down your throat baby, agh fuck”, he hisses and pulls your hair as you take him as deep as you can once again only that this time you keep him there, swallowing again and again with his dick buried as deep as your throat can take it. A tear rolls down your face and your gag reflex is threatening to kick in, but you refuse to let go before he begs. 

 “Fuck Y/N, please. please stop, I don’t wanna cum. Fuck please, don’t-”, you release him and you snap him your best victory smile. after whipping your mouth with the back of your palm. You get up and move towards the bed, this time laying on top of it. 

“I think I prefer you begging than apologising”, you tease and an unintentional giggle follows. 

 “You fucking bitch”, he spits jokingly and you burst into laughter but it doesn’t last long. The next moment he is hovering on top of you, lips on yours, hands cupping every curve of your body unable to hold back anymore. He is devouring your neck, jaw and moves lower to leave dark marks on your breasts. In a swing movement he unclips your bra, throwing it behind him next to his long forgotten underwear. Your underwear is next and before you know it, his face is resting between your legs, blowing tiny waves of air on your heat, driving you crazier if that was even possible at this point. He plants small kisses around the area, next to your folds while his hands are massaging the inside of your thighs. Your head falls back to meet his soft pillow and you moan out his name,  incapable of hiding the mess he has made of you. Without any warning his soft tongue crushes on your burning area, devouring you as if you were his last meal. Your head is now a foggy mess, hands tangled between his silver locks unconsciously pushing him against your pussy, desperate for more friction. He rests his tongue on your sensitive bud of nerves, dancing in slow circles when he enters two digits in you causing you to let out the most animalistic moan you’ve ever heard yourself producing. Your reaction was the confirmation he was seeking, as his tongue picks up its pace and so do his fingers, his name rolls off your tongue like a cursed poem, again and again until you can feel yourself falling off the edge. He lands a last kiss on your pubic bone as he slowly climbs up your body, now hovering above you. You open your eyes, realising you had them wide shut all this time, only to find his beautiful brown ones staring at you in the most loving way you’ve ever had anyone looking at you.

“So pretty”, he whispers and his fingers linger on your lips and make their way to your cheek where he leaves a shy kiss. You can feel his dick between your legs, yours thrown around his waist and you just stay there, in silence looking in each others eyes. You bring your hand to the side of his jaw only to pull him closer, planting a kiss on his lips. It’s not deep; it’s soft, and sweet, almost romantic. You break it after a few seconds and you rest your forehead on his. A word is about to escape your lips when he frantically drives his length inside you, hitting your g spot so hard that you almost choke at your own gasp.

“Baek, fuck”, you whine. He doesn’t say anything, he only pulls out a little bit and then thrusts back in, hitting that sweet spot that has you seeing stars. He does it again and again and again and you are a moaning mess, head thrown back, his diving in the crook of your neck, sucking, bitting, leaving purple spots in every area he can get his lips on.

“You want me to stop?”, he says out of breath without slowing down at the slightest. You attack his lips and the kiss is nothing like the one you just shared a few moments ago. It’s hungry and desperate and your tongues are fighting for dominance, both your mouths swallowing each others moans. You can feel your pussy throbbing around his dick and you know you wont last long. Baekhyun breaks the kiss but stays close so that his lips can still touch yours.

“Are you close baby? You want to cum? Want to come all over my dick?”, he breathes out and you moan out his name, paralysed under his touch.

“Baek I’m close-I’m gonna..”, a circular move of his hips almost brings you to the brink and you moan out cusses with no meaning. You clench around him once more and he lets out a loud groan.

“Y/N If you do that one more time I won’t be able to hold back. Please”, he pleads and you can see that he is trying to hold back so that you can finish first. His dick fucking into you at a relentless pace has your arms pulling his body closer to yours, nails digging in his back and you know these scratches will be visible for next few days.

“Baek I can’t hold it, please”, you moan out.

“Let go baby, let go. Cum for me”, he whispers next to your ear and there’s nothing in the world you want more than to feel him painting your insides with his orgasm.

“Cum inside Baek, Please, cum with me, ah-”, your orgasm hits you mid-sentence and you clench again and again as it keeps attacking your body in waves. After a couple thrusts you can feel him releasing into you as he lets his body collapse on top of yours, both of you battling to calm your breathing.

“I blame you for missing on the best sex I’ve ever had for the past two years”, you tease him softly and he chuckles. You raise your hand to place a stray hair behind his ear and you can’t help but notice the slight rosiness on his cheeks. ‘what?’, you ask flushing him your warmest smile.

“Be mine?”, his lets out as he rubs his nose against the tip of yours. Your heart skips a bit and a wave of warmth crushes through you, for you haven’t felt so happy in a long, long time.

“Hm, nope, thanks”, you giggle and you kiss him. He is taken aback by your reply, staring at you with eyes wide open like a frightened deer caught in the headlights.

“I’m joking baby”, you spit and burst into laughter.

“You bitch”, he laughs.

[love-is-a-dagger]

Mash’s first appearance

Masterlist

This is kind of a little backstory of mash from the story cat lover

“I fancy pizza”

“Well I want sushi”

You’ve been at this for the past 20 minutes, not deciding on what to order.

“We could just cook” he suggests.

“Don’t be boring” you boo, only able to have Loki for a short period of time before Thor comes to collect him, still on supervision after nearly killing a few people who annoyed him.

“What do you suggest then, love?” You pause, this is a big decision, really.

“What about what we had on our first ‘date’?” He purposes, raising his hands to air quote the ‘date’.

“Chinese? You liked that? You kept moaning about how it was yucky” you raise an eyebrow, not believing your ears. Loki was a very picky eater, if it didn’t smell nice he wouldn’t eat it, if it was too stringy he wouldn’t eat it.

Loki rolls his eyes, he distinctly remember not calling it “yucky”, but he did like it, and now it’s forever in his memory as the moment he fell in love with you.

“It’s rainy outside” he notes, nodding to the window, you shrug.

“We can go get it, the shop doesn’t do delivery” you tell him, giving him a small smile.

He looks at you blankly, then look out the window to the pouring rain.

“I’m not going out there” he tells not, no room for arguments.

“I’ll go alone, it’s only a 20 minute walk” you start to get up when his protests start.

“No wait a moment-“ you silence his with a kiss, smirking at his anointed expression.

“You can pick a movie to watch will I walk there” you offer.

“I’ll come” he decides, as you tilt your head to the side.

You sign, kissing his check, before turning to the side to take an ice cube from your drink.

“I think you forgot what happens when you get cold, darling” you tell him, hints of sadness in your turn. His eyes watch are you place the ice on his check, turning it a dark blue, he closes his eyes, disgusted with himself.

“No” you stop him from turning away, you grab his jaw, turning it to you.

“Loki, you’re so fucking pretty” you tell him, your eyes not leaving his, you give him a sloppy kiss on the blue of his check.

~~~

The rain was less heavy now, yet still pouring down, you just got the food and was now on your way back, when a small noise is heard, stopping you in your tracks.

Waiting to hear it again, you pause, thinking you imagined it. Then you heard it again, holding your umbrella tight and gripping the scarf around your neck, feeling slightly scared of what it may be.

When you get closer you can tell it’s a cat, meowing. You rush to where the sound it, the narrow ally how dark and only a single lamppost lighted the night sky.

The noise leads you to a damp cardboard box, you hang a hand out, lifting the lid of the soggy box, introducing you to a small white cat, that looked way to skinny to your liking.

It’s meowing was almost haunting, begging for you to either save them or kill them.

You felt tears prickle at your eyes, you couldn’t leave them here, that’s a death sentence.

You gently untangle your scarf from your neck, opening the box wider, scooping up the little create, wrapping them up, warming them.

“Hello there, little one” you greet them, bouncing them up like a baby.

“Let’s get you home, shall we?”

~~~

“No, absolutely not”

You give him a small grin, still holding the little ball of fluff, giving the cat a smile.

“I couldn’t leave him, we would have died” you reason.

“It has fleas” he argues.

“Then I’ll get some flea crap” you argue back, making him throw his hands up.

“Come on, love. It’s date night, you can’t be mad at me.”

He lets in a breathe, calming himself.

“Can I keep him until he get better?” You ask, even though he doesn’t live with you, you felt like he had a say to weather or not to add another member to your little family.

“Fine. Only until he get better” he tells you.

“Yep” you nod, grinning.

Little did Loki know that little cat would soon play a bigger part in his life.

Little bonus part

“You need to get rid of him!” Loki tells you, not happy that the cat was still there, sitting next to you, where he was suppose to be sat.

“No, I can’t, I’ve already named him”

“And what’s that?”

“…mash”

[gretavanfleetposts]

Hi! I’d love a ship please <3 I’m Billie, I’m 24 years old, and I use they/them pronouns. I’m a Scorpio, Cancer moon and Pisces rising. I’m a librarian and a freelance writer, plus my undergrad degree is in English and film studies. I loooove to read and I’m passionate about film too!

I have brown wavy hair and green eyes, I would describe my body type as plus size! I do not have a specific fashion sense but I love anything that is patterned with space themes and I love the 70s aesthetic.

My go to musical artists apart from Greta are the Eagles, Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, and Taylor Swift.

Some hobbies I have are rollerskating, snowboarding, and crochet. I love crafts, I try my best to hand make gifts for the people in my life when I can. I do not have any pets because I still live at home and my family are allergic, but I am a cat person through and through and I also adore dogs, especially big ones!

Just a little bit of extra info about them that helped me make my ship decision: "oh my word, I forgot something I love about myself. This is still Billie lol! I have been told that I am very kind and a ray of sunshine and that I make friends everywhere I go. I find it a bit hard to believe nice things about myself but if these things are true then they’re definitely what I love about myself, haha!"

Hey there!

❤: I love that you're a librarian! I'm so jealous, that's like the dream job right there. You have great music taste; I think any of the Greta boys would agree. You also sound so talented. I've been rollerskating a few times and I am comically bad at it but I love watching other people do it. And personally I think homemade gifts are the absolute best. I'm sure the people around you love knowing that you've put so much time and effort into giving them something they'll love.

Ship: Josh

Because: I think your sunny personality matches Josh's perfectly. You're so sweet and you care about the people around you, you're talented and smart; I think you might be his dream partner. He would love the crafts you'd make for him and would take them with him every time he went on tour. I can see him pulling out something you've made him when he's especially missing you. And he would agree with the people around you that you are a ray of sunshine. You'd be his own personal sun.

Scenario:

Contrary to what most people thought, Josh wasn't always in a good mood

On this particular night, he had come home from rehearsals and the moment he slammed the door, you knew something was wrong

You put down your crocheting to go and search the house for him, finding him in the kitchen pouring himself a shot of tequila and downing it quickly

As he turned to you, you could see the frustration in his eyes and you asked him what was wrong, hoping he would talk to you about it

"I'm going to kill my brothers," he said very matter-of-factly

You actually signed in relief, glad it wasn't anything more serious

Josh and his brothers often made these threats to each other

Honestly it was when the threats stopped and hands were thrown that you really had to be worried

You took his hand and led him the the living room where you had been working on a scarf

He plopped down on the other end of the couch and as your worked, he told you about the most recent fight, about how Jake and Sam wouldn't agree with him on something that he wasn't willing to budge on and absolutely no progress had been made

You listened and gave input where you felt it was needed, and after about an hour had passed, you could tell Josh was in a much better mood

Eventually he turned his attention to you and the task in your hands

"What are you working on?"

You held up your work to show him, a long golden scarf with charcoal gray edges that you planned to add his favorite symbols to

He took it from your hands and admired it intently, careful not to unravel anything

"It's for me?" he asked almost in disbelief

You laughed, of course it was for him

A wide smile grew on his face, the first of the night

He crawled over to where you sat on the couch and planted a kiss on your forehead

"You always know how to cheer me up"

I hope you liked it! Thank you for the request!

-⭐

ships are currently closed

[pinkjeanist]

“atop a hill of gold” || shouta aizawa

desc.: A pro hero comes to your shop for four shots of espresso after a long night. He leaves with just that, and then some. [1.6k words]

a/n: this fic has the soft energy that this song has. i named the fic after it but the title was weird so i named it after one of the lines. it’s from one of my favorite lgbt+ movies so theres that. i also havent written for aizawa so sorry if it’s eh. [navigation]

Coffee shops were for people who woke up at five in the morning, people who depended on coffee, and people who depended on coffee because they had to get up at five in the morning. They were also for the occasional tea-drinker, though as exam season rolled around, you were seeing significantly less of those people, or you watched those people become addicted to caffeine just to keep up with their studies. 

It wasn’t often you saw heroes when you were working, though. The shop was nestled between two taller buildings, and the only people who noticed it at all without a map were the shop’s regulars. So when the pro hero Eraserhead sulked through the doors that fateful early morning, you couldn’t help but be surprised.

The sun had just peeked over the buildings across the street, the last of the storm clouds from the night before making way for its grandeur, and the morning dew still clung fresh to the window. The unfamiliar man that had walked through the doors seemed so strangely out of place. Black hair, black outfit, a white scarf wrapped loosely around his neck atop of slouched shoulders. His whole being collided with the golden glow of the morning seeping past the hanging vines outside and above the shop window, as if he were the parallel to dawn. 

You recognized him, but you hadn’t seen much of him on the news- mostly because he worked primarily at night, and because he almost always managed to hide his face from the cameras with the cover of darkness. Because of this, you weren’t expecting him to be so handsome, nor so thoroughly exhausted-looking. The fatigue rolled off him in waves and nearly put everyone else in the shop to sleep. 

Your back straightened as he approached the counter. “Can I just get a black coffee? Four shots, please.”

“Ah. The worst combination of liquids in history for the best effects. What size?” 

“Large.”

“Of course,” You smiled. You put his order into the register. “You look like you’ve had a long night. No time for rest?”

“I’ve got classes to teach,” The hero sighed. You gave him his price and he handed over his money. 

You turned and started on his drink, but spoke before he could walk away from the counter: “Is it too weird to ask what you were doing all night?” 

“Uh...a little, but I’m used to weird,” He replied, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “It was just a villain. Took all night to track him down.”

“Wait, are you talking about that ‘Shadow Dweller’ dude? The one with the weird little mask?”

“Yeah, that one. It’s kind of hard to arrest someone who can just vanish into the shadows. Took a lot longer than I’d hoped but there’s not much else I could have done, I suppose.”

“His quirk kind of makes it seem like cheating. Pretty OP if you ask me.”

“I mean, you can’t really cheat at life. That’s just his quirk.”

“Look, I’m just saying, if I were a villain, I’d be throwing my manifesto pamphlets from the rooftops instead of sneaking around at night all the time. Kind of a dick move on his part.” The hero chuckled at that. You finished his shots and poured them in before adding some coffee from the pot. You added a few drops of honey to make it a bit more bearable to drink. 

A thought suddenly popped into your head with a heavy feeling on your chest. “Oh, fuck, you get a hero discount. I completely forgot, I’m sorry-” You apologized, hurrying to the register and setting his finished coffee on the counter in front of him, but he stepped forward to stop you.

“No, no, don’t- I don’t really care for the discount. Actually…” He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet again, taking an unknown amount of cash and sliding it into the jar by the register. “...I should probably give you more.”

“Uh-” Your eyes widened at the numbers on the bills in the jar. “-I mean- thank you so much, but why?”

He looked at you as if you should know. You gripped the edge of the counter. “It was nice to have a conversation with someone after a long night. And I had some cash to spare.”

“I don’t normally get tips for chatting with people. Usually I get some from old ladies when I put extra whipped cream on their drink.” He chuckled at that, and you smiled at the sound. “But really, it isn’t necessary. I don’t think I can accept this much money, as much as I’ve enjoyed talking to you-”

“-but you will. I’ve got no reason to take it back.” He sipped at his coffee and grimaced. You wondered how it didn’t scorch his tongue. “God, that tastes like shit…”

“I warned you,” You laughed, nearly giggling. He took another sip and seemed a bit more tolerant of it, that time. Your grip on the counter tightened as you leaned forward on it. You didn’t mean to look him up and down after that, but the side of you that was going crazy thirsting over him at the moment hoped that he noticed. “You should really try to find some time to rest. I can tell you do this often, and it’s really not healthy.” 

“I think I can go a few sleepless nights if it means keeping villains off the streets. And I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t have to be.” You met his eye, and he seemed intent on keeping your gaze as he took another drink. You swallowed. Yes. He was really handsome. “I mean, if it ends up getting in the way of your teaching, that could reflect back on your students. Where do you teach, anyway?” 

He leaned his side on the counter and took another sip. “Yuuei.” 

You stuttered for an answer. “Oh- like. Like the school? For heroes?”

“That’s the one. You seem surprised.” 

“Oh, it was just like, uhm...a dream of mine to go there. When I was a kid, I mean. But I never got a quirk, and I started drinking coffee when I was a teen, so...thought I’d just get a business degree and do what I love. Or what I’m addicted to, anyway.” Most people gave you a pitiful look when you told them that little story, but he gave you a look of understanding, oddly enough, though you weren’t sure what someone with a quirk could understand about someone without one. 

He looked down at his drink. “I thought you might have had some sort of manipulation quirk. Altering flavors, something like that. I can kinda taste honey in this.”

“Oh, I did that, sorry. I used to add honey to those drinks all the time when I was cramming for exams in college. Makes it a bit more tolerable. You know.” 

“I know pretty well, yeah,” He agreed. He turned around to make sure there was no one in line before asking, “What’s your name?” 

It took you a moment to register the question before you answered it and asked in return, “What about you? Or do you just go by ‘Eraserhead?’”

“‘Aizawa’ is fine,” He smiled. You weren’t gonna tell him how much that name suited him. You were still on duty, after all.

After a moment of silent decision, he asked, “Can I have my receipt?” 

Your eyes widened. “Oh! I’m so sorry I forgot to ask, I’m just-” You pulled the receipt from the register and handed it to him. “-I’m a little distracted today, is all. I’ve been forgetting everything,” You laughed with an airy nervousness.

“Can’t imagine why,” He smirked at you. He set his drink on the counter. “Can I borrow your pen?” 

“Oh, yeah, of course,” You answered, turning around to the machines behind you to start on your own coffee. You were packing another shot when you heard the pen click closed. 

“I’ll see you around. Thanks for the coffee.” 

You turned around just to watch him leave for the doors before you could say anything. You noticed the receipt still laying on the counter. “Aizawa, your receipt-!” But he was already through the doors. If he heard you, he didn’t bother. You sighed and finished making your coffee. 

Grabbing a rag, you quickly wiped down the countertops before even looking at the receipt. You thought it was kind of a dick move of him to ask for his receipt and then just leave it behind for you to pick up. But when you did pick it up, you noticed the numbers scrawled at the bottom, along with the message: “I get off work at five. Don’t forget to call me” and a little doodle of what looked like a cat next to it. You guessed that was his signature. You made it his icon in your phone contacts.

You supposed Aizawa fit somewhere outside the lines of someone who came to coffee shops because they woke up at five, or because they depended on it, or because of a mix of both. He seemed like someone who came to coffee shops for reasons beyond that of coffee itself. And he definitely wasn’t the first- you’d seen people come to your shop and leave with someone else after a long chit-chat, or leave with someone’s number. You didn’t think you’d ever become one of those people, but you couldn’t complain. Especially when the person who gave you their number signed it with a cat doodle. 

-

taglist: @keigos-dove​ @knifeewifee​ @hanniejji​ @katsukis-sad-angel​ @wesparklebitch​ @bvnnyclouds​

- dm or inbox to be added/removed from a taglist.

[eroticintestines]

OH CRap I forgot to add that I wanted the Tick HC to be an x reader, I'm very sorry about that :' ) could the reader be gender neutral-? :0

That's okay!! I've never written for Tick before, so I hope this isn't too bad! Also, of course, all of my stories are gender neutral in general!

(Thank you for your nice message btw!!)

💣🖤( 𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊 )🖤💣

-Yet another ray of sunshine. He really chases the clouds away with his silly little noises and permanent grin.

-Since he can't communicate any anyway else but with random robot noises, his confessions are a bit wonky, and he has to show affection in different ways.

-But that's just his speciality! He always figures out just how to tell you he absolutely adores you.

-With that being said, the day he confessed was more of a mere accident. Well, a lucky accident.

-Pam is the one who designs all the robots in Brawltown(except Darryl, that guy just showed up out of nowhere),and let's Jessie decorate them if she wants to.

-So of course Jessie was feeling really creative one day, but she chose the completely wrong day; Valentines.

-She caught Tick staring at you multiple times that day by accident. She was just walking around town, looking at all the lovely decorations and couples holding hands, when she stumbled on the little robot staring at you from around the corner.

-You were really caught up in your tea and your conversation with Penny, so you didnt notice him all the way from the cafe.

-The poor little robot looked almost sad, he really felt as if you had no interest in him at all.

-Jessie being the genious she is, noticed it immediately, and decided to make a plan. She invited Tick over for a movie, but she demanded to see some of Tick's bombs.

-Tick proudly fired a single bomb out of his canon, handing it over to Jessie and making sure it doesnt explode. She took it in her hand and pulled out her paint and brushes.

-Tick watched with great curiosity as she painted a single heart on it, putting it on the shelf next to her and saying "Just for memories!". She winked at him with a huge grin.

-When the movie was over, Tick left and Jessie was once again left alone. She quickly took out a paper and a pen and wrote down a love letter. To whom, you ask? To you, of course!

-She made sure to sign Tick under it with as many colours as she could, drawing some hearts around the words for a better effect. She took the bomb Tick gave her with her, making sure nobody saw the redhead sneaking over to your house and ringing the doorbell. She left the gift at your doorstep and bolted to her hiding spot.

-When you opened the door you were confused. You saw the gift and it took you about 15 seconds to realise that it was a bomb. Of course you got scared, thinking it was going to explode, but when you didnt hear any sort of ticking, you calmed down.

-You recognised that it was Tick's bomb. You smiled softly, looking at the heart drawn on it. When you opened the letter and read it, you couldn't help but feel bashful.

-The letter just about complimented everything about you, and it nearly made you tear up. You knew Tick didnt write this himself, but it still meant a hell of a lot that his signature was at the bottom of it.

-You left your house with the same grin you had at the beginning, searching for the little love struck robot. When you found him, he was having a 'conversation' with Gene. They apparenlty understood eachother.

-You approached him, patting his head lightly to gain his attention. He looked up at you, his eyes suddenly sparking. You kneeled down to him and pressed a soft kiss on the top of his head. "I'm not sure who helped you confess, but I'm glad they did," you told him.

-Tick looked at the letter and bomb in your hand, suddenly realising what happened. He hid his head in his body, smoke coming out of him. You chuckled softly, patting his shoulder. "Hey, buddy, I like you too you know."

-He made sure to pay Jessie a visit that day.

-He was a shy boy when you confessed, but after you two got into a relationship, he finally came out of his shell. You gave him confidence to be what he wanted to be. He was always seen as some stupid little machine, but after he found someone who loved him the way you do, he knew he was worth loving.

-He likes to sneak into your lap and sleep there like a cat. He also purrs! It's a secret trait of his that only you know. So go along, pet him!

-He doesn't need to sleep like any other robots, so he usually stays up when you sleep. That can lead to a lot of 'accidents'. You make sure to lock the kitchen whenever you sleep.

-There's a lot of trust in your relationship. He's a fragile little guy, so he values the fact you trust him with things that could possibly send him to Pam's office.

-Even though you can't help but worry he might hurt himself one day. You protect him in matches all the time. It only took you one good look at Bull absolutely demolishing Tick in a duo to make sure you're always by his side.

-He loves animals! His favourite are hamsters. The apartment you share with him is filled with hamsters.

-He tends to accidentally shoot his bombs out of his canon when he gets too excited, but thankfully they rarely go off.

-You took up knitting at some point and made him a scarf, since he always wears one. He was really glad about it.

-Like I mentioned, he shows affection with his action rather than words. He hugs your legs out of the blue, wants you to pick him up, brings you various items from his adventures with Darryl, Penny and Poco, practically demands Jessie to paint your name on his canons...He's practically melting when you compliment him on his commitment.

🐁🐁🐁

[pandawritespoorly]

With Time: Chapter 3 - A Revelation and An Invitation

Author’s Note: So, there's a bit of a time skip here. The first half is the last day of September, and the second half is the first day of October. No one got up to much during September, the Quantics tried to get closer with Marinette who was simultaneously trying to keep them at a distance so as to avoid hurting/disappointing them too. They're persistent though.

Chapter Summary: Marinette and Chat Noir have a talk on her balcony, he learns something new. The Quantic Kids and Adrien finally meet.

First | Previous | Next

Marinette eventually adjusted to the classes at her new school. Despite her fears, the group she met the first day stuck around. She’d never mentioned them to Adrien or her parents beyond the first day, for fear of the disappointment when they left her behind.

It was late September now, the month was almost up, and they only seemed like they wanted to stay. She’d been invited to join them on a few after-school activities, but she’d always declined - she didn’t want to get in their way. She didn’t want to be rude though, so maybe she should start going…

Currently though, she is finishing her homework on her balcony. Maybe she should go to bed soon, she is tired and it’s late…

She looks up when she hears something- or some one rather, land on the railing.

“Chat Noir. What are you up to this late?” She isn’t surprised to see him, everyone knows that he goes out more than Ladybug. She is surprised he decided to visit her , there had been several akuma attacks in the past few weeks, but Marinette hadn’t been anywhere near them.

“A knight should be sure to check on his purr- incess.” he grins at his own pun, “How are you?”

“Puns aside, I’m… okay” A lie, but he doesn’t need to know any different.

He looks at her strangely, she can’t place his expression. “That’s good to hear. Last time I saw you, you didn’t look so good.”

“What do you mean? I don’t remember the last time we talked.” Had they talked recently and she’d just forgotten him? Had she ignored him? She knows she’s a bad friend, but surely she isn’t that bad.

“I… don’t think you realized I was there. You were kind of… out of it.” He rubs the back of his neck. “It was a few weeks ago...”

A few weeks ago? So like, early september? She was ‘out of it’? When would that have- oh. Oh. That Thursday. When she’d messed everything up. She unconsciously rubs her wrist, which he notices.  Now she comes to find out Chat Noir visited, and not only did she ignore him completely, but she worried him . Her breathing becomes unsteady, Chat looks at her in concern. 

Here she is, thinking about making new friends while she is mistreating the few ones she has left. How can she even consider making new friends when she’d messed up so badly last time . All she has left is Adrien and her partner, and she can’t even be good to them. She can’t do anything right. She’s horrible. She’s-

“Marinette!” Chat sounds slightly panicked. She looks up, a purple and black butterfly flutters nearby. She sighs, focusing on something other than her current train of thoughts. She is tired more than anything. She’s also not about to worry Chat even more.

She stares down the akuma, daring it to come any closer. When it floats away to land on a nearby rooftop, she flops backwards on her chair. That was what? The 5th - 6th? -  Akuma that she’s had to deal with. She really isn’t cut out for this hero stuff with all the ones that she’s caused to fly her way.

“Marinette? Are you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you.” He sounds apologetic, because of course he is. “I’m impressed with how quickly you fought it off though.”

“It’s really not impressive, ‘practice makes perfect’ as they say…” She is staring at the sky, careful not to think about how she’s feeling - that akuma isn’t far.

“...Marinette, what does that mean?” He’s approaching her, and his voice has an edge to it that wasn’t there before.

“Hm?”

“‘Practice makes perfect’. What do you mean by ‘practice’?” 

“Oh. That. I mean that’s not the first akuma that’s I’ve attracted this month, plus the 2 last school year.”

He’s sitting on the edge of her chair now, “How many akumas have you attracted?’

She shrugs making a ‘I dunno’ noise, “Lost count, at least 5 or 6? Sorry about the extra work though” She can tell something is upsetting him, it must be that.

“The extra work isn’t relevant Mari!” Oh, never mind. “I’m worried about you! First you’re covered in bruises, then I find out you’ve been attracted 5+ akumas! What’s going on? Are you okay?” If it wasn’t late, he’d probably be shouting, but as it is, he has to settle for exaggerated hand motions, and worried looks.

No. No, she’s not. She’s Ladybug though, and she has to be. She can’t not be okay because then Hawkmoth would win. As Marinette she didn’t want to stress the few people she had left, because then she would be alone. Lila wanted to destroy her, and being not okay would mean she’d won …right?

Chat is looking at her, his brows furrowed under the mask, as she stares at the sky. Taking a deep breath to compose herself, she said, “I don’t know. It’s not like I’m attracting akumas 24/7 so… I don’t know. I… just, I’m worried.”

“About what?”

“My friends, if I can call them that, I haven’t known them long. What if they leave me?” The unspoken ‘too’ hung in the air between them, “Like, I don’t even know their birthdays, what if I miss them-” she sits up suddenly, startling Chat.

Her hands cover her mouth and she looks horrified. In a voice barely above a whisper she breathes, “Adrien thinks I forgot his birthday. Oh no. What kind of friend does he think I am? It’s not like I can tell him…”

Now Chat is confused, but Marinette’s obvious dismay is his first priority (and despite what she may think, not just because of the akuma still nearby). “Hey, princess, it’s okay. I’m sure this Adrien guy won’t think you’re a bad friend just because you forgot his birthday.”

It really isn’t a big deal, Adrien and Marinette hadn’t been that close back then, there’s no reason for her to worry about it.

“But I didn’t.” She’s contained her feelings by now, but she’s clearly still thinking about it.

Now Chat Noir is really confused. Marinette had not gotten Adrien a present, he would have remembered that. Chat Noir isn’t supposed to know that though, so he has to ask, “What do you mean?”

“I got him a present, but he doesn’t know.”

“If you forgot to deliver it-”

“I did deliver it, but… something happened.”

Chat Noir has the feeling that when she finally tells him what happened, he won’t like it. Call it a sixth sense, but he has a feeling in his gut. Maybe he should leave it here, but curiosity killed the cat and all that.

“What happened?”

She turns to him, serious, “You cannot tell him this. He’d be really upset.”

“Marinette, if you-” She cuts him off.

“No. There’s no point in telling him now.”

“Fine.” He wasn’t lying to her, technically. Chat Noir can’t tell Adrien, because well, duh.

She flops backwards again, “I… made him a scarf. I forgot to sign it, so I snuck into his house during Bubbler’s party to add a card. The next day though, he told Ni- his friend it was from his father. I don’t know what happened, but I decided not to tell him.”

Chat Noir doesn’t know how to feel. There’s a war waging inside him of different emotions and reactions. That’s not a problem for now though, so he pushes everything down. He can deal with that later. For now though, he has some questions.

“Why? Why would you do that?” He has to know.

Marinette’s face takes on an almost dreamy expression, “You didn’t see him Chat, he was just so happy . With how awful his father is, you don’t realize how rare that is - for him to be that happy. He was so happy thinking his father made him a scarf, I couldn’t just take that away from him…”

Her expression sours some,”So that’s why I won’t tell him, even if it means he leaves me for better people. Besides, at least I know he likes the gift. Winter is coming soon, so he might wear it again.”

Oh he would definitely wear it again. He won’t be wearing any other scarf ever again. He glances over at Marinette, she is staring at the sky again, but her eyes are unfocused.

“Mari, he won’t leave you. I know you well enough that he’d be hard pressed to find ‘better people’ to leave you for.”

At her rueful smile, he continues, “As for now. I think you should get your beauty rest - not that you need it.” He winks at the last part, but his mind wants to be a million miles away.

She groans, and it turns into a yawn. 

“...okay.” She gets up from the chair, and slips inside through her trapdoor. “Goodnight, Chaton”

“‘Night Marinette.” As much as he wants to go back to his house, he has that akuma to deal with. Contacting Ladybug, he sees she isn’t transformed right now, because why would she be?  

Chat sighs, what is he supposed to do? He decides to wait for a few minutes, otherwise, he’ll just go find a jar or something, though he’s fairly certain that won’t work. Maybe-

“Hello Chat Noir.” A small voice behind him, but it isn’t Ladybug. He turns to see a little red Kwami. He doesn’t remember her name.

“Hi. You’re Ladybug’s Kwami? Is something wrong?” The universe really was against him just going to his house and thinking things through wasn’t it?

“No, she’s doing f- she’s not in any danger, just sleeping. I got your message about the akuma.” The Kwami smiles at him, “Thank you for waiting. Where is it?”

“Uh, it’s over there.” He points. Surprisingly enough, it hasn’t moved far from the balcony. Perhaps that is due to him and his thoughts on the scarf.

The little Goddess darts over and grabs the butterfly between her two paws. She closes her eyes, there’s a small white glow, and a white butterfly flutters away. Turning back to him, she says, ”Thank you. You should go home and rest now. Tell Plagg I said ‘hi’ please?”

He nods, then turns to head to his house. He has too much to consider to properly rest though.

--- 

It’s towards the end of lunch the next day, Marinette and her group are talking in the library. They are all going to hang out after school and are discussing places to get food. Marinette is debating if they would hate her more for accepting or refusing.

“Oh!” Allegra’s sudden exclamation pulls her attention back to the conversation, “There’s a place I’ve been meaning to try - I can’t remember the name… I’ve heard good things about it. It’s, um, over in the 21st arrondissement - a bakery.”

Marinette is certainly paying attention now, but just for the sake of confirmation she asks,”Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie?”

“Yes! That’s it! Have you been there? What did you think of it?”

Is this some sort of sign? This is a chance to accept their invitation, without it being weird. She wants to smile, this turned out well. Maybe Ladybugs are lucky after all, “Um, actually, I live there. Uh, we could hang out there after school… if you want?”

For a moment, there is silence at the table, and she wonders if maybe she messed up someh-

“YES!” Claude stands and shouts excitedly, slamming his hands on the table. Several people shush him, including Felix, “Sorry. But yes! Yes we do want!”

“I’m with Claude.” Allegra gives Marinette a side-hug, “I like the plan.”

“Sure thing, ‘Nette. Sounds good.” Allan smiles from his spot across the table from her.

Felix nods. “Yes. I take it Tom and Sabine are your parents then? Will they be okay with the four of us coming over?”

“Uh, yeah, but um, I can ask them.” She pulls out her phone to text her parents and the others look at each other excitedly. Not only did Marinette agree to join them, but she invited them over. Progress!

  Marinette: Hi maman! Sorry to bother you but can i bring some people home from school with me?

  Maman: Oh course sweetheart! We can’t wait to meet your friends!

  That was a surprisingly quick response, especially considering the shop is probably pretty busy now. Hmm.

“They said it’s fine.” At this, Claude lets out an excited whoop, for which he gets shushed again.

“Class will be starting soon, we should head out. If we stay any longer, Claude may get us banned from the library.” Felix stands, packing his stuff. The others follow suit.

In the hallway, they go their separate ways, with Marinette following closely behind Claude and Allan to the class they all share. Claude is dramatically enacting the reactions they will all have when they try the ‘glorious wonders’ that will be the bakery goods.

He’s still going by the time they are making their way to their seats in the back of the class. Suddenly, Marinette stumbles on the steps, she starts to fall backwards, when someone grabs her wrist.

Alya . It’s her first thought, and she flinches, remembering the yelling, the anger, the-

Then her mind catches up, she’s at a different school now. Alya doesn’t even know where she is. Marinette isn’t heading for the door, she’s heading to her seat, next to her frie- next to Claude and Allan. It isn’t Alya’s hand on her wrist, it’s Claude’s. He isn’t trapping her here, just making sure she doesn’t fall.

When he sees her reel herself back into reality, he trades his worried look for a grin. 

“This is exactly why I don’t trust stairs, they’re always up to something. ”

Marinette groans, but there’s a smile in it. Sitting next to Allan, she chides herself for scaring them.

He turns to her, “You good? That was quite the tumble you could have taken there.”

She nods, “Mhm. Sorry to scare you guys-”

He waves her off, “Nah, it’s not your fault. We’re just glad Claude caught yah’ in time.”

“Can’t have our new best friend fall down the stairs!” Claude calls from his seat, “What would we all do then?”

Best friend? Did he just-? No. Marinette, you’ve learned your lesson. These people are just being nice to you. You don’t want to be a disappointment to them too. After last time, you don’t deserve friendship. These people don’t deserve to get hurt by you too.  

As Marinette pulls herself out of her thoughts, the teacher walks in and class starts.

---

“So we’ll just head home with you now?” Allegra looks to Marinette for confirmation. They’re all heading out of school at the end of the day.

“Uh, yeah. If that’s okay with you guys? Unless you guys have anything else to do…?”

“Nope!” Claude is clearly excited, Marinette doesn’t know why he so happy about this though, “Which means we get to spend more time with you!”

Allegra is about to say something when she gets cut off by a voice calling across the courtyard, “Hey! Mari!”

Five heads turn, four in confusion, and one in surprise. A blonde boy in nice clothes runs up to them. 

“Adrien? What are you doing here? Fran- your school doesn’t get out for another 10 minutes…”

“I had a photoshoot in the area, and we finished early! I wanted to see if we could catch you in time o pick you up.” He notices the bewildered group behind her, “Are these your new friends?”

Not that anyone (excluding Plagg) knows, but this is Adrien’s main goal - meeting her new friends. Once he’d sorted through everything that she’d told Chat Noir last night, he realized that she’d mentioned worrying her new friends would leave her. He had to meet them for himself, if they were the type who would leave her for something so small as missing a birthday she didn’t know about, he’d have to do something .

After how devastated Marinette had been at losing everyone at Françoise Dupont, he wasn’t about to let someone put her through that again. Not if he could help it.

A stiff looking blonde boy speaks up, “We are, and you are…?”

“Adrien. Adrien Agreste.” At this, a braided girl gasps.

“Marinette, you’re friends with Gabriel Agreste’s son? How did you manage that?” She turns to Marinette in shock.

“Because she’s Marinette, that’s how!” A tall boy in blue speaks up, “I’m Claude! Do you know how much a polar bear weighs?”

Adrien’s eyes light up, he likes this one, “Enough to break the ice!” He finishes immediately.

Claude grins, “No one has ever answered that correctly before!” Turning to the pig-tailed girl he asks, “How many friends like him are you hiding from me?”

The girl in question groans, “You two should never have been introduced.” She doesn’t want to lie, but she can’t exactly say she’s partners with the Chat Noir, so avoiding the question is the way to go.

“How many celebrities is she hiding from us? Next you’re going to tell me she’s got Jagged Stone in her contacts!” Allegra knows she sounds superficial, but she’s suspicious of this boy. She suspects Marinette has some serious self-esteem and confidence issues, and hanging out with some preppy rich boy sounds like a good way to get them. If this is a toxic friendship, she will end it.

“Um… ”

“Actually,” Adrien says, putting his arm around his friend’s shoulders, “She does! She designed his glasses and his latest album cover!”

A boy in a green hoodie that reminds him of Nino speaks for the first time,” That’s where I recognized your name from! Holy cow, Marinette!” He raises a hand and gives Marinette a high-five.

“That is an impressive feat. Especially for someone of our age. How did you receive the opportunity?” The tall blonde boy looks impressed.

Before she can answer, someone behind them clears their throat. Adrien turns to see his driver, clearly waiting for his young charge to move this along.

“Oh! Sorry!” He turns back to the group, “So, Marinette, do you want a ride home? I can give your friends a ride too if they want one.”

Marinette turns to the group, “Is that alright? I know we were going to walk, but I wasn’t expecting Adrien to show up…”

Claude is the first to answer, “That’s fine! I’ve always wanted to ride in a fancy car!”

The rest of the group gives various nods and ‘that’s fine’s. Following Adrien into the vehicle, they buckle in. As the car starts, Adrien asks, “So where to?”

“We were all going to head back to my house actually.” Marinette pauses, “I’m sure none of them mind that you’re joining us now…?” She doesn’t want to make any of her guests uncomfortable, but she doesn’t want to exclude anyone. Normally she wouldn’t think it would be a problem, but she doesn’t like the looks Adrien and Allegra are giving each other.

Allegra answers for all of them, “It’s no problem.”

First | Previous | Next

[aleniksimmer]

*insert shocked pikachu meme*

I’ve made Gabriel’s top mesh. It took me a day, like the old CN times. And now I just want to go for a walk but it’s 11pm. Anyway, yay, the mesh is complete with everything, it has the uvs and it seems to work fine with weights in blender. The next days I need to do the texture (sigh), normal, specular and test in game (sigh sigh).

I put the pants, shoes and glasses just to have a general idea in blender. I think it resembles Gabriel’s outfit enough? I needed to change some parts (around the neck, the bottom, etc) because it’s low poly and I didn’t want to risk messing up the uv_1 or weights.

About the uv_0, to make it I had to merge all the uvs of the Miraculous sets I made to understand where to place the extra parts. Turns out that while making the sets I messed something up. Since I started with the project of making every villain I’ve always left a space in the bottom right to place Despair Bear texture “just in case” (the texture for when he’s attached to the leg). The space is still there, BUT just merging I noticed that both the yoyo and Marinette’s purse take a lot of place and they can’t be used with some shoes and bottom/outfits (for example the waitress one, but other outfits and shoes in general too). I’ve also took the chance to look at the Aqua and Ice power ups suits, expecially LB. Turns out I can’t reuse basically anything. I have to make a new yoyo, or at least part of it, and completely change the uv_0 and so the texture. There are a lot of details in those suits and the maps in TS4 are limited. For example, I need to use extra space for the decorations (they are actually 3D), the belt (both LB and CN), LB yoyo (that’ll probably move in a ring/bracelet space as CN’s baton so I can avoid future problems). I really have no idea why I made the yoyo like this (I can try to understand the purse, but no the yoyo), I guess it’s because it was the first set and I had no idea about the power ups? Or not a real idea? And I had very little “knowledge” on the whole project. All of this to say: in the future sets, if something comes from other packs, it’s going to be linked in the recommend tab of TSR (and S4S/tumblr post), if it’s not there it means it has to be downloaded with the new set (even if it’s similar to the old one, for example the yoyo!). Idk how many are going to be interested in this wall of text, but it’s more a reminder for me too I gess.

Almost forgot! The scarf/inactive miraculous are going to be in the necklace category, so that they can both be used with the top. (At this point I don’t even know if someone cares for Gabriel’s inactive miraculous, but it kinda became a must in my sets..and when I started making them, one of the reason I wanted proper miraculous sets was for storytelling lol)

*bloopers while I was checking the power ups*

Nooroo with a stomachache.

Gabriel has extremely mirrored lifless eyes (I had to make them symmetrical in TS4 and add more life due to how the eyes are made in game).

CUTE, CUTEEE, CUTEEEEEEEEEE KITTY!!! *I’m too old to fangirl*

Quick, someone edit him into Chat Blanc! He basically can change from cute-dumb-kitty to I-cataclysm-you-and-your-house in seconds, like a real cat. (also, with all the changes they made, I can’t even reuse the pockets because they inverted them *cries*)

So. Dramatic. (right, Frozer is the cursed episode that the *fandom* didn’t like)

Actually, LB belt (in the aqua one too) is a transparent semisphere and the ladybug logo is underneath it. But since me and alpha don’t get along well together in game, it’s going to be a textured semisphere with a “fake” glass texture when time comes.

There are spots where they shouldn’t be.

There aren’t spots where they should be. Considering all the mistakes in these costumes, I assume CN ring is normal and not neon green (it bugged me a lot when I first watched Syren). And yep, Ice CN hair are lighter, Aqua LB are fluo and Ice are darker (I’ve checked them in the transformation sequences that should have the same light always).

Checked in Mayura, the ring is normal.

And LB’s belt is blue, like the neck.

I won’t do the glowing miraculous! I mean I could but I kinda don’t want? Idk, tell me if you want it.

SORRY FOR THE BABBLING, it’s been a while.

[carmenlire]

Color Me Blue Ch. V

read chapter one

read chapter two

read chapter three

read chapter four

read on ao3

Alec feels exhaustion pulling at him but he steps out of the shower and heads to the sink, intent on shaving the three-day scruff that’s accumulated.

The accident on the Manhattan Bridge had kept Alec in the ER for over twenty four hours. He’d lost two patients and another six had been transferred to the Intensive Care Unit after undergoing extensive operations. It had been the following afternoon before Alec had crashed on the nearest cot in a staff lounge and slept a full six hours before he woke at midnight for his shift on the 31st. It had been a grueling shift but when someone had asked if he could cover their evening as well, Alec had almost said yes.

Almost.

Before he could accept, he’d remembered Catarina’s party. He had already RSVP’d and it would be the height of impolite not to show up after that. Alec might be known for being a bit of an ass but Maryse’s rules of decorum had been drilled into his head from a young age.

With regret, he’d told Dr. Underhill that he actually had plans. Underhill’s eyes had widened in surprise but then he’d smiled and clapped Alec on the shoulder, saying something along the lines of it’s about time you did something for yourself, Alec.

So, Alec had come home and crashed for an hour-- that did absolutely nothing for him except make him even more tired-- before dragging himself out of bed and into the shower. He doesn’t even know how long he’d spent in there with the steam and heat putting him into a fugue state.

He feels almost human when he steps out and Alec wakes up further as he starts shaving. Finishing that, he turns and heads to his closet where he debates for several minutes before reaching for a denim shirt that Isabelle had bought him for his birthday.

He hasn’t had a chance to wear it yet but as he slides into a pair of jeans-- Cat’s invitation had said casual attire, which he appreciated greatly-- and buttons the shirt, Alec turns toward his mirror and raises a brow at himself.

Damn, not bad, he thinks and wonders if maybe he’s gotten a little too used to seeing himself in a pair of scrubs.

He spares another few minutes to drag some gel through his hair and laces up his favorite pair of Doc Martens before he’s leaving his bedroom and grabbing his coat. For New Year’s Eve in New York, the weather is surprisingly mild. While it’ll be a little frigid by the time the ball drops in a few hours, for now Alec’s warm enough without having to add a scarf or anything else.

Looking down at his watch, it’s just after nine and he leaves his place, double checking to make sure he has his keys and wallet and phone. He doesn’t really know what he’s going to do once he gets there-- who he’ll even know-- but Alec remembers Magnus’s words and his own newly formed goal and resolves to enjoy himself even if it kills him.

He stops by a flower cart he sees on his way to Catarina’s townhouse and picks up a bouquet that’s a mix of wildflowers. They’re colorful and a little silly and Alec thinks they’re perfect for ringing in the New Year.

He finds the townhouse with little fanfare and knocks on the door, not sure what else to do. It’s opened a minute later by a grinning Cat and Alec laughs a little to himself as he sees that she’s wearing a cardboard hat with 2019 written in gold glitter around it.

“Alec,” she exclaims. “I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”

Alec looks at her confused. “I said I was on the invitation.”

Waving that away, Cat ushers him inside, taking his coat and accepting the flowers with a small smile. “I thought that you might end up working through the evening anyway and forget or decide not to come. I’m glad you made it, dear.”

Surprised, Alec accepts the hug Cat gives him and wonders just how long she’s already been celebrating.

Threading an arm through his, Cat starts walking past the foyer and into the house proper. There’s a surprising number of people there and Alec tries to pretend he doesn’t see Simon and Maia’s eyes bug out of their heads when they catch him enter.

“There’s someone I want you to meet,” Cat says absently, looking around at the party.

Alec head whips around to hers. “Why?”

Resolutely not looking at him, Cat replies, “I just think you two would like each other and since you’re both here I--”

“No,” Alec says flatly and returns Catarina’s glare with one of his own.

“Alec,” she starts, tone wheedling. “You’ve been working so much and I don’t think it’s out of the question that you might need a distraction. This distraction would just be in the form of a boyfriend.”

Alec raises a brow as he looks at her. “I can get my own dates, Cat,” he says dryly.

“But you don’t try! When’s the last time you were on a date,” she demands.

Alec mulls her question over and grudgingly admits, “I think it’s been six months. Maybe eight,” he says, trailing off as he tries to remember.

“See! That’s what I’m talking about. You’re in the prime of your life, Alec, but if you don’t stop living at that damned hospital then one day you’re going to wake up at sixty five and realize that maybe you should have spent a little less time helping others and more time thinking about yourself.”

“Cat, your reputation at the hospital was well known when I joined on. Everyone knows you’re a workaholic, too.”

“I was,” Cat admits. “But then I found a life outside of the hospital and if you’ve noticed, I keep regular hours now-- as regular as doctors can-- and I have people in my life that I prioritize.”

Following her stare, Alec sees a woman blow a kiss to Cat while she returns it. Averting his eyes, Alec has to admit that sounds nice. He wouldn’t mind having someone to share his life with-- the damned problem is that there’s no one who would tolerate Alec’s schedule and he’s not fool enough to try to settle again.

It doesn’t help that no one’s caught his eye in ages either.

Well. That’s not true.

Alec has to admit that he’s been preoccupied with thoughts of Magnus lately. The man was just so handsome and smart and witty and he just made Alec want to kiss him until they both forgot their names.

Sighing, Alec wishes that he’d had a chance to visit the bakery the past couple of days but work was a bitch and Alec had long since grown used to it inconveniencing him.

He tunes back in to his surroundings to see Cat looking at him with a steady gaze.

“What were you thinking about just now?”

Clearing his throat, Alec says, “Nothing,” and turns his head to avoid her seeing more than she should.

Cat had taken Alec under her wing when he’d first started at the hospital and through the past eight years, they’ve built a solid friendship. They occasional went out for lunch together and had a semi monthly book club that was just the two of them reading books and discussing them at the local diner.

Alec liked Cat and respected her but there were some lines that he just wouldn’t cross.

Breaking free of her grip, Alec turns to face Cat as she does the same, question in her eyes.

“I appreciate the thought, but I refuse to meet whatever guy you want to set me up with. I’m going to the bar to get a drink and then I’m going to find a book until midnight.”

Cat opens her mouth to argue before abruptly closing it. “Fine,” she says and Alec has the niggling feeling that she’s just humoring him before she turns on her heel and walks away from him.

Deciding not to look a gift horse in the mouth, Alec does as planned. He orders a glass of moscato before weaving his way through guests, looking for Cat’s library that she was constantly raving about.

He doesn’t see very many people that he knows but that suits Alec just fine now that he has a plan of action. He walks past a couple kissing far too loudly in the hallway and tries the first door on his right. Successful, he sees Cat’s library in all its glory with floor to ceiling shelves that look hand-carved and original to the house.

Browsing through books, Alec finally lands on a text about medicine in the eighteenth century. It looks just interesting enough to keep his attention and he’s about to take his drink and his book to a comfortable looking chair in the fire when the door swings open.

Startled, Alec’s head snaps up and he’s even more surprised when he knows the person.

“Magnus,” Alec exclaims, instant smile lighting up his face. “What are you doing here?”

“Alexander?”

Magnus is looking at him like he’d just told him he’s the Ghost of Christmas Past and Alec doesn’t know what to do and ends up giving a little wave like the dumbass he is when he’s around Magnus.

“What are you doing here,” Magnus echoes, looking nonplussed.

“Cat invited me,” Alec says. “She usually invites me but I always end up working New Year’s Eve.”

“Catarina always invites you,” Magnus asks, voice suspicious. Alec doesn’t know what he’s getting at but he just nods.

Sighing, Magnus goes to the couch in front of the fire and settles down in one corner. Alec follows and chooses the other side of the couch, foregoing the chair he’d originally planned on.

“What’s wrong,” he asks. Now that he’s getting over his surprise, Alec studies Magnus and is a little worried. Magnus seems down and Alec hates that Magnus wouldn’t be feeling his best on what’s supposed to be a celebratory night.

Magnus considers him for a moment before saying, “I thought you were avoiding me.”

Alec rears back like he’s been slapped and opens his mouth just to close it without saying anything before trying again.

“Why would you think that? I thought we were becoming friends. I’ve been to your bakery every day for almost two weeks.”

Magnus just looks at him like he’s trying to work out a thousand piece puzzle. “You haven’t been in the past two days and excuse me if I thought you might have turned tail and run.”

Magnus isn’t doing anything but confusing Alec more. “Why would I run? I like you. I’ve just been caught up on work.”

Alec blames the fire and his glass of wine for his sudden yawn. Turning his head to hide from Magnus, Alec looks back just to see Magnus’s face slowly transforming from the glum visage it’d been when he’d sat down to something like humor glinting in his eyes.

“Forgive me, but after what happened at the bakery, I thought you were sending me a hint.”

It takes Alec longer than it should to remember and when he does his eyes widen. Now that he’s put the pieces together, he can see how it could have looked to Magnus and he’s quick to set things right.

“No,” he exclaims and Magnus’s own eyes widen at Alec’s vehemence. “I definitely wasn’t avoiding you. I just had that accident and then I had my regular shift and long story short I think I’ve slept four hours since I saw you last.”

At that, Magnus’s face softens and he moves over on the couch, closer to Alec. His eyes peer into Alec’s and Alec has nothing to blame the way his heart is racing on but the man in front of him who looks like everything Alec's ever wanted.

“So let me get this straight,” Magnus says slowly. “You almost kissed me and then had to leave for a work emergency. You’ve been working since. You haven’t suddenly decided that you'd rather suffer something horrible than run into me under another mistletoe?”

Alec can’t look anywhere but at Magnus and he sucks in a sharp breath at Magnus’s succinct words. He bites his lip, considering, and sees the way Magnus’s eyes drop to his mouth. Gathering his courage, Alec smiles just a little.

“I wish there was a mistletoe here now,” he says softly. “I wouldn’t let another chance pass me by.”

At that, Magnus’s eyes light up and he laughs a little as he moves even closer to Alec, until their thighs are touching. Alec feels Magnus’s warmth, so close and the last thing he sees before he lets his eyes fall shut is Magnus grinning at him and looking bright enough to rival the sun.

“Well, then, how lucky for us that we don’t need a mistletoe,” Magnus murmurs and less than a second later Alec feels lips against his.

It’s soft at first, just a press of the lips before Magnus shits angles slightly, deepening the kiss. Alec follows suit and as the fire crackles in front of them, Magnus and Alec share a string of kisses.

When Magnus opens his mouth for a breath, Alec deepens the kiss even further and from there the heat gradually builds until Alec’s left gasping. The two of them break apart for a bare minute and Magnus’s eyes are shining, reflecting the dull glow of the fire and they smile at each other-- something soft and full of wonder-- before they dive back in.

Alec doesn’t know how long they kiss but when Magnus urges him closer, Alec somehow ends up straddling him, knees on either side of Magnus’s hips.

He feels hands under his shirt and Alec shudders as he moves to mouth along Magnus’s neck.

It’s been ages since Alec felt like this and he distantly wonders if it’s ever felt quite as good, as all consuming as it does with Magnus.

Alec feels comfortable with him in a way he’s rarely felt with anyone else. He genuinely likes Magnus and as he feels cool air wash over his chest from where Magnus is slowly unbuttoning his shirt, Alec thinks dizzily that Magnus is different.

Their lips have just reconnected and Alec’s hands are buried in Magnus’s hair when they both freeze, hearing a pointed clearing of a throat.

Their breathing is harsh in the quiet of the room and as Alec pulls back he refuses to look at the door for just a few more seconds. All he sees is Magnus and Magnus looks good enough that Alec briefly considers just ignoring the interruption. His mouth is swollen and his hair is disheveled and with color running high across his cheeks, he looks the picture of debauched.

Alec feels a hint of pride for making Magnus look so mussed and he starts grinning, Magnus echoing his expression.

Unfortunately, the person doesn’t go away and Alec pries his eyes away from Magnus to see who had entered the library. His eyes widen in alarm when he sees his coworker and mentor.

“Cat,” he says, voice strangled and tries to straighten from his compromising position.

Cat just sends him an arch look. “Alec,” she says dryly.

Her gaze switches to Magnus and she raises a brow. “You could have told me you already knew him.”

Looking confused, Magnus’s hands rest on Alec’s sides as he asks, “What are you talking about?”

It’s Catarina’s turn to look confused and studies the two of them before her eyes widen. “Don’t tell me you two just met this evening and you’re already defiling my furniture.”

Alec shares a look with Magnus, both of them shaking their heads minutely, before Alec turns back to Cat.

“Catarina, neither of us have any idea what you’re talking about. Care to enlighten us?”

Cat looks between them as she slowly pieces things together. Before too long, she’s grinning maniacally, looking like the cat that’s just caught the canary.

“Alec,” she says slowly. “Why don’t you tell Magnus your job title.”

Confused, Alec obeys. “I’m head of the Emergency Room,” he says tentatively.

Magnus’s head whips up to look at him but Catarina doesn’t give him a chance to say anything before she’s continuing on.

“Alec, remember when I told you that there was someone I wanted you to meet earlier? You’re sitting on him,” she says dryly and Alec’s own gaze snaps to meet Magnus’s.

The room is silent as they look at each other, incredulous. Alec can’t believe that Cat and Magnus know each other. Not only that, but the man that Alec couldn’t get out of his head was the same person that Catarina had wanted him to meet.

It seems to good to be true.

Alec blinks, refocusing, as Magnus turns to Catarina. “I’ve known Alec for a couple of weeks. He started visiting the bakery. I had no idea he was who you were talking about though or I would have demanded more information.”

Catarina just sniffs, looking haughtily superior. “Maybe you should start listening to your friends, then.”

She sends them one last look before shaking her head and turning to leave. Alec hears her laugh to herself before muttering underneath her breath, “I’m surrounded by idiots.”

She shuts the door, leaving them in peace, and the room is eerily quiet now that she’s gone.

Alec looks at Magnus to find that he’s already staring steadily up at him.

“What are the chances,” Magnus says softly and his thumb starts to sweep over Alec’s side.

“I have no idea,” Alec says and leans down to kiss Magnus.

Pulling back, he sees that Magnus’s eyes are still closed and he can’t help himself as he raises a hand and brushes a thumb over Magnus’s bottom lip. Magnus opens his eyes and kisses the pad of his thumb.

“I’m glad you came to the party this year, darling.”

“Me too,” Alec says. “I have you to think, you know. Our talk about new beginnings and possibilities made me decide to take some time for myself. I think I might work too much,” he admits wryly.

“Well, maybe I can help with that, Dr. Lightwood.”

Alec’s laughing as Magnus pulls him back down and the kiss that follows is lingering and full of possibility.

New beginnings, indeed, Alec thinks and then he’s not thinking at all.

They’re still kissing as the ball drops. They barely hear the cheers from the main room and as a new year begins, Alec loses himself in Magnus and hopes that this is the start of something great.

[dapromptexchange]

So I think I saw something about the prompt exchange a while back, and promptly forgot about it. I'll be digging into the prompts today to see what catches my fancy, but in the meantime, are there any particular prompts mod would especially like filled?

Oh gosh ❤️ I have so many prompts that I LOVE! So I’ll put them below and hope that maybe someone will want to fill one! It doesn’t change your odds of winning none, but you’ll certainly be thanked by me!

Cullen is a pilot and Dorian is a sailor and they meet while on leave in London. They know their whirlwind romance can only last two weeks - so thy vow to themselves to make it the best two weeks of their lives before they return to the humdrum of military life.

On a cold winter day Anders finds an elven man with white tattoos scrounging through his bin for food. Anders gives him the croissant he just bought and thinks not much more on it. Until the next day he sees the same man huddled in an alcove trying to keep warm. It’s freezing cold and snowing so Anders gives him his scarf, gloves, and earmuffs - he’s almost home anyway. The next day he invites Fenris inside to warm up and get some food. Anders doesn’t have much but he will share with someone obviously down on their luck. Fenris is hesitant but Anders has been nice to him and doesn’t seem to have any ulterior motives. And he ends up telling Anders how he left his abusive boyfriend, Danarius, and he had to leave everything. He has no family or friends. So Anders invites him to stay a while. His couch is infinitely better than the cold streets.

Anders invites his friends to Pounce’s birthday party. Everyone thought he was joking so Hawke is the only one to show up. Anders wasn’t joking. He has party hats and everything. It’s up to Hawke to both get their friends there ASAP and make sure Anders (and Pounce) has a good time.

The words upon your skin describe your soulmate in the most beautiful way possible. But they aren’t always obvious, especially upon just meeting someone, and they are certainly up for interpretation. Dorian has run his fingers over his mark so many times he knows the words by heart - “The indomitable beast, commander of the castle, gentled by his heart, weakened by his soul.”

The Inquisitor has exactly $4.25 left in her bank account and goes to the store to get what little she can just so she can eat that night. She adds up what she wants but reads a label wrong and when she gets to the register it’s over by another $2. Feeling like she’s about to break down at the counter she doesn’t notice someone behind her slide two dollars to the cashier. Josephine smiles at her and asks her to dinner, since it seems like she could use someone to talk to and a real meal.

Cullrian Wild West fic. Cullen is the appointed Sherriff of Haven when Dorian blows into town like a hurricane. They hit it off and behind closed doors are a little friendlier than society would agree with. But Dorian was on the run for a reason and he brings his problems with him and upon Cullen. Maybe gambling debts? A scorned ex lover? Or his meddling father not too keen on Dorian coming South to seduce law men.

Hawke falls hard for Fenris and rejects Anders’ advances. However Fenris isn’t interested in Hawke, but instead he pines over Anders. Rejected by Hawke Anders realises Fenris’ attraction to him and when his advances aren’t spurned they enter a relationship. Jealous Hawke begins to flirt with Anders and tries to sway him into a relationship so that he will end things with Fenris. Anders can’t help that he still holds a flame for Hawke and is caught between something that might be good between him and Fenris or something he has always wanted with Hawke.

Fenris adopts a scraggy old cat that continues to hover around his mansion looking for scraps and mice to catch. He bonds with the animal - they’ve both been through a lot. When Anders catches Fenris feeding the cat he sees a softer side to the prickly elf he never knew existed.

Hawke rushes into the clinic carrying Fenris, who has been mortally wounded. Fenris manages to beg Anders not to use magic before he passes out. Anders has no choice if he wants Fenris to live. But does he go against Fenris’ wishes even if it will save his life?

Dorian has been a model at the art school for some time now and no, it’s never like in the books. In fact, it’s boring and he got a cramp once, and another time he fell asleep. It’s never like the books until it is, because before the class this truly gorgeous man is flirting with him and now Dorian can’t keep his mind off of him. He’s right there, sketching Dorian in all his glory, those pretty eyes only on hm. Quick, think of something else or you’ll embarrass yourself! Except he can’t.

[what-even-is-thiss]

So I have this idea. Remember when the new sanders sides video didn't come out yet? Well, I saw some people talking about what houses they would be in and some of them said that Patton would be in Slythrin, now I was like "why would you put Patton in slythrin? He's not a bad guy!" but then I saw their explination and I was like woah... that makes alot of sense and I can't write it but like could you do a tiny ficabout how the other sides would react to Patton being chosen to be in Slythrin in p1

p 2 just like a little tiny fic that people do but like in a harry potter au?

Writing a fanfic in order to procrastinate writing another fanfic?

Yeah, that sounds like me.

No warnings I can think of. Let me know if I should add some. Forgive me for putting Virgil in a house. I’ve already written a fic about him being a squib and I wanna see our witch boy be a witch.

Tip Jar

1,791 words.

 Quadruplets. The teachers heard there would be quadruplets. Those who had lived to see the Weasley twins actually lost sleep the weeks before the new school year as they thought about what horrors four identical wizards could unleash upon the castle.

The brothers were hardly thinking about school at all, which is why they had to practically be dragged to Diagon Alley.

“Now why don’t you all pick out a snack or something and I’ll be back? Don’t spend it all on something you won’t want later.”

They all watched their dad walk off, piles of parcels in hand.

“We tire him.” Virgil said, tucking his new wand into his boot.

“Impossible. We’re a delight.” Roman said, flicking a sickle in the air and catching it.

“You’re going to break your wand.” Logan huffed. “Why would you put it in your boot?”

“Ollivander said it’s unyielding. Doesn’t that stand for anything?” Virgil said.

Logan sighed with that sigh that meant what was about to say was just so obvious. “Honestly Virgil, do you really think that…”

“BIRDS!”

Virgil, Roman, and Logan jumped as Patton yelled and ran for the window display with owls in it. The argument was quickly forgotten before it even started.

“Yes Patton, those are birds.” Logan sighed, walking towards the shop.

“I’m gonna get one.” Patton said with determination.

“You nerds can look at birds.” Roman said. “Virgil and I are going to the broom shop.”

“Oh Roman I don’t wanna…”

Roman grabbed Virgil by the wrist and dragged him down the alley before he could protest any further.

“Roman, I want a cat!” Virgil exclaimed.

Logan and Patton shared a small smile and went into the pet store together.

After a good amount of convincing and diverting of attention, mostly on Patton’s part, all four of them left with a pet and a new broom and didn’t have to choose one or the other.

They all sat in their room. Virgil and Roman were tossing a quaffle back and forth between their beds while Logan read from his new spell book and Patton attempted to bond with his new barn owl.

“Why do I humor you again?” Virgil asked. “I don’t even like quittich.”

“No way!” Roman said, tossing the quaffle harder this time, “We’re going to be the stars of the Gryffindor team, I know it!”

“You don’t even know what house you’re in yet.” Logan said, taking a bite of apple and never looking up from his book.

“Yes I do. Virgil and I are going to be in Gryffindor while you go to Ravenclaw and Patton goes to Hufflepuff like dad did. It’s so obvious.”

“Well what if one of you went to Slytherin?” Logan said.

Roman caught the quaffle and then dropped it. “I have told you before, nobody in this family has ever been in Slytherin. That’s why I know Virgil is going to be with me.”

“With our luck we’re all going to end up in different houses.” Virgil said, folding his arms and falling into a sitting position.

“Oh of course not guys!” Patton said happily. “Hey you guys I think I’m gonna name her Honey.”

The attention turned to Patton, Logan, and Roman’s new owls and eventually escalated into Virgil having to keep his black cat from eating Roman’s.

“But why can’t I bring my broom?” Roman whined.

“Because first years can’t bring their own brooms, halfwit.” Logan said.

“Now play nice.” their dad said.

They all got hugs and kisses goodbye. Even Virgil, who looked like he wanted to puke.

“So how do I tell you apart?” The girl sharing their compartment asked.

“Logan and I wear glasses!” Patton said happily.

“Because we fell in a cursed well when we were five and became nearsighted.” Logan said, glaring at Roman.

“We were five! It was an accident! I’ve said I was sorry at least a hundred thousand times by now!” Roman said, throwing his hands in the air.

“Anyways,” Logan said angrily, “you can tell which one is Patton because he’s always happy.”

“And you can tell which one is Virgil because he’s always slouching.” Roman said.

Virgil glared. “And Roman is the one that’s full of himself.” he said.

“Who can tell that from how I look?” Roman asked.

“Oh, they can tell.” Logan said.

“Well I never…” Roman began.

“Hey! I got a Ginny Weasley card!” Patton said, holding the chocolate frog card up in the air.

“What? Let me see!” The girl cried out, launching herself across the compartment.

The trip across the lake was everything they dreamed it would be. All of them seemed nervous waiting for the hat except Roman.

“How can you not be nervous?” Virgil hissed. “They’re going to put you in front of everyone while a magic hat judges you.”

“Because I know which table is going to be cheering for me.” Roman said.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. Dad keeps telling you not to do that.” Logan scolded.

Logan was called up first. He was also the oldest quadruplet. They had been named in alphabetical order.

The hat covered his eyes and Logan stood there properly for almost three entire minutes before the hat yelled out a name.

“Gryffindor!” It called out.

Logan’s look of shock was identical to his brothers’ as the Gryffindors exploded into applause and he shakily made his way to the table.

Virgil and Roman shared a worried glance as Patton stepped up to the stool. Roman took his brother’s hand out of instinct and they both began to sweat up a storm. This wasn’t expected. What was even less expected was when the hat, after deliberating even longer than for Logan made its decision.

“Slytherin!” It yelled.

Roman nearly fell over. Virgil looked really scared. Patton looked over at his brothers and tried to smile, but it looked like he was going to be alone. they could tell he was upset. An outsider would think he was as happy as ever, but his brothers could tell. He wanted to cry.

Roman squeezed Virgil’s hand and feigned confidence as he marched up to the stool. The hat deliberated for about two minutes. Not nearly as long for the two older quadruplets, but still an uncommonly long time.

“Ravenclaw!” It finally said.

From the Gryffindor table Logan gave Roman a poisonous glare as he walked to the cheering Ravenclaw table in the middle of the room.

Virgil could barely move, he was shaking so badly. Normally he was the one that looked the most calm but now? He couldn’t even move. A professor, he forgot which one, gently guided him to the hat and he obediently sat down.

The hat deliberated. And it kept going. All Virgil heard in his head was “hmmm.” and variations thereof for over six minutes.

A hatstall. He just had to be a hatstall. It wasn’t even telling him what it was thinking about. He sat there, tears threatening to form in his eyes. He wasn’t going to be sorted. He was just going to sit here forever, or be expelled, or..

“Hufflepuff!”

The table in between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor erupted in cheering. Screaming and celebrating of every kind. They got a hatstall. Something that might only happen once every fifty years or more. A prefect from the Hufflepuff table came over and lifted Virgil on his shoulders and placed him right next to him at the table once he saw that the boy was too shocked to move.

“I… don’t belong here!” Virgil exclaimed.

“Nonsense. Of course you do.” the boy said, roughing up the younger student’s hair.

The four Sanders boys were uncharacteristically quiet that night.

Logan shuffled up to Gryffindor tower convinced he was going to hate it. He soon realized how wrong he was.

He wasn’t the only one there that liked reading, turned out, and the armchairs were at just the right angle to curl up with a textbook. Maybe… maybe he could become accustomed to this.

Roman walked the many flights of stairs unhappily and folded his arms tightly.

“What kills all things?” The knocker at the top of the staircase said.

“Time!” Roman called out. “Time!”

“That was quick. Well done.” The bird said before letting the students in.

The other Ravenclaws looked at their confident new classmate in awe. Hmmm. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Virgil looked around the common room near the kitchens and listened to the prefect brag that no non Hufflepuff had been inside there for a thousand years. Well, that couldn’t possibly be true. And if it was the streak would have to be broken. Patton was gonna love this place.

Patton loved this place. The chill of the common room was so lovely, and that was… was that the giant squid? Oh my, yes. Look at all these calming green colors. What did Roman have against this place again?

The next morning at breakfast all of them got a package. Virgil got his dad’s old black and yellow scarf. Roman and Logan got house hats from family friends, and Patton got a brand new pin to put on his backpack with a note attached that read:

“Patton, I always suspected you were a Slytherin. You are so good at keeping the others out of trouble I hardly have to do anything. I’m not worried. You’re the first Slytherin in the family and I am so proud! I can’t wait to tell everyone about it. Keep keeping them out of trouble for me. -Dad”

Patton would keep that note near him for the rest of his life. He always knew where it was, even when he did fail to keep the others out of trouble.

A paper airplane flew across the room and hit him in the head. He unfolded it and read the note inside.

“Hey snake face, meet us by the kitchens. Verge says he has something to show us.”

He was really going to have to talk to Roman about his nicknames.

After classes were over they all sat on tables in the kitchens while the house elves worked around them.

“So you’re not angry?” Patton asked as he sipped on Pumpkin juice.

“If any of you should be angry at someone it should be me.” Virgil said. “I got dad’s old scarf. I think we always thought Patton would get it.”

“Well the only person I’m mad at is Roman, but that’s probably unjustified.” Logan said.

“Probably?” Roman asked. “And I’m not mad. I probably shouldn’t have said so many things about Slytherin.”

“That’s okay.” Patton said.

“Are we even allowed to be here?” Logan asked.

“Not technically” the other three said in unison.

“Oh, for the love of Merlin.” Logan mumbled.

[laughingpinecone]

Chocobox 2021 letter

I am laughingpineapple on AO3  

Hello dear author! I hope you’ll have fun with our match. Feel free to draw from general or fandom-specific likes, past letters, and/or follow your heart.

All requests are art or fic - for art, the stuff I like is the kind that depicts the characters doing something. I’ll always be happier with a very simple drawing of two characters walking together or sharing a cup of coffee than with an ambitious composition that looks like an Avengers poster. I also enjoy seeing them wear different clothes, getting a feel of what their fashion sense is like beyond their canon outfit(s). Or dressing them up for some outlandish AU!

Likes: worldbuilding, slice of life (especially if the event the fic focuses on is made up but canon-specific), missing moments, 5+1 and similar formats, bonding and emotional support/intimacy, physical intimacy, lingering touches, loyalty, casefic, surrealism, magical realism, established relationships, future fic, hurt/comfort or just comfort from the ample canon hurt, throwing characters into non-canon environments, banter, functional relationships between dysfunctional individuals, unexplained mysteries, bittersweet moods, journal/epistolary fic, dreams and memories and identities, canon-adjacent tropey plots, outsider POV, UST, resolved UST, exploration of secondary bits of canon, leaning on the uniqueness of the canon setting/mood, found families, characters reuniting after a long and/or harrowing time, friends-to-lovers, road trips, maps, mutual pining, cuddling, wintry moods, the feeling of flannel and other fabrics, ridiculous concepts played straight, sensory details, sickfic, places being haunted, people being haunted, the mystery of the woods, small hopes in bleak worlds, electricity, places that don’t quite add up, mismatched memories, caves and deep places, distant city lights at night, emphasis on non-human traits of non-human characters (gen-wise, but also a hearty yes xeno for applicable ships), emphasis on inhuman traits of characters who were human once and have sort of shed it all behind

Cool with: any tense, any pov, any rating, plotty, not plotty, IF, nerdy canon references, unrequested characters popping up.

DNW: non-canonical rape, non-canonical children, focus on children, unrequested ships (background established canon couples are okay, mentions of parents are okay!), canon retellings

Bone

Every once in a while I’m filled with love for this comic and its cast. I’m a sucker for all the dream stuff, dragon stuff, looking at early chapters knowing about latter developments... and cows. I’m good with all readings of the Rose/Lucius situation (who’s still carrying a torch for whom, lowkey couple or still pining, etc).

Cows & Grandma Ben & Lucius: Lucius weighing in on a past Great Cow Race? Something happens to a cow? Cows and messengers between them?

Cows & Thorn: Thorn please make your grandma proud, wrt racing or otherwise. Dreams of cows...

Grandma Ben & Thorn: future fic or any missing moment after the royal reveal?

Lucius & Thorn: I wish we got more about them! Pre-canon moment in Barrelhaven? Any sort of weird thing can happen in the Valley after all, maybe foreshadowing her latter abilities?

Grandma Ben & Great Red Dragon: any other encounter along the lines of what we saw? I love them both but I also understand why they are like that...

Crossovers

What it says on the tin, basically. Peaks and KRZ can so easily blend into each other, Peaks and Piranesi much less so but a friend once said that Piranesi is very much a Coop and when someone’s right they’re right.

Albert Rosenfield & Joseph Wheattree: either during some Blue Rose trip or if Albert ends up stranded after the hot mess that is s3. Being the reasonable one, the one who chooses to remain on the surface while others disappear in the depths...

Carrie Page & Dale Cooper & Joseph Wheattree: I am very fond of |Laura| and |Coop| traveling forever on dark highways after the end and they’re gonna need a gas station at some point!

Donald & Gordon Cole: something something burning hopeless dreams, but also federal interest in Xanadu, and how would that go?

Dale Cooper & Piranesi: oh you know, split selves and the reconciling thereof. Successfully, in Matthew’s case... ...less so in Coop’s, at least last we saw him. I’m interested in seeing them meet at any point in their timelines (and as any part or rejoined part of their selves, Dougie&Piranesi as much as Richard&Matthew or any mix thereof) under either canon’s metaphysical rules! (DNW: Richard being “the real Cooper” - I think he’s the part of Coop who is not quite Mr C but still sent all his warmth and empathy away)

Final Fantasy VI

What I love in this fandom is intra-party interaction. They’re all wonderful and don’t get to speak to each other that much, if at all. I’d love to see scenes and/or little adventures during or after the game! I don’t really have ships here so any unrequested character is welcome to feature too but I would prefer gen.

Celes & chocobo, Sabin & chocobo, Celes & Sabin & chocobo: you get the idea. It’s CHOCOBOx ffs, I’ve been meaning to request chocobos for years and then I always forgot! Full kweh ahead! Hit me with all the chocobo feels, what it’s like to travel with these big fluffy birds for better and for worse, what it’s like for Celes, what it’s like for Sabin (I just picked two faves who also traveled together), all your chocobo headcanons, during the WoR serpent trench leg of the journey or anywhere else!

Edgar & Gogo: in my ongoing quest to throw Gogo at the rest of the cast and see what happens, I thought it’d be neat to have them hang around Edgar since one’s an accomplished mime and the other is perhaps not so accomplished as he’d like to be in putting up a persona. Canon-typical Edgar flirting is a-ok unless it hinges on Gogo being a woman. I use they pronouns for Gogo but I’m good with all options. I’d like for them to continue presenting as inscrutably gendered, however.

Ghost Trick

I am very interested in various characters finding about  the erased timeline, but not getting their memories back, and having to  live with being told about what they did but never remembering it. Exploring the ghost lore is great. All  what-ifs welcome (what if they managed an acceptable happy ending but  didn’t reset the timeline, what if a different party went back to the  past and kept their memories, what if Alma’s ghost stuck around…) Also  open to AUs here, especially for generic fantasy or sci-fi settings or  the Final Fantasy ones I prompted last Yuletide.

For the non-canon sides of Jowd/Alma/Cabanela, please no  infidelity? I’d be good with either setting the fic during the game  timeline or some what-if thereof when the other spouse is dead or  unavailable, or simply keeping them offscreen and not mentioning them  (eg Alma/Cabanela beach day, Jowd/Cabanela precinct shenanigans)

For  Jowd in general, I do love my big boy and enjoy milking that size  difference for all it’s worth. In gen contexts too, it’s neat. him big.

For Cabanela in general, I am prompting scarf shenanigans, gen or shippy! It’s almost 4m of fabric... scarf used in clever ways, scarf getting in the way, scarf wrapped around one’s throat, scarf sticking out on a stakeout...

Alma/Cabanela/Jowd: maybe once Alma and Jowd have figured out he’s smitten and that they do in fact reciprocate... they tease him to death, slowly and deliberately? Is it even a Jowd romance if there’s not an exhausting amount of teasing involved, I ask? (sorry for repeating a prompt I got the perfect fill for last time - ...more teasing but this time with scarf, if that helps? Something with clothes? Clothes swap?)

Alma/Jowd & Cabanela: Cabs’ life is wild; his best friends’ home is a safe haven...

Bailey & Cabanela: Dance dance dance! Cabanela is not much one for _panic_ dances, but maybe other dances passed on in Bailey’s family could interest him?

Cabanela & Jowd & Pigeon Man: either as colleagues or Jowd trying to bring together these two weirdos who ended up meaning a lot to each other in the other timeline and thankfully didn’t get the same reason to bond now

Cabanela & Missile: off they go with their determination. And, critically, dog hair. The cat doesn’t shed for whatever reason but the dog sure does and that may just be the one tragic obstacle preventing an unstoppable partnership

Emma & Memry: oh so you know who ELSE has a penchant for romance cliches?

Jowd & Justice Minister: Did the Justice Minister ever go visit Jowd in the game timeline? How did he come to appreciate him as “the nation’s best detective”? Or in the new timeline, could Jowd’s insight help somewhat?

Jowd & Sissel & Yomiel: Sissel has two dads and they both love that cat very much. I’m all for the usual new timeline Jowd&Yomiel bonding tropes... with cat!

Kentucky Route Zero

I love the ending and I’d love to see its themes and setting explored. I’m all for exploration of any of  the game’s themes and for including any staples from adjacent genres -  wanna go full-on American Gothic? Dip into surrealism? Take a leaf from  Twin Peaks with tulpa / split narratives to explore the characters’  issues? I love AUs so that’s an option too.  Or of course there’s Xanadu at the height of its glory, an infinite  what-ifs generator. Were the requested characters part of it, what were  their digital counterparts up to? A Xanadu narrative would be great! I’d  also love to hear about any new spot along the Zero or the Echo river,  or an expansion of some place that’s only mentioned by Will in HATATE or  only gets a few paragraphs of text. Mostly, I just love all these characters so much and I’m going through the tagset’s options like a hyperactive cat. Any fragment of their lives will make me happy.

For Lula and all the artists in particular (and Cate, depending on your stance on mushroom hunting, I suppose): please do lean into their art if it’s something you enjoy! Exhibitions, concerts, reviews... accidental reenactments of Robert Frost poems... all the discourse on the arts is my jam, if that’s your thing.

Carrington & Clara: will Clara manage to get in one (1) word in between Carrington’s merry infodumping?

Cate & Shannon Márquez & Will: Anything about these three, but I was thinking, postgame Shannon getting somewhere on the Mammoth and reconnecting with Cate and Will...

Cate & Val & Will: Mammoth slice of life pretty please?

Donald/Joseph Wheattree/Lula Chamberlain: so Lula went back to Mexico. Joseph is pensive. Did the events of the night shake up Donald, or what will it take?

Lula Chamberlain & Maya: I Just Think They’re Neat, no real prompts I’d just like to see them interact. Where do their interests intersect? Land art...?

Shannon Márquez & Weaver Márquez: Reunited cousins please. No hard stance on Weaver’s ghostliness from me (what even IS a ghost, feels like we spent half canon debating that), again I Just Think It’s Neat that she’s there sitting on the steps...

Pyre

I feel deeply for all of Pyre’s main themes - literacy, degrees of freedom, the fragile time that is the end of a historical cycle, nobodies rising up to the occasion, the revolutionary spirit that goes toward building a better society, and of course found family, “distance cannot separate our spirits” and all that jazz. Thoughts about finding oneself at  the end of an age, as everything crumbles down to form something new. I love all the themes, the solemnity, the heart  of this game. I adore everyone in that Blackwagon+Dalbert+Celeste, so  if  you want to add a Nightwing or two to any prompt, please do! I also love  all the Scribes and find Erisa a compelling tragic figure. Out of  the other triumvirates, I’m “love to hate them” for Manley, Brighton,  Udmildhe and Deluge and would not like to see them featured in  sympathetic roles. My main interest usually lies in post-canon  exploration when applicable, but I’m also into various adventures during  canon. Pick a location or a place outside the map and see what happens?  As for the ending variables, I’d ask for a peaceful revolution and  Oralech alive, but no preferences for who’s up and who’s down, pick whatever  works best for any given plot bunny.

For any non-humans, if you like, do lean into their non-human traits! Curs gonna cur, saps gonna sap etc, different biology, different cultures...

Conversely, I regrettably do not enjoy an overwhelming majority of canon pairings so for Pyre, DNW unrequested ships period. The only exceptions are Soliam/Gol and Hedwyn/Fikani which I’d be happy to see featured wherever.

Barker & Brighton: it’s the sportsball bromance, you understand. I want to see these wildly incompatible individuals (Archjustice & Literally Exiled Due To Pissing On An Archjustice’s Statue) bond and maybe travel together due to their shared passion for the Rites and for Barker’s eventual invention of straight-up basketball

Big Bertrude & Celeste: who blinks first. They are... certainly two personalities, with primadonna tendencies perhaps (confirmed for Bertrude, but if I try to picture Celeste away from her job...). What if they clashed, is what I’m saying.

Big Bertrude/Pamitha Theyn: Pam returning from her travels, again and again, and finding a home in Bertrude’s lab, finding an understanding there...  Bertrude’s attitude being thorny in a way that’s just what Pam needs to allow herself to open up... also: snake kisses.  

Celeste/Jodariel: if the Heralds make it to the Union to get a shot at living a life of their own, and Tariq already has his friends and his interests in the material world, what’s left for Celeste? Maybe she could find herself unexpectedly close to Jodi, who’s good with distance and silence and also feels like the world doesn’t need her anymore...

Dalbert & Tariq: Any excuse for Tariq to hang out with the Fates for a little while, and treasure and be treasured by dear Dalbert...

Erisa & Volfred: what were they like!! What did Erisa think of this Reader and his Plan with Oralech, how did he approach her... how did they spent their time together...

Ignarius & Oralech: no no no listen, here’s the thing. If Iggy’s clearly got a thing for impressive horns and in general is quite stunned by other demons... ...I need him to see Oralech. Take this as seriously or as crack-treated-seriously as you wish.

Oralech/Tariq: I think there may be something about two individuals who got ultimately screwed by the final steps of the Scribes’ design (Oralech self-evidently; Tariq decides to rebel (!) to the planned end of his and Celeste’s mortal existences and stick around for a while). Learning to carve a niche for themselves...

Oralech/Volfred: waking up and remembering that the mourning that’s set deep in your roots is for someone who never died, waking up and remembering that the bitterness that consumed you had made up a betrayal that never was, finding each other through these crumbling walls... ...and/or Oralech being the government’s checks and balances aka the guy who knows Volfred and knows when to say Volfred _no_

Tariq/Volfred: Volfred’s zodiac sign is Cancer and Cancer is ruled by the Moon, so   there’s that.    I love how they both hold the other in the highest   esteem, especially on Tariq’s part since he’s the immortal Herald of   the Scribes and Volfred is, all in all, a history teacher, but listen to  him and you’d think the roles were inverted. I love my nonviolent canon  but could anything happen to either of them that may require a rescue,  and/or some good old-fashioned h/c? What’s something that could make  Tariq of all people lose it? How’s life 100 years on?  

Oralech/Tariq/Volfred: Volfred has two hands, and sometimes miracles happen twice? How do they balance each other, what’s the Oralech/Tariq side like and what’s Volfred’s perspective on it? Is Tariq a constant part of their lives or does he fade in and out? 

The Silver Case

I‘m all for the surrealism, big things being introduced and never picked up again, Rashomon’ing it up with six explanations for the same thing where no single one can be true, people dying and then popping up again like nbd...  maybe the thing I like the most is characters transcending their humanity and looming over the dystopian world like ominous avatars. Correctness’ first ending had me swooning, that kind of mood is unparalleled. I have played TSC, FSR and 25W so far and have vague memories of K7. I’m aware of the “everything’s connected” readings and they sure seem to check out but that’s not my main interest in these games. For FSR-focused requests, I see Lospass as a real island but also a metaphysical  place of transformation first and foremost, where strange things happen that don’t make sense elsewhere.

Toriko Kusabi & Remy Fawzil: What’s Toriko up to when she’s not chasing Chris? I think it could be fun to throw her at Remy and see the island from their point of view!

Tetsugorou Kusabi/Sumio Kodai: Tetsu picked one hell of a crush, huh! What’s it like in the aftermath of the games, when Sumio is Like That? How does Tetsu grapple with Parade? Is Tetsu an anchor of sorts for Correctness Sumio, who seems (at best) to be existing on a slightly different plane of existence at any given time and could disappear if you blink too hard?

Tetsugorou Kusabi & Shinko Kuroyanagi: I’m joining the “let these two be foulmouthed friends” masses - who’d be more fed up with the other’s nonsense, and in which ways would they be an unstoppable team?

Shinkai Tsuki & Tetsugorou Kusabi: Both of them end their stories in the shadows one way or another, and defending their protégé may have had a hand in their misfortune one way or another. What kind of understanding could they reach? What IS Tsuki up to anyway?

Christina & Catherine: anthro Catherine, as per the Placebo bonus chapter Yami, was unexpectedly charming. What was Chris before reaching Lospass, and did he also have a chat with her on the plane or on the island?

Shinkai Tsuki & Tokio Morishima: not unlike Tsuki&Tetsu, I’m intrigued by their 25W endings and I wonder if they could have a little lowkey, off-the-grid teamup maybe?

Tetsugorou Kusabi & Toriko Kusabi: a sweet father-daughter bonding moment on Lospass perhaps, both orbiting around Sumio’s nonsense in increasingly bizarre ways? What’s their take on the island?

Twin Peaks

Case fic but they  don’t find out jack shit, someone disappears, David Bowie was there,  it’s complicated. Fragmented, shifted, mirrored identities. New Lodge  spaces. The risks of staring into the void for too long. Gentle illusions. Transcendence. The moon. Static buzzing. Any title from the s3 ethereal whooshing compilation used as a prompt, actually. Twin  Peaks is all about the mystery to me, the awe of mystery and  unknowability and the human drive to look beyond and the risks of  getting a peek, and about shared consciousness and trauma taking  physical form in an uncaring  world. Go wild with the ethereal whooshing!  But I also love the human warmth at the heart of it all, and sometimes it’s enough to anchor these characters and let them have a nice day. A fic entirely focused on some instance of coziness against the cold chaotic background of canon would be great too.

Canon-specific DNWs:  any singular Dreamer being the ‘source’ of canon, BOB (let alone Judy)  being forever defeated in the finale, Judy being an active malevolent  presence in the characters’ lives, clear explanations for canonical ambiguities, ‘Odessaverse’ being the reality layer, the Fireman’s house by the sea being the White Lodge, anything that 4 hours Twin Perfect video says is the explanation of Twin Peaks 

Albert & Hawk: I love Hawk’s constant snarkiness in TSHOTP and I think it would work very well with Albert’s, so I’d love to see them either snipe at each other or work together to demolish... idk, Ben or whomever. They also share the peculiar brand of skepticism of someone who has been stewing in supernatural nonsense half their lives and that’s cool too I think

Albert & Windom: speaking of people who should snipe at each other...! Were they forced to work together at some point or did they bark at each other during an office party or? (and when did Gordon start pretending that Windom never even existed, incidentally?)

Albert/Coop: fiery early days? Dream meetings that Albert will inevitably write off as a product of his aching subconscious? Post-finale where Albert has made his peace with Coop not being part of this world and not even deigning to greet him, except one day Coop is back - with apologies? Post-post-finale where they’re peacefully living out their days as best as they can?    

Albert/Harry: did they tragically fall into each other’s arms in the wake of Coop’s disappearance? Did they realize they’re so good for each other, but neither of them was willing to give up their life? And/or was the wound of Coop’s disappearance too fresh for them to try to heal? Do they keep in touch throughout the years? Does Albert resign on the spot with a resounding fuck it after the s3 finale and rush to see Harry? Does he stay this time?    

Coop/Harry: Harry seeing his Coop again… somewhere, somehow. Maybe he perceives him in the woods, maybe Coop isn’t all human now. Monster cuddles very welcome. Could be canon divergence but could very well be post-s3. Harry getting closure for waiting all that time in front of Glastonbury and never giving up on Coop… they can live in the woods together…  

Albert/Coop/Harry: basically the sum of the three sides of this triad… give them peace, given them nice things, give them so much love… Coop finding his place in the world and making up for lost time… give time to these old wounds…    

Bobby/Shelly & James: I am very fond of all three of them and I’d like for James to have friends maybe? Shelly thinks he’s cool! If he and Bobby can get over the decades-old rift due to Laura’s affections...

Cynthia/Tammy: the FBI and USAF supernatural branches meet again after Douglas Milford’s times... what’s their attitude toward it (who’s the Mulder and who’s the Scully......), in what ways does their respective task force’s past inform their views, is there more hope for a new generation who saw the trauma of the past without living it firsthand? LET TAMMY KISS ALL THE GIRLS BUT THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR

Frank & Margaret: extremely bold of Frank to pretend nothing weird whatsoever has ever gone down in his life when he grew up in town and presumably was still around when Margaret became the Log Lady. I’m interested in this clash between his “not my division” attitude and an actual oracle. On the other hand, they may have things in common...

Laura & Monica Bellucci: go wild. I’m good with the wildest theories on what Monica Bellucci actually is/represents. Out of all the people she could interact with, I’m glad Laura was nominated. Lodgey nonsense ahoy!

Margaret’s log & Hawk: reportedly, the log stayed with Hawk and hasn’t said a thing YET. That’s what fanfic’s for, right?

[moonlight-rebel]

Character Aesthetics

Character aesthetics

So @obvidalous tagged me in this almost a week ago and I forgot, so I figured why not do it before I forget.

Rules: bold any which apply to your OC; remember to repost; feel free to add to the list

I am not gonna tag anyone (mainly because I don’t know who to tag) but if you want to do it go for it.

-Larissa Trevelyan- 

(my human mage from DA:I)

[ COLORS ] red. brown. orange. yellow. green.  blue. purple. pink. black. white. teal. silver. gold. grey. lilac. metallic. matte. royal blue. strawberry red. charcoal grey. forest green. apple red. navy blue. crimson. cream. mint green. cobalt blue. lime green.

[ ELEMENTS ] fire. ice. water. air. earth. rain. snow. wind. moon. stars. sun. heat. cold. steam. frost. lightning. sunlight. moonlight. dawn. dusk. twilight. midnight. sunrise. sunset. dewdrops. magic.

[ BODY ] claws. long fingers. fangs. teeth. wings. tails. lips. bare feet. freckles. bruises. canine. scars. scratches. wounds. burns. spikes. feathers. webs. eyes. hands. sweat. tears. feline. chubby. curvy. short. tall. normal height. muscular. lean. piercing. tattoos. lithe. moles. dimples.

[ WEAPONS ] fists. sword. dagger. spear. arrow. hammer. shield. poison. guns. axes. throwing axes. whips. knives. throwing knives. pepper sprays. tasers. machine guns. slingshots. katanas. maces. staffs. wands. powers. magical items. magic. rocks. mud balls. pyre. teeth. rifles. words.

[ MATERIALS ] gold. silver. platinum. titanium. diamonds. pearls. rubies. sapphires. emeralds. amber. amethyst. metal. iron. rust. steel. glass. wood. porcelain. paper. wool. fur. lace. leather. silk. velvet. denim. linen. cotton. charcoal. clay. stone. asphalt. brick. marble. dust. glitter. blood. dirt. mud. smoke. ash. shadow. carbonate. rubber. synthetics. jade. onyx.

[ NATURE ] grass. leaves. trees. bark. roses. daisies. tulips. lavender. petals. thorns. seeds. hay. sand. rocks. roots. flowers. ocean. river. meadow. forest. desert. tundra. savanna. rainforest. caves. underwater. coral reef. beach. waves. space. clouds. mountains. poppies. galaxies. stardust. sky.

[ ANIMALS ] lions. wolves. eagles. owls. falcons. hawks. swans. snakes. turtles. ducks. bugs. spiders. crickets. birds. whales. dolphins. fish. sharks. horses. cats. dogs. bunnies. praying mantises. crows. ravens. mice. lizards. werewolves. unicorns. pegasus. dragons. rats. livestock. foxes. bluebirds. jackals.

[ FOODS/DRINKS ] sugar. salt. bitter. candy. bubblegum. wine. champagne. hard liquor. beer. coffee. tea. spices. herbs. apple. orange. lemon. cherry. strawberry. watermelon. vegetables. fruits. meat. fish. pies. desserts. chocolate. cream. caramel. berries. nuts. cinnamon. burgers. burritos. pizza. french fries. ambrosia.

[ HOBBIES ] music. art. watercolors. gardening. smithing. sculpting. painting. sketching. fighting. writing. composing. cooking. sewing. training. dancing. acting. singing. martial arts. self-defense. electronics. technology. cameras. video cameras. video games. computer. phone. movies. theater. history. libraries. books. comic books. magazines. cds. records. vinyls. cassettes. piano. violin. guitar. electronic guitar. bass guitar. harmonica. harp. woodwinds. brass. bells. trumpet. playing cards. poker chips. chess. dice. motorcycle riding. eating. flight. climbing. running. freerunning. exploring. partying. yoga.

[ STYLE ] lingerie. armor. cape. dress. tunic. vest. shirt. sweater. boots. heels. leggings. trousers. jeans. skirt. jewelry. earrings. necklace. bracelet. ring. pendant. hat. flower crown. crown. circlet. helmet. scarf. brocade. cloaks. corsets. doublet. chest plate. gorget. bracers. belt. sash. coat. jacket. duster. trenchcoat. hood. gloves. socks. masks. cowls. braces. watches. glasses. sunglasses. visor. eye contacts. makeup. ties. uniform. fancy shoes. leather jacket. sport underwear.

[ MISC ] balloons. bubbles. cityscape. light. dark. candles. war. peace. money. power. percussion. clocks. photos. mirrors. pets. kisses. diary. fairy lights. madness. sanity. sadness. bittersweet. happiness. luck. optimism. pessimism. loneliness. family. friends. assistants. co-workers. enemies. loyalty. smoking. drugs. kindness. love. hugs. revenge. lust. regrets. passion. spontaneity. potty mouth. recklessness. practicality.

[okimargarvez]

MELTED

Original title: Melted.

Prompt: sweetness, fluff, warmth, snow.

Warning: none.

Genre: romantic, comedy, soft.

Characters: Luke Alvez, Penelope Garcia.

Pairing: Garvez.

Note: oneshot 14 in Garvez collection.

Legend: 💏😘.

Song mentioned: L’ultima notte al mondo, Tiziano Ferro.

This story is dedicated to @itsdawnashlie, @theshamelessmanatee & my kore @talesoffairies. ❤😊

This is for all the times that I made you cry or saddened with my other stories. I can also write cheerful things (I hope so) but I think I love anguish.

MY OTHER GARVEZ STORIES

MELTED

 The snow falls, and I don't understand ... that I really feel ... I give up, every reference is gone, the sidewalks and houses and hills disappeared, it seemed nice yesterday ...

 Another case had been brilliantly solved. Penelope shudders as she wears her pink coat. She closes the office door and type in the usual code. The others have already gone home; Matt was afraid of being stuck in Quantico. They had managed to land with the jet almost miraculously. The woman looks out the window. The storm is still in full force, snowflakes continue to fall towards the ground, covering everything, making everything uniform... different. Magical. Even those government buildings change, they look less geometric, less angular.

Everything changes with the snow.

It would be nice to be able to believe it. Unfortunately, what she can't change is the fact that she's going home alone, aboard the faithful Esther, not properly suited to such a challenge. And she also forgot to change the tires...

A cough behind her makes her jump. Apparently, it's not the last one left. Another living being has decided to defy fate ... she turns around and gets confused when she sees Agent Alvez, his red nose trying to hold back a sneeze. Surely, he had not covered himself enough, she thinks, without realizing it.

-What are you still doing here?- she asks, trying not to laugh at his clumsy attempts not to sneeze. It's not just the nose, his whole face is red. While waiting for his answer with her hand she goes in search of a handkerchief. -Take it.- she hands it to him and their fingers touch each other. It's certainly not the first time, but like the first time, she feels the ground vibrating under her feet. Not bad, he doesn't know. He didn't even notice it.

-Thanks.- he replies with a sigh, before he falling in a consecutive series of sneezing and coughing. -I think I'm coming down with something.- he admits, with a tone that confirms his hypothesis. Penelope can't help but worry about him, but not because it's him, this is her vocation, taking care of others, whoever they're.

However, Luke didn't answer her question. But she decides to fly over. She turns back to the huge window to admire the view. Indifferent to the problems it causes, the snow continues its descent and its mission, trying to whitewash everything. -I want to see how I'll get home with poor Esther.- Luke isn't so much impressed to hear her call her car by name, after all it's something that men do very often and in any case it's Garcia. Everything is special to her, and she makes everything special. -Maybe I should call a taxi ...- she adds, in a lower tone of voice, but the man hears her anyway.

-I can accompany you.- he offers himself with apparent calm, as always, with her. Not because he feels sure to receive a yes, simply because he can't do without it, when it comes to Penelope, he isn't able to restrain himself, tenderness, the need to make her happy and make her smile or laugh (about him, too), love, are stronger than any fear may have.

She's about to reply him in kind, starting with a soliloquy on the thousands of reasons why she would never accept his proposal: he is a Newbie, she doesn't know him well enough (lie), Sergio is waiting her ... But when she turns back into his direction what she sees is a hopeful expression on a man too good to be true, even more beautiful with that sickly and needed of care... She throws back all those sharp words in her throat and simply shakes her head, walk towards the stairs.

This time the elevator can't take it. It's a sign of destiny? It has always been their magical area, they have provoked each other so many times in this small space ... In nearby she met Roxy and called him for the first time by name.

Luke follows her, trying to breathe gradually, his head is spinning. A beginning of full-blown influence. Perfect, to try and impress Penelope. He sighs resigned. They reach the area with indoor parking. Even from there it's easy to realize that the storm has become more intense. He looks at her, without saying anything; he watches her shake her head, clench her fists, glance at Esther and then at him. -Okay. I accept the passage.- a very strong sneeze and then a huge smile on his face.

 ...and I, I, buried by its white, I look in the mirror and I don't know anymore... what I'm... looking...

 Penelope wears a very heavy coat. Gloves. Scarf. The padded boots (not of animal fur, of course). A cap with pon pon, naturally pink. Luke is wearing only his sports jacket, too light. The boots that always puts, in any season, but they proved to be not waterproof. No gloves, no scarves, no headphones. Yet it's she, the one who, since they boarded the truck, continues to complain of get cold. Despite the heating is at the maximum.

-Cold, cold, cold, cold ... - repeats like a strange cantilena, with a not very constant volume. The man didn't want to turn on the radio, because he doesn’t know what music she likes. Lie. Because he wants to listen to her voice as much as possible. It's the first time they're so alone. No, another lie. Even when they went to see Phil, they were alone in that sense. But there was an excuse enough to be there: the dog to be delivered. Instead today ... today he feels that it's different.

For the snow, because they're in the middle of the night and almost all the people with more brain are holed up in their warm homes, safe, and there're very few other cars. He never saw Quantico like that ... deserted. It's unreal.

In fact, he has never seen any such uninhabited city. It's also a bit disturbing.

If he were alone, he would also have a little fear. But he’s not alone.

-Cold, cold, cold.- Penelope continues to repeat incessantly. -Cold outside and cold inside, cold outside and cold inside.- at some point she changes slightly gear. -Alone, alone, alone. Ever alone.- she probably didn't realize she was talking aloud, or at least loud enough for him to hear her, and not in her head. He still to remain silent, unsure of his ability to help her, deeply saddened, but also surprised (in a positive sense) in realizing that she's suffering from his own problem.

They are proceeding at 10 km/h. Visibility is very low and he certainly doesn't want to make an accident. He would be able to go a lot, but much faster. In war he had to drive a tank in the desert; this storm is nothing compared. But he didn’t was with her there. Luke brakes gently when the light turns from orange to red. He turns his head towards her and takes her hand. He doesn't feel her skin, because she wears those gloves, even are pink. But his heart still beats madly. -Hey, Penelope, listen to me. You're not alone.- she looks at him, too, surprised, but not too much. -Roxy would like to see you again. I She miss you so much, you know?- both are aware that he's not talking about only  his dog. Their eyes remain chained until the green of the traffic light reflexes on the blonde's glasses and forces himself to start again. Only Roxy?

 I met your sweet smile, with this white snow, now it upsets me...

 Penelope would like to refuse Luke's invitation to stay with him. It's inappropriate. It's dangerous. There are a lot of good reasons for declining the proposal. They are all quite rational. Above all, she's scared of what she desires.

If it goes badly...

At least ten logical reasons for not accepting.

One is enough for her.

 ...the snow falls, also falls the world, even it's not cold what I feel now...

 -Even I would like it, if you came to my house.- Luke doesn't think, doesn't reason, doesn't reflect; if he did, he would stay in silent. Just talk. -It's so big ... too big for a single person ...- he bursts into a pretty violent sneeze. She hands him another handkerchief. -Thanks.- he blow his nose. He thinks he's really unattractive, reduced in that state; he doesn't know that he's getting the opposite effect on Penelope. The heart of the blonde is starting to melt ... -for a person and a dog!- he corrects himself, with a giggle. But then he comes back serious. -It makes me sad to think you lonely in a cold apartment. Pardon, with Sergio.- she loves the way he talks about his dog and her cat; he considers them really part of the family. She tries so much tenderness to see those eyes shining, the nose more and more red. He was supposed to have been dress heavier.

And it's then that she realizes it. Luke needs someone to take care of him. Someone worries about him. And someone for which worry. Not someone but... a woman. She.

 ...and remember you, remember me, all this courage isn’t snow ... and it never melts, even if it has to...

 -No one should be alone. Above all, not when it snows like that.- and he is right. She looks at him, observes the way he holds the steering wheel, the way he taps his fingers, his eyes fixed on the road, focused. The hair is messed up and wet. Penelope is upset by the sweetness of her colleague. She would like to rebel, deny, still deny.

Then they arrive in front of his house. Here it snowed less, compared to Quantico. However she feels inexplicably sad. He does not want to go down. He does not want to leave. He does not want to leave it.

-The choice is yours, Garcia.- and she knows it. She feels the weight of responsibility for the decision. There will be other snowfall, probably. There may be other occasions. But if it were not so? The woman undoes her belt and feels almost naked, despite all the layers of clothes she wears. Luke unlocks the doors. She puts her hand on the handle and pulls it down. Goes down. Don’t look back, she repeats. But she does so, new Orpheus.

And he is there, looking right at her. That hopeful expression that breaks her heart.

 Things that are often said, improvising, if I'd really fell in love, it'd just be you, the last night in the world, I'd spend it with you ... while happy I cry...

 Only five minutes pass. Just enough time to grab the suitcase, always ready in the house, and the pet carrier with the rightful owner inside.

Still, it looks like hours for Luke. The clock seems to have frozen, influenced by the external climate. Since she got out of the van, he started to feel an absolute cold.

Finally, he found the courage to reveal his feelings. Not in a clear, direct way, but those allusions are already something significant. Penelope is naive, not stupid. Accomplice of this sudden courage is the white frame that envelops everything. Instead of freezing their hearts, it seems to have finally melted them, warmed them even more. And now he can't tolerate a second without her, without seeing her, hearing her voice, her scent.

In reality, nothing assures him that she will re-emerge from the building, who will come back out, who will come back to him ... And yet, that look...

Then, she appears in the viewfinder, while trying to carry two heavy weights. Luke doesn't even think twice about it. He comes down, slams the door and runs towards her. Literally. Both realize that all his frenzy isn't just to help her. The man stops in front of her. They stare at each other for a long time. Penelope always wearing headphones, gloves, heavy coat, padded boots and scarf. Luke always with a blazer and too light ankle boots. Now the man's nose is no longer the only red thing; even the hands soon become of that color, progressively disperse heat into the air. But he doesn't feel the cold, because he is near her and his warmth comes from within.

Penelope doesn't hold back a chuckle. She doesn't want him to get sick or get worse cold and cough. But he's too ridiculous, so similar to Rudolf, the reindeer driving Santa's sleigh with his bright nose. And soon several snowflakes begin their battle in trying to cover him. He seems to have an acute form of dandruff. Or rejuvenate. Become a child. A sweet and beautiful baby.

 ...and only I, I... can understand in the world how much it is useless, to hate...  deeply...

 Luke doesn't understand why she laughs, but loves that sound. He should, logically, feel it, the cold. But nothing, the impulses can't overcome the physical barrier. His body realizes that he doesn't have the proper equipment to counteract the outside temperature, but the rest, his mind, is too busy contemplating anything else.

Then Penelope puts her gloved hands on his red cheeks. Luke has almost no courage to swallow. To move. To breathe.

It's all so perfect ...

The snowflakes have settled in his hair. But they have also reached those much clearer than her. And her nose and her mouth, because the woman has raised her head to the sky, trying to better contemplate that impressive spectacle. -Let's go?- she asks him, the normal tone, neither too high (would risk awakening the rest of the world), nor too low. But her voice is however different from the usual, the sound propagates in a different way, rising above those white walls. Her hands always on his face. He nods, but doesn't move.

 I met your sweet smile, with this white snow, now it upsets me...

 She remains still and looks at him. They think the same thing.

 ...the snow falls, also falls the world, even it's not cold what I feel now...

 Luke slowly brings his right hand up to the woman's face and at first brushes her nose; his skin is icy and makes her shiver. A few flakes of snow come off and fall to the ground, melting. Then the hand gradually moves on her lips. Another shiver, this time along her spine. She doesn't know whether to blame only the cold.

He doesn't think, like when they were in the car and proposed her to stay in his house. If he did, again, he would instantly stop talking. He would become aware of the risks to which he exposes himself, of the possibility of ending with a broken heart. But he doesn't think; he acts.

The atmosphere is perfect. She is perfect.

 ...and remember you, remember me, all this courage isn’t snow ... and it never melts, even if it has to...

 Luke leans almost in slow motion on her. With half-closed eyes he sees Penelope rise on the tips to facilitate in his enterprise. His lips bend in a smile, but he doesn’t distract. Her mouth is almost as cold as his, but for a short while longer. Their hearts beat very hard, pumping the blood and continuing to disperse heat. This time, however, neither of them feels the frost that surrounds them.

The truck is open, he didn't think to lock it, he didn't believe that he would have spent all this time outside (he hasn’t regret at all); anyone could notice and steal it. The storm has increased the intensity and on their heads, there is an equal layer of snow mixed with ice.

Nothing matters, except them.

He’s so happy to feel the need to cry with joy. It never happened to him before. Never. Not even once.

Then, a meow.

-I could stand here kissing you even all night.- Penelope confesses, her hot breath clashes with the outside temperature creating a cloud of steam in front of the man's nose and tarnishing her glasses. Their lips are only a few inches away. Her hands, including gloves, still on her cheeks.

His hands, during the effusion, shifts on her neck, inside the protected area of ​​the coat and scarf; his hands are freezing, really frozen, but the woman discovers she's willing to endure this cold for the rest of her life, if she is given the chance to stay with him for the equivalent of that time. -But Sergio doesn't agree- she continues. -and you could get sick even more.- she admonishes him, a bit of severity. The commotion makes its way ever faster, from the throat to the eyes. Penelope is worried about him; she cares about him. No one, apart from his family, Phil and Roxy, has ever really interested in him like this. But he drives away the melancholy with a firm sigh, which sends him the air (at least -5°), directly into the lungs, certainly not a good move. He doesn't want to think about what he hasn't had until now.

He wants to live this moment. Nothing more.

Her tone is so thoughtful and sweet. She was never been like this with him before. Nor did he ever dare to hope that one day it would happen. He doesn't resist, he still gives her a kiss.

 Don't allow yourself to feel good, without exceptions ...

 He takes the suitcase, the other hand in hers, even if they have to do a few meters to get to the truck, the other occupied with the pet carrier and his cold and annoyed inhabitant.

They close the doors and they burst out laughing almost simultaneously.

 …collapses ... in front of everyone and then smile! Love isn't a privilege, it's only skill, it's to laugh at every problem, while those who hate tremble...

 It's an outburst, a completely normal liberating reaction, even though anyone who accidentally passes here by four o'clock at night would surely take them for two crazy people, two escaped from the asylum. And basically, they're crazy. Mad at least as much as Hamlet was, between to be or not to be; crazy because they're brave enough to admit the truth and you know that in the country of the lie (the world in general) who telling the truth is mad.

When they manage calm down, both breathless, their lungs aching, they look at each other. Luke turns the key in the ignition and luckily the engine roars. He pushes the clutch and accelerator and they move away.

They don’t speak, but this time he decides to turn on the radio. Naturally, despite the time, each station transmits Christmas songs, for the most part famous and super commercial. Luke considers that he has never loved this festivity, especially the economic part, all the money behind it, the department stores and a Santa Claus created by one of the most famous brands in the world, so much to have shaped a generation (maybe even more than one), conditioned filmographies and entire existences and imaginaries ... More than anything he has never endured the idea that “Christmas is time to be better" or that in this period "You can give more". But why only at Christmas? Is not it a bit too easy to allow yourself the other 364 days of the year to make the exactly the opposite?

But now he discovers he can appreciate even those songs so lacking in the true Christmas spirit, because everything is different in the company of Penelope. Even the lights that illuminate the streets, those bright signs with greetings, stylized snowflakes, firs, stars and so on and so forth ... he, so fervent supporter of one of the maxims of Charles Bukowski, according to which It's Christmas from late October. Lights are switched on even earlier, meanwhile people are even more wobbling. I would like a December with switched off light along with switched on people.

And maybe now everything is different precisely because he has near the most switched person in the whole universe. Because he sees the world through Penelope's eyes.

They arrive at their destination. They go down.

They should immediately enter the house, but once again they get caught out of the atmosphere, like two disobedient children. Luke stops to look at her intensely.

-What is there?- she asks, worrying about having something out of place. -There's something on my face?- he approaches, shaking his head.

-No, your face is perfect. Like the rest. As always.- she winces. But then she returns his gaze, hearts in her eyes. He didn't think the time would ever come when that look would be dedicated to him. He didn't believe he's so lucky. But he had hoped for it. Oh, if he had hoped for it.

Then, that smile.

 Your sweet smile is so transparent that after there is nothing... it's so simple, so deep, that it zeroed everything else and make the world end...

 And a snowball ends up directly on his nose. He looks at her, stunned, incredulous.

Sergio meows, annoyed, but the two humans have just begun the new fight.

-Penelope! - he exclaims, wiping with his hand.

-Sorry.- she promptly replies, that usual innocent air that drives him mad, under which she hides a veil of mischief ... or even the opposite. -I didn't resist .- she admits, shrugging.

Luke pretends to have been hurt. It's an overreaction and she can't understand why he got to be so mad about. He turns his back even. She's about to call it, when a white and transparent sphere hits her right on her glasses.

It's war.

They play for a few minutes (It seems like so much longer to them and Sergio agrees too), without making noise or exchanging words, because is so late. Everything is even more unreal because they are illuminated only by street lamps and the moon. The white of the snow reflects and amplifies the light, and at the same time it cushions and contains the noise. They chase each other, until Luke catches her and puts a few snowflakes down her back. Not before he grabs her, holding her from the waist. Soon the taking turns into a hug; Penelope tries not to moan while small pieces of ice melt coming down her skin. He'll pay for it, but not now.

-I promise I'll warm up you, I'll repay you for the warmth I stole you.- he tells her. The woman laughs, a little too loudly, but nobody comes out to complain. She sighs, resting her head against his shoulder. Never in her life, she has felt so protected and loved at the same time; not even with Derek. Not this way, not so intensely.

 ... and it reminds me that courage it's not like this... snow...

 -I love you- Luke whispers in her ear. And the Penelope of yore (ghost of Christmas past) wouldn't believe it. She would think it's premature. Wrong. Which he just wants to get her into bed. Which is exclusively the fault (or merit) of the snow. But not today, not this time. She closes her eyes, trying to savor those few words that have immense power, to melt their hearts. In a good way and not.

-Me too.- she turns to him. He's an icicle. All red. Covered with snowflakes, mostly already loose; like her. -I love you, Luke.- She feels the need to tell this, looking at his face, saying it with his name, with a clear and firm tone, because he too could doubt, because he's as insecure as she is, they have the same problems, they're more similar than she ever would have been willing to admit, only two hours ago.

They are two fragile souls. Like this ice crystal that is placed right on the tip of his red nose ... -For that, it's better if we enter.- she finally adds, forcing him to come out of the same contemplation that she had performed just before. She rises on the tips only for another very short light kiss.

-You're right.- and finally, they come in.

 I met your sweet smile, with this white snow, now it upsets me...

 First of all, Luke turns the heat up. He doesn't have radiators or heaters, but a beautiful wood stove. Penelope feels she could easily fall in love with this place. She already imagines reading novels, pinks and yellows, her feet on his legs, while he goes crazy to the resolution of a crossword puzzle.

Then the fundamental reciprocal presentation between Sergio to Roxy takes place, the equivalent of the future co-father-in-law meeting. The result is positive.

Then comes the time to change their dress, abandon those clothes now soaked, who for work, who for simple foolishness, who (both) feel like a child again... It's another important phase of their relationship that is just laying the foundation. -With another I would say that it's all hurried, that it's wrong, that I should not be here ...- she starts to speak, after both have removed jackets and shoes, but still too many layers divide them. He stares at her and listens carefully. -With you, no.- she smiles, shudders. -Once I open my heart, there's no way to stop the process. It's irreversible.- she reveals in a whisper.

-I'll take care of your heart.- he doesn't need to specify that this is a promise.

-I know you'll do it.- she echoes him, surprising most of all of herself. -I can't deny it, if I look into your eyes as you say it. I've never been a self-confident person, in spite of my outbursts and shiny clothes ...- he nods. He already understood it. They smile. -I've never felt something more than pretty.- she admits, shrugging as if it were small thing. -I don't want to be afraid anymore.- she finally says, despite the trembling voice would deny her intentions.

-You're more than that, more than enough to me. You're everything to me. You were it even before- there is no need to say anything else. The layers of cloth fall to the ground one after the other, like petals of a daisy marred by loving fingers that only wanted to know if the feeling was reciprocated or not. Or bask in a useless hope. The cold hands of the man run through her back, the same route already traced by the ice and then they come to breast. Penelope doesn't know if her moans are more due to gestures in themselves or in the cold.

-Do you see that I was right? - is the only sensible sentence that comes out of her lips.

-What?- he asks, a little too distracted.

-Your hands!- the woman screams. -The North Pole has sent a copyright complaint! - Luke laughs, wondering once again where she found jokes like that. Then he kisses her. Instead the woman's hands are warm. Perhaps because she wore gloves all the time. Perhaps also for other reasons. They run through the man's chest and fit into his dark, tangled and wet hair.

 ...the snow falls, also falls the world, even it's not cold what I feel now...

 And outside it does not stop snowing, while they prepare a hot chocolate, the one longed for by Donald Duck in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas. They settle on the sofa, with a huge and heavy blanket on them.

-Are you sure that when it stops snowing, you'll not back to being the ice queen?- he partially teases her, but it's even too serious. She notices it. But she decides doesn't let his demons and his melancholy win.

-No, Luke.- she gives him a small fist on his chest. -I'm the queen of nice, not of ice.- she gives her one of this. He too strengthens his grip. -I don't give up.- she says firm, cuddling better against him, on his chest, in a fetal position; like a child, his little girl.-There is only one word, to define this moment.- Penelope breaks the silence again. The voice kneaded by the sleep that is about to win her.

-Which one?- Luke asks, his arms numb, but he wouldn't move for any reason. Even if the world was ending or imploding on itself. Never.

On the back of his dog, in full rem, he snores another ball of black fur.

-Happiness.-

 ...and remember you, remember me, all this courage isn’t snow

 The last coherent thought of Luke before Morpheus also takes prisoner him. Yes, the last night in the world I would spend it with you...

[xiumin-on-this-shit]

Two Bosses Ch 5

I straiten my dress as stare at myself in the bathroom mirror. My dark blue dress that ends just above my knee is conservative with its high collar but I love the way it hugs my curves. Hopefully it will tease the boys enough to finally try something on me, my inner slut muses. God she needs to calm down. Xiu and I had already got a quickie in this morning; I am not some horny teenage boy! I believe that for less than a minute as I step out of the bathroom to see Kai sitting in my chair with his feet on the desk. He looks amazing in his neat dark gray suit, it makes me want to jump him here and now, and if we weren’t expecting their friends I maybe would have.

It’s finally noon, the day had passed so slowly. If I wasn’t avoiding Kai and Sehun’s hands today I probably wouldn’t find it as exhausting but they have been more touchy than usual. In both of their meetings this morning they didn’t even try to hide it, Kai had our fingers locked for the whole entire time, his thumb stroked the back of my hand affectionately. Sehun, the one I’ve always considered the more professional one of the two, had his hand latched on to my thigh, moving it up and down in a soothing motion. The other men in the meeting were staring at us with wide eyes; I stared at my Ipad the whole time to hide my blush.

Kai notices me exit the bathroom and is up by my side in seconds, latching on to my hand with both of his. “Why do you take so long?” He pouts cutely.

“What is up with you today?” I wonder.

“He’s nervous for you to meet our hyungs,” Sehun explains as he comes into the lobby.

“Why?”

“He thinks they’re going to steal you away.”

Kai glares at him and says, “And you’re not?” Sehun just comes over a takes my other hand and stares at it wordlessly. I laugh at my boys, their child like jealousy warming my heart.

“Don’t worry boys,” I squeeze their hands, “I love my job and my bosses.” They give me small smiles but I can’t help but tease them a little, “How attractive are your hyungs for you to be worried about that?”

“They’re actually pretty ugly.” Sehun grumbles.

“But you’re really cute, they are really going to like you.” Kai adds as he also examines my hand. I just watch them as stare at our interlocked fingers, their thumbs moving in soothing circles on the back of my hand. We stand there in sweet silence just enjoying the moment. I don’t know how long we were standing there before the elevator dings and I rip my hands away from the boys. They both glare at me for a moment before turning to glare at who ever ruined our moment. Taeyeon is standing there like a dear caught in headlights when she catches them glaring at her. I smile big and rush away from the boys to her.

“Hey Tae!” I say happily. She looks away from the guys to me and smiles nervously.

“H-hi Jimin-ah,” her voice is shaking slightly. I glance over my shoulder at the still glaring boys. I forget, after weeks of seeing past their cold CEO exterior, that they are actually very intimidating to people; especially to someone like Taeyeon.

“Mr. Oh, Mr. Kim, would you excuse us?” I say formally with a sickly sweet smile at them. I try not to laugh when they both huff and go to their own offices, leaving Taeyeon and I to ourselves. I turn back to her and give her another genuine smile, “Is this personal or professional?”

She gives me a relaxed smile back, “A little bit of both. I wanted to let you know some of their guests have arrived.”

I raise my brow at her, “You could have told me that over the phone.”

“Yes, but,” She glances at both closed doors before whispering, “I couldn’t tell you how attractive they are! Like damn!”

“They’re in the building? Where are they?”

She blushes, “I had Yoona distract them so I could take the elevator up here.”

“Seriously?”

“Please Minnie! Just see if they have a girlfriend! Not all of us have a hot best friend we can sleep with.”

“Ya!” I snap.

“Or two hot, over protective bosses!”

“Taeyeon!”

“How have you not jumped their bones?” I clamp my hands over her suddenly loud mouth. Just as I do the elevator door opens revealing five very attractive men, who now have wide surprised eyes at the sight of my hand over Tae’s mouth. As embarrassing this position is, it is much better than having them hear those words out of her mouth. I give my best secretary smile before releasing Tae and us both bowing deeply.

“Welcome, “ I say bowing. I look over at Tae who has a blush bright across her face. I lead her out of the way, allowing the guests to enter the lobby. Quickly, Taeyeon abandons me by jumping in the elevator, giving me an apologetic smile and a wave.

I’m going to kill her.

I turn my attention back to the men in front of me, “Hello, I’m Secretary Park.”

“Hi, I’m Baekhyun!” One steps forward that reminds me of a puppy, a rather hot puppy.

A tall elf like man step forward next, much too close for comfort and gives me a massive smile, “I’m Chanyeol,” He stares down at me until I feel a smile spread on my lips. “You’re so cute!” I’m surprised when I see him reaching out to hug me or something but thankfully he is stopped but a mature looking one. The giant pouts.

“Sorry about him,” The man says, his voice as sweet as his angel like smile. The more I stare at him the more of a manly feeling I get from him, ignoring his sweet face, he give off a very protective, or dad like vibe that I find comforting. “I’m Suho,” He says ash he drags Chanyeol away from me.

“Kyungsoo,” An owl like man says. Oh my goodness, I have never seen such an adorable man in my life, not counting Xiu. I force myself to look away when I see a blush across the poor man’s face for my staring. I look to the last one, a camel like man with high cheek bones and up turned lips. Something about him seems familiar. He must think the same thing as his eyes narrow on me.

“Jimin?” He asks.

I stare at him surprised, “Chen?”

“Do you two know each other?” Suho asks.

I shake my head hesitantly, “I don’t know. I know your name and your face but I don’t know where from.”

“Same,” Chen agrees.

“Hyungs!” Kai and Sehun say mostly happily as they get in between my and their hyungs.

“Where are the rest of them?” Sehun asks hugging each other men.

“They are coming,” Baekhyun answers, “some girl stopped us in the lobby, so I’m guessing she probably did the same to them.” I automatically look away, trying to hide my knowing smile.

“Let us grab our jackets quick,” Kai and Sehun go back into their offices for a minute, returning with their trench coats and scarfs. Sehun looks at me, “Grab your jacket.”

“Where am I going?” I say confused.

“You’re coming with us, of course.”

“Oh, well I don’t have my jacket.”

“Where is it?” Kai asks.

“At home, I was running late and forgot it.” I shrug.

“How could you forget a jacket?” Suho snaps, I’m surprised by his out burst. I thought he would be the nicest one. “It’s freezing out, you could catch a cold! And your dress, yes it is very pretty, doesn’t even cover your arms!”

I roll my eyes at him, “Sorry, dad.” I snap back. All of their eyes snap to me and my face goes red. “Oh my god! I’m so sorry! It’s just that you remind me of a dad. Not in a bad! Like a hot dad!” I’m just making it worse. I burry my face in my hands to hide the blush bright enough to be shown on my cheeks.

“You’re a hot dad,” Baekhyun repeats before he dies of laughter. Everyone else joins in on the laughter, almost falling over. I rush past the laughing boys to the elevator and begin pressing the button repeatedly. In my head I’m chanting, open, open, just please fucking open! I groan in annoyance when it finally opens with more attractive men, though these men are familiar, especially a pair of cat like eyes meet mine. Oh my fucking god! This just got so much worse. There about to be too many hot guys in one room. I try to turn and run to the stairs but don’t get very far when an arm snakes around my waist. An action that does not go unnoticed by bosses.

“Where do you think you’re going, love?” Xiu purrs in my ear as he holds my back to his chest.

“What is so funny?” Kris says as he walks off the elevator, with Tao, Lay, and Luhan behind him.

“The secretary,” Chanyeol tries to explain as he continues to giggle, “just called Suho,” more giggles, “dad.”

I glare up at Xiumin, knowing the horrible words about to come out of that smart ass mouth, “You called him dad?” Xiu teases, “I thought you only called me daddy?” Now the Chinese men are laughing, they know mine and Xiumin’s relationship, but the one’s who don’t know are staring at us with wide eyes; Sehun’s and Kai’s lack any sort of amusement.  

I feel the need to defend myself, “That was like two or three times, and I only did it cause you asked me to!” But I only end up digging myself a grave. Suddenly I’m ripped out of Xiumin’s grasp, too fast for either of us to register. Sehun is holding me tightly to chest to chest while Kai’s chest is against my back, sandwiching me between them.

“I don’t know what is going on but it needs to stop.” Sehun nearly growls. His hyungs are all surprised and so am I.

“You mean you don’t know?” Luhan pipes in as he walks over to us and strokes my head affectionately, ignoring his youngers glares.

“Know what?” Kai says this time.

“Me and Jiminie are best friends,” Xiumin smirks.

Sehun and Kai look down at me and I nod, “I’ve known Xiumin my whole life.”

“Then she meet us when Xiumin hyung was at school in China,” Luhan adds.

“So you’re friends?”

“Yes,” Kris steps up, “Now remove yourself from her so we can give her a hug.” The two boys hesitantly let me go only to be scooped up by a panda.

“Taotao!” I yell gleefully as the panda like man spins me around.

“I missed you!” He mumbles as he nuzzles his face into my neck. He looks so awkward bent down to my level.

“My turn,” Kris pulls Tao away, the younger yelps as he stumbles. “How have you been love?” He lifts my chin so I’m staring up at him. “These two haven’t been mean to you?”

“I’ve been good! They have been nothing but sweet to me.” I answer honestly, giving him a smile.

“Good,” He leans down and kisses the top of my head.

Lay comes up to me next, “Hello Angel!” He gives me a tight hug before stepping away, giving me a complete once over before frowning. “You’ve lost weight! Hyung says you’ve been working too hard. Have they been feeding you here? He also says you’ve been skipping breakfast. Are you not feeling well?”

I laugh at all of Lay’s concerned questions, “I’m fine, Oppa. The boys have been taking me out to lunch almost everyday, I’m eating plenty.”

“Are you sure? Luhan comes over and kisses the top of my head. “I will happily beat these two little boys up.” I wave their worries away, just happy to see them again. But of course, Xiumin, being the loveable bastard that he is, decides to ruin it.

“Trust me, they seem to be giving our sweet girl, too much attention,” Xiu teases. I give him a threatening glare, “What love?”

“Xiuxiu, I swear to god,” I do my best to threaten him.

“You talk about us?” Sehun asks.

“No,” Xiu responds for me,  “I talk about you and she just starts blushing and yells at me to stop.”

I pull away from Lay who still had his hands on my hips and march over to Xiumin, who is grinning like the idiot he is. I grab his tie and drag him into Sehun’s office. Before I close the door I hear Luhan yell, “Please stay off the desk and away from the windows, this is a place of business.”

[carvers-hawke]

Cullavellan Week - Day 1

Fandom: Dragon Age Pairing: Devanna Lavellan/ Cullen Rutherford AO3 Link: Here! Notes: Whoops, I was so busy with work and being sick I completely forgot to post this yesterday. Written for Cullavellan week, this prompt is

We all know Cullen winds up with a mabari, but are there any adorable animals that the pair share? Or perhaps your Lavellan has someone to add to the mix! This day is all about pets!

Cullen leaned back against the sofa, head falling back and eyes drifting closed as he let his arms stretch over the edge. He liked being here, more than his own quarters sometimes. His loft was good, comfortable even, better now that the runes protected his bed from the weather, but he had a hard time separating it from from the overwhelming concept of work. Whereas Devanna’s two floors of her tower were just… comfortable. Even without opening his eyes he could feel the echoes of her presence all around him; the hand woven blanket, fingertips brushing across the heavy wool, the soft ticking of the little dwarven toy she had found, and the familiar blend of incense that burned whenever the fire was going--which was nearly always now in the cold bite of winter.

She wasn’t there, he knew, but she would be soon. Devanna had some business to wrap up, a discussion she wanted to have with Solas, and he knew that she’d be unwilling to linger in the transit between the rotunda and her tower. By that logic, he should be the only one in the tower, and yet Cullen couldn’t relax--not fully--because he knew without a doubt that he was being watched. He could feel the prickle of it against the back of his awareness, the knowledge that there was something else in the room with him.

Amber eyes opened slowly, head lifting as his gaze swept around to find the source of his discomfort.

Only to find a pair of gold eyes staring back.

Cullen sat up, brows furrowing in surprise and confusion as he took in what had to be the fluffiest orange cat he’d ever seen. It was sitting on the corner of her desk, paws tucked in neatly, and tail curled around its feet. It didn’t move, sitting so perfectly still, that he would have thought it a statue. He stared at it, and it stared back, unwavering, and he couldn’t help but get the impression that it was… accusing him? Wary? As though he were an interloper, and Cullen couldn’t help the indignation considering he had been here first.

Across the room the door opened with a gust of frigid air, snowflakes sweeping in as Devanna stepped inside. She pressed her back to it, shoving it hard as she rubbed her hands together and Maker’s Breath she looked cold. Even from the distance between them--his attention gone from the cat--he could see how wind bitten and red the tips of her ears were. Cullen was up on his feet in an instant, intending wholly to go to her side and pull her into the heat of his body, but the cat beat him to it.

“Ah, aneth ara Hauen.” She grinned down as the cat twined itself between her ankles, pulling off her gloves and scarf, reaching for the buttons on her coat. “Have you been good today? Stayed out of my plants?”

It braced its paws on her leg, making a soft mrrrp noise as its head rubbed against the bend of her knee. Devanna let out a delighted coo--one that she would ardently deny--as she tossed her coat on the hook, bending down to lift the cat up. She hadn’t noticed Cullen yet, a fact for which he was actually quite grateful as it gave him the opportunity to watch her. The open, obvious affection on her face was such a lovely change from the guarded mask she always wore in public and it never ceased to amaze him that he was one of the lucky few who got to see this side of her. Beyond the fierce exterior of the warrior, the Inquisitor’s right hand, down to the softer, gentler woman underneath.

And Maker, but he loved the way her eyes would glitter when she was happy.

When she buried her face in the cat’s fur--Hauen she’d called it--he finally crossed the short space from the sofa to her side, dragging the blanket up with him. He could see, over the crest of ginger fur, that her attention was on him, the corner of her mouth hitched up into a smile.

Cullen didn’t hesitate as he wrapped the slighter woman into a tight hug, feeling the outside chill press in through her clothes as she let him mold her back to his chest.

“Maker’s breath, Dev, you’re practically frozen solid.” He breathed, hugging her even tighter as he nuzzled against the nape of her neck.

“You might not have noticed, but it’s kind of cold outside.” She shot back, teeth chattering slightly. “Take me to the fire.”

He couldn’t help but grin at the plaintive whine in the request, reluctantly stepping away so he could take the blanket and bundle her up in it. “When did you get a cat?”

Hauen hadn’t made an attempt to escape as they were both cocooned in the thick blanket, fluffy head poking out under her chin. He offered his fingers for the cat to sniff, giving it a moment to pass judgement before lightly scratching behind one ear. Gold eyes blinked shut lazily as a low, rumbling purr started up and Cullen couldn’t help but feel that he’d been approved of.

“I found him when we were--uff--on our way back from Sahrina.” She explained, grunting as he lifted her into his arms. “That was… maybe a few weeks ago? Poor thing was half starved and very dirty.”

“He’s certainly filled out well.” He chuckled, crossing the few steps to grab the edge of the couch, dragging it around so that it was closely facing the hearth. “Gave me quite a start when I first saw him.”

“And here I thought you would be jealous.” Devanna grinned up at him, happily petting Hauen even as he settled her down carefully. “He’s your replacement after all.”

Cullen quirked an eyebrow at that, watching as the cat readjusted itself on her chest. “Oh?”

“He’s the new lion of Skyhold.” Devanna nodded, the serious tone of her voice overshadowed by the way her yellow eyes gleamed playfully. “I’m sorry. He’s also the new lion of my heart, so… you know it’s unfortunate but you have to find a new motif. Might I suggest a bear?”

“A bear.” He repeated in amusement, playing along as he set the kettle over the fire for tea. “Blackwall might protest.”

“Oh.” She pouted, shifting slightly so he could sit on the edge of the sofa, free hand slipping under the edge of his tunic to press cold fingers against his heated skin.

It was a relief, and an act that he always appreciated; not only did Cullen enjoy warming her up, but his body had a tendency to run hotter than normal since he’d given up lyrium. He leaned into the touch, his own fingers following the sharp line of her jaw, stopping to rest on the scar that cut across her chin. There was nothing inherently sexual about the touch, really; he liked the contact, liked the fact that he was one of the few people allowed unrestricted access into his personal space. Nonetheless he couldn’t miss the spark of something that darkened her eyes, the slits of her pupils opening ever so slightly as she licked her lips. It was all Cullen could do not to close the distance between them and kiss her.

“And Solas has taken to the wolf motif.” He said instead, hand sliding up so his palm could press against the slightly warming shell of her ear. “There already exists a dragon of Skyhold, so really that’s all of the good predators. It appears I’ve no other course of action.”

He looked down, scritching against the scruff of Hauen’s neck. “I must concede victory, my fluffy friend.”

Hauen purred impossibly louder at that, body stretched out and bleeding satisfaction, as languid and insufferable as his owner.

Devanna laughed at the sight, her head shifting on the pillow as she watched him with such open fondness his heart grew tight in his chest. “You are a gracious loser. Lucky for you the position of Commander is still open.”

“I almost wish he’d take that one instead.” He shook his head, giving into the urge to press a quick kiss to her forehead.

One that would have likely escalated to something farther if the tea kettle hadn’t chosen that moment to start spitting and whistling. Instead he stood from the couch, going through the motions of making them both a cup of tea. Devanna, he knew, liked hers almost sickeningly sweet--hummingbird nectar he called it--and he made sure to heap in the honey. As he did, she chatted at him about her day, and the  discussions she’d had with Solas, a continual rumble of purring from the cat drifting with the other ambient noise of the room.

It was all decidedly… domestic, he realized, stealing a glance over at her as he balanced the two cups, and Cullen couldn’t help the swell of utter contentment that filled him.