#i cannot stop sneezing please help

[bravevolunteer-a]

i just know michael is simultaneously so annoying and Incredibly Dismissive whenever he's sick

[imyourbratzdoll]

𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓’𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒏

hello, I want to thank @foxyprincessworld for inspiring me to write this.

connected to fairytale

summary - it has been a while since meeting ari in the woods, and while he goes out to gather food for you two, you manage to get yourself stuck.

warning - smut, inter-species, tiny fairy, stuck, slight fingering, creampie.

18+ only please, the gif and headers I use aren't mine.

Warnings and Reminders - Please do not plagiarise, copy, repost/republish, adapt, or translate any of my work on any social media platforms, apps, or third-party sites. The only platforms I post my work on are: Tumblr and Wattpad. I do not own any character of any franchise (Marvel etc.) All my works are fiction and may be dark or triggering content: READ ALL WARNINGS BEFORE PROCEEDING.

Ari had gone out to gather some berries and vegetables from your little garden outside the cabin, ensuring you’d be stocked up for the rapidly approaching winter. While he was out picking, you were fluttering around the house, ensuring things were clean and neat. Since you met Ari that fateful night, becoming his partner, the cabin also became your home. 

You had been cleaning all day in your human form, making sure you could cut the cleaning time in half with your size before finding a spot that no large thing could reach. You wave your hand, allowing your magic to dance over you and shrink you into your fairy form. You fly over to the area, noticing through the small hole that it has become dirty. You knew Ari didn’t care about these things, but you did. So, you began to clean, softly groaning as you kept missing a few spots, pulling yourself further into the tiny hole, your hips catching onto the sides. You wiggle, huffing when you realise that you are stuck. “Oh no… I do hope Ari gets back soon.” You let out a cute little sneeze as the dust tickles your nose. 

Ari grins at the basket in his hands, loving that it’s filled to the brim and that he can show you what he’s managed to gather. He heads into the cabin, setting down the basket on the table and then looks around confused, wondering where you are as you usually came to greet him. “Fairy? Bear here!” He grunts, scrunching his nose. “Little Fairy?!” Ari begins to walk deeper into the house, becoming worried that something may have happened to you.

“I’m here, Bear. I’m okay. I’m just stuck...” You sigh and allow magic to flow through you, appearing before your man.

Ari stares at the bright ball, following it as it slowly leads him to where you are stuck. The ball disappears when Ari stops where you are, and his eyes widen. “Oh, Fairy! How?” He can’t deny that his cock twitches when his eyes land on your exposed arse, your dress lifted from wiggling. “Stuck?” You still weren’t able to teach him how to speak proper sentences, but you found it endearing with his short answers. Knowing he tries so hard, his face always scrunches up, trying to find the right things to say, and the thing you love most about him is even though it becomes hard for him sometimes, he never gives up. 

“Yeah, Bear. I’m stuck, and my magic cannot get me out of this one.” You pout, not noticing that the more you wiggle, the more that becomes exposed, causing the giant bear behind you to become aroused. “Could you please help me?” 

Ari nods, too preoccupied with how your arse jiggles and your sweet honey pot glistens. He licks his lips at the thought of honey and how delicious you taste. “Help after,” Ari growls out, quickly ridding himself free from his pants and gripping his thick, monstrous cock. He begins to stroke it, grunting as pre-cum leaks from his angry tip.

“What? Ari, what do you mean after? Bear?” He ignores you, too lost in his mind now. You softly squeak as his finger connects with your dripping cunt. You now understand what is happening and allow your magic to wash over you. “You can enter, Bear.” You whimper when he pushes his thick finger inside, stretching you and curling it, ensuring you are wet enough to take him.

“Okay?”

“Okay.” Your head falls forward as he pulls his finger out and replaces it with his member. His tip stretches you wide as Ari pushes in. “Oh, god…” He rests his hands against the wood, fucking into you harder and faster, enjoying how your tight walls squeeze him. 

“Not god.” Ari growls, fucking into you harder. “I Bear!” Your tiny body rocks back and forth, and your eyes roll back as the pleasure intensifies. Your walls pulsate like crazy around Ari, causing a groan to slip out. “My Fairy!” Your arousal builds, leaking alongside his thick base, coating him and creating a white creamy ring. “So pretty and tiny.” He hums, staring down at your stretched-out cunt with a dazed look, entranced by how hot it looks. 

Your fingers curl, nails digging into your palm. “B–bear! I’m going to–” You cut yourself off with a strangled moan. Your vision becomes white as your walls squeeze around him, and your juices squirt out of you. You fall limp, exhaustion hitting you. Ari continues to thrust into you, throwing his head back as his balls tighten, cock twitching. He releases thick amounts of cum into you, coating your walls. 

Once Ari empties himself, his cock softens, and he slowly pulls out of you. “Bear, help now.” He grumbles, wiping off the sweat on his forehead before punching the wood, snapping it enough to rip it away and pull you out of the tiny hole. He lies you on the palm of his hand, looking down at you with a soft look, “Fairy, okay?” 

You snuggle into his palm, looking up at him with a sleepy smile. “I’m okay, Bear. Thank you.” You give him a soft tap and sigh as he moves you to the chair. Your hand waves, and you feel your body slowly grow, allowing you to become human-sized. You stretch, kissing Ari’s palm as he rests it on your cheek. “How did your picking go, Bear?” 

The smile on his face makes you think he’d be able to brighten up a room with how bright and gorgeous it is. Ari quickly moves over to the basket and brings it back to you, showing you the many things he picked. You smile, eyes dancing around the many different colours. “You did wonderful, Bear! I could maybe make some soup for dinner and a pie for dessert.” You slowly stand, legs feeling like jelly. 

Ari places the basket back down and pulls you into him by the hips. He looks down at you with such love and adoration, like he cannot believe he has you in his life. “Bear love Fairy… S–so much.” He wraps an arm around your waist while his hand cups your cheek, leaning down and pressing a soft kiss on your lips. “Pretty Fairy.”

You smile, eyes becoming clouded with love. “I love you too, Bear, so much. My big handsome bear.” Your hand rests flat on his chest, and the other cups his cheek, stroking the soft beard underneath before moving up to scratch between his cute bear ears. “Why don’t you get some rest? You’ve been working so hard lately.” Your lashes flutter as you continue to stare up at him. “I’ll prepare dinner, okay?” 

Ari shakes his head, huffing. He peppers kisses against your face, smiling at how beautiful you look. “I help.” 

That night you and Ari make dinner, and as that is cooking, he helps you prepare dessert. You couldn’t have wished for anything better. He’d wrap you in his arms as you made the food before pulling you over to the couch, holding you against him while you both waited for dinner. Your hand rested against your stomach, knowing that when you finally told the news to Ari, he would be so happy. You’d finally have everything you had ever wished for. 

thank you for reading!

feedback and reblogs are greatly appreciated.

[indignantlemur]

Hello! Hope you're doing well. I was wondering if you had any headcanon's of the cultural incompatibilities between the Andorians and the Vulcans like the kas wan? Thank you.

Hello, hello! I'm going alright, and very happy to have my internet connection back!

Andorians and Vulcans have quite a few cultural incompatibilities, really. I'll list the most common points for you!

Meat:

Andorians are technically omnivores, but only just. They consume huge amounts of protein and fats in the form of meat, and only replicate meat about forty percent of the time. Everyone agrees that real, fresh meat just tastes better. Vulcans find this barbaric, to put it mildly. During their more active conflicts, Andorians in Vulcan prison camps were forced to subsist off of replicated, protein-heavy Vulcan fare - which Andorians, of course, did not digest particularly well, and struggled to draw nutrients from. The prisoners, unsurprisingly, developed profound nutrient deficiencies. Andorians considered this to be cruel and unusual punishment at best, and a war crime at worst.

Vulcan prisoners of war were likewise forced to consume actual meat, for lack of any other alternatives. While no one can say they were deprived of food, what the Andorians had on offer was not at all suited to the Vulcan way of life, or their physiology. Recovered citizens often required significant psychological and, in some cases, moderate medical intervention afterwards. It remains a common sticking point between the two factions.

Physical touch:

Andorians are constantly touching people. They're a highly social species with insectoid traits, and frequent contact on a daily basis is a part of healthy socialization. While their society has become heavily ritualized regarding interactions between different social ranks and between strangers to prevent conflict, friendly Andorians are very easy-going with physical contact even in professional environments.

The average Vulcan would rather have a fatal aneurysm than spend a day trapped in a room with friendly Andorians. Physical touch is highly regulated amongst Vulcans, who are touch-telepaths, and even bonded couples rarely interact physically in public.

(Andorians don't actually capitalize on this, despite what some might think. Contact of this nature is for friends and family only.)

Nudity taboos:

An extension of the physical touch incompatibility, Andorians also have no taboos centered around nudity and the physical form. Their concept of privacy is also largely theoretical, at least from a Human perspective. Communal bathing is common, as is sleeping in groups.

Vulcans, by comparison, have extreme taboos and social regulations regarding their bodies and their personal space. They do not bathe communally if it can be avoided. They do not share sleeping quarters unless bonded (and sometimes, only during specific times). They do not trespass on another's personal privacy if it can at all be helped.

Incense:

Vulcans are very fond of a particular kind of incense. Exact formulas for their incense vary by region, but all of them contain a plant-based ingredient that infallibly sends Andorians into violent sneezing fits. Lighting Vulcan incense around Andorians is considered incredibly rude.

This has yet to stop the Vulcans, who can be remarkably petty when they have a mind to be.

Music:

Andorians favour wildly expressive and emotive music, designed to provoke and release emotion. Andorian operas are known for being incredibly moving and cathartic, and it's not unusual for opera-goers to weep during a particularly fine performance.

Vulcans find these displays of overt emotion distasteful. The fundamental nature of music is mathematical and logical, and while the mind cannot always be inherently logical the brain preferentially seeks out patterns as an evolutionary trait. Therefore, it is logical that certain arrangements are considered pleasing by many. That is all.

Marriage & Bonding:

Vulcans pair-bond, and they can bond quite powerfully given their inherent psychic ability as well. They do not, however, go beyond pair-bonds; their instincts will not suffer anything that could be considered a rival for their mates. The fact that Andorians bond in couples and then go on to marry into quads is fundamentally incompatible with Vulcan instincts, and while Vulcans strive to overcome their violent natures some things still linger.

The fact that Andorian bonds are unbreakable, even against the efforts of an accomplished Vulcan mind-healer, was at first unfathomable to Vulcans. How could a species whose individuals bond to so many form such strong bonds as well? Surely, the number of bonds must weaken the strength of each individual bond!

Andorians, when asked, will coldly point out that the deliberate sabotage of a mating bond is an egregious crime, and initial Vulcan experiments regarding the matter are also considered war crimes.

The Vulcans, in response, find it sufficient to pull up images of the "chairs" that Andorians used in wartime (and out of it) to break Vulcan prisoners.

Neither side leaves the argument looking particularly good.

Hope this answers your question!

[snzcaretaker]

𝕳𝖆𝖞𝖋𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗

Below are Edwin’s journal entries from his time suffering from hayfever - and realizing he's in love <3 He's pining again...when will he get it through his head that he matters to Ambrose??

March 4th - Curse it all! Spring is the worst sort of season! For a few short weeks, I had been well, and even had some hope of enjoying the good weather. Then the March wind tore the pollen from the head of every blooming thing, and stuffed it directly up my sinuses. Head so clogged I can hardly speak without someone tittering at the sound of muffled consonants. Constantly dripping, and at the same time burning like the devil himself has taken up residence inside my nose. I should know by now that this is my luck. If it's not the damn cold, it's the flu, and if it's not the flu, it's hayfever. I am wretched, as a definition.

The worst of it is that I dare not say a word to Ambrose. I began to really hope, when he was caring for me. I felt such strange feelings…a kind of safety. With him, I can bare not only my heart, but every ailment of my body, even the most disgusting. His eye will behold everything and make it beautiful. I felt soft and open and happy when he was here.

But I can't bring him back. It's one thing to have a friend wait by one's sickbed, but to call for help over hayfever? Just because of a little discomfort? There's no excuse for it. So the state of my nose puts me in mind of illness, without any of the comforts afforded to someone facing real danger. For the first time, Ambrose made me capable of thinking of myself as attractive when I'm in this state. A creature worthy of being touched. And now every sneeze fills my mind with affectionate daydreams and impacts my body in the most humiliating ways. I find myself frustrated in all senses of the word. But I've said more than enough of that.

March 6th - If I could stop sneezing for five minutes together, I would be in better spirits. But as I cannot, I have been cross all day, and the servants make every effort not to place themselves in my warpath.

I know I'm intolerable, and for no good reason. It's all just a nuisance, and to speak of it as anything worthy of note is both disgusting and alarmist. I am NOT dying, much as I feel like it, and so I have no excuse at all to be held or to be - no, I won't finish a sentence like that. God, what is the use in putting down such frivolous thoughts? I really will die if I ever read them back - of blushing. I need to banish such thoughts from my mind, but to see them on paper is almost worse. To anyone else reading this diary: please burn it.

March 9th - Oh god. I'm in love. That's what it is.

Took a turn up the hill behind the stables, hoping that the morning rain would have settled the pollen. Instead, it chilled the air more than I might have liked and turned the landscape maddeningly rich with colors. The blue of cornflowers, the pink of wild roses, and the gentle yellow of cowslips glowed under the re-emergent sunbeams. But there is no sunshine without my Ambrose, and my eyes dewed over to match the lingering droplets, and I couldn't help watering the flowers with many lonely sneezes and tears. How melancholy I felt!

Am I so pathetic that I want Ambrose near me even when I am not really ill? There is no danger at all, but I want…I want someone to talk to. Some company, an arm in mine… Someone to share the flowers with… Someone who will see me as the pitiful thing I am and hold me together anyway… Ugh… what nonsense. My throat is sore but not as sore as my heart. Sick or not, I am lovesick. I think I will go to bed today.

[deiastormborn]

Gale of Waterdeep; A much needed look beneath the surface 

Hey all. This is a script for the video I made in defense of Gale. I never had a place to put the text version of it anywhere else, but... if Tumblr isn't a good place for it, then what is?

Warning: Long Read!

________________________

Hi, my name is Stormborn. I’ve been playing Baldur’s Gate for some time, enjoyed it quite a bit. As much as I can appreciate every companion that the game has introduced, Gale of Waterdeep, a charming lil’ wizard, has caught my attention the most. At glance, he is this sarcastic happy-to-go man, always joking around, trying to do the right thing. But, the more you get to know him, the more you slowly uncover his trauma, as much as he, himself, is trying to deny it.

Honestly, I thought that Gale would be liked by many people, I genuinely expected him to be one of the most chosen companions, and one of the most romanced ones. But, to my surprise, I’ve been seeing him getting more hate than I anticipated. Some people call his way of speaking way too annoying and complicated, some people call him clingy and creepy, mostly due to the glitch that would skyrocket his approval of you, probing him to romance you. Genuinely, it is okay to dislike some companion in favor of the other one. But I could not get rid of the feeling that people just despise his guts unjustifiably. 

One of the main reasons, besides the ones I covered earlier, is that people hate his ‘obsession’ with Mystra, the goddess of magic he happened to romance. I saw people complain that he just cannot stop talking about her, even while you romance him, and I can’t help but wonder if people were paying attention to his story at all. And I cannot blame them, as Gale always portrays his romance with Mystra as something so special, so unique, and as something to be proud of. But, let me explain to why you should be able to judge his story for yourself, rather than simply listen to what he is saying.

Gale is a talented wizard, so talented that he got attention from Mystra herself for his talent of channeling the weave. The story says that he is so powerful, that he could potentially destroy a whole village by basically sneezing in its direction. However, we all need to remember that he got attention from Mystra at the very, very young age. If I am not mistaken, the first time Mystra clawed onto him was when he turned 16. Ever since then, Mystra was feeding him all kinds of praise, prompting him to seek power, ensuring him that he can become Mystra’s chosen, and, mind you, *started romancing him ever since*. It is not a secret that Gale was not the first, however, if you really think of it, such revelation can seriously mess with a mind of a teenager. Not only it might boost the self-esteem, but also make him think that he is better than anyone else. And, I assure you, it is exactly what Mystra wanted. By giving him some form of attention, minimum affection, she had Gale on the hook. And Gale, as a boy obsessed with magic, who has been worshiping Mystra before he even met her, didn’t require much effort in getting hooked. But here comes the problem: as much as it is uplifting to get a praise from a literal Goddess of all magic, it is also as equally devastating to get any kind of critique or a cold shoulder.

Mystra was messing with his mind, making him feel like, no matter how well he does, he can always do better, as he has so much potential. With such authority, Gale would believe her. And it would make him always chase something more to impress her, rather than settle and appreciate what he has. It is also a reason to why the whole mess with the Orb began in the first place. People seem to call Gale power hungry, which, as any companion in the game, it is possible for him to go down that route. But they seem to forget one important detail: Gale thought that the Orb was a missing relic of Mystra’s magic, and he wanted to, yet again, impress her by bringing it back. Please remember that Gale was still a young adult, if not a teenager, when this happened. And it would all be resolved if Mystra would not shatter his self-esteem as much as she did. So, he made a mistake, and the Orb became his burden. And yet again, rather than explain this to her ‘chosen one’, she basically banished him, and left him with no answers for many years to come.

Gale isolated himself to keep people around him safe, with nothing but the books and the cat for the company. I think I do not need to mention on how that can play with your mind, too. But, in spite of all, Gale’s blind loyalty and obsession with Mystra kept him wanting for more attention, more answers, so he kept seeking more power, and more ways to get Mystra’s approval. At the day you first meet him, this is the first time he has been amongst people. Yet he still kept his jolly appearance, messing around with Tav, and appreciating everything that surrounds him.

I do not know if this is obvious just yet, but Mystra has basically groomed the kid. If we look at the very definition of grooming, Grooming is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them. And it is most prominent when it comes from the place of higher authority. I think I do not need to explain that, in the fantasy setting, there is no higher authority than the God or a Goddess. Yet, for one reason or another, this seems to not be taken serious. And I think I have an explanation as to why.

When you talk to Gale about Mystra, or when you let him talk about her first, he is still full of admiration, obsession, and the unending pride. There is still some bitterness lingering somewhere in him, yet it Is not as powerful as any other feeling he has towards her. I’ve noticed people basically hating him for saying something like ‘Yeah, I banged Mystra, that’s pretty cool, right?’. But think of it this way: wouldn’t Mystra *want* him to think that it’s ‘pretty cool’? And who are we to say that it was the real Mystra he had an intimate moment with? For all we know, she might have conjured an illusion, to satisfy him and feed into his ego. If the romance between them was as real as Gale thinks it was, do you really think Mystra would just abandon him with no answers for a mistake such as this? After all, Gale was young, and had barely any experience. All he had was wizards, such as him, or more powerful than him, and her. If she truly cared about putting him to a right path, rather than using him for her needs, the outcome would be ever so different. 

I would also like to address that people do not think of it as a simple coping mechanism. Even if you look at the society these days, most of the time, when a man comes with a confession of, say, a woman taking advantage of him, it is often met with ‘wow dude, you got lucky’, rather than with a serious concern. Who are we to say that Gale, rather than simply try to reflect and recognize his relationship with Mystra as an illusion, didn’t just decide to get along with it and be proud instead? Even then, when you romance him further, he is slowly realizing that it was not as real as he once thought. In Gale’s own words: ‘there is no love between us. I was not the first, and I certainly won’t be the last’. Gale finally, ever so slowly, starts to understand that he was simply used by Mystra for his talent. Being a deity means that you are only powered by the followers you still have. It is in the god’s interests to keep people interested in them, or they will loose power. Using Gale, knowing he was an extremely skillful wizard, was in Mystra’s interests. She does not give him answers, but keeps him interested in her enough to keep him in her claws, spreading more words of her, attracting more people to follow her godhood. There was no real romance, she was interested in his power more than himself. And you can help him realize that.

But, with such dynamic comes a price, which also becomes more prominent when you play the game further: Gale never feels good enough. With the first chance he can sacrifice himself for a greater good, he takes it. He has no real appreciation of his life, he does not take it as something valuable. He is deeply depressed and traumatized. When a person moves away from the environment that scarred them, it can become extremely overbearing, difficult, and overwhelming. People also seem to act as if it is weird that, with any kind of hurt, Gale’s first reaction is to ‘blow himself up’. It doesn’t take much to know that he won’t do it if it were to mean that someone can get hurt, but he is saying that because, maybe, partially, he *wanted* to die. He has finally found appreciation amongst other people, who are not wizards like him, people who do not know him well, and people who do not want him to constantly be the best version of himself. He falls in love with Tav, because Tav is showing him kindness, and proving to him that he does not have to be someone that he is not to be loved. In that very vulnerable state, any kind of hurt or rejection hits you more. Not to mention that, the only time he ever says it, was after the night he spent with you. After he opened up, shared his fears, more of his past, even said out loud that, in truth, he does not want to die. He let himself be vulnerable, the most vulnerable he has probably been in years, so it is not a question of his ego being hurt: it is a situation where a man, who always kept to himself, has finally let someone in, and got hurt. I am sure one of us, at one point in life, said something like ‘well guess I go die’ as a joke. This is the only way Gale knows how to respond: joking about his pain. He does not mean it, but says it anyway, because it is the first thing that came to his mind. He has been a very reserved companion through the whole time, always seemed to know what to say, and he acted on an emotion after a very emotional night. 

It is also a fact that, even while he is slowly realizing that Mystra used him, he does not mind dying because she asked him to do so. That does not only prove a point that Mystra does not have any real regards to him other than a tool, but also that she was using him for her own sake. With The Absolute getting more followers, her power also weakens. The Absolute is a threat, not only because of the infection and danger to mere humans, but also to her godhood. And who better to deal with it than the man she has so methodically conditioned to do as she wishes? You would think that, a goddess as powerful as Mystra, could try to take care of things on her own. And yet again, the only time Mystra ever gives him any answers, is when she needs him to be used. That is, yet again, a definition of the grooming.

Gale will do anything for a little bit of appreciation, anything to be noticed, and we cannot blame him. This is why you, a player, as a Tav, have a power in you to make him realize that he, as he is now, is valid. It is almost as if Gale forgot that he is such a talented wizard after all the stuff with Mystra. You, as a player, have it in you to remind him. And once you do, Gale slowly separated himself from Mystra as her ex-lover, and only answers to her as his deity. After all, she is a goddess of all magic, it will be hard to reject her entirely.

Victims of grooming or any kind of abuse often can’t let go of the person who harmed them. They will talk about them, they will mention them, they might even try to grasp onto good things, or make it seem like bad things that happened weren’t really all that bad. Combine that with a constant feeling of never being good enough, and not knowing a genuine kindness outside of his very small circle, and you have Gale. A charming, sarcastic, jolly Wizard, who is also as ever troubled. 

Moving on to other topic that people seem to judge Gale for, is that, once a chance arrives, he starts grasping onto Godhood, wishing to become a God himself. It is also in that situation where he starts to say that he would have the power to completely overthrow Mystra. People seem to criticize him for his hunger for power, and also, altogether, call him ungrateful. I would like to add another opinion on that: while Gale is slowly realizing that he was being used, he went through all 5 stages of grief. But here comes the other one, that is mentioned much less: revenge. He wants to show Mystra that she was wrong about him. He wants to prove to her that, after all this time, he *was* good, if not better than her. On top of that, he is still trying to fix his never-ending self-esteem issues. While he is seeking godhood, he still thinks that, him, as he is now, will never be enough, and only by becoming God he can truly become worthy… of anything. If you romance him, he later apologizes to you, but also asks to let him explain to why the Godhood would be good for him, and you, as a couple. Gale wants to give you everything. The entire world. He wants to be the very best version of himself, for you, his lover. He thinks that he can only achieve that by becoming a God. He doesn’t realize that, maybe, without it, he can still be a valuable partner. He even talks to you about it, openly, saying that you deserve better. It is, yet again, in your power to remind him that you do not need him to be anything more than he is now. And, rather than with anger, he answers to you with a surprise. He truly, genuinely, can’t believe that you would take him as he is now. This is how deeply his trauma runs in his mind. And, once he finally believes you, this is where he finally calms down. This is finally when he accepts himself, and lets it all go. He is not repaired, but he is on his path towards healing. All because you, a player, convinced him, and reminded him of his value.

I think Gale’s approach towards things have deeply changed the perception of the players. Because he is in so much denial, people seem to just go along with what he says. He is proud of sleeping with Mystra - so people take it for what it is. Gale might not be your type, or even the most interesting companion to you compared to others, but I truly, genuinely think, that the hate he has received has been a little too much. Every companion has a burden, everyone expresses it differently, on their own pace. Gale has chosen the approach that makes the most sense in his situation. He is just a guy who was thrown into a mess made by the Goddess he worshiped at the young age. He is just someone who is trying to do good. And I hope that a small essay such as this helped and shed some light on his story. 

Men can be groomed, they can be taken advantage of. I think it is our duty to also recognize it, and show a little patience. After all, Gale is not the first example of such abuse. And, sadly, won’t be the last.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAnZHJtYkcg

[sulfies]

Wolves In Romé pt2

pt1 here

“I know, I know… believe me I know exactly what you are going through” Ezio could swear he heard a scoff in response

The wolf under him gave a soft whine as he fastened the last knot of the bandage onto the poor animal. He was glad all his fingers were left intact from this encounter...

”I would say you almost sat better than me on my first time” Ezio entertained himself as he talked to the wolf, fingers smoothing the bandage he wrestled onto the beast. “And I do mean the arrow, you horndog… or hornwolf”

His tone teased but Ezio was not lying with his compliments even if the animal could not understand him. The wolf had sat surprisingly still, not that he had wanted to be bit, but he was fairly certain wolves didn't just let you pet and bandage them so he had expected at least a nibble or some puncture marks to remember by.

And now that Ezio had done the basics of medicine, the fact that he was crouched next to a grown wolf that he just helped was entering into his brain fully …. he did not know where to go from there.

His fingers reached back up to the furry ears, digging them into the thick fur to scratch at the spot that got the wolf to close his eyes in a sigh. 

Definitely not a normal wolf.

”You must have an owner, Cuccilio… You are trained at least to human touch aren't you?”

The amber eyes slowly opened back, focused directly to his own.

”Those freaks were chasing after you for a reason hmm? Were they your owners? Please don't tell me they were your owners”

The wolf just tilted his head and sneezed on his face. Rude.

”Yea okay, spray your nasty sylva over my face… not like I saved your hide or anything” He said as he crossed his brows in a fake anger. The reply he got was a soft huff and whack of a tail on his leg. As if the wolf was playing along with his ramblings.

Ezio’s voice was low and soft in the night “Now what to even do with you…”

———-

“No way!”

“I couldn’t leave him in the city!”

”Ezio… No way!”

”And If I leave him in the woods his wound will just get infected!”

”SO YOU BROUGHT IT HERE?”

Here, being the doorstep of Leo’s studio in the middle of the night.

”Well he did follow me all the way here… he is friendly Leonardo, I swear!”

Leonardo glanced at the monster with blood-soaked fur mouth… 

“It’s a wolf Ezio! Wolves are not friendly.”

”I thought you would be excited to see one! You told me one time how you wanted to study them…” Ezio placed his hands on his hips and… pouted like the grown man he is.

Leo sighed. “Yes a DEAD one, the kind that won't maul me to death.”

”Well, good thing this one won't!”

Leo glanced at the bloody mess sitting right next to Ezio listening to their conversation calmly… weird.

”Merda…” He looked back at Ezio’s grinning face “Where did you even find him Ezio?”

The other man rocked on his feet “He was getting hunted by those crazed wolf worshippers on the street… So I-“

”You thought it was a dog at first and jumped in, didn’t you…?”

Ezio snapped his mouth shut and looked to the side down at his new friend.

”It was dark…”

A snort came from the wolf and it looked back at Ezio with what could be described as a wolf's best attempt at an eye-roll… again, weird.

Another sigh… Leonardo leaned on his doorframe and watched the two most dangerous beings in all of Italy standing at his doorstep in silence for a few seconds.

”You cannot leave me alone with it…”

”I wouldn’t dream of it!”

”not even a second!” “I won't, I promise!”

Ezios grin went bigger as he made a step to go into Leo’s workshop only to get stopped by a hand on his chest.

”I am not kidding Ezio, I do not want to be wolf food!”

This time the wolf's snort was directed at him. Did he understand them? No… animals are animals.

Ezio looked down and with his head gestured to it. “Come on Cuccilio, Leonardo decided to be kind to us… for now”

His third sigh of the night left him and he stepped back,

“If it was anyone else but you Mi Amico… but you need to clean him.”

Ezio’s shoulders dropped in relief.

“Thank you, Leonardo, I owe you one”

“You owe me so much I should just have access to your banking records.”

Ezio laughs as he walks past Leonardo, giving his shoulder a pat. “As if you already don't~”

Leo glared at his friend, almost forgetting about the giant beast till it walked past him like he already owned the place!

“Ay… it's going to be a long night”

He walked toward his wine stash.

—-----

He was finally clean, getting his face dried with a rough towel as he lay on the ground of the workshop.

Desmond was surprised Leonardo actually let them in. At this point, he was concerned both for Ezio and Leo’s rational thinking ability because he personally, under no circumstances, would allow a wolf covered in human blood into his home.

“Now, you are clean… as you can be at least, Cuccilio”

“Really? You are still going to call it a puppy?” 

Ezio looked back to his friend who was sitting at his table sketching Desmond’s form on the ground. Getting used to having a wolf in his studio with the help of a glass or two. 

Now that the initial shock, some-don't ask-how, was gone the artist was happy to get his observations. 

“Well… he doesn't have a name-”

“And he should not, you will get attached the moment you name him Ezio.”

Ezio scoffed “No I wo-” 

“Yes, you will.” Leo smiled down at his friend from where he sat, trying to get Desmond's back muscles right on his paper.

 He was getting sketched by The Leonardo da Vinci, in his studio, as a wolf… 

His tail thumped on the ground slowly.

“I get helping the poor thing, Ezio, but surely you aren’t planning on keeping him?”

Desmond’s ears perked up at that. Ezio put the dirty towel he used to wipe his face away. His other hand still underneath his maw, holding it lightly, while middle two fingers scratched lightly at a spot that gave Desmond’s tail a bit more speed.

Oh no… Desmond knew exactly what Ezio was thinking.

“I mean… I always wanted a dog.”

“Ezio-” Leo started but Ezio cut him off. “He is clearly not a normal one, Leo… took an arrow to the leg and didn't even try to nip when I ripped it out of him..”

His free hand joined to scratch his neck and even if baffled at his stupidity Desmond couldn't stop himself from leaning into it when it was digging into just the right spot.

“Look, he even lets me pet him. I don't think he is a wild one at all… most likely trained.” He looked back at his friend with a grin. “It's a tamed wolf, Leo! I mean-”

“Per l'amor di dio Ezio, You can barely look after yourself, do you have time for a pet? Let alone a wolf?!” His dear friend mused in a concerned tone. 

Desmond looked back at Ezio who was still just petting him with a soft excited smile. 

Oh no…He already made up his mind, didn’t he?

“Oh, who am I talking to…You already made up your mind the moment you brought him to my door didn't you Amico?” the only sane man in the room parroted Desmond’s thoughts.

Ezio turned to look back at his friend his smile turning to a sheepish grin. “Come on Leonardo… when will I ever come across an animal like this again?”

“And you plan on what? Making him a dog assassin? Teach him how to jump roof to roof?”

Desmond sneezed at the image that came to his mind of a wolf in an assassin getup. 

“And does it even want to be kept?”

That made Ezio look back at Desmond, his face showing an expression that said he had not thought of that aspect… Desmond realized he also had not.

He did follow Ezio willingly to here almost automatically but he didn't need to stay here… he could just go, he should just go but… then what? Yes, he was a wolf now, but Desmond was human first and his mind was, surprisingly, still his. 

He didn't know a thing about being a wolf! Would he survive? Did he even understand wolf talk or howl or whatever they do? 

Did he want to be a wolf?

No, he thought.

 He did not want to run through the woods every day hunting for a meal to not starve, sleeping in the open cold air, and waking up with no one to talk to. 

No, he decided. He would not run to the woods.

“Bené… you make a good poi-” Ezio’s somber tone was cut off as Desmond slowly sat up, trying to not move his injured leg too much and plopped his head right on Ezio’s lap, nuzzling into his leg as he sighed softly. Looking up he met his eyes, rich brown ones looking back at him.

“Per carità… forget I even asked” Leonardo’s voice supplied in exhaustion.

Ezio’s grin returned full force, eyes twinkling like the first time he let him pet and Desmond found that he could get used to being a lapdog if it made Ezio this happy.

The three sat there in the night as Ezio’s hands found their way back to Desmond’s fur, Leonardo’s pencil strokes filling in the silence between them.

After a good while as Desmond’s eyelids grew heavier, he heard Ezio’s deep voice speak up again “Now can I name him?”

A well-repeated sigh came as an answer “What do you have in mind?”

“Something strong, a good Roman name for a good Roman wolf…”

Desmond’s ear twitched, half listening as the soft rumble of the assassin's voice lulled him to almost sleep.

“Aldobrandino…”

WHAT?!

[pictureinme]

hcs for taking care of cillian charcters when they’re sick & when you get sick in return?

thank you thank you for this! i decided to put a few more characters for this, i love the concept LOL

patricia 'kitten' braden

» she is the epitome of 'woe is me' when she's sick - pillows upon pillows, tissues everywhere, a hand upon her forehead as she wears her most extravagant nightgown... she has appearances to keep up! » she requests you to dote on her every need - spoon-feeding her soup, putting on her favorite records and lighting the loveliest of candles when the overhead light is just too much to bear » once she recovers, you've fallen just as ill - she apologizes PROFUSELY for making you kiss her constantly, but how could she abstain from you?! » she cooks for you, making sure you're getting every single nutrient to heal fast - picture soups full of veggies, assorted fruit, and, frankly, disgusting smoothies because she read about it in cosmo

neil lewis

» honestly pathetically arrogant, let's be real - swears he's just fine, tries to keep running the store but he sneezed on a copy of 'dr. strangelove' a customer was trying to rent and lucien kicked him out (for everyone's benefit) » once you have him at home, he wears three masks and gloves, spraying everything down with lysol for fear of getting you sick - the only thing he accepts from you is little snacks and the meds he forgot » you somehow get sick despite his best efforts ... even though he did make you throw out all of his various tissues - he immediately goes to webmd with whatever symptoms you present & definitely micromanages your meds schedule » asks marcia and her husband for advice, but only kind they've got is related to their little bundle of joy - they do, however, send him back home with a fuck ton of goodies for you to wake up to from your sickly nap

emma skillpa

» hides her sickness from you as long as possible, to the point of her passing out mid cleaning - luckily you catch her, and she is beyond embarrassed. "oh, please don't worry, i'll be back on my feet in no time!" » you carry her up the stairs, laying her on her bed, and she can't help but swoon at your control of the situation - she tells you exactly the things she needs, sometimes attempting to get out of bed herself to get them. she already has some soup frozen in the ice box, so all you have to do is thaw them » she goes full emma mode when you've fallen ill after taking such good care of her - calls your place of work, telling them you've fallen deathly ill and need a week off (what a gem she is). makes sure you drink every last bit of soup, no ifs or buts » genuinely does not let you leave the bedroom for the entire week, even if you've already recovered by that point - spends time with you, of course, but she has lots to do around the house! maybe being held captive by emma wasn't so bad, hm?

jackson rippner

» cannot STAND being sick, especially with the delays in his job that could occur - however, he very much enjoys you doting on him like his little caretaker. he can't resist playing house » makes sure you attend to his every need, especially while wearing a cute little outfit (nurse costume unnecessary, but not out of the question) - "come on, do a little spin for me, it's the least you can do. i'm a sick man who needs his meds from his oh so sexy wife!" » you falling ill was not in the itinerary, but he loves how cute you look bundled up in the sheets - he pokes fun at you, but still gets you all the stuff you need » if he has to leave for a job in the middle of your sickness, he leaves you with a nest of items you could ever possibly need, as well as an on-call doctor he knows for... reasons - "i'll just be a few states away, but if shit gets serious, don't hesitate to call my burner. yes, i need it for this job, i don't know why. please stop asking so many questions."

jonathan crane

» you can barely tell he's sick for the first few days, but you notice the redness around his nose - when you bring it up, he immediately shoots you down. "darling, if i was sick, i couldn't be doing my job, now could i?" » meanwhile, the next time you see him, he's passed out in his office chair with tissues stuffed in his pocket like a lapel. you bring him back to your place so he can properly rest - he wakes up confused, but silently grateful for the glass of water and medicine you placed on the nightstand next to him » having him stay at your place got you sick pretty fast, and you couldn't believe how he was surviving with the level of congestion you're having - he stays home from work enough to dote on you in his own special way, taking note of your symptoms to properly take care of you » he only goes to the office a few times to bring you back some high doses of medicine you couldn't get over the counter at a cvs, so you could heal as fast as possible - "i know the pills are bigger than normal, but you only have to take them once a day for the rest of the week. don't be such a crybaby."

[somber-sapphic]

Prompt List!

Hi :) Here is a fancy new updated version of my prompt list! I switched out most of them, but you're sure to find a few repeats. The old ones are linked here and you can choose off of that list as well if you wish!

《 Requests! 》 ︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽︾︽

〘Sickie Dialogue〙

"I don't feel so great..."

"Could you pass me a tissue, please?"

"I think I might have a fever."

"I can't believe I caught this cold at the worst possible time."

"I'm trying to stay strong, but it's getting harder."

"My head is pounding."

"I wish this illness would just go away already."

"I'm so tired, even just talking feels like an effort."

"I don't want to be a bother, but I need help.”

"I can't taste anything. This is the worst."

"I'll be fine; it's just a minor bug."

"I'm sorry if I seem distant. It's just the fever taking a toll on me."

"I feel like I've been hit by a truck."

"I'm not sure how much longer I can tough it out."

"My throat is so sore; I can barely swallow."

"I keep shivering. Can you pass me a blanket?"

"I'm coughing so much, it's starting to hurt."

"I hate feeling so weak and helpless."

"I wish I could join everyone, but I don't want to get them sick."

"I don't want anyone to worry about me."

"I know I need to rest, but there's so much to do."

"It feels like I've been like this forever."

"I can't believe how much my body aches."

"I'm really grateful for your company. It helps distract me from feeling awful."

"I'm just going to close my eyes for a bit..."

"I think I need to lie down for a while."

"This headache is killing me..."

"I can't believe I let myself get this sick."

"I'm feeling really dizzy.”

"I don't have the energy to do anything right now."

"I'm trying to stay positive, but it's tough."

"I just want to feel better already."

"Could you hand me the thermometer? I want to check my temperature."

"I've never felt this awful before."

"I feel like I'm burning up."

"I can't stop sneezing."

"I should have taken better care of myself."

"I'm worried it might be more than just a simple cold."

"I wish I had someone to take care of me.

"I'm feeling really weak and achy."

"I hate that I'm missing out on all the fun because of this."

"I can't even focus on anything with this headache."

"I never appreciated being healthy until now."

"I'm trying to drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated."

"I just want to sleep and forget about everything for a while."

"I'm scared it might be something serious."

"I'm tired of coughing."

"I'm fine, really. It's just a little cold."

"I think I caught something. My head is pounding."

"I don't want to be a burden..."

"I'm so cold..."

"I can still go on the mission."

"I don't want anyone to see me like this."

"Sorry, I can't stop sneezing."

"Thanks for taking care of me."

"I don't want to spread this to anyone else."

"I hate feeling so helpless."

 "I don't need your pity."

"I don't remember the last time I felt this awful."

"I wish I could be out there, helping everyone."

"Why does it have to be so cold?"

“Can you just…hug me?”

 “Don’t leave, please.”

 “I swear I wasn’t this sick this morning.”

 “Yes, I took medicine.”

 “You’re sure I’m sick?  ‘Cause I feel fine.”

 “I really cannot be sick right now.”

 “Everyone gets colds.  I’ll live.”

 “I really hope this is just my allergies.”

 “Stop thinking so loud; my head hurts.”

"I'm scared."

"I can't even talk properly."

 "I feel like I'm letting everyone down."

"You're making a big deal out of nothing."

"I'm so tired..."

"I'm sorry for getting you involved in this mess."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you..."

"I hate being sick. It's so frustrating."

"I can't seem to get warm..."

"I feel terrible for canceling our plans."

"I just want this to be over..."

"Thanks for taking care of me."

"I don't want to burden anyone.”

"I feel useless like this."

"I sound terrible, don't I?"

"I'm sorry if I'm being difficult..."

“Can you just…hug me?”

 “Don’t leave, please.”

 “I swear I wasn’t this sick this morning.”

 “Yes, I took medicine.”

 “You’re sure I’m sick?  ‘Cause I feel fine.”

 “I really cannot be sick right now.”

 “Everyone gets colds.  I’ll live.”

 “I really hope this is just my allergies.”

 “Stop thinking so loud; my head hurts.”

〘Types of Sickie〙

99.9% Immunity - they never get sick, right? Wrong. 

Elephant in the Room - they’re sick, but for some reason, perhaps rank or personality, no one is talking about it. Until it gets bad.

Heroes Don’t Take Sick Days - there’s no time to rest when you have to save the world, so sickie has to push themselves even when miserable. 

Insult to Injury - as if being injured wasn’t enough, now they’re getting sick too. 

Ill Timed - it is the worst possible time for them to be sick, but their body didn’t get the memo. 

Irreplaceable - they are the leader or the boss and aren’t able to take personal time off, even when they’re sick.

It’s Nothing - they insist they’re fine, right up until they collapse. 

Medic Down - How do the other characters handle it when their usual caretaker is sick?

Milking It - if they’re sick, they’re at least going to get as much pampering out of it as they can. 

Not a Word - sickie said they don’t get sick and isn’t in the mood for anyone to remind them while they recover. 

Stepping Up - boss/leader is clearly miserable, so the others go out of their way to take as much of their workload as possible. 

Suffer in Silence - for whatever reason, they don’t want anyone to know they’re sick and do everything they can to hide it.

Team Mom/Dad - the typical team Mom/Dad gets sick, leaving the others to scramble to take care of them.

〘Sickie Scenarios〙

🥀Feeling so out of it, they need constant attention.

🌹Barefoot sleeping wanderings. 

🪷Being let back to bed with patient whispers. 

🌷Collapsing into someone’s waiting arms. 

🌻Forehead kisses

🌼Being picked up 

🌸Being called things like baby, sweetheart or honey

🌺Shaky hands

💐 Waking up either adorably confused or painfully scared

🌾Comfort after a nightmare

🪴Medicine

🍀Nap

☘️Hand holding 

🌿Lullaby

🌴Reaching out for someone 

🌳Bath

🐍Thermometer

🌵Fingers running through sweaty hair

〘Caretaker Dialogue〙

"No, you're not fine. You're burning up.”

"You need to rest. I'll stay here with you until you feel better."

“Just let me take care of you."

"Here, take my blanket.”

“I’ll make some tea”

“You're in no condition to go anywhere.”

“Just rest and let your body fight this off."

“Take this medicine, please."

"I'm here now”

"Right now, the only person you need to help is yourself.”

“Let me hold you.”

“Save your energy.”

“Let me fuss over you."

"You just focus on resting, I'll take care of everything else."

"Let me make you some soup, it'll help soothe your throat."

"Don't worry, I'll handle all your responsibilities while you recover."

"Is there anything specific you need? I'll go get it for you."

"Here's a warm blanket to keep you cozy."

"I brought your favorite book/movie to help pass the time."

"I'll stay by your side until you're feeling better."

"Would you like some tea or hot water with honey?"

"You need to take these medications at the specified times. I'll set up reminders for you."

"Don't push yourself too hard; your health is the top priority."

"I'll run errands for you so you can rest without worrying about anything."

"How about I read to you or play some soothing music?"

"If you need anything during the night, just call, and I'll be here."

"I made you a get-well card. It's silly, but I hope it makes you smile.”

"You're not alone,"

"I'll keep the room warm for you. You don't need to get up."

"Let's open the window for some fresh air, but I'll keep you wrapped up warmly."

"How about we watch your favorite TV show together?"

"Remember to drink plenty of water. I'll keep a glass on the side table."

"You don't have to thank me; it's what friends/family do for each other."

"I'll handle the phone calls and messages for you, so you can focus on resting."

"Tell me if you're feeling uncomfortable, and I'll do my best to fix it."

"I brought you some flowers to brighten up your room."

"I'll fluff up your pillows to make you more comfortable."

"Lean on me if you need to get up; I'll support you."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

"Let me make you something to eat. You need to keep up your strength."

"You should rest; I'll handle everything else.”

"Here, take this medicine. It'll help you feel better."

"I brought you some tea to soothe your throat."

"Lean on me; I'll support you as you walk."

"You're not alone; I'm here for you."

"I'll keep you warm with an extra blanket."

"How about I read you a story to help you relax?"

"Let's watch your favorite movie."

"You don't have to worry about a thing; I've got it all under control."

"You should try to sleep; I'll keep an eye on you."

"I'll keep track of your medication schedule so you don't forget."

"Tell me if you need anything, and I'll get it for you."

"I made some soup for you. It's supposed to be good for healing."

"You should stay in bed and let me handle everything else."

"I'll handle all the chores; you just focus on getting better."

"I brought a few books; let me know if you want to read any."

"I'm here if you want to talk or just need someone to listen."

"I'll keep you company so you won't feel alone."

"I'll make sure the room is quiet so you can rest."

"I'm here to take care of you, no matter what."

[skele-bunny]

Just finished your Sodo/Aether and Calida fic. Will you write her more?

THIS IS INSANE I WAS JUST RAMBLING ABOUT CALIDA TO A FRIEND....... I'll absolutely post more about her!

Context for those who don't know: Calida is Dew's kid, with Step Dad Aether!

(CW - lightly Implied abuse and pregnancy from assault, but this is a fluff post!)

While Calida came from cruel touches and heavy hands around Dew's throat, he loves her more than anything in the world. He doesn't regret her, she's his main reason to continue living in fact!

When Aether wanted to claim her since Ifrit didn't, it took Dew a HOT minute to be able to calm down agree. Aether loves her so fucking much bro... He's a girl dad, loves wearing those silly glasses while she's in his chest harness with an identical pair, dressing her up only in the cutest dresses and onesies!

She has this weird thing for teething on her parent's guitar tuning pegs, and has even done it to Rain and Swiss' sjjejd. Also keeps trying to eat Copia's rats. There is no stopping where her teeth go. It has tormented so many tails, fingers, and shoes.

Dewdrop has extreme separation anxiety when it comes to leaving for tour and leaving Calida with Aether for the first time. He's having breakdowns just left and right, asking Copia if he can please just bring his daughter. She was born while he was on tour, he doesn't seem the issue now! He's eventually calmed down and reassured by Aether to just trust him, stay focused on tour, and simply coming back home.

Every morning, before and after shows, and before bed Aether will video call Dewy so he can show Calida. She's just grabbing the phone and pointing. "Mana." Then back to Aether "Daba." (Mama Banana, Daddy Banana)

"Yep! That's Mana!"

Dew loves seeing their daily adventures while he's gone, it helps ease him and his worry. He'll get random pictures through the day of Calida and Aether always doing something silly, her napping, chewing their guitars, or just absolutely covered in lunch/dinner. Sometimes he'll send pictures of her with Sunny, Special, Cowbell, and once even with Mist with the caption; "Auntle Mist to the rescue when someone got fussy."

While Dewdrop is out with the pack and shopping, he always ALWAYS gets Calida something. Usually a new outfit or toy, but sometimes a decoration for her room, a new teether, just anything he thinks she'll like. It's gotten to the point he's had to put some of his stuff in the overhead compartments in the bus they use for a pantry. It's not uncommon to grab a snack and a baby shoe falls out. It happens!

But Copia? That man is worse than Dew and Aether COMBINED. Pop-Pop Copia constantly has gift bags for her, deliveries from online shopping, always taking the chance to hold her- sometimes even during mass if she's being a bit too loud, Papa will just scoop her up and continue the sermon. One time he even let her wear his mitre after mass!

When Papa Terzo was still around and Dew was so secluded with her, Terzo was the only one Dew even let come near her. Just shakily showing off his newborn kit, Terzo just awing over her little fangs and beanies. He constantly prayed over her, letting Dew lay against his side while they both held Calida. He wishes Terzo got to meet her more, but cherishes the bit they did.

And when Dew gets home? That ghoul cannot stop crying even if it was life or death. Just holding Calida so tight while Aether hugs them both. Just scenting all over her (even tho she always smells like Dew), kissing her chubby cheeks and letting her claws touch his cheek.

I keep joking that when her element first made itself known, she had accidentally gotten into Dew's spicy curry and sneezed fire (yes in Dew's bowl) and the entire table just stared before Aether; "She didn't get that from me." And Dew gives him the HARDEST glare like "you know damn well-" snkekd

Calida looks exactly like Dew (a bit more before his transition)! Black hair, his roman nose, and when she smiles her nose scrunches and the right side of her lip will curl up - just like Dew's!

They're honestly a really, really happy family. Sometimes Aether will nuzzle up behind Dew after she's gone to bed, his hands on Dew's waist.

"What do you think about giving Calida a sibling?"

[misscrazyfangirl321]

Platonic Helen + Will Flower Shop AU? (And Happy New Year to you!)

Her brow lifts just slightly when he walks in (in years to come he will grow to recognize that as her version of shock, but for now, it is only a ghost of a look, there and gone in a heartbeat). "How can I help you?"

His heart is heavy, twisted up like it always is this time of year, and grief fogs his thoughts. "Yes, I'm looking for a few-" There's a movement he sees from the corner of his eye, and he instinctively turns toward it, only to see nothing but rows and rows of plants. "... Roses."

"Roses. Yes. Of course." He's not quite sure what to make of her tone. "One moment, please."

He nods, then scans the room absently, an unsettled feeling creeping up his spine. Something is not right. He can't quite put his finger on it, but it's a feeling he cannot shake.

These flowers... He's never seen anything like them. Granted, he's not exactly a flower expert, but there's nothing in this sea of color that's even remotely familiar. Some of them seem to sway, as if there's wind, but they're inside and even the A/C doesn't seem to be running. And a few of them are pointed toward him, almost like-

He shakes his head firmly, trying to shake the thoughts away at the same time. He's letting his mind run away with him; he always has, hasn't he? He just needs to get a few roses for his mother's grave, and-

"Achoo!"

...

He stops. Takes a deep breath. Blinks a few times, just to make sure he didn't imagine that, but nope, that flower definitely just sneezed.

It's still now, but he knows what he saw. He does.

... Doesn't he?

Feeling more than a little silly, he clears his throat. "Um. Bless you?"

The petals flutter. "Thank you!" It's a soft voice, almost melodic, and decidedly not human. Then, it gasps. "I'm sorry, I'm not supposed to talk to strangers. Hopefully I didn't scare you!"

Scared doesn't begin to cover it, and he's not altogether sure he hasn't completely lost his mind, but still, he manages a weak, "No, no, you're-you're fine. I just, uh-I just-what are you?"

"She's called Susan." A voice from behind him cuts in dryly. The shopkeeper, he notes absently, though she seems much calmer now, almost amused. "How you found us, I've no idea, but welcome to the Sanctuary."

[blueandbetaraptors]

Can you do a fanfic of Mayor Goodway getting really sick and Mayor Humdinger takes care of her with help from Gustavo Goodway.

Definitely! I hope this is what you wanted! I tried really hard!

It was a warm autumn in Adventur Bay!

The paw patrol were enjoing the warm weather as they start to prep for the cold season, but however, not everyone was super thrilled about the cooler weather.

“Ugh chickaletta, I can't remember the last time I felt so sick.” Mayor Goodway told her pet chicken as she rubbed her nose on a tissue. “Backok” chickaletta responded. “But I have too much to do today, I cannot rest.” she then told her chicken as she weakly walked to the doors of town hall. Then she hears a familiar sound and when she turns around it was just who she figured it would be, Mayor Humdinger and his kitten catastrophe crew.

“Mayor Goodway I have a challenge for you.” He announces as he gets off his kitty carrier and his six kitties jump out to stand by him

.“What is is ‘achoo’ now Mayor Humdinger ?” she asks with a sniffle

“My, don't you look well.” the other Mayor responds.

“Why I am perfectly fine thank you.” she says as she tries to stand tall only to swallow back the rising nausea.

“Are you sure your ok Mayor goodway?” a sudden flash of concern flashes through Humdingers face.

“I..im.” Goodway starts to respond but starts to sway

“I'm feeling a bit faint at the moment.” she admits. Humdinger immediately hurries over and helps her sit.

“I think you have a fever.”

“Phooy, I am find just a bit hungry, that's all, hurry along with mommy chickaletta, we have work to do.” but then as she tries to stand she only finds herself sitting back down.

“Ok well maybe I'm a little sick but still I have Mayor stuff to do.” she tries.

Then Gustavo walks over to the pair.

“Sister! Whats happened?” he hurries over.

“Oh I didn't know you were here, Mayor Humdinger meet my brother, gustavo Goodway.”

“Its a pleasure.” Gustavo says as he goes to shake Humdinger hand.

“Of course it is, its always a pleasure to meet me! I'm the best Mayor in foggy bottom! And hopefully soon Adventure bay.” Humdinger scoffs with pride.

“Humph.” Mayor Goodway expresses her displeasure only to start coughing hard.

“Oh dear you don't sound so good I think we should get you back to bed.” Gustavo says as he walks to his sister.

“But I need to dedicate the new adventure bay dolphin tours, I need to get more corn for my chickaletta, I told Ryder I’d stop by with pup treats and and ‘achoo’” she sneezed.

“Bless you but you need to rest I can run your errands.” Gustavo says as he helps his sister stand up.”

“yes! You need to rest come kitties let’s assist mayor goodway.” Humdinger says, the concern started to be more pronounced. The kittens meow and rub against goodways legs.

“Fine but I expect no trouble from you or your kittens mayor Humdinger.” She gives in, her body shaking with fever.

With the help of Gustavo and humdinger, and his kittens they manage to help her back to bed. Humdinger stays outside the door to give privacy to goodway while she gets into bed. Gustavo pokes his head out

“Humdinger grab a bucket from under the sink please.”

“A bucket? Why… oh, right away, kitties! Go get a bucket for mayor goodway, I’m gonna call the Paw patrol.”

Humdinger hits Ryders contact.

-at the lookout-

The pups are playing a game when Ryders PupPad goes off

“Hi Mayor Humdinger, is everything ok?”

“Oh good Ryder seems mayor Goodway is sick. Not sure what’s wrong but they want a bucket. Guess you might wanna come check her out?” Humdinger says, not really sure how to explain the situation.

“We’re on it! No mayor is too sick! No pup is to small!” Ryder slides the pup pad and calls all pups

“Paw patrol! To the lookout!”

“Ryder needs us!” Pups call and bark happily on the way into the lookout. Of course Marshall manages to slip on a ball.

“Guess I really landed that one.”

The pups laugh and they go and change into there gear.

“Paw patrol ready for action Ryder sir!” Chase says.

“Thanks for hurrying pups! Mayor humdinger called and told me that mayor goodway is really sick and asked us to go make sure she’s ok. Marshall I need you and your EMT gear to see what she might have and how she can treat it. Rocky go to Mr.Porter and get some chicken noodle soup, it’s easy for the stomach if she’s sick to her stomach, Chase go to Katy and see if she has any kind of medicine. Sky fly to farmer Al and get fresh fruit and vegetables and pick up corn for chickaletta.”

Each pup barks out a response.

“Alright paw patrol is on a roll!”

With each pup in their vehicles they race off to their job, Ryder and Marshall head to see Goodway.

Once they arrive Marshall tells mayors Goodway.

“Ok open up!” And he puts a thermometer in her mouth.

“Gustavo, what symptoms does mayor Goodway have?” Ryder asks.

“Fever, chills, extreme nausea, some vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, muscle aches.” He lists.

“She’s got a fever Ryder, a pretty bad one at that, 102.” Marshall speaks out. “Mayor Goodway has a really bad case of the flu, maybe a touch of bronchitis, she needs lots of rest, lots of fluids. If she can’t keep them down try the BRAT diet, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. Those are easy to digest on a sour stomach. Try to keep her hydrated even if it just comes right back up. If her fever gets to 104 or she is throwing up for 8 hours or you see blood, get her to a hospital immediately, otherwise lots of rest and fluids.” Marshall tells everyone.

“Oh and a cool washcloth on her head to help bring the fever down.” He adds.

“I’ve got Skye getting fruits and veggies and corn for you, and Rocky is getting chicken noodle soup from Mr. Porter. Chase is getting meds from Katy.” Ryder tells them.

“Oh thank you Ryder and the paw patrol, you are always so helpful!” Mayor Goodway says, her voice weak and sounding raw from the nausea. Her skin pale and flushed with fever.

“No problem! Try to rest and if you need anything else just Yelp for help!” Ryder says.

Once the pups deliver the much needed supplies Ryder and the pups take their leave.

Gustavo helps her take some medication for the fever and nausea while humdinger heats up some soup.

Humdinger sits on the edge of the bed and helps her have some of the soup while Gustavo runs the last of his sisters errands.

“I didnt know that you knew how to care for a sick person let alone even be kind.” Goodway says as she lays back against the pillows.

“Well; just cause I’m the best doesn’t mean I can’t be kind.” He responds.

“Thank you i appreciate your help.” She responds then launches into a coughing fit.

“Try to relax.” He soothes and rubs his hand gently along her back.

He stays with her when the soup makes a reappearance and helps clean her face off.

“Gosh I’ve never felt this sick in ages.” She responds as she lays back on the bed exhausted from the last bought of sickness.”

Humdinger just nods not sure what to say. He goes and dumps the trashcan contents into the toilet and rinses the bucket. He returns and puts it down then holds a water cup and helps her take a sip.

“Thanks.”

He nods and puts the back of his hand onto her forehead trying to gauge the fever.

“Got a thermometer?” He asks then his little black and white kitty meows and a thermometer pops out of her little kitty-pak.

“Thank you kitty.” He takes it and puts it into Goodways mouth.

“It’s lowering, it’s 101.4.” He responds. “Try to eat a few bites of toast then you really should try to sleep. You need to rest.” Humdinger then holds a piece of plain dry toast and she manages three bites before she pushes it back to him then lays down. After he push the plate down he notices Goodway starting to fall asleep so he calls his kitties out and he slowly closes the door. Then Gustavo returns.

“She’s asleep. Her fever is 101.4. She’s puked a few times but got her to eat a few bites of toast.” Humdinger updates him.

“Thank you for caring for her while I finished her errands. I will resume caretaker if you need to leave.” Gustavo replies, gratitude written on his face.

“I’ll stick in adventure bay till she’s on the mend. And with that humdinger and his kitties leave.

Luckily for Gustavo, Goodway started mending the next day. Four days later she can finally mostly healthy minus a lingering cough.

A week later mayor Goodway gets a call,

“Thanks to you I find myself sick! Sick! Humph this is what I get for trying to be nice! Kitties go get me soup!” Humdinger tells Mayor Goodway.

“Oh I’m dreadfully sorry Mayor Humdinger.” She responds, “ let me pick you up some soup and meds and I’ll deliver them as soon as I’m done with delivering the paw patrol their treats.”

“Bought time, I’m miserable!” He whines then right as Goodway hears a gag the call drops. She shakes her head and prepares to return the favor to humdinger, after all didn’t that what your supposed to do for someone who helps you?

[edenityy]

( chapter twenty-eight ! )

"You know where we are going, yes?"

Inside the ducts are cold and cramped, every little sound made echos against the walls. It's dark and hard to see—an inefficient way of travel.

Leah, squished as she thought she would be, follows closely behind Ciel. The trip hasn't been particularly long, but tight spaces were never her favorite, and knowing that water is slowly flooding the ship has her on edge. It could sweep in and drown them at any moment.

"Of course I do," Ciel grumbles in response and suddenly comes to a stop. "See, the duct ends here."

He pushes against it, but it doesn't budge. Ciel gives a huff before trying again. Yet, it still doesn't move.

"Damn! I can't get it open.." he complains.

"Push harder," Leah says humorously, becoming impatient with the wait.

If the vent wasn't already struggling to fit them, Ciel would whip his head around. "I'm pushing as hard as I can!" his voice comes out sharper than intended.

With one final shove, the duct opens below him. This isn't in Ciel's favor, as he drops with it.

"Woah!"

"Ah!" a scream escapes Leah. She doesn't expect the sudden yell from Ciel and she crawls as quick as she can to peer down. "Are you alright?!"

Below her stands the infamous butler in black who has come to save the day. The sight of Ciel in Sebastian's arms calms her, knowing that he's been spared the rough fall. Her betrothed isn't as happy though.

"Sebastian!" he squirms around in his hold.

Wearing his signature smirk, Sebastian places Ciel down with ease before reaching his arms up to grab Leah. "Please excuse my tardiness. Are you two injured?"

Leah reluctantly allows Sebastian to grab her and help her onto the floor. "Some years may have been taken off of my lifespan, but otherwise I am fine."

She still isn't comfortable around the butler, her suspicion constantly on the rise, but she can't find it in herself to fight right now. There are worse things to be worrying about.

"What about my aunt and the others?" asks Ciel.

"They are unharmed. I tried to guide them to a safer place, but they said they wanted to rescue the other passengers.." Sebastian gives a weak smile when he recalls the night's previous events.

Brushing off her chemise, Leah looks up at Sebastian expectantly. "Have you locked my parents in a room like I asked?"

An awkward chuckle sounds from Sebastian. "I'm afraid I cannot do that," he says with a shake of his head.

Just as Leah opens her mouth to complain, she is stopped by Ciel releasing a loud sneeze, prompting both her and Sebastian to turn their heads. Paired with his cough from earlier, Leah has an underlying sense of worry. 'Is he falling ill..?' she wonders.

Sebastian pulls his tailcoat off. "Young Master, please wear this," he holds it out towards the boy.

"I'm fine," Ciel gives one last cough and lets his hand slip back to his side. "I'd just get caught up in the tails."

"But if your body remains cold, your cough will—"Sebastian is quickly interrupted by his master.

A glare sits on Ciel's face as he whispers rather loudly. "Don't mention that now!"

Standing behind them, Leah tilts her head in confusion. She doesn't like how the pair are trying to be inconspicuous, especially doing it so poorly.

Leah takes a small step closer and her brows furrow, trying to rack her brain to figure out what they can be hiding this time. It takes her a long moment to travel through the various memories she holds, but she finally lands on one in particular from a time she would rather not remember.

"Is it your asthma?" she asks quietly.

Ciel's head turns slowly, his eyes wide and uncomfortable. "How do you know about that..?"

"The circus," Leah fiddles with the gloves covering her hand. "You became ill, remember? The doctor said asthma was the reason."

"I—" Ciel starts.

Without waiting for another word, Leah begins to pull his blazer off. "Don't hurt yourself on my accord.. Here," she holds it out for him to take.

A beat passes while Ciel stares at the article of clothing and a mixture of thoughts goes through his head. One trumps over all though, which is to be a gentleman and not accept it.

"Keep it," Ciel gently pushes it back towards her with a shake of his head.

Leah makes an irritated noise and in an act of stubbornness, she pushes the blazer in his direction once more. "Take it. I don't want you to die, I will be fine without it. Besides, I would miss you if you were to die," there's a faint pause as a genuine smile makes its way onto her face, "at least for a while."

His face flushes at the sudden joke and Ciel shifts his weight to another leg. He still doesn't accept the blazer, but he is both caught up in the signs of her irritation and the smile on her lips. When was the last time he saw one? One that wasn't forced. He finds it hard to remember.

Ciel clears his throat and diverts his eyes. "I would miss you if you died too. I would be devastated, really," his voice is quiet and vulnerable, prompting a glance from Sebastian who has been standing behind them this entire time.

"Devastated?" Leah almost looks taken aback and the blazer in her hands hesitantly lower in her caught off guard stare. "That sounds unnatural coming from you. Dramatic, even."

"You wouldn't tear a man's heart from his chest and tell him it's unnatural to miss it, would you?" the question is direct and serious according to the look on Ciel's face as he now looks her in the eye. It seems to have hardened in a matter of seconds.

Lips parting in shock, Leah stammers for a long moment. She struggles to meet Ciel's gaze and nearly drops the blazer amidst her internal turmoil. Ultimately, she accepts that she is currently at a loss for words, but that doesn't do anything to stop the blush that is rapidly spreading across her cheeks—giving her pale skin a look similar to a lobster.

She almost manages a response before a sudden loud sound causes her to flinch.

Directly above the trio, a hole is cut out of the ceiling. It is shaped oddly perfectly and is accompanied by a particular noise unfamiliar to Leah's ears. There is no chance to ponder on this as Sebastian swiftly moves the teens out of the way, preventing anyone from being crushed by the sudden entrance of two individuals.

Standing before them is Grell Sutcliff and Ronald Knox, drawing a look of annoyance from Ciel and Sebastian, but one of confusion from Leah. 'They look familiar..’ Her eyes drift from Ronald to Grell. 'That one does, at least.'

"Found you~" A wicked smile works its way onto Grell's face.

Ciel scowls. "Grell Sutcliff!"

"Yes!" she sings, ignoring the boy. "Long time no see, Sebastian! It must be fate for us to meet again here."

There is no trace of impression on Sebastian's face. "It's just a coincidence."

The greeting quickly spirals into Grell squealing over the butler's behavior which diverts to an exchange of annoyance with Ronald. Leah and Ciel share a look, not exactly happy with the way events are unfolding.

Sebastian takes the chance of Grell being distracted to usher the teens to turn around and run, shortly following them. Unfortunately for them, they don't make it very far before she notices with an aggravated yell.

"Wait up there.." Grell catches up in a matter of seconds with her chainsaw in the air, striking the ground, "will you!"

'What is that?!' Leah's head hurts from the rev of the chainsaw and she is filled with fear at the sight of something so foreign to her. Paired with her fear, she feels a creeping irritation at the lack of a quiet moment to think when she is hoisted into the air by Sebastian alongside Ciel.

Leah begins to tune out the conversation between Sebastian and Grell, her blue eyes looking blank as she stares aimlessly ahead of her. She makes no move to complain about the butler as he carries her and her fiancé around evading attacks. Zoning out only works for so long though and she is eventually pulled back to reality.

"Well then, let's have a death match that's even hotter than a love romance!" exclaims Grell, and she stops for a brief moment to pose.

Face contorting in fear and annoyance once more, Leah moves away without a second thought as Sebastian sets her down. "Who is he?!" she yells.

"He is just a pervert. I'm afraid it might be contagious, so please step back and stay away from him!" Sebastian's face is entirely serious despite his words and he readys himself into a fighting stance.

"That's rude!" Grell complains and begins to run in Sebastian's direction. "I'm just being honest about my feelings!"

Leah and Ciel waste no time to move away from the action, watching the reaper and butler go back and forth as they dodge each other's attacks. The Barrett finds some of their moves a bit too good to be pulled off by the average human, but she doesn't ponder it as her fiancé brings her close to shield her from any potential damage.

However, the only damage that comes is a loud screech as Grell's chainsaw connects with one of the windows of the room. Just outside, water has nearly submerged it and when it is sliced open, rough waters start to flood the room.

"No!"

Everyone in the room is caught off guard by the splashes against them. It isn't the average splash of water, but rather strong and violent as it pushes people and items around. Ciel and Leah, having been holding onto each other, are separated by a stream that throws both of them apart and into a wall.

Water already covers the floor and the betrothed teens find themselves lying in it with an ache in their bodies. Leah in particular lays face first, her face half submerged and her clothes now more wet than they were moments ago. Behind her, a horde of corpses approaches.

"Leah!"

Some feet away from her, Ciel shouts and splashes in the water as he tries to make his way towards her, but quickly realizes his ankle is hurt. His heart races and he looks back and forth between his ankle and Leah still lying on the ground.

"Leah, get up!" his voice is full of urgency. "Leah!"

Her body twitches and shakes as she pushes herself up, coughing out some water. Leah's eyes slowly blink and stares down at the water below her. She almost remains entirely oblivious to the corpses behind her until she hears their noises more clearly the closer they get.

Hesitantly turning her head over her shoulder, Leah's eyes are met with numerous corpses reaching out for her with their open mouths and rotting bodies.

"Ah!" a shriek sounds from her as she sits up fully, trying to crawl backward. "Aaah!"

Ciel shoots some of the corpses from his spot on the ground, trying to defend Leah but his number of bullets is no match for their numbers. "Shit!"

Preoccupied by Ronald, Sebastian's face contorts in worry realizing that helping either of them will be hard. While Grell has subdued, for the moment, Ronald is now set on attacking the butler with his lawnmower.

Corpses are now closing in on Leah, their grimy hands reaching out for her in all directions. Tears run down her cheeks for potentially the first time ever at the prospect of dying. There is a noticeable shake in her shoulders as she catches Ciel's gaze and she makes no attempt at a last smile.

"W.. Whatever else I may be, I am not defenseless," Leah's voice is hardly audible before transforming into a loud boom.

In a flash, she rips a sword off of the wall beside her. It feels familiar in her hand, cool and lightweight as she doesn't think twice before falling into a ready stance. Shoulders squared, chin lifted, and blade angled with precision, she looks every bit the lady she has been trained to be. 'All those lessons will finally be put to use.'

"You'll not touch him while I draw breath!"

The groans of the reanimated corpses grow louder, a chorus of death echoing through the claustrophobic hall. Leah's shout rings out into the air that is thick with the stench of decay and seawater, every surface is slick and treacherous beneath her heels.

Behind her, Ciel struggles to stand with widened eyes. "Wha.."

Leah's hand trembles as she grips the hilt of the sword. She swallows hard, her dull blue eyes flickering between the advancing corpses and Ciel, who aims his empty pistol with a shaky hand. Inside she can feel a flicker of a familiar emotion driving her to keep going.

The first corpse lunges, its skeletal fingers clawing for her throat. Leah sidesteps, swinging the sword in a wide arc. The blade slices through its neck, sending the head tumbling to the ground. Hot blood—if it could still be called that—spatters her face, but she pays it no mind.

Her movements are precise at first, almost graceful, as she parries and strikes with calculated efficiency. One might imagine that she is dancing and that this nightmare has followed her into the ballroom. But as the horde closes in, her composure begins to fray. A corpse grabs her arm and she slams the pommel of the sword into its jaw with a snarl.

As Leah's strikes grow wilder, fueled by desperation, the more her elegance fractures. She drives the blade through the chest of one corpse and kicks it off with a grunt, sending it sprawling into two more.

Leah's blade flashes again, its tip cutting a precise line through another advancing corpse. She turns on her heel, her skirt swishing as she pivots for another strike. For a moment, it feels like a performance—one she has full command over.

But the undead don't slow. Another claws at her sleeve, and she barely wrenches herself free in time. Her breath hitches as she realizes how close it has come.

The next swing isn't elegant. It is desperate. The sword slams into a shoulder instead of a neck and Leah has to yank it free with a sharp tug. Her footing slips, her balance wavering, but she refuses to fall.

"Damn it!" she hisses, her polished demeanor cracking like glass. Another corpse lunges and this time she doesn't aim--she just swings, the blade crashing down like a hammer.

Her measured thrusts give way to frenzied swings, each one fueled by an almost animalistic fury. Brown hair clings to her water-drenched face, her breaths ragged and shallow. The hilt of the sword digs into her palms, but she doesn't stop.

Can not stop.

Nearly all elegance is gone. Leah's movements are sharp, wild, and unforgiving. The sword cleaves through flesh and bone with a sickening crunch. Her hands, previously so steady, now shake with the force of each blow.

A corpse grabbed at her waist, and she turned on it with a grunt, driving the blade through its chest and twisting until it fell. Leah's vision blurs, the edges of her world narrowing to a suffocating tunnel of blood, steel, and grotesque faces.

She feels the press of cold hands on her arm and wrenches free with a scream that doesn't sound like her own. Her movements turn jagged, erratic. Somewhere in her mind, a voice whispers to stop, to think, but it is drowned out by a deafening roar

—her heartbeat, her breathing, her fury.

And then, nothing.

The world seems to tilt, the ground falling away beneath her feet. Leah's body moves on its own, the sword rising and falling with brutal precision. She doesn't feel the spray of blood or the crack of bones. She doesn't hear the cries of the undead as she cuts them down. Everything blurs into a cacophony of shadows and motion, her consciousness retreating into a cold, dark void.

Yet, despite her fractured mind, she still focuses on Ciel.

A shriek tears from her throat as she brings the blade down on a corpse crawling toward Ciel, cleaving its skull with a sickening crunch. The ferocity in her eyes can rival any beast.

"This.. This isn't who I wanted to be.." Leah's voice, soft and vulnerable, can be heard.

It almost seems as though she doesn't hear herself. Mindlessly speaking the first things that come to mind.

"I'll not be remembered for my kindness and I am not the woman you deserve. And while you may not think much of me, for you, I will be enough."

She doesn't fully acknowledge Ciel sitting on the ground clenching his gun with white knuckles. Instead, she continues along her massacre, slicing through the never-ending stream of corpses.

Leah's head throbs and her gaze feels dead. Ciel's voice cuts through the noise, sharp and desperate. She can't make out with words, but his tone. Fear? Worry? Whatever it is, it is enough to steady her legs. Just barely.

'Move. Strike. Faster. My arms—ache. No time. Keep going. Keep standing. My legs feel weak...but I'm still standing. Why am I still standing? They fall, and I stand. Over and over. Over and-blood? Where did it come from? Mine? No. Theirs. It must be theirs. Has to be.'

Her eyes twitch as she pushes forward. She responds to nothing and her vision is going black.

'I hear him. He's saying something. To me? No—at me. My name? Leah? Yes, that's me. I am Leah. I am—strong. Am I? He needs me to be. Always him. Always for him. If I stop, he'll—no. No stopping. Never stop. Just...keep moving.'

Ciel, still on the floor, shouts out to Leah once more but it falls on deaf ears. In her mind, everything is eerily quiet and only her barely coherent thoughts can be heard.

'When did it get so quiet? When did it get so...wet? So much red. So much—Ciel? Ciel. Where is—there. He's there. Safe. Safe because of me. Because I—can't stop now. Not yet. Not until...'

Through the chaos, she catches a glimpse of Ciel—his face pale and his eyes wide with something between fear and disbelief. Leah wants to call out to him, but the next corpse surges forward, forcing her blade upward.

When the final corpse falls with a wet thud, its head severed by a desperate swing of her blade, Leah stands over it. Her chest heaves, her chemise torn near the hem and blood-soaked.

'It's done? Is it done? Can I...rest now? So tired. So tired. Just...a moment. Please, just...'

It takes a long moment, but when her vision clears, she is on her knees, the sword dangling from her bloodied hands. Bodies—more than she can count—lay in twisted heaps around her. Her chest heaves, each breath scraping painfully against her ribs. She blinks, trying to piece together what has happened, but her mind is a blank slate.

"Leah?" Ciel's voice is distant, muffled, as though he is calling to her from another room.

Turning toward him slowly, Leah's expression is vacant, her dull blue eyes wide and glassy.

"You're bleeding," she whispers, staring at a dark stain on his sleeve, though her own wounds far outnumber any he may have.

Ciel shakes his head. "It's not mine.."

A slow nod comes from Leah, but the semblance of calm is quickly replaced with her hardened features once more when she sees Grell in the corner of her eye. In a matter of seconds, she is up on her feet and charging, bringing the sword down directly towards the Reaper's head.

This only causes her to plummet into the floor though, as a gloved hand smashes Grell out of the way. But not to protect her. Standing beside Grell who is now discarded on the floor is none other than Thomas, scowling at the bundle of red before him.

Leah's eyes flicker. "Tho..mas?" she asks hesitantly.

Unresponsive to his name, Thomas continues to simply stare down at Grell in mild disgust. "Please stay away from the Lady, you unfortunate-looking ghoul. Should you cause any harm, I may have to rip your head clean off and serve it to the fish."

"Unfortunate-looking ghoul?! How rude!" shouts Grell, managing to pull herself off of the cold floor.

Thomas ignores this and pushes past to approach Leah, opting to leave any fighting to Sebastian. The sound of Ciel barking orders at his butler fades into the background.

"Are you injured, My Lady?" his face appears blank, but his voice betrays his worry.

Giving a shrug, Leah shudders from the cold, her anemia amplifying the effects of the freezing cold water. "I don't believe so.. When did you get here?"

Thomas' blue eyes shine against the light as he swiftly lifts Leah to her feet, spinning her around and moving her to check for potential injuries. To most people's surprise, the girl doesn't complain and allows it to happen, simply staring off at a distance wall.

"I was worried when only Elizabeth returned. I came to find you," Thomas gently brushes a loose strand of hair behind Leah's ear and wipes some of the blood from her face. "It seems Sebastian is useless as always. Leaving you to fend for yourself," he glares in the other demon's direction.

Leah doesn't respond, trying to replay the events of just moments ago in her mind. It all feels fragmented. The duo doesn't even notice Ronald and Grell's exit until the Reaper in red sings a loud goodbye.

"We should hurry as.. ugh," Ciel tries to lift himself from the floor, but his ankle shoots a pain up his leg.

Pulling herself out of Thomas' arms, Leah walks over to Ciel in worry. She watches as Sebastian examines his ankle, poking and prodding at the material of the shoe covering it.

"It's quite swollen," he says.

A pout forms on Leah's face and she doesn't hesitate as she kneels before her fiancé. "I'll carry you on my back," her voice is filled with an uncharacteristic certainty and confidence.

"What?!" Ciel yells in horror. "You will do no such thing!"

Leah's brows furrow in agitation. "Why not? You think me incapable?"

"It is unbecoming of a lady of your station," he counters, though his voice lacks its usual bite.

Staring at him for a long moment, Leah's expression is unreadable. Then, with a faint, bitter smile, she says, "A lady of my station, is it? Were it not for me, you'd likely be dead, station or not."

"And I thank you for that," Ciel coughs out.

Leah deadpans. "So you admit that you sat there like a helpless damsel and allowed me to be your savior. When we marry, shall I fend off the monsters under the bed for you as well?" her tone is blank, but internally she is laughing.

"I..." Ciel's face heats up to an uncomfortable red, exchanging a look with Sebastian who tries to hide a laugh behind his gloved palm. "W—We don't have time for this! Let's go upstairs already!" he shouts.

"Even the Young Master can't help himself in front of a lady, huh?" Sebastian says with a laugh.

Ciel looks mortified and turns his head away. "Shut up!" he bellows.

Rolling his eyes at the scene, Thomas picks up Leah without another word and quietly carries her away. Neither says much as they brush past Snake, but the Barrett is beginning to feel the hints of exhaustion as she leans her head on her butler's shoulder.

═╬

Outside on the first-class deck of the Campania, it is cold and dark. Hundreds of people line up and wait for rescue boats, making scared chatter that is far too loud for Leah's liking. She tries to focus on the stars in the night sky, a faint twinkle reflecting in her eyes.

"Out of the way! Women and children first! You dare call yourselves English gentleman?!"

The familiar voice draws Leah's attention and her eyes land on Edward in the distance with Elizabeth just beside him. Both girls notice each other at the same time and Elizabeth's face lights up. Leah allows herself to be put down and braces for the incoming impact.

"Leah!" Elizabeth yells as she runs in her direction, tightly wrapping her arms around the taller girl.

A smile finds itself on Leah's lips. "Lizzy.. You're safe," she whispers, resting her cheek on the mess of blonde hair.

"I am!" Elizabeth smiles in return, "Thanks to you!"

Leah glances away sheepishly as she looks amongst the crowd for any familiar faces, but she sees no one in particular. Neither of her parents, Daniel, nor Anna. Her smile slowly fades from her face. 'Are they alright..?' She feels the inner turmoil of worry, particularly for her brother and maid.

Caught up in her thoughts, she doesn't even notice Ciel approaching with Sebastian and Snake.

"I'm sorry, I've been completely useless," he says.

Walking over, Edward gives a look of dismissal. "I'll say. Hurry up into the boats."

"Edward, I have a favor to ask," Ciel points towards Snake. "Instead of me, let him on. I can't get on the boat just yet."

Leah and Elizabeth gasp at his words, their eyes wide with distraught. 'What is he talking about?!'

Accepting this proposal, Edward merely nods and watches as Sebastian picks up Ciel without another word and begins to walk away. He doesn't seem bothered by any of this, strangely enough.

"I'll leave Leah and Snake in your hands!" Ciel says, looking over Sebastian's shoulder.

While Leah and Elizabeth watch him leave in silent fear, Edward decides he wants to say one last thing.

"You don't have to come back!" he calls out loudly. "I'll be fine to take care of your lady myself."

This earns a strange look from Leah and in the moment, she wants to giggle knowing Daniel would be attempting to rip the boy's head off for that statement. 'Daniel...'

Ciel smirks at the implication of Edward's sentence. "I'll be sure to make it back then!"

Just like that, Ciel and Sebastian have disappeared from their view.

Standing with a solemn expression, Leah fiddles with her hands and turns back towards the crowd of people around her. Once more, her eyes search for anyone in her family, but she comes up with nothing. Her jaw tightens and she glances back in the direction Ciel went. 'Well.. if they all might be dead...'

She gives Elizabeth one last sudden hug before taking off to follow Ciel, ignoring Elizabeth's shouts and pleads. Determination flows through her body as she swiftly dodges Thomas attempting to stop her. She wants to help.

"Wait— Where are you going?!"

[snzcaretaker]

𝕰𝖉𝖜𝖎𝖓'𝖘 𝕵𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖆𝖑

(Please excuse the random bit of blanket over his butt - covering that up for Tumblr's sake.)

Previous Fic | Below are Edwin’s journal entries between his encounter with Ambrose, and receiving his letter. He got sicker :( I also left some blanks instead of inventing names for minor characters and places - just seemed more convenient for now. CW: contagion

January 3rd - The New Year’s Ball was a disaster. If not for Ambrose, I hardly know what I would have done. He found me in a back room, already delirious and - But I can’t speak of it, even here…partly because of its disgusting nature, and partly because of the affection it brought out in me. Which is more mortifying? All I can say is how grateful I am to Ambrose. Things could have been much worse.

At any rate, I must be stronger. Will return to work tomorrow. I am wanted in L____, where there is a land sale to be arranged. I am quite well enough to go. Healthy exertion will put all these thoughts out of my mind. 

January 4th - Trip to L_____ brought nothing but misfortune. All the household there was sick with congestion, and Mr. ______, in addition to driving a terribly hard bargain, coughed every other word. But the real troubles began on the return journey. The left front wheel of the carriage sank into a concealed hollow under the snow. The sky was very bleak, and bitter cold seeped into the carriage interior until my nose ran in complaint. We were stuck in the snow for hours and did not reach home until after sundown. I’m afraid I cursed at everyone, and kicked the side of the carriage like a child in tantrum. My driver is a good man, but he will like me even less now than he already did. The devil take my temper…

But how could I help it, in the midst of panic and frustration? I was so close to being well again. Feel unusually tired now, but hopefully that will be mended by morning. I cannot afford to be ill again so soon.

January 5th - Awoke late, with a sore throat and a feeling of great dread. I did my best to overcome any weakness by persistent activity. I went for a short ride, and chopped wood until I came over faint. Nonetheless, I only found that the cold moved from my throat to my head and nose. Servants finally persuaded me to take supper lying down. They will talk. I refuse to call for Dr. _____, though. That will only confirm the gossip, and further damage my reputation. Half of E_____ County already thinks of me as fragile.

January 6th - Attempted to work from bed. At least correspondence can be attended to. However, I blotted the ink so many times due to ill-timed sneezes that I soon gave up the effort. Am now lying in bed alone. Everything is dull and I feel unconscionably sorry for myself. Fever has set in - I know myself well enough to say I will likely only worsen from here. Will sleep again. [Page has clearly been sneezed on.]

January 7th - Felt utterly pathetic and miserable all day. All I can think about are Ambrose’s arms around me. I physically ache with longing to be held. How can I return to my lonely existence after being shown such kindness? Such a happy memory…it torments me because it can never be repeated. He was a saint, but no one is saint enough to want to know me after I’ve spent a whole night sneezing myself silly into their hand, an absolute mess. And I said such needy, adoring things…I hope I am misremembering…what an embarrassment.

Must stop writing or I will go to pieces again. 

January 8th - Oh Ambrose, Ambrose, Ambrose. There is light in the world after all! How do these gifts fall into my lap? He feels as I do. That he could forgive me, even want me, after seeing me this way…I am overcome.

I wrote a few short lines to answer his request in the affirmative - everything else must be said in person. I’ll busy myself with making a guest room ready for him, and doing what I can about my appearance. Patient as he is, the last thing I want is to greet him with total dishevelment and a sneeze in the face. Though I might not have a choice. I feel so very weak even sitting up at my mirror, and my hair is not obeying me. Maybe I’ll just rest a little while longer…

[not-too-many-eyes]

ezra theodore for the character ask game!

Thank you Very Much :)

favorite thing about them

I love it every time Ezra is being an insensitive autistic boy white knighting too close to the sun, and when he shows his rigid beliefs and kinda conservative values lol. I love how he just- fucking calls Dessert Flannel Hysterical because "arcanists are more prone to hysteria and delusion"

And his stubbornness when Spathodea is understandably upset at him for making plans to "renovate" an IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL, CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL place for arcanists without asking her first. Like, it's so funny. He thinks he's being so reasonable and then you look and he's being stubborn about it in his room cause "he was just helping why didn't she understand :(" he needs to be beaten with hammers.

I also just like his justice sensitivity a lot. That one post that goes "justice sensitivity isn't an immediately a good thing" guy is out here scaling a mountain for a flower that'll be a symbol of hope because he read it in a book when he was younger cause he's depressed about the state of the world. Before turning around and saying that he "fits human stereotypes" because he doesn't understand humor. No Self Awareness. I love him.

least favorite thing about them

It's when they try to play up his "He's a sweet angel who just wants to help" without any of the spice that makes him fun to watch lol. I liked his character story because it's just full of Ezra being incredibly funny but I dislike how much it leaned into the idea he's a sweet angle who can do no wrong.

favorite line

Oh that's hard hm...tie between this

Because it's really funny to me that this implies Ezra thinks he's one of the most stereotypical human human to ever exist...while he's climbing a dangerous mountain on his own. Like he's out here being like "I'm the most stereotypical normal human" and then three scenes later he's taking experimental possibly deadly drugs to get a flower. Like. Boy- His greetings line is also really funny:

Please be careful. I'm collecting the spores on the mushroom canopy. Even the slightest breath will blow them all over the place … The last thing I want to see is mushrooms growing all over the neat suitcase. I mean, I love mushrooms, but … we have to keep it moderate.

Cause we know for a Fact he's not keeping it moderate. Spathodea Bond: Night:

Hey, hey! Wake up, Vertin, wake up! I was sleeping in my room and started to sneeze like crazy, and then I saw something pop into the window… It's mushrooms! From Ezra's room! They have filled up his room already and are still multiplying! We gotta do something, or the suitcase will become a mushroom garden!

This also implies that the mushrooms in Ezra's room are growing uncontrolled and unfettered. This kid's room is a biohazard. It's really funny to me.

brOTP

This would be Contamination OCD exposure therapy. My friend has to listen to me infodump about this every 2 weeks without stop. I'm hoping for more crumbs of them because I cannot get their dynamic out of my head. I keep on wanting to Draw Mesmer Jr-Ezra Mezmerizer with Ezra as Miku and Mesmer Jr as Teto. I think this says everything about how I perceive them.

OTP

nOTP

random headcanon

Technically him having autism is a hc so that I guess that- for a more fun elaboration on that. I think he's undiagonised and he's going to remain undiagionised until he starts to realize that most humans don't actually function like he does. Otherwise he's just going to "But I'm a perfectly normal human?" It.

unpopular opinion

...Does he have enough fans that unpopular opinions can form? Idk, I don't find the Medpoc-Ezra Dynamic too fun ig but that might be because I've been too focused on him and Mesmer lol.

song i associate with them

Hm...haven't been able to think of one (I have tried though) Maybe Heat Abnormal cause he seems like a Heat Abnormal kid but that doesn't feel quite right.

favorite picture of them

Without spoiling Patch 2.1 because my actual favorite is from there cause he looks so silly it's his Insight 2:

I just really like how he looks here.

[adoracora-elizabeth]

But Papa! Why? Chapter 13

Cora dragged herself to the kitchen. Her cold had only gotten worse overnight. But she had to make her shopping list and also have some breakfast. She wrote her list and send it to Robert.

For her breakfast, she settled for a simple buttered toast and a cup of tea with honey. Her throat felt like sandpaper, while her nose kept running. It was a good thing she did not need to go to work today, she was a real mess.

She had just poured herself a cup of tea when her phone rang. To her surprise, it was her mother. Cora looked at the clock, it was 10.00 o’clock. That meant it was 05.00 o’clock in New York. Why was her mother up this early?

“Mama?” Cora coughed the moment she spoke. It took her a minute before she could say more. “Is there something wrong?”

“According to your cough, something is wrong with you.” Her mother answered. “You sound like you are a heavy smoker.”

To Cora’s annoyance, she started sneezing. “I have a head cold that is all.” She sniffed.

“I am amazed that, it did not happen earlier, with the cold and wet weather in England.”

“Mama, why are you calling this early.” Cora croaked.

“Your father decided to stop the collaboration with ‘Crawley Advertisements’ we are booking you a flight home.”

Cora did not know how to react. “But I like working here in London.”

“You are coming home and that is final.”

“Can I please talk with Papa?” Cora noticed she was on the brink of tears.

“I will ask him to call you, but it will not change anything. Let me know when your cold is over so we can book your flight. In this state, you cannot fly.”

Cora said goodbye and stared at her phone. She did not want to leave London. She loved the city and she also really liked working for Mr. Patrick Crawley. Why could her mother not make this decision earlier, before she started to develop feelings for Robert?

That last thought scared her a little bit, she had indeed developed feelings for him. And it seemed he had too. Him bringing over the chicken broth and doing her groceries said enough. It was weird, he had treated her horribly, but from the moment she saw him, she found him attractive. And since he got hit by that guy in the pub she had fallen for him. She knew it was foolish, how could she like Robert? He had moved her desk to a different room, to not have to be in her presence. Then it dawned on her, he had not moved her because he did not want to see her. He was constantly down-talking her, to cover his feelings. Had he liked her longer than she liked him? She needed to talk to her father soon and she waited impatiently on his call.

+++

Robert was relieved when he received Cora’s shopping list. He had been anxious all morning. What if he misjudged the whole situation and Cora was only nice to him because she was sick and did not have the energy to tell him differently?

He felt his phone buzzing in his pocket when he took it out he saw it was Rosamund. He decided she could wait, he had finished his shopping and was ready to go to Cora.

He had added some bananas and crackers. They were not on the list, but he had read that they could help when somebody had a cold and was not feeling well. He also bought some chili peppers, he was going to cook her dinner and spicy food could help break up mucus and clear out sinus passages, he had read on the same page. It even could help with her cough.

When he arrived at Cora’s apartment building, his phone rang again. Annoyed he put it away, why did Rosamund need to bother him again? He said he was going to take the day off, he was not available for any questions.

He greeted the concierge, who looked at him suspiciously but did not try to stop him this time. The elevator took way too long he thought and it felt like ages before he reached Cora’s front door.

Like yesterday it took a while before the door was opened. He was greeted by an even bigger mess than yesterday.

“Oh my, Cora! Hurry up, back to your bed. You look terrible.” I will put the groceries away.”

Cora lowered the handkerchief that she had pressed against her nose and looked up to Robert. “I am sorry, I……” She started coughing.

Robert was unsure what to do, but he quickly closed the door and moved closer to pat her back. Her eyes were awfully red, her cold had gone bad real quick he thought.

When her coughing slowed down she suddenly wrapped her arms around him. It was like he was holding a hot coal in his arms. He felt her body jolt and he was not sure if it was from her coughing or that she had started to cry.

He held her until she pushed herself back and muttered an apology. “I smeared snot all over your clothes.” She tried to clean his jacket with her handkerchief. Robert put his hand gently on Cora’s to stop her movement.

“Come, let us sit down, and then you can tell me what is wrong.”

Cora looked at the grocery bags Robert had put down. “We should put these away.” She gestured to the bags.

Robert put his hands on Cora’s shoulders. “You are going to sit down, and I will put these away.”

“Thank you.” Cora walked towards the living room, She sneezed, the sound was very congested. Robert felt sorry for her.

+++

‘Robert, please call me. Mama is on a collision course and she says Cora is called back home. Her apartment is already for sale.’ Robert read Rosamund’s text with horror.

‘I am with Cora at the moment. Give me a moment to get this cleared up. Cora is not going anywhere if she does not want to. I will buy her apartment, can you make sure it will be mine right now? He texted back.

+++

“And did they give you a reason why you have to go back home?” Robert put another cup of tea in front of Cora. She had just told him what happened, before he arrived earlier.

“Papa says that Mama decided I have to come back. He does not mind if I decide to stay here, but I will not work for ‘Levinson and Son’ anymore. And Mama says that everything has failed and if I decide to stay here I will not be in Papa’s will anymore.”

“Did your father say that? Or only your mother?”

“I spoke with my father very briefly. Before you arrived. He says it would be alright if I decide to stay here. For now, he is willing to give me my monthly allowance. But Mama is against that too. Oh Robert, I do not know what to do. I cannot leave, not now.”

Robert was seated on the other side of the coffee table, but he got up and sat down next to Cora when he saw she started crying again. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. “Do not worry about that now. Let us focus on getting you well.

“But Papa is selling this apartment.” Cora turned away from Robert to blow her nose. She did not want to repeat the mess of earlier.

Robert moved his hand over her back in a circular motion. “Rosamund made sure the apartment will not be sold to anybody else than me. She texted me when I was making your tea.”

Cora looked at him in disbelief. “So you knew about this?”

Robert looked back in shock. “No, I did not. I promise you I was not aware of what was happening. Wait.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed Cora his text history with Rosamund. “I did not know about this, but I cannot let you go this soon. Not now I realise that I like you.” He handed Cora his clean handkerchief when she sneezed. “We will fix this, I am going to figure out why your mother is calling you back home and what my mother’s hand was in this. But now I am going to heat the chicken broth I left in your fridge, and for tonight I am going to make you dinner. I bought some things that can help with your stuffy nose.” He brushed with his finger over the bridge of Cora’s nose.

“I like you too.” Cora said quietly.

Robert put his hands on her face and kissed her forehead. “We can talk about this later. Go lay down please, you need your rest.”

[introverted-author]

Arla

Emily gets a service dog. JJ is allergic | Written for @prentiss-theorem bingo. Fulfills the prompt 'Maybe I'm allergic to them?'

Emily didn’t think that she had ever experienced this level of anxiety. As she sat in the small room with her wife JJ right beside her, she couldn’t stop the thoughts racing in her head.

Will they be a boy or a girl? Black lab or yellow lab? What colour will their eyes be? Will I like their name? Please let me like their name!

Things had gotten really bad for her after the Doyle case. She hadn’t been able to leave the house, let alone work. And when JJ had suggested a service dog, everything had fallen into place. Emily had been waiting for a service dog for her PTSD for two years. And in just a few short minutes, she would finally be meeting her new partner.

All of these thoughts and more sped through her brain and she was aware of how stupidly nervous she was and the fact that she would probably be crying as soon as she saw them. JJ was gently running her thumb along Emily’s knuckles, doing her best to soothe her wife’s anxieties. It was times like these when Emily was so grateful to have JJ at her side.

After what felt like both a millenia and ten seconds, the door clicked open and in walked a trainer and the most beautiful golden Labrador that Emily had ever laid her eyes on. As soon as the trainer led the lab over, they were up on two paws, leaning on Emily’s lap as they butted their head into Emily’s chest.

“Her name is Arla,” the trainer said, looking on with a fond smile as Emily lost herself in golden fur and deep brown eyes.

“Hi Arla,” Emily beamed, high in the clouds as she doted on the materialisation of dreams that had taken far too long to come true. Emily didn’t know how long the two of them played, tears of elation trickling down Emily’s cheeks.

…

JJ didn’t seem to be able to stop sneezing.

They had been home for a few nights with Arla after an intense week of training. JJ had taken the next month off of work at the BAU to help Arla settle in. And everytime that Arla was on JJ’s lap, she broke out in a fit of sneezes.

“Your eyes are really red Jayje,” Emily commented with trepidation from the armchair opposing the couch. “Are you okay?”

JJ sniffled, wiped her watery eyes and said, “... I think I might be allergic to Arla.”

“Oh no. Jayje, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were allergic to dogs otherwise-”

“Em, relax,” JJ said, holding up her hands. “I didn’t know that I was allergic either. And it’s really not that bad-”

“You have snot dripping from your nose.”

Emily laughed as JJ panicked, frantically snatching a tissue from the box on the coffee table and blowing her nose.

“You never saw that!” JJ exclaimed as Emily laughed, enjoying her wife’s embarrassment.

“But seriously,” JJ started. “What should we do about Arla?”

“We could call Reid? He might have some ideas.”

“Whatever happened to Google?”

“You know Reid is more accurate than Google could ever be. Besides, if he doesn’t ramble at least once a day he’ll explode in a blast of neurodivergent glory.”

JJ shrugged and nodded, continuing to allow Arla to lie on her lap despite the increasingly apparent consequences. Emily took her phone from the coffee table and was quick to find Reid’s contact and press the call button.

“Hey Reid,” Emily smiled when the doctor picked up after only a few rings. “How’s it going? Got a case?”

“No, today’s a paperwork day,” Reid said, switching on the FaceTime feature and beaming as Emily appeared on his screen. Reid preferred FaceTimes as he found it easier to pick up on the other person’s emotions when he could see them. “I haven’t seen you in a week and three days! We’ve all missed you and JJ. How is Arla? I cannot wait to meet her!”

“Arla’s good,” Emily flipped the camera around to show Arla and JJ. JJ’s face brightened up and she waved before being interrupted by another sneeze.

“Is JJ okay?” Reid asked as Emily turned the camera back to herself. “It looks like she might have a cold or allergic rhinitis.”

“We think that JJ might be allergic to Arla. We thought we should ring you to get your verdict.”

“Emily, I’m not a medical doctor.”

“But you are better than every search engine combined.”

Reid laughed at that, nodding. “Well, I would recommend going to a doctor - a doctor who is qualified in the medical field, Emily. They can diagnose JJ and provide you with a treatment plan which will likely consist of taking antihistamines or even immunotherapy. But given that the symptoms that JJ is experiencing are relatively mild, antihistamines will probably be all that she requires.”

“Thanks Reid!” JJ called from the couch, groaning as she sneezed again.

“No problem. But for now you might want to separate yourself from Arla.”

JJ sighed in disappointment before Emily called the lab over to herself. JJ laughed as she watched Arla climb right up into her wife’s lap.

“We’ll see you in a few weeks Reid,” Emily said, knowing that Reid didn’t have long until he would get in trouble with Hotch for having a personal phone call - no matter who it was from.

“See you Emily.”

And with that Emily’s phone returned to her home screen. Emily was quick to open up Google and make an appointment with their GP for a few days' time.

…

The GP had referred JJ to an allergy clinic and it wasn’t until they were both back at work and Arla was settled into the team that the appointment occurred. A skin prick test confirmed that yes, JJ was allergic to dogs. However, the allergist was happy to inform the couple that JJ’s symptoms could be easily treated with some prescription medication that the allergist was quick to prescribe.

As soon as JJ began taking the medication, she found that her symptoms faded away and she could happily lavish love on Arla as much as she desired without a single sneeze. There had been a few hiccups along the way but now the Prentiss-Jareaus were an unstoppable team.