#if it weren't for the smell of meat they would probably stay in that position for a bit longer

[biscuitboba]

Not to be ill about zoro and luffy in wano again, but can we talk about zoro talking to luffy with his captain still positioned between his arms? Not even trying to put his captain down, but just lowkey adjusting his position (cuz he was out of breath)

He also let luffy sniff around his body like😭??

[passiveagressiveukulele]

Bye bye kabanosy, I miss you already

As we're fragile taping Janusz the slider into a bodybag again I have come to reflect on the past two weeks I got to spend with the most glorious team. After many tears shed, many pierogi stuffed with and many many hours of footage backed up on hard drives I'm can't not feel chuffed. I think we're in a really good position and that the material we're taking home is more than enough for a 10 minute film. Heck, we could make a feature out of this if we wanted to.

Easter is around the corner, and usually around this time I go back home to Croatia. We aren't a religious household by any stretch, but it's an excuse for the family to get together - a reason for me to visit, when with each passing year I'm struggling to find one as I'm certain I will stay in Scotland for the foreseeable future. This year I'm spending Easter in Screen Academy and I think I'd find it much harder if it weren't for this trip.

The moment I walked through Natalia's grandparents' door I knew the smell - Eastern European hospitality hits like nothing else. We mentioned we'd like to have some wine after dinner one night and every subsequent day, Janusz had a bottle of peach white wine ready for us. When we asked Ula how often she makes pierogi, she said "Oh, only for special occasions, like Christmas and Easter." She made them 4 times over the course of our stay in Poland and then made some more for us to take away. The girls and I spent every night either watching Polish Love Island or One day in black and white, because the old telly didn't like the HDMI connection and that was probably for the best, because it made the show 10 times more watchable. Sometimes we would just chill on the bed, giggling at Instagram reels and snack on kabanosy because I broke my vegetarianism after 6 years during this trip, and please don't let me parents see this because if they knew I ate meat in another Eastern European country I will never hear the end of it. Even after 2 weeks of not sleeping in my own bed, my social battery was going strong.

It felt like we were there for a split second, and at the same time, it felt like we've been there for years. By the end of the trip I realised I was going to have to settle back into my life in Edinburgh. Alas, all that is good must come to an end. I'm so grateful this is the project that will wrap up my uni career as it has always been more than just a film, for Natalia especially, but for the rest of us too. In 10 years time I'll look back on these pics and reminisce the good old uni days. Thank you Natalia for taking us on this journey with you!

[katerix]

(How old is New Vegas? And it’s still my fav part! I feel like I need more Raul content even after all these years🥺)

Drink with the living dead

Characters: Raul Tejada x Reader Summary:  Courier and her companion returned to New Vegas after a long wandering to get a drink and gamble, but faced serious inhospitality. Six was not ready to leave her friend behind, so they changed their plans. Warnings: - Words: 2781

***

It was almost half past midday, when a dusty dirty road to New Vegas welcomed the wanderers with just another sandstorm without any declaration of war. Courier’s mirror aviator sunglasses could hardly stand that gusts of winds, so she decided to hide it in the pocket of her jacket until the better times. Six and her ghoul-companion were on foot for nearly five hours, and now the hightower of «Lucky 38» looked huge in contradiction from its look an hour ago.

It was not their first visit to New Vegas, but every time she saw a glowing and sparkling casino’s signs, she was bringing up the idea of going there and wasting an evening gambling and drinking. Just like everyone does. The fact that she spent here some time, passing all the entertaining places by, met with Mr. House and performed several missions for NCR ambassador, but still never took a break to try some of those things, these poor fellows from all Mojave wasteland were arriving for - was a crime by its definition.

Coddling this thought, Courier continued to trudge the nasty weather, until they walked up to the Northern gates of Freeside.

- What’s the plan when we reach Strip, boss? - asked Raul, shaking his dull-green jumpsuit down: it all was full of pervasive grains of sand, as well as the girl’s clothes.

- At first I wanna visit the «Lucky 38» apartment and change the outfit, then go to the bar and win big in the kazino!

- Perfect plan, chief, ironclad like my revolver. - the ghoul was sarcastic as usual, but didn’t evince any sight of disagreement.

When she turned around to continue movement, he added: “Wait, amigo, there's a tuft of straw stuck under your collar.” - and carefully extracted an annoying piece of flora, stuck to during the storm.

“Gracias!” - Six smiled widely and made a fast gesture of gratitude with her hand. Without wasting time, they passed heavy metallic gates.

Freeside met companions with a funky, stinking smell. She still couldn't get used to it. Dusty air seemed to mar the cityscape: it looked much pale and lighter than from the outside. Just fifteen minutes and they’ll reach the destination. The picture couldn’t be called unusual for this time of the day in this part of town: one or two shabby hobos against the dingy walls, kids in wrecked clothes playing a tag-game in the area of the «Mick & Ralph's», random citizens with roving glances, sneaking around, wasting their time in an idle attempts to figure out how to spend their life in this Dump. On the other hand, there are many places where people live even worse: take a look at Westside, for instance.

«What a hopeless sight, - thought the girl. - Hope the Followers are really able to do something about this in the future».

- Something on your mind, boss? - it felt like nothing could hide from Raul’s inquisitive look.

- Just thinking. I find this picture quite dismal, like there’s no tomorrow, and humanity is still doomed. Like there’s no chance to restore life, as it was before.

- When we are on the road again, I’ll tell you about the Football Cup in Mexico, if you like to hear another one “before the Bomb” story. - he obviously picked up on her mood and decided to cheer up the girl, carefully diverting the theme.

- I do. Have you attended it?

- Sure thing. That was a big day. We drove to the capital to see it with our own eyes.

- Sounds pretty good! Let’s not ruin the intrigue.

- You asked.

They passed a small cross-road, which didn't have to be called like that anymore, as it was just one of the ghosts of the past with it’s burned skeletons of cars, left here motionless as evidence of human lost ambitions. The air in this part of the town was stale, despite the fact that they were in the streets, the smell of some broiling meat and spoiled vegetables was sticky like an ant's nectar. Sudden wild cryings and shouts were heard from the nearest dead end. 

One glance was enough to understand that the Kings had cornered swashers, their prey, who were too fucked up and all-fired sure of themselves to attack the town’s main showrunners just a couple of minutes ago. And the Courier was not going to do anything about that: she herself was nearly butchered by one of them, shown up from nowhere. If it was not her loyal companion who dealt with it with one precise shot, she, probably, would be dead by now.

It took more than ten minutes to cover the distance between the East and Strip gates - right now there was no reason to hurry. As they got closer, the protectrons took up their positions immediately. One of them articulated “Move along” with a familiar metallic cold of lifeless voice of his, when companions were passing by.

“Never liked these guys. They are like slow mines: you never know what they do the next second.” - grunted out the Courier, as two of them found themselves on the first line of the Strip between “Lucky 38” and “Gomorrah”.

“Hey, so who is an old one here?” - the ghoul chuckled in response.

She went ahead, so he could never see how her lips slightly bended in a ready-to-laugh smile.

***

Presidential luxe met nomads with a deep, wrapping silence of a broad, gloomy space. This was definitely not the place a person could wish to stay in: walls with, once being gorgeous - now - greasy dark-wine wallpapers were giving an oppressive feeling. Six was happy that they didn’t have to stay here for long. Only to sleep or change the outfit maybe.

She got near to the wardrobe in her room, where the majority of things, accumulated during the long travels, were stored. Took out two dresses, went to the guest-room with a billiards. Raul was civilly waiting for her there.

- What you think? Which one?

He raised up his head, looked from under the sunglasses for several seconds, examining, and answered in a casual tone:

- It’s really up to you, boss. - made a pause, then added, like a little confused: - But I like the pink one. Might look graceful.

- Great! Exactly the one I wanted to pick.

The ghoul just gave her a hesitant nod, wondering if she noticed that detail. Courier went back to her sleeping-room and returned after some minutes, informing: “Ready to go! The next stop is “Ultra-Luxe”, yee-haw!”

***

After a while they were in the street again. All they needed was just to reach the second line of the Strip and pass a hundred meters to the “Ultra-Luxe”. Lots of NCR soldiers were hanging around, goofing off, as long as they had a chance, and indulging in lust in the nearest private clubs. Nothing unexpectable. When they passed by a small group of drunk, barely balancing on their feet big guys, Six suddenly heard a hushed voice from behind her back, addressing his teammates. “Do they let ghouls on the Strip now? Perfect, let’s make it a spooky ghost-town.”

“Yeah. That’s why civilization will start floating away again. Our attempts are meaningless.”

Only just Courier wanted to turn around and shout out something to those sons of a b or event take out a gun and shoot beneath their feet, Raul caught her arm:

- Hey, hey, calm down, that’s okay. NCRs are many here, you know, even for a dashing rider like you, boss. Even with me backing you up. From behind the farthest stone.

- But we can’t simply swallow that shit, Raul!

He just spreaded his hands:

- Fine, then go shoot them and be killed by protectrones because of two drunk idiots. Very helpful, chief. I’ll stay all alone, without my beloved companion but with a protected pride. Thank’s.

Six stood still for some seconds and nodded after that.

- Fine. Whatever.

Then merely continued walking in the direction of the cazino. The ghoul hesitated for a bit. He understood that she was acting out of good intentions and she just wanted to protect her partner, as she was the one who had a right of speech here. And that made his heart melt and he was silently praising her for that, because nobody seemed to do anything like that for him in a while. But picking a fight with these dummies, who fill the streets of Strip like water fills the canyon, was not wise.

“Sorry for that, Niña. I really appreciate what you do. I just don’t want you to get in trouble because of me. You don’t notice, but there are often lots of sidelong looks and hardly heard whisperings along the way. I'm used to it and don’t want it to affect you.” - he tried to lighten things up.

The girl turned her head a bit just for him to see her glance softening.

- Let’s just reach the bar and relax.

*** 

An unexpected trouble struck them further - black line has not ended yet. Courier already picked her place at the bar desk in the distant hall and ordered a glass of whiskey, when a bartendress leaned over and said in a low tone:

“I’m sorry, but here, in “Ultra-Luxe”, we serve only the citizens and guests of the Strip. I’m able to bring a drink only for you, ma’m.”

That was the last drop of her patience. The girl slowly raised her head at the bartendress, ready to blow up, and responded:

- Are you fucking kidding me?

- That’s the rule. I don’t need problems. You can ask any guard or another worker.

She bowed her head and gave a fast hidden glance at her ghoul-companion. He was sitting there next to her and looking straight at his arms crossed on the desk, like he had nothing to do with it. But he, of course, heard every word. His eyes weren't moving, just a finger was slightly knocking the air, producing a rhythm he alone knew. Six couldn’t even imagine what her friend might feel at the moments like that. An anger came upon her.

“Are you all that scumbags here? Keep your drinks for acceptable ones. Ma’m.” - the girl said, getting up from her barstool and heading towards the exit.

Raul stood up without a word and, as he always did, followed Courier. He had mixed emotions. On the one hand he was glad they left that place and that Six is such a kind and loyal partner, but on the other hand he felt a little guilty for himself. After all, it was him who was the reason for such inhospitality in some kind of place. Even now she couldn’t get what she wished for so hard. Her idea of “winning big” in the kazino seemed to be falling apart, as together they won’t be even let to the gambling table. And she, obviously, won’t leave him in the street and have fun on her own, and an old ghoul didn’t want to be a ball and chain.

- Boss? Are you sure we need to leave? Maybe you’d better stay there? And I’d wait for you somewhere else or go back to “Lucky 38”. Fresh air won’t do any harm for my old lungs.

- What are you even talking about? You know, even the best drink worth nothing, if there’s no one to share it with.

- You have a heart of gold, chiff. - these words came fast, in an undertone, as if he was embarrassed, - Well, I saw a small sign in Freeside. I believe we’ve never been in that part of the city before.

- Hope it’s not an «Atomic Wrangler».

- Nope.

- Great! You lead. They passed the ruins, generously spread all over the suburbs, while every their step sounded louder thanks to trash, small pieces of brick and other rubbish. The sun was already going down and the heat was getting less intense.

Finally they reached a small inconspicuous wooden door. Only a little sign next to it represented that place as a bar.

As they entered, nothing changed. There was not much to be changed. There were no crowds of gamblers, no fancy casino machines and no shiny-polished bar desk. Bartender was a man in old ragged clothes, probably in his late fifties. He was slowly wiping cut glasses with a gray dusty piece of fabric full of holes.

When the companions stepped in the room he just looked up at them without raising up his head and got back to his plain, simple activity. There were not many customers besides the two of them. A woman was sleeping on the table in the far corner - her head rested on her arms while her shoulders were calmly going up and down. Another guest settled down at the edge of the bar desk.

“Fancy,” - giggled the girl.

“Ah, let’s get down. Ladies first.” - Raul just waved his hand.

Six made a few steps in the direction of the bar desk and sat down, Raul followed her.

“Barman! Two beers, please”. - she laid some bottle caps in front of him.

The barkeeper took them and then put two opened bottles onto the surface.

“Bon appetit.”

Courier took her bottle up and clinked it loudly with Rauls one. His soft non-blinking sight of half closed eyes was locked on hers, while he made a sip. His heart always went pop when it felt like there were just two of them in the world, though he never showed that.

Raul looked around and suddenly his eyes stopped on a guitar lurked behind the racks.

“Hey, can I…?”

The barman followed ghoul’s gaze and shrugged his shoulders: “This piece of wood? Be my guest.”

In the next second he was on his feet. The courier raised her eyebrows as she almost forgot if she saw him that agile. Raul approached the metal shelves, put aside some garbage and waste paper, then carefully extracted the instrument and blew away the dust.

Six and the bartender were watching him closely. The ghoul got back to his chair, sat down crossing his legs to position the guitar more comfortably. Then pulled the first string to check out the tuning. It was no surprise that it was out of tune, so the next minute Raul spent trying to fix the instrument.

When everything, as he thought, was ready, he played a couple of notes in fingerstyle to flex some life back into his fingers. After nearly 200 years the skill was obviously weakened.

“I didn’t know that you could play the guitar.” - said the girl.

“Sure you didn’t. I never told about that.” - he looked back at her with a little smirk, - “What was the point if there were no music instruments left anyway?”

He laid his right arm down on the body of the guitar, fingers on the cracked wooden surface, and took a deep breath.

At first Courier could hardly hear or see the slightest movement of ghoul's fingers on strings, but soon the sound became more clear. She was sitting there with a bottle in her hand, unable to look away from her companion.

The sound of slow mexican melody floated across the room, filling every corner of the room with itself. The windows were closed with wooden boards from the outside, so the sunlight was trickling down through narrow gaps between them. Warm light was leaving gold-yellow lines on the walls, tables and the bardesk where the Courier and Raul were sitting. She could even see the tiniest specks of dust freeze in the air. The ghouls face was half hidden by a shadow and the sunbeams were highlighting one of his eyes which now looked like a beautiful transparent crystal and his hands all covered with veins and partially with thin skin.

The whole space imbued with peace and calm, even the impenetrable bartender set his glass aside and leaned his head on the hand, listening to the sensual music.

They travelled together for a while now, but never before had Six seen him the way she did now. Something new was arising in her soul.

“Hey chief,” - Raul closed his eyes and slightly threw back his head grinning a little, fingers still dancing over the strings. - ”You’re the best friend and partner one could ever wish for, you know. Thank you for always being on my side.”

“Raul, I’ll never leave my partner in crime behind!” - she chuckled as she felt like something pinned her heart.

The ghoul continued playing the tune without opening his eyes. A grin turned into a soft smile and the feeling of joy span all over him for the first time in a while.

“I’m following you to the world’s end, boss.”

Also, here’s a link to this fanfic on my AO3 (gif is mine \ use credits if repost)

[imagines-choices]

Pasta - Bryce Lahela x MC

[ Bryce x MC (Kaylee) ]

Summary: you decide to help Bryce cook for him and his sister, him making a mess at some point

Author's note: this took place in the second book chapter 5 in Bryce's apartment, I just made a little bit of changes at the end

Warnings: slightly steamy

Word Count: 1,992

You eyed the bag of groceries right in front of you. "So what are you going to do with all those?"

"I dunno. Hope for the best? Unless... there's a chance you know how to cook?" Bryce replied, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

"Of course I do. I'm an adult."

"Ohmygod. Could you help me out?" Before you could even respond, he knelt down to the ground and looked up at you with those eyes of his.

"Please, Kaylee. I'd owe you the world's biggest favor." How could you say no to that? He could be really persuasive sometimes. Bryce and Keiki agreed on making your suggestion, pasta, and before you know it, you were already taking out some of the groceries and laying them out on the countertop. Bryce examines everything laid in front of him on the counter with a clueless expression.

"So what happens first?"

"Where's your pot?" Bryce walked towards one of his cabinets, and opened it, revealing the pans and pots stored in it, before taking one.

"First I need you to put a pot of water on to boil."

"Excellent. That is the one cooking thing I already know how to do." Bryce smiled as he enthusiastically filled the pot with water.

"Boiling water isn't cooking, Bryce. It's so basic it's not even a skill." Keiki suddenly commented from the living room, shaking her head. You watched as the two debated about their cooking skills for a couple of seconds and rolled your eyes, a smile on your face at their ridiculousness.

"Hey Keiki, if you wanna provide commentary you'll have to do it from over here. Preferably while helping." At that, Keiki threw the remote she was holding and strides over to the kitchen, looking at all the stuff you've done so far.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Why don't you keep an eye on the water and add the noodles once it boils? Bryce can use his surgical skills to chop the vegetables and I'll start browning the meat." I suggested, taking the noodles and placing it beside her.

"I can definitely chop stuff." Bryce added as he started washing the veggies. A moment of silence passed by as I looked at Keiki. Her and Bryce had the resemblance, and if I were to see them at first, I'd say they're siblings.

"So, Keiki what was it like growing up with this guy for a big brother?" I asked, propping my elbow on the counter as I leaned against the wall, right beside Bryce.

"I dunno. He skipped out when I was in elementary school." Bryce gave her a look, both defending and guilty.

"I didn't skip out, I went to college." He argued, pausing from cutting the vegetables.

"And never came back."

"I called."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"You guys must have been close at some point, if you've come all the way here to stay with him now." You barged in, trying to defuse some of the tension.

"...I guess he used to be pretty funny."

"Used to be?" Bryce looked at her in disbelief, feigning a look of hurt. You laughed and agreed with Keiki, which caused Bryce to turn his gaze of disbelief at you now. You turned your back on Bryce to hide the grin that was making its way into your face, taking the beef off the heat and replacing it with the veggies Bryce chopped up.

"Can you open the jar of pasta sauce?" You asked Bryce, not taking your eyes off your task. Bryce mumbled a simple 'sure' before grabbing the jar from the countertop. You heard grunts and looked beside you where Bryce was struggling to open the jar.

"You good?" Keiki asked, more amused than concerned at his failed efforts.

"Just– peachy–" He struggled for a few more seconds in a weird position, the jar faced slightly upwards, before the jar burst open when you weren't paying attention. Keiki casually stepped out of the way as the sauce flew all over the place, mostly on you and your hair.

"Bryce!" His eyes widened and he tried to stifle his laugh, failing miserably. That's it. You grabbed the remains of what was left in the jar and threw it at Bryce. And again, Keiki stepped out of the way, all too amused at the scene unfolding in front of her.

Bryce covered his eyes as the sauce dripped down from his head. He grabbed a good amount of the sauce and held you in place, rubbing it all over your arm before starting to run away.

"Oh no you don't." You grabbed him by his arm and tackled him down, pinning him on the ground. Keiki rolled her eyes and stepped into the room to give you two some privacy as you fought each other. The room was filled with you and Bryce's laughs, and of course, the pasta sauce.

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!" He frantically apologized as you were about to pour the rest of the sauce on his face. You put the jar down and the both of you laughed. Just then you were aware that you were straddling him, splotches of the sauce dripping down from your hair.

"You're staring." Bryce raised his eyebrows, a smirk on his face. You quickly snapped out of it and muttered a quick apology, but before you could climb off his lap, Bryce held your hips in place and leaned upwards, pressing his lips to yours in a soft kiss. You kissed him back, not caring about the mess the two of you made for a moment.

"You taste like sauce." You laughed once the two of you parted and stood up.

"We better clean this up." Bryce suggested as he took off his dirty shirt and washed his hands in the sink. He took some cleaning supplies and started mopping the floor. At least it was only the floor that's messy.

"You should probably shower. You can use mine and ask Keiki to take one of my shirts and lend you a towel." He went back to moping before pausing to look at you with a knowing look. "Or... we could save water and shower together."

"I doubt your sister would appreciate that."

"You bet I wouldn't. Here." Keiki appeared, handing your clothes. You were surprised at how quick the girl managed to find you a set of clothes. She led you to the bathroom, and you thanked her before completely enjoying yourself in the shower.

A few minutes later, you were out of the shower in Bryce's shirt and shorts, hair dripping wet.

"My turn." Bryce said as he walked into the bathroom, and you took notice of the clean kitchen he just finished cleaning. You finished up the pasta, despite it being cold, and silently thanked Bryce in your head for buying two jars of pasta sauce. You called Keiki who was sitting on the living room sofa, plating the food you just made, and setting it down on the table. With amazing timing, Bryce walked out of his room, hair still wet, and walked towards the dining table. You tried not to focus on his shirtless form, the lower part of his body merely covered with a towel and leaving the rest to your imagination.

"Ew quit the tension." You regained focus as Keiki snapped at the both of you, Bryce grinning from ear to ear as he slid a shirt on.

"You so did that on purpose." You gently nudged Bryce on the side as he sat beside you, and he gave you a cheeky grin.

"I don't know what you mean." He shrugged, the smile still evident on his face. He sniffed the smell of the meatballs laid out right in front of you and nonchalantly hummed to himself.

"Smells good." He said, before trying to take a piece of meatball from your plate. You slapped his hand away as it was just inches away from the meatball. Pouting, he dug into his own plate, you and Keiki following afterwards.

"This is delicious."

"It's pretty good."

"You're welcome." The three of you finished up the rest of your dinner and talked for about half an hour before Keiki yawned and stood up.

"Is there a bed I can crash on?" Bryce looked up at Keiki and pointed towards the door near us.

"Take mine. Just don't go snooping around in there." Quickly thanking you for dinner, Keiki heads to Bryce's room and you heard the door slam close before Bryce sighed beside you. He got up to put the dirty dishes in the sink before sitting on the couch. You saw his tired out face, dark circles under his eyes evident as you made your way towards him, frowning. For a moment he looked up at you before staring at the TV that was right in front of him, and patted the couch next to him. You took that as your signal to sit down and you couldn't help the worry that edged onto your face as you stared at his worned out state. He leaned back and rested his head against the back of the couch with a wince.

"Looks like I'm sleeping here tonight." Your frown slowly turned into a smile as something came into mind.

"Bryce... so what you're saying is that we're currently in bed together..." You trailed off and Bryce grins at you, the traces of his sadness gone in an instant.

"That's exactly right." His grin grew even wider, and before you could process what was happening, he was pouncing on you, capturing your lips in his own. You let out a giggle as he grabbed your side and tried pushing the both of you into a more comfortable spot. His tongue slowly parted your lips, granting him access as he pushed you back into the soft cushions.

"Mmm..." He let out a groan as your tongues met, gently stroking at your waist. You hastily tugged his shirt over his head, flinging it aside before feeling him all over.

"I've missed this view." You said in between kisses, your hand grabbing the back of his neck, pulling him closer to you.

"All you ever have to do is ask." You let out a moan as he kisses you harder, his body pressing urgently against you, and you whined when he parted the kiss. "Besides you just saw me shirtless."

"Shut up." You pulled him back to you and wrapped your legs around his torso, your lips pressing hard, but softly at the same time against his. The hardness in between his legs was very much prominent and pressing against you, showcasing his evident need for you. You slowly rocked your hips forward, earning a loud groan from Bryce as he raked his hands up the back of your -his- shirt.

The both of you were fighting for dominance, you pushing him back against the couch, when he slowly unclasped your bra. You quickly held his hand and parted from the kiss to stop him.

"We... we should stop." You were panting as he trailed kisses from your jaw to your neck to your collarbone, his hands running up and down your sides. "I don't think your kid sister would appreciate us making love in the living room while she's trying to sleep."

Bryce groaned and reluctantly pulled away from you, eyeing your face as you reached back to clasp your bra. "Or... we could just... you know, try to stay quiet."

"Bryce!" You smacked his arm before getting off him, the lack of heat and touch in his lap made him groan once more in annoyance. 

"You better fix that." You pointed and laughed at his current state, enjoying him covering his face with his hands as he walked towards the bathroom. You looked at the clock, and written on it was 11.30 p.m. Guess I'm staying here for the night.

[haibalevluvbot]

Team Mom

Ukai Keishin x Reader

Soft, no warnings!

This is my first time posting

on Tumblr so :)

———•———

first one shot for my fav coach aha

ahaha!! anyway this is entirely in

they/them other than the fact that

you're referred to as the 'mom', but

so is Suga so :)

———•———

Dating Keishin had its perks. You were absolutely adored, got into volleyball games for free, had thirteen adopted children, traveled to different schools, and was able to be a solid rock of support in the stands.

Oh, yeah, about the thirteen adopted children.

You and Keishin had officially taken over the Team Mom and Team Dad (thank you, Daichi and Suga for letting them take over) mantle once you started coming to practices more often. The volleyball team trusted you and loved you as their own and would protect you with their life.

It probably had to do with the snacks you always brought. This brings you to what you were doing now, texting Keishin in the middle of the supermarket for the team's favorite foods.

Kei🔐💞

Hinata ripped the net running into it.

Why is he like this? Where did we

go wrong :(

Y/N💀

you're the one that coached him!!

it's not my fault. I take no responsibility

Kei🔐💞

>:(

Kei🔐💞

where are you??

Y/N💀

supermarket! what should I get for

our boys?

Kei🔐💞

"our boys"

Kei🔐💞

any kind of meat and I know

Yamaguchi wants the pocky again.

you got that boy hooked

Y/N💀

he has taste! I'll be there by the

end of practice. love you💞

Kei🔐💞

Love you

You smiled down happily to your phone before locking it and putting it in your pocket. A slight pang radiated throughout your chest, though. The two of you had been dating for nearly a year and yet you both haven't had the courage to complete the sentence.

'Love you' is so far away from 'I love you'.

You shook your head of these thoughts and continued browsing the store and paying for the food and drinks. It didn't take long, soon you were headed down the steep slope to Karasuno High where your entire world was training to go to Nationals.

As soon as you got to the gym, you quickly slid the door open catching it with your foot.

"Nice receive, Noya!" Suga called from the left side of the court. Nishinoya grunted a reply as he went for another one of Tanaka's spikes.

You watched with a small smile on your face, the screeching of tennis shoes on the waxed floor filling your ears. This is where you felt at home. Especially since you hung out in this gym being a manager for Ukai's old team in highschool.

"Do you need help, (Y/n)-Senpai?" Yachi called happily when she caught your eye.

You blushed but nodded, the honorific still made you awkward. Not very many people used Senpai to describe you seeing as you were still only in your twenties.

Suga immediately broke from his concentration to look at you. The two of you got along the best, your way of showing love being similar. You liked to describe it as 'Aggressive Friendship'.

"(Y/N)" he called out happily, violently waving at you.

"Watch for the—!" You called as you divided the food between Yachi and Kiyoko who gladly helped set it out on the benches. A sharp slap and a loud 'ow' came from the position Suga was in.

"—ball..." you cringed slightly before giving him a warm smile, "Walk it off Suga!"

You turned your back to help set out food. Another loud slap and another ow rang out, this time from the left side. Seems like Suga and Asahi teamed up for revenge. Good for them.

The volleyball game ended fairly quickly after that. Suga, Asahi, Nishinoya, Ennoshita, Hinata, and Yamaguchi were on the winning side meaning they got their food first.

"Thanks, (y/n)! You're the best!" Hinata nearly squealed as you unveiled the protein-packed meal after practice. The rest of the team said their thanks as well, nearly drooling at the smell.

Keishin came behind you and snaked his arms around your waist. Leaning into his embrace, you looked to the kids spread out in groups eating and talking together.

"You know, they really do like you," Kei mumbled into your ear.

"They like the snacks," you replied smiling.

"You're a snack so by that logic they really like you."

You lightly bumped into him, "You're the snack of this relationship, Kei."

Both of you laughed and watched over your boys. Hinata and Kageyama were bickering again, not suprisingly. Yamaguchi and Tsukishima were talking about some podcast Tsukishima had recommended Yamaguchi. Asahi and Nishinoya were talking together as Tanaka nearly cried over Kiyoko again. Poor Kiyoko.

You took in a deep breath before speaking up what was on your mind.

"I'm going to say something and I don't want you to feel pressured to say it back, okay?" You asked Keishin firmly, but quietly enough that the boys wouldn't hear. You could feel his grip loosen slightly and his face contort into one of confusion, but he nodded anyway.

"I—" You started, "I love you. And I know we've been saying 'love you' for a while, but 'I love you' is something different and special. At least to me it is. It's like you actually mean it instead of just adding it onto the end of a conversation. The 'I' makes it personal and more intimate..."

He was quiet. Too quiet. You turned red, embarrassed you had said so much.

Then you felt Keishin breathe out like he had been holding it in for hours. It was your turn to be confused when he let go of you to spin you around into a regular hug. He held you tight against him, his face buried in your neck. This was completely out of the ordinary for him. Neither of you were very fond of gigantic performances of public affection. His voice was low and muffled when he spoke again.

"I love you too, (y/n)," He mumbled into your neck.

Both of you stayed in the hug. You smiled into the crook of his neck, the same way as you could feel he was doing.

"If you weren't such an ass, Kageyama, that could be us," Hinata's voice said rather smugly before a yelp and the sound of someone getting chased filled the gym.

Both you and Keishin sighed, let go, and looked at each other before you turned and zeroed in the rascals.

"Kageyama Tobio!"

"Hinata Shoyo!"

Both of you yelled at the same time.

Kageyama and Hinata turned to look at you sheepishly as the both of you continued.

"Don't hit the child," you said looking Kageyama in the eyes.

"Don't start it," Keishin finished staring down Hinata.

The rest of the volleyball team looked on worried. Except for Suga and Daichi, obviously, they were taking notes for when you weren't allowed on the court during tournaments.