#it was met so warmly so i just had to get inspiration naturally

[cheesomancer]

Well I'm certainly planning to draw a lil bonus to the orc art cause.. wow. I'm inspired. 😊

[reidrum]

you say ‘what a mind’ | s.r.

A/N: she’s back and with fluff! (?) exams were really putting me through the ringer but i missed posting so i fixed up this draft i had, i hope you enjoy :D ive been listening to sabrina 25/8 since she dropped so hopefully song inspired fics coming soon 🤞🏽

summary: you get really excited about something new you learned and spencer gets really excited about you

wc: a short n sweet 1k

cw: none, tooth rotting fluff

_______________________________________________

With Spencer's extensive knowledge of just about everything, you had assumed that there wasn’t much you contribute to his abundant learning.

You maybe weren’t three-PhD’s smart, but you were smart, averagely speaking. But you knew Spencer was smart, and truth be told it intimidated you. He never made you feel bad about not knowing something, ever. Anytime he gets to talk to you about anything his face lights up like the night sky.

There was, however, one time you had come home all excited to explain a concept from class that finally clicked for you. And the first person you wanted to tell was Spencer.

He watched you bound up to him with a spring in your step, bright eyed and wide cheeks as you told him, “I have to tell you about what I learned about today, it finally made sense to me. Like it felt like a real life light bulb final puzzle piece fitting type moment!”

He smiled warmly down at your eager face, “Alright angel, lay it on me.”

“Okay, I know it’s a little stupid it’s taken me this long to get it, but it’s—“

The call of your name sternly yet fondly falling from Spencer’s lips interrupts your self deprecating preamble, “Hey, we don’t do that, remember? We talked about this.”

Your rants almost always started with some self deprecating remarks, and he would always frown and try to interject and shut them down, to which you’d wave him off under the guise of, “If I stop, I’ll forget!” You were smart, but stubborn to a fault. He loved you for it, but it was hard for him to see you not understand the value you held, the value that your voice and your words and your opinions held. The value that he knew with all certainty you possessed.

A sheepish blush rises on your cheeks as you mumble, “Sorry.”

His fingers trickle closer to yours and wrap around them firmly, bringing you to sit on the couch next to him as he pulls your legs over to rest on his.

“Don’t be sorry, baby,” he says saccharinely, “We’re working on being nicer to ourselves right?”

You nod, he smiles softly back at you and continues, “Okay, tell me what you learned today.”

You start on your long explanation of the inner workings of the nervous system and its intricacies, explaining details and anecdotes that really showcase the inner workings of how your mind processes information.

Spencer can’t help but stare at you in deep fascination, complete with an awestruck smile and glimmering eyes.

He’s met hundreds of scientists, specialists, celebrities even, and listen to them talk about their research in extensive detail and with expansive knowledge. Hell, he’s had to do it himself with his three doctorates.

But as he sits in front of you, watching the person he’s most fond of on this planet watch you talk with so much speed, conviction, passion, with your hands move with purpose and excitement, he truly swears he has never been more in love with you than that moment.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” you ask cautiously.

“You,” he moves closer, “Are so intelligent, did you know that?”

“Spencer, I’m not in the mood for jokes plea—“

“No, my love. You are brilliant,” he moves closer to be an inch away from you, placing his hands on your cheeks, “The way you process information is fascinating. When I watch you explain things to me I can see you organize it in your pretty head. It is actually mesmerizing watching you absorb knowledge the way you do. You’re like, a beautiful puzzle all undone, but by the forces of nature you’re able to put yourself together and bear the finished product to me, to anyone.”

Your eyes tear up, “Spence…what the fuck.”

He chuckles softly, “I mean it,” he holds you firmly, planting you in the roots of his belief, “What a mind you have, darling.”

It’s enough to make you tuck your head into his chest, obstructing his view from your imminent tearfall.

“You can’t just say things like that.” you mumble against the soft fabric of his shirt.

Spencer instinctively wraps his arm around your torso, letting the other hand take purchase in your hair, gently stroking it down, “Why not?” He speaks softly.

“Because…I might think you're like, in love with me or something.” You joke.

His laugh rumbles through his chest and into your rested head, “Would that be so bad?”

“Yes.”

“And why is that?”

“It’s going to be another whole moon cycle before I have another a-ha moment like this again. I’ll have nothing to impress you with.”

Spencer smiles and sighs, squeezing you tighter against him, “You always impress me.”

You groan, “Ugh, you don’t have to say that to make me feel better.”

“You do know that you’re really smart, right?” you open your mouth to argue but he cuts you off, “You always underestimate yourself, but you’re really one of the smartest people I know. And I know a lot of smart people.”

A deep sigh leaves you, but he continues, “And you don’t have to believe me. I’ll believe it enough for the both of us. You and your brain are remarkable, so when you come to me with your a-ha moments thinking I’ll be impressed with your spark of knowledge, just know that I am impressed with you, but it’s more because I get to see you realize just how capable you are yourself.”

The calming motion of his fingers through your hair tether you back to this world, your insides fluttering about like butterflies in an open field. It was hard not to believe his words when Spencer was always so kind to you. It was always so easy for you to play it off like you didn’t deserve it.

But Spencer knew wholeheartedly that you did deserve it, that you were even entitled to it. And he’d spend the rest of his life reminding you. That, you knew for a fact.

“I love you,” you say softly, “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me angel, I love you too.” He mumbles in your head, his hand trailing down your sides in comfort.

[orion4ever]

Author's Note: I was inspired by a recent post of mine about Cliff's protective nature towards MC and how he reacts when Baxter and MC reunite and get back together. I believe Cove keeps Cliff updated on EVERYTHING!

This would take place after the events of the Baxter DLC, The timing is up to you!

Pairing: Baxter Ward x MC

Cliff Holden was currently unboxing some new shipments When he heard the store's front doorbell ring a few times.

He emerged from the backroom to see his son and his group of friends. He instantly had a huge grin on his face as he welcomed them.

"Hey, Bud." He greeted nonchalantly, earning a small 'Hey' from his son.

"Oh! Hello, Terry and Miranda! It's always nice seeing you two" he greeted warmly, earning himself an enthusiastic "Heeyyyyy!" from Terry and a small wave from Miranda.

"And of course, MC and-" he paused when he saw the new face standing next to MC with a sheepish smile. He looked familiar but he couldn't put a name to the face.

"Oh! Hey! It's always nice seeing a new face, I am Cliff" he greeted with a grin.

The 'stranger' smile grows a little. "Hello. We've already met before...I was staying in the condo next to yours five years ago..?" The black-haired man said. "Baxter Ward?" He added.

Cliff deflated for a minute. He had remembered, now that Baxter hiked his memory. Cove had updated Cliff on the entire series of events about Baxter and MC.

He was told how the eccentric monochromatic tourist had gotten together with his long-term neighbor and son's best friend.

He was also told about how the same eccentric monochromatic tourist had dumped MC at the end of the summer and vowed to never see them again.

Baxter had always been very neighborly and amiable towards Mr. Holden himself, always greeting him and giving tidbits about his plans for the day.

But...

He couldn't forget how heartbroken MC was over the breakup. It always seemed like they had some unheeded feelings that will most likely never be addressed or explained; leaving MC confused and sad over it all.

Like Noelani and Pamela’s first reaction to the reappearance of Baxter; His excitement melted in the California heat.

“Oh.” Cliff mumbled.

He then walked to stand behind the register took out a long box and continued to talk with everyone.

“So , What brings you back in town, Baxter?”

“Well.-“ Baxter was then promptly interrupted by the sound of a box opening and a metal clanking sound hitting the counter.

Cliff casually unboxed a box of fishing harpoons while staring right at Baxter.

“Well, we wanted to visit the shopping district again to relax.” Baxter finished , he had his usual grin but it looked a tiny bit wobbly.

���Uh-huh,” Cliff said, placing another fishing harpoon on the table casually again. “Ignore me. These are new shipments.” Cliff reiterated, with a slightly forced smile.

Not wanting to stay in this awkward and slightly threatening silence, MC speaks up.

“Mr. Holden , me and Baxter are back together; don’t be too hard on him” they said both in a jokey and genuine sense.

Cliff chuckled a little. “I won’t , don’t worry!” He smiled , shining the threatening harpoons.

Miranda giggled a little , either out of nervousness or whatever was going on. Terry being the social butterfly he is bounced right back.

“B-man invited everyone to lunch so we gotta head out soon!” He stated , giving Baxter a friendly pat on the shoulder.

“Yeah. We just wanted to stop by , Dad” Cove said with a smile. Cliff nodded to that. “I appreciate you for thinking about your old man, Cove.”

“Your not old , Mr.Holden. Your only like 49.”

“Pfft-, 49?!? MC. I promise ,I am not that old” he cackled lightheartedly. Before he started waving the group off. “You kids go on now, You don’t have to stay to keep me company.”

As they all began exiting , he stopped Baxter. “Uh , Baxter. A word?” He asked , a serious tone in his voice.

Baxter didn’t say anything but he did move to properly look at the older gentleman. He had a abased frown.

“I don’t want any funny business with you,” Cliff said, crossing his arms. “MC has been a massive support to both Cove and myself for a long time. It would be sad to see them be heartbroken again.” He continued, he wasn’t joking around.

Baxter Ward stood up straighter and said. “Mr. Holden. I assure you that this time, I am here to stay.” He said, putting a pale hand to his purple button-up.

“I understand your concern. I haven’t made a good impression by doing that years ago. I am sorry for that. I truly do care for MC and I want to be with them.”

He finished it off with a slight bow of his head.

Cliff unfolded his arms and gave Baxter’s shoulder a strong but not painful squeeze. “Good. I hope we can become good friends then.”

Cliff then let Baxter go to join the rest of the group with a small hopeful smile.

[nightsdreamgates]

Hi again! I loved the first one that you did, very amazing!

(I don’t know if you do the normal NiD but if you don’t, you can do the swap au ^^)

So how will reala or swap nights react if they started to fall in love with the reader/visitor (but they won’t admit they have feeling for the reader) that’s always so nice to them even though they are trying to take their ideya, even if they try to scare the reader by doing something dangerous like dropping them from a high point but ended up catching them at the last second and the reader is just happy thinking it was some sort of game that Nightmaren play.

AA- Yw and ty so much!! I don't do only the SWAP!Au but I also write for the original! But if you like both of them, I can do that! Hope yoy enjoy it!

NiGHTS [NiD]:

Reacting to falling in love by a Visitor

NiGHTS is a carefree being, despite their rebellious and fun nature, they also know to be charming and kind. Usually would hang out with nightopians and a few visitors, so he tend to have few friends across the road;

But when his eyes has fallen into yours, seeing how oustanding, adventurous and just naturally adaptive to your surroundings, is what catched his attention;

Althought you two met in a awkward situation, where NiGHTS was stuck at the Ideya Palace as a attempt for them to return as their old habits as Wizeman's servant;

You helped them to get out of the palace and by the exchange, NiGHTS helps you to flee from the nightmarens, as also kick them out of your nightopia;

Despite his intentions at beginning were to just get rid of that palace and give you a little helping hand as a "thank you", your attitude and bravery has brought him a different feeling, one that brings him a internal conflict;

It started just as a little respect, that soon it developed as a crush as more you two encoutered, the more he get to know you, especially at how you two tend to share same traits and even opposite ideas too, yet it doesn't interrupt your dynamic with him, is just as great!

One time you and him were dualized to kick over some Nightmarens, but suddenly the egg clock managed to find you dualized with a Nightmaren and by it's magic, you two separated from eachother;

Seeing you falling made NiGHTS fight against the forces to rescue you before you could hit and hurt yourself, that action made you surprised, but smilling warmly to them, knowing that in his arms you are safe;

Even that later on you gotta run back to him and run away from the egg;

What could bring a conflict between you two, is how NiGHTS has to deal with the sins of his past. The shadows always following him trying to bring him to where they used to belong;

This can bring them a uncomfortable feeling and a doubt. What if all these confrontation he got against Wizeman and all he had learnt after they let go from Wizeman's domain, could be destroyed, taken by their worst enemy;

Especially the possibility of losing you, this idea to them can grow into a paranoia that he sometimes would distance himself from you at beginning;

But the way you act fearless, it brings them inspiration and courage, that if he works to protect what's righteous, they can keep you safe and away from any threat coming from Wizeman or Reala.

Conclusion: OG NiGHTS will get closer to you, seeing you as a fun and strong person!

SWAP!NiGHTS:

Reacting to falling in love to a Visitor

His name used to be Illusio, the illusionist nightmaren. Master of shadows and despair, with his high charisma and malicious ideas, Illusio is known from their frightening position from Nightmera;

Ideyas wasn't the only thing Illusio can conquer, they can go much forward as conquering a whole dreamscape to bringing a Visitor to a spinning sorrow of void, with no Ideya to help them to escape or awake from the nightmare;

He is terrible and they knows it, is what makes Wizeman proud of them, besides... He is the greatest creation has ever made;

And for your unluck, you turned out to be his next target;

At start it was just a plan, to swoon you over, to get control of you and your land, sounded like pouring sugar to a cup of coffee, but little did he wasn't expecting that you seemed to be bolder than any other idiot that has fallen over his schemes;

This makes Illusio frustrated, irritated and yet intrigated by this difference;

Is you just like that? Are you trying to be harder? One thing little did you know that, nightmarens are natural challengers and they don't like to lose to a challenge;

Illusio had to improvise, being friendly and sympathetic to you, such as helping you to get your ideyas back as a way to trick into trusting him even more;

But as more this goes on, more he seems to be weirdly attracted on you;

And that's something that surprises him, but does not make him scared by the idea;

If you are convincing enough, he might spare your little land. But do not think you are free from him;

He will visit you, to see you, talk with you, as he attempts to steal your ideya. He thinks that the way you react and giggle to his words, makes him annoyed, because it is strangely cute and he hates it;

One time he attempted to throw you on a cliff, in a playful matter, this way it would be easier to get your ideyas, but these pitiful emotions that flows into his mind, makes him to go down and get you before you bump your head to the ground;

And the fact that you just giggled at this made him go "?????????";

Yeah you are one of a crazy person, which is interesting;

He is not very insecure around you, instead he is pretty direct and honest, it can be brutal, but he always meant it as a way you can learn things either at the easy or hard way;

And as soon he fully manages to swoon you over, he will get your Ideya, but as a sign that you now belong to him and that Wizeman got plenty ideyas for himself;

Conclusion: You will turn to be Swap!NiGHTS/Illusio little play thing lol

Reala [NiD]:

Reacting to falling in love to a Visitor

Reala always been focused to his job, known to be as a nightmaren of realism, bringing your deepest, grotesque secrets, fears and insecurities out of your essence;

As a nightmaren ruler and Wizeman's loyal servant, never was a easy task to do, but he would do anything for his defense and authority;

It feels like nothing could touch this nightmaren deeply;

That was until he had met you, a visitor that appeared and saw him for the first time;

When they had met you and started to know you, seeing how you are active around unlike his introverted nature, is what brought him in a deep conflict on why he is creating these emotions to you?;

This is wrong, this couldn't be happening, Reala would surpress his feelings towards you, as he still manages to take away your ideya no matter what;

But if you get to use the right keys on him, showing kindness and managing to handle him well, unlike any other visitor that has to deal with nightmares and never handled well with them;

At this point you will see Reala showing slowly his respect towards you;

It is not easy for him to open up fully, especially by the idea of these emotions and this relationship might interfere his role and what's left of respect towards them;

But if you both manage to understand eachother and slowly creating a beautiful connection, Reala will give you tips and help you how to handle the nightmares better;

About attempting to scare the visitor by throwing them on a cliff and catching them, Reala probably wouldn't do that, unlike Illusio, but he would scare you off everytime to catch you out of surprise, just to bring relief and for you to get used to it.

Conclusion: Bro won't accept his feelings this easily

SWAP!Reala:

Reacting to falling in love to a Visitor

After rebelling against Wizeman, tired of being the second or the leftover, he decides to live a life for him and not for others no longer;

These moments of running, flying and meeting the side he never got to admire of Nightopia, makes him wonder how much he would had lose it;

He had met several people around nightopia during these rebellion, but when he met you, his eyes softly sparkles just as his demeanor;

He showed his interest towards you by actions, he is not a maren of words and even so, his words can be a bit confusing or just playful;

Even if you ask them, they would reply with: " ... Maaybe? "

He wouldn't deny or supress his feelings, since he no longer feels like he needs to keep themself away of what they want or need;

And if he would ever do something dangerous, it will never happen, since he rather keep you safe than getting you in the middle of it;

But he would play along with you, by scaring you off;

Conclusion: SWAP!Reala is more chill and is not afraid to express himself unlike his past self

SORRY IF SOME OF THESE SEEMS A BIT OFF OR ANYTHING, did the best I could on this one! Thanks once again for sending me this ASK!

[helenadurazzo]

Leah and the Valley

Welcome to my first Stardew Valley story, inspired by a line from Leah in her two heart event about how she visited the Valley as a young girl and always wanted to return. Ever since I decided to ship my farmer with her, I had an idea about how the true met as children, however it was one of those meetings that they didn’t realize they had crossed paths before until much later. Although that type of revelation is likely to be explored in a story on another day.

Words: ~3000

The stone pathways of Pelican Town smoothly led to the town’s quaint center. Leah enjoyed looking at the trees and greenery that were on each side of the paths and the open area in the center where it seemed a lot of the people of the town were gathering. Some people were coming out of the houses in the neighboring area to take part in the warm spring day.

Leah had adored spring days ever since she could remember. Back home, Leah would always enjoy being outside in the small lawn at the house with her parents. It symbolized revitalization of life and color after the coldness of winter. Many of her classmates enjoyed winter for the snow and summer for being out of school, and each had their own highlights she supposed. Yet being bundled up in multiple layers of clothing by her mother just to go out to enjoy the snow while withstanding the cold temperatures always seemed to take forever. Even the summer was sometimes too hot for her tastes. After all, the best part of nature were the colors of flowers brought by spring and the changing leaves brought by fall.

When they were greeted shortly after their arrival by one of the locals, they mentioned a festival going on in an area east of what they called the Cindersap Forest. The man who had warmly welcomed them into town now led them towards where this festival was held. He had told them he had been a resident of Pelican Town for many decades when he came to start a farm with his wife just north of the forest.

Said farm was such a sight to behold when they took a brief detour. It was filled to the brim with trees that still had plenty of fruit on them yet certainly were not ripe yet due to their premature looking colors. Closer to the farmhouse, Leah noticed bushes with berries growing on them and in the nearby fields some other crops beginning to sprout up. The serene atmosphere was added to by the delightful chirping of birds and the occasional appearances of rabbits and squirrels. And she was not sure if her eyes were deceiving her, but she was convinced she saw something leap out of the small lake that was a gentle disturbance of the rest of the farmland.

“Your farm is quite lovely Mr. Oakes.” Leah’s mother smiled at the older man as they re-entered the forest, passing by some breathtaking trees, including ones that stood out for being pink rather than green which Leah’s eyes seemed glued to.

“Please, feel free to call me Chester.” The old farmer warmly smiled. “The valley and its residents are and will always be very dear to me and it is always pleasant to have visitors, especially when they are so far and few between these days.”

“Is it just you who tends to this farm?” Leah’s father questioned.

“My children come back every once in a while to help out but for the most part yes.” The farmer said with a gentle nod of his head, “I have actually downsized the area in recent years but luckily still receiving a good amount of crops, the weather here is perfect for a large variety of them.” He then paused for a moment as they crossed a bridge that led to another wooded area, “In fact, my daughter is in town to help with our stand where we are selling some of the crops we have grown this spring.”

“Sounds like a wonderful spot to get some authentic fresh produce from the source.” Leah’s father smiled at the old farmer as they made their way into a charming little clearing where it seemed that this festival was being held.

“Wonderful, I’ll direct you in the right direction.�� The man offered with that same warm and welcoming smile

Leah supposed they called the festival the flower dance for a reason. After all, pots of flowers decorated the area near a carefully crafted fence and complimented the tall trees, some with green leaves, others that looked just like that pink tree she saw back when they were strolling through the Cindersap Forest. There were a couple of stands selling goods, including the one that the farmer was showing her parents to which hosted the ripest fruits and vegetables Leah had ever laid her eyes on.

The stand was manned by not only the farmer’s daughter but also a man who Leah assumed to be her husband. Both of them looked to be around the same age as her parents with the man working on counting the remaining boxes of goods and the woman at the stand to make the sales. The woman had the same warm smile as the old farmer and had her reddish brown hair tied into two braids. Her light brown eyes warmed with hospitality as they approached.

“Leah dear.” Leah’s mother knelt down to her, “Why don’t you go explore the festival, just make sure to stay where we can see you.”

“Ok!” Leah cheerfully beamed upwards as she continued to excitedly look around and go where her mind led her.

Leah thrived in the calming atmosphere that the town added before, and did so even more in this charming festival. After all, it was hard to improve the spring as it was already such an enchanting and inspiring season. Yet what she was currently most curious by was the outfits worn by the young women and men in attendance, likely a tradition that went along with the festival, Leah assumed. The young women were dressed in elegant white dresses that all fell somewhere between the knees and ankles, complimented by the addition of a pastel belt around their waist. Meanwhile, the men were dressed in cerulean suits with similar pastel ties. Some of the people in the outfits even had flower crowns, corsages, or flowers in lapels. It also seemed that each person had a partner as they coordinated in their unique pastel colors. It all looked like something out of a fairytale or whimsical painting.

She knew that it was a small town but was still fascinated by the fact how casual and genuinely people appeared to talk to each other given by their body language. It seemed that very few people did not wish to be there, with the exception of a few of the people in the fancy outfits seeming as if they would have wished to worn something more casual. Perhaps the fact that it seemed that everyone got along added to the serenity of the valley and its inspiring peacefulness. If Leah had paints with her, she would have tried to recreate the scene, even though she knew she certainly wasn’t as good at the professionals in depicting such events with realistic details.

“Hi there!” A voice of a girl that sounded to be ever so slightly younger than Leah called out, “Want to sit with us?” She asked when Leah turned in the voice’s direction, “The flower dance is about to start!”

She looked at the two girls who were sitting on a picnic blanket eating some sliced up fresh fruit. The one who had invited her over had short brown hair while the other girl with her was most certainly younger, likely around five years old if Leah has to guess, and had her slightly darker hair in two pigtails. Leah smiled with a nod and walked over, why would she decline such hospitality. She only wished that the kids her age at her own local school were just as friendly and welcoming

The girl with the short brown hair somehow managed to followed her line of sight to the fruit and smiled, grabbing a piece of the fruit and handing it to her, “Would you like some? It’s really good.”

“Sure.” Leah shyly accepted, gently taking the fruit and eating a piece of it, “That is delicious! What type of fruit is it?”

“It’s the one that grows from the pretty pink tree in the forest!” The younger brunette cheerfully smiled.

“It’s actually also the tree our grandfather and grandmother planted together on their wedding day when they got married at that spot shortly after moving here.” The older brunette added, “It has always grown the most delicious fruits.”

“I can tell.” Leah chuckled as she noticed the center area of the festival begin to clear as the people in the white dresses and cerulean suits appeared to get in specific spots with everyone else on the outskirts, “What’s going on now?” Leah found herself curiously asking.

“It’s the flower dance.” The younger brunette smiled, “It’s where people get together to do the dance to show the beauty of spring before summer starts!”

“It’s always been our mom’s favorite festival.” The older girl added. “She used to dance as well, our father joined in one year as well which was when he proposed to her. But we have only been once before, we visit the valley only a few times a year.”

“But it’s so fun when we do visit.” The younger girl smiled. “Our mom said she was going to try and make sure we could come back for some of the other festivals! They sound so fun when she explains them!”

Their conversation paused as the music began to play. Leah felt herself be even more at peace with the soothing, delicate melodies that represented the beauty of spring perfectly. At the start, the dancers moved their feet along the grass and look so light it was if they could have been dancing on clouds. As the music got more energy, so did the movements and how the dancers began to circle around each other with more elaborate footwork, spinning around in circles without a care in the world and eternal smiles on their faces. The fun they were all having felt almost contagious and Leah pondered if perhaps one day she could return to the town and join in such a lovely atmosphere. Perhaps one day…

~~

When she was moving into her new home by the lake in Cindersap Forest, Leah had purposefully saved the boxes that held her art supplies for last. After feeling trapped in her life in the city and neglecting her own desires to please others, it felt as if she was finally unlocking that part of herself that had been kept under lock and key for so long. And carefully placing her paints on the table, organized by color with the brushes in a nearby cup managed to bring additional color to the charming small space of her cabin.

She fondly remembered what she once heard one of her university professor say during a lecture in the fall of her first year. How art, regardless of the form it took, expressed what its creator felt and desired to tell the world. She certainly agreed with the first part of that statement. When she started doing landscapes, she did so by what her mind felt was right, feeling like it was pulling from a distant memory but never quite sure of which one. Now, after finally moving to Pelican Town, she recognized those landscapes she depicted, a desire for serenity and peace that she fell in love with when she visited as a young girl in that lovely spring.

When she broke up with Kel and realized she had to leave the city, the first thought was Pelican Town, even as much as she enjoyed her own hometown and spending time with family. For so long she felt like she was trapped in an endless cycle of working, eating, and sleeping, with very little time for her passions outside of the time she could scavenge for with great rigor. She shuddered at the thought of Kel insisting she should simply do something that focused on money, knowing if she went back to school for something like medicine or business she would be locked forever in that endless cycle if she had not already. There was something about Pelican Town that felt so freeing though. It wasn’t too far away from the city or her home town in the grand scheme of things, yet just far enough for her to become her own person, to finally follow her passions without worrying of the toxic judgement of those who claimed they cared for her

As she worked on hanging up some of her treasured paintings on the wall, she thought about the second part of what that professor had said. Art was not just about expressing your own desires to yourself but who you were to others. Leah pondered about being in such a vulnerable state and wondered how so many artists did it in the form of art galleries or exhibits in famed museums. Perhaps someday she would follow in the steps of great artists before her, even if she could not imagine making such a jump. She used to express herself not fearing what others thought, but that was before Kel. With her, it felt as though she was in a box, forced to conform, if Leah knew anything about what she wanted from life, it was that a typical or stereotypical life was the last thing on her priority list. She wanted to live, not just let days pass her by.

After placing the last of the supplies in their spots, Leah smiled contently as she headed to the door. According to the weather reports, tomorrow was supposed to be a storm, Leah was simply beyond grateful that she did not delay her move any more. A growing fascination of hers was becoming wood carving and sculpting after finding a book on it in a bookstore back in Zuzu City and she was eager to try some of the techniques now that she has enough space. Sure, she had a lot of wood already that was stored to fuel her fire place, but a couple more could never hurt, especially since it would take a while for the wood to dry out if the weather forecasts were to be trusted.

As she walked outside, she breathed in the spring air and let the light breeze blow through her unbraided hair. Luckily, the Cindersap Forest had many large branches and small logs to use to help practice her techniques. However, just as she was about to bend down to pick one of the logs up, her eye was drawn to a path that had its entrance close to the neighboring ranch behind Leah’s cabin.

She remembered that path. The one that when the old farmer was guiding her and her parents to the festival they took a detour on to get a visual of his farm. She recalled the trees and bushes full of berries and the crops growing in the fields. It looked like a little patch of heaven with hardly a cloud blocking the view of a purely blue sky. Nostalgia began to kick in as she relished in the memories, the ones that brought her back to this wondrous valley in the first place. She ought to say hello to that old farmer, after all, he did seem to be the spirit of the town even back then. And so she shrugged off her previous mission, and set forth on the vaguely familiar dirt path.

Yet the last thing she was expecting was to stop in her tracks at the sight of the farm. Perhaps she would have been fine with her instincts if it was to marvel at the farm, yet the reason for her sudden pause was quite the opposite. Leah knew nothing about farming, and would never claim that she did. However, she was shocked that nothing appeared to be growing in such splendid weather, being as barren as the farm probably was in the coldest days of winter. She cautiously stepped through the tall grass and overgrown greenery, slowly turning her head at the seemingly abandoned appearance of the farm. It was as if she stepped out of a film about a perfect small town into a sequel where that small town was now obliterated. And upon reaching the old farm house, her shock was certainly not quelled, as it looked just as an unoccupied and uncared for as the rest of the land. It had not been that long ago since she visited she tried to tell herself, but how could have things gone so wrong?

Leah would have assumed that no one was at the farm anymore yet was quite surprised when she did hear one voice coming somewhere to the right of her, “You’re the new one who moved into that cabin in the forest, aren’t you?”

She startlingly looked over to her right to see a purple haired girl who was in her early twenties at best. Her skin was as pale as a piece of paper and it made not only her hair, but also her eyes stick out from their much more vibrant colors. She mostly wore dark clothes, with the exception of a bright jean jacket and despite giving Leah such a fright from how suddenly she seemed to practically spawn up out of no where, her new acquaintance appeared to be friendly enough.

“Um yes.” Leah awkwardly scratched her head as the purple haired girl finally walked over to her. “But how did you?”

The girl laughed, “You’ll soon learn that news spreads quickly around her, especially when it comes to a new arrival like yourself. Name’s Abigail, my father runs the general store near the town square, and you are?”

“Leah.” She responded simply, yet calmed herself to let her curious “Do you happen to know what happened to the farm?”

“Not much.” Abigail admitted, “The farmer passed away over a decade ago and the farm’s been abandoned since.”

“He had no one to take it over for him?” Leah raised an eyebrow.

“Don’t know what to tell you.” Abigail shrugged, “But you have to admit that these overgrown fields are fascinating.”

“I suppose everyone has their own tastes.” Leah murmured to herself for sake of being polite.

She silently sighed at the sight once again. She supposed it made sense that not everything stayed the same since she was a child, it was how life worked. Yet it was a shame how unattended the land was in comparison to the neatness and beauty of the rest of Pelican Town and the valley. Perhaps someday she would be fortunate enough to see the farm be revitalized, yet she already had enough trouble figuring out what she truly wanted form life, but perhaps this valley would enlighten her

[thirsty-boba-fett-posts]

Your ask-fics are giving me so much inspiration and life! Can I also be added to your tag list because I don't want to miss anything? Can I also ask for a drabble if you're not busy?

I have this thot of Grogu being left in Boba's care while Fennec's out on rounds. He takes Grogu to his ship, gives him a tour of all the knickknacks in there and talks about how proud Din is of Grogu, then proceeds to teach him pranks he could pull on Din like 'you know little one, I used to hide stuff from my Buir and then put it back when he isn't looking". Something very nostalgic and doting.

And as I will always find excuses to shove Jango in here because he is my one true King, if you could do a scene where they just sit behind the wheel and Boba shows Grogu Jango's data pad on survival, tricks, trades, and just about anything, as if he's reading the bebe a goodnight story (because uncle boba's tired of babysitting and would also like a nap). But the story is like not suitable for kids but very Boba-esque.

Tales about creatures, him stealing a tooth from a balyeg, or him teaching Grogu as per Jango to always have a spare handy. Idk, I'm so sorry if it's too much. ilytho ♥

OH I’M SO EXCITED TO ANSWER THIS ONE.

This drabble is set during The Princess Saga between Parts II & III

The Princess is freshly out of the bacta tank and in a state of shock. Fennec is on patrol with The Mods because of concerns that Brao Opposition Forces will come looking for The Princess. Din is off world gathering information about the coup on Brao and the possible whereabouts of her father. Boba sees this as an opportunity to stay at the palace and spend time with Grogu, ostensibly his godchild, and get a feel for The Princess.

tw: trauma

Fett was concerned about The Princess. A day after he’d helped her out of the bacta tank, she was still nearly catatonic. She interacted with her tooka when it nudged at her face for attention, but her eyes remained glazed over and her face had a worrying pallor. Fett instructed Drash to help her into one of her new dresses and bring her down to meet Grogu. He assumed rightly that Grogu’s gentle, curious nature would elicit some kind of reaction in The Princess.

Despite the circumstances, she was a vision in a fitted dress the color of the Dune Sea at sunrise. Drash practically guided her by the waist down the spiral stairs. She was expressionless, but her eyes were wide. Fett wondered briefly if he was being cruel to her by insisting that she come down from the tower, but her face brightened ever so slightly when she saw Grogu in his arms.

“Come Princess. You were in the bacta tank for a long time. You need to stretch you legs,” he declared firmly. “Take a walk with Grogu and I.”

“Yes, of course,” she said in a hollow voice.

Grogu reached out with one tiny hand and The Princess, seemingly without thought, grasped it in her fingers and offered him the kindest smile she could manage.

The apprehension left Fett. He was glad to have followed his first instinct - get her up and moving, don’t allow her to languish in despair.

…

As they walked together, Grogu cooed softly at The Princess and in response she smiled and nodded at him as if she understood. Some of the anguish left her face.

“You’ve never met a princess before, have you Grogu?” Fett said warmly to the baby in his arms.

The hangar was cool and quiet. The Princess seemed to relax in the emptiness. Their soft footsteps and Grogu’s gentle chatter echoed off of the high domed metal.

Fett was careful to speak only to Grogu. The Princess seemed to withdraw whenever he addressed her. He suspected she may be more comfortable quietly observing. Grogu, wide eyed and fascinated, was clearly enjoying this relaxed outing with his favorite uncle and the quiet lady in the long dress.

“This is my ship,” Fett said proudly.

Grogu made a sweet little noise of appreciation. Unprompted, The Princess reached out and placed her palm on the cool, battered metal. Grogu reached out and Fett brought him closer to the ship so that he could do the same.

“It was my father’s,” Fett said softly, almost to himself. The Princess’ brow furrowed slightly and she brought her hand back to her side.

…

With Grogu in her lap, The Princess seemed far more relaxed. The two of them listened contently as Fett, in his gruff bounty hunter’s voice, recounted stories from his childhood, relating them to different parts of the ship’s interior. Grogu held both of The Princess’ hands in his during the suspenseful parts - he followed each tale intently with his wide, expressive eyes and his mouth open in awe.

“When I was small like you, Grogu, my buir would sit me in his lap in the pilot seat and say ‘verd’ika, you must know your ship like a best friend’ and then he would tell me how each noise the ship makes, each sensor light and indicator is our ship, our friend, telling us what it needs to best serve us,” Boba said, pointing to the instrument panel.

The Princess followed along, occasionally looking down at Grogu to see his reaction. When her eyelids began to look heavy, Boba picked up Grogu and walked the two of them back through the hangar.

Fett sent The Princess to bed, knowing he’d pushed her very far considering how the events of the previous week had left her utterly shattered. He thought it best to end on a good note. Grogu waved at her and she turned and waved back with a soft expression in her eyes before disappearing up the stairs.

Fett sat at the banquet table with Grogu and watched him eat happily from a decadent array of beautifully prepared dishes.

“Thank you for spending time with her, verd’ika,” he said to Grogu. Grogu looked knowingly at Fett, blinked, and smiled.

…

I hope this makes you happy! It was a joy to write!

I feel like @daimyosprincess will want to read this as well.

[dujour13]

Caught in a blizzard or cookies for Siavash?

Thank you so much for the ask 🥰 Sorry it took so long. January, you know what I mean.

---

“What have you learned from your people watching?”

“People like cats.”

“Also cookies. Here.”

She took the cookie in both hands like a sacred host. “Thank you.”

He watched her eat it delicately with her sharp, white teeth. “What do you think?”

“I’ve eaten many fine feasts, but this—this makes my heart want to jump like your pet jerboa.” She wiped crumbs from her ruby lips and smiled.

Arueshalae had practically twisted herself in knots with embarrassment when she came up to the Citadel to ask Siavash if he had time to talk. They met at the Half Measure, and found themselves a secluded corner while Aivu “helped” Fye at the bar. It was early evening, before the rush. Still, a couple of crusaders spotted them and came over to salute the Knight-Commander, and he shook their hands warmly even as they cast uneasy glances at his companion. He thought he overheard one of them saying he ought to be wary as they went back to their table, and relished the day she would prove them wrong. He wanted to believe in her.

“People like you,” she said when they were gone. “You’re full of hope and inspiration, like an azata…” Pain flashed across her features so briefly it might have been a trick of the light. “But there’s also something sad, when you think no one’s watching.”

“You’re good at reading people.”

She flinched and looked away. “My demonic nature.”

He started to lay a hand on her arm but drew back, giving her a warm smile instead. “You know, maybe some of the talents from your demonic nature could be used for good. If a succubus senses people’s fears and desires, maybe she can see how to help them.”

“It won’t be easy to… sort the wheat from the cheese? But maybe you’re right. I should learn to use my gifts to help people.” She looked him straight in the eyes with her intense, crimson gaze. “For example, you just deflected.”

Now it was his turn to flinch. Part of him warned that this was really foolish, but another part wanted to confide in her, in all her seemingly guileless curiosity. Which was exactly what a succubus would want him to do. And even if not, even if she was being honest about wanting to change, she could lose control at any moment. Yet how could he help her if he didn’t extend his trust? “All right. Yes, I’m a little lonely sometimes.”

“You’re surrounded by friends. Why do you feel alone?”

“Maybe I think I deserve to be alone.” He fidgeted with the paper cookie wrapping on the table between them. “Not to let people get too close, because I tend to let them down. Maybe I’m not all that different from you. Well—not quite as extreme. But maybe I’m also struggling against part of my nature.”

“You’re not letting people down in the Crusade.”

“Not yet,” he smiled wistfully. “I’ve hurt people before by not keeping my promises. I want to do better.”

“I never thought I could have anything in common with someone like you. It makes me feel so much more hopeful.”

“We’re not as different as you think.”

“Maybe it’s silly and selfish, but sometimes I think Desna sent you to me. When I first saw you in a vision you looked like an azata, beautiful and glowing, and then you freed me from prison. It’s as if She sent you to free me from the prison of being a demon.”

“No, Arue, you have to free yourself. I’ll be here to listen and feed you cookies, but that’s not a door I can unlock for you.”

“You’re right, of course, but eating cookies with you does make me feel stronger. Like maybe I can want to be with you without wanting to… to destroy you. I’ve watched mortals just be happy together, with no violence in their eyes, and someday I want to feel that too. But you’ve been in love before. Tell me what it’s like.”

“Love is a wonderful feeling. It’s like the sun is shining even in the middle of winter. Your beloved’s smile is like the sun in your heart: it lights up everything, fills everything with warmth and joy. And you want desperately to give them the world, to make them happy.”

She leaned forward as she listened, her eyes wide and her lips parted in a wondering smile.

“With time it mellows, so you don’t feel as if you’re walking on clouds all the time, but love grows deep roots. You still have moments of sunshine, but it’s more like your heart has learned to drink from it and grow strong and bloom. When you’re with your beloved you feel whole. At home.”

He was aware his voice wavered as he spoke. Thinking of Kristov didn’t stab him in the heart like it used to, but the old ache was still there. He stopped to gather himself and realized only at that moment what had happened.

Arueshalae’s face had ever so gradually changed while he was speaking, her jaw growing squarer, her brow heavier, a slight hint of stubble on her chin.

“Arue!”

She gasped, instantly melting back to her feminine form. As he watched, helpless with shock, she shoved violently away from the table, leapt up and ducked out of the tavern, leaving him to shakily finish off his wine, fold the paper over the rest of the cookies, and throw his cloak on.

Part of him was aware of the danger. His heart pounded like a rabbit’s that had barely gone to ground in time. But mostly, he wondered if he’d foolishly just undone years of her hard work, so wrapped up in his own musings he hadn’t noticed until it was too late what effect it was having on her. Maybe feeding people cookies and listening to their troubles was all part of what Kristov called his “act.”

He faked a friendly smile for Fye and the crusaders as he left.

Maybe it’s right that people should run when they start getting too close, he thought wistfully as he walked up the dark streets toward the Citadel. She wasn’t the first.

Still… as the Sword of Valor came into view, bright in the dusk with its graceful tree growing even here in the heart of the Worldwound, he drew a deep breath and fished a cookie out of his pocket. There was always hope. When he found her again, he knew already what he would tell her: there’s a little bit of the Abyss in all of us. We have to learn to overpower it. But also to forgive ourselves.

[write-ur-wrongs]

The Death of Me

Pairing: Geralt x reader

Word count: almost 4K - big whoops!

A/N: This was totally meant to be a drabble / blurb, but the story got away from me! A huge thanks to the sweet anon who submitted this prompt - I was beyond inspired and chuckled warmly throughout the entire writing process. This baby isn’t proofread so thread lightly!! I sincerely hope y’all enjoy this one :’) 

Prompt:  Heya! I saw your post about wanting to practice writing short stories so I have a small prompt for Geralt! What about: the reader and Geralt have always had a difficult relationship, always running into each other at the most inconvenient moments and hence disliking each other. However, while Geralt is passing through a village the reader comes barging into his room bloody and near death, only getting a chance to say “I didn’t know where else to go” before collapsing. I would be honoured if the idea inspired you :3

____________________________________________________

You’d never considered yourself unlucky but lately life had a funny way of throwing you for a loop, or rather, throwing you to the wolves. One wolf, actually. A damn, irritating, and arrogant white wolf.

At first, it was all business. You’d arrive in a village itching for a contract, only to find that a “legendary witcher” had already come through and taken care of every monster within a two-days ride. Furious, hungry, and broke, you set out determined to get as far as you could and as quickly as possible. Your determination got you far enough that you’d managed a full three months of contract work, but not far enough it seemed.

You’d been on your way to collect payment from your latest contractor when you’d heard the buzz on the street; a witcher had come through asking about work, and had been told to wait and see as someone else (a woman! A human woman!) had already committed to the case. Apparently, he was either incensed or bemused at the idea – the brute was very hard to read, so say the town gossips – but it didn’t matter to you. You beat him to it and now you get to eat. When you finally met with the contractor to collect your coin, you couldn’t help but swell with pride as they thanked you, eyes wide, for taking care of a monster no human ought to be able to handle. You could have sworn your pride had given you wings as you floated out of the inn.

That is, until you heard them mumble under their breath, “Thank Gods that lass was able to handle it! Had it been the witcher, I would have had to pay triple!”

“Thank heavens for cheap labour!” whispered their partner, raising their glass to cheers their big victory.

Suddenly whatever weightlessness you felt transferred onto your coin purse. Biting hard on your cheek you pushed up your chin, determined to remain dignified. But then you saw him.

Impossibly broad chested, rippling muscles evident beneath his leather armour, with golden eyes that reflected back to you with a cruel playful nature that made bile rise in the back of your throat. He held your gaze and raised his own tankard to you as you walked past him. His deep voice rumbled through you as you pushed the door open.

“Cheers to cheap labour,” you heard him say, and swore you could hear the smirk on his full lips.

Groaning furiously, you pushed the door so hard it swung back and slammed shut behind you with such force a flock of birds took off somewhere in town. Undeterred, you stomped off towards your horse and set off at a gallop.

I’m going to make sure I never cross his fucking path ever again, you thought searingly.

You were wrong it turned out, but how were you supposed to know that?

You’d gone years without actually seeing him again, but that didn’t mean you were free of him. You’d alternated winning and losing contracts to each other, and the pressure of beating him to the next one stressed you so fiercely you developed ulcers. That alone would have been enough to push you to murder had you not heard from another witcher that their brother, the great white wolf, was losing sleep trying to keep up with you. Knowledge of this fact spurred you on; after all, if you couldn’t beat him, it’s best to be even, no?

The next time fate brought you two together, though, you could not have been farther from on top. What made matters worse, is that you weren’t even in battle when your paths crossed. Your literal paths just simply… crossed.

You’d been riding east for many days and just as many nights. You were tired, sore, and somehow still soaked to the bone despite the fact that the rain had stopped at least a day ago. You were so tired, your muscles seemed heavy in your limbs, and you had to keep blinking hard to bring the spinning world around you back to its axis. As you rode through an intersection on the trail, the sun peaked out from behind the thick curtain of clouds just long enough to pull you fully into sleep, and right off your still-moving-horse’s saddle.  

You honestly didn’t remember falling asleep, or off the saddle. You also had no memory of the moment another traveler, who was riding towards the intersection on the other trail, leapt off his mare just as you started your descent and caught you before you could split your skull open on one of the many rocks sprinkled throughout the street. You had no memory of the way he’d pulled you off the path, leading both horses behind him as he’d carried you over his shoulder. Zero recollection of him laying you down on a bed grass, tying your horse to a nearby tree, lighting you a campfire, or filling your pack with some bread and meat.

What you did remember, was the arrogant look on his face when you finally woke up. The condescending tone he took as he reminded you that you were ‘only human’ and had to take care of yourself accordingly was also seared into the annals of your memory.

You hated that he’d saved you almost as much as you hated the fact that you’d been asleep around him. Completely vulnerable for God knows how long and he’d been there to witness it all. Whenever the memory of the look on his face or the way he’d crossed his arms and tilted his stupid head as he condescended your humanity came to you, you couldn’t help but cringe even months after the fact.

***

Your saving grace came a full six months after your damned damsel in distress moment on the trail.

Well fed, well worked, and well travelled, you were taking your time enjoying the market in your town of the week. The work you did wasn’t glamourous, but it did allow you the means to afford a few luxuries every now and then. This time, it just so happened that your coin could buy you the sweetest gift of all: revenge.

The market was busy as ever, you could barely hear yourself think over the cacophony of voices and animal bleats bouncing around the square. Had it been anyone else, the conversation would have been lost among the noise around you, but when that voice came rumbling through the mess of shrieks and shouts, you couldn’t help but seek out the source. You didn’t know why you cared or why you were so surprised to find that the voice’s owner was none other than the White Wolf himself.

“You good?” you asked, making sure to tilt your head, hands on your hips, the same way he’d done the last time you’d met.

“Fine.” He practically barked, not even turning his head fully to address you directly.

The merchant, none-too-concerned with your arrival on the scene, continued as if uninterrupted. “I’m sorry Mr. Witcher, sir, but I can’t go any lower. This is the best I can offer.”

“I can’t pay that much,” he grumbled, hands closed into tight fists.

“I’m sorry-”

“Is this enough?” you interjected, knowingly offering forward far too many ducats.

“Y-yes!” breathed the merchant, looking quizzically at Geralt before picking three coins from your open palm, “thank you, madam...”

“Y/N,” you introduced yourself with a warm smile and a nod.

“Y/N!” Geralt hissed, at the same time, reaching out to push away your hand a fraction too late; the vendor was paid, and you’d won this round.

“What is it, Witcher?” you teased, as the vendor took his sword back for repairs, “been on vacation? Why so skint?”

“Been low on work lately,” he replied coolly, cat-like eyes boring into yours, “not as many contracts as there use to be.”

“Well, I’ll be,” you said, cocking your head to the side and pursing your lips in mock contemplation, “I can’t imagine why that’d be the case! Seems I keep running into monsters to kill.”

“Mmhm.” He hummed, narrowing his eyes at you.

Refusing to let him have the last word, you quickly turned on your heels and high-tailed it out of the market, shouting over your shoulder to the blacksmith to give any change back to Geralt before disappearing back into the crowd.

***

Being even should have brought peace between the two of you but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Your last interaction only fanned the flames of your rivalry. As the months turned to years without coming upon each other again, you still found yourself filled with unreasonable anger whenever you saw a mop of white hair cross you on your travels.

And not that you’d know it, but it turned out that Geralt wasn’t faring any better; finding himself frustrated and acting recklessly whenever he’d come upon anything that reminded him of you.

You were both completely obsessed with one another. Thoughts of the other constantly on the mind. Whether in waking or in dreams, you were both equally afflicted by an intense need to outperform, out run, and also, inexplicably, to impress the other.  

*

It was that need to impress each other that led you to accept a contract you should have never even considered taking. You honestly wouldn’t have even considered it had the circumstances been any different but you’d been hearing about this monster for weeks on your travels. Tales of the mighty griffin tearing people to shreds had been circulating far and wide on this side of the Yaruga, and honestly, with every retelling you’d expected to hear that a witcher had handled it, but that never happened. You’d somehow managed to arrive at the village at the source of these stories before him and had an opportunity to literally rob him of this victory.

Granted, you were the only one who’d been attributing him with this win, but that didn’t matter, not to you. The only thing you cared about when accepting this particular contract was the knowledge that by taking it, you were preventing him from having it, and that was more than enough.

The shock on the villagers faces when they saw you accept the contract only added to your already inflated confidence. The sheer size of the griffin’s wingspan humbled you a little, though, and whatever grand illusions of an easy victory you’d carried into the forest were squashed along with a couple rib bones only moments after engaging the beast. In short, you were fucked.

Some might say that coming out of it alive was enough of a win. Those people would be morons, you thought as you stumbled clumsily back towards the lights of the village, clutching your split abdomen with both hands and blinking back blood dripping from your forehead. Every step you took came with the stabbing pain of additional tearing around your wound. You could barely think, your ears were blocked and caked with dried blood and dirt, your tears stung as they fell across the gashes on your cheeks, and every breath in felt like it could be your last. You’d never admit this out loud, but a part of you wished the creature had finished the job.

Perhaps the only saving grace here was that in your condition, you couldn’t hear the villagers as they pointed and gossiped. You didn’t hear the “told you so’s” or the lewd shouts coming from the drunk men as you stumbled into the tavern. You could barely hear the disappointment in the inn owner’s voice as they reprimanded you for accepting a contract, they knew you couldn’t complete. Rolling your eyes, you pushed your way towards the stairs as quickly as possible – which, as it turned out, was not so quick, praying that someone would call you a healer.

“… and to think a witcher arrived only hours after she went off to kill herself! Tsk-tsk!”

You stopped dead in your tracks, drops of blood falling across your brow as you interrupted the momentum you’d been building. “W-what?” you croaked, turning towards them as much as possible to make sure you’d hear them correctly.

“Yeah! And not just any witcher, lass, the Butcher of Blaviken no less! Checked in with us just as you head out. Had you waited half a day you could have saved yourself a world of – ‘ey! Now where’s she off to?”

As you registered this news, something inside you snapped. Before you knew what was happening, you’d made your way upstairs and started pushing your full weight onto every door you passed. The great White Wolf, the Butcher of Blaviken, was certainly arrogant enough to leave his door unlocked. You might have been wrong about the griffin, but you’d be damned if you were wrong about this.

Fortunate or not, you weren’t wrong about this. As you pushed your shoulder against the last door with whatever strength you had left, the door swung open with very little resistance. The heavy wooden door slammed loudly against the wall at the exact moment that your limp body crashed onto the floor.

“WHAT the fuck!” Geralt howled, leaping off the bed and onto his feet. His wild eyes assessed the situation in an instant, and he bound to you in barely two strides. “What the fuck did you do? What happened?” he asked as he flipped you over, so gently you were sure you’d already passed out and were now dreaming. Or maybe the blood loss was finally catching up to you and you were full-on hallucinating.

“I didn’t know where else to go,” you breathed, barely above a whisper, before losing consciousness in his arms.

*

Regaining consciousness was a slow, painful process. You’d come in and out of it a handful of times throughout the night, and flashes of what you’d seen before you lost it were coming to you in an almost dreamlike haze; terrifying images of the furious griffin, its blood-soaked talon shining in the setting sun as it reared back to strike you again, and warmer visions of Geralt, shirtless, running towards you with – could it be? – genuine concern in his eyes.

Now as the rising sun cast its glow across the room, you squinted painfully against the light. Your head felt as though it was full of cotton; heavy, and scratchy, and unnatural on top of your shoulders. Hesitantly, you ran your tongue over your teeth and were equal parts relieved to find them all there and disgusted at the acrid, mineral taste the blood left behind. Blinking slowly, you tried to bring up your hand to rub at your eyes, but stopped short as you felt the large bandage draped across your forehead.

Slowly, you started to register the other bandages, on your arms, your cheek, across your abdomen. Your eyes grew wide as you finally registered the man facing away from you in the far corner of the room. Geralt’s broad strong back was hunched away from you as he rifled through herbs and small glass vials looking for something. Inexplicably, you found yourself disappointed to see he’d put his thick black tunic back on. Horrified by that realization, you literally gagged, startling Geralt and pulling his attention squarely onto you.

His big dumb beautiful face was all hard lines as he looked you over, stern eyes flashing to meet yours before dropping back down to the vial in his hands. You couldn’t help be notice the way the muscles in in jaw rippled and tensed as he sighed. He was oozing disappointment and anger, and that infuriated you.

“Am I dead?” you ask, squinting at him a little theatrically as you squirmed and winced in your bed.

“No.” he practically growled, his body tense as he made his way towards you slowly.

“Oh,” you breathed, bringing your eyes up to his before adding, “this isn’t hell?”

To your immense satisfaction, his stern eyes widened into shock, but then something unrecognizable flashed across his features – wait, was he hurt?

“Why, because I’m here?” he shouted, as if in confirmation of your hunch, and slammed the damp cloth he’d been holding back into the basin.

“No, jackass,” you retorted, pleased that despite the position you were in, you still had some semblance of an upper-hand, “because a griffin fucking fileted me like a fish and some poor drunk is probably downstairs slipping in a pool of my blood right now.”

You’d kind of hoped that he’d laugh, or at least have a comeback geared up for you, but Geralt just stood there staring at you, his mouth in a tight line, nostrils flaring.

Uncomfortable by the intensity of his stare and the silence accompanying it, you decide to continue to poke the bear.

“Come on, what’s with the face, Geralt? Pissed I’m still alive? You know you could have just closed the door over my body, let nature finish the bloody job.”

“Fuck, no! Y/n!” he screamed, startling you out of the attitude you’d put on, “I’m pissed because you’re an impossibly difficult woman hellbent on killing herself! I’m pissed because you don’t seem to fucking care about what happens to you! You can’t keep doing this Y/N! Because one of these days you’re going to get hurt and you’ll be too far away from me and I won’t be able to fucking save you, again! I am pissed because I am losing my mind spending every god-awful day wondering if you’ve gone and gotten yourself killed! Fucking hell, woman! If you didn’t find me – I-if I wasn’t here, with these herbs – Damnit Y/N!”

You just sat there, mouth opening and closing like a fish. You couldn’t believe it. You didn’t know what to say. This man, your nemesis, was in front of you pacing back and forth, breathing heavily, looking like a maniac. His nostrils were flaring more than the monster that almost killed you just yesterday. Part of you wanted to correct him and demand he never address you as ‘woman’ again, but his wild earnest eyes kept you quiet. My god… was he crying?

Before you could say anything, Geralt sighed gruffly, ran his large hand over his face and stormed out, mumbling something about needing to get you more water.

Left alone with your thoughts, you couldn’t stop yourself from spiralling. You’d expected him to be angry – hell, you wanted him to be angry! You’d humiliated yourself twice over, enraging him would ease the blow – but this was… different. He seemed genuinely concerned about you. And what was with his whole speech? He spent every day thinking about you? Worrying about you? There’s no way.

Sure, you thought about him daily, but that was out of spite! You hated the man! Why else would your heart race whenever you thought you spotted him in a crowd? Why else would you actively seek out the most dangerous contracts? What, like you were hoping these contracts would draw him out, and therefore, closer to you? As if!

Your ridiculous inner monologue was interrupted by Geralt’s return. The horrible brute knocked gently on the door before stepping inside, and your heart had the audacity to skip a beat.

Oh, you thought, fuck.

“I need to change the dressing on your wounds,” he grumbled, not meeting your eyes. You nodded wordlessly as he settled onto the chair next to you. You watched him work in silence, praying he would attribute your insane heartrate and flushed skin to a pain response from his work.

“Geralt?” you tried, chewing nervously on your cheek, as was just finished up with the last of your dressing.

“Hm?” he hummed, keeping his eyes cast down as he fussed with the bandage on the gash across your abdomen.

“Thank you… for saving me.”

He finally brought his gaze up to meet yours, but said nothing in return. He merely grunted in acknowledgment. You didn’t know why, but his silence in combination with his inscrutable gaze encouraged you to keep talking.

“I honestly only took this contract because I didn’t want you to have it,” you admitted bashfully.

“What the fuck? No one was taking it because they weren’t paying nearly enough! Hell, and you’re just a human,” he fumed, throwing up air-quotes as he said it, “so what – they offered you a third of nothing?”

Laughing lightly, you shoved him with your elbow, “they offered me three whole ducats!”

“Oh, wow,” he laughed, low and rumbling, “so a big pay day for you, eh?”

“Shut up,” you gasped as pain rippled through you with each peal of laughter, “knowing I could screw you over was payment enough!”

“Well congratulations are in order, you did manage to screw someone over,” he chided.

“Me,” you stated dryly, gesturing widely at your busted up body.

“You,” he echoed with a sigh that seemed to deflate him.

He suddenly looked so small, sitting there next to you. You watched him as clenched and unclenched his jaw, rubbing his large hands up and down his thighs – was he anxious? You mind raced as you felt his eyes travel slowly up your body. You held your breath as he worked up the nerve to finally bring his eyes up to yours.

The moment his eyes landed on yours, something shifted. Whatever had been lodged uncomfortably between the two of you all these years had finally clicked into place. This change, albeit small, was palpable. His eyes dropped to your lips and lingered there. He was looking at you like he’d never seen you before. Like he was afraid he might never see you again.

Without speaking, Geralt inched himself closer to you and reached a tender hand to tuck your hair behind your ears before cradling your face.

“You’re not allowed to die, do you hear me?” he whispered, gently stroking your cheek with his thumb.

You gave him a quick nod and brought your hand up to his, nuzzling into the warmth of his palm before giving his hand a quick kiss.

“I need to hear you say it,” he begged, bringing himself even closer to you.

“I do,” you breathed, trying to sit up to bring your face closer to his. “I’m not going to die, not on your watch, but I’m also not quitting.”

“Y/N –”

“No! If I quit, you’d get lazy. Who’d push you? What would be your driving force?”

“Wow,” he scoffed, looking at you incredulously but fondly, “you’re so fucking arrogant.”

“And yet…” you said, quirking a brow flirtatiously as you pulled him closer by the collar.

“… and yet?” he murmured, letting himself be pulled closer to you. His eyes half-closed and his lips slightly parted.

“You love me.”

“I love you.”

And then he kissed you. His mouth claimed yours urgently but his hands were ever gentle, ghosting over your bandages and caressing your skin with a feather-light tenderness that would have brought you to your knees had you not already been bedridden. Any hesitation or doubt melted away under the heat of his touch as all those years of tension sprung apart catastrophically. The knot you had carried in your stomach unfurled into flittering fireflies, their heat traveling up your stomach to your chest as his hands worked their way into your hair.

You didn’t know when they’d fallen, but you let out a shaky laugh as Geralt kissed away the tears on your cheeks, his thumb swiping at the tears his soft lips failed to catch. Breathing heavily, he rested his forehead against yours; his hands cupping your face as yours captured his.

Gods – this man was going to be the death of you.  

[waitimcomingtoo]

Wicked Game ~ T.H

pairing: frat! Tom Holland x Reader

chapter six: your sleight of hand

trigger warnings: involuntary intoxication, allusion to sa, no actual sa

series masterlist

Brad was passing by and saw you and Tom wrapped around each other. He looked up and saw Trent near the front door. Trent nodded and left the house, and Brad knew what to do.

“All right, all right. We get it. You won the bet, Tom. You don’t have to rub it in our faces.” Brad said loudly as he patted Tom on the back. All the color drained from Tom’s face as your eyes lit up in surprise.

“You won a bet, babe?” You smiled proudly. “What was it?”

“Oh. It’s just this stupid thing. You’re gonna laugh when I tell you.”

“Tell me.” You said through a tipsy giggle.

“The day we met, before the party, a couple of us saw you in the courtyard, right? And you inspired us to make a little bet.”

“What kind of bet?” You playfully gasped.

“Whatever boy in the house could get a girl to fall in love with them they fastest would get to be President next year.” Tom explained as he continued to sway with you to the music.

“Wait.” Your smile faltered a little as you listened to his story.

“Sounds easy right?” He continued. “I figured I would win in a day. But then the boys picked you for me to go after and I knew I had zero chance of winning.”

“Wait.” You said again as your arms slowly slide off of him.

“It’s just because you’re so you and I’m so me, you know? I didn’t think you’d ever go for me. But the boys convinced me.” Tom shrugged, never dropping his drunken smile. You took your arms all the way off of him now and put your hand on your stomach, feeling nauseous all of the sudden.

“Oh my God.” You whispered as the room began to spin around you. Tom was too drunk to notice the way you were reacting.

“Wait, wait. I haven’t gotten to the funny part yet. You’re gonna laugh. Trust me.” Tom laughed and waved his hand. “So I get Harrison to get your roommate to bring you to our party. And somehow, our master plan works. You and I hit it off and the rest is history.”

“I’m still waiting for the funny part.”

“The funny part is that I’m the one who fell. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I’m so in love with you, darling. You don’t even know.” Tom smiled warmly at you as he took your hands into his.

“Don’t touch me.” You ripped your hands away and held yourself.

“What?” Tom frowned. “What’s wrong, princess?”

“What’s wrong?” You raised your voice. “You just told me our entire relationship was based on some sick, perverted bet.”

“It started as a bet, yes. But I fell in love with you for real. Why are you upset?” Tom genuinely wondered, too drunk to fully grasp the situation.

“Because I was just the butt of the joke for you and your stupid friends.“ You shouted as your eyes filled with tears. Party goers looked over to see what the commotion was about and listened in.

“No, no, no.” Tom quickly tried to backtrack. “You weren’t a joke. It wasn’t like that, love.”

“Then why was it me? Why did your friends pick me for you to go after?”

Tom’s stomach was turning as all the guilt and lies caught up to him. He wished he wasn’t drunk when having the most important conversation of his life.

“I don’t know. Because you weren’t really in our crowd. None of us knew who you were. We just knew you were really smart. It was funny.” Tom weakly tried to explain himself.

“Why is it funny that someone would love me?” You screamed, making the party go silent. Tom blinked in surprise, never having heard you stray from your soft spoken nature.

“It’s not. I promise it’s not. But you were sitting right there and the opportunity was perfect. The boys picked you because they knew you’d never go for a guy like me. Plus, no one in the house had ever been with you before. We all thought you were a virgin.”

“What does that matter?” Your eyes darkened a little at the new information.

“Well what would you rather drive? A brand new Mercedes or a an old station wagon that had a couple thousand miles on it?” Tom tried to explain himself with the analogy Trent had used. It made sense to him when Trent said it, but the look on your face told Tom he should not have repeated that.

“So that’s what it takes for you to see me as something with value? You have to compare me to a car?” You asked as mascara-stained tears rolled down your face.

“Well when you put it like that-“

“Do you have any idea how dehumanizing that is?” You cut him off. “Or how inherently creepy it is to go after virgins in the first place? You’re acting like a woman’s sexual past is equivalent to depreciation.”

“You know I don’t understand you when you use big words like that.” Tom said quietly.

“You know what Tom? I don’t understand you either.” You laughed sadly. “I thought you were a nice guy. Better yet, I thought I loved you. And I was stupid enough to believe you loved me too. But you’re not a nice guy. You’re a sociopath. So you can’t love me. You can’t love anyone. That saves you from ever having to love yourself because take it from me, that’s a particularly wicked game. A game I didn’t even know I was playing. Fuck you, fuck this frat, fuck the bet, and fuck you again because I don’t feel it truly sinking in. You are a detestable, microphallus, pithy excuse for a man. And I hope I never fucking see you again.“

Tom’s jaw dropped in shock after your monologue. He felt his own eyes well up in tears as he realized just how bad the situation was. He didn’t get a chance to break the truth to you in a delicate way and now he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to redeem himself.

“She knows so many words.” Brad mumbled to himself.

“I just googled microphallus.” One of the frat brothers laughed and showed Brad his phone. You and Tom shared a long look as the attendants of the party stared at you. You both had tears rolling down your face, but your face was twisted in anger while his was crestfallen. You shook your head at Tom and gave him the worst look of all, a look of disappointment. Before you could walk away, Harrison came back into the room.

“Woah. What’s going on in here?” He asked as he looked around the room.

“Harrison. Not now. Get out of here.” Tom ordered as he wiped his face.

“Did Peyton know about the bet?” You turned to Harrison to ask.

“The bet?” His eyes flew open. “Oh shit, dude. You told her?”

“No, I didn’t tell her. Freaking Brad told her.” Tom croaked as he pointed to Brad. Brad held up his hands in defense as everyone’s attention turned to him.

“Oh shit.” Harrison repeated. “No, Peyton didn’t know. I just told her to bring you to the party that night because I had a friend for you to meet.”

“Are you guys okay? What’s going on in here?” Harry asked as he came into the room as well.

“Not now, Harry.” Harrison answered and nodded towards Tom. Harry looked around in confusion and saw your devastated expression.

“Oh no. What’s wrong, Shark Week? Are you okay?” Harry asked with genuine concern but unknowingly made the situation worse.

“She knows about the bet.” Harrison said quietly.

“Oh, shit.” Harry burst out laughing. “Did you guys tell her how funny it was though?”

“She didn’t find it very funny.” Tom said through a clenched jaw. Brad surveyed the room and smirked a little.

“I have to say, I’m surprised she didn’t find it funny. We all thought it was hilarious.” Brad spoke up. “What was that thing you said, Tom? That lonely girls like Y/n will tell anybody that they love them just in case they say it back?”

“Brad.” Harrison whispered harshly and made a motion for him to be quiet.

“What? It was so funny.” Brad played dumb. “Tom was all like, “yeah bros, I just have to fuck her and she’ll be telling me she loves me before I get my pants back on”. Didn’t you say that Tom?“

“You said that?” Your voice cracked as you looked at Tom. All the women in the room began to back away from Tom and Brad, equally disgusted with their behavior.

“I didn’t know you yet. I was an asshole back then. I didn’t mean that.” Tom’s voice shook as he tried to explain himself.

“Back then? That was a few months ago. Clearly, you haven’t changed. If anything, you’re worse now because back then, you weren’t lying to me.”

“I’m starting to get the feeling I shouldn’t be here.” Harry thought out loud, catching your attention.

“Wait, Harry. You called me Shark Week. Brad called me that too. What does that mean?” You asked as you looked at all the boys. Harrison, Tom, and Harry looked down in shame and Brad let out a satisfied sigh.

“What?” You asked again. “What does it mean?”

Nobody wanted to be the one to answer you, so they all stayed silent.

“Tom?” You asked him directly. Tom gave you an apologetic look and shrugged a little.

“I might’ve told them about you bleeding on my sheets.” Tom said quietly. He thought you’d get even angrier if that was possible, but you just let out a laugh.

“Oh. I get it.” You nodded your head. “This was all just one big joke to you. I was just one big fucking joke.”

“No you weren’t, I swear. You weren’t a joke. What we had was real to me. I really do love you. Please believe me.” Tom pleaded with you as he reached for you.

“Why would I believe you? You are such a liar.” You said as you stepped back from him.

“Because I’m telling the truth.” Tom smiled weakly at you. He looked into your eyes and hoped you could find it in your heart to hear him out. You studied Tom’s face for a moment and cracked a sad smile.

“You promised you wouldn’t break my heart.” You said quietly, quiet enough for only him to hear. That felt like a final blow for Tom as hot tears slipped down his face.

“I didn’t-“

You smacked him across the face before he could finish his sentence. Your hand stung even worse than his face did, but neither of you cared. He didn’t even touch his cheek to ease the pain. He didn’t feel like he deserved to be soothed. He just stood there and felt the pain.

“I hate you.” You told him, looking him right in the eyes as you said it.

This brought forth a different kind of pain, and not the kind that Tom would bear. A small gasp escaped his lips and he felt his heart crumble in his chest. All you could do what hope he felt half of what you were feeling when he shattered your soul. You sized him up and let out a quiet, dry laugh before turning around. People parted for you and cleared a space for you to leave the house. Tom watched each step you took out of the house until you shut the door behind you. Tom covered his face with his hands as he started to really cry. Harry and Harrison went over to him and wrapped their arms around him for comfort.

“Dude, cheer up. You won the bet.” Harry reminded him as he rubbed his brothers back.

“I know.” Tom sniffled. “But I lost her.”

Meanwhile, you were walking away from the frat house as you wiped your face. You pulled out your phone to call Peyton, but she didn’t respond so you left a voicemail. As you stumbled down the walkway, you heard a party in full swing. You looked up and saw multicolored lights coming out of the Alpha Theta frat house.

“I forgot there were other frats on campus.” You mumbled to yourself. You walked into the house and went straight to the kitchen. You didn’t normally drink, but you weren’t particularly looking forward to feeling this pain. You downed a few shots and took a beer from the counter before going to the dance floor.

It didn’t take long for Trent to spot you in the crowd. He assumed Brad had told you about the bet by now and that’s why you were getting drunk at a different frat house. Trent smiled and got his friends attention before going over to you.

“Hey. I’m Trent. This is James.” Trent said as he gestured to his friend. You barely looked at either of them as you finished the rest of your drink.

“Aren’t you Y/n?“ Trent continued, catching James’s attention.

“I used to be.” You gave him a drunk smile and stumbled a little.

“Wait, Y/n? Isn’t that Hollands girl? He’ll kill us both for even thinking about it.” James whispered to Trent.

“Chill, bro. She’s not his girl anymore. You didn’t hear about their bet?” Trent whispered back.

“What bet?” James wondered.

“I’ll tell you.” You chimed in. “You guys are horrible at whispering by the way. Anyways, my details might be fuzzy because I’m quite literally the last person to know, but the Delta Nu frat had a bet going that the first guy to get a pathetic loser to fall in love with him would get the be president. And guess who the pathetic loser was?”

You moved your wrist around in a circle before pointing to yourself. Trent and James exchanged a look before returning their attention to you.

“Damn. That sucks.” James looked at you sympathetically.

“Yeah.” You sighed. “It does suck.”

“Well did he win?” James wondered. “Did you actually fall in love with him?”

“Duh. That’s why I’m a pathetic loser. See before I met him, I was more loser than pathetic. Then, he made me feel like I was the coolest girl ever. Like a real-life manic pixie dream girl.”

“A what?”

“Shh. I’m talking.” You hushed them. “Anyways, now that the bet is done, he’s the president of the top frat on campus, and I’m just the pathetic loser he used to get there.”

Trent and James exchanged a look once you finished your story. James felt bad for you, but Trent was just happy knowing Tom was somewhere hurting.

“But now I’m here! Drinking at your party until I forget that the only boy I ever loved was just using me to get ahead in a competition he was already winning. Cheers.” You said as you took a drink out of the hand of someone walking by and downed it. You looked at the boys again in your drunken gaze and frowned.

“Sorry, what did you say your name was?” You asked.

“Trent. I’m actually in the Delta Nu frat. I just had no idea about the bet.” Trent lied as he shook your hand.

“Really?” You asked. “I figured all the guys were in on it.”

“No. I don’t really hang out with those guys. They always do barbaric shit like that. And Tom’s the worst one. The bet was actually his idea.” Trent continued to lie just to fully bury Tom.

“It was?” Your face crumpled with this new information. James looked angrily at Trent for making you feel worse than you already did.

“Yeah. I tried to get him to stop the bet because of how disgusting it was, but he insisted on it.” Trent shrugged. The opposite was true, but you didn’t know that.

“Dude, didn’t you just say you didn’t know about the bet?” James said as he gave Trent a look.

“Shh. She’s drunk and heartbroken. She’s not even listening.” Trent whispered to James and gestured to you.

“What wattage is that lightbulb?” You asked as you pointed to the light above you.

“See what I mean?” Trent said to James before returning his attention to you. “Do you want to get drunk?”

“I don’t know. I’m already drunk and kinda just want to go home and cry.” You said as you started to feel uneasy.

“Come on. Live a little. You can cry tomorrow.” Trent said as he wrapped an arm around you.

“That is true.” You shrugged.

“Let me get you a drink.” Trent smiled and lead you to the kitchen. James got a weird feeling in his stomach and followed close behind you. You did a few more shots with Trent and when he offered you another, you turned him down.

“I think I’m good for now. I’ve had enough for the night.”

“Then I’ll make you a virgin cocktail. I’m really good at it. Virgins are the best.” Trent said now that you were in the kitchen. James lingered in the doorway and pretended not to be listening.

“I don’t know. I’m not really supposed to drink things I don’t pour.” You laughed nervously and leaned against a door for support. You were a lot drunker than you intended to be and we’re starting to regret it.

“Please? It’ll give me a chance to practice.“ Trent replied as he began to make you a drink. You didn’t want to say yes, but you knew he wouldn’t stop asking until he did.

“Okay. Sure. Fine. But no alcohol.” You reminded him as you looked over your shoulder for a bathroom. When your head was turned, Trent poured a few shots of vodka into the drink he was making you.

“Dude. She said no alcohol.” James said loud enough for you to hear, but your head was off in space.

“She didn’t mean that.” Trent rolled his eyes. “I’m doing her a favor. Once she’s drunk, she’ll forget all about Tom and his bet.”

“I don’t like this, bro. I don’t think you know what you’re doing.” James said as he put a hand over the drink Trent was making for you. Trent ripped the cup away and pushed James back a little.

“Holland disrespected me in front of the entire frat. He called me a dog. This is payback.” Trent whispered harshly as he brought the cup over to you.

“Are you sure there’s no alcohol in this?” You asked as you stared into the cup.

“Scouts honor.” Trent crossed his heart and gave you a warm smile. You smiled back and drank what was in the cup.

You managed to slip away from Trent and James and went to dance in the living room. You didn’t see the dozens of missed calls and texts from Tom and Peyton as you danced with strangers. You felt your cup being taken out of your hand at one point and opened your eyes to see who it was.

“Here. Let me refresh your drink.” Trent smiled at you and placed a full cup in your hand. You were significantly drunker now, more so than you ever had been before. You didn’t taste the alcohol Trent had slipped you as you downed what was in the cup. A few minutes went by and you started to feel like the room was spinning around you. You crumbled your empty cup in your hand and went to sit on the couch. Trent was by your side in no time with another cup in his hand. This time, you pushed it away.

“Don’t feel so good. Mm gonna go home.” You mumbled as you stood up. You almost tripped over your own feet but he caught you.

“What? Don’t go home now. The party is just getting started.” Trent smiled and held you in place. You tried to move, but his grip was too strong and you were too drunk.

“Mmm not up for it tonight.” You stumbled over your words and pulled out your phone. You tried to read the texts Peyton had sent you but your vision was blurry.

“My phone is almost dead. I really gotta go.” You gulped a little and went for the door again.

“Come on. Don’t be a buzzkill.” Trent stepped in front of you and blocked you.

“I’m not. I just have to go home.” You gave him a weak smile and tried to get past him.

“Okay. Sure. I’ll get you home.” Trent offered and put an arm around you to lead you to the door.

“That’s okay. I can make it myself.” You told him as an anxious feeling rose up in your stomach. Your head was pounding and you couldn’t think straight in the moment.

“No you can’t. You can barely stand.” Trent pointed out. You looked around for anyone you knew who might be able to help you, but saw no one.

“I’m okay. Really.” You tried to assure him as you nearly fell over. He laughed as he caught you and started walking towards the door.

“Where are you going?” James asked as he blocked you and Trent from leaving.

“We’re just getting some fresh air.” Trent lied. “She doesn’t feel so good so I’m gonna take her outside.”

“She looks really drunk.” James said sternly. Your head was hanging down and you could barely hear the conversation.

“She’s fine.” Trent insisted. “She’s just playing.”

He tried to leave again and James noticed the way your feet were practically dragging on the floor behind you. He stepped in front of Trent again which only made him angrier.

“Dude, she looks really drunk. Where are you guys going?“ James asked again as he glared at Trent.

“Don’t worry about it.” Trent said through clenched teeth. James gulped and looked at you again. Your eyes were shut now and you were hanging off of Trent like a rag doll.

“You’re just getting some air?” James asked skeptically as he looked between you and Trent.

“Yeah. I’m your friend, dude. You know me. I’m not gonna do anything stupid.” Trent gave James an eerie smile and pulled you closer.

“Say bye, Y/n.” Trent said to you. You picked your head up a little when you heard your name and gave James a sleepy smile.

“Bye James.” You held up a hand as if you were waving and then touched your thumb to your palm and closed your fingers around it. James furrowed his eyebrows at the odd movement as your head hung limply again.

“Bye James.” Trent winked at him before walking out the door with you. As soon as you were out of James’s sight, he got a bad feeling in his chest. He went over to the cup that you had dropped and picked it up. When he sniffed it, he was hit with a scent of alcohol that made his eyes water. His stomach began to churn as his mind went through every worst case scenario. If Trent had gotten you drunk without your knowledge, there must’ve been a bigger plan at play. James raced outside the house and looked around but didn’t see you or Trent anywhere. He sighed in frustration and ran to the Delta Nu frat house. When he walked in, he saw Harry and Harrison in a heated discussion in the kitchen.

“Dudes. Where’s Tom?” James asked them in a panic. Before they could answer, Brad came into the kitchen and spotted James.

“Woah. What do you think you’re doing here? No other frats allowed.” Brad scoffed as he pushed James back a little.

“Where’s Tom?” James ignored him and asked again.

“Upstairs.” Harrison told him. “But I wouldn’t bother him right now. He’s pretty upset.”

“Where is he? I need to talk to him. It’s urgent.” James explained as he ran towards the stairs. Harry and Harrison exchanged a look of confusion and followed after James.

“Which door is his?” James asked as he banged on all the doors.

“He’s not gonna open the door.” Harry told him.

“He has to. He has to help her.” James said, his anxiety evident in his tone. Harry and Harrison exchanged a confused look and went over to James.

“Wait, slow down. It’s okay. Just tell us what’s wrong.” Harry said calmly as he held James by the shoulders.

“It’s Y/n. Trent got her drunk and he left the party with her.”

“What party?” Harrison asked immediately.

“Over at Alpha Theta.” James replied.

“Where did he take her?” Harry asked.

“I don’t know. Guys, I think something bad is going to happen.” James gulped as his eyes darted between the two boys. Harry and Harrison looked at each other and made a decision.

“Come on. We gotta tell Tom.” Harrison nodded towards Tom’s door.

“You go tell Tom. I’m gonna get Sam and to try and find Y/n.” Harry decided. All the boys nodded and split up in different directions.

Meanwhile, you were in and out of consciousness as you walked down the sidewalk. Your arms were wrapped around Trent’s neck with your phone in your hand.

“Wait. This isn’t the way to my dorm.” You realized and stopped walking. You almost fell over, so Trent tightened his grip around your waist and helped you stand upright.

“Shh. We’re just going to my friends dorm. He’s not home.” Trent told you as he continued to drag you along.

“I need to go home. My roommate is probably freaking out. She doesn’t know where I am.” You said as you pulled away from him.

“Then text her and tell her you’re fine.” Trent replied and pulled you back towards him. You lifted your heavy head and saw that you were standing outside of one of the dorms.

“My phone is dead. Can I use your phone?” You asked as you made sure your phone's camera was pointed at the address of the building.

“Yeah. Once we go inside.” Trent said as he started to pull you up the stairs.

“I don’t want to go up there.” You shook your head and pulled away from him.

“Come on. You need some water.” Trent said and pulled you again. You tried to stay put but your legs felt like jelly.

“I’m fine. I’m just gonna go home.” You said and started to walk away. Trent ran after you and stood in front of you.

“Just come up and use my phone to tell your roommate where you are.” He smiled sweetly at you as he held you in place. You looked over your shoulder at the dimly light street and gulped a little. You felt too disoriented to make it back to your apartment on your own and knew you needed Peyton to come get you.

“Okay.” You decided. “Just to call Peyton.”

“Yeah. Let’s call Peyton.” Trent smirked and wrapped his arm around your shoulders. He helped you up the stairs and brought you to his first floor dorm. You stumbled inside and immediately went for his couch.

“I’m gonna sit.” You mumbled as you flopped down on the couch. Trent went to the kitchen and poured two drinks for the two of you. He looked over his shoulder at you and saw that your eyes were closed.

“Okay.” He smirked. “Get comfortable.”

Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline

What to do if your friend drank too much

Distress signals if you feel unsafe

International hand signal for help

Warning signs your friend is a sexual predator

Recognizing predatory behaviors

Helping a drunk friend

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[redrobin-detective]

love language

“Ben,” the voice said softly, “wake up.” It was familiar in a way Ben couldn’t put his finger on. 

“No, mom,” Ben groaned, “five more minutes.”

“Not Mother,” the voice said with an amused huff. “Been longer than five minutes, worried now,” it continued on awkwardly. Ben frowned, confused by the situation. He opened his eyes and sat up to assess what was going on. At least that was what he tried to do.

“Woah,” he gasped as he found he couldn’t move much at all. He didn’t really have sensation or form, there was nothing around him to see and no eyes he could use to see anything with. Ben felt like his brain was spread thin, like cream cheese on a bagel, making every thought feel strange and disconnected. “Where am I?”

“Safe,” the voice soothed and Ben couldn’t help but believe. “Always safe with me. We’re away from attack now, recover here for Grandpa Max or Cousin Gwen to find us.”

“Us?” Ben fumbled as he added up the words in his head. “Wait, you’re the Omnitrix, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” the voice - which now that he was listening Ben recognized as his own just a slightly different pitch and intonation - said happily. “And you are Master, Ben Tennyson.” 

“So wait, am I inside the watch?” Ben asked. That would explain his lack of a body, his whole brain was just floating around inside the alien device. It was weird and a bit scary, no wonder Ghostfreak didn’t like it. “Are you in my body?”

“Sorry,” the Omnitrix said almost apologetically, “was necessary. You were unconscious, your life threatened. Had to access your nervous system to get you to safety. Switch back now?”

“No wait, not yet, I wanna talk some more,” Ben pleaded. “Could you always do this? I feel Azmuth would have shadowbanned me ages ago if he knew he could.”

“This was an emergency, we will always do what is necessary to save the Master’s life.” the Omnitrix responded, it’s words coming more naturally now that it was getting used to it. Ben could practically feel the device flicking through his knowledge language and vocabulary to better communicate. It should feel invasive and yet somehow wasn’t. “And Creator does not get an opinion on the Master.”

“Harsh,” Ben responded back, “what do you got against Azmuth? He did make you, helps fix you when I mess up even though he doesn’t have to.”

“Creator tried to separate us,” the Omnitrix bit back harshly. “He lied to Master, drugged you and attempted to remove me from your person. It did not ask either of us, simply decided a child could not handle the responsibility.”

“Woah,” Ben had gone to Galvan Prime many times, fallen asleep quite often. How many times had Azmuth tried to take the device from him?

“Only once,” the Omnitrix chimed in as if reading his thoughts which, oh, it probably was. Weird. “We shocked him to unconsciousness, to prevent him from trying again. We will not be separated.” 

“Protective, aren’t you?” Ben chuckled awkwardly. It was one thing to know Azmuth wanted to remove the watch, it was another to realize the watch wouldn’t let that happen.

“You are the Master,” it said fondly, “We love you, more than anything in the omniverse. We would watch it all burn if it meant keeping you safe.”

“What?” Ben asked flustered. His parents said they loved him constantly, same with Grandpa and Gwen. But this felt different. “Why? Like seriously, why me? I’m 16 years old and I’m just as much a mess as I was at 10.”

“We...” it paused as if thinking. There was a vague feeling of moving and Ben wondered what the watch was doing in his body. “We can’t explain, Master was just right.” 

“Many wanted to claim us,” the Omnitrix continued. “For many Earth years, we were pulled across the universe, searching for the perfect host. Creator grew tired of the debates, the lies, the deaths that followed and eventually abandoned us. It told us to choose wisely who could use our power. Kings and warriors and scientists demanded it and still we did not relent. None were worthy until you.”

“Seriously?” Ben questioned, “I was like a C student with unmanaged ADHD and about 4 complexes stuffed in a trench coat. Plus we met on accident, Xylene was trying to send you to Grandpa.”

“We like Grandpa Max,” the watch hummed, “but he is too much of solider. Sometimes he even forgets your his family. When the pod opened and we scanned you, we only found your curiosity and wonder. You were the first being to look upon us without ulterior motives. It was, nice.”

“I get that,” Ben mumbled to himself, more than used to everyone in his life expecting something or other from him. 

“We, too, were curious about you. Creator did not add human DNA in our storage. He only cared for relevant species at the time, Earth and it’s people were as alien to us as we were to you.”

“Is that why you latched on?” Ben asked again. 

“Partially, we knew were under attack and needed some manner of escape. It wasn’t going to be forever but we found we liked you; your bravery, your creativity, your love... it inspired us. You went from Host to Master and we bonded more permanently.”

“Huh,” Ben said thoughtfully. “I never really realized you were alive, that you chose me.” He chuckled sadly, “I turned out to be kind of a disappointment, huh?” 

“No,” the watch responded forcefully, enough to startle Ben out of his dark thoughts. “We love you, all of you. All your successes and failures, flaws and strengths, we love them all. We are one in the same, bonded in entirety. We will spend the rest of your days together and when your natural death comes, we will die too. There will be no Master after Ben.”

“So even when I’m just messing around...” Ben asked, changing topics from that heavy comment.

“You taught us how to play and we learned,” The Omnitrix teased. “You ask for Humongosaur too much though, we can have our own fun.”

“Oh so you’re the reason I always get the wrong alien,” Ben laughed. “You’re gonna get me killed one day!”

“Never,” the Omnitrix said warmly but with a steely protectiveness in there. “We will always protect you.”

“Hmm, I guess so,” Ben hummed. “What’s going out in the real world?”

“The battle is over as far as we can see. No sign of Cousin Gwen, Friend Kevin or Partner Rook. Grandpa Max was still in the satellite orbiting the planet last we heard. Do you wish to return now that the danger has passed?”

“Nah, not yet,” Ben sighed, enjoying a few minutes without someone needing him. “I know my body is in safe hands. Tell me more about some of the bozos who tried to wear you.”

“Aurius the Magnificent was one of the more annoying,” the Omnitrix said in the tone Ben used when he was feeling petty. “Just put me on and demanded that I chose him. He did it in front of his whole court and was so frustrated when I would not attach. His concubines laughed at him.”

“Oh man, how embarrassing,” Ben cackled. He let go of his worries, of his responsibilities, of everything and just basked in the familiar tones and the omnipresent love around him. 

[faetarou]

𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 || 𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐬𝐚 𝐤𝐢𝐲𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐢

fandom || haikyuu

pairings || sakusa kiyoomi x reader

gender || fem!reader

desc || Y/N and sakusa's first home is completely imperfect, but somehow it's ... perfect.

warnings // disclaimers || swearing, timeskip!AU, yes kiyoomi is a 'baby' man don't @ me, idk they follow asian etiquette and take off their shoes at the door?

word count || 1.1k

taglist || @crystal-lilac , @kenmaslov3r​ ​, @jojowantstocry , @igyus [you can send me an ask or dm to be added !!]

Y/L/N Y/N HAD NEVER SHARED a home with anyone besides her family and yet, here she was, a ket on a rainbow chain in one hand and her boyfriend holding her other. She looked up at him, raking her eyes across his face.

Sakusa Kiyoomi was as close to the definition of physical perfection as Y/N had ever met - tall and lanky, long black curls always edging on falling into his eyes, which were currently narrowed in concern as he swept her the same way she was doing to him. The slight crease of his eyebrows made the two perfect moles above them waver, and she resisted the urge to press a kiss to them as she often did.

"You alright, baby?"

Y/N turned away from Kiyoomi, her head still tilted towards him as a smile curled her lips warmly in the genuine kind of way he so easily inspired in her. "Yeah, never better."

She leaned forwards, slotting the key into the lock, noting that the cream paint of the door was peeling just a little. The mechanism made a loud thunk noise as it gave, the handle giving way as the hinges creaked open. Her boyfriend's hand grippers hers just a bit more tightly as they both stepped through the doorway together.

They were met with the apartment they'd been expecting (the place was already theirs under Kiyoomi's adequate pro-player wage), yet was simultaneously surprisingly in ever aspect. Y/N slid out of her shoes as she moved further into the apartment - the home - Kiyoomi never out of the reach of her hand. With a cozy kitchen area, a living room crowded with plushy couches and an impressive television, along with a bedroom through another door boasting an enormous bed, the place was just ...

"Perfect," she breathed, squeezing her boyfriend's hand.

"Perfect," he echoed, both of them falling onto the couch in a state of shallow shock.

Y/N cast her head to the side, taking in her perfect Kiyoomi in their perfect apartment, his frame silhouetted in a golden sunset flattering him in empyreal radiance, and she ...

"I really love you, Omi."

Inspired by the inexplicable significance of this moment, of getting to share a first home with someone she felt so much emotion for she was constantly fearing her heart's explosion, the words slipped from Y/N's lips.

This was different to the others times they had exchanged countless declarations of affection, and both of them knew it.

Kiyoomi leaned over on the couch, so his head was now tilted unbearably close to Y/N's, one of his hands crossing her body to sink into the couch beside her thighs.

"I love you too, Y/N."

The words were a bare whisper, and, before either of them could register it, his lips had crashed onto hers, his arms desperately encircling her body to pull her closer, closer, closer and deepen the kiss as much as possible. Her very breaths, her very heart was stolen away by the movement of his lips, so damn perfect-

Y/N pulled away with a heaving breath, attempting to fill her lungs with oxygen, though every other molecule of her being screamed for Kiyoomi, Kiyoomi, Kiyoomi. She grinned widely at him, though her eyes felt strangely damp at the overwhelming nature of the moment as she raised a hand to his cheek.

His fingers followed hers to envelop them against his skin, giving her that smile that he only ever treated her to, leaning into her hand.

"This place is home," he whispered into her, his lips pressed to the softness of her palms. "How does that sound?"

She fell forwards so she could rest against his chest, cuddling into his warmth. "Perfect."

Y/N blinked slowly, greeted with the slow return of her senses to the sleep-drink state of her weary brain.

Kiyoomi's snuffly breaths filling the room, his dreams bringing the usual soft snores like an endearingly drowsy puppy.

Cold pricking her skin exposed by the angled blanket, precariously dangling off half the bed.

Her face pressed comfortably into her boyfriend's bare chest, one of his arms slung around her and both of hers clinging to waist, their legs tangled together like children playing Twister.

"Mmph."

Y/N was returned to the waking world by Kiyoomi's muffled groan, bringing the motivation to lift her head upwards to meet his eyes, shadowed by the soft curls of his fringe.

"Morning," she whispered, as though words too loud could dispel this dream of a reality they were living in. "Our first morning home."

He replied with a lazy smile that had her inching forwards to press her lips to his, stopped swiftly by Kiyoomi's hands against her mouth.

"Uh-uh," he reprimanded, though the laugh lines crinkling the skin around his two perfect moles informed her he was joking. "No kisses before you brush your teeth. That's unsanitary."

Y/N rolled her eyes with a giggle, sliding out of bed with a stretch and heavy yawn that stuttered her speech. "New home, s-s-same old Omi."

He hummed in agreement, following her into the kitchen as she blearily fumbled for the fridge, which they'd filled with the bare essentials the day before, though most of their furniture and kitchenware was packed neatly into moving boxes around the apartment. As she settled at the bench with a chopping board, knife and fruit, the sensation of Kiyoomi's arms winding around her waist brought the same butterflies to her stomach as the first time he'd done so. His head rested on her shoulder, breath fluttering over her collarbone like a kiss of the wind.

"You're wearing my shirt," he noted, words still slightly slurred by residual sleep.

Looking down at herself, Y/N gave a quick chuckle. "It was the first thing I could find last night because the light switch was busted, shut up."

"Mm, I know. You look cute, though."

"Hmm."

Their conversation trailed off in hums of a secret language.

Indeed, the previous day they'd learned that their new apartment wasn't as perfect as it had initially seemed. The kitchen tap leaked if it was closed without an outright slam, the doorbell was intermittently faulty at best, the bedroom's lighting was busted, the front door required a very precise procedure of pushing and wiggling to open, and the rather unfortunate staging of the furniture had caused Y/N to stub her toe on the couch seven times, each occurrence prompting a lengthy list of profanities that sent Kiyoomi into snorting laughs.

Their home was, really, quite imperfect.

But, Y/N thought, as she leaned her head back to nuzzle her face with Kiyoomi's. He's here, so ... it's perfect.

It's home.

this is just me venting about the broken tap/doorbell at my house don't mind me

࿐ 𝐟𝐚𝐞'𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐭, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 !!

[writerownstory]

Should Be Over All the Butterflies

inspired by Still Into You by Paramore… sort of. A really long drabble because I miss writing but it still kind of hurts to do so!!

~

Luke sat stiffly in the driver’s seat of his old pickup truck as he drove himself and Julie home from his parents house. The further they got from his childhood home, the more he felt the tightness in his chest loosen even as dread pooled in his stomach.

It wasn’t the whole cliche of whether or not his parents would like his girlfriend or not. Julie was the most amazing person he’d ever met. She practically glowed everywhere she went. Her smile could make even the grumpiest person alive feel warm. The way her eyes twinkled when she was happy made his insides turn to mush. And don’t even get him started on what it was like when she sang. Girl was a human wrecking ball of talent and he would never accept anyone’s opinion of less. Julie made everything better.

His parents absolutely loved Julie, and Luke knew they would. They were so charmed by her, they almost forgot to turn their sights on him and tear into him about classes and grades and getting a “real” job.

The reason Luke had been so apprehensive about coming tonight that he’d rather crawl out of his skin than be at this dinner—was because his relationship with his parents was less than stellar.

Don’t get him wrong, they’re not bad parents. They loved him, and fed him, bought him clothes, paid for things he needed. But once they’d gifted him an acoustic guitar for his 13th birthday, their relationship went completely downhill. Luke still didn’t understand it. Why give him the guitar if they were going to get upset that he use it? Why put down something he really, truly loved and enjoyed doing? It was as if the simple strum of the guitar cast a dark cloud over their house because after a while, any time music was mentioned the arguing and door slamming would ensue. Needless to say, once he graduated high school and was accepted into one of the best music program’s in the country, Luke jumped at the chance to move out of his parents house and into an apartment closer to campus with his best friends and bandmates.

He hadn’t even planned on bringing Julie anywhere near his parents and it was the last thing he wanted to do on a Friday night.

But somehow Emily Patterson must’ve known this. Luke swore his mom had a sixth sense for when her son wanted to avoid talking about something, because that was typically when she’d call him to “catch up.” He somehow let slip that he and Julie were dating and suddenly they had dinner plans.

It wasn’t the worst it’d ever been. There were no slamming doors or raised voices this time. Only loaded words, heavy silences and awkward goodbyes. The only good thing about the whole evening was Julie and how calm she’d remained the whole time, holding his hand under the table. Grabbing it as if it were completely natural to her. And when his mom made a dig about how he should get into a program that was worthwhile, especially after taking so warmly to Julie, the girl of his dreams made a comment about how the band was already getting offers from various labels and none of them had graduated out of the music program just yet. It was the only passive aggressive comment she made all night—not that he expected her to make any, if at all, but the way she politely but firmly defended him and their band?

Luke could’ve kissed her right then.

The rest of the dinner passed without incident. There were no more passive aggressive comments made at him, so Luke took that as a win. But it was after the awkward goodbyes and the silent walk to the car and the heavy silence so far on the way home that had Luke truly on edge. Why hadn’t Julie said anything? Did she realize his parents were right? Had she finally seen the supposed error of their ways that his parents always harped about? He could hear it all playing over and over in his head.

You could do so much better

If you just applied yourself, you could actually be someone

You’re just lazy

This job won’t support you. You’ll be out on the street before anyone can say they told you so

We only want what’s best for you

You never listen to us when we talk

You’ve always got your head in the clouds

Julie taking his hand in her’s brought him out of his thoughts. “Luke?”

It was probably a good thing too, because he was supposed to be driving. “Yeah, Jules?”

He prepared himself for the worst. She likely wanted to break up, or maybe she needed a break. His parents were too much and she hadn’t realized what she’d gotten herself into.

“I love you.”

Luke slammed on the brakes, throwing his arm out to keep Julie from flying through the windshield. (Though admittedly, her seatbelt did most of the work there.) He lowered his hand as he looked over at her, thankful that there were no cars driving through the neighborhood.

“You…what?”

“I don’t know the full extent of your relationship with your parents. But after tonight it’s obvious that they haven’t been supportive of you or your dreams. And they’ve got you all caught up inside your head. But I don’t believe a word they said and I hope you don’t either. So I want you to know. I love you.”

If his heart truly could beat out of his chest, it would’ve right then. It was as if her words had ignited a fire in his veins. But his mouth simply couldn’t catch up with his brain, so all he could do was blink incredulously at her.

“You don’t have to say it back or anything, I know it’s only been a few months but, I—“

“I love you too.” His brain and mouth finally caught up to one another.

“You do?”

Who was he kidding? “Of course I do.” If Luke was being quite honest, Julie was it for him. He knew it in every inch of his heart and soul. But maybe he’s save that admission for another day.

Her smile was shy, but he still thought it was adorable. “You’re way more capable than they give you credit for, you know that right?”

See what he meant? She made everything better. “Thanks Jules,” he said softly.

She reached over the center console, tangling her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. Her eyes held a kind of tenderness he hadn’t seen from Julie before. “Lucky for me, I believe in you enough for all three of us.” She leaned in carefully, capturing his lips with her own.

The dread he had mentioned before? Totally gone. In its place? A whole swarm of butterflies.

[imerdwarf]

Sworn To Secrecy

Requested by @imagine-all-the-fandoms: Hey colleague ❤️ I really love your writing! So I also thought to send you an idea 😊 The reader is Bucky’s girlfriend but just a normal civilian and he keeps it a secret at the compound. One day she visits him but crosses the other Avengers and Sam is immediately flirting with you but Bucky just comes, swoops you in his arms and kisses you. The others are shocked and confused and later that day they finally tell them they’ve been together for a while now and they are all happy for you two? 😊

Pairing: Avenger!Bucky x Civilian!Reader (Modern AU)

Warnings: Absolutely none! Just a lot of fluff 🥰

Author's Notes: Thank you so much my dear friend for sending in this beautiful request, I hope you like it and please let me know if there's anything you want me to change! 💜

Your phone vibrated in the palm of your hand and your smile reached both corners of your eyes when you saw the name light up your screen.

Bucky: I can't wait to see you, how long until you get here?

Your fingers flew quickly over the touch sensitive keyboard to reply back, without any typos might I add.

Y/N: I'm five minutes away. Patience! ;)

The wind blew in your face as you tilted your head upwards and sighed. Your relationship with Bucky Barnes was absolutely not the easiest thing in the world. He had made you sworn to secrecy about it, to protect yourself and him from potential haters and enemies.

You were grateful that you were able to spend a lot of time together when he didn't have month-long missions to go on. The sunny afternoons were spent in your small apartment on the couch watching movies with a blanket draped over the two of you, often accompanied by a hot chocolate made from his secret recipe.

Everything about Bucky screamed safety; his big beefy frame, bulging biceps that he just knew you loved and deliberately bought small sizes to show them off, his thick thighs were a dream for you whenever you draped your legs over them to get comfortable. Nothing about him scared you, not even that matte black and gold Wakandan inspired arm of his. It did wonders when you were burning up with fevers.

You met Bucky by chance at a coffee shop in Brooklyn. It was a cliché moment when you accidentally turned around too quickly and spilled your hot drink over his white shirt. Endless apologies spilled from your lips while Bucky was too busy admiring your beautiful features that your words simply fell on deaf ears. To Bucky, it felt as though time had temporarily stopped ticking, and the only people in the coffee shop at that moment was you and him.

The two of you exchanged numbers with your promises of buying him a brand new shirt to replace the one you ruined. You texted each other every second of every day. The more you talked, the easier and the flirty-er the texts became.

A month after the coffee shop incident, you almost keeled over when he finally asked you to be his girlfriend. He regretted he couldn't take you on a date because of his status, and that never really bothered you.

You didn't date him because he was a popular avenger, with a staggering 100 million followers on his Instagram. For your protection, he couldn't follow you either, but that too didn't bother you. You dated him because you loved his personality and you loved him.

You zig-zagged past the oncoming pedestrians as the tower came into view. Outside of the gates there was already a crowd of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the avengers.

The security guard in the booth next to the gate was trying to reason with the crowd, sadly a building this well known attracted all kinds of attention and tourism. You were told that people from Australia would come to visit.

You approached the guard with a friendly smile. "Good afternoon sir," you greeted politely, pulling some I.D out from your purse.

"Good afternoon! Are you expected here today?" The guard smiled but looked over your shoulder to see the crowd was now taking pictures of the front of the tower. He shooed them away and brought his attention back to you.

"Yes, Sergeant James Barnes is expecting me." The way his name rolled off your tongue was like drops of honey. Smooth and sweet.

The guard checked the list of visitors expected today and hummed with a smile.

"So he is. So what you do is, go to the front desk with your visitor badge and they'll direct you to his floor."

With a quiet thanks and holding on tightly to the badge, you walk through the screeching iron gates. Your shoes crunch underneath the gravel and the wind howls through the trees that gives off extra privacy.

The lady at reception greets you warmly and you relax when you give her your name and show her your visitor badge as directed by the security guard.

"Take the elevator and go to floor 13. Sergeant Barnes is currently in a meeting but he won't be too long." Another thank you passes through your lips as you head off towards the glass and chrome elevator.

The ride up to the 13 floors was agonisingly slow. Classical music filled the emptiness of the elevator. The glass casing gave you a beautiful view overlooking the grounds of the compound. A rose garden of all different shades of roses up the far left of the green garden surrounded by cherry blossoms and hydrangeas. Benches scattered across the grounds that you hoped to one day have the pleasure of sitting on and watch the bumblebees.

This was another reason Bucky loved you so much, you were so passionate and kind against wildlife and nature.

Finally, after god knows how long you've been staring out into the garden daydreaming, the elevator doors ding open and you're greeted with a muscular blond God with a red Cape hung over his back and a creepy wide grin on his face. His scruffy hair made you think he hadn't washed it in a few days.

"I was expecting someone else, but hello!" His voice seemed to boom throughout the space of whatever room this actually was. Some kind of hallway, but you're pretty sure you would hear his voice from all the way from that beautiful garden.

"Uh hello!" You stuttered, taken by surprise that there would be other people here.

"I am Thor, the God of Thunder!" His arms went wide and so did his smile. Your mouth gaped open and closed when you recognised the name. Thor. God of thunder. Of course, you read about these gods and how he ruled Asgard. Or was set to.

"Thor! Of course," you chuckled nervously, stretching your hand out in front of you, "I'm Y/N."

"It's a pleasure to meet you! Please follow me and allow me to introduce you to my mortal friends," you chuckled at that line, and adjusted your sweater.

"Friends, mortals! We have a guest, this is Y/N, A human of Earth." Thor stepped aside and your eyes widened; you were only standing in the same room as the avengers, the same people Bucky spoke so highly of. Thor told you the names of the people in front of you, everyone was there and you wondered where the hell Bucky was.

Tony was the first one to step forward and looked you up and down by moving his tinted glasses to the bridge of his nose. You relaxed when he smiled, but only slightly. You realised they had not asked why some stranger was standing in their living room.

"You know who I am?" Tony asked smugly, his arms folded over his chest.

You nodded, your eyes flickered down his chest, his arc reactor lit up in a bright blue. You almost reached out to touch it but stopped yourself before you could.

"Uh yes. You're Tony I believe?" You blushed under their gazes. Bucky told you they were the best people, but to you they were very intimidating.

"Very good. What brings you to my tower?"

"I'm here to see—"

"Wow! Who is this?" A voice yelled out from behind you. A guy you recognised as Sam, or Falcon, or Birdbrain as Bucky liked to call him.

"Y/N!" Thor answered before you could, the rest of the avengers took a seat on the couch.

"Yeah, hi," a small laugh came out and it made your cheeks heat up when his eyes raked over your form.

"My, my. You are gorgeous!" He kept that grin on his lips as he stepped closer. His over-sprayed cologne was suffocating you. "Beautiful, just perfect, just—"

"Mine!" Bucky yelled from the doorway as he stormed past Sam to get to you. You bit your lip to hide the growing grin and failed, he swooped you up in his arms, your legs instantly wrapped around his waist as he spun the two of you around and kissed you.

Cat calls sounded from the couch and you smiled into the kiss. When you pulled away for air, the expressions on everyone's faces told you they needed and wanted an explanation.

You could only imagine the questions they wanted to ask; how did you know Bucky Barnes? How did a soldier and an assassin manage to keep a relationship so hidden under the eyes of a mind-reader and a super intelligent spy? How did Bucky not slip up to Steve about having a girlfriend? All valid questions of course.

Bucky lowered you back down on your feet and pressed his forehead against yours. Without giving the team an answer, he slipped his hand in yours and pulled you away, leaving the superheroes with confusion etched upon their faces.

Bucky gave you a thorough tour of the tower. He showed you the gym, the kitchen where he made you his favourite sandwich, he even showed you his room. It was painted in a light blue with white curtains and blinds, thick, soft cream carpet covered the floor and his bed was as soft as a cloud. It was a lot more comfortable than your bed, that's for sure.

Later that day, Tony ordered a takeout and invited everyone to the dining room to eat, including you. The way Bucky's hand was slung protectively around your shoulder didn't go amiss by anyone in the room. It was when he finally sat down did the questions start.

"Alright, what's the deal with you two? Is this a prank? Is he paying you darling?" Sam fired off first, pointing his fork at the two of you opposite him.

Bucky glared at him from calling you 'darling', from where you were sat you could hear the heavy breathing. Your hand slipped into your lap and into his, giving his thigh a firm squeeze to keep calm.

"Y/N is not being paid!" Bucky defended, outraged he could even think such a thing.

You cleared your throat and took a sip of water before speaking, "it's true and I understand it's a shock but Bucky is actually my boyfriend and has been for the past couple of months," you smiled, proud of the fact you were in a relationship with this man and it was no longer secret.

"How the hell did that happen?" Tony queried, waving his chopsticks in the air, flabbergasted by the whole situation.

"What, you think I'm not capable of meeting people?" Bucky challenged, not really enjoying the interrogation which was the whole reason he didn't want to say anything at the beginning.

"Well of course I wouldn't be surprised if it was Capsicle here but it's you," Tony snorted.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Bucky was yelling and turning red with anger when Nat sought the opportunity to take the heat off the two men.

"So, Y/N. Tell us about yourself."

Tags: @smokeybluebrooke-lyn @pinkdiamond1016

[heartsofbeskar]

warmth of you

din djarin x fem!reader oneshot

WARNINGS: unplanned pregnancy mention, some language

WORDS: 868

A/N: just a small fluffy piece to get my writing juice flowing! it was going to be longer but it felt like a natural end so i may expand on it. some themes inspired by @charnelhouse’s “my heart in your hands,” which was just so lovely!! check them out

masterlist

The afternoon sun was beaming down at you, and you leaned your face back into it, eyes shut, feeling the warmth permeate deep into your skin. Days like this fed the very essence of your soul; days where the minutes crawled like hours, and everything seemed drenched in a thick syrup, and that was okay because the slow movements of the day and your body was a welcome respite.

There was a small gurgle from the baby on your chest. You smiled, peering down at your daughter. Brea was swaddled gently against your front, a soft beige linen wrapping the two of you together. She rested her small cheek on the swell of your breast, brown eyes staring up at you, tiny mouth open in wonder.

“What are you thinking of, cyar’ika?” you whispered to her. You cupped the back of her head, thumb lightly running over her thin layer of dark hair. She smiled at the sensation. “Do you miss Daddy? Me too.”

You felt a tad dramatic; Din had only been gone just shy of a week now. You loved travelling the reaches of the galaxy with him as he collected bounties, but Brea was so young that you hadn’t argued when he insisted you stay with the children on Nevarro for the time being.

It was so … domestic.

You remembered the moment you told Din you were pregnant. Maker, you’d been terrified when that med droid had told you, and you were sure he’d be even more so. You’d been so embarrassed that you’d cried when trying to force the words up and out of your throat. Saying it out loud had felt too real, too tangible, at first.

But Din had just held you and whispered how much he fucking loved you and any child you would be willing to have with him. He held you until his cowl was stained with tears, until the weight of his hand in your hair had anchored you back to him. His other hand resting gingerly on your still flat stomach, already cherishing what was within.

The next day, when you had watched him preparing dinner for Grogu, and gently placing him on his makeshift stool. It was with a tenderness one would never expect from a bounty hunter, a Mandalorian. And then you knew. You knew that you would have this child with him, and that he would love them with a force to move the stars.

And now, with Brea in your arms, her curious eyes exploring the surroundings, there was no doubt in your mind you had done the right thing. No matter how domestic it made you.

A coo came from the doorway of the small cottage behind you. Twisting to look back, you saw a sleepy looking Grogu standing at the edge of the sunlight, his small body dwarfed by the cottage wall, almost comically.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” You smiled as he waddled over to you, and extended a hand down to him. He grabbed onto your fingers, a different warmth washing over you with his touch.

His eyes widened as a loud noise came from overhead. Excitement shot down your spine as you recognized the bottom of the Razor Crest approaching, the familiar patchwork ship almost as dear to you as your own children.

A smile spread across your face as it landed with a small thud against the ground, dust billowing up around it. Brea began babbling as the ramp lowered, and the high sun glinted off Din’s beskar as he jumped down to the dirt, cloak swinging behind him.

You met him at the edge of the garden — well, you’d been calling it a garden, anyway. But the reality of trying to grow a garden on a desert planet while caring for a newborn meant it was more of a collection of yellowed plants.

“Cyar’ika.” He drew you into his chest with one arm, careful not to flatten your daughter between you. She made some louder sounds now, small chubby hands grasping upwards.

“Hold on, babygirl.” You maneuvered her free of her wrappings, going to settle her in Din’s arms instead.

“No, let me go inside, take the armour—”

“Shh, it’s okay,” you silenced him. You ignored his protests, pulling his arms up so you could settle Brea against them.

Din was tense, obviously expecting her to fuss any second. You put your hand on his elbow, squeezing gently.

“It’s okay, Din,” you repeated. “She knows you. She’ll always know you.”

Sure enough, Brea continued her pleased babbling, hands reaching out and clumsily touching the metal across his chest. He visibly relaxed, beginning to softly rock her. Your heart twisted in your chest, and you suddenly found yourself fighting back tears.

Goddamned hormones.

A small tug drew your attention down. Grogu looked up at you, head tilting to the side in his adorable way. Arms now free, you brought him up, resting on your hip. Din adjusted Brea reached out a hand to his son, letting him grasp happily onto his finger. His breath filtered through the modulator.

“How did I get this lucky?”

You smiled at him, warmly. “Funny. I was just thinking the same thing.”

[milkybonya]

i'm not the same boy you knew back then

Warnings: food mentions and some angst, party mentions

Pairing: Yedam x (gn)reader

Summary: where Yedam broke your heart in high school because he didn't know how to act but now he's desperately in love with you and wishes you still felt the same :")

word count: 5.8k

inspired by Walls by All Time Low (it has explicit language! be careful~~i've put a link for it at the veryyy end of this fic)

[a/n]: I GOT SO CARRIED AWAY FOR THE FLASHBACK PART OF THIS OML I'M SORRY FOR THE CHAOS AND MESS BUT I HOPE YOU ENJOY

Hey there it's good to see you again, It never felt right calling this "just friends". I'm happy, if you're happy, with yourself.

"Isn't that Yedam?" your friend, sat beside you, asks. They point to somewhere behind your head, and naturally, you turn around to follow their finger with your eyes.

As the doors to the lecture hall swing shut, a familiar boy begins to walk quickly down the steps. While grinning, he decides on a spot near the back, far away from your almost front-row seat. You let out the breath you didn't realize you were holding and face the front.

"Since when did he go to our university?" your friend asks, also facing the front now.

"I have no clue," you admit.

You'd purposely accepted an offer at a faraway university to avoid having to see Yedam ever again after high school. High school had become one of the worst times of your life thanks to him.

-

Yedam's pov

As soon as I enter the hall, I find [y/n] with my eyes immediately. They look at me with a mix of shock, disgust and hatred, but seeing them fills me with so much joy that I can't help but smile.

Deciding not to bother them, I pick a spot near the back and sit down. I wonder to myself if switching to [y/n]'s school was the right choice...

-

[y/n]'s pov

It was obvious you were too much for me. Oblivious, I was young

Back in high school, you had the fattest crush on one of the school's most popular kids, and you hated yourself for it. It wasn't like you could control your feelings... but your heart was set on him. His smile made you feel so warm and you felt happy despite him not having the slightest clue who you were. You always watched him from afar, peering at him as he walked into the classroom while waving at all of his friends before taking a seat at the back.

By some chance, you got paired with him for an assignment. You thought he would be disappointed, since he had never spoken to you, but contrary to his somewhat intimidating aura as a result of him being a popular kid, he smiled warmly at you as you introduced yourself.

"I know you're [y/n]," he said quietly, looking down at the assignment instructions in front of him.

"How do you know?" you asked him.

He looked up and leaned in closer to you to whisper into your ear, only after being sure that no one was watching.

"It may not seem like it, but I do know my classmates."

When he moved back, he flashed you a grin before returning to the assignment instructions again. Your heartbeat was flooding your ears.

After meeting up several times to do the research and plan out the presentation together, you and Yedam somehow grew closer. You had always thought he was some sort of chic, cool guy, but he turned out to be super soft and sweet. The two of you laughed at each other's dumb jokes and procrastinated late into the night sometimes, only beginning your work when the café was about to close.

On one of those days, Yedam asked if you wanted to go to his place to finish the assignment.

"It's due in two weeks and we still have so much to do... plus we're so busy that we can only meet once a week," he explained, pouting slightly.

You agreed, feeling somewhat nervous and excited at the prospect of going to your crush's house for the first time.

His parents were home but asleep as it was late for them, so the two of you quietly went to his room.

In-between muffled giggles and late-night snacks, the two of you managed to get a lot of work done before you felt as though you'd hit your limit. After yawning and stretching, you told Yedam that it was time you went home.

"Do you live far from here?" he asked you.

You, in fact, did live quite far from his house, but you felt bad telling him this, so you lied and told him you lived close by.

He pouted and looked down.

"I was going to ask if you wanted to just sleep here... but I guess it makes sense for you to go home," he said, helping you pack up your things.

Yedam... wanted you to stay the night? How could you miss such an opportunity! Your crush! Wanted you to stay the night!!

Yedam noticed that you'd stopped moving, holding your pencil case in your hand as you thought about what to say.

"Is everything okay?" he asked you.

"Yeah... I actually... live kind of far," you mumbled, not wanting him to get mad at you for lying.

"You do? Then why did you say you live close by?" he asked, also taking his hands away from your backpack.

"I didn't want you to walk me home or anything," you explained. Yedam smiled at you, shaking his head.

"Don't worry about it now... do you have any clothes to change into?"

"Just my gym clothes... but they're dirty," you told him, shyly.

"Do you want to take something of mine to wear?" he asked you, already standing up to look through his closet without waiting for your answer.

You were going to say no, again, not wanting to bother him, but he had already pulled out some of his comfier clothes for you to wear.

After changing into them and walking back into his room, you avoided Yedam's eyes as he quietly lost his mind over how cute you looked.

"Um, so..." Yedam started, scratching the back of his neck.

"Would you be okay with sleeping in my bed? I'll go sleep in the livingroom-"

"No, no! I'll go sleep there-"

"No, I can't let a guest sleep on the couch!"

Both of you sighed, not being able to win against one another.

"Listen, it's either you sleep in my room and I go to the livingroom, or we both sleep in my bed," he said, pointing to his bed behind you.

You froze, trying to consider your options as your heartbeat grew louder.

"Well... I guess we're both sleeping here then," you said, in a tone that tried to sound confident but was a little shaky.

You plopped yourself face first into the bed to hide from your embarrassment, feeling the bed shift a few seconds later as Yedam joined you.

"Scooch over towards the wall. I'll sleep on this side so you won't fall off the bed at night," he said, pointing to the side of his bed that faced the rest of his room. You smiled at Yedam's kind gesture as you moved over.

He had turned off the light and it was dark now, and both of you lay side-by-side on your backs, staring up at the ceiling.

"Are you... asleep?" he asked you quietly a while later. You shook your head at first, but then realized he couldn't see you. So you said a quiet "no".

You felt Yedam shift as he turned to face you. You carefully turned your head towards him too, wondering what he was up to. It was hard to see in the dark, but he was just admiring your face. You looked away, feeling embarrassed, until you felt him shuffling closer to you.

It was a little nerve-wracking watching his figure tower over you in the dark. Blinking up at him, you parted your lips to ask him what he was doing, but he spoke first.

"Am I allowed to... kiss you?" he asked, quietly looking down at you.

Yedam... wants to ???? Your crush wanted-

You found yourself nodding before your thoughts could entirely be processed, and watched as Yedam lowered himself onto you with a small smile. His heart soared as he watched your reaction -- your eyes were squeezed shut so tightly out of nervousness.

Before his soft lips met yours, he found your hand under the blankets and held it in an attempt to ease you of your nervousness. He didn't know that it only made your stomach feel the effects even more intensely.

Your lips touched for only a moment, but it felt like a whole eternity. When he pulled away, he moved off of you quickly and shuffled over to his side of the bed again.

"I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry," he mumbled, looking away from you. You were confused.

"What's wrong?" you asked him.

"I... I was supposed to tell you I like you first but then now you're right beside me--wait not that I like you... wait I mean I do, but I didn't want to tell you like this--"

Hearing his unsure confession was all the confidence you needed to pull him closer, accidentally tightening his hoodie strings as you pulled him in to carefully press your lips against his again. He completely melted into your hands, then, wrapping an arm around your back and holding you close.

That was probably one of the last good memories you have of him.

After that, Yedam turned into a different person the next morning, avoiding your eyes and missing any trace of a smile on his face as he pushed a plate of breakfast towards you.

"Let's not walk to school together, okay? I'll be leaving first," he told you, leaving you alone in his own house.

You had no clue what was going on and no appetite to eat. After waiting a few minutes, you walked to school after him. You had no idea how to even get to school from his house, so after getting lost and arriving late, you finally managed to make it.

When you tried to approach him in class, he would turn his back on you and ignore you. It made you feel so small that you stopped even trying.

It was really hard for you to show up to school after that, because of how terrible you felt, but you still tried your best. Your friends knew something was wrong and they did their best to help you, but it didn't stop you from thinking about Yedam and why he was acting so strangely.

Until he texted you one day in the middle of class, asking you to meet him in an empty classroom.

You told yourself you shouldn't pay him any attention, especially after he ghosted you like that, but you still followed after him, curious to see what excuse he would give you.

In the classroom, you couldn't see anyone, so you thought Yedam hadn't arrived yet until you heard him call out your name from behind a file cabinet. By the windows.

"Come here, [y/n]," he said, motioning for you to approach him. He was smiling at you again, just like he did on those days when you'd study with him in the café. You told yourself to just turn around and leave, but your feet guided you to him.

You frowned up at him.

"What the heck have you been doing?" you asked him, tears already threatening to leave your eyes.

"[y/n], I-I'm sorry... you know how it is for me, with my popular reputation. Some kids saw us at the café and posted pictures of us, saying that I was going around dating a loser-"

He was holding onto your hands while wearing a pitiful expression, but you coldly pushed him away after hearing him out.

"So you've been acting weird because I'm tainting your reputation? Yedam, we never even dated! You gave me some... half-assed confession and... kissed me in the middle of the night and then ghosted me," you told him, sternly.

"I know, I'm sorry... It's so pathetic but I really do like you... I'm just really bad at this, I know, but I'm telling you now I like you-"

"In an empty classroom. Behind a file cabinet."

"Please, [y/n]. Date me for real... I promise I won't let you down."

You and your kind, innocent heart believed his promise. You believed him because his eyes were sparkling and he was holding onto you so tightly.

Yedam told you that you had to date him in secret, and that was just one of many red flags. He explained that if his friends found out, he would be teased and you would be hurt by their words, too. Nonetheless, you agreed. At school, you never spoke to him. All you got were stolen glances, Yedam winking at you every time you turned around in your seat. Somehow, that was enough to make your heart flutter.

You could only see each other in each other's homes, since even the risk of being caught out on a date was too much for Yedam to handle. The two of you would intertwine hands while watching a movie. You'd rest your head on Yedam's shoulder, or sometimes he would rest his head in your lap and you would gently stroke his hair, watching as his eyes squeezed shut tightly while he indulged in the feeling of your love.

Sometimes the two of you would listen to music together, quietly sharing earphones while staring out the window.

Sometimes you would just talk for hours into the night.

Yedam's smile would never leave his face when he was with you.

Except for when he was at school.

And you could handle it. At least you thought you could, until the final straw.

For Yedam's birthday, a few of his friends had gathered in his home, celebrating. You were also invited, of course, after you begged Yedam to let you come. He had told his friends that he invited you as a gesture of thanks for working on the assignment with him... it broke your heart to hear this lie, but you shrugged it off, again.

Everyone was feeling excited as they all started a game of spin-the-bottle. You felt incredibly out of place and already angry, even more so upon seeing a girl getting all handsy with Yedam, stroking his thigh with her hand and playing with his hair. She was constantly glued to him, but you shrugged it off, again.

After the bottle's mouth faced Yedam, the girl beside him dared him to kiss someone. How childish, you thought to yourself. You watched as Yedam locked eyes with you and started to stand up, making his way towards you with a small smile, but the girl beside him stopped him.

"Where are you going, damie? Isn't it me who you should kiss?"

Yedam looked back at her and then at you.

"I-"

"C'mon, it's your birthday!" she said, dragging him back down.

That literally is not an excuse and makes no sense, you scoffed to yourself, rolling your eyes.

The next few moments were a blur, but Yedam ended up kissing her and you felt like a piece of paper being torn in two. We can't even look at each other in public, you thought to yourself. You fought back tears and got up to leave. No one seemed to mind or care about where you were going, since none of these people were your friends anyway. Even Yedam was preoccupied, his lips on the mouth of this other girl.

You couldn't just shrug things off anymore. This was it. Now, it was your turn to ghost Yedam.

You hadn't told him, but your family were planning to move to another city soon. You told them to plan the move for earlier so you could leave that dreaded place and leave Yedam. Ignoring all his calls and texts, you transferred out the next week, and that was that.

-

I'm gonna break down these walls, I built around myself. I wanna fall so in love, with you, and no one else, Could ever mean half as much, to me as you do now. Together we'll move on, just don't turn around, Let the walls break down.

You can't focus in lecture as everything that happened with Yedam flashes before your eyes. Just as you're starting to live a normal life without him, he has to show up and allow of the trauma to resurface.

As soon as your class ends, you quickly pack your bags. Your friend does the same, understanding exactly what is going on. But it seems like Yedam and his feet move a little faster.

Just as you're about to leave your row, you look up to find Yedam standing at the end of it, a small smile on his face.

You sigh and turn around, telling your friend to do the same so you can leave through the other side. But Yedam just follows behind you quietly. He doesn't say a word and just follows you as you and your friend as you leave the lecture hall to go to your next class.

Suddenly, you stop. Your friend and Yedam stop, too.

You turn around, your fist clenched into a tight ball.

"Yedam, can you please stop following me? Do you not have classes of your own or things to do? Please leave me alone," you told him, turning your back on him again and walking forward.

Your friend didn't follow you, though, but looked back and forth between you and Yedam. So lost in your thoughts, you walk to class on your own, not noticing that your friend isn't following you.

-

Yedam's pov

After they say those words and leave, I feel my heart breaking in two. Of course I know how much I've hurt [y/n], but their words make me realize that I'll never be able to completely understand. I almost start crying right there and then...

"Yedam, right?" their friend asks me. I look at them and nod, confused.

"Listen, [y/n] hates your guts. They're not going to talk to you and hear you out, so I'll do it instead. I know [y/n] might regret it if they don't hear you out, even if they don't want to."

I smile at [y/n]'s friend. That sounds exactly like [y/n]...

"You've probably heard a lot of awful things about me, and it's all true. But... [y/n] probably didn't tell you about those nights we spent in each other's rooms... the times that we did get to spend with each other alone.... sorry, what I'm trying to say is that I've always loved [y/n]. Not even 'like', but I've always loved them. And I don't think I'll be able to stop... I know I was such a terrible boyfriend back then. I don't think I can say I even was much of a boyfriend... but I've changed. I can promise that I've changed. I know it must be so arrogant of me to ask if they'll give me another chance but..."

I trail off, my brain shutting down as I struggle to find anymore words to express myself. [y/n]'s friend nods after I trail off.

"I see... well, I've heard about your promises. I heard they couldn't be trusted but if you've changed, then maybe that has changed, too. [y/n] has a really kind heart, but I won't let them date a jerk ever again. So unless we both know for sure that you're different now, we are not letting you date them."

With that, [y/n]'s friend walks away and leaves me there.

-

[y/n]'s pov

In class, you feel completely empty, unsure of how to feel. You only notice that your friend had not been beside you this entire time when they take a seat in the spot beside you, apologizing that they're late.

"Where were you?" you ask them, looking up as they sit down.

"I was talking to Yedam," your friend tells you, never one to lie.

Your face fills with disgust at the mention of his name.

"Why would you do that?" you whisper loudly, causing some heads in the lecture hall to turn your way. You mumble an apology before returning to your friend.

"I wanted to hear him out," they say, casually opening up their notes.

"What did he say?"

"So you are interested, huh?" they ask you, teasing.

"No, I'm not!"

"I know, calm down! He just said something along the lines of how he's always loved you and does now, too, and that he's changed--"

"That is the most garbage thing I've ever heard," you say, interrupting your friend with a scoff. They smile, shaking their head at you.

-

When you return to your dorm after all your classes, you find a small gift bag hanging on the door knob to your room. Curious, you pick it up and notice it has your name written on the side.

You could recognize that handwriting from a mile away.

As if it's the side of a hot pan, you drop it, watching its contents spill to the ground. A pack of your favourite snack falls out, along with a neatly handwritten note, a CD player and earphones.

I guess it wouldn't hurt to look, you tell yourself.

Picking everything up and walking into your room, you sit on your bed and read the note over.

[y/n]!! ah, it doesn't make sense for me to be cute or excited in this note, does it? >.< please forgive me.... i'm a little nervous... here is that snack that you've always loved... do you still love it now, too? and here is something that i wrote for you~it's on the CD. just press play and i'll let the song do the talking... i wrote this after you disappeared.

- yedam

This song better be god tier if he's coming to leave it at my door, you think to yourself.

As the song fills your ears, it seems to fill your empty heart too. You can tell it's full of Yedam's sincere feelings and thoughts... or he's just doing a good job of acting while singing. You can't seem to tell, but you still tear up a little.

You hear the door to your room swing open, as your friend, who also happens to be your roommate, barges in.

"What are you up to?" they ask, placing some things on their desk. They turn around immediately when they hear you sniffling.

"ARE YOU CRYING?" they shout, sitting beside you and wrapping their arms around you.

"This... song... Yedam..." you croak, just handing them the earphones.

When they listen to it, they also go quiet.

"It sounds really sincere..." your friend tells you, quietly.

"I'm not the only one who feels that way?" you ask your friend, looking at them.

"You know him better than I do, so you're probably right," they tell you, standing up.

"Why did this boy have to show up and make a mess of my life again," you groan, hiding your face in your hands.

"Well, I have just the solution! I know you're probably going to think about him and not get any work done anyway, so should we just go to a party?!" your friend tells you, jumping up and down.

"A party?" you wrinkle your nose in disgust.

"It'll help you stop thinking about him! Please, we never went to any parties last year!! Let's go, just this once!" they beg.

After thinking it over, you agree. What's the worst that could happen?

-

Wearing one of your favourite fits and feeling good, you walk alongside your friend, who already has a groove in their step as the two of you make your way to the house where the party is set to be held. It isn't that hard to find, since you're just following the bright lights and loud music in the distance. It's a wonder the people in that house aren't being arrested for causing such a ruckus...

Finally there, you step inside and try not to bump into any weird people. The music is so loud its deafening, and you shrivel up at the sound of it. Your friend wraps their arm around you, pulling you in close and guiding you to the snack/drink area so you can take what you need and go to a quieter place.

Your friend did beg you to come today, so they won't force you to dance or do any things you don't want to do...

Now equipped with everything you need, you make your way to the basement, where it's a lot quieter despite being so busy.

"How's this for a change?" your friend asks you, grooving along to the distant sound of the music from upstairs.

"It seems like you want to dance," you tell your friend.

They shake their head.

"I'll stay with you toniiiiiight!" they cheer, hugging you tightly. You laugh.

"It's fine, just go up! The crowd doesn't seem too scary or weird down here," you tell them as you watch two people play mario kart in front of a TV.

After asking you 1000 times if it's really okay, they leave you there with a drink in your hand. You continue watching the two people playing mario kart, secretly rooting for the boy in orange because his fit looks really nice, even if you're only looking from the back.

He ends up losing and you let out a "noooo!" loud enough for the two to hear. When they turn around, you discover that the boy in orange had been Yedam all along!

I take back rooting for him... he deserved to lose!

Widening your eyes at the sight of him, you quickly turn away and try to navigate your way towards another room. To your surprise, as soon as you walk in, Yedam is in there, holding the door open at the other end and panting.

"[y/n]," he calls out softly, smiling slightly. You can tell he's testing the waters and wondering how to react.

You try to walk out of the room, but the door behind you has been shut by some drunken idiot! He's pressed up against the frame and no matter how much you push, the door just won't open.

"[y/n], if you want to leave, it's okay. I don't want to bother you," Yedam tells you, stepping aside from the other door and motioning for you to walk through.

You sigh.

"No, it's fine. I guess we're here for a reason now, or something," you mumble, sliding down the wall until you're in a comfortable sitting position.

Yedam smiles, closing the door behind him.

"Still caught up in all that destiny stuff?" he asks you, joining you in sitting on the ground but also keeping his distance.

You scoff in response. How does this kid remember everything about me?

"So... what are you doing in my house?' he asks you.

"Your.... house?"

"Yeah, this is my house. You didn't know?" he asks you, looking bewildered.

You think about your friend. They must have brought you here while knowing it was Yedam's house...

"Um... nevermind that. How... have you been?" Yedam asks you, wringing his hands.

"Me? I've been doing great until now. How about you?" you spit out your words sarcastically, but Yedam doesn't seem to mind.

"I've been... well... I'm not sure. It would be cheesy for me to say I've been feeling lost without you, but that's kind of how it is," he tells you, chuckling nervously.

"Yeah, super cheesy. It also doesn't make sense, Yedam," you tell him, avoiding his eyes.

"I know it doesn't, but to me it does. I know our relationship was a mess, but those times that we spent together were... something else. Probably some of the best times of my life, honestly," he tells you.

"And why... are you telling me this?" you ask him, curious to see how he'll respond.

"Because I know I'm in the wrong and there's no excuse for my past childishness, but... I've missed you. And I still do. I know I was really caught up in my reputation back then and I didn't open myself up to you properly, but I want to do that now."

He runs his fingers through his hair, and something inside you turns. You didn't realize just how much you loved it when Yedam did that until now... he looks so pretty--

No. What are you thinking?!

"I haven't missed you though, Yedam," you say.

He smiles sadly.

"I know. And there's no reason for you to. But I'm just... asking for a second chance in case you think there's anything left."

You gulp and look up at the ceiling. You hadn't even considered the possibility of dating Yedam again, but talking with him now is different. He's less cautious and seems to be a lot more comfortable with you.

Someone knocks on the door behind Yedam and Yedam tells them to come in.

"Oh, am I interrupting?" the boy asks, slowly backing away.

"It's fine, I'm just talking to [y/n]," Yedam says with a smile, gesturing towards you. You greet the boy and his eyes light up.

"[y/n]?! The one you always tell me about? Gosh... it's so nice to meet you!" the boy says, shaking your hand and sitting down in front of you.

"You put up with a lot of Yedam's antics, I've heard," he says, laughing. Yedam laughs along, but you're still in shock.

Yedam had never told anyone about you... but now this random boy knows everything?

"It was more than antics. I was... really bad to [y/n]. I'm surprised they haven't left yet," Yedam admits, leaning back.

"I transferred to your old high school after you transferred out, and this boy was always sad. He didn't talk to anyone but me, only because the teacher asked him to show me around. He told me everything about you and eventually told the rest of his friends, too. You were his biggest and only heartbreak... I swear everyone at our school knows about you," the boy explains.

"What did you tell them?" you ask Yedam.

"He told us how he had been dating you in secret because he was afraid to ruin his popularity, but that he regrets it a lot. A lot of his friends left him after finding out you dated Yedam," the boy explains. Yedam nods along.

You're in shock. The boy who was so secretive and insecure exposed himself as a heartbreaker?

"Anyways, I'm sorry to be interrupting. I'll leave now!" the boy says, standing up and closing the door behind him.

"You... told everyone?" you ask Yedam. He nods.

"I feel like it was the only thing I could do for you. You deserved to be known as the one who held my heart," he says, holding his chest and laughing at his own cheesy words.

You find yourself laughing along and loosening up.

A moment of silence stretches between the two of you, and Yedam breaks it by standing up.

"Do you wanna play mario kart with me? You seemed to be having fun watching," Yedam asks you quietly.

You nod, also standing up.

The two of you play for about an hour, screaming and yelling at the TV just like you used to in your bedroom when you'd play games together.

"I won!" you declare in glee, turning to Yedam to do your signature high five with him. His hands meet yours, and you only realize what you're doing only after its already happened. You awkwardly move your hands away, facing the screen again.

"I'm sorry..." you mumble.

"No, I'm sorry! It's really okay, [y/n]... if you feel uncomfortable around me, you don't have to--"

"Your song touched me a lot, Yedam. And now I feel like... I want to try again. Just like this game," you say, pointing to the screen that has try again written in the corner.

"Are you sure?" he asks you, slowly.

You nod, deciding you've made up your mind. You've seen a lot of green flags already -- enough to decide that it's okay to move forward.

Yedam smiles and looks down at his lap. Then his head lifts up quickly, his eyes lighting up.

"I can take you to that café you always wanted to go! They have one in this city... and there's a museum next to it too! Do you want to go there? I.."

As he continues talking, you realize that all of the things he's saying he wants to do were things that you never did with Yedam, even after one year of dating him. It was always stay-at-home dates and ignore-each-other-when-we're-at-school. Somehow, you feel excited, wondering what things will be like.

"[y/n]! I've been looking everywhere for--oh, Yedam? Hi!" your friend greets you both.

"Did you have fun dancing?" you ask them. They nod, pointing to Yedam with their eyes.

You get up and whisper into your friend's ear.

"We have a lot to talk about, but I think..."

Your friend doesn't even wait for you to finish before they say, "well, I have to leave early now. Yedam, can you walk [y/n] home? Great, thanks!"

With that, they disappear and you shake your head at your friend's strange behaviour.

Yedam is all smiley while still sitting on the ground.

"Do I get to walk you home now?" he asks you, standing up.

"I wonder what would've happened if you walked me home that day, too..." you mumble, thinking about the day you slept over at Yedam's in the same bed as him.

"What, do you want to sleep over today, too?" he asks you.

You shake your head.

"I don't want things to turn out like that again."

"You mean, you don't want me to kiss you like I did then?" Yedam teases you, sending you a wink.

"You--shut up!" you yell, chasing after him with a pillow.

This boy literally broke my heart, you think to yourself. He is testing his limits...

After you both calm down, Yedam walks you home. It's a little quiet at first, until Yedam speaks.

"Can... I hold your hand?" he asks you.

"This soon?" you say, still grabbing his hand anyway. He looks down at your hand in his and smiles.

"Yeah... you don't know how long I've been wanting to do this for," he admits, swinging your arm up and down as you walk.

You shake your head at him.

"Let's run!" Yedam declares, racing forward with your hand in his. You trail behind him, the sound of laughter escaping your lips and ringing in Yedam's ears. It leaves a bright blush on his face as he thinks to himself about how much he's missed your laughter.

The two of you slow down, panting.

"I'm so tired," Yedam wheezes, laughing at how weird he sounds.

"Do you want me to kiss it better?" you tease him. He raises his eyebrows at the comment. Maybe it's the adrenaline from all the running or the feeling of the night air, but a courage surges through you as you snake your hand around the back of his head and pull him towards you, pressing his warm lips to yours.

You pull away shortly after, feeling breathless again. A blush dusts Yedam's cheeks as he stares at you with wide eyes.

Your own stomach is full of butterflies, but you ignore it and walk forward.

"Are you not coming?" you yell to the boy behind you. He laughs and chases after you.

[a/n]: i just want to say that i do not condone getting back together with a toxic ex so soon... i was just really excited while writing and sped up the plot >.< but don't ever get back with someone who has hurt you unless you are 100% sure! please take care of yourself!!

[jaskierswolf]

A very happy birthday to @endrega23 🥳

Please accept my humble offering of Geraskier at Kaer Morhen! (1.6k)

________

Jaskier stared open mouthed at the great witcher keep of Kaer Morhen.

He’d been lucky enough to meet Geralt when he was just eighteen. His very first real witcher. Monsters were scarce these days thanks to the efforts of the witchers and most of the monster hunters had branched out, specialising in other trades to support themselves. Jaskier had even had a teacher at Oxenfurt from the School of Cat that had become a travelling bard several years before Jaskier had even been born. Aiden had served as great inspiration for Jaskier’s own chosen career path. Many of his professors had tried to get him to teach or at the very least find a cosy court to make his home. He was talented enough for either, but it hadn’t been enough for Jaskier. No. He wanted to travel the world just like Aiden had. He wanted to see what was left of the remaining monsters and immortalise them in song. He wanted to watch the monster hunters fight before their job became defunct.

Geralt had been that chance, the White Wolf, formerly the Butcher of Blaviken. Jaskier had clung to him like a leach and never let go, and after all these years his devotion had finally paid off? He was going to see the elusive witcher’s keep in the Blue Mountains. They’d met a few other wolf witchers along the way, most of their kind still returned home for winter, a tradition that had never been broken.

“It’s beautiful,” he breathed in awe. The keep was magnificent. Snow coated the turrets of the tallest towers, and icicles hung down over the doors but more than anything… it was alive.

It was bristling with an energy that Jaskier had come to associate with Oxenfurt. Torches were lit all around the keep, some witchers were leading horses to the stables, others were sparring in the courtyard. There was a witcher sharpening a sword against a grinding stone in front of a huge blacksmith’s forge and he waved when he saw Geralt and Jaskier arrived.

“Geralt of Rivia!” The blacksmith set his sword aside and strode across the courtyard.

Jaskier’s eyes widened. The man had a vicious looking scar on one side of his face, twisting the broad smile in one corner, but aside from that and Geralt’s snowy white hair…. they looked almost identical. The same sharp jawline that Jaskier had felt under his fingertips, the same crooked nose that he frequently lavished with kisses, the same golden eyes that shone brighter than the sun, slitted like a cat and so unbearable radiant in beauty.

“Eskel,” Geralt greeted warmly and pulled the man, Eskel into a hug.

Jaskier watched the two men fondly, as Geralt pressed his nose until Eskel’s neck, scenting the other witcher. It had been strange the first time Jaskier had seen Geralt greet a fellow wolf witcher, but after almost a decade of travelling together he was more than used to it. Geralt explained that the different mutagens of different schools affected each witcher differently. For the wolves it had created a high familial instinct, which was a big part of why most of them still returned to Kaer Morhen for winter. It was a time to be with their pack once more.

“Oi! Geralt!” another witcher called, bundling over. He had long dark brown hair, tied up similarly to Geralt’s. Unlike Geralt and Eskel’s pale skin, he had tanned skin and his face was covered in freckles. He had the same golden eyes, and now that he came to think of it, all the wolf school witchers had warm yellow cat eyes.

Aiden’s eyes had been a sharp emerald green in contrast, and one of the witchers he’d seen at court had had startling blue eyes not dissimilar to his own, but with slitted pupils just like Geralt’s.

“Markus!” Geralt called and waved the brunet over. Like Geralt, he had two swords strapped to his back; another monster slayer. Markus and Geralt scented each other’s necks just like Geralt had done with Eskel, and their arrival was now drawing the attention of the others.

Jaskier chewed his lip as he waited. It was a strange feeling, not being the centre of attention. Normally it was Geralt that slunk into the background whilst Jaskier commanded the room, but it was different here. Jaskier was the outsider in Geralt’s home. His heart fluttered fast in his chest and he tried to quell the rising anxiety but he couldn’t. He couldn’t get the thought out of his head that he didn’t belong.

He shouldn’t have come here.

He was intruding.

An outsider.

Witchers were everywhere and he was the only human. Gods, why had Geralt invited him? He should be at Oxenfurt teaching, adored by his students, but he hadn’t been able to resist the idea of wintering with his lover, and it would have been rude to refuse after so many years of dropping hints and quietly pestering Geralt about spending the winter together.

Geralt’s laugh rumbled next to him. and familiar calloused fingers laced with his own. He started and looked at his witcher. Geralt wasn’t looking at him but had reached for his hand. Jaskier’s heartbeat must have given away his anxiety… a heartbeat that dozens of witchers could hear.

Oh fuck.

Would they even be allowed to have sex? Unless the walls were enchanted then Jaskier couldn’t imagine there were many secrets in Kaer Morhen. Geralt was a naturally private person, would he want to have sex when there were so many witchers able to listen in?

“And this is Jaskier,” Geralt introduced him, squeezing his hand tightly.

Jaskier blinked, the mention of his name pulling him from his thoughts. He plastered a wide smile on his face and extended his hand to the nearest witcher, Markus. “Hello, I’m Jaskier, Geralt’s boyfriend.”

“Markus,” came the gruff reply. “I cover Kaedwen with Lambert and Jonas.”

Jaskier nodded. “Right, yes, yes. I think Geralt’s mentioned that. We cross into Wolf territories all the time?” he glanced over to Geralt who gave a small nod.

“I roam between the Wolf territories, sometimes I’ll get a call from the bears if they need a hand,” Geralt reminded him.

Jaskier wrinkled his nose as he tried to remember the etiquettes of the witchers. It wasn’t as political as the Royalty and Nobles of humanity but he’d grown up learning about them so that was easy. He could name all the nobility and Royal families at the drop of a hat. Witchers laws were still a work in progress. Witcher territories were there to ensure that the monster slayers all had enough work to do and there would always be a witcher nearby to help the humans should a monster problem occur. It was deemed offensive to hunt in another school’s territory without permission, a slight on that school, but nothing that would end in bloodshed.

The only exception being the cat witchers.

They were quick to anger and fiercely protective of what was theirs. Jaskier had seen that one first hand. It had been a messy affair. He’d never thought of his fun and flirty professor in the same way ever again.

If Jaskier wanted to travel outside of the Wolf School’s land for bardic competitions then Geralt had to leave his swords and armour behind. It was almost like a holiday! Not Geralt was ever very happy about it. It made him angsty to travel without his swords, especially when bandits and monsters still roamed the forests.

“You have a beautiful home,” Jaskier sang sweetly, winking at Markus and giving the witcher a cheeky smile. “Much nicer than the bedrolls we’re used to, isn’t that right Geralt?”

“Hmm… save the charm for Vesemir, bard.”

Jaskier licked his lips. “Ah, right, well… doesn’t hurt to try?”

Geralt chuckled and pulled him closer, pressing his lips to Jaskier’s temple. “We don’t want to be late for dinner on our first night, let’s go bathe.”

“Oh if you insist,” Jaskier purred, running his fingers down Geralt’s chest.

“Actually bathe, Jask.”

“Pity.”

The other witchers roared with laughter. “You really weren’t kidding about this one, Geralt.” Eskel said in his deep bass tone that made Jaskier a little weak at the knees. Damn witchers were all so stunning. What was a bard to do?

“He’s a flirt, and he’s mine,” Geralt grumbled.

Jaskier did the only thing he could think of… he jumped at Geralt so that the witcher had to catch him in his arms. Geralt grunted under his sudden weight but caught him easily. Jaskier wrapped his arms around Geralt’s neck, placing a sloppy kiss on Geralt’s cheek. “Yours, my love.”

Geralt hummed, a happy purr rumbling in his chest. “As I am yours.”

Jaskier’s heart fluttered, a giddy warmth spreading throughout his body despite the winter chill. “Mine,” he agreed and pulled his witcher into a kiss. Geralt softly lowered him back to the floor. As his feet hit the ground his hand cupped the back of Geralt’s neck, gripping the nape tight between his fingers. Geralt purred loudly and melted against him. Jaskier giggled against Geralt’s lips and wrapped an arm around Geralt’s waist to support him before he slid to the floor.

Neither of them paid any attention to the protests of the surrounding witchers. It had been a difficult journey up the mountain and Jaskier was happy to be home. Not at Kaer Morhen, but with Geralt, his home.