#just such an inquisitive and sweet and gentle little soul

[ruthlesslistener]

So when I was little I was like. Deathly afraid of snakes. Terrified and awful at even being around them. A sharp contrast to my sister who at the ripe age of 10 would happily want to hold and touch snakes, even if she really shouldn’t. (She’d over turn logs and wood to look at the babies? Little snakes curled up under them. Much to my horror.)

Anyways around 14 I started trying to get over it, bc my rational brain had kicked in and I knew they weren’t any real threat to me. They were just creatures trying to live and explore safely as well yknow? I held a snake at that age for the first time and I actually enjoyed it. Wasn’t frighten and was proud of myself for not freaking out about it despite it being v new and nerve wracking. (In the years following with trying to connect with Mother Nature I’d also be trying to breath and get myself to not freak about being close to spiders and some other bugs. Still. Working on those.)

Since then I haven’t had access to snakes in front of me. High school didn’t have any science teachers with snakes and I’m in a city for college so even worrying about them being in the brush is gone. So my fear/progress with snakes had largely gone dormant. But! You keep posting snakes and esp your thoughts and experiences with Juniper and it’s?? Really?? Helped me wrap my head around being cool with snakes. They’re funky noodle creatures. They’re pretty chill usually. They’re creatures with habits and personalities like anything else. Just noodle shaped. No more dangerous than a dog or cat really, maybe even less so considering big dog breeds. Arguably prettier than a lot of dogs too.

Idk it’s just been nice hearing about Juniper. She sounds like such a delightful noodle to live with honestly. And hearing about your experiences with her has grounded snakes back into reality instead of Evil Serpent Creature Of The Brush. So thanks for that ig✨✨

!!! I've just had this sitting in my inbox for a couple days now because I genuinely couldn't come up with the words to answer it. I've loved snakes all my life but was raised by a parent who was and still is scared shitless of them, so being able to reduce some of that terror by just nerding out about them?? That really made my week.

Now, if you want some more fun info about my experiences with them that ground them even further into 'this is just a little guy' territory:

Snakes are hands-down one of the most gentle, least-capable-of-evil vertebrates that I've ever worked with (which to be fair, includes parrots and rabbits so we've got a high bar here), primarily because they seem to only experience a few emotions: fear, hunger, curiosity, and contentment, and each of those motivations take up the entire braincell currently running at the moment. Which is likely far more simplistic than what we give them credit for- they can be very clever little things when they want!- but what surprised and delighted me the most after getting Juniper (even with all the research I did!!) was just how much curiosity takes up that one active braincell. Snakes are very frightened, sensitive beings, but when they feel secure enough for it, they are SUPER inquisitive. Everytime after 7, Juniper will poke her head out of her hide, and will actively watch me go about my nighttime routine until I settle or she gets bored enough to fall asleep. When I take her out, her primary mission is to explore wherever she can, investigating every little change in her environment before coming back to me to coil up under my crossed legs (or trying to wedge behind the bookshelf). They're often flagged as simple animals, and their emotions likely are quite primitive, but there's just a certain sort of joy that one gains from watching an animal explore her surroundings and seeing the little gears turning in her brain that makes it click just how similar we are to each other, even after years of evolution, and how magical it is that she has grown to understand that I am harmless enough for me to be a familiar anchor point when something New and Scary but also very Intruiguing comes along. And it's delightful to interact with her and see that realization click into place, and to also know that I wouldn't get a bite from it without great warning. Because snakes only bite when scared or hungry, and she is neither scared of me nor mistakes me for her dinner. That's a marked difference from interacting with parrots or rabbits, and also much less painful of a bite prospect- snakes do not have big beaks or jaws made for crushing through wooden materials, with sharp edges that slice right into your flesh. They've just got a whole bunch of little pinprick teethers, and no bite force whatsoever to hold it up. A bite is much less scary and much less likely to happen from a nonvenomous snake than from most other animals

(They can presumably also get angry, but the only time I've ever seen an angry snake was a very territorial, horny male in breeding season who'd mistake hands for othet snakes. Even then, all he'd do is push at them with his coils or grumpily shove at the hand with his face. No striking! Just the snake equivilant of hip-nudging.)

Something else about Juniper that really surprised me when I first got her- snakes aren't born knowing how to eat! They've got the instinct to strike at food and coil it, but the actual size they need to strike, amount they need to coil to kill the prey, and which way to gulp it down is a process learned by trial and error. Some can bonk their wee faces too hard on the strike and scare themselves so bad that it stops them from eating; some will try endlessly to eat a rat from the side or the ass end and then get so frustrated by their efforts that they give up. Juniper, luckily, is not either of those- she's a garbage disposal of a ball python, one that'll eat anything as long as it's not covered in substrate- but she was terrible at striking when she was little, terrible at figuring out how to eat said prey, and is still pretty terrible at wrapping her meals, like any proper snake should. I got her eating frozen/thawed when she was only 75g, so it's likely that she's never learned how to kill prey, and so sometimes she just...doesn't even try. I can't ever give this girl a live rat!! She doesn't know how to kill it like a proper python!!! And that's just so very funny to me. It really shows you that snakes aren't instinct-driven killing machines like people say, but animals equipped with a basic understanding of what they need to do and no actual experience on how to do it. She's at least figured out how to eat her reheated rats facefirst like a normal snake should, without enthusiastically trying to chow down on it from the side, but the way she's learned to manouver it against her body until she finds the right way it needs to go took almost an entire year of practice. And it's fascinating to see her do it, as she'll often use her own coils to help push her food to where she wants it to go. It might seem callous to state how much I enjoy watching my snake eat, especially since I love rodents, but the clear enjoyment/enthusiasm she gets out of a meal and the way she problem solves to get it in a configuration where she can eat it shows just how much more is going on upstairs than what we think, and that's super cool to me

(She also wipes her face after meals! Usually because a bit of substrate gets caught in her mouth and she hates the feel, but I've seen her do it even when nothing is in her mouth. She'll go up to one of her rougher pieces of decor, then carefully wipe her face on it, one side after another, just like how people do with napkins. I'm not sure if this is to help realign her jaws or if the fur of it tickles her face when no subtrate is in her mouth, but it is extremely cute)

Anyways, I'm so very happy that I've been able to use my love for snakes to help you appreciate them better! Here's a couple pictures of Juniper for you, taken when she was just hanging on my lap chillin while I called my family (or crawling over me so that she can get a good scope of the new apartment)

[alien-magnolia]

My heat’s here (Jake sully)

Fic description: Navi mating ritual, heat/pheromones/omegaverse, dom! Jake Sully, sub/fem!omaticaya reader, breeding kink, manhandling, sir kink., jealousy, 18+ MDNI

“My mate. Now that you are fully Na’vi, I gotta warn you about somethin’,” Jake says to you, as the two of you lay on the grass, your head on his chest, his arms snug around you. 

“Hmm?,” you stir, too busy reveling in the warmth of his chest. “Your heat, babygirl,” Jake says to you, gently. You lift your head off his chest for a moment, looking up at him inquisitively. “What’s that?,” you ask, with such innocence. Jake swore that your innocence drove him crazy sometimes. He sighed, thinking to restrain himself. He knew he would not be able to once your heat arrived.

“Well, think of it as a period, one that you got when you used to be human. But this time, you’re just very turned on, and you got a lot of these pheromones around you,” he explains. “So it will affect you, ma Jake?” “Yes. I’ll try not to be too rough with you, babygirl. Don’t wanna hurt your pretty lil’ body,” he coos at you, and you hum contently, laying your head back down on his chest. Your tails intertwine as you both watch Pandora’s moon rise on a hill atop of the forest canopy. 

Days later, your heat arrived as expected. You woke with the rising sun shining through your hut, and you would usually welcome the sun, it was one of Eywa's great creations. However, today it burned your eyes, your head hurt, you felt a pain in your body. At first you thought you were sick. But then you felt it — the intense need for cock. Your Jake’s cock.

Your womb was empty, just waiting to be filled!! You croak out, “Ma Jake. Where are you? Need you…,” you trail off. You began to worry. Where was he? Did he leave you, did he not need you anymore? You rise up off your sleeping mat, and begin to pace around the hut.

Your worries were satiated by Jake’s arrival. “Just for some breakfast for us, babygirl,” he shouts as he walks through the little doorway (made of bark of course!) His expression and demeanor changes once he sees you, once he smells your sickeningly sweet pheromones. You see that look of aggressive, predatory, lust in his dilated yellow pupils. 

You’ve never seen him walk over to you this quick. His calloused hand reaches over to you, cupping your cheek, while his other hand steadies you, as you begin to lose your balance.

“Baby. You’re heating up,” he says with concern, attempting to restrain himself, although his eyes told otherwise. “Ma Jake…what is happening to me?,” you cried out. “Your heat, babygirl. Told you it would come soon. Don’t worry. Gonna help you out. Gonna take care of my mate,” he whispers to you, pulling you in for a gentle kiss. He leads you over to the bed, helping you lay down on it. You could tell — he was restraining himself. It looked like he wanted to devour  you — you hoped that he did. 

He’s on top of you, towering over you like a God. His lips meet yours, his forehead close with you only soothed the ache in your womb for just a bit. You needed more. You reach on to grab onto his muscular arms. “Ma Jake…please. Need you. Hurts. It hurts,” you wail out. “Tsaheylu, please,” you whisper to him. He immediately obliged and brought his braid over to yours, connecting the two. You felt amazing, you felt his body, mind and soul. 

“I know, sweetie. Know it hurts. Can feel it. Gonna…fuck. Take care of you,” he almost growls, and then uses his strength to flip you over onto your stomach, his hands squeezing and kneading your thighs, your waist. “So fuckin’ glad no other Na’vi men can smell you right now… gonna show them who you belong to,” he almost growls out.  Your heat just made him so possesive!! You feel his torso on your back, and before you know it, you feel his fangs digging into your shoulder. You squeal a bit, his sharp fangs digging into your soft shoulder! “Don’t move,” he hisses, one of his hands moving back to reposition you.

You mewl and moan as he trails kisses all over your shoulder, your back, and one of his hands comes up to lift you by the neck, just a bit. “You gonna be good f’me babygirl?,” he asks, his tail erratic, his eyes and soul burning for you. 

“Yes, ma Jake. Please,” you breathe out. “Yes, what,” he says, lowly, with a bit of a hiss. You loved it when he hissed, it was so scary and yet attractive!  “Yes, sir,” you murmur, ashamed that your heat-induced brain forgot to call him by his title in the bedroom. “S’okay, babygirl. All that heat got you a little dumb, huh? That’s okay. Don’t need to think on my cock,” he chuckles, almost patronizing in a way. That little comment was accompanied by a few slaps on your ass. You liked the pain :) especially from the rough hands of your Jake.

Your pussy is just clenching on nothing at this point. Your ass is red, tail against his torso, you were just grinding up onto him at this point. 

“Ma Jake!!,” you scream at him, you wanted his cock, you wanted it SO badly!! His blue hand teases you again, running down your abdomen. He lifts himself off of you, two hands on your hips, positioning you. 

You finally feel a twinge of clarity as you feel his hot, soft cockhead slip past your folds and into your warm pussy. You moaned again, you just wanted him deeper and deeper!! “Fuck. My girl, sucking me in…,” he grunts, as you begin to feel his rhythmic thrusts, his skin slapping against yours, his heavy balls dragging against your slit!!

“Ma Jake, deeper, please, sir… you moan out. He listens, his soft tip lightly grazing your g-spot, you feel his cock pulsating and twitching inside you, it just turns you on so much!! You squeeze tighter and tighter around him. You feel his veiny hands trail around your front to grip at your soft breasts momentarily, before returning to their guiding place on your hips, his grip so tight on you. Oh Eywa — he was strong. 

“Feel you squeezin’ me, princess. Tell me what ya want. Go on,” you hear his deep and a bit slurred voice above you. He must have been absolutely delirious by how tight you were around him. “Want your knot, ma Jake…please,” you whisper out in a breathy moan. He smirks above you, a wide, predatory smile that has his fangs baring. You hear his chuckle, Eywa, you always loved how deep his voice was. 

“Stay still, babygirl. Gonna give you my knot, gonna - fuck, make you mine, gonna fill you up,” he barely moans out, he was so close, you felt it. You both came at the same time, you were seeing white, hot pleasure, he was seeing the same. It felt just as if it was an intense experience connecting to Eywa. 

You started crying after you came around. You felt so at peace with his thick knot buried inside you. You also just felt so loved by him, that tears were natural at this point. You realized he must have turned you around in your haze, you now laying on top of his chest, while he was on his back. He notices your tears. 

“What is it babygirl? What’s gotcha upset?,” he asks, you can feel his concern through tsaheylu. “Just. Just. You make me feel so complete, ma Jake. This heat was frightening, but not with you. You took away some of that pain, ma Jake, I see you,” you whisper to him, watching his big yellow eyes closely for a reaction. 

He smiles back at you, his eyes soft and loving. “Anything for my mate, my world. I’d die for you, babygirl,” he says to you as he pulls you closer for a sweet, long kiss. There was no better feeling on all of Pandora than being wrapped up in your mate’s arms, laying with him, all protected and loved, (and stuck on his nicely sized cock and knot)!!

a/n: will probably make a part two, where Jake gets his rut :) enjoy hehe

avatar taglist: @23victoria @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed @jake-sullys-whore @aerangi @brioffthegrid

[theroosterperch]

one of the girls.

(Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw x Reader)

Word Count: 2.8K

Trigger Warnings: Nothing I can think of, just fluff <3

A/N: I’m currently writing another insanely long fic but it’s taking me forever and a half. Perhaps posting a shorter one first will give me the push I need. We’ll see. Enjoy some Rooster content where he gets in touch with his feminine side (as we all know, he drinks The Feminist Elixir™️). Also my friend and I were discussing the fact that Rooster is a gossip man. You got work drama? Someone talking smack about someone’s ex’s girlfriend’s cousin’s daughter’s husband? He’s INVESTED, he’s pulling out the popcorn. We don't make the rules but also yes we do.

(P.S. This is the first little fic I've written since my 2013 Wattpad days, please be gentle lmfao)

Summary: Penny asks you to watch Amelia (your goddaughter) for the night and Rooster tags along :)

After getting off work, you decide to head down to the Hard Deck as per your usual Friday evening routine. It had been a long, exhausting day even if it was only 6pm, but you always had time and energy for Fridays at the Hard Deck. Everybody you loved was always there…Maverick, Penny, Phoenix, Coyote, Fanboy, Bob, Hangman (yes, even Hangman), but mainly Rooster—your lovely, warm, incredibly funny and cheeky charming boyfriend. At the end of your longest, saddest, most frustrating days, he always knew exactly how to cheer you up or at least take the edge off. Even just having him in the same vicinity was comforting…like an emotional heat lamp or weighted blanket for the soul. And his hugs…oh, lord, his hugs. Warm, safe, always a bit tight but never too much; at your most broken, it felt like he could just hug you back together. Every time you reunited at the end of the day, he would greet you with one of these hugs, a sweet kiss to some part of the face, and a cheeky “hi beautiful”, and it never waned, even after the several years you had been together. Tonight at the Hard Deck was no exception. 

When you walked in the door, you were greeted with the familiar smell of mixed perfumes and colognes, the faint smell of alcohol, beach wood, and salty air. You scanned the crowd for familiar faces, ultimately landing on Penny behind the bar. You approached, trying to get her attention over the noise.

“Busy night?” You shout. She turns around, giving you a warm smile, while somehow juggling too many glasses and bottles of beer in her arms. 

“You could say that,” she laughs, attempting to set them down and disperse them to the people crowding the counter. As they all took their drinks, some disappeared elsewhere in the room. “You know how Friday nights are.”

Indeed, I do. 

“I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Penny says, turning to you with an inquisitive yet guilty look on her face. “And you can 100% say no if you want to.”

“What is it? Is everything okay?” You ask, concerned.

“Yeah, yeah…it’s just-” She trails off, now fidgeting with random objects behind the counter “Pete and I…we-...well, we haven’t  been able to get much alone time since the mission happened and I was wondering if you could hangout with Amelia tonight while we have some time for ourselves. I know it’s last minute but-”

“Say no more,” You interrupt, laughing “she’s my goddaughter, I would love to.”

“Are you sure? This won’t interrupt any plans you have with Bradley?”

“I think the plan for tonight was just to hangout here,” you smile, grabbing a beer from behind the counter. “It’s all good, really. You two deserve some alone time.” 

“You are an angel, truly,” she smiles. “Amelia is at the house–probably with her head in some book–so just head over whenever you like. I should be back by tomorrow morning.”

“Sounds good, I’ll leave in a bit.”

“Leaving me so soon?” a raspy voice says behind you. You suddenly feel those all-too-familiar arms wrap around you, and you can’t help but smile. You feel a soft kiss on your neck and a slight tickle from that damn 80’s stache. You turn your head toward Rooster to see him looking down into your eyes, smiling softly as he places a gentle kiss to your lips. “Hi beautiful.” he whispers. There it was. 

“Hey stranger.”

“What evil are you two scheming?” He chuckles, motioning towards you and Penny.

“World domination,” you say “but only after I’m done watching Amelia for the night.”

“Hmm…sounds fun. Am I invited?”

“I was thinking it could be more of a….” you trail off, looking at Penny, and she smiles. “girl’s night. Just me and Amelia, ya know—watch chick flicks, do facemasks, paint nails, gossip…the whole nine yards.”

Rooster steps aside slightly, one arm still around your waist as he raises his other hand to his chest dramatically. He gasps, fake-offended: “I can do a girl’s night. I can be one of the girls, I’ll blend right in. Besides, I was looking forward to spending time with you tonight, whatever form that takes.” 

You smile up at him as he takes one of your hands and raises it to his lips, placing multiple soft kisses to the top and fingertips, ultimately flattening it against the side of his cheek to cup his face. You sigh, stroking his cheek softly with your thumb as his eyes searched yours for an answer. Ugh, how could you say no?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

A few hours passed and you found yourself sitting on the floor of Penny’s living room with Rooster and Amelia, the three of you having demolished a giant pizza from her favorite restaurant. You admittedly didn’t get to spend as much time with your goddaughter as you would’ve liked, with you working and Amelia going to school–any chance you could get to spoil her, whether it be with her favorite pizza, riding bikes along the beach and getting ice cream, or just hanging out like you were—you were going to take it. She was like your little sister, and you were not only grateful that Penny had chosen you to be her godmother, but also that Rooster was so encouraging and enthusiastic about your role in her life. He had happily come to take on a cool uncle sort of role, offering as much time and support to you both as he could. You could not ask for a better partner, or a cooler goddaughter for that matter. 

You throw the last of your crust into the nearly empty pizza box, sighing contently as you lean against Rooster’s shoulder, the both of you resting against the front of the couch. You reentered the conversation in front of you, a dramatic retelling of an adorably adolescent outburst towards Amelia at school. 

“Wait, wait, wait. Back up,” Rooster exclaims, still chewing on the crust of his last slice, “she said what about your science fair project?”

“You heard me,” Amelia states, sassily. “The absolute nerve. I saw her trip when we were running the mile but did I say anything? No.”

“Kids these days,” he laughs as he looks over at you, “they’re a different breed.”

“Hey, as I recall via Maverick you have some pretty interesting stories as well. It sounds like you were quite the troublemak-”

“I was a saint, thank you very much,” Rooster laughs. “Don’t tarnish my reputation.”

You playfully swat at his chest, only for him to catch your wrist and place a quick kiss to your forearm. He holds it across his chest, rubbing it gently with his thumb.

“Eeeeughh, you guys are nauseating.” Amelia states, pretending to gag. Rooster lets out a wonderfully deep laugh as he finishes his last bite, dusting off crumbs from his fingers. He sits back groaning, putting one arm around you, the other on his belly.

“I’ve never been so full in my life,” he exhales, patting his stomach softly “I might go into a coma.”

You and Amelia both chuckle at this, until suddenly you get an idea. You look at Amelia and wink, facing her but glancing your eyes towards the man beside you. “So,” you begin,  “I was thinking we could do…makeovers or something like that, I’ve been meaning to try my hand at this cool eyeliner trick I saw online.” 

Amelia, picking up the hint, smiles at you mischievously, both of you now turning to look directly at Rooster. “I was thinking the exact. same. thing.”

He looks a bit confused for a second, eyes darting between you and Amelia, a nervously amused smile forming on his face. He llet his head drop down, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

“Yeah,” he sighed. “I should’ve seen that coming.”

This was going to be a fun night. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Endless gossip, two buckets of popcorn,and  6 episodes of Gilmore Girls  later, Amelia fell peacefully asleep on her bed. You were now sitting on her bedroom floor in-between Rooster’s legs with your back against his chest, his back against the foot of the bed. He had one hand resting on your bent knee, the other laying somewhat limp in your hands as you directed your attention to painting the nails on his left hand. He watched you silently for a moment, smiling to himself at how cute you looked when you made your focus-face, your tongue sticking slightly out and eyebrows knitted together in concentration. 

“Hmmm…you’re so beautiful.” he hums against you, nuzzling his face against your back, occasionally giving you feather-light kisses through the fabric of your shirt. Feeling his hot breath on your back, you got the shivers down your spine and Rooster chuckles, pressing his chest against you further in an effort to aid your chills. He eventually sits up slightly to get a better look at the electric blue artistry you were now slathering on his nails. “...and I supposed you’re not half bad at this.”

You snort, awkwardly. “Thanks, love. I do my best.”

A silent moment goes by before you remember the events that transpired earlier in the evening. “Speaking of beautiful…,” you say as you turn around carefully in his lap. You bent your legs to place them on either side of his hips, almost sitting cross-legged and chest-to-chest against him. You took his face in your hands to turn it straight toward you, “..c’mere good lookin.”

You grabbed the micellar water and package of cotton rounds on the ground next to you that Amelia had used to take off her own makeup after Rooster did his best smokey eye on the poor girl. You had to admit it was sweet; he tried so hard and he even had a reference photo from Pinterest that he kept looking at, insistent on doing it right. The end result was similar to that of a sparkly raccoon, but you both reassured him that it wasn’t bad for someone who spent his days about as far away from all things cosmetic—literally, thousands of feet in the sky, away from the Earth and the nearest Ulta. Amelia returned the favor by donning him with Marilyn Monroe-esque eyeliner and a matching beauty mark, painting his lips bright red as best she could with his mustache. When he saw his reflection in Amelia’s handheld mirror, he folded over laughing. 

“Ya know,” he got out between laughs. “I’m more of an Audrey Hepburn man myself, but I think Marilyn suits me.”

“Oh, great. Next time we can put you in a tutu. Maybe a little black dress?” You laugh. 

You poured a little bit of the water onto a cotton round, and set the bottle aside. You begin to gently sweep the round across his eyes and lips, doing your best to get off what you could of the impressively stubborn eyeliner and lipstick. Itt was fun to see him with makeup on as it was never something he wore, and you had to admit you enjoyed this for more than one reason. Yes, it was fun to see him with it on, and to see him bond with Amelia, but this was good for you for an entirely different reason. Getting to sit so close to him, paying special attention to his devastatingly beautiful face–getting to admire his wonderfully long eyelashes, his cute nose, the semi-raised scars decorating his jaw and neck…there wasn’t a detail about this man that didn’t have you absolutely whipped.

After a while, you finally manage to get it all off, turning slightly to set down the supplies. When you turn back you find Rooster staring at you contently. There was no mischief, no cheekiness. He looked serious, blinking slowly–his gaze was intense, full of nothing but deep love and admiration. He softly smiles and reaches up to gently tuck a few loose hairs behind your ear with the very tips of his fingers. You once again get the chills, except this time it radiated through you like an electric shockwave. Lord have mercy.

“How’d I get so lucky…” he whispers, so quietly you almost don’t catch it. It was moments like these that made your heart ache in the best possible way…when it was just you and him, the quiet. Nothing to do but comfortably sit in each other’s presence, admiring. You would be lying if you denied that after all these years, this man didn’t give you butterflies. 

“No..” you quietly chuckle, shaking your head slightly. “I’m the one who’s lucky.”

Rooster smiles at this warmly, putting his arms around your waist and pulling you close into one of those irreplaceable, ultra-comfortable, soul-soothing hugs–his hand gently pushing on the back of your head to get you to rest on his shoulder. He began to rock just barely side-to-side…you’re not sure how long you had sat there, but you began to feel him lazily trace patterns all over your back and…

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

You don’t ever remember falling asleep, but you are awoken by a soft murmuring somewhere behind you. When you finally open your eyes and turn your head, you see Penny sitting at the edge of Amelia’s bed, softly stroking her hair. You hear her whisper to Amelia but you can’t quite make out what she says. Hope she had a good time. 

You turn even further to see Rooster sleeping peacefully behind you, his arm draped lazily over your waist. You smile at his darling face, peaceful as he rests—surprisingly well—on the shag carpet of Amelia’s bedroom floor. You couldn’t help but bring your hand up to run your fingertips through his hair, leaning down to press a kiss to his cheek and eyelids. After a moment his eyelashes flutter slightly, and his eyes open–confused for a moment before finally focusing on your. He brings a hand up, groggily rubbing the sleep from his face the best he could. What a sight for sore eyes. He smiles at you and leans up, propping himself on one elbow, the other hand caressing the back of your head to pull you slightly forward. Usually a morning kiss would consist of something quick as you both are rushing to get to work,, but not this morning. He kisses you dizzingly slow and deeper than usual for his morning display of affection–had you been in the comfort of your own home, it would not be just a kiss but you store that in the mental bank for later. 

He barely pulls away, resting his forehead against yours “good morning gorgeous” he says with a smile. 

“Mornin, stud.” you quip back. He chuckles, letting out a throaty laugh before quickly kissing you on the forehead, his hand still caressing the back of your head. Suddenly, you’re interrupted by Penny.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Penny laughs quietly “thanks for hanging out with her, I know she had a lot of fun.”

“So did we,” you and Rooster say at the same time. 

“Let’s get up and I’ll buy us all breakfast, my treat.” Penny encourages. You both stand up wobbling, leaning on each other for as much support as you could give–the reality of sleeping on the floor now becoming painfully obvious. You hobble into the kitchen, gathering your things, and you notice Rooster is a little far behind you, visibly uncomfortable as he tried to stretch out his back to relieve some of the tension.

“I’m sorry if that was uncomfortable,” you said, running your hand down his back in an effort to soothe some of the pain. “We should’ve slept on the couch or something.”

”No apology needed,” he said insistently, looking at you like you had lost your mind. He kisses your cheek before continuing. “I said I wanted to spend time with you however I could, right? The sore back is totally worth it. Besides, there’s been plenty of times I’ve left you a bit sor-”

“Hey now,” you interrupt, putting your hand over his mouth “none of that til we’re out of Penny’s house.”

Penny looks at you guys, and shakes her head laughing. “You two crack me up.”

You both chuckle at her response, knowing damn well she’s aware of your activities as a couple. After all, she had quite literally asked you to babysit so she could have some alone time with a certain someone. Rooster returns his attention to you, grabbing your hand, a cheeky grin plastering his face. 

“Am I one of the girls now? Did I pass the test?”

“Mmm….,” you hum, looking up as you pretend to think about it. “you did alright. I’ll keep you around anyhow.”

“Perfect,” he laughs, resting his head on top of yours. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Yeah, me neither.

**************

[wickedgamesoyaoya]

❧ 2. Indestructible

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❧ A/N: written portion below!

It's all too suffocating. The expectations, the micromanaging, and of course, the eyes that never stop analyzing your every decision. Whether you choose to extend a sigh only a mere second longer, or whether you choose to wear your favourite sweater twice in a row. Everything is observed and critiqued.

And sometimes, it's just far too much.

Even the mirror cannot provide you with a safe space. The fluorescent lighting is far too cruel for your liking, highlighting every imperfection that you really wish to pay no mind to. Yet, beyond the imperfections, it's the eyes that captivate even your own interest. A shell of a person stares back at you, yet the eyes... They carry a heaviness that would startle most, and would haunt others.

They tell a story about a marionette whose entire life consisted of obeying the wishes of others. The invisible strings that were embedded into the limbs of the marionette, lifted her up and helped her continue the play.

No matter how disastrous the storm inside of her soul was, she had no choice. The show must always go on.

"Y/n? Are you okay?"

The voice disturbs your inner monologue, yet it does not frighten you; nor does it trigger any negative emotions. Instead, a small smile claims the corners of your mouth as you take in the presence of your younger brother.

"I'm okay, Reo. I just needed to use the bathroom." Instinctively, you reached out and provided a gentle pat to his cheek, earning you an inquisitive blink in response. It was clear that your words did not provide him with the reassurance he craved.

"You don't have to hide things from me." The purple-haired boy stated this as if it were a universal fact; one that was not open to debate. "I'm only a year younger than you. I can help protect you too."

The latter part comes out more in a childish grumble; one that warms up the ice that was claiming the surface area of your chest.

"Oh, is my younger brother now a knight in shining armour?" Lifting up your brow, you tapped a finger against your bottom lip with a sincere smile now itching to grow. "Or is it, a knight in shining Armani?"

"I think Armani." Another party joined the conversation with a whimsical laugh. It's a sound that brings a wave of tranquillity, so you more than welcome it. "He's too weak to carry armour."

"Right, anyone would appear weak in comparison to you, Oikawa." The younger boy showcased a charming smile, but the irritation underlying his words was clear.

The chestnut-haired male blew out another laugh before snaking an arm around your middle. The fluidity of his movements did not catch you off guard. This was all merely part of the performance. And the two of you, were no doubt, the best performers.

"Oh, you're so kind, little Reo. Maybe I should repay that kindness by teaching you how to work out?" After slowly leading your back to collide with his chest, Oikawa leaned down to whisper into your ear. "Unless Miss Y/N has an issue with that?"

Ahead of you, Reo narrowed his eyelids the slightest, while the emotion drained from his face. He knew that you and Oikawa were simply pawns on the chessboard. It was not as though you both had the luxury of free will. Yet, it bothered him how easily Oikawa could play the aloof asshole.

Nothing belonged to Reo. Not even his own body. Every part of his life was calculated from birth. The only reason he had the slightest bit of sanity was you. His older sister. The one who bore the punishments that would come if he made any errors. And the one who sheltered him from knowing the true torment that came with being a Mikage.

So, the fact that Oikawa Tooru could make light of Reo's physical state... It upset him. Especially, knowing that the only reason he was not completely skin and bones was because his sister would sneak him in food.

"You should consider training yourself a bit more, before giving out advice, my sweet Tooru." Sensing Reo's discomfort, this was the only response you could offer. Beside you, a pout settled onto Oikawa's mouth, and you were unable to ascertain whether he was genuinely upset.

"What's going on here? Are my three favourite people fighting?" The last individual to enter the conversation had your stomach in knots. Your mind was prepared for the mental warfare, yet your stomach raged with a dozen emotions. The muscles of your body, responding to the havoc ensuing inside of your stomach, also strained under the pressure of his gaze. Oikawa must have felt your sudden change in demeanour, as his grip around you tightened.

"No, father. We are not fighting. Please do not misunderstand." Over time, you had perfected a low and velvety tone. It was one that contained an essence that was both docile yet refined. In ways, it served as a defensive weapon. One that had saved you and Reo on countless occasions.

"Yes. I sincerely apologize if it seemed that way, Mr. Mikage." Oikawa matched your facade, yet stated his words with a royal-like confidence. It was a simpler task for him, as he was not afraid of your father, but his own.

"Well, alright. If there are no issues, let us all return to our table, hm?" The grey-haired male pressed his lips together into a faint smile, before motioning forward with a short and calculated hand gesture. "And Reo, be sure to stop by my office when we return home."

****

The shedding of blood commenced almost 15 minutes after the family returned home. The ominous comment issued towards your brother had you on high alert throughout the car ride. Reo did not utter a single word, instead his attention was fixed on the tiny droplets of rain sticking against the glass. Your parents, on the other hand, were speaking freely with each other about how delightful the banquet was. The Kise family hosted the banquet to express their gratitude towards the Mikages. They were another family who were "saved", without truly realizing that their saviours had more than a few skeletons in their closet. Under the Mikage dynasty was a blood-run river, one that exchanged souls for wealth.

Oh, it was also the banquet that caused you to delay your enrollment into Sacred Arms Academy. Not that it mattered now.

When the four of you entered the shared residence, you prayed your father had forgotten about his request. Ten minutes slipped on by, and he did not call out for Reo. Usually, if your father was to administer a punishment, it would happen immediately. So, you accordingly thought that it would be safe enough to at least take five minutes to change your clothes.

Only halfway into changing into a sweater, the sound of glass shattering brings your heart to sink into the pit of your stomach. Almost on autopilot, you quickly slip your arms into the sleeves and begin down the long staircase. For approximately 20 seconds, silence consumes the house. And it's once you reach the bottom of the staircase, do you hear your father's loud voice boom through the space.

"You dare disrespect the Mikage name? You dare?!"

Panic ignites inside of your muscles as you proceed closer to the study room. Based on your experience, rushing in could make the matter worse. However, standing there - in safety - while your brother was forced to endure abuse was also not an option.

"You are no longer at the weight you were assigned. Two pounds. You gained two pounds! It was enough for the Oikawa boy to even notice!"

How in the world could Tooru's comment be construed as a comment on weight gain? Honestly, your father's lack of critical reasoning was beyond your comprehension. The truth was, the old man was always looking for excuses to harm his children. It was not about the perfect image; it was about keeping them within his grasp. He craved complete and utter control, but he could never fully obtain it. Because he was not God. And you two were not his puppets. There was no way for him to completely strip you both of your individuality. And he hated you for it.

"I... I'm sorry..." This time it was Reo's gentle voice that cut through the air and pierced your heart. "I'll make sure to lose it..."

Oh, Reo. Your sweet, innocent Reo. It wasn't fair. None of this was. But soon, you'd be leaving him to fight for himself. And you knew deep inside, that you couldn't.

You absolutely could not do it.

"He won't be losing anything." Upon entering the study space, your eyes instantly searched for your younger brother. It only took a few seconds to find the purple-haired boy, on the floor with a superficial cut decorating his cheek. When you had heard the glass shatter, you had incorrectly assumed it was aimed at the wall. Now, that you were inside the room, you could see the impact was right beside Reo. "You threw a glass at him?"

Terror gripped your throat as you stared at the younger boy. But the pure dread animating his irises devastated you in a way it had never before.

"You... This is enough." Perhaps it was time for the bricks to break from the pressure of the well. And maybe that was the reason for the steaming liquid running down your cheeks. "We're not playing your stupid little game anymore. Do you understand, father!?"

Senior Mikage took a cautious step back upon hearing your words. He reasoned to himself that he had no reason to fear you and yet, this was a new reaction he had elicited. He was unsure just how far you would now take this.

"What insolence... What -"

"No. You do not get to curse us anymore. You will not lay a hand on us. Do you understand?" Adrenaline had you practically bouncing on the spot. Even if your father were to strike you now, you doubt you would feel it until tomorrow. All you could do was continue your proclamations and pray your father would not lift his hand again.

"In fact, you'll be enrolling Reo into the academy with me. And we'll both be leaving tomorrow. You will no longer have the privilege of living with your children. Do you understand me!?"

The only reason Reo was not joining you in the first place was due to your father's needless meddling. The two requirements for the academy were an undergraduate degree and a recommendation from a family of wealth. Those were two items within Reo's grasp, the only issue was your father.

"What... How dare you -" The older male could not process what was occurring at a reasonable pace. He had become far too comfortable in his artificial reality that he forgot that his children could choose to defy him. Once the varying forms of abuse were no longer effective, what was he to do? What was his plan?

Well, there was no plan. And that was why you were able to use the circumstances to your advantage.

"Come here, Reo." After wiping away the tears with the sleeve of your sweater, you curled your fingers into your palm to motion the younger boy forward. Although he was hesitant, Reo mustered the limited energy left in his body and removed himself from the floor. "This is the last night we'll ever stay in this haunted house. We're going to finally be free."

Once Reo was within arms reach, you took his hand in yours and without sparing your father a glance, exited the study space. To your dismay, you almost strolled straight into your mother who was clearly listening to everything from the foyer. Upon seeing her children, the older woman exhaled a breath while crossing her arms over her chest. Her behaviour did not coincide with that of a worried mother. Instead, she appeared disappointed, and that fact alone had the acids inside of your stomach churning in revulsion.

A mother who could bring herself to care for her own children was no mother at all.

"We'll clean up your wound first, Reo. Then we'll start packing." Your intentions were purposefully stated, to serve as a warning to both your mother and father. If either of them were to intervene, you were not completely sure what you would do. But the adrenaline soothed your concerns, whispering little lies about your indestructible state.

For now, pretending would be enough. But starting tomorrow, you'll commence your journey into discovering how to become more than skin and bones.

Taglist: @boosyboo9206 @hunnie-lily @valleyofheartz @pearl-blue-musings @moonlit-mizukage @lilith412426

[earthry]

Brrr! | Phantom & Swiss x Mountain

Content / Warnings: Phantom & Swiss/Mountain, SFW, 546 words, can be read as platonic, no warnings just fluff

Author’s Note: thank you to @copiasjuicebox for the phantom propaganda so i've been thinking about the new bug so much lately also thank you for encouraging me to post this &lt;3 my personal headcanon is that phantom was mostly nonverbal when they were first summoned but after getting more comfortable and confident they become a little talkative bouncy ball of energy. this is set not too long after they first got out of the pit! also copiasjuicebox mentioned the idea of phantom being more like swiss and mountain's adopted kit rather than a ot3 and im in love with that so i wrote this with that hc in mind.

Phantom is introduced to snow for the very first time, much to Swiss and Mountain's amusement.

The first time Phantom is introduced to snow, Mountain and Swiss watch them go crosseyed trying to catch a glimpse of the little cold flecks that tickled their nose. “Brrr,” they trill, nose scrunching and tail flicking curiously.

“Mhm, it’s cold huh?” Mountain hums. He and Swiss hang back a little, letting their little bug explore and discover for themselves. They've been trying to introduce them to more and more things lately, and it was always heartwarming to see them so excited and bouncy over normally mundane things.

“Brrr!” Phantom repeats back in agreement when another ice crystal decides to perch on their nose again, and closes their eyes so they can tilt their head back against their shoulders to the night sky. 

The ministry is surprisingly quiet tonight, the courtyard empty save for a few passing souls. The weather has definitely dipped since the sun had gone down to give way to winter’s first snowfall. A gentle blanket covering the Abby. In the morning there was sure to be many siblings-in-sin and ghouls alike bundled up and playing in the snow.

Phantom's face is cold, all the way from the tips of their ears to their toes. They had run out barefoot at the first sign of soft white confetti, making little mmrs at Swiss and Mountain, pointing with inquisitive peeps. 

“That’s snow, little one.” Swiss laughs, finding the younger ghoul’s awed expressions endearing.

“Snow?” Phantom echoes, tail curling in excitement. They open their eyes again and are met with what feels like love. Fluttering snowflakes swirling in the night sky. Their breaths forming little puffs of air to their delight. 

“Pfffff!” They make little noises as they begin to huff out more breaths, giggling when it hangs in the air in miniature clouds. They don’t particularly understand what’s happening but it’s so fun! 

Phantom chases around a few snowflakes, trying to get them to land on their tongue and making little mmrs of pride and excitement whenever they succeed. It’s not until their ears and nose begin turning a little too red for comfort that Swiss and Mountain intervene. 

“Come on, let’s get you inside before you watch a cold, yeah?” Phantom whines, high pitched and sulky and Swiss laughs. “I know it’s fun but we don’t want you to get sick. We can come back in the morning. If you get sick, you’d have to wait to get better before playing again— you don’t want that do you?”

Phantoms eyes go wide at the prospect of being kept away from snow for so long and shakes their head. “Snow!” They protest. 

“It’ll still be there in the morning, petal.” Mountain rumbles, before offering his hand. “Besides, we can’t try hot chocolate all the way out here now, can we?” His eyes meet Swiss’s with a twinkle before settling back on Phantom, who’s little curious mind has already latched onto the Next New Fun Thing. 

“Chocolate!” Phantom knew what that one was! It was very yummy and sweet and made them super hyper after if they had too much. They eagerly took Mountains hand; his was so much bigger than theirs it practically swallowed their hand but it was warm and reassuring. Phantom’s tail swishing wildly with excitement, the three of them retreated inside.

[mystical-blaise]

Dadriel #11: Fear is Not My Future

Azriel reminisces fondly about the past as he simultaneously dreads what the future holds.

Read it on Ao3 here

I haven't posted anything in a while and needed to get this out of my head. Mostly fluff with a little side of emotional hurt/comfort. Enjoy!

Remember this, the shadows used to hum as Azriel held the entire world in his hand. 

Not that he needed their heeding. After all, how could he forget how impeccably both Llyr's and little Catrin's heads fit wholly cupped in the heart of his palm? 

A heartwarming, idyllic match. So miraculously perfect. 

Almost as if the Mother herself had measured his hand's span. Both of the two wriggling babes a wonderfully complicated compliment into his life—just like their mother. 

He'd never forget his first time like this. Seeing them nestled in his hold, was against a background of fuzzy snow-white whirls. The backdrop of a blanket between them.

For a while, he had been nervous to hold them like that soft to marred skin. Worried how the roughness of him would feel against such tender flesh and featherlight wisps of hair. So when he'd often hold them at night when they were newborns, he would with a blanket between them.

And it wasn't until Gwyn had caught him one night, finally realizing what he was doing, that she calmly, gently told him, Remove the barrier, my love. 

Barrier. The word tolled through him like a clear bell of challenge. 

Barrier. It had been years since he'd allowed any between himself and his beloved mate, his friends—or around his hands. He loved the feeling of Gwyn's palm and fingers, now strong and roughened from years of training, against his own. He found comfort and clarity in her touch. Renewed vitality and strength.

And wouldn't his children gain the same?

Fear, uncertainty, were the ultimate hurdle. But eventually, with deep breaths and the shadows and Gwyn's loving support and gentle coaxing, he had held them. One at a time, their tiny, precious heads in his palm, the weight of them in his arms a joy he still couldn't comprehend.

Gods, they had been soft. They'd been so wondrously soft. Like his shadows whispering over him. Like fate and love and magic given form.

Perfect. 

The sweet image of their small heads nestled in the center of his palm as he cradled them was imprinted on his soul, imparted with a promise. 

A promise he thought about every time he glanced at his hand. 

While Gwyn fretted and assessed the twins' lives in reaching milestones, Azriel measured the passing of time by his hand.

The once perfect fit was long gone, Llyr and Catrin not even needing the extra support of it anymore, each of them able to hold themselves, sit on their own. Their inquisitive son was even starting to pull himself up on furniture. 

Catrin was getting there, but she seemed content to allow her brother and others to bring things to her. Which still worried Gwyn, though their family did their best to allay her ruminating.

Don't worry, Berdara. My father often said how late I was at walking—until I saw something I wanted. Catrin is just willfully stubborn, just like her mother. Gwyn had stuck her tongue out at Nesta for that. But, her Valkyrie-sister continued, when she finally sees something she really wants, that little Valkyrie is going to run, not walk. And then you will beg the Mother for her to sit still again. 

And Azriel had little doubt about Nesta's claim. 

Even now in sleep, her ever-growing wings splayed beneath her, spread out as wide as her arms, her forehead was puckered as if she was scheming. Her small rosebud lips with the perfect bow were parted on soft puffed breaths, little snores that reminded him so much of watching Gwyn sleep. Though with her onyx hair, he could only imagine she was the spitting image of her namesake. Apart from her wings and the wavy ringlets in her hair, the little girl was most definitely a Berdara. 

He peered over at the other crib. His son, even with his porcelain skin and copper coloring, was Azriel through and through. A quiet boy, always content to assess a situation before trying. And Azriel swore Llyr was paying close attention to the shadows more now than ever, enough to make the Shadowsinger wonder.

Catrin's pitiful whimper called his attention.

It was a nightly ritual now whenever he was home—when nightmares dragged him from the little sleep his body called for—to check on his family as they slept. 

Safe, Singer. 

Safe. All of them were safe. No demons from his past or enemies of his present were here.

And that had been that promise the first time he'd held them with no barrier between them.

His children would never know the true reality of cold. Never know the bite of shackles on their wrists or ankles. They'd never long for comfort. 

They'd never question if they were loved.

Their safety would always be assured.

Safe to sleep. Safe to dream. Safe to love.

They'd have everything he didn't have. And he'd make sure of it with his last breath.

That was his promise.

And yet…

His knuckle gently smoothed over Catrin's forehead, over her chubby cheek. 

Every day, he compared their heads to his hand. Every day it sunk in that they were bigger, no longer fitting to the dimension. They were growing up. Every day was another day closer to—

Arms circled him from behind, and he stretched his wings aside as a pointy chin rested on his bare left shoulder. He sighed into her, loving to be surrounded by her softness and her scent.

"You all right?" Gwyn asked.

"Yes." He swallowed thickly. "Couldn't sleep. And you?"

"Nightmare," she sighed. His arm encircled her as he kissed her temple. Her soft chuckle caught him off guard. "Just look at them. They're getting so big." 

His throat bobbed, his fingertips and shadows grazing over the peach fuzz of the babe's cheek again. "They are. It seems they are doing new things each day. It's truly remarkable."

"It is. And yet…it worries me."

"Gwyneth Berdara, worried? No. I can't believe such a thing," he teased, earning a little playful nip to his shoulder.

"The more they move, the farther they go, the more dangers await. Cauldron, the House of Wind is built on top of a godsdamn mountain. It suddenly feels like a death trap. I shouldn't even dare blink when they're awake."

"The House won't let anything happen to them, love. Neither will we."

"Still, I'd feel better if we need to take precautions. Be proactive. Cover corners, secure doors and knobs. Gates around the stairs and fencing off the training ring." She eyed him. "How would you feel about covering the tips of your wings?"

Azriel snorted. "Gwyn, I love you and your creative mind, but there's no way in hell. Illyrians have had babies forever and I haven't read one single instance of eyes getting poked out by wing tips."

"If you insist." She exhaled, her eyes taking in the dozing girl in the crib. The shadowsinger tightened his hold on his mate. "Does it…does it make you a little sad, too?"

His lips twitched. His clever copper-headed wife always saw straight through to the heart of the matter. "It does."

"I don't know what I'm going to do when they leave to be on their own one day," she confided, her mouth trembling slightly against his collar. "Though I guess it's silly to think about right now, one day they'll be starting their own lives. It'll be up to them. They won't need us."

He kissed her again, tugging her ever closer to him, glancing between their sleeping children. "We'll always be there for them. And it's not silly in the slightest. I am, too. I think perhaps it's the nature of parenthood. The blessing of children comes with the curse of constant worry about what they will face, what the future holds. The perils. The heartache. I just…I don't want them to feel a moment of pain."

And he wouldn't be able to bear it. Because that was the risk of letting down barriers of the heart and soul—it left one vulnerable to the worst heartbreak, the greatest pain imaginable. 

The tactile fear of losing it all after he'd finally allowed himself to feel, to accept.

A panic he used to solely place on Gwyn and now…

"I wish I could relieve your fears and mine, Shadowsinger. But…it's not practical." He peered down at his lovely beauty, falling immediately into the teal orbs staring up through heavy lashes. "Some pain is simply a part of life. The elation and happiness of first loves, families and friendships can't be had without risk. Without having faith. Because you go in knowing that things could end with heartache and loss. I don't imagine the fear will ever abate. But it's worth it to experience love, is it not?"

He didn't take his eyes off of Gwyn, remembering all the times he almost lost her, had seen and felt her pain and dread. How he'd witnessed her drift away from him after the birth of their children. Hell, forget about battle; he'd been more terrified of losing her on the birthing bed—and their twins. 

Yet she was here. Now. They all were.

And he would relive his haunted past over again if it meant he'd end up right here.

Arm still wound around Gwyn, his fingertips left his daughter's brow to tip up his mate's freckled face. He'd memorized it long ago, each freckle as familiar as his own scars. And as he stared down, felt the touch of her skin against his own, without linen or fear between them, he dipped his face down and pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

Every kiss was a blessing. 

Every touch was a miracle. 

Every fear was worth living. 

The love for his family was worth everything. A love he would hold forever in his heart and carried in the palm of his hand.

[minaharkers]

OC TAG GAME ｡*･♡;

tagged by @aragorngf to categorize my ocs and make them in this picrew by crowsen!!  

♡ FAVORITE OC. (At the moment) 

Lukas Warren — Fallout: New Vegas

This was cruel to make me pick between all of my kids but I think Lukas at the moment is always kicking around my head — my sweet boy my poor little meow meow. I have so much in my head about his relationship with his family both the complicated horror story that is his family and his adopted ghoul mom Majorie and how much that really shaped his worldview <3

♡ NEWEST OC.

Caroline Clarke — Various

Cara my beloved!! She’s my OC for a post-apocalyptic RP group I’m in and I love her sm <3 She’s a hunter from West Virginia who’s still trying to getting used to living in a (somewhat) civilized part of Boston after living in the literal Appalachian woods for a solid three years with her brother. I’m excited to write with her more !! She’s a sweet person but is still sort of closed off after so much has happened 

♡ OLDEST OC.

Aerie — The Elder Scrolls V: Skryim

Aerie is definitely one of my oldest ocs!! Skyrim was really one of the first rpgs I played and honestly I feel like she’s both gone through so many iterations but also stayed pretty consistent!! We love a wild girlie who the universe had to make her a short nord to balance out the whole dragon soul thing

♡ MEANEST OC.

Ethan Warren — Fallout: New Vegas

Some people deal with their issues in all sorts of ways; Ethan decided to deal with it by razing his hometown to the ground <3 Having his father be burned instead of crucified like the Legion normally would to not give him the satisfaction of dying like jesus is understandable given what an awful person Richard Warren was, but joining the Legion and staying for years is a bad move maybe 🤔

♡ SOFTEST OC. 

Merethel Lavellan — Dragon Age: Inquisition

This was tough between Merethel and Ophelia but I think he’s someone who’s got a quiet compassion to him. The role of inquisitor does chafe on him a lot with him being more comfortable behind the scenes and being with people one on one as a healer. But I think people tend to underestimate how intelligent he is at first with his gentle nature, because he definitely learns how to play the “game” of politics in his own right by the time of Trespasser (even if he is very eager to get rid of the Inquisitor title).

♡ MOST ALOOF/STANDOFFISH OC. 

Endaryn Ravel — The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

Even before he lost his place at the Arcane University in Cyrodiil after being booted to Morrowind because the Emperor Said So (rip 😔) , Endaryn is someone who just wants to be left alone to study!! And stuff KEEPS happening to him and he just wants to finish his thesis can he please stop getting weird dream messages from Dagoth Ur

♡ DUMBEST (AFFECTIONATE) OC. 

Leondas Vendicci — The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

It’s not that he’s dumb, he just lacks any and all self-preservation or self-respect! <3 Jk, but Leondas is definitely the guy who acts first and thinks about it later when he realizes the consequences. A fuck around and find out kind of guy, you might say. But yeah, definitely the type to run into Oblivion portals without much of a plan. But he’s MY favorite dumbass so it’s okay

♡ SMARTEST OC.

Ophelia Faye — Fallout: 3

WOMEN! IN! STEM! Ophelia’s definitely the most intelligent; (I did actually give her a 10 in her Intelligence SPECIAL score). But I would say it’s pretty much all like science and medicine based intellect, and she’s the most comfortable in a lab or med bay than out in the Wasteland.

♡ OC YOU’D LIKE TO BE FRIENDS WITH IRL.

Euurydia Daeron — Star Wars: The Old Republic

I have NO idea if Dia and I would actually hang out IRL but she’d be the most fun to hang out with. She’s the perfect extrovert to adopt an introvert like me and talk my ear off and convince me to try one drink and suddenly it’s 2 am and we’ve been cantina hopping in the Lower Promenade on Nar Shaddaa for hours

tagging: @statichvm @chuckhansen @denerims @indorilnerevarine @risingsh0t @leviiackrman @florbelles @unholymilf @fashionablyfyrdraaca

[tandoori-frost]

A quick little doodle for the kinda joke AU I made for @zarla-s handplates!Gaster. Poor guy gets pulled into the nonsense of Dragon Age Inquisition instead of leaving the Void back to his sons.

Will he get back, can he survive all these fucking humans as the inquisitor? Will he outright kill Dorian for implying he's a possessed corpse? Get back to me on that. I might have answers.

(Spoilers for DA:I below)

So the context here is that as he's trying to get out of the void he instead slips through the wrong way and lands right in front of Cor-piss-n-shit, and The Divine, out of sheer panic he *does* grab The Orb. (He lands here because of the way the ritual set up is affecting The Veil, and also because of Convient Plot Reasons, I'll blame Flemeth)

The Orb reacts weird to his Skeleton biology, and the fact that There's No Palm There, so you get that little lightshow.

He is not killed for being a walking skeleton for Convient Plot reasons, and the fact people saw The Divine/"Andraste" behind him, and the fact he is wearing well maintained clothes. Everyone feels kinda nuts until he wakes up and talks, and then they feel even more nuts but also justified.

My god is this man out of his depth, holy shit, someone help him.

....but also Gaster and Solas bonding over being the last of their kind, of doing horrible things for the betterment of their people, of being hated and feared (perhaps rightfully so), of trying to be *better*.

Cole being a sweet bby boy and also so so hurtful on accident, cause he just *keeps healing Gaster on accident*, his pure and kind intentions to help and to sooth keeps brushing against old pains and Cole doesn't mean to but its So Hard to interact with someone who exists as an extension of pure good intentions. Gaster is too traumatized for that kind of gentleness that early.

Dorian making the Worst Fucking Impression because he things Gaster is a summon, and holy shit that is the inquisitor walking away, fuck, god damn it, why cant he keep his mouth shut.

The Anchor eventually taking his arm and he literally just takes his arm off once it's not needed anymore and uses summoned hands to make up for the lack. (It wont fix the way the anchor is still connected to him, the way it still leaches from his SOUL, the way it already integrated itself, the fact that just taking a limb off doesn't mean it's truly GONE for a Skeleton, but no one else needs to know that. (After all, if it was going to take more than that one arm it would have taken all of him instantly, the connections so easy to make, and so little to block its progress)) (aka, Gaster gets a semi sentient magic leach that slowly wakes up and sassing him throughout the game, he starts speaking Elvhish @ Solas 8 months in because it got tired of not hearing it and everyone is spooked for *weeks*)

I could go on for so long cause I have so many ideas but like, gotta end the post somewhere, (Bull taking one look at Gaster and making the WORST dad jokes known to man, "Guess I know why the Chantry has a bone to pick with you" he says winking with his 1 good eye, and Gaster realizes that he has made a Mistake)

[bukojuiice]

What happens when the bakusquad babysits Katsuki’s daughter? (Dad! Katsuki Bakugo x Mom! Reader) Headcanons + One-shot

ೃ pairing: (dad! katsuki bakugo x mom! reader)

ೃ  warnings: none

ೃ genre: fluff overload, parent fic/hcs

ೃ word count: 5,141 words

ೃ 1/4 of @bukojuiice’s 800 followers special!

ೃ  my nav  →  my mha writing masterlist  → my katsuki bakugo x reader smau

ೃ   A  sequel in the form of headcanons + one-shot to my dad! Bakugo fic “like the soul of honey” I recommend reading that first before going through this! Don’t worry if you don’t want to though! Both are standalone and not really connected with each other. 

ೃ   This was originally just going to be headcanons, but I didn’t want to keep writing it in hcs style halfway through so be treated to both headcanons + a one-shot instead! as you can tell already, this was so so much fun to write and i felt so soft after writing this uwu

ೃ  shoutout to two of my loves @sparkykatsuki for coming up with this idea!  I just knew i had to do it bc i love bakusquad sm!! they give me such a serotonin boost and I find it really fun writing about them!! Thank you for having such big brain energy and for conspiring this concept franz!  And to @chibishae34​ bc i know she loves baby fics as much as I do HSHSHSH

ೃ   your daughter’s name is hikari which means light. bakugo thought of that name because light is essentially a part of his quirk and hikari is a part of him.

ೃ  please do reblog if you enjoyed!! (feel free to add tags too because i love reading them and my heart swells with happiness when people love my work!) ♡

—  Hikari is blessed with the best uncles and aunts she could ever ask for!!

—  Both Bakusquad and Dekusquad take turns in helping you and Katsuki get your well deserved rest and relaxation at least once a month ever since Hikari turned 6 as... she became quite the feisty girl. Too feisty to handle actually.

—  She was energetic and playful 24/7. And so, it was hard to keep up with her energy most of the time.

—  She still remained kind and obedient yet she was also an absolute bundle of joy who would just run around the house, play with her toys, and go on roleplaying adventures with you and Katsuki. She had absolutely no idea how much she would tire you and Katsuki, however, and sometimes she would go on for hours and hours just running around the house and interacting with everything she sees.

—  She had an inquisitive mind, and although you always encourage her to be smart and be intrigued with everything, she tends to question almost everything she lays her eyes on and you end up having to come up with a witty and a very childlike answer for her to understand.

—  A good example of this is when she asked you ever so innocently about where babies come from and your husband was ABOUT TO TAKE HER QUESTION LITERALLY and give her the science talk about sexual reproduction. When the two of you agreed to only give her that talk when she turns 8 as she might not even entirely understand it in the first place.

—  “Mommy, Daddy, where do babies come from?”

—  “I guess it’s time for the talk.” Bakugo shrugs, remarking sternly. He takes his daughter’s little hand in his and bringing her to the living room. “You see, Hikari, babies come from the wo-”

—  “Storks!” You cut Bakugo off before he could say another word, nudging him on the elbow. “Hikari-chan, the babies are brought down to this world by the white and strong birds in the sky!” You whisper the last bits of information to her ear. “The storks told me that once you get older, they’ll tell you the secret of where they actually pick up the babies.”

—  “Really!?” She says in disbelief, her eyes gleaming in excitement. “YAY! YAY! YAY! I can’t wait!” She goes back to running around the house looking for even more things to ask about and you breathe a sigh of relief as soon as she leaves.

—  Although it was nice that you are able to bond as a family, it does get pretty tiring sometimes. Of course your weariness is worth the risk if it’s just to see Hikari smile.

— Especially since you and Bakugo were both pro-heroes (although you mostly do stand by pro hero work meaning you work from home almost all the time.) You found it much more enriching if both you and bakugo are guiding her and working together to create a loving and supportive family for Hikari.

— Both of your respective friend groups, whomst you remained close to ever since high school, noticed how the both of you looked tremendously exhausted and looked like you were in dire need to have 9 cups of coffee every time you would meet up with each other in between your pro hero duties.

—  And so both squads came into an agreement, that they would help the two of you out by giving you a 48 hour day off every month to do whatever the heck married couples do as they would babysit Hikari and have fun.

—  This was also a great way to get closer with their niece even if they dote on her so much already.  As you and Bakugo are the first persons in your friend groups who got married and have a child together.

—  This month, the Bakusquad is in charge of taking care of Hikari and just from the fact that Kirishima, Kaminari, Mina and Sero are going to babysit your daughter alone, you know it’s going to be chaotic.

—  Things didn’t go swimmingly last time (literally), as only Kirisihima and Kaminari were the only ones available the last time they came to babysit. They took Hikari to a community pool, and she came back with a missing tooth and some scratches on her legs from playing too much. Katsuki was NOT pleased and you had to restrain your husband from trying to obliterate his best friends even if Hikari had little to no injuries and it was normal for kids her age to have these things happens to them at least once in their childhood.

—  With your assurance and the look that was on Hikari’s face and how she would not shut up about how she loved spending time with Uncle Eijiro and Uncle Denki, Katsuki eventually let it slide and just gave his friends the usual “Katsuki Bakugo treatment” where he acts cold and angry at them, paired with his easily irritated and idgaf attitude.

—  This month however, was going to be different because Mina and Sero are finally joining along and making sure that Hikari has the best weekend since they weren’t able to babysit last time.

—  Hikari loved her Aunt Mina because she would braid her hair and style her with different cute outfits that only Mina, with her love for fashion and all things girly and pink could attempt to do and end up doing perfectly. She also taught Hikari all the dances to disney songs and nursery rhymes she knows how to do so far. Hikari affectionately refers to her Aunt Pinkie whenever Mina isn’t around.

—  Kirishima, who was the most frequent to visit the 3 of you, out of all of the Bakusquad, considers Hikari as his new #1 best friend. Dethroning and kicking her very own father from that spot. Hikari is a much more gentle and sweet version of her explosive father, and so Eijiro is able to interact and play with Hikari because he already knows Bakugo and his mannerisms very well. Hikari calls him Uncle Sharkie and she always asks her dad about how he and Kirishima became such good friends. To which Katsuki would reply with, “It’s a long story princess.”

—  Kaminari was the fun uncle. He always gave off those vibes ever since high school anyway. Giving Hikari candy behind Katsuki’s back (although you made sure Kaminari didn’t give her any that were tooth rotting sweet ones) Buying her ice cream whenever he came to drop by, and bringing her to the nearby playground amongst many other things. He spoils her a lot (in a good way) and Hikari calls her the fun “sparkie” uncle.

— Then, there was Sero. He retained his love for Spiderman since he was a kid, and he was able to pass that on to Hikari. His way of playing with her was cute since Sero is super tall, he would let Hikari ride on his shoulders, trying to imitate airplane noises as they would “fly” around the house. He gifted Hikari some child-friendly comic books for you and Katsuki to read to her before. bed. Although she never fails to say that the best heroes are her mommy and daddy. She calls Sero her Uncle Spidey.  

—  Uncle Sharkie, Uncle Sparkie, Aunt Pinkie, and Uncle Spidey. The Holy Quaternity.

(One-shot starts below this!)

“AUNT MINA! UNCLE EIJIRO! UNCLE DENKI! UNCLE SEROOO!” Hikari rushes to the door as soon as she hears the doorbell ring, she jumps into Eijiro’s arms and the red-haired pro hero twirls her around. The rest of the Bakusquad forms a circle around her, and can’t help but look at her adoringly.

“How’s my little ball of sunshine!?” Mina squeezes Hikari’s cheekies, earning giggles from the little girl. “I’m fine Aunt Mina! I mished chu!” She begins to talk in a cute accent as she just can’t contain her excitement.

“Hikari-chan! Do you still remember our little handshake?” Sero kneels down to the little girl’s height, offering her his hand. The little girl nods, shakes it and their thumbs twiddle together, as if they were thumb wrestling. They do a few more quirky hand shakes and then end it with a bang by saying “BOOM!” Sparks suddenly fly out from Hikari’s hands, her aunt and uncles coo since noticing how much her quirk has developed ever since they started babysitting.

“Okay you two!” Mina turns to you and Katsuki, as she had noticed you had some distinct luggage packed for a quick hot spring getaway, she practically pushes the two of you out of the door when Katsuki stops in his tracks, turning to his friends.

He glares at them and points his fingers to his eyes in a “I’m watching you” type of gesture. “Not one single scratch on her or all of you are dead to me.”

Kaminari laughs, patting his friend on the back, “We gotchu buddy. Your little ball of sunshine is safe in our hands. She’ll have the best time with us!”

Hikari quickly runs to you and Katsuki, giving you both a tight hug. “We love you Hikari. We’ll just be gone for two days oki? Your uncles and your aunt here will keep you safe this weekend alright? We love you!” You peck her lightly on the cheek, a pout forming on your daughter’s face.

“I’ll miss you Mommy. Daddy.” She doesn’t let go, hugging the two of you even tighter. “I loaf you! See you soon!”

“Be a good girl okay Hikari?” Katsuki kneels down to meet his daughter’s eyes, orbs that were as passionate as his, planting a kiss on her forehead. “We’ll miss you kiddo.”

You could hear Kaminari and Sero silently snicker in the background since they still can’t wrap their head around the fact that their friend could become so soft when in front of his child as opposed to his usual rough demeanor he shows to everyone else.

Katsuki wraps his arm around your waist, holding you tightly, with you dragging along the luggage that the two of you were going to bring on this trip. You bid your final goodbyes with ease and relief, knowing that your daughter will be in “safe hands” the entire weekend.

“We’re going to have so much fun!” Mina squeezes Hikari and the rest of the  Bakusquad into a hug. “What do you want to do first Hikari-chan?”

“Oh! Um! I don’t know if I should ask this b-but..” The blonde little girl hides her hands in her pockets, her feet tapping the floor. “I actually want to know how Mommy and Daddy met! Not the marry or the lovey thing! Just how they met and fell in love!”

“Hikari-chan!! You’re so cuteeeeeeee!” Kaminari begins to weep crocodile tears, pulling Hikari into another hug. “If that’s what you want to do for today, then we’ll gladly tell the story of how your mom and dad met!”

The Bakusquad formed and sat in a circle on the floor. Hikari was sitting on Mina’s lap as the latter braided her hair into what was called a Fishtail braid. Kirishima, with the help of Sato, baked some chocolate chip cookies a few days ago for all of them to snack on while they babysit Hikari.

Sero clears his voice and begins the story. “Your mom and your dad met each other in High School. Along with all of us and your Uncle Izuku, Uncle Tenya, Uncle Shoto, Aunt Ochaco, Aunt Tsuyu-” He continues to recall the names of all the other people Hikari know and love. “They were total opposites actually.”

“O-opposithes?” Hikari tilts her head, a puzzled look on her face as she tries to process what her Uncle Sero had just said. “D-does that mean that Daddy didn’t like Mommy?”

“It’s not like that Hikari-chan. Don’t worry.” Kirishima saves Sero from making the little girl misinterpret what he had just said, nudging his raven-haired friend in the arm. “It’s just that your dad was hot-headed and angry all the time, but he fell in love with your mom because she was sweet, patient and understanding!” Kirishima reiterates, a soft look on his face, looking back on the sweet sentimental memories of high school. “They were perfect for each other!”

“Oh! So daddy was angy all the time? Since mommy is really nice she told Daddy to be nice and they fell in love!?”

Mina giggles, continuing to style Hikari’s hair. “Yes Hikari-chan. That’s exactly what happened! You’re so good!”

“I am!?” Yay!” She claps her hands together, a wide smile present on her face, she was becoming more and more intrigued. “Tell me more please!”

“Well...” Kaminari continued where Kirishima had left off, “Your mom and dad got closer because they got teamed up to fight our pro hero teacher for our exam! They fought and they had a hard time talking to each other but they passed the exam in the end! It was hard at first. Your dad kept on telling us that he didn’t like your mom in a lovey way but we kept on pushing him until he accidentally said that he liked her! Your mommy heard what he said and then she told him that she liked him too!”

“F-fight? I thought Daddy only fights bad guys...” Her voice begins to crack as if she was about to cry. The Bakusquad were about to speak up and explain but failed to because as soon as Mina was done braiding her hair, Hikari immediately stands up and bows politely to the four adults. “I’m going to play with Mr. Rilakkuma for a while. See you later!” She grabs a cookie from the plate and rushes into her room, locking the door behind her.

“See you later Hikari-chan!” Kaminari waves cluelessly, not realizing what he had just said that prompted Hikari to leave the room in the first place. Mina stands up on her knees, shooting him a glare and flicking his forehead, “Did you not realize what you just did!?”

“Ahh what did I do!?” He rubs the spot on his forehead that Mina had just hit, and looks at his two other friends for a clue as to why they were ganging up with him.

“I guess Chargedolt will always be Chargedolt.” Sero shrugs, shaking his head in disappointment.. “Hikari misinterpreted what you said. She thinks that Bakubro used to fight (Y/N) like she’s a villain or something back when we were in High School.”

“WAIT! OBJECTION! SHE MISINTERPRETED YOUR STORY FIRST-”

“Guys. Guys. There’s nothing we can do about it. Both of you slipped, so let’s give Hikari-chan some space first then talk to her later.” Kirishima cuts Kaminari off before he and Sero would start an argument,  which would prompt Hikari to further think more negative thoughts.

“(Y/N) said that Hikari-chan’s been liking Tonkotsu Ramen recently, so I think it’s best if all of us help out in cooking her favorite comfort food to cheer her up.” Mina sighs deeply, crossing her arms. She heads straight to the kitchen without uttering another word, the three other guys follow suit.

After several hours, it was finally night time and time for dinner! At the orders of Mina, Sero and Kaminari came to pick up Hikari from her room.

Sero knocked softly. “Hikari-chan? It’s time for dinner!”

“We cooked your favoriteee Tonkatsu Ramen!” Kaminari added in a playful voice.

No reply.

“Hikari-chan?” Sero knocks again, a bit louder this time. He then turns to Denki and whispers, “Maybe she’s asleep?”

Before the two men were to retreat and go back to the living room, the door to the little girl’s room was unlocked with a long click, as if there was hesitance..

Denki quickly turns the knob to be surprised at the sight of Hikari... packing her clothes into a cute backpack?

“Hikari-chan! W-what are you doing?” Kaminari runs to her, trying to stop her from folding her clothes.

“I’m going to go see Mommy and Daddy! I’ll go take a bus and find them!” She wipes the tears streaking down her cheeks, sniffing her nose while attempting to stuff her teddy bear inside her backpack. “Daddy took Mommy so that they’re going to fight aren’t they!? I don’t want that!”

“No no no no no Hikari. It’s not like that!” Kaminari wipes the little girl’s tears with a handkerchief, he gestures Sero to call Kirishima and Mina whilst he tries to comfort the girl. “Your dad took your mom out because today is their lovey anniversary! It wasn’t because they were going to fight!”

“Ah! Owkay!” Hikari suddenly raises her head, taking the handkerchief from Denki and wiping her tears.  “Can I visit Daddy and Mommy then!?”

“O-oh well...”

“Of course we can go Hikari-chan!” Kirishima barges in, Sero and Mina close behind him. “Let’s surprise them!”

“Yay! Surprising them! I love surprises!” The little girl jumps up and down in her place. “What time do we go!? What time do we goooo!?”

“After dinner you little cutie.” Mina smiles at the younger Bakugo’s sudden shift in mood. “We cooked your favorite Tonkotsu Ramen!”

“AH! TONKOTSU RAMEN TONKOTSU RAMEN!” Hikari wiggles her arms, slightly pushing the adults out of the way and runs out of her room, Sero catches up to her, only to find her sitting properly on the dining table. “I’m ready to eat now! Just waiting for all of you!” She shouts from outside.

“She’s absolutely fricking adorable.” Kaminari remarks. “But Kiri.. are you serious? We’re actually going all the way to a prefecture and bring her to her parents? Isn’t our job supposed to be keeping her here while they rest and relax in the onsen?”

“W-well... It’s not like we can do anything about it right?” Eijiro shrugs off Denki’s concern, holding on to a stress ball that Hikari had in her room. “She’ll be moping around and going back to overthinking about what her parents are doing right now. We’ll take her there and besides, once we do get there, (Y/N) and Bakugo already had a day’s worth of rest. And I think it’s time for us to take Hikari on a road trip and have fun with her!”

“Uncle Eijiro.. Aunt Mina... Uncle Denki... what’s taking you so long?” Hikari yawns and rubs her eyes, still holding on to her chopsticks. “The ramen is going to get cold...”

“Oh no! It is!?” Mina reacts quickly, taking Hikari’s hand and leading her to the table. “Let’s get there before Elsa makes it even colder!”

“NOOOOOO!! Elsa’s going to do that!? Whyyyyyy!?”

“Let’s just hope that this isn’t a repeat of what happened when we took her to the community pool.” Kaminari shakes his head, recalling the past event. “Bakugo almost killed us if it weren’t for (Y/N).”

“I don’t think it will. Besides, Sero and Mina will be with us, so the more the merrier!”

Oh and the merrier it was.

“HAKUNA MATATA! WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRASE!” Bakusquad along with Hikari, sing in unison. Bopping along to the iconic song from Lion King.

“IT MEANS NO WORRIES! FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS!” Hikari belts out, the others clapping along to her singing, doing their best to hype her up

Kirishima was singing Timone’s lines, Kaminari was singing Pumba’s, Sero and Mina were the background vocals and and Hikari was singing Simba’s lines.

It was 6 am in the morning and they were finally on the road and on the way to a Hot Springs Resort in Chiba Prefecture, where you and Bakugo were staying in for the weekend.

Kirishima was driving the SUV that he immediately bought when he got his first Pro Hero paycheck, Denki was riding shotgun, and Hikari was seated at the middle squeezed in by both Mina and Sero.

Disney Songs were set to be played for the entire morning to tire out Hikari and so that she can sleep peacefully and rid Bakusquad of the slight annoyance they will receive when she asks “Are we there yet?” every 2 minutes.

Denki had unfortunately messed up the spotify playlist that Jiro had given him, and the piano opening of A Thousand Miles begins to play.

“OMG IT’S OUR SQUAD SONG!” Mina’s eyes lit up as soon as the well-known piano keys blared out from the speakers. “MAKING MY WAY DOWNTOWN, WALKING FAST, FACES PASS AND I’M HOMEBOUND!”

The iconic part before the chorus begins to play and the boys sing along, “AND I NEED YOU! AND I MISS YOUUU!” They shake their shoulders to the beat, and Hikari giggles along.

“CAUSE YOU KNOW I’D WALK A THOUSAND MILES IF I CAN JUST SEE YOU TONIGHTTTTT.” Bakusquad sings dramatically in unison, raising their hands up high and just vibing to the beat.

“Hikari-chan! You should totally hear your dad sing this! He loves this song!” Mina turns to the little girl who continued to laugh at how chaotic her aunt and uncles were being. “Really!? I want to learn it then so that Mommy and Daddy would know that I can be a singer too!”

The song ends and yet everyone else was still vibing. After the current song, the hype and the energy has died down and Hikari is fast asleep on Mina’s lap and her feet were lying on a pillow that was placed on Sero’s lap.

“She really is a spitting image of both (Y/N) and Bakugo. They’re really great parents.” said Sero, who wanted to break the silence and keep the atmosphere lively.

“My mind is still shook over the fact that Bakubro would turn so soft every time he’s in the same room as his daughter. It’s a complete 180 on his personality, and I really wanna tease him about it when we finally get the chance.” Kaminari interjects. “Do you think Bakugo would get mad when we arrive there?”

“Trust me on this guys.” Kirishima says casually, stepping on the gas pedal, as they go up the highway. “Bakugo won’t. In fact, I think both he and (Y/N) would be delighted to see their daughter travel for 180 miles just because of a misunderstanding.”

♡

“Suki-kun... do you think I should call up Mina to ask how Hikari’s doing?” You reach for your phone on the bedside table. “It’s 6 AM maybe Hikari forgot to drink her gummmy vitamins-”

“She’s going to be fine.” Katsuki murmurs in his bedhead voice, turning to your side of the bed to spoon you and nestle his head on your neck. “I trust Kirishima and the others.”

“This is surprising. You’re very casual about this now. What happened to your skepticism? Weren’t you too worried about how they were going to babysit Hikari after the pool incident?”

“To hell with that. If Hikari loves them, and they love her back just as much, might as well just roll with it. They’re my friends anyway and it’s better than Ilda scolding her for eating 4 M&Ms at 9 in the evening.”

You chuckle, holding his hands that were wrapped around your waist. “That’s harsh but you got a point. Although Hikari loves my friends and yours equally, they do think of Hikari as a little Bakugo so, they’re able to connect with her more.”

“What time do the private mixed gender hot springs open up again?” He grumbles suggestively and you giggle. “They open at 9 am. Should I reserve that time slot?”

“You should.” He growls but before you could even reply, he falls back to sleep.

♡

“WE’RE HERE!” Kirishima announces, waking Kaminari, Mina and Sero up from their sleep.

“W-what if this isn’t the right onsen?” Denki yawns, looking around to take in the view.

“I asked (Y/N) last night where they were staying. This is the place! She even gave me their room number for some reason.” Mina stretches her arms then pats Hikari on the forehead lightly. “Hikari we’re here...”

The little girl slowly opens her eyes, sitting up, then looks out the window.

“HOT SPRINGS! ONSEN!” She hastily tidies up her backpack and gets down the car as soon as Sero opens the door.

“Hikari-chan! Wait for us first!” Sero runs after her, making sure she doesn’t get too far.

“It’s 9 AM... I wonder if those two lovebirds are awake already.” Kaminari looks at the watch on his wrist, as he brings down their stuff from the trunk of the car.

“I looked this place up last night. It’s a family friendly hot springs resort, but it’s famed for it’s private mixed gender onsen. I wonder why though...” Mina mused, helping Denki out with bringing their stuff down.

Kirishima gets out of the car and bobs his head up as soon as he heard what Mina had said. He looks at Kaminari trying to tell him something through his stare. The mustard-haired man’s eyes widened when he realized why Kirishima was looking at him, then he turns to Mina who finally realizes what the mixed gender onsen meant.

“Oh.”

They enter the beautiful and lush resort, spotting Sero and Hikari who were sitting near the reception area, waiting for their reservation and for the rooms to be confirmed.

“Can’t believe we had to pay double the price for a standard room.” Kaminari pouts, whispering to Kirishima as the red-haired man hands him over the credit cards of each of his friends and then he hands it over to the concierge. He notices how excited Hikari looked and couldn’t help but smile.

As soon as the reservation was confirmed, Bakusquad and Hikari were able to check in immediately. Mina takes Hikari to her room while the three other boys were sharing their room with each other.

“Hikari before you can surprise your parents, you have to wear this Yukata first okay?” Mina helps fasten the bath robe on Hikari, but the little girl can’t help but be energetic and start dancing in her place. “Have you memorized the A Thousand Miles chorus already to sing to your mommy and daddy?”

“I have!”

Mina takes Hikari outside, the other boys were already out too and were wearing their bath robes.

“I saw (Y/N) enter this onsen. Maybe that’s where she and Bakugo are in? Should we take Hikari there?” Kaminari asks his three other friends, sipping on a fruit-flavored ramune, and handing one to Hikari.

“Yes please! I want to see Mommy and Daddy as soon as possible and then surprise them!” She sips on her ramune, looking at her aunt and uncles pleadingly, begging them to bring her there.

♡

“I could have sworn I heard Kaminari-kun’s voice outside.” You tell Katsuki, closing the screen door to the open air bath. You were holding a plate full of sliced Watermelon. Your robe was still on and you wanted to eat something first before getting in.

“Tch. Probably just your imagination.” Bakugo breathes a sigh of relief, slipping in further in the hot water. “I could get used to something like this every month.”

“Oh really?” You raise your eyebrow, and lick your lips. “Could you get used to-”

“If I could fall into the sky, do you think time would pass us ByYYY?”

You jolt up at the sweet and all too familiar voice that was echoing from the outside. Before you could even react properly, someone knocks on the door to reveal...

“Mommy! Daddy!”

“Hikari!?”

She jumps to you and pulls you into a tight hug. “I missed you so much! I thought you and Daddy were fighting that’s why you left!”

“Fighting!?” You look back and forth to Bakusquad then to your daughter. “Of course not! Why would we-”

“Uncle Sewo and Uncle Denki told me that you guys would always fight when you were in school! That’s why I thought that-”

“They did... what?” Bakugo’s tone becomes slightly irritated at the mention of Kaminari and Hanta’s name. The Bakusquad were about to face death and the consequences until...

“Oh! But! They also taught me a song today! It’s called A Thousand Miles! They said it was Daddy’s favorite!” She then turns to her father with such admiration in her eyes as she begins to sing the chorus. “Cause you know I’d walk a thousand miles just to see youuu~”

“Nice one sunshine. Did you learn that for me?” He gestures Hikari to approach him, ruffling her hair as she kneels down to peck him on the cheek. “I did!”

“It’s your favorite song! So, I also traveled a thousand miles to see you and Mommy!”

“Not necessarily a thousand miles, dear. But you’re close enough! You still traveled to see us! Yay!” You clap at the genius remark your daughter had made. You turn to the Bakusquad, nodding your head at them and smile. “Thank you for taking care of Hikari and bringing her here just because she wanted to. We’ll see you later at lunch?”

“Of course! Of course!” Mina waves goodbye, a tired but loving smile formed on her face. “We had a fun time with Hikari and we just couldn’t help but bring her here. But, you have Kiri to thank for all of this though!”

“No, I shouldn’t get all of the credit. This is a Bakusquad group effort, if Kaminari and Sero didn’t slip and if Hikari didn’t misunderstand their words, then we wouldn’t be here in the first place.” Kirishima cuts Mina off in a respectful way. He claps his hands together and pulls your other friends out of the room. “See ya guys later!”

“Thanks guys.” Bakugo nods generously to his friends. It was something he didn’t always do, but when he does, well, it’s worth seeing.

“Bye Uncle Sharkie, Aunt Pinkie, Uncle Sparkie and Uncle Spidey!” Hikari waves goodbye jovially, not realizing that she just called them the affectionate nicknames that she’s too embarrassed to say in front of them.

The four laugh at the little girl’s slip-up and they leave the hot springs in good spirits.

After that wonderful weekend, you explained to Hikari about why you’re taking a rest every month in the first place. She didn’t quite get the concept at first but after a little bit more of explaining, she came up with the idea that the two of you get four rest days in a month. One weekend just for you and Katsuki then the other weekend is for the three of you and if any of the Bakusquad or Dekusquad would want to come along.

It was the perfect agreement and if Hikari was going to grow up in an environment where she had the best aunts and uncles in the universe, then she’s going to grow up to be a great kid. Just like the adults in her life once were.

The End.

[honeytae]

You make a good Young-hee.

hi loves, happy seokjin day!!! again, this is pretty plotless. this is literally just based off of that one picture from weverse, i saw it and just knew i needed to gush about jin with those cute little pigtails. happy birthday jinnie!!!!

genre: fluff

word count:

the pic in question: https://twitter.com/btstranslation7/status/1465305947979534347?s=21

“They’re louder tonight than last night.”

You hummed at Seokjin’s words, the proud smile lighting up his face warming your soul as he placed his in-ears on the desk.

The roar of the crowd was still ever present from the encore performance, muffled through the stadium walls but very much there. You let out a small contented sigh, watching your boyfriend from across the room as he wound down from his post-concert high.

These past few weeks had been some of your favorite spent with the man. Seeing him so inexplicably happy to be able to perform for the first time in so long touched your soul, made you feel grateful to the universe and hopeful for the future. 

Tonight was day two of their concert series, meaning it was already halfway done. But even with that in mind, the boys had made it such a fun night, completing the concert with Seokjin dressed as the famous doll from the Squid Game series.

Unsurprisingly, the fans had gone crazy over it just as you had.

Squinting at his hairstyle, you tried your best to stifle the smile attempting to spread on your face at the adorableness of the image in front of you.

Seokjin’s eyes widened when they caught yours in the mirror, a smile of his own threatening to appear as he squinted back at you inquisitively.

“What?”

With a nonchalant shrug, you pushed on your knees to stand off the couch, smiling when he stretched his arm out to his side in invitation. “You look really cute, baby. You make a good Young-hee.

Mouth twisting at your words, Jin let a snort escape his nostrils as you began flicking his hair in the pigtails, much like Jungkook had been doing during the show.

“You know, I appreciate that. I really dedicated myself to the role.” He nodded seriously, you reciprocating the action with a mocked reassuring rub to his shoulder.

“I’m sure that after this next season they won’t even bother with the robotic shit. Why should they rely on animatronics when they have a whole ass Kim Seokjin waiting to play the part?”

Your heart soars in your chest at the sound of Seokjin finally breaking, doubling over and squeaking with laughter at the somehow elevated mess of this conversation.

Finally his breath stabilizes again, eyes shimmering with tears he’s just produced as he wrapped his arms fully around your torso.

“I’m so in love with you.”

The confession has a more gentle tone than anything else he’s said tonight, something about saying those words always making him a bit shy.

But the familiar softness of his voice saying that phrase just makes you fall even more for the man, fondness spreading through your heart as you soothe your thumb over his soft cheek.

“Me too.” you nodded, Seokjin rolling his eyes a bit at the cop out but nevertheless leaning his forehead against yours, causing you to meet his plush lips in a sweet kiss.

You giggled against his mouth as he dove back in for more, hands holding your hips against his causing butterflies to erupt through your chest.

Instinctively placing your hands on his neck, you trailed your fingers up to play with his hair, the man sighing at the action as he spread your mouth open with his tongue.

Before he could get too carried away, your fingers were suddenly met with the rough material of the little bows still sitting in his hair, making you burst into laughter in his mouth.

“Why couldn’t you have just ignored it?” Seokjin whined in response, unable to hide the grin on his face as you laughed into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I just-“

Breaking out into another fit of laughter mid-sentence, you dug your fingers into his back and pulled him into a hug, the man’s hand running up and down your spine as you did your best to calm down.

“That’s it, I’m taking these out.”

At his words, you suddenly shook your head, your boyfriend’s eyes widening in response.

“Wait, I have to take a picture of you.”

Puzzled, Seokjin’s mouth popped open and closed a few times, confusion and maybe just a hint of concern lacing his features at the reason why you would need to do that.

“For ARMY. And my lock screen.” you added with a smirk, pulling away to retrieve your phone as the man tossed his head back in dread.

“C’mon sweets, you’re the cutest little creepy doll around.”

Seokjin’s eyes flickered with amusement as he shook his head, smile twisting at his lips as he posed for the camera.

[lepusrufus]

Double edged scalpel ch.5

Ch.1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch.4

Summary: someone please give Nicole a break for the love of Miranda. And there be smut y'all

---

Seeing Cassandra's softer side made something flutter within Nicole's chest. The brunette was a sadist through and through. Witness to that fact was the array of torture devices that littered the dungeons. Not to mention the prisoners she frequently killed, only to haul them on the autopsy tables in her study to be examined, chopped and sectioned by the both of them.

But there was an uncharacteristic sort of gentleness in the way their lips slid against each other, sharp teeth occasionally biting down on Nicole's lower lip but never enough to draw blood. In the way Cassandra would drag sharp nails against flushed skin, but not go beyond the pleasurable amount of pain. Even the glint in golden eyes when Nicole went over some old notes of hers on more tricky anatomy concepts. Having an exclusive look at this side of Cassandra felt beyond intimate and the thought almost made her miss when the brunette spoke from where she was leaning over a notebook.

"Okay let's just wrap this up, I have plans."

Nicole hummed, dropping the liver she was holding in a freezer bag. Most body parts were already bagged and ready to be picked up by Cynthia and her undercooks, they were just putting into practice some things the brunette was curious about. She dropped the now blood soaked leather gloves in the sink and went to sit by Cassandra, who was scribbling some final notes.

"In that case I'll go enjoy a cup of tea," she sighed. "Tea that I had to skip because someone was eager to start on this early."

Cassandra raised an eyebrow at her, accompanied by her usual smirk. "I meant plans with you."

Oh? That was new. The brunette laughed at Nicole's wide eyed expression and snapped her notebook shut. She took her sweet time putting it on the shelf with the others and checking the time, pretending not to notice the redhead's inquisitive expression. Then, she lifted Nicole’s chin with a thankfully not covered in blood finger.

"Don't get me wrong I love it here but," she grimaced, "it gets stuffy sometimes. Especially in summer."

Well, that much was true. The undergrounds of the castle were oddly warm, although not downright hot, compared to what one would expect from a castle. Pair that with the annoyingly humid atmosphere and having to wear a leather apron and gloves so as to not completely ruin your outfit and you got the perfect recipe for discomfort. She really ought to ask Cassandra about installing some kind of better ventilation down here.

"Meet me in the attic in about… an hour." She leaned down and their mouths were so close that Nicole could feel icy breath on her lips.

The attic? She's never been to the attic, it was not only off limits for most staff but also dangerous if rumors were to be believed. Not that she had the clarity of mind to voice any concerns when Cassandra finally leaned in to kiss her, complete with a nip on her lower lip that made Nicole’s breath hitch.

---

The fact that Nicole had no idea how to get to the attic could be a slight problem. She had asked Anita, but not only did she not know, she also seemed mortified by the idea. Another maid just gave her vague directions to look for a ladder on the top floor. As if that wasn't like trying to find the needle in a haystack. Or the needle in a giant castle.

She was just wandering around the top floor, praying not to stumble upon anyone who would be less than thrilled to see her there. A sigh of relief escaped past her lips when she heard familiar buzzing and steps coming towards her.

"Oh Cas-" she swallowed her words when she noticed red hair spilling from underneath a black hood.

"Nicole! What are you doing here hmm?" Her inquisitive hum was way too exaggerated the same way her fangs seemed too sharp when she grinned.

"I was just looking for Ca- lady Cassandra. She asked me to meet her in the attic."

Daniela's mouth fell open, almost forming an O shape. Then back to her characteristic giggle, almost as if laughing at a joke only she knew.

"What, you don't know how to get there?"

"...Not really," she sheepishly admitted.

And that was a mistake. Nicole would've preferred to wander the hallways until Cassandra eventually got bored enough of waiting and decided to come see where her glorified lab partner was. But her plan was ruined by Daniela wordlessly grabbing her arm and pulling her in the opposite direction she was going in. She even went the extra mile to partially turn into a swarm, which made Nicole's panic skyrocket. She didn't mind bugs. But having hundreds of them fly all around you, accompanied by manic giggling was a whole other thing.

Before she knew it though, Daniela let go of her arm, laughing a little at Nicole's stumbling. She gestured dramatically towards a ladder and said:

"There you go. Say hi to Cassie for me."

"Th- thank you my lady." And with a small bow of the head she grabbed the ladder and started ascending on shaky legs.

"And enjoy your date," she called out, once Nicole was at the top of the stairs.

Blushing, she decided to ignore the comment and start looking for the sister less likely to turn her into fly food.

The attic looked… old. It was obvious that people didn't come here often, although someone probably did clean it regularly as there were no cobwebs nor dirt on any surfaces, aside from some dust. It was full of neatly arranged boxes and crates, their contents as mysterious as the castle's inhabitants. Tentative steps took her across ancient floorboards, navigating old rooms.

"Rah!"

Nicole damn near jumped out of her skin, a string of curses spilling past her lips. "Jesus fucking christ Cassandra!"

The brunette only laughed, hands on her knees and pretending to wipe a tear from her eye.

"That's what you get for making me wait for so long."

"I didn't even know where the attic entrance was! Good thing one of your sisters came to my rescue." Nicole rolled her eyes at the last word.

Cassandra stopped laughing, eyes narrowing slightly. "Which one?"

"Uh- Danie-"

"Did she hurt you?" Cassandra grabbed her arms, golden eyes looking for any visible injuries.

Nicole just laughed softly, taken off guard by the display of concern. "No, no. Just gave me a bit of a fright, that's all."

With an eye roll, Cassandra guided her further into the attic, through more dusty rooms, until they reached a short corridor, light spilling from its other end. The room they entered was relatively small, almost half of it occupied by stacked boxes as if it used to be a storage room like the rest of the attic and nobody bothered to completely clear it out. A few pieces of furniture were also present: a couch with a coffee table in front of it and paintings leaning against a wall to collect dust. This room however had a window, left slightly ajar, that allowed you to see the mountains stretching on the horizon, crowned by the beautiful orange hues of dusk.

Nicole moved to the glass to take in the view, mouth almost hanging open, when an ungodly screech from outside made her backpedal straight into Cassandra.

"What the fuck was that?" She asked, eyes widening at the sight of flying creatures circling the towers.

"Mother's flying guard dogs."

"They sound the same way I'd imagine the souls of the damned do." Nicole didn’t take her eyes off the ghoulish creatures, almost as if keeping eye contact would dissuade them from attacking.

Cassandra just shrugged. "Wouldn't be too far off. Also here." She sat on the couch, gesturing towards a cup.

Nicole went to sit by her side, grabbing the mystery cup. She frowned slightly when the steam reached her nose, bringing with it a pleasant minty and honey aroma.

"Tea?"

"Since you were so disheartened about having to skip it earlier," Cassandra averted her eyes, seemingly finding the curtains very interesting.

After a long sip, she let out a content sigh. The warmth was more than welcomed, despite the weather. She set the cup back on the table and turned her attention on the brunette, now fidgeting with the corner of a pillow.

"Thank you," Nicole said, leaving a small kiss on her cheek.

Cassandra smiled and turned around, locking their lips in a kiss that at first mimicked her gentleness, but soon turned hungry when dainty hands made their way to the brunette's nape, pulling her closer. She shifted them both, pushing Nicole down on the pillows littering the couch, until she was laying on top of her, legs on each side of her waist. Her focus was on leaving a trail of nips and kisses down Nicole's neck when the redhead jumped and barely stifled a yelp at another screech from outside.

"Ugh what the fuck is today, scare me out of my mind day?"

"How are you scared of these but countless dead bodies don't phase you?" Cassandra laughed, sound muffled by her position with her mouth against Nicole's neck.

"I used to work on corpses, not on ugly gargoyles that could chew my face off!" She gestured wildly at the window and the few creatures visible outside.

"You what?"

"You...didn't know?" Nicole couldn't help a giggle at Cassandra's confused expression.

"How was I supposed to know?"

"I thought your mother told you already. Or your sisters," Nicole shrugged.

"They knew?!" And, after something seemed to dawn on her, "Oh I'm gonna kick both their asses."

Nicole couldn’t help letting out a small laugh, placing her hands on Cassandra's cheeks and, with a pout for dramatic effect, "Right now?"

As much as the sight was both funny and endearing, the warmth starting to pool at her core was making her beyond impatient.

The indignation in golden eyes was replaced by an all too familiar glint and black painted lips went back to their work on Nicole's neck. Sharp fangs pierced the skin there, just enough to draw a few drops of blood and a whine. After licking every last bit of it, Cassandra's lips moved to the collarbones and lower, hands slowly starting to undo the buttons of Nicole's pesky uniform that was in the way.

When both the button up and the skirt were discarded on the floor Nicole tangled her fingers through black hair and pulled Cassandra in for a kiss. Her free hand went to the back of the dress, pulling down the zipper and guiding it off of the brunette's shoulders. Once both of them were left only in undergarments, Nicole pulled back to look up at the brunette.

"If I knew I was supposed to dress up I would've asked the chambermaid if there's anything fancy in the uniform stash," she said, taking in the beautifully intricate lace of Cassandra's matching bra and underwear, complete with a giggle at her awful joking.

The brunette only raised an eyebrow. "Mhm I can take care of that. Not like you'll need these for long though." Her hands reached under Nicole's back to unclasp her bra and in mere moments that too was on top of the pile of clothes on the floor.

Then Cassandra bent down to crash their lips together, tongue slipping past Nicole's lips when a wandering hand elicited a gasp from her.

Cassandra was by no means a patient person. Quite the opposite actually. But teasingly dragging her nails across sensitive skin only to feel the girl under her squirm and whine when her hand just won't go where she needed it made waiting all the more sweet. Slender fingers started to toy with the edges of Nicole's underwear. After a groan against her lips and an impatient tug of hair, Cassandra finally gave in, slipping two fingers inside her. She felt Nicole arch into her, a broken moan escaping past her lips when she broke the kiss to let her head fall back into the cushions. Cassandra took that as an opportunity to kiss the length of her neck, occasionally stopping to suck or bite at a spot, enjoying every gasp and moan she drew out of the redhead.

With Cassandra's rough pace it didn't take long before Nicole was clenching her thighs around her hand. Cassandra kissed her, swallowing her moan as she came.

The small room in the attic, Cassandra's drawing room she would later find out, was the perfect secluded spot. They spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other. First evening of many.

[confused-as-all-hell]

"i know we broke up, i know we don't talk anymore, but I still miss you"

@wesper-week i'm sincerely sorry for this chaos

Jesper Fahey's trade was humor.

His clothes were the colour of too much attention, his laugh limned in shimmering gold. He drew gazes and wistful stares like a lighthouse beacon called for drifting ships. The lines of his body were sharp, elegant, sprawling. When the corners of his mouth lifted in a grin, stars gleamed in his eyes.

He was so achingly beautiful, all tousled dark hair and broad shoulders and warm hands.

Girls and boys fell over themselves for one kiss, one little smile, one whispered word in their ear. How could they not?

Jesper was young and handsome and heady as a cup of evening wine, clever with his graceful fingers, wicked with his soft lips. His GPA was polished, his manners immaculate.

They hung on to his words, the cadence of them, the amused lilt that drenched every sentence.

Jesper had fallen in love with so many, men with rough laughs and kind smiles, women with curling hair and bright eyes. He had taken them over the world, to parks and monuments and cafes, kissed them in the shadow of history.

For every one of his lovers, he bought a ring.

Amethyst for the young lady who carried the scent of lavender.

Gold for the pretty girl whose lips tasted of joy.

Sapphire for the boy who kissed like a fucking god.

Ruby for the trickster woman who loved to laugh.

Copper for the handsome man who had a smile like late summer.

Jesper had cared for each of them in turn. He gifted flowers and jewelry and handwritten letters in his untidy scrawl. He had told them stupid jokes and held their hands and read to them in his unmade bed.

But one by one, they left him, and soon all that was left of their love were those glinting rings.

"Is there something wrong with me?" he whispered once, face shining with tears, head thrown back against the wall.

Nina rested her head against his chest, wrapping her arms around him awkwardly. "Of course not, darling."

He patted her cheek clumsily. "Then why does everyone keep leaving, Nina? Why does nobody stay?"

"Wylan—" she began, but shut her mouth instantly.

"Wylan is different."

And he was.

Beautiful, quiet, sweet Wylan Van Eck with his slender hands and paint-splattered face. He was everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, sketching the stars as they lay intertwined in bed, smiling over his cup of morning tea, dressed in his oversized shirts and plaid trousers.

His kisses were soft and tentative and tasted of tea leaves. His grins were slow and mischievous and bright as the damned sun. When he sprinted along the rim of a fountain, laughing and arms aloft, Jesper thought love might kill him.

He still dreamt about that day, Wylan leaping across the broad rim, his face upturned, sunlight brightening his hair to flame and gold. Wylan, paint smudged across his lower lip, hands stained with red acrylic. Wylan, pretty blue eyes bright with mirth, his panicked yelp as he nearly toppled sideways.

Wylan, Wylan, Wylan.

Sometimes, when Jesper was laying on the floor of someone else's bathroom, watching the ceiling spin and spin, he could still hear Wylan whispering, "And if I said I am yours, and there is no greater honor, what then Jesper?"

They had been so fucking happy, happier than Jesper deserved, all sticky orange juice kisses and skinny dipping in the ocean and opulent restaurants of ivory and gold.

And then Wylan had mentioned the gambling.

They had argued for days and weeks and then months, furious and bitter. Jesper used to live for the clink of coins and soft rush of the wheel and the elation that flooded into his eyes, ears, mouth, fingers. He loved the hum and chaos of the nightclubs, the frenzy of congratulations and drunken kisses and the retreat into those shadowed alcoves.

The scent of alcohol, the sounds of triumph, the press of hands on his body, the pleasure and ecstasy and joy.

But on their hundredth argument, tears were running down Wylan's face, distorting his freckles and widening those fucking blue eyes. He'd whispered he wouldn't stand for it, and Jesper had woken alone the next morning.

His bed was too empty, his kitchen was too quiet, the room where Wylan painted was too fucking much. All that remained was the hole in Jesper's heart and a sketch of the water fountain Wylan had drawn so lovingly, each detail of the scene preserved forever within charcoal. The ice cream parlor. The sunlight. Wylan, laughing and trying to keep his balance, eyes bright bright bright. Jesper, staring at Wylan as if he had never seen another quite so magical.

The memory of those eyes haunted him, every damn day.

He found himself writing essays on Wylan's long, copper lashes. His eyes, the blue of tranquil oceans, of the clear winter sky, of salvation. The glints of silver shining within, a quiet intelligence that so few had glimpsed. The way he would shyly glance away whenever Jesper grinned at him.

How many times had he stared into those eyes, while the two of them lay bare and exhausted among his own silk sheets?

How many times had he looked up after a kiss to find Wylan smiling back at him?

How many times had he nearly drowned within Wylan's gaze, steady and thoughtful and really fucking hot?

But slowly, agonizingly, bitterly, he grew used to the silence.

He stopped texting Wylan in the middle of the day, face damp with tears, hands shaking with misery.

He stopped accidently brewing a second cup of coffee at breakfast.

He stopped glancing to his left, searching for a glint of red hair in crowded spaces.

He stopped seeing Wylan when another was beneath him.

But sometimes Jesper wondered if anything could make him stop loving the boy with pretty blue eyes and a heart of gold.

And if sometimes he glimpsed Wylan in the halls, or at a nightclub, or sketching with those fucking charcoal pencils, he could wave. Smile. Pretend he wasn't going to take another home just to ease the day's pain.

'Why won't you go back to him?" Kaz asked once, barely glancing up from his phone.

"He doesn't want me," Jesper said quietly.

He raised his eyebrows as if in disbelief. "Jes, I have it on good authority that Wylan Van Eck hasn't dated a single soul after your breakup."

"Who told you that?"

"Nobody," Kaz said airily.

"Nina?"

"Nina."

Jesper attempted a loose smile, but it drifted aside easily as a gauzy veil twitching in the wind.

Wylan Van Eck, kind and brave and good.

Wylan, with his inquisitive eyes and thoughtful conversation.

Wylan, lonely and miserable because one stupid fucking boy had broken his heart.

He could barely stand it.

In some hidden chamber of his mind, he had locked away Wylan’s laughter, the tide of his amusement, inexplicably bright and wondrous. It felt like gazing at one of his softest paintings, a lush blend of ivory and blue and gold, like glimpsing something raw and beautiful and secret.

A burning star.

A miracle, spinning through the galaxy, leaving nothing but light in its wake.

A memory, and no more.

Wylan had once laughed so freely, snickering over an amusing quip, or stifling his smile when Jesper read to him late at night.

That sound of joy and delight. . . it was the brightest damn thing in the world.

And Jesper wanted to know that somewhere, in some other softly lit room with a man looking up at Wy like he was the sun, that laugh was sounding again.

He wanted to know that even if Wylan didn’t shine for him, he shone nevertheless.

The next morning dawned piercing and cold, a bright jewel in the crown of winter. Jesper chose his clothes with unusual care, knotting the laces of his boots twice, cleaning his dozens of rings before slipping them on.

Once he had hoped Wylan would give him the last of the collection—the wedding ring.

Now, as he finished with the last of them, he left his fourth finger bare, a final shrine to the ghosts of their past.

The cafe where he had asked, begged, pleaded for Wylan to meet him was nearly empty, but for a handful of people. His gaze lingered on a young woman with curling brown hair who might have been Nina in a hat, and a man with his leg propped up that was almost certainly Kaz.

Even though he made a mental note to strangle them later, the gesture eased the pressure within his chest ever so slightly.

And there was Wylan, a cup of tea clutched between his slender hands, huddled in a soft brown sweater. He was staring out of the window, those damned blue eyes vague and empty.

Jesper slid soundlessly into the booth, holding his breath as if he could force the longing from his lungs. “Hello, Wylan,” he said softly.

When he glanced up, something in his gaze shifted.

A blossoming flower.

An easing rainfall.

Something wonderful and exquisite and otherworldly.

Hope, hope, hope.

“Jes,” he returned with a little smile.

And Jesper leaned forwards. He couldn’t help it, not when Wylan was there before him and his lips were curved so slightly and his fingers were wrapped around his mug like—

“Wy,” he said, clearing his throat, “I wanted to talk.”

He straightened slightly, that quiet peace dissolving. “Had I not wanted to talk to you, I wouldn’t have answered your text.”

They stared at each other silently, waiting; it felt like sitting in the living room together, huddled over a game of chess, Jesper grinning as he slid the first pawn two squares up.

But he was not nearly so confident about his play now.

“I’ve been talking to Kaz,” he began awkwardly, the words clumsy in his mouth. “He told me you haven’t been seeing anyone.”

“And I’ve been speaking with Inej,” returned Wylan, utterly refined and elegant in his simplicity. “She tells me you’ve been seeing everyone.”

Jesper felt like a child again, clutching a rifle in his inexperienced hands, brows drawn together in concentration as he replayed his mother’s instruction in his mind. His father was playing target again, brown eyes gentle with encouragement. He didn’t know what to do, he was going to shoot his father, he was going to harm harm harm.

The words in his hands, his throat, were constricted and awful and stumbling. He didn’t know how to shoot without hurting anyone he loved.

Wylan was still gazing at him, blue eyes dark, for the first time in memory. “Jes,” he said, “was I so easy to forget?”

“Forget?” Jesper croaked. “Like a stupid song or piece of information on the study guide? Like you didn’t shine brighter than the damned sun? Like there were days when I didn’t wish to capture the stars and give them to you?”

There was a strange, crackling rush in Jesper’s ears, as if the ocean had swelled too high and now he was drowning, drowning, drowned.

If Wylan wanted him back, if Wylan loved him still—

He could wake up every morning with soft limbs tangled in his own. He could kiss Wylan again, taste tea and sugar cookies and mint. He could marry him, live out a life with him, die on the bed beside his own, fingers interlocked tight.

The future was there, tangled and messy and uncertain, but there all the same.

But Wylan was shifting in his seat, almost anxiously. “Jes,” he said softly. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what?”

His eyes, his lovely blue eyes, were beginning to shine. “I know that look,” he said, almost bitterly. “I know that look damn well.”

Jesper’s giddy excitement was beginning to wither, and he clung to it desperately, a final shield against the darkness. “What look?”

Wylan reached out, fingertips stained blue with paint, hands still slim and delicate, a work of art. “If you think I want to… to get back together, I don’t. You and I, it was so much fun, and sometimes I wonder if everything was more than a college romance.”

He retracted his shaking hands, and ran them through his copper hair. “I wonder if another Jesper, who loved himself as much as his friends love him, and another Wylan, who was just a little bit of a better boyfriend, might have had their future together.”

Jesper could only stare

Wylan whispered, “Don’t you see it, Jes? We were stupid fucking collage kids who fell in love, but it was never supposed to carry on. I told you, that night in the club, I just wanted sex.”

He remembered.

Just sex, do you understand? No more, Jes.

But then, I want to kiss you. I want to kiss you just once.

And it kept going, spiraling, until one morning they were laying in bed and Wylan was wearing Jesper’s shirt, and Jesper was stroking Wylan’s hair, and it was much more than just sex.

One date, Wy. Give me a chance.

I love you, I love you, I love you, dumbass.

I want you to move in with me. I want you in my bed, my kitchen, my clothes. I want to see you tired and angry and miserable and I want to tell you you’re still the best fucking thing I’ve ever seen.

Jesper had imagined their wedding, every so often, a blazing pillar of hope lighting the path to the future. He had dreamt tailored suits and blue eyes and the final ring. He had planned every detail of his speech, his vows, his oath to live and die with Wylan Van Eck.

“Just sex,” he said at last. “We fucked it up, didn’t we, Wy?”

Wylan extended his hand once more. “I loved you, Jes, I won’t pretend. But I’m with someone else now, and I care for him, and I promised I would sort out the ghosts of my past.”

Jesper slid his palm over his, reveling in the soft skin, the gentle touch he would never feel again. “You’re happy?” he said softly. “He makes you laugh?”

He smiled, a secret, lovely smile. “Yeah. Yeah, he makes me laugh.”

And the sudden truth of it, the fact Wylan was someone else’s now, and he was laughing in another’s arms, hit Jesper. It sent ice through his veins, his mind, the final shattered shard of his heart, tearing through memories.

Wylan, brave and wonderful, laying on his bed. His hands were aloft, describing a particularly clear night sky, the shapes he traced in the stars. He had named one for Jesper, and he said it was shaped like love.

Jesper, doubled up in laughter as he flipped a pancake, listening to yet another one of Wylan’s rambling stories. He never tired of them. Those recollections, the happy lilt to his voice, the giddy, “There’s more, though!” were treasured beyond gold.

Wylan, working on some assignment or another, sprawled on the grass of a dewy meadow. His head was pillowed on Jesper’s hoodie as he wrote, filling the page with his elegant script. Every so often, he would glance over and point out a butterfly or shaped cloud with a smile.

Jesper, watching as Wylan leapt across the fountain. His copper head was upturned, sunlight streaming down onto the angles of his face, joy etched in his brilliant grin. He looked like a god for that one moment, frozen forever in a snapshot of peace.

“I will love you if the entire fucking world tells me not to,” Jesper had whispered once. “I will love you if the entire fucking world tells me to. I will love you, because I am yours, and there has never been such an honor.”

When the years whiled past, when the bone-deep sorrow lightened at last, did Jesper still love him?

That was the question he asked himself every morning over a cup of bitter coffee.

Twenty-four years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Thirty-one years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Forty-five years old, and Jesper still loved him.

Fifty-seven years old, and Jesper still loved him.

An old man, dying in his bed, and the laugh ringing through his head belonged to a boy with pretty blue eyes and a heart of gold.

A dead man, and Jesper loved him from the grave.

Love bowed to no one, and least of all death.

A collage romance was theirs, but their love was not that of two foolish young men, out for a kiss and in for a good fuck. It was carefree, happy, bright as the sun. It was etched in the stars, and it was doomed from the start.

Love bowed to no one, but perhaps it inclined its head towards Jesper Fahey and Wylan Van Eck.

[inkykeiji]

day 5 ❅ let’s hit the north pole and live happily

please don’t cry no tears now, it’s christmas baby

day four ❅ day five | series masterlist

character: todoroki touya | dabi

genre: hmmm bittersweet angst

notes: AAAAAAAAH MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THOSE OF YOU THAT CELEBRATE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO THOSE OF YOU THAT DON’T <33 eeee here it is, the final day!! it’s short n (bitter)sweet, just a lil epilogue of sorts to wrap the whole thing up. thank you so, so much to every single one of you that has supported my blog over the past few months, your love means more to me than words will ever be able to tell you <3 | title credit: snowman by sia

warnings: 18+ (no hardcore smut but still), pseudo-incest (stepcest), tense family dynamics, size difference, generally toxic relationships (possessiveness, extreme dependency)

words: 2.3k

synopsis:

Because he’s right. Because this trip would have, undoubtedly, killed him, had it not been for you and your soothing lips, kissing his tears away; you and your gentle fingers, dancing along his skin as they calmed his sobs; you and your unwavering love for him, filling him up until he felt like he was going to burst with it, your discernible warmth laving over his body, his mind, his very soul.

  ❅           ❅           ❅           ❅           ❅           ❅    

The wind rattling the old bay window has you waking with a start, jolting a little as another harsh gust blows against the glass, sweeping up powdery snow and dancing with it in intricate, forceful squalls.

A deep sigh slips through your parted lips as your head flops back against the pillow, listlessly staring at the ceiling.

It’s Christmas.

You had decided to stay, Touya promising you he could handle another twelve hours around your family, especially if he was sleeping through most of it.

“I don’t want to further upset my mom,” he had told you, lips tugging down as bloodshot cobalt eyes glanced away from your inquisitive stare. “There’s no point in leaving now and causing more problems when we can just leave early tomorrow,”

Of course, niichan. Whatever you want, niichan.

Rolling over onto your side, you run your fingers through his tousled hair, head tilting forward to pepper tender kisses across his face.

It rouses him slowly, gently, lids lifting to reveal brilliant sapphire, gleaming in the grey morning light, and blinking a little as his gaze focuses, a small grin forming on his lips.

Really, there’s no other way he’d rather wake up, no other sight he’d rather be greeted with, except for you scattering the sweetest kisses across his face, calling his name in the sweetest whisper, staring at him with the sweetest eyes.

“Merry Christmas, princess,” his voice is gravelly, vibrating in his throat, eyelids still a little puffy and swollen from the night before.

“Merry Christmas, niichan,” you whisper, fingers trailing down the side of his face, a deep sense of bittersweet melancholy burrowing in your chest.

It’s Christmas.

He made it.

“You did it,” soft lips murmur the praise into his fluffy hair, inhaling his musky scent and filling your body with it, with him, burning hickory wood and Marlboros with just a hint of day-old cologne. “I am so proud of you,”

And normally, normally he’d playfully tell you to shut up, rolling his eyes at your gentle compliments.

But today isn’t normal.

“Couldn’t have done it without you,” he admits in a mumble, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck and exhaling. His voice is so raw, so honest, that it sends tears rushing to your eyes, stinging a little as they blur your vision.

Because he’s right. Because this trip would have, undoubtedly, killed him, had it not been for you and your soothing lips, kissing his tears away; you and your gentle fingers, dancing along his skin as they calmed his sobs; you and your unwavering love for him, filling him up until he felt like he was going to burst with it, your discernible warmth laving over his body, his mind, his very soul.

You say nothing, because there’s nothing to say, swallowing thickly against the lump that’s lodged itself in your throat and blinking rapidly to keep the tears from escaping your eyes, little fingers tangling themselves in his hair as you hold him close.

      ❅           ❅           ❅

Christmas Day is tense, and awkward, as you’d expected it to be.

Neither of you are present at breakfast, opting to stay in bed, to pretend to still be sleeping as Touya ruts into you slowly, lazily rolling his hips as he swallows your mewls, mingling with his little pants and the gentle creak of old bedsprings, creating the softest, sweetest symphony. Words whispered against your skin promise you that next Christmas, and every Christmas after that, we’ll celebrate just like this, just the two of us, tangled up in each other as you writhe and gasp and tremble and cum.

Just the two of you…you like the sound of that.

No one tries to wake you. No one comes to get you to ask if you’re hungry, no one saves you a plate of leftovers, no one tells you that they’ve already begun opening gifts, that they’ll be done by the time the two of you finally emerge from your cozy little bedroom.

Your meek little merry Christmas is met with a chorus of mumbles, your family members keeping their eyes averted as you stand at the bottom of the stairs, peeking out from behind Touya’s torso.

They don’t ask what happened. They don’t ask where you went last night, or how Touya’s feeling this afternoon, despite the fact that every single one of them had witnessed his puffy, tear-stained face as you had barreled through the living room the past evening, had heard him choking on his own sobs as you frantically tried to calm him while half-dragging him to the front door.

And Touya doesn’t apologize. He doesn’t apologize for nearly pulling a gun on his baby brother the day you arrived, doesn’t apologize for lobbing a block of ice at his face, doesn’t apologize for the cracked lip and bruised eye he gifted him two days ago.

You don’t open any of their presents, which is fine, because there’s only one that truly matters to you—a tiny box sitting abandoned under the tree, wrapped in shimmering azure paper, glinting in the weak yellow light.

It holds a diamond encrusted platinum choker, roughly two fingers wide and not unlike the gold one Duchess from The Aristocats dons. You’re more of a Marie, Touya tells you as you stare down at it, tilting it in the dim light and watching as the precious gems catch, casting brilliant little rainbows. But I thought this would suit you, too.

Tears cloud your vision, glistening in the Christmas tree lights as you gaze up at your niichan, hitched little thank you’s lodging in your throat.

“Look on the inside,” he urges, jutting his chin at the box and directing your stare back down, dainty fingers picking it up in the most delicate fashion and scanning the inside of the band.

Right at the front, carved into the platinum in elegant, loopy letters, reads: To my princess, Merry Christmas. Love, your niichan.

“It’s stunning,” you murmur, looking back up at him again, little watery giggles tumbling past your lips. “Help me put it on?”

A fond laugh rumbles deep in his chest and he nods, taking the piece of jewelry from your hands and slipping it around your neck, large hands gentle and careful as they fasten it.

The weight of the choker is comforting around your skin, searing into your flesh in the most pleasant way, a physical manifestation of Touya’s love, of Touya’s ownership, that you can wear forever.

“Open mine!” you urge him excitedly, plucking the only other present left under the tree—a small rectangular box, wrapped in glittery pink paper—and shoving it at him.

And he can’t help the snort that escapes his lips as he tears through such pretty princess wrapping, eyes softening as he uncaps the box.

A Boker Lockback Hunter knife gleams up at him, the handle encased in pearly iridescent nacre, such elegant material contrasted by the glinting silver of the blade. Your name is engraved across the blade in a neat scrawl, and he inhales sharply, taking it between his fingers like it’s the most precious thing he’s ever held, turning it and watching it glimmer in the light.

Sapphire eyes finally flit to yours, an unreadable expression on his face. And, for a moment, you’re terrified he hates it.

But then he’s surging forward, dropping the box from his other hand and cupping your jaw as he drags your face towards his, smashing your lips together in front of the entire family. Someone gasps, someone mutters something, someone chokes on their breath, but you can’t be bothered to care, not when all you can see, taste, feel is Touya, mouth slotted against yours as his lips move in the gentlest caresses, pure love and adoration pouring from him and into you, filling your chest until it swells, until it feels as though it’s going to burst.

“I love it,” he murmurs as he rests his forehead against yours, breathing slightly laboured, eyes still closed. “Thank you, princess,”

And he does love it, he loves it so much, because now, he can carry a little piece of you with him everywhere he goes, something almost as pretty as you are on his body at all times. Because now, every time he uses that knife to protect, to torture, to kill, he’ll be reminded of exactly why he does it, and who he does it for.

The rest of the family stares at the two of you, gazes searing into your skin, their travelling eyes leaving a scalding, prickly heat in their wake as they observe you and Touya exchange your gifts, entirely consumed by one another, caught up in your own little world, eons away from everything else.

And you wait for it to come, wait for the hurt and sorrow and regret to seep into your chest, to sink, heavy and stifling, to the very pit of your stomach, but it never does.

Disappointment is thick in the air, adding a weight that should feel suffocating. And it does, in a way, but not the way it’s supposed to.

Because you meant what you said last night in the car—you really don’t care what any of these people think of you, don’t care if they’re upset with you, frustrated with you, exasperated with you—as long as you have Touya, it really doesn’t matter.

Their thoughts, opinions, feelings—none of them are important, not when Touya’s got his strong arms wrapped around your waist, not when you’re safe in his warm, protective embrace, nuzzling into his firm chest, comforting and familiar.

Your father can barely meet your eyes, let alone speak any words to you, but it doesn’t matter, not when Touya’s been gazing at you with such affection it’s nearly choking, not when Touya’s been whispering the sweetest little affirmations, praise and compliments and words of love, to you all day, lips tickling the shell of your ear.

Fuyumi no longer tries to keep the peace, looking as if she just swallowed something sour every time she accidentally catches your gaze. She sits next to her mother on the loveseat, her body so rigid it must be aching, muscles tight and tense, coiling any time Touya speaks, any time you answer.

But it doesn’t matter, because you feel relaxed and at ease in your niichan’s arms, answering his questions with soft murmurs and little giggles.

Natsuo can’t seem to sit still, fingers fidgeting as they pick almost viciously at his cuticles, palms running down his thighs, rubbing behind his neck, dragging over his face, body full of jitters as if he’s had too many cups of coffee…or as if he’s coming down from something.

But it doesn’t matter, because Touya is still, serene and calm for the first time since stepping foot in this cabin, finally able to breathe now that everyone’s stopped pretending, stopped trying to be a family that they’re not, a family that they’ve never been, a family that they’ll never be.

Shouto’s entirely silent, stoic and apathetic, though he isn’t afraid to look at you, to glare at Touya as nimble fingers pick idly at the thick cream bandage wrapped around his hand, covering an ugly curve of five stitches across his palm, curtesy of Natsuo.

But it doesn’t matter, because neither of you have anything to say to him, verbally or otherwise.

      ❅           ❅           ❅

You don’t stay for Christmas dinner. Rei is stiff when she hugs the both of you goodbye, voice void of any emotion as she wishes you a safe trip home, makes you promise to call her when you arrive at the flat, though you’re absolutely positive she won’t want to hear from either of you.

It’s just going through the motions at this point, doing what every good mother is supposed to do when her children depart on Christmas Day. No one else, save for Natsuo, bids you farewell.

Touya doesn’t apologize to his mother, either, although you know he will a few nights from now when he calls her—in his own convoluted way, a sorry without a ‘sorry’—deep voice caressing her ear sweetly like he always does, laced with just a hint of derision as he lists all of his wrongdoings, as he subtly and skillfully connects them back to her, as if they’re her mistakes. And you know she’ll forgive him, like she always does, that she’ll apologize too, for forcing him through such a horrendous disaster—apologies that had become a habit long, long ago, after something goes seriously south at a family event, as they have a tendency to do when Touya’s involved.

Snow crunches under your boots as Natsuo walks with you to the Audi, each step further away from the cabin aiding you in feeling lighter and lighter, each step further away from the cabin allowing your lungs to open up a little more, fresh air rushing in as the invisible weights of family obligations and duties begin to lift.

True to his word, Natsuo returns Touya’s weapons the moment he’s behind the wheel, wishing the two of you a merry Christmas and promising to swing by the flat soon—maybe for New Years, he muses—before patting the roof of the car and sending you on your way.

Rei watches the whole interaction from the front door, arms wrapped tightly around herself as she leans precariously against the doorframe, face crumpled with an emotion you’ve never seen before, something akin to a complicated, contradicting mixture of grief and affection.  

A deep breath you hadn’t realized you were holding slips through parted lips as the Audi finally pulls onto the road. Warm and heavy, a large hand snakes it’s way onto your thigh, kneading the muscle slightly, Touya casting a glace at you through the corner of his eye with a tiny smile tugging at his lips. And you can practically see it, the tension dissipating from his tight body with each second further from the cabin, becoming more fluid and relaxed. The two of you only have each other now, but that’s okay. It’s you and him against the world now, a fact solidified by this trip, but neither of you would have it any other way.

“Never again,” Touya sighs the moment the cabin is out of sight, disappearing in the rearview mirror behind a hill.

No, you agree. Never again.

[ficsnroses]

Closer - John Wick x Reader (nsfw)

summary : john makes you squirt for the first time. 

warnings : smut, oral sex [female receiving]. unprotected sex. fluff. x f! reader. 3k.

notes : requested! “john gives reader multiple orgasms and she ends up squirting from his cock”. I hope you like it nonnie. I missed posting/writing these past couple of weeks:) feedback and comments appreciated. hope everyones well! ily xo

He works her body, as if a note. A tune, a melody,

the song of her whimpering moans melting into his tongue; through wine stained lips meddling with his thinner, bourbon kissed rims. He swallows as many whimpers as he may, his lips on hers working as if the pick on the most exquisite of guitars. Contrasting with her silky skin’s softness, a trimmed beard scratches; grazes salaciously along her skin, his love drunk mouth tasting her lithe exposed features, finding her neck, he sucks soft love bites into the sweetest of her spots as she melts in his arms.

His arms; the only place she’d ever wanted to be.

At mercy to his ministrations, she writes under him, his name falling her lips in a soft cry, hands frantically tangling in messy cocoa locks; the smell of his smoky cologne stipples, lingering faintly to her floral skin;

Bodies moulding together as one piece; exactly how they were ordained to be.

His lips trail lower, deep purple stained marks embedding their way into Y/N’s skin from his hungering lips, and she softly smiles, her lips curling into the gentlest of grins, watching the way he loves her so well, leaving not an inch of her skin untouched; not a graze unkissed.

What she’d always longed; a someone who loves her more, more than his words could say.

John’s love comes from touch; it comes from the way he holds her so tight to his chest under glistening AM stars, from the ways his lips dawdle longer on her skin, after a kiss concludes.

John is a lover like no other; he fucks hard, yet at the same time, makes her feel loved more than anything, anyone in his world. Tonight, he’d made it clear; she came first. Her pleasure; a symphony he’d dwell in tonight, his favourite sound.

Thick, durable hands had palmed her pussy intense, massaged her, touched her exactly where she’d needed him. He plays her body as if an instrument from the heavens; his hands work as picks, his fingers brush velvet skin and silky holds. They dance, they dance, they dance, on her skin; lips explore, the taste of affluent wine and cologne splotched skin.

Sometimes she finds it tough to believe, he’s real; he’s hers.

Thick fingers dip, collecting the sap of her sweet arousal. They touch, they move, they please. The pleasures he gives flutter over her form, the orgasms delightfully rich. They come slow, slow, as waves; little, small, crashing against the ocean shore. They come in building, rising on the tide, just as that sweet spot hits; the peak. It hits, it torrents, but it never really leaves. The waves crash still, slighter, shorter,

they wait.

They crave for the next high; they yearn for the next surge.

He watches her smile, soft moans and sealed eyes, the same way people watch evening ocean waves; never tiring of staring at them.

She waits for her next tide; his next symphony in her core.

“Mmmmm,” He moans, spreading the petals of her sweet, honeyed cunt. The scent of her sex yearning heat encased his senses; a fragrance, a sight he’d stored, locked away in the depths of his mind for longing nights spent absent from his love; nights where he’d think dearly of her, wishing her supple body and satin could take care of him the way she does oh so well. Sturdy fingers hold open delicate folds, and his lips kiss a feverish, light kiss to her sensitive clit, freshly groomed coffee beard glistening already with the mist of her need. “All mine.” He sighs, breathing into her pussy as he kisses sweet, light feathery pecks along her soaking pleats. “Can’t believe you’re all mine.” He smiles, smirking up, catching a delectable view of her dewy skin; a thick swallow in her throat, brittle fingers threading through his lengthy chocolate locks nestled in her womanhood. “Can’t believe your body is all mine,” Mindlessly, kisses dot lightly along the insides of her thighs from his appreciative lips, marking her skin as his; marking her as

his,

and only,

  his.

For among the endless sea of souls that walk the horizon, he was the only one, who was allowed to work her this way; the only man allowed to touch, feel, taste her this way.

Through quiet whimpers and shuddering breaths, she whines for him, small fingers,

dainty, graceful fingers, reaching,

always reaching for him.

Through thick, velvet soft locks, she tugs his chocolate mane gently, the feel of callous, thick hands exploring the silky skin of her exposed thighs graciously, the feel of his lips worshipping her skin sending butterflies afloat inside. “John..” She mewls, feeling the graze of his smiling lips curling against her skin. Each letter, each syllable of his name falls elegantly off her lips, the sounds of his name,

John Wick’s name. A name that hadn’t heard of kindness before her, hadn’t been recited in an epiphany of love before her. And now that she’s here, she’s his, the sound of his name, is his favourite sound.

She is his favourite sound. “John,” She cries, whimpers, spills, over, and over. His lustrous gaze slowly roves to her eyes, smiling, as a callous hand travels to meet hers on the silken, frenzied white sheets of their bed. In a gentle grip, he holds her smaller, far more delicate hand in his, squeezing with reassurance as his body moves up, lips meeting hers in a love sodden kiss. Meddling with hers, his lips brush her so sweetly, so lovingly that she falls further staring into his hazel globes, her hand clutching, fitting against his that holds hers as if a puzzle piece.

“Patience, baby.” He smiles into her skin, lips traveling to the dip of her neck to leave a gentle marked bruise, shades of purple washing over where his lips made love to her skin. Her nude form was perfectly enticing, the swell of her breasts, bare and exposed with shaded, pebbled nipples perking just for him. He buries a kiss into the valley of her chest, small, wet kisses scattering to her breasts, breath temptingly warm as a trail of delicate kisses dot down her stomach, diving down in anticipation of pleasing her so well.

Hearing his favourite sound soon; the sound of her writhing, softening, unravelling underneath him.

With his lips hovering over her cunt, his fingers spread her, lazily smoothing over her bundle as stifling moans flood his ears, the nectar of her urging arousal meeting his tongue in a swift wash of her sweetness, he licks a long stride up her delectable fruit, with fingers of his lone hand reaching up to thread with hers again to her side. His thumb soothes gentle grazes over the skin of her palm, his spare resting to her thigh as he delves into her, alternating between sweet kisses to her petals, and gentle, wet strokes to the pearl of her clit buried between.

Flattening, John’s tongue alternates between fast and slow flicks of affection, sucking longingly on her sensitive nerves, allowing the drip of his tongue to blend with her wetness. “Mmmm, baby you’re soaked” He smiles, a deep moan vibrates through the pit of his mouth, the sounds of his mouth slicking, his nose brushing against her folds as she gushes underneath him causing jolts of warm pleasure blissfully swallowing her whole. “John…fuck!” She cries, quivering, whimpering as he sends her further into oblivion. Her clit throbs, the feel of him sucking eagerly on her moist, gushing folds, lapping her creamy glisten as he builds her climax further with each motion. Feeble legs sprawl further for him, her hand holding dearly to his through a squeeze painfully tight, yet he finds himself with little care.

In this moment, her body is all that matters, her pleasure all that feats.

He leaves her a disorderly mess, the vessel of his lips spreading her slick gleam of soaking arousal all over her womanhood, the creamy build up of need drenching the inside of her legs as she whines for him; glistening with peppered moist, his beard sheens with her dripping nectar, his tongue speeding movement when she moans his name louder than before, a routine signal of her proximity to release he’d become much familiar with through plentiful sessions of love making they’d shared.

Her body tenses and toes curl, figure falling limp after an arch of her back when his hot breath on her pussy laps her so generously, so skillfully a wave of pleasure crashes over her body, the feel of how amazing the nirvana of release feels practically ascends her soul to see the stars for a brief moment as his lips never leave her cunt; gliding over her intimate parts as he gently guides her down from bliss. The moans, the whimpers she’d let out cause his cock to raise, busting for a desperate need to be buried inside the haven he’d just pleased, built; to be burrowed inside her warm, wet, velvety walls.

Laboured, her quickened breath huffs, blowing steam from the way he’d just given her a second orgasm within a matter of minutes; John was a lover she’d thank the sky for as long as she’d be.

She’d fallen in love with him the same as falling asleep; slowly, then all at once. His love, his generosity, his kindness. She fell in love with a man who deserved the world.

The sex he’d give her was an added, blissful bonus.

“You got another in you for me, baby?” The baritone of his gruff voice rings, the poke of his dangerously erect cock springing felt against her stomach. Slow, sensual, inquisitive hands roam her body, his thinner lips trailing up, leaving unhindered kisses and strewn wet pecks over her nude glory, a light sheen of dewy sweat visible on her flustered cheeks. Through stifling breathes, her brittle fingers reach for him again, desperate to feel him near; so near, that they’d be one.

She yearns for his cock; the flowers that fall his lips leave her hungry, tender sighs and draws of his body closer failing to fulfil that aching crave, deeper between her legs. “J-John,” She quivers, eyes fluttering in a sensitive roll when she feels his hands on her hips, his lips revering the succulent perk of her breasts again. His breath is warm, tantalizing; a hitch brews in her throat, the built up halt of a long so deep, she swears. She swears, she won’t be able to hold off much longer without him.

Without him sheathed deep inside her, exactly his cock belonged.

His lips continue adoring her silky skin; with the bulk of his body positioned above, held by toned biceps holding her close, she feels the weight of his meaty cock brushing her cunt each time he moves, beads of syrupy pre cum peppering her skin from his rosy thick tip. Each vein in his member throbs, shaft copious; erect, ready for her taking.  “John,” She manages, her words lost on his lips when they meet in a searing kiss. His bites of affection litter her chin, her jaw, ceasing only when pleading eyes swallow a lump in her throat, smaller hands finding cupped to his head in desperate plea. “Fuck me.” She copes, the throb between her feeble legs intensifying. “Take care of me like you do, baby.”

Chuckling quietly, a gentle smirk washes his dark features, lips curling to a smile as he leaves a final kiss wet on her lips. With his heavy cock in hand, he guides, lining the head of his manhood into her cunt, tender moans and breathless sighs meddling through skin on skin when his hips roll at a frustratingly leisured pace.

He sinks in, a mere shallow bob of his cock inside her, before rolling out. She clings to him, fingernails drawing into the rosy fleshed skin of his back, whimpering when his head finds refuge sheathed between the soft spot of her shoulders and neck. Rolling, she begs him to go faster through impatient moans, the stretch of him inside igniting that familiar burn she’d become so used to over the years, surrendering herself to him. Lax moans flee both their lips, John’s gruff tone allowing shudders out his throat to the feel of his heavenly love clenching around him, sheltering the entirety of his dick so well. Bulging veins pulse against her walls, with each thrust, he plummets, burying, rummaging deeper and deeper inside her; steady rhythm maintained by his jerks.

He sinks in inch by inch; with each heavy thrust, with each nibble of his lips to her delicate neck. The ache inside her grows; moans proving imperative, yelping tenderly by the second.

He knew exactly what he was doing to her. “Fuck, sweetheart.” John praises, eyes piercing shut to a relish of her sensuous body; the way she feels delectably warm, feminine curves and dewy skin shimmering under the gentle illuminating light washing the room. She wails between loud, broken breaths, clutching fistfuls of pearly white sheets gathered in a sea around their bodies, a hand caging to her mouth, muffling loud, lewd moans that fall without care. John sinks in deeper, and deeper, until rolled thrusts hit her end, assaulting that plush, cushy spot inside her that makes each nerve tingle; John’s name reciting off her tongue in desperate prayer. “You feel…” He groans, clutching her body tighter. “..so…so good, sweetheart”. His deep grunts rummage between her skin, demanding thrusts burying inside her with each movement, her body shivering with need, feeling the pulse of his swollen cock thickly caged inside. Within moments, John’s pace proves threateningly skilful, big, warm, beautiful. “So good, kitten.” He praises, stippling lone kisses and wet traces of his love generously on her skin with each dive into her welcoming haven.

The sound of skin slapping skin floods the room; copious balls smacking against her wanton pussy with each forceful plunge, a string of incoherent moans flood his lips. She feels enchantingly, delectably divine, the feel of her walls milking his cock a trance of its own. Leisurely whining, she whimpers, and whimpers; he drills, and drills, and drills into her, jaw tightening, teeth gritting to the feel of nestling within her; his favourite place to be. His erection is stiff, splitting her whole as his veiny bulk pounds in relentlessly, the love kissed words of praise that mist in the air sending her into a frenzy of its own. “Gonna make you feel so good, baby,” He encourages, stocky digit finding its way massaging to her sensitive clit.

He rolls his hips hastily, pumping relentlessly, fingers dipping into slick folds encouragingly. The sheen of her milky arousal coats; soaks her core, she mewls to the feel of him touching her so sinfully, head dropping to his shoulder helplessly. “Don’t…don’t stop, John.” She cries, feeling a wave of dewy tears vulnerably falling the corners of her eyes to the mere feeling of how well he fucks her, how well he makes love to her. Tasting the salt of her honey drop tears brewing a sear on melting lips, he captures her moans in his thinner ones, her sex stirred hair strewn messily over cotton pillows, the creak of the bed frame thrashing to his demanding pace.

Bouncing relentlessly, her breasts move to his speed, caged cries and whines falling each time his full base pounds her whole, thunderous cock glistening with her juices, gliding effortlessly with their cocktail of releases meddling. With her limbs a squirming mess under him, she whinges, tone stifling, planting her hands on his broad shoulders, figure jolting with each thrust he impends in.

He savours each moan; he grunts when she tightens her walls for him, her pussy moulds just for him. His humid breath singes her skin, foreheads touching as they gaze intently into each others eyes, gasping through sensual motion. “Listen to the sounds you’re making.” He smiles, the sounds of her pussy gushing with pleasure from his dick fucking her so well practically grit her teeth, eyes stinging, a blackout on the horizon. With a yawning angle, John’s cock hits her end deeper, and she trembles, shivering, feeling herself drip for him, gushing. She tenses, and moans, and whimpers, and whimpers-

“John!” She cries, desperately holding him close, fingernails clawing into his rosy skin. “John, please, don’t stop baby, please,” her words merely evaporate as they leave her lips.

His sizeable cock buries inside repeatedly, assaulting that velvety spot he works oh so well; the feel is far too much, the intimacy is far too great. The throb of his manhood inside pairs deliciously with hers, his tone husky, his praise loving, his moans soft;

Tears fall, dewy and warm. She feels her core tighten, the burning stretch incomparable, groaning needily in his neck as he thrust faster and faster, faster, harder, deeper, messier-

A burst of warm release gushes, wet, spurting, coating his cock with her warm, syrupy saccharine.

She feels a mess, eyes watering, skin slick with beads of exertion, flushed and hot; uncaged, uncontrolled whimpers and pleads falling her mouth without permission. Through legs spread open wide, John’s cock devouring her cunt for his taking, pace never faltering, her gush of release triggers a forceful, dangerously intense orgasm, swallowing her whole. “That’s it sweetheart,” John acclaims through peppered, feverish kisses to her skin, continuing his drill of hips into her wet pussy. “Look at how you drip for me,”

He smirks, nibbling her neck, watching the way she moans lifelessly, shuddering despondently. With his dense, sturdy hand planting to her mid, his aggressive roll of hips collides hastily with her womanhood, senselessly, the curve of his shaft massages her sore, aching walls, leaving her delicate after release, chasing his own.

Sucking in a sharp breath, he feels his orgasm close, cock twitching through deep groans and mumbled moans, the warm, flooding plethora of creamy wetness she’d created for him sending shockwaves of warmth snapping at each vein in his cock, each nerve in his body longs for her. Within seconds, she holds tight to his biceps, burying her face in his shoulder when he spills his plentiful seed inside her through white, silky ribbons; hot, succulent strings of his glossy cum coating the insides of her walls, adding to the milky wet haven she’d held just for him.

Her pussy aches around him in the aftermath, tender, sore. Drenched, dripping, dripping.

She feels full, tainted with his quality, luscious cum buried deep, deep inside. In the heat of the aftermath, his member remains resting inside her lush walls, the euphoria of heat enveloping them adding to mellow rides off a soaring high shared together. Pink parted lips labour steadier exhales than moments prior, her chest heaving; his forehead finding connected to hers as his eyes flutter closed to the feel of being confined inside the woman of his dreams.

Nothing made them feel closer; nothing else compared to feeling this close to him. His soul soaks every ounce of her; her eyes drink in every ounce of him-

Her epiphany comes; she’d follow him to the ends of the earth, for the sun, and her stars live in his eyes.

His lips move feather light, gentle kisses peppered across her features. His callous palms held guns, knives, all things gruel. But they’d also held her; his beacon of life, he’d hold dearly for as long as the horizon allows. All things good live within her eyes.

         Her eyes, her eyes.

A soft kiss embeds to her temple, a gentler one to her cheek, a softer one to her chin. “Everyday I look at you,” He sighs, her face still cupped between weary hands. “And I think, she looks beautiful. And everyday, a moment passes where I think, now, she looks even prettier.” A quiet chuckle falls his words, meddling with gentle sighs, heavy huffs periodically. “I just had my moment for today.” He smiles, thumb grazing her bottom lip in dear affection; the smiles he wore were all it took for her to flutter.

Stray strands fall ruffled, a muddled mess through checked tears and sweltering cheeks. Heat exudes her skin; warmth sticks to her satin form. “You…you just made me squirt.” She mumbles, disarrayed, sex gratified with a blank stare to the gray ceiling above, the stretch of his cock inside being sure to leave her cunt sore for days to come. “I didn’t even know I could squirt?” As jumbled eyes find his once again, she wears a smile, complimenting his. “You continue to surprise me, Mr Wick.” Giggling, petite hands roam his firm, broad shoulders adorned to his muscled back. His faint freckles shine on his skin in this hour; the dim PM light filtering a hue.

With his cock buried inside, she tightens around him yet again, yearning to feel him closer than they’d already been. A baritone rings, chuckling, the aroma of sex florals in the free air. A kiss finds her lips, melting, melting, melting, again.

“You continue to surprise me, Mrs. Wick.” He adds, foreheads connecting, once again, and his hold on her body never falters-

soiled sheets below, long forgotten.

➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴➶ ➴

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[ellitx]

Chapter 7: Animosity

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

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           A song of a humming tune drifted with the winds as Venti strolled down the town square of the city of Mond, taking a look around the various displays of outfits behind the window of a boutique shop. His eyes landed on the mannequin donned with a simple dress.

           The corner of his lips tugged upwards as he placed a finger on his chin to take a closer look at the said dress. Pure white, cotton soft, short skirt, and a sleeveless dress? He would’ve run in there, put out his wallet, and buy it in one go— that is if he had the money to pay for it.

           It was a perfect dress for you to show your marked skin to him. He’ll let his fingers falter behind those soft skin, watching you squirm from his sensual touches while the tips move dangerously close to your thighs as he lifts the skirt up.

           The male grumbled to himself that he could only watch behind the glass window, the mannequin mocking him he can’t afford to buy it for you. Curse this boutique and its expensive price.

           Maybe he could try to bargain with the shopkeeper? Surely his songs would work on them. Who would ever say no to the harmonious and dulcet of his voice accompanied by the cords of his instrument? Not to mention he’s the three-time winner of the most popular bard of Mondstadt.

           The chiming of the bell reached an employee’s ears as he pushed the door open, greeting them with a big smile. And there he was, the various outfits displayed everywhere, the pieces of jewelry shimmering under the light, the welcoming expression that was graced to him filled him with anticipation.

           Venti wandered each aisle, taking in the softness of each fabric from his fingertips, letting his brain think of which clothes suit you. To him, each of them absolutely matches your figure but his eyes still remained onto that one dress from the retail display.

           And so when he asked the manager if he would like to settle on the agreement, he already found himself standing outside of the shop. He owlishly blinked and looked over his shoulder only for the door to slam right in front of his face. The sun’s rays cut him off from his distracted state as they were burning his skin, quickly hiding under the shadows of the roof before glaring back to the unaware man who just kicked him out.

           He clicked his tongue in annoyance and huffed his chest at his failed attempt. If bargaining was not the answer then stealing it should be the deal. Before he could start planning, the sound of his name being uttered out halted him from continuing his scheme.

           “Venti?”

           The said male turned his head to the owner of the voice, his teal eyes lighting up at the sight of Mondstadt’s hero. “Oh? If it isn’t the Honorary Knight. What brings your presence here, dear traveler?” He questioned with a small smile adorning his face.

           “Thought it would be the Tone-Deaf Bard, hmph.” The familiar voice of the flying pixie had already irked the bard as he refrained himself from grabbing her behind Aether. 

           “And I see your little companion is with you as well.”

           “Hey!”

           His deadpanned eyes flashed to the traveler before changing it back to normal and questioned him once more. “It’s a surprise to see you here. I thought you would be in Liyue to continue your journey.” Aether scratched his cheek as he threw a sheepish laugh at him whilst he looked at Paimon.

           “Well, Paimon said that Ludi Harpastum will be held in here so I was curious to see what it’s all about.” The aforementioned festival caught Venti’s attention as his ears perked up at the well-known celebration that has always been feasting in the city of freedom.

           Though, he did wonder why he mentioned it. It’s still far away before it will be held. “So you’re curious about this festival, eh?” The bard approached him and placed a hand on his hip, leaning forward to study the Honorary Knight.

            Aether furrowed his brows at the inquisitive boy, taking a step back when he was getting a little bit too close from his comfort space. When a smirk appeared on his face, he already knew he’s going to be in one of his shenanigans. “I can tell you all the details about it but in one condition!” 

           “Whatever that is, I will have to decline it.” The blonde responded immediately much to Venti’s surprise. “H-hey, come now! I still haven’t said what it’s going to be…” The latter entwined his arms while he grumbles at his rapid dismissal.

           It’s not fair if Aether still hasn’t lent his ears to him to listen and know what this bargain would be. Just a little more convincing act should suffice so he could comply with his words, right?

 —

            The lake-side air was mild with a fragrance of cecilias. With a calmness from its core to the ripples that danced the lake, it reflected the blue sky as the most sincere of smiles. The deep hue of the waters became the poetic song of the light that played upon it wind-dancing ruffles.

           The universal garden has evolved over the years with Dvalin guarding the den of nature. You relaxed your body against him, feeling your soul caress in such a nurturing safety. This place is your sanctuary and you made sure to plant all the kinds of flora to enhance its beauty with nature.

           The dragon shifted a bit in his place when he saw you opened your mouth to create a perfect wordless melody. It was hypnotizing and alluring. He remembered the Anemo Archon did say that your voice is a beauty of its own.

           The heavenly voice gliding with the breeze calmed him down as he placed his head on the ground, grasping the notes inside his head that was almost like how he first heard the strumming of Barbatos’s lyre.

           The Anemo archon’s words are true. Your voice is indeed the sound of an angel, one that can cure any poison that keeps on growing. So feathery, like a bundle of soft clouds engulfing him to the land of nod.

           Your fingers continue to tie the stems of the flowers, connecting them to create a crown. You can never see flowers too many times, you can never tire of their sweet fragrance. Each one is a delicate bloom, no matter if it’s from the wild or the garden. You appreciate Venti’s thoughts of amassing flowers for you, to create a garden you never asked for.

           After finishing the last knot, you’ve placed it over Dvalin’s nose, waking him. His eyes crossed at the small garland, huffing at the sight of it before swaying his head to place it over yours.

           Mirthful tittering was what he heard, a sound that is full of life and gentleness that he never expected for a human like you to possess. He despised mortals because they’ve abandoned him. He yearned to be loved and understood by who he is and what he protects.

           But now, he appreciates that you enjoy his presence and that you even stay and play with him. The dragon drifted back to sleep, enjoying the brushing of your hand against his scaly skin.

           “You know, I was wondering if Venti takes care of you very well.” Your eyes softened as you stroke his nose. “If he doesn’t, I’ll make sure to scold him.” 

           You were sure you thought Dvalin snorted at what you have said. His wings flapping a bit before it eased back down. “Hm? Was that supposed to be a yes or a no?” You were peculiar by his strange behavior. You received no answer aside from the little heckled he did.

           His apathetic demeanor did pique your interest. Venti had said he was a curious and friendly dragon, now you assume what he said was just contradicting. You weren’t peeved at all or anything. It just amused you.

           Almost reminding you of a certain friend.

           “Barbatos and you would get along very well. I don’t know how much the two of you would make fun of me.” You flashed him a half-smile and there was a hint of warmth in it that instantly caught his attention.

           He never noticed he’s been staring at you for a good minute when you continue to hum a lullaby. “Barbatos and I are a good acquaintance,” Dvalin stated and he was quite entertained with the look of surprise currently painted over your face.

           “Y-you know Barbatos?” You stammered, dropping down the flower crown. He simply nodded and continued to doze off though it was disrupted when you went closer to him and poked his snout.

           “Do you know where he is?” A restless question, he observed. He peered at you nonchalantly then bobbed his head as a silent answer. Your eagerness to know where the little wisp was brimmed you with excitement and respite. However, before you could continue to further inquire, the dragon let out a loud groan and toppled his hand over your body causing you to fall down on the ground with a scream.

           The sudden blow to you made you squirm against his hold and cry at the heavy pressure. “D-Dvalin…!” Seems like this dragon wanted to play with you, huh. If that’s what he wants then so be it. Before you could counter his tactics, he put more pressure onto you holding you back on the ground.

           You pried his hand away but much to your dismay he won’t even budge one bit. You can only do nothing but groan in your ongoing predicament that this dragon only wanted his sleep. 

            Wait…

            You gazed at the slumbering dragon then back to the sky. Maybe you should continue humming? He did look like he enjoyed listening to your song. And once he’s unconscious you can finally get out from his grasp. The possibility of a successful attempt is fifty-fifty. You never know if Venti is telling the truth when he told you that Dvalin has been longing to listen to you sing to him. He was probably exaggerating it too much.

           Well, it’s worth a shot if he really did— even though you’ve already sung countless times. Humming, you caressed his claw and closed your eyes letting yourself get lost in your own melody. Your hum has carefree happiness in it; something soft in those notes as they fall into the drowsy air around him.

           Finally, his grasp lightened a little that allowed you to move a bit as you wriggle out. A small sigh evoked from you once you paused your lulled song. You stared at the sleeping dragon, absently drawing questions the more you look at him.

            Longing for my song…? How many years have I been asleep then?

            Venti had never told you the number of years he’s been waiting for you to be awake. You don’t even know what year it is today. You knitted your brows when you stare at your hand, rotating it to see if there was any difference.

           Maybe around two or three years…? There weren’t any changes in Venti’s appearance— well except for that faded cyan hair in the ends of his braids, that was the only obvious difference you can catch. As for you, your hair grew a lot longer than ever that reached below your hips. 

           Good thing your hair tie was still with you so you can tie it up in a simple braid. You glance back over your shoulder to see the exit of the ruin. Perhaps a little exploration can help you search for answers? Venti still hasn’t come back yet from his…

           Now that you think about it, you honestly don’t know where he went off to…

           You rose from your seat and straightened your dress. If you said you weren’t nervous to leave the ruins would be a pathetic lie. It’s the first time you’ll step foot outside this area. Were your father’s words really true when he said it’s dangerous?

           But Venti was yearning to see the birds fly and the clear sky ever since; he was seeking freedom that’s why he rebelled against Decarabian. It’s obvious the rebels won in this war and had finally gained the liberation they’ve always wanted, yet why are you still hesitating to leave this place to see the outside world?

           You feel like a small lump was sitting in your throat as you took a step forward. You shouldn’t be scared. Andrius’s snowstorm has already subsided. The bitter coldness is nowhere to be seen and it’s safe to continue moving forward, right?

           Ah, if only Barbatos was here with you, the two of you could venture together. You can already hear the hysterical jingling noises if he tries to stop you from going further. You sighed once more and shook your head. You shouldn’t be relying on them anymore, if you’re seeking answers then you have to do it by yourself by any means.

           Taking a deep breath, you pushed your body as your bare feet touched the lithic ground. Benign, gentle and soft, the wind zoomed past you whilst your hair fluttered along with it. Instead of feeling what you assumed of a bitterly cold air, only a refreshing breeze swayed towards your direction, manipulating your limbs to conform to its perfect dance.

           Your face lighted up that it could even beat the sun’s own brightness of a smile thus abandoning your body to the merriment of the vast space stretching into the horizon. You stretched out your arms and allowed the warm rays to kiss your skin, the warmth that heated up your body in a placid manner. It didn’t scorch you. Perfect was the only description you could use to describe the sun’s heat.

           A spark of excitement comes roaring to you into the purr of anticipation. You wanted to explore more, watch the birds fly and the ocean waves on the sands— to enjoy the freedom even more.

            There was a flare in your head... the good sort. The type that carries more possibilities than you could be conscious of, though there were hundreds of ideas there in that buzz of electricity.

           You could feel it.

           It was the calling of adventure, of paths awaiting your feet. 

           Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be fear in you, but it was your adventure to take and so you smiled. The answers would come, probably when you least expected it, so you proceeded to follow the path and let your feet lead you to who knows where.

           This world is quite astonishing, you were even utterly speechless to see the beauty of it. When you are most awake, most present in the moment, every sense of nature converges into a single energetic joy. It’s as if there’s a feeling between each living thing, a bond that is tangible and blended, a melody beyond the range of ears but available for the heart.

           And so, each of the leaves moves in the wind, a part of you does also. You caught a little slime following after you, it didn’t seem hostile since it could’ve attacked you from behind. You never bothered to shoo it away as it was too cute for your liking, the small wings on its side reminded you a lot of Barbatos.

           A small company wouldn’t hurt and it feels safer to have someone tag along with you. It jumped around you and even started to nuzzle your leg. There are too many cute creatures in here! First, it was your little wisp, then it was the dragon, and now a cute anemo slime?!

           Your heart would already burst from these lovely beings that are so attached to you. You paused in your tracks when you felt the winds are a bit colder than before. The air was bitter and cruel against your flushed cheeks, it nipped your neck and chilled you to the bone.

           You wrapped your arms around yourself to produce heat, it wasn’t the best source but it’s the least you can do to warm yourself. As each step you took to observe the area, the gales increased in intensity.

           So cold, almost like the biting chills of the winter snow. The ill winds continued howling, challenging the trees. You’re unsure if there are nearby foes lurking in here. You also lost sight of the slime now that you’ve looked around.

           You’re sure you’re in a forest, though you don’t know what your current location is. Blue particles scattered in the air that allured you to follow it. It ached your bare feet when you pushed yourself to move along the cold ground. One would already plan they’ll go back and leave this area, but your curiosity got the best of you. 

           You were too stubborn to leave and wanted to know where you are right now. When you sensed a stony surface, your body stiffened at the intense drop of temperature. You shivered and looked around, alarmed at the rustling noises of the bushes.

           “Hello…?”

           Your voice merely echoed in the arena. No response, no noises, no silhouettes can be seen. There’s nothing to see here anyway, it’s best to go back to the ruins. As you turned around, sharp blue eyes glared through you, making you halt in place.

           A shrill howl pierced through the eerie field. It cracked through your eardrums and ruffled your hair at the loud noise. You covered your ears at the ear-splitting sound and took a step back to run away.

           Before you could, a colossal wolf had cornered you. Its piercing eyes are staring right through your soul that brought your feet cold to the ground, unmoving. A rough and gruff voice cut you off from your panicked state— commanding and loud that your whole body stiffened like a stature.

           “Who dares trespass in this land to which I awaken?”

—

            “Well, that settles it! I greatly appreciate your cooperation with me, traveler.” Venti gave Aether a mocking bow which he just simply rolled his eyes at his antics. Paimon groaned and crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the bard.

           “Sheesh, you just wanted us to buy clothes for you? Who is it even for anyway?”

           “A curious one, are you? If you wish to know the answer, how about you go and pursue it?”

           The pixie’s mouth had gone hard as irritation surged up inside her. Oh, how she wished she could plummet that annoying smile onto the ground to erase it from his face. A smirk emerged on Venti’s visage, placing his arms behind his head whilst whistling a random tune. 

           “If you really wish to know, it’s a fair maiden of mine.” The dark-haired male then twirled and gave a salute to them, bidding:

           “Off I go now! As she waits for me to fulfill my perpetual vow.” 

           Before Aether could stop him, the boy already went off without looking back at them. The blonde heaved a sigh and rubbed his head watching his figure slowly disappear from afar. It piqued his interest when Venti mentioned this fair maiden. He remembered the archon once mentioned that to him back then.

           He couldn't put his finger on it when he told him about it. He can only grumble and just put the idea aside, focusing back on his current task. 

           “Huh, I don’t remember the Tone-Deaf Bard having a lover,” Paimon remarked as she floated above his head. She then took a look at her companion and huffed her chest whilst placing her small hands on her hips. “And you! You shouldn’t let him off like that easily! We’ll be in trouble again when he said he wanted to steal the clothes from that shop, hmph.”

           Aether released a nervous laugh and shrugged his shoulders. “At least we get to know more about Ludi Harpastum, right?” He defended. Venti’s knowledge about the said festival is enough for him to know the primary information. However, it’s still far away. It’ll be held ten days from now and he should continue searching for information about his sister.

           As much as he wanted to enjoy it too, his main priority is to look for her. Maybe the festival will help him gain more information about Teyvat and expand more clues about it.

            Venti swayed his arms back and forth simultaneously with the bag swinging from his hold. His legs carried him to his destination to meet you back in the ruins. He was really excited to show you his gift for you and he’s absolutely sure you’d love it. Sure he really loves your current outfit but it’s better to wear something new right?

           He could also play with your hair and find a new hairstyle that could match the dress. Perhaps a braid should do? Definitely. Braids do suit you very well. He nodded to himself at that idea with a smile plastered on his face. 

           Reaching his journey’s end, he immediately jogged to the garden to where you and Dvalin are. The physique of the dragon enlarged the closer he gets though his smile faltered when there was no sight of your familiar figure sleeping next to him.

            Missing. Missing since who knows how long now. 

           He can’t find a sign of you, anything that brings him the comfort of home. He takes in every detail no matter how small, any chance of finding your trail is better than nothing at all. Everything went still and it furthered his anxiety more than he could imagine. 

           It came like a storm in his brain that it’s too painful for him. It’s different from a headache and it feels the same as intense sorrow— most likely a frozen panic with nowhere to find you. His mind was engulfed with negative thoughts about you getting hurt.

           He felt his chest burning hot, and not metaphorically. The fiery soreness in his skin bit him like a harsh storm. It intensified even more and he could faintly smell bitterness in the breeze. His eyes widened in panic and realization you were in danger. Fear and horror filled his senses— your senses. The dread coming from you alarmed him, instincts kicking in to tell him to find you.

           Now’s not the time to just stay still and panic. He needs to search for you. Now.

—

           “Who dares trespass in this land to which I awaken?”

            The gruff voice made your whole body stiff that it growled and leaned forward close to you. You were immobilized to the spot, the intimidating ambiance holding you in a crushing grasp. You took two small steps backward to put distance between the two of you.

            You wanted to run for safety, but your feet wouldn’t allow you to do so. The wolf’s eyes sharpened even more and bared his teeth once he took in the familiar scent you have. He very much knows this scent. 

            Indeed it was very familiar to him and he hates it. He despises it so much that he knows it very well. It was the smell of the former Anemo Archon of Mondstadt. The God of Storms.

           “You dare trespass the land of wolves, mortal?” His voice sounded more commanding than a question. Pulse beating in your ears that blocked out all the other sounds. You can only focus on the intense glare of the silver wolf.

           Sweat poured down the sides of your face as you stayed still possible. Your lips trembled and you didn’t dare to let out a single word. You gulped down your fear and took another step backward.

           “Discerning to the scent you have,” Boreas circled around you. You can closely observe the white fur all over his body. The stance is intimidating and enormous, you fear being crushed by that claws he has instead of Dvalin’s.

           “What is your relation with that foolish tyrant?” 

            Tyrant…?

            “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

           He scoffed at your words, a look of great bitterness swept across his face. “Deceit will not work. State your business and pray tell why are you here, Decarabian.” The freezing air seemed to slither up and down your body. Your feet getting numb due to the intense coldness of the ground.

           He seems to know who your father is, however you do not have the slightest clue to who he is. The air was biting cold, every breath showed as a white plume of white steam. You pulled your arms closer to you to fight back the fierce frostbite.

           “Who are you? How… how do you know about father?” Your voice shudders as you struggle to release the words. You can scarcely hear yourself breathe. You shivered from the wind that entwines your body and you know it irked him— he was displeased with the fact you don’t know what he’s talking about.

           “Are you naive or simply ignorant?

           “…”

           No words left from your lips. You could only stare at his cold glare, cowering back in fear. “If you are indeed his kin, he must’ve told you nonsense lies didn’t he?” Just what in the world is he talking about? You furrowed your brows at his cryptic messages, slightly bothered by it as each second passed by. Is he one of the rebels against your father?

           “He’s— he’s already gone… Do you have a grudge against him?”

           Boreas raised his lips and growled at you. A loud, piercing sound came from his muzzle, echoing throughout the forest.

           “Do you not have the slightest idea of what he did? And you, you are one of his kind. Is it not better to annihilate you this instant to put an end to his perilous acts? One must know how treacherous he was.”

           Annihilate? Is he going to kill you? The sudden shock made your muscles tensed, the color quickly draining from your face at the thought of being slaughtered by this wolf. You whimpered and your legs collapsed underneath you.

           You wanted to scream but you can’t find in yourself to have the courage to do so. Your hands were shaking, so uncontrollable that it trembled in an odd rhythm. A feeling of dread crept up to the pit of your stomach. You don’t want to be dead. You don’t want to be killed. You still wanted to live.

           Your chin quivered. You feel your eyes brimming with tears. Flood of tears gushing down your cheeks in fear and horror when he raised his paws ready to attack you. The beast had long known that the key to a lasting victory was not to hit the enemy where they are weak but to make their strength to destroy them.

           You shut your eyes tight waiting for the impact to come. You didn’t want to die yet, you made a promise with Venti you’ll stay with him. What if he discovers you’re gone? You can only pray to the archons and the Celestia begging to let them spare you. It’s such a pitiful wish, after all, you can do nothing about it but plead.

           For a moment you felt a strong surge of wind greeting your skin, feeling blessed to have felt it. The careless currents flow through the woodland canopy, unaware of how its song soothes those who can hear but has the faintest of mania in it.

           You have always thought of the wind as so free, chaotic even, yet it too has its own path, even if there are infinite possible destinations. A drive of despair and fury that powers onwards.

           You opened your eyes and saw a familiar silhouette in front of you. Green cape fluttered along with the air with an arm extending outwards to you in a protective manner. You took a long, long look at the figure before blinking.

           “Venti…?”

           “What in the world are you going to do with her, Boreas?”

           The bard’s voice was implacable, so vindictive, it sent shivers down to your spine. He became a different person. His eyes had narrowed towards the wolf, flaring with fierce animosity. His eyes held a different mode in his brain, that he had switched gears from empathy to cold emotional difference.

           Never once has he directed this anger to anyone, yet it emerges when he senses a threat, and so this is part of a full-on protective state. His softer self has taken a backseat and the hero has the wheel.

           You watched in silence among their glaring disputes until the boy carefully approached you. He placed a hand on your cheek, caressing the softness of your skin as he brushed the dried tears away. You flinched when you notice how dark his eyes are.

           Terror washed over you, the fine hairs on the back of your neck rising on how cold his hands are. You were supposing his gentle hold will bring comfort to you, not fear. It’s like he became a different person. It wasn’t the usual amiable and affectionate Venti you know very well. You can sense how ruthless his aura is— you don’t know why and you’re scared to know behind it.

            “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” 

           His voice cut you out from your train of thoughts. Your brows knitted together as your lips shuddered— is it from coldness? Or was it in fright? No sound came from your throat, you could only give him a slow shake of your head as an answer. 

           You hadn’t noticed the goosebumps creeping up on your arms until now. Your body jolted in surprise when you feel yourself being carried. You grabbed on his shoulders and looked at him in utter bewilderment. His face was still distant and emotionless. His hand reached for the back of your head and pushed you down until your face was obscured on his shoulder.

           “You should be protecting citizens of Mondstadt. Not harm them.” Venti began, holding you tightly against him. Boreas’ face scrunched up at his words whilst he gave the bard a dirty look.

           “And you’re simply letting her off to wander the city? How utterly shameless of an Archon you are.” Though the beast’s voice was threatening and harsh, Venti never faltered. He stood still and just glared back.

           His hand tightened into fists and looked away from him. He shouldn’t waste his energy on the wolf-leader. His current focus is on you and needs to check if you’re hurt somewhere. 

           He never felt so much rage as when pushed into passivity against his will. It was like the vexing of the soul for what he felt was not human, it was twisted and distorted but it was something strong. He held himself back and walked away without sparing Boreas another glance.

           Your hold on him went firm. He can see how scared you are meeting the Dominator of the Wolves. You could’ve gotten badly hurt if not for his powers to put an immediate stop on Boreas attack. If he hadn’t arrived there in time, you would’ve been slaughtered in front of his eyes.

           Such thought brought a boiling fury that swelled inside of him. It burned so bad like fire lacing his veins and creeping up to his spine, his skin was a sore looking red but all he could feel was desire; a desire to hate. 

           He was intoxicated with emotion he had no intention of ever feeling, the acidity residing in his stomach waiting to be spat out of his mouth is foul and vulgar words he would be stared at for saying, except he wasn’t going to say them. He didn’t want to scare you any further at his sudden change in behavior. He wanted to make you feel safe around him— clinging to him as you can only rely on him and no else.

           He had searched for you for time out of mind. He had searched in ways that stretched the fabric of reality and challenged the edges of the possible. Now that he has found you, believe him, he can and will keep you safe. 

[kiyoominous]

akaashi was never one to tape his fingers to play volleyball, the thought never really crossed his mind. once upon a time, he did try it out but the sensation of cotton wrapped around his fingers felt unusual. perhaps it aided his performance but it didn’t help his itch to fidget with his digits. the tape fell out ten minutes into his game.

never is a strong word, so definitively negative. akaashi has never been in a plane. akaashi has never eaten vietnamese food. akaashi has never been in love. but ‘never’ doesn’t last long and it’s longevity is so pronounced in a childish game of ‘never have i ever’. akaashi knows this because one year, bokuto pronounced that he had never used a bike but the next year, after arduous hours of cycling lessons, he put a finger down.

the word never can be temporary, a simple exception turning an “i haven’t” to an “i have”.

akaashi has to make an exception to his no-finger-taping rule today. in a practice match at yet another training camp, the ball’s trajectory hit his greatest asset a little strangely and left him with aching fingers. ouch.

“i’m going to tape your fingers so that they hurt a little less, is that okay?”

the coach sent him to you, a volunteering first aid member at the camp to take care of his injury. akaashi is never easily enamoured by people but for whatever strange reason, his heart races at the sight of you. sparkling eyes, shiny hair, a beautiful smile. how could he not feel so magnetically connected?

so even though he’s said he’s never taped his fingers since he tried it, he lets you twirl the white cotton around each one just to see your face up close.

with hands awkwardly outstretched, he lets his eyes trail your digits winding the tape around his own. you look so alluring, he thinks, with your brows furrowed to focus. he forgets that he’s staring and only snaps out of his stupor when you catch him in the act, giving him a gentle upturn of your lips. perhaps in other circumstances he’d feel ashamed but akaashi’s rational emotions are overrun by the utter joy he feels seeing your smile.

he’s never been happier about embarrassing himself.

you continue your care taking, white fabric travelling around and around and around his fingers. the tape has always felt a little abrasive to him, a little out of place on his skin. however, your smooth movements of tape on his pointers in conjunction with the angelic glow that’s ever present on your face pushes the thought from his head. the white cotton doesn’t matter anymore, only you do.

a few tucks and you’ve finished your masterpiece. akaashi dislikes that he wants to hurt himself again just to soak in your delightful features once more.

“that should be good for now, just be careful when you’re on the court!” you beam at him cheerfully. akaashi thinks that he’d like to see that grin more often.

“thank you.” is his lame reply.

“of course!” you chirp back at him. there’s a quiet pause in between your words, almost as though the silence is speaking for the two of you. you open your mouth to continue in amongst the silence. “by the way, you play really well! i don’t know much about volleyball but from what i can see, you’re a really wonderful player.”

akaashi could physically feel his soul leaving his body.

not only were you so outwardly beautiful, your mind was just as charming! perhaps if your mind was reflected as a tangible being, it would look just like you do right now.

“thank you again. what’s your name?” he questions in an almost jaunty fashion. he curses his blank slate of a mind for his unusual behaviour. you give him your name and he thinks that you make it sound so good spilling from your lips.

“and you’re... akaashi, right?” he nods to your inquisition. his name sounds even better rolling off your tongue.

“alright akaashi, i’ll see you around.” you wave him off with a pearly white grin and he nods once more. with a small smile, he jogs back to the rest of the team to slide back into the match. it was almost like he’d never left.

never is a strong word. sometimes, one does not wish to break their vow of never accomplishing something. akaashi does it more than he likes to admit. sure, the doors of possibilities in his mind are open but there are a few that have remained shut. like taping his fingers. or falling in love. or letting himself form a crush on a stranger. let it be known that he only has a say in one of those doors staying sealed.

sometimes those doors are to remain closed off. sometimes they aren’t. you let akaashi know through your sweet smile that it’s okay to open more of them and let himself be more vulnerable.

some day he’ll tell you that. but lingering stares will suffice for now.