#m so dumb for not having thought of it earlier of COURSE a celebrity who has a knack for public speeches would b paid n used for this stuff

[saltedcoffeee]

omg someone pointed out david's talent could b used for propaganda n my third and fourth eyes opened simultaneously

[tteokdoroki]

all the love in the world | k.bakugou.

⇝ pairing: katsuki bakugou x fem!reader.

⇝ word count: 5.1K

⇝ rating: 18+, mature.

⇝ genre: pro hero!au, engaged!au, fluff and smut.

⇝ summary: as hard to believe as it may seem, bakugou lives for time off, where the days begin with him waking up by your side and  end with him falling asleep right next to you, while he thinks of all the ways he can love you during the hours in between.

⇝ warning(s): please read ! fluffy domestic bakugou ( i think this needed a warning okay? ), smut ( characters aged up to 20s ), soft morning sex, fingering ( female recieving ), dry humping, light!praise, heavy!breeding kink, switch!reader, dom!bakugou.

⇝ author’s note(s): hellooo my loves ! as a celebration of me reaching 100+ followers, i bring you my very first written imagine !! i love the idea of domestic baku so i hope you enoy reading as i did writing !! special thanks to @ozzy-bozzy​ for the teddy bear bracelets idea hehe

⇝ masterlist | requests

katsuki bakugou considered himself to be a very lucky person.

when he was younger he’d been blessed by a powerful quirk which only lead him to exceed his classmates back in U.A. he’d graduated said school’s hero course top of his class, even if he’d failed his provisionals the first time round— nothing could stop him from becoming the best.

so when the hot headed blonde bagged the role of side kick at a top hero agency and then launched himself to the highest points in the hero charts as a pro later on, katsuki felt like all of his dreams had come true.

that was until, he’d proposed to you.

you were katsuki’s final dream, for him to wait for you at the end of the aisle— your watery smile just for him. 

that’s the vision he saw in his sleep. when you had said yes to him, the night you got engaged under the stars and amongst the roses, it was then that the explosive hero had realised how lucky he truly was.

he had loved you for a long time, katsuki had— he almost couldn’t remember the time when he hadn’t. in the time that you’d spent together; soft gazes and lingering touches, you’d taught him a lot and he’d learned through your tolerance and generosity, something that had rubbed off on him, something he’d so desperately needed to cool down his hot demeanour.

he was grateful for a lot of things, all of the things you’d taught him— but mostly the entirety of you. while you’d always said that neither of you completed each other and only made one another better, bakugou knew that his life would be complete with you in it forever.

 he knew  from the moment you’d pinned him down underneath you during training back in high school— that he was going to make you his wife someday.

“jesus katsu, why’re you up s’early? it’s supposed to be our day off,” you mumble into your silk sheets; his scent sewn into your pillows. katsuki likes the orange silk that lines your bed; mostly because of the colour and partly because other fabrics irritate his skin. with sleepy eyes, you blink up at the blonde and catch him staring mid act. like always, bakugou looks away with a heated blush and paws it away from his cheeks. “whatcha lookin’ at dummy?”

one of kastuki’s favourite things is the way you look when you first wake up, groggily rubbing the sleep away from your eyes with a pout on your lips as the sun hits your face just right— creating a halo effect around you, like you’re his guardian angel…but he wouldn’t ever admit that to you, at least not until his wedding vows. “it’s the only time i get to look at you without hearin’ the dumb shit that comes out your mouth, woman.” katsuki grumbles back, finally meeting your eyes again.  

he can clearly see the love glittering your irises and the faint smile that plays teasingly on your lips as if you know that he’s joking. unwillingly; bakugou feels himself mirror the grin that you bare and a happy warmth then spreads across his chest.

“we still have the whole day ahead for you to ogle me like that katsuki bakugou,” you hum sweetly, the tail end of your words falling into a light giggle. the ash blonde feels his heart flutter just from the sound; a candied melody to his ears that he could never get tired of hearing. 

reaching over your shoulder, katsuki uses his warm hands to roll you over onto his awaiting lap. 

your arms instinctively wrap around his neck as the sheets fall from your body to reveal yourself in one of his shirts with an old merch design and your fingers weave their way into his pretty blonde hair. 

now that you’re in his lap; the pro hero can see the smirk making its way into your face as you look down at him lovingly. “seems like you were doing more than just looking baby…”

your hips grind down against your lover’s now prominent erection that sits hidden in his dark sweats— earning a slight gasp from the man himself. “s-shut up, dumbass…” bakugou growls through gritted teeth while you move above him. 

his words stay lodged in his throat, he wants to tell you that you’re always on his mind no matter what he’s doing or looking at but instead they die down as he drops his head to your neck, leaving sweet kisses along the column of it.

early morning love making with you was what katsuki bakugou considered one of his many blessings. he loves being this close to you— feeling every dip in your skin and kissing every mark on your body, his lips work their way up from your jawline to your chin and finally attempting to land a solid kiss to your own lips.

“nuh, katsu—“ your breathless whine fills the air, sending shivers down the spine of the man below you. he moves up to kiss you again, gripping your hips tightly while your movements begin to sync. “no, morning…morning breath…”

bakugou huffs, hand finding the back of your head to tilt it down into a soft liplock— contrasting with the harshness of his earlier movements. “fuck morning breath, i haven’t made love to you properly in a fucking week so let me kiss you. fuck.” usually, katsuki would have added his salty pet name of ‘shitty woman’ to the tail end of his phrases but he bites his tongue, saving it for later.

you give into your fiancé then, falling in love with the way his lips meld against yours so passionately all over again. fingers that belong to bakugou dance underneath your shirt, finding you bare within the fabric. one hand slips between your plush thighs, smoothly rubbing circles into your swelling clit ever so gently.

your breath hitches as katsuki traps you under his touch, playing with your folds as they begin to grow slick and form a wet patch on his deep grey sweats, making him groan. 

the explosive pro pushes two of his digits past your entrance, curling them and watching with sparkling scarlet eyes as your mouth hangs open in of the prettiest moans katsuki’s ever heard— his mouth falls open with you while your head tilts back, exposing your sweat glimmering skin to the sun’s rays. “feel good baby? yeah, you like that?” he mumbles condescendingly, slowly pumping them inside of you. “yeah you do,  yeah you fuckin’ do.”

“yeah, katsu...more…” a  breathless moan escapes you with every thrust of bakugou’s hot fingers, the cheeky bastard setting off small scale explosions to stimulate you from within. he’s hot, the heat from his body filling the space between you and spreading right down to your glistening mound— causing slick to gush from your tiny abused hole. 

you can feel his cock pulse beneath you with every twist of his fingers to reach that spongy pleasure spot deep within your leaking hot walls.

katsuki’s thick fingers stretch open your tiny hole, making your mouth water at the thought of his weighty cock being the next thing press into you but your raging thoughts are swiftly interrupted by your fiancé— who pulls from you completely and sucks the two fingers into his mouth to lick them clean of your sweet nectar.

katsuki keeps his vermillion eyes locked on you, the lewd action making saliva pool on your tongue. his own pink muscle darts out to wet his lips, no doubt spreading the taste of you across them before making a move to kiss you. 

the pro is quickly stopped, your hands that once roamed his bare back and messed hair, now pinning his own above his head.

bakugou is a strong man, he wouldn’t have been a top hero if he wasn’t— he trained constantly and sparred often with his fellow heroes but he doesn’t resist when you grip his wrists in your free hand, releasing his hard cock from it’s restraints before it slaps against his well toned stomach.

milky precum leaks against his warm skin, while you prepare yourself to mount him. the pair of you let out a groan in unison as you sink down on the hero’s thick length— as if the tensions and stresses of the week have melted away just him being sheathed inside of you.

“mnnn, so fuckin’ tight baby, gonna need to fuck you open again…”

bakugou’s voice is low and gravelly from the early morning, just how you like as his hips roll up into yours— further pushing his fat cock into you. his tip barely grazes your cervix  as you set the pace, lifting yourself up and down to bounce on your lover’s length. 

the way you feel inside, your soft velvety walls and gushing pussy make him buck up into you with more fever, as his own symphony of moans and weightless gasps dance through your ears. “yeah? take this pussy katsuki…m-make it yours,” you sigh, grip on his wrists loosening to the point where you set him free.  the blonde’s hands immediately move to grip your ass tightly— smirking at you lazily while the pads of his fingers sink into your flesh.

you look beautiful to him, bouncing on his cock and dripping all over his pelvis under the early morning sun, the way the gold lights up your hazy lust filled eyes.  

the fire of desire burns brightly in the depths of katsuki’s stomach, love finds its way into each of his thrusts from then on— mind clouding with the desire to fill you up so good with his love as the leaking  head of his thick girth drags against your walls, prodding at the spot that has you seeing stars. “that’s right yn baby…fuck that cock, fuck yeah baby,” he whispers brokenly to you, chest rising and falling desperately while sweat beads on his hairline. “love you, love you s’much...”

bakugou watches your gaze on him soften at his confession, the words he doesn’t say often but shows you everyday still hanging in the thick, warm air.  “i love you katsu, p-please,” your erratic thrusts slow to somewhat of a passionate grind, two lovers pressed hotly against one another as the sounds of your moans twist with that of skin on skin.

knot in your stomach tightening, katsuki can feel your release creeping on you from the way you clench around him at every plunge deep inside your sweet hole. strong arms wrap around you, katsuki noticing how you shake from pleasure above him while he brings you down onto loving thrusts as if to draw you closer. 

“gonna cum!”

your fiancé nods into your neck, rubbing smooth circles over your back as he pulls out of your heat completely and earns a needy whine from you. your hole spasms around nothing, right on the edge of release before bakugou forces his girth back into your accepting pushing. “cum for me angel, right on this cock,” he pants, holding you close while he rocks into you. “i've got you baby, let it all out…”

“mph, baku-! oh !”

hips stilling above his, you scratch and claw at any part of bakugou’s skin that you can— shaking as your release splashes against him, sending your eyes rolling to the back of your head and white spots dancing across your vision. the tightness of your heat drives the pro right over the edge, hot ropes of thick cum painting your insides white as his release reaches your womb.

the pair of you lay still, catching your breath as you collapse forward on your lover’s chest. while your breathing slows, katsuki rubs warming circles into your back to help calm you down— only smiling softly when you look up at him with clear, affectionate eyes. “did so good for me yn, fuckin’ love it when you take my cock like that first thing in the morning,” his words are soft on his usually sharp tongue, bakugou smoothing a thumb over your cheek while using a forefinger to tilt your head up into a sweet kiss

“always and only for you, my love,” you hum, eyes fluttering shut at the simple gesture even after you pull away. “and if you keep cummin’ in me like that katsuki ‘m gonna end up pregnant one of these days…”

bakugou smirks, pressing smaller kisses all over your face to make you giggle. you smile and greedily accept each one, loving the these tender moments between yourself and your fiancé.  “maybe that’s the fucking point, dumbass,”  he quips, biting on your cheek after landing a kiss there. “trying to put a shitty little brat in you.”

despite the small bite to his words, a blush still manages to creep its way onto katsuki’s face as you lay your head down on his chest with a smack to his waist. the ash blonde means every word and you know it too, he can tell by the knowing smile and slight gleam in your eye.

you fall back asleep not long after bakugou cleans you up.

he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy counting every mark and bite he’d left on you as he tenderly wiped between your thighs and massaged over your skin. 

but he loved how cute you looked when curled up on his chest more, your hand clings to bakugou’s shoulder as if to check he’s still there even in your sleep— giving the hero ample opportunity to play with the ‘teddy bear’ bracelet thats cuffed to your wrist. you’d made it for one of your anniversaries; matching the ‘grizzly bear’ one on his own.

prying himself from your arms is no easy task for katsuki, your grip on him like an adorable iron vice or a child with a teddy bear. after setting himself free, the ash blonde with the crimson eyes heads down to the kitchen to make breakfast for the two of you— it was some what of a routine on your days off together, you always got the munchies after sex and bakugou knew just how to soothe your roaring appetite.

as he worked with the eggs and other breakfast ingredients, katsuki thought back to how much you praised him for his skills in the kitchen— he knew how much you loved his cooking and he would do anything to see you smile.

“god katsuki, i might have to start taking more days off it means i get to see my grizzly bear in the kitchen like this,” you hum from place leaning against the door frame. 

your fiancé turns round to face you with a light smirk, glimmering eyes inviting you further into the room. the explosive pro holds the sizzling pan he’d taken off the stove high above your head as you cuddle into his side, breathing in his warm caramel scent.

katsuki clicks his tongue, staring down at you fondly. “tell that to the fucking villains who fuck up the city every other day, maybe then we’d have more time to relax.” he counters, pulling a sweet chuckle from your sweet lips.

“if we start handing out your cooking, they’ll probably start turning themselves in!” you tease your lover back, swiping a bit of the pancakes from the pan above your head. katsuki grumbles and pats your ass indulgently— the supple skin peaking out from under the shirt that’s found it’s way back over your form. it’s a silent scold for eating before he’s fixed you a plate of all your favourites.

as usual bakugou pulls out your chair at the table, pressing his lips to your hairline before putting your steaming plate in front of you. your mouth waters while katsuki takes his seat opposite you with rolling eyes as he watches you tuck in to your breakfast. 

the entirety of your meal is filled with lingering gazes and hums of delight while you eat, almost as if you’re back on your first date ( bakugou spent half of the time watching you eat rather than doing so himself, but he just wanted to see if you liked the place ). 

leaning over the table to wipe syrup from your chin, the blonde smirks— quiet words falling calmly from his lips. “what do you want to do today, sweetheart?”

the birds chirps lovingly outside of your window, dancing under the sunshine— they remind you of your early mentor and often patrol partner hawks, who you needed to remember to invite to dinner soon. 

the weather is nice today and that gives you an idea. “let’s go out,” your eyes sparkle with a million dreams, each one bakugou wants to live out with you. “to the park with the roses, the pink ones where you—“

“where i proposed, got it,” katsuki smiles, the fond memory catching the tail end of his words. “i hear they introduced some new blooms too.”

you mirror his expression; stabbing your fork through a strawberry in the bowl of fresh fruit your lover had prepared for you. you hold the fork out to his lips and watch amusedly as he chomps the fruit from its place. “care to escort me, lover bear?”

“who else is going to? dumbass.”

“miss nightsky ! will ya sign my bag!”

“that’s a nice bag sweet one, you sure i can sign it?”

katsuki loves the way you are with kids, even though you’re a massive child yourself.

the pair of you decided to walk to the park; since the nice weather held up and it wasn’t too far from your private neighbourhood— even though it took a little longer to get there than expected. 

not that either of you minded, but many curious fans stopped to talk and ask for pictures; some even asked for autographs which you happily gave them. while the mighty ground zero was slightly grumbly about it, he adored how kind and patient you were with everyone you met no matter how old they were.

his vermillion eyes, though brownish looking under golden light, sparkle as you ruffle the little kid’s hair and wave politely to their awaiting parents. bakugou wants to have kids with you one day. 

it was something he hadn’t really thought about until recently, he knew it would be difficult, with both of you reaching the heights of your careers and the pair of you were still very private about your relationship as well, with word of your recent engagement already slipping into the tabloids.

there was no doubt that they’d speculate about your marriage too, no matter how private you kept it. keeping a child secret would be even harder. 

and yet; the thought of you holding a baby…his baby would, on some nights lull him to sleep.

you squeal like a little girl when the ash blonde stops to buy you an ice cream from a van by the entrance of the park; he can’t stand how much you love mint chocolate chip but buys you a towering double scoop anyways.  “how do you even eat that toothpastey shit?” bakugou grumbles, finishing off his orange popsicle as you walk into the flower garden.

“says the one who likes orange, you have no taste katsuki bakugou.” you chide but take his freehand nonetheless. the explosive pro’s thumb brushes over the back of your hand while you make your way through and he can’t help but pluck one of the pretty blooms from the bushes to tuck behind your ear.

you scold him for taking the flowers but your smile betrays you as katsuki dips you for a honeyed kiss on the lips. 

he’s never one for PDA but this was your spot, here just last year bakugou had sunk to his knees in front of you with an expensive diamond ring you were eyeing months before ( you would never say anything but katsuki always picked up on these things ). 

he would also never admit it, but his hand shook with every word that passed his lips and you were sure he had been crying harder than you were while he slipped a ring on your finger.

your secret kisses and tangled limbs hiding deep in the rose bushes are soon completely soaked by an onslaught of unexpected rain.

you shriek at the rain while katsuki grabs your hand, free arms thrown over your heads as you make a dash from the flower garden and head for the main streets in order to catch a bus.

the pair of you giggle as you stumble onto the vehicle, ringing out your drenched clothes and wiping at your wet faces as it heads home. bakugou pulls you into his arms, head resting atop yours to draw you closer— the heat from his quirk allows him to keep you warm and you get a load full of his sugary scent as well ( not that you mind ).

you stay like that on through the rustling traffic, cuddling like a cat to your heated fiancé but a tug on the bottom of bakugou’s wet shirt captures your attention. the pair of you look down to catch the innocent eyes belonging to a darling little girl. “u-uh h-hi mister gwound zewo!” the little one stumbles through her words and in the corner of your eyes you can spot the girl’s mother and give her a reassuring grin.

bakugou’s gaze softens at the curly haired girl and releases you to crouch down to her level despite the shaking bus.  his hand still holds onto yours though. 

he ruffles her hair with his free hand, making your heart warm— there was a side of katsuki the public never really got to see, where the hotheaded pro could be tender and quiet and often quite reserved. 

the media got a kick out of playing on the ash blonde’s explosive nature but moments like this let the real bakugou shine through.

“hey there kiddo, whatcha’ got there?” katsuki mumbles delicatley, noticing the girl hiding something behind her back.

“tisswue! for my favouwite hewo!” the little one says, gingerly holding it out to the blonde’s wet face for him to use. bakugou taps his cheek and cleans closer to let the little girl wipe his face with a tiny chubby hand. they chatter for the rest of the ride home— the girl bashfully twirling her hair around her fingers as katsuki compliments her quirk.

leaning your head on katsuki’s soused shoulder while you walk home, you look up at him with an adoring expression, wondering what he’d be like with a little girl of your own. “that was quiet adorable mister ground zero, you stole my hear away!” you tease, kissing your linked hands.

“yeah? well don’t get used to it shitty woman.” he says through gritted teeth and marches you both through the rain to get you home but the blush on his face tells you otherwise. if you ever had a daughter, you could only imagine what he’d be like with her.

katsuki heads straight for the shower when you get in, leaving you to pick a movie and order takeout as you’d discussed on the way home.

it was a regular routine for you both on nights off; you always picked the movie because if you left it up to your fiancé you’d end up watching some boring documentary on all might or cooking ( he was a closeted nerd at heart ). 

you settle on a cheesy romcom that you’ve seen about a hundred times because for one;  it’s your favourite and two, you’ll never get tired of seeing bakugou cry towards the end of the movie.

“take out should be here in twenty!” you call to your lover, when he passes by you to enter your living room.

“got it, now go wash up before you catch a cold, stupid—“ the ends of katsuki’s words are cut off by your stream of giggles, bouncing off your cream coloured walls. your ash blonde fiancé has half a mind to curse you out for slapping his ass through his fresh set of sweat pants but rolls his eyes nonetheless. 

he finishes pulling his tank top over his head while heading deeper into the room, not wanting to answer the door without one ( as much as your regular delivery driver would like that ).

while in the shower, you manage to scrub away stains of the rain and soreness from the day— washing over sweet love marks from katsuki with pride. a temporary reminder of his eternal love for you and you only. 

there’s already a change of clothes waiting for you when you step out of the shower; one of his old shirts and a set of boxers that you slip into comfortably. your nostrils are filled with nothing but the alluring scent of burning sugar, the traces left by bakugou himself.

he’s already munching on a box of tempura by the time you’ve headed back downstairs, crimson eyes light up when they land on you and you make a dive for the couch— rolling into katsuki’s side. “did you tip the delivery driver?” you ask, watching as your fiancé dips a piece of the food into some sauce before he holds it up to your lips.

“damn right i did, i didn’t wanna though…they kept staring at my arms,” bakugou revels in the way you laugh around the piece of food he pushes into your mouth. you chew with a grateful smile, the look of amusement never leaving your pretty face. “whatcha laughin’ at dumbass?”

“i think you forget how much the public loves your arms, ground zero.”

as soon as you press play on the movie, time seems to fly away from you both— the air is filled with streams of laughter and moments where you swipe from one another’s plates, picking on one another fondly. somehow by the time the film reaches it’s climax the food has been devoured and you’ve ended up huddling into bakugou’s chest. 

fingers laced with yours, bakugou twirls the diamond engagement ring you have on, around your finger, smiling at the precious reminder that you’re to be his forever and always.  “where do you think we’ll be in the future?” you question quietly, nuzzling into your fiancé’s side.

“married, of course.” crimson eyes find yours in the dimly lit room, almost rolling annoyance as if your question is the dumbest thing in the world. in response, you lean up and squish the explosive pro’s cheeks together and beam up at him while he scowls at you.

“stupid, you know that’s not what i meant,” the words despite harsh, leave your lips dreamily and a contented expression crosses your face. “i see us with kids, in a house much bigger than this one and a backyard that stretches for miles and miles—“ your words die warmly in your throat, figuring that you’ve gotten slightly carried away with the fanticies you’ve made for yourself and katsuki. 

in your mind, you can’t help but conjour up a litter of tiny bakugou’s running around a plush green garden— maybe a little dog too and your heart swells in your chest at the idea.

the hot head squeezes your hand, resurfacing you from your sea of thoughts. “you want kids? with me?” his voice is barely above a whisper, all of his vulnerabilities splayed out in the tone as he looks at you warmly.

“a whole family with you, as many as you want.”

suddenly, bakugou has you flipped onto your back and pinned underneath his muscular frame. 

his warm breath fans across your face making your eyes fall heavy with adoration. “four.” the blonde grunts, swooping down to brush his lips gently across yours, not quite kissing you much to your dismay. “i want four of those snotty little gremlins with you, maybe have the fifth by accident and then we’ll get a big fucking house for them to destroy—“

“f-five kids katsu?” you gasp out your words at katsuki starts to press increasingly harsh kisses to your jawline, settling on your neck while he licks over bites he’d left earlier today. 

bakugou murmurs something about ‘you said as many as i want’ before he’s growling at your hands that find their way into his blonde locks, tugging on them tightly as pleasure overwhelms your senses. 

he hums against your sweet skin, finding his place between your legs at the same time as his thoughts take him away from you. he’d love to see you pregnant, so full of his love and his children.

the movie is long forgotten by now as lust settles in every corner of the room. hands push beneath your shirt, groping and massaging your breasts to pull all sorts of sounds from you. 

bakugou forces a knee between your thighs, finally capturing your lips in a hungry and heated kiss— his tongue slips in your mouth after he pinches your thigh, fighting yours in a passionate dance for dominance. “gonna fuck a shitty little brat into you, yn,” katsuki almost whines as he pulls away from your inviting lips to press your foreheads together. you look gorgeous beneath him, flustered with swollen lips from each of your rough kisses and there’s no doubt in his mind you’re thinking the same about him. “gonna fill you up so good, gonna make pretty babies with you, hah?”

“ka-katsuki!” you can’t help but mewl at his breathless sinful words while you fist at his tank top. everything is hot, burning hot and you grind up into him with a newfound desperation, the friction against his hardening length sending your eyes rolling with ecstasy.. “we’re not even— mmm god, right there— we’re not even married yet!”

“gonna be at some point, why waste time fucking trying? not when i can cum in you and give you one right fucking now—“  bakugou moans heavily into your ear, diving back into a sloppy kiss as he fumbles around with the string of his sweatpants. 

you’re whimpering out for him, pulling the blonde into a lustful trance while you make a move to kick off your underwear when the sound of shattering glass pierces through the bubble of horniness you’ve both created. “shit.”

you both freeze and your matching gazes drop to the floor; a rapidly growing stain of red wine spilling onto the carpet under the coffee table your take out was on. 

the fluffy white rug had been a housewarming gift that katsuki begrudgingly accepted from your old school friend and fellow pro, izuku midoriya— so the sight of the now ruined rug makes you both burst out into harmonious laughter. you’re sure the number one wouldn’t mind. it’d make a great wedding story too.

you focus your eyes back on katsuki, cupping his face as that same love filled smile from earlier returns to your face. ”let’s start trying tomorrow, then?”

“tomorrow it is.” bakugou grins back, dotting your hairline with sweet pecks before cuddling into you.

baby making can wait for now, he supposes, for with another day off— he has all the time and all the love in the world to give to you.

[spicyhokage]

Bill denbrough x reader // choking kink

Note: this is my first smut 😅 and it literally took me like two months to write. plus I forgot half of the story and I’m too lazy to read it over, so if it’s not matching up then 🤷🏻‍♀️ anyways enjoy.

Warnings: Smut, Choking kink, Big dick bill energy, Teasing, and Dick riding.

Word count: 2111 (I think it’s somewhere around that so 🤷🏻‍♀️)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bill’s parents left on a two-week vacation to celebrate their 21st anniversary of being together. Leaving bill alone by himself and in charge of the house. They knew bill is a good boy he’s never did anything bad. he’s a loyal kid and listens. they don’t have to give him rules like ‘don’t have a party' or whatever because they trust him. So that’s why they left the boy. He’s 17 They know he’s not dumb enough to trash their home and he’s old enough to be on his own for just two weeks.

And bill is taking his alone time to his vantage. He finally relaxed and gotten the most sleep he had in weeks. He enjoyed

His time by himself. nothing, but him and his thoughts.

Before bill’s parents left they worked him to death by making him clean the whole entire house from top to bottom while they packed. by the time bill was done the house practically looked like Disney on ice. not only did that ware billy boy out, but he also had shit loads of homework to do. Making Bill the most miserable he has ever felt that day.

Y/n bill’s girlfriend of two years and best friend of four. had known all of this since bill called her last night at 4 am crying about how stressed he felt from school and wore out from cleaning. he literally can’t wait for his parents to leave. which they did just a few hours ago.

Bill and y/n have never spent as much time together now these days. all they do is pass each other in the school halls seeing as they have totally different schedules and are always busy while the other is not. The most they been doing for the past three months now is late-night phone calls and even that is once in a while since they always fall asleep due to the lack of energy from their day.

That’s why y/n seen this as the perfect opportunity to come over and surprise bill. They can have a movie night and cuddle. And boy does y/n miss bill’s cuddles. She was practically squealing to herself while walking to his house.

As soon as she got there she checked the door to see if it was open before knocking. And of course it was open.

'That’s a stupid move but you’re lucky I love you denbrough' y/n thought as she walked in the house closing the door and locking it quietly as possible. not wanting to disturb her boyfriend if he was asleep. Which he wasn’t he was actually laying down on the couch listening to music with his walkman.

Sneaking on the boy she jumps on top of him. Causing his eyes to shoot open in fear, but he quickly becomes relieved that it’s just his girlfriend. he wraps his arms around her closing his eyes once more. It takes a minute before it clicks to him that ITS HIS GIRLFRIEND WHO HE HASNT SEEN IN MONTHS. And then his eyes shoot back up and he takes his earphones out pulling her closer to him and kissing her all over her face causing her to giggle. "I missed you too." She says between laughs. "What you doing here?" He pulls himself up a bit so now he’s sitting with her in his lap. "I wanted to see you since we haven’t really had time for ourselves, also I really missed your cuddles." Y/n says wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. "I missed your kisses," Bill mumbles against her lips. "Hm" she hums in response.

What started out as soft kisses soon turned into a make-out session yet to bill and y/n it was no surprise. Bill was now hovering over her while making out instead of her being in his lap like before. As bill goes to cup her cheek his hand goes around her neck and squeezes a bit on accident. Taking y/n by shock and causing her to moan into his mouth. Knowing what he did bill quickly pulls away. "I- I’m sorry y/n I didn’t m- m- mean it. I was-" bill’s apologize gets cut off by y/n’s lips back on his. Pulling away. she whispers in his ear "do it again." Bill looks at her with wide eyes. a bit confused then looks back down to his hand that was wrapped around her throat earlier as if he’s debating if he should do it again. He looks back at her only now realizing the lust that fills her eyes that’s staring back up at him and his confusion clears as it’s very obvious now. he smirks and wraps his hands around her throat again. "You like this don’t you?" He questions. All she does is nod while biting back on her lip as she watches Bill’s next move. "I never knew you were into choking" Bill says, squeezing her neck causing a loud moan to leave her mouth. She looks at his hand that’s around her throat as the veins pop out of his arm while he chokes her. And she presses her legs together. as she feels herself aching just at the sight. Bill still smirking from the fact that he found her horny weakness pays close attention to her movements. "is it the choking that turns you on or my hands?" He asks, "both." Y/n manages to get out as he still chokes her. "Choking kink and hand fetish. Who would have known." He chuckles softly. "So tell me, what is it exactly that you find so attractive about my hands?" Not getting a response right away he squeezes tighter. "Use your words, princess"

"veins" she gasps out while he keeps his tight hold around her neck. He chuckles "you’re so hot when your helpless and needy" going down to kiss her. She whimpers into the kiss giving Bill the advantage to slide his tongue in her mouth. While his mouth worked wonders against hers his hand that was around her neck starts traveling down her body making it’s way to her pants slipping his hand in he pulls back the waistband of her panties causing it to slap back into her skin making her whimper again. "Quit being such a tease" she mumbles against his lips. "Someone can’t wait" he mumbled back as he toys with her panties. Getting impatient she was about to beg him to do something when he pushes two fingers in her making her gasp in shock. He slowly pumps his fingers while his lips find it’s way to her neck sucking and biting.

"Hm, so wet for me already?" He teases. "Can you shut up." She moans out. His lips travel to her ear ” Where’s the fun in that?" he questions his hot breath blowing into her ear making her shiver in pleasure. finally having enough of his games she quickly flips them over causing bill’s fingers to flea out of her as she was now on top of him her hands go to his pants pulling them down in seconds. He chuckles ” Not a fan of my slow and steady pace. Are we?"

"Just shut up and let me suck your dick." She shots back making him groan in response. she softly kisses him on the lips before making her way down his body. Once she gets to where he needs her most she slowly pulls his boxers down. Taking her time with him as he did with her. His erection is practically at his stomach. which makes her eyes go wide for a second. it seems like y/n forgets how big bill’s dick actually is judging by the fact that every time she sees him it’s like it’s the first time she saw him. she lowers her face blowing hot air on his cock making his hips buck up trying to get a little friction. "Please." He begs. "See, it’s not fun being the one getting teased now is it?" She smirks. "Just do something." He begs her once more. She takes his cock and slowly licks from the base to the head then licks the tip making his eyes roll back in pleasure before she takes him fully until his cock hits the back of her throat. His breath hitches as she starts bobbing her head at a fast past, but not too much that she can’t handle. Bill’s hand finds it’s way to her head tangling his hand in her hair as he guides her mouth up and down his member. he rolled his hips while he thrust into her as she pumps the rest that couldn’t fit. She hollows her checks trying to create a better friction. He was getting closer to cumming she could tell by his quick breaths and the way his dick started twitching in her mouth ‘that was fast.' She thought to herself. She picked up her speed causing him to gasp loudly. He was so close.

"Just like that y/n, you’re such a good girl." He moans out. He could feel himself on the very edge of cumming. Just when he was about to release she pulls her mouth from his member with a little pop sound. Wiping the drool off her chin. He whines in frustration. "W-why did you sto-" "I’ll rather have you finish inside me." She cuts him off and climbs back on top of him. grinding on his cock. desperate for any friction to help relieve her throbbing clit. Bill groans in response while throwing his head back on the armrest of the couch. she knows Bill isn’t gonna last very long so she pulls her panties down completely. And guides his cock to her wet entrance. with this bill lets out a shaky moan at the contact. They both softly moan as she slowly sinks down on his length. A dull ache fills her as she steadies herself and feels Bill’s hand come up around her neck. She looks at him startled, placing her hand on his and moving it to be right where she needs him. until he’s fully inside of her.

Not wanting to wait she places her hands on his chest as she rides out her pain until it becomes pleasure. His hips snap up as he looks at her tensely. She can feel his fingers curl around her throat, placing pressure, not on her windpipe but pausing the airflow and the pleasure makes her headspin. Moans spill from her lips with soft ease, and Bill keens at the way she seems to take him so much better like this. He releases his hand to be safe but leaves it there and she whines at the loss. he bucks his hips up into hers again as she rocks down onto him. he wasn't going to last long, they both knew that. the base of him grinds against her clit as he thrusts up into her. with every thrust, he hits that spot inside of her, making her eyes roll back from the amount of pleasure over looting her. she bounces on him speed picking up. he can tell she’s getting closer. The only sounds in the empty house are their hips slapping together and her soft moans mixed with his low groans. Her walls clenching on him tighter makes his hand that was holding her neck pulling her down to connect their lips. "I’m not gonna last long so you better cum now," Bill says against her lips, his words alone were enough to make her a moaning mess. Her walls clench harder as he whispers dirty things to her knowing very well that it’s a weakness of hers. "Bill i- I’m." she cuts her own self off with a loud moan. And bill can’t help but chuckle. "I know baby, go ahead." with his permission her eyes roll back as she cums on top of him. the sight of her orgasming on top of him was enough for him to cum as well. She rides out both of their highs. she whines as she pulls him out of her, both of their cum covered the inside of her thighs. She collapses on top of him staying like that as they catch both their breath.

"We should do this more often."

"Yeah, if I knew you had a choking kink before then I probably would have fucked you every chance I got."

"Would it matter? choking kink or not you’ll still fuck me every chance you get."

"True."

[toughguywithbossygirlfriend]

Superman : Heroes #1 ... Diana and Bruce

In “Superman(2018) #18″ Superman revealed to the World that his name was “Clark Kent” and the comic book “Superman:Heroes #1″ presents the immediate aftermaths.

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018) #18 and Superman:Heroes #1)

This Issue had a unique and delightful little story with Diana and Bruce, 0% Action, only talking,.. a dance between two people caring for each other ... It revealed a bit of the real man behind the “Bat” and the “Playboy”. I loved Diana’s wisdom in this, especially when she compared Bruce to Clark.

As a first result, not every one in the Justice league looked happy about that “Scoop”..

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018)  #18)

Batman’s POV about secrecy shouldn’t be a surprise, ... but Diana’s behavior seemed rather unsettling... First I thought she was still angry after her speech about the loss of trust during their last exchange in DC Comics “Batman/Superman (2019) #6.

(Edit from DC Comics Batman/Superman (2019) #6)

Her whole speech was about the morality of keeping secrets ... Diana’s speech may have encouraged Clark to go Public with his Identity ... but after he’d done it her comment shows she didn’t seem so sure about that part ... Why would she be unsatisfied if Clark just followed her theory about secrecy ?

(Edit from DC Comics Rebirth Superman(2018) #18)

Revealing everything to the world wasn’t what she meant ... She’s a diplomat, she understands that there is an “in between”,  a compromise to make ... not all truths can be thrown around without care... Diana was making them a lecture about “keeping secrets” earlier, Yes, but... it was mostly about “keeping secrets from each other” ... so this new “secret” Clark had kept again from them was actually what she was complaining about previously and had to hurt both, Diana and Bruce,... once again one of them took a secret decision without sharing it with the others. Leaving them to face the consequences once everything was done ... Bruce is so angry that he ironically tells Clark that the Kents are completely “off the grid” (something he surely invested some hard work and a lot of time to achieve) because Clark just busted all of his hard work in a second... Yeah, Clark, how should he feel about that ?... XD

(edit from DC Comics Rebirth Justice League(2018) #47)

Finally Clark understands how much he hurt Bruce later and apologizes (see “Justice League(2018) #47″)... He may now have understood what Diana talked about earlier...

But lets get back to our subject “Superman : Heroes #1″

The stories of DC Comics “Superman : Heroes #1″ have been written by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction and Greg Rucka.

Greg Rucka is one of the best writers of the pairing Wonder Woman/Batman (“Blackest Night : Wonder Woman”, “The Hiketeia”, “The Solstice”, ...) he has usually a great touch when it comes to tell in a more subtle way how much Diana and Bruce care for each other.

(Edits from Some of Greg Rucka’s Work for DC comics)

 In the comic “Superman:Heroes”, Greg Rucka is behind these 8 Panels out of the 35 that the comic contains, pretty much one quarter of the whole book about Superman, and his story is only about Diana and Bruce ... already a message in itself ... and he did an amazing work again. Few words but so much was said (pretty much the opposite of what I am doing right now ! XD )

The Art is amazing as well.

It happens shortly after Superman’s meeting with the JL, and starts with Bruce standing alone in front of his Parents grave. Lost silently in his thoughts.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Suddenly a well known voice breaks him out of his reverie. Diana is here. Bruce is Classy as always, while Diana wears more casual clothing ... I think Rucka chose on purpose to drop the uniforms for this exchange ... because the uniforms are not really “them”. This is not really about Batman and Wonder Woman but about the people behind those masks.

.(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

She came to look after him. She could have gone anywhere, with anyone. She could have celebrated with Clark and the rest of the league this unique moment, this huge step Superman made... but she choose to go to a most lonely and sad place for one of her closest friends : Wayne Manor’s graveyard.... and she knew she would find him there... She knows his reaction was excessive ... there is something hurting him hard and she needs to know what...

“Thought I would find you here ... How are you doing ?” A useless question because Diana already knows the answer to her question ... otherwise she wouldn’t be there, she wouldn’t have come directly to the graves...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce turns around and walks away ...then, in the distance, just says “Fine.”. Diana stands silently while he flees into loneliness again... Bruce knows she won’t go away after just a “Fine”, he knows the truth, she will dig further, so he retreats from the battlefield because she won’t leave him to his dark mood...

3 sentences, 11 Words, that's all you get for a full page with 5 great pictures...

All 8 panels of that story are really wonderful. They are made like a movie, using silences to show the depth, the seriousness of the subject, the loneliness, sadness and deep closeness of both characters. Pictures with perspectives, enhance the effect of their loneliness ... Diana and Bruce may be in their home world but it is as if they were both still with only each other in the plane of Gehenna ... Diana and Bruce ... all alone.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Second panel ... Bruce stops somewhere facing in silence a magic sunset matching his current mood ... Diana follows until she stands next to him.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Again he tells her he doesn’t want company ... “mhm”, she acknowledges ... the wind blows in her hair, she tries to fix it ... silence ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The wind blows, she gives up, letting her hair flow around her face... A little chat ... Bruce turns around, fleeing the battlefield again ...

Third panel ... Hell ... a full page , 7 pictures, only two sentences, 8 little words...  pure magic from G. Rucka and the other artists.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

This time Diana is inside Wayne Manor ... looking at the giant painting of Bruce’s Parents... deep in thoughts ... wondering what exactly pushed Bruce to their graves after Superman’s revelation.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce is in the kitchen ... Diana enters as if she was at home and drops her jacket ... approaching the table, they exchange a look ... She takes a seat, her usual seat? then Diana waits for him to make his move ... She smiles ... She just owns the place ... Bruce isn’t surprised, he expected her, he waited for her, even made some tea in the meantime... did he flee earlier ? or did he just want to get them a comfortable place to be and talk ? ... He probably wouldn’t have made tea “for two” if he wanted to be left alone ... He knew she wouldn’t give up on him no matter how strong he would push her away, so there was no need to put more conviction in the game ... that’s what they learned in Gehenna ... they may both give up the fight for their mission, but they never ever give up on each other... Bruce knew he wouldn’t win that battle. Not with Diana, so he didn’t really try. Actually Bruce needed her and she came ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

And the only sentences exchanged between the two in the whole panel are so domestic ... “Tea ?” ... ”That would be lovely, Bruce.” ... That bright, sly, smile on Diana’s face reveals everything  ... she knows she was right and won their little fight ... he won’t push her away again, he doesn’t even want her away ... they are going to talk. But she needs to let him space ... Diana just has to let him lead the way now.

Is it even possible to make it more obvious how much they know each other, care for each other ... those two don’t even need J’onn J’ozz to communicate without speaking ... they only need an brief eye contact.

Fourth panel ... more silence ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce needs to collect his thoughts ... Diana sips her tea ...

Then he talks, but Diana plays dumb ... she wants him to express his problem, to name it... Diana is very smart here ... because she cannot really get a grip on what is hurting him so hard. She needs to get it out of him ... she knows the real problem is hidden deep under layers and layers ... and this isn’t really about Clark keeping a secret from him ... from them.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Of course they talk about Superman revealing that he was “Clark Kent” and even if Diana plays dumb, she still says something very interesting here ... she calls him “KAL” while Bruce is upset because of “Clark” ... I think this way Diana tells him that Superman still didn’t tell the truth ... because “Clark Kent” is just another identity ... “KAL” is the kryptonian man who lives on earth under the disguise of “Clark Kent” and who is called “Superman” when he plays Superhero... just like Bruce is a human who lives a fake life as a Playboy and CEO when he is not playing Superhero and called “Batman” otherwise ... I think it is her way to say the Superman is still Lying even if it is to himself. Still she can give “Superman/Clark Kent” a name describing the real him “KAL”... while “Bruce” uses his own birthname for a partly faked persona ...

In “Superman : Villains #1″, Supergirl, still under the effect of the Batman Who Laughts Toxin tells pretty much the same as what I think Diana tries to convey here.

But Bruce is too upset to listen to her ... So he gives her a list of reasons why this is bad, partly accurate partly disputable ... so she counters him even if her own arguments is accurate/disputable as well ... nothing is simple ... but this isn’t about “Superman”, something Diana understood quickly ... if it was only about “Clark” or “Kal”, Bruce wouldn’t be this upset... How long have Diana and Bruce been married again ?... Yeah, Right,.. something like 37 years in Hell ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Several millennia and all the Wisdom of Athena speaks thru Diana while she harbors that sly smile. Bruce gets silent again, Diana saw right thru him, maybe better than he did himself.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Bruce flees again ... but does he really ? Since the beginning he doesn’t really push hard and Diana knows it ... You just get the feeling he wants her to follow him ... maybe he needs her to help him figure out why he really is that upset..

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The Batcave ... it looks as if they were getting more and more deeper, more personal ... First the world outside, then inside his home, and now his most secret part... maybe another symbolic meaning ... to show how Diana is getting closer to the real hidden reason.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

By the look of Bruce’s sneer, you can tell he is angry, hateful even... but Diana never feels threatened in any way, she feels safe, even “Poking the Bear” a little as shown by her mischievous look... until it suddenly downs on her !! ...

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Can we just relish in that view for a moment ? ... Perfect female body meets perfect male body .... Aargh !! ... can’t they just go down on it ! ... OK ! I need to get some self control back ... sorry !

What Diana sees... is Bruce staring at his suits, his disguises, his secrets, his ... enemy ? ... Batman ? ... now she can SEE what hurts him so hard !

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

Diana figured out the truth ! ... Bruce is first in denial, then thinking and accepting it ... Bruce goes from angry, to sad and beaten...

One part of the amazing points of this story is Diana’s statement when she compares “Bruce” and “Kal”.  Whoever thought Wonder Woman wouldn’t value the “powerless” Bat when compared to the “godlike” Superman is going to wake up with a serious headache ... For Diana, the only thing Clark can do, that Bruce can’t, is what we all do ... “live without a secret identity” ... anything else she considers Bruce does at least as good as Clark if not better ... BAM ! ... I honestly didn’t expect to read that in a comic about Superman ! ... And this coming from non other then Powerhouse number two Diana Prince, Wonder Woman, Princess of the Amazon, daughter of Zeus gifted with the Wisdom of Athena ... that was mind-blowing !!

But to be honest such appreciative comments from Diana, somewhere in between admiration and adoration, happen more and more often lately in different DC comics.

(Edit from several DC Comics books)

I would say we’ve gone back when Diana considered Clark as “Good husband material” for Lois, while “Bruce” was “Fast, Dangerous, the thrill ride..” ... back then, even Clark understood who Diana’s heart would settled with...

(Edit from several DC Comics Trinity(2008) #6 and Blackest Night:WW(2010) )

This was of course before the New52 nonsense hit the fan...

 (Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

The other great point is that “Bruce” ... is jealous of “Kal” ... What !? how is that great ?

For the Dark Knight, admitting this kind of weakness to anyone is pretty much unthinkable ... unless it is to Diana. I think Bruce and Diana are now closer than Bruce and Clark ever were. But this jealousy is as well the proof that there is a man behind the Batman, behind the Playboy ... someone who doesn’t really like either of them, someone who dreams of family, home, of the freedom to live a normal happy life. The Princess of Themyscira is one of the only women (if not the only one) to have access to that man, the real “Bruce”.

Bruce is someone who can’t be reduced to “the Batman” as often said. He is a man, a Hero who decided to play that role, a man who made it his duty to fight crime and to protect those who can’t do it for themselves. Just like Diana did when she chose to become “Wonder Woman” and leave the paradise island of  Themyscira for Men’s world. He is jealous, and is ashamed of it, because he should grant it to his best friend Clark/Kal. It is his dream to have that kind life, a dream Diana shares as well ... but both have decided long ago that their Duties were more important and had to be done at any personal cost.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman:Heroes #1)

But there is another message in this Jealousy ...

Over the last 50 years, it had been explained several times that Bruce Wayne chooses his romantic partners with a purpose as described in the story with Bekka (in January 2008): Relationships must fail.

(Edit from DC Comics Superman Batman(2003) #42 - story with Bekka)

If Bruce is Jealous about Clark’s “Home, Family” life this means he is now ready to a real longtime commitment with a woman. He wants that now. Over the years he matured (just like “Batfleck” in the DCEU). Keeping his distance with Diana because of their friendship all those years was only part of the excuse. He always chose his partners to fail ... and with Diana he knew a relationship would have a high risk of succeding. I think Diana was always more ready to start something with him at least judging by the way she smiled when she woke up from the “Transconciousness Articulator”, but she changed her mind once he told her he didn’t want to know what was “lurking in his mind” ... Back then Diana knew he wasn’t ready.

Bruce Wayne is ready now ... Is this what Tom King meant when he said he changed Batman for the Decade to come, that he put his “Mark” on Bruce Wayne ?  His Batman/Catwoman run proved one thing to the shareholders... the Batman fans are ready to have their Hero seriously committed to a Woman. In fact the love story didn’t drop the sales but supported them. Tom King showed Batman sells better as a “Man in love” then as a lone Wolf ...

Still a lot of fans understand that an untrustworthy and still active criminal like Selina can’t possibly be the best match for the crusader of Justice ... and while Diana seems still to adore him, after that little chat in the Cave and the 37 years in Gehenna, she should have understood by now that he is ready for something really serious ... So ... “Perhaps ....” hopefully in the near future ...

[annaofthenorthernlights]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Frozen (Disney Movies) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Anna/Kristoff (Disney) Characters: Anna (Disney), Kristoff (Disney), Sven (Disney: Frozen) Additional Tags: Post-Frozen 2 (2019), One Shot, Fanfiction Summary: Queen Anna and prince Kristoff receive an invitation to a royal celebration by the kingdom of Svezia. It contents the information about a parade taking place. All guests are expected to bring their horses for the mounted parading. Will Arendelle participate in this show off?

Anna held the letter in her hand and mused over the fact that the conditions might get tricky.

 It had been a few weeks since the wedding and she was happy with things going fairly smooth, with her stumbling on her duties here and there. And she was proud of Kristoff, the way he had stepped into his tasks as prince consort, facing positions of which he hadn´t even known before, they existed in the first place. He had taken part in parliamentarian discussions about education administration for less fortunate citizens. Another part that had took more and more of his focus was the unity of guilds´ policies. He had set his mind of optimizing their trading and working conditions. She would let him have his way. Anna recognized the passion growing in him, that was astonishing.

 Only now, she would not know how to confront her husband with this invitation they had received this morning. She had asked Kai to call for the stablemaster. She needed his advice.

 Mr. Hansen was announced and entered the royal office.

 Anna explained to the experienced horseman, that in short time he would have to indulge in teaching his majesty, him riding a horse.

 Mr. Hansen was a keen man, straight forward. A characteristic type, Kristoff liked very much. But now, Mr. Hansen swayed his weight on his feet, to the toes and heels, slowly, hands locked on his back, considering the queen´s request. After a while, he curled his lips and then sighed, “by all respect, your majesty. I´m sorry. I´m aware this is what is asked of the young prince. But I doubt he will like it. Not that he wouldn´t like the animal, but this is not his type of riding partner.”

 “I know that. And believe me, I hate the thought of leaving Sven out. But I can´t possibly riding on a horse, and him not. How would that look?” Anna shrugged and sighed.

 “Maybe her majesty would discuss this with his majesty in the first place. Once he agrees, I will help the best I can. Besides, I´m sure he would learn it easily. You know, I wouldn´t know about riding a reindeer.  But with his balance routine it might not be that difficult to swop the style.”

 Anna thanked the man and then braced herself on telling Kristoff.

 She would find him in the library, going through a documentation he was looking for earlier.

 “Hi there,” she approached and laid a hand on his shoulder, bending down to perk a kiss on his cheek.

 “Hi sweety,” he replied and grinned up to her, always delighted to see his delicate wife. His face sobered when he noticed her looks. “Hey, what´s wrong Anna? You look worried. Anything happened?” He got up that fast, his chair tipping over in the haste, putting his hands softly on her shoulders.

 Anna sighed and shrugged. “I don´t know. No. Nothing, at least in particular. We received a letter from King Berthold and Queen Maria of Svezia. You remember?”

 Kristoff thought hard, then he nodded. Far back in his mind he had heard those names before. “So, what´s so terrible with that letter? Declared war?” he mused jokingly.

 Anna frowned and shook her head, “that´s not funny.” Kristoff tilted his head, apologizing to her. “So, what is it then?”

 “It´s an invitation to their royal festivity, celebrating their round anniversary.” Anna looked down at the letter, then glancing up with pressed lips, nearly whispering, “it beholds a request…”

 Kristoff knew that facial expression of his lovely spouse. He started musing, “okay, they want us to dance all night through till we all drop dead. Or we must parade like the overdressing aristocracy, riding white horses with ribbons in their manes.” He laughed; the thought was too hilarious.

 Anna still didn´t laugh, she pulled a face, remarking, “almost. Just, without the dancing part.”

 “Wait what?!”

 She would read out the part, where the royal guests were asked to bring their finest horses for a show-off parade, to the greatest delight of their hosts.

 Kristoff glared at her, then at the letter, then back at her. “Okay, say you´re kidding, right?!”

 Anna still didn´t laugh.

 “Okay, I´m not going to mount a horse! Especially not showing off like an idiot all decorated like a Christmas tree.”

 Anna sighed, “I know you don´t like that. The thing is just… Well, this time, I mean for that occasion… You can´t bring Sven.” She kind of ducked her head in, like expecting some sort of explosion happening.

 She hadn´t said that hadn´t she? Kristoff stared, shocked, in disbelief. He had turned all pale, then red. Anna had seldomly seen him like that. She dreaded, having hurt his feelings. She didn´t like it either. She loved Sven.

 “Anna, please say, who don´t want me to drag into this.”

 “I´m sorry. We can of course deny the invitation or the participation. It´s just. Normally, we should go along with such things.”

 “What things?”

Anna didn´t know what to say. She hated the piece of paper in her hand by now. But then, she like the idea of a journey, and taking part in some festivity.

 “Why would Sven not be good enough?”

 “Well… em… Maybe he wouldn´t fit that nicely into things…”

 “What things?”

 “Well… em… Maybe he´s just not so royal…”

 No, she could impossibly mean that. Not Anna! What had gotten into her?

 “I will not sit on a horse!” Kristoff´s voice had turned icy. He shook his head and with no other word he would leave the room. The door slammed and Anna sank down on the chair.

 ****************

 How could she?

 Kristoff´s mind raced with troubled thoughts, just as fast as Sven ran up into the mountains beneath him. Sven! He was his best friend and loyal companion. He had carried Anna like a maniac down the mountains back to Arendelle. He had run like the wind to have Kristoff snatch her up, just from beneath the stomping giant´s foot.

 Not royal….! How could she?

After a while, he would let Sven slow down and give him some rest. Kristoff dismounted and let the animal have some time for rolling on the ground and chewing some gras. Meanwhile he strolled along the woods.

 His anger had subbed and given way to disappointment. Sven! His best friend, not royal….

 But then, had he not known that some day that very question might be a topic? What prince would ride if not a horse? But then, Anna had always appreciated their riding with Sven. So, what was the issue?

 The royal duties and demands. Maybe she had been swept off with the imagination of that parade. He would not blame her for that. She could tell him so. It would be easier. But then, all those fancy events were normal to Anna. Surely, it hadn´t occurred to her, that he wouldn´t know what that all would look like. Then on the other hand, would it be so terrible to at least try to sit on a horse? It would not hurt unless he fell clumsily from the steed. He grimaced and looked over to Sven. The friend, sensing his companion´s doubts, trotted over, nudging his buddy into his chest.

 Kristoff chuckled and stroke his best buddy under the chin, then embraced his head with compassion.

 *******************

 There must be another way!

 Anna mused over her terrible attempt to convince Kristoff, that they could not show up with two different animals. And, sitting in front of him, like she sometimes would, was not allowed this time. She hated the thought of having hurt him that much. She had to think of another solution!

 Dear Sven! He had run like the wind so many times for her. Bringing her down to Arendelle in time and having Kristoff snatch her in the last instant before her being smashed. All thanks to the brave reindeer.  

 Of course! How blind had she been! How blindfolded by that dumb letter, having entangled her with the stupidity of false meaning about royalty!

 The idea spread not only in her mind. It made its way all down into her heart. That started pounding with a fierce stroke.

 Anna ran out of the library, down to the kitchen. On her way she met Gerda, asking her to help with packing some clothing and necessities for a few days travel. She would explain later, why.

 Then, she rushed on to see Olina, the cook. She would need supplies for a few days. They would leave right in the morning at sunrise.

 Then, Anna would go to the stables, waiting for her husband to come back, after Kai had told her about Kristoff´s leaving earlier with Sven. Of course, he would. She waited, and if she had to sleep in the strow. It was royal enough to her!

 ********************

 Indeed, Anna had drifted of and dozed cosily in Sven´s bed.

 When Kristoff led the animal into the stable, he halted abruptly, surprised, and then not surprised to see his ginger-sweet love lying in the golden nest. She had done that before, many times. When she had awaited his returns form a harvesting season. Or when they had a dispute about any nonsense. They had it all sorted out before. They would, now, too.

 Sven made his way to his food bowl and water barrel and started his evening meal.

 “Hey feisty-pants, what´s up?” Kristoff traced a finger down her cheek, wiping away some strand of hair out of Anna´s face.

 Her eyes fluttered open and when she spotted her man, she sat up immediately. She breathed heavy and blurted out her apologies and how sorry she was about hurting him. She didn´t want that!

 Kristoff smiled and nodded, “yes, that was something.”

 Anna then took his hand and grinned proudly, “I got an idea and it´s perfect!”

 “Now I´m curious,” Kristoff said, “what´s that now?”

 Anna straightened her neck, got up, and went around to give Sven a nice hug. The animal grunted happily and nuzzled into Anna´s chest.

 She then turned back to Kristoff and declared proud, “I have it all arranged. Tomorrow morning, we set out for a few days journey!” She paused, waiting for him to applause.

 “Aha. Okay. Well, and where to?”

 “To the enchanted forest!” Pause.

 “Aha. That´s nice. To see Elsa and company. And what has that to do with the invitation?”

 “There!” Anna came closer, got down to the floor and grabbed Kristoff´s hands, looking into his eyes, “we will find a companion for Sven, fitting for me to ride.”

 Kristoff stared at his wife, comprehension dawning on him.

 Anna continued, “I´m sorry for having called Sven not royal. That was the most idiotic thing I have ever said,” she squeezed her love´s hands, “he is majestic and the most royal riding animal on earth. A horse would not be as honourable next to him. And Ryder once offered an animal to me, remember? Together, we set out with the royal reindeers of Arendelle. Our riding companions. Worth more than any horse breeds in the world.” She waited for a while. And when Kristoff would not answer, captivated by what she just had said, she asked quietly, “what you say?”

He would say nothing.

 Kristoff pulled her close into his chest, buried his face into her neck, and holding her tight. Mumbling he exclaimed his thanks. For her great heart and love!

[rhubarbbaby]

Strawberries and Art 3

Jihoon x Y/N

Genre: College AU, Fluff Word Count: 5k Summary: Like every passionate art student, you spent most of your time immersed in your drawings and paintings. The day you meet Jihoon, your everyday life suddenly gets a lot more exciting…

All chapters: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Chapter 3

You woke up to the exaggeratedly loud chirping of a bird that seemed to be sitting right on your window sill. What was it even doing there? Rude. Rolling to your side, the first rays of sunshine fell onto your face. Not wanting to open your eyes just yet you let the warmth linger on your face. As your consciousness slowly tore itself free from the claws of the dreams, you wouldn´t be able to remember in a second, you realized you were still wearing the jeans from last night. Last night…Last night…Jihoon. Suddenly everything that happened hit you like bricks.

Did Jihoon really walk you home? Had he really held your hand? For a moment you thought you were messing up remaining pieces of your dreams with reality but then you remembered the text he had sent you before you fell asleep. Prying your eyes open you looked at your phone. The text was still there, staring back at you, still unanswered. (You also had 4 unread messages from Jo but you couldn´t care less right now)

Unknown: I just got home. Goodnight, Sweetie. Don´t forget to drink lots of water!

Sweetie. You knew you wouldn´t be getting used to that soon. When he had called you Sweetie last night you felt so taken aback because maybe for the first time in your life, you had enjoyed a guy calling you by a pet name. He had sounded so honest, in a certain way even serious, he had sounded so different from all those boys who were calling girls by all those sickly sweet things just to get into their pants, belittling them in the process. He had been so incredibly considerate. The way his voice had seemed to have gotten a tad bit deeper when saying it, the way you could practically hear him smirking, it was sheer impossible getting used to something like that.

After you had saved his contact you stared at your phone. Simply seeing his name on your screen made your heart, not jump, but it did make a distinct little hop. With a big sigh you let yourself fall back onto your mattress. What crazy ass romantic movie parallel universe have you stumbled into? Meeting a guy you were interested in, was already a rare occurrence. But meeting a guy you were interested in, who was also showing interest in you (AND CALLED YOU SWEETIE) was something that only happened once in a blue moon.

You knew you had to send him a reply. It didn´t help that you were reading his message over and over again, hearing his voice in your head. You needed to focus. Just because you didn´t have to look him in the eyes, and didn´t have to actually form words with your mouth, just because you simply had to type it, you did only spend about 5 minutes coming up with a (you hoped) funny text.  

You: Hey! I fell asleep yesterday. With my clothes still on! Like I actually wore jeans to sleep. That´s like fucked up. Anyways, thank you for texting me :) I had so much fun last night.

After hitting send you instantly threw your phone onto your bed. You were scared of him answering right away. Scared but also excited but also scared. Giggling to yourself because you were aware of how dramatic you were handling the entire situation you decided to get up and start with your day. It was only eight and you made an agreement with yourself not to think about him until after breakfast because having a crush on a (extremely beautiful and funny and handsome and hot) boy who you had just met two days ago was ridiculous, or so you told yourself. Taking a shower, brushing your teeth, putting on clean clothes… your undertaking was going well, you hadn´t thought of him, at least not directly. You had thought of not thinking about him…and you counted that as a win. During breakfast you decided to check Jo´s messages.

Jo: Did you use condoms??

Jo: Did you get home safely?

Jo: Is he staying over?

Jo: Are you ok?

You couldn´t help but laugh at how excited she was about the whole situation. She probably had been annoying Hansol with it all evening. Poor man.

You: Yup I got home very safely. And no he didn´t stay over.

You: We had so much fun tho.

You: Did you get home safely?

She answered within two minutes.

Jo: Don´t you dare make this about me. I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING.

Jo: Did you kiss?

You: No we didn´t. But we held hands.

Jo: CUTE.  When will you see him again?

You: I don´t know yet. I hope soon.

Jo: I hope so too. I´m already planning the marriage.

You: omg stop it…LOL

Just after you had hit send, you felt your phone vibrate with a new text. Of course it was from Jihoon. Without an ounce of hesitation you practically threw your phone next to you on the couch. You did not want to look at it. Actually, you did. But you needed to physically prepare yourself for reading what he had messaged you. You could feel your heart oh so clearly in your chest. How ridiculous it was that you reacted this way just because of a goddamn text…Calm down. You took a deep breath in and out.

Before reading his new message (and it wasn´t just one!!!! There were three of them) you reread what you had last written.

You: Hey! I fell asleep yesterday. With my clothes still on! Like I actually wore jeans to sleep. That´s like fucked up. Anyways, thank you for texting me :) I had so much fun last night.

Deep breath in. And out.

Jihoon: Hahahahaha yes Y/N, that is fucked up.

Jihoon: But I´m pretty sure you still looked cute.

Jihoon: You wanna get lunch tomorrow after class?

HOLY FUCK. This was real. You just got asked on a date by one of the most beautiful boys you had ever seen. Yes, you had already held hands yesterday, but there had been alcohol involved and people do a lot of things when they´re drunk. But all of your past overthinking just turned out to have been utterly pointless because Jihoon wanted to see you again. And he had called you cute. Your entire face was burning and your stomach seemed to do some weird gymnastic exercises.

You did not have to think long before typing your answer.

You: I´d love that :)

Jihoon: Awesome. I´ll show you my favorite place.

He actually wanted to show you his favorite place. Your heart was still beating way too fast and the blush on your face was still very visible but at the same time you felt a calming warmth spread through your stomach. You remembered you had felt so comfortable talking to him last night and for some dumb cliché romantic movie reason you felt like you had already known him for years. And now he wanted to show you his favorite place. That was a big hell of a deal. You couldn´t stop smiling.  

After dumbly grinning at the ceiling for several seconds you scolded yourself. You couldn´t just be lying around all day daydreaming about a boy. Sighing you remembered that today, you had to finally start with your portrait assignment. It was already due on Wednesday. You needed it to be good. Your professor was very supportive and had been pushing you to become better. Disappointing her was the last thing you wanted to do. But you didn´t even know who you wanted to draw yet…some random celebrity was just boring…a family member maybe? But you had all drawn them before already. Burying your face in your hands you sat on your couch. After about fifteen minutes you reluctantly started sketching your mother´s face. You´ve drawn her face so many times already, it was nothing special. You weren´t satisfied with your choice at all but you couldn´t think of someone better at the moment.

When you realized it was already getting dark outside you stared down at the lines you had been working on for basically the entire day. You didn´t like it. Far back in your head you knew that other people would label your work as good, maybe even great, but you just couldn´t bring yourself to like it. The facial features you were trying to portrait just didn´t seem right to you. You only had so many good pictures of your mother and remembering every single wrinkle and mark on her face was harder than you thought. The way the lines were flowing over the paper didn´t look right, it didn´t look like you had drawn them. You were aware that every artist had days like this, but the deadline was next week and you simply didn´t have the time to start over.  Also you had a date tomorrow. How the fuck were you going to survive the next days?

Before going to bed you forced yourself to lay out the clothes you wanted to wear for tomorrow. You weren´t exactly a morning person and you knew you´d panic if you had to find an outfit to wear right after waking up. An outfit Jihoon was going to see you in…

You fell asleep thinking of tomorrow, a mixture of anxiety and anticipation making your stomach feel weird.

The first thing you did, after waking up the next day, was to check your phone:

Jihoon: You still up for lunch today?

Jihoon: 1pm in front of the arts building?

You: I´ll be there!

After having typed an answer, you got dressed, grabbed all your things and left your apartment. You weren´t one of those people who got up an hour earlier to do yoga or whatever bullshit normal people do in the morning. Every day you woke up only twenty minutes before your first lecture started. Every single second of sleep counted.

While you were walking you got a message from Jo.

Jo: You up for breakfast after the second lesson? You need to tell me everything!!!!

You knew she was probably already dying from curiosity. She was too nosy for her own good. But you had mercy.

You: Sure!

You were actually looking forward to telling Jo everything. You still couldn´t believe what had happened yourself, maybe it would become more real through finally saying everything out loud. Your first two lessons you spent listening to the professor talk about Paul Cézanne and, for some reason, reciting every last unnecessary detail of his private life. You decided that the only important piece of information from this lecture was that some of Cézanne´s landscape paintings were sort of pretty.

When you finally sunk down in the chair opposite of Jo´s you were already grinning. You simply could not wait for her reaction to everything. She immediately leaned forward while leaning on her elbows. “Start already” “Oh my god. Can´t I just relax for a second.” “NO.” You had to giggle at her urgency. “Alright, alright…”

After you had told her everything, from the long talk the two of you had had, over the way he had made you blush continuously, to when he had walked you home and had given you his phone number she just said, “That´s so unbearably cute and romantic it´s disgusting.” You couldn´t help but laugh out loud at her remark. “You two are so sickeningly romantic I wanna die. Why can´t you be as cool as me and Hansol?” she was grinning.   “First of all, we´re not a couple and second of all, you two are at least as disgusting!” you were laughing. “You realize mine and Hansol´s first date was when I drank too much and he had to hold my hair while I was throwing up?” “Yeah. I know the story.”, you were still laughing. She continued anyway “And then he drove me home. And he kissed me even though I had just thrown up minutes ago. Ok, now that I think of it, maybe our first date was even more disgusting. I´ll shut up.” Both of your laughter was carried through the entire cafeteria. The other people, who were most likely just trying to have a calm morning were probably already, annoyed by the both of you but you couldn´t care less. “Also. I kinda maybe have a lunch date with him later.” “You´re kidding!!!!!” You just shook your head and smiled. “Oh my god,  I´m dying this is the cutest shit. I´m sooo happy for you. Are you nervous?” “So fucking much. But I can´t wait to see him again.”

The rest of your classes passed rather quickly. Not being the biggest fan of auditory learning you were happy about it, but at the same time you couldn´t help getting more nervous every time the hand of the clock on the wall moved. Rationally you knew you were being silly. There was nothing to worry about. You were only going on a date with the most attractive guy you´ve ever seen, who is able to make you blush with just a raise of his eyebrow. There was totally nothing to worry about. Fuck.

When you classes had ended you still had fifteen minutes before you were meeting Jihoon. You were so nervous, your hands were shaking and you didn´t have the faintest clue how you would be able to form a straight sentence later. You slipped through the door into the girl´s bathroom. You washed your hands with cold water while staring at your own face in the mirror. The last time you had spoken to him, you had been drunk, there was no doubt the alcohol had helped you with your anxiety. Today you were on your own. Why did you always have to be so nervous? With one long breath and a last look in the mirror, you were actually happy with how your hair fell today; you pushed yourself away from the sink and made your way to your meeting place.

Through the glass front of the building you could see him standing next to that weird sculpture, which the seniors from last year had designed, in front of the building. He was looking at his phone. Every step you took made you even more nervous (how was that even possible?). How were you going to greet him? Hug him? Shake his hand?? NOoo, what the fuck that´d be way too formal. Why were you thinking bullshit like that? You took a deep breath, put a loose strand of hair behind your ear and opened the door. He still hadn´t seen you.

“Hey.” You called softly, loud enough for him to realize it was meant for him. “Hey you.” He looked up and if you weren´t mistaken, his eyes lit up when he saw you, a sparkle that you were sure you could watch all day. But maybe it was just the sun reflecting in his eyes (it was not). You were now standing in front of him, unsure what to do. He smiled at you; put his phone away in his back pocket and then he pulled you into a hug. Your first hug. And holy fuck, a hug shouldn´t be a big deal but it definitely felt like it. It wasn´t one of those hugs people gave because they thought it was expected of them. His hug was tight and you could actually feel his hands on your back. Jihoon´s embrace was so soft, so affectionate. You actually felt like you were stuck in one of Claude Monet´s paintings. Gentle, colorful, overwhelming, so beautiful, yet realistic and real. You smiled, thinking of that comparison. Neither one of you noticed the students leaving the building smiling at you because the hug was obviously too long for a hug to be considered normal. He felt so warm and safe, and when you wrapped your arms around him even tighter you briefly touched his hair, and goddamn it, it was so soft.

“It´s good to see you again.” He finally mumbled against your shoulder. “You too.” He pulled away and looked at you. He was grinning like a kid in a candy store, his eyes had disappeared and small wrinkles had appeared around his nose. It was absolutely precious. You had no choice but to smile back at him.

“You hungry?” he finally broke the silence. “A bit.” At that moment your stomach growled. (It must´ve been destiny) “A bit? I see…,” he laughed. Your cheeks flushed with a light tone of red. “Come on.” he took your hand, not giving you enough time to be embarrassed about the situation. “Where are we going?” you asked. “I promised I´d show you my favorite place.” He gently started pulling you away from the building while still looking at you, smiling. Your body still felt like there was electricity running through your veins and your face must have been still flushed red but it felt so right to hold his hand. You smiled back.  

He took you to a little ramen restaurant, close to town. The front door seemed so inconspicuous that you had probably walked past it without noticing it in the past. As the two of you entered he was still holding your hand. He led you through the interior of the restaurant, where some people were already having lunch. You knew you already liked the place when you saw how diverse the clientele was. At one table sat two boys, approximately your age, stuffing their mouths full of Ramen, while at another table two businesswomen seemed to have a heated conversation. Jihoon dragged you past them, and only stopped when you were standing in a small backyard with a few tables of which only one of them was occupied by an elderly couple who were sharing a plate of what looked like Gyoza.

You chose the table for two that was the furthest away from the door and took a seat. On the way here, you had been overly focused on Jihoon, on how tightly he pressed your fingers, how he occasionally stroked the back of your hand with his thumb, the quick glances he threw at you, your undivided attention had been all on him but now that you were sitting here in this absolutely adorable backyard, you allowed your brain to briefly focus your attention on your surroundings. Climbing plants were growing up the wall of the house, carrying small pretty blue blossoms, the blue of the flowers looking especially pretty in front of the beige colored wall plaster.  In the corner, where two walls from two different buildings met each other, the blue and beige mixed with a white from the neighboring wall and a light pink of some petals that were growing on bushes that were planted there. The colors alone went so beautifully together you just couldn´t help but stare. When you saw the little clay-figure of a frog in a suit sitting on the ground, as if he had to guard those bushes, you had to giggle.

“What is it?” Jihoon interrupted your thoughts. He was beaming at you as if you had just found the cure for cancer. You couldn´t have known it, of course, but Jihoon would´ve been able to watch you look at those flowers for hours on end. He was sure the way your eyes started to sparkle when looking at something beautiful was the cutest thing he had ever seen in his entire life.

“Nothing really. It´s just, that frog there looks so adorable.” “What frog?” he turned his head to look at the figure himself and then continued “Oh that frog. That´s just Ferdinand.” As you were laughing at his remark, he smiled fondly at you, proud of himself for being the one bringing those sounds out of you. “Ferdinand? You serious?” you grinned, finally having caught your breath again. “Yep. He´s like my best buddy. We always have very interesting conversations whenever I come here.”   “Ferdinand does seem like an intellectual to me, I bet your talks are always incredibly exciting.” At that Jihoon joined your laughter. His laughter reminded you of vacation, of secluded beaches, of evening sun, of a loaded ice cream cone, of not worrying. “Can I tell you something.” you already knew from the tone in his voice that he wasn´t going to say anything serious. “Always.” “I don´t even know Ferdinand. This is the first time I noticed him. We´re basically strangers. Hell, I don´t even know if his name is Ferdinand.” Your stomach already hurt from laughter while you held your hand in front of your mouth, trying not to laugh out loud again. “Jihoon, you are so silly.” “Oh, I know sweetie, I know.” he smiled knowingly, almost cocky as he leaned back into his chair and locked his arms behind the back of his head. You were still laughing but you had no choice but being You stunned over how easily he could go from being the sweetest and cutest human being to making you blush like crazy. It was simply not fair.

“So tell me, how was your day?” he came to your rescue. He was still smiling, enjoying the effect he had on you. When you started talking, it took you a few sentences to gain back your confidence and certainty in your voice. Your conversation was light and easy but not at all shallow. He listened to you attentively and even asked for details, you seriously felt like you were telling him the most exciting and fascinating stories he has ever heard. Maybe you really were living in a romantic movie now because he honestly was making you feel like you were the most important girl on earth right now. You only were interrupted by the waiter who quickly took your order. Talking to Jihoon felt so familiar while at the same time not. You did have the feeling of having known him for years, but you also felt like you didn´t know anything about this boy sitting in front of you. Both in a good way. He made you comfortable and curious. And because people who have a crush are blind to some things you wondered if he was feeling the same way about you.

When the waiter had dropped off the two plates of food in front of you, and you both had just taken your first bite, neither of you had to say anything. You even closed your eyes briefly and let out a short sigh. The food really was that good.

“It tastes like heaven, doesn´t it?” he cocked an eyebrow at you. “It really does. How have I never been here, I´ve been missing out on this for so long.” You sighed dramatically which made him grin. “Thank god you met me, huh?” Your gazes met, and although his remark had definitely contained a hint of cockiness, he now looked at you, as gently as if you were the most beautiful, most delicate thing he had ever seen in his life. Looking into his eyes, your heart skipped a beat, and even though you were flustered, you could simply not turn your eyes away. Because, yes, he was right, you were really happy you had met him. “Thank you so much for showing me this place. Seriously.” You finally said, your voice way too hushed to sound confident. “You´re very welcome, Y/N. I´m happy you´re here with me.”

You quickly fell back into a conversation about music. You absolutely loved listening to him talk about his passion. He got so excited talking about his work and when you mentioned that he finally had to show you some of his work, he even got a little shy. As fellow artist you understood the insecurity that came with showing other people personal works. Nothing was more relatable to you than the fear of not being able to convey to other people what you had tried so hard to express through your art, or the fear people wouldn´t even understand your kind of expression. But you also knew that any kind of art is always, in a way, a portrait of the artist himself. And when you were looking at Jihoon, listened to the way he talked, you already knew that his music was going to be just so goddamn beautiful.

The minutes you had spent talking to him had disappeared like the wind carries away seeds from a dandelion clock. The time had gone by so quickly, you hadn´t even realized that the two of you had been talking for over two hours. When the waiter came with your bill, you wanted to grab your wallet, because fuck gender roles but Jihoon was faster. You looked at him aghast, ready to tell him he really should´ve let you pay. The words already on your lips, Jihoon didn´t even let you start “I know, I know”, he held his hands up defensively “You wanted to pay and I´m sorry, well actually I´m not…” he laughed. “You didn´t even give me the time to look at the bill!” you were smiling now too but you still tried to keep your tone at least somewhat serious. “I´m sorry, sweetie.” He took your hand “What if I just let you pay next time?” You felt like the floor had been pulled from under your feet (and you were still sitting on your chair). He really wanted to see you again. You weren´t completely oblivious (only a bit) and you knew the date had been going well, but hearing him say those words was a totally different story. You nodded; he was still smiling at you. “Yes, I can live with that.” Your voice was a bit shaky. “Deal.” He was still holding your hand over the table, brushing his thumb over your knuckles.

He shortly looked down before posing his question “Ok so the thing is, I really enjoyed this and I kinda wanna keep talking to you so, do you wanna go for a walk?” And fuck you really really really really wanted to. Like REALLY. But the thought of your portrait assignment made you hesitate. You knew you still had so much work to do, hell you probably had to redo everything you drew yesterday.   “I…” you started when he cut you off. “You don´t have to, Y/N. I don´t want to pressure you into anything.” he smiled softly but you could see a tiny bit of disappointment changing his features, he must´ve noticed you were a bit hesitant to answer him. 

“No! I´d really love to. I love talking to you too. But I should go home to work on an assignment. It´s due on Wednesday and I´m kinda panicking because I haven´t even really started yet.” You looked down at the table where your hands were intervened. “Oh I get it. What´s the assignment?” “Basically I just need to draw a portrait of someone but I really really want it to be good. I started drawing my mom yesterday but I don´t like it. I think I don´t have enough good photos to draw her realistically and I´m not that great at drawing from memory.” “So you basically need someone to model for you.” You laughed softly, “I guess so.” “Why don´t you draw me then?” he winked at you. You blinked. Once, twice. Had he actually winked at you?? This man was going to be the death of you. Your eyes slightly widened, a blush was creeping up your neck again “You´re kidding.” “I am. Unless…” he was grinning from ear to hear. He really was enjoying your embarrassment way too much. “Also I´d say my face is pretty.” If he wasn´t holding your hand you would´ve tried hiding your face but that wasn´t an option now. “It is.” You stammered. “Did you just call me pretty?” he smirked. That was the last straw. You couldn´t take it anymore. You pulled your hand out of his grasp and hid your blushing face. “Maybe.” “I see. But I do think your face is even prettier.” He chuckled. You looked at him, that goddamn cocky grin on his slips. He knew what he was doing. Gathering all your left confidence you replied, “I can´t draw myself though.” “That´s why you should be drawing me.” “Wait, are you actually being serious?” “I´m not not serious.” He was still grinning but you could hear the earnestness in his voice. “I don´t even know what to say…” “Just say: yes Jihoon I´d love to draw your pretty face and I´ll even make your eyes a bit bigger so you´ll be even prettier than in real life.” You momentarily forgot about your heart beating this fast and your still cherry red face. You loved his eyes and how they disappeared whenever he was smiling. “What? No! Your eyes are perfect just the way they are.” “I appreciate the compliment, sweetie.” He smiled warmly at you. “But I really think we should go now, you still have to draw my portrait today.” You giggled. “I didn´t even agree yet!” He was getting up from his chair “Oh come on,” as soon as you were standing up too he reached for your hand again, “no one would turn down an offer like this.” “Jihoon, you are so full of yourself.” you laughed heartily. He over dramatically clutched his heart with his free hand. “Ow, don´t hurt me like that Y/N when I´m just trying to trick you into spending more time with me.” His blatant honesty made you speechless. You just looked at him and if you weren´t completely mistaken a tiny bit of red was covering his cheeks now too. “Fine. I´ll draw you.” “I am disproportionately delighted to hear that.” You giggled at his choice of words while squeezing his hand a bit tighter. And then the two of you were walking to your apartment, side by side, hand in hand, wearing matching grins.

Hi! It´s me, Jo. I´d like to thank you for reading my stuff! I really hope you enjoyed it. If you have any feedback, comments, requests, questions please let me know!

[plump-lips-imagine]

Osomatsu x Reader: Have The Patience To Bake, So That You Get The Perfect Cake (1/?)

* Hey Guys! This is my first Osomatsu-san fic. To celebrate the coming of season 3, I wanted to start practicing my consistency in writing by starting off here, and hopefully Ill grow from here, and then i could do some imagines. Let’s see! Hope you enjoy.**

You don’t really know how you ended up in this situation.

You were currently holding a man on top of you on the side of the street, but he seemed to be passed out as a stream of blood was leaving his nose. The blood staining your shirt wasn’t really bothering but he was really heavy on top of you and considering the situation, you needed to get this man some help!

You decided too quickly grab your phone and call the emergency hotline, and quickly recall all that happened that led you to this predicament in the first place.

- Some Time Earlier -

“I’ll be there in about 20 minuets, Sato-san. We can get some ice cream and discuss scheduling then......Great! See you then! Thank you again!”

*BEEP*

It was a sunny day in Akatsuka, and the streets were busy with people. Several conversations filled the air as the ray of the sun hit your heads. Some cats even made their way into the streets to join the crowd. It was a normal day. Nothing stood out too much in the area. A few fast food joints, small markets, a pachinko parlor here or there. It was something you could get used to living here after just recently moving here. The area was quite cute in its own way.

You continued onward, thinking of the possibilities here as your bakery was doing well with its recent opening. The future was looking bri-

“HOLY SH**, WATCH OUT!”

You body suddenly moved on its own as you ran up to the man wearing a red hoodie. He seemed to notice you screaming at him, his head looking over  his shoulder, but you had already tackled him to the ground with a *Thud*.

“OOF!”

“OucH!”

*SCrEE*

 You heard the car break to a halt,but you couldn’t see what else was happening because the guy’s hair took over your vision.The tackle caused the two of you to roll on the pavement. This ended up with you ultimately ending up with your back on the ground while he seemed to be tensed up as his face was directly into your chest.

“Sir, are you okay!?”

He said nothing but just blankly stared at your chest that he was still pushed up against. You sat yourself up a bit......his face still in your chest.

“...Sir?”

“...boobs.”

“Huh?”

“Boobs.”

You couldn’t help but look dumbfounded at him as he just shamelessly said “boobs” to you twice. TWICE. Without hesitation. Does he have no shame?!

“Too much...Too close...for a virgin-” Next thing you knew, blood started to flow out of his nose, staining your shirt, and then he fell limp in your lap.

“Oh. Oh dear.”

And that’s how you ended up where you were now. Looks like you’ll have to call Sato again. You're gonna be a little late.

*****

Sigh. Well. Today was interesting. Good thing this was on your day or else this would've been a whole lot more stressful. At least the sunset was looking good.

Admiring the sun saying it's  goodbye for today, you strolled outside to explore a little bit. It was gonna take more than a little near death experience and a weird guy to leave your curiosity astray. But....Although you hate to admit it..he was kinda cute.

In a weird way. You did kinda hope he was alright.

Walking along the bridge water stream, you spot a kart-wagon in your vision. A food stand maybe? You could eat.

“Uh...Good Evening?”

“Good Evening! You came to try the world’s best oden!”

“Oden? I never had it before. Is it good?”

“Of course it is, idjit! How can you not try it?! You’re lucky you found the best spot to try it!”

“Well then, I guess I’ll have a seat then!” You don’t know what, but the spirit this dude has in his oden actually makes you wanna try some. You were beyond hungry anyway.

Taking your seat, he makes a small plate. you take a bite as he anticipates your judgement.

“It’s delicious!”

“Of course it is! There was no doubt about it!”

“More Please”

Ha Ha. Flattery won’t get you nowhere.” But apparently it did get you somewhere because he gave you an even bigger plate of oden.

“Thank You!”

“Ehhh? Who are you?”

A new voice made you jump as you weren’t aware of the person sitting next to you on the other side. You could tell by his face that he was clearly drinking. A lot of it too be exact. His face was flushed with a bright red and his eyes were struggling to stay up....wake a minute.

“Hey! It’s you! You're that guy from earlier!”

“Ehhhhhhhhhh?” He sits up a bit to get a better look at you. “EH?! BOOB GIRL!?”

“WHO YOU CALLIN’ BOOB GIRL!? WHAT KIND OF NAME IS THAT?!” Does this guy have no shame?!

“How was I supposed to know? Why’d you suddenly attack me like that anyway? I know I’m hit and everything but you can’t attack a virgin like that You almost killed me!”

Sir-

“I almost killed you?! YOU ALMOST KILLED YOURSELF! What were you thinking walking into ongoing traffic like that!? That’s why I pushed you!”

“......I did? I think I would’ve remembered if I-.”

“You.Did.” You took down a swing of water before you looked back at his drunken stupor. “Look.What were you doing exactly before you went into traffic?”

“I was a pachinko parlor!” He exclaimed with a big grin.

“Uh-huh,and did you win anything?” He seemed to flinch at the question. He was looking anywhere that wasn't your eyes and rubbed the back of his head.

Bingo.

“Ah. You were so disappointed in all that loss of cash that you didn’t even notice a car coming straight for you.”  

An non-existent arrow hit him in the back of the head, as he put his head down in shame.

‘Ah, so he does have a little bit of shame.’

“I’ll win next time!” He said with a dumb grin on his face, holding up a thumbs up. 'I WAS WRONG! NO SHAME!'

The Cart Owner just stared at the scene in front of him, crossed his arms and sighed.

“Hey, Lady. I wouldn’t really talk to this guy if I were you. Talking with him and knowing his existence can only bring trouble.” The food cart owner stated.

“Huh!? Chibita! That’s so cruel~. I thought we were friends.”

“Who the hell said you were my friend,you damn idjit!?”

“So mean~! You're starting to sound like Totty. Stop being so mean! It’s bad enough I get it from my brothers!”

"Chibita,huh?” Another drink from your cup, you turned back to the drunken man.

“What’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”

He straightened up a little and rubbed his nose, winking at you and pointing to himself. “I’m Matsuno Osomatsu! But you can me Osomatsu, Cute Savior~!”

“Okay, Osomatsu. I’m (L/n) (Y/n), but for you, You can just call me (Y/n).” You decided to playfully flirt back, winking at him in the process. He stared at you blankly again, then his face started turning red, with more blood pulling out of his nose.

“ACK!Another surprise attack! Now you're definitely trying to kill me!”

“What the hell!?” You quickly grabbed his nose and plunged them. “ Tip your head forward and breath from the mouth.” He did what you told him. “Gently now.”

a few seconds later, his nose stopped bleeding.

“There, all better. Now......How did that happen!?”

“It’s your fault! Doing something like that a virgin NEET is a low blow. I might explode,Y’know!?”

“First Off, that shouldn't be possible.Secondly, I know no man that openly states he’s a virgin and a NEET so casually.So shameless yet so brave.”

“So Brave that you wanna date me!”

“No.”

Whaaaaat? Man, the world is so unfair. Even a NEETr like me needs love too. Someone cute needs to take my virginity.....Akatsuka-sensei here my.....prayers.....zzzzzzz..” Osomatsu face plants onto the table, loud snoring.

“He fell asleep?!”

“Tch. Lousy NEET always gets himself from paying his tab. I outta stop serving him. “ Chibita obviously knew the guy too well to look at him so nonchalantly. But still, this isn’t something a normal person will get used too. Wait-.

You look around and see that it was already dark. ‘So late, I gotta get ready for tomorrow.’ You stand up and give the money you owed. “Thank you for the meal, I'll be sure to come back again, Chibita-san.” You look over to Osomatsu. “What are you going to do about him?”

“Eh, I’ll just leave him. This isn’t the first time this happened. He’ll survive, he’s like a parasite.”

Even if what he said is true. It still feels...

You walked over to Osomatsu and draped his arm over your shoulder. “Chibita-san, do you know where he lives? I’ll be able to take him home.”

“HUh?! Well,yeah, but are you sure? There’s no real need to bring him home.”

“Don’t worry. I got time. Plus I think it’ll be easier for you. I’ll bring him home.”

****

And here you were,dragging Osomatsu home with the address Chibita gave you. He was pretty heavy over your shoulder. It didn’t help that he was drooling on your shoulder, and was in and out of consciousness. He was awake enough to talk.

“You smell good~~, can I touch your boobs?”

“No.”

“Pretty Please~~. I already had my face in your boobs, what’s a little grab?”

“No.”

“C’mon~~, I wanna! You're so sexy! Your chest is just begging to be grabbed!”

“Osomatsu-san, I am this close to throwing you in the river.” You emphasize by putting your fingers close together.

“You being angry is so hot. It does things to a guy.”

Sigh. You're almost there. Just drop him off and then you can’t finally sleep.

.....

“KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS. STOP POKING M-”

****

The Matsuno household.You made it. The house was pretty out of place with the rest of the building but it was cute.

You gently place Osomatsu on the ground, he was finally knocked out. Which was because of your help. He currently had a knot on the side of his head. This Jerk.

Looking over him, he was pretty peaceful even in the current state he was in. He was sucking his thumb and snoring loudly. Not a care in the world.

“He’s like a child. A man baby.” At least he has a cute face so it wouldn’t make it as bad. Sighing, you decided to grab some loose paper and a pen from your purse. Just in case. You never know. HE may be a bit of a jerk, but he was cute in a weird way.

You put your number inside his hoodie, hopefully he’ll notice. Knocking on the residents’ door, you took your leave for tomorrow. You have a busy day tomorrow.

[coffeetablettowers]

Headcanons I’ve bounced off of @idreamofdragons because she’s great and indulges me. Most are Seto/Joey and some are Tristan/Ryou.

Kaiba loves ramen, but somehow sucks at making them (he either doesn't wait long enough for them to cook or he waits too long and they're all mushy) so mokuba or joey makes it for him and really it's a double win because he gets his fav food AND somebody he loves made it just for him.

When Joey cooks Seto becomes joey's taste tester and he takes that role very seriously. When he tastes something really good he becomes quiet and savors the taste, then kisses joey.

joey is an energy drink person and seto is a coffee drinker. joey bought seto a coffee flavored energy drink Once (1 time) and seto was so disgusted by it he ridiculed joey about it All Day. Joey did not kiss him that day, but at night when Seto's laying in bed and realizes this he starts to feel bad and text's Joey "thank you".

(about that one post with the kitten sleeping in the shoe)  seto and joey have a kitten and one morning while seto's getting ready to leave he finds the kitten sleeping propped up in his shoe. he takes like twenty pictures of it and is quietly gushing over his perfect little creature. When joey wakes up he finds that his phone is flooded with pics of the kitten in the shoe. their kitten is so damn spoiled. seto gets it the best researched cat food, no tap water for this kitten seto uses filtered water (joey convinced him to use a breta filter water pitcher after he learned seto was always buying water), and the cat bed? blue eyes white dragon castle kitty bed baby.

seto is not a morning person. why else would he drink coffee at the tender age of 17 (or 16. however old he is. either way teens should not be drinking coffee or energy drinks). when he first tried to set his alarm clock to the time that he should get up mokuba caught him just staring off into space in his bed because he was just so tired. Mokuba got into his cellphone and set it to like an hour or two earlier so Seto can space out as long as he needed and gather the strength to get up for the day. when joey spends the night and sees Seto spacing out in the morning he thinks it's the most adorable "omg seto is human" thing ever and takes a picture.

joey dressed up as santa claus and gave mokuba that gift that he wanted (he saved all his money for it) and then gave seto a small gift and then whispered to meet him under the mistletoe after mokuba's asleep ^_~ with a little squeeze to seto's nonexistant booty. seto jumps at this and starts to blush and fumbles with an excuse when mokuba asks him what's wrong

Kaiba probably has a maid/maids. he's rich enough to have security team so he probably has maids to deal with all the little stuff around the house that he and mokuba don't have time for. Joey doesn't get used to this fact. he finds it odd to have people cleaning up after them. After being together for some time one time Joey dressed up as a maid, hid in Kaiba's office, and popped out asking, "Mr. Kaiba" if he could be of any service to him. He had never seen Kaiba turn so red from blushing before and teased him about it, but kaiba shut him up with a kiss while slamming his door shut.

seto and joey sometimes sleep big spoon/little spoon. they switch between who is big spoon and who is little spoon, but most times if seto's had a really bad day he's the little spoon. But to wake-up in the same position is a miracle because joey is a mover in his sleep. seto has been slapped and kicked by him before.

Tristan and ryou watch a mixture of horror, action, and rom-com movies. They get all their snacks and blankets together and are just super cozy. Tristan has nightmares after the horror movies and clings to ryou in his sleep. Ryou thinks it's adorable and hugs him back so when they wake up they're limbs are tangled with each other.

How they celebrate New Year’s:  seto/joey: celebrate with fireworks and when joey's away from mokuba seto kisses him.  tristan/ryou: ryou baked a bunch of pastries and tristan learned how to make some cocktails for them to celebrate while watching fireworks on the tv

Also New Year’s:  The gang, seto, and mokuba gathered for fireworks. Tristan and joey being dumb with fireworks and mokuba wants to join them so bad, but seto said no. When seto's away joey gives mokuba some roman candles to shoot off and he has a blast. When seto comes back and sees mokuba with the roman candles he wants to THROTTLE joey because who else would go against his word, but he just sees how excited mokuba is and settles with a frown towards joey.  Yami Yugi LOVES fireworks. He has mastered holding two roman candles in each hand and likes the really explosive fireworks. He gets all the debris, puts it in a pile, and lights it on fire. Seto has never seen this side of yami and is so confused by it.

Hell have no fury like joey stopping seto from drinking his fifth traveler sized mug of coffee.

seto will make damn sure everything is done on his schedule/to do list if it's the last thing. It haunts him until he gets out of bed and does the thing he missed if he doesn't get stuff done.

 seto has all the figurines and novelty items of blue eyes white dragon in their own glass cases and joey has to hear seto talk all about it, but you know what? joey love hearing seto talk so passionately about stuff he loves. he also likes watching seto pick out which coat he's going to wear for the day. seto tries on at least 5 before settling for one he likes.

  seto had a whole walk-in closet dedicated to his coats. When they were in the beginning stages of their dating and seto brought joey over for the first time he showed joey the really big room with all of his interests and seto rambled on forever about them. Joey couldn't believe it and was just as excited as seto. Both of their excitements fed off of each other and they were like dorks in a game store. Also joey liking his stuff gave seto an ego boost.

  Seto and joey both think each other is the hardest person to gift for birthdays, valentine's, and christmas because, Seto's reason: wants it to be so perfect he overthinks Joey: what do you get the guy that can just do whatever he wants Mokuba is utilized by both. Joey asks him questions and Mokuba makes offhanded suggestions to seto. Seto and joey get Mokuba gifts as well.

 idreamofdragon’s addition to the above:  Seto is SO SAPPY. And Joey's touched everytime even tho he doesn't need big extravagant and expensive showings of love. >< He's also always like Joey doesn't have to get him anything but like...... he feels he does and is wrecked by itttt.

 Joey/Yugi:  Joey likes to carry yugi on his shoulders. It doesn't always come up, but when it does he is always excited. In fact joey never misses a chance to tell yugi he's his perfect fun-sized boyfriend

  YUGI'S SCHOOL CLOTHES IN THE MANGA LOOK TOO BIG ON HIM. He has trouble shopping for clothes and knows how to make his own. That's why he ends up with his own fashion sense of belts and chokers because only really fashionie people are brave enough to wear that.

Joey’s birthday:  First birthday together: seto has a limo pick joey up and take him to wherever seto is meeting him for breakfast. It's awkward in the beginning and even more so when seto tells him he has to get back to the office, but joey can use the limo for whatever he likes and then gives him a credit card and says to buy himself whatever he likes. Joey voices that he can't just buy him things and expect it to be okay and that next time he expects to spend some actual quality time with his supposed boyfriend. Seto's taken aback by this, but calmly takes his cellphone out and tells his secretary to cancel all his meetings, delegates other things, then hangs up and tells joey he better be worth clearing a whole day for. Joey fumes and is like, "OF COURSE I'M WORTH IT. I'D DO THE SAME FOR YOU JERK". Moved in together: Mokuba makes breakfast for joey and it always brings a tear to his eye. Where joey sits at the table there's a little giftbox from Seto and it's a new pin to add to his denim jacket. Seto comes out of his room and asks joey what're they doing for the day. For lunch and dinner Seto calls ahead and has them clear out the restaraunt so it's just them three (for lunch) and two (for dinner).

tristan knows nothing about hair. hell he barely knows what to do with his and lucked out on finding a good style for it. so when ryou is in a fun mood and asks him to fix his hair he freaks, but figures brushing and putting it in a ponytail will be good enough. so they're sitting on his bed and tristan's brushing ryou's big mound of hair and he notices how soft his hair is and before he knows it ryou's giggling at him and asking if he's as soft as a bunny. tristan jumps and turns red which makes ryou laugh and the sound of ryou laughing makes tristan's heart pitterpatter. finally he has ryou's hair up and ryou turns around and kisses him on the cheek. tristan asks if he's going to look at it and ryou's like, "nope. i already know it looks good because it was done by you." and really tristan is goop now because his boyfriend is so cute.

every saturday joey has the gang over at seto's place to play guitar hero. why seto's place? because he owns the game and console. seto tries to do some work in a near-by room, but keeps hearing how god awful some of their playing is and comes out, tells them, "move dweebs. let me show you how to really play" and just ROCKS IT. He is very into it and when the song's done everybody claps. the gang lives for seto playing his 1 round every saturday. they try to get him to stay longer, but he tells them that he doesn't want to associate with dorks. joey fights back with, "who's the dork that owns the system?!" seto ignores him.

when ryou is in a playful mood he tries to see how many times he can make tristan flustered and turn red. for the most part though when they're around the gang they aren't showy or lovey-dovey about their relationship. they may hold hands or brush their fingers against the other's arm, but they're not really out for some reason, which is why it's a big surprise when they're all departing and tristan gives ryou a quick kiss before ryou leaves for his apartment and the rest of the gang is just like, "what was that?!" tristan turns red. the gang already knew tristan and ryou were dating. they spotted the two holding hands when they thought nobody was looking or the way tristan always fretted over ryou, but knew they didn't want to bring attention to themselves so for tristan to kiss ryou in front of them is an opportunity they're not going to miss to playfully tease him and also be like, "finally!"

Jin: Tristan's so adorable when it comes to relationships. He doesn't realize how obvious he is. But he's h u g e romantic.

[way-veee]

yan yu

rating: m

genre: romance, fluff, comedy, wayv being absolute crackheads

word count: 1.5k +

pairing: reader x wayv

pt. 6

“okay, sure, has the osaka part of the report been sent in yet? the editors need it by friday, also can you get me an estimated time for the cover photo and staff member list?” 

you roll your eyes as your manage asks you a multitude of questions  over the phone due to the change in arrival.

“yes i sent in the report yesterday and the cover photo will be taken on the last day. everything’s fine, don’t worry i got this.”

you hear her huff through your phone.

“okay that’s great. i read part of the preview you sent over last week and it seemed pretty good. keep up work like that and the report will be trending in no time.”

you nod into the phone.

“listen,“ you start, “ i was wondering. what would happen if maybe i covered wayv in a not so unrealistic light. what if i focused more on their struggles and issue with their company-”

“y/n” your manager snaps, definitely upset. “if you do that you’re fired. do you hear me? we don’t need our company getting shit on by sm or their fans because you wanted to have some political coverage to make you feel authentic or whatever. if i see anything like that i’ll fire you right on the spot. i swear to god.”

“okay i’ll take that as no. nice talking to you as always.”

“you too” she responds flatly.

she hangs up a second later and you pocket your phone, ready to go out.

you try to push probably being fired from your job out of your mind and enjoy the day.

wayv was at the studio again today, practicing their choreography and finishing lyrics. you wanted to get more coverage on the process for the report so you decided to go as well.

the boys left earlier in the morning than you, and not wanting to wake up at 6:30 to sit in a cold practice room, you had declined.

you go to the cafeteria and get a latte and bagel for your breakfast. you tuck the bagel in your purse for later and walk out the front exit of the building to get to the bus stop.

it was cold while waiting for the bus so you put on your hat to keep warm. the bus came fifteen minutes later and you gladly boarded, taking one of the only empty spots beside a girl that looked about your age. the bus took off with a jolt and you leaned back into your seat sipping your vanilla latte.

“hey i know you!”

you look over at the girl surprised, you didn’t think you knew her.

“you were in my vocal class senior year!”

you inspect the girls face more thoroughly. her sloped nose and clear skin jogged your memory. 

“ohhh i remember you! you’re nene, the one who sang adele for their final exam.”

(not very well if you recall correctly)

“ya! that’s me!” she responds cheerfully while looking you up and down “and you sang....”

“i didn’t.” you reply embarrassed, looking past her at the highway falling behind the bus window.

“riiight, that was when you ran out of the exam and threw up in front of the science classrooms!”

you nod desperately trying to forget when you were too nervous to perform and vomited in front of your classmates.

“then the principal came but you wanted to come back and-”

“how’s the singing going now?” you cut in, slightly annoyed.

“oh great!” she replies with perfect teeth and rosy lips.

“i’m still doing auditions but i have a feeling something big is coming my way. plus i’ve already achieved something better!”

“what’s that” you reply, losing interest in the pretty girl from high school that you remembered was also quite boring.

“i’m dating a celebrity!” she yells.

everybody on the bus slowly turns to look at us, mostly annoyed at us being loud. you shrink down wanting to disappear from this conversation.

“oh, that’s so cool...” you say not wanting anything more to do with this girl.

“do you wanna know who it was?”

“no that’s okay, you probably shouldn’t tell people anywa-”

“they were in nct 127!”

“what” you say a little too loudly.

“you heard me” she smirks definitely liking your shocked reaction.

she disinterestedly plays with a pink charm on her purse. she was going to make you ask to her to tell the rest of the story. you had to know a little bit more because wayv and nct 127 were both sub units. 

you hated girls like this.

“nene, can you please tell me a little more? if you can, i understand if you can’t but-”

“okay, it was like 5 months ago and i was at one of the recording studios downtown doing backup vocals for this really cool band called the rain and as i was going to get a snack they literally walked right past me.”

she retells the story so perfectly and without skipping a beat. you figured she was telling the truth. 

“and i totally make eye contact with taeyong. like eye contact” she emphasizes making big eyes at you while continuing.

“the recording manager said that they’d be on a break in 20 so i waited outside and when taeyong came out he says hi to me. and we talk for a little bit and he gives me his number! his actual phone number.”

“wow” you say trying to sound enthusiastic. maybe this was just a boring story and you shouldn’t have asked about it.

“so then a week later we set a date at the dorms... and you know” she says smiling cheekily at me. 

“he was super sweet too, he told me this funny story of when mark went on a date with a reporter because she kept writing bad articles about them and she totally thinks that he likes her and that they’re like dating or something. anyways, when i got there..”

your jaw dropped. it made sense now. why they were nice to you and became your friend so suddenly. 

god you were so dumb, 

why didn’t you think that the managers of wayv would also get the rough drafts of your report too. they definitely told the boys about what you had initially said.

it was apparent now that they were just using you so you’d write a positive report based off of friendship not truth.

“hey y/n?” nene says pinching your arm with her pointy nails. “oh...” she says while definitely trying to suppress her smile. “i forgot, aren’t you are reporter too?” she tilts her head looking at you bemusedly to see how you’d react.

“this is my stop” you say while gesturing to the red flashing light announcing the street that the dance studio is at.

“bye y/n!” nene screeches from inside the bus. “you know where to contact me!”

you wave meekly as the doors shut and the bus passes by you.

while walking to the studio your sadness of being deceived turns into anger and embarrassment. you hated celebrities and vocal majors and cold days and bagels. 

you walk into the building and find the room number you had written down on a piece of paper. you walk up two flights of stairs and down a large hallway with closed doors.

finally, you bust into their room to see them by the full length mirrors practicing formations.

they saw the pain and anger on your face and were frightened by how different you seemed.

“y/n, are you okay?” kun asks getting up off of the floor visibly concerned.

you knew that you shouldn’t do this here for so many different reasons. but you felt like you had too. wayv meant too much to you for it all to be fake.

“is this real.” you ask, staring at them and their confused expressions.

“y/n what do you mean-” kun starts

“is this real. is our friendship real?”

they look at you quizzically. why were you bringing this up now.

“yes, we’re friends now. remember we got past the whole hating eachother bit and banded together to make music and you were gonna write the article-”

you cut ten off sharply

“are you just being nice to me because of my job. because you want me to write something nice about you guys.”

they stay silent as you feverishly try to push back tears. the buzz of the room is so loud in your ears.

“i know this is dumb because we haven’t known eachother for long. but i thought that we were friends. i thought you guys- you superstars liked me for who i was. i- over this week i was really happy working and talking with you guys. i’m so stupid to think that you would actually like me.”

you started to get really nervous for speaking your thoughts to them in a rom-com fashion. you wanted to crawl into the floors and disappear.

everyone is quiet for a moment. thinking over what you said as you clutch the cold bagel in your purse trying not to cry.

“what about the song? do you think that was fake? or that we do that with every reporter?” lucas asks.

you look up at them.

“do you know what yan yu means?” yangyang asks

“of course” you reply. “ it means to speak”

“that’s going to be the name of our new title track.” he replies

you look at yangyang wanting him to explain.

winwin steps forward slightly looking at the ground.

“we called it yan yu because you allowed us to speak. because of all that you’ve done while you’ve been here. the thing we care about most isn’t the article, it’s having our own voices. we want to tell the world- through our music that we’re ready to be heard because we finally have something we can say that’s ours. this is all because of you, we can speak now because of you.”

you look into his eyes as they soften in the corners. you know that what winwin said is real because he never liked you enough in the first place to make up such a heartfelt lie. 

you start to melt a little as you continue to process the words.

“if we wanted you to write a positive article we would’ve just seduced you.” hendery says. “it’s easier and probably has faster results especially if there’s more of us-” 

you run and hug hendery before he finishes. you smile in his arms as he hugs you back. you pretend that you’re not crying but his shirt is probably wet now, so they’ll find out very soon.

 what they said was so sincere and nice. you were now convinced that what you had with the boys was real to them too.

all of your worries from early dissipate into the stale air above you. you felt someone hug you from behind only to feel lucas’s warm chest against your back. you smiled bigger as you felt the other members join your hug, feeling warmer and warmer each time a member joins.

a moment later when they were all silent you spoke, trying to not let your voice crack from your crying.

“you deserve to be heard. you guys have so many important things to say and a lot of music that needs to be listened to. i’m glad i could help you all become the fantastic artists you’ve always been.”

you feel the hug tighten around you and you swear your heart smiles within your chest. 

how were you ever going to phrase this in the report.

“no, xiaojuns arm is too far above lucas’s it looks weird.”

“are you sure that’s not what the video looks like?” ten questions walking over to inspect the boys formation.

“no shes right” he says moments later after glancing at the laptop screen.

he adjusts their arms and they slowly runs through the next steps as you try to compare them to the video they had given you on one of their laptops.

you stop them seconds later, “lucas coming down from the high kick you were behind by a few seconds and henderey you need to extend your leg more.”

they run the moves again as you enjoy your newfound power over the boys. they had been practicing a new intro choreo for their music bank performance for a little over two hours. 

you had agreed to help them because you thought it would be good to add how much hard work and dedication it took to just perform a two minute intro for your article. 

okay, another part of you also felt bad for barging into the practice room, accusing them of being fake friends and thinking that they were influencing you so you’d use the little power you did have to make them look good. maybe a little more of the second, but they didn’t need to know that.

“wait stop! did you guys change that cross formation there or was it in the second half.”

“um,” ten says while sweating and breathing vigorously from the nonstop motion. “we changed the triangle formation in the second half to the diagonal line. this is the cross formation.”

“okay, i wasn’t sure, i’ll mark it down. also lucas and yangyang you guys need to fix your levels on that cross because it looks unbalanced” you say while scribbling that down on the stage direction sheet.

“jeesh” xiaojun whispers to the boys, “she’s worse than our choreographer and that’s his actual job.”

the boys chuckle while glancing over at you as you wrote the note down.

“well we’ll be out of here faster and the performance will be good.” kun shrugs while trying to hold back how tired he really was.

lucas pokes kun’s shoulder with one of his long fingers and he goes tumbling down to the ground. the boys laugh hysterically.

“you won’t even be able to walk by the time we do have to perform!” lucas yells in his face while laughing at the tiny amount of pressure that had sent him tumbling to the ground.

“okay we’re gonna take it from the top one more time!” kun yells at you while trying to get up off the ground as the boys continue to laugh at him instead of helping him.

you nod and rewind the video. you had a few more notes but wasn’t sure if they could handle it today. kun seemed pretty tired so reluctantly you just pressed play and let the music run.

you watched the boys in such fascination at how fast and expertly their bodies moved. it was insane to you how some of them couldn’t even dance before becoming trainees but now were better than some professional dancers.

the boys were hard at work on this sunday afternoon. practicing the same painstaking motions over and over again until it morphed into art. to this day i will never understand how idols can turn such mundane actions into a performance piece worthy of national acclaim. for now i have only one solution, i believe there is something inside them that is extraordinary.

part 7 will be linked down here:)

[yukikorogashi]

🌹 to give my muse flowers (from miguel to itsuki c:)

→ BE MY VALENTINE!

🌹 to give my muse flowers

   WHILE IT HAD BEEN FUN to initially tease the poor bro about this, Itsuki was in truth OVERJOYED that he had said YES in spending VALENTINE’S DAY with her. 

   Having never before gotten to celebrate this day with a FRIEND, so had Itsuki seen this as a fantastic opportunity to spend it with her new pal! “Fer reals?” Though it would come as a surprise to her, upon hearing that she was the first one to request this of him, “Well then... uhm honoured dat’cha said YES, bro, hehe!” She couldn’t help but tease him again however, as she then offered a simple wink of her eye. 

   Eventually however, in an attempt to ease his nerves, Itsuki would confess that she too wasn’t exactly an expert on the holiday itself. Other than what she was able to gather from the LOUD COMMERCIALS that she saw, the FLOWERY GIFTS that she would see in most store displays... and of course, the LOVEY DOVEY COUPLES that she would pass on by on the streets themselves. And so with a ticklish giggle, and a rub to the back of her head, Itsuki would offer a nod to his idea on what they should do together on this day, “Hehe yeah! We can jus’ hang out like we always do, bro. Pft, we don’t gotta do anythin’ special, like dem couples.” 

   And just like that, so would they have a DAY OUT ON THE TOWN together. To ease their initial awkwardness, the two would make do with chatting amongst themselves about the going ons in their lives first, just like they would any other time. While also quietly watching how others celebrated the holiday, to get a better idea on what they could do. Taking in the COLOURFUL DECORATIONS themselves (There were flowers and balloons at every turn, much to Itsuki’s delight), the jazzy music that would play in most areas, and the BUSTLING RESTAURANTS and CAFES, filled to the brim with not just couples, but friends and family as well. They themselves would eventually get themselves an ICE CREAM CONE each, just to make this day a tiny bit more special than it already was.

   Though, as the day itself drew to a close... Miguel had suddenly stopped in his tracks. Informing her to stay put, before suddenly running right off. He would turn around the same corner that they had just come from, causing her to think that he might have left something behind earlier... But upon his return, Itsuki certainly did not expect him to return with a SMALL BOUQUET OF FLOWERS in hand. A dumb little “Aye?” escaping her, as she looked up to the shy smile on his face, before back down to the pretty flowers... Giving one, wide, puzzled blink-- before gasping softly and muffling it just a little too late with her mittens. Her face quickly turning the deepest shade of red, that would put any beetroot to shame, then and there. Having not at all expected this... as she slowly, but surely reached out to accept them. Cradling them oh-so gently, as she was afraid of hurting them in any way.

   “T-These are beautiful... bro... O-Oh m’ gawsh... y-ya shouldn’ ‘ave, ah--” And yet, why would it fluster Itsuki so? When it was just a gift from a friend? A dear friend, who was nothing but the sweetest and kindest soul she’d ever met. One who was so thoughtful enough to even get these for her, to make a great day even better, “T-Thank you...” Leaning forward then, Itsuki would place a gentle peck upon the boy’s cheek, before pulling back to conceal the bashful smile behind those very flowers, “Uhmm rea-leh glad ah got ta spend ta-day wit' ya.”

[justformyself2]

P.S. I Love You. (p1)

Hello guys, it’s been a while, but i finally gathered my emotions together and put to use on this amazing challenge.I hope it can be of good  entertainment for you guys in this terrible times. Stay safe, keep your loves ones safe, and for those who are ill, or have loved ones ill i’m keeping you in my prayers, and i hope for your recovery.

The Rom-Com Writing Challenge is brought to you by my dear creative friend @lullabieswrappedinlies​. As the title says, this is inspired by - the great at making me cry hard movie- ‘P.S. I Love You.’ if you haven’t seen it, go see it before you read this.

BEFORE YOU JUMP IN BE ADVISED:

.This series contains spoilers from the movie P.S. I LOVE YOU.

. Pairing: Reader x John Krasinski.

. (Y/M/N) stands for ‘your mother’s name’. Letters in italic means memories.

.It contains strong language.

.It contains angst and grieve.

. IF you want you can read this along with the amazing soundtrack from the movie CLICK HERE

WANT TO KEEP UPDATED ON THIS STORY? CLICK HERE

.gif found by google search.

                                                                                          JOHN’S POV.

“After you’re done with this, can you close the blinds for me?”

Says (Y/M/N) behind my back, toneless, going away with more empty glasses banging against each other.

I drop the green sponge next to the faucet, drying my wet and soapy hands on the back of the jeans, remaining into my slob habits who refuses to use the dishrag. 

The tintinnabulation continues. On the east side of the bar, more hugs, more people, and more loud conversation. I start to pull strings when 'Can’t Get Out of This Mood' softly playing on the background was completely turned off and the doorbell ranged one last time, making the room quieter, leaving the cue that it could only mean one thing, but I still had more strings to pull before looking back. 

The claustrophobic feeling the room induced had to be shaken off. People were embracing her with arms, and ‘I’m sorry’s as she sits on one of the bar stools, strategically put in a circular form where they all could be closer to Gerry’s black quadrangular urn and his picture. I close the door, pulling the closed sign-on, the Priest takes his place, rearranging the clerical collar before standing next to the remains of Gerry.

“Did you closed the door?” (Y/M/N) questioned, and I affirm. She nods. “Good, now go take a seat, (Y/N) arrived.”

She goes back to the counter in a hurry. 

I don’t try to blend amid the crowd wearing black since I was still wearing a green polo shirt with jeans, and hadn’t time to change earlier when my hands were full of all the thanksgiving decorations that had to be taken down, at least it was a darker shade of the color.

I carry myself next to the wall, getting an angular vision of her eyes starting to get red, Denise pats her back, and someone pats mine.

“Hey, John, how are you doing, bud?”

Mark smiles and puts a pack of cigarettes on the inside of his suit.

“I’m fine, and you? still smoking that shit.”

He sighs, scratching the oily forehead.

“I’m allowing myself today. Otherwise, I will bang my head against the wall till unconsciousness. I can’t fucking believe he-.”

Mark chokes, the corners of his mouth trembling. It is my time to fill the 'guy’s code’ and pat his back.

“I know, bud, at least you got to say a proper goodbye.”

He nods, looking down at his shoes.

“Well, as Gerry would say, let’s get this party started." 

The Priest started, making the murmurs stop.

 "Gerry Kennedy did not want a lot of words. He preferred music. He was a unique young man. As you can see by the urn he had designed by the love of his life…His wife, (Y/N). His life may be over for now, but we can still hear it. He lives in us forever in our hearts, like his favorite song.”

Close to the urn, a small, old stereo box I found in the basement was placed. The Priest hits play and the melody of 'Fairytale of New York’ stars. I spot her giggling.

“Have you finished the job? Did you get what I sent you?”

Mark turns to me, desperately grabbing my shoulder. He was still nervous or too emotional, and I can’t blame him, but this was neither the time or place.

“Can we not talk about this, right now? Later ok? Let’s focus on celebrating Gerry’s life, as he wanted… Look, the shots are ready.”

On top of the urn, small shots of tequila were placed. I see (y/n) getting closer to it slowly, almost as she wanted a turn to another direction, but she takes one of them.

                                                                     A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER.

(Y/N) walks fast in front of me, holding that letter as if it was a map leading her to a scavenger hunt. Her hair was bouncing against her back.

“Come on.” She grabs me by the hand, and I have to match her pace. 

“Come on, are you denying a dying man his last wish?”

We stop by the fountain, in front of the enormous arch adorned with sculptures, at the northern entrance of Prospect Park. On the top, a woman on a chariot carried by four horses, two angels were blowing trumpets besides her dominance.

“This is 'The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch,’ and that on the top is the goddess Columbia, with wings, ready to battle." 

(Y/N) smiles at me, pointing at the piece briefly with the enthusiasm of a toddler. I nod, genuinely impressed by how amazed she looked at the Arch, how enthusiastic, art in any form, made her feel. We just left the Brooklyn Museum, and that smile hasn’t faded away. I hate Gerry less at this moment.

"I always adored this place. It was the first place I visited when I moved.”

I let it slip, getting inebriated by the overwhelming nostalgia that also included her.

“I like it too. I used to spend the Saturdays walking around with my sketchbook in hands, this big jean bag full of art supplies, and my whole afternoon would be drawing random strangers.”

She giggles for a moment and goes back to serious on the other, the circle repeats. I already know why, but waiting to go away was not my thing. 

“Oh, so that is what was inside that bag.” I reminisced and laugh.

“You remember?” She smiles, and of course, I did.

“Of course I do, but you never showed me any of you work. It would be nice to see it.”

I make the suggestion that makes her eyes gain a little more shine again, and she was back for now.

“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”

“Show you what?” I play dumb and receive a slap in the arm.

“Come on, English major in Brown. The hell, of course, you got stuff.”

My mouth drops.

“How do you even remembered that?”

“Because I remembered that after I interviewed you and saw your resume, I couldn’t believe you would just be a barman, and I don’t mean to offend, I just think you are capable of much more.”

I was still stuck on the realization of my thought to even understand how to be offended. She still remembered the infamous day of my interview, made by her, years ago, before she traveled to Ireland, before Gerry.

(Y/N) rolls her eyes and laughs. My blood rushes to my ears; I can feel the tingling.

“Well, that and that big stain on your purple shirt, my eyes still burns even if the memory of it, also your heavy Bostonian accent.”

“Wow, I sound the worst.”

She laughs again, and I’m glad because I felt paralyzed, surprised that I can continue talking.

“You know you were not.”

Her expression changes like she just caught herself saying what she wasn’t supposed to. from paralyzed I get unquiet as she moves along.

“Well, it was a long time ago.”

[averagemarvelbitch]

The Billionaire and The Mechanic / STONY

Summary: Steve is a billionaire who worked hard to get where he is. He meets Tony, the mechanic, and falls in love faster than he ever thought possible. But Tony has some issues to work through, and some secrets he’s clearly not ready to share, and Steve’s friends, ever so overprotective, are not really trusting of this strange mechanic who seems to have the billionaire wrapped around his little finger.

They soon find out that loving someone isn’t always easy, but it might be worth it in the end.

Chapters: 6/?

Tagging: @huntersociopathavenger @inmyownweirdworld

Read it on AO3

---

They were about to celebrate their one month anniversary and Steve could not be happier. After that particular night in his apartment, where they spent the night together in each other’s arms and Steve had woken up to a very eager Tony kissing his way down his body, they’d had a very frank talk over breakfast. Steve had opened his heart to the mechanic without fear or hesitation. Tony, on his part, had listened intently with a smile on his face and, when the blond was finally finished with his speech, had simply replied with a very emotional I love you too. Needless to say, neither of them made it to work that day.

As the weeks passed, they grew even closer and, slowly, Tony started to share more and more of his previous life with his boyfriend. My father was not a very nice person, he’d said one day while they made dinner, he beat me and always made me feel like I was a failure. Steve had listened, nodding when necessary, and when Tony was done, he’d merely hugged him tight, kissing his hair. We had a butler and he was the one who raised me, he told Steve another time, when they were watching a movie, I considered him my father and he considered me a son. He died of a heart attack while I was at MIT and my parents didn’t even have the decency to call me and tell me. I didn’t go to his funeral, he said sniffling, with tears in his eyes, while Steve pulled him closer, touching his forehead with his lips and murmuring words of comfort.

Tony also got closer to Steve’s friends. He had insisted they invite the others over for dinner and refused to take no for an answer. Defeated, Steve had agreed with him in the end and invited the gang over, but not before having a very long conversation with them about respect and boundaries. They all came over on a Friday night. They ordered some pizzas and played board games. At first, they were all very nervous and stiff, and made very little eye contact with Tony. By the end of the night, Bucky was standing on the table, pointing his finger at Tony and screaming that he was a freaking thief while the others laughed and told him he was a sore loser. After that, they decided it would be better to stop playing Monopoly.

Overall, Steve could not be happier. Everything was working perfectly in his life. His boyfriend, who he loved very much and who loved him in return, was starting to trust him enough to share more and more about his previous life. His friends not only accepted his boyfriend, but also welcomed him to the group with arms wide open, treating him like he was one of them. And, of course, the cherry on top: Steve and Tony had confessed their deep feelings for each other and were now officially a couple. Life could not be more perfect, which was probably why destiny decided to throw some rain on their parade.

It was a Thursday when things started to get complicated. Tony had slept over at Steve’s the previous night and left the next morning, after some shower sex and a very nice breakfast. Steve had insisted on giving him a ride, but the mechanic had adamantly refused, assuring the blond that he was more than capable of taking a cab. They parted ways with a kiss and a promise to see each other later that night. Steve watched the cab go with a longing smile on his face and, when it turned the corner and disappeared from view, he finally checked his phone.

>>Stane called. He’s insisting you meet him at his new tower. – M.

Steve frowned, typing a reply.

<<Did you tell him I don’t usually make house calls?

He got in the car, eyes still on his phone as Happy closed the door.

>>Yes, I did. That’s why I said he was insisting. He says he’s very busy today and that he’s sure you’d make an exception for him because you two are, and I quote, “more than just business partners”. – M.

Steve rolled his eyes. They were definitely not more than just business partners. In fact, they were barely that, especially now that Stane had been selling them old tech and trying to pass it as new. Still, the blond sighed and replied.

<<Yeah, tell him I’ll meet him there. Might as well, since we’re probably gonna drop him when the contract’s over.

>>Sending the address to Happy’s GPS right now. – M.

It didn’t take long for them to arrive at the big, ugly tower with a huge Stark Industries written on the top. He exited the car, buttoning his suit and walked inside the building. A red headed woman in a suit quickly came to greet him.

“Hello, Captain Rogers. I’m Virginia Potts, Mr. Stane’s personal assistant. Please follow me, he’s in the workshop waiting for you”.

“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Potts”, Steve nodded and followed her to the private elevator. They rode it in complete silence. When the doors opened minutes later, Steve couldn’t help but look around with wide eyes.

The workshop, as Miss Potts had called it, was like something out of a sci-fi movie. Steve couldn’t name half the things in there.

“Ah, Captain! I’m so glad you could come”, Stane exclaimed in a welcoming tone. Steve knew he was being polite, but, for some reason, every time that man opened his mouth the blond would get chills, and not the good kind.

“Mr. Stane. I don’t usually make house calls, but I was nearby so it was no trouble”, he said, shaking the man’s hand, “I would like to know why exactly I’m here, though”.

“Yes, yes. Virginia? Please, bring us some scotch”.

“Water for me, please, Miss Potts”, Steve intervened.

“No drinks before lunch, Captain? What, the missus will be mad or something?”

“Just not much for drinking in general, Mr. Stane”, he replied, trying very hard to sound polite, “Now, the purpose of this meeting?”

“Yes, yes, of course. Have you seen our newest weapon? I call it the Jericho. It should be operational within a few weeks”, Stane said, gesturing to what seemed to be a simple missile.

Steve got a bit closer and looked at it, frowning. “A missile? Mr. Stane, I don’t see how my company would need missiles. We’re not going to war with anyone”.

“Oh, no. I didn’t bring you here for the Jericho, Captain, but for a… let’s say business proposition. Just hear me out. SHIELD trains the best people. And I happen to know a few people in very high positions in our government who would be very interested in a… let’s say… merger”, he started, gesturing to the chair nearby. Steve sat down, still looking very suspicious. “We both know how the world works. Civilians think it’s all black and white, good and bad, but we know better. There is a lot of grey out there. And sometimes there are missions, things that must be done, that the public would never understand. So they have entire teams for it, teams that remain in secret and do their jobs in secret”.

“Are you suggesting SHIELD should become some sort of shady organization?”

“All I’m saying is that SHIELD trains the best people, Captain. You’re not just training security agents, you’re training spies”, Stane said in a soft tone, “Yes, I know about your friend, Miss Romanov, is it? She was KGB, was she not? And now she trains your people”.

“I’m starting to sense a little threat in your words, Stane, and I gotta tell you, I don’t do well with threats. So you should measure your next words very carefully”, Steve replied in a warning tone.

“No threat here, my boy!”, he said with a booming laugh, “No threat, just a business opportunity. Think about it… SHIELD could be the next CIA”.

“We are not interest in that. We do security, that’s it. And if that’s all you called me here for…”

“Calm down, my boy, it was just an idea. I have some new tech I need to show you”, he said, typing something on his phone, “The engineers should be here in a minute”.

“I’m not interested in any new tech…”, Steve started to said, but was interrupted by something grabbing and pulling him by the shirt. He turned around and found himself face to face with what appeared to be a very big robot.

The robot in question let his shirt go and raised its claw ― or was it its head? Maybe it was both ―, opening and closing it as if he was blinking at Steve.

“What…?”

“That’s DUM-E”, Miss Potts answered, having suddenly appeared with a tray. She gave Stane the glass of scotch and offered Steve the bottle of water, which he politely accepted. And then suddenly, it hit him.

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?”

“That’s DUM-E”, the red head repeated with a small smile.

In a blink, a memory from a few weeks ago suddenly appeared on his head. I had a robot, I built him myself from scratch, he saw Tony say with sad eyes inside his own mind, His name was DUM-E. He’s probably been destroyed now or sold for parts.

“His name is DUM-E?”, Steve asked, softly petting the claw, who chirped as if it were happy.

“Yes. It’s just a dumb robot. We’ve tried shutting it down or dismantling it for parts, but it gets aggressive every time someone gets close”, Stane explained, taking a sip from his glass, “I’m actually surprised he’s letting you touch him”.

Suddenly, everything made sense. He eyed the missile, the Jericho, on the table and clenched his jaw.

“How much for him?”

“I’m sorry?”, Stane asked, feigning surprise.

“How much for the robot?”

“You want to buy the robot”.

“Yes. Was the question not clear?”

Miss Potts was staring at them, apprehensive.

“This is a special robot…”, Stane started, but was interrupted by the other.

“How much?”, Steve repeated.

Stane smiled as if Christmas had come earlier this year.

---

Tony exited the car, looking around with a suspicious look. He hadn’t told Steve, hadn’t wanted to bother or worry him, but for some time now he’d had the feeling he was being watched. Whether it was at the car shop, at his apartment or when he was arriving at Steve’s building, it was look he could feel someone’s eyes trained on him. It was disconcerting to say the least, but every time he looked around and searched for the source he found no one. By now, Tony was convinced his mind was playing tricks on him. So, once again, he shook his head, trying to get his paranoia out of his mind, and walked inside the building.

He took the elevator to Steve’s apartment and opened the door with a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to see Steve and hug him and kiss him. Tony had had boyfriends before, but none of them had been even remotely like Steve. He was sweet, kind, understanding. Sometimes, Tony just had to look at him and his heart would fill with so much love and happiness he actually felt like he might explode. And being able to see him, everyday, to sleep and wake up in his arms, it was just the best feeling in the world. He was amazing. And he’s mine, he thought to himself, locking the door behind him and taking his coat off as he walked towards the living room.

“Honey, I’m home”, he called out in a playful tone.

He heard a loud crashing sound, as if someone had just dropped something very happy, and then suddenly… Was that… beeping? Tony turned around, confused, and saw it. Looking at him like a child who has finally found his long lost father, was none other than DUM-E.

“DUM-E?”, he asked in a whisper.

DUM-E beeped loudly and happily, running over to Tony while its claw head like a kid. He stopped right in front of the mechanic, beeping away as if he was trying to talk. Tony touched him softly, making the machine beep even more, and then hugged him awkwardly. The mechanic had tears in his eyes. He looked up to see Steve on the door to their bedroom, a small smile on his face.

“How did you find him?” Tony asked, letting go of the robot. DUM-E, who was apparently already over the whole reunion thing and very curious about his new home, rolled away to the lamp nearby and started pressing the button, turning it on and off and on and off again nonstop, beeping excitedly.

“About that…”, Steve said, walking closer to Tony and taking his hands, kissing one softly, “I think I know who you are, Tony. And, if you let me, I think I can help you”.

Tony sniffed, glancing at DUM-E, all happy and clueless. “How did you find him?”, he repeated the question, looking at Steve once more.

“I bought him from Stane. And I don’t think it was just a coincidence. I think he called me to his new tower today for this exact purpose. I think he knows where you are and what you are to me, Tony”.

The mechanic whined as if in pain, hugging himself with both arms, stepping away from Steve.

“I need… I need to run. I need to go, I need…”

“Tony”, Steve said firmly, holding the smaller man by the shoulders, “If you want to run, I won’t stop you. We’ll run together. We’ll go to London, Paris, even freaking Siberia if that’s what it takes. But I need you to listen to me… You don’t have to run anymore, Tony, because I’ll protect you. I’ll fight whoever I need to, I promise you, and I’ll rip them apart if I have to. I will never let him hurt you again, Tony. I promise you”.

Tony was looking down. He took a deep breath and nodded, looking up to meet Steve’s eyes. “I trust you”, he whispered.

“Do you want to run? Or do you want to stay and fight them? It’s your choice, love”, Steve asked softly, cleaning away a tear with his thumb.

Tony took yet another breath and closed his eyes hard, before opening them with a determined look. “I want to stay and fight”.

Steve smiled. “First thing we’re going to do… We’re going to hire the best damn lawyer in this country and we’re going to take a look at your father’s will. Because I know your father was an asshole, Tony, but from what you’ve told me, and what I’ve heard from him, he was all about legacy and names. And I seriously doubt he’d leave everything to someone other than his son”.

“Rhodey said the same thing”, Tony replied, nodding, “But Stane has a legion of lawyers. It’s hard to go against rich people. Trust me, I know”.

“He’s not the only rich people around”, Steve joked, kissing his boyfriend’s forehead and pulling him to his chest, “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Tony. You have an army now. We’re going to get you justice. We’re going to avenge you”.

Sir? Sir, are you there?

Tony opened his eyes and untangled himself from Steve. Both turned their eyes to DUM-E, who seemed confused.

Sir? Is that you? I recognize your voice pattern. Please, respond.

DUM-E started to turn around on himself, searching for the source of the voice, unaware that the voice was coming from his own sound box.

“Is DUM-E talking?” Steve asked, confused, but Tony was too stunned to pay any attention to him.

“JARVIS?” He asked carefully, taking a step closer to DUM-E.

Yes, sir. I must say, it is a pleasure to talk to you again ― DUM-E, for heaven’s sake, stop moving, I have told you a million times, it’s ME.

DUM-E stopped moving, but turned his claw, still confused.

“Jarvis? Who’s Jarvis?”

Tony turned back to Steve. “Remember the something I created, the thing my guardian… Obadiah wanted… It’s a missile”.

“The Jericho”, Steve supplied, and then explained upon seeing the perplexed look on Tony’s face, “He showed it to me, said it would be operational in a few weeks”.

That is a lie, sir. Mr. Stane has brought many capable men and women to try and get rid of me, but I assure you all of them were unsuccessful.

“Wait. Is JARVIS…”

“JARVIS is the one thing keeping Stane from accessing the Jericho. I’m the only person that can activate it, get it to work”, Tony confirmed, “and when all of that happened, I created JARVIS to protect it from him. The reason no one can crack the code is because he’s an AI. He is always rewriting himself”.

Indeed I am, sir.

“JARVIS, how did you do this? How can you be inside DUM-E’s program?”, Tony asked, curious and astonished with his creation.

I simply hacked him, as the young ones would say. Not only DUM-E, however. Sir, I control the tower. The elevators, the computers, every electronic inside. I have infiltrated their system and they are unaware of it.

Tony’s mouth fell open. “You’re in the tower? How the hell did you manage to do that? The Jericho wasn’t connected to any networks, that’s not possible”.

I had help, sir. And she recorded a message for you as well. A moment, if you please.

There was a minute of silence before a very familiar voice filled the room.

Tony? Is this… Do I just talk? DUM-E’s sound boxes were not exactly the best, so the voice sounded a bit off, but it was still unmistakable. Tony, it’s Pepper. I just helped your… AI… thingy get out. If you’re listening to this, than call me, you absolute prick! I miss you and I’m worried about you! Rhodey won’t tell me where you are, says he promised, that traitor! Please, just call me, alright? I’m his assistant now, I’m on the inside. I can help bring him down, Tony! Just, please, let me know you’re alright, ok?

“Oh my God. That’s Pepper!”

“Pepper?” Steve asked.

You know her as Miss Potts, Captain. Sir, I must tell you… Miss Potts and I have uncovered some very interesting documents on Mr. Stane’s computer.

“What kind of documents?” Steve inquired, stepping closer to Tony, who had just sat down on the couch, looking absolutely overwhelmed.

Documents that could prove Mr. Stane has been double dealing for years now. I cannot take the information from his computer, however. Said information must be manually transferred to a secure hard drive.

“Tony… Tony, I know a lot just happened all of a sudden”, Steve said, kneeling down in front of his boyfriend, “But this is good. Tony, we can fight him. We can get you your life back. What do you say, love?”

Tony stared at his hands for a long moment, looking deep in thought. Then, he raised his head, looking into Steve’s eyes before smiling, determined, a fire burning in his brown eyes.

“I say let’s get the son of a bitch”.

---

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[writerraj]

Quotients

Our Company President when talks in a meeting, mesmerises the audience with his fluency in English. He impresses all with his super word power & knowledge - Man with a great L(Language) Q(Quotient).

Marathi community seniors who all have had enough of Holy Dnyaneshwari reads, will know how proficient such a young Saint Dnyaneshwar could be in Marathi & et al who are non-Marathi speakers, will be bristling with perplexities for his supreme poetic proficiency – Godly human being with an all-time high LQ & S (Spiritual) Q (Quotient). Stephen Hawking & Albert Einstein had an I (Intelligence) Q(Quotient) of 160, one of the all-time high. Parents of an eleven year old girl Kashmea Wahi in London buzzing with excitement boast: My kid is smarter than Albert Einstein because she clocked IQ of 162, officially. Just do note here the use of word smarter. (*) Owner of a grocery shop in the area where I stay, is a Gujarati baniya. Although he looks insane, he is a Crorepati – know why? His has mastered money management & proliferation techniques and has an inclement business focus. He has three flats in Mumbai & a couple of more in Gujarat. His F (Financial) Q (Quotient) and B(Business) Q (Quotient) are phenomenal. One celebrity, we all know – Amitabh Bachchan. Whatever his attire, anything suits him. Undoubtedly, he has a good F(Fashion) Q (Quotient) and of course a unique personality with a magnetic & obsessive voice. Some may recall Hollywood star Morgan Freeman for such a similitude. Nidhi is very blunt & cannot get along with people, even with her mother, easily. Why? Just because her E(Emotional) Q (Quotient) is very low. Two brothers Viraj & Anuj, both are diametrically opposite in nature. Viraj likes to associate with people & socialise. Not the case with Anuj though. Both have extremes of S (Social) Q (Quotient), Viraj finds himself on the top & Anuj finds himself at the bottom of SQ count. Music is synonymous with Salil. He has such a commendable grasping & ear for Music that just one hearing of a piece of music is enough for him to replicate. Music is in his blood & genes. He has a terrific M(Music) Q(Quotient). Now we all have a new Bravery milestone set up by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman (great BQ – Bravery Quotient). He is being aptly recommended by Tamil Nadu Government for Param Veer Chakra. All such tête-à-tête and sprinkles of word Quotient for Language, Intelligence, Finance, Fashion, Emotional, Social, Spiritual & Music etc. are a part of routine jargon for all of us. We may as well coin some more such (A to Z) quotients as trait indicators e.g.  Bravery quotient (BQ), Risk quotient (RQ), Common-sense quotient (CQ), Acting quotient (AQ) etc. It is worth mentioning here about one of our Machine Design Professor who always used to ask us some simple (to him) questions during his lecture. On not getting the expected answer from all of us, he used to frown & say, “Do you see how common sense is so very uncommon.” So don’t ever underestimate CQ as it is that rare.

We often use this word, ‘quotient’ seamlessly and seldom condemn all the other people in the race who are low at that. These quotients that we presume indicate completeness of a person, do not necessarily indicate smartness (*) and often misguide to believe that one is not up to the mark. Management thinker Peter Drucker says that “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” In other words, if anything is to be improved, it must be measured. Measuring quotients will indicate current level of a person in that area & also help to some extent which area he is good at.

One of my friend’s daughter got admitted to 11 th Grade science stream after a good score at SSCE in Science subjects, much obviously (?) so as thought & insisted by her parents. The girl kept on convincing her parents that she is not interested in science at all & wants to pursue fine arts. But nothing struck the parents right. Post her admission, she had a lot of academic struggle over subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Math etc. Unfortunately, parents thought this to be a recovering period for her due to her vernacular medium till tenth. The result was, she passed at 11 th but miserably failed at 12 th . The girl kept on insisting her earlier argument only. The parents now were furious but eventually gave up & succumbed to her choice of Fine arts. The girl had such a great flare for art that she stood first in the college & completed her B.F.A. with a University rank. A girl struggling to pass at Science stood first at BFA. Why & how did this happen? Did she not find her passion? Rajiv took a learning from this & sent his daughter to a stream of her choice – foreign languages like Japanese & Chinese despite her great score in Science & Math at SSCE. Although this is a perpetual conundrum, as a parent we all need to be assiduous while taking such life impacting decisions for our wards. If you recollect, that’s what the milestone movie “Three Idiots” (one of my all-time favourite) was all about, isn’t it? It’s all about pursuing our passion. Our low LQ, IQ, FQ, EQ, MQ or SQ do not necessarily indicate success in life and vis- e-versa. It only matters whether you like and enjoy your education or work. Success & money will follow, by default as a by-product: if you enjoy your education and work. More so that money plays second fiddle when you enjoy what you do. Money becomes secondary in the pursuit for happiness, enjoyment of our passion. Now passion becomes the target or even the path of pursuit is also a great rewarding experience. It is equally important to enjoy the path towards target as said by Robert Kiyosaki in his famous best seller ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’.

All our Grocers are excellent at business but no good at academics. Does it really matter? No, neither to them nor to their families and even to the society. I strongly believe that every person is smart (*) in some or the other area. The Almighty has bestowed each one of us with at least one boon - one area in which we score good, for sure. No one in the universe, is dumb. Each one excels in some or the other quotients. All College drop outs like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Sachin Tendulkar etc.(the list is endless) are the most successful business tycoons & the most impacting geniuses world knows. What does this indicate? Do we need to contemplate upon the importance given by us to academic excellence criteria and absurdly co-relating them to the future (would be) accomplishments of a person? Absolute zero, absolute positive or absolute negative do not exist – by default: that’s Nature’s law. So do the dumbness, idiocy in absolute terms never ever exist and that’s what needs to be acknowledged by all. Sounds rational? Hence, I feel it would greatly help to measure these quotients for each person just to have a fair idea about his potential strengths, probable area of studies & further career in the same stream. How would a young boy choose a career in defence? Will his BQ or RQ help? Probably, yes. Similarly, anyone good at acting can choose the same post measuring his AQ; so, on & so forth. What we understand from these quotients is not whether a person is brilliant or not. As I mentioned each person is brilliant in his area of choice. The quotients are indeed intended to indicate & guide one to identify potential strengths & choose career path. One may be good at Math while other may be good at finance or language. Quotient is a definitive measure for one’s area of inclination, strength or choice of career. Thus chances of being successful and contributing to the mankind will enhance certainly significantly for one who gets his choice right through the right quotient computation at the right time.

So now let’s use the word quotient in our routine responsibly & not conclude anything negative about anybody for his/her lower quotient scores. Techniques of measuring these quotients may be a little away from us presently but the day is not far when these will be quantified scientifically for each one of us and the generations to follow will supposedly take full advantage of it. They will pursue a rewarding career in the field & mother earth will be full of accomplished people; her own progeny – a planet of Ultimate Evolution.

[enixamyram]

Curious Archer Christmas Chapter 4

So I apologise. Saying I'd post one chapter a day was probably not the smartest thing I've said since I have to deal with work and my own Christmas preparations. In fact I almost separated this chapter into several to make up for it but I have all the other chapters all planned out already and don't want to give any of them up. So I'm just gonna post when I can - some might be posted a couple in one day and it'll definitely go over the 25th but hey, it just means I'm making Christmas last longer!

If things really get messed up, I will finish it over New Years but it will be in between my other stories which I will be started up again as promised. So Thanks to everyone for clinging on and I apologise for the false hope XD

  “So what kind of presents do you normally get your parents?” Alice asked suddenly, scrunching her napkin into a ball and dropping it onto her plate.

  The question seemed to have come out of nowhere and the pair sitting opposite her looked up. They were momentarily confused as to why she was asking them of all people before remembering that Alice hardly had the most normal of upbringings, nor that many people she was comfortable talking to with. And on top of that, she didn't exactly have a normal parent in all the realms either… But then, thinking about it, neither did any of them. Maybe that was why she was asking them the question.

  “You don't mind me asking, do you?” Alice asked, very conscious of the hesitation.

  “Of course not.” Ella said quickly. “I mean, I don't really know what I would have gotten my parents, but Lucy got me a few things over the years. Though I doubt that's what you're looking for.” She smiled knowingly. “Thinking of a gift for your father?”

  “Yeah,” Alice admitted.

  Ella glanced at Henry who frowned as he thought it over. “Well, it's Rogers so... Well, there's a whole load of stuff you could get him, to be honest.”

  “Yeah but... Nothing I’ve seen seems right.” Alice mumbled, looking down at her plate. Robin and her mother had already listed an endless number of things she knew her papa would like well enough, but despite that, Alice still knew none of it was good enough. It was their first Christmas, ever! She wanted to make sure she did it right for both of them.

  “Lucy once told me she always knew the perfect gift for everyone, but only when she saw it.” Ella offered. “So maybe you just haven't seen the right thing yet?”

  “But what if I don't see it in time?” Alice asked.

  “I'm sure you will.” Ella said softly.

  Henry suddenly clicked his fingers, grinning at the two of them. “Here's an idea. Why don't you and the other girls have a big shopping day out of town together? You can all help each other with buying gifts and you might have better luck if you go somewhere outside your comfort zone.”

  “That sounds like a great idea!” Ella gasped excitedly. “I don’t think many of us have had a chance to leave since the Realms were united. What do you say, Alice?”

  “Yeah, that’d be good.” Alice nodded, feeling incredibly relieved to be offered any kind of help. She’d been thinking about presents for her papa and Robin ever since she Robin mentioned her aunt asking about what she wanted a couple days ago. While there were a number of things she would have loved to get them both, she was limited by both money and what was actually available to her. Storybrooke and the United Realms were all lovely, but even they were limited, especially as they didn’t have any proper shopping centers like Alice remembered from back in Hyperion Heights during the curse.

  “It's settled! I'll call Tiana and Regina.” Ella said, already reaching into her purse for her phone.

  “Hey, maybe Snow and Emma would like to join too?” Henry offered.

  “Perfect! It'll be a full day with everyone together!”

C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S

  “How... The hell… Did we lose... Everyone?!” Robin shouted, looking around the crowded mall where there were no familiar faces with her, apart from that of Alice standing by her side.

C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S

Earlier, With Lucy and Ella:

  “It’s a shame Tiana couldn’t come.” Lucy noted sadly.

  “Yeah, but being a Co-Queen of the realms as well as running a food truck can keep you pretty busy.” Ella nodded, only half joking.

  The two of them were trailing behind the rest of the small group, with only a few small select bags between them. Unlike Emma and Hope, who were both weighed down with a ridiculous amount of shopping on either arm, neither Ella, nor Lucy were very big on spending money, even as gifts for their loved ones. Much like back in the Enchanted Forest, they had gotten one thing for each person they shopped for, and none of it was too expensive because there didn’t seem much point in throwing money away needlessly.

  So far it had been a good day for everyone. They had all managed at least a bit of shopping done and in between that, they had spared time for a fast food meal with good laughs all around, even after Zelena nearly got into a fist brawl with a stubborn woman who had tried to take her chair while she was momentarily in the bathroom. Regina attempted to play peacemaker along with Emma to defuse the situation, but after the woman physically spat on Regina’s silk blouse, Emma surprised everyone by cutting things short with a fist to the woman’s face. It had been a good blow – Ella was particularly impressed by her mother in law – but good blow or not, it didn’t stop them from being asked to leave the restaurant.

  “Still… I miss spending time with her.” Lucy said sadly, sighing and looking down at her feet. “We used to see so much of her back in the Enchanted Forest, and she was the only Queen back then. Now we’re lucky to catch up once every couple of weeks.”

  “I know, sweetie,” Ella said, reaching around to rest an arm on her shoulders.

  Lucy slouched slightly, leaning against her mother for support. She didn’t want to let anything ruin their good day, and tried to force a smile back on her face but it looked as fake as it felt and she knew her mother could see right through her. Lucy had long since accepted that changes were a part of life, but she still hated people drifting apart. Especially when they were her friends she was drifting apart from.

  For her part, Ella knew what Lucy was feeling. She sometimes missed having Sabine as a roommate and she even more missed every day meet ups with the Queen, inviting her round to their home or spending a night or two at her castle for celebrations like Lucy’s birthday. But things had changed. Not only was she Queen of an unstable new Realm, but she was also struggling to keep The Rollin Bayou going as well – especially with places like Granny’s now her biggest competition. Sometimes Ella regretted leaving her work there, especially since she had been the co-founded it. But after reuniting with Henry and Lucy, Ella had decided it was time to follow her own dreams for a change and working in a food van just wasn’t one of them.

  But more than her own sadness over losing the closeness she used to have with her old friend, Ella was worried about Lucy’s disappointment over it. Her poor baby no doubt missed her godmother greatly. And while Ella was already planning to invite Tiana round to their home for New Year’s, she knew that would do little to cheer Lucy up right now. And Ella didn’t want her daughter to spend the long ride home in misery.

  They passed a nearby store and the sight of it gave Ella a sudden idea. It was probably dumb, but hey, being silly was always the best kind of fun and she was sure it would cheer Lucy up.

  “Hey! Guys! We’ll be right back!” Ella called, not pausing to see if they heard her – which they did not – before grabbing Lucy’s arm and dragging her towards the same store.

  “Where are we going?” Lucy blinked, letting herself be pulled along.

  “In here.” Ella said, pulling Lucy through the entrance.

  It turned out to be a shoe store. One that was practically deserted, except for a single young woman being assisted by one of two employees while the other stood by the counter, looking incredibly bored. The same employee seemed to grow bored of hanging around and moved to begin sorting through the men’s shelf just as they entered the store. When she caught sight of them from the corner of her eye, she quickly replaced her bored expression with a friendly smile instead, though it was one that still looked more sleepy than anything else. Ella gave an acknowledging half hearted wave before steering away from her and taking Lucy towards the women’s section in the far corner.

  “Why here?” Lucy asked, following her mother to a stop, far away from the other people in the room.

  “Because, we need to see if it fits!” Ella said dramatically, dropping her bags to the floor and picking up a white sandal with a short heel in Lucy’s size.

  Lucy blinked before realizing where her mother was going with it. She burst out laughing at the sheer idea, drawing attention from the employee and customer across the room, but ignored them both as she quickly dropped onto a nearby stool. Kicking off her trainer, she let her mother dramatically try and squeeze the shoe on, purposely twisting it left and right so it appeared to be a struggle.

  “Hmm,” Ella mused. “Guess this means you’re not Cinderella then.”

  “Well what about you?” Lucy jumped forward, taking the shoe and swapping places so she was kneeling in front of her mother. Naturally the shoe was far too small for her mother’s feet, but Lucy made a big play of pretending to try and put it on, then stood back and sighed dramatically. “Guess that means you’re not Cinderella either. You must be a step sister.”

  “I don’t think so!” Ella laughed. “You must have the wrong slipper.”

  “How many glass slippers are lying around?” Lucy challenged, all thoughts of Tiana wiped from her mind as she and her mother tried on several different shoes, pretending each was the glass slipper and purposely making sure none of them would fit.

  “Um…” Came a voice. “Can I help you ladies find a pair in your size?”

  Ella and Lucy, who were laughing too hard to notice her approach, looked up to find an employee standing over them. She eyed the mess of shoes the two of them had made and there was a definite distain in the way she was glancing back at them.

  “Uh…” Ella said, fighting her giggles. “Yeah, sorry. We’ve changed our minds.” Lucy quickly gathered the shoes, putting them back on the racks and shelves, albeit in a slight mess and out of order, some a few spaces apart from their pairs.

  Once everything was at least off of the floor, they hurried from the store before they could be scolded any further, still giggling about it as they did. And with both their moods back up, they happily moved to rejoin their friends…

  Only to find they were nowhere to be seen.

  “Where’d they all go?” Lucy blinked, looking around. “I thought they were going to wait for us.”

  “Oh great.” Ella mumbled.

  “What happened?” Lucy asked, still looking at the crowds buzzing past.

  “They must have wandered off without us. I thought they heard me…” Ella said, biting the inside corner of her mouth.

  “So what do we do?” Lucy asked. “We can’t get home without them!”

  Ella paused to think it over, glancing down towards her purse before shrugging. “Not much else to it about it. We’ll wander round and try and find them but if not then we’ll just call a taxi for a ride home. It can drop us off just a little away from the border and we can walk the rest of the way.”

  “What if the driver asks why we want to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere?” Lucy asked.

  Ella shrugged. “I’m sure we can act a convincing lie. So what do you think; camping close by or cabin home in the middle of nowhere?”

*C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*

At The Same Time With Emma and Hope…

  Leading the group across the crowded floor, Hope and Emma were showing just the slightest struggle at holding onto all the bags in their arms. They were both pressed down on with the multi coloured plastic bags that were beginning to leave red marks along their skin where the weight of it all was close to bruising. But despite the heaviness of it all and the weariness that kept trying to get to them, neither woman let that slow them down. The shops in Storybrooke only had so much for them, so when Henry had suggested they rent the mini bus and drive to the next town over to do their shopping in a proper full out centre, the two of them jumped at the chance.

  “How much time do we have left?” Hope asked, while still craning her neck in order to look at the stores lining up along their sides, watching out for anything they may have missed during their original walk through.

  “Well we should probably think about heading back soon, so think of any places you want to go and we’ll head there quick while we have the chance.” Emma explained, walking a little faster to keep up with Hope’s enthusiastic pace.

  “Well, let’s go to the second floor then!” Hope said, breaking into a fast walk that was a small step away from being a light jog. “I think I remember a cute little beauty parlor we never went in close by.”

  “A beauty parlor, huh?” Emma teased, still moving to keep up. “Since when have you been so conscious about that kind of stuff?”

  Hope blushed slightly and shrugged, stepping onto the escalator before finally coming to a short pause. “I dunno. Just felt like a change.”

  “Oh sure,” Emma grinned, standing a step behind her. “Nothing to do with a cute boy coming through town sometime this month?”

  “Mum!” Hope complained, blushing even harder and hurrying off the escalator and onto the second floor.

  Emma laughed as she followed her, knowing very well what boy Hope had in mind. She’d been crushing on him ever since they had met at the beginning of last year and while he didn’t officially live in the United Realms, he had family there which meant he visited often enough. Killian didn’t know about Hope’s crush yet, and neither were very eager to tell him. Emma was pretty sure he’d try a ‘papa bear’ act and had already planned out the ways she would shut him down before he got started.

  Inside the store, Hope buzzed up and down the walls, glancing in at all the items on sale. She’d never been overly into these kinds of things, even while all her friends started to midway through school. Hope was much more interested in perfecting her swords skills. The closest she ever came to caring about her looks was her hair. Out of everything, Hope’s long dark blonde/light brown hair was her proudest feature and she took care of it better than anything else she knew. A couple kids had tried teasing her about it, but her short temper mixed with her swordsmanship abilities meant the teasing didn’t last for very long.

  But as Emma had already guessed, that was something that had changed drastically after Hope met with a certain young man. She didn’t think she’d ever find someone she’d like after her nasty break up with Melody a while back, but that had most definitely changed. Now Hope wondered why she was ever even thinking of the possibility of never moving on… Not that she’d managed to have a proper conversation with him yet. Each time he visited, half the town surrounded him and Hope wasn’t about to make a fool of herself with an audience watching.

  “Find anything you like?” Emma asked, tucking her phone back into her bag. She’d texted Killian to see how his ‘guys evening’ was going with Henry, Rogers and David and was amused to hear that Snow and Red had accidentally crashed the party.

  “This!” Hope said excitedly, pointing towards a whole make up kit. It was a head sized box, black with purple lining, and the picture posted above showed it held everything one woman might need. And maybe a little extra… Or rather, a lot extra… And at a steep price too…

  Emma pressed her lips together and watched Hope’s eager, wide eyed expression as she looked back at her. She was so excited, normally something she only got whenever she learned a new technique from one of her many teachers back in Storybrooke. And like all other times, Emma found it near impossible to actually say no to her. From the moment she had been born, everyone – including Emma herself – knew that she would always be wrapped around her baby girl’s little finger. Not that Killian was any better, at least.

  “Sure. Go for it. Think of it as an early Christmas present!” Emma said, adding the last part to make herself feel better more than anything.

  “Thanks, mum! You’re the best!” Hope beamed, rushing to grab a box from beside the display and taking it straight to the cashier.

  The makeup box used the last of Emma’s money. She double checked but there was nothing but a couple pennies left. Guess that really was the sign that it was time to end the day then. At least they’d managed to get most of their present shopping done with, and the rest could easily be done back in Storybrooke.

  “Okay, come on, time to call it a day.” Emma said, leading Hope back outside, their bags rustling and bouncing as they walked.

  “Can we grab something to eat before we go?” Hope asked. “Like Chinese takeout or something?”

  “We just had lunch.” Emma snorted, walking without pause or thought.

  “But I’m still hungry.” Hope moaned, stomping her feet slightly in the start of a tantrum.

  “Come on, Hope. I don’t have any money left for food.” Emma sighed. “What if I text your dad so he has something ready as soon as we walk through the door?”

  “Yeah, I guess that’d be okay.” Hope sighed, the paused and glanced over her shoulder. “Uh… Mum… Where are the others?”

  Emma looked around and froze. “Oh shiiii-uger.”

  “Shit.” Hope said for her.

  “Language.” Emma scolded, but didn’t sound angry as she pulled out her phone and tried calling Regina. She held the phone to her ear and waited only for the ringing to cut short. She must have her phone off… Emma tried calling Ella and Alice, but neither answered their phones either. She tried twice more when suddenly her phone began to flash red in the corner, warning her about the low battery. Emma bit back a curse. Maybe she shouldn’t have texted Killian so much throughout the day.

  “Anything?” Hope pressed, putting her bags down at her feet when they grew too heavy to hold.

  “No…” Emma mumbled, sighing and glancing around at the crowds. “My phones gonna die soon.”

  “So what do we do? My feet hurt. I don’t want to have wander around anymore, mum.” Hope complained, wincing and rubbing at the aching along her arms.

  Emma hummed before sending one last text to Regina, Ella and Alice. “I’ll tell the others we headed home ahead of them.” She stopped short of hitting send. “Oh… We can’t. We don’t have a ride. Robin’s got the keys to the mini bus.”

  “Can’t you break into it?” Hope asked, thinking back to the stories she’d always been told of her mother’s life before Storybrooke.

  “Well yeah but then everyone else would be stuck.” Emma groaned, putting her own bags down. They really were getting too heavy to hold.

  And now Hope was getting too tired to keep standing around and began moaning loudly. “Then call a taxi.”

  “Hope, we don’t have any money. And even if we did, we can’t get a normal taxi to drop us off all the way back home.” Emma groaned. “Maybe I can call- Shit!” She said, forgetting about her language rule and swearing aloud as her phone officially died. “And now we can’t even call your dad for a ride.”

  “So what are we going to do?” Hope asked, feeling a rise of panic.

  Emma breathed deeply and reached down, picking her bags back up. “Guess we walk it.”

  “Walk?! The whole way?! It’ll take ages to get back home!” Hope shouted, drawing nearby attention.

  A quick glare from Emma sent them back walking before she turned back to her daughter, trying to keep the frustration from her tone. “Hope. It won’t be that long. And we don’t have any other choice. We don’t have a phone or money, so unless you want to hang around here until closing or walk around in circles looking for the others, we’re just going to have to suck it up and head back on foot.”

  Hope looked appalled at the idea, but when Emma started walking around her and down towards the closest lift, she had no choice but to gather her own bags and rush after her or otherwise be left behind. She was not looking forward to the long walk home, especially with so many bags weighing them down the whole time and while wearing a pair of shoes that looked lovely, but were new and therefore starting to pinch at her heels. But in the end it was as her mother said; they had little choice in the matter.

*C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*

Meanwhile with Regina and Zelena…

  What had started out as such a good day was quickly becoming a disaster.

  After Ella and Lucy had disappeared on them, Emma and Hope had run off somewhere right after and hadn’t even bothered attempting to come back for whatever reason. When Regina checked her phone to see if either pair had called her, she found she had forgotten to switch it back on after switching it off to stop the constant buzz from Snow with pictures of the ‘boy’s day’ she had accidentally crashed.

  And now Zelena had gone and disappeared on them as well!

  What happened to simple communication?! A quick, ‘I’ll be right back,’ wouldn’t kill anyone!

  Regina paused, trying to take a moment to spot where Zelena had gone off. She had only just disappeared so she had to be close by somewhere, right? Regina had just spoken to her a second ago and without magic she couldn’t get away that fast, right? Neither Robin, nor Alice seemed to have noticed and just as Regina was about to grab their attention to keep from losing the as well, she caught sight of a fluff of red hair off to the side.

  “Zelena!” Regina called, rushing over and grabbing her arm before she could disappear again. “Where the hell did you go?!”

  “I was trying to find Ella and Lucy,” Zelena said, shrugging her off. “But I swear, the place is even more crowded than when we arrived!”

  “Well come on. We need to catch up with Robin and Alice before we lose-” She trailed off when she turned to find the younger girls had already vanished into the rest of the crowds. “-Them…” She finished weakly.

  “Where’d they go?” Zelena asked.

  “I don’t know!” Regina snapped. “I was too busy looking for you!”

  “Hey, don’t blame me. I was trying to help find the others.” Zelena scowled.

  “Well why couldn’t you have told us you were before running off like that?!” Regina demanded.

  “Oh well I’m so sorry for trying!” Zelena snapped.

  “Alright, enough!” Regina waved her hands between them, stopping the argument. “We don’t have time for this. We have to find everyone. Now come on.”

  Letting her sister take the lead, Zelena followed Regina down back into the crowd and along the first floor of the shopping centre. They rushed as best as they could, nudging past the people who got in their way but making sure not to get separated from one another again. It wouldn’t do to find the others if they still lost one another in the process and had to start their searches all over again.

  But despite their best efforts, the two of them were unable to find anyone else and after a couple hours of endless searching, they were finally running out of options and places to check. They tried finding someone to make an announcement over the loud speakers like they saw in movies, but the only woman who had the slightest bit of control of that sort of thing didn’t appear to want to be of any help, claiming that unless a child was involved then there was nothing to be done about it, otherwise everyone would use them as a phone service for lost friends. And she didn’t seem any more inclined to help then after Zelena began throwing insults at her – several involving a number of choice swear words – finally having to be dragged away by Regina, still kicking and screaming like a child.

   “Okay, well now what do we do?!” Zelena snapped, sulking over the way Regina kept her from telling that ugly cow what she really thought of her stupid rules. She wished Emma was still around. She’d like to see another display of her earlier aggression back when they were having lunch. “We could wander around this place all day and not find them in this crowd! For all we know, they could have all gone home already and left us here.”

  “Zelena, you are not helping!” Regina snapped back, stalking slightly ahead in her frustration.

  “Well neither are you! You’re just running around like a headless chicken!”

  Regina came to a sharp stop and started to retort, only to stop herself short, forcing herself to breathe deeply and calm herself down instead. Zelena was right about that much, as much as it pained Regina to admit. She couldn’t help anyone by running around in a huff, or getting more annoyed with the situation, especially as there really was nothing to do about it. They should have planned for this better, but since it was their first real time leaving the United Realms in such a big group for a day trip, none of them had even though twice about the possibilities of getting lost and separated.

  When Regina continued to hover silently for a moment, Zelena stepped up beside her and shrugged. “So what do we do now? Keep looking for them or head home?”

  “I don’t want to just leave them here.” Regina said instantly.

  “Well we can’t help them by staying.” Zelena said. “If we go home, we can give them a call or use a spell to find out where they are.”

  “True…” Regina mumbled, chewing her lip before sighing and nodding. “Okay. Let’s head home. We’ll have to call a ride since Robin has the keys. We can get them to drop off at the gas station closest to the town line then walk the rest of the way.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Zelena nodded, eagerly to be back in her comfort zone. The paused; “How are we going to call for a ride exactly?”

  Regina rolled her eyes. “We have phones, don’t we?”

  Zelena snorted. “I meant, who do we call? I don’t know any cab numbers off by heart and I’m pretty sure it’s been a while since you had to call for one either.”

  “Well then we’ll ask someone.” Regina said, not in the mood for Zelena’s negativity. “I’m sure there will be something in a place like this.”

  “Whatever. Let’s just find out whoever we need to call and head to the closest gas station. It’s the on down Bradfield, so it shouldn’t take too long to get to by car.” Zelena said, following Regina back towards the crowd, searching the people for a friendly face – and secretly hoping they’d accidentally discover the others at the same time.

  “No,” Regina said suddenly. “We head towards Preston Way, down passed the crossroads and to that gas station.”

  “Crossroad? We never passed any crossroad. We went over the bridge and-”

  “What car did you ride in?! There were no bridges on the way here.”

  The two had come to another stop and were glaring at each other. People passed by and shot them curious looks but no one paused to see what happened next and after a moment people stopped staring and began avoiding looking at them altogether, like they were afraid of being caught in the tension that was rapidly building between the two young women.

  “This is going to be a long trip home.” Regina grumbled after a long silence.

  “If we even get home.” Zelena retorted irritably.

*C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*

Finally, Back With Alice and Robin��

  Robin sighed, sitting back on the bench and glaring at her phone like it was the small silver devices fault that she couldn’t get through to everyone. Shortly after they had begun looking for the others, she had received a text from Ella, checking that she and Alice were okay and letting them know she and Lucy had made it home safe. Ella was trying to contact everyone else as well, but had so far only been able to get through to the two of them. She promised they would keep trying, but they had already sent Henry and Chad out to find Regina and Zelena, so hopefully they'd be able to track them two down before something happened to the now magic-less witches.

  “You okay?” Alice asked, moving to sit beside her, placing their shopping bags at their feet.

  “Yes,” Robin sighed, reaching up and rubbing her head. “Ella and Lucy are home safe, and I trust Emma can take care of herself and Hope just fine. But where the hell did mum and aunt Regina get to? They were right behind us when we were passing the sports shop and then just disappeared! You’d think they would have paid better attention to where they were going of all people.”

  “Maybe they went to look for Emma and Ella? Or got pushed away by the crowds?” Alice suggested.

  “There’s not that big a crowd,” Robin insisted bitterly. She knew the people from Storybrooke weren’t as used to the hustle and bustle that Margot had experienced in her travels, but come on! This was a light gathering at most, yet they all acted so stunned when they walked through the doors that morning. Sighing again, Robin rubbed the last of the headache from her temples and slouched down slightly. “So what do we do? Hang around waiting for them all day?” Robin groaned, finally pocketing her phone.

  Alice glanced around at the crowd still fussing past them in a rush to finish off their own shopping. When they had first gotten here, Alice had been a little nervous at just how intense it was as much as everyone else, and had clung onto Robin’s hand for the first few stops. But gradually she began to relax, finding more courage and browsing the shops without hesitating until she felt just like everyone else. But sitting down, looking up at them all, knowing some of the friends were lost in amongst the crowd, it was suddenly intimidating all over again.

  “Maybe we should head home.” Alice suggested finally.

  “Now?” Robin blinked.

  “Yeah,” Alice said. “I mean I know you’re worried, but we both know everyone can handle themselves and it’s getting late. Plus, we have a better chance figuring out what to do when we’re back home.” She glanced around helplessly. “I’m feeling pretty useless just sitting here waiting for them.”

  Robin thought it over for a moment before nodding. She stood up and clapped her hands together. “Yeah. You’re right. I’m not sitting here all day when they’re all probably back home anyway.”

  Alice smiled and stood, grabbing the bags she had dropped. “It was fun until everyone started disappearing.” She noted as they began walking for the car park.

  “Yeah, did you get everything you wanted?” Robin asked.

  “Pretty much,” Alice said, then cringed. “But I still don’t think the present for papa is right. What I got him is nice enough,” She said, referring to the wallet she had gotten with a pirate anchor on the front cover. “But it isn’t the perfect gift I was hoping for.”

  “Well there’s still time to do some more shopping before Christmas day.” Robin noted.

  “I guess…”

  Robin could tell Alice wasn’t convinced. She was putting far too much pressure on herself to get the most perfect present for her dad. And if she kept it up, she was just going to end up so disappointed.

  “Come on.” Robin said, nudging Alice gently, trying to cheer her up. “I’ll make up some hot chocolate when we get back.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Alice said, forcing a smile and trying to appear like she was more cheerful than she really was.

  It seemed there was nothing else Robin could do for her. At least not while they were out and about like this. Once they got back home, it would be easier to make her forget about her problems but until then, they still had to put up with a long drive, and it was hard enough getting here, what with Alice’s travel sickness.

  They had discovered, while driving to Storybrooke back when they were looking or help against WishRumple, that Alice was very weak to motion sickness. She could last for short journeys, but the longer it took, the more uncomfortable and unhappy she became and if the trip was a really long one then she would be physically sick. And it was made even worse by the fact that Robin had been driving on the way to the centre and therefore unable to comfort her, instead having to leave that to Emma and Ella. And to make matters even worse, now they would be going home with just the two of them so there was no one else to comfort her at all.

  As they approached the mini bus they had rented to get their group here – now no longer really needed since losing half said group – Robin glanced nervously back at Alice, seeing her face paling at just the sight of the vehicle. If nothing else, then at least they knew Robin could take all the back way roads in order to get home. It would take twice as long, but they would avoid all other traffic and they could make as many stops as needed this time round. And even just a brief five minute stop seemed to help Alice’s stomach settle somewhat.

  “You ready?” Robin asked, climbing inside and dumping their bags on all the empty seats available to them.

  “Yeah,” Alice nodded, slouching in her seat beside Robin. She really was ready to just be home.

  “We’ll make it nice as easy as I can.” Robin promised, starting the vehicle and pulling out of the parking space.

*C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*

  “I’m really sorry.” Alice breathed, leaning heavily against Robin as they wandered through a wooded area into a small cottage like town; searching for a place they could get a drink of water.

  “Stop apologizing.” Robin insisted, giving her a one arm hug. “It’s fine. I like it. We’re making a good day last longer!”

  Alice smiled sadly at her and took a deep breath through her nose, already feeling a little more at ease. She suffered the sickness badly, but it didn’t take very long of being out on her own two feet for the feeling to start passing.

  The town they had wandering into was on one of the most deserted roads home. It was something close to run down, like the kind of place that didn’t appear to get very many visitors passing through it. Robin could tell, not only because it had a lingering old feel to it – what with all the buildings faded colours of grey and brown and a series of crocked fences and overgrown weeded gardens, like they didn’t care to keep up appearances any more – but she and Alice couldn’t help but notice that almost everyone they passed glanced their way. When they all looked up at them, they watched the pair wander by for just enough time to almost be awkward. Only when they were all but on top of them did each person finally give them a slightly suspicious – yet still friendly – smile before turning back to their daily tasks and leaving the girls be.

  It was not the brightest of places but Alice saw it as being very quaint and simple. She almost found the little houses and cobbled stone roads cute, and liked how everything matched so perfectly, even with the smoky smell drifting from the chimneys. The only problem was that everything was so neat and tidy and similar, that it took Alice and Robin a moment before they found somewhere to rest.

  They nearly walked right past the only place in town before realizing that while it looked like someone’s home, it had actually been remodeled so that the first floor was a cozy little café. There was a tied off area to the stairs where the owners no doubt lived, but their living room and dining room had been combined into one with a series of tables chairs and even a sofa by the window, and a counter had been set up in front of the door that led into the kitchen. There were also a series of trinkets spread out across the side for sale, mostly things with the town’s name on and nothing of interest but Alice was oddly fascinated, wandering over and looking at everything while they waited to be served.

  Just as Alice began to finger a square gold and silver keychain, the kitchen door swung open and an older woman appeared holding a bottle of polish in one hand and a yellow rag in the other. She jumped at the sight of them but quickly put on her best smile and rushed to the counter.

  “Oh, hello, ladies!” The woman said immediately, standing straight and beaming at them as she dropped her cleaning rag onto the bench behind her. “What can I do for you?”

  “Can we get some water?” Robin asked politely.

  “Of course!” The woman turned and ducked under the counter, opening a mini fridge and pulling out a plastic bottle.

  “Anything else?” The woman asked brightly.

  Alice accepted the bottle while Robin debated whether or not she should pick up a coke for herself while they were here. But before Alice could take her first sip, she paused as something caught her eyes. It was sitting on a hanger in front of her on the edge of the counter top. She reached out and picked up the object, holding it carefully between her fingers. Most of the counter items were just a series of ugly looking pens, pads, key rings and an endless line of sweets and chocolates that Robin would have happily gorged on if not for the fact that she did a quick double take on the outrageous prices for them.

  But in amongst the rest of the tacky items, there was something that stood out as actually quite nice and unique. It was that, that Alice picked up and she found herself staring down at it in awe.

  “You like that?” Robin asked.

  “It’s perfect.” Alice breathed, looking up at Robin. “This is it. Papa will love it!”

  “That too, please.” Robin nodded.

  “Of course!” The woman smiled, ringing it all up.

  Alice pressed her lips together and looked at Robin, smiling softly. “You ever think some things happen for a reason?”

  Robin was about to snort at the idea, rolling her eyes for emphasis but stopped herself short. She glanced from the item in her hand back up to Alice’s wide eyed expression. And she found herself thinking back to all the events that led to their first meeting, and then all the meetings they had after that – including the one they had when they were cursed.

  Yeah. Maybe Robin did believe all things happened for a reason.

  Later, she just wished she could figure out what the reason was for Zelena and Regina getting lost and drifting five hours further away from home than when they started.

Fun fact, this little "cottage run down town" and the cafe inside someone's home was inspired by somewhere I went on my last holiday. It was cute but it clearly didn't get many visitors and the stuff the cafe was selling was pretty naff but I like the idea of Alice finding her perfect gift there. The gift will be revealed later btw ;)

[a-gay-bloodmage]

—A Living Friend—

Pairing: Platonic Cole & Female Lavellan, Background Solas x Female Lavellan

Pairing: Platonic M&F, Background M/F

Words: 1,729

Warnings: Lots of Death, a Tragically Heterosexual Woman, Implied Borderline Necrophilia, I'm Sorry Okay She's Weird

Ashavise was a very interesting woman. She was very pretty, too, but that wasn't very important most of the time. She was very lonely and very intelligent. Most people didn't know about the lonely part. They just saw her as a bit of a madwoman, obsessed with the dead and horribly rude to humans. She had her reasons for being rude, of course, but most people didn't bother finding them out.

Cole was her only friend in the Inquisition. It was a little sad, really, and he knew how much it hurt her to be so ostracized. She was an outsider even in her own Clan, looked at as an oddity despite being next in line to be a Keeper. She hadn't told him, but he knew. Varric was a little bit of a friend to her, too, but he was a little scared of her and her necromancy, and was put off by the fact that she usually smelled like an open grave. Cole didn't mind, and she liked him because of that.

It was a shame someone so smart was so hardly listened to. Well, they listened to her on Inquisitor business, but not Ashavise business. That was almost like not listening to her at all.

Cole was the only one who took time out of the day to visit her when she wasn't off on whatever quest her Advisors sent her on, in which she usually dragged Solas, Cole, and Varric along—this meant Cole knew Solas thought Ashavise had a very nice rear end, even if he didn't tell her that out loud.

Cole had been quickly granted permission to visit her in her room whenever he wanted. Now was one of the times when he decided to visit the young Dalish woman, slowly making his way up the several flights of stairs and through the winding halls. He approached the door to her chambers, flinching a little when he heard a loud crash and an equally loud string of elven and accented Common curses. He stepped through the oak door, taking quickened steps up the final flight of stairs. Ashavise's hair was pulled back into its usual tight ponytail, and wore a loose top with torn-off sleeves and strange stains. She was behind her desk, all the papers gone as it was turned into a makeshift slab for a decaying corpse she had found quite well-preserved in a ruin they had recently visited.

"Cole!" Cole jumped a little as he was directly addressed. "Can you grab that for me?" She pointed to the floor by his feet, and he saw a small canister laying on the stone. "Damn thing rolled when he jumped," she huffed.

Cole bent down and grabbed the little metal piece, walking over to the messy slab and handing off the item.

"That durgen'len, uh, Dagna's been giving me some advice," she said, taking the canister and popping it open with a small blast of blueish magic. "Wasn't quite interested in touchin' the bodies herself, but she did seem quite excited at the ideas I've proposed." She seemed very proud of the fact that she had gotten a durgen'len on board with her very much so magical and elven ideas.

Cole bent over the table a little to get a better look at Ashavise's current project. The corpse of a male was currently nude, his chest slit open down the center from the bottom of his neck to his pelvis. His organs had been removed, and the elf seemed to be in the process of replacing the ancient insides with interlocking gears and strange pipes. "That... doesn't look very comfortable," Cole said, smiling a little as he looked at the odd corpse.

Ashavise let out a rare laugh, her hands fishing around in the metallic intestines. "Oh, he's quite fine," she laughed, shaking her head. "I was communing with him earlier. I'm pretty sure he's perfectly fine with me tampering with his body. Ain't quite using it anymore." Ashavise was wonderful with the dead. She couldn't talk to spirits too well directly, but she was very good at figuring out their emotions and getting the gists of their thoughts. She wasn't as good at figuring out her own emotions, though, but everyone had their flaws. "Hey," she said, smiling at Cole as she leaned down, her chin quite close to the still-moist flesh of the elven corpse. "Want'ta see something amazing?"

Cole nodded. Ashavise had very unique definitions of amazing, but Cole appreciated whatever she showed him. She set her thumb and index finger gently on the corpse's eyelid, slowly and carefully opening his eye.

"He's so beautifully preserved," she cooed, her other hand caressing the dead man's cheek. "His eyes are just sparkling with dormant life, aren't they?" They were big and as green as the Emerald Graves, pupils slightly widened and flecks of blue almost seeming to move among the greenery of his iris.

"His eyes have seen much," Cole said, squatting down a little to look closer at the corpse. Sure, Cole himself wasn't exactly the most lively person in the Inquisition, but that just made viewing Ashavise's projects all that more interesting. Was this what the old Cole looked like before he became the new Cole? Perhaps.

"And look," she said in an amazed whisper. She let go of his eyelid, and the green eye stayed open for a moment before closing. Then opening again. Then closing once more before resuming his usual corpse-ness. "He blinks." She was grinning. To most people, seeing Ashavise Lavellan grin was a very scary thing, but Cole thought it was nice. She was happy, and so he felt her happiness. "Oh, the things I could learn," she sighed, resting her elbows on the desk and staring wistfully at the now motionless body. "Imagine it, mechanical and magical insides helping this man walk once again to the mortal realm... Sitting up, no longer worrying about his heart decaying in his chest, of worms feasting upon his intestines... Free to speak and share his stories with a new tongue..."

Cole looked up at Ashavise, gazing at her smile. She never smiled at Solas like that. She reserved her real smiles for the dead and for Cole, but that was probably because the dead and Cole had a lot in common.

"With the Inquisition's resources, just imagine how much more research I could get done," she smiled. "Solas' knowledge, dergen- Dagna's tech, your compassion..." She shivered. "Fascinating, isn't it?"

"The cold clutch of the corpses keep me warm, the Clan cannot comprehend, they cannot... cannot understand their meaning to me, the dead do not damn and demand and deceive. They listen," Cole said, words spilling out of his mouth.

Ashavise looked at him, tilted her head a little. "Where did you pull that from?" She asked, her thin ginger brows pushing together a little. She wasn't upset, just curious.

"A mother pulls her daughter away from the graves, shouting, scolding, seething. A young woman does not run off just because she can spark."

Ashavise laughed softly. The memory Cole had gotten snagged on wasn't very sad, really. A mother was angry at her daughter for running off, but the daughter wasn't upset. She had a finger bone in her pocket. "That was on my thirteenth birthday, wasn't it?" She said, memories popping into place on her life's timeline. "Ten years ago to the day."

"Most people have birthdays with friends. Drinks and laughter, love and celebration of continued life. We are forced cherish was was unfairly made important by shemlen hands."

"What friends?" She laughed. The humor wasn't very present anymore. "You and a corpse? That's two outta two, isn't it?"

"Two isn't enough sometimes."

Ashavise sighed a little and pushed a stray hair back behind one of her long, pretty ears. She buried her hands back in the corpse's chest, grabbing little tools along the way to make adjustments to his artificial heart. "Cole, really," she said, almost absentmindedly as her hands sparked, "I appreciate your... friendly concern, but I'm content with what I have. Birthdays don't gotta be some big event. I'm alive another year, hurrah." She rolled her eyes a little, a smile just barely visible. "Should I celebrate every day 'cause I survived those too?"

Cole stopped before replying, considering the question a moment. "Yes."

Ashavise smiled a little wider at his response, but he wasn’t quite sure why. It wasn't a joke.

"You're a real doll, Cole," she said, shaking her head a little. Her hand sparked a little and one of the corpse's fingers twitched. "Here, if you're so insistent, I'll go to the tavern with you in a little bit. I just need to finish installing this copper."

Sure, Cole didn't drink, but he was happy she was finally giving in. It would do her good to leave her chambers every once in a while for something other than Inquisitor business.

He curled up on an armchair that wasn’t covered in papers, quietly watching her work and responding to the occasional questions she asked. Ashavise only really asked him questions. He never thought she was dumb or crazy for asking. Just curious and wanting to better her craft. He couldn't fault her for that. Nobody should, even if they think she's odd.

She took quite a while to finish up, spending far longer than she implied she would installing new wires in the corpse's flesh. They eventually made their way to the Herald's Rest, and Ashavise spent quite a while slowly drinking a bottle of wine. Her eyes never stayed still, always flickering from one shemlen to another. She wasn't very good at relaxing. Cole didn't blame her. She had her reasons.

She didn't tell anyone it was her twenty-third birthday. That was her business, nobody else's. She was a very private person unless it came to magic or elven things. She was always willing to talk about those.

She looked over at him, the bottle on her lips, and Cole could see the little sparkle in her eyes. Her eyes were narrow, irises a pale grey-blue that made a lot of people very nervous. Nobody asked her what she was doing at the tavern with Cole. She liked it that way.

Maybe one day she'd make a living friend.

Maybe.

[prucanusuk]

The Seven Deadly Sins [2/9]

Chapter 2: Gluttony

Wicketly wakety splickety I ACTUALLY UPLOADED ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR THIS? INSTEAD OF JUST HIATUSING THE STORY INDEFINETELY?

Yep, another chapter, just for everyone! I want to thank aph-fedya and everyone else who liked my first chapter, for you all inspired me to write another chapter! Thank you so much!

Enough about me, though! On with the story!

Alfred loved to eat.

Anyone who hung out with him for even a fraction of a second could see that; he shoved hamburgers down his throat as fast as he could swallow and always capped it off with a large soda.

It was a miracle he as fit as he was with all that junk food he ate.

However, María knew something that many people did not.

Le encantaba la comida hecha a mano.

Alfred was a sucker for that "made-from-the-heart" stuff, loving that someone went through the effort to make him something to eat, never thinking he deserved something so nice.

Claro que lo mereces, tonto. Tu mereces el mundo.

María sighed softly as Alfred laughed when the goalie, un chico llamado Gilbert, made another joke, barely brushing her side and letting his boyish sunlight radiate in front of her.

Tan cerca, pero tan lejos.

"п-пожалуйста…"

Her soft smile suddenly turned jaded when he showed up.

Siempre tienes que aruinar el momento, imbécil.

"И- Извините, I-I mean s-sorry!" the colossal bear of a man apologized, blushing a color so red her Papá's tomates would be put to shame.

"M-May I sit with?" el monstruo said, biting his lip so hard María was surprised he didn't draw blood.

A pregnant pause washed over the table, as they were all unsure as to what to do. While they didn't want to outright shun Mr. Creepy, they were not at all appealed to the idea of him being anywhere near them.

"Si!" María muttered to herself as Gilbert opened his mouth, "Has que el maricón se vaya de aquí!"

Suddenly, Alfred laughed joyfully, making everyone stop and turn to him.

"V-Vany-I mean Ivan," Alfred quickly corrected, still chortling into his soda.

"What a dumb question!"

La cara del tarado made him look as though he was going to kill them all.

"Alfred!" Gilbert hissed as he slowly inched away from the madman and the seemingly mad man.

"What were you thinking?"

However, Alfred was soon jumping over the table in a fell swoop, subtly brushing fingers so only someone who was truly paying attention would notice.

Maldita sea.

Maria silently cursed in her head as Alfred looked at him with those huge, soft, hurt eyes that only she should have been able to see.

"No, Ivan," Alfred cooed softly, looking like a kicked puppy, "I didn't mean it like that, please don't cry."

Llorar? Que llorar, el nos va a matar en un minuto! Sálvate Alfred!

However, everyone was shocked as the death aura that surrounded their maker dimmed down and was replaced by a sad look.

"What did Alfred," he struggled to not say his pet name, que solo ella, solo ella, tenia el derecho de llamarle con un nombre como ese, "mean by hurtful words?"

"I meant," Alfred started, looking at his shoes como un perro malo, "that you should never have to ask. You are always welcome to sit with us."

"д-да?" he questioned, a truly ghastly smile breaking over his face, threatening to devour anyone within distance.

"Of course!" Alfred proclaimed, smiling brightly at him instead of her. "As long as I'm here, you'll always have a place to sit in this joint!"

There was another silence settling over the table as Alfred and he looked at each other with loving eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

Creo que voy a vomitar.

Thankfully, Gilbert broke the silence with a forced laugh, sweating bullets.

"Hey, Alfred, in case you haven't noticed, there isn't any space for, uh…"

"Ivan," Alfred said, looking annoyed at his teammate, "His name is Ivan."

"Right. There isn't any place for Ivan to sit here. We're all full."

Alfred thought for a moment and quickly snapped his fingers.

"He can sit at my place!"

Everyone stared as Alfred quickly threw away his wrappers and cleared his spot for his "friend".

María's eyebrow started twitching as he saw him getting his spot all cleaned up for su amor, su precioso perfecto Ivan.

"There! Now you can sit here, big guy!" Alfred cheerily said, tugging him closer to sit in his spot.

"н-нет," he stuttered, blushing at Alfred's actions, "This not necessary…"

"P'shaw, it ain't nothing big," Alfred drawled, smiling charmingly at a blushing Ivan.

"Anything for you, Ivan."

María saw red, and her smile was getting harder to maintain. La forma que dijo su nombre, como si era la única persona en el mundo para el, la hizo sentir furia como nunca lo había sentido.

"С-Спасибо," he stuttered, looking down at his feet.

"Вы очень добры."

As Alfred subtly blushed and smiled at whatever he said, María lost her last vestiges of patience.

"Me voy al baño," she said brusquely, getting up and leaving quickly before anyone saw her explode.

Fue tiempo a poner Plan: Siete Pecados Mortales en acción.

María gingerly sprinkled the last of the queso she grated on Alfred's chalupa.

Esto va ser magnifico.

María could just picture it now, Alfred realizing through probando su comida Mejicana how wrong he was in choosing him. He would soon grow tired and resentful of not having enough of her cooking, and when she hints at cooking for him every day, he would realize that Ivan was not enough to keep him satisfied, no como ella y su comida deliciosa.

La forma para entrar en el corazón de un hombre es por su estomago, no?

María smiled brightly as she put only a hint of Pico de Gallo in Alfred's chalupa and put the rest in hers.

Ella aprendió su lección de la ultima vez.

El hecho es que esto no es la primera vez que María trato de hacer comida para Alfred.

Two years ago, she made him some Carne Asada on Cinco de Mayo, claiming it was to help celebrate her culture.

Si, claro.

Alfred bought it, hook, line, and sinker, however, and happily thanked her as he chowed down on the meat.

María finally thought she won him over until something unexpected happened.

"W-Wow...this is really spicy!" Alfred said, sweating up a storm, trying his hardest to smile.

Mierda.

María's eyes widened as she saw Alfred race out of the cafeteria, some of the soccer members laughing as he ran towards the water fountain.

Eso…no fue como ella había planeado.

María winced, none too pleased about remembering that little incident.

That's why she came prepared, however, putting less spice in his and carefully labeling the foil it was wrapped in with an A so nobody would touch it.

"Mi hijita, estas lista para ir a la escuela?"

"Casi, Papá!" María shouted out, quickly leaving the kitchen to get her books ready, forgetting to put the chalupa in her lunch bag.

However, when she left, her Papi walked into the kitchen and saw something edible wrapped in foil, the letter A standing out like a sore thumb.

"Oi, bastard!" Lovino yelled out, "You nearly left your lunch here!"

"Aww, is my Lovi worried about me not eating? So sweet~" Antonio cooed as he snuck behind Lovino and gave him a hug.

"Get your hands off me, bastard!" Lovino yelled as he tried to elbow Antonio in the face.

Antonio, however, held on and pressed a kiss on Lovino's cheek, "Can't I just appreciate how loving and wonderful my husband is?"

Lovino quieted at that, looking redder than the ruby on his wedding band.

"Stupid bastard…" he mumbled as Antonio kissed his lips.

"Eww, come on Papá, Papi!" Mexico screamed, slightly embarrassed. "I'm still here!"

Lovino quickly parted and elbowed Antonio in the gut before he walked over to his daughter.

"Mi dispiace, mia figlia." Lovino said gently to his daughter. "Tu padre estaba actuando como un idiota de nuevo."

María giggled as her Papá looked betrayed at how Papi referred to his loving acts earlier.

"Esta bien, Papi," she said as she grabbed her lunchbox without knowing what chaos it would cause, "Solo no hagas un habito de besarse en publico, porfa."

"Te prometo, mia figlia." her Papi said as he gave her a kiss on her cheek. "Ten un buen día de escuela!"

"Si, Papi!" she exclaimed as she went with her Papá to the car.

Hoy va ser el mejor día de escuela de mi vida.

Todo estaba listo.

María smiled to herself as she went to her regular spot, not losing her temper even after he showed up with Alfred, looking at Alfred as though he hung up the stars.

No estoy asustada de ti.

María looked as innocent as possible when she exclaimed about not being able to eat another bite from the bag, saying she was too full.

Alfred, tan lindo, took the bait, asking her what she couldn't eat anymore.

Lo tengo.

María smiled as she explained how she ate un enorme desayuno, and her non-spicy chalupa was now too much for su débil estomago.

"Yo no supongo que tu puedes comerlo, Alfred?" she asked as her eyes glittered with faux sadness.

"As long as it's not spicy like your steak, I'm good," Alfred said as he reached forward to get the foiled tortilla from her lunchbox.

María blushed and smiled lightly as he passed her lunchbox back to her, fingers brushing slightly. She looked at him, smiling a huge, bright, smile.

Te gane, hijo de perra. Te…

María soon lost her smile as she looked into her empty lunchbox.

Porque esta vacío? Yo hice…

Her eyes widened with horror as her brain connected one and one together.

Her Papi was never affectionate unless her Papá complimented him.

Her Papá only compliments Papi when he does something super nice for him.

Como haciendo su lonche.

Un lonche para Antonio.

Que empieza con la letra A…!

"Espera!" María shouted, a little too late as Alfred ate half the chalupa in one bite.

The result was immediate.

Alfred spat the chalupa out, face turning plum. His tongue was out panting as he desperately tried to get some relief from the spice, eyes streaming.

Mierda!

The whole group panicked as Alfred started choking on the spice, sweat streaming down his face, head in his lap.

Que va a hacer ella ahora…?!

"Alfredka!" he screamed, forgetting about hiding who he really was. "Put this in mouth!"

He got his spoon and shoved some red blood-like stuff into Alfred's mouth.

Everyone quieted as Alfred stopped flailing and seemingly went unconscious.

Despues, su ojos azueles hermosos se abrieron de nuevo.

The whole table sighed in relief as their star player suddenly sat up.

"V-Vanya.." Alfred whispered as he put their hands together, also seemingly forgetting about the pet names.

"THAT TASTES SO GOOD!"

Everyone was startled as Alfred soon turned around and started devouring the rest of the red liquid in his bowl.

"Mhmm, it cools down the spice," Alfred moaned as he stuffed his face, "And it's sweet but the sour cream balances it out! What is it?"

"It Borscht," he mumbled, blushing at Alfred's use of his nickname, asqueroso. "Cold soup from homeland. Not very good…"

"Bullshit!" Alfred exclaimed as he drank some more of his soup, "This shit is dope! Did you make it?"

"д-да," he whispered, turning redder than Alfred when he was choking on the spices, "A-All by self."

"Dude, you gotta teach me the recipe," Alfred sighed as he gulped down the rest of his soup. "I'd eat it every morning, noon, and night."

"I-I…" he stuttered, his shyness making his glare look even worse, "I-I maybe…make it lunch for you daily?"

María's jaw slightly dropped as she saw la culebra no solo robo el centro de atención que debía haber sido suya, pero su idea también.

"Are you for real, dude?" Alfred asked, looking at him intently.

"д-да." he whispered, his face catching on fire.

"Hell yes!" Alfred exclaimed loudly as he put his arm around him, his blush getting redder by the minute, "I got a professional chef now, boys! Jealous?"

María smiled forcibly as her teeth gritted together.

Peor día de escuela de mi vida!

Aquí es donde llegamos ahora.

María's forced smile was becoming permanent as she saw them, eating lunch together on the other side of the table, Alfred growing sunnier and healthier by the minute as he gave him home-made lunches that should have been hers to give, never failing to deliver.

As they laughed together, brushing fingers as he "teasingly" fed him, María's mind was racing.

Tiempo para Fase Dos!

Your Dictionary:

Le encantaba la comida hecha a mano. – He loved hand-made food.

Claro que lo mereces, tonto. Tu mereces el mundo. – Of couse you deserve it, dummy. You deserve the world.

Un chico llamado… - A guy named…

Tan cerca, pero tan lejos. – So close, but so far.

п-пожалуйста. (Pazhalusta.) – Excuse me, please.

И- Извините (I-Izvineeti.) – I-I'm sorry.

Papá's tomates. - Father's tomatoes.

El monstruo. - The Monster.

Si! – Yes!

Has que el maricón se vaya de aquí! – Make the pussy leave!

Cara del tarado. – Moron's face.

Maldita sea. – God damn it.

Llorar? Que llorar, el nos va a matar en un minuto, sálvate Alfred! – Cry? What do you mean cry, he's going to kill us all in a minute! Alfred, save yourself!

Solo ella, solo ella, tenia el derecho de llamarle con un nombre como ese – Only she, only she, had the right to use pet names with him.

Como un perro malo. – Like a bad dog.

д-да? (D-Da?) – Y-Yes?

Creo que voy a vomitar. – I think I'm going to be sick.

Su amor, su precioso perfecto Ivan. – His love, his precious, perfect Ivan.

н-нет. (N-Nyet.) – No. (Informal)

La forma que dijo su nombre, como si era la única persona en el mundo para el, la hizo sentir furia como nunca lo había sentido. – The way he said his name, like he was the only person in the world in his eyes, made her feel fury like she had never felt before.

С-Спасибо. (S-Spasibo.) – Thank you.

Вы очень добры. (Vy ochin' dabry.) – You are very kind.

Me voy al baño. – I'm going to the restroom.

Plan: Siete Pecados Mortales – Plan: Seven Deadly Sins

Queso – Cheese

Chalupa – A tortilla made into a bowl that you can stuff however you like.

Esto va ser magnifico. – This was going to be magnificent.

Probando su comida Mejicana. – Trying her Mexican food.

No como ella y su comida deliciosa – Not like her and her delicious food.

La forma para entrar en el corazón de un hombre es por su estomago, no? – Wasn't the way to get into a man's heart through his stomach?

Pico de Gallo – Spice Used In Traditional Mexican Dishes

Ella aprendió su lección de la ultima vez. – She learned her lesson last time.

El hecho es que esto no es la primera vez que María trato de hacer comida para Alfred. – The fact of the matter is that this isn't the first time María that tried to make food for Alfred.

Carne Asada – Mexican Grilled and Sliced Beef, Can Be Spicy

Cinco de Mayo – May Fifth, Mexican/American Holiday

Si, claro. – Yeah, sure.

Mierda. – Shit.

Eso…no fue como ella había planeado. – That…didn't work as planned.

Mi hijita, estas lista para ir a la escuela? – Are you ready to go to school, my daughter?

Casi, Papá! – Almost, dad!

Papi - Daddy

Mi dispiace, mia figlia. – I'm sorry, my daughter.

Tu padre estaba actuando como un idiota de nuevo. – Your father was acting like an idiot again.

Esta bien, Papi. – It's okay, daddy.

Solo no hagas un habito de besarse en publico, porfa. – Just don't make it a habit, please.

Te prometo, mia figlia. – I promise, my daughter.

Ten un buen día de escuela. – Have a great day at school!

Hoy iva ser el mejor día de escuela de mi vida. – Today was going to be the best school day of her life.

Todo estaba listo. – Everything was ready.

No estoy asustada de ti. – I'm not scared of you.

Tan lindo. – So cute.

Lo tengo. – I got him!

Un enorme desayuno. – A big breakfast.

Su débil estomago. – Her weak stomach.

Yo no supongo que tu puedes comerlo, Alfred? – I don't suppose you could eat it, Alfred?

Te gane, hijo de perra. Te… - I won, son of a bitch. I…

Porque esta vacío? Yo hice… - Why is it empty? I made…

Como haciendo su lonche. – Like making his lunch.

Un lonche para Antonio. – A lunch for Antonio.

Que empieza con la letra A…! – Whose name starts with an A…!

Espera! – Wait!

Que va a hacer ella ahora…?! – What is she going to do now…?!

Despues, sus ojos azueles hermosos se abrieron de nuevo. – Then, his beautiful blue eyes opened again.

Borscht – A chunky, cold stew that is made of red beets and sour cream.

Asqueroso. – Gross.

La culebra no solo robo el centro de atención que debía haber sido suya, pero su idea también. – The snake not only robbed her spotlight, but her idea too.

Peor día de escuela de mi vida! – Worst school day ever!

Aquí es donde llegamos ahora. – So, this is where we are.

Tiempo para Fase Dos! – Time for Phase Two!

HOLI CANOLI MOLI ITS DONE

THIS WAS SO MUCH LONGER THAN I THOUGHT

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! This is honestly so unexpected long, haha ^^;

I hope you all enjoyed reading this, and know that somebody loves you…me!