#managed to fall asleep for a couple more hours and its not as bad but my chest still doesnt feel right

[maybeicanbesaved]

,,,

[her-favorite]

CONNECTION; M. STURNIOLO

MATT STURNIOLO X F!READER

warnings: fluff!! nothing, really

a/n: SOULMATE AU (though i don’t think i did it right)!! i’ve never actually wrote one of these before so i’m sorry for how bad this is lmao - Requested by this anon!!

wc: 1,580 - If you see this anon, i’m so sorry for how short it is! I honestly couldn’t think of much writing this 😭

SYNOPSIS: Making an impulsive decision to buy tickets to your favorite youtuber’s tour, you were more than surprised with the connection you felt with one of them..

-

The decision was spontaneous, but you don’t regret it for a second.

You’ve been a fan of the Sturniolo’s for a while now and you just so happen to get paid that day. As the sun disappeared and the moon took its place, you sat in bed and scrolled through your laptop. Without thinking, you managed to make your way to their website, looking through their stuff.

With a quick inhale, your finger hovered over the mousepad before clicking on the finale button, assuring you of your purchase.

As days went by, the date came closer and closer. You’d by lying if you said you weren’t nervous, but the excitement of the situation was building as well. Thankfully, the days ahead were quite packed, so you hoped they would go by faster.

Once the night before you left came, you lied in bed, going through every situation you could possibly think of. You hadn’t had enough altogether to pay for the meet and greet, but you were more than happy being able to see them on stage. Falling asleep that night was practically impossible.

A couple exhausting hours later, you’re finally in line at the event and waiting for it to start. Filling in to the vast space in front of the stage, you feel the nerves inside your stomach tighten. Squished between a sea of people, you try not to focus on it as minutes pass by.

Screaming fills your ears as the three brothers walk out from the side, waving at the crowd. Sporting a blue shirt, you couldn’t help the smile that overcame your face when Matt moves towards the center. His sweet smile mesmerizing you as your eyes raked over his outfit: the short, black Ransom shirt he wore with a big skull on the front, paired with light blue jeans that hugged him perfectly.

Eventually, the yelling died down as Nick began talking, explaining the rules of the games. Taking glances back over at his younger brother, you can’t help but be entranced with the way he does anything. Before you could look away, Matt’s eyes drift along the crowd, stopping at you. Feeling your breath hitch, you froze in your spot, too nervous to break eye contact with him.

You could very well be looking too much into it, but you could’ve sworn that you both felt something. His blue eyes bore into yours as seconds went by, a small curve to his lips now. Unlike him, Matt sends you a quick wink before trying to focus on what his older brother was saying. Had you told anyone what just happened, they would’ve said you were lying. Exhaling softly, you can’t fight off the recurring smile on your lips.

Minutes go by as the triplets converse and the audience watches. Having paid so much attention to Matt, you try to put the small interaction to the back of your mind and watch the brothers talk. By the time they were supposed to pick someone from the crowd to help them, you only hoped that Matt would pick you. You knew it was a long shot and that short exchange was probably just to tease you. But when Matt focuses on you, his finger pointed in your direction, you’re sure you’re not dreaming.

Hesitant at first, Matt notices and mutters in to the mic, “C’mon, I don’t bite.” With scattered laughs from the crowd, you smile and make your way over to the stairs, accepting Matt’s outstretched hand. As he guides you over to the opposite side, he’s yet to take his hand away from you as you stand right beside him. Nick goes on to explain more about the game topic, using extravagant hand gestures and his enthusiastic attitude that makes everyone crack a smile.

“Our turn.” A low whisper brushes past your ear, catching you off guard. You quickly look over at him as Matt smiles down at you, taking his hand away from you and politely letting you walk before him. You felt crazy for thinking about how gorgeous he looked right now, with his pretty blue eyes and his perfect pink lips and his slightly messy brown hair.

Nodding softly, you move forward, feeling his presence follow behind you. Nervousness quickly turned into enjoyment as you had your fun with the triplets, as each of you and the other two people from the crowd playfully compete against the other.

Once the battle was over and as soon as you were about to walk back into the audience, Matt rests his hand gently against your back. Turning your head, you look over at him, just barely hidden behind the curtain on the side of the stage.

“Hey, I, uh,” he clears his throat, taking a swift glance at his shoes before looking back up at you. “I was wondering if maybe you wanted to talk after the show?” He asks, shifting his weight to his other foot nervously.

Before you could even process what he asked you, you felt yourself nodding. “Yeah, I’d love to.” You hear the words escape your mouth before you think them. Did he feel it too?

A smile takes over his lips as he nods subconsciously. “Cool. Um, I’ll meet you outside a couple minutes after?” A light pink hue tints his pale cheeks, just barely visible in the dark lighting behind the curtain. His smile is sickeningly sweet as it almost makes you melt. Nodding in response, Matt’s smile gets wider as he tries to play it off. “Alright, cool.” He mumbles, sending you a cute smile before letting you walk back into the crowd of people.

Did Matt Sturniolo actually just ask you to meet up with him later?

-

As the show wrapped up, Nick ended up winning. With playful protests from his brothers, Nick rubs the win in their face, even though he was in last place. Bidding everyone a good night and sweet words, the three leave the stage with waves and smiles.

Since your conversation with Matt, you’d be lying if you said you hadn’t just been staring at him the entire time. As he was just about to step behind the dark red curtain, his eyes gaze over to yours, his smile growing wider.

Fast forward a few minutes, you stood outside the building, the night chill making goosebumps form on your skin. Pulling out your phone to check the time, you sigh as you put it back in your pocket. Just as you hit the 15 minute mark in the cold weather, you decide it’d probably be better to head back inside and warm up.

As you turn on your heels, making your way down the sidewalk, you hear someone behind you. “Hey, wait!” Turning around immediately, you watch Matt jog over to you, stopping you in your tracks. “I’m so sorry I kept you out here waiting. Chris wouldn’t stop playing music way too loud in the back room and Nick kept trying to get him to shut it off,” Matt rambles, oblivious to the soft smile on your face.

“Matt,” your voice cuts him out of his anxious blithering, moving his eyes up from the ground to look at you. “It’s okay, I promise.” You smile, letting out an airy laugh. You noticed Matt relax, his shoulders calming as he softens at the sound of your voice.

“You have to be cold,” he breaks the silence, noticing the slight shiver rake through you. His eyes smooth over your body, the light material of your shirt and jacket not doing much to protect you from the chill outside.

You shrug lightly, not agreeing nor disagreeing with his words. His sudden movements catch you off guard as you watch him begin to take off his own jacket. “Oh, Matt, I don’t need-“

“You’re gonna get sick if you don’t take it.” He says, though there’s no room for an argument as he drapes his heavy coat around your shoulders. “You look pretty in my stuff.” Matt whispers, smoothing his hands over your covered arms before pulling back as the same blush as before resurfaces.

Smiling at the compliment, you thank him. It was clear neither of you really knew what to do. How could you not be nervous in front of him? And how could Matt not be nervous in front of you?

“I was-“

“When I-“

You both stop, looking over at each other before laughing. “You go first.” You insist, reassuring him once he denies.

“Uh, when I was talking to you inside,” his hand reaches up to scratch the nape of his neck. “I hadn’t really thought it through when I asked to meet you out here. I just really wanted to talk to you.” Matt confesses, moving his hands down into the pockets of his jeans. His words bring an even bigger smile to your face as you laugh softly.

“Honestly, I spent the entire time I waited out here trying to think of what to say, but I couldn’t think of anything.” You reply, joining in when you hear him chuckle. Taking a deep breath, you put out your hand, “I’m Y/N.” You knew he knew your name when you told him earlier, but he seemed to catch on as you both reintroduced yourselves.

“Matt.” He shakes your hand with a pretty smile, his bigger hand slightly rougher against yours. “C’mon, why don’t we take a walk?”

You knew you wouldn’t regret buying those tickets.

[chapel-of-rizztual]

heard you can't stop writing phantom... may I offer a little idea then?

I think he's an absolute sex crier, like, he doesn't even know why and he can't control it, he's just always crying

its not just his eyes watering, it's fucking waterfalls and body shaking sobs. he scared every ghoul during their first time together, thinking they did something very wrong

that's why someone (swiss, please, swiss) just... carries on when phantom starts crying one time they're having sex. he doesn't realise, at least at first, that this is an actual crying, like there's a problem crying...

and then idk what happens, do with that what you will (/nf ofc) hehehe

This was meant to be a couple of bulletpoint Headcanons but it turned into this…

i feel like there should be some kind of warming here but I’m not sure what? Withdrawing consent? Freezing during sex? Nothing bad happens but if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing then be careful.

Phantom was emotional. Everyone discovered that pretty quickly. It didn’t take much to make tears ruin down his cheeks, puppies, kitten, whenever Dew falls asleep curled up, that one tiny spoon in the kitchen he insists is ‘cute’. Any type of film, doesn’t matter if the ending is sad or happy, it’ll have him sobbing for at least an hour. He cries. And he’s not ashamed of it. 

During sex it’s the worst. He’d managed to give a few of the ghouls warning before hand that he’ll most definitely cry, but he’d forgotten with some which led to some awkward moments but they all soon got use to it. In fact, They’d all made it into a competition to see who could get him to cry the most. Mountain was winning, followed by Cumulus, which everyone pretends to shocked at. 

So when Swiss see tears flowing down Phantom’s cheeks he doesn’t think anything of it. He had the little ghoul on his back, his legs around his shoulders, feet lock behind his head as Swiss pounded deep into him. Phantom had his tail curled tightly around Swiss’ thigh. The tears had stared about thirty second after Swiss had pushed into him and honestly Swiss was impressed he’d lasted that long. Normally the waterworks started about ten seconds into someone kissing him. 

But this time was different, Phantom had changed suddenly. He wasn’t hard anymore but that wasn’t always unusual but the tail curled around Swiss’ thigh was too tight, his body was too stiff, he wasn’t arching into Swiss like he normally was. He was gripping the sheets below him but it was different to usual, his face was scrunched up in a pained expression and each roll of Swiss’ had a flash of a grimace on his face. The normal sweet sounds were replaced with…nothing, no gasps, or moans, he was just silent as far tears rolled down his cheeks. 

Swiss slowed his thrusts, running a gentle hand down Phantom thigh that’s resting against his belly. “Hey, you doing okay, bug?” 

He gets no response from Phantom except more tears leaking from his eyes.

More alarm bells ring in the back of Swiss mind as he stops completely, squeezing at Phantom's hip bone probably a little harder then necessary. 

“Hey, hey Phantom? Can you look at me? I need to know you’re okay.” 

Phantom’s eyes flick to Swiss’ as he makes eye contact with him Swiss can feel his heart shattering in his chest at the pained, almost panicked expression on Phantom's face. 

He rubs at his hip again, a little more gently this time.  “Phantom, do you want to stop?”  Phantom’s whole face crumbles as he nods. 

Swiss pulls out immediately but carefully not wanting to possibly hurt Phantom more then already might be. He wasn’t sure what make Phantom want to stop but if he was hurt he wasn’t about to make it even worse. 

Phantom’s whole body deflates onto the mattress when Swiss pulls out, letting out a harsh gasped sob as he curls in on himself. 

Swiss immediately shuffled up to the end of the bed, to where Phantom’s head is and strokes a gentle finger down the back of his hand so the ghoul knows he’s there. 

“Can I touch you? Can I hold you? Is that okay?” He keeps his voice to a soft whisper, not wanting to possibly scare him any more. 

Phantom doesn’t reply verbally but he practically throws himself at Swiss. Luckily for him Swiss catches him and cradles him into his lap. Swiss moves to sit against the headboard of the bed, pulling Phantom into his neck as he wracks a sob, a stream of tears flowing dow his cheeks. 

“I’ve got you, I’ve got you. You’re safe, baby bug.” Swiss rocked them gently from side to side, whispering little praises into his ear and running a hand through his hair, scratching around the base of his horns. 

“It’s okay. Let’s it all out, baby bug. You did so well, I’m so proud of you.” 

Eventually, with the help of Swiss’ kind praise and soft touches, Phantom’s sobbing subsides to little gasp like hiccups. He snuffles into Swiss neck, nosing at his scent glad letting the comforting smell of Swiss wash over him with a small hum. 

Swiss kisses at his forehead, wiping away form of  the stray tears on his cheeks.  “You back with me? You okay?” 

Phantom nods, feeling a little more like himself now. Swiss is still rocking them gently as he rubs at Phantom’s back. “Can you tell be what happened there?”  Phantom shrugs a little, clearing his throat. “I-don’t know? I just- didn’t want it anymore?”

 Swiss gives him a squeeze around his waist.“Then why didn’t you say anything?” He lets out a sign. “You can say no, you can say stop, to me-to anyone, and it’s okay.”  Phantom feels his bottom lip wobble as more tears well in his eyes. “I wanted too! But- I just- I froze! It was like I couldn’t move or speak, but I wanted to tell you to stop.” 

Swiss squeezes him even harder. “Oh, darling. I’m not mad at you, I promise. I just want to keep you safe.” 

Phantom nods into his neck but it’s too late, fresh tears are already running down his face. Swiss coos at him, picking up his rocking from before. “How about, I check in with you more? And I can tell the other to as well, so we don’t have you freezing up like that again? Would that be easier? Maybe we can have a code, like you pinch someone’s thigh three times if you want to stop?”  Phantom sniffs and nods. “That would be good, I think. We can try that?” 

“We can try whatever you want, baby bug.” Swiss kisses at his forehead again. “Hey, I think there might be some of Dew’s fancy expensive chocolate ice cream hidden at the back of the freezer, I’m sure we can steal it without him noticing. And if he does notice we can blame Mountain.”  Phantom let’s out a giggle, nodding onto Swiss neck. “That sounds nice, but can we just cuddle for a little bit longer, don’t want to let you go yet?”   Swiss hooks a finger under Phantom's chin, tilting his head back so he can look at him and presses his lips to Phantom’s in an overly sweet kiss. “Anything you want, baby bug. Anything you want.” 

[lemonlover1110]

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲

[Chapter 1] Business Trip

Story Masterlist - Next Chapter →

Pairing: Kento Nanami x f!Reader

Chapter Warnings: Smut, Vaginal Sex, Oral Sex (f. receiving), Vaginal Fingering, Breeding Kink, Creampie, Boss/Employee Relationship

That sound. That stupid beeping sound that wakes Kento up every single morning, making him get up from bed. A sigh leaves his lips as he turns off the alarm, so tempted to hit snooze but he remembers he isn’t the only one that has to get ready.

He gets up from the bed and walks to the bathroom, not an ounce of energy in his body although he just woke up. He turns on the light, no natural light entering the room considering the sun isn’t even out yet. Kento has such a strict and mean boss, making him show up so early to the office. But he’s accepted it as a requirement of being the CEO’s secretary.

The job has its bad things. A grumpy and strict boss, extremely long working hours, and stressful tasks. The job also has great perks. An extremely sexy boss, great pay, and he seems to be respected by everyone at work. Dealing with his boss certainly is something respectable.

They’ve heard a lot about you. Way too much. And it’s never something good. They’ve heard you have quite the temper, and there’s too many stories about it. That once you poured hot coffee over a new hire because she messed up your schedule. Or that once you slapped an employee for arriving a minute late to work. All rumors that haven’t been proven. 

But Kento will admit that you do have quite the temper. You’re often yelling, throwing things around the office. Not at him, but he has to dodge them sometimes. You do raise your voice, and it’s hard for you to control yourself, but you never dare to physically assault an employee and often your mean words have nothing to do with the employee personally, but instead the mistake they make.

God, but your temper makes working with you a bit of a nightmare. Kento is scared of messing up because of the repercussions that come afterward. It makes him stress too much, causing him to age faster. He’d thought he would age faster because of his daughter, but no, it’s a woman a couple years older than him that is at fault for his gray hairs (he plucks them out).

Kento washes his face to wake himself up because it feels like he’s sleep-walking with every step he takes. He’s not completely conscious, he just knows he wants to fall asleep again and wake up at noon. He wants to do nothing all day long, but his work doesn’t allow that. And even if his work did allow it, a certain someone in his house wouldn’t.

“Daddy!” He hears a yell that drags out. There’s his other alarm. She knocks on the bathroom door aggressively, until Kento is forced to open it for her. Kento is in charge of waking her up, but somehow she always manages to wake up before him.

“I’m awake, honey. I’m not sleeping in the bathroom.” He confirms, and she nods in response before walking out of the bedroom, back to her own. Only six-years-old, yet she manages to be a hundred times more responsible than him. He once fell asleep on the toilet, and she had to wake him up. He was almost late that one time, and he swore his life was flashing before his eyes.

Kento brushes his teeth before turning on the faucet of the shower. Washing his face is not enough to fully wake him up. But after his shower, he’s fully woken up and ready to go to work.

“Asami, are you changing?!” He yells when he’s out of the shower. She doesn’t say anything, which makes Kento assume that she’s playing with her toys or something along those lines. Sure, she’s responsible but she’s still a child. 

Kento puts on his work clothes. He’s wearing that white dress shirt and the green tie combination that you seem to like so much. Especially when he rolls up his sleeves after working for so long. At least you seem to stare at him too much, and give him some looks that certainly aren’t chaste. Those times he wonders what goes through your mind.

When he’s finished putting on clothes, he goes to his daughter’s room. She’s putting on her socks and she looks extremely focused. He clears his throat to not spook her. She turns her head to look at her father, “What do you want for lunch today?”

“I don’t care.” She answers, shrugging. If it were up to her she’d have candy, but it’s not up to her. Last time she answered that, her father told her that she couldn’t have that for lunch. She doesn’t desire anything else to eat.

“I’ll pack last night's leftovers then.” Kento tells her and she nods in response. She doesn’t care much. Last night's dinner was good. If anything, she’ll just trade her lunch with a classmate. 

Kento doesn’t worry about breakfast. It’s so early in the morning and his daughter’s school doesn’t start in a while. He typically drops her off at his mother’s house where she eats her breakfast and spends some time with her grandparents before she’s dropped off at school by his mother. Now for himself… Some coffee suffices and keeps him awake and functioning till noon.

His phone rings as he prepares his daughter’s lunchbox. It startles him, but after the initial scare he gets his phone out of his pocket. He has to take a deep breath when he sees the name that’s displayed on the screen. When he exhales, he picks up the phone. “Good morning, ma’am-”

“Took you long enough.” He hears and he has to shut his eyes for a moment. He takes a deep breath. It’s too early for this. He has to maintain his composure. He can’t just snap at his boss although he’s irritated. “I want you in the office in ten minutes.”

“Ma’am, I live twenty minutes away and I have to drop off my daughter-” He begins but he’s cut off by you.

“Make it work.” Are the last words he hears before you hang up on him. He scoffs before chuckling in disbelief. He bites his tongue to not start cursing in the house because Asami is always listening and she picks up words easily.

“Asami, hurry up!” Kento yells, knowing that he can’t waste any time. 

“I’m almost done, daddy!”

“Good morning, ma’am.” Kento walks into the office, holding your coffee in one hand and the agenda in the other. You move your head to look at him. You look him up and down, and he feels too intimidated under your gaze to even put the coffee down on your desk.

“You’re late.” You point out and he slightly nods. There was no way of getting here in ten minutes when he’s twenty minutes away and had to drop off his daughter. His job is a priority but his main priority is his daughter.

“Sorry ma’am, traffic was horrible-” He begins to make up excuses, but you put your pointer up and cut him off.

“Don’t let it happen again, Nanami.” You tell him, not having enough time nor patience to listen to excuses. That lets him know that today you won’t drool over his outfit. “I don’t care if you’re twenty minutes away, if I tell you to be here in ten minutes, you better be here in ten minutes.”

“Next time I’ll speed and risk my life and my daughter’s.” Kento says, and you roll your eyes.

“We’re going to New York next week.” You inform him, which certainly catches him off guard. You stand up from your chair, grabbing your coffee and taking a sip. You begin to walk out of the office, and Kento begins to follow. “I’ve been offered to be on the cover of Forbes, and obviously I’m not turning that down. You have to come with me.”

“Can I bring my daughter with me?” Kento asks, making you click your tongue. You walk to the elevator, and he follows like a lost puppy. You pay him to follow you like a lost puppy.

“If you have someone that can babysit her while we work. Unless she’s old enough to take care of herself.” You answer. Kento holds back a sigh, thinking of contacting his daughter’s mother, although he doubts that’ll work out well. The woman can barely take care of herself.

“Can I bring my parents with me?” Kento proceeds. 

“Is this a business trip or a family trip? Invite your siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins while you’re at it.” You mock. You finally enter the elevator and click the first floor, making Kento wonder where you’re going. “If you can find someone in New York that can take care of your daughter then you can bring her with you. Otherwise, no.”

“Where are we going?” Kento changes the topic, hoping that you won’t proceed to call him dumb or anything along those lines. You’ve never actually called him that, but he still wants to avoid it, just in case the rumors are true.

“Read the schedule.” You answer, which makes him open the agenda. Today you have a meeting outside of the hotel. That totally slipped. “It’s an hour away, Nanami. Hopefully we’re not late because of your lack of punctuality.”

“Sorry, ma’am.”

At noon Kento notices that there’s something off with you. Everyone else does too. Although Kento eats at his desk to not be bothered, no one seems to get the memo. There’s always a small group of people that join him for lunch, although there’s no place for them to sit.

“She’s really moody today, isn’t she?” Lexi asks as she sits on his desk. Kento isn’t annoyed enough to tell her to get off. He simply couldn’t care less. He doesn’t even know where Lexi works, he just knows she comes to bother him almost every lunchtime. Of course, Lexi doesn’t come alone.

“I heard her boyfriend broke up with her.” Yukari shares, which does make Kento raise an eyebrow. That’s certainly something he wasn’t expecting to hear. Last time he heard an update about your relationship, engagement rumors were thrown around. “Poor thing.”

“I only feel bad for you, Kento.” Lexi says, batting her eyelashes as she looks at him. “Can’t imagine how she’s treating you right now.”

“Same as any other day.” Kento keeps it vague. He doesn’t want any more unnecessary rumors to spread. “She’s a really nice boss-”

“Tell your fucking friends to go somewhere else, Nanami. I need you in my office in five minutes.” He’s cut off by you. You were supposed to be eating lunch outside of the office, but clearly your plans changed. You enter your office and slam the door shut.

“She’s uhm-” Kento begins as Lexi and Yukari turn their heads to look at him after your little outburst. “She’s never like this.”

“Whatever you say, baby cakes.” Lexi says as she stands up.

“Bye, Nanami.” Yukari waves at him, giving him a sweet smile before she and Lexi begin to walk to the elevator. Kento sighs as he gets up from his chair. He wants to call the information he just received a rumor, but it isn’t. You were definitely broken up with.

He stands up and walks to your office, not knocking before entering. Which he senses is a mistake the moment he sets a foot in your office. You glare at him for his lack of courtesy, but you don’t scold him.

“Did you book the rooms?” You ask, and Kento hesitantly shakes his head. The trip is next week, he wasn’t planning on doing everything so early. He already has so much work to do. You click your tongue. “Call the hotel in New York and get a suite for tomorrow night.”

“Isn’t that too soon, ma’am?” Kento questions, not wanting to come back into your office to tell you that he couldn’t get you your suite. That usually doesn’t end well so Kento wants to avoid it.

“I’m the owner of the hotel. What are they going to do? Turn me away?” You reply, which Kento can’t argue with. “Be at the airport at five in the morning. Figure out what to do with your daughter because she’s the reason we’re not leaving tonight.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

“Alright, honey. I love you.” Kento kneels down and presses a kiss on his daughter’s forehead. She pouts and crosses her arms. She would’ve preferred staying with anyone else but her mother. “Asami, please behave.”

“Couldn’t I just have stayed with grandma?” She questions, before Kento stands up, a sigh escaping his lips. He has enough to deal with your attitude, he can’t deal with his daughter’s as well. Kento doesn’t know how to explain that she has to spend some time with her mother, even though she doesn’t like the woman that much.

“Asami, she’s your mother.” Kento responds. Asami thinks that because of her mother, their family broke up. Truthfully, Kento wasn’t happy in the marriage either. They both got married because of a little surprise, who six years later is a kindergartener whose first name is Asami. But Asami doesn’t really know all this. “She loves you a lot.”

“She’s boring.” Asami replies, which isn’t a lie. Although it isn’t all because the woman is boring, but rather she doesn’t make the effort to see her daughter either. “Can’t I just stay with grandma? Please?”

“Grandma will take you for the weekend.” Kento informs her. She still isn’t satisfied with this. Kento doesn’t have enough time to deal with this. Rather than dropping her off the previous night, Kento decided to drop her off at almost four in the morning at her mother’s house. “I’ll bring you a doll from New York.”

“Okay!” She agrees. He grabs her hand and knocks on the house’s door. It takes a couple of minutes before his ex-wife opens the door. She smiles at her daughter then at Kento.

“I’ve been expecting you honey!” She manages to excitedly respond, even though it’s so early in the morning.

“Okay.” Asami responds, meeting her mother’s enthusiastic tone with a much more uncaring one. Asami looks at her father one more time before letting go of his hand. She has no option but to stay here. At least her grandma will take her for the weekend. “Bye, daddy.”

“Bye, honey.” Kento waves at his daughter. “I love you, Asami.”

“Love you too, daddy.”

With that, he walks away. He rushes to his car in fear of being late. He can’t imagine being late to a flight. You’d kill him. He gets in his car and he begins his drive to the airport. He’s set on being at least fifteen minutes early.

And just as he planned, he arrived at the airport fifteen minutes early. But when he parks his car, he realizes he has no idea where to go. He didn’t buy any plane tickets. This is his first time traveling with you, and he’s forgotten the plane tickets. You’re going to kill him. Fuck, you’re going to kill him.

He pinches the bridge of his nose before grabbing his phone. He has to inform you before you find out on your own and curse him out in public. He clicks on your contact, his hand begins to shake as he calls you and brings the phone up to his ear. You sure are one scary woman.

“Good morning, ma’am.” You surely can hear the fear in his voice, and it almost makes you laugh.

“Good morning, Nanami. What’s up?” You question. You wonder why he’s calling.

“I’m very sorry but I- I forgot to buy plane tickets.” He’s about to mutter a hundred apologies and plead for his job. The pay is simply too good and he has a daughter to support. But he hears a chuckle coming from you. Either you’re about to lose it or you couldn’t care less– You’re definitely about to lose it.

“Nanami, I have a private jet.” You inform him which nearly makes his eyes pop out of his head. A private jet? Well, he shouldn’t be surprised but he is. You’re filthy rich with hotels all over the world and properties too. He’s seen your credit card statement after a shopping trip, which was around the same amount that he makes yearly. 

“Oh- I should’ve known.” He responds with a chuckle.

“You know where to go, right?” You question and Kento hums in response even though he has no idea. He’ll just ask around.

“Nanami.” You smile brightly at him as you get out of the backseat of your car. Kento finds you dressed your best, as always. You seem to be in a good mood, at least in a better mood than the one you were in yesterday. He assumes that you and your ex-boyfriend made up somehow. Or you found yourself a boy toy. “Was getting here a trouble for you?”

“A bit.” He admits, which makes you slightly pop out your bottom lip. You walk over to him, and he’s shocked to hear the sound of your heels. It’s so early in the morning and you have a long flight ahead of you. You put your hand on his shoulder and pat it.

“I’m sorry, Nanami. Next time I’ll pick you up.” You tell him. He tenses up when you touch him. That’s certainly something that’s never happened before, at least something that he can’t recall. You certainly haven’t been close to him either. “Let’s get in.”

You’re the first one to get into the jet. You greet the crew before you take a seat. Kento sits right across from you, unsure of where else to sit. You don’t complain because you don’t care.

“New York sure sounds exciting, doesn’t it?” You comment and Kento nods in response. He’s never been on a plane before, let alone a private jet. He’s more excited about flying through the air than going to New York. Although from what he’s heard about New York, he’s pretty excited about that too. “You want a mimosa?”

“This early in the morning?” He questions and he hears a laugh from you. You’re certainly in a much better mood than yesterday.

“C’mon. Time isn’t a thing in the air.” You tell him, and he raises a brow.

“We’re still on the ground.” He informs you, making you click your tongue.

“Hey, can we get two mimosas?” You ask someone in the crew, and they nod in response. You then look at Kento, “Who cares about time anyway. It’s night in New York right now.”

“Alright.” Kento chuckles. He can’t deny you a drink. This can technically be a vacation– Even though he’s working. For the first time in six years, he’s separated from his daughter. It seems exciting, as much as he hates to admit it.

“This is going to be a fun trip.” You comment when you get your drinks. You give one to Kento before you begin to sip on your own.

“We’re going there a week early. Why?” Kento asks, feeling comfortable enough to ask. You’re clearly in a good mood so he might as well take advantage of it.

“Hmm… Why not do some business there? It’s a very profitable place.” You tell him, although you’re not there for that. You’re already getting as much money as you get from the place. But you answer his question with your next words, “Plus a perfect place to shop.”

“So we’re going to New York a week early because you want to shop?” He questions and you fight back a smirk as you sip on your drink.

“You can’t complain. It’s a paid vacation.” You respond and he couldn’t agree more with you. He certainly likes that. As much as he loves his daughter, he needs a break every now and then. Almost two weeks child-free is a perfect way to spend his time.

“That’s true, ma’am.” He answers, finally bringing the glass up to his lips. You watch him take a sip, trying his best to make himself comfortable.

“Please don’t call me ma’am. Once again, it’s technically a paid vacation. Call me by my name.” You say, which makes him tense up. It’s supposed to make him comfortable, but it certainly doesn’t. If he lets himself get too comfortable, he’ll certainly make some type of mistake which will lead him to get fired.

“Alright.” He nods before calling you by your last name. It feels awkward when it rolls off his tongue. Whenever he calls you by your last name, miss always comes first. It’s never been just your last name alone.

“That’s good.” You respond. You rarely ever praise him and when you do, it makes him blush. He tries to hide his face when he feels that warmness on his cheeks, but it’s noticeable. You notice it but you don’t say anything about it. “So excited about going to New York. It’s been a while since my last trip there.”

Your excitement wears off after twelve hours of being in a plane. Sure, you have everything imaginable in there but you’d much rather be on ground. It’s seven in the morning when you land in New York, and while you never want to waste the day by sleeping, today’s very much different for you.

You’re on your way to the hotel, trying your best to not fall asleep in the backseat of the car. Some music plays in the background, and while it should help you stay awake, you’re still almost falling asleep. Kento is almost falling asleep as well, but he has to make sure you’re going the right way to the hotel; although he doesn’t know where the fuck he is. It’s his first time in the place, yet he’s somehow trying to make sure that they’re going the right way.

“We’re almost there.” The chauffeur says. Kento is startled when he feels the weight of your head fall on his shoulder. You refused to sleep on the plane since you weren’t tired, at least that was what you claimed. Kento can’t judge you because he did the same. Except he isn’t going to fall asleep in the car, even though he’s fighting his exhaustion.

“We’re here.” Kento wakes you up, and you gain consciousness. You raise your head and quickly take off your seatbelt. The chauffeur puts the car in parking to take your luggage out of the car.

“I’ll expect you here at seven.” You tell the chauffeur, a yawn escaping your lips. Kento opens the backseat door and he exits the car then he patiently waits for you to get out of the car as well. 

You walk to the entrance of the hotel, knowing that they’ve got the luggage. You don’t know who, but you know someone else will bring it in and they will make sure it gets to your room. You walk to the front desk and pull out your ID. You give it to the woman there before she can even properly greet you, or before she can tell you that check-in is after noon.

“Welcome ma’am. We’re glad to have you here.” She says, quickly giving you back your ID. You read the name tag that reads Rachel. She gives you the keycard to your room, and just when you’re about to leave, your secretary walks up to the desk.

“He’s my secretary.” You tell the woman so Kento doesn’t have to waste his time.

“Your secretary?” She asks, and you nod in response. “We only reserved one room under your name, ma’am.”

“Did you book another room under your name?” You look at Kento whose face is turning pink in embarrassment. He ends up shaking his head. “Rachel, are there any available rooms?”

“No, ma’am. We have no rooms ready for him, plus those are booked too.” She answers and you sigh. You can’t just kick a paying customer out because of your secretary’s mistake. You smile at the woman and then look at Kento.

“You’re staying in my suite tonight.” You inform him, and Kento doesn’t know how to respond. His mouth opens but quickly closes a few times before he ends up just following you as you walk towards the elevator, “Ugh I’m so nice. Always doing charity for the poor.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Kento says as he follows. Kento for sure is surprised that you didn’t just force him to sleep on the streets, but then again you seem to be in a great mood. Maybe because it’s like you said, this is a paid vacation.

You get in the elevator and click the floor of your room, “I expect you to pay for dinner tonight, Nanami. As a thank you.”

“Um- Yes, ma’am.” Kento responds. He’s already thinking of how he’s going to pay. He’s been making payments on this certain card to then cancel it, but he might have to use it tonight. A laugh escapes your lips as he brainstorms, which causes him to awkwardly chuckle. Just then, the elevator doors open and you walk out onto the floor.

“I’m joking.” You reply, which lifts so much worry from Kento’s shoulders. Of course you are. You’re in a great mood, why wouldn’t you be joking. “I’ve been dying to go to this restaurant. Of course I’m paying.”

“I thought you were serious, ma-”

“Stop calling me ma’am.” You say which causes him to apologize. You open the door to the suite, and enter. You’re quick to throw your purse on the couch and plop down, a sigh leaving your lips. “I’m going to take a nap on the bed. You’re free to do whatever you want.”

Kento also planned to take a nap, but he can’t do that while you take up the only bed available. The couch does look comfortable, at least in his sleepy state. He might just sleep there.

“Hey, Nanami.” You gently tap the man that’s passed out on the couch. He’s snoring very loudly which would’ve disturbed your sleep if you hadn’t been so tired. You continue tapping his chest until he stops snoring.

“Asami, give me five more minutes-” Kento murmurs and you furrow your eyebrows. You continue tapping his chest until he opens his eyes. He quickly realizes you’re not his daughter, and he’s quick to say, “I’m so sorry-”

“Get ready for dinner. We have to get going soon.” You inform him and he nods as he gets up from the couch. He’s either getting old or that couch isn’t great for sleeping. He begins to walk to the bathroom before he realizes that he has no idea where it is, so he comes to a complete stop. “First door by the entrance.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” He responds, and he walks away before you can reprimand him for being so formal. You take a seat on the couch that the man was just snoring on, and pull out your phone from your purse. Ten missed calls from the same person. You roll your eyes when you find that he left voicemails too. Your appetite goes away when you read the messages that he left on your phone. The excitement of finally being in New York and exploring the city goes away.

You shouldn’t give an incompetent man the satisfaction of getting you so worked up, but your mood is truly ruined. You put your phone down on the couch and walk to the room to lay down for just a second. To cool yourself down, then go to dinner.

You came here a week early to forget about him and to let your frustrations out after your breakup. Especially after the final argument you had the previous day– Which now, technically is two days ago. You can’t allow yourself to be bothered over something that happened two days ago. You can’t allow yourself to be bothered over a man that you dumped because he’s not worth your time.

You’re ready. You’re wearing your black valentino dress, your diamond necklace and your diamond earrings. All new, of course. You’re more than physically ready to go out and enjoy the night. Have some dinner with your secretary– A man who you’re definitely attracted to, have some wine, then come back and do whatever the hell you want until you pass out on your bed. You’re more than just physically ready for those plans, but your ex-boyfriend certainly ruined that mood.

“Ma’am.” Kento knocks on the door but it’s pointless because it’s open. He can see you laying on the bed, dreading your life. You sit up to look at him. He immediately recognizes that face and he knows that the once somewhat-cheery mood you were in is now long gone.

“You can go wherever you want. I think I’ll stay.” You tell him, and Kento slightly tilts his head to the side. He wonders why you suddenly changed your mind. It’s not appropriate for him to ask. However, he doesn’t want to leave on his own. He hasn’t looked up any restaurants to go to and he isn’t sure if the place you wanted to go to is good. He also doesn’t know if it’s within his budget.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go? You were pretty excited about going out.” He asks before he takes a seat on the corner of the bed. He’s making himself comfortable and internally he’s praying that’s okay with you.

“I’m not in the mood anymore.” You confess, and Kento wonders what could have possibly happened in the ten minutes he spent getting ready. He knows to not push it further. As much as he loves a bit of gossip every now and then(he denies it), he’s staying in your room and you can decide to kick him out at any moment. So he stays quiet. “Well aren’t you going to ask?”

“I thought it’d be inappropriate to ask.” He responds. You don’t know whether to laugh or roll your eyes. You end up doing both, a chuckle as you roll your eyes. 

“You’re staying in my room and you’re sitting on my bed right now. I don’t want to hear about inappropriateness.” You reply, which is something he wasn’t really thinking about.

“What happened?” He finally asks, and an exaggerated sigh leaves your lips. Kento holds back from laughing at your sigh. It’ll just be plain rude to do so, but it takes everything in him not to.

“My ex-boyfriend keeps bugging me.” You share. So the rumor wasn’t just a rumor. Although you weren’t dumped. You dumped him. “Because of him we’re here on our little vacation.”

“Would it be inappropriate if I asked why you two broke up?” He questions and you shake your head. Before he can actually ask, you answer his question.

“Suguru Getou sticks his dick in every woman he sees.” As much shame as it brings you, you share it with your secretary. “He proposed maybe three days ago. That same night he went to the restaurant’s bathroom to fuck someone else.”

“Oh God- That’s awful. I’m sorry.” Kento’s eyes nearly go wide when he hears what happened to you. He definitely understands why you’ve been moodier than usual. “Tonight we can order room service, then tomorrow we can go out.”

“You sure you don’t want to go out?” You ask him, and he hums in response. “Get whatever you want.”

“Will do.” He says as he walks to the hotel’s phone. “What do you want?”

“I don’t care. Just get me whatever.” You answer as you stand up. You walk to the vanity that’s in the room and take a seat while Kento orders whatever he wants. There’s no point in wearing your jewelry since you’re not going out. In the end, it feels uncomfortable while you’re laying down.

The earrings are easy to take off, but you struggle taking off your necklace. You can’t seem to hold on to the clasp. You continue struggling until Kento orders the food that he wants. He hangs up the phone and walks over to you to help you take off your necklace.

“I think the necklace looks cute.” He comments while he attempts to take it off. You feel his fingers subtly touch the back of your neck, making goosebumps spread all over your body. That’s certainly a reaction, you think. He manages to take off the necklace and gives it to you.

“Thank you.” You respond as you take the necklace. “The necklace does look cute, but since we’re not going out there’s no point in wearing it.”

“Are you taking off the dress too?” The moment the question leaves his mouth, he regrets it. That could’ve been worded differently. Very different. He has to apologize, but the words won’t roll off his tongue even though he opens his mouth.

“Would you like to take it off, Nanami?” You question, looking at him through the mirror of the vanity. His cheeks quickly turn pink at your response. It’s not like he’s going to turn you down. “I’m just joking, Nanami.”

“Yeah, I knew that.” He awkwardly chuckles in response. “Um- So I’ll-”

“Do you want to watch a movie?” You cut him off before he can finish his sentence. You stand up and walk over to the bed before taking a seat. You watch Kento intently, as he decides what to do. “Or do you like the idea of taking off my dress better?”

“Hmmm… That’s very inappropriate.” Kento responds, knowing that you just need a rebound. As much as he’d love to fuck you, he doesn’t want to be a rebound. You’ll dump him the moment you get bored, and he’ll lose his job. As much as he wants to, he can’t afford to think with his dick. He still walks over and takes a seat next to you. Even when you’re laughing and giving him that look that makes men weak to their knees.

“Again with the inappropriate talk. Aren’t we past that?” You ask, the tone in your voice  being something that he can’t ignore. He wonders what your ex said that you suddenly changed your mind. Or maybe this was your plan all along. “Am I not your type, Nanami?”

The way you say his last name makes him melt. It always does, but the voice you put on is making it worse for him. But he has to remain professional and composed. That seems easy until your lips go up to his ear, “We both know I am. I’ve seen the way you look at me.”

“We both know that this won’t end well.” He replies, fighting back the urge to give in. You know he’s fighting back. You just have to give him a little push. “Is this about your ex-boyfriend?”

“I just want you because you’re hot, Nanami.” A sensual chuckle leaves your lips which is what breaks him. That front didn’t last long. “Do you really not want me, Nanami?”

“Please, just call me Kento.” He says before his hands cup your face before his lips meet yours. You can feel how passionate he is with the kiss. His tongue quickly enters your mouth and presses against yours.

You grab his hands and move them down to your body. His hands quickly begin to look for the zipper of your dress, while your hands begin to unbutton his shirt. Maybe he should stop because what good is fucking your boss? But he’ll let destiny decide. If room service interrupts him then he shouldn’t do this. 

He pulls away from the kiss and begins to kiss down your neck, stopping at certain spots to suck on them. It makes the softest moans leave your lips. Your hands land on the buckle of his belt and begin to undo it. You’re too impatient. You need him so bad.

“So desperate.” Kento comments, pulling away. He stands up, and takes a second to admire the lipstick that has smudged on your face. The straps of your dress are falling to the sides while you lift up your dress, revealing your black lace panties.

“Get on your knees, Kento.” You order, making him click his tongue. Even in bed you’re a bossy little thing. And he wants to be mean yet he gets on his knees for you. He pushes your panties to the side and licks a stripe of your cunt.

He licks your folds before his tongue ends up flicking your clit. Two fingers run through your folds, gathering the slick of your cunt. He gets his fingers wet enough before he pushes them into your cunt.

The fingers that you’ve seen at least a million times are inside of you, and they feel so much better than you imagined. And he curves them just right inside of you, while his tongue works his magic.

Kento simply can’t believe he’s tasting you on his tongue because not even 24 hours ago he was cursing you out in his head. Yes, he’s always thought about fucking you but those were just fantasies that he never thought would come true. Yet now, he’s on his knees, eating you out and fingering you.

“That’s it.” You moan, throwing your head back. Your fingers begin to run through his hair while he begins to suck on your clit. You throw your head back, biting your bottom lip. You don’t know if you’re touch deprived or he’s just doing a good job because your orgasm is quick to build up.

“Fuck-” You say, and Kento can’t wait to hear his name leaves your lips. With that soft whiny voice. Your hips begin to buck and you push his head down. Curses leave your lips as you feel your climax approaching.

“You’re- Doing a great job.” You praise him. One last moan leaves your lips before you reach your orgasm. Kento stops sucking on your clit and pulls his fingers out. They’re covered with your juices so he puts them in his mouth and he licks them clean.

He stands up and completely takes off his shirt before he pulls down his pants and boxers. You smirk as you look at it, your hand wrapping around his cock. You begin to stroke his shaft, your lips kissing the tip.

“As much as I want that, I want you more.” He tells you, pushing your head away. He forces you to lay down on the bed. He puts one leg over his shoulder while he runs his cock through your folds. He waits a minute, giving the world a chance to stop him before he fully does the act. 

But the world doesn’t stop him, so he pushes his cock inside you. He hisses when he feels your cunt wrap around him. He has to shut his eyes to not finish right there and then. How pathetic would it be to not even last a minute inside his boss? 

“You feel so good.” He comments before he begins to move. He moves slowly, letting you get adjusted to his cock while he gets adjusted to the wonderful feeling of your cunt.

Kento is so much bigger than you expected. His cock is truly perfect, and while you’ve lusted over him at times, you’ve never expected his dick to be this good inside of you. You’ve stuck with Suguru for so long, deciding not to try out your secretary. So many opportunities wasted.

“Kento-” You finally moan his name, and he has to pause his thrusts again to not come so soon. He exhales before he continues his thrusts.

His hands land on your waists, and he holds on to you to steady his thrusts. He’ll make sure to last at least until room service comes– That might be an exaggeration but he has to take advantage of this opportunity. After this, the rest of the trip is going to be so awkward so he has to make this worth it.

“Love your little cunt.” He says. He’s picking up speed with every passing second and the sound of skin smacking is very prominent in the room. “A good little cunt like this one needs to be bred.”

“Oh, God!” You moan louder than you intend. You don’t understand why but that turns you on more. Kento also begins to play with your clit, wanting you to finish before him.

“Is that what you want? For your secretary to impregnate you?” He asks, his question coming out a bit muffled because he bites his bottom lip. Your cunt tightens around him, nearing yet another orgasm.

“Yes! Yes! Knock me up!” You yell. You continue clenching around his cock, closing your eyes as you near your second orgasm of the night. Your legs spasm as you reach your high.

“Gonna make sure to get you pregnant.” Kento continues his thrusts. They become sloppy as he nears his release. God, he doesn’t want this moment to end because everything will be so awkward. You’ll get meaner afterwards for sure.

“Fuck-” He throws his head back, coming to a complete stop. His seed fills you up, and the man doesn’t pull out until he makes sure every drop is inside of you. Once he’s completely finished, he pulls his cock out.

He lays down on the bed, both of you catching your breaths. Neither of you are sure what you’re supposed to say next– It’s fair to say that he’s nervous and if he doesn’t pick out the right words then he’s screwed.

But there’s a knock on the door that saves him.

“Room service!”

🏷 @kamikat @snottykitty @Mei_7 @ACoyPisces @r3nii11 @fushiguros-eyelashes @ur-mums-side @baji-keisukes-wife @uhremmi @thisbicc @mykyoon @lysol1201 @rumi-rants @mimizsworld @hyperfixationsporfavor @levismainbabe @charismaya @blinkingsuns @erenputurchildreninsideme @noticemeakusenpai @attackonsimpp @yeosxxx @kurookinnie @thatbitchsstuff @lilith412426 @ddostoyevskyy @shaquille-oatmeals-world @mangalind @wifeofgeto @puddingbasyi @fragmentedstarlight @4lch3mist @tojianddabisslut @aizensgf @scarlet-kazuha @sugadrops03 @33yaeyaeeee @mikasa019 @justnamuaf

[weretheones]

All You Got | Part 7

Part 7: Burning Out

Plot: Daryl Dixon hadn’t known much beyond anger and loneliness his whole life, until he found family at the end of the world. Everything he grew to care about was ripped away the day the prison fell; so when he recognized you, an enforcer of his loss, hiding in that cabin, he almost pulled the trigger. But after you end up saving his life, he couldn’t find the indifference to leave you for dead, even if you’d been on the Governor’s side. (Mid-Late Season 4) 

Series Masterlist | AO3 Version

Paring: Eventual Daryl Dixon x Reader Word Count: 5k Warnings: description of injury, infection, and other typical twd content. mentions of death. A/N: oh hi <3 im happy to be back with a new part for you guys. definitely needed that break. I had my last class of university this week and I've just been a bundle of feelings lately. thank you for being so patient and for all the lovely comments lately :) mwah! enjoy

These last few years, the fight had been constant— to find shelter, to defend a friend, to get your next meal. Each day was like a knife at your throat, leaving you to wonder when the blade would finally pierce and bleed you dry. 

It was an oddly empty feeling when there was nothing left to do. A gnawing in your gut, like you'd been doing to the raw skin of your thumb the last half hour, as if there was an answer you were forgetting. 

You ran through the list for the ninth time. The last of that antibiotic cream. Dressings coated in a layer of honey— Daryl taught you that one. A damp cloth over his forehead. As much ibuprofen as you could give him. You’d done it all. Now there was nothing left to do but wait for the fever to break. 

It was miserable. 

The room was dark, lit by a single candle. Sometimes it flickered with your occasional sigh. Otherwise, it cast a gentle glow across the small bedroom. You sat in a cushioned chair by the door, five feet from Daryl’s bedside. It had been in the living room until you dragged it in here yesterday, falling into the same routine as you did now. Chin resting in your palm and a lazy stare at the sick man ahead. 

It’d gotten bad since that first day. Infection came— of course, it did— and without much more than that antibiotic cream and the rest of the drugs you'd used for your leg, Daryl was forced to fight through it. That meant long, feverish nights like this one. 

Waiting. 

“Ya jus’ gonna stare at me all night?” 

You sat up. His eyes were narrowed into a slit, but open. With only the low flicker of the candle beside you, they almost looked black. 

“You’re awake.” 

“Guess so,” Daryl mumbled. “Hot as hell in ‘ere.” 

He was already stripped of his vest, that flannel he wore on cold nights, and his boots. Yesterday, in one of his steadier moments, you’d dug a simple black t-shirt from the dresser and made him change. It took him a couple of minutes, his shoulder still stiff and swollen with infection. It gave you time to wash his usual sleeveless button-down as best as you could, though a litter of blood stains still dried across the fabric. 

As you stepped closer, flickering candle in hand, you could see the damp mark of sweat around his collar, but if anything, the room was cool. 

“Your fever’s getting worse.” 

You grabbed the cloth from his forehead. It was tepid on the edges, warm where it rested against his skin. Puffy eyes met yours, scanning your serious expression. He’d been asleep for hours. You’d only managed to get a few with that anxious pit in your stomach waking you up, over and over. 

“Feel like shit.” He adjusted his spot, sitting up against the pile of pillows behind him with a low groan. You passed him his bottle of water and placed it back after he’d had a few sips. 

“How long I been sleepin’?” 

“Most of the night.” You sat by his legs. The bed was bare of its thick blanket; you’d torn it off him when his skin started to burn. The top sheet was thin enough that you let him keep it when the chills hit. He kicked it down when the first hot flash came. “You woke up a couple of times.” 

“Don’t remember tha’.” 

“I figured. You’ve been pretty out of it.”

Daryl nodded, eyes as tired as they’d looked at sunset. Yours must’ve been similarly drained. 

“Ya got any sleep yet?” 

“A bit,” you said. “I’m fine.” 

“Ya don’t look fine.” 

You gave him a playful, lopsided grin. “You sure know how to make a girl feel special.” 

Daryl huffed, eyes falling to his lap. But your tease had done what it meant: to distract away from the bloom of purple that was, no doubt, forming under your eyes. Those sickening worries about Daryl’s health were already suffocating. You didn’t need the weight of your well-being piled on top. 

“You hungry?” 

He hummed yes. That was a good sign, you thought, before drifting out of the room. 

Dawn was still a few hours away. You walked the dark halls of the house you’d come to know, and a few minutes later, that same candlelight welcomed you back into the bedroom Daryl stayed in. You had a bowl of steaming chicken soup and a half-eaten package of crackers in hand. It was a good thing you’d gone for the bag, after all. If you hadn’t, it would’ve been just another thing to worry about.

His appetite was low, but better than it’d been the last couple of days. There were still three crackers he hadn’t touched and a quarter of soup left, but he seemed adamant about having the rest later. Food was often in such short supply that he wouldn’t dare waste a bite. 

“Thanks,” he muttered. 

You placed his bowl of leftover soup and the half-eaten package of crackers on the dresser you’d raided for cloth, towel, anything that could be boiled sterile and made into a bandage when that roll of gauze finally ran out after his second dressing change. 

Back at his side, you gave him a small smile. “Still feel like shit?” 

He chewed his lip. “Shoulder’s throbbin’ somethin’ awful. Head too.” 

There was a small bump in his hairline left from that day. He hadn’t caught a concussion, but the fever had been giving him a wicked headache. 

“There’s another hour until you can take the next round of painkillers.” You dipped the cloth back into a small bowl of water. Rubbing your thumb along the inches that had become warm, you waited for the fabric to cool. Droplets trickled down as you rang it out, causing ripples to catch in the faint light. It was the only noise in the air, save Daryl’s slow, heavy breaths. 

Until you turned and he caught that dispirited expression across your face. It must’ve been particularly obvious; the candlelight barely reached your face at this angle. As you stepped closer, the glow curtained you in delicate gold. An easy warmth that looked quite special painted across your gentle features, even if they were hinted with regret. 

The closer you got, the harder his head pounded. No, his heart. Which seemed to echo in his head. 

His eyes shifted away when you found that spot next to him again. 

“Should save ‘em anyway.” 

“No. This is what they’re meant for.” 

He huffed as you placed the cloth on his head. As your fingers inched closer to his skin, he blinked rapidly. It wasn’t quite a flinch, but you felt the resistance all the same.

“Still. Might need ‘em later.” 

“You need them now,” you challenged. “We’ll have time to find more when you’re better.” 

When. 

“Guess you’re the boss.” 

You scoffed. If anything was in charge, it was that fever. 

“Is there anything you can think of that could help? Another pillow or…” You shook your head, not even sure what else you could offer. 

He rolled his good shoulder back, biting back a groan as he found a comfortable spot against the bed. “‘M alright.” He nodded, even sparing you the smallest curl of his mouth. 

You gave him a bittersweet smile back, fighting the urge to brush his bangs behind his pinkened ear. His cheeks were flushed too, even if he seemed to be retreating back into the warm bed. Perhaps the hot flash was nearing its end. 

“You should drink some more. It’ll help.” You handed him the water again. 

He took small sips. 

It wasn’t until a few minutes later when a distant thump came from the other side of the house, and Daryl didn’t jump up, that you realized just how out of it he was. Thick in the fog of fever and pain, his senses were dull. On the contrary, the twitching in your muscles had started hours ago, a cruel mix of exhaustion and restlessness. It made you more jumpy than sharp, but demanded your attention for every small creak in the house the same. 

Your shoulders tensed, and your head snapped to the side. 

Daryl noticed that. 

“Wha’?” He grumbled. 

A gun sat on the small table next to your chair, next to the book you couldn't read well enough under only candlelight. You stood up and grabbed it, weighing the heavy handle in your palm. You made a mental note to keep your twitching finger off the trigger. 

“Stay put. I’m serious,” you told Daryl with a quick stern glance and closed the bedroom door behind you. 

The wooden floors whined even under the slowest, steadiest steps you could manage. The hallway was thin, drywall stained with cigarette smoke. There were two doors ahead, one on the right leading to a small linen closet and one on the left that passed into the kitchen. Quietly, you made your way to the general area where the noise had come from, near the kitchen, while raising the gun Ross gave you. The exit to the back porch was there and, fuck, what if someone had snuck in? What if they had a gun and cruel intentions and what if you had to— 

Deep breath. 

You hovered in the same spot for a second longer, waiting for the drum of your heart to slow. It wasn’t much, but at least you were able to open your eyes without that dizzy fog suffocating you again. 

It was only a few more steps to the kitchen’s doorway. With your back to the wall, you reached the hallway’s end and peeked around the corner. 

Good thing you only peeked. 

A figure caught under the moonlight. It shuffled past the small window, looking out to the side of the house. Shadows cascaded onto the cheap tile floors. Two— three— four walkers stumbled past the wrap-around porch. It reminded you of that first night after the prison fell. How Daryl stood watch all night with nothing but his bow as a herd of the dead moved through the street, surrounding the house he'd dragged you into. All night, you sat on that couch, nursing your hurt leg, watching the dance of their shadows along the walls, and avoiding Daryl’s abrasive stare. Waiting for the moment they finally knocked down the door and took you into their cold fingers first. 

This herd didn’t seem as big. Maybe a few dozen. You could only guess from the noise of bodies thumping carelessly into the house’s siding. 

Carelessly— that was good. It meant they hadn’t realized you were here yet. Best keep it that way. 

Delicately, you snuck back to the small bedroom. The thick curtains were already drawn, and that single candle was soft enough that you weren’t inclined to race back and blow it out. 

You opened the door again, and, well, should’ve guessed Daryl would’ve been out of bed, knife in hand and about to open the door himself. The gun slipped into the holster at your belt, and your eyes sought out his. They were uneasy, red-rimmed with dilated pupils.  

“It’s just a group of walkers passing by,” you said in a hushed whisper. “Get back in bed.” 

“How many?” 

“Maybe a couple dozen.” You gently pushed him back toward the bed, twisting the knife out of his grip as you did so. “They didn’t see me, so we can just wait it out.” 

“Ya can’t take ‘em all on.” 

“That’s why we're gonna stay here and be quiet.” 

“You should go.” 

You blinked. 

“What?” 

“If those assholes get in ‘ere, you run,” he said. His voice was hoarse and his accent thicker. “Don’t worry ‘bout me.”

Your brows furrowed. Your whisper was soft, even if pitched with confusion, “Daryl, they don’t know we’re here. They’re not coming in.” 

There was a fog in that usual bright blue. It wasn’t from the dim lighting, either. He was dazed. 

The back of your palm landed against his forehead. Hot. Then dropped to his chest, just below his collarbones. Your hand laid flat against that black cotton, stretched over the broad expanse of his chest, and felt that same burning underneath. Daryl hadn’t flinched, he seemed to give up that impulse when the fever took control, but his eyes did flicker down to your touch. 

You shook your head. “You’re burning up. You don’t know what you’re saying.” Your hand hadn’t fallen off him yet, a lingering touch as the rhythm of his heart became a soft pulse underneath your palm. Gently pressing him back toward the bed, you hushed, “Lie back down. Relax. We’ll be fine.” 

He listened. Whatever that outburst had been about seemed to slip away with the cushion of an old mattress underneath him. It felt like a new weight lifted off your shoulders; you weren’t sure if you could sit through a lecture about how you should leave him for dead. After all he’d done, all you’d done, that just wasn’t an option. 

You sat beside him again. “Here.” You held a pill in the same palm that’d landed on his chest. 

“Thought it was too early?” 

“One more isn’t gonna kill you.” 

The fever could.

He glanced down at the small blue capsule. “How many left?” 

You almost laughed. Feverish, incoherent, and still stubborn. 

“Enough. You need them.” 

If you told him there were only three more pills in that bottle, he’d refuse. You held your tongue and he tossed them into his mouth. Swallowed, leaned back, and groaned. 

“Water?” 

“Elderberries,” he muttered. Your brow furrowed, and he gave you a weak shrug. “Hershel used ‘em for the fever, ‘fore we got back.” 

Hershel. 

You remembered that name. Of course, you did. The Governor had called it out right before he used him as a bargaining chip. Hershel, the man with the long white hair. He’d kneeled in front of that fence, tan shirt damp with sweat and hands tied behind his back. Even tried to reason with the Governor. It was his neck that poured blood, him that inched his way around the cars you were hiding behind when the bullets started flying. 

Until the Governor cornered him. Chopped into his neck three times before his head finally rolled across the bloody grass. 

The memory made your skin pale, your breathing pause. 

A second later, when your vision focused again, Daryl’s eyes were closed. His chest raised and fell with deep breaths, his heavy exhales tickling your clammy skin. 

After you’d had a moment to regain your composure, you asked, “‘Got back’?” 

You weren’t following his train of thought. It seemed to go beyond the weeks the two of you had shared, reaching into his time spent at the prison. That part of his life had been mostly out of bounds for you. Blocked from the casual conversation you sometimes fell into. 

The fever seemed to tear those boundaries down.

“The vet college. We had to— to get the meds for the sick ones,” he muttered under his breath. 

The cloth sitting on his forehead had fallen onto the bed, presumably when he’d gotten up to follow you. Your boundaries seemed to slip away, too; you finally brushed away the damp mess of bangs on his forehead, tucking a few strands behind his ear. 

There was a part of Daryl that never seemed to let up. It went deeper than stubbornness. He was strong, innately, even when his body was failing him. You knew it took a lot out of him to try and follow you out, and had probably brought on some kind of dizzy spell that was making him spill his guts now. 

“Elderberries,” you repeated. “I think I remember. If you make tea, they can help bring down a fever.” 

“Mhm.” 

“Smart man,” you said under your breath. 

He still caught it. Fever and all. 

“He was.” Daryl nodded slowly. His eyes seemed to glaze over again. “He was a good man.” 

A lump caught in your throat, stealing your voice. That old feeling of guilt sunk into you again. 

“I’m sorry,” you whispered. “He didn’t deserve it. None of you did.” 

“Should’a kept lookin’.” 

It was overdue, you thought. Daryl didn’t seem the patient type, not when it came to his own body, at least. Give him a long hunt, he’d be fine. A wound that kept him bedbound? He was itching for something— anything— to do. The worrisome fact that his family was still out there couldn’t have helped. 

You sighed, “We will—” 

“For the Governor.” 

Oh.

“Maybe if I wouldn’a gave up…” 

He sunk deeper into the pillow, mouth moving as incoherent whispers slipped past. 

It dawned on you that Daryl was perhaps his most vulnerable right now. Maybe even more so than when you first cleaned his back. In this moment, that surly, reserved man slipped away to leave someone who… who seemed lost. Guilty, like you. His words left you confused, filling in the gaps in his story, his regrets. 

He’d been looking for the Governor. If you had to guess, which you did, you’d assume after he killed Merle. Daryl had issues with his brother, no doubt, but he’d proved time and time again to be fiercely loyal. To his brother, his people, even you. Why he’d give that up, you couldn’t say. But Daryl didn’t seem irrational, or disinterested. There had to have been a reason— something— to pull him back. 

There was an undeniable part of you that ached to hear more, to let him bare himself to you in ways he hadn’t dared before. Curiosity could prove to be a dangerous thing. The trust between the two of you was fresh. Delicate. Leading him on with questions or letting him ramble in the midst of a daze, could rip it to shreds. 

You refolded, then placed the cloth back on his forehead. 

“Elderberries,” you whispered again. “I’ll look in the morning.” 

The walkers outside were still too close. 

It was quiet for a while. Daryl drifted off to sleep quickly and the dead passed thirty minutes after. You curled in the chair again, chin perched in your palm, leaning over the armrest. There was still that gnawing feeling in your gut. Still that worry that you could be doing more— should be. 

But exhaustion had dulled caution when the dead passed that half hour ago. Your blinks slowed, moments of darkness stretching into seconds, then minutes, and it became nearly impossible to keep your eyes open. 

The last thing you saw was a thin ray of early morning light, slipping between a gap in the curtains. Barely noticeable, until it had landed across Daryl’s face.

It seemed as good a sign as any, you thought, before drifting to sleep.

— 

The fever broke the night of the herd. Cups of elderberry tea helped subdue the few symptoms that lingered, and the stream of puss from his wound seemed to reach an end, after all. Four more days passed by and with them, the constant stress and anxiety that plagued you those late nights. 

A few more hours of sleep under your belt and life had become calm. Idle, even. 

The wind was lazy, its soft huff could barely rustle the fallen leaves. Hues of red, yellow, and anything in between scattered the woods, stretching into the backyard. A sharp crunch under your boot. There was a bite to the air, but the new berries you found had lasted through the weather’s turn. 

All those chilly mornings and early sunsets were not in vain; autumn was here, and winter was nearing, too. Though the cottage had been good enough while Daryl healed, it wasn’t suited to become a permanent stay. Certainly not a home. The surrounding trees were too dense, the walls too thin, and it didn’t matter how many strings of cans you set as alarms since the herd passed that night, you couldn’t sleep without one eye open. 

Even if it hadn’t been for his people still being out there, you’d have to leave. 

With the small bag in one hand, you pulled the first alarm string above your head. It chimed in the wind until it steadied again. It was an effective system; Daryl was opening the back door before you even had a chance to break through the tree line. 

You passed into the backyard with a smile. 

“Hey,” you said.

“Hey. Find anythin’?” 

“Just some berries.” 

The morning’s sun had drifted away within the last ten or so minutes. It wasn’t much of a shock to find the sky had darkened with heavy-looking clouds. 

“We should go in, looks like it's gonna rain,” you said, sliding between his frame and the door. 

It didn’t take long to place those buckets around the porch, just past its cover. A couple of empty, uncapped water bottles sat next to them. It didn’t take long for the rain to start, either. 

Inside, the small table in the kitchen was homemade. Shoddy work, but it could balance the few candles you’d found in the basement when night came. You picked the berries clean of their stems while Daryl confirmed the findings of your foraging were, in fact, edible.

Maybe at the start, when your brother had found that survivalist book, you would’ve been able to tell. But that got lost a mere month after he found it. Since then, you’d only stuck with the basics. What you knew was safe, without a doubt. That meant you spent a lot of time scavenging abandoned buildings instead of the woods. 

Daryl, on the other hand, seemed to know the forest better than anyone. You could assume from that deep accent and the fact that he never cringed at mud on his skin that he wasn’t a city kid. No, he probably grew up in the sticks. The middle of nowhere. In this world, that kind of experience was invaluable. You’d spent many hungry nights, staring at a bush of unrecognizable berries, wondering what could’ve been if you’d had it, too. 

By the time the two of you were done, a damp cold settled along the walls. The rain had been pouring down for some time. It wasn’t as harsh as it had started, but the cool, moist air was sinking in. The temperature of the usually feverish sun dropped, hidden behind grey clouds. 

Daryl started a fire with that wood you’d found a couple of days ago. The pile was dwindling faster than expected; the nights had been cold. The short flames reached up to the bottom of a pot you’d positioned. You poured some rainwater inside, then tossed in a couple rags to sterilize, and waited for it to reach a boil. 

By the time Daryl heard those bubbles begin to break the surface, you had wandered back to that back door, standing with the heat of the fire to your back and the cool breeze brushing across your face. 

You heard his steps approach behind you. 

“I like the rain.” 

Daryl stood at your side, quiet. 

“I always loved that smell, too.” You inhaled a deep breath, staring beyond the porch. “Do you remember what that’s called?” 

“Nah.” Daryl shook his head. “Jus’ called it rain.” 

You grinned. “Well, regardless. I always liked it.”

He watched the rain come down. It soaked the fallen leaves and dampened the soil. The breeze was slow, weaving its way through dripping trees. The roof was a weak material, something cheap and old, and echoed a low patter of rain. It made everything feel softer. Muted. 

“Me too.” 

You glanced over your shoulder, that grin slipping into a tender smile, kind and sweet. Daryl met your look, felt that bloom of familiarity in his chest, and gestured you to come back in. The cold would become bitter again and inside was warm, so you followed. 

He sat by the fire, arms wrapped around bent knees. He’d peeled off his vest, then his flannel, and finally pulled down the left sleeve of his shirt. Just like the first day you checked his wound. You sat behind him, a small pillow under your knees and the freshly boiled rags sitting in a clean bowl to your left. 

That little routine the two of you had fallen into— you’d come back to Daryl, who’d help deal with whatever you scavenged that morning, before you cleaned his wound, then ate— came easy. He’d gotten less tense every time you had to face his bare shoulder again. Which was frequent, unfortunately, since the exit wound had proved more troublesome than the smaller entrance. 

That heavy pit in your gut at the thought of those scars and their cruelty hadn’t alleviated much though. 

“How’s it feeling today?” 

“Better.” 

You nodded and unwrapped the bandage. The fever had been the height of that infection that hit him a few days ago. During the worst of it, his wound had swelled and reddened, leaking a trail of puss that reminded you why you could have never been a nurse like your brother. Today, the swelling was gone and the redness cleared. It was improving.

“It looks better, too.” 

“About time,” Daryl huffed. 

On the other hand, his attitude hadn’t improved. 

You sighed, “It’s only been a couple of days.” 

“’S been a week.” 

“You were shot.” You passed the rag along the few dried bits of puss, careful to leave the growing scab undisturbed. “It takes a while to heal from that.” 

“We don’t got a while.”

“I know.” Your jaw tightened.

Daryl was becoming more agitated with his rest as the days dragged on. Cabin fever, maybe. It must’ve been especially bothersome for a man like him, someone who seemed to feel more comfortable in the woods than four walls and a roof, to be trapped here. Especially when neither of you had forgotten the whole point of running house to house in the first place— finding his friends. 

“But we agreed. You need to let this heal as long as it can before we leave.” 

“Trail could’a gone cold by now.” 

Even with your eyes on the back of his neck, drifting down the outgrown strands of dark brown hair reaching to the cuff of his shirt, you could almost see him chewing his lip. It turned out that Daryl’s unease had become mixed up with yours some time ago. By now you could feel that stiffness in his muscles, as if it was in you, too. 

“It could’ve.” You dropped the last strip of clean cloth back into the bowl. “It could be fine, too.”

Daryl glanced back at you over his shoulder. It made you freeze— he hadn’t offered any attention other than the small talk you shared while you patched him up. Not until now, when those narrow blue eyes burned into you, demanding your attention. 

It was almost instinctual, that warm smile you offered. Still, you were sure he could notice that somber look in your eye. The one that remembered the fear and urgency you felt while in pursuit of your brother— before it ended the way it did. 

He seemed to notice every hint of emotion that slipped past your grip. 

“Dwelling on it won’t help us find them any faster,” you said. 

You glanced over his expression, almost leisurely in your inspection. His lips were parted slightly, jaw slack. Though he wasn’t angry, there was a heaviness in the pretty blue of his eyes. Lately, you were realizing that might be permanent. 

While it was sweet, your smile didn’t do much to soothe his urgency or frustration. He turned back. 

“I can’t keep doin’ nothin’.” 

You swallowed, bandaging a clean strip of cloth around his shoulder as the tone shifted. 

“Four days ago you could barely get out of bed.” you firmly stated. “And two days ago, you could barely lift your bow.” 

“‘M fine now,” he snapped. 

“You’re still healing.” 

“Yeah, well, I don’t care.” 

The cloth reached its end and you paused. Going in circles with him was exhausting. It made your stomach flutter with anxiety, too. This routine the two of you had fallen into, something idle and restful, was comfortable. He was comfortable. 

Maybe even a friend. 

“Well, I do,” you replied. “I guess I like you too much to risk you getting hurt worse.” 

Daryl glanced at you from the corner of his eye. Subtle enough that you almost hadn’t noticed. 

“Thought we didn’t have to like each other,” he retorted in a lighter tone from his previous. 

“It makes things a lot easier, don’t you think?” You smirked. “And if you can’t aim that bow, you’re kinda stuck with me anyway.” 

You, like anyone else nowadays, knew what it was like to lose a friend. You certainly didn’t want to lose Daryl— whatever it was you had with him— from perhaps a curse of your own overprotectiveness. It was hard to let someone go back into that dangerous world after you learned how bright their blood ran, but this thing you two shared was fragile. Trusting. If Daryl said he was ready, you had to be willing to give him a chance. 

So, with a cautionary glance at his new bandage, you gave in an inch. 

“One more day.”

His mouth opened, but you snapped before he could, “It's bad enough we’re leaving while you’re still hurt. I’m not doing it in the middle of a storm, either.” 

The rest of the day Daryl was still tense. Emotionally, at least. He practiced picking up his crossbow, balancing the weight in his hands. You packed both bags, boiled and bottled all the water you could carry, and hoped this was the right thing to do. The rain didn’t let up until long past sunset. 

When morning finally came and the sun broke through grey clouds, you followed through on your word. Backpacks stuffed full, your boots landed across that empty road and the two of you finally left that little house for good.

-> part 8

A/N: slower part, but I think they need that right now. it can't all be fighting and running and shooting and blah blah. I love these little interactions between them as they grow closer <3 I hope u do too!

if you’re reading this, thank you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. please feel free to leave feedback, it helps so much and I love to read it. have a lovely day <3

[maochira]

Imagine the younger sibling of y/n not being able to go to sleep at a sleepover at y/n's house and they ask Kenyu to sing them smth when he went to check up on them

then he sings them the acoustic version of overdose (idk its just rlly satisfying to hear), younger sibling goes to sleep and while all of this was happening, y/n was at the door watching all of it happen

hope u've been having a good week/day :>

THIS IS SO CUTE HELP.............

Requests open! - masterlist

Tags: gn!reader x Yukimiya, established relationship

-your parents are gone for the weekend and it's your task to take care of your little sibling. You've done that a couple times so it's not big deal for you

-Yukimiya insisted on staying with you for this weekend so he can help you with everything. And your lil sibling loves him, so you knew you'd get a lot of cute moments out of this

-usually, your lil sibling isn't hard to take care of. But they're currently going through one of those phases when they refuse to go to sleep because they're too stubborn for it. Also knowing Yukimiya is staying with you makes them want to stay awake to play with him. It's so cute, but it's already late and way past their bedtime

-you try for around an hour to get them to sleep, but with no succes. You end up frustrated and have to take a step back and leave the room for a moment, so you ask Yukimiya to help you because you're running out of ideas how to get your sibling to rest

-Yukimiya doesn't really know what to do but he feels so bad because he sees how exhausted you are. The first thing that pops into his mind is singing a song to the little one

-he carefully sits down on the edge of your sibling's bed and strokes their hair while he sings this song

-seeing him like this makes you so so happy and fall in love with him even more than you already are. Just the way he's so soft and gentle with you lil sibling makes your heart beat faster and everything inside of you feel warm

-he finally manages to get the little one to sleep. By now you're very exhausted as well, so you're extremely thankful for his help

-Yukimiya makes you go to bed with him because he wants you to get rest as well. While you lie in his arms he softly hums and sings the same song to you until he's sure you fell asleep

[mooodyblue]

What abt Austin or Elvis promising little!r that him and her will have a day all to himself but he gets called to do an interview for an interview and he forgot about it then his manager calls him to tell him that he needs to come to the interview quickly meaning that he can’t cancel going to the interview so he tells the reader that he has to go and she’s just like “you promised! You promised daddy!” Throwing a tantrum while Austin/elvis tries to tell her that she’ll be okay. But she doesn’t want him to leave so he has to bring her with him and sit next to him with her stuffie ignoring him even after the interview even on the way home and she’s so angry/sad with him that she wants to sleep in her nursery, but there’s a bad bad storm that the reader and him doesn’t know about so the reader is literally terrified while in her pink bedroom shaking underneath her blanket and she hears more thunder scaring her even more pushing her to go find Austin/elvis but he is just wait for her and he’s like “what’s the matter baby” clearly knowing what’s wrong there’s another strike of thunder causing her to cry out loud and freezing in her spot being afraid to move until he picks her up and cradle her while rocking her back and forth. And she’s sucking on her paci. The rain is hard but the power doesn’t go out she’s still afraid but she’s also filled with guilt from the tantrum she had earlier that day so she’s like “m’sorry for bein bad n mean to you daddy didnt mean it” while crying and Austin/Elvis comforts her telling her that she just had a not so fun day. She’s just so tried from crying all day to where she falls asleep in his arms and he notices after how quiet she is now and laying her down but she fusses a bit bc of his body heat/ skin to skin contact leaving her and he’s like “it’s okay its okay daddy’s here” and he admires her for awhile and says “little miss grumpy”

sooo sorry this took me ages to write!! but hope you enjoy! ty for the request <3

wc: 1.1k

masterlist

you were so excited to have the day alone with austin finally. it'd been so long since it was just the two of you. he’d been so busy with his work, leaving you to tend to yourself at home. after all, he promised you he’d spend the day with you and only you. no press, no cameras. just austin and his bestest girl. 

he was getting you dressed for the day, helping you zip up what needed to be zipped up, buttoning what needed to be buttoned—happily discussing what plans he had for you for the day. he paused for a moment to answer his phone, stepping away for a few seconds as you stood there patiently but anxiously awaiting for your alone time with him. 

but the look on his face as he wandered back to you made you nervous. he ran a hand through his hair as he looked at you, sighing. “baby,” he crouched down a bit, taking your hands in his. “daddy has to go do something for a couple hours.” 

“but daddy!” you whined. “can’t it wait? you promised!”

“i know i promised, baby. but i gotta go, there was a bit of a mix-up and i can’t just not go.” he sighed. 

tears began to well up, stomping your feet angrily as a tantrum came on. austin understood your anger very well, he’d be mad too. honestly, he was mad. he broke a promise to you and that’s not something he ever wanted to do. “you promised, you promised!” you cried out.

“honey–”

“no!” you yanked your hands away. “you lied!”

austin stood up straight, groaning as he ran a hand down his face to hold back his own frustration. “okay. how about this?” he sighed, taking your hands. “if you promise to be a big girl, you can come with me. we’ll bring your plushie and you can sit patiently and we’ll come right back home, how does that sound?”

it’s not what you wanted to do, but you were tired of being away from austin. the glare in your eyes said it all, but you gave in anyway. 

he could sense your anger even as you sat in the backseat on the way there, arms crossed with a scowl on your face. even during his interview, that scowl was still on your face. it was hard to not laugh at the grumpy look on your face throughout the entire thing, it was still there on the way home too. 

“c’mon, baby. you can’t be mad at me forever.” he said in a teasing tone, looking at you through the mirror. “you keep scowlin’ like that, your face will be stuck like that forever.” 

“daddy, mean.” you huffed under your breath. 

he rolled his eyes playfully, “i’m not mean.” you only responded with huffs and mumbling something about going back to your room once the two of you got home. he understood your anger though, he’ll let you be upset in peace. 

the angry stomps to your nursey made him chuckle a bit. normally he’d get onto you about slamming doors or throwing a tantrum, but he’d let it slide this time around.

as you camped out angrily in your room, he did a bit of cleaning around the house. the sky was beginning to grey though and it worried him slightly, after all, you’d been afraid of thunder for some time now. it was worse when you were little, you needed all the attention you could get. 

the sudden clash of thunder was enough to send you out of your nursery, toddling quickly towards austin, wrapped in your fluffy pink blanket. he welcomed you with open arms, gently rubbing your shoulders with a frown. “what’s the matter, baby? ‘s the storm scarin’ you?” 

before you could open your mouth to reply, there was another loud roar. tears pooled at your eyes, trembling softly as you stood there afraid. but he knew exactly how to comfort you in times like these. 

austin was good at a lot of things, but taking care of you and loving you was what he was best at.

he picked you up gently, moving to the living room to sit down and bring you into his lap as he picked up a paci from a drawer. he brushed it off a bit before letting it slip between your lips, smiling softly at your more content expression. you felt safe in his hold, sucking on your pretty, paci as he rocked you gently, shushing you and swaying the two of you in a soothing motion. “you're okay, baby. ain't nothin’ but a little bit of rain, that's all.” 

his finger pointed to the window across from the couch, showing the heavy rainfall falling outside and against the window. “you see? just some rain.” 

you looked at him sadly as you held him tighter, a weird wave of guilt suddenly washing over you as he continued to comfort you. you almost felt undeserving of it. after all, you threw a tantrum earlier. good girls don't throw tantrums like that. austin taught you better. 

but you were disappointed. rightfully so. you just wanted your alone time with your daddy. it was okay to be sad over it, but maybe the tantrum was a mistake. 

you took your paci out with your hands, looking down, almost embarrassed as she cried softly. “daddy…..” she began. “um…’m sorry for..for bein’ mean…’n throwin’ a tantrum…’n bein’ mad….”

austin shook his head, “hey.” his thumb wiped at your tears. “you got nothin’ to apologize for. i messed up my own schedule, i broke a promise. but i’ll make it up to you tomorrow, okay?” 

“pinky promise?” you said softly, holding out your pinky. 

he chuckled, “pinky promise.” he nodded, intertwining your pinkies together.

the two of you sat there for awhile, listening to the soothing pitter patter of rain outside. the thunder outside still spooked you, but knowing austin was by your side helped a little. you eventually found yourself falling asleep in his arms and he was quick to catch on. 

you were a smart one though, that's for sure. his attempt at laying you down on the sofa to tuck you in for a quick nap failed terribly—you felt the sudden loss of his warmth. the soft whine leaving your lips as he was about to make his escape made him snicker a bit, shaking his head as he caved in and sat back down on the sofa. “okay, okay.”

your head rested gently in his lap for the time being. despite the show he had put on for himself in the background, his eyes were only glued to you, his hands petting at your hair and a warm smile on his face the entire time. “little miss grumpy pants.” he said to himself, chuckling under his breath. “you're lucky you're cute.”

[and-claudia]

His Heir pt 24 (Darth Maul x pregnant! reader)

Taglist Here

Masterlist Here

Warnings: nightmares, BIG progress in the relationship

Word Count: 2532

Image is not mine

I was in my quarters. It sucked, but Maul had been extremely busy with preparing for a meeting with Rellen from the planet Indra. work. I felt weird inviting myself to his quarters when he wasn’t there. So, I decided I would stay in my own quarters for the day. I didn’t like being alone, no one really does. But I was honestly just grateful that the horniness I had been experiencing has worn off over the past couple of days. That did however leave the door open for one of my other symptoms to rise back up again. 

Ever since the nightmare I had about Bo-Katan I’ve had nightmares nearly every night. Usually, they weren’t too bad but they’ve gotten worse. Luckily, over the past week, I had been staying with Maul so he was right there to help me calm down after them. It was moments like that that made me think about what our relationship was. It was now so much more than being a trusted advisor carrying his baby, we had an actual relationship between us. One that we would share kisses even if only in private, words of affection, and even intimate nights together, yet there was still no label. 

Part of me was hoping to have him stop by my quarters to ask me to come over tonight. But as the hours crawled on I settled with the fact that I'd be sleeping here alone once again. It was weird, after not being here for nearly a whole week without interruption, and even before that I spent more time at Maul’s than I did here. 

I pushed myself up off of the loveseat I was sitting on and made my way over to my closet. A small pout formed on my lips when I saw its contents. I had grown so accustomed to being at Maul’s and sleeping in his clothes that now seeing that I don’t have anything of his made me a little sad. Instead, I grabbed a pair of shorts and a random t-shirt and hoped they’d fit.

I tossed the clothes onto the bed and began to undress. When my bra came off I let out the biggest sigh of relief. I grabbed the shorts and carefully slid them on. Thankfully they fit and sat just below the swell of my belly without cutting into my skin. I grabbed the shirt and went to put it on as well. I got it over my breast but then stopped to itch the side of my stomach which prompted me to remember that I needed to put lotion on it before I went to bed. The lotion that was in Maul’s quarters… The lotion that Maul had been putting on my belly for me before we fell asleep for the night.

With a sigh, I pulled it down the rest of the way and decided that one day wouldn’t kill me. I finished getting ready and got into bed. I felt a small, flutter of movement from the baby, it wasn’t a full kick but it was definitely movement. I had first felt it a few days ago but had yet to have a chance to share it with Maul. 

“Settle down ik'aad, I know you’re excited to experience your newfound trick, but he’s not here. Maybe tomorrow. But right now it’s time to settle and go to bed.” I spoke to my baby, placing my hand on my stomach as I did so. 

After I managed to get comfortable I was grateful that I was able to fall asleep quickly. 

I woke about an hour later in a cold sweat and with tears streaming down my face. Flashes of the nightmare still danced in my head. It scared me to my core. At that moment I wanted nothing more than to be able to roll over and be held by Maul like o had a few times before. 

I laid there for a moment in a silent debate. I really didn't want to bother him so late, but he had said if I ever needed anything to come to him. After mulling it over in my mind I decided to get up and go to his quarters. I threw a dressing gown on over my T-shirt and short shorts. I didn't even bother to put shoes on, only one thing was on my mind, comfort from Maul. 

I walked the familiar corridors with ease and soon found myself standing at his door. I wasted no time knocking on it. No answer. Maybe he was still working. I knocked a little louder. The door flew open, startling me. 

"Who the hell thinks it is okay to be-" he roared with anger before his eyes settled on me. 

"Yn?" He asked tone suddenly much softer as he reached to pull me inside. 

"What's wrong, dear?" 

"I'm sorry, I know it's late. I just didn't- I didn't want to be alone." I said suddenly very ashamed of having woken him up over something so small. 

"Don't apologize, dear. Go sit down on the bed, I'll be in there in just a moment." He said gently, pressing a kiss to my head. 

I did as he said and settled on top of the comforter on his large bed. I noticed that it had yet to be disturbed from when the housekeeping droids made the bed this morning. Meaning that he hadn't actually gone to bed yet. He had already been up. 

"I brought you some water." He said when he entered the room. 

"Thank you." I mumbled. 

I was sat cross-legged, absentmindedly reining a single finger over the swell of my stomach. 

"Was it another nightmare?" He asked carefully as he handed me the glass. 

I only nodded. 

"Would you like to talk about it?" He asked as he took a seat beside me. 

I shook my head, "I don't want to even think about it if I can help it." I admitted. 

"Do you mind if I take a look?" He asked nodding towards my head. 

"Go ahead." I sighed. 

After I set the drink down I leaned back onto the pillows. For some reason anytime he went through my mind I became very dizzy. That's one of the reasons he always asks for permission to do it. He didn’t do it often, only when needed, like right now. 

It was always a weird sensation. I could feel him digging around to find the nightmare. I knew he had found it and everything was calm for a few moments. Then he was pulling away from it and then completely out of my mind. 

"Yn… I'm so sorry, darling." He said, clearly slightly shaken from the images as well. 

"It's not your fault, Maul. Everyone gets nightmares every now and then. This one just scared me more because it wasn’t just about the baby. I mean it was about them but this was the first time I could actually see them, like they were in my arms one moment and then gone the next…" I tried to keep it together as I inched closer to him. 

He instinctively opened his arms for me and then held me close. I was resting my body back against his as he held me from behind.  

"I’m afraid that I may be partly to blame for these extremely intense nightmares." He admitted. 

"How so?" I asked placing a hand over his on my stomach. 

"These aren't normal dreams, they are Force Nightmares. As you know, Dathomir has a history of Force users that used the Dark side of the Force. This has caused most of the planet to be shrouded in darkness. I’ve never experienced it first hand but there are stories I’ve heard and read about when some of the Nightsisters were pregnant depending on how powerful a witch they were they found that sometimes the child would manipulate to Force around them before they were even born. Since I myself am strong in the Dark side of the Force, I believe our child will be too. I’m afraid that this is how they’ve chosen to express it. I’m sorry… I should have realized it sooner. I cannot believe I missed it. I should’ve realized it after the first nightmare.” 

As he spoke I turned over to be on my side more and began tracing my finger over the tattoos on his exposed chest. 

"It's not your fault, Maul." I tried to reassure him. 

"It is though. I noticed a slight shift in the force but I honestly didn’t think much about it. Then when they continued to happen… I’m sorry you were alone on the other side of the base." He admitted. 

"It's not that far of a walk. And up until now, they haven't been this intense. Usually, I can fall asleep after them, maybe it was a one-time thing." I suggested. 

"I don't believe it will be. I fear they may actually get worse... as the baby grows it will become stronger and since it's already able to manipulate your dreams it will more than likely continue to do that." 

"Oh..." I said not sure how to respond. 

"Perhaps you should stay here. That way I can be right here for you if they happen again and can help prevent them from happening." He said trailing off some. His muscles tensed under my fingertips as they ceased their tracing. 

"Maul..." I asked weary. 

"Hm." He hummed. 

"Are you asking me to move in with you… permanently?" I asked cautiously. 

"Yes...?" He sounded unsure of himself. 

I sat up to turn and look at him. 

"I mean, it would make sense. You already have a handful of clothes here for when you have stayed over. I mean you’re here most of the time, anyways… not that I’m complaining or anything… Plus if you ever need anything I would be much closer than all the way across the compound. Of course, you can keep your own quarters if you ever need some privacy…Please say something." 

I had never seen him so frazzled and nervous before. 

If I moved in with him… what would that make us? I wanted to ask but it didn’t feel like it was the right time. Asking him could reveal that he didn’t see me as anything more than the mother of his child and that would make me feel awkward living him know that I was in love with him. So, I decided that the daunting question would have to wait for a later time. 

“Maul, I’d love to move in with you… on one condition.” I said with a clearly playful tone. 

“Condition?” He asked with a small laugh. 

“Yes…” I sat up and turned to face him, “I mean I’m having your baby, I think it’s the least you can do.” 

He rolled his eyes playfully, “Fair point. What’s your condition?” 

“I get access to your wardrobe.” I said. 

“What?” 

“I like wearing your clothes because they’re comfy. They’re better to sleep in.” I explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

He pretended to think about it. 

“I think that can be arranged.” He said. 

“Good.” I leaned forward and gave him a kiss but broke apart to let out a small yawn. 

Maul let out a small laugh. 

“Let’s go to bed, yeah?” 

I nodded and got up off the bed. 

“Where are you going?” Maul asked confused. 

“To our wardrobe. I’m gonna change into something more comfortable to sleep in.” I said, walking over to and pulling out a tunic of his. 

Maul just shook his head in amusement. 

“Can you grab the lotion for me? I didn’t have any.” I asked as I took off the shirt I was wearing. 

“Of course.” 

He went into the refresher and came back with the lotion in his hand. I had already put the sweater on and taken my shorts off, leaving me in just my underwear and the tunic that I had tucked under my breast to give him access to my stomach. I sat back, leaning against the headboard. He tried his best to warm the lotion up between his hands before gently applying it to my skin but I still jumped slightly as coolness hit my skin. 

“Sorry.” He said, glancing up at me briefly before focusing on his task at hand. 

“S’okay.” I brushed it off. 

Suddenly his hands stopped. I knew why though. He felt the baby move. I watched as he stared down at his hands, waiting to see if he felt it again. And sure enough, they did it again. 

“Is… is that what I think it was?” He asked quietly. 

“Yeah… I felt it for the first time yesterday.” I smiled as I watched a smile of his own grow on his face. 

“Hello, little one… As much as I love this, it’s late, you need to let your mother rest. You’ve already caused quite a big stir tonight.” He spoke quietly to our child. 

I watched him, not daring to make a sound and ruin this tender moment between father and child. After the baby seemed to settle and Maul glanced back up at me. 

“I guess I’m the one keeping you up now.” 

“I don’t mind, I get to spend all my time with them. So it’s only fair you get time with them too.” I joked. 

“Thank you, and hopefully with you living here, I’ll get more time with them and with you.” He said, leaning forward and giving me a quick kiss before getting up to put the lotion away and wash his hands. 

When he returned he only had on a pair of loose black lounge pants that sat low on his hips, showing his scar from his fight all those years ago on Naboo. If I wasn’t so tired I’d be jumping at this opportunity in front of me. 

“You’re playing a dangerous game.” I commented as he climbed into bed. 

“Oh?” He asked feigning innocents. 

“Yeah, but I’m too tired, perhaps another night.” I said scooting my way across his massive bed over to him. 

“Well, it’s a good thing you’ll be staying here then.” He said, leaning down to press a kiss to my head. 

I hummed in response already feeling more groggy than before due to the heat radiating off his body. I turned to lay more on my side while reaching for an extra pillow from the other side of the bed. I folded it slightly and tucked it between my legs. 

“What are you doing?” Maul asked quietly. 

“Feels better.” I mumbled, already drifting into unconsciousness.

I heard Maul’s light huff of amusement as he settled in behind me. His arm came to hold me around my waist, hand resting on my belly. 

“Good night, I love you.” 

My ears perked up at this, but feeling his hand run over the crest of my bump made me realize he wasn’t talking to me, he was talking to the baby. I couldn’t blame him, I loved our child as well… I just hoped that those words were for me. 

Taglist:

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[legolasghosty]

fluffy dialog prompts!! 13 for willex?

Hello anon!!! You probably have no memory of sending this but I hope it reaches you! Sorry for the wait!!!!

Alex has mixed feelings about his graveyard shifts.

On the plus side, he can work on his own and not have to deal with customers while stocking the shelves and cleaning up the bookstore. Apart from when he's chatting with a coworker or checking in with his manager, he usually keeps his earbuds in for the whole shift. Audiobooks are wonderful things. It's calmer at night.

But the downside is that he doesn't get home until 5 or 6 am on the nights he works. So even though he and Willie are finally living together, they only get a couple of full nights together each week. It's not hurting their relationship, and they both make an effort to make lots of time for cuddling and talking during the day. But it is a bit sad that they don't get that basic couple-living-together thing of being able to fall asleep side by side each night.

Well, there is one other positive, Alex thinks as he parks his car outside of their apartment building. Working graveyard shifts usually gets people off his back about how little he sleeps. At least people who don't know him well. People who don't need to know the whole story.

Sure, Alex is working with a therapist now to try and get a handle on the nightmares that began just after he moved out. It's not as bad as it was that first year or two. But he still struggles to stay asleep for more than a few hours at a time.

Alex pushes the thoughts away as he climbs the stairs to his and Willie's apartment. No energy for that right now. All he needs right now is to get inside, change into something comfy, and climb into bed.

The blankets will be comfy and the pillows will be cool and Willie will be there, sound asleep. They'd texted Alex to tell him they were crashing in his bed a couple of hours into Alex's shift. Even though that's what they usually do, it still makes Alex's chest feel a bit looser to know that Willie will be in his bed when he gets home.

Alex fixes that fantasy firmly in his mind as he fumbles with his keys. Just a few more minutes before it becomes a reality. He repeats that over and over as he passes through the dark kitchen, hanging up his keys and kicking off his shoes. He imagines the smell of Willie's freshly washed hair as he brushes his teeth. It's some kind of mix of citrus and coconut that Alex has never been able to figure out but adores. He can barely wait to smell it again. To rest beside his partner and just be together.

The nightmares are always a bit easier when Willie is there.

Finally, he turns off the lamp Willie leaves on for him and slips into his room. Sure enough, there's his partner, snoring softly with his hair splayed out over Alex's pillows. He's a work of art, too stunning to ever truly be captured in words or photos.

Alex chuckles at his own cheesiness. Oh well, he's probably earned a bit of cheesy after so many years of hiding in the closet. He intends to love Willie as well as he can for as long as they want him to.

He quickly swaps out his work clothes for a pair of shorts and a light grey hoodie. Which might have started its life in Willie's closet, but who's counting. He slides off his rings and unclips the necklace he always wears, placing them on the dresser before carefully sliding into bed.

The first signs of sunrise become visible between the window blinds as Alex settles against Willie's back. He tries not to wake them, but even just their body heat is comforting against his skin after a long shift.

Alex takes a deep breath of the clean air of their home and feels his heart begin to slow down. He's safe now. He's in bed with the love of his life. They're together and they're good. Alex's life is good. His home is good, the band is good, all of his friends are good. He doesn't have to worry about it. He can relax.

Willie's snoring stops. Alex freezes, not wanting to wake him. But after a minute, Willie lets out a little hum and rolls over partway to look at Alex.

"You're home," they mumble, smiling.

"Mhm," Alex agrees, wrapping his arms around his waist. "Sorry for waking you."

"'s okay," Willie responds. He leans over a bit to plant a clumsy peck on Alex's nose. "Glad you're back."

"Me too," Alex murmurs, cuddling closer as his eyelids start to droop.

Willie starts to giggle, rolling over so their bare chest is flush against Alex's. "You're unbelievably cute when you're tired," they slur, already starting to drift back to sleep.

Alex knows his cheeks are warm but who cares. "Love you," he mumbles, slowly losing himself to unconsciousness.

He doesn't remain conscious for long enough to hear Willie say it back, but he knows they do. They always do.

[soaps-hoe-141]

Back Together

Part 27

Pairing: Soap x Ghost

WC: 3.4k

Synopsis: How tf did they even get in there? Don't know, don't care, don't worry about it

Warnings: I don't think this chapter warrants any actually. Been a while since I've been able to say that.

The first couple nights had been tedious, he often woke up screaming and fighting people that weren't actually there. His head was pounding with memories that wanted to break through but were held at bay by something he couldn't even control. Dark eyes flashed endlessly in his mind making his hands shake the second his mind was left to its own devices without a distraction for his overactive mind. The days were a bit easier, the team was allowed back in and even though he didn't know why they brought comfort exactly he was beginning to learn, to remember with the short clips of memory that managed to get through. He noticed several times that the others all seemed to be showered and cleaned in pairs like they had taken turns returning home, all except for Ghost who was still in clothes that smelled musky and bloody. Part of him wondered when the last time was that the man had bothered to clean himself and change, did he even leave the hospital?

Tonight was one of his bad ones, blue hues staring at the seconds hand on the clock and eyes burning with dryness while they sat bloodshot in their sockets. He'd woken a few minutes after falling asleep with his heart racing and while he had been able to control the panic, and fight it back, it didn't mean he could go back to sleep. The silence was killing him slowly, being alone eating away at his psyche slowly but surely. The isolation was the last thing he wanted but they weren't allowed to stay, why couldn't they just stay? He didn’t want people around, but they weren't just people, they were familiar, and whenever they were all around something in his mind always whispered ‘Family’.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, the hand kept going, driving him mad with the incessant passage of time marked by the continuous sound. His eyes followed it around, and then around again, losing himself in its ever present ticking. Until the door opened, it was still after hours, the ward wasn't supposed to be open and his nurse wasn't scheduled for a check-in for another thirty minutes at least. Blue hues flicked to the door quickly, widening when he saw a young woman and a man holding a small camera, both of whom struck no chord of familiarity in his mind. His muscles went stiff at the sight, seeing the flashing red light in his memory and immediately recoiling even before the woman's voice began to press at him. "Sergeant MacTavish, I'm with the local news station and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me."

Her tone didn't leave much room to say no so instead he settled for, "What?" Face skewed up in confusion even as he subconsciously readied to defend himself.

She glanced at her partner and stepped further inside the room which had him pushing himself to sit up and his eyes widened, "Are you being kept here against your will Sergeant?"

"Why are you here lady? Visiting hours are closed," his avoidance of answering the questions wasn't working and she stepped inside his bubble, the careful distance everyone kept when they came in the room unless they asked him first. She provided no such courtesy. "Stay away from me," his chest felt heavy, the pain in his hands becoming secondary to the panic the woman who was still pressing closer brought.

She didn't seem to hear his warning, more like she ignored it because she didn’t care, him nearly pleading to be left alone, "Are you aware that the videos of your capture are currently being hidden from the public’s eye? Even whether you're alive is being questioned now, John."

Soap felt his heart pound against his ribs, the sweat beading up on his skin almost immediately once the name left her mouth. Not again, he couldn't do this again. Why did she have to do this, why couldn't she just leave him alone like he wanted, no needed, her to do? "La-Lady get out. You n-need to-to-to go…now." He pointed at the door before he closed his eyes, the sound of her voice and questions drowned out behind the wild alarm on the heart monitor and his own blood rushing through his head. Fingers brushed against his skin and the switch flipped, he grabbed her wrist pulling her forward as his forehead smacked into her nose.

She cried out, stumbling backwards as she held her nose and when he looked up at the blinking red light on the camera his body froze. He saw the smile, the eyes, the pale face that had done this to him. That had taken everything he knew, quite literally, from him and broken him mentally so he couldn’t even be near other people when he felt that was all that his mind and body really wanted. Soap didn't have to move to go after him though, the door flew open and he saw the white skull of the mask before the man was grabbing a shoulder and the Scotsman was scrambling off the bed. Another scream from a woman disturbed the quiet stillness of the ward, words that he couldn’t make any sense of poured out of so many mouths he couldn’t count anymore.

His leg screamed as he moved across the floor, pressing against the wall with his palms covering his ears. The big man was yelling, not at him though that he was aware of at least. Ghost had barely raised his voice above a whisper whenever he was in the room with him, at least until now. Blue eyes closed not wanting to see the violence he knew was going to be wrought on the souls who had invaded the security that this room had been providing him.

Every breath had his ribs aching, fear holding him tight in its grip like an old friend by this point, he just wanted it to fucking stop. Why wouldn’t it just stop? Why couldn’t he just turn that side of his brain off? It made him feel so weak and childish after it was all said and done when he did things he just couldn’t control, like choking out a nurse and now he could add headbutting a reporter to the list, the second he came out of this panicked haze anyway.

He hadn’t even realized how hard he’d hit the wall in his haste to put distance between him and the other three people in the room, instinctively curling into that side of his body as he sank to the ground. His face was hidden between his forearms and his knees pushed up to his chest as far as they would go. He didn’t dare to open his eyes, to remove his hands off of their protective place at his ears. Don’t listen, don’t see, don’t feel and he would be ok, block it all out and the shaking would stop. Block it all and he would be ok.

At least the ticking of time had stopped as he sat there, unsuccessfully trying to calm his heaving gulps of air. A shadow cast over him, blocking the light from the overhead source and he kept his face hidden for a second longer before a hand pulled off his ear hesitatingly. “Soap it’s just me. It’s ok they’re gone.”

He knew it to be true and that the voice wouldn't lie to him, knew that they weren’t there but his heart wouldn’t stop, hands moving to lace behind his neck while his head shook. “I-I ca-” he couldn’t even get the words out as he sat there like some fucking child. People dealt with worse everyday why couldn’t he just turn it the fuck off?

Ghost squatted beside him, and he felt himself lean away involuntarily, some other part of his brain telling him he needed to lean towards him instead, but he couldn’t comply. Why couldn’t he just do it, let himself slip into the warmth and safety that some part of him knew was waiting there readily. “It’s ok, Soap. I’m not leaving, and no one else is getting in here.” The reassurance elicited a slow nod from him, that part of him, the rational side, trying to get ahold of his more uncontrollable emotional responses. Ghost continued in a quiet, deep voice, “I get it, but you’re ok sweetheart-” the rest of his words fell on deaf ears. The Scotsman felt his grip loosen from around his neck, blue eyes slowly opening to turn a shocked look on the big man currently squatting a few feet away. Ghost’s mouth stopped moving beneath the balaclava and when he spoke next, Soap could finally hear the word again, “What?”

A phone was in his hand, light snores that were more like heavy breaths were sounding beside him. When they stopped his eyes looked up, blonde hair and hazel eyes taking up most of his gaze. Scars littered the face, one cutting through his lips and plenty of others scattered about. “Good mornin’ m’eudail.” And then his cheeks had burned bright red before he’d ducked his head and continued scrolling through the phone. The memory had his dark brows furrowing, the shock of hearing the word come out of Ghost’s mouth having thrown him enough it’d stopped the panic in its tracks. His hands fell from around his neck, arms lowering from protecting his face as he asked quietly, “What did you call me?” Confusion found the big man’s face before Soap pressed, “Just then, Ghost, what did you call me?”

There was hesitation in those eyes before he finally said, “I called you Soap.” Did the man really not realize he had said it? Or was he lying in hopes the Scotsman would just drop the matter? Why would he lie though? Maybe he had misheard it, a sliver of memory having come through and made him think it was the man squatting in front of him. Ghost was probably right then, he probably had misheard it, but he didn’t get the chance to say anything more on the subject as the Lieutenant spoke, “Listen you need to get up off the floor, Soap. Do you want help?”

There was an immediate shake of his head as Soap pushed himself up with a pained expression before forcing out between gritted teeth, “No I can do it, just give me a second Lieutenant.” He limped back towards the bed pushing himself up with his good leg to sit back down with a wince. Ghost hovered a few feet away still, eyes burning into his skin and he had a feeling that the big man had done that many times before. And unlike when he felt the stares of the others when they were in here, there was a sense of comfort that accompanied it. Something in him that knew it was ok, nothing was going to happen while that man was there because he simply would have moved heaven and hell to make it so.

An angry Price and Gaz came through the door a few seconds after that, looking between the two until the Captain growled, “They had the audacity to say we needed to leave. Muppets can’t even secure a bloody base hospital from a fuckin reporter and think that we’re going to just leave?” Gaz huffed his agreement before he sat down heavily on the bench near the door, looking extremely tired after dealing with the woman and whoever else the Captain had already cursed out and threatened tonight. Price looked him over from a distance and the eyebrows raised before he saw a head tilt that was so familiar it was almost criminal he couldn’t recall why as the man asked, “You good Sergeant?”

Soap gave a quiet nod, "Yes sir, just fuckin peachy." He tried to push back to lay back down but his hand recoiled into his chest instinctively. Blue eyes shut tight, annoyance and frustration spreading that was just barely controlled in his tense jaw. All he wanted was to put all of this behind him but every little fucking thing reminded him, triggered him, sent him spiraling for no good fuckin reason. Deep breath in, and his ribs hitched as he realized just how bad they were throbbing after he had hit the wall in his panic induced state. Can't even take a deep fuckin breath, bloody pathetic is what he was. He noticed the eyes on him as he sat there, unmoving and tense like he was about to strike again with no telling who the next target would be. The Scotsman let his pent up breath out and muttered, "Tired of being alone, sir. Too much time to think, y'know?"

The brunette Brit gave an understanding nod and shoved Gaz’s feet off the bench and sat beside him, legs stretching out in front of him and crossing at the ankle. “Well we aren’t going anywhere anymore, son. I’ve had it with having to run down that bloody hall.” The man settled back comfortably on the bench, his arms crossing over his chest and chin tilting down before he muttered, “I’m finishing my nap.”

He couldn’t help the tilt in his head as he watched the Captain, watching his breathing even out in a couple seconds before the man was out like a light. The Scotsman watched him for a few moments longer before turning blue hues on Ghost and asking, “Did I used to fall asleep like that?”

The Lieutenant glanced at Price before answering, “More or less. You always like to sleep a lot, when you’re bored anyway.” He nodded, sliding back slowly as he maneuvered his hips still protecting his sensitive hands, the now stitched up dog bites, his broken ribs, and the gunshot wound that had entered at an angle that was more like a graze than a through and through. Soap finally leaned back against the pillow and looked over at Gaz who had leaned against the Captain while he had been maneuvering back. The Sergeant had his back lying comfortably against Price’s shoulder, feet hanging over the arm of the bench, and head tilted back so that Price’s own cheek had tilted down to rest on the top of his head. Ghost was standing a few feet from the end of the bed, watching him with the same quiet stare he always had when he was in here.

Tick, tick, tick, the sound of the clock was audible once more in the room, chipping away slowly at his patience and whatever was left of his sanity. Gaz hadn’t yet begun to snore, only the sounds of deep breaths filling the room which did nothing to block out the endless passage of time. He needed noise, something to fill this unpleasantness so that he could set aside his own thoughts. Blue eyes looked up from his hands and at Ghost, who was still staring, motionless like a statue that made his face heat up in the absence of being able to shift under the circumstances. “Ghost?” The big man tilted his head, indicating he was already paying attention. “Can you- I don’t know- Never mind,” nervous energy creeped up on him and his gaze found his hands again, fingers rubbing against the back of his knuckles.

“What is it, Soap? I’m listening.” The Lieutenant refused to let him return to his thoughts, to retreat back into the dark recesses of his mind and overthink. Thank the heavens above he did though because he needed someone to keep him from falling into that void of senseless and emotional thought that seemed to want to swallow him whole as of late.

It took a few moments before his gaze shot back up and his teeth worked nervously at his bottom lip. “Can you…” Another hesitant paused before he felt the urge to punch himself for not being able to get the words out. No, he wasn’t gonna freak out, this was ok, it was his idea, nobody was making him do it, he wanted to do this it was ok. The words fell out of his mouth in a single word before he lost his nerve again, “Canyoucomesitwithme?”

There was a long pause, the stare almost too much for him to look at before Ghost asked, “Are you sure?” There was a stuttering nod from the Scotsman before the big man took a slow step forward, seeming to test the waters. He had been standing just at the edge of the bubble, the exact invisible line that typically had marked when Soap would begin to lose his cool at someone entering what he considered ‘his space’. Blue eyes followed every step, every movement, watching him grab a chair from off the wall and move it to the side of the bed. Ghost sat for the first time he’d ever seen, or at least that he remembered, and when he did the man let out an audible sigh of relief after getting off his feet.

Part of him wondered if the man had sat down at all in the past few days, realizing the voice probably spoke the truth when it said ‘Probably not.’ Hazel eyes closed as he stretched his legs out, unwinding it seemed for the first time in a week. He asked quietly, mindful of the two men already sleeping in the room, “When was the last time you slept, Ghost?”

The man seemed to think, head tilting back and forth as he loosened the muscles in his neck. Finally his mouth moved under the black fabric again as he answered, “One hundred and seventy-two hours and sixteen minutes, Sergeant.” Eyes widened and dark brows raised in shock, the Lieutenant not noticing until he peeked an eye open and he swore he could see the man’s lips twitch under the mask and his eyes crinkling in the shadow of the dark fabric. The big man shrugged and answered in a casual tone, “We had to find you.” His voice lowered before he continued, “And then I had to make sure you were ok.”

The corners of his mouth tilted up, not really a smile especially when paired with the shake of his head. When he glanced back, Ghost’s eyes were closed but he wasn’t asleep, not yet anyway. “Ye have to sleep, Ghost. You can’t just stay awake for the rest of your life because you think somebody is going to bust through the door like the bloody kool-aid man.” Again he saw the twitch of lips underneath the dark fabric before Soap added in a quieter mumble, “That seems to be your job Lieutenant.”

A pair of broad shoulders shrugged before rumbling out, “I can try…” Soap shifted in the bed, eyes glancing back at the clock worriedly, the ticking starting to reach his ears again. “Soap,” it pulled his attention over again as he rolled towards the man, the big man forcing him to keep his eyes on him without even seeming to mean to. Soap settled his weight on a shoulder to watch him. The man didn’t speak though as his breaths evened out and light snores pulled from him. His head tilted to lay on his shoulder, finally seeming to be at peace now that he didn’t have to stand in front of a door stock still.

He felt his eyes growing heavy, staring at the chest underneath the dark jacket rise and fall. There was a flash, another memory peeking out of the fine mesh as sleep began to lull him under. The blonde haired man was above him, eyes watching him with worry after having woken him up. His chest was bare as Soap lunged for him, wrapping arms around his torso and straddling his lap as he fought back the fear. His face pressed into a warm neck, hands were running up his back in an attempt to soothe, not hurt. The smell of pine rushed over him, setting his nerves at ease both in the memory and in the present as he was laying in the hospital bed. Soap felt a yawn fill his lungs and he blinked the memory back, watching Ghost for a few minutes. He didn’t even realize when his eyes finally shut and he slipped into the void of sleep, for the first time in days not recoiling at the thought of someone touching him.

[yennasun]

I still think its dumb that when I accidentally post I can't at least private it.

---------------------------------------------------

MT was woken up by the sound of his alarm, he turned to the nightstand where his phone sat and he turned it off before checking the date...

December 9th...

He almost always woke up in a bad mood but this somehow made it worse.

He hated celebrating his birthday, mainly because of how much contempt he held at the fact he'd only been allowed to celebrate it once.

But he had to shit out any memories of him...he couldn't bear it.

He was now 28...or was he?

He'd always been told to tell others he was 18 when he was 14 and he supposed that it just managed to engrain itself in his mind, for all he knew he was only 24.

But he felt older, much much older.

Somehow, despite just waking up, he already wanted to go back to sleep.

At the very least only purple knew his birthday, and they most likely forgot.

At least the others won't try to celebrate it for him.

He'd spent most of his life wishing he hadn't been created, he'd seen kids with loving parents and turn green with envy...he wouldn't have even minded having a mother or father like purples because at least he could've escaped it.

At this rate, he was living, he was just killing time.

Before he fell back asleep and got the day over with as soon as it started, he heard a knock on the door.

He nearly screamed into his pillow before jumping out of bed and cracking the door open.

He looked out to see second looking at him expectantly.

"Hey, we need some lumber cuz we ran out during that project. Can you get us some? Everyone else is out for now." MT looked at second with a deadpan expression.

"...yeah sure." He said shutting his door.

Second yelled a "Thank you!" Through the door as he got his clothes on.

He grabbed an old iron axe and trudged outside and wasn't surprised to see the house empty.

He trudged outside and got to work.

"Alright, I got him outta the house for awhile!" Second said as he they poured out of purples room and surrounded MTs room.

"Oohh boy he's gonna be stoked!" Blue said excitedly.

"He may not like it...but I don't think any of us cares, he celebrated everyone else's birthday with us its about time we do the same." Purple said.

They all went inside and began re arranging the room and stringing up a sign saying "happy birthday mango!"

They didn't know how old he was, how could they if even he didn't know how old he was but nevertheless, they made a cake that repeated the phrase.

Outside, MT had been chopping wood for hours.

But strangely enough, he felt...clear.

His mind was clear, he wasn't stuck in the past like usual-he was in the present. He was grounded and present.

His current occupation had very much helped this new serene state of mind as he'd always found physical tasks cathartic, no matter how physically demanding they were. In fact, the physical strain had never been a concern of his.

A few more hours passed before he took a water break, he stopped drinking to breath in the fresh afternoon air that sent a calm serenity over him like a peaceful tidal wave, and he was eager to surg it out until he was cast out in a flood of emotions.

With each deep breath he felt his high shoulders fall in a relaxed state as even his stern expression softened.

He got back to it for a couple more hours until his inventory had nearly filled up entirely, it was a bit much but no one would complain about more materials.

He stored them in the chest by the shed and approached the house, but a feeling crept into his being.

This was different, it wasn't usual paranoia as that usually comes with doubt and was usually specific in its intention.

But this feeling, it was vague but poignant, and there wasn't a single doubt in his mind that something was up...

Never had a gut feeling that was wrong...

He opened the door slowly and quietly and crept in the still empty house, he passed through the living room as the silence deafened him.

Trudging through the kitchen, he caught a whiff of...chicken?

Guess they had dinner without me.

He thought as his stomach growled

Shit, forgot to eat again...I'll eat later.

He relaxed slightly, they were probably just out doing...something.

There's a first time for everything

He thought as he approached his room.

As he put his hand on the doorknob, that feeling returned ten-fold and he stood there for a few minutes, contemplating if he should open it or not.

"Here goes nothing" he whispered to himself.

He opened the door as light bled into the dark room and he reached for the light switch and flicked it up.

"SURPRISE" many voices yelled at once as many figures jumped out at him.

Jumped back with a yell, he knew something was up!

His guard remained up before he looked around and saw the decorations.

He saw a sign that said "happy birthday mango!"

His physical guard went down but his psychological defenses remained higher than ever.

"-how did you..." then the answer him before he even got an answer.

"Why purple." He asked dejectedly.

"Why what?" They asked in surprise

"This was supposed to be my thing...whyd you have to go and tell everybody?" Purple looked at him in shock.

"Well, everyone should celebrate their birthday. Didn't know you get so bent out of shape over it..."

"We're not here for this you guys, he celebrated out b-days so we're celebrating his!" Green said happily.

"But-"

"Not today man, today we're all gonna be happy and have fun.' Red interrupted.

"So how old are you turning?" Yellow asked

He took a second to think on it...

"I'm not sure...I think I'm 32 but I might he 4 years ahead..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Green spoke up as purple nodded in agreement

"Uh...it's complicated...we'll just say I'm 28 for...reasons." They all looked at eachother before nodding.

As they celebrated, he had to admit he enjoyed it.

He'd never show it outright or even show it, he may not have even known it, but he enjoyed it very much.

It gave him a comforting, warm feeling as well as a sense of belonging.

They had sliced and eaten the cake that yellow sloppily painted "28" on with frosting.

But not before eating a perfectly cooked rottersrie chicken that reminded him of Rooney.

Once they got everything cleaned up, he spoke up slightly.

"Thanks everybody...really, thank you all." He cracked a small smile.

They all walked out in shock at the whole ordeal, not only the recent event but even the fact he went through with the celebration in the first place.

Maybe people do change...

---------------------------------------------------

Posted by accident lol, it's very sloppy but either way I hope it tickled your fancy

[lexa-griffins]

Hi 👩🏼‍⚕️

I say this lovingly, "You truly are evil and cruel. You belong in the pantheon of people who want to watch the world burn"

I was blindsided by that cancer diagnosis for Clarke and Lexa's daughter and I was not expecting that when I asked you to hurt them. Lexa lost Clarke and now she might lose Madi! She truly believes her entire life is falling apart

How explosive will the confrontation be when Clarke and Lexa are alone and she demands Lexa to tell her everything and why she hid Madi from her? Will Lexa finally confess everything and let down all her walls and be vulnerable with Clarke? Will this push them closer together or farther apart? I need answers!!!

Damn, is there something wrong with me if I love this unimaginable level of pain, heartache, and trauma that they both have to navigate together for Madi's sake. It might actually be cathartic for me since I've seen this happen as a nurse. Sometimes I just wish I could absorb all their pain and heal them. I wanna lay in Madi's bed and hug her and tell her that she'll be fine and there's nothing to worry about (I hate putting on a brave face when I know that's a lie 🥺)

Do you promise that all three of them will be happy together as a family when Madi goes into remission? My heart won't survive if they have to say goodbye to Madi. I'll never forgive you if Madi doesn't learn the truth about her doctor also being her mom. They deserve a happy ending 🥺

I am so very sorry for smacking you in the face with that but 😈 angst is angst 😈

Lexa's entire world shatters when she hears those words out of Clarke's mouth. Madi was fine, she has been fine so how, how did Lexa miss any signs that something could be wrong?

And Clarke. God Clarke wants to yell, she wants to cry and run away. She wants to shake Lexa, ask her how could she hide her daughter from her like this and at the same time she wants to hug her so badly and promise her everything will okay, that she will not sleep until Madi is cured and then, then they can go and be a family and she can learn about everything she missed during those 2 years and never again be away from them. And more than anything she wants to kneel on the bed, take Madi's small hand and tell her that she is her sire and that she doesnt need to worry because she'll never let anything bad happen to her, that she knows Madi will be so brave through all of this.

They wait for Madi to fall asleep eventually, a couple of hours later after Clarke had to, at great cost to her heart, excuse herself to see other patients, leaving Lexa sniffing with a nod and Madi curled up to her side. Clarke finds Lexa by a vending machine and calmly, oh so much calmer than she feels, asks her to speak to her alone. The moment the janitor's closet door closes Clarke let's the waterworks start.

"Why didn't you tell me? Why would you keep her from me? Do you really hate me this much? I'm your fucking mate, how could you?"

Soon the tears of anger turn into sobs as Clarke breaks down completely, "I didn't have any time with her and now I might not have that much left." Which Clarke understands might be a horrible to tell a mother who just found out her child has cancer but she is her child too goddammit!

They cry in each other's arms as Lexa whispers apologies that could never bring back the years Clarke lost with her little girl.

Its not easy for them. Lexa moves into a little apartment in the city, knowing this is the best hospital for Madi to stay at. Clarke insists on still being Madi's doctor even if she's her sire, there is no way she's not gonna spend as much time with her daughter as she possibly can.

Its treatable and that is all they can focus on. Still the operation is a risk so Lexa and Clarke spend as much time as they can manage with Madi and with each other. And its so easy for Lexa to fall back in love with Clarke. She isnt even sure how and why she ever stopped, why was she so scared of having a life with her, why she all but put as much distance as she could between her and Clarke the moment she learned she was pregnant. She feels so beyond guilty for not allowing Clarke and Madi happier memories together. Perhaps this is her punishment for pushing Clarke away the way she did. She had a chance to make it right when they accidentally mated and she didn't and now he universe might take Madi away from her and leave her with without her daughter and without her mate.

Try as she can Clarke is not allowed in the operation room. They haven't told Madi yet but they do not know what will happen inside the block so they tell her. The little girl's smile, however weaker, could still lighten up a room.

"I knew it! I knew you were my mom."

Clarke smiles at her, trying so hard not to choke on her tears while Lexa turns away from them both to hide her own, "How did you know?"

Madi blinks, slowly. She's getting tired much faster now and Clarke softly brushes her temple that peaks behind the beany Madi now wears as without her hair she keeps complaining of being cold. Its one of Lexa's old ones, kne she stole from Clarke all those years ago.

"Your scent. You smell-" she stops mid-sentence, rudely interrupted by a yawn "-you smell like mommy."

Right. They are mated, her and Lexa's scents have mixed to create their own, the exact same scent Madi has being so young.

"I smell like mommy?"

"Yeah... like home."

As she falls asleep, her mothers' sobs can not longer be kept inside.

Lexa and Clarke stay at the hospital during the entire operation. There is no more pretending they do not want to touch or embarrassment over leaning on each other. They cry on each other's shoulders, kiss to comfort each other, make promises they don't even know they'll be able to keep if Madi makes it out okay.

-

Lexa moves into Clarke's apartment. They don't know what they are doing but it makes it easier for both of them.

-

After two weeks, Madi's has a whole bedroom set up. It feels weird and yet so right in Clarke's eyes. Lexa's clothes in her wardrobe, her favorite coffee next to Clarke's on the counter, Madi's small pair of shoes by the entrance, a spare bedroom left bare for the past couple of years now inhabited by the light of her eyes.

Lexa and her never really talk about it - god they have always been horrible at talking - but in their own weird way, they know they are each other's forevers.

Madi is better now. Not cured, not fully yet, but she's on her way. Her hair is growing back in the most adorable brown locks and she now has enough energy to play around the apartment and go on small walks. She smiles brighter, fuller and has started calling Clarke mom.

Lexa proposed. It is not costume for the omega to get down on one knee but very little of their life together so far has been traditional. Madi will be their ringbearer and the little brother she doesn't yet know she's gonna have will be their little flower boy - even if she pouts when she learns the wedding will be postponed for about her year as Lexa refuses to walk down the aisle pregnant, which in Clarke's opinion is the most beautiful she's ever seen her, as she promises its not just her alpha talking for not having been present in her past gestation.

They were horrible together at first. Toxic and unstable and yet even after breaking up they could not get away from one another. A dumb medical trial got them so riled up for each other they knotted and mated for the very first time. And then when they could finally leave each other, they didn't. And when they finally did, Lexa was left with a permanent reminder of Clarke in the form of their pup while her made moved away from her. Only for the universe to bring them back together in the most painful of ways.

Lexa will never, ever forgive whoever is out there for making her little girl suffer the way she did. But for what is worth, at least it bought her and Clarke back together and finally made them see they are what each other needs; them, their sweet daughter, and their little boy and whoever more comes next :)

[acciotaylorswift]

lucky

A/N : I think this fic took the least amount of time, despite the fact its not actually too bad a size for a one shot, sooo…. uh yay

*:･ﾟ✧*:･:･ﾟ✧:୨⎯lucky⎯୧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ*:･ﾟ

Hermione’s day was going, in a word, poorly.  

Very poorly

She couldn’t fall asleep until 3 am, So she automatically didn’t want to get up. Almost any other Saturday she’d be able to stay in bed a few more hours, but today was a Hogsmeade weekend. Not only that, but today she’d get to see Ron.

As she did get up She realized it was quite cold, she had forgotten a warming charm last night and her wand was almost across the room. 

fun.

She got up and dressed, and left for the common room to study a bit before the Hogsmeade trip

And then, of course, on the second to last step, 

She tripped.

She hit the floor and bent her wrist an odd way, nothing bad, but she was still in pain, Though more embarrassed than anything. 

Luckily there were only a few people in the common room and gladly were mature enough to either stiffle their laughter or they didn't find it funny.

”You alright, Hermione?” A sixth year girl asked

“Yes—fine.” Hermione answered as she got up and picked up her books

She walked over to her Favorite chair and sat down, opened a book, and started reading up on a subject of Transfiguration that she was oddly enough, having trouble with.

She couldn't get it.

So she went from annoyed to angry in the span of 30 Minutes, As a result of that, she couldn’t focus.

A couple more people came downstairs and one other Seventh year Girl asked Hermione

“Hey, I don’t mean to bother you, but do you get this?”

And of course it was exactly what she didn't get.

She was already pissed about how people always labeled her as the line for something being hard. It's like if Hermione doesn't get it on the first try, people label it as impossible.

She calmed herself down before answering and said “No. sorry.” She didn't mean for it to still sound so cold but it did. That was bad enough before someone else asked her the exact same thing about the exact same subject. 

“No— I don’t, Sorry.” She said, quite tense

It seemed as though everyone came downstairs in a pack about to leave for 

Hogsmeade so Hermione kept her eye out for Ginny as they were planning to walk together, Ginny was about the last person downstairs before They all left.

“Hey, sorry i'm late, Julia took forever in the shower,” Ginny said as she rolled her eyes 

“Oh. Okay— Whatever.” Hermione said as she tried not to get angry at the both of them

Although apparently it came out wrong Because Ginny said “Wake up on the wrong side of the bed and fall into a pit of sticks?”

“Very funny,” Hermione said before she Recapped Her morning to Her. Then added “I think I have bad luck this morning.”

“I thought you didn't believe in luck and stuff like that?”

“Not sure anymore.” Hermione said with a short laugh

“Maybe you used up all your luck this week.”

“What on earth could that mean?”

“Maybe the fact that Ron and Harrys Auror training break lines up perfectly with our Hogsmeade weekend?”

Hermione contemplated. “Fair, but still, Ron said Your Guys’ Mum wants to see him first and somehow Harry managed to get out of it So I won't even get to see Ron until later!”

Ginny took a moment Before saying “So you're mad about having to be a third wheel for about an hour?” 

“Maybe? I think I'll just spend some time alone before He gets here though.”

Ginny made an Mkay sound and it was fairly quiet the rest of the walk. 

Hermione and Ginny parted when Hermione saw a New-ish bookstore in Hogsmeade, And she wanted to go check it out.

There was a short line to get in and Hermione figured it'd move quickly, it was a bookstore anyway. She stood there for 10 minutes and the person in front of her was moving very slowly, there wasn’t even anyone in front of him anymore. 

She got angry again.

She looked around for nothing specific but did find something that caught her eye so she went to the desk to buy it, almost everyone in front of her had five books or more and there was only one person in the store who was running from helping customers to checking them out which was quite a process when there was a long line.

She had been in the line Almost Thirty minutes now, and the line was hardly moving, she really didn’t want to spend the entirety of this trip in this bookstore (which felt utterly ridiculous of her to think)

So she put the book back and left.

Now, despite the fact it was -4 degrees, she needed to cool down. 

That's how mad she was.

so she got an idea. steering off of hogsmeade, she made her way up a hill, felt that the snow was soft, and let herself fall into it in a starfish-like position.

Common sense told her that this was a bad idea, that she could get frostbite or something, but it felt good actually.

she didn't know how long she was there until she heard Harry's voice “What is she doing?” Hermione guessed Ginny gave a shrug before saying “It seems she needed to cool down figuratively, so she’s now a starfish in the snow, literally.”

“I still feel like punching someone.” Came Hermione's muffled voice from the snow

“Why did you need to cool down?” Harry asked

“Multiple things” Hermione said, still muffled

“I wouldn't press it.” Ginny advised to harry in a loud whisper

“Hermione, Hermione, Hermione” Ginny and Harry said as they jumped around her.

“Hermione, Hermione, Hermione”

Hermione was now smiling, but she would never admit it.

“Hermione, Hermione, Hermione,” A third person joined in,

“Hm, I like that voice,” Hermione said, turning her head.

“Hey, love,” Ron said.

“Hi,”

“If you still feel like punching someone, Let it be one of them.” 

Hermione laughed, a sort of laugh Ron could only make her sound.

He helped her up and her arms flung around his neck to hug him.

“I missed you.” Hermione said quietly 

“I missed you too.”

Just as she was about to give him a kiss, a snowball flew across their view. 

“Damn it! I missed!” Ginny said angrily.

Ron gave Hermione a far-too-fast-for-her-liking kiss, and used his wand to send about a dozen snowballs toward Ginny and Harry

“Hey, Those could’ve knocked me over!” Ginny Yelled.

“That’s the point!” Ron yelled back, Before Harry began yelling as well “Why’d you throw them at me?! She was the one who threw the one at you!”

“Because you are far too associated with her for my liking.” Ron answered sportively 

They all laughed, and as they tried to pelt each other with snowballs, Hermione Remembered just how lucky she really was to have all of this, to have all of them.

[kickthecan-revolution]

#

I’ve had to take a couple of meetings the last two days but it was worth it, I needed to get the feedback on the model I’ve put together to validate the feasibility analysis my team and I did on what is needed for a successful implementation. Everyone loves it and my instinct to not launch it too early without feedback from our Regional Directors was correct - they are running multi-million dollar businesses and need to have a say where their payroll goes. I met with our EMEIA Director this morning with my boss on the line as well - my boss’s boss is in London and offered to take her through the model but the Director said “if OK, I’d rather Diane take me through it, she has a level of detail that’s important.” which was hilarious and awesome. We stayed on for an hour, talking about our stores, our leaders, what they are all experiencing right now - she teared up, it’s so hard and my model is going to help if we create the right change management around it. My heart was so full after our conversation, she said “after 14 years, you’ve finally done it. congratulations.” And not a backhanded compliment, she knows how difficult it’s been and all of the obstacles we’ve faced. 

##

It’s so huge. We’ve done some work that is going to help so much. This larger Retail University idea needs the payroll plumbing first and this will do it. One of my team broke down in tears last week, she feels so disrespected by our current senior Leadership and so lost in her role - what she didn’t know is behind the scenes, my long-time best friend, sister cat colleague R and I- the person who I’ve led the training team with forever -  figured out a way of positioning my team with the Big Boss of the new vision of this university so we can do that work instead of the insanity we’re in now. I got on the phone with him and subtly showed him how my team can help - this morning, she sent me a screenshot and with the note “we are currently discussing how to get your team engaged on this”.  So it’s happening, but my doesn’t know it yet because I won’t share it until it’s secured. One of my skills is political savvy - my borderline tendencies create belief that every moment needs to be survived, not lived - so interactions with others always has a “succeed or die” component to it which makes me particularly adept at being liked, ensuring others are heard, that I match their energy and understand their needs. That’s a need in Corporate America despite its darker and more broken intent. And, I am a Socialist by nature -  I authentically care about everyone’s success and believe that a good solution means success for everyone’s individual projects and have innate ability to synthesize them into one big solution, but talk about that solution so everyone’s priority is seen and heard in it. So they are willing to work with me. Caring for people and telling the truth are more than just sentiment - they are the agents of change and for people who ultimately value good things, work (eventually). 

###

I called the interior designer who helped me with my place to start phase 2, furniture is expensive and I don’t want to fuck it up. I don’t need anything fancy but I need an expert to help me invest the money I am (now) willing to spend; at first I wasn’t because of my loathing to contribute to the landfill but after falling asleep on my sofa and waking up to a bad back, I want a new couch. And I want a cool kitchen table and the storage unit to not smell like cat litter. And I think I want to figure out how to put a hot tub on the terrace. So she’ll help me figure all of that out. 

####

I treated myself to some pancakes this morning but now I’m going to focus on my health. I’m going to lose some weight and be a better advocate for my body. The way I eat now is grounded in emotional soothing - I can have a different relationship to food now. My own. 

[ayoitslilith]

sick

The last year has been simultaneously wonderful and horrible. Wonderful in that I feel like I’ve finally been making progress with my life - I started my transition, got therapy, and spent a couple of semesters at college. I made friends, found a lover - “it slaps tbh.” At the same time, I started digging into myself, trying to get to the root of what makes me tick. I found out a lot about myself, good and bad. Things tend to stick together less as you dig deeper though, nothing can retain its form or cohesion past a certain depth of mind. That took recovery time, of course. All stresses have some form of recovery time requirement, so that the stressed individual can get back to optimal performance. Unfortunately, I did not have enough time. Classwork became overbearing, not necessarily because of its own difficulty, but because of my inability to keep up with other parts of life. I began to freeze when attempting to complete my tasks. I missed assignments that were due. I nearly failed quite a few classes. This needed to change. I needed time. I couldn’t make time, though - I felt the need to push myself so that I could get to making things better, sooner. I wanted things to slow down. I wished so dearly that things would just slow down.

A finger on the monkey’s paw curls.

I’ve been back with the family this summer, as I don’t really have the resources to secure my own place for the time being. My father went on a vacation just after I got home, and came back a couple of weeks later. He seemed fine at first, but after a day, began to fall ill. The day after that, I followed.

The night after my father began to show signs of illness, I stayed up a bit later than I suppose I should have. I usually find it hard to sleep anyways, so staying up to nearly five in the morning venting to a close friend of mine was easy to do. Even as I was laying in my bed waiting for the sweet embrace of sleep to take hold of me for the next hour and thirty minutes, I was oblivious to my mistake. It was only when I then woke up at nine that same morning when I began to realize my mistake. When you are sick, time begins to feel like it slows down around you. My head tends to feel like it’s “full of tar” when I’m not feeling well in general, but especially so when I am physically ill - this exacerbates that feeling of time slowing to a crawl. This is of course, much worse, when you are also fighting sleep deprivation. Worse yet is if you are also trying to sleep because you know you will be spending the rest of the day sleep deprived if you do not manage to fall asleep. After an hour of waiting to fall asleep and only feeling simultaneously as tired and awake as I’ve ever been, I sat up.

While this might not have been a mistake, it felt like it was.

My head immediately started pounding. It felt as if my blood itself was working overtime, rushing through my body as if making up for lost time. All of my nerves seemed to be carrying sensory input that found itself in the same race. The little bit of light that found its way through my window, the sound of my parents outside of my room, and even the sound of the blood pounding around my skull - I took it all in immediately, and couldn’t stop taking it in. My sensory issues have always been a problem, but this simply added more weight to it. As I began to take in everything all at once, either because of my own movement or because of the senses being flooded, my head began to hurt terribly. It certainly wasn’t the worst pain I’ve ever felt, but that doesn’t make it stop being terrible. I continued to get up, and the assault on my mind - the pain, my senses, everything - worsened. This would continue to be how I felt for the rest of the day, fading in and out of consciousness - every time I woke up, wishing I could just pass out again.

This, of course, turned out to be COVID-19. My father tested positive, and due to my symptoms, we could safely assume that I contracted it from him. Luckily, the three of us in the house are vaccinated, and my mother has not displayed any symptoms yet. Knowing that others have suffered much worse fates from the coronavirus, I consider the three of us extremely lucky. I’m currently hoping that we aren’t left with anything permanent, but at least for now, it seems that it won’t be fatal or debilitating. Unfortunately, I know others who can’t say the same.

Please stay safe. Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Social distance. Try not to go on unnecessary trips. We’re still in a pandemic.

[trustil]

Bulb boy part 1

BULB BOY PART 1 FULL

BULB BOY PART 1 LICENSE

It’s not long either, since it can easily be beaten within a couple of hours. Faint Illuminationīesides the weird situations and puzzles, the game’s narrative is not very interesting.

BULB BOY PART 1 FULL

It doesn’t feel forced or unnecessary, like the more action-based gameplay in Full Throttle. These variations on the gameplay are not all that exciting, but within the game’s context they make sense. The game mixes up the linear gameplay once in a while by offering time-based puzzles and instances that require multiple mouse clicks to simulate physical struggle. You follow a strict linear path that severely hinders exploration in an odd but fascinating setting, which is a shame. You only pick up a handful of objects throughout the game, and the puzzles, some would argue, are very easy. The streamlined nature of Bulb Boy is nice, since it helps the game’s pace, but it does take away some challenge and freedom. It takes out the monotonous guessing found in many point-and-clickers. It’s so streamlined, in fact, that items you pick up automatically vanish from your inventory when they’re no longer needed. It’s the definition of a modern, streamlined point-and-click game that focuses more on telling a story and less on exploring and puzzles. There is only one clear solution to the game’s simplistic puzzles, and only a small amount of environmental exploration. Straight Ahead Til Dawnīulb Boy plays like a standard, linear point-and-click adventure title you pick up objects and use them on things in the environment to progress. The game’s eerie atmosphere is a grotesque treat and definitely kept me playing to see what horrors I’d run into next. It’s foreboding, and its melodic tunes fit the game’s atmosphere like a glove. The game’s weirdness is complemented by dark, deep synth sounds with organs and low drum beats. It’s a great example of a game that uses its animation to make you care and empathize with a particular character. You start to feel bad for him, since he’s just a child. It’s all dark in tone, but manages to have some cuteness as well.īulb Boy is very expressive and will react fearfully if certain creatures act happy when he accomplishes a goal. You go up against spiders and black tentacled creatures and even enter the very essence of your grandfather to kill the darkness inside of him. You can inhabit corpses of dead creatures that give you new abilities. You fight a feces monster – cook and eat a deformed turkey monster – to give you a sense of the game’s aesthetic. It’s grotesque and macabre, very reminiscent of an Edmund McMillen game. The game is highly stylized – everything from the slick animations to the eerie soundtrack. It’s up to Bulb Boy to find his family and rescue his once humble abode from the darkness. Bulb Boy wakes up and realizes that his dog and grandpa are missing. While he sleeps, a large black cloud enters their home and starts taking taking over the house, giving life to creatures and inanimate objects. After a night of TV, Bulb Boy’s grandpa falls asleep so he decides to go to bed, too. It doesn’t take long before you realize that this strange adventure about a young Bulb Boy only gets stranger, and that this tale is over before you know it.īulb Boy lives in a house with his grandpa and dog.

BULB BOY PART 1 LICENSE

One-time license fee for play on account’s designated primary PS4™ system and other PS4™ systems when signed in with that account.Bulb Boy, by the aptly named studio Bulbware, is a weird but entertaining point-and-click game. Online features require an account and are subject to terms of service and applicable privacy policy (/terms-of-service & /privacy-policy). Software subject to license (us./softwarelicense). And don't forget to save your Grandpa-raffin and Mothdog from the frightening darkness. Solve puzzles, defeat wicked monsters and reveal bulby's abilities to unfold a twisted tale. Find light in yourself!īulb Boy is an award winning horror adventure about a boy with a glowing head (alright, it's a bulb.) inspired by Machinarium and Gobliiins. Gather the courage and use his glass head to save everything he loves. His family has disappeared and there are horrid monsters lurking in the shadows. One gloomy night, Bulb Boy wakes suddenly from a frightening nightmare to discover that evil has overshadowed the Bulbhouse.