#maned duck

[birds-that-screm]

Maned Duck (Chenonetta jubata)

© Andy Gee

[friend-through-teenage-nights]

Some of the birds I saw at WWT London Wetland Centre (just a few I could get good pictures of)!

Part 1

Carolina Duck (male and female).

African Yellow-Billed Duck

Cape Teal

Australian Wood Duck/ Maned Duck

Magpie Geese

[dovemoulins]

australian wood ducks , aka maned ducks! females are the ones with the lighter head and stripe on their face!!

[agi-creates]

Had these as a commission from a coworker as a baby shower gift. It is three 6-sided cubes, one inch wide, with a different animal on every side. Won't lie, it made my wrist hurt, but I think it turned out nice!

[chill-vibes-but-rainbow-panic]

I

I did it

PONY SPLATTER PHOENIX

(Prompt: Villain in your style - 60min)

[groovylittleclown]

I wanted to share these because I'm actually really proud of them!! (they look better from a distance)

Classic Duck!! I usually give him a white book that looks like a newspaper, but I've been considering switching to a piece of paper. I made him a while ago, and fixed him up before playing today.

Work Duck!! There were details I wanted to add but there weren't the right patterns for that, unfortunately. Like the shirt buttons or the lanyard. I made him today after meeting another dhmis fan!!

Family Duck!! I really wanted to add eyelashes to the other ducks after this because HE LOOKS SO GOODD!!!! I decided to throw this one in after the work duck!!

I wanted to make a duck covered in blood and bits from the healthy episode, because I'm a freak apparently, but I didn't feel like figuring it out!!

I remember spending waaaay too long on his wings/hands, but the shadow makes it so that I can't be seamless with it, oh well!!

Happy New Year btw!!

(ive just been editing this with any changes to the skins,,)

[maopll]

HSR HEADCANNONS

Dr. Ratio has a cupboard dedicated to all kinds of plushies, ranging from rubber ducks to merchandise of even Owlbert. Obviously, his most favourite and cherishable one is a handcrafted plush made from the softest is of...yours.

General Jing Yuan has a coat made from a lions mane. White hue akin the moonlight. He whispered to you "It is my most prized possession and...a very memorable one. Keep it for me in my stead"

Robin is actually a metal fan in case you didn't know. She has a series of dvds of Metallica, Black Sabbath, Linkin Park and many more. Oh and don't forget those gothic clothes that she is only willing to show to you.

Kafka composes pieces for you during the days she is feeling down or angry. This is just the way she pours her heart out. Perhaps you'd be willing to listen to her masterpieces.

Dan Heng has an album made up of all the moments spent in different regions, silly pictured of the whole Astral Express family, landscape photography, and yours in a certain corner solely for him and only him.

Blade being the girl dad he is, he always sends a portion of his allowances to Silver Wolf, Firefly and you. You all know it but you guys would rather keep it down. "We got more money for our next party night !!"

Sunday enjoys homecooked foods more than those of the fancy restaurants. The way you cook the steak has easily made its way to one of his all-time favourites. He enjoys cooking with you and for you.

Boothill has a tattered wallet about a few years old with torn leather and patches that he clumsily patched himself. Inside are two pictures. One of you and one of his late daughter. It had always been his dream to give his daughter another parent whom she'll have the most fun with. But sometimes dreams can stay as dreams.

guess who's back !

[wileys-russo]

fresa, climbing gym, let me down or so help me god

part of the solfresa universe with @girlgenius1111 solstråle i'm not a monkey II f.putellas x s.engen

fresa slid her phone into the pocket of her pants as she stepped inside the climbing gym, standing up on the tips of her toes to try and see over the swarm of taller bodies to spot her girlfriend.

the brunette frowned unable to see the familiar tattooed arms or mane of thick black hair she was seeking out, having only just hung up the phone with the norweigan seconds before arriving she knew solstråle was here somewhere.

"hello." at the sudden voice in her ear and hands on her hips fresa tensed, span and swung, her girlfriend with quick enough reflexes to duck as she did so, popping back up with a grin.

"don't do that! tonta." the shorter girl cursed, hitting the norweigans shoulder with a huff. "but it is so easy." solstråle teased, pulling her girlfriend in for a hug before she could protest.

"so. are you ready?" solstråle questioned as they pulled away, an arm settling over fresa's shoulder who smiled and waved hello to a few of the norweigans coworkers as she lead her further into the climbing gym.

"can i not just watch you amor?" fresa sighed, the other girl having been on her case for far too long now about giving climbing a try, something the spaniard knew solstråle held near and dear to her heart.

"no min kjære, we had a deal and you promised. if i went to get a facial with you, that you would try the easy wall at least." the taller girl reminded causing fresa to groan, forehead pressed into her chest.

"but the facial was so relaxing mi amor, and this is not relaxing!" the youngest putellas protested, but with the pleading look from her girlfriend she knew she couldn't fight it for much longer.

"bien. get me in a harness!" fresa exhaled heavily, cheeks warming as the girl beside her peppered them with kisses. "you know this is not the first time i have heard you request this, but not usually in public babe." solstråle mumbled teasingly, chest puffing out proudly at the blush with filled the younger girls face.

"idiota." none the less fresa couldn't help but let a small smile paint her face as her girlfriend grabbed her hand, leading her off to the side and grabbing out the right safety gear, talking the spaniard through every little pulley rope and piece of equipment she pulled out and clipped on.

safety tests completed and explaining each step at least three times, the younges putellas was stood at the bottom of what the norweigan claimed was the easiest wall, however looking up at how tall it was, fresa was not inclined to believe her.

"now, find your first foothole, and where it is comfortable for you to grab on with your dominant hand." the norweigan encouraged, a very tight grip on the ropes supporting her girlfriend who nodded, testing a few different positions.

"then you just repeat that, and make your way up!" solstråle pushed, fresa slowly, but surely, starting to progress a little higher up the wall.

"babe you're doing it!" the norweigan cheered, fresa easily over halfway up the wall now, but thats when she made the mistake of turning her head to grin at her girlfriend, and realised just how high off the ground she was.

"oh no." solstråle muttered, watching as fresa's whole body locked up and she clung onto the wall, the rope now tense in her hands, as she'd seen happen to the beginner climbers who used the gym time and time again.

"solstråle. let me down or so help me god-" fresa warned with a growl, normally tanned face near white as a ghost as she clung onto the wall for dear life, heartbeat thumping in her ears and voice laced with obvious panic.

"søtsaker-" "no! no charming norweigan. bájame, ahora!" fresa shook her head rapidly, almost losing her footing as she let out a squeal and scrambled to readjust herself as best she could, wishing she'd not been so stubborn about not putting the grip powder on her hands.

"i am not a monkey! i was not made for climbing engen!" the spaniard huffed, flaring her nostrils and glaring at the wall as if it was her girlfriends head.

"fresa, you can get yourself down, just go back the way you came!" the norweigan tried to explain, but all she was met with was a firm shake of her head no.

"okay...or you can let go of the wall and i will slowly lower you down and-" "no! estás loca?!"

which left only one other option.

"puedes hacerte cargo?" solstråle called over one of her coworkers, a few of them watching this unfold either with slight amusement or concern, the gym not long off closing as most its regular patrons had started to pack up their things.

"okay fresa. i am going to climb up, and help you down." the norweigan cupped her hands over her mouth and shouted up to fresa who could barely manage a nod, still glued to the wall as if her life depended on it and she wasn't a mere fifteen or so feet off the ground.

quite confident in her own climbing skills that if she could scale a cliff she she could make it up the junior wall unscathed the scandi didn't even bother with ropes, free climbing her way up in what felt like seconds to her and an eternity for fresa.

"okay. now, i am attaching your main rope to my belt-" solstråle quickly clipped and unclipped a thick caribener, looping it through both her and her girlfriends belts to connect them.

"-then you are going to let go and-" at those two words fresa furiously shook her head, knuckles white with how hard she was gripping the small plastic handholds.

"hey. i would never let you fall, just trust me." solstråle spoke softer this time, the spaniard hesitantly nodding, letting one shaky hand go as her girlfriend climbed across to shield her body with her own, fresa gripping onto her now with shallow panicked breaths.

"jeg har deg. du er trygg." the norweigans native tongue did its job to slightly calm fresa, who though she had no idea what her girlfriend said squeezed her eyes closed and hung on tightly, sol starting to abseil the two of them down the wall.

and considering fresa hadn't even made it halfway up, in a blink they were back down the bottom, the youngest putellas not breathing until her feet hit solid ground and her knees buckled, her girlfriend catching her limp body.

"you did it! for your first time that was pretty good." solstråle beamed once she'd quickly and expertly unclipped and unbuckled the harness and pulley rope system from her girlfriends waist, cupping her cheeks and pecking her lips with a grin.

fresa smiled sweetly but it didn't reach her eyes, her own hands placed on top of her girlfriends, carefully pulling them off and lowering them to her side.

but the heartfelt thank you you're my hero, never came from the shorter girl, fresa's mouth instead opening and unleashing a tongue lashing of colorful spanish.

most of which her girlfriend didn't understand while she was busy shielding herself where fresa smacked at her before shoving past and stomping away.

"what did she say?" solstråle cluelessly asked a huddle of her coworkers who watched on snickering, fresa grabbing her bag and making a beeline for the door as one of solstråles coworkers simply barked at her.

"means, you are in the doghouse amiga." another grinned as the norweigans eyes widened and she took off, trying to unclip her belt and nearly falling over her own feet as it hit the floor and she near sprinted after her hot heeled girlfriend who had apparently decided she was going to walk home.

"fresa? fresa? i will take you to brunch tomorrow? get your nails done? go for another facial? babe? i love you! did you hear me? kjæreste? i love you!"

[amourrs]

sub!ellie who’s addicted to the way you taste. never mind that you’re the more dominant one, because the power is still hers— she’s functionally turned you into a pillow princess with the way she drags your lace underwear down the plush skin of your thighs every time, bite marks indented and ridged into the soft skin as she cruises her tongue across the honeyed junction between your thigh and your hip before you push her head down, rough pad of her tongue circling your clit as you throw your head back and whine at the sensation. it’s not just the knowledge she’s making you feel good that gets her off, it’s the carding of your fingers through her hair, how the pads of them twirl around at her nape and tug until her vision clouds with sweet headiness at the twinge. it’s the way she can stay down there forever— like tonight, where she’s clamping her hands down to hold your thighs in place after your third orgasm. a salty tear traverses a path down the bridge of your nose and ellie takes a second to raise her face to your own, tongue darting out to lick it off you. a mumble of “such a good girl, love you,” escapes you and it’s got her grinding into the mattress as she ducks her head back down, resting the silken dome on your quivering thigh as she slides two fingers into you. a choked sob escapes your throat as she crooks them towards her— “el, fuck, don’t think i can do any more for you, baby, m’sorry—” but she shakes her head resolutely at your protests. “know you can— you always say i can, right? s’gonna feel sooo good, promise.” the fingers of her other hand come up to twine with yours, rubbing soothingly over your knuckles the same way your palm brushes her face to comfort her when you give her the same treatment, lips pressing sweet kisses over your hipbone until they trail their way back to your clit. you cry out at the sensation of her tongue working in tandem with her slender fingers, thighs tightening in a vice-like grip around her neck as you wind your spare hand into the tangled mane of her hair, catching on knots she doesn’t seem to notice as she continues her mission as if unhindered. it’s only when you’re completely spent and your palm pushes clamming at her forehead that you can finally untense your muscles, allowing blood to flow more freely as you loosen up, head slack on the pillow as ellie winds herself around you, soft kiss pressed to your cheek. “you were so—” she begins, tone teasing and cloying as you snap a glare in her direction. “watch it. or next time something’s getting fucked, it’ll be your ass.” the copper-haired menace recoils at once, hands clasped over the flesh of her backside as she finds her way to the bathroom to run you a hot bath— although you don’t miss the tentative look she throws your way as she takes her fingers away from her body to turn on the tap, the way they linger on her skin for a second as if wondering what the sensation would feel like, how her gaze fills with a rampant curiosity— until she catches you looking and abruptly turns away, busying herself with the bath salts. interesting. you file it away for next time with a grin. “babe! don’t forget the ass— i mean essential oils,” you call, taking delight in the resultant strawberry-red blush of ellie’s cheeks as she reaches to grab them from a higher shelf. next time, indeed.

[anyaboz]

The Mist Speaker Daemon was inspired by the feather pattern of the Long Tailed Duck.

Available in my shop Sunday May 18th at 12pm EDT.

It has a sodalite crystal heart. Its back stands about 7 inches tall and it has a coat of high quality faux. The mane is made up of meticulously layered strips of faux fur and feathers to achieve its “misty” appearance. The head, legs and ears are cast in resin that is very durable. The legs, neck, and tail have a plastic ball and socket armature inside that will not wear out over time, and the ears are attached with a ball joint that can pivot 360 degrees.

See how it was made on my Patreon!

[dootznbootz]

And then a lioness/snake, a swan, and a duck bring them home.

So a lion, a seal, and a ram walk into a bar...

[cherie-doll]

𓆩♡𓆪 Headcanon: Convincing Them To Get A Pet

⊱⊰ Price, Ghost, Soap, Gaz, Roach, Alejandro, Phillip Graves, Keegan, Hesh Walker, Logan Walker, König, Horangi, Nikto

Price

You kept bringing stray cats home

Every time you walk through the door, hands buried in the pockets of your tightly wrapped coat, John turns his head and asks "What've you got in there?"

"I don't know what you're talking about" and a meow can be heard coming from inside your coat

He makes you take it off to find a cat and her kittens snug and warm in the inner pockets

"They were cold..." you say sheepishly when he sighs

Ghost

He has to take care of you and now you want a pet??

Says he has enough on his plate with just you

You’re blowing up his phone sending him videos of animals or shoving the phone in his face

“Simon, Simon! Look at this! We should totally get one.”

“…That’s a spider. Why would you want that?”

Soap

He had also been wanting a pet for some time now, he had an exotic animal in mind until you got chickens

"...Are we going to eat it?"

"Johnny, no."

Now he has to wake up early and feed them every day when the sun rises to when the sun goes down

The chickens have grown on him and he's even named them, gets upset when you or someone jokes about eating them

Gaz

Is totally fine with any pet as long as it’s nothing too out of the ordinary, so you got bunnies

You'll let them roam around the house sometimes and Kyle hates when you do that because they tend to chew things and it's somehow always his things

Imagine Kyle falling asleep in your bed with the pink comforters and the adorable fluffy baby bunnies (yes i'm making a reference to that one tiktok)

Roach

Unfortunately for both of you, you are weak when it comes to animals

You’re both fawning over the cats and dogs in the animal shelter, cuddling with the baby goats at the local farm even if they’re chewing your clothes and head butting you

Together you’ve owned your weird assortment of pets; ducks, goats, spiders, snakes etc.

I headcanon Gary is a nerd when it comes to snakes and bugs

Alejandro

In the moment, you manage to convince him pretty easily, until you actually bring home the dog you wanted

Pretends he doesn’t like petting it or getting near it

Even curses when he has to get up at night to let it out for it to use the bathroom

But ofc within a month he’s totally smitten over your pit bull

Spends money on buying it nice collars and food, taking it out for a drive in his truck frequently

When cooking on the grill he always buys extra meat just for your dog

Phillip Graves

I like to think he has a soft spot for animals and agreed to going along with you when deciding what animal to adopt

What he didn't expect was to be pulling into a ranch and looking at horses

He expected to be looking at dogs or cats or a fish even

Now he's helping you muck out the stall for the beautiful pinto you bought

Helps brush her down and keep its mane and tail smooth to enter it in shows and competitions

Keegan

He knew you'd been wanting a pet for a while now because every time you visited someone who owned a pet you'd asked if you could play or pet them

You probably spent longer bonding with animals than with humans

Decided to surprise you with a talking parrot

Every now and then he'll teach it cute phrases like "I love you", the parrot will sometimes pick up some colorful language from Keegan

Hesh Walker

He caved in and originally thought of gifting you a pretty Siamese cat before thinking he'd like to play a little prank on you

As a joke, he gave you two rats, each with a pink bow on them

David would've started laughing if it weren't for you growing attached to them, eventually he did tell you he intended to buy you a cat

The rats were quite intelligent and learned tricks fast and frequently played games so both you and David decided to keep them and forget about the original plan of getting a cat

Logan Walker

He could never say no to you

However, you had owned a dog before, Logan wasn't fond of cats and you didn't want something like a lizard or a fish that would stay inside a tank all the time

The perfect opportunity came up when you had the chance to adopt a baby cow, a calf who had lost its mother

You both agreed, there was extra unused backyard space

The calf was named "Moonpie"

König

You really wanted a pet, but König couldn't understand why

"We already have a pet"

It was an iguana, which König already owned when you moved in with him

You weren't very fond of it because of an anecdote that occurred the first time you were over at König's place; you had seen a long tail in between the couch cushions and thinking it was a stuffed animal or a toy you pull at it only to see the iguana moving

It still freaks you out to this day when you remember how flaky and weird the scales felt

Horangi

He agreed and suggested he be the one to go pick out a pet from the shelter

You stood at the door when you heard his car ready to meet your new pet only to be met with a plastic container

Upon opening the box you're shocked to see he brought home a snake, he just snickers as he picks it up, holding it as the boa wraps around his arm biceps

"You wanted a pet, didn't you?"

Nikto

You had spent months trying to convince him to get a pet, to which he kept saying no to

"Come on Andre, a dog wouldn't be as bad as a kid"

He had no reaction other than just a grunt, but next time he came home from deployment he set a portable crate down

You rushed excitedly when you heard squeals thinking it was a puppy, after three weeks you notice the brownish fur begin to lighten and spots appearing

"Where did you say you got the dog from?''

"Did I ever say it was a dog?"

Post inspired by this cutie:

Everyone say "Thank you Corazòn"

[bunji-enthusiast]

Yarnaby's Runaway

request by @jessicawesker83, hello!! finally got this done, I really like doing this one.

The sudden jolt of waking up from an unsettling, cold sleep left you disoriented. The sterile, suffocating smell of the lab was overwhelming, and the blaring white lights overhead felt like a spotlight searching for something you couldn’t quite place. The last thing you remembered was being on a field trip with your classmates, touring a science museum—or was it a research facility? No, that didn’t seem right now. As your eyes opened fully, you realized the absence of any familiar faces. In fact, there was no one at all. The place was eerily quiet, only interrupted by the occasional hum of machinery and distant, unintelligible voices.

You tried to move but found your body sluggish, your muscles stiff, as though they had been frozen in time. Your breath quickened. Where am I?

You bolted upright, panic sinking in as the reality of the cold, metal surroundings hit you like a ton of bricks. Rows of metal tables lined the walls, covered in sheets and strange equipment you had never seen before. It wasn’t a field trip anymore. I need to get out of here.

Shakily, you pushed yourself to your feet, unsure of how you even ended up in such a place. As you made your way toward the exit, you felt the ground tremble beneath your feet—something large, something heavy, moving nearby. You instinctively ducked behind a table, eyes wide with fear. You heard the shuffle of footsteps, clumsy yet unmistakably large, growing nearer. 

Then, from the shadows, you saw it.

A massive, strange lion-like creature lay on a pile of discarded bodies. The sight made your stomach churn, a mix of confusion and disgust flooding your mind. The bodies—were they... human? Some still bore the remnants of clothing, others marked with deep gashes and wounds. It wasn’t the bodies themselves that caught your eye, though, but the creature sleeping atop them.

Its fur was unlike anything you had ever seen—vibrant, multicolored yarn that looked almost cartoonish. The creature’s mane, wild and untamed, was a garish blend of hues, stretching across the floor. And though it resembled a lion in size and shape, it had no tail. Instead, its limbs seemed to stretch and twist with every movement, its paws resembling the features of an old ragdoll, only much darker.

You hid behind the nearest table, your breath catching in your throat as you slowly realized that this thing, this monster, was the very reason you were here. You had been kidnapped. Taken, like all those who had disappeared. And now, it is coming for you.

You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to steady your breathing. You had to find a way out of here. Slowly, cautiously, you peered around the corner to see the creature stirring, sniffing the air with a soft, almost playful sound.

It sniffed the air again. A low growl rumbled from its throat, and its massive eyes flickered open. There was a strange innocence behind them, a playful gleam that didn’t match the bloodstained scene around it. Was it looking for me?

The creature’s nostrils flared as it sniffed again, its gaze now scanning the area. Slowly, it rose, its massive frame looming over the dead bodies, the yarn of its fur bristling as it moved. You froze, your heart pounding in your chest.

What do I do?

A shiver ran down your spine as the creature began moving toward you, its steps heavy and deliberate. Every inch of its monstrous form seemed to radiate an eerie calm, despite the death surrounding it. You couldn’t help but think that it wasn’t entirely bad, and wasn't fully malevolent in its intentions. It seemed almost... sad? No, you couldn’t think that way. Not now.

You swallowed hard, trying to steady your shaking hands. You didn’t have much time. You needed to move.

The creature’s gaze shifted, and you could feel it locking onto your position. It grinned, a wide, toothy grin that split its face in a way that wasn’t natural. Three sharp, triangular fangs jutted from its opening, a disturbing juxtaposition to the otherwise innocent look in its eyes. 

It’s coming. I need to hide.

But it was too late. As you tried to sneak away, a sharp paw shot out from the shadows, and the next thing you knew, you were on the cold floor, pinned down by the creature’s weight. Your scream caught in your throat as the creature’s massive claws dug into the ground next to you, its grin widening.

it purred, a low, gravelly hum. 

You struggled, panic flooding your body as you squirmed under the creature’s grasp. Its limbs were far stronger than you expected, and though it was playful, you could feel an unsettling sense of power in its every move. It was toying with you, like a cat with a mouse.

“You... you’re not going to eat me, right?” you gasped, trying to push against its heavy paw.

Yarnaby’s head tilted slightly, his massive, cartoony eyes narrowing as if considering your question. He mused the thought, though his head shifted, as if he were coherently saying no. 

Before you could respond, the creature scooped you up in one swift motion, lifting you as though you weighed nothing. It carried you through the dimly lit corridors, the sounds of your heartbeat pounding in your ears. As you were whisked past walls lined with strange symbols and flickering lights, you couldn’t help but notice the unsettling quiet that seemed to hang in the air. Where were the others? Had they escaped, or...?

The answer came in the form of another disturbing sight—this one much worse. The farther you went, the more you saw the true horror of this place. The experiments. The dark, twisted creations of the Doctor. It was clear now. You weren’t in a research facility anymore. You were in a prison.

The last thing you saw before being thrown into a cold, dark cell was Yarnaby’s eyes—a mixture of sorrow and the distant echoes of something long forgotten. You didn’t know what it was about the creature that made you feel both terrified and sorry for it at the same time.

As you slumped against the cold metal bars, a distant voice echoed from behind you.

“Yarnaby,” the voice said, cold and calculating, “bring it here.”

Yarnaby looked down at you with those big, innocent eyes once more, his grin softening for the briefest of moments.

The creature stepped back, giving you a little more space before his monstrous grin reappeared.

As if he truly spoke, the thought hadn’t escaped your mind. ‘Doctor will fix you soon’ 

Yarnaby whimpered softly, before turning away. 

But even as you were left in the cold dark, you couldn’t shake the feeling that Yarnaby wasn’t like the others. There was something different about him. Something more... human.

And though you were trapped in this nightmare, deep down, you knew he was, in some strange, twisted way, a protector.

At least, that’s what the jingle of his name told you.

[dovemoulins]

female australian (maned) wood duck....she was not happy about my presence

that nictitating membrane doe 😍😍😍😍

[lostintransist]

Dying By Your Side

CW: Death off screen, grief, final goodbyes.

Kyle/GN!Dying!Reader

@miss-vanta-likes-to-write and @skeletonsucker are gonna spit roast me for this one but 😘

AO3

Shout out to @/thecutestgrotto for the cute dividers!

Kyle hadn’t left your side in three months. Each day the love of his life slipped further under death’s cloak.

Cancer.

Brain cancer of all things; his love, the smartest person he knew, going down to inoperable brain cancer felt like getting dragged face-first against a canyon wall while hanging from a helicopter. Price and Laswell had approved his leave the moment he requested it. He had never needed to use his time off before and had quite a build-up.

He went to every doctor’s appointment and knew which meds were given when and for what. Kyle made friends with all the nurses at the infusion clinic and chatted with all the doctors about how best to care for you. Love would never be a strong enough word to encompass the devotion Kyle held for the love of his life, you.

The call came an hour after the hospice nurse had left. Your decision, after a scan had shown that the tumor had grown despite treatment, had been to let life run its course.

“Love,” Kyle kissed the back of your hand, “I’m a bit horrified to hear what you will go through as you die.”

“I’m not,” you chuckled, “sounds like I won’t be conscious for much of it.”

Stretching your tired body forward you pressed a kiss to his cheek.

That precious moment, the time suspended between them, dissipated with the harsh ringtone that heralded a work call.

Kyle’s head snapped to stare at his pocket.

“They can’t be fucking serious right now.”

You have never heard the flavor of hate from Kyle’s tongue. You soothed it with a caress to his arm.

“They know what’s happening, if they are calling they must be desperate.”

“I’m desperate for them to leave me alone,” he growled as he angrily swiped to accept the call. “Garrick.”

You had never seen your lover go pale before. Color leeched from his sun-blessed face. While dying without the love of your life scared you, you knew that keeping Kyle by your side would doom the world you left behind.

Tears lined his eyes as he ended the call.

“It’s bad. Most of the 141 are already down. Six of our specialized teams all nursing injuries that they might not come back from.” Kyle gripped his phone so tight it creaked.

This would be your final gift to him, the blessed release of guilt from his too-burdened shoulders.

“I will wait for you, but on the off chance I can’t? We can say our goodbyes before you go.” Sliding your fingers between his you marvel at the shades, tones, values that exist between your shared touch. “How long?”

His voice broke as he answered, “Two days.”

Pulling his hand trapped in yours to your lips you press a blessing and a plea to his knuckles.

“Well then, my love, take me home so we can say goodbye.”

You watched him leave from your place in bed; your great-grandmother was standing in the corner. You won’t last.

Kyle turned back at the door, taking in your face, before ducking through the frame. He didn’t return. Your strength, will to fight and cling to life, leave with him.

Your aunt arrived soon after Kyle departed. Before the darkness of your eyelids became your last sight you asked for a pen and paper. Her sadness reflected what you knew deeper than your bones. Time was up.

Sixteen days on the fucking job. Kyle slept a total of 20 hours, maybe. Even with his core team and the two auxiliary 141 teams still available it took a cup of hen’s teeth and a unicorn’s mane to get everything handled without losing anyone.

His knee didn’t stop bouncing the entire flight home. Even Soap, who is normally the most fidgety, commented on it.

“We’ll be there soon, Gaz.”

“Not soon enough,” he muttered, knees never pausing.

When the doors opened Kyle didn’t even wait for them to stop moving before he was through. Soap and Price followed more sedately. They slammed chest to back into Kyle. He stood, statue still, staring at your aunt who stood talking with Kate.

“No, no, no!”

The keening cry of mourning stretched until it snapped. All his strength fled and Kyle landed on the tarmac, sobbing harder than any torture could call forth. Soap, his best friend, stripped him of his pack before lifting him from the ground. Kyle would be told later that Ghost, his lieutenant, carried his pack and Price spoke to Kate and your aunt. You had left him a letter and most of your things in your will.

You were gone before he had jumped from the back of the plane; buried as he sent let others’ lifeblood water the earth.

Kyle haunted the base as a specter for weeks. He kept your letter in a plastic bag and on his person at all times. It didn’t open. The idea of reading your final words, the last connection to you, stared at him like Schrodinger’s cat from the depths of the forbidden box. The eye shine in the dark neither confirmed nor denied the existence of life.

On the eve of his next mission, Kyle sought out Soap. He found him sketching in the common room.

“Tav,” Kyle sat gingerly on the couch. “I need your help.”

Soap set his charcoal stick in its case and closed his book as he sat upright. “Anything.”

At the familiar sight of Kyle’s name in your handwriting, Soap snatched up a rag and began scouring his fingers clean.

“Can you—” Kyle paused, choked with grief.

“Of course, once I’m clean,” Soap scrubbed quickly.

Kyle’s lip trembled as he waited. With a gentleness he had only witnessed from his friend when disarming a bomb Kyle watched as the letter left the bag, confirming you as dead as a cat in a box. Suffocation does that.

“Kyle,” Soap started slowly, reading the next line before saying it aloud. “Turns out I couldn’t keep my promise—my heart and strength left with you.” Soap paused, coughing wetly into a fist before settling his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “I love you. One last thing to capstone our time together, take it as a command from the beyond.” Soap let out a pained, shuddering breath, “When breathing doesn’t feel like wading through glass, find someone who makes you happy.”

Kyle listened past his quiet sobs as Soap sucked in a breath and laughed. “They were a feisty one, I’m sad I never got to meet ‘em.”

“What does it say?” The whisper burned like whiskey in his wounds.

“I’ll haunt your ass if you stay sad and single. Don’t test me, Kyle. We both know I’d do it.”

Both men laughed in grief shared, not to ease the burden but to share the pain.

Sniffling, Soap continued, “Know when my chest stops rattling, I leave all my love here with you. You were my once-in-a-lifetime love, thank you for being mine and showing me to the end with kindness and the best orgasms I’ve ever had.”

Kyle flipped off his best friend without looking. He knew Soap was giving him a look. Soap laughed and continued your letter.

“Let your heart lead but listen to your head, they both have valid points. Make the choices you can live and die with.

I’ll be in the wind that touches your shoulder at your wedding and in the rain that falls as you take your first baby home. When it’s time you’ll hear me, and this time I’ll get to show you the ropes. With all my love,” Soap’s voice faded out as he pulled Kyle close.

Kyle’s weeping and Soap’s sniffles reached you in the afterlife. You blew a kiss through the ether to your love. He would find peace eventually; you already had someone perfect for him lined up.

Masterlist | Taglist

[woso-dreamzzz]

Surgery VII

Mapi Leon x Ingrid Engen x Child!Reader

Summary: You get in trouble

"Have to be quiet," You whisper as you clip Bagheera's harness on.

It was one of the first things your Mami taught you when you were little.

Bagheera mews at you as you pick her up, pushing her into your backpack. You zip it up but still leave a bit of it open so she can breathe in fresh air. That was another thing Mami taught you.

Animals must have little holes in so they can breathe but not big enough holes that they can escape.

"I've got it, cub," Ingrid says, reaching for your bag but you push her hand away.

"I'm a big girl," You tell her, pulling your backpack on all by yourself," Can carry it myself."

Ingrid laughs, fondly ruffling your mane. "Look at you," She says," So grown up."

"I know."

Your bag is a little heavier than usual but you're very determined. You think if you can prove that you can look after Bagheera by yourself than Ingrid will finally take you to the shelter so you can get your own cat.

"Whoa," Mami laughs as you get out of the car with your backpack," Look at you go, cub. So independent all of a sudden."

"I'm a big girl," You tell Mami just like you told Ingrid.

"Don't grow up too fast," Mami says," Or you'll have to move out soon."

You give her a deadpan stare. "Don't be silly, Mami."

You run off after that. You know Mami and Ingrid are going straight to the field so you duck around the corner and pull Bagheera out of your bag.

She mews at you a few times as you finally work out how to clip her leash to your little belt loops. That means she can't wander off without you.

You're very proud of yourself as you make your way into the locker room, chest puffed out.

"Oh, cub," Patri groans with a little laugh," What have you done?"

You frown. "Nothing!"

"Having the cat doesn't look like nothing," Patri says, very pointedly looking at Bagheera."

"We're having a day out!" You announce," So Ingrid knows I can have a ginger cat too!"

Patri full on laughs now. "You're very sneaky. How did you manage to pull this off?"

"I'm mature," You insist," And me and Bagheera are friends!"

"Come on," Patri says," Let's go to the pitch and see what your mums think of this."

"I want a ginger cat," You say as Patri escorts you to the pitch," And I want it to have a proper tail. Bagheera's got a stumpy tail. I want my cat to have a proper one."

"Cub!" Ingrid's voice yells across the pitch and you instantly know you're in trouble. Ingrid doesn't use that voice a lot with you, her grumpy in trouble voice but she's using it on you now. "Why is Bagheera here?!"

Mami looks angry too, arms crossed over her chest and Patri pushes you forward.

"Tell them what you told me."

You take a big breath. "Showing that I can have a cat too."

"Cub," Ingrid says sternly and you wilt.

You sniffle a little as your throat goes all tight like it does when you're about to cry. "I really want a cat, Mama," You say morosely, digging the tip of your shoe into the ground," Just trying to prove I can look after one."

Ingrid massages her temple in annoyance.

"Cub," Mami says sternly," What you've done is very, very naughty. Do you understand that?"

"Sorry, Mami."

"Very naughty," Mami insists," You could have gotten Bagheera very hurt."

"Sorry."

She takes your hand and leads you over to the corner of the pitch, turning you around so you can't see the rest of the team.

"You're four years old now so that means four minutes in time out. Sit here and think about what you've done."

"I'm sorry, Mami!"

"I know but you're still going in timeout."

Mami doesn't take Bagheera from you and she curls up on your lap as you sit there.

You know you sit there for four minutes but it feels like a lot longer until Mami and Ingrid come over.

They sit in front of you.

"You were very, very naughty," Ingrid says to you," Not telling us you took Bagheera could have gotten her very hurt. Do you understand that?"

You nod.

"That wasn't very responsible," She continues," And it doesn't make me think you deserve a cat of your own."

You burst into tears. "I'm sorry, Mama! I was gonna look after her promise!"

You turn your bag upside down and shake it.

Treats for Bagheera fall out as well as a bottle of water and the collapsible bowl you use for Bagheera's beach trips. You've got a blanket too and toys for if she gets bored.

"Oh, cub," Mami says as she looks at everything.

"Left my bag a little bit open so she could breathe," You insist," And made sure it didn't fall in the car!"

Ingrid still looks mad though. "Cub," She says," Bagheera is a very special part of the family. She might have been scared all alone in your bag, did you think of that?"

You shake your head. "I'm sorry." All you can do is keep apologising.

"I can see that but it was still very naughty of you. Do you understand why?"

You nod.

"Why?"

"'Cause Bagheera could have gotten hurt and I should have told you and Mami."

"Well done for saying sorry," Ingrid says eventually," And well done for knowing what you did was wrong. You did a good job in making sure to pack everything Bagheera will need today."

"We can't do much now that Bagheera is here," Mami continues," So you'll have to take care of her today."

You nod. "I will, Mami."

"And when we get home, we'll discuss your own cat," Ingrid says.