#mildly angsty

[dukeoftheblackstar]

ѕαтυяиιиє || ρℓσ кσσи χ fєм!яєα∂єя

Dividers by Saradika

I was supposed to make something smutty, but then it didn't go so well and then it went okay and now it's out of the WIP furnace, I can sleep.

“Don’t..” 

It was all you needed to keep your eyes closed and the room vehemently dark. You didn’t particularly like it, but there you were, drawing your hand back over your chest before you could even reach for the lamp. You could tell it was one of those nights Plo wanted something he could never bring himself to ask nor speak of. Nights when he’d come from a grueling mission that left him doubtful even through numerous hours of meditation and decompression with the other Jedi Masters; nights when words fail even the most eloquent and wise Kel Dor that he’d come to you unannounced to be something that is not of a Jedi — himself.

Plo had already broken his vow of celibacy when he had met you and it had been even more of a constant struggle to manage a certain emotion that he knew well within himself should not be a difficult task. Plo never once was plagued with the need to temper insecurities or jealousy for that matter, they were insignificant negativities that hardly impacted his role as a Master Jedi.

It would not deter him from  being a remarkable pilot or an exemplary swordsman, nor will it tarnish the depth of connection he has to the force knowing he had, if not perfected, neutralized an unbreakable hold of his emotions to not let it cloud his judgment. Surely if he could have harnessed such power to procure control over his Electric Judgment, mere jealousy would be of no match… yes?

But he had seen you days before he had finally landed the interceptor a walk away from your humble abode. He had seen you so full of mirth and without a care in the world as you danced and twirled, and cheered, and sang, and laughed, and smiled with the locals celebrating some sort of festivities that he wasn’t even made aware of. He had seen you bask in the glory of peace and though his heart swells at the sight of you safe and sound, merry and perhaps having the time of your life, he couldn’t rid the darkness that pooled within him in the form of envy. 

Vicious, vicious envy caressing him like the mistress of hate that had taken form in that very man you had allowed to touch you so closely, so intimately. He had spent hours of meditation to rid the image of how he had held you in his arms as you danced and sang, and twirled, and laughed, and smiled. Hours indulging his fellow Jedi for a bout or two, had hovered over the designated docking area for the interceptor but opted to leave with an even heavier heart.

He couldn’t bring himself to speak to the Grand Master either for reasons he knew he should be able to handle this with the grace of a Master Jedi and one of his experiences. And so he did; he had kept himself away for days when he had been granted time to tend to ‘personal matters’ to retain a sound mind for when he would be called for business. He had also elected to keep your messages unread and your calls declined — all at the expense of satiating both conditions ; to be sound as a Master Jedi and to be sound as a beloved who would not be in any way unreasonable, confrontational, and untrusting. After all, it was just a dance … right?

A meager dance with his fingers laced between your delicate digits, your eyes sparkling with unabashed bliss as you laughed at everything he said, smiled at every turn and twirl with your forehead against his and your body so firmly in place against him.

An inconsequential matter that should not have his own fists balled up under his sleeves as he listened to his commander reprimand the chaos of Boost and Sinker arguing over proper bathing etiquette while Comet and Warthog heartily cheered ‘brawl’ repeatedly. A minute happenstance that should not even qualify as a problem but it has. 

And so it brings us to the current. 

“Plo, what’s wro —”

You drew breath from the deepest recesses of your lungs, pitched and rapt with unexpected pleasure as you felt a pair of talon-clad fingers press against the sweet bud nestled between your folds. Your voice shakes and you silently curse how wet he had made you with just a press as if you were some switch that activated a harem of whores begging for a fuck. He hadn’t even moved the slightest, but you could feel the rough hide of his fingers caress you in short, circular motions, parting to spread your folds not even by much to let his fingers slide down, but enough to make you whimper a little.

You knew something was wrong by how he had chosen to touch you but not dare look at you. He had always been one to tell you how beautiful you look, how your lips beckon him even in silence, and how your eyes illuminate the darkest of his nights when lost and uncertain. He had always kept the light on; always looked down at you when you writhe under his touch and begged him to fuck you as raw and unbridled as possible, knowing the next may never be certain.

He’d always trace the contours of your face from the bridge of your nose to the curves of your lips, from the arches of your brows to the spans of your jaw, and from the column of your throat to the dip between your clavicles before he’d ask — no, beg; beg so desperately to touch you as if you were some fragile little thing that would break under the size of his hands and the sharpness of his spurs.

You shudder under the cold, stannic mask grazing along your thigh and you could hear the slight whirr you’ve come to love, knowing it was how his breath had gone heavy as yours. You’ve memorized every ridge and texture, every camber and cavity, every point and tube that has roamed your body many times over your skin but never often there. 

Not because he didn’t want to, but because he couldn’t for reasons so valid you’ve forgotten it ever existed — it being the feel of his mouth or tongue that was hardly permitted to kiss you on the lips more so down south, it being how beyond comprehensible it felt when he’d go down you, and the fact that Plo Koon is indeed, a pussy-eating champ that would leave the both of you literally breathless. 

“Plo, are you al— Fuck.” 

He had descended to daub along the stripe of your cunt until you were fully glossed with arousal, bestowing upon him a web of intimacy between his fingers. You feel his touch briefly part and the whirring heightens as the mask, too, had abandoned your thigh. Plo Koon grunts as his talons bury onto your calf, complying with the unspoken request to spread yourself more for him. And so you do, you lift your knees and part to the stance that had made the mattress sink further to his comfort and his grip firm on each leg.

The spurs of his mask prod at your thigh for a moment as if to distract you from the cold, viscous, hardness of his rebreather smearing over your flesh until he had pressed his rebreather in between. Your legs closed abruptly and swift that even Plo didn’t anticipate the sudden clamp. But before you could mutter an apology, he had brought one leg down with his hand and blocked the other, hooking it slightly elevated over his shoulder.

He pressed his mask further into you, nuzzling and rubbing the metallic device all over, parting your folds and dragging every groove up and all over. You writhe and arch your body up, peaks attentive should they be given the attention they so desperately crave beneath your shirt. Hands balled on each side with blankets scrunched between your fingers, pulling one off by a corner. You moan and whimper, hips lifted swung left to right only to be stilled back down and be slipped two fingers in, ruthlessly pumping with abandon you swore it was laced with animosity. 

Plo had focused his rebreather between your folds and right over your clit, turning and tossing his head lightly as he fervently fucked you with his fingers, one curling after the other inside you. You propped yourself on your elbows as if it would do you any good, but all it did was reel you back into the bed and have you rake and pull your hair back as your hips sank onto the bed and your chest arch to the heavens. 

Your breath ragged and desperate, toes curling as you felt your walls constrict. You were so wet with shame that you’ve come apart so ungracefully onto him, so.. prematurely without even a fight.

He stopped when you did — fingers steady inside and his mask slowly pulled away. You can feel yourself drip from his mask and onto your leg. You can hear his mask whirr louder for a moment and feel the rustling of the blankets as he wiped his mask clean with it. Panting, you apologize and beg him to come up and hold you. You tried to ask what troubles him as his fingers slipped out gently and lathered the stripe of your pussy with your own slick before you sensed him dismount the bed quietly. 

You hear a loud whizz and locks unclipping. Then footsteps and the chime-like sound the antiox mask made when he’d hook it over a specialized stand when he would clean the filters or tweak the seals. You’d expect the room to pump Dorin gas any minute and you were ready to reach into your side of the bed and take out a smaller version of a mask you’ve made for yourself as a present so he could undo his mask when he’d have the time to visit. 

You turned to reach for the nightstand, but he had pulled you back to the center of the bed as he mounted your shared cot. Plo had pulled you by the hips high up over his lap and folded your legs until your knees touched the pillow underneath your head. 

“I saw you..” Came Plo’s sullen response, his voice soft and barely audible without the mask. It wasn’t velvet sweet or sultry deep, it was neither arousing nor hypnotic — rather it was as real as he could possibly make it so. He would have to scream for you to hear him and you heard him. You heard him scream how he had seen you and it didn’t take long for you to realize that it truly was him flying over during the festival. You felt it in you that day and instead of rushing home, you danced and sang, and cheered, and laughed, and smiled — you were so drawn by the crowd and the music that you turned not to meet him, but meet him.

“Happyier.”

It wasn’t an argument, let alone a conversation — mainly because he wouldn’t let you speak. Not when he had dragged his tongue from the very pinnacle of the back of your pussy to the very peak of your clit with the thickness of his tongue and the deliberate slowness of his stride without ever disconnecting the touch. He lugged his tongue back in the same fashion; slithering back all the way back ensuring no crevice nor flesh left untainted while you stammer and desperately explain yourself that it was harmless fun.

You were panting when he stopped. Chest heavy with confusion and unexpected guilt as if you’ve committed such a crime that you wonder if it is unlawful for a Kel Dor’s partner to be seen dancing or embracing another man — considering they have such a peculiar law against theft.

You force your quivering voice to make your point, explaining how it meant nothing and it was truly, truly, just happenstance that the man was there for the dance. But you couldn’t, not when he had lapped at your pussy with such vigor and quickened flicks while both his hands took purchase of your breasts with such roughness and aggression you were starting to believe that it had truly, truly upset him — no, infuriated him.

“Betrayal” was all you heard, but you can feel how loud he had shouted — how loud he wanted to be for you to hear him. 

You feel him hover more as his hands grip at your hip, allowing one leg to fall before shoving himself head to hilt without warning. He pulls you steady, anchoring himself with every thrust that deliberately disentangles himself from you only to plunge himself all the way back to the hilt. 

You groan in pain, not so much the pleasure. He bottoms you out rough enough to make you cry and reach out to push him, but only for a while. Plo had rarely been anything but kind and sweet that it was starting to feel like a well-deserved punishment. You sniffle and grunt in agony until you finally manage to speak. 

“Plo, it hurts…” You’d say softly that it sounded more like an apology. Not because you should, but because he couldn’t. He couldn’t apologize for something he is yet to understand. And it wasn’t that he couldn’t comprehend the concept of envy, but because he couldn’t calibrate himself to a level of understanding said emotion as a Jedi should — not one to suppress or indulge, but one to manage and neutralize. 

Plo Koon pulled away and once more dismounted the bed. You hear him pace in the dark and reattach his mask with a loud hiss and a few clicks. A sigh soon followed — resigned and troubled; followed by a shift of weight on the mattress as he sits by the edge of the bed.

“I am.. old.” He would say with an equally pliant huff.

“You are.” You’d smile. Biting the urge to laugh as you test the waters of his mood.

“Obstinate.”

“Mhm.”

“Disconsolate.” 

“I don’t know what that means, my love, but yes.” Came your response that merited a small chuckle from your beloved, currently sullen and stressed Kel Dor lover.

“Captious, perhaps?” Replied a much calmer Plo Koon. The warmth of his hand over your calf meriting another smile and ease in your chest.

“Sure, my love.” You giggle, clearing your throat in mock remorse. His hand moving further up the back of your knee.

“Saturnine.” Came another as he positioned himself knelt between legs he’d lift by the back of your knee and part very gently. 

“Oh, so we’re just making up words now?” You teased, propped on your elbow and slightly sat up.

“Old and cranky.” You hear him chuckle, followed by the cold touch of his mask on your forehead, then at the tip of your nose, your chin, the column of your neck, and down to your shoulder, pushing you back onto the bed.

“Sounds about ri—(ght).” You groan, feeling him hard between your thighs with one hand by the side of your head and the other wrapped around his cock. You hear him grunt at the slightest contact of his engorged head slip between your folds with each stroke. 

“Mine?” Plo would ask, once more barely above a whisper — that of a plea to hear no other word than ‘yes’.

“N.. Not… Not yet…” Your voice trembles, reaching to place upon fingers on each shoulder as if to brace yourself knowing fully what was about to come. And ‘come’ it came.

Plo slid himself slowly inside, only to pull and angle himself so the engorged head of his cock would dip and slip out with a wet pop a few times, knowing how flustered it makes you to hear yourself so damn wet for him. You whine in complaint as he purposely timed himself to move away when you tried to sink down on him. You harrumphed and he’d titter, reaching to flick the lights on. 

You wince and blink, trying to acclimate your sight from the darkness that surrounded you hours ago.

“Beautiful.” He’d say. “And now?” 

“Spirits, yes!”

Whether it was your answer to his question or the fact that had just plunged himself all the way to the very hilt, lifted your leg up over his shoulder, angled himself to strike that deliciously sweet spot of yours that made you moan like a proper bitch in heat than the elegant lover of this seasoned, saturnine Master Jedi, we may never know.

We do, but you know — cue dramatic effects.

[toxic-potions-productions]

His creation day is gonna feel a little lonely this year

But, just keep that smile up. It’s what Dorky would want. Besides, everyone else is there for you, so just because it might feel lonely doesn’t mean you’re alone

Happy creation day, Accurate. You’ve really come so far as a character 💙

[allyricas]

there's just something so delicious about friends-to enemies-to lovers

barely teenage steve and eddie who have a devastating end to what they both thought would be a forever friendship. maybe it's a misunderstanding or maybe it's just teenage angst that felt impossible to fix in the moment.

but i am feral over the idea that the only reason steve ever became 'king steve' strutting around with tommy and carol with his aloof, semi-mean girl attitude was because of the falling out with eddie. that he did it so he didn't feel so much hurt over it. still has no idea what he did to make eddie suddenly hate him.

same with eddie. he definitely liked metal and nerdy shit all along, but maybe he only leaned into the whole 'forced conformity, it's what's killing the kids' freak persona to guard himself. as armor. because he fucking misses steve as much as he hates him. so he glares and makes snarky comments. finds his solace in DnD and his band.

they fight with words and shoulder shoves in the hallway. each of them too proud to ever talk it out and fix things. to the point that their peers don't remember that steve and eddie used to be inseparable. everyone but steve and eddie forget the obvious affection and closeness they once shared.

it takes a bunch of freshmen to put them back into each other's orbit.

it takes the upside down, a dead cheerleader and an evil wizard for them to actually get along again.

because steve is meant to hate eddie but the moment he sees the trailer and hears the word 'murder' he feels like he might throw up.

Please, god, not eddie.

only to find out he supposedly murdered chrissy cunningham. despite all the animosity between the two of them, steve knows in his soul that eddie would never kill anyone.

even when he's against a wall with sharp glass pressed to his neck, heart racing as he looks into the eyes he tries not to think about, steve knows that eddie won't actually hurt him.

steve has the urge to stay with eddie at the lake house and make sure nothing else happens to him. instead, he stops forcing himself to be an asshole towards eddie. it's exhausting and he's never truly meant it anyways. the upside-down shit is threatening the one person he hoped would never be a part of it.

it takes eddie watching steve get pulled under lover's lake and attacked by demon bats to realize that the biggest misunderstanding was of his own thirteen year old self's feelings. that he could've lost steve and he'd have never even told him the truth of why he let their friendship implode over such a ridiculous misunderstanding.

that he wanted more than friendship and that scared the hell out of him at thirteen.

he sees steve bleeding and throwing himself into danger over and over. realizes that yeah, steve harrington is a good guy. his own personal munson doctrine is fundamentally flawed and untrustworthy and he's in love with this stupidly brave man, maybe since forever.

make him pay means i'm sorry, i love you, please be safe, come back.

it takes eddie nearly dying and his steve carrying him out of hell for eddie to realize that steve never hated him either. that what eddie always views as aloofness and superiority was hurt and steve trying to deal. regardless of whatever lays in the past, steve holds him together with his hands and begs eddie to stay. whispers that he loves him, always has loved him, always will love him.

eddie thinks about all the years they lost due to teenage angst and fear. fights to keep his eyes open and stay, because steve his sobbing and begging him not to go.

and when eddie finally wakes up in the hospital, it's steve and uncle wayne next to him. steve won't leave his side, maybe ever again. neither of them with any desire to ever look at each other with anything but love.

[dawnbreakersgaze]

Her Sunrise 🌄 Her Dawnbreaker

Ever since the very first time I read Still in Dark, the detail of Zayne being covered in scars from fighting wanderers/abominations has sat so heavy on my heart. Because you know that poor man hasn't been getting any professional medical help. Much like Xavier, he's just riding those injuries out, only unlike Xav, he's not blessed with a body that heals itself with relative ease.

This particular 'moment' is from a fic I'm still formatting in my head, that will hopefully see the light of day soon. His expression is a reflection of your own when you realize just how much he's been through. Our poor little meow meow 😩

My desire to bring this man into my arms and shield him from everything overwhelms me sometimes, and today I sat consumed with the desire to do just that, so instead of doing all my other obligations I did... this. Lol.

[daily-streber]

Messing around with AU designs :}

First one is a swap on roles in the Sweet Specter AU (I'll call it SpecterSwap for short lol)

And the second is my take on a candied Kevin!

[transmasccofee]

Kuusuke and Kusuo getting into a fight and Kuusuke, expecting Kusuo to dodge since that’s what he did when they were kids, goes to punch him in the face, but bc he’s wearing his limiter he actually lands it.

[kaeyachi]

Pyromaniac Kaeya instead of Pyrophobic Kaeya HC for everyone's consideration:

- Young Kaeya who saw fire and just went "light pretty". His birth father scrambling every time to keep Kaeya from touching open flames

- soon found out how to make fire on his own and now his father is scrambling to stop him from doing so

- hates rain coz no fire! >:( Oh, and his father left him in the rain, right. But mostly coz of no fire!! >:(((((

- ...his father actually waited for a storm to make sure no fire occurred when he left Kaeya

- Crepus approaches a shivering child in the storm, and the child just reaches for him. Turns out Kaeya thought his hair was fire and wanted to touch

- When Kaeya woke up in a warm bed and saw the color red, he thought he died and went to Celestia somehow, turns out it was just a young Diluc staring at him too closely oops

- Kaeya is so envious! He really wants red hair too! (to look more like a Ragnvindr, he swears!)

- When waking up early, he goes to Adelinde to watch her cook food on preeetttyyy fffiiirrreeee

- Started a vineyard fire once. Good thing the staff saw on time before it could do any damage. He wasn't scolded too heavily, but he felt really bad after scaring everyone, and tbh that is the only reason Dawn Winery stands to this day (with several close calls)

- Kaeya, after Diluc got his pyro vision,  enjoyed the fire when they were fighting side by side

- He'd stick really close to Diluc while fighting to the point that Diluc actually subconsciously learned to make his fire avoid Kaeya

- Diluc had to purposely will his fire to aim at Kaeya in their fight :(((

- Diluc is horrified because he sees Kaeya stare straight at the fire unflinchingly :(((

- Kaeya gets his vision, and he finally realizes it was actually raining because suddenly it feels very very cold. Damn he really hates the rain

- he actually wished it were a pyro vision instead and thought that being given a cryo vision was just punishment and added suffering

- for the short time Kaeya stayed in the Dawn Winery while Diluc was away, he actually sat dangerously close to the fireplace. It worried Adelinde and Elzer who kept a careful eye on him

- in his own room in the KOF dormitories, he'd hold onto Diluc's vision to keep himself warm- the underlying power of pyro making him feel safe and happy

- when Diluc's vision started flickering, Kaeya went on a panic. He's scared the fire would be gone forever. Thankfully it ended up ok after a couple of hours, but he hid Diluc's vision on him for a while instead of leaving it in his room

- He was a bit bitter to be parted with said vision when Diluc returned. He decided to be a bit more extra annoying with how he gave the vision back to Diluc out of spite (thru an ugly vase)

- he unfortunately got so used to keeping Diluc's vision near him in his sleep that he ended up having a hard time sleeping for a while in its absence

- No one in the knights realized he's a pyromaniac. They figured he's ok with going near open flames because Diluc had a pyro vision and that since he's a cryo user, he can easily smother the flames when he fights pyro enemies

-Sometimes, he'd start fires himself and throw it onto enemies. The knights just thought "oh hey! A self-made melt reaction! Sir Kaeya is so cool-"

- Jean only realized after giving Kaeya babysitting duty to Klee for the first time. They came back with several reformed landscapes, a large basket of dead fish, and faint sounds of people screaming. Kaeya looked absolutely deranged, grinning ear to ear, with sparkles in his eyes, while carrying Klee, who was equally ecstatic

- "Oh no, what have I done." said Jean in horror after realizing the effects of making Kaeya babysit Klee

- kaeya argued with Jean over him spending time with Klee ( Kaeya somewhat won the argument? But he was told that no major damage should happen under his watch or else no Klee time. Good thing he had a cryo vision then)

- He made Klee her handbook as a guide for when and where they could do explosions. Time to teach his little pyromaniac partner the art of cunning.

- Rosaria figured out he likes fire and passes him the lighter to light up her cigarettes. She ended up gifting him a lighter soon after

- Kaeya has some business late at night sometimes, and that gives him the opportunity to watch the darknight hero in action, which means more fire!

- Diluc realizes that Kaeya watches him sometimes and since he knows Kaeya likes to see fire (to a worrying extent, and that really says something when a pyro user thinks so) he lets the other follow him around for a while

- Kaeya also gravitates towards the other pyro users in town. He enjoys watching Amber do target practice, he likes training Bennett, and again with spending time with Klee

this post is inspired by this reblog tag because I immediately started typing when I saw it like a deranged person myself

[paintedkinzy-88]

I had a mental image and it won't let me go. Basically, Stretch sees how stressed out Blue is because he is constantly having to out his life on pause to play out some random role in a Reset over and over, and while it's comforting to know Stretch isn't the only one dealing with Resets and he has someone he can not only trust but go to for comfort (strange as it is to imagine with it being Sans, whom he hates having to burden especially now that he knows just how cool his brother actually is, he always knew Sans was the most magnificent monster but learning he's an interdimentional hero working alongside literal gods does soemthign to a guy).

So basically, Papyrus works double time to stop the Resets. And eventually he succeeds! So Sans is now clear to live his life and, like you said, finally tell everyone about his true self and his real job!

Problem is... multiverse shenanigans keep interrupting him every time he tries so while everyone knows something weird is up and it involves Sans, there is no context for the suddenly appearing skeletons that constantly interrupted their day and Sans somehow knows them all and is slowly getting more and more frustrated by the day because he very clearly wants to tell them something.

It blows down to Sans literally sitting everyone down and just saying it outright that the multiverse exists and when Killer comes running in on a supply run, Sans bodily tackles him, sits on him, and forces him to help him explain because,

"So help me if I get interrupted while explaining what the multiverse is one more time I'm gonna spike all of your favorite foods with laxatives!!"

"That'd be funny, actually..."

"DAMNIT KILLER!!!"

Idk jsut funny shenanigans with Blueberry getting more and more frustrated because he wants to tell people and finally is allowed to tell people but apparently the multiverse decided that moment to be the biggest nuisance

(He find out later it was Ink's fault)

Saving this saving this sAVING THIS—

Everything and everyone is just constantly against him in the most unfortunately comedic ways. And it starts out small! Little inconveniences, maybe not even at the fault of outside influences. He’s trying to tell Chara and Frisk, but no, Asgore says it’s their bed time, it’ll have to wait. Tries to explain it to Undyne and Alphys, hoping Undyne would maybe be help in explaining it to everyone else, but oops something in her lab exploded, they have to deal with that real quick.

Then it’s the Stars needing his help in another world, so he has to dip for a day or too, leaving Paps to be like “uh he’ll explain later.” Later comes, and a very apologetic Dream needs his help pulling Noots and Error apart cuz Ink’s no help, he’s just watching their argument and eating popcorn. So he has to leave again, far more frustrated than before, which baffles all his friends and family.

Then it’s like actual trouble; a world is falling apart and they need to evacuate it. There’s a council meeting and they’re introducing a new Sans. The Gang’s on an LV spree and needs someone to spare with so they don’t rip apart more Underfell copies. Just, every time he comes in saying he has an announcement to make, planning around his schedule and everyone else’s to get a family night together and finally come clean, SOMETHING has to get in the way and ruffle his feathers.

Meanwhile his family is so concerned. They’ve never seen Sans so tired and annoyed before. The dude just is done with the innocent bean performance pretty much as soon as they’d stopped the resets and is, to them, acting strangely. He clearly wants to talk but just can never get the chance. And who are these other skeletons that are popping up to talk to him?? To whisk him away with stern, worried looks?? Does he have long lost relatives they never talked about? Is he involved in something bad? Is he safe, is he trying to escape something he doesn’t wanna be a part of??

(Paps takes a bit of pity on him and asks if Blue just wants him to explain it, but Blue really really wants to be the one to tell them of his adventures and his job and all of his progress and achievements. He’s waited SO LONG for this he wants it so badly!!)

Eventually he manages to get Lust to just cover for him for a single day, a DAY that’s all he needs, but NO. Killer’s just gotta swoop in last second and Blue’s SO at the end of his patience why is this so DIFFICULT—

[giggly-squiggily]

Hey 👋! Can i request lee inumaki and lers yuta, maki and panda?

Heyo! :D Admittedly, I got a little sappy at the end there lols. I've gotcha covered, anon!

CW: Swearing, mild angst

Cloud 9 (Taglist Peeps):

@thatbigbisexual29 @duckymcdoorknob @baby-tickles2022 @cupcake-spice13

“Hey, Inumaki…is something wrong?” Yuta asked one day, gaining the attention of Maki and Panda. Lately, the curse speaker had seemed…distant. He came to practice as required and worked with everyone when asked, but during free time he’d been especially quiet, keeping a healthy distance between himself and the group. Originally, Maki and Panda told him not to worry about it- “Inumaki has his rainy days. When he’s ready, he’ll come around.”

That was almost a full week ago. Yuta couldn’t hold back the questions any longer.

“.....Bonito flakes.” He offered quietly after a long pause, eyes scrunching some in a hidden smile. The lie was so obvious. Yuta hesitated before going on.

“Inumaki…you’ve been acting off since Monday. I’m worried.” Yuta offered a shaky smile, hoping he came off comforting. “If you ever need someone to talk to..”

Something darkened in Inumaki’s eyes, brief and heavy. Then he was faking a smile again, reaching out and patting Yuta’s head. “Bonito flakes.”

A clear cut but firm denial. Yuta felt himself blink back tears.

“Hey, Inumaki. Yuta’s got a point.” Maki climbed up the steps one after another, tossing her staff aside once she got to his spot. “This strange silence of yours isn’t normal. Talk.”

“Gentle, Maki.” Panda reminded as he came around, squishing his furry butt between Yuta and Inumaki. “But really- you had that mission Monday, did something go wrong?”

“....Bonito flakes.” Inumaki looked away.

“Lying isn’t a good look for you, recipe boy.” Maki elbowed him gently, sitting down. “Panda and I’ve known you forever. Even Yuta knows when you lie- isn’t that right?”

“Oh? Oh, um…yes.” Yuta yelped, shrinking some at the dirty look Inumaki gave him. “Sorry, Toge…”

“Don’t apologize, Yuta. He’s all hiss and no claws.” Panda teased, winking as his large paw stretched. “In fact- check this out.”

“Salmon roe…” Inumaki began, leaning away from the paw stretching towards his belly. He leaned so far back he completely forgot about Maki. “Sal-HEEEEEH!” He arched with a squeal as ten fingers suddenly pressed into his sides. “Ikuruhuhuhuahhaahhhaa!”

“Language, shithead.” Maki chuckled, her voice warm as she carried on prodding and poking at his torso, skittering her fingers along his ribcage. “Talk and we’ll stop, right Panda?”

“Hell yeah!” The animal cried, laughing just as much as his paws attacked Inumaki’s belly, tapping and dragging against the thin fabric of his uniform. “Yuta, get in on this!”

“H-Huh?” He blinked, not expecting the invite. He was more than content just sitting by watching the fiasco go down, figuring he wasn’t quite in the group just yet.

Still…

“Erm, where do I..” He began, hands fluttering as he tried to decide where to tickle. Inumaki was a mess of laughter already, cheeks pink and eyes squeezed shut as he cackled out “Flakes! Flahahahahkes!” His feet kicked against Panda’s belly, bouncing off harmlessly. Any attempts to push away Maki proved useless as she adjusted her grip, pulling some insane move where her legs pinned his arms back, giving her free range to tickle his torso. Despite the cries and fluster, Inumaki looked surprisingly happy.

Maybe he was enjoying himself? It did look kinda fun��

“Go for his pits, he’ll cry.” Maki ordered, pulling her leg back so there was more room to reach. Inumaki made a squeak sound, shaking his head rapidly as Yuta slowly approached, whimpering pleas of “Salmon roe”.

“Are you ready to talk?” Yuta asked. Maki and Panda paused briefly, giving him a moment to decide. After a few gasps of air, Inumaki considered. Then, with a shaky breath, he breathed out a firm “Bohohnito flahakes.”

“Stubborn ass.” Maki shook her head in mock disappointment. Panda wiped away a fake tear. “Alright- Yuta, it’s all you. Straight for the pits.”

“Right! Sorry, Inumaki.” He gave a quick smile before digging his hands into the spot. Inumaki arched with a squeal, practically flying off the ground as loud wheezy laughter boomed from his lips. Maki and Panda were quick to join in, returning to their original spots as the rice ball speaker giggled and flailed beneath him.

It took another minute of flailing, squealing, and the threat of being voice cursed, but finally, Inumaki gave in. Flapping his hands wildly, he managed to tap Yuta’s arm, signaling he was done.

“Ready to give in?” Maki asked as they came to an end, watching the pale boy curl into himself with huffs of laughter. He looked so…exhausted. Yuta felt his heart pinch in guilt- maybe they went too far?

But then Inumaki was pulling himself up and taking a deep breath. He looked at each of them carefully before pulling out his phone.

 Soft typing noises could be heard, and within minutes, the group chat notification went off. When Yuta looked, the following message said:

Monday, when we were doing our mission together- I scared you. I used my curse technique on you to prevent you from walking into an enemies trap. The look on your face when you suddenly couldn’t move…I hadn’t been able to get it out of my head since.

“Inumaki…” Yuta breathed, heart sinking in his chest. Another text popped up before he could speak:

Please don’t feel bad, Yuta. I’m not upset by how you reacted. I feel guilty for freaking you out like that. It’s not a fun feeling to suddenly lose control of your own body like that, and usually I can give the other’s a warning that I may have to use my technique on them. I didn't do it for you, and I’m sorry.

“You had to do it though. Like you said- if you didn’t freeze me where I stood, I’d be dead.” Yuta reached out, squeezing Inumaki’s hand within his own. “Sure, I was scared, but not of you. I was scared that I almost threw my life away. If anything- I should be apologizing for forcing your hand like that. So- I’m sorry. I really appreciate what you did for me.”

“Mustard leaf…” Inumaki’s eyes glistened some, and Yuta smiled as he squeezed his hand reassuringly. Maki and Panda nodded to one another, satisfied.

“Aww- isn’t that sweet.” Gojo’s voice shook them from their moment, drawing their attention to him and the bag of treats over his arm. “I’m back! And I got you all souvenirs! Come get them before I change my mind.”

“Is my souvenir the cursed blade I gave you? Cause you still haven’t given it back.” Maki stood, Panda already bouncing to his feet at the various candies in the bag. Inumaki and Yuta shared a warm look before they stood, joining the others for treats. As they went, Inumaki squeezed Yuta’s shoulder, the gesture loud without words.

Thank you.

Thanks for reading!

[hoperays-song]

The Best Things

Meena, during a group hangout: I love you guys. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. 

Ash, nearly choking on her drink: WE are the best thing to EVER happen to you?

Meena, confused: Yeah? 

Johnny, visibly shaken: …I am so concerned. And so sorry. Are you ok?

[toxic-potions-productions]

We never saw Lucy at all yesterday. So, let’s see how she’s doing

Yeah, she didn’t take yesterday all too well. Since it was, uhh...... you know

[theabyssgazesalsointoyou]

Song for Christine

i could not tell you why other than it just. the vibes.

[starheirxero]

AUGH alas for my solar flare and lunar friendship truthing but yk. I'm never mad about a character built to protect and guard (and might be a lil unhinged) so I'm not too terribly mad about it! I see some potential so I'm kinda eyein' it!!

[kidsnextdoor-doodles]

Born to be a soldier

[dearly-beeloved]

Adeptal Misstep

@adoredbyalatus I love them, your honor,

All Xiao could hear, all the way back to the abode, was the soft cries echoing in his mind even though they had long since left his ears, as she wished for the ability to freeze time and return to her family. All he could see, seemingly burned into his eyes like an afterimage, was the little girl’s face as she was sealed in amber by Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer—her expression a mix of sorrow as she was sealed away, once again frozen in time, and the frenzied state that the Adeptal energy had driven her to.

It was the job of the Adepti and the Yakshas to protect Liyue, to do so reliably and fervently. But in following that directive, they had been careless. In their protection of the land of Liyue, they had let a member of its future come to harm—lethal harm.

How many others had they put in mortal peril before, but had gotten lucky not to kill?

He looked at his hands, red and raw from how much he’d been using his spear lately. His skin was unbroken. There was blood on his hands; there it was, a dark red form having dried already. How long ago? Whose blood was it? Some Abyssal beast’s, or had that little girl who had just been picking herbs and was unlucky enough to be there, then bled on Xiao?

It didn’t matter whether it was literally her blood staining his palm. Her blood was on his hands regardless.

Her—she had a name. She’d said it once during this whole debacle, said “Mother will wonder, ‘where is Qiqi?’.” That’s right. Qiqi was her name.

Xiao curled his hand into a fist. Entombed in amber, this little Qiqi lay, killed and revived and made dormant again. And it was his fault. At least in part.

Her family would wonder, where is Qiqi?

How many families was he going to tear apart?

Xiao was quiet as he came into the abode, even when you, Rex Lapis, and Leraje called out to greet him. He was so quiet, in fact, that you rose from where you’d been sitting in the drawing room to look for Xiao.

You called out to him as you wandered down the hall, but he didn’t say anything to you. He did stop to look back at you, so you could see that physically he was okay (though he did look extremely drained and tired). But once he could see that you’d given him a once-over, he continued into his room.

He didn’t feel deserving of the sunshine of your company right now. He ought to be in the dark.

But it didn’t take long at all for you to knock on the door, and he granted you entry immediately. As much as he felt he should deny himself the comfort, he could never turn you away. He didn’t want to send you away rejected.

It was clear to you from his demeanor that something had happened—his energy was different. You just had no idea what it was, nor how you could help ease the drawn look from his face. You didn’t know how to help, but you did know that you wanted to. So you’d just have to find out, as slowly and gently as Xiao needed you to take the process of learning what was going on.

You waited for him to say something. He sat on his bed and played with his wings for a moment while he waited for you to speak.

You studied him for a bit, watching his fingers drift between his feathers, a few coming loose in his grasp before he dropped them to the bed. Finally, your voice soft, you asked, “Do you want to talk about it?”

Xiao took a breath and held it, then released it slowly. “I was with the other Adepti. A fight broke out. But we ended up… a little girl died.”

You gasped softly. “What… how?”

“She had an herb-gatherer’s basket on her back, so I can only assume that spot is where she went to collect them. But she got caught in the melee and we didn’t stop ourselves before we—” he fell silent. “She was crying, begging the gods that she could stop time, saying her family was going to wonder what had happened to her. I went to find her, because I’m the swiftest, but she… she was already gone when I reached her side. She had a Vision. Chosen by the Cryo Archon, a moment too late. I picked her up, and she was like a downed bird in my arms. I brought her to the other Adepti, and we all gave her a little of our power to revive her. And she did come back. But it drove her to insanity. So Mountain Shaper locked her away in amber.” He laughed humorlessly. “Time is frozen for her, just like she asked. Her name was Qiqi. She said her—” his breath caught. “Her mother is going to be wondering where she is. ‘Where is Qiqi?’ Locked in amber because we didn’t protect her and instead we killed her. I do nothing but kill and maim.”

There was a soft ‘hmph’ as Rex Lapis paused in the hall. “Xiao, do you truly believe that?”

“What else can I believe?” he asked, voice rough in despair. “I’ve eliminated entire units of armies. I’ve destroyed families. Several. This girl’s is just the most recent. My job is to kill anyone who stands against Liyue because that’s all I’m good at. All I can do.”

He came to a knee, so he wasn’t looming over you two and lecturing down. His voice was strong and reassuring as he began, “Listen to me, Xiao. You did what you were made to do, when you were in bondage. Were you by yourself when this happened, with this Qiqi?”

He shook his head. “No, the Adepti of Jueyun Karst were there.”

“So you do not bear responsibility by yourself for what happened, either. Cloud Retainer has already spoken with me about this. Do you know what she told me?”

He scrubbed at his eyes, like he had since he was young. “What did she say?”

“She said she was in awe of how gentle you were with Qiqi when you retrieved her body. You carried her like she was dearly beloved to you, as if she were your sister, not a stranger caught gathering herbs.”

“She did?”

Rex Lapis nodded. Leraje peered through the doorway, fidgeting with a wet rag between her hands. The only sign that it was wet—but a clear one—was the way it dripped water with every squeeze and wringing of her hands.

She swept into the room, with a tender carefulness, and offered her hand to Xiao, asking for his.

He hesitated, but laid his hand in hers.

“She did,” she confirmed. “And only someone who loves Liyue could defend it the way it needs defending, as you do,” she added. She flipped his hand over in hers, running the wet rag over the inside of his hand, working it into the lines of his palm as she told him, “her blood is only on your hands because you carried her. Because you ensured she would be treated with dignity. You went to find her because you’re the swiftest, right? You gave her the best chance you could.”

She curled his now-cleaned hand, and patted his fingers. “Remember her, and she will live in your memory, preserved there rather than just in amber.”

He nodded solemnly, and Rex Lapis and Leraje left you and Xiao alone again, shutting the door behind them softly.

Once you two heard the footsteps retreating down the hall, Xiao let out a breath, and you wrapped him up in your arms.

“She’s right,” you told him. “You’ve saved and prolonged way, way more lives than you’ve ended.”

“I guess so,” he mumbled, relaxing into your arms a little bit. “But that doesn’t erase this death. She didn’t do anything wrong, and we should have kept her safe.”

“But that’s a we situation. Do you think Mountain Shaper is beating himself up like this?”

“He did what he had to do…oh.”

You let out a knowing laugh. “You’re saving lives, and hey, you all saved hers, too! She’s alive! Well, in a way. Maybe she can’t go home, but you didn’t just leave her for dead. You moved to rescue her and someday we can check if she’s calmed down, and let her out of the amber. And then she can get back to living a life she’d like to live.” You caressed along the tops and edges of his wings. “She’s going to be okay someday. You did your best, and no one is going to hold this against you.” You scratched at the spots where he’d removed loose feathers, getting a muted trill as he settled a little more, resting his chin on your shoulder and resting his whole body in your embrace. “You’re a treasured protector of Liyue,” you reminded him. “You’re treasured here.”

He sighed and tucked his wings away. “Thank you.”

You shushed him gently, settling back against his pillows and taking him with you to lie on your chest. “You don’t need to thank me for saying something true.”

“I needed the reminder.”

“Well, I’ll always give you these reminders,” you assured him, voice a soothing tone and hands still wandering along his back comfortingly.

Finally, his hands felt clean enough to touch you, and he wrapped his arms around you, completely relaxing.

“When the time comes to check on Qiqi and let her out, will you come with me?” he asked quietly.

“Of course. I’ll go anywhere you need me to. You’re family.”

At that word, Xiao tensed up, thinking about the families he’d affected. But it was true, for the families he had removed members of, he had saved equally many since then. Someday, he hoped, Qiqi would find a family to be part of, after being removed accidentally—you had, and he was even included in it.

It was easy to hope, when he had you.

[remyfire]

Hnnnn that Sidhawk is beautiful incredible amazing showstopping 10/10 I am going to be thinking about them all night

Thank you so much!!!! ;n; I really needed to hear that tonight, so you have buoyed me in a very lovely way. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! :D