todayisafridaynight · 1 year ago
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weird ask but what. do the arakawa family smell like. like what perfumes do they use/do they stink of cigarettes/etc.
arakawa = the scent of cigarette smoke and bourbon does well to equalize the profile of oud wood, not allowing the sweet smell to overpower his mysterious profile. whatever does seep through, you're more likely to catch the more woody, tangy notes- though people who stay around long enough recognize that sweet, nutmeg smell first
sawashiro = legally have to say he smells like a smokey leather couch cause of his 2019 outfit and for the occasional cig or two he'll have BUT as for colognes, definitely something akin to masato where it's more on the down-low as far as scent impressions go. unlike masato though, it's nothing superbly complex and isn't trying to invite anyone to stay and compliment the profile. besides the leather, theres a deep, earthy smell- but stay around long enough, and you might catch a speck of rose
ichiban = definitely tried to find a dupe for arakawa's cologne, though our boy's on a budget: cause'a that, he's got a preference for more woody colognes, wearing a sweet patchouli cologne that possesses an undertone of orange. luckily, the help of cigarette smoke and shea butter helps dilute the potency of his cologne
masato = definitely isn't shy about buying something pricey, and there's payoff for it. leans towards more extravagant fragrances, a castoreum and leather blend being his usual wear. his cologne isn't overly strong, yet it's present enough to make you want to linger to catch it. the only one on this list to not smell like smoke in the slightest
aoki = wears abundantly brighter and more inviting colognes. opposed to harsh, mysterious smells he'll wear the likes of cedarwood. there's still notes of leather to his profile, though. it's just barely masked by the cedar
mitsu = if we're talkin' the 90's, then nothing especially of note. doesn't care too much about colognes (or can even really afford anything especially nice), and he doesn't pay any real attention to deo and body/hair wash scents. legally has to smell a bit of cigarette smoke on account of hangin with people who smoke, but i couldnt tell you if he smokes himself or not. fast forward to 2019, something about him's telling me he'd wear some kind of aquatic cologne- like sage and sea salt..
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freddiesaysalright · 5 years ago
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Blessed Part 3
The Peace Like a River Sequel
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Summary: Gwilym and Y/N are married. Violet is six years old. Baby number two is on the way. There are still some shadows that plague Y/N in her marriage to Gwil, and Violet is suddenly resentful of her parents. The Lee family tries to stick together.
Word Count: 2.4k
Tag List: @psychosupernatural​, @someone-get-a-medic​, @bensrhapsody​, @deakyclicks, @crazylittlethingcalledobsession​, @minigranger​, @simmisblog​, @assembledherethevolunteers​, @lookuptotheskiesandsee​, @readinghorn​, @riddikuluslypotter​, @doingalrightt​, @misslolasworld​, @lemurian-starship​, @ravenedges-lies, @painkiller80​, @imgonnabeyourslave​, @crazyweirdocalledfriday​, @ixchel-9275​, @sincerelygmg, @lv7867​, @unicorn-princess-1999​, @delilahmay39​, @chlobo6​, @dragon-out-of-water​, @radio-hoo-ha​, @agentmalfoy24601​, @thigh-your-mother-down​, @im-an-adult-ish​, @anotherhystericalqueen​ If you want to be added, let me know!
A/N: Fluff, fluffity, fluff fluff fluff
Haven’t read Peace Like a River? Start here!
Part 1  Part 2
Part 3 here we go!!!
Gwilym swallowed nervously outside Violet’s door. You looked into his face and gave his hand a comforting squeeze.
“It’s gonna be fine,” you whispered.
“I hope so,” he breathed back.
You took the knob and turned it, opening the door slowly. You found Violet sitting on her bed, reading a favorite book of hers. Gwilym had given it to her as a Christmas present, and she had read it so many times now the spine was falling apart. It was something they bonded over since after you moved, Gwilym was the one who read to Violet before bed. It instilled such a love of literature in her already, and you were very proud of her reading abilities for her age.
“Hi, Violet,” you said, surprised at the calm in your voice.
When Gwilym showed you such understanding, you felt it was easier to extend the same to your daughter. He was right, after all. Something must be wrong for Violet to lash out the way she did.
“Are you still mad at me?” she asked in a small voice.
You and Gwilym took seats on her bed beside her. You gathered her up in your arms.
“I’m sorry I yelled,” you said. “I was scared and upset, but that doesn’t make it right.”
“I forgive you, Mommy,” she returned.
You kissed the top of her head.
“Sweetheart,” Gwilym said. “Will you please tell us what’s been on your mind? We want to support you and get to the bottom of this. Help you work it out.”
Violet detached herself from you and sat back, pulling her knees into her chest. She rested her chin on them, looking pensive.
“I don’t wanna make you guys feel bad,” she said.
You and Gwilym exchanged a surprised look.
“Have we done something wrong?” you asked.
“No,” she sighed. “But...I dunno…”
“Talk to us, lovie,” Gwilym urged.
“Everything’s different now,” she said. “With Sybil.”
“What do you mean?” you wondered.
“Well, the way everybody talks about her...I hear what the doctors say,” she went on. “Dad’s not my dad.”
Oh. You looked at Gwilym again, and you saw the color drain from his face. The time had come where Violet could comprehend that Gwilym was not her father. She was too young to understand the way babies were made, but she was old enough to register that one man made her, and another made her sister. 
“It makes me feel different,” she continued. “Like I’m the oddball. So when Robbie started teasing me about my accent, it made me feel like that even more.”
She sniffled as more tears welled up in her eyes. She looked directly at you.
“Mommy, did you even want me?” she whimpered. “Like you wanted Sybil?”
Your heart shattered inside your chest. You felt your own emotion threatening to make you have a complete meltdown at that question, but you held it together. You took your daughter in your arms again.
“Oh, baby,” you said, stroking her hair. “Of course I wanted you. You were...well, you were certainly a surprise, but when I knew I was going to have you, I didn’t want anything more. In fact, you made me the strongest I’ve ever been in my life. I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”
She released a little sob and clung to your shirt.
“My real dad...he wasn’t a good person, was he?” she asked, looking up at you.
You truly ached for her. Her tear stained face and red, puffy eyes showed how deeply this had affected her, and the torment she’d been through over it.
You shook your head.
“No, he wasn’t,” you told her. You gently wiped away her tears with your thumbs. “But he gave me you. And for that, I will always be grateful. My perfect little girl.”
Gwilym watched you in amazement. You weren’t lying to Violet, but you weren’t sugar coating anything either. The balance you maintained in this difficult conversation was truly impressive. It took some courage to look your child in the face and tell them a harsh reality like this. He fell in love with you all over again in this moment.
Violet nodded and then turned and looked at Gwilym.
“I feel like I forced you to -”
“Oh, Violet, don’t,” he said gently. “C’mere.”
He sat further back, against her pillows, and she crawled into his lap.
“Y/N, could you give us a moment alone?” he requested.
You nodded, pushing yourself to your feet, and walking to the door. You told them you loved them and then departed, heading downstairs. You felt some relief after talking to Violet, and understanding her at last. It was a good idea for her to talk with Gwilym alone. They needed to clarify their own relationship.
Gwilym pulled Violet into a warm hug. He held her a moment and let her cry into his chest. This was such a heavy weight for a child, and he wanted her to know she didn’t carry it alone. He would always support her, no matter where she came from or where she went. He put every ounce of his love for her into the embrace, and he just hoped she felt it.
“That’s it, love,” he soothed. “You have yourself a good cry.”
She hiccuped and burrowed further into him.
“You’ve been through a lot today,” he went on. “And you’ve had so much going on inside. Let it out.”
He rubbed her back until her breathing evened out again and she relaxed against him. 
“You have never forced me to be your dad,” he said. “Yes, you called me Daddy and it stuck, but I wanted to be that for you long before you said the word.”
“Really?” she wondered.
He nodded. “Really. I love you very much. I may not have made you in your mum’s belly, but you are my daughter. I have the papers to prove it.”
She giggled. He smiled and pulled her away to look in her eyes.
“You are my daughter,” he repeated. “Mine and your mum’s. Blood doesn’t make a family, darling. Love does. And we’ve got plenty to go around.”
Her face scrunched as she considered the meaning.
“I think I understand,” she replied. “Like how Uncle Ben, Uncle Joe, and Uncle Rami aren’t your brothers, but they’re still my uncles.”
“Exactly!” he said excitedly. “They aren’t my brothers by blood. But I love them enough to be my brothers.”
Her face began to fall again. “But Sybil...she’s gonna look like you.”
“She might,” he agreed. “But things like appearance don’t matter. The things I hope you inherit from me are not my lips or my eyes. I hope you inherit love from me. That comes from the inside. You and Sybil are both my daughters, and I will love you equally for the rest of my life. And beyond.” 
“Promise?”
“I promise,” he assured her. “That day you called me your dad for the first time…” He paused, taking a shaky breath. “You made me happier than I ever thought possible,” he choked out.
Her brow furrowed as she looked at him.
“Daddy, are you crying?” she asked.
He chucked and blinked the tears back. One got out and rolled down his cheek. “Yes, love. Sorry. I just love you so much and I never, ever want you to doubt it.”
It was her turn to wipe his face.
“I believe you,” she said. “I won’t doubt again. I promise.”
He grinned and held her close again.
“Very good, my girl,” he said. 
An understanding formed between them now. Violet felt closer to Gwilym than ever. As she inhaled the smell of his cologne from his shirt, she recognized it from when she was even littler. A vision of a hotel room swam before her, and the memory wasn’t totally clear, but she felt her mother and father there. This father. The one she chose.
When dinner was ready, you went back upstairs to check on Gwilym and Violet. You found them cuddled together on her bed, fast asleep. You watched them for a moment, becoming softer than butter, and as you gazed on their peaceful faces, you saw a similarity. It was impossible, but for a moment, you almost believed Violet had Gwilym’s profile. Or maybe it was his hair? Anyway, she looked like him.
***
The following day, you began researching marriage counselors for you and Gwilym. You ended up switching to family counselors so Violet could come if she wanted to talk any more about what she was going through. She said she was fine for now, even if she was still grounded. You still weren’t sure what being grounded meant for six-year-old, but you were content with her just staying in her room for now.
You booked an appointment with a counselor for the following week. Gwilym offered to go with you, but you said for the first one, you should go on your own. That way you could explore your feelings without worrying about who you might hurt with what you found there. You were nervous, but still felt that it was a good idea. You had never really processed everything with Henry, and you wanted to learn how to cope with it without saying or doing things that  would negatively impact your new marriage.
During your first session, Gwilym decided to take Violet out for ice cream. She had handled her grounding well, and he thought she deserved a treat. Plus, he was eager to spend as much one on one time with her as possible before the baby came. That way, she would be further reassured of his dedication to being in her life. Especially since she may begin to feel neglected when the baby required more attention.
“How was school this week?” he asked when they sat down on a bench together.
Violet put a large spoonful of ice cream in her mouth and mulled it over.
“It was okay, I guess,” she said. “I don’t think I missed too much while I was out. I apologized to Robbie, and he forgave me. Then he said he was sorry for making fun of my accent.”
“I’m glad you made up with him,” he said. “I’m proud of you for saying you’re sorry. That’s not always easy.”
“Really? I feel like Mommy says it to you a lot.”
Gwilym paused, mid-bite into his ice cream. Now that he thought about it, you did have a tendency to over-apologize. He realized it was another habit you’d formed to ease tension. Whether by joking or apologizing, you had to alleviate it.
“With Mum it’s different,” he said. “For most people, saying sorry is difficult. People don’t like to admit when they’re wrong.”
“Well, we learn in school that it’s important,” she said. “If you hurt someone, that’s what you say. And to say it like you mean it.”
“Very good,” he praised. “I’m glad you’re taking your lessons to heart.”
“How are you doing, Daddy?” she asked.
He chuckled and reached over to muss her hair. 
“I’m doing just fine,” he said. “It’s sweet of you to ask.”
She beamed at him.
“Are you sure? You can tell me if you’re worried about Sybil.”
His brow furrowed. “Why should I worry about her?”
“Maybe not her, but you!” she returned. “You’re gonna have a whole other kid! Are you scared?”
Gwilym laughed. “Ah, I see. Well, I’m a little scared. But I’m mostly excited. Besides, I have your mum with me. I’m not as scared when we work together.”
She swallowed another spoonful of ice cream and looked thoughtfully out across the street.
“Mommy was alone when she had me, right?” she asked.
“She was, unfortunately,” he said. 
“Do you think she was scared?” she wondered.
“Probably,” he answered. “But not for too long.”
She perked up. 
“Then she got you!”
“She sure did!” he agreed. “Now, we’re a team.”
“The best team,” she affirmed. “Am I on the team too?”
He kissed her head with a smile.
“Of course you are, darling,” he said. “There’s lots you’ll need to teach your sister.”
A beat passed and they both took a few bites.
“Daddy, where do babies come from?” she asked suddenly.
Gwilym choked on the bite he was taking. He took a few moments to cough, and Violet - fretting slightly - patted him gently on the back. Her little hand didn’t really do much for him, but he thanked her anyway. He cleared his throat.
“Sorry, love, you caught me off guard there,” he said. 
“Do they come from somewhere weird?” she pressed, cocking her head to the side as she looked up at him.
“Sort of,” he answered. “You’ll learn more about it when you’re older.”
She pursed her lips and then relaxed them. She shrugged.
“Okie doke,” she said simply.
Gwilym inwardly thanked the heavens above that she let it go. That was not conversation he wanted to have with Violet without you around.
They stayed out another hour or so before heading home. Gwilym was relieved to see you were back, and eager to hear how it went. Violet went tearing into the house, and Gwilym came behind her, closing the door softly.
“Mommy, we’re home!” she cried, throwing her arms around you as much as she could. Really, she hugged your baby bump.
“Hi, sweetie!” you returned. “Did you have fun with Daddy today?”
“We got ice cream!” she told you.
“Well, I hope you still have room for dinner,” you said, eyeing Gwilym as he approached.
“Of course, we got small cups,” he assured you. “Now, give me a kiss.”
You giggled and gave him a swift peck on the lips.
“Mommy, can I watch She-Ra while you make dinner?” she requested.
“Sure thing,” you said. “Go ahead, baby.”
She clapped her hands and started toward the living room, but she came to a sudden halt. Turning on her heel, she hurled herself at Gwilym and wrapped her arms around his legs.
“Thanks for the ice cream, Daddy!” she said. 
She smiled widely at him.
“You’re very welcome, lovie,” he replied.
With that, she disappeared into the living room and switched on the television.
“So,” Gwilym said, looking at you. “How’d it go today?”
“Really well,” you told him. “I sort of got through my history with Henry and she mostly listened. I told her about us too. Even the letters, but she said it was romantic.” You laughed a little. “I felt a lot of relief afterward. Would you come with me next week? I think it could be really good for us to go together.”
“Of course,” he said, pulling you into a hug. “Anything for you, love.”
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