#not a lot to say/show this year. but i gotta do the art summary anyway. it's tradition | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

omegasmileyface · 1 year

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Of All the People - Ch. 11

second to last chapter!! and the last journal chapter! the next one might take a bit to upload, so on our ao3 upload we promoted four fics that inspired the way we wrote this. here are those links! click through or check the end note on our ao3 upload for names and authors. as always, this was written by me and @attackradish and @ectolemonades for InvisoBang 2022, with chapter 1 art by @/toasty-ghosti!

whole fic summary: After a stupid dare puts Dash Baxter in the lab at Fentonworks during the middle of a ghost fight, he finds himself a little more spectral than usual. Apparently Danny Fenton’s gone through the same thing (someone has got to call OSHA on these guys eventually), and who could better help Dash than his hero? His lame, stubborn hero?

warnings: Nothing for this chapter! In others, existential crises, and Spectra.

words: 1981

AO3 link

first chapter

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===

November 21

Today in chemistry we had a lab and it was weird, cuz I wasn't with Star. Theirs no set partners in that class or anything but nobody switches up partners after the first lab. That would be stupid. But before class Star was talking to Foley about some part of the lab prep and they didn't want to stop the conversation so they paired up. It sucks that we had to re partner but Foley's usual partner was Danny so it could of been worse. Apparently hes still banned from the glass wear after he dropped everything in freshman year. Which was totally because he was still getting used to intangibility and thats really unfair. He's perfect at that now. Anyway, I had to hold all the equipment while he read the lab instrutions to me but it worked out fine. I'm glad I'm not dropping stuff like he was. I know he had way more times where he accidentally used his powers than I am (its hard enough to use them on purpose) but I think the training has also helped a lot. If we BOTH got banned we'd be screwed on the lab. It was pretty boring since I was just taking instructions and Danny's used to labs and shit so we ended up talking a lot. I got exited about Invasion Z 2: Redeath coming out this weekend and he kept agreeing with me. Turns out he likes movies too! Mostly sci fi and horror and stuff but hey, a good movies a good movie. He gave me some horror reccommendations and I don't usually like horror but I'm gonna try them. He's probably too busy but I think I'll ask if his friends wanna go see Redeath when it hits the theater.

===

November 22

The Red Huntress was in a ghost fight today. Like one where Phantom was there too. I havent seen her since Igot my powers but I don't think I've ever really thought about her before. I got to get up kinda close without her noticing me cuz Danny had her distracted and… she's so human. Like I mean obviously, she's human but I don't think I ever thought of her with that in mind. She's just kind of a superhero to me more than specificly a human that deals with ghosts. But up close I could hear what she was saying to Phantom and it was so different compared to the ghosts. It was all hate. It wasn't any challenges or competition or whatever mostly. She doesn't yell as much as when she started showing up and I feel like she's less trigger happy around Phantom now but she's still all personal and intense. I guess it just makes me wonder who she is. If she's human she's gotta have like a life and job when she isn't chasing ghosts and it was weird enough learning that it was the same with Phantom but Danny doesn't have a choice. This chick has to care a hell of a lot to keep doing this. What hapened that made her so invested in ghosts?

===

November 23

Me and Kwan and Star and Paulina were gonna go to Nasty Burger with Danny's gang after school today to make sure we are all on the same page about ghosts and everything. But Kwan wanted to bail, which I get. He's still on the football team and so I guess the free time I've got now minus training isn't the same for him. Then Paulina and Star both had family stuff come up. I guess Thanksgiving IS tomorow. So I just went alone but when I got there Manson and Foley had ditched too. That many people leaving is kinda suspiscious, except that I don't see why my friends would do that on purpose. Fenton's friends maybe. Nerds are weird like that. Danny decided to stay even after it was just me there. I mean, foods food. Since everybody else was missing we didn't really talk business, instead we just talked about whatever. Did you know Danny has piloted the space shuttle before??

===

November 24

Turns out the Red Huntress is Val. As in, Valerie Gray. Danny's known the whole time she's been doing the job and he acidentally let it slip when we were talking about having to fight humans. He forgot I didn't know. He felt really really bad about it so obviously I can't tell anybody but it almost feels like I should. Is she okay? I mean she's doing this but shes just a human and I know she did sports before but it's super not the same. Where did she even get all that tech? Did she make it herself? I guess probably not because she was never into techno stuff before but did I is that the kind of stuff she has to do? It's weird that she's in high school too, with how busy Danny is she must have it the same way. I don't know if her grades are worse or anything because I haven't really talked to her since her dad lost his job. None of us have. Since then she's really been fighting ghosts? Why is Why won't Why does she hate them so much? Fuck weve all been such assholes to her and we just forgot about it when we didn't see her as much. I can't invite her back into the group becase she'll find out I'm a ghost and probably try to kill me at school or something. Plus she doesn't even wanna come back I bet.

===

November 25

Lancer wants everybody to do a writing piece on some exhibit at Amity museum. Something about getting imersed in knowledge or whatever. A bunch of us went there after school today to find topics so we could ignore it on the weekend. They have this exibit on the moon landings and mars rovers and all that space robot stuff and apparently Danny hadn't been here since before they added that cuz when he saw it he looked like he found $100 lying on the ground. He was fucking thrilled and he started talking about stuff that wasn't even on the information posters. I'm thinkin he should have designed the thing! His eyes got all sparkly and I'm 100% sure his freckles were glowing like little stars. He was also clearly trying not to float?? Honest to god it was so cute… Anyway everyone else went away after a bit to look at other exibits but like didn't they want to hear what Danny was saying?? I did.

===

November 26

Ok I've been mostly staying out of ghost fights this whole time cuz I get that while I'm still training it's better for Danny if I stay out of his way. But today there was a fight with this ghost skeleton dude in a white suit (he was kinda familiar?? I dont remember any ghosts like that though. ghosts are weird like that) and he kept punching Phantom into the road and shit and it was brutal. So I joined in too at least make it a two on one fight. But there was a bit where Danny was on the ground resting (I think his arm got broken?! Does he have bones?? I mean I do right??? But maybe he doesn't cuz he's a litle different or whatever???) so the skeleton dude started going after me instead. That was scary but like it's what we're training for so I was sticking my ground ready to help out my hero. But he barely touched me before Da Phantom was just… back.

He tackled the skeleton ghost strait into the road and it made another crater. He backed up into the air and fired a perfect ecto-blast that broke up the asphalt more so it looked like gravel around the ghost. I think at that point the ghost had passed out but Phantom jerked his hand and put some kind of green layer around the guy. I guess it was like one of his sheilds but at a distance. Then he came over and got me, I never had time to move away, and he just picked me up and took me to the other side of the street like mom moves Pooky when he's in the way. I tried to get out so I could keep an eye on the ghost and make sure he didn't escape but Ph Danny wouldn't even give me any wiggle room. It was like he was made of iron. I felt that a couple times before when he's saved me from stuff but it's a lot less comforting when I'm trying to fight it. I saw that he was still somehow keeping that sheild up though so I guess I didn't need to escape any way. Man, he looked pissed… but I don't think it was at me. It at least didn't feel that way somehow.

After that he went back and captured the guy without anoher word to him and he checked me over and told me to "be careful around people like that" and went home. He didn't look me in the eye since he moved me out of the way. Maybe that's good, becuz I don't know if its a ghost thing or what but there was something really heav paralys intense about him at that point. I don't know how I would of acted if we had made eye contact. Stupid, probably.

I've been thinking about it and if I'm gonna be honest I was scared. Part of it was that kinda electric air thing that comes with ghosts sometimes, the feeling that makes you go all still, but I've never gotten that kind of feeling from Phantom before. Still though like I said I don't think it was aimed at me. That must be some kind of ghost comunication like Danny was talking about that one time, and it was comunicated to me that it was for the other guy. And it pretty much went away after he got the ghost contained. Still. I guess that wasnt all of it.

I re I guess I realized around then that like he didn't have to put up with everything. Me being an asshole I mean. When he was in that fight, even though it was worse then usual and he was suffering for it, when he got mad he just kinda switched gears. Ended the battle. Like he was sick of it. It gave me the feeling that he was sort of playing around until he cared enough to really get engaged (but why would he do that? Why wouldn't he just take care of the figt in the first place??)

And I guess that makes sense! I've been looking at every fucking Phantom fight I can these last few years. He doesnt really lose and he's done some crazy shit before. Pauli and I started getting stats at one point, like it was fantasy football. Those are kinda outdated now but I've seen a little stuff like that during trainings too and it's not like hes stagnated. He's crazy strong even compared to other ghosts and I guess I knew that but. I never really thought about what that meant for me. It's got me thinkin back to the times I was bullying him, after he became Phantom. A couple times he said "he didn't have time for this" and stuff like that but wh Fuck I don't know. It's just. He could have killed me really. Easy. If he was tired enough of me. That sucks.

===

November 27

My leg isn't getting better. Niether is my chest. Danny told me, because he still gets numb body parts and muscle spasms. Dying isn't really something you get better from.

===

November 28

am I ok?

#had to put the readmore on this one real early bc of dash's abysmal long paragraphs #danny phantom #invisobang 2022 #my writing #swagger bishie #halfa!dash #halfa dash au #dash baxter #teddy ghost #check ao3 for more tags!

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yeets-you-out-the · 4 months

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Did you try anything new this year? I did! I tend to play around with art styles and they turn out good but really inconsistent, so I'd say those are the new things I tried. I used to draw a lot of Furries with a cartoonish stylization, so this year it did a complete 180 in the other direction and I'm actually rlly proud of it. New things also included different forms of art composition, from detailed backgrounds to simple but interesting ones.

What did you improve on? Everything. Anatomy, Character design, Lineart, Backgrounds, Composition, Colour theory, Storytelling, Colour Contrast, HANDS etc. I think in this whole thing of trying several styles I ended up touching on everything you could consider important for artwork knowledge. I could be wrong though, but so far I can't think of anything I haven't explored and improved on. All of the artworks I show in the summary are magnum opuses of mine, there haven't been any moments in mine where I thought I might've been getting worse, they all made me proud while I made them and have a nice space in my heart.

What do you want to work on for next year? I need to find my actual style- I ended up with so many styles in my hand I couldn't even find my own, I'll need to review all my previous artwork and consider everything I like in each one, then compile everything into something more comprehensible.

What did you have the most fun with? Colours and colour theory. I love colouring and rendering a lot. It tests my brain for if I can remember what colour interacts well with the other. Hands! A lot of people hate drawing hands, cus they take a lot of time and effort and never look exactly right, I think that's the fun of it, you gotta find out what's wrong and fix it, it used to be frustrating for me, ended up becoming second nature. Rlly nice. Eye shapes! They show a lot of personality, also rlly fun. Hair!! Used to hate drawing hair cus I could never get it right, anyways, found out how it works, it's just a bunch of disorganized strands of hair that shift in hue and saturation slightly so much that they make an interesting effect on the hair. At least that's what I did.

Do you have any tips or advice to give to other artists? I dislike the advice of "draw daily" so my advice is actually gonna be "fuck that" Try lots of new things, you'll improve a lot really fast. Have problems with a certain part of drawing? I.e hands, emotion, skin tone, etc etc- Include them in your drawings. Don't care if you have problems with it or not. You're only gonna overcome it if you go through the trouble of challenging yourself to make em work. And do the stuff that makes you happy. Got no motivation to do it? Don't. That's right. Unless it's for work, then you're gonna have to cry about it.

#art summary 2023 #art #happy new year #happy new yuri #illustration

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ichigomis · 3 years

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Dragging them to a Concert | Semi, Ushijima, Atsumu, Akaashi, Bokuto

summary: in which your friend suddenly canceled on you, so you drag him with you against his will

note: please i loved writing these, i miss going to concerts :< i usually go to concerts alone so these were really more self indulgent brain vomit hehe also, where can i get myself a semi eita?

f/n - friend’s name lol

art: @mntcakes on twt

“What band again?” Semi asks through the phone. You were on your way to the concert hall when your friend suddenly canceled on you, lucky for you, you had yourself a Semi Eita :’) “Aight, see you there.” he hums and ends the call. You technically don’t drag Semi to go to the concert with you, he just willingly goes. He’s always been like this, if he knows it’s about something you love or you’re passionate about he doesn’t even think twice, he’ll be there to support you or cheer for you.

You make your way through the crowd and look for Semi, two tickets on hand. “y/n!” he shouts with a big smile, waving something in the air. “Eita! What is that?” you curiously ask, eyeing the thing he was swinging around just a while ago. He unwraps the item and proudly shows you, “I bought us merch!!” this man, i swear <3

You sing, laugh, and just let yourself go with Semi all through the night. Suddenly, an all too familiar tune is played and you instinctively face him with a big smile. He does the same and just as the beat drops, the both of you sing to the song as loud and as crazy as you two can. It’s just like how you two usually do it in your room with you swinging your head around like a rockstar and Semi air guitaring like some mad person.

“You don’t really need to if you don’t want to Ushi.” you say squeezing his hand hoping to comfort him just a little bit. You wouldn’t have called him if you had anyone else to call, but you just couldn’t let the tickets you have go to waste and everyone else was busy. “It’s alright, y/n. I can accompany you.” Ushi lets out a small smile and you awkwardly smile back, you’ve avoided putting him in situations he’s not comfortable with but here you are basically dragging him to a concert.

You both enter the concert hall and find your seats (or spot if you’re in moshpit hehe). You glance over to him to make sure he was doing alright and as usual he kept the same stoic look, waiting for the concert to start. “Ushi, just let me know if you’re feeling uncomfy, okay? We can get out of here.” you assure him with a smile but he only sends you a confused look.

The lights dim down and your concern slowly mixes with excitement, the music starts and you almost forget that you dragged your boyfriend into this concert. You dance to the music, cheer with the rest of the crowd and every few songs, you glance over to Ushi to check up on him. He only bops his head to the music, both hands safely tucked in his pockets.

You quietly head out of the hall, the concert finishes with only a few smiles exchanged from the both of you. You stay quiet thinking of what to say and how to apologize when Ushi suddenly turns to you, “I had a lot of fun.” he smiles. You tilt your head in question, he then closes his eyes and smiles, “I liked their music a lot, and I liked the noisy crowd. It kind of reminded me of some of our matches.” he chuckled. You let out a small laugh, both in amusement and relief. “Want to come with me again next time?” you ask, wrapping yourself around him. He engulfs you in his warmth and nods, “I would love that.”

“I don’t even know any of their songs…” Atsumu whines as you drag him through the crowd of excited concertgoers. You look back at him with an apologetic smile, “Sorry Tsumu, f/n suddenly cancelled and I didn’t know what to do with the extra ticket.” He pouts at you but continues walking anyway, matching your excited pace.

You sing softly, hoping the video you’re recording won’t catch your already tired voice. You raise your phone just below eye-level (gotta respect the people at the back!) and continue to shakily record the band’s performance. “Gimme, y/n.” Atsumu finally says after observing your very poor and shaky recording. You give him a quick kiss on the cheek as thanks and carefully transfer your phone to his hand. The concert ends with you singing your heart out not worried of the ugly concert voice your recordings usually have.

“Okay, lemme see! Lemme see!” you take your phone from Atsumu excited to relive the concert once more. You settle on the last video in your gallery and watch in anticipation. “Tsumu?” you call without your eyes leaving the screen. He hums a reply, looking at you with a small smirk. You face him with a confused look as you show him the video he took. “You looked like you had a lot of fun, y/n.” he beamed, giving you a thumbs up, it was a video of you half-crying-half-singing to the last song looking like an emotional mess, the band wasn’t in any of the frames. surprise all his other videos are either wobbly or showing him mockingly singing along with you

“Just 3 hours, tops! I swear, Akaashi!” you promise as you make googly eyes at the disheveled man in front of you. Akaashi rubs his neck and sighs, “Where did f/n go?”. You lower your eyes at him, you feel a bit guilty but you just cannot miss this concert. You’ve been saving up for it since last year and for a hard earned ticket to go to waste is out of the question. You look down at your feet and look for the right words to say. You lift your head up to try to charm your way out but Akaashi sighs and opens the door wider for you, “Get in, I’ll just go and get changed.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you Keiji!!” you squeal, squeezing his arm in excitement. The lights suddenly go out in the arena and the screams from everywhere deafen you for a second. You let out deafening screams of your own, still holding onto your boyfriend’s arm. As the stage lights flicker on, you scream and sing on top of your lungs and Akaashi turns to you smiling, she is so beautiful under this light.

“Just this once, pleaaaaaseee Bo?” you plead with all your might. Bokuto might be the one always charming his way around your relationship but you also have a few tricks up your sleeve. He avoids looking at you but ultimately gives in, “Fine, you win y/n, where are we going?” he asks, squeezing your cheek.

“I don’t get it, who buys popcorn at a concert?” you laugh at your boyfriend who is cheekily eating his barbecue popcorn. “You can’t complain, you dragged me here,” he says matter of factly as he throws a piece to his mouth. You roll your eyes and wait for the concert to begin, and it surely does just a few minutes later.

You’ve loved this band for years and you blast their music on a daily basis, whether you're cleaning, studying, or just jamming out. You know their lyrics by heart and apparently, your boyfriend thinks he does too. You let out a hearty laugh, “Bo!!” you playfully slap his arm and he only smirks up at you. “What? That’s how you sing it at home!” he continues to confidently sing with all the wrong lyrics, at one point you were sure he was just making up words.

hmm i def need to learn how to write shorter.

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witcher-and-his-bard-archive · 3 years

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Take Anything From Me

Pairing: Geralt x Eskel Warning(s): knotting, oviposition, belly bulge, non-human anatomy Rating: explicit

Summary: Geralt and Eskel have been friends for years now following a contract-gone-wrong where Eskel saved his life. When they meet up again and Eskel is suffering, Geralt is more than willing to help however he can.

I have been so excited for this one, you guys!! Nel did some amazing art for this that can be found in the fic on ao3 or on her twitter!! Please go and check it out, it’s AMAZING!

Geralt's heart thumps heavily in his chest and he refuses to admit that Eskel has anything to do with it. But he can't help but smile when he sees the little island appear through the mist. It's a fairly small island, not even large enough for a lighthouse and easily missed, just outside of the ships' path in and out of the harbour. But a few years back, Geralt almost perished on those same rocks he's so happy to see now. The villagers had lied about the sirens, had said it was one or two attacking ships when it was an entire colony. Eskel had stepped in (so to speak) and saved him, and Geralt had spent the following week repaying the favour when Eskel's face was slashed in the process.

Geralt has been back to visit him often since. It started out as a means to pay Eskel back for his sacrifice, but it was clear after the first couple of visits that there was more than just a sense of obligation there. Geralt likes Eskel and he enjoys their conversations, infrequent as they can be. He looks forward to seeing him again and it's been a few months this time, so his heart beats too quickly and he finds his fingers itching against the rudder, wanting to urge the boat forward faster.

When he does come closer, he sails around to the back of the island where it's sandier and he can pull up further onto the shore. He does so, tethering the boat to keep it from drifting with the tide, and sets off over the rocks to the entry of Eskel's cave.

On the southwestern side of the island, there's a gaping hole in the rock. The sea fills it halfway but during their first interaction, Eskel showed Geralt where to go to reach a hidden ledge inside, lit by an opening in the roof of the cave. It's sandy toward the back - likely from sand falling in through cracks in the roof - with a short ledge where it meets the sea. It's where they always meet because Geralt can't remain underwater for long - even with killer whale, he doesn't have the ability to talk or breathe underwater - but Eskel can stay above the surface for long stretches of time if he's careful about it. So it works and Geralt is relieved to have a place to come back and meet with him.

Most of his belongings have been left at the inn in town, but Geralt keeps a dagger on him at all times, just in case. He jumps into the water in his clothes, swimming in from the entrance and towards the back where he knows the shelf of rock sits hidden from sight. When he reaches it, he pulls himself up, immediately kicking off his boots and stripping out of his wet trousers and shirt. He lays them out in the thin stretch of light and stretches out next to them, hoping they'll dry quickly.

He's usually the first to arrive - Eskel often waits until he hears him, then comes to the surface - but this time, Geralt finds he's waiting for much longer than usual. He tries not to worry about it, but out here in the open, who knows what could happen to Eskel. He knows there's a mer settlement further out, that this cave is just a place Eskel likes to visit, but he's never been late like this before.

So he gets up to his feet, regretting not bringing any of his potions, and peers over the edge of the rock. But the thin light streaming in isn't bright enough to illuminate beneath the surface and Geralt frowns. Reluctantly, he sits down and slips into the water.

He takes a deep breath and dives down, opening his eyes as he pushes beneath the surface, but he can't see anything in the dark. Then, from behind him, sharp hands wrap around his chest, hauling him back up. He breaks the surface and squirms, kicking his feet to avoid hitting whoever has him but to try and get away. But they don't let go and Geralt is shortly lifted out of the water and placed gently back on the rocky ledge. He turns to complain and finds Eskel, submerged up to his chin and watching him.

"Sorry to startle you," Geralt grins, "you didn't show, I got worried." At first, he's distracted by the happiness of seeing his friend again, but as Eskel doesn't respond, Geralt starts to notice a tightness around his eyes. He sits down with his arm resting on one raised knee.

"Something wrong?'' he asks and as Eskel averts his eyes, Geralt notices the aura of… sadness around him. Although it's not just sadness, it's regret and worry and something that brushes against shame and Geralt doesn't know what it is. "You're in pain," he presses but Eskel just bobs a little higher and shrugs at him.

"'S nothing."

"Doesn't smell like nothing."

"Gotta stop doing that," Eskel mumbles, flicking his tail up so it just breaks the surface of the water.

"Who's gonna look out for you if not me?" Geralt teases, but Eskel just stares down at the water. Geralt frowns and readjusts so he's propped up on one elbow, right at the edge of the ledge. "Hey," he says, "what's up?

"Told you, it's nothing. I shouldn't stay today."

"Eskel," Geralt says firmly, "I will come in there after you." Eskel huffs a soft, humourless laugh and flips his tail again.

"It's just not a good time."

"If you want me to go, I'll go, but I won't leave you if you're suffering."

"Geralt."

"Eskel. You risked your own life to save me and you think I'm just going to let you stay here alone and suffering?"

"That was years ago." Geralt just shrugs and Eskel huffs.

"Can I help?"

"No." The answer is abrupt and sharp and Geralt is taken aback by it. Eskel must notice the look on his face because he swims a little closer and ducks his head. "Sorry," he whispers, "it's just… not something you can help with." Geralt nods silently and Eskel flicks his tail again before continuing, seemingly reluctantly. "It's… our season," he explains. Geralt just looks at him in quiet confusion until Eskel lets out a huff, looking away from him. "Mating season."

"Oh." Geralt mumbles, "there has to be something I can do."

"Geralt," Eskel bares his teeth and looks surprisingly vicious for someone so bashful, all sharp teeth and anger.

"Is there nothing? I think I know you well enough now, you can tell me."

"It's not something we talk about with other people, it's… private."

"Okay." Geralt backs off, watching Eskel sadly as he swishes the water around him. "Would you tell me if there was something I could do? To help?"

Eskel is suspiciously quiet. Geralt doesn't expect him to respond, but he doesn't expect the total silence and Eskel's refusal to even look at him. He thinks back to everything he knows about mating rituals - not much outside of the monsters he hunts - to try and come up with a way to help. He knows a lot of egg-laying creatures build nests but he doubts the lack of a nest is the problem here. His own problem is that he knows very little about mer and there are so many different subspecies that any knowledge he does have is probably unhelpful to Eskel.

But there are a few things that are inherent to breeding, the most important of which is the drive to do it, an ingrained need to do it, to fuck, to nest, to reproduce. And the way Eskel is squirming, he has a good feeling that might be part of it.

His stomach clenches at the thought of it and his prick stirs in his trousers. It's just a means to an end, to help a friend in need, but he could do that. If Eskel needs to fuck, it could get painful denying himself and Geralt is here and, well, the thought of fucking Eskel is not unwelcome. It's not even strictly the first time he's thought about it. Especially during those first few weeks, Geralt would catch himself staring, enamoured with the curve of Eskel's tail or the thickness of his chest.

He catches himself now, staring at the plush curve of Eskel's lips and he forcibly drags his eyes away. Eskel is suffering and just because he's fucking stunning doesn't mean he wants Geralt drooling over him.

"If you need to fuck," he says, dropping onto his chest and swirling his hand in the water, "I can help with that." Eskel's eyes immediately snap up to his and he squirms a little, stirring the water around him.

"It's… more than just that," he mumbles, dropping his eyes again. Geralt just rolls off the ledge, splashing into the water to swim over to him.

He floats in front of him, but Eskel immediately snatches him up, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him close. He's unreasonably afraid Geralt will sink or something and while it's incredibly sweet, it's also a little frustrating when he's trying to talk to him. But as he shifts to try to push away, he can feel the swell of Eskel's cock, fully unsheathed and pressing against his thigh.

Geralt lets out a little gasp of surprise and presses against it. Eskel leans into the touch, eyelids fluttering shut and when he doesn't pull away, Geralt reaches down, brushing his fingers along the seam of his slit.

"Geralt," Eskel chokes, "it's not just- fuck. It's not just about fucking." Geralt leans in closer, reaching up with his other arm to rest it on Eskel's shoulder.

"Whatever it is, I'll do it. I don't like seeing you suffer."

"I can't ask you to do this," Eskel says and he sounds genuinely distressed.

Geralt leans back, still trapped in the strength of Eskel's arms. He smiles at him and brushes his fingers through his hair, taking in the expression of pain and frustration on Eskel's face. He's reluctant to offer a solution that doesn't include his own involvement (he doesn't look too closely at that), but he finds himself offering anyway. Anything to make Eskel feel better.

"Isn't there someone else then? Another mer? You said the colony isn't far from here."

"I can't," he says too quickly, ducking his head and turning his head so the scar is mostly hidden from Geralt's view. "They wouldn't want me."

A rush of guilt and pain washes over him and Geralt shuts his eyes. He reaches out unthinking, cupping the scarred side of Eskel's face in his hand.

"That's their loss," he says softly, brushing his thumb over the uneven skin. "Eskel, just tell me what I have to do and I'll do it."

"Geralt, it's-"

"It's not too much, I want to help."

"I need someone to take my eggs," he mumbles and Geralt bites the inside of his lip to keep from seeming too eager, but at this point his own cock has picked up and Eskel is sure to notice soon enough.

"How do you mean?" he asks, "you need to deposit them?" Eskel nods and Geralt's mind helpfully supplies the image of being filled full of eggs. His cock twitches in his soaked shorts and Eskel gives a short huff of laughter.

"I don't think that's the reaction you're supposed to have to that," he mumbles. Geralt shrugs. "This should be weird for you, humans don't take eggs, Geralt."

"Humans do a lot of things their bodies aren't made for," he hums, reaching around to tangle his fingers in the loose hairs at the back of Eskel's neck. "And I'm hardly human anyway."

"Are you sure?"

"More than sure. Anything I can do to help," he says but at this point is becoming less about strictly helping out a friend and more about fucking Eskel. He leans in tentatively and Eskel doesn't pull away when he kisses him.

The arms around his waist cinch tighter and Eskel groans against his lips, kissing him back hard. Geralt's head swims with his eagerness, and he's barely able to drop his arm to circle Eskel's neck before they're moving and he's pressed up against the stone ledge. Eskel makes no attempt to put him back on land this time though, pressing right up against him and shifting his hips to rub his cock against Geralt's thigh.

He reaches down with one hand, slipping under the waistband of Geralt's shorts and pulling them off of him. Once they've been discarded back on the rock, he slides his hand under Geralt's thigh, lifting it up so Geralt can wrap his legs around him. The first brush of their cocks together has Geralt squirming, groaning against Eskel's lips even as sharp claws press into the underside of his thigh. He wants him so badly he can hardly breathe.

Eskel nips at his lip and Geralt hadn't realized how sharp he is until now. But the pain only serves to send him higher, travelling straight to his already needy cock. He manages to get a hand between them, taking both their cocks and stroking them together as Eskel's mouth drifts down his neck and along the expanse of his shoulder. He nips and sucks at the skin and Geralt is helpless in his grasp to do anything but moan and rut into his own fist, pressing hard against Eskel's cock.

"Fuck," Geralt mumbles, "that's good, don't- mm, don't stop."

Eskel presses a little firmer with the following bite and Geralt groans loudly. He'll break the skin if he's not careful, but a part of Geralt likes that, welcomes the idea of a scar from Eskel, a mark to remind him of this in case it never happens again. And he's certain it won't.

But Eskel writhes against him, rutting up into his hand and squirming with every press of Geralt's fingers. He wants it so badly Geralt isn't sure how he held out so long, especially having him pressed against him like that, and he's determined to make it good for him.

Tentatively, he slips his fingers to the tip of Eskel's cock, pressing against the slit. Eskel groans softly, burying his face in Geralt's neck. Geralt presses further, letting the tip of his finger slip inside and Eskel's hips jerk hard.

"You like that?" Geralt asks breathlessly and Eskel nods against him.

"Yeah," he groans, "please, yeah."

"Shh," I got you, "Geralt hums, "he slips a hand around the back of Eskel's neck, rubbing gently at the base of his skull as his finger pushes deeper into his cock. Eskel jerks again, pushing up, forcing himself onto the intrusion with a gasp.

Geralt lets him, rubbing along the inside of him and testing out various speeds and pressure. When he switches to his thumb, Eskel bucks against him, apparently eager for the thickness, and Geralt wraps his remaining fingers around his cock, stroking him at the same time as he fingers him. Eskel squirms and moans and Gerslt's own cock throbs with need against Eskel's hips, even the coolness of the water isn't enough to deter it. But he keeps his attention on Eskel, revelling in the pressure when Eskel jerks against him.

"Is that good? Geralt asks, "do you want more?" Eskel looks up at him with pleading eyes and Geralt tips forward to kiss him as he slips off his cock entirely.

Geralt rubs at the head of his cock with two fingers, until Eskel starts rutting up against him and he huffs softly as he pushes inside. Eskel moans, biting down on Geralt's bottom lip and a bolt of pleasure goes straight to Geralt's cock. He lets out his own responding moan and Eskel presses close, wrapping one arm around his neck and pushing webbed fingers up into his hair. They shift against each other, neither moving much but to rock forward into the other and Geralt moves only automatically, so overwhelmed by the press of Eskel's body all around him.

He aches for more, to have Eskel's hand around him, his mouth, to feel that cock pressing into him and splitting him open. Fuck, and Eskel is big. He's not highly educated on the size of mer cocks, but he's willing to bet Eskel is above average. And the thought of him stretching him and shoving into him is incredible.

He lets out a little whine and Eskel shoves him back hard. The rock bites into his back, but Geralt barely notices it as the hand that was firmly wrapped around his side pulls away to wrap around his cock. And Geralt could cry at the relief it brings, rutting up hard against his palm and moaning into his mouth. Eskel is normally so careful when they touch, always aware that his claws are much sharper than human fingernails and doing his best to keep them away from Geralt's skin as much as he can. But in his desperation, he's clumsy and his claws brush along the underside of Geralt's cock as he moves to wrap around the head.

Geralt can feel the way he moves to pull back, but he brings him closer again, groaning to assure him it's fine. More than fine, even, but Eskel pulls away, breathing heavily as he breaks the kiss.

"Geralt," he breathes, "fuck, please-" he lets out a shuddering moan as Geralt presses into him again, "I need to fuck you, I need you-" he devolves to rambling as he presses his face into Geralt's neck, stroking him and squeezing hard as he nips at his skin.

"Yeah," Geralt huffs, tipping his head to the side, "yeah, give me that cock, please-" Eskel snarls against him and in one swift motion he's got his hands on Geralt's hips, lifting him back up onto the rock.

Geralt sits with his feet in the water as Eskel abruptly changes his mind. His fingers dig into Geralt's hips and he holds him forward as he rises up and presses his face between his thighs. He nips at Geralt's skin, licking over the marks and making his way up, temptingly close to Geralt's aching cock.

Precome beads at the tip and Eskel flicks his tongue out, licking it away before pushing himself up further and sinking down on him fully. Geralt doubles over, fingers pushing through Eskel's hair to steady himself as he rocks up involuntarily, seeking the wet heat of Eskel's mouth. As Eskel pulls up, his teeth graze the length of Geralt's cock and he almost loses it completely, moaning and twitching under his grip.

He still wants more, wants to feel Eskel inside of him, feel anything inside of him, so he reaches down, spreading his thighs to press a hand down between them. He nudges against his hole, testing the openness and it's dry, but doesn't hurt when he presses against himself. He doesn't bother with soft touches as he might normally, too impatient to do anything but press into himself.

He gets a finger in up to the first knuckle before it's too dry to continue and thrusts shallowly like that, groaning at the twin pleasures. Eskel, Evidently, is also encouraged by the thought of it, sucking harder so Geralt's eyes roll back in his head. One of the hands on his hips disappears, shortly pressing against his hole, dripping with Eskel's own slick and Geralt groans at the idea of opening himself with it. He moves aside so Eskel can spread it over him, then rubs it into his hole, pushing deeper now than before.

He makes himself slick with it, pressing two fingers in as soon as he is able, but it'll take more than that before he can comfortably take Eskel's cock, even as slick as it is. But it feels good fingering himself as Eskel plays with his cock in his mouth, rising up so suckle at the head before taking him all the way down again so Geralt's weak thrusts push him into Eskel's throat.

Abruptly, Eskel pulls off completely and Geralt thinks he's done something wrong until he's pushed back against the stone and Eskel lifts one thigh, draping it over his shoulder. He pulls Geralt toward the edge of the ledge, sinking further into the water as he presses his face back between Geralt's thighs, flicking his tongue against his skin before licking over his hole.

Geralt goes limp, letting Eskel shove him any which way to better access his hole, licking over it and teasing the ring with the tip of his tongue. When he finally pushes in, Geralt cries out, fingers clenching in his own hair as he tries with no luck to push further onto him.

"Eskel," he groans, "please, I need you-"

Eskel just hums against him and plunges deeper, deeper than any human tongue could reach, and Geralt whimpers, arching off the stone. Eskel's palm presses against his stomach, holding him down and Geralt can only squirm against it as he's taken apart from the inside out.

"Please," he gasps, "fuck, please Eskel, I can take it." Eskel hums against him and Geralt's pleas turn to unintelligible rambling as Eskel's tongue thrusts into him again and again.

Then, carefully, Eskel withdraws, kissing the base of his cock and down his thighs. He lets Geralt's legs drop again, smoothing his hands up them. He hauls Geralt closer and pushes himself up out of the water, bracing himself on the rock on either side of Geralt's torso. He shifts to lean on one arm, brushing the knuckles of the other hand against Geralt's hole and testing the stretch.

Apparently pleased, he reaches down to grip his own cock, stroking himself slowly before pressing the thin head against Geralt's hole and pushing in. He takes very little time to adjust before shifting back onto both hands and rocking forward. Geralt groans as Eskel slides into him, stretching him further as he settles against him. The burn is faint, eased by the cool slick coating Eskel's cock and seeping from his slit and Geralt inhales deeply, shutting his eyes as Eskel shifts impatiently.

"You can move," Geralt rasps, "I can take it. Fuck, I want it." He knows how desperate the urge can be, has been under spells meant to mimic the same urge, and he wants Eskel to take what he needs, not to restrain himself for Geralt's sake.

Eskel pulls back and snaps his hips forward hard and when Geralt just moans and reaches up to grasp at his shoulders, it seems to be encouragement enough. Eskel keeps his pace even, steady but hard, and Geralt squeezes around him, pushing himself further onto his cock. Eskel fills him more than he could have thought and Geralt's foggy with lust, spurred on by the stretch of Eskel's cock inside him.

Eskel leans low over him, kissing him again, but the motion is jolted by his thrusts. Their lips brush and Eskel nips at him, sharp teeth just barely catching so he doesn't risk cutting him and it sends a shock straight through him. Geralt wants him to bite him, wants to feel those teeth sink into his shoulder, right where it connects with his neck. And he's not an idiot, he knows enough about mer culture to know what that means and to know Eskel wouldn't, least of all in the heart of the moment, but he wants it.

He groans softly, wrapping his arms around Eskel's neck and pulling him against him. His thrusts slow and Eskel hums when Geralt kisses him. He knows this is a one-time thing, but feeling Eskel's mouth against his own, slow enough now that he can kiss him properly, is something he won't ever forget. And maybe he's been trying too hard to not feel anything, but when Eskel looks at him, something rises to the surface that Geralt has been carefully avoiding for years now.

He loses himself in the kiss to keep from thinking too much about it, sliding one hand down over Eskel's hip to bring him closer, deeper. But the angle's a little off and he can't get as deep as he wants him. And he wants to feel Eskel's cock in him for the rest of the month.

"Fuck."

Eskel snaps his hips and Geralt whines against his mouth. He pushes his hips down, trying without any luck to push Eskel deeper and Eskel seems to realize what he's angling for. He pulls out and for a second, Geralt is devastated until Eskel leans over him, kissing his stomach.

"Roll over for me?" he asks and Geralt immediately squirms into place, turning onto his stomach. Eskel hums happily and sinks a little lower, pressing his tongue between Geralt's cheeks and licking over him briefly before hoisting himself back up.

He fits himself against Geralt's body, sliding his prick between his cheeks and Geralt shudders at the touch, pushing up to meet him and clenching his hands into fists.

"Please," he whines.

He offered to help because he knows Eskel needs it and because he likes sex - with anyone - but he wasn't expecting it to be like this. He feels empty without Eskel's cock in him, wants him to fill him and fuck him until he can't breathe anymore. When Eskel pushes in, Geralt stills, holding his breath at the first press of Eskel's cock against his hole. He only remembers to breathe when Eskel runs his knuckles down his back tenderly.

Eskel pushes in, sinking deeper than before and Geralt nearly cries when he feels the base of Eskel's cock slip in, spreading him even further. There's a ridge there that he couldn't feel before, but it's obvious now, swollen and right at the base of him. Eskel has a fucking knot. Geralt's own cock hangs heavy between his legs, twitching at the thought of Eskel buried inside him and swollen. He moans into his own arm and nearly chokes as Eskel rocks into him.

He's much deeper this time, deeper than Geralt's ever taken anything before and it makes his head spin. Eskel starts slower this time, letting Geralt adjust to the new position and even though he wants it quick and hard, he's happy for the brief change of pace. Because Eskel leans over him like this, draped over his back with his nose pressed into Geralt's skin. His breath comes in hot, wet puffs and it feels good.

He keeps one hand on Geralt's hip and the other remains planted on the ground, bracing him. The hand on Geralt's hip presses into his skin, holding tight but careful not to puncture, and it steadies him, keeps him calm as the power of Eskel's hips threatens to drive him insane.

Geralt's already dizzy with lust but when Eskel picks up the pace, he nearly collapses against the ground, unable to do anything but moan and shove his hips back against him. His thighs spread, knees scraping against the rock, but it's all a blur; he hardly even notices he's moving until his cock is brushing against the stone as well and he gives a weak little thrust, desperate for any friction. Eskel shifts above him and the hand on his hip slips around to his stomach.

"Can I touch you?" he asks and Geralt lets out a low moan, nodding.

"Yes, fuck, please-"

He doesn't realize how worked up he is until Eskel gets a hand around him and he barely touches him before Geralt's coming, rocking forward into Eskel's hand and spilling all over the ground beneath him.

"Shit," Eskel groans, "fuck, Geralt." He presses his face between Geralt's shoulder blades. His hips jerk and he plants both hands on the ground, claws cutting into the layer of dirt. "I'm gonna come, can you-" he jerks hard, whining against Geralt's skin, "can you take my knot?"

"Yeah," Geralt huffs and Eskel thrusts hard.

Geralt holds his breath as the knot catches on his rim and then with another forward thrust, it slips in. The stretch burns a little, but the thought of being filled so completely only makes him want it more. To know this is Eskel inside him, all around him.

Eskel shifts behind him and while the press of his cock feels amazing post-orgasm, Geralt's head is clearer and when his knees scrape against the stone, it's uncomfortable. Eskel isn't light where he's draped over him, and while Geralt wouldn't in a million years ask him to move, he would like to shift a little. Eskel seems to notice and wraps an arm around his chest, fingers slipping through Geralt's chest hair as he hums against his shoulder.

"Come on," he whispers, and Geralt doesn't know what's happening until Eskel lifts him and pushes off the rock, landing softly in the water. He keeps Geralt's head above water, submerged about halfway up his chest and Eskel nuzzles at his neck.

"Might be a bit," he hums, "tell me if you get cold." A shiver runs down Geralt's spine as Eskel's lips brush the shell of his ear, but he doesn't think he could ever feel cold wrapped up in him like this.

Eskel's arms come up under his thighs, keeping him buoyant so the position isn't uncomfortable and Geralt finds it's quite nice to just lean back against his chest and shut his eyes. Like this, his hearing is his main focus; the gentle crash of waves, sea birds in the distance, Eskel's heartbeat under his head. He breathes lightly, though every little shift has him gasping as Eskel's knot catches pulling against him.

And it's not long before he's antsy again, shifting intentionally to try and press his cock up against his prostate. And when it does hit, Geralt melts into him. He stretched so full of Eskel's cock he can barely think and his own cock bobs with the swirl of the water, hard and needy after only a very short time.

"Sorry," he mumbles but Eskel just hums.

His thumbs rub against Geralt's thighs, soft and gentle and Geralt tries to focus on that instead of the want that fills his veins again. Eskel is soft and gentle with him, despite what Geralt can only manage is an overwhelming orgasm.

"What does it feel like?" he asks and Eskel just makes a non-committal mumbling noise at him.

"Incredible," he breathes, "not like before. 'S like-" Eskel pauses, taking in a shuddering breath, "like reaching the peak and just… staying there. Goes down gradually but- fuck, Geralt it feels amazing. 'S been a long time."

"Glad I could help," Geralt teases. Eskel shifts, bringing Geralt's thighs together and scooping one arm under him so the other is free to wind around his middle, one webbed hand slipping up his chest. He runs his fingers through Geralt's hair, and Geralt hums softly with each pass of his hand, stretching up to nuzzle into Eskel's neck.

"Glad it was you," Eskel murmurs, dipping to kiss the top of his head. "Didn't know what you'd think of me if you knew."

"'S hot," Geralt huffs and Eskel scoffs at him but presses into the touch when Gerlt raises a hand to cup his cheek.

"Thank you."

"Wouldn't do it for just anyone," Geralt breathes and it feels like a confession. Even as the words leave his lips, his heart is hammering in his chest.

"Geralt-" Eskel starts but Geralt interrupts. He pulls Eskel's face down to him, twisting awkwardly to press a kiss to his lips.

"I'm glad it was me, too."

Eskel kisses him soft and slow despite the awkward angle, but there's a heat beneath it, a neediness that returns despite Eskel's softening cock.

It doesn't take much longer for the knot to go down, but Eskel keeps him firmly in his arms and when he shifts to lift Geralt's leg again, his cock thrust deep and Geralt realizes he's still hard. He sinks all the way into him, hooking his jaw over Geralt's shoulder.

"Are you ready?" he asks and Geralt is hot and hard and aching for anything Eskel can offer him, so he nods and throws his head back, turning to meet Eskel's mouth in a brief kiss. "It's a lot if you've never done it before, are you still okay with this?"

"Yeah," Geralt huffs, "yeah, I want this."

"Okay."

Eskel gets both arms under his thighs again, holding him up so he can't sink all the way into him when he thrusts and Geralt groans at the denial. He tries to push his hips down but Eskel just laughs softly and nips at his shoulder.

"Patience," he mumbles, "you'll get it soon enough." But Geralt wants it now and Eskel's promises hardly stop his cock from aching.

This time, when he squirms, Eskel gives him a warning bite and pleasure jolts straight through him, making his cock twitch and his back arch. For a second, Eskel is still against him before leaning down again pointedly and pressing his teeth to Geralt's skin. Not, he notes, close enough to his neck to be considered a mating mark, and something about that is disappointing. Eskel bites down and he forgets all about it, squirming on his cock and reaching down to grab his own.

"Wanna come," he mumbles, stroking himself, but Eskel stops him with a half-growled not yet. Heat rolls up his spine and Geralt lets go of his cock immediately, reaching back to wind his arms around Eskel's neck.

Eskel fucks into him at a maddeningly slow pace, and although Geralt savours the drag of his cock, he needs more. But Eskel seems to be building up, his hips pushing a little deeper, a little quicker. Then, just as Geralt thinks he'll lose his mind before Eskel fucks him properly, he stops altogether.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Now?"

"Mm. It's… fuck, Geralt it's never felt like this before, I don't know- I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't," he promises, smiling back at him. Eskel squirms a little, his hips snapping forward seemingly unintentionally. "You need to release them," Geralt guesses and Eskel nods.

"Yeah, it's-" Eskel groans and jerks against him, "fuck, Geralt-"

"I'm ready," Geralt confirms, "do it."

Eskel pulls out and Geralt groans at the loss, but then he's being turned around and pulled back into Eskel's arms. They're chest to chest now and Geralt forgets to breathe when he looks up at Eskel like this. The pure need shows on his face and Geralt reaches up, wrapping his arms around the back of Eskel's neck while his legs wrap around his waist.

"Okay like this?" he asks and Eskel nods, breathing slowly.

"Yeah. 'S good. Like being able to see you," he smiles bashfully and Geralt presses up to kiss him even as he reaches behind him to wrap a hand around Eskel's cock.

Eskel groans low, thrusting awkwardly into Geralt's hand and he breaks the kiss to huff, now. It's urgent and desperate and Geralt's cock throbs between them at the sound of it. He doesn't know much about this process, but Eskel sounds pretty adamant. He guides the head of Eskel's cock to his hole again, pressing him in just a little and Eskel growls low in his throat.

He slides in deep, settling as far as he can reach, and Geralt feels like he's choking on it. For a moment, there's nothing, though he can practically feel Eskel vibrating around him. He feels the instant the egg passes, stretching him open and pushing all the way up into him. It's a heady feeling, like having another cock shoved in him while he's already being fucked, only it doesn't pull out. He tries to focus on the egg, to feel when it leaves Eskel's body and settles in his own, but he can't feel it and soon enough he's distracted by a second.

It stretches him in the same way as the first, and Geralt can feel himself expand just a little to make space. They come consistently after that and Geralt's cock has taken a very serious interest in the process. He aches for any touch, but all he can do is thrust weakly against Eskel's stomach. Strong arms hold him in place and Eskel has his head on Girl's shoulder, eyes clenched shut as he deposits the eggs inside him.

But, as Geralt takes them, Eskel's hips start to roll just a little, thrusting into him lightly and he can feel Eskel's breath become heavy again.

"Does it feel good?" he asks and Eskel groans against his shoulder.

"Not normally, doesn't normally feel like this. Guess normally I'm not with someone-," he mumbles, and Geralt is quick to pick up on the meaning.

"Feels good with me?" he asks and Eskel huffs a laugh and turns to kiss his neck.

"Feels incredible," he breathes. "Never understood why mer travel so far for breeding festivals, but- fuck yeah, it's really good." He punctuates the words with another sharp thrust just as another egg is released and Geralt isn't sure how many more will fit.

He's experimented with toys and fucked people with every sized dick imaginable, but he's never felt so full like this before and when he glances down, he can see the result of it. His stomach swells and he slips his hand over it, he can feel the individual eggs inside him. It should be weird, should make him squirm with discomfort, but the only thing he feels is a vague sort of satisfaction and pleasure.

He likes the look of his stomach, swollen with Eskel's eggs and he can't keep from touching it, feeling as the eggs shift inside him when another is added. And Eskel has noticed. He hums encouragingly as Geralt touches his skin, gently feeling the outline of the eggs though it doesn't show from the outside. He knows Eskel is watching, can feel him looking at him when he does it, but he seems pleased, kissing Geralt's shoulder and neck and nuzzling against him.

Geralt doesn't get much warning when it's over, and it's hard to tell because Eskel's thrusts are nearly constant now, the roll of his hips and Geralt can only imagine his cock inside him, slipping between the eggs that fill him. Something about that is stupidly arousing and he leans forward, pressing his lips to Eske's collar bone.

"Wanna come," he groans, "please, touch me."

"'S too late," Eskel hums apologetically, "you have to expel them first and it can take a lot of energy, I don't want to risk you like that." He brushes his knuckles against Geralt's cheek and Geralt whines softly, shutting his eyes.

"Are you gonna come?" he asks.

"If you want me to. If you think you can take it again."

"Gonna knot me again?" Geralt asks, pressing back onto him, "gonna fill me up and breed me?" He's rambling now, needy and being denied even as he rocks his hips against Eskel's stomach. Eskel groans and wraps a hand around the base of Geralt's cock, squeezing him and holding his cock away from his body.

"Fuck, you don't make it easy," he breathes.

"Then fuck me," Geralt hums, "fuck me, please."

Eskel squeezes his ass, claws digging into the flesh, and hauls Geralt against him, thrusting quick and hard. Geralt can tell he needs it too, can feel it in every shift of Eskel's hips and in the way he clings so tightly to him.

"You're gonna-" Eskel gasps and groans, dropping his forehead against Geralt's shoulder. "You're gonna have to expel them soon if you want my knot. Not gonna be able to hold out much longer."

"I wanna keep them," Geralt breathes, "for a little longer." Eskel moans and his hips stutter and Geralt wants him so fucking badly. Wants Eskel to knot him with the eggs still inside. "Please," he whines, clenching around his cock, "Eskel please."

Eskel growls low and with the next thrust, Geralt can feel the swell of his knot growing. It bumps against his rim and Geralt pushes his hips down to try and take it, but Eskel pulls back again. The next thrust pushes a little deeper, stretching Geralt around his knot but not pushing all the way in. He pushes a little deeper with each thrust until Geralt's thighs are tight around his waist and Eskel holds him so tight he can hardly move.

Geralt's cock throbs between them, so hot and needy that he can hardly stand it because Eskel refuses to touch him. And when Eskel finally pushes inside him, Geralt can feel the eggs jostle inside of him as Eskel's knot spreads him wide again.

Geralt is so unimaginably full he can barely think. His cock throbs and Eskel slides in and out and he's barely aware of anything else. He wants to come but Eskel holds him in such a way that he can't rub his cock on him anymore and it's maddening. Eskel's nose presses into his neck and he's breathing hard, grazing his teeth against Geralt's skin.

"Gods," he groans, "wanna mark you up, make everyone know your mine-" he growls and Geralt clenches around him, biting hard on his own lip to keep from coming. He shudders in Eskel's arms, whining and vaguely aware that he's asking Eskel to bite him.

"Please," he moans, "Eskel please, I want it. Make me yours- I'm yours, Eskel fuck-"

Eskel nuzzles against him, nipping at his shoulder but refusing to bite harder and Geralt groans with it. He needs it like he's never needed anything in his life and he might go mad without it. Eskel soothes him, biting down on his shoulder, dragging his teeth along the line of his neck.

"You feel fucking amazing," Eskel hums, "so fucking good around my cock, Geralt. Fuck. I'm not gonna last long if you keep it up." Geralt doesn't care. He wants Eskel in him, wants to feel that full-body shudder that runs through him as his knot swells and he spills inside him. He shoves his hips back again, clenching intentionally this time. He didn't realize how close he was until Eskel's prick rams up against his prostate again and he cries out, dropping his head back with a whine.

"I'm gonna come," he rasps, "Eskel please let me, please- I can push them out, I can, please, I want to come-" Eskel bites down on him, growling against his skin and Geralt's cock jerks hard.

"Hold on a little longer," Eskel breathes, "you feel so good like this. Just a little longer-"

Geralt hangs on as long as he can, squeezing hard around him and clenching his hands in Eskel's hair to try and hold himself together, but as Eskel's knot slips into him again, he shoots off, coming uncontrollably. Eskel shifts to let Geralt rut against him and he does, working himself through it and pressing down on Eskel's knot.

When he's finished, Eskel's chest is while with come and Geralt can't even hold his head up on his own. One of Eskel's hands slips up to the back of his head, holding him up with a soft little kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"Gonna come," Eskel warns him. "Gotta get you somewhere-" he's cut off by his own moan and his hips snap forward hard.

Eskel tips onto his back, flicking his tail to propel them back toward the shore. There's a lower ledge in the rock, only covered by a couple of inches of water and he pulls them onto it, rolling them onto their sides and pulling Geralt up against him. Geralt shivers at the air against his skin but then Eskel's kissing him, soft and sweet but demanding and urgent at the same time. He bites his lips, wraps his arm around Geralt's waist and pins him against him.

"Fuck," he whispers, lips parted and breathing against Geralt's mouth, "gonna come."

"Come," Geralt whispers, "I want it." And he does.

Eskel jerks against him as he buries himself deep, spilling inside him. Geralt's eyes flutter as the knot swells inside him and he shifts to get comfortable, adjusting to the size of it. His body is heavy, but he wants this to be good for Eskel. He winds his fingers into his hair, kissing his neck and his mouth and sliding a hand between them to play with his nipples.

Eskel writhes against him, bucking hard and groaning and Geralt holds him closer. When Eskel finally stills, he kisses him. There's no heat this time, no need or want, just pure tenderness and the softness of exhaustion bleeding into his motions. Geralt melts into him, making no attempt to move other than to fit into the space Eskel makes when he moves.

He nearly falls asleep before Eskel nudges him, humming softly.

"Hey," he breathes, "don't pass out on me yet. We still gotta get those eggs outta you."

"Hmm," Geralt mumbles, "talk to me, tell me how it feels."

"Incredible," Eskel whispers, "Geralt you have no idea. 'S never been- never been like this, you feel so good. Wanna bury myself in you and stay there forever."

"Not gonna complain."

Eskel huffs a laugh and kisses him again, bringing a hand up to brush the hair out of Geralt's face. It's fallen out of its tie and is sticking to the sweat and water on his face, but Eskel pushes it away, smiling softly at him. He shifts closer, pressing his nose to Geralt's and shutting his eyes.

Geralt doesn't sleep, not really, but he drifts, only vaguely aware of Eskel still against him, talking him softly through it and then-

"Geralt," he breathes, "love?" Geralt stirs, opens his eyes to look at him and Eskel smiles. "Hey, told you you'd be tired. Are you ready to push them out?"

"Are you-?" he asks and Eskel nods.

He shifts, slipping from Geralt's body with a moan, and Geralt can feel his come dripping out of him. He squirms and his cock stirs where it's been lying soft against his thigh. Geralt pulls himself up to his knees, but Eskel reaches out to stop him.

"It'll be easier in the water," he says and Geralt doesn't get a chance to respond before he's scooped back onto Eskel's arms and they're splashing into the water again.

Eskel holds him close and Geralt stretches out, enjoying the feeling of the cool water on his skin. Eskel's hand comes down to rest on his stomach, rubbing soft circles into the skin. He turns Geralt around and Geralt rests a head on his shoulder, letting Eskel's hands roam over his body. Eskel presses down on his stomach just lightly and Geralt groans.

"Ready?" Eskel asks, "you just have to push."

The eggs feel strange coming out of him, similar to having a cock slip out of him, but again and again. He's stretched by each of them and it doesn't take much before his cock is twitching to life again, firming up without so much as a touch.

"Keep pushing," Eskel hums, "just a couple more and I'll touch you. Do you want to come again, Geralt?"

He nods, unable to find words as another egg slips from his body. They sink as he expels them, and Eskel continually rubs his stomach, kisses his neck. But Geralt is exhausted and his body begs for rest and Eskel has to readjust him. He presses one hand to Geralt's stomach, helping to push the eggs lower and make it easier.

When the final one slips free, Eskel wraps a hand around his cock, stroking him quick and hard until Geralt jerks and comes, arching off his chest with a cry. Eskel turns him and kisses him. He nips at Geralt's neck, right where he'd put a mating bite and Geralt waits for a pain that doesn't come. But he can't expect that from Eskel, not after keeping silent about his feelings for so long.

Eskel lifts him up, sitting him on the rock ledge and Geralt immediately lies back and rolls over. Eskel gives a soft huff of a laugh and pushes himself up after him. shuffling over to curve around him. He's warm and solid and When Eskel's tail winds between his legs, Geralt shuts his eyes and hum.

"'S good," he mumbles and Eskel laughs.

"You're incredible." Eskel nuzzles against the back of his neck, throwing an arm around Geralt's waist and it's the last thing Geralt knows before he falls asleep.

When he wakes, Geralt is stiff and aching, back on land again, but Eskel is pressed against his back and Eskel kisses the back of his neck. His nose traces a line down his neck and along the back of his shoulder.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Hm?"

"You asked me to mark you," Eskel says softly, "why?"

"I- I know how important it is to you - to mer - I didn't mean to make light of it, I just- You're important to me, Eskel. I haven't been as open as I should be, but you're… I wanted you to. Not just to bite me but to claim me- fuck, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Eskel hums. "Geralt, I couldn't- to tie you to me, to this place and nowhere else-"

"Eskel?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want… this?"

"Do I want to fuck you until you literally pass out? yeah. Yeah, that was incredible. You're incredible. Shoulda told you before, didn't think you'd be interested."

"You saved my life and that week I spent here," Geralt huffs a laugh, slipping his fingers between Eskel's. "I didn't want to leave."

"Don't have to," Eskel hums, "not now, not ever if you don't want to."

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Geralt mumbles, settling again against Eskel's chest.

"'M not. I like having you here."

"Mmhm, must be really popular having a Witcher for a friend."

"They feel safer with you around. I feel safer with you around." Geralt snorts and Eskel muzzles up against him. "What do I have to do to prove it to you, hm?" He kisses the back of Geralt's neck and slides to the junction of his neck and shoulder, kissing the skin there.

"Stay for a while," Eskel hums, "maybe we can talk more about that bite."

Geralt's eyes flutter shut at the light touch and he sighs as Eskel pulls him close. He doesn't know how to make this work and maybe that's part of the reason he never said anything until now. But Eskel seems convinced and after tonight, Geralt is willing to trust him with pretty much anything.

#geralt x eskel #mer!eskel #fic with art #rex writes

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dameronology · 3 years

Text

love in the time of p.t.a meetings {marcus moreno} - 2/5

summary: your kid has taken a liking to marcus moreno - and frankly, so have you {series masterlist}

warnings: swearing, mentions of divorce & very brief mentions of his wife’s death

i don’t normally update series this quickly but this was originally one imagine that reached about 11k words lmao so it’s all written, just being split up. i’ve also decided it’s gonna be 5 parts instead of 3, cos i reread the ending and realised i was not done by a longshot. enjoy!

- jazz

Mondays. You hated ‘em.

Everything just seemed so...amplified. The peace and relaxation of the weekend was over and everyone had to go back on the grind. The traffic always seemed worst, the clock seemed to tick backwards and you just wanted to be at home, in bed. After an incident involving the dog, a toaster and a small pan fire, you were already running twenty minutes late and you knew in your soul that your child’s shoes weren’t on the right feet. That, and also he was wearing a Chewbacca onesie to school. It had been a compromise. As in, he was refusing to go to school unless you let him wear the damn thing. It was a compromise. You’d lost.

On the bright side, the past weekend had been the best you’d had in a long time. Jack had spent all of Saturday afternoon at the Heroics headquarters and he was so worn out, he’d slept through all of Sunday. Marcus Moreno must have a been a fucking wizard, because you’d been trying to tire the kid out for five years. You made a mental note to do something in return, though you sensed there was nothing on God’s green earth that could possibly amount to babysitting the world’s most exhausting child for six hours. You were allowed to say that, because Jack was your world’s most exhausting child and you wouldn’t have changed him for anything.

‘New week, huh buddy?’ You glanced at Jack in your rear view mirror. He was sat on his booster seat, legs dangling back and forth and a power ranger action figure in his hand. ‘A fresh start.’

‘Can we listen to the song from Cars?’ Jack ignored your comment.

‘You gotta try and behave yourself this week. You’ve seen what happens to people who do follow the rules, right? They get to go work at the Heroics-’

‘- I wanna listen to the song from Cars!’

You wanted to have a deep conversation. Jack wanted to listen to Life Is A Highway. That was...actually, it was exactly how you’d expected that to go. It wasn’t that off of the time you were trying to explain your divorce to him and he’d interrupted you to demand that you put Toy Story on.

‘Sure thing, kid.’ You rolled your eyes, reaching across to hand him on your phone. ‘D’you know how to spell it-’

Your sentence was cut off by the sound of guitars blaring from the speakers. At least he could work out Spotify.

By some miracle, you managed to make it the school with a few minutes to spare. Because most people had dropped their kids off earlier (see: on time), the lot was pretty empty. That meant you could once again dump your car without regard for the painted white lines -- who had time to park properly on a Monday morning? That was for people who had their shit together.

Leaping out the car, you almost cursed when you tripped over your heels. You didn’t have to wear them, but since you’d started working in a managerial role at your office, you figured it made you look a little more professional. And what was the harm in being a few inches taller? It made you feel powerful.

‘C’mon, J.’ You pulled open the back door, helping Jack leap out the car.

‘You know, I’m starting to think you can’t park your car at all.’

‘Marcus!’ Jack practically flew out the car, his tiny body suddenly jolting with excitement.

‘Morning, buddy.’ He replied; he then moved his brown eyes to gaze at you, offering a smile. ‘Hey.’

‘Hey, how you doing?’ You greeted him. ‘I don’t normally see you here in the mornings.’

‘Yeah, I normally drop Missy off at the front but it was one of those mornings, you know? She was taking a little more convincing than usual to go in.’

‘My kid is in a Wookiee onesie and backwards Thomas the Tank Engine shoes and you have the audacity to ask me if I know those mornings? I am those mornings.’ You replied.

Marcus chuckled. ‘I think it’s a look. I especially like the Lightning McQueen sunglasses.’

‘Do you have a super suit?’ Jack asked. ‘Can I try it on?’

‘C’mon, Jack. You’ve already managed to get a tour of the HQ.’ You ruffled his hair. ‘And we gotta get going to school.’

‘But I wanna ask more questions.’ He muttered. ‘I have over a hundred.’

‘Don’t I know it.’ You murmured under your breath. ‘But school is more important.’

‘I don’t wanna go anymore.’

‘I let you wear the onesie. That was our agreement, remember?’

‘All good superheroes have to get an education.’ Marcus reasoned. ‘And if you go in, maybe I can show you my suit at some point?’

'Okay!’ Jack grinned. He wrapped his arms around your waist in a quick hug, before peering up at you with a toothy smile. ‘See ya later!’

He turned on his heel and ripped his backpack from your hand, suddenly speeding up the path and towards school. Had...had that just happened? For once in your life, had you not had to wrench him from the car and wrestle him through the school gates? Move aside, Harry Potter, because Marcus Moreno was the new wizard in town. You might have been a little jealous that he was so good with your son but at the same time, it made you like him even more. He was the first parent at the school that had leant into Jack’s wild tendencies. And, whilst you tried not to think too much about it, even his own dad had struggled to do that. It made your heart warm a little.

‘You are seriously my favourite person.’ You chimed, leaning back against your car.

‘Kids with character are way more fun than kids who are well-behaved.’ Marcus replied.

‘I spent forty-five minutes scraping string cheese out the USB port of my computer yesterday, but sure.’

He chuckled. ‘No, I’m serious. I don’t encourage Missy to misbehave but she does get herself into some situations. I choose to see it as a testament to her intelligence rather than disobedience.’

‘I refuse to believe for a second that Missy ever misbehaves.’ You shot back back. ‘She seems so well-behaved.’

‘What you see in the parking lot is not a reflection of our whole lives.’ He reminded you.

‘Right, because despite appearances, I’m actually a very put together parent.’ You snorted. ‘But I get what you mean.’

‘I gotta get to work now, but it was good to see you.’ Marcus pulled his car keys out his pocket. ‘I was serious about that suit thing, by the way. He saw my katanas on Saturday.’

‘Katanas?’ You spluttered. ‘My kid managed to start a fire last week out of nothing and you want to give him katanas?!’

‘Maybe I can show you how to use them.’ He flashed you a smile. ‘And then you can pass on the knowledge.’

‘That’s probably an even worse idea.’ You shook your head with a laugh, pulling open your car door. ‘I’ll see you around.’

‘You as well. Have a good day, pretty lady.’

Did you stop thinking about your exchange at any point during the day? Absolutely not. In fact, you’d already written an email to the local deed poll office to change your legal name to Pretty Lady.

No, but in all seriousness, you’d been a little giddy about it. Had he been flirting? That didn’t seem like a long shot. You got on well, you’d hung out a bit over the weekend and not to toot your own horn, but you were by no means bad looking. Tired and a little frazzled, sometimes? Yeah. But anyone would have been lucky to have you and you were doing a better job at recognising that, especially since your divorce.

You were almost ecstatic when it got to 4PM and you hadn’t received a single call from Jack’s teachers. That meant that he had behaved, and what Marcus had said had worked. Because you worked past his finishing time, he usually went to the after-school club till you could come to collect him - it had been a lifesaver, especially since you couldn’t always leave early. He usually came home with some kind of weird arts and crafts. Last week, it had been an unidentifiable item made of dried macaroni and glitter. He’d placed it pridefully on the old fireplace in your lounge.

After saying goodbye to your co-workers, you headed out the building. Your office was right in the city centre and not too far out from the school. It was a nice place to be; your lunch hour, when you could head out to a street cart and eat your food in the local park, was usually the highlight of your day. It was when you could exist just as you. When you were at work, you were in charge on your entire department. When you were home, you were a parent 24/7. That time to yourself was vital.

As you were heading to your car, your phone began to ring. Your heart almost jumped out your chest when you saw Marcus’ name - he hadn’t called you before, only texted to sort out the previous weekend’s plans with Jack. You quickly organised yourself (he couldn’t see you, dumb ass) and cleared your throat.

‘Hey, everything alright?’ You brightly greeted him.

‘Hey! Are you out of work now?’

‘Yeah, I’m literally just leaving. What’s up?’

‘Look, I hate to do this but I’ve had an emergency at work - superhero related, you don’t wanna know - and I’m not gonna be out for hours.’ Marcus sounded stressed. Yeah, I feel that you thought. ‘Would you be able to pick up Missy and possibly have her for a few hours? If not, that’s totally-’

‘- I’d be glad too!’ You interrupted him. ‘I owe you one anyways for the weekend. And this morning, actually.’

‘You don’t owe me anything.’ He sounded surprised that you’d even imply it. ‘But I will definitely owe you for having Missy.’

‘Hey, it’s cool!’ You insisted. ‘Do you want me to drop her off at yours later?’

‘I can come and collect her if you text me your address?’

‘Perfect.’ You smiled. ‘I’ll see you later then?’

‘You’re a lifesaver.’ Marcus said. ‘I’ll text Missy to let her know to find your car instead of mine. I would ask for your plate number, but your car is...’

‘...bright red, covered in dents and hard to miss?’ You finished his sentence.

‘Exactly.’

You’d been in the same situation before; pulled between work and parenting, with Jack stuck at school and an important meeting that felt like it was never ending. It was hard to get a sitter on such short notice - or afford one, sometimes - and it was just another one of the million, stressful situations that single parenting could get you into. If you could help Marcus even a little bit, of course you were going to. You knew he’d do the same for you. Heck, he had done the same for you.

Jack and Missy were both chatty on the way home. Given that she was a little older than him, her conversational skills were strikingly better. It was nice to ask someone about their day and not get where are my Cheetos? as an answer. From what you gathered, she hated science class, enjoyed gym, and her favourite subject was lunch. That didn’t come as a surprise to you - her dad was a literal superhero and probably encouraged physical activity.

(You’d seen his arms, okay? They were more than enough to go on. I digress).

The only thing that made you wish you’d had a little more notice on having her for the evening was the state of your apartment. The place wasn’t bad; you’d lived there for the better part of eight years, and it was crammed with soft furniture and millions of blankets, as well as photos of you and Jack and his questionable art projects. It was just that you hadn’t done the dishes that morning, there was a mountain of shoes by the door and the pancakes from the previous night were still stuck on the roof.

Missy barely blinked an eye; the minute she saw your dog, she’d abandoned her bag and was playing with him.

‘Hey buddy!’ She grinned. ‘What’s he called?’

‘That’s Oppy.’ You replied, hanging your jacket up. She didn’t need to know that it was short for Optimus Prime. No guesses on whose idea that had been.

‘He’s so cute!’ Missy continued. ‘I’ve been asking dad for a dog for ages but he won’t budge.’

For some reason, that surprised you a little. Marcus might have been the leader of a super-hero team and a public figure, but you could tell he would do anything for his daughter. You knew because it was the same for you with Jack. He might have ruled your whole life but you would have hung the damn stars in the sky for him if he asked

‘They’re a lot of work.’ You reasoned. ‘I have to wake up every morning at 6AM to make sure he gets a walk. Then there’s the matter of-’

‘- mum! Optimus Prime pooped in the bathroom!’

‘The matter of that.’ You murmured under your breath.

The rest of the evening went pretty smoothly. You fed the kids some leftover takeaway and between the dog and Netflix, they were easily entertained. Jack seemed to take a liking to Missy, which was good because it meant he wanted to sit with her the entire time instead of bouncing off the walls. She had the same patience as her dad, especially when he asked her a million questions about superheroes. It took her twenty minutes to convince him that Batman wasn’t her uncle, and a further fifteen to make him believe that she hadn’t met Captain America.

Jack had asked you a few times about whether or not he would get siblings. Of course, it would be different to any interactions with Missy because he would have been the oldest, but it did get you thinking. You were finally in a place where you were moving past your former relationship and healing from the wounds. Time wasn’t much of an issue either - you’d had Jack when you were young and barely out of college. You couldn’t possibly imagine having any more kids right now, not when it was just the two of you, but in the future? You’d never rule out meeting somebody new. If anything, you were hopeful. Your first relationship had been your only one, and it had ended badly. You wanted to experience love for what it actually was, and not what you thought it was supposed to be.

Not long after 7PM, there was a knock on your door. By that point, both Missy and Jack had passed out on the sofa with Star Wars playing quietly in the background. It had been her idea to watch it - she had good taste. Marcus had clearly done a good job.

‘Hey!’ You greeted him as you pulled open the front door. ‘Come in quick, it’s fucking freezing out there.’

‘Thank you.’ Marcus came inside, dusting a few snow flakes out his hair. ‘Seriously, I can’t say it enough-’

‘- it’s fine!’ You shook your head, offering him a smile. ‘Missy’s been great. She’s really chatty and it was nice to have a coherent conversation with someone that isn’t about Paw Patrol. But was everything at the office okay?’

He was quiet for a minute. ‘Yeah. We uh, we lost someone. A hero.’

‘Shit, man. I’m sorry.’ Your voice fell quiet. ‘You wanna come in? You look like you could probably take a moment.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Of course! Missy and Jack are both asleep on the couch anyways.’ You pointed through to the living room. Marcus leant over to have a look, smiling slightly at the sight.

‘Thank you. I’d appreciate that.’

He took a seat at the kitchen counter. Your old bar stools were a little old and wobbly, but Marcus didn’t seem to notice. If anything, he admired the place. It was cluttered as hell and filled with useless, old items - cook books you didn’t use, random magnets, assorted toys - but it was nice. His house always felt a little cold and clinical. He’d moved a lot over the course of Missy’s life and now that he was retired from the field, he’d sworn to her that their current house was going to be permanent. Whether or not it felt like home was another question entirely.

‘I would offer you a drink but all I have is..’ you paused, opening the fridge. ‘Nesquik, vodka or apple juice.’

‘You know what? A Nesquik doesn’t sound too bad.’

‘I like your thinking, Moreno.’

After quickly fixing up the two drinks, you slid into the seat beside him and handed him one. You had never in a million years imagined a situation where Marcus Moreno would be in your kitchen drinking chocolate milk, but here we were. It had clearly been a long day for him and you had enough of those to last a lifetime, so you knew how it felt. Coming home after a day that had beat your ass into the ground and having to put on a brave face for your kids was difficult at best.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ You gently asked.

‘Yeah, I’ll be okay - it just always fucks me up a bit.’ Marcus murmured quietly. ‘Hits a little too close to home.’

He wasn’t an idiot. He knew that you knew what had happened to his wife. You knew why he’d retired, and why he and Missy had moved away from their original city six years ago.

‘Sorry, that was too deep-’

‘- it wasn’t!’ You quickly cut him off. ‘I’ve had random women come up to me at pick up time and say they’re sorry to hear about my divorce. People I don’t even know. So really, after that, nothing is too much.’

He smiled slightly. ‘They always say they’re sorry but why would you bring up a subject if you have to apologise for it?’

‘Exactly!’ You replied. ‘Especially when I’ve moved on. It’s been a year.’

‘It’s the same with me. Missy and I miss her everyday but we don’t mope about it. We just...we look back with fondness on the good memories we have. You can’t move forward if you’re stuck in the past, no matter how much it sucks.’

‘That’s...that’s wise.’ You blinked in surprise. ‘S’pose that means I should take down the dartboard I have with my ex’s face on.’

‘From what I’ve heard, he seems like he should have more than a dart board.’ Marcus snorted - then he froze. ‘Wait, not that I’ve heard stuff, I mean...I don’t listen-’

‘- Marcus!’ You whacked his arm. ‘It’s fine. One of the other kid’s mums started telling me about the terrible divorce someone was going through but she realised she was gossiping to the one who was going through it.’

‘I don’t know how much of what I’ve been told is true, but it sounds like it was bad.’ His hand hovered over where yours was rested on the counter.

‘The rumours pretty much get the gist of it.’ You replied. ‘But we were talking about your thing, so I don’t wanna take away from that.’

‘Hey, it’s okay.’ He finally moved his hand, fingers gently curling underneath yours to intertwine them. ‘If even half of the whispers are true, he sounds like an asshole. You and Jack both deserve better than that.’

Whatever people had said, it had sort of covered the gist of it. You’d married too young and had a kid too young - your ex had been a terrible husband and an even worst husband. He’d chastised Jack for being...well, being Jack. He’d stay out late with his friends, spend money on things neither of you needed and tried to make you take the blame for it all. After giving him a few too many chances, you’d finally reached breaking point and kicked him out. Filing for divorce and taking on being a single parent was single-handedly the hardest and bravest thing you’d ever had to do. In a way, you were glad you’d done it when Jack was still so young - he didn’t really understand any of it, even when you’d try to explain it in child friendly terms.

‘I think people judge me for it a little sometimes.’ You confessed. ‘They see me struggling but they know I made the choice to separate from him, like I brought it all on myself.’

‘That’s bullshit.’ Marcus plainly stated. ‘Parenthood isn’t a dependent thing based on whether or not you’re still married to the other parent. It’s unconditional and permanent.’

‘I should tell him that, but I also don’t want him back in our lives.’

‘I know it’s none of my business, but he doesn’t deserve Jack. He’s one of the best and brightest kids I’ve ever met.’

‘Thank you. I’m glad he doesn’t seem like a complete lunatic.’

‘He doesn’t deserve you either.’ Marcus continued. ‘Again, I might be out of place saying this but you are...you’re amazing. I was a wreck when I was suddenly on my own and you’re still holding everything together and working your ass off.’

‘You’ve noticed?’ You quirked an eyebrow.

‘Yeah, in passing.’ He admitted. ‘I remember I once saw you carrying three separate science projects at once and then Carol made a passing comment that you were on your own and...I just kinda admired you from afar.’

‘You, Marcus Moreno, admired me?’ You blinked at him in disbelief. ‘I find that hard to believe.’

‘I wish I’d had my shit together half as much as you did when I lost Missy’s mum.’

‘But the difference is you didn’t have a choice in your situation. I chose to boot his dad out-’

‘- you gotta stop discrediting yourself.’ He shook his head. ‘And stop blaming yourself. You did what was right for your kid and that is the most admirable thing of all.’

‘You really think so?’

‘I know so.’

The conversation slowly drizzled away, leaving you two to just look at each other. It was hard to tear yourself away from his brown eyes - there was a lot going on behind them. Fear, pain, anguish, admiration. He was one of the most mind-blowingly impressive people you’d ever met; single dad, superhero, electric car owner. He probably didn’t have a mortgage too and that was kinda hot. You were none of those things and yet, here he was, with you, managing to connect on a level that you never had with anyone. Both of your situations were tough, but they’d brought you together.

Marcus Moreno was pretty fucking fearless (came with the job, you figured), and he wasn’t afraid to make the first move. He slowly inched his head forward and in return, you gravitated towards him. Your lips met halfway in a soft kiss, his hands moving to firmly hold your waist as he pulled you closer.

You almost stumbled out your chair with the movement, but his grip on your hips meant you didn’t slip. Instead, he placed you up on the counter, standing up as he did. It took you a moment to adjust to the position, but with your legs resting on either side of his, you could reach forward and lean on him. You had one hand tangled in his hair and the other on the back of his neck - you’d surprised yourself with that. It had been months since you’d kissed anyone, but you weren’t as rusty as you thought.

‘Oh my god, is the superhero gonna be my new dad?!’

Marcus suddenly jumped backwards at the sound of Jack’s voice. He was stood in the doorway, post-nap hair covered by a lopsided Chewbacca hood. His eyes were like dinner plates, even though he was grinning from ear to ear.

‘Uh...’ you glanced between him and Marcus. ‘We were just...we were...’

‘I had something in my eye.’

‘He had something in his eye.’ You quickly agreed. ‘But now it’s out, so Marcus is gonna go home.’

He knew you didn’t mean it rudely - it was more of a desperation thing. The longer he stayed, the more questions Jack would come out with. Missy could have overheard too and that would have been twice as much to explain. So really, the sooner he got out, the better.

‘Yeah. I’ll uh, I’ll grab Missy.’ Marcus said, scratching the back of his head. ‘Thank you again for looking after her.’

‘You don’t need to keep thanking me.’ You shot back.

He disappeared into the living room for a moment, reemerging with a sleeping Missy in his arms a moment later. Your eyes met again, and he gave you a soft smile.

‘I’ll call you.’

‘Yeah, sure.’ You nodded. ‘See you, Marcus.’

True to character, the next hour was spent being pelted with questions from your over-curious son. He didn’t shut up once when you were bathing him and he got even louder when you were reading him his best time story. On the bright side, you’d managed to get him to change out of his slightly manky Wookiee onesie and into a clean Buzz Lightyear one. Normally, you would have argued that he couldn’t live in pyjamas, but if it kept him quiet? It was a price you were willing to pay.

‘Night, kiddo.’ You pressed a kiss to his forehead, switching on his nightlight. ‘Remember our deal, yeah? If I buy you a Happy Meal tomorrow, you won’t mention what you saw to any of your friends?’

‘You said library was bad.’

‘No, it’s bribery.’ You corrected him. ‘And do as I say, not as I do.’

‘Sounds bad, but okay.’ He sleepily murmured. ‘Night.’

‘Night.’ You stood up, flicking out his bedroom lights.

‘Wait, mum!’ Jack suddenly sat up, as though he’d remembered something. ‘You never said no.’

‘No to what, buddy?’

‘When I asked if the superhero was my new dad.’

Well, fuck.

taglist: @naivara-duneimith @1-2-3-4-5metalfingers @likeshootingstarsinthenightsky @lyanna-the-giantsbane @phoenixhalliwell @crazycookiecrumbles @bitchin-beskar @comphersjost {message me to be added!}

#marcus moreno x reader #marcus moreno imagine #marcus moreno x you #marcus moreno x y/n #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal character headcanons #pedro pascal characters x reader

376 notes · View notes

selfindulgentpoorlywritten · 3 years

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Surprise

Okay I’m soooo late, I’m sorry! This is my submission for @antoineroussel ‘s Summer Fic Exchange! I managed to dislocate my shoulder (again) and then get myself and half my house sick in the last week, so I’m so grateful for Demi and Emma’s patience <3 @leafs-forever , I hope you enjoy!

Rating: T (language)

Pairing: Kirby Dach/Reader

Words: 1599

Warnings: None

Summary: You and Kirby get ready for the NHL Awards.

Luckily, you had started getting ready before Kirby got home. You’re used to getting ready beside him, but it takes you longer to prepare for a fancy event. Getting dolled up isn’t as easy as people make it out to be.

By the time he gets home, you’ve already showered and are in the process of doing your hair. You keep it simple, just cleaning it up a bit and putting in some product to make it shine for the cameras. You can hear Kirby moving around, hanging up his bag and probably grabbing a glass of water. With the amount of water that boy drinks, you’d think he’d live in the bathroom.

“Hey, baby,” he greets when the two of you meet in the bedroom. He plants a lingering kiss on your lips, smile soft and relieved as he looks into your eyes. That look never fails to make your heart melt, touched by the way that he feels relaxed and safe around you.

You’ve been together for quite a few years, which is probably how you move around each other so easily. He strips and throws his clothes into the hamper on his way to the shower, and you take the opportunity to smack his ass as he passes by. He jumps and tries to give you a scolding look, but the smile glued to his face gives him away.

Needing to shower multiple times in a day has made him quick with it, so he’s out in time to zip your dress. You’ve already put your jewelry on, just a classy silver necklace-bracelet combo and a few different sized fashion rings. You like the way that they sit at different parts of your fingers, highlighting your hands and making your fingers look long and elegant.

You had tried to convince Kirby to wear something interesting, rather than just a plain black suit. It had kind of worked. The suit was still black, but it had a black satin trim with a subtle pattern that gave the whole look a little something special. The NHL Awards is supposed to be a fancy event, so he didn’t want to do anything too crazy.

You’d been to the award ceremony a couple times before, when teammates and friends had won honors. This was the first time Kirby himself was getting one, and you’re beyond proud. The Art Ross was a huge deal, and it was amazing to have Kirby officially alongside the likes of Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux.

Once your dress is zipped, you head back into the bathroom to do your makeup. You know it’ll have to be a bit more dramatic and involved to show well on the cameras, so you take your time to get it right. You chat with Kirby through the door as he finishes air drying on the bed, sharing about your days as you usually do when you’re both home.

He’s half dressed by time you finish your makeup, fanning your face to make your setting spray dry faster. You head out into the kitchen to get yourself some water and kill a few minutes until Kirby finishes dressing and doing his hair.

“Can you grab my cufflinks, please?” He calls from the bathroom, “They’re in my bag.” You shout back an affirmative, making your way to the entryway.

His bag hangs next to yours, so you take it down, sitting on the floor to root through it. While your bag is organized neatly so that you can find things easily, Kirby’s backpack is a disaster. You take out clothes, push past empty Tupperware containers, finally finding a velvet box all the way at the bottom. It isn’t until you’ve pulled it out that you realize it’s far too small to be a cufflink case. Plus, you see an appropriately sized box leaning against a notebook at the bottom.

First things first, you grab the larger box to check inside. The cuff links are there, so you set it aside to bring to him. You take a few deep breaths to calm your suddenly racing heart. It doesn’t work. The weight of the small box in your hand feels immense, and lifting the lid is a Herculean effort.

The ring is silver, or maybe platinum or palladium. There are two gemstones as the centerpiece, a garnet and sapphire, entwined with a twisting infinity symbol that morphs into the band. His and your favorite stones, tied together perfectly. It’s beautiful.

That motherfucker.

Yes, you’re happy that he’s planning to propose, ecstatic even. Kirby is the love of your life, and you’ve intended to be with him as long as he’ll allow, ring or not. But yeah, the ring is a nice assurance.

Back to why he’s an asshole. He’s had this ring in his bag for who knows how long. Are you mad that he hasn’t already proposed? No. That he’s given no hint that this was coming? Nah. You’re mad because the ring you got for him has been sitting in your underwear drawer for weeks, and this jerk was going to beat you to the punch. Steal your thunder. Well, he’s got another thing coming.

You’ve been waiting for just the right moment to pop the question, and if you’re being honest with yourself, you’ve been procrastinating out of anxiety. Yeah, he’s your soulmate, but there’s still that annoying bit of fear that he could possibly say no. You’d thought about proposing tonight after the ceremony, or maybe behind the scenes after he received his award. You can’t seem to remember why you decided against it.

You pocket the ring box and shove everything back into his bag. Maybe you shouldn’t have sat on the floor in your dress, but you can always have Kirby dust you off if needed. Before you go to him, you open your top drawer as quietly as you can manage. You know exactly where the box is, so it only takes a second to grab.

Your heart is nearly beating out of your chest as you take another steadying breath on your way to the bathroom. He turns to you when you enter, hair fluffy and suit slightly rumpled. Even after all your time together, he still takes your breath away.

“Thank you, love,” he says when you hand him the cufflink case. He turns back to the mirror to check his hair one last time, before looking down to focus on getting his cuffs properly buttoned. You take a step to the right to ensure that you’re out of his line of sight, carefully adjusting your skirt as you go to one knee.

“You ready?” he asks, turning to where you were just standing. His left hand freezes where it’s tugging his shirt cuff into place, mouth falling open slightly when he sees you on the floor. You raise the box in your shaking hands, forgetting everything you’d been planning to say for the past month.

“Yeah,” you say instead, “I’m ready.” You open the box to present the ring, hoping you don’t sweat your makeup off in anticipation.

“Me too,” he replies, smiling as wide as you’ve ever seen. You’re glad that you don’t have your heels on yet, because you spring up from the ground to wrap him in your arms. Your smiles make kissing difficult, but you can’t seem to stop, anyway. You bury your face in his neck after, glad you’d used a lot of setting spray. A makeup faceprint on his suit would be kind of funny, but probably wouldn’t look the best.

“So, do I get that ring at some point, or?” Kirby teases. You punch his shoulder lightly.

“I don’t know, do I get an official yes?” you quip back, already taking the ring out of the holder.

“Yes, you do,” he says confidently, “And yes, I do.” You have to kiss him again for that one. The ring fits perfectly when you slide it onto his finger, hoping he can feel the garnet embedded into the inside of the black band. He kisses you once more afterward, and you can tell he’s squealing with joy on the inside just as much as you are.

“I have to go grab something,” he says, pulling away, “You’re not gonna believe this.” He doesn’t get two steps away before you grab his hand, turning him back toward you. You pull the second ring box out of your pocket, going for a smug smile but probably just looking like a dork.

“You mean this?” you ask, reveling in his shocked expression. Now it’s his turn to punch your shoulder, laughing brightly.

“You’re the worst!” he says, grinning nevertheless. He snatches the box out of your hand while you laugh.

“Turn around,” he orders, “I gotta surprise you too!” You only laugh harder at that, barely able to force yourself to settle as he turns you by the shoulders to face the opposite direction. Once he says “okay”, you turn back to him, giving the most over dramatic performance of your life as you act surprised. You’re both laughing too much for him to get much out, though you’re sure he had a planned speech too.

The ring sliding over your skin is an amazing feeling, but nothing compares to the way he wraps his arms around you once again, resting your foreheads together. You lose track of time looking into his eyes, amazed that you’ve somehow managed to find someone so perfect for you.

Now you have to call your mom so she doesn’t find out through an article. Oops.

#kirby dach imagine #nhl imagines #RI #andis coping mechanism #this is the only time I will ever write for the hawks #please do not ask me to write for them #this is a special circumstance 😂

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buckyswintersoldiermask · 3 years

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ι’ll love yoυ ғorever; нello

Bucky Barnes x powered reader, platonic Shuri x reader

Summary: Bucky comes out of cryo and Bucky and the reader spend their first together.

Bucky Masterlist ~ Main Masterlist ~ Series Masterlist

Word Count: 1287

Warnings: just fluff?

A/N: I wrote “goodbye” and felt like there should be something after it so here’s “Hello.” I wanted to give the reader powers in the first part but didn’t know how to fit in so I just put it in the second part. (I’m not too confident about the backstory and how it’s executed). !!constructive criticism is always welcome!!

After a few long months, Shuri did it. She got all of HYDRA’s brainwashing out of Bucky. Shuri healed him with the traditional stuff that was learned from their ancestors, along with some tech with his mind. He was finally free. He could finally move on from his past.

“(Y/N), are you ready to see Sergeant Barnes?” Shuri asked, leading you to the medical ward.

“You know I am.”

Since you stayed in Wakanda after Bucky went back into cryostasis you had a lot of time to get close to Shuri. You tried to help her in the lab as much as you could and just be a good friend. You also had a lot of time to learn new things about your powers.

You made it to the medical ward where Bucky was kept. Doctors all around his capsule awaiting instructions. Shuri goes over to Bucky looking at his panel which shows his vital signs and has the button to take him out of cryostasis. “(Y/N/N)? Want to do the honors?”

Stunned, she asked you, you walk over next to her and she guides your hand to the button. “Whenever you’re ready.”

You take a deep breath, your hand slightly shaking because of the adrenaline. You get to see Bucky again. Not just check up on him from the outside of the capsule. You get to hug him, kiss him, cherish him.

You didn’t know you were crying until you felt a teardrop fall on your hand. You look back at Shuri smiling, in a split-second decision you press the button and wipe your eyes.

At an instant, the tube began to defrost causing your throat to leap. Shuri pushes you closer to it so you can be the first thing Bucky sees when he wakes up.

It finally opened all the way and Bucky’s eyes immediately found you. “Hi there.” You say voice cracking, tearing up a little.

“Hi, Doll.”

You missed him, you missed the way he called you, you missed his pet names for you. You missed his sarcastic comments, you missed feeling him in your arms. You missed him so much.

The doctors unstrap Bucky and he gets out pulling you into his arms. You melt into his touch as he cradles your head in his hand. “I’m here. I’m back.”

You let out a sob you were holding back. The room cleared as Bucky led you to some chairs, helping you to sit down.

You and Bucky spent time catching up. He wanted to hear all you did while he was on ice. You told him how you and Shuri became closer. You told him about how you were learning more about your powers. You told him about the beautiful Wakandan hut you were staying in that will become both of yours.

“It’s away from central Wakanda. It’s very peaceful and calm. I think you’ll like it.” He smiles kissing your hand.

“I’m sure I will.”

Shuri comes over with a huge stack of books and drops them on the table next to you. “Self - help books.”

Bringing your attention back to Bucky his eyes are wide at the number of books she brought. “I can read some of them to you.” Bucky nods directing his attention back to you.

After you spent some time catching up, Shuri had to check Bucky. Everything looked well and he was free to go. Bucky decided not to get his metal arm reattached. There was no danger, no one to fight so he didn’t want it just yet.

You lead him to your tent carrying the books Shuri prescribed. “So this is it.”

Bucky goes in and looks around, seeing all your drawings and the artwork you’ve done since he’s been gone. Paints, pencils, paper, brushes, practically any art materials Wakanda had, all over your desk.

“I’m glad you’re still a good artist.” He teased, smirking at you.

“Well, I did have to do something to pass the time.”

Putting down the books on the bed, you and Bucky see his dog tags there. You grabbed them smiling at Bucky. “Shuri gave them to me while you were on the ice. Here you go.”

Bucky shakes his head, “I told her to give them to you, you can keep them.”

“Really?” Bucky nods, cupping your face in his hand.

You smile putting them around your neck. “They look better on you anyway.” He flirts.

You and Bucky stare into each other’s eyes just taking the moment in. Bucky takes his hand pulling you closer to him, his eyes glancing from your eyes to your lips. You lean forward placing your lips on his. The kiss was anything but innocent, it was violent and hungry, and left you breathless. You were making up for the lost time. Taking in every moment of that kiss. Being away from Bucky wrecked you. You fell hard for James Buchanan Barnes. He’s your home. Bucky pulls away so you can both catch your breath.

“You really missed me huh, doll?” You nod resting your head on his chest wrapping your arms around him. “Of course I did.”

“I won't ever leave you like that again.”

You sat there in silence until you pulled away, “Let’s get you settled, okay?” You put the books down in a neat row on your desk, cleared some space around the room so your things aren’t all over the room. Bucky snoops around on your desk and finds a journal, curious about what it is, he scans the pages.

“You’ve been practicing new things with your powers?” He questions looking back at you. You grab your journal out of his hand. “Maybe.”

“Can you show me?”

“I guess just this once, you’ve always been my biggest fan.” You smile as you turn the bed and the desk invisible with a single touch. “I can also stay invisible for a lot longer now.”

For as long as you can remember you had invisibility powers. When your father was young he had experiments done on him, so his mutated genes were passed on to you. Your father liked to tell you that you were chosen to have powers to do a greater good.

You hid your powers for years until your mother’s life was threatened. That put you on the map. Next thing you know Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and Natasha Romanoff are knocking on your door asking you to become an Avenger. You accepted feeling that this is what your father wanted you to do, use your powers for a greater cause.

“Wow, doll. You’re incredible I remember when we first met-” You cover Bucky's mouth with your hand before he could continue . “No, No not that cursed time. That was so embarrassing.”

After you joined the Avengers you helped Steve find Bucky, you used your powers to the best of your ability. You needed a lot more training and work. You hadn’t used your powers in years so you were very rusty. Your first encounter with Bucky was one to remember.

Bucky gets out of your grip laughing so hard he has to sit down. “You bumped into me while helping Steve find me and you got so nervous that half of your body became invisible.”

“In my defense, I was very untrained,” you say with your hands on your hips. “I know, doll. You were so cute though.”

“You just came back and you’re already bringing up embarrassing stories about me.” you groan facing the door.

“Someone’s gotta do it, and that someone is me.”

You roll your eyes and take a look outside, the sun is getting ready to set, “Want to watch a Wakandian sunset?”

“With you? Anyday.”

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, likes, reblogs, and comments are appreciated :) ~ Mak

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x reader soft #bucky fanfic #bucky fluff #bucky imagine #bucky one shot #bucky barnes x reader #bucky x reader #bucky fic #bucky x y/n #buckyswintersoldiermasksfics

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athys-obelia · 3 years

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summary: no one's evil au lmfaooo but make it pt. 2

character/s: anastacius de alger obelia, claude de alger obelia, athanasia de alger obelia, jennette de alger obelia

and here's part 1 <3

oh my god okay. okay. so.

ana, claude, athy and jennette - they go on a LOT of vacations

claude complains every single time but anastacius pulls his trump card and sends athy and jettie BOTH after him

u think he's strong enough to say no after that? lmao jokes

and their vacations always go this way:

jennette: isn't this scenery just gorgeous, uncle

claude: indeed it is. and...quiet

jennette: ...too quiet

[cut to anastacius in the distance, fighting a bear as athy cheers him on]

athy + anastacius, hands down the most chaotic pairing yes i will not be taking criticism

they have tea in ana's palace everyday, just the two of them, they're so poised and picture perfect through the entire thing everyone thinks it's just the emperor giving profound advice to his heir

it's actually them deadass scheming,,, ana has no qualms discussing everything from court gossip to military tactics, both of which she's so on top of all the time

if anyone shit talks jennette or claude, this tea party is where their slow and agonizing demise is planned out to the dot

[true story - count sivan once made the fatal mistake of expressing his favour for athy as the next empress, dissing jennette by comparing her to athy sm which inevitably sparked a debate that ranked the princesses. a week after athy's sources informed her of the kindling behind this new debate, the count's sudden divorce became the talk of the town, and the man's business faced bankruptcy all of a sudden. the sivans still haven't recovered.)

athy n jennette were actually allowed to visit kiel in arlanta a few times, except it was too dark at their first arrival, postponing the meeting to the next morning

buttt then jettie can't sleep and she decides on a midnight snack run (their hotel doesn't really have the maids the palace does, but oh well. she's left the palace w lucas n athy plenty of times)

felix tags along btw, he knows this trip is important to the girls since they're leaving the palace without their Overprotective Papas™ for the first time and want some sense of independence, but... she's just so smol n he couldn't bear it if anything happens so he just shadows her

she totally knows he's there

n e ways so there's a juice place right beside their hotel which she aims for, but when jennette reaches it, it's closed

and out of nowhere, a voice addresses her - "hey you, do you come here a lot?" she nearly jumps out of her skin at the brunette, relaxing when she sees he's literally a kid around her age and not a murderer lmfaoo "me neither," he continues without waiting for her, pouting at the closed sign, before he asks for her name and whether she's new in arlanta

she confirms that yes, she's only visiting, and refuses to tell the stranger her name, still feeling strange at being addressed as 'you' for the first time (well, minus lucas, but he was like her brother and had the emotional capacity of a teaspoon, so)

he eyes her. "you're so weird. i've never seen a girl out so late before, and alone too. are you stupid?"

(felix has his sword out at this point)

she's flushing now and has no idea why she's still out here, but then this stranger kid apparently senses her mood and tells her the best ice cream store in arlanta is not too far away

(he also explains he knows someone who's starts doing weird things when she's hungry as well, and tries to defend that ice cream is actually a healthy midnight snack, "you can just take a healthy flavour like strawberry or mango, mangos are healthy,,right"💀️💀)

so jettie has travelled all the way from obelia, she loves her papa but he would have a heart attack if he found out she was ever awake this late?? yeah bc she's never getting this chance again, jennette accepts the offer

the stranger boy seems to be taking the whole "i'm not telling you my name," thing like a joke, and asks what he should call her since 'you' was getting boring

she goes with "lady j" and like a knight, the boy becomes "sir c"

(felix is on the verge of committing a crime - the princesses can only have one knight, after all)

they walk as the the boy navigates the streets in the dark, and she asks whether he's from the academy, seeing his uniform

"of course i am! you could probably tell bc i look so smart, right?"

she snorts. "yeah, that."

she also comes to know that this guy,,,well he might as well be a tourist? she's out here asking stuff like "oh where's the statue of lady alphia?" or "aren't we really close to the museum where they keep the first emperor's sword?" and he goes "lady do i look like your brochure?? but if you turn right from here there's a cool arcade and across the street from there is the best street food vendor you'll ever eat from."

well at least mans had his priorities straight 😌

"so can you take this off?" he asks, pointing towards her dress once they've neared the store

um???????? sir tf????????????

anyways jettie has been living with lucas n her dad farr too long to not take this the wrong way?? "...no?"

the boy raises an eyebrow "look, it looks like an expensive cloak but i promise i'll return it, alright? i gotta hide my uniform."

ohhhhhhh. 😳.

so she unfastens the cloak and because he's kinda just staring at it cluelessly (he can't even tie his shoelaces fight me), jennette sighs and moves the clothing over his shoulder, fastening it in place at his neck

he's literally a tomato when she looks back up and realises that yes, we are way too close rn

bc she's ana's daughter, jennette by default cannot function when she's flustered. so she kinda stumbles backwards like a fish out of water (years of princess training n etiquette? where art thou??) and 'sir c' has to grab her forearm so she doesn't bump into the pillar behind her smfh

the shopkeep is definitely suspicious of this pair that's definitely too young to be out so late, but chalks it down to his sleeplessness

they escape the store with the ice cream before the shopkeep can ask any questions, and 'sir c' escorts jennette back to her hotel. he climbs onto the roof of the building, helping her up as well

(felix wishes he had a magic stone to capture this moment, this is the first time he's seen jennette become such fast friends with someone)

she stands on the roof (it hurts her butt so she doesn't wanna sit)

"my sister would be so jealous right now," jennette murmurs, "she told me her ideal first date would be either a picnic or something like a moonlit walk. we're having like a moonlit picnic."

it's silent for a few seconds the boy speaks up, "is this a date?"

oh-

oh.

"i mean- i didn't- i don't- uh."

give her some time lmfao she's loading

"i don't really mind that," he tells her, and she thinks she might just walk off the roof in her embarrassment - who just says something like that?? "you're probably feeling really lucky right now, right?"

jennette: ✊😔

he does look pretty in the moonlight, she admits to herself, listening as he excitedly tells her about his siblings at home and how she should send an offering to the gods since they gave her the good fortune to be on a date with the most good looking one of all four of them

in turn, she tells him about how she spent her childhood away from her amazing dad and had gotten closer to him recently, about her sharp-witted uncle, her sister and friends

(the 'friends' section includes felix and he's melting)

she smiles - it's almost as if, at finding out he treasures his family just as much as she does, they've gotten a bit closer

and he tries to listen. jennette had guessed that his temperament was somewhat like her dad's - her dad didn't know how to listen, always making his opinion known before anything else, though she supposes as emperor he could do that

'sir c', on the other hand, tried his best, his blue eyes focused on her as he almost burst from the unsaid words he was holding back, trying to let her finish. the sight was an odd mix of sad and insanely adorable that she couldn't help but let him tell her about everything he couldn't hold in

sensing she could pass out from her exhaustion nearly half an hour later, and 'sir c' escorts her to her window and helps her sneak in bc "what sort of knight would i be otherwise?!"

(felix can't stop shaking the entire night)

the next morning, jennette's heart is pounding as kiel shows her, athy and felix across campus - the chance is low, but still...

"ezekiel!" comes a voice, and the four watch as a turquoise haired boy waves down the alpheus heir "are these the guests you mentioned?"

kiel introduces the trio to johannes vastia before asking, "where's cabel?"

"at the training grounds, he asked if you could bring everyone there so he could show them around there."

"... they're my guests though?"

athy is quick to befriend johannes (i mean she and his sister are practically the same person, so) and at the grounds, jennette's blood runs cold

(so does felix's)

the brunette doesn't notice her at first, arguing with johannes about something as kiel introduces him as cabel ernst

jennette is hyperventilating?? actually back up is this girl even breathing??

cabel ernst from kiel's letters? the 'loud and obnoxious cabel ernst', who gradually turned into 'my acquaintance cabel ernst', then 'hardworking, passionate cabel ernst', and finally 'my friend cabel'?

she'd actually rather admired this slow build of respect between her friend and the ernst boy, and had even expressed her interest to meet him

"this is the first daughter of his highness prince claude de alger obelia, princess athanasia-" cabel mock salutes the princess before his mouth forms an 'o' and he remembers to bow, "-and here's the emperor's only daughter, her highness princess je-"

andddd his eyes widen comically "-hey, lady, it's you?"

yeah jettie is on the brink of literal death - her entire face reddens as this...cabel, grins at her

she watches as he glances behind her, "and you're the guy who was following us - sup?"

felix flinches "...you knew...?"

cabel shrugs. "i mean you do kinda suck ass at the whole subtle thing."

"don't say it like that," jennette retorts, "felix was trying his best."

"princess 😭😭 you knew as well?"

"uhhhh no?"

athy + kiel in a corner: 👁️👄👁️

they watch as cabel's eyes widen all of a sudden and he just,,,runs away

...🐦...🐦...🐦...

yeah well anyway he comes rushing back a few minutes later, a piece of cloth in his hand "...*huff* here *huff*...you go."

athy totally flips out "jennette is that your CLOAK???!??"

"uhhhhh no?"

"um do you realise uncle would literally wage war at this."

and as if it would make everything better,

"i washed it," cabel offers with a grin

"you didn't," the vastia heir deadpans

"i mean, johan helped a little bit."

kiel smiles murderously at the pair. "johan, did you know cabel took the princess out?"

"wait, you're a PRINCESS??"

your honour they aren't very smart

so the group orders some coffee (milk for cabel smfh) to find out what happened, cabel mentions "date" and everything goes to shit again lmfao

kiel and felix scheme against poor cabel while athy n johan get over that stage pretty quick ("listen. MY sister will be living with ME after the marriage and if your friend wants to be with her he'll have to come with us to obelia." and johan's just like "fine by me ✌️😊") and start planning the wedding

cabel + jennette dip n sneak out of the academy again to get the juice they couldn't the night before bc shit is getting awkward here

on another note, our uncle cius' musical intelligence is actually very high - he can probably play more instruments than i can name tbh, but he feels most comfortable singing and i shit you not, this man has straight up an angel's voice

(didn't like singing in front of others coz he was secretly a nerd and only knew old love songs with deep lyrics, athy found out and educated him)

jennette tends to have nightmares often, most often regarding their family - she's seen her father murder her uncle for the throne, and vice versa, athy admitting her affections towards jennette were a front to get the position of crown princess, her uncle killing her to solidify athy's claim, etc - her family is her everything, so despite however many times these horrible scenes play before her, she's left sobbing uncontrollably

and on these nights, she leaves for her father's room, who holds her close and sings her to sleep

also lucas n jennette are like sibling duo# 1,,, jettie is an active lucathy shipper even though he denies it sm - like their dynamic is just peaceful walks in the gardens as she watches the plants n lucas shi talks the nobility and kiel

claude and athy have a thing for each other's sleeping on each other? idk it's weird

athy once fell asleep on the couch while reading with him, and claude moved her head onto his lap so she wouldn't be uncomfy sitting - well, she woke up to his hand absentmindedly raking through her hair and it was just so soothing that whenever she's tired and he's working or reading, she just plops her head on his lap and zzzz

and claude wondered what was up with that, so she proposed they switch roles and he felt so awkward trying to lay down in front of her lmao

obviously athy noticed and she just started reading, thinking he might be more comfortable if her attention isn't on him completely - she ended up reading out loud while playing with his collar and he just,,,passed out

also anastacius has definitely pulled jennette aside regarding the issue of his heir at some point - she had been hesitant at first before admitting she wouldn't like to be the empress at all

i know we'd all love to see empress!jettie and her sister duchess!athy ruling the court, but i really really really can't see her wanting the title?

so thus start athy's empress lessons, but holy shit her teacher is mean

like this man makes me want to bash his face in?? so he doesn't like the idea of athy becoming empress over jennette at all, all bc of both hers and claude's mothers being commoners

he has one of those long ass sticks that you use in presentation to point at stuff?? idk but basically mans has athy name every region, its lords and their vassals during their first lesson

the first time she gets one wrong, she's too shocked as the stick meets the delicate skin of her forearm to react

now the thing is, wmmap!athy would probably stand up against this bc her dad is the emperor and she's his only heir, but i imagine with anastacius' social nature he holds many parties / balls where she's probably heard claude's mom + diana slander and it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to be self conscious abt it (now she's the emperor's heir while jennette, 100% royal + noble blood, is right there which probably makes her feel even less legitimate)

so she endures it, the light marks on her arms as well as the taunts of his she's too smart to not understand - perhaps this is the price to be accepted in jennette's place?

and honestly, no one really notices until at breakfast a few weeks in, where jennette mentions how her dresses are still so modest when sleeveless dresses were more in fashion - ana is suspicious because athy is always on top of these things, societal trends and such, and claude is sus from the way she hesitates slightly in her answer, "i haven't had the time lately, i suppose"

the lesson after focuses on ettiquete since everyone knows she's good at politics and such already, but now tears of frustration are pooling in her eyes because what the hell?? this guy had made an opinion of her long before he even met her, so anything she did would be wrong in his eyes

he gives her a sinister smile, "tired, princess?"

"no," she insists, keeping her voice level. he's about to spout some other nonsense, when anastacius enters the room, taking a seat across from her

anastacius watches quietly as athy answers the teacher's questions in her "public" voice. he watches as her usually cheery disposition is replaced by something far more...dead, despite the front she puts on for him. he's soundless as she hesitates in her answers where she normally would've been louder, more confident. he stops watching in silence when his niece flinches at the sight of the stick

oh.

he interrupts her lesson, not missing the way she winces almost imperceptibly when he grabs ahold of her arm, announcing, "we're going."

he just- it's just that that was the moment he knew for sure - the sight of his niece emotionally disheveled for the first time reminds him too much of how his own brother had once been, and he'd... he'd promised he wouldn't let anyone hurt his family anymore

he ends up taking her to the port with some of his advisors to welcome some royal guests, insisting that she would learn better from experience rather than books - but the guest delegation gets so boring that he sneaks her out of the meeting n they end up in the streets

now athy has no idea where they are, but apparently her uncle does?? ana has his hand on her head as he navigates the streets of the capitol as if he comes here everyday, using magic to casually disguise the two of them

in the meantime?

felix is at the port trying to cover for them smfh, he makes up this huge story about how the great wise emperor wanted to familiarize his heir with the locals, understand her subjects, yada yada

back at the palace prince claude is currently dragging a man by his collar and only upon jennette's insistence does he throw him in prison rather than literally kill him

(jettie visits him later in prison to give the guy a piece of her mind, after felix's visit he's sporting a few noticable bruises and the prisoner is practically unrecognizable once lucas visits)

back to athy + ana, they end up stuffing themselves with some super good street food as anastacius confesses that yes, he has definitely been sneaking out of the palace ever since he was a lil kid

athy almost mentions that she, lucas n jettie sneak out too but that might give him a heart attack, so

"it's so pretty, uncle cius," she says, gesturing towards the necklace he holds up. once he's paid for it, anastacius fists the necklace, opening it to reveal the jewel pendant - now imbued with his magic and replaced with gold lettering of the word athanasia

and she realises that yes, that's what both him and her dad have called her all her life, haven't they?

"you're my heir, athanasia," he uncle tells her with a small smile, "i am proud of that."

getting teary, she tells him, "i'm really proud of you too, uncle cius," triggering a very flustered + blushy anastacius

this mans craves validation - not from the sycophantic nobility, or the obsequious concubines he'd dismissed all those years ago, but from the family he thought he'd neither have nor deserve

and just the acknowledgement is so large for athy - he wants her as his heir, not because she's his niece, but bc he trusts her to look after his hard work after him??? - yeah she's totally bawling her eyes out

anastacius magics her a handkerchief but my mans magic isn't that strong?? lmao he's used up so much by now that the 'handkerchief' turns out to be some scratchy tissues

awkward amirite

nope! athy laughs at that, offering him a sip of her drink as she magics another straw and a proper handkerchief lmfaoo

n e ways so when they return, everyone's shocked to learn that the crown heir, princess athanasia will actually be joining the official circles as anastacius' temporary aid - he doesn't wanna entrust her to anyone but family, and decides that the best way to learn is by his side

(she's so confused bc lucas doesn't normally bat an eyelash when she wears the prettiest gowns, but he deadass can't look her in the eyes when she's in her aid uniform - it's more like a suit than it is a dress)

yes lucas women in suits >>>>>

everyone is STUNNED when at dinner, claude proposes they leave on vacation??

anastacius is just not having it?? like no, this is not my brother, and he throws a grape at claude to check if it's a clone or sum (¿¿how does that work??)

anyays so he ain't no felix, ana's aim is ass and it hits jettie instead

mans nearly gets on his knees to apologise

long story short everyone preps for vacation, but by some aCCiDeNt claude n athy end up at a different destination than jettie n ana, when she suggests returning to the palace to regroup, mans deadass sulks

"so you wouldn't like to spend this time with your father, despite barely visiting my office for weeks?"

o-oh

so at their return, the nobility starts pestering everyone that the princesses aren't independent enough, yada yada idc so to quell this annoyance, to the girls' joy, they get to move into emerald palace together, while claude and ana stay in the ruby and main palaces respectively

literally emerald palace becomes such a cool place to be in since it's the residence of the only decent people in this family, the brothers spend hours going through the requests of maids who want to be transferred

it's such a busy time because of athy joining the court and jettie starting her studies as well - naturally, since she isn't becoming empress, she'll be getting the duchy claude + athy were to be given in the beginning

speaking of futures, jettie's interest in plants and cooking has definitely branched out into herbs

claude notices her tending to a small garden during his visit to athy and even gives her a few tips (he had been studying medical since he was a kid, and picked it up again when athy was born and the empire stablised somewhat)

this soon becomes a routinely thing, and he actually starts reading up on some herbs and even orders a few for her prospering garden

after a month of her learning from books, claude proposes adding a medic as one of her teachers, and turns out his hunch was right?? she's excelling at medicine and they keep it between themselves for the time being

it doesn't last long though, bc they're on a hunting trip when ana injures his leg

and !! this girl istg, she gets to cleaning and wrapping the wound without blinking an eye, as if it's the most natural thing ever, and claude is just smirking while athy and anastacius and literally everyone else: 🌟💞✨jettie✨💞🌟

literal tears coming out of anastacius' eyes "how come my daughter is smarter than me😭💅"

claude: that's not a very high standard, brother

anastacius: ✨suddenly i'm an only child✨

behold, the people in charge of running an empire everyone 👏👏👏

even though jennette is claude's (unofficial) student and athy is her uncle's heir, they both ask their dads to the debutante

yes athy does dance with lucas, anastacius sent him an invitation even though he wasn't a noble (he's an active match maker 😌) and nobody dared question the emperor's special guest

at the end of the night, kiel gives jettie a letter from arlanta - it's an invitation to the academy during holidays, from a certain brunette

when she brings up the subject, felix lets out a squeak and literally everyone goes silent 😭😭

athy n kiel are just out here DARING him to spill them beans

but anastacius takes on look at his excited lil kid and decides that yups, she's going to get everything she wants

a/n: i literally don't know how many parts this should have lmaoo but y'all made it this far!! thanks for reading i hope you liked it<3

#non dysfunctional family!au #or ana decides to stop being a shithead!au #functional family!au ??#wmmap #sbapod #who made me a princess #suddenly became a princess one day #anastacius de alger obelia #claude de alger obelia #athanasia de alger obelia #felix robane #lucas #jennette magrita #jeannette magrita #kiel alpheus #ezekiel alpheus #beware of the brothers #cabel ernst #johannes vastia

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jq37 · 3 years

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The Case File – Mice and Murder Ep 1

The Case of the The Pernicious Party

Hello, hello, hello! It’s been a hot second but your resident D20 recapper is back to tackle the newest season: Mice and Murder! Y’all had to know I wasn’t gonna sit out the murder mystery, are you kidding me???

I might be playing around with the format a bit in the coming weeks to make sure I have the best possible system for keeping track of possible clues, suspects, and theories as we untangle whatever web Brennan weaves for us this season so don’t be surprised if things change a little.

Anyway, without further ado, onto our mystery!

Summary

In case you missed it, this season takes place in an alternate, Zootopia/Wind in the Willows-esque universe where all the characters are animals but history seems to have happened in more or less the same way--for example there was still a King Charles but he was a King Charles Spaniel (cute Brennan). Our story specifically takes place in the English village of Tufting Meadows.

We start with Katie’s character--Gangie Green (Weasel/Thief Rogue) in the graveyard of the Anglican Chapel (Our Lady of Prayerful Paws). Gangie, we learn, is an orphan who was kicked out of the orphanage at some point for thievery. Obviously, he’s not reformed of the habit because he is here to do some graverobbing. On a nat 20 (that Katie hilariously doesn’t notice even though her total is like a 29) Gangie can see through the window of the rectory that there is a weeping window inside--Catherine McCabbage who is being (dubiously) tended to by Raph’s character, Vicar Ian Prescott (Owl/Bard, College of Eloquence).

Ian comes from a line of men of the cloth but he’s not exactly the best speaker despite his subclass. He’s doing his best though! The widow’s husband (Conor McCabbage) died at the local mill in what has been declared an accident but she suspects foul play. She’s been hearing his voice on the wind and wants Ian’s professional opinion on whether this could be a sign from God or if her husband might be speaking to her from beyond the grave or something like that. Ian gives a very muddled and not very comforting answer but seems pretty sure that something sketchy did in fact happen. Then, he sees a crack of lightning outside which illuminates the graveyard where he gets a glimpse of Gangie.

He goes to check it out (and Gangie fully has an elderly goat he’s dug up slung over his shoulder) but “gravedigger” is his legit job so Ian decides to assume whatever’s going on is legit and not ask too many questions. He goes back to the widow (who, before she leaves, says that maybe sometimes people need to work on God’s behalf) while Gangie takes the body Loam Hall (a massive manor, built into a hill).

We cut to the next day and our next two characters!

At 22B Hamsted Street in a pretty well appointed home are Ally and Grant’s characters. First up, we have Lars Vandenchomp (Huge ass Doberman/Battlemaster Fighter) who is so tough looking but also so Swedish sounding--it’s A Lot (so, incredibly on brand for Ally). Lars is security for Grant’s character Sylvester Cross (Fox/Inquisitive Rogue) who is a kinda (to use Grant’s word) “foppish” Sherlock Holmes type. He was hired by Squire William Thornwall Brockhollow to figure out what happened with Conor McCabbage (and clear him of negligence in running the mill) but he couldn’t find any evidence of any funny business, making this the only case he’s never cracked. He’s not as young or popular as he once was so this is, understandably, bumming him out. He’s even more bummed out when he realizes that William has invited him to his 60th birthday party that’s happening that night (as kind of a prop to show that he did his part in trying to solve the mystery) and Lars has already RSVP’d yes. He grudgingly agrees to go as it’s one of those asks that’s really more of a veiled demand but decides to pull the money he was paid from the bank first so he can return it and really stick it to the guy.

Finally, we cut to our last set of PCs who are on their way to Tufting Meadows via a very luxurious train. Inside are Sam and Rekha’s characters! Sam is Buckster $ Boyd (Peccary which is like a small boar/Mastermind Rouge) a Texan Oil Tycoon who acts exactly how you’d expect a Texan Oil Pig to act. Yes, you pronounce the dollar sign as “dollar sign” (even though as we find out later his middle name is Cassius so it’s like Cash which I think is super cool). With him is Rekha’s character, Daisy D'umpstaire (Raccoon/Assassin (???) Rogue another American (from South Carolina) though it seems she’s My Fair Lady’d herself into an upper class socialite (her last name was previously Dumpster). They’re traveling with their accountant, an Armadillo named Armond who seems kinda skittish and concerned about their travel expenses but Buck tells him that to make money you gotta spend money and they’re gonna make a *ton* of money on this trip. They’re also so so mean to him for absolutely no reason.

When the train stops, they’re greeted by Templeton Padhop (a frog, natch) who is the chauffeur of Loan Hall, sent to fetch them. A wheel on his car is broken so he joins in on the Armond abuse immediately and has Armond roll into an Armadillo ball and replace it. Poor guy. When they show up they're greeted by a footman--a pug in a bowler hat named Milo Snout.

Meanwhile, Lars and Sly (Oh, Sly fox, I see what you did there Grant) are similarly greeted by another footman--a lizard named Basil Baskins. On a 23 perception check, Lars sees that Jeremy “Jez” Brockhollow is inside (the son of William who is a badger btw) and also clocks Gangie (who they know as a career criminal who disappeared like a year ago). Gangie doesn’t notice Lars though.

Ian, who is also invited, shows up at about the same time as Sly but very quickly, the conversation is taken over by Lucretia “Lucy” Brockhollow, William’s older, eccentric sister who immediately gets into it with Lars about astrology and the occult (she thinks bad stuff is happening because of a curse let loose when Sly’s old rival--a rabbit named Fletcher Cottonbottom who is the son of his former employer--opened an Egyptian tomb). They’re thick as thieves right away because Ally is a nonsense magnet. And not like a regular magnet, one of those big electromagnets.

Daisy and Buck spot William’s kids--the aforementioned Jez and his older sister Constance--along with their husbands Dr. Corbin Magpie (Constance’s and obv a magpie and a doctor) and Osmond Sheffield (Jez’s who is a Ram and a lawyer). Daisy is too stuck in her conversation with a truly unhinged squirrel (Lady Eugenia Bristlebrush who clearly does not know she’s in a murder mystery because she just keeps talking about how much she hates and wants to kill everyone) to hear what’s going on but she indicates the conversation to Buck who is able to eavesdrop and hear that they’re lamenting that Catherine--the widow--RSVP’d no which is gonna look really bad, like they didn’t invite her (bad PR).

Buck, introducing himself as a business partner of William, eases into a conversation with the husbands which their respective spouses also join into and we learn that Buck's dad was British and a friend of Willian’s. Buck bonds with Jez (who is a bit of a dilettante) really quickly since Buck is ready to go drinks-wise immediately (and there’s a stellar pun about the “American [Drinking] Constitution''). Through the window, Buck notices Gangie outside getting his attention.

At the same time, Ian is going from party guest to party guest, giving out the penances he forgot to earlier at church (as one does). We see him talking to the Lord and Lady Bramble (a cow and hedgehog, respectively) and while she wants to pray her way out of situations without doing any legwork, he wants to buy his way out and gives Ian 250 pounds. A frustrating but financially lucrative conversation.

Buck goes outside to talk to Gangie who has a list of names of the bodies he’s been collecting. We’re not told what Buck is doing but it seems that this list is extremely valuable to him in some way. Gangie (who Buck keeps calling Gangly, to his annoyance) pays him handsomely (like, with a 50% tip) for the list (and Gangie gives him the real list, despite Brennan saying he didn’t have to). We also learn that Gangie has allegedly been getting the orders from someone in Loa Hall and they flow from William himself.

Matilda Molesly (a mole and the head maid) invites Gangie to come in from the rain--she’s the only person who’s been consistently nice to him and he agrees to come in for tea and scones.

Everyone is ushered together by the butler (because of course there’s a butler--he’s quite literally a fancy rat named Thomas Gilfoyle) and William gives a speech where he wishes Conor well and kinda highlights that he did hire Sly to solve the case in a “Hey, I did my bit don’t blame me” kind of way. He also makes a 150k pound donation to the church (and Ian thought 250 was good) and tells his daughter not to read the praise he got for it from the cardinal when she mentions it (I wonder if that was choreographed). Sly interrupts the speech to “magnanimously” give his money back, to William’s annoyance. Buck notices that Lawrence Longfoot (a nouveau rich, rabbit photographer) takes a pic of the scene but with Sly in the foreground and William in the background.

Then, a few things happen at once (in a very cinematic way):

As the camera flashes, Mrs. Molesly drops her tray, eyes hurt by the light. Lady Calliope Fawnbrooke (Deer, Matron of the Arts) helps her up.

In the moment of dark, after the flash goes away, the butler disappears.

Buck thinks he sees a shape through the window, out in the rain.

A cheer goes up for Sly for returning the money but all Sly can focus on is one figure he recognizes in the back of the room. Daisy, who is downing her drink and not cheering for him. He downs his as well, and looks at her until she breaks the stare and leaves the room.

And this episode doesn’t end with a dead body like I thought, but with a flashback to a younger Sylvester, 12 years ago when he first met Daisy.

PC INTERPERSONAL DRAMA Y’ALL!!! Get HYPED!

Case Notes

Here is a compilation of all the characters (PCs and NPCs introduced in this episode).

Sly mentions that Ignatius Cottonbottom faked his own death as a part of some scheme which seems like a backstory point that might come back later--we now know that there exists a way to convincingly fake your own death in this world.

Sly walks with a walking stick because of some “mysterious accident” but we’re jumping into a flashback next week so it looks like we might find out about it pretty soon.

Sly also mentions he used to be the personal physician to the elder Cottonbottom so those are skills he has. I wonder if that’ll be useful to this healer-less party. I wonder if cleric was even an option in this world which seems to be low to no magic. It would explain by Ian is a bad and not a cleric.

Lars has a military background which I wanted to mention in case it becomes relevant later.

And Dr. Magpie grew up poor and still acts it a bit even though he married a very rich woman. Brennan uses the very good line, “He forces his body into the shape of an apology”

This might be a really deep cut reference but did anyone else here was the old Britcom “Keeping Up Appearances”? Cause I was getting serious Bouquet/Bucket energy from Daisy.

This is an all College Humor season and it shows. The energy of 6 (7 if you count Brennan) top notch comedians sparking off of each other, trying to one up each other is off the charts. Some of the best bits this episode:

“When God closes every door but one, you go through the door that is open.” followed by “I’m an owl by the way.”

“Time is money, here’s both” from Buck re his inscribed gold pocket watch--everyone at the table loved that so much and they’re right.

Armond going from being a third to a fourth wheel.

And the names--I already shouted out a ton on the main recap but also a rat butler (like Rhett Butler) and naming the mouse Cat(therine). Can’t forget Gangie Green/gangrene from Katie. Also points to Ally for the data stealing Eel Musk which broke Brennan a little.

I know we just went through this with Crown of Candy but what are these animals eating? Like, in Zootopia there were only mammals so we can assume the carnivores are eating like birds and fish but there are sentient birds here. I know this isn’t important. I’m not trying to do a CinemaSins gotcha. I just wonder, you know?

Y’all were waiting for all the lights to go out during that speech and then come back on and there’d be a body too, right?

If Brennan makes the bad guy a chicken or a duck or something so he can make a “fowl play” joke, he is cordially invited to catch these hands.

I have been waiting for Raph and Katie to do D20 forever. Their specific brand of nonsense on Rank Room was always amazing.

I love love love that Grant and Rekha are the PCs that have ~a past~ because they are so funny together. If you haven’t seen their episode of Game Changers, you absolutely must (it’s also a murder mystery actually!).

#dimension 20 #dimension 20 spoilers #mice and murder #mice and murder spoilers #the case file #points and also glares to camwritery for pointing out that grant also went for the silver fox pun #i will be fighting both of you at my earliest convenience

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libsterslobsters · 3 years

Text

The Wanton Song

Summary: How do you broach the topic of sex with the 90-something super soldier you've found yourself dating? That's the reader's question. Luckily, she and Bucky are no strangers to awkward conversations...

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x fem!enhanced! Reader

(Reader can see bits and pieces of the future in visions and understands all languages)

Warnings: SMUT, tiny bit of angst, lotsa fluff, maybe some past dub!con if you squint

Author's note: Wow... here I am posting smut on the internet. Never thought that would happen. Tmi, but I'm married, so I have a good amount of sex 🙀 and I actually had a great first time, but some people don't, and that's what I tried to represent. That, and CONSENT!!!! Consent is sexy, y'all. Safe, sane and consensual all day every day.

As always, the reader's name isn't stated so that you can read as a self insert, but I've written so much at this point that I refer to the Reader as Violet in my own mind.

*************************************************

Life has been going swimmingly these past few months. Better than ever before in fact, or at the very least, better than in a long time. She’s still a fugitive, living life looking over her shoulder, but now she has a steady job, a steady paycheck, and oh yeah, a steady boyfriend. Those three things have never aligned for her before (especially the last one). Overall, she’s pretty happy. But, because she’s her, there’s still a question niggling at the back of her mind.

The transition from “you’re my only friend” to “we’re together now” went smoothly, helped in part by the fact that Barnes had been at that particular juncture the whole time. From the outside looking in, the only major changes have been the addition of those three simple but very key words and an upping the anti in the cuddles department.

Speaking of cuddles, that’s a very mild term for what’s going on these days. It starts out innocent enough. The usual location is on the couch at one or the other’s apartment. There hadn’t been much distance between them since that first time where they ended up talking more than watching the movie playing from her laptop, but now, the space is nonexistent. As a general rule, within the first ten minutes, her legs somehow end up over his lap or in some way intertwined with is. The intention is always to pay attention to what’s on the screen but, well, when you’re that close, it would be rude not to snuggle up. And, when the other person looks that damn kissable, it would truly be insulting not to take the plunge.

Now, considering the angle, one of them has to lean in. Otherwise, it would be awkward. That generally determines who, somewhere from two to ten minutes later, is on top of who. Of course hands wander, and even though it’s understood that the word “no” can be employed at any time and immediately obeyed (not to mention the copious amounts of “Is this okay”’s being asked), she can’t remember a time either of them have said it.

If she had to attach a term to what comes next, it would be ‘dry humping.’ And then… nothing. It always ends far too soon, leaving her flustered and with her heart racing. At first she thought it was because he simply didn’t want her, but, well, there’s certain physical signs that point to that not being the problem. Her next guess was that he’s simply being respectful. Well, as sweet as that is, she’s ready to get on with it. She’s only human after all, and as such, has needs. Sure, she could take care of them herself, but if she had to guess, he’s experiencing those needs too, and from what she’s heard, it’s more fun to take care of it together.

The only issue: how the hell do you bring something like this up, especially when the person you’re bringing it up with grew up in a much more repressed era than you did? She’s been debating it for the past week, and despite having multiple visions, none of them have given her that key insight into what to do.

Finally, she decides to just say it. They’ve made a point to be honest with each other, and it’s probably best to get it out of the way. They’re adults, after all. They can have this discussion. She’s going to come straight out with it.

“Hey, can I ask you something? It’s kind of personal, and maybe a little uncomfortable.”

“Sure, Doll.” The response is immediate. “Fire away.”

Glancing up to make sure they’re not at a pivotal scene in tonight’s movie (they have a system; at his place, watch something he grew up with, at hers, something made literally anytime after 1945), she spits out the whole sentence in one breathless go. “Are we ever going to have sex?”

It feels like a branding iron where his arm is still wrapped around her shoulder. Still, it’s comforting. At least he’s not moving away.

“I gotta admit, that’s not the question I was expecting. What brought this on?”

She shrugs, carefully keeping her eyes trained on the wall behind his head instead of on him.

“Nothing in particular. Just…” is there a delicate way to put this? “...I think things are going well between us, and sometimes when we’re together… I’ve noticed that there’s a physical response.” She’s really hoping that’ll suffice, because she can’t think of a good way to say “I can feel that you’re hard when you’re on top of me”.

“Oh.”

Apparently, her meaning is indeed clear enough, because he removes his arm from her shoulders. She’s about to apologize (all the while mentally berating herself) when his hand closes over hers.

“I’m sorry about that, Doll. I’ll try to stay calmer.” Wait, that’s not- “It’s just an issue guys have. Don’t think it means you have to do anything that you don’t want to, because I would never-”

“I know you wouldn’t.” Without thinking, she cuts him off. “And I want to.” It feels like she’s sitting in a sauna, she’s so flustered from this conversation. “But only if you do, and I understand if you didn’t-”

“No.” It’s abrupt, cutting her off. A definite answer that leaves no room for questioning. “No, I do. I just-” He clears his throat. “-I didn’t want to bring it up, in case we weren’t on the same page. “ This seems to be a recurring theme, so far. “And it’s not a must. If you change your mind-”

It’s pure instinct. There’s no thought involved as she closes the gap between them, this time with her on top, and presses her lips against his. The response is immediate and enthusiastic. She considers just going on, not putting a stop to things, but realization hits that, although overall she’s ready for this to happen, she’s not ready for it to happen tonight. There’s still things she needs to take care of. Most importantly, protection.

So, gasping for breath, she pulls away. “I’m calling for a rain check, but if after that, you still think I’ll change my mind-” she pushes back her hair and forces herself to take a deep breath. “-then you may just be beyond help, Barnes.” If the chuckle is anything to judge from, she’s made her point.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Wow. Bucky thinks to himself as he exits out of the browser tab on his phone. That’s enough internet for one day. Too much, actually. He knows that it’s the information superhighway, but good god, no one needs THAT much information. He really needs to be more specific with what he googles… or less… or just not at all.

He’d never admit it (and really, who the hell is gonna ask him anyway), but he spent the last hour looking up how to have sex. He’s engaged in the act before, yeah, but it was seventy years ago. Plus, it used to be this huge taboo thing that you suspected was going on behind closed doors, but no one (not even the married couples) owned up to it. If you were ever found out, there were severe consequences. As a man, he didn’t have to worry as much, but if whoever the woman was had her dirty laundry aired… oh boy. She’d be a pariah, a “scarlet woman”, unfit for marriage or to even give the time of day. That led to limited encounters, and, well, it just seemed smart to brush up on what information is out there. As it turns out, people have written a lot about the fine art of love making. Unfortunately for him, most of it is absolute garbage. Some of the positions he just read about (because at that point, the article was like a train wreck; he badly wanted to look away, but he couldn’t) don’t even sound possible, much less pleasurable. He’s all for society being freer, but good grief!

He’s halfway through a bottle of straight vodka (it won’t have any effect, but he’s hoping maybe the alcohol will travel to his brain and sanitize his eyeballs from most of the shit he just read) when his phone rings. Great. He’s always happy to talk to her, but right now… wow. It’s gonna take him some time to recover, so he hopes she doesn’t need him to say much.

“Hey, Doll.”

“I am so fucking pissed off right now.” That sounds promising.

“At what?”

“The city of Bucharest, my apartment, the landlord, whoever the fuck did the plumbing in this building! God!” She’s clearly out of breath, so it takes a minute before she can speak again. “I’m sorry, Buck. It’s just that I came home from work, and one of my neighbors told me the entire sixth floor is under a good inch, inch and a half of water.” Wait-

“How-”

“I don’t know. Busted pipe. It’s leaked down onto the fifth floor, so I’ve got about fifty other pissed off people for company.”

“Jesus.”

She chuckles harshly. “Yeah, we could use him right about now to perform a miracle. This is a shit show, and I haven’t even told you the best part.”

“So the spontaneous flood wasn’t the highlight of your day?”

“I fucking wish! So, naturally, I tried to call the landlord, along with basically everyone else. Get this: since it’s after five o’clock on a Friday, he’s not gonna do anything. Told us collectively to suck it up! And of course, when there’s a leak, they have to cut the power…” He’s starting to see a pattern here.

She sighs. “I really needed to get that off my chest. How are you?” Still slightly weirded out by the information overload, but feeling a little more steady now that he’s got a good catastrophe to concentrate on. However, that’s probably not the best answer to go with.

“Better than you are.”

“What, the sky isn’t falling where you are?” He chuckles.

“No, it’s right where it’s supposed to be.” Which reminds him… “But since it seems like you’re short a functional home, why don’t you just stay here until they sort things out?” He’s got a couch that, while it doesn’t have anything on an actual bed, he can manage to sleep on for the next few nights. Or maybe they can share his bed. He shakes his head. That thought needs to be put to the side, even if it’s meant in the most innocent way possible. Of course, in case she decides to cash in that rain check…

“Yes. I mean, that would be great, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” Actually, he can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend. The plan was to meet up either Saturday or Sunday, possibly both, so this isn’t that far out of the ordinary.

“Okay, but just a warning: They’re not letting us go up to our floor in case there’s been electrical damage as well-” That’s smart. If the pipes are in that bad of condition, who knows what the wiring looks like. “-so all I have is my purse, backpack, and what I wore to work. No toothbrush or pajamas, or anything like that.”

“That’s alright. All you have to bring is yourself.” He’ll have to look, but he’s pretty sure he has something in his closet that’ll work okay for her until she gets the all clear to go into her apartment. Plus, there’s a laundry mat just around the corner, not to mention a pharmacy.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Not a problem.” He glances at his bedside clock. Five thirty-four. It takes roughly half an hour to get across the city by bus, so… “I’ll see you around six fifteen?”

“See you then.”

As soon as the line goes dead, he springs into action. First thing’s first: make sure there’s no dirty clothes, old dishes, or trash laying around. That takes all of five minutes. He should probably check that he does indeed have something she can wear so they won’t have to fumble around later. Tshirts are pretty universal and… yes, he has a few pajama bottoms that have a drawstring waist. How much time does he have left? The phone screen lights up, giving him his answer. Twenty-seven minutes. More than enough time to run around the corner and pick up a few things.

His intention is to buy the basics: spare toothbrush, deodorant, hairbrush, maybe a different shampoo than his three-in-one body wash (it’s convenient for him, but she might prefer something designated for hair specifically). But, well, there’s quite a few aisles, and he gets sucked in. Does he need to buy razors, or is that rude, like he thinks she’s hairy? What about aspirin? How often do most people get headaches? He honestly can’t remember.

By the time he realizes that he really needs to get a move on, his basket is full and he has no idea what aisle he’s on. Desperately, he looks around, and his eyes land on… huh. So they just have them out in the open these days. Last time he was in the market for that, he had to beg a married friend to make the purchase for him. He briefly wonders if he’ll need to produce proof of marriage or something similar, but pushes the thought to the side. It’s the 2000s. He can probably just go up to the register and pay, and no one will give him a second look. But there’s just one problem: which brand? He should google… suddenly remembering his adventure from earlier today, he decides to just go with his gut and pick one. There. Now, he needs to pay and get the fuck out of here because there’s only ten minutes left, and he’d rather not have these out in the open, in case she thinks that’s the reason he’s asked her to stay over. If it happens, great. If not… well, he’s made it for the past seventy years. What’s a few more?

___________________________________________________________________________________

She was still pretty shaken up when she arrived at his apartment, carrying her backpack and purse, slightly damp from the drizzle of rain now covering the city. But immediately receiving a long hug, being instructed to make herself at home, and hearing the offer to take a shower so she could warm up did a lot to restore her good mood.

It was one of the sweetest thing she’s ever experienced in a lifetime where most people have showed her their worst, going into that bathroom and finding a new toothbrush, stick of deodorant, nail clippers, hairbrush, and even shampoo. That and Barnes bashfully informing her that, “I’ll stay in the living room until you’re done. Take your time.” She almost suggested that he just join her in an attempt to broach the subject they left off on two nights ago, but thought better of it. She’s just started to strip when a knock comes from the other side of the wall.

“Sorry. I just remembered that I forgot to give you a change of clothes. Can I leave them outside the door?” A smile forms on her face.

“Sure. Go ahead.” No one’s given this much thought to her comfort or boundaries before. Yet another reason she knows this is the right decision.

She doesn’t stay in the shower for long, just enough time to wash and stop shivering. After toweling off and brushing out her hair, she cracks open the door. Sure enough, a worn but clean tshirt and pair of pajama bottoms are waiting for her. The familiar scent of the laundry detergent he uses envelopes her as she dresses and, at long last, leaves the safety of the bathroom.

True to his word, he’s still sitting on the couch, thumbing through a book she gave him some months back (he’s missed so many feats of literature that have made their way into pop culture; today’s choice is The Hobbit because, while it was out before everything happened to him, he’s never read it) when she emerges. Just in case he’s so absorbed that he hasn’t heard her, she repeats his gesture from earlier and knocks softly on the wall.

“Hey. I’m out. You can have your apartment back.”

“Hey.” That smile always makes her feel slightly unsteady on her feet. “Find everything okay?”

“I did.” She settles into the place next to him. “Thank you, by the way. You didn’t have to go out and get supplies.”

“I know.” He nods, hand closing around hers. “But I wanted to make sure you had whatever you needed.”

They chat for a while about their days, discuss what they should do with the weekend ahead, even throw out ideas for dinner. The entire time, she’s trying to figure out the best way to bring up that she’d really like to finish what they started the other night. However, by the time he’s left to grab some sort of takeout, she’s still no closer to an answer.

Fortunately, their dates usually follow a pattern. Food, a movie, and then the not-so-innocent cuddles. This time, he’s on top of her when she feels the tell-tale sign that he’s as fired up as she is, so she suggests,

“Do want to maybe move to somewhere more comfortable?” His already dilated pupils grow even larger, and he nods.

“Yeah. That sounds like a plan.” She waits for him to roll off of her and head towards the bedroom before she grabs her purse and, digging around inside, grabs one of the foil packages she bought after their last date.

It’s only once she closes the door behind her, shutting them into an enclosed space with a bed (not to mention it’s pretty damn clear what both of their intentions are), that nerves get the better of her. He takes a step towards her, and she leans up to kiss him, but he ducks his head out of the way.

“You’re shaking.” His hand ghosts over her arm, making it obvious that, by comparison, she’s practically vibrating on the spot.

“Sorry.” She chuckles nervously. “It’ll pass.”

“It’s alright.” As he says it, he meets her eyes. “We can stop. Nothing has to happen.”

“I know.” She nods, swallowing hard. “But I want it to.” Their lips briefly meet before he pulls away again.

“Let me ask you, just before we get started, is this-” He stops short, eyes darting from her face to the wall and back again. “...have you… before?” Oh. “Not that it matters, not to me, I just wanted to know so that-”

“I have.” She nods, feeling heat rise to her cheeks. “Once. I was eighteen, and-” It was awful. She’d been seeing the guy for a few months and he kept whining about her not putting out, so she decided to get it over with. He went in dry without any warning, and when she asked him to stop, give her a second to adjust, he told her he couldn’t. She was bleeding and in pain for days afterwards, and to top it off, when her period was late, she thought that, even though he’d pulled out, she was pregnant. That turned out not to be the case, but it, along with the fact that she usually doesn’t stay in one place for very long, has put a damper on her ever wanting to do that again. Except for now. “-it wasn’t a great experience.”

“I’m sorry.” On instinct, she searches for the judgment in his face, the disgust. It’s nowhere to be found, only genuine sympathy. “I’ll do my best to make sure this time is better. That is, if you’re still up to it.”

“I am.” Not waiting for a reply, she wraps her arms around him and starts trailing kisses up his neck towards his ear. “I am. I trust you.” She hears his breath catch, but before she can comment, he’s hoisted her up and is carrying her in the direction of the bed.

As he sets her down, she pulls him on top of her, letting her hands wander over his sides, up his back. After a few moments, she feels his fingers move from her hips to toy with the hem of her… his.. shirt.

“Is this okay? Can I take this off?” She starts to nod, but remembers just in time that he’s so close, they’d butt heads.

“Please.” She expected to feel exposed once she was at least partially undressed, but instead she feels… adored. His eyes are roaming over her newly exposed skin, though his hands have respectfully returned to her waist. In a moment of confidence, she reaches behind her and unhooks her bra. There. Now she’s completely shirtless.

“You’re so beautiful.” The flush from her cheeks is spreading down her neck, but she still smiles.

“Care to make things even?” It’s brief, but she catches the look of hesitation.

“Sure.” Before she can offer to do it, he shrugs his shirt over his head, revealing to her, for the first time, the entirity of his metal arm. She must look for a moment too long, because with a shrug, he informs her, “I can put my shirt back on. No big deal. I know there’s some scarring…” That’s not going to fly. She needs to reassure him, make him feel as desired as he’s made her feel.

“Or if you want to stop-” She stands and, after briefly making eye contact, places a kiss on the most prominent scar.

“Don’t you dare think that way for a second.” They’re flush against each other, chest to bare chest. “Not for one.” Slowly, she slides her hands from his shoulders down to his waist, hesitating just over the button. “Is this okay?” Another shakey breath.

“Yes.”

Going forward, it’s much less awkward. The rest of their clothing is shed, and soon they’re back to their previous position; on the bed, with him on top of her. She feels his fingertips brush the inside of her thigh and gasps.

“May I touch you?” She nods.

“You’d better.”

It’s gentle, more of him feeling her out than anything else. Still, she can’t help but think this is infinitely better already than last time around. Suddenly, he pulls his hand away, and it takes all her effort not to whine at the loss of contact. Before she can ask if something’s wrong, does he want to stop, he’s flat on his stomach, head between her legs.

“Tell me if you need me to stop.”

“What-” Her breath catches as it becomes infinitely clear what he’s doing.

Again, she’s expecting pain when, after several minutes he eases a finger into her, but at this point, she’s so wet that there’s absolutely no difficulty.

“Are you okay?” She nods.

“Don’t stop.”

The process is agonizingly slow, he’s so intent on his task. When, finally, he pulls away, she’s so close that she can almost taste it.

“Do you still want to-”

“If you don’t stop asking me that, I’m gonna slap you.” It’s a joke, and she thinks he knows it, but just to be sure, she siezes his hand (the metal one, which is usually cold but has now warmed from being held close against her body. “I’m ready, so long as you want this too.”

“I do. You wouldn’t believe how much.” Yeah, she thinks she would. “Just give me a second.” Perfect timing. He rolls off of her, which gives her the opening she needs to grab the packet she managed to hide under the pillow while he was… otherwise distracted. When he returns from digging inside the wardrobe, she holds it up, only to realize-

“Oh.” He’s got one as well. “Seems like we both came prepared.”

He chuckles. “Just in case, although that wasn’t why I asked you to stay.”

“I know.” She nods and pats the space next to her. “Not why I said yes either, although I can’t say I’m disappointed.”

He returns to the bed and drops his packet onto the nightstand. “Save this one for later?”

“Definitely.”

There is a bit of discomfort once he starts to push inside her, but it’s not painful. Just… overwhelming. Slightly embarassed she asks,

“Can you wait a second? Please?”

“Of course. Are you alright?” She shifts her hips slightly, making them both groan.

“Fine. You can move now.”

She may have only done this once before, and she has no idea what his experience consists of, but as she hits her peak mere seconds before he does, gently coaxed over the edge, she can’t help but think some things are better the second time around.

“I love you.” It’s whispered against her neck as, once she cleans up and returns to bed, she settles herself against him.

“I love you too.”

___________________________________________________________________________________

The first thing he thinks when he realizes that he’s not alone in bed is that HYDRA’s found him. He’s being activated. His eyes shoot open although apart from that he doesn’t move a muscle, and that’s when he recognizes the person next to him. It’s her. She’s here.

The events of last night come back to him all at once, and he feels a smile forming on his face. It’s been a while, and in any case, it would be wrong to run a comparison, but what they shared, the pure intimacy of it both physically and mentally was incredible. Maybe he should feel a sense of shame. That’s what he was taught growing up. But instead he feels… peaceful.

That is, until her eyelids flutter and she rolls over, shifting the covers so that he gets a good view of her still naked body, and with it, the bruises on her thighs and hips. Bruises unmistakably left by his fingers. Dammit. He’s done the last thing he ever wanted to do: he’s hurt her.

“Good morning, sleepy head.” She yawns, the teasing words muffled. “It seems like we overslept.”

His mouth goes dry, and all he can manage to choke out is a simple, “Yeah.”

She frowns, sitting up slightly, and lets out a small groan. “You alright there, Bucky? You look a little off.” The late morning light only serves to highlight more marks he’s left, this time on her shoulders, neck, and breasts. Stubble burn. Hickeys. Why the hell was he so rough? At the time, he thought he was being gentle, but obviously he’s just as much of a monster as Bucky Barnes as he is once the Winter Soldier takes over.

She’s still staring at him, brow furrowing in concern.

“Fine.” He clears his throat and begins to sit up. “Stay here. I’ll make you a cup of tea, maybe some oatmeal.”

“Alright. Don’t be gone too long.”

Her words follow him out of the room, and into the kitchen. Fuck. He should’ve known better.

Maybe once upon a time, he was a decent man, one who could be with a woman like her and not do her a disservice. But now, it’s clear that he falls short in every way. In an act that was supposed to be pure pleasure, a way of communicating how much they mean to each other, he’s hurt her.

“I trust you.” The words from last night ring in his ears. He shouldn’t have let her. It’s pretty damn obvious that, even at the best of times, he can’t be trusted.

“Tell me what’s going on.” Even with his enhanced senses, he still jumps in surprise as the unexpected words come from behind him. He turns around slowly, not wanting to startle her. She’s standing there, clad in only one of his shirts, arms crossed over her chest (now bearing his marks), staring him down.

“Nothing.” He shakes his head.

“Bullshit. I had a vision of you staring off into space, and here you are, jumpy as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.” At another time, her choice in phrases would make him chuckle, but right now, he can’t muster it.

“Last night-” Her eyes widen, but she stays silent. “I hurt you.”

“No, you didn’t. Not at all.”

“I did.”

She frowns. “Bucky, I think I’d know if you’d hurt me, and I’m telling you, I’m fine.”

“Doll, look at yourself!” He reaches out to take her arm, but immediately freezes. “Go in the bathroom and take off your shirt. Take a good look in the mirror and then tell me I didn’t hurt you.”

“Alright.” Her jaw clenches, and she marches off in the direction of the bathroom. A deep sickness gnaws at the pit of his stomach and, completely worn out, he sinks into a kitchen chair.

Not thirty seconds pass before she walks back into the room, this time completely undressed.

“Tell me you’re not talking about a few love bites.”

“And bruises! You may not have noticed, but they’re in the exact shape of my fingertips.”

“Oh my god!” She shakes her head. “It’s a sex injury. A minor one at that! If you didn’t heal so damn fast, you’d probably have nail marks all over your back!”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“How is it not the same thing?”

“I’m a monster! And you’re not.”

She takes a determined step towards him, and he leans as far back as the chair will allow.

“Bucky, you are not a monster, and I am not afraid of you.”

“Then you’re stupid.” He hates himself for his sharp words, but she needs to take this seriously. Underestimating how dark, how evil he can be, is a mistake. A deadly one.

“Hey!”

“Don’t you get it?” Without any input from his brain, he stands. “They could find me, and with a few words, I could stare you dead in the eyes as I murdered you! If you were my mission, I wouldn’t even hesitate, and you’d be dead before your body hit the floor!” Her mouth falls open, but she immediately closes it again. “This isn’t something that can be worked through with some patience and a positive attitude! I could kill you!”

“So could a million other things!” Her voice rises in volume, and before he can contain it-

“But they’re not in the bed sleeping next to you!” He’s shouting at her. God. Everyone is right. He’s beyond saving.

A few tense seconds pass before she looks up at him, a steely look in her eyes.

“Look, I get it. I know what you could do to me.” As she speaks, she pulls out a chair and sits. “But I could also get run over when I cross the road, or the room could fill with carbon monoxide while I sleep. I could have an aneurysm and drop before anyone knows what’s happening.”

He opens his mouth to tell her the likelihood of any of those things happening is far lower than the chance that he’ll hurt her, this time in a major way, but she holds up a hand, silencing him.

“I’m gonna be cautious, but I’m also not going to live my life in fear that the ceiling is going to collapse or nuclear war is going to strike, or that someone is gonna turn up and say the magic words that make you go cuckoo for cocoa puffs-” What? “-and I just realized you’re too old for that reference.”

“That’s another thing-” He’s about to remind her exactly how big their age gap is, that although he’s physically close to her age, chronologically, he’s closer to the age of her great grandfather, but she lets out a sudden groan of frustration, and that makes him bite his tongue.

“Oh, fuck off, Barnes! If you’re about to start in on how you’re too old for me, then I’m not gonna wait for you to go full Winter Soldier before I kick your ass!” Out of all things, that’s what snaps him out of it, makes him feel like maybe, just maybe, there’s still a chance they can make the best of things.

Smirking, he asks her,

“You think you could kick my ass? Really?” It must be the breaking point for her too, because she snickers.

“Of course. It’s the little bitches you have to watch out for.” That’s it, he’s laughing, nearly doubled over, and from the looks of things, she’s in much the same state.

“You’re something else, you know that?” He asks between stilted breaths.

“I think we both fit in that category, Pal.” Her smile fades, but only slightly. “Bucky, if you really want me to go, if that’s what’ll give you peace, then I’ll do it, but I meant what I said. I trust you.” Never. He’ll never want her to go, he’s sure of it. Well then, that only leaves one option.

“I know what we’re doing today.” It’s an abrupt segue, but it’s the only thing he could come up with on short notice.

“And what’s that?” The microwave dings, reminding him that he needs to stir the oatmeal, and he pushes past her.

“Sit down and have your tea. You’re going to need all your energy if I’m gonna show you how to use a gun.” If she’s staying, then at least he can teach her how to defend herself beyond the basics she already knows.

“So I guess this means you’re keeping me around for a little while longer?” It’s spoken like a joke, but he turns to her, meeting her eyes to drive the point home.

“Yeah, Doll. As long as you want me."

#marvel #captain america #the winter soldier #bucky fanfic #fanfiction #bucky barnes x ofc #bucky x reader #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes #pre civil war

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aquietwritingcorner · 3 years

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Writers Month Day 11: Glass/Royalty AU Word Count: 2013 Author: aquietwritingcorner/realitybreakgirl Rating: G/K Characters: Olivier Mira Armstrong, Captain Buccaneer, Major Miles, Philip Gargantos Armstrong, Mama Armstrong Warning: NA Summary: Princess Olivier Mira Armstrong is not interested in finding a husband. Her parents throw a ball for all the eligible men anyway. Buccaneer just wanted a night out and was given the chance for one by a strange man in a brightly colored shirt who can apparently make limbs out of glass. Somehow, this all works out. Reverse Cinderella Crack AU Notes: ngl, this was hilarious to write. AO3 || ff.net

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Glass/Royalty AU

Once upon a time, there was a Princess. If there was one thing Princess Olivier Mira Armstrong hated, it was pointless balls. She sighed as she sat on her throne and looked out over the gathered crowd standing around in all their finery. Some were dancing, others eating, and just about all of them were looking for ways to improve their standing both with the court and with each other. And every available young man was looking for a way to get her attention.

She snorted derisively. If her father thought that throwing a ball and inviting every eligible young man in the kingdom was going to get her married off, then he was sorely mistaken. This was nothing more than a waste of everyone’s time. She didn’t even know why he was so hung up on her getting married. She had four other siblings to provide heirs for the throne. She’d just pick one of them when the time came.

“Olivier, dear, why don’t you go down and dance with some of your guests.”

Her father’s voice came from beside her, and she glanced over at him. He was sitting majestically on his throne and eyeing a particular group of men. Olivier followed his gaze and blanched. None of those spinless weaklings were her idea of a good man.

“They aren’t my guests at all, Father,” she replied. “You invited them here.”

“Hm, so I did,” he said, stroking his beard.

“But they all came for you,” her mother put in from the other side of her father. “You should at least have the grace to go walk among them and dance with a few of them. There are some smart matches down there.”

Olivier followed her mother’s gaze to a different group of men. They were worse than the other group.

“…you aren’t going to leave me alone until I do, are you?” Olivier asked bluntly.

Her mother looked over at her, a bit of twinkle in her eye. “Not in the least.”

Olivier sighed once again. “Fine. Miles!”

Miles appeared next to her, and Olivier heard her mother sigh. Olivier paid it no mind. They had told her she could pick her own attendant, and so pick him she had. Miles was a married man with two daughters, and loyal to a fault. Olivier knew he was trustworthy, even if her parents had been a bit skeptical.

“Olivier, how are you supposed to catch the eye of a man if you’ve always got your attendant with you?” her mother asked.

Olivier was already standing and attaching her sword to her side. “Mother, if they’re not paying attention to me by now, considering you two set this up specifically so I’d be the center of attention, then they’re obviously not interested.”

Her mother sighed, but Olivier paid it no mind. Instead, she left the dais and headed down the stairs to the floor, Miles right beside her.

“Miles, pick me the least obnoxious ones, please.”

“I’ll do my best, Princess.”

The next hour was spent dancing with man after man. Miles did a good job picking them out. They weren’t bad men—or they wouldn’t be with a few more years on them—but they definitely didn’t catch her interest. They were either, too conniving, too awestruck, or too spinless. Finally, she signaled to Miles that she needed a break, and he nodded. She walked away to the gardens, ignoring the guards that were there, and took a breath of fresh air.

And that was when she realized that she wasn’t alone.

Her head whipped quickly towards the intruder, and her hand rested on the pommel of her sword. But the other person didn’t advance on her, just held up his hands, showing he wasn’t armed.

“Hey, woah, it’s okay, I’m sorry!” the man said. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He stepped out of the shadows. “I’m just a regular guy, see? Not a bear.”

Olivier looked him over. He was quite large, with a black mohawk and a thin mustache. What really caught her eye, though, was his hand. It appeared to be made of… glass?

“Who are you?” she demanded of him, not having drawn her sword, but still prepared to. “And why would you say you’re not a bear?”

“Oh, uh, well, you see, people tend to think I’m a bear a lot,” he said. “I’m not sure why, exactly, but it does come in handy most of the time.” He grinned. “Or at least, I think it does.”

Olivier relaxed a little. It appeared that this man was just a guest. And honestly, an amusing one so far. “I can see where that would be useful. Do you mind if I stay out here?”

“No, Princess,” he said. “Its your palace, your gardens.”

She hummed at that. He was right, of course, but she really had just wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to go running off inside and tell everyone where she was. Miles was only one man, after all. He could only hold back so many people from disturbing her.

She leaned on a railing and eyed the man out of the corner of her eye. He seemed to be content just to be here. “Is your hand made of glass?”

The man looked down at it. “Whole arm, actually. I’m not sure how it works, but that strange man gave it to me, and it’s been functional.”

Olivier raised an eyebrow. “Strange man?”

The man nodded. “Yeah. Wore really tacky and loud shirts. He said my other arm was too greasy and needed too many repairs, so he gave me this one for the night.” The man shrugged. “I don’t think it’d be much good in a fight, but it lets me eat, at least.”

Olivier turned more towards him, looking him up and down and evaluating the man. “…would you like to find out?” she asked, her finger tapping the pommel of her sword.

He apparently didn’t miss that, and his eyes lit up. “I’d love to test it. Are you sure you’re able to, Princess?”

She drew her sword and got into a stance. “The Armstrong royalty has trained in the art of self-defense for generations. If I can’t fight in a ballgown, then I’m no good to anyone.”

The man grinned and dropped into a stance of his own. “I can’t say I’ve done much fighting in clothes like these, but this should be fun.”

“Prepare yourself,” Olivier said, and that was all the warning she gave before she was charging at him.

The man was quicker than he looked, and he dodged to the side, narrowly missing her blade. He reached out to grab at her, and she spun away, hair and skirt flaring out. She wasted no movement, and charged at him again, aiming for that arm of his. This time, he raised it, and caught a glancing blow from her blade, letting it slide off. He pushed her off of him, and she paused for a moment. The man looked at his arm and grinned. Olivier figured that it must still be in good shape, and so she charged again. This time, he used the arm to block a direct blow, and when the glass appendage held up, he grinned more.

They continued this back and forth fighting dance, until the bells rang, and he turned, startled, just as her blade came down on his shoulder. He let out a bit of a pained sound then, and Olivier saw his arm suddenly sinking lower. The man cursed as his glass arm slid out of his sleeve. Olivier darted forward to catch it.

“Sorry,” he said, “Its been fun, but I gotta go.”

“Wait—you what?” Olivier said.

“Gotta run!” he said. “Thanks for the fight, Princess!”

The man was already moving away, heading through the gardens at a breakneck speed.

“Wait—your arm!”

“Keep it!” came the call.

“What was your name!”

There was no answer.

“Stop! What was your name! Come back here!”

But he was either too far away or was ignoring her commands. Either way, Olivier didn’t like it. Miles, who had been watching them, came out at her raised voice.

“Princess?”

“I want the man this arm belongs to, Miles,” she growled out. “I want to find him.”

Miles, for his part, didn’t even blink at the fact she was holding a working glass arm and that there was an armless man running around somewhere. He just responded “Yes, Princess,” and set to work.

It turned out that finding a one-armed man wasn’t that hard to do. However, finding a particular one-armed man was a lot harder. Olivier, Miles, and an unfortunately conspicuous royal entourage had made their way to every province, city, and town in the country with no luck. Olivier found herself getting more and more frustrated with each failure. How hard was it to find a big man with a black mohawk who was missing an arm?

Well, it didn’t help that many men who were missing arms dyed and cut their hair. Or that more than a few people tried faking having a metal arm.

The house they were rolling up on had to be the last house that existed, and as the carriage rolled up, several men stepped out. None of them, she noticed, were missing an arm. Still, they had the general look of the man, so she got out to ask them some questions. They bowed to her, and one made the offer of tea, but Olivier was in no mood.

“Tell me—is this everyone from your household?”

“Yes,” one replied. “This should be all of us.”

“And you’re sure there’s no one more?”

“Not in our house, your majesty.”

Something seemed off, and she narrowed her eyes. “You’re positive?”

There was an exchange of looks between some of the younger ones. Olivier rested her hand on her sword. “Well?” she demanded.

“…What’s going on?”

There was a new voice coming from the forest, and the entire party turned to see who it was. He was carrying a load of firewood, but the man was large, with a black mohawk, and a metal arm. And, Oliver was pretty sure she heard one of the guards that road with them flinch back and say something about a bear.

“You,” Olivier said. “You have a metal arm, correct?”

The man looked at them. “Yeah, up to the shoulder.”

“Your right arm?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Take it off.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Take it off.” She nodded to Miles, and he gestured for two of the other attendants to pull the glass arm from the carriage. “I want you to try this one on.”

The man blinked at her, and then grinned. “Alright,” he said, dropping his load of firewood. He reached up and took off his shirt, first, revealing all of his arm, and then pressed the releases that would detach his metal arm. Instead of falling to the ground with a clunk, he was fast enough to reach out and grab it before it hit the ground. He sat it on the dropped wood, and allowed the attendants to come closer and put the arm in. It clicked in, fitting perfectly, and he flexed it around. No one had even been able to get it to fit before now.

“Huh. It still works. I had wondered.”

“You’re the one from the ball. The one who fought with me.” Olivier said.

The man grinned. “Yes, Princess. I didn’t think you’d have this much interest in a handy man like me.”

“What’s your name?” she asked him.

“They call me Buccaneer.”

Olivier glanced at the house, the grounds, and the other men standing there. “Then, Buccaneer, how would you like to come back to the palace with me and become my husband?”

Buccaneer grinned again and reached out with his glass arm to take her hand and kiss it. “Princess, it would be my honor.

Olivier smiled back at him. “Good.”

And they lived happily ever after.

#writersmonth2021 #Olivier Mira Armstrong #captain buccaneer #Major Miles #Olivier x Buccaneer #fma #Fullmetal Alchemist #fma fanfic #fullmetal alchemist fan fiction

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smol-and-grumpy · 4 years

Text

Something Just Like This - CH36

Pairing: Dean Winchester x Reader

Summary: Dean Winchester, mobster boss. He’s a little cocky, a lot ruthless and more often than not, short tempered. But he’s also, Dean Winchester, a war veteran and hero who suffers under a shit ton of PTS. He met her in a bar and thinks it’s fate that brought her to him. Little does he know why she’s really here.

Warnings: Fluff, a dash of angst

WC: 3386

SERIES MASTERLIST

Dean never thought they could talk things out in such a short time. He thought it might take days but all it took was some cuddles and a warm bath. He should have known though, because Y/N ticks the same way he does. She’s simple, says what’s on her mind, asks the hard questions even if she doesn’t really want to know the answer.

She’s shaking as he dries her off and carries her to the bed to help her dress in a fresh pair of pj pants, a shirt and one of his oversized sweater before he tucks her in. He threw a shirt over his own head, wears some fresh underwear and walks out to get her pills. He comes in, asks if she’s hungry but she wasn’t. It’s still a couple of hours until dinner time anyway. He slips into bed with her after, can’t really spoon her because of her ankle but he gets as close as possible, lays his head on her good shoulder and noses at her neck.

He breathes in her scent and whispers, “You smell good again.”

Y/N laughs at that, “Thanks?”

He has to laugh too because he didn’t mean for it to come out like it did. “No, I mean, you smell like you again. I missed that.”

She has her hand in his hair, scratches his head and he can hear her steady heartbeat.

“There’s something I want you to see.” He says, rolls on the bed and gets his phone off the charger, hands it to her wordlessly.

She takes it, a frown on her face.

“Look at it.” He urges her and she pushes at the button, making the phone light up in the dark.

It’s still the picture of her and Cuddles on his home screen.

“Dean,” She whispers, “I—”

“0502” He says simply and she looks at him perplexed, frowns when she realizes what the numbers are for.

She thumbs over the digits, punches in the code and when she unlocks it, she sees a picture of her which he once took while she was still sleeping. Hair a mess, mouth open. He thinks it’s cute but she wouldn’t agree. She doesn’t say anything though.

“Open my call activities.” He whispers and she does, opens it and looks through it, he doesn’t have a lot of callers on there, so it’s not hard to see that there are 3,212 calls he made to her old number.

Y/N has tears in her eyes and Dean brushes his thumb against her cheek before he goes on. He’s not going to stop now, wants to get it over with because he wants her to know.

“Look at my messages.”

She thumbs around on his phone, and opens the texting app. Her hands fly to her mouth, covering it.

He nuzzles his nose against her shoulder as she looks through it. There are messages he sent to her old number, and it starts from the moment she walked out. She can’t possibly go through them all because the last one was only sent three days ago. He never stopped texting her, if sometimes only for him to say hi and that he’s missing her.

She opens her mouth, “I’m—”

“—it’s okay.” He interrupts her.

He’s told her everything she wanted to know. Everything he thought was important anyway. And everything he told her was the truth either. He wished he knew about the FBI thing sooner though, but what good would that have been? If he could go back, he wouldn’t have changed a thing. Would still have loved her. Would have wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

Dean takes his phone from her hands and moves up a little, lays his head next to hers on the pillow instead, rests his forehead on her temple. “Are you staying?” His heart is beating fast as he asks the question, and is kind of prepared if she’d say no, although it would kill him but he’s not the one who wouldn’t let her go if that’s what she really wants.

“If you want me to?” She asks, and it’s like music to his ears.

“Yeah,” He smiles, “I’d like that.”

***

Dean’s in the living room making breakfast when Sam knocks at his door.

Dean let’s Sam in and immediately Sam senses that something’s different, because he grins so fucking idiotic and it makes Dean nauseous. That big ass sasquatch always knows when something’s up.

“How did your night go, huh? Wink wink nudge nudge.”

“Sammy, stop being so fucking creepy.”

“I see a pair of women's shoes at the door that’s obviously not your size, Dean, of course I have to be creepy!”

Sam walks in further and takes the cup of coffee out of Dean’s hand before he steals a strip of bacon from a plate. “You’re making breakfast for two, too! Guess she performed really well, that you let her stay.”

“Sam,” Dean growls, it’s a warning.

“I hope you used protection.” Sam’s taking another mouthful of bacon and washes it down with the coffee, “I don’t think you shouldn’t let people sue you for child support.”

“Sammy!” Dean didn’t mean to be so loud, placing his fingers to his lips as a way to warn himself. And then, softer, he says, “Y/N’s here.”

“What?” Sam shouts.

“You’re being loud!” Dean hisses.

“Sorry, okay,” Sam says and then he hisses too, “What? Where did you find her?”

“She was in a car accident. Messed up her ankle real bad. Long story short—”

“—Too late.”

“Oh, haha — shut up.” Dean mocks grumpily and goes on, “I was still her emergency contact on her phone and that leads us here.”

“Okay, fine, she’s here but have you talked it through? I hate to see you sad again, man.”

Dean smirks, “Don’t worry we talked plenty. She explained everything and I had my closure. I feel good. Haven’t felt this good in what?”

“A year.” Sam says drily.

“Yeah. She needs a lawyer to sue that son of a bitch who crashed into her car. You in?”

“Sure, send me the details because I gotta go now,” Sam knocks at the counter twice, “Was only on the way to the office, wanted to see how you’re doing. Is Y/N staying?”

“I think so, why?”

“Bring her around for dinner?”

Dean grins, “Sure.”

“Oh, that Lambo? Yours?”

“Cas. You wanna drive it?” Dean lifts his eyebrows in question.

Sam’s sending him a bitchface. “Nah, my dick’s way too big.”

***

A couple of days later, Dean got Sergei to check up on Y/N. The doctor still lives in one of his apartments, even though he too, got more money than he probably will need in his life. But Sergei’s always been a one weird creature of habit, maybe that’s why he didn’t want to move. And maybe it’s also because Dean lets him live here rent free. It’s the least he can do since Sergei helped save Y/N’s life.

She’s doing much better and they can now lower her pain meds intake. Which probably also means that she’s gonna be awake more and Dean considers that a win. It’s still going to be a little over five weeks until she can take her cast off, though.

Y/N’s workplace had called in to lay her off. She was a little sad about that. It’s not really like she needed the money because Dean has plenty. He could give her half and would still have more than enough left to last him a whole lifetime. He thinks it’s more because she really likes to work, likes to have a purpose in life and he gets that. He tried to cheer her up, telling her that if she wants, she can pick up drawing again and he can fund her own art gallery. His idea wasn’t well received. And by mentioning the art, she suddenly remembers the drawing she left on her bedside table and asked him where it was. He said it’s in a safe place because he doesn’t want to tell her yet, but the truth is, that he framed it and took it to the new house, hung it up right at the entrance so every time he would go in there, he’d see and be reminded what he’s doing it for. Never actually gave up on the idea of finding her again one day and showing her the house, even if at that time he wouldn’t be in the picture of her new future anymore.

One day, he’d tell her. But it’s still too early now.

Cas came by last night to exchange his Baby against the hideous Lamborghini. Thank fucking god because Dean was starting to feel very awkward driving a Lambo around town to do the simplest of things. Cas had asked to see Y/N but she was already sleeping. He promised to take her around once she’s better. Maybe Dean should start to make a list of all the people who want to see Y/N to keep track and not to miss anyone.

Gabe called too, Sam had been talking, like the gossip girl he is, and Gabe is overly excited that she’s found. Gabe was the one who helped Dean search for her because he hated to see Dean in the state he was in. He said to Dean that it’s worse than after the time their camp had been destroyed in Afghanistan. Dean owes Gabe a lot and Gabe’s also the only one who still lives nearby. He never needed much and only took enough money from Dean to tie him over until he can find another job. More than money, Gabe needs distraction, he once told Dean. He doesn’t need money because money would bring him back to the habit that he wants to shake off. So, now, if Dean needs anything, he’ll contact Gabe. Gabe actually insists on it.

Y/N comes out of the bedroom, wearing one of his shirts. Dean doesn’t know why she raids his side of the closet when she has enough clothes herself. But he doesn’t really mind. She’s wearing a skirt because it’s easier to get it over the cast. Dean absolutely hates how cute she looks with the oversized shirt and the frilly skirt. Hates it because it makes him want her in a way he doesn’t allow himself to want her. Not yet.

“I’m ready.”

“Good.” Dean says and it came out grumpy but he’s really not. It’s just that her outfit does things to him and he absolutely hates that he likes it.

He takes the key and gives her a hand to walk to the door. She clutches one crutch on the other side.

“Jesus, this will take forever.” He mutters under his breath and sweeps her off her feel, carries her over his shoulder while she’s holding the crutch.

“Dean!”

“I’m sorry, it’s just, I’d like to get back by tonight and not still be here by then.”

She’s still over his shoulder when they get into the elevator and he sees their reflection in the mirror. He has his hand on her thigh and her skirt almost rides up to her ass. He turns his gaze down, doesn’t look. He carries her over to his car and they get in.

They’re driving to her apartment, moving things back to his place. Because it’s final. She’s staying. She really fucking stays.

Yesterday morning when he brought her a coffee to bed she looked at him and just smiled. Nothing else, just a smile. And her smile lasted an awful long while until he had to ask what’s wrong.

“I’m staying.” She said. Nothing less, nothing more. But it’s enough for him to sit down and kiss her. He wanted to ask if she really meant it. If she really thought it through because if she stays this time, there’s no running away and he had made it clear that he’s not letting her go anyway. He didn’t ask though, didn’t feel the need to because he’s sure that she knows.

She lived in a rundown building. It's a studio apartment and it’s nothing like her last one. The staircase smells of piss and he’s sure that he saw some kids selling drugs at the corner of the street. It’s surely not a nice neighborhood. Her apartment is small, cozy and it’s a stark contrast to the outside world around the building. Still, it makes Dean mad. He’s angry that she had to live here for so long without him knowing. But he guesses that if the circumstances would have been different, if Dean would have come knocking, she wouldn’t have wanted to come home with him anyway.

Sometimes, things need time to fall into place and letting her come back on her own might have been the best for the both of them.

He brought a big duffel because she said that there’s not a lot to take back anyway. There’s notebooks where she keeps her drawings. Some books, a laptop. She packs only the clothes she really likes and that’s it. It doesn’t even fill the whole duffel he brought with him. Gabe is going to come around to clear and throw things out sometimes later in the week.

Dean carries her and the duffel down the stairs, breathes relief that his Baby was still standing and waiting for him at the curb where he left her.

She rolls her eyes when she sees him talking to the car, telling Baby how happy he was to see her still here and ready to roll.

“Oh, come on, it’s not that bad around here.”

“Yeah, right. I saw someone exchanging his own grandma for drugs. It’s clearly not that bad.” Dean snorts and tells her to get in.

They get home in time for dinner and pills. It’s only one pill now and it doesn’t make her mind as foggy as the ones before. She can even stay around and watch TV with him. He has his legs propped up on the coffee table, she’s leaning into him on the side and he wraps his arm around her.

It’s easy, Dean thinks. He welcomes the good feeling back into his heart.

One step at a time.

She falls asleep against him, so Dean scoops her up and walks her to the bed. He tucks her in and slips in next to her. And he’s able to spoon her now, her ankle isn’t hurting as much anymore. He breathes in, the familiar scent makes him light headed.

“Thank you.” She whispers.

“You’re welcome?” He replies but doesn’t really know for what. Not that it matters.

She chuckles at that and Dean listens as her breathing evens out.

***

They’re almost at half time now and the skin underneath her cast starts to itch. She’s on the couch drawing when Dean walks in after he went out for errands. He looks over to see her poking around inside of her cast with a pencil.

“Stop that!” He shouts with his boss voice. It’s low and loud and she jumps up, almost dropping the pencil into the cast.

“It itches!” She whines and fucking pouts at him.

Dean unpacks the groceries, “I know but you’re gonna make it worse.”

Y/N lets out a frustrating groan and lets herself fall back on the sofa, her back hitting the leather with a thud. “This is ridiculous! This stupid cast is driving me nuts!”

“You’re driving me nuts!” Dean’s laughing. It’s easy how quick things progress with the two of them. How quickly they become comfortable with each other again. As if there was not a whole fucking year which separated them. He really missed that. Miss the silly arguments, the petty fights, miss someone who understands his humor.

He pulls out a container of ice cream he just bought, gets out a spoon and walks over to where she's lying with her arm thrown dramatically over her face.

Dean sits down, digs into the ice cream — chocolate chip cookie dough, because it’s the one they both like and can compromise on. He’d rather have anything with peanut butter in it and she’s more of a coconut girl — and holds out a spoonful of ice cream out, waves it in front of her face. She still doesn’t see anything because of her arm.

“Y/N, come on, open your mouth.”

She doesn’t stir, “This better not be your dick, Dean, I’m angry.”

“What’s wrong with my dick?”

“It just doesn’t really make me feel better.”

Dean frowns and shoves the spoon into his own mouth, smacks his lips loudly as he eats it. “You contradict yourself because you used to say, and I quote, your dick always makes me feel so good.”

He actually wouldn’t know if it would still make her feel good because they haven’t done anything yet since she’s back. Just little kisses here and there and a lot of cuddling. Dean’s quite okay with that but it’s fucking hard to really stay away and he anticipates the day the cast will be off because maybe then she’ll be in the mood. He waited one year, what’s a couple of weeks longer, really. He just knows that it’ll be worth it and besides, he enjoys the thing they have as it is. It’s not just about sex, he once told Sam, and it’s still true.

She opens her eyes when Dean takes another spoonful. “What are you? Oh my god I want ice cream!” She sits up, and moves closer, pushing her head through his arm that’s holding the container, so she basically headlocks herself.

“What? I just told you to open your mouth but you didn’t want to.”

“Please?”

“Yeah, beg for it.” Dean smirks, digs into the container, scoops up a spoonful.

She pouts then and it’s not fair that it still manages to make him weak. He feeds her the ice cream and she smirks around the spoon.

They’re sitting and eating together when she suddenly asks, “Can I ask you something? I need advice from a friend.”

He smiles because he likes that. “Sure.”

“So, you remember my ex-boyfriend?” She starts and the mention of the word ex hits him.

“Yeah, faintly.” He plays along.

“Yeah, do you think if I would try to get together with him again it would work out?”

Dean’s heart is racing stupidly fast. “I don’t know. Do you wanna?”

“I kind of do.”

“Does he want to?”

“I think so. He’s been taking care of me since my accident.”

Dean takes a spoonful of ice cream, an attempt to cool down his face. “Do you still love him?”

“I do.” It comes out fast. She didn’t even have to think about it.

Okay, now his heart is doing the weird flip thing.

And then she adds, “I just don’t know if he still loves me like he used to. Or if he’ll be able to love me like that again. He’s been a great friend the last couple of weeks, though. I just don’t really know where we stand yet. I wanna try it again. Maybe if we try we could make it work? Taking one day at a time?”

Dean sets the ice cream down, pulls her against his chest, he’s sure she can feel how fast his heart is beating but he doesn’t even care.

He kisses the top of her head, “Baby, I never stopped loving you. I would love you in any shape, any form, with any past and present, never doubt that.”

It’s the first time he dares to say baby in front of her so she’d hear it, didn’t feel like it’s his place when they still haven’t figured out what’s next. But being able to say it again feels good. It actually feels great. Like it’s a word only fitting for her, apart from his car, obviously.

She cries into his chest, and it’s good, apart from the crying of course. It’s good to feel her close again. It’s good to be able to work towards what they were. It’s good to work towards what they will be.

CH37

#something just like this #dean winchester #dean winchester fic #dean winchester x you #dean winchester x reader #dean winchester fan fic #dean winchester fan fiction #dean x reader #dean x you #nathalie writes

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kmcarras · 3 years

Note

Excuse a little thing !!! Could you make a mini summary of what happened before eddie came to the forest to surprise 🤭. Like how beverly convinced eddie to go, where eddie was or how richie planned everything, confessing it to his friends ... You understand me?? 🤔 Thank you!! one of the best fan arts of richie and eddie 🤗🤗❤️ (you don't need to draw it) or I leave you free to do whatever you want 😉

yes for sure!! there are certain things i don’t want to get into too specifically bc i would like to extend this au into a fic, and some of that would be covered there, as well as certain things may get revealed in the storyboard, but i’ll give u a summary of things that aren’t too incredibly spoilery, many of which i’ve told folks in livestreams already on IG etc.

beverly has had her eye on eddie for awhile. she feels a special bond with him due to circumstances that i can’t explain without spoiling the fic too much, but she essentially knows things about him that she shouldn’t know and therefore empathized with him in a way that he is honestly creeped out by. he is convinced that she is being a stalker or at the very least up to no good, and he is struggling with bullying at school, so he doesn’t assume positive intent and does not trust her. after her struggling with him getting to open up to her and that going nowhere, she decides to try from a different angle. she targets richie instead, figuring she can play matchmaker. both richie and eddie have some misogynistic tendencies that are irritating to her, but she muscles through because she still cares about them. richie also doesn’t really trust bev at this point, but he at least acknowledges her in insults and teasing and calls her molly ringwald vs eddie who just tries to shut her down. she ropes ben in bc she feels like he can be trusted, she has figured out he will do just about anything for her, and richie will see ben as less of a threat to open up to vs someone like bill or stan where there are too many years of history of friendship on the line. she and ben meet up with richie to form a plan. (also she is able to be there even tho she’s not living there bc her school doesn’t have summer vacation but has long breaks during the school year instead so her aunt is cool and takes her to derry to see her friends.) they plan for richie to ask eddie to the dance in the woods, but he keeps fucking it up trying to ask, and it’s because he’s so nervous because eddie is clearly in a downer mood. a lot is going on with eddie. he is being bullied at school. his birthday just came and went and he normally gets a vhs from his dad posthumously each year, and that didn’t happen this year. he’s just having a really hard time. so the little team has to pivot. bev tells ben “ok plan b, u guys gotta tell everyone to go stag. that way eddie will get all dressed up to go, and i’ll do the heavy lifting of getting him to actually come out to the woods. you guys just gotta ASK him since i’m not at your school right now.” and so at lunch time, richie is supposed to ask while he’s at the group’s lunch table, but he’s too chicken shit bc he just witnessed eddie getting bullied before they sat down to eat and he knows how upset eddie is. so ben stops making eyebrows at richie to do it and jumps in and saves the day. he tells everyone what they should do. stan is like “... ehhhh. i guess, if we all go...” and bill is in, and ben is in, and eddie is silent. and eddie is like “i’m not really in the mood for going to a dance.” and ben is shooting darts at richie like “FUCKIN SAY SOMETHING!!” and richie stops choking and says “i’m gonna go! come on, we will all go together. this is my first dance too; we should have our first dance be together.” and eddie is like “...ok” and is a little hopeful about it. but everyone agrees it’s dumb bc it’s the sadie hawkins dance, but they do it anyway. so eddie, the more he thinks about it, the more he starts to get excited about it. he picks himself out an outfit that he’s really excited about and he’s starting to have optimistic expectations. and then his mom “accidentally” shrinks ALL of his formal wear at the dry cleaners. “oh no eddie bear, guess u can’t go.” and all eddie is left with that sort of resembles formal wear is his old boy scouts uniform. so he dons that, takes off the vest, and pairs it with some suspenders bc go figure all his bow ties and ties are gone too. so yeah, they really are short shorts. then he sneaks out his window and shows up to the dance, where stan immediately snorts at his appearance. ok so, bill and bev are dancing (not stag). mike doesnt go to the school and doesn’t have a date to bring him there like bev did, so he’s not there. and ben and richie are MIA. so it’s just stan and eddie in a corner. and eddies like “where is everyone?!” and stan is like “WHAT AM I CHOPPED LIVER?!” >>>

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thatsaweirdwaytospellundead · 3 years

Text

Senribana Monogatari 10/11

Summary: Due to Citron’s work as the Zahran Minister of Culture and Arts there has been a surge in interest in foreign culture in Zahra. Prince Tangerine gives his brother a call, but it seems he has more on his mind than just an invitation..

Note: This event references a popular Japanese fairytale titled “The Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom”, I encourage you to read it here!

This is a 10 part story with an epilogue.

[part 1] [part 2] [part 3] [part 4] [part 5] [part 6] [part 7] [part 8] [part 9] [part 10]

Epilogue “The Story of the Old Man Who Made Withered Trees to Blossom”

This is a chapter that features the title play of this event! You can read the full translation of the play with pictures here!

This chapter is very long! It references two actual Kabuki plays, “Five Men of the White Waves” and “Wait a Minute”.

Characters

Citron as Sahul (Yukimaru)

Azuma as Yukinojou

Itaru as Matsunosuke

Hisoka as Fukumaru

Homare as Fujisaka

Sakuya as Ogino

Yukinojou

“And somehow or other, more than when it began, I find myself wondering through this endless purgatory. My wish of dragging Confucianism and Buddhism to hell have only withered away.”

Sahul

Ohh..

Izumi

(Just as I thought when we were assigning roles, Azuma’s stage presence is incredible. Everyone’s eyes are focused on him.

Sahul sees this performance and is immediately captivated by Yukinojou’s stage presence. After the show he goes to Yukinojou’s dressing room and begs to be his student..)

Sahul

Please, take me as your student!

Yukinojou

What?

Matsunosuke

What’s the meaning of this? Hey you, it says ‘No unauthorised personnel allowed’.

Yukinojou

It’s alright. I want to hear what he has to say.

Matsunosuke

Are you sure?

Yukinojou

He did come all the way here. I don’t think he is here to be rude, right? Are you serious about wanting to become my student?

Sahul

Yes! Please! I am willing to do anything, even the work of just a servant! Please, I ask that you take me as your student!

Yukinojou

I am not so sure..

Matsunosuke

I’m going to call security.

Yukinojou

No, not yet. Alright, I’ll give you a chance, boy.

Sahul

SERIOUSLY!?

Matsunosuke

Are you for real? I thought you never took on students?

Yukinojou

It wouldn’t hurt to try taking just one student. I think it’s fine.

Sahul

I’ll try my very best!

Yukinojou

Alright, I will speak with Mr. Yamashita about your housing arrangements.

Sahul

Thank you!

Yukinojou

Do you have any further questions for me?

Sahul

Well.. When exactly do I start?

Yukinojou

Well well, now let’s not get ahead of ourselves. How about we first get you acquainted to our customs before we do anything else.

Sahul

Of course! I leave myself in your care!

Yukinojou

Hmm, so first we need to give you a name. Typically a name is derived from one of the characters of the teacher’s name… So how about we take the “Yuki (snow)” from my name and give you the name “Yukimaru”?

Sahul

Yukimaru.. Thank you so much!

Matsunosuke

So then, what did you really think about that kid?

Yukinojou

If you’re trying to give me advice I am not here for it.

Matsunosuke

Have you not heard what the elders are saying?

He may dream of becoming a Kabuki actor but for real, taking a foreigner under your wing so suddenly? He’s already turning heads.

Yukinojou

He’s got a lot of spunk. I believe he has done his homework.

Matsunosuke

I just don’t want you wasting your time with this kid with a whole future ahead of him who just happens to have some flashy clothes and elegant demeanor.

Yukinojou

.. I understand where you’re coming from.

Yukinojou

This flower is very pretty.

Yamashita

It was made by your very own Yukimaru.

Yukinojou

!? Yukimaru made it?

Yamashita

And he even cleaned up nicely.

He has been doing a very good job.

Yukinojou

I see..

Sahul

Master, I’m home!

Yukinojou

Tell me, have you been adjusting well to our culture?

Sahul

Yes, and it is all thanks to your guidance.

Since the very beginning I have yearned to live in this country, how could I not but enjoy myself?

From the first time I saw Kabuki on TV, I have yearned to study this beautiful art form no matter it would take me or how I would learn it. I just knew it was what I wanted. Being able to see this world I have only imagined has only broadened my horizons as if I was living in a dream.

Yukinojou

So, I guess you really are..

Sahul

Master?

Yukinojou

.. Ready to begin training soon.

Sahul

SERIOUSLY!? THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Fujisaka

Hmm, what wonderful form. Alrighty, how about you show me what you know.

Sahul

Okay!

Fujisaka

W-Where did you learn to do Japanese Buyo!?

Sahul

I happened to find a teacher some years ago.. About 10 years ago.

Fujisaka

That’s great.You have more passion than I imagined.

Sahul

Thank you very much.

Izumi

(It’s just like Citron said before, Japanese Buyo really comes naturally to him.

The role of Fujisaka also really brings out Homare’s elegant side. The traits of both Fujisaka and Homare are a great match, it’s perfect.

After Buyo, Sahul goes to learn Nagauta, it’s a type of long story told as the performer plays the shamisen.)

Sahul

Thank you very much.

Ogino

.. I’m going to head out first.

Sahul

W-Wait..

Ogino

Sahul

My playing wasn’t weird, was it? If there’s anything you notice I would like to know—

Ogino

Well there’s nothing in particular.

Sahul

Really!? Thank you! See you next week!

Ogino

Yeah, okay.

Fujisaka

And haven’t you heard his incredible Nagauta performance?

Yukinojou

Wait who?

Fujisaka

Yukimaru of course!

Yukinojou

Oh, yes..

Fujisaka

That boy’s a born genius!

He’s the cream of the crop, I have never seen anyone like him! If only there was somewhere he could go to use his talents. I have no doubts his talents will flourish wherever he goes. It’s such a shame. Becoming a Kabuki actor would truly be difficult for someone like him. Not only is he foreign, but he has no titles nor any powerful sponsors to back him. Oh and not to mention he is starting awfully late.

Yukinojou

......

Fujisaka

Well anyway, I am sure you have been thinking about his future since you’re his teacher after all.

Yukinojou

.... Yes, of course.

Fujisaka

However I find him to be a very interesting pick for someone like you, the son of a commoner.

Matsunosuke

Hey—

Yukinojou

Oh, it’s rare to see you here.

Matsunosuke

Well you know I had to come greet my partner before the performance.

Yukinojou

You say that but this is the first time you have ever done it.

Matsunosuke

Soooo is that kid here today?

Yukinojou

He is at dance practice right now.

Matsunosuke

Hmm, practice huh. Just how long do you plan to keep that kid around for anyway?

Yukinojou

Well..

Sahul

I’m baaccckkk, yooo!

Oh, are you a visitor?

Matsunosuke

Oh, you’re looking better than I expected.

Sahul

W-Welcome!

Matsunosuke

.. Hmmm.

Sahul

Umm?

Who was that man?

Yukinojou

Yanase Matsunosuke.

He is the noble son of the Yanase family.

And loved by the God of Kabuki.

Sahul

Oh, is that so?

Well I for one think the God of Kabuki is also looking down upon you, great master.

Yukinojou

Well actually— I did not exactly have the easiest time getting into this industry myself.

Izumi

(The contrast between Sahul’s carefree nature and Yukinojou’s deep skepticism is so captivating.

Itaru’s performance as Matsunosuke is also really nice. He really captures the confidence of a man of noble birth.)

Fukumaru

HAH!

Sahul

Wow.. So that’s how you do somersault..

Actor A

So you are Yukinojou’s student.. ?

Sahul

Nice to meet you!

Actor A

Well to get you started you first need to master the basic starting position and then—

Fukumaru

I heard you studied Nagauta and dance in your home country so I am sure you can do a simple somersault, right?

Actor A

Hmm yeah, I heard you are pretty strong, right?

Sahul

Well umm.. I.. I have never done a somersault before and umm..

Fukumaru

Come on, give it a try! Why don’t you give it a shot, you are a student after all. I am sure you have enough guts to at least give it a shot, right?

Sahul

Alright, I’ll try.

Actor A

WATCH OUT

Fukumaru

Hmm.. Being brave and being reckless are two different things you know.!

Sahul

O-Oww..

B-But!

Fukumaru

What is it?

Sahul

Please teach me how to somersault! I was moved by the beauty of your somersault you did earlier!

Fukumaru

You want me to teach.. — You know it’s not something that you can simply learn overnight.

Sahul

I am sorry for asking..

Fukumaru

You know I don’t see any real potential in you. And not to rain on your parade, but I’m not the only one either, Yukinojou’s master also, well..

Sahul

Huh!?

Fukumaru

Hurry and just give up now and go back to your country.

Izumi

(Hisoka is amazing at those somersaults. I can tell that even though the audience may not understand the words he is saying, he does an excellent job showing off his skill.)

Actor A

I think it’s time we start heading back.

Sahul

Thank you so much for helping me!

Actor B

Don’t overdo it.

Sahul

Okay!

HAH!

UWAAHH!

O-Oww oww..

This sure is hard..

Fukumaru

Are you stupid?

Do you really think if just recklessly try it over and over you’ll do it?

Sahul

Is that not it?

Fukumaru

I’ll help you out so try again.

Sahul

Are you sure?

Fukumaru

You gotta learn those three disciplines by the end of today after all.

Sahul

OKAY!

Fukumaru

You gotta be more aggressive.

Sahul

OKAY!

I’m gonna try!

HAH!

— I-I did it..

I DID IT!

Thank you so much!

Fukumaru

You’re really dumb.

.. But, maybe you do have what it takes.

Izumi

(He kept practicing over and over without being able to even do a single somersault..

This is the true sign of Citron’s perseverance, he really worked hard against all odds.

Sahul throws himself completely into the world of Kabuki and his hardwork shows through his training, just like how Citron devoted all his attention to developing his character.)

Izumi

(As Sahul is training and growing, Yukinojou makes plans for his first performance..)

Sahul

Good morning!

Matsunosuke

Hey Yukimaru, assistants need to wait over there.

Sahul

B-But I am Yukinojou’s student—

Matsunosuke

Do you really think it’s worth it to put so much effort into practicing even though you’ll never stand on stage? If you’re just doing this for a hobby you can leave.

Sahul

.....

Yukinojou

That’s enough.

Matsunosuke

I am only being honest. Yukimaru will never become a Kabuki actor no matter how hard he works.

Guys like him are a dime a dozen. They can train as hard as they want and long for the stage, but the result is all the same.

This kid has no titles, no wealthy sponsor, is completely inexperienced, and on top of all that, he’s foreign. Did you really think you would get any support from the elders or your fans?

Yukinojou, this is what I have been trying to tell you from the beginning.

Sahul

Umm.. I.. Please excuse me, I’ll just go wait over there.

Yukinojou

Yukimaru..

Nagauta Teacher

You seem a bit distracted today. How about we end the lesson here?

Sahul

My apologies..

Ogino

Good job.

Sahul

Yeah, good job.

Ogino

.. Umm, can I ask, is there something wrong?

Sahul

Ogino, why did you choose to learn the shamisen?

Ogino

Huh? Me? Umm.. Well, I have always loved it since I was a child.

Sahul

You loved the sound..

Ogino

I guess, what are you trying to get at?

Sahul

Nothing, thank you so much! I’ll see you next time!

Ogino

I don’t know what I did but.. I’m glad you seem happier.

Izumi

(Without hesitation, Ogino tells Sahul why he loves the shamisen. This puts Sahul’s heart at ease.. This was a perfect choice for Sakuya.)

Sahul

Umm, could I have a word?

Matsunosuke

Hmm?

Sahul

Even if I can’t stand on the stage now.. I will continue to work hard until the day I can make my dream a reality.

I do not think my hard work is all for nothing. I really love Kabuki.

Matsunosuke

Hmm.. Okay fine, do whatever you want.

Yukinojou

Yukimaru is pretty amazing. I am sure he could teach me a thing or two.

Matsunosuke

I have noticed your demeanor has changed, you seem more like a teacher now.

Hey, Yukimaru, why don’t you try being my stage hand.

Sahul

What!? For real!?

Yukinojou

Yes, I think this is great timing.

Matsunosuke

You won’t stand out if you’re dressed in all black.

Sahul

I’ll do my best!

Izumi

(And now the day of Sahul’s debut performance has arrived..)

Sahul

(I gotta move the katana over here..)

Ack!

Damn, I dropped it..!)

Yukinojou

Come come, take this..

Sahul

(Oh, saved by my master..)

Matsunosuke

If you’re gonna be clumsy like that on stage there’s no point in trying a second time.

Sahul

My deepest apologies..

Yukinojou

Please don’t get discouraged.

Sahul

.....

Matsunosuke

Fine. I’ll give you one chance. I’ll give you a shot at playing Benten Kozo from “Five Men of the White Waves”. If you look good, you’ll get my approval. If you don’t, then you’re better off finding a different career path.

Yukinojou

This has nothing to do with what we were talking about earlier. I don’t think giving him a test has any relation to his mistake he made tonight.

Matsunosuke

But you told me to give him a chance. This is a make or break situation, it’s all up to Yukimaru.

Sahul

.. I’ll try. Please give me a chance!

Ogino

They’re really letting you play Benten Kozo this time?

Sahul

Eh, how did you know?

Ogino

Matsunosuke has been telling everyone, word has really gotten around quick.

Sahul

O-oh, is that so?

Ogino

If you need some help with the shamisen, I got you.

Sahul

Thank you so much.

Ogino

Good luck!

Fujisaka

So you’re really going to play Benten?

Sahul

Umm, yes. This is kinda like a test for me.

Fujisaka

Well then seems like you role study will be the same as anyone else’s. I gotta make sure I give you my best guidance.

Yukinojou

It seems like everyone is more excited for Yukimaru’s performance than the man himself.

Sahul

It’s just I feel as if this is some sort of punishment for my mistake, I’m so sorry.

Yukinojou

You are an honest boy, Yukimaru. I have no doubts that your emotions will resonate amongst the audience.

Sahul

But.. I really don’t think I am good enough yet..

Yukinojou

I said what I said. In fact, you could say I was the one learning from you.

When I look at you, I see a boy who wholeheartedly loves Kabuki. I see a boy that reminds me of myself when I first entered this industry. Because I love Kabuki.. That is the most important reason of all for me to be here.

I have forgotten all of the mean comments and whispers amongst my peers. The only thing that mattered was that I love Kabuki and that is what brought me here.

Sahul

I could see your love for this art through your acting and dancing. That is why I had asked you to be my teacher.

Yukinojou

Is that so.. Thank you so much, thank you, Yukimaru. Thank you for being my student.

Izumi

(Yukinojou gives Sahul a soft smile to show his gratitude when he realises his feelings had reached Sahul. Wow, that expression is very Azuma-like.

Their performance seems like it is really resonating with the rest of the crowd, I can see Yukinojou and Sahul are both equally moved. Citron has quite a way with communication even without words.

I feel like the audience can really sympathise with Sahul.)

Sahul

If ya don’t know, I’ll tell ya. Just as Goemon’s death poem says, there are as many thieves in this world as there are grains of sand on Shichirigahama beach.

I am one of those thieves who once worked as a page boy on Enoshima Island.I began stealing gifts from temples in Edo.

Soon the money I stole began to pile up more and more.

It is me, the one and only Benten Kozo Kikunosuke.

Matsunosuke

Wow, so you really did make it to the end. You passed.

Sahul

Thank you so much!

Matsunosuke

Next time make sure not to make any mistakes.

Sahul

Yes! Thank you!

Matsunosuke

The reception will be the last judge. I wonder if this will be enough to warm up the elders to the idea of Yukimaru in Kabuki.

Yukinojou

Taking Sahul as my student was already against the norms of the Kabuki industry.

However I also think I have much to learn, just like him. For Yukimaru’s sake, I will also work hard to rise to the top.

Matsunosuke

I see you have been preparing yourself as well.

Izumi

(Sahul masters the role of Benten Kozo. I can see the result of Citron’s hard work in the scene where Sahul gains recognition for his performance.)

Izumi

(And now we jump to a couple years later..)

Yukinojou

And how about for our play ‘Wait a Moment’?

Yukinojou’s Teacher

It has gained a lot of recognition overseas. It is surprising to see you making such rapid progress. You are even getting offers from sponsors. I think this is a good time to take them up on those deals.

Yukinojou

First.. May I make a selfish request?

Yukinojou’s Teacher

Sure.

Yukinojou

Will you give Yukimaru a part?

Yukinojou’s Teacher

Hey hey now, let’s not go that far..

Yukinojou

He has already received the approval from other teachers in both his acting and performance. I am sure he would make quite the stir if we are taking our performance overseas.

After all, everyone has said he is the best of the best. Even you can agree to that, right?

However if I remember the much decorated and beloved Uzaemon from the Meiji era was also said to have foreign blood running through his veins.

I am who I am today because of Yukimaru. Yukimaru has the power to capture the hearts of many with his performance. So I beg of you, please.

Yukinojou’s Teacher

Hmm hmm.. I need to ask about this one, I won’t make any promises.

Sahul

Master, are you really going to perform overseas!? Congratulations!

Yukinojou

Oh, Yukimaru, you are also going to be performing with me.

Sahul

HUH!?

Yukinojou

You will be standing on the same stage as me.

Sahul

ARE YOU SERIOUS!?

Izumi

(And now is the time for Sahul to finally stand on stage in his home country.)

Sahul

I have come to the Imperial Court to return this treasure that I have stolen.

Matsunosuke

A thief can only atone for their crimes with their life. Servants, tonight this man’s execution will serve as our entertainment.

Subordinate

Hah, yes understood.

Yukinojou

Wait just a minute!

Izumi

(Citron really captures Sahul’s character in this performance. Both him and Sahul are finally standing on stage in their home country, performing for their people.

I am sure everyone else can feel the same energy.)

Citron

<< Thank you so much! >>

Azuma

<< Thank you so much! >>

Itaru

<< Thank you. >>

Homare

<< THANK YOU! THANK YOU! >>

Sakuya

<< Thank you so much! >>

Hisoka

<< Thank you. >>

Audience A

<< CITRON! >>

Audience B

<< CITRON! >>

Izumi

(Wow, everyone is cheering for Citron.

It seems like the audience could see Citron’s hard work and effort he put into his part. The atmosphere feels warm and welcoming. >>

Navel

<< Amazing.. >>

Orange

<< .. Our older brother isn’t a bad guy after all. I don’t feel any malice toward him either.)

Tangerine

<< Dear brother, good job on your performance! It was really amazing! >>

Mika

<< I have never seen anything so amazing! >>

Citron

<< You praise too much. >>

Tangerine

<< But of course, I am sure I am not the only one who thought your performance was great. >>

Citron

Huh?

Orange

....

Citron

Orange, Navel..

Orange

<< I have decided to study abroad. >>

Citron

<< What? >>

Orange

<< I plan to speak with the king after this.

Perhaps our request to study abroad may seem like we are running away, but it is really the opposite. We are still lacking in experience. We have only ever known this palace.

After watching your performance we were able to understand this.

We would like to see many more things just like you, dear brother.

We want to meet new people and understand different cultures.. Your performance was so amazing it inspired us to want to set out on our own journey abroad. >>

Navel

<< M-Me too. I want to see sakura blossoms in real life one day. >>

Citron

<< .. I understand. I am very happy to hear that as the Minister of Foreign Arts and Culture. >>

Guy

They are having a serious conversation.

Azuma

Fufu. It’s good.

Izumi

I am sure things will slowly begin to change from now on.

Chikage

Oh come to think of it, shouldn’t we tell our troupe mates back in Japan how the play went?

Izumi

Oh, yes!

(”The play finished up without a problem”..)

.. And what about a picture?

[LIME] Kazunari

Good work! Oh, the sakura are gonna bloom soon!

Izumi

When we return it will be just about spring time.

Homare

The spring that melts the snow.. Seems like coming to Zahra put us one step ahead.

Azuma

So it has.

Citron

<< About studying abroad. How about I put in a word for you with the king as well? If you have any questions or concerns you may always ask me. >>

Orange

<< Thank you. We will. >>

Tangerine

<< And if there is anything I can do to help you can ask me. I will support your decision. >>

END STORY

Read the epilogue here!

#a3 #a3! translation #エースリー #s:senribana monogatari #a3:citron

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nexttrickanvils · 3 years

Text

Beware of Karen Ch. 2

Sorry this took so long, had other priorities but here is the long awaited chapter 2 of Beware of Karen.

Summary: After Guybrush and Stan fail to deal with the latter’s ex-wife, Elaine decides to throw her hat into the ring. It goes about as well as you expect. ---------

Elaine hummed to herself as she set the table. While Guybrush was admittedly the better cook of the two, she still wanted to surprise her Pikaroni with a nice romantic dinner. Preferably without a certain plaid wearing charlatan joining them.

While Elaine had nothing against Stan… well okay maybe she had a lot against Stan… but that wasn’t the point, she’d prefer if he hadn’t attempted to drag her and Guybrush in an ex-lover’s quarrel of all things.

But she trusted Guybrush’s wit and uncanny ability to find absurd but simple solutions to absurd problems.

Before long, she could hear footsteps on the deck, she quickly lit the candles and plated the food.

“Welcome back, sugarboots! I hope you’re...”

The door opened and in came Guybrush… and Stan.

“Hey honey! Ooh are those potstickers I smell?”

“...Guybrush… I thought you were going to help Stan with his ex-wife and thus he would not bother us.” Elaine said, gritting her teeth

Guybrush, to his credit, looked apologetic.

“Well I did try, I honestly did but well… let’s just say Stan wasn’t exaggerating about how awful Karen is. So I guess Stan will be staying with us until Karen leaves.”

Elaine groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Guybrush sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I know, I was really excited for all the quality time too but Elaine, you have no idea just how evil this woman is. I couldn’t just leave Stan to fend for himself against her, I’m a pirate not a monster!”

“...Really? And please do tell me, what makes her so terrible that Stan has to go in hiding with us?” Elaine asked, clearly unconvinced

“Well first: I could barely breathe around her stall, the perfume she was selling was that thick! She was also really pushy with the sales pitch like waaaaay worse than Stan. She also kept making all these mean comments about me being a terrible husband and how our marriage would fall apart if I didn’t buy her stuff. And she threatened to call the island authorities on Stan if he even thought of setting up shop near her! And he didn’t even do anything!”

Elaine raised an eyebrow, “Hm, I admit she does actually sound awful. But being pushy and rude are hardly the crimes of the century, sweetie.”

“Oh it goes beyond “pushy and rude.”” remarked Stan, mouth full of potstickers

“Karen thrives on “the hunt.” All she cares about is her next sale!"

"...Sounds like you." Elaine and Guybrush both remarked

"Oh no no no, my friends. I admit that Ol' Stan here may have exaggerated or cut some corners here and there. But hey sometimes that's what you gotta do when your clientele are a buncha rowdy swashbucklers!"

Stan continued, while grabbing another pot sticker, "Karen on the other hand… she has no respect for the art of sales, it's all a means to an end for her. And if anyone gets in the way of that precious end sale even if it’s only in her mind, she will destroy you! By the way, these are amazing, you could make a killing selling these.”

Once again, Elaine found herself not entirely convinced. Stan stuffing himself with the food she made for herself and Guybrush didn’t help his case. But he also couldn’t really be considered a reliable narrator. And Guybrush, her dear Threepy, the love of her life… well he was quite prone to exaggeration.

Elaine sighed, well she wouldn’t be where she was now if she just sat and complained about a bad situation.

“Perhaps… I should speak to her…”

“NO!” Shouted both Guybrush and Stan

She just gave them a confident smile, “Oh don’t worry about me. I’m sure if I went without Stan, she won’t be as volatile. And besides, all my years as governor has given me quite the experience of negotiating with stubborn egotistic business owners. You remember that incident at the O'Malley's Galley last year, don’t you dear?”

Guybrush let out a small laugh and a blush, obviously remembering how Elaine dealt with the restaurant's owner after the man refused Guybrush's request to not serve the food on porcelain plates.

Elaine kissed Guybrush on the cheek, "I'll be fine dear. You just relax and I'll come back with the good news."

Then she looked over at Stan, "...And I suppose you just do what you can to entertain yourself."

And with that, Elaine made her way off the boat and into town. As she made her way, she kept rehearsing in her head how she'd calmly confront Karen.

However when Elaine arrived and started asking the other merchants about Karen, a feeling of dread began to form.

They were all smiles and sales until Elaine explained who she was looking for. They all suddenly dropped their grins and immediately apologized to Elaine for "wasting her time."

The most concerning interaction was from one merchant who told Elaine where Karen was then immediately begged her to not tell Karen that the two of them spoke.

Before long, Elaine found the woman of the hour making a sale.

"Trust me, dearie, this color and this scent are perfect for you! You'll be catching everyone's eye in no time!"

The female pirate grinned as she paid for her goods.

"Just remember, no refunds on used products."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Look out, Single's Night, Mama's coming!"

Elaine stepped aside to let the lady walk by then she took a deep breath and steeled herself.

"Excuse me? Are you Karen?"

"Hm?"

Elaine felt a shiver down her spine when Karen smiled at her.

“Well hello there, my dear! Whatever you need, I’ve got it.”

“Actually I’m not here to shop. You met my husband earlier? Guybrush Threepwood?”

“Ohhh! So he gave you the free sample? I knew you couldn’t resist! A woman of your taste would know fine class when you see it.”

Karen chuckled as she immediately looked through her inventory while Elaine was already finding her patience tested.

“Please just listen to me. I understand that your relationship with your ex-husband is… strained but it’s gotten to the point where he’s hiding on my and my husband’s ship trying to get away from you.”

“Hmph, Stan, being an absolute freeloader? You don’t say. Anyway…!”

To Elaine’s surprise, Karen grabbed her face.

“H-hey!”

“Hm, you look like a spring or autumn to me.”

Elaine quickly pushed her off though if that bothered Karen, she didn’t show it and went straight back to her sales pitch.

“Now your face is rather pale, you look like a ghost, dearie! Oh and you need to ditch that bandana, it clashes with your hair."

"Would you just LISTEN to me! I am not here to buy anything! Or to get make-up advice. Or whatever you think I'm here for! I need for you and Stan to reconcile whatever is going on with you two so my husband and I can be alone!"

With that, Karen just laughed.

"Oh you poor innocent sucker. There is no reconciling with that selfish mess of a man. But that's marriage for you, the minute the wifey has a problem, she's suddenly a nagging witch, am I right?"

Elaine's patience was growing thinner and thinner as she crossed her arms and glared at Karen.

"Fine. You two just can't get along, just fine. But at the very least just let Stan be. My husband and I have been looking forward to a nice romantic vacation and we can't exactly do that with Stan around.

Karen smirked and Elaine once again felt an icy chill.

"Oh really? And what do you think your "dear" husband and Stan are doing while they sent you to do their dirty work?"

"I volunteered…"

Karen continued, ignoring Elaine's correction, "They're probably just lazing about on the deck, pigging out on junk and guzzling grog. I was one of the lucky ones. I realized what a scam the whole marriage thing is and got out of there. I've still got my divorce lawyer's card, you know, when you realize that you don't need to settle with that blonde idiot."

Karen pulled out a card and placed it into Elaine's pocket. Without hesitation, Elaine grabbed Karen's wrist with an iron grip.

"HEY!!!"

“Now listen here, you can insult me all you want but my husband is a good man. He may have his moments but that goes for anyone. Do you know what we've faced off against together? Some of the fiercest pirates on the Seven Seas including the undead monster LeChuck. A real estate developer with delusions of grandeur who had the power to make mice out of men. A mad scientist obsessed with eternal life! Guybrush even conquered DEATH! And through all that, Guybrush has always been respectful, caring, and loving!”

Elaine let go of Karen's wrist but kept her steely glare on her.

"My husband may not be perfect but I cannot see myself with anyone else. Now I believe our business is done here."

Karen rubbed her wrist as she gave Elaine her own glare.

"Hmph, I suppose it is. But I am a forgiving sort. I'd be happy to help you once you figure things out."

Refusing to dignify Karen's response, Elaine simply turned around and walked away.

As Elaine stepped out of the marketplace, a shrill scream filled the air.

She looked toward the noise and saw the female pirate from earlier desperately trying to shake off two monkeys climbing all over her.

Elaine quickly came to the woman's rescue, shooing the monkeys away from her, giving the other pirate enough time… to dunk her head in the nearby fountain.

Whatever that did, it seemed to cause the monkeys to lose interest and run off.

"Oh thank Blackbeard's frilly underthings."

"Are… you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah I will be."

"What in the world even happened?"

"Oh I'll tell ye what happened! I went to the bar to get ready for Single's Night and put on somea that goop that fast-talking she-devil sold me. Next thing I knew, the bar's monkey mascots were all over me."

"...And you're certain that it was the make-up that caused this?"

"DO I LOOK LIKE SOMEONE A MONKEY'D BE ATTRACTED TO TO YA!? They left me alone just fine then I put on that damn perfume and other stuff and they went crazy! "You'll be catching everyone's eyes in no time" apparently that includes mangy beasts!"

The other pirate stood up and emptied her bag of Karen's products. She then walked away, grumbling about her wasted money and time.

Maybe it was Guybrush's influence but Elaine couldn't help but pick up a couple of the fallen cosmetics.

Eventually Elaine made her way back to the Screaming Narwhal. Guybrush and Stan were on the deck though unlike Karen's prediction, Guybrush was practicing his banjo playing while Stan just read a book.

Guybrush immediately noticed Elaine walking onto the deck and smiled. At least Elaine had that.

"Plunderbunny! So um… how did it go?"

"...I apologize, you were both right. She's the absolute worst, how do we get rid of her?"

#Monkey Island #Anvil Writings

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